Remembering
Last Night
Author: Angelina
Date: 10-16-02 15:43
As I got up I knew the school year had really gone. As I looked out the window I remembered last night and Snape. He had cornered me in the hallway after I had to leave the Dining Hall due to my arm. I remembered his face in mine. "You wanted to swipe that look off of didn't you?" A little voice said I shuddered at the thought and knew it was true.
Severus Snape, a Death Eater, now knew my secret and it scared me. I turned to my trunk and saw it was opened. All my things had been packed except my travel clothes and nightdress that I was wearing. Looking at my arm I saw my birthmark and scowled, "Why did you have to act up with him around?" Knowing it wasn't of any use to argue with a mark of my heritage I changed and put my hair up in a pony tail.
I packed my nightdress and locked it with a spell. I looked around at my room and knew I'd be back. As I finalized my packing a knock came to the door and I turned to it. "Peekus," I said and it showed that it was Professor McGonagall on the other side.
"One moment Professor McGonagall," I said and went to the door then opened it to a startled Professor. "I uh wanted to see if you were all right." She began and looked past me, "I mean is there anything wrong?"
I raised an eyebrow at what she meant and I realized she may have known about me and Snape last night. "Professor if you want to talk I do have some explaining to do, at least to you and Professor Dumbledore. It's about me, I think it's time to tell you both."
So Long! Farewell!
Aufwiedersehen! Adieu!
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 10-16-02 17:05
The early morning rush nearly drove Hermione mad. Besides last minute packing, Hermione had wanted to say good-bye to various friends, professors, portrait figures, and the like. She had a growing uneasy feeling that things in the world would become more and more perilous, and the chance that someone might not return to the school next fall unfortunately seemed very high. As upsetting as it was, Hermione wanted to be sure and talk to everyone before boarding the train.
Several hours later, Hermione and Ron made their way down to Hogsmeade Station with a throng of other students and Hagrid. The scarlet steam engine was already waiting on the tracks, and various students were already piling inside to get a good compartment. Hagrid took Hermione and Ron aside, but remained silent for quite some time as his eyes roved over the other students and the train.
Finally, he spoke. "Promise me summit." His eyes were glistening with tears, but they remained focused on the train.
"Anything, Hagrid." Hermione's voice squeaked, for she, too, was fighting back tears.
Ron nodded and took Hermione's hand, and Hagrid tore his gaze from the train to meet their eyes. "Write me. Keep in contact. I wanna know tha' yeh're safe an' sound." He sniffled loudly and pulled a wet hankerchief from his coat pocket.
"We'll write you, Hagrid. Often." Ron waited for the giant to blow his nose, and then reached over and gave him a great hug. At the same time, Hermione threw her arms around Hagrid and started to sob. Although they didn't mention his name, it was clear that all of them were thinking about Harry.
After a while, the throng of people on the platform started to lessen, signaling that it was time for Hermione and Ron to take their leave and board the train. With final good-byes to Hagrid, they climbed onboard and managed to find an empty compartment on the right side of a car. Hermione and Ron waved out the window to Hagrid, and then the great engine began moving down the tracks.
Pomp and Circumstance
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 10-16-02 18:49
The train started to pull away from Hogsmeade Station, steam blowing out of the engine and into the wind. Meanwhile, sitting in a compartment in one of the cars towards the back of the train were Fred, George, Majandra and Samantha. The four spent the first few minutes of the ride exchanging stories, memories and future plans.
Even as Fred talked with the others, his mind wandered back to a few minutes earlier when he was walking with George and Majandra to the train. Upon reaching the platform, he had spotted Samantha in the crowd of people waiting for her turn to climb aboard.
"Samantha!" Fred had called out, waving his arm to get her attention after she turned around.
With little convincing, Fred had managed to get her to join them and now they were laughing about events that had occurred during the train ride to school last fall.
"Do you remember when Malfoy pushed you into my lap?" Fred questioned, grinning wildly.
Samantha laughed. "Was that before or after I beat him up?"
Roars of laughter erupted in the compartment. As Fred wiped tears from his eyes, he realized he was really going to miss all this. Hogwarts had been a part of his life for seven long years, and now it was all over.
What now? The twins would finally be able to concentrate fully on their joke shop. How strange it was to think that they were graduates, and that they were about to set foot into the real, adult world!
The Baine
and Granger Families
Author: Gabriel Baine
Date: 10-16-02 18:51
Gabriel watched through the window as home after home was passed by the car. The street was faintly familiar in his memory. The car slowed and stopped before turning left and began accelerating as the destination neared in the distance. Concealing his excitement, Gabriel looked down at the navy-colored bag between his legs on the car floor. The bag contained a wand, books filled with spells, potions, and charms for reading during the trip, and a slightly aged football. Heaving a short sigh of boredom, Gabriel picked up the book sprawled open on the seat next to him and began again on a potion for healing the embarrassing endless-ear-wax-syndrome.
