The Ten Plus Club (St. Claires)
Author: Rufus Salisbury
Date: 11-05-04 08:54
Rufus spied Malcolm and Darius eating in the muggle cafeteria. He waved a folder as he approached them. He threw the folder down onto the table and sat next to his boss, picking at the fruit on his tray.
"What the hell is this? You're stepping down in genetics?"
Malcolm's attempt at a silent warning barely caught his eye. Rufus lowered his voice, trying to sound less outraged. "Why? Thats insanity. You've got a waiting list and full patient load!"
Darius moved his fork around his plate, searching for another pea pod, the only distinguishable vegetable in the alleged stir-fry he was eating.
"Didn't you hear the good news? I'm in the ten plus club." He stabbed his target in a successful pea pod reconnaissance. He seemed nonchalant, almost uneffected.
"What! You're kidding!"
Darius shook his head. "Fuck 'em. Let 'em all have deformed dying babies. I don't care anymore. I'm through getting raped up the ass in malpractice. Fuck 'em all. Between them and my ex-wife I feel like I'm Bubba's bitch in prison."
Rufus laughed. "I've always thought you were very pretty.
He sighed.
Don't you think this is a bit extreme? Darius, St. Claire's is known for having the best. With you here and not specializing its going to hurt. The board might not even accept your resignation."
"I'm not leaving. I'm consulting and still heading up the lab. Evan Kohl is excellent. Let him pay."
Rufus tried to talk reason but it was obvious the conversation was over. He dashed over to the line and brought back a plate of the mystery stir-fry.
"Hey Mal, did he tell you about his date?"
Malcolm looked up. "Date? Horatia will love that..."
Rufus laughed. "Do you know Madeline Brock? "
Darius didn't look up when he laughed. "Shut up! It's not a date!"
Malcolm bit into a hamburger. "Yeah, really pretty volunteer, daughter with Thalassaemia right?"
Rufus nodded.
"That's her" he sniggered.
"You're kidding! NO way! Oh Geez Darius!" He joined Rufus in laughter.
Darius pushed his plate away. "What can I say, she fed me a line I couldn't refuse."
Rufus couldn't stop laughing.
Malcolm bobbed his head in frustration, hating the lag. "Okay, I'll bite.........which was?"
"Mal, she came up to me with those gorgeous blue eyes and want in her voice said.........Dr. Sparrow, do you know Jesus?"
Malcolm howled. "Oh-My-God! You didn't!"
"That's right son!" Darius' southern fried British accent was pathetic. "I'm goin a meetin' tanight!"
Gone for Good
Author: Gretchen Feller
Date: 11-05-04 10:44
The calamity between Hanna and Jolene as it had between Jolene and Gretchen. Unlike Gretchen, Hanna was 19 and didn't work. She didn't go to school and she didn't want to follow rules or pay rent. Gretchen hated being in the house and her restriction didn't make it much better. Carl would come over everyonce in a while and help Gretchen pass the time. Gretchen learned alot about Carl. He was 16 and didn't attend school. His parents were against wizarding schools. Gretchen told him about her too. One day Jolene permitted Gretchen to go over to his abode. Gretchen and him told jokes and played games all day. They also had long talks, where they learned even more about each other. Finally it became evening and Gretchen and Carl strolled to her house. There wasn't much silence between them till she reached her house. She stared i awe at what she was hearing, or what she wasn't hearing. The house was silent. Gretchen bid Carl goodbye and ran inside. Her mother and father were crying. Korey was moping around. Gretchen ran upstairs. All of Hanna's stuff was gone. She had left for good. Gretchen fell against the door to Hanna's room and began crying. The only person who'd understood was now gone.
Who Knows What?
Author: Kody
Date: 11-05-04 12:26
Loaded down with several boxes containing goodies he's ordered from Briar's Bakery, Kody shoves his way through one cluster of students after another until he finds the compartment currently occupied by Drake and all their gear. Kody drops into the seat across from his friend, somehow managing to do so without a single box giving the slightest wobble. "Did you see the girls?" Drake asks to which Kody replies by shaking his head back and forth.
"Wonder where they'll sit," Drake muses aloud.
The boxes of pastries and sweets now on the seat beside him, Kody gives a shrug then runs a hand over his hair to push it off his forehead. "I doubt it will be with us. Ariana maybe. Emma... I think Emma knows."
"How?"
"Dunno. I didn't leave any evidence. I don't think so anyway."
