Happy New Year!
Author: Sora
Date: 04-13-04 09:50
The party Sora had with Riku and Kairi was a blast! They spent their time in Sora's video game arcade, playing games and wizards chess (Sora's present to Kairi) Before the stroke of 12, the three ran to Sora's balcony, each with a bottle of sparkling cider in their hands, and waited for midnight. "Three... two... one..." they all said together, then at the top of their lungs the all screamed "HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!!!"
After their major outburst, Sora, Riku and Kairi shook up their bottles and started to spray each other with cider. After chasing each other down the halls and into the kitchen, they washed up and poured each other a glass of cider. "This has been the best New Year's of my life!" confessed Sora.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later that day, Sora, Riku and Kairi all sat together in the dining room for breakfast pondering what to do that day. "Have any ideas?" Sora asked. Riku shrugged. Same with Kairi. Out of the blue, Jack rushed in. "Sorry, no time to chit-chat! I have a plane to Florida!" he said grabbing a piece of toast. Sora looked crushed and surprised as he stood up to chase after his dad. "Florida?! What for?" he asked, as he followed his dad outside to a taxi cab waiting for him. "I'll tell you when I get back, Sora. But I'm running late!" said Jack as he turned around and gave Sora a peck on the forehead. "I'll see you in a week!" said Jack as he stepped into the taxi. Sora stood there crushed as he watched his father drive away to the airport.
Kairi and Riku were still in the dining room eating their breakfast when Sora slouched in. "What's the matter Sora?" asked Kairi. Riku looked a little concerned too. "Your dad was in a hurry. Why was he going to Florida?" he asked, but in answer, Sora slammed his head on the table.
The New Year
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 04-13-04 10:52
"10...9...8..7..6...5...4...3..2..1..HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
The Aemilius house went up in roars, laughter, singing (including some bad renditions of Auld Lang Sign), and the traditional banging of pots and pans out windows and doors. Surely all of Cardiff knew when the Aemilius family was home!
Neighbors down the block blew their horn on the corner, and waited for Tranquillina and her mother Patricia to come out the front brandishing metal pots and spoons. They waved, and after finishing waking up the neighborhood, everyone settled down to champagne.
Of course midnight was not the end of the celebrations. That would continue long into the wee-hours of the morning.
****
Tranquillina woke up later that morning at 11:30, exhausted. She'd only gone to bed at 6, but even then she couldn't sleep anymore. So up she went, and trotted downstairs to poke about for breakfast. She wondered if it was too early to try giving Sora and Roane a holiday-phone call..
The Phone Call
Author: Sora
Date: 04-13-04 16:21
Sora's head was pretty sore after letting it fall onto the dining room table. Maybe he over-reacted a little, his dad was a busy man after all, but he could have at least told Sora more about what was going on. But all Sora could do was shrug it off.
Heading upstairs, the phone started to ring. Not daring to be a lazy bum, Sora rushed back downstairs and quickly answered the phone. "Hello, Sora speaking, how may I help you?" Oy, that sounded a little too formal...
"Sora! How are you? This is Tranquillina!" Sora gave a smile. "Tranquillina! What's up? How's your vacation?"
"Oh, it's going good! It's nice to be home, how about you?"
"The usual, goofing off with friends, I invited Riku over for the holidays so he wouldn't be by himself at school, but it's been fun! How's life treating you?"
"It's alright, I'd much rather stay home then go back to school, how about you?"
"I dunno, I kinda like school where I'm not all alone. I kinda miss the teachers too... woah, did I just say that?"
"You miss the teachers?? Surely you don't miss ol' Snape?!"
"He may be a bit if a stuck up, but I believe he's an okay guy."
"Really..."
Sora shrugged, "Yeah"
The Pleasure of Winning
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 04-13-04 18:35
Bellatrix and Snape wandered back towards the cart where it was parked outside vault 487. If they had been seen by chance by another Goblin they had to look like they were there on purpose.
She glanced at Severus; it was hard to read the expression on his face. One minute it showed that pleased smugness that most of the Hogwart's students had come to dread, the next it showed a sort of pensive apprehension which she wasn't entirely sure fit in. A fleeting moment of distrust crept back, reminding her that twice now he had returned to the fold of the Dark Lord.
"Is something wrong, Severus?" she asked nonchalantly.
"Not at all," he replied. "I was just thinking."
She allowed him a small out. "About what we do if we're caught?"
He turned a sharp gaze on her. "Yes, that's right. Do you have a backup plan?"