Three days a sixteen-year-old, Gabriel had spent his birthday somewhere over the Caspian Sea before landing outside of London hours later. His father was completing his term as a member of the diplomatic office from the United Kingdom in New Zealand having been recalled to the capital to work within the ministry at home. Andrew Baine drove a comfortable government car which the family had piled into after spending two days tending to meetings and other affairs of bureaucratic government. A champion of patience, Morgane Baine was soon to do something she had desired for nearly two decades now, work. Lovingly performing the role of a one-time ambassador and government official's wife, for years she had desired to put to use her medical degree and had arranged for several interviews in the autumn. Gabriel however had either the option of faring London by himself during long meetings, or sitting in inhumanely dull offices with poor taste in the arts depending on the agency. Tasting a little of each, Gabriel was entirely ready to declare his sixteenth birthday a loss and ridding it from his memory.
His dirty blond hair was in its usual position: charmingly thick, semi-tamed and tipped upward in the front. His blue eyes moved from left to right as he read the thin lines of the book before him while his attractive face remained thoroughly bored. He was rather light-skinned and was wearing an old gray shirt (faded words printed on the front, "Baileys" a New Zealand pub) that fit rather tightly around his medium build, a leather belt and light blue jeans. Since the age of eleven he had been educated in special institutions, schools that educated those with magical capabilities. The only person in the Baine family to be magical, Gabriel's parents had been supportive and gradually excited over their child's talent. The fact that their closest friends were in the same situation with their daughter most likely was a positive factor five years back.
The black sedan pulled into the driveway of an attractive house with three large trees in the front lawn. Gabriel tossed the book aside as his father took the key from the ignition and turned to his wife and son respectively, giving each a large grin. Still containing the excitement within him, Gabriel yawned loudly and rested his head on arms behind it. He thought to himself about how those trees hadn't been quite so large last he remembered them while his mother turned around in her seat to speak with him.
"I know there's no reason to say it Gabe, but be polite and courteous. It has been a long while since they've seen you so allow them some time to revel in how much you've changed and what a handsome young lad youÕve become," said Mrs. Baine. She smiled at her sneering son in the back seat and turned to see the front door of the two-story home open. Mr. and Mrs. Granger appeared on the doorstep momentarily before practically dashing down the steps to the car. Gabriel's dad was the first out the car to receive a hug and kiss from the emotional Mrs. Granger and then a handshake and hug with Mr. Granger. Mrs. Baine was second and followed Mrs. Granger into tears of happiness. The two women embraced for a long while before starting on some strange conversation they had probably had days ago when Gabriel's mom called from their London hotel room on their arrival. Realizing she had forgotten him, Mrs. Baine hugged Mr. Granger who had been occupied with Mr. Baine in a discussion of the rather notable features of the ministry's car ("One-sixty!? Whew! I think we'll just have to take her for a spin following dinner.")
"Oh my! Gabe! Most certainly it is, Gabriel Baine! If it weren't for the pictures your mother sent I wouldn't believe it!" cried Mrs. Granger as she noticed Gabriel, who had stepped out from the car during the greetings.
"Helloooo Mrs. Granger, and might I add you look rather fine yourself," replied Gabriel and rather to his surprise he outmatched her in being the first to the reach the other for a hug six years in the making.
"Oh! Such a charmer! Just like your father!" cried Mrs. Granger over his shoulder before stepping back to look him over from head to foot. "They certainly have fed you well! My Lord, sixteen and the last real image I have is from ten. Won't Hermione be surprised?" Gabriel perked up at the mentioning the name. Mr. Granger followed Mrs. Granger, who was talking to Mrs. Baine about Gabriel, and shook his hand.
"Let me get a good look at you son," said Mr. Granger (son had always been his preferred nickname for Gabriel, Mrs. Granger and his mother called him Gabe) and almost instinctively Gabriel gave him a great grin revealing all his well cared for teeth. Mr. Granger chuckled humorously, "He certainly has his mother's good teeth." (A disapproving snort came from Mr. Baine.)
Hours later the two families were sitting in the comfortable Granger living room having eaten dinner, taken the ministry sedan for a 'test,' and moved Gabriel's luggage into the guest bedroom. Mr. and Mrs. Baine had worried for weeks back in New Zealand over whether to have him return with them while Mr. Baine finished his work over the summer, or find a place for him to stay in England for the summer. When Mrs. Granger heard over the phone that he was to stay with his grandparents she flatly refused and wheedled the Baines into agreeing to have Gabriel spend the summer with the Grangers, which Gabriel preferred immensely. The history of the two families went far back into the childhood of the two couples. Mrs. Granger had been a close friend of both Mr. and Mrs. Baine in early childhood through secondary education. While in studies Mrs. Granger met Mr. Granger and two months later the two couples met and immediately friendships were formed. Hermione Granger and Gabriel Baine were raised together since birth practically and shared a close relationship until the Baine family moved to Africa when Gabriel was ten as Mr. Baine was taking his appointment as an ambassador. Only through letters had the two children kept in contact, but of present they had sent nothing to one another for two years and only heard of each other through their parents.