Kody thinks back to several days ago when he'd found a way to sneak into Emma's dorm room. It had taken him away but he'd found the book Ariana had mentioned. Just holding it in his hands gave him the creeps. That's as far as he got though because an entire herd of girls were coming up the stairs. Not knowing which room or rooms they were headed for, Kody had hurried to put the book back where he found it. Sounds on the landing had him grabbing his broom and kicking off. Kody ended up hovering in a deeply shadowed portion of the ceiling for nearly twenty minutes, praying the entire time that no one looked up and that he wouldn't develop an urgent need to sneeze.
When the room was once again empty and the stair clear, Kody had taken a moment to make sure nothing of Emma's was out of place and then hightailed it out of there. Somehow though, Emma knew. She'd been more distant and cold towards him than ever before. It comes then as a huge surprise when the compartment door opens and there stands Emma with Ariana close behind. With a cool smile tinged with something Kody thinks might be malice, Emma fixes a stare on the boxes next to Kody.
Kody picks boxes up, handing some to Drake, then moves his legs out of the way as the girls step over and sit down. Much to Kody's relief, Plum pops her head in just then. "Oh good. You've got room." Without invitation Plum wiggles in between Kody and Emma, shooting everyone a bright smile. "Those boxes smell like bakery sweets. I've got a backpack butterbeer in my backpack. I'll share if you will."
The tension level in the compartment drops somewhat and as the noise on the platform and down the train aisles steadily grows, Plum hands out butterbeer as Kody and Drake start passing the boxes around. Kody thinks to himself, "Even with Plum here, this is going to be a very long train ride."
Searching
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 11-05-04 14:12
Bronwyn and Desdemona walked down the center aisle of the train in search of an empty compartment. "No... no... no..." she said with each crowded compartment she passed. She poked her head into a Slytherin-filled one and expressed "Definitely not" before moving on.
"We're never going to find an empty one because you took too long getting ready this morning," Desi said somewhat peevishly, "so let's just settle on one and be done with it."
"Okay, okay." Bronwyn smoothed her hair and poked her head into the next compartment. There was her brother Siegfried sitting among the Beck siblings, Anthony, Ariella and Alanna.
"Got room for two more?" Bronwyn inquired.
Siegfried looked slightly unimpressed by his older sister's appearance but shrugged and said, "Sure, we can make room for you two."
Anthony and Siegfried made room on one side of the compartment, while Ariella and Alanna did the same on the other side. Bronwyn sat down next to her brother.
She addressed the Beck bunch. "So, are you lot going to Australia this summer or is Toby coming home to see you?"
The boys and Desi rolled their eyes, knowing full-well why Bronwyn was so interested. Ariella piped up, "We're going to Brisbane for three weeks. Toby's going to introduce us to the team and show us around. It'll be loads of fun."
"So Toby won't be coming for a visit? Shame." Bronwyn flipped a stray strand of hair over her shoulder and changed the subject. "I'm so glad Professor Miller and Professor Turin are sticking around next year. Merlin knows Hogwarts could use a bit more eye-candy in its staff. Though if Professor Flitwick shaved his beard..."
The entire compartment groaned.
The Sleeping Compartment
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 11-05-04 15:02
"I'm so glad Professor Miller and Professor Turin are sticking around next year. Merlin knows Hogwarts could use a bit more eye-candy in its staff. Though if Professor Flitwick shaved his beard..." Bronwyn started talking. I and everyone else groaned. To be honest, I was waiting for her to bring up guys. I was just hoping it would be later rather then sooner.
I waited a few minutes until Bronwyn's monologue started to go on and on. I grabbed my bag and started looking through the rolls of parchment in there. I quickly found the ones that were clearly labeled from the day I was actually awake in History of Magic. I pulled the first one out and opened it up.
"Hey, Bronwyn," I started. She stopped talking and looked at me. I then started to read the lecture from that day. I kept reading Binn’s lecture word for word until I was almost too asleep to read. I had only made it about half way down the first roll, out of the six rolls that I had taken during that one lecture.
I looked up to find I had done it. Bronwyn was asleep. So was everyone else in the compartment. I stood up and stretched before sitting back down. I put the lecture back into my bag and pulled out a book to read for the rest of the train ride back to London.
Watching the Students Leave
Author: Prof Sorcha
Date: 11-05-04 15:48
Sorcha sat at the window of her classroom watching the line of students pour out of the castle. They were all heading down to Hogsmeade to catch the train back home. Another school year had finished and it was time for summer.
This summer instead of going somewhere to help an archeological dig, she would go to several and try to collect a few artifacts for her advanced students to study as more of a hands on sort of approach to the class.