She laughed. "It usually involves using the killing curse on as many people as I can point my wand at. You really must loosen up about the death of inferior creatures, Severus. Their only role in the grand scheme of things is to help us forward with our plans. Once we return this to the Dark Lord many others will die. Many more won't even know why, but that's the beauty of the whole thing."
They reached the cart and Snape helped her inside. She held out her hand firmly, and he reluctantly released his grip on the scroll, realizing as he did so he was probably condemning many to death.
Bellatrix smiled, sure that with Snape's acquiescence he was well on the way to becoming a real Death Eater at last. She tucked the scroll into a pocket inside her cloak, holding onto Snape as the cart picked up speed. She felt a tingle in her arm, a growing burning feeling as Voldemort tuned in to the events of the past few minutes. She felt the pain become sharp and unbearable as her Master's pleasure became more evident. Snape grabbed his arm and stared at her, aware as the minutes passed that she must be in contact with the Dark Lord who was a skilled Legilimens.
As they neared the foyer Bellatrix pulled her hood up, hiding her features. She waited for Snape to get out and then followed him. Now would be the test – would anyone notice the disappearance of the Goblin?
However it was just after Midnight and the bank was closed. Firmly but politely one of the Goblins came over. "Sir, Madam, I thought all our customers had left."
Bellatrix held onto Snape and smiled winningly. Snape spoke, "We wish to apologize, however we had a lot of cataloguing to do in the vault."
The Goblin nodded eager to see them off as soon as possible. Arm in arm they walked through the door and heard it shut behind them with a quick bang. The unmistakable sound of many bolts being slid home could be heard. Walking quicker they made it around the corner and into Knockturn Alley.
"Let us return to the Master and present him with our gift," suggested Bellatrix. Snape nodded and they disapparated, leaving an empty alleyway behind them.
Re: The Phone Call
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 04-13-04 18:38
Tranquillina smiled, considering this.
"Well...maybe he has potential.."
She could 'hear' Sora smile on the other end...if hearing one smile is possible.
"You start your homework yet?" Sora asked.
"Yeah..although I've still got a pile to sift through...I'm pretending that it doesn't exist--for the moment, anyway."
"Not a bad idea."
Tranquillina smiled again. "Have you heard from Roane at all? I tried her but the line was busy."
"Yes! Ran into her in Diagon Alley a ways back... at her father's shop actually."
They continued chattering for sometime, when Tranquillina's mother called her for breakfast.
"Uyffa, my mother's calling me. I'd best be going before she hurts me! Say hello to Riku and your family for me, eh?"
There was a muffled grunt from Sora's end.
"Sora?" Tranquillina asked, slightly confused. "Everything okay?"
Re: The Phone Call
Author: Sora
Date: 04-13-04 20:17
"Sora? Is everything okay?" asked Tranquillina. Sora considered this for a moment... then gave a sigh.
"My dad won't be here for New Year's... he's away on a business trip..."
"Oh, Sora... What does your dad do exactly?"
"He works for Disney Interactive. Don't get me wrong, I think it's cool and all, but it keeps him away from home."
"Oh... Sorry Sora."
"Whoa! I bet you can't say that ten times fast!"
"Let's try it!"
"Okay! I'll go first! *ahem*" Sora cleared his throat professionally (as if!) and took a deep breath. "Sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora, sorasorasorasora *thpppppppppppppppppggghhh!!!*"
"Haha!! Guess it's my turn!" Tranquillina cleared her throat mockingly, then she took a deep breath, "sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora,sorrysora!"
"Whoa! Like, eleven times eh!"
"Hehehe, looks like I win! How do you feel?"
"Much better! Thank you very much! Now I gots to find a way to get my tongue out of a knot..."
"Ha ha! You are easily entertained!"
"Yup, I must be mental or something... Oh well, I'd better let you go eat breakfast!"
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that, I'll see you at school!"
"Alright! Talk to ya later!"
"Ditto! See ya!"
Sora waited for the 'click' of Tranquillina's phone before he hung up. Instead of being dispapointed 'cause his dad couldn't be there for New Year's, Sora thought he should be happy for him cause he finally figured out what to suggest for a game! At that note, Sora ran upstairs to meet Kairi and Riku in his bedroom.
Location Unknown: An Offering
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 04-13-04 21:14
Severus and Bellatrix apparated outside Voldemort's hidden lair and met Wormtail at the entrance, who took one look at Snape and another at his colleague and shuddered openly.
"W-what brings y-you to the l-lair?" Pettigrew asked, his voice quavering.
"Don't be stupid," Snape stated sternly, looking at the inferior Death Eater much the same way he looked at young, easily-frightened first year students like Sora Hearts of Gryffindor. "We've come to see the Dark Lord, and we've brought a gift. Announce our arrival, now."