Eventually as the night continued to age the conversations went from being a large discussion to small groups. Mrs. Granger and Gabriel were busy talking of education; she was fascinating with hearing of another school other than Hermione's, a school named Hogwarts which Gabriel would attend in fall. Equally interested was Gabriel in Hogwarts which Mrs. Granger gladly told all she could of.
"When Hermione returns home you will have a better chance to learn about Hogwarts. I can only tell so much from what she has told us," said Mrs. Granger. She noticed Gabriel looking over at the pictures of Hermione hanging on the wall. Mrs. Granger smiled and excused herself. She returned with scrapbooks filled with pictures of Hermione, the early ones nearly all had Gabriel in them, then at age ten they changed. She told him of her closest friends (Gabriel knew their names, Ron Weasley and the famous Harry Potter, from their letters years ago), and of their concern with the disappearance of Harry which Hermione had told them of in a letter, which Mrs. Granger let Gabriel read.
Near one o'clock in the morning the farewells were said to Mr. and Mrs. Baine who needed to reach a flight to Wellington in the morning ("Have fun and be that little angel I know you are!" said Mrs. Baine to her son before ducking into the car). The Grangers and Gabriel (their "adopted son" as Mrs. Granger was calling him tonight) were sleeping shortly later.
Headed for
Summer Vacation
Author: Ledara Knight
Date: 10-17-02 07:09
At last, Summer Vacation!
I couldn't wait. Spending the summer with Great Aunt Morgana in Scotland!
Usually, we would go and visit with family in Salem, Mass., or in New Orleans, La. But, this year, Scotland!
Finally reaching the Hogwarts Express and Hogsmead Station, it seemed strange, like I had just arrived. I love trains, and this one is great!
The other students were milling about, getting their belongings loaded on board. Isis was riding with me in her carrier. She hates riding in the baggage cars. I find a place to settle down for the trip to London. Dad & Mom will be waiting for me.
I see new friends walking by, stop and we chat for a bit, and exchange hugs and "See you next term!". Since I arrived late in my third year, next year I'll have the chance to see the Sorting Hat ceremony done on the first year students.
I set Isis' carrier on the seat next to me. She's a little restless and tries to settle down in her carrier, but, all the commotion has her restless.
I pick up one of my books on "Magic in Ancient Egypt" by Prof. Ahmed Ramesses. He's a dear freind of my Great Aunt, and had sent me an autographed copy of his book. His books are so interesting to read.
As I start to read, I notice my left hand begins to itch. As I reach to scratch it, it happens again. Animagi! That's what it's called. And it was happening again. My hands were turning into cat's paws again, and I saw fur growing straight up my arms.
I concentrate, and try to change my hands and arms back to normal. It's a strain, but I manage to work it. The Ministry of Magic will surely find out sooner or later. I decided to tell my parents and Great Aunt Morgana about this change. She would know who to contact in this case. There goes my summer! Looks like I'll be spending it with The Ministry of Magic!
Leaving
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 10-17-02 09:09
Ginny's trunk was packed the night before and all ready to be carted down to the train. Her brothers had all offered to help her with it but she'd promised Prescott walk to the station with him. He stood waiting for her in a hallway, a smile brightening his face when he spies Ginny. She makes him wait though because Ginny has one thing left to do.
Carrying an empty owl cage up to the owlery, Ginny calls for Hedwig. Ever since Harry vanished, Ginny had taken it upon herself to make sure the beautiful white owl was well cared for. Even still, Hedwig sensed something was wrong and seemed to be in a constant state of upset. Also, there was a patchy, molting look to her feathers. Ginny coaxes Hedwig into the cage which Prescott then insists on carrying for her.
A short while later they are walking down the aisles of the Hogwarts Express looking for a compartment. Shortly after the trains starts moving, Hermoine sticks her head out of a compartment and calls to them, inviting them to sit with Ron and she. Hermione and Ron smile approvingly at Ginny's decision to take Hedwig to the Burrow. They all know Hagrid would have taken good care of Hedwig but Hermione and Ron also understand Ginny's need to do it herself.
Once Ginny and Prescott are settled, the four chatter about anything and everything other the still missing Harry Potter. Today should be a happy time and talk of Harry would ensure a depressing ride home.