It would break the never-ending writing assignment that the class seems to be most of the time. Sorcha knew a few students who would like that. She may also have them carve their names into a rock. Or they could do it into a series of small rocks and make jewelry out of it. After a moment, Sorcha figured the second one would be one better suited for the third year students.
As the stream of students waned Sorcha got up and started to pack a few of her things for her travels this summer.
Calm before the Storm
Author: Majandra
Date: 11-05-04 16:23
"Are you meeting George in Diagon Alley?" Hermione asks as they stand waving to friends on the train.
"Yes. We're meeting both sets of parents for lunch. Based on things Mum wrote, she seems to think we're going to announce our engagement. Based on things from Blossom and most of the Weasley boys, Mrs. Weasley somehow knows what we're really meeting for. I'm so nervous I think I'm going to Floo."
"Probably a good idea. Want to go from Sirius's? You can leave your stuff there just as easily as you can at Bill's." Harry offers.
"True. That would mean I wouldn't have to go bother Bill at work to get into his house."
"You're going to leave your things at home and go on to London as well, Hermione?"
"If it's all right with you, yes. I want to visit my father."
The scarlet steam engine lets out a belch of smoke then begins pulling away. Harry looks around asking, "Where'd Ron get off to?"
Maj tilts her head, "Just down there. He was helping Ginny get settled. Said she'd rather ride the train and spend the night at Luna's just in case her mum doesn't take George's and my news well."
Harry makes a grunting noise as he picks up one of their trunks and pushes it onto a trolley he'd found only he knows where. To Maj the grunt has a distinctly, "Can't say I blame her," sound. Ron joins them and between the four fo them it only takes a minute to get everything loaded. The boys push the trolley towards the heart of town as Hermione with Crookshanks and Maj with Harry's owl Hedwig, following behind.
Sirius meets them at the door, throwing it open and rushing out to grab them all in an embrace. No mean feat considering they were scattered and with a trolley, a cat carrier, and a bird cage between him and them. They've barely caught their collective breaths when Sirus has stowed everyone's gear, fed both Crookshanks and Hedwig, and has the four young adults ensconsed in his den, perfectly chillled butterbeers in hand and slices of cake in front of them.
In between bites of his own cake, Sirius happily chats, making them all feel at home, and home it is for Harry and if she wants, Hermione. "Plan on coming back here tonight, Hermione. I'll cook a nice supper. Dru's coming over too. She'll tell you herself that we both want you to stay here as long as you want and need."
Harry cast a look at Ron. "You might want to think about setting another place at the table tonight, Sirius. Ron may want to duck out of The Burrow if Mrs. Weasley's lunch doesn't agree with her."
Wiping her mouth with a napkin, Maj stands up. "That reminds me I can't put this off much longer. I promised George we'd have a little time together before going to lunch at noon and here it is almost half past eleven now."
A quick round of hugs and some borrowed Floo powered and Maj is off to the Twin's shop in Diagon Alley.
News Brief
Author: Majandra
Date: 11-05-04 16:39
Maj emerges from the office fireplace Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes, startling Blossom in the process. Her friend and soon to be sister-in-law recovers quickly. A laugh in her voice Blossom says, "We weren't expecting you to come by Floo."
"I'm so nervous I thought I might end up splinched if I apparated."
"Here, turn around. Let me dust you off. Or if you prefer, you've got time to go up to the flat and change. You do have clothes there, right?"
"I do but not much. That's a chore for after this lunch is over. Go to my parents and pack. I'll also need to retrieve things from Hogsmeade."
Further conversation is interrupted when George enters the office. "Thought I heard voices!"
The next few minutes are spent saying hello while Blossom discretely makes an exit. When they emerge from the office, Blossom hands Maj a comb. "Your hair is mussed, and you should maybe touch up your lipstick. I'll get a whisk broom for the fireplace ashes on the back of your clothes. Then you'll look very presentable."
By the time Maj is combed, touched up, and dusted off and has said hello to Fred, there's not much time before George and she need to leave. Before they go, George has one thing he wants to do. Taking the ring she's been wearing around her neck for a year, George slides it on the proper finger. Maj places his ring on his hand as well, and hand in hand George and Majandra walk out of the shop and down the street. Arriving at a new restaurant, George gives Maj a reassuring kiss.
Once seated with both of them facing the door, they only have a short time to wait before the Paul and Eliza Fine and Arthur and Molly Weasley arrive almost at the same time. Each rise to greet their respective parents and in-laws. Everyone sits and menus are in hand, when George clears his throat.