Wormtail shot a hesitant glance at Bellatrix, who delicately held onto the scroll with one hand and ominously fingered her wand with the other. Then he turned abruptly on his heel and vanished into the darkness, leaving the pair alone for a moment.
"Do you think we'll be rewarded, Severus?" Bellatrix asked, an exhilarated smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"We do not serve the Dark Lord to earn rewards, Bellatrix dear," Severus said, playing the true Death Eater, "but I do think he will be very pleased with our work tonight." He managed a smile, a quite uncommon gesture for the Potions master, but one that looked authentic enough for Bellatrix to believe his answer without a glimmer of doubt.
Wormtail hobbled back shortly thereafter and said, "Follow me. The Dark Lord will see you now."
They followed him down a darkened corridor until they reached the main chamber, where Voldemort sat upon a raised platform on a throne-like chair.
"Severus, Bellatrix. Wormtail tells me you have brought me a gift. I trust your pursuit at Gringotts proved successful?"
Severus nodded and gestured for Bellatrix to bring forth the scroll.
Ellspeth's Herbals Etc: A Brand New Year
Author: Ellspeth
Date: 04-13-04 23:59
Ellspeth could hardly believe the New Year was here already. School would be starting up soon and all the students would be back. It was wonderful. She had already started planning on something special for the upcoming Holiday's this year and was putting together some ideas for new varieties of plants, adding a new line of teas and running some specials.
This morning she decided it was time to take down all the Christmas decorations and pack them away for another year. It always made her a little sad to see everything come down after the excitement of the Holiday Season but she knew that if it didn't she would soon grow tired of the popping of the stringed corn, and the strings of greenery here and there.
Much as she loved each season, she looked forward to the next with just a much enthusiasm as the last.
Putting away the last of the "Peppermint Chocolate Tea", candles, and scented potpourri, she brought out her large bound volume of "The Bestest Way to Enjoy Each and Every Season" by Katarina Thomasina Funbucket. Then picking out her favorite teapot, began steeping some "Winter Blues and Pinks" tea while she starting reading about the Month of January.
A Late Start
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 04-14-04 18:16
Vera sat on the couch of the Hufflepuff common room reading "Tale of Two Cities". It was New Year's Day. She and Lawrence had stayed up all night long celebrating. As soon as midnight rolled around, it can be assured the two didn't do much talking while sitting on the sofa...
The seventh year Hufflepuff woke up around noon the following day. The first of the lot of students. Not wanting to do any studying or homework, Vera read for a good couple hours before other students emerged from their beds.
Lawrence came in and planted a nice kiss to Vera's lips. She smiled, "Sleep much?" she teased.
Lawrence laughed. "Well, it's hard for me to get to sleep when I have someone on my mind." He rubbed his hand against Vera's cheek, and she closed her book. "I see..." she grinned. "Let's go get some late lunch eh?"
"Not with out me!" Came a voice from behind.
"Of course not Susan!" Vera's best friend trotted up next to the couple and the trio trailed off for some lunch.
Location Unknown: A Moment to Savor
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 04-14-04 19:24
Bellatrix took the scroll from Snape, smiling with glee and stepped forward slightly, towards the throne where Voldemort sat.
In the background Wormtail cowered, mouth open and unable for the moment to figure out what it might be.
Bellatrix gripped the scroll, feeling the power it held, the possibilities to come. This could indeed be the moment the Dark Lord had been waiting for. What fools to believe that such an item could be stowed in a vault and kept safe!
The truth of the matter was if something had a door, it could be opened. If there was a lock, it could be picked.
And thirdly, no matter what you do, NEVER make a copy of something so valuable and priceless.
All the Death Eaters present felt the Dark Mark burn, and as Bellatrix came forward she bowed her head to her master.
She looked straight at him, noticing the smirk on his face in response. "My Lord and Master, I – " she paused and looked to Snape. He seemed to understand her expression, and stepped forward to stand next to her.
She continued, "We, the both of us, present you with the scroll that you requested."
Slightly Hungover
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 04-14-04 19:38
The bright, winter sun filtering in through the window near his bed causes Py to burrow deeper under the covers, pillow tightly pulled over his head. Head pounding from imbibing way too much at a New Year's Eve party, drinking that much great fun at the time given that his parents - and Py uses that word loosely - were at the same party, clueless that Py was downing a wizarding version of bourbon most of the night. Too bad no one's come up with a sure fire hangover cure yet.
"Hmmmm," a clear thought makes its way through the quagmire in his brain, "Maj is a potions wiz. I'll get her to create something. Won't help me now but next time... ."