Freedom at
Last
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 10-17-02 11:32
Pyrrhus makes sure all the trunks and various animals are safely stowed before securing a compartment for himself and his lovely female Slytherin friends. Isolde hangs out the window and calls to Draco, Clara, and Tempest. The three older students join them just before the train pulls out of Hogsmeade Station. During the trip to King's Cross Station, the group has a wonderful time discussing summer plans and the apparent demise of Harry Potter. One extremely lively topic debated is how exactly the Dark Lord managed to whisk Potter away, leaving no trace or clue behind.
Sleep Away
the Summer
Author: Isolde
Date: 10-17-02 16:13
The train lurched ever onwards, but Isolde knew that many hours would pass before they were due to arrive in London. While she sat sandwiched between Pyrrhus and Azaelia on one side of the compartment, Tempest, Clara and Draco sat opposite. Across the aisle in the neighboring compartment were Draco's cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. In what was rather an unfortunate moment, the trolley lady turned to their compartment first. The growing boys that Crabbe and Goyle were, they nearly bought all the best treats from the cart, but Draco sent them a reproving glance and silently demanded that they not be so greedy. After the trolley lady moved on, leaving Isolde's compartment full of treats, Pyrrhus spoke up.
"Anyone have any interesting summer plans?"
Isolde shook her head. "No plans yet, although I do fancy sleeping all summer." She grinned and wiggled around in Pyrrhus' arms until she got a little more comfortable. With her head resting against his shoulder, she shut her eyes and listened as the next person began to speak.
Can't I Apparate
Home?
Author: Jet
Date: 10-17-02 16:37
Rather than sitting with students who under normal circumstances were good friends, Jet chose to sit with some first year Hufflepuffs. He pushed into their compartment uninvited, scowled fiercely at them, and plopped down by the window where he promptly shut his eyes and fell asleep. Anything to make the train ride seem to go faster. At least this way he can have great conversations in his head with his pal Sal. Much more amusing than talking to bubble headed goofs like these first years. Lord, but Jet can't wait to get home!
Off We Go
Author: Australia Kingston
Date: 10-17-02 16:48
Australia, her brother Brett, her boyfriend Prote, and their friend Neo all sat together on the Hogwarts Express. Aussie and Brett weren't sure who was meeting them at Kings Cross other than a friend of the family. Several family friends live in and around London so they'll see who's waiting for them when the train arrives. With their grandmother gone, the Kingstons will spend the summer with various distant relatives and friends. By the time they return to school in the fall, a mutual decision will have been made as to who they will end up living with on a long term basis.
In addition to getting to spend time with people they've not gotten to see in a great while, Aussie's also excited at the prospect of spending time with Prote over the summer. Brett and Neo will be around but they all get along really well so Aussie's anticipating a grand summer filled with loads of fun and tons to do.
After the train gets moving, two wizard chessboards are brought out and the four pass the time enjoying several great games of chess.
Inquisition
Author: Voldemort
Date: 10-17-02 21:22
I am very satisfied with Lucius' handling of both Potter and Ni Ciaran. His precautions and extra measures were clever, as I'd expect from my most clever and talented deatheather. Too many of my remaining followers are foolish and careless. Severus Snape was clever and talented too. Soon I will have to deal with him. But now I have some things I want to know. I send Lucius to bring the auror and I head over to Potter's cell.
He seems to be doing something, but quickly hides whatever it is. I open the cell and roughly grab him.
"Listen, Harry Potter. I have a few questions for your precious godmother. She, unfortunately, does not want to cooperate. You had better counsel her to remember who is holding whom hostage. Because if you do not, and she continues her belligerence, it will go very badly . . . for you."
With that I take him, bound, to a room in another part of my base. I give Potter to another death eater to hold and wait for Lucius to come in with the auror. This session promises to be very. VERY entertaining.
The End...and
a New Beginning
Author: Trent McKenna
Date: 10-17-02 22:06
Trent walked gloomily onto the Hogwart's Express and into compartment where he promptly sat down. Some Gryffindor Seconds tried to engage him in conversation, but one look from Trent told them he was in no mood to chat.
He watched as the castle disappeared from view and the rolling countryside opened before him. He stared moodily out the window, his thoughts on recent events. He wasn't thinking about staying with Colin, who was hinting that the Nimbus Racing Co. was coming out with a broom that could outdo the Firebolt and that he might be able to get Trent a ride on the prototype, nor on spending some time in Salem with his cousin Alex and his friends, nor on being back in Kinsale with friends and family. Trent's thoughts were on how he could outdo his efforts and make Snape sit up and take notice.
"A Verisian Elixir. Grandfather has the recipe in one of his texts. Not many fourth years could brew up a full blown Verisian Elixir. That's the very ticket I need!"
Trent settled back in his seat, munching on a Cauldron Cake and thinking how he could get this to work....