"Mum. Dad. Mr. and Mrs Fine. We've got something to tell you."
Raising their now beringed hands in view, together they say, "We're married."
In the ensuing stunned silence, including that of Molly Weasley, George says, "We eloped last year," and Majandra adds, "On my birthday."
Professor Snape (St. Claire's)
Author: Darius Sparrow
Date: 11-05-04 17:34
Darius looked at his watch. "Holy Hell! I have a potions class at St. Mungo's!"
He looked over to Dr. Salisbury who was already shaking his head. "Sorry mate, I've got rounds."
Darius looked at Muggle cardiac specialist Malcolm Caines and scowled. "Worthless ingrates, all of you!" He picked up his rubbish and deposited in the trash, muttering all the way out the door and vowing to get more help.
When finally in his office and at his desk he shuffled through his class notes. The potions weren't difficult. Most of his healing apprentices had a very good foundation in potions, compliments of their respective schools. Darius often wondered why more healing potions weren't included while forgetfulness potions and the such were.
His thoughts drifted back to the boy he expelled from class for his devotion to Hogwarts Potions Master Severus Snape. Darius had met Snape a few years earlier at a healer's colloquium. They'd attended a series of potions seminars ranging from "The Proper Use of Fire and Water" to the standing room only "Cauldron of Darkness: Potions and the Dark Arts."
They'd spoken politely and sat together when in the same lecture. Darius knew Snape's reputation of being the celebrated Hogwarts Potion's Master and no matter his own accomplishments, felt like a cut rate hack rather than an esteemed healer. Darius had convinced himself that Snape was aware of his past and was polite in professional tollerance. Mercifully the educator never said a word. Professor Snape contributed intelligently and professionally, offering insight and the experience of his years at Hogwarts.
Darius reached for a sheet of parchment and his quill and composed a letter of re-introduction and inquiry as to if the professor would be interested in a summer teaching assignment as well as a consulting situation. An invitation to St. Mungo's to discuss such a positon was issued and the letter ended with the usual "Looking forward to your reply..etc."
Darius used the portkey to transport to his office at St. Mungos where he attached the parchment to a St. Mungo's Owl then was off to theatre for class.
Feels Like Home
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 11-05-04 18:04
Hermione already missed Hogwarts and desired to return (particularly to the library, where so many books remained that she'd not yet read), but her sense of longing was strongly overshadowed by the knowledge that she would soon be reunited with her father. The very thought of seeing him again in his dilapidated state brought tears to her eyes; she wanted him back the way he was before he had met Bellatrix Lestrange. She wanted her mother back, too.
She shook herself into the present, drying her eyes with a surreptitious sweep of the back of her hand, and turned her attention to Sirius, Harry and Ron. Sirius had done everything possible to make his guests feel at home, and for that Hermione was very thankful. She needed a sense of home, for she had no where else to go––the Burrow aside.
Finishing her slice of cake, Hermione rose to carry the dirty plates and forks to the kitchen.
"Hermione, you don't have to do that," Sirius said, rising to take the dishes from her hands.
Hermione evaded his gesture and smiled. "I don't mind." She deposited the dirty dishes in the sink and returned to the den, where she announced, "I'm going to St. Mungo's to see my father."
"Do you want some company?" Ron asked. He got to his feet.
Hermione shook her head. "Maybe next time." She turned to Sirius and said, "Count on having me here for dinner, and if you don't mind I'd like to stay for a while..."
"Like I said, you're welcome here for as long as you'd like," Sirius said, smiling.
Hermione smiled and walked to the door. Ron went with her. "I'll be fine," Hermione said quietly, "I just want some time alone with him. It's been too long."
"I'll be here if you need me," Ron said. He pecked her on the cheek.
Hermione waved in Harry's direction and then walked out the door, throwing a look over her shoulder at Ron who remained in the doorway. With a final smile at him, she disapparated.
Owl Post
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 11-05-04 18:57
Professor Snape spent a leisurely morning going through the store cabinets in his classroom, taking notes of items low in stock for future purchase. He'd already compiled a lengthy list of ingredients like bat spleens, beetle eyes, dragon liver and rat tonic and added a few items for good measure. At last having completed his assessment of the Potions stores, Snape turned to the next item on his to-do list: to appraise the other supplies in the classroom. Few would need replacing, but most would need a thorough cleaning. He busied himself with the task, sorting through various beakers and flasks, and stopped only for lunch.