Having strained his brain with that quick, though brilliant, idea, Py gets even further under the covers and starts going back to sleep, glad that it was last week he took Isolde on the trip Maj covered for and not today.
The trip had been a roaring success with Py and Lia, Isolde's cousin, surprising Isolde with trip to meet Lia in Rio and then for a trip to a town along the Amazon River where they took a boat ride to watch a group performing dark arts rituals in the heart of the jungle. They'd had a blast and hated to return home though each did have a souvenir of an authentic shrunken head.
With muddled but happy thoughts of the trip going through his aching head, Py finally manages to get back to sleep and stays that way for the rest of the day.
I'm...So...Sleepy... *snore*
Author: Sora
Date: 04-14-04 21:56
After the phone call with Tranquillina, Sora made his way up to his bedroom where Kairi and Riku were waiting for him. Sora loved New Year's. He especially loved the staying up late part of it. But this time, he was up a little too late.
"There you are, Kiwi!" said Kairi with her usual smirk. Riku was grinning too. "Who was on the phone? Your girlfriend??" he asked. Sora gave a false laugh. "Very funny. It was Tranquillina! Boy it was good to talk to her!"
Riku gave a smirk. "I bet it was. What did she want?" Sora yawned. "Well, she wanted to know how vacation is for us. I told her you were here Riku. Oh! She say's 'hi' by the way." Kairi smiled. "How thoughtful of her to call you on New Year's!"
Sora yawned again. "Yeah... it was..." Riku was still smiling. "So, what should we do today? Should we go to Diagon Alley? Or should we play some video games, or should we go down town London?" he said. He seemed to be more cheerful then usual today.
"Maybe we should wait till later today, Riku." said Kairi.
Riku looked confused. "Why?" Kairi put her fingers to her lips and pointed to Sora's bed. "Because little Kiwi over there decided to hit the sack. We were, after all, up all night."
They were interrupted by a loud *SNORE*.
New Year, New Beginning
Author: Natalie Rose
Date: 04-14-04 22:22
Natalie studied herself in the mirror. She would be 15 in another 12 days. January 13th. Most people looked forward to their birthdays but Natalie dreaded hers. When she turned four her parents were killed in a mysterious accident and every birthday since then has made her ache for them. As her reflection looked back at her she was reminded of how her Uncle Iris was always saying how much she looked like her mother,
"Natalie every day I see more and more of Samantha in you."
Those comments always made Natalie happy. Living with her uncle in London had been overwhelming; she was used to sharing her home with an elderly timid witch. Uncle Iris was fairly young, energetic and straight forward. When Aunt Thelma died she moved to London to live with her Uncle Iris. Natalie left behind her friends, school, and home in Italy.
She didn't want to think of that now; today was New Years a time for new beginnings. She had already been sorted into Gryffindor when her Uncle took her to Hogwarts on his visit. Her uncle was an alumnus of Hogwarts and had been a Gryffindor; he was beaming with pride while Dumbledore looked on smiling when the hat shouted out "GRYFFINDOR!"
She was very proud to be attending such a prestigious school and she couldn't wait to make new friends. She sat on her bed and started folding her cloaks smiling she made a resolution, this year she would live life to the fullest and if she was lucky enough to make good friends she would support them through thick and thin.
"Kol Sana We Enta Tayeb!" (Happy New Year!)
Author: Tigeress
Date: 04-15-04 04:45
A new year had come finally and I was home visiting my family. I dressed in my finest celebration dress and prepared for the feast of good meat and breads as well as other bountiful foods.
The children were all excited about the sweets they got: the boys a sweet depicting a boy on horseback, the girls a girl in a dress as was the custom. I remembered my days as a little girl. How I waited for the day and when it came all the fun we had. The men went to temple as they always did greeting others with "Kol Sana We Enta Tayeb!" As they passed each other. The women prepared the feast. It was a day that all even the lowest class had meat on the table.
I saw my cousin and we talked. She wanted to know how Hogsmeade was and I told her it is a nice place to open shop and that things were going well, especially with the students. "I am glad to hear it. Oh, I have something to announce. Omar has been accepted by our old school. He will be attending in the fall." Omar was my second cousin and strong. He was tall for his age and very smart as well as athletic.
"Which house do you think he will be in?" I asked and my cousin Aisha shrugged. "I do not know. He has the qualities of the Osiris house but also the qualities of our old house. The House Bowl will have a hard time with him." I nodded and remembered my searching, holding the bowl in front of me just looking as I waited for the sign to appear and soon the vision of Isis appeared in the water and took form announcing my placement.
The feast went well and everyone was happy. It will be a time I will never forget.