Deciding a meal outside the castle was in order, Snape prepared to go to Hogsmeade for lunch at The Spinning Horn. He left his classroom and walked down the empty halls, marveling in the silence that enveloped him. Thank Merlin the children were gone! No more would he hear their incessant prattling. No more would he have to be in their presence. Not until September, at any rate, and that month could stay far, far away for all he cared.
He was met by an owl on the green, sloping lawn of the castle. It fluttered before him, bearing an envelope stamped with the seal of St. Claire's Hospital. Professor Snape held out his arm and allowed the animal a place of rest, if only for a moment. He took the envelope from its talons, ripped open the seal and pulled out the slip of parchment, which he read with interest.
He remembered Darius Sparrow, of course, though it had been some years since they'd seen each other last. The man had a reputation of once having been a convict, something not altogether unknown to Snape, though where he had evaded Azkaban, Darius had not. But Dr. Sparrow was also an accomplished Healer and excelled in potion-making, something Snape held in the highest regard.
Snape reached for his wand and conjured a treat for the owl. Then he urged the animal to take flight and walked into Hogsmeade, where he disapparated.
Journey Home
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 11-05-04 19:01
Tranquillina, Roane and Rikku had made theirway down to catch the train with the other students. When they had boarded, they roamed about until they happened upon a fairly empty car.
They settled in, and waited for the ride to begin. Saturn jumped on Tranq's lap, perhaps to make ammends for that morning's battle. Trying to get Saturn into a carrier was hard enough when the school year had begun -- but at least then Tranq's mother had been there to provide some sort of moral support. Poor Roane and Rikku had dared not touch the cat. Now it was as though Saturn had short-term memory loss.
As Tranquillina stroked his fur (a rather bold move, it might be said), she turned to look out the window.
"So what are your plans for this summer?" Roane asked.
"Nothing in particular," Tranquillina offered. Truthfully, she was feeling a bit blue -- it seemed as though she'd just gotten used to her Hogwarts routine! "At least, not as of yet, but my birthday is comming up in July -- I'm hoping to convince my mother to have you guys up at our place in Cardiff!" Tranq grinned before adding, "How about you?"
Visiting Dad
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 11-05-04 19:29
Hermione stopped before the store window at Purge and Dowse, Ltd. and spoke to the dummy in the window. It nodded its head and beckoned her to enter, which she did by walking straight forward through the red brick and glass of the store front. Once inside, she approached the front desk.
A plump witch looked up from her paperwork and smiled. "How may I help you?"
"I'm here to see my father. I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione said. "He's on the..."
"Fourth floor," finished the welcome witch. "Spell Damage, Janus Thickey Ward."
"Yes, thank you." Hermione moved for the elevators when she heard a distinct, "It cannot be possible" from behind her. She knew the voice and turned to see Professor Snape standing just inside the room. "Hello Profes––" Could she called him Severus now that she was no longer his student? Or just Snape? Mr. Snape, perhaps? "Hello Professor Snape."
"Miss Granger," Snape replied drolly. "Shouldn't you be on the train, or out celebrating with..." He paused, wondering why he ever thought he'd be free of his former students. "...Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley?"
"I'm here to visit my father," Hermione answered in a quiet voice.
"Ah, yes." Snape was one of the Order members who'd quickly come to the scene on the cliffs of Hogsmeade, when Bellatrix Lestrange had delivered the comatose form of Mr. Granger to his daughter. "I hope he is faring better," he managed awkwardly.
"Thank you." Hermione bobbed her head slightly. "Well, goodbye..." She turned to the doors of the elevator.
"Goodbye, Miss Granger." Snape then approached the front desk to have a word with the receptionist.
The doors to the elevator slid open and Hermione stepped inside. She pushed the round button next to the number four and waited patiently for the journey to the fourth floor. Moments later, Hermione was on her way to the Janus Thickey Ward. She stepped through the glass doors, where she met Melinda Mumps just inside the chamber.
"Hermione, how good it is to see you!" Melinda exclaimed. She gave Hermione a hug.
"Hi Melinda, how's my father?"
Melinda led Hermione through the ward, past Gilderoy Lockhart's bed ("Would you like an autograph?!") to the metal-framed, sterile-looking bed of her father.
"He's no worse, Hermione," Melinda explained somewhat solemnly, "but he's no better either."
Hermione frowned and sat down next to her father's bed. She took his hand in hers, the hand that was missing a finger, and murmured, "I suppose no change is better than a change for the worse."
"I'll give you some time alone with your father. If you need anything..."
Hermione looked up and smiled weakly. "Thanks."
