Happy Birthday
Ron!
Author: NeferSekhmet
Date: 07-27-02 14:42
I walked into the Great Hall with some gifts I bought for Ron. There were quite a lot of Gryffindor House members there. I had gone into Hogsmeade and bought a few things there. I walked up to Ron and set his gifts on the table.
"Happy Birthday Ron! May you powers grow ever stronger for the side of good! Ankh Udja Seneb!" I say to Ron.
I bought him some Chocolate Frogs, some Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, and something new that they had, Lightning Sticks. They set off a small electrical charge when you lick them. Sort of an electric lollipop. Quite harmless, but great in the dark! I had something else for Ron as well. "Ron, I hope you like this as well. It's something I learned back home."
I rolled up the sleeves of my sweater, and brought out my wand. I moved back a bit as not to hit anyone accidentally. I look up at the ceiling, and back down at the floor. Judging the distance between the two.
"Here goes!" I say.
I close my eyes and concentrate. I slowly move my wand through the air and say, "Leoness Appariciom Gryffindor!"
The room lit up for a few seconds, and then the Gryffindor shield appeared in the air. The Lion let out a roar, and sent a lightning bolt from his mouth down to the table. In front of Ron, a great cake appeared. It had "Happy Birthday to Ron Weasley!" in red and gold letters.
I looked at on and said smiling, "I hope you like it!"
Ron's Gift
& Butterflies
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 07-27-02 09:49
On the first of March, Hermione had awoken bright and early for two very exciting reasons. First, it was the day of the performance of the Muggle Studies production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and more importantly, it was Ron's birthday.
Hermione had showered and gotten dressed rather quickly, and then bolted into the common room where Ron and Harry had been already waiting for her before the fireplace. Harry had already given Ron a gift, which the redheaded boy seemed very pleased with. When Hermione approached, she gave a cheerful good morning to Harry, and a peck on the cheek and a happy birthday to her boyfriend. Then, she handed him a gift.
"Must be a book," laughed Ron, as he pulled off the string that kept the brown wrapping paper around the rectangular-shaped item. Of course, he had been correct. After the trio had finished visiting with Dierna last weekend, they had said their good-byes and Harry mumbled his thanks for his mother's things. Hermione couldn't resist giving Viktor a hug and demanding that he promise to stay safe and to write her at every opportunity. He had promised, and then the three left to give him and Dierna some more time to discuss the matters in Bulgaria.
Hermione had dragged the boys to the bookshop, where she bought several books for herself and a red, leather-bound book about silly spells Ron could try on his twin trouble-making brothers.
The rest of the day was spent going to classes and fending off the butterflies that wreaked havoc in the stomachs of everybody who was to be participating in the play later that evening. When the time came for the actors to arrive to the Great Hall, which had be set up like an auditorium with rows and rows of chairs before a high, curtained stage where the Head Table was normally located, those butterflies were positively set on getting everyone in a nervous frenzy.
Professor Fairchild stood on the stage and gathered everyone around her. She made some last minute announcement and had Nessiah check to see that all costumes were fitted properly. The majority of the cast was dressed like Ancient Greeks, and others had great, colorful wings attached to their shoulder blades.
Eventually, the Great Hall started filling up and the noises of chatter and laughter became louder and louder. Hermione bit her lip nervously and clutched onto Ron's hand tightly. She ran through some of her lines in her head, until Adriana called them all together again. They formed a circle and held hands and wished for a flawless performance. Then, they broke and all but Hunter, Jelica, and Angelina vanished backstage.
Professor Fairchild slipped before the curtain and welcomed the audience to the performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream...
Search for
Wormtail
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 07-27-02 21:28
The mission to find Wormtail and bring him to Dierna is still underway. No sign so far of Wormtail. Then again, missions always take time. I wish I knew where Wormtail was hiding or where the dark wizards meet. I could catch him there. However, I know he's an animagus, so I know where to look for him.
Behind the
Scenes
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 07-28-02 09:07
After Professor Fairchild made her opening speech and announcement, the play began. Hunter, as the Duke of Athens, strutted around the stage with his bride-to-be, Angelina. Jelica accompanied the pair in a discussion about the upcoming wedding and the celebrations certain to be held in the couple's honor.
After a few stanzas, Jelica exited and Neo, Australia, Harry and Ron took to the stage. Meanwhile, Fred and a number of other Muggle Studies students were pacing backstage, murmuring lines and straightening their costumes. He spied Hermione waiting nervously in the wings, for she would be the next person to enter onto the stage. Fred shot her an encouraging smile, and then turned back to his own worries.
Today he'd be playing the King of the Fairies, opposite Samantha, his queen. Ever since their break-up, the rehearsals for the play had been awkward at best. He only hoped that tonight's performance would go smoothly and without any troubles. He sighed and began running through his lines once more when a hand lightly touched his shoulder.
Fred didn't have to look up to know who was standing behind him. He knew her touch.
"Nervous?" she asked him.
Fred turned around slowly and gave her a half-smile. "Yeah, you?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
There was an awkward silence, and then simultaneously they both began to speak. "Sam–" "Wo–" They laughed.
"You go first," said Fred, smiling.
Sammi smiled back. "I was goin' ta ask, wot did you get Ron for 'is birthday?"
"A new product we've been working on...Chocolate-covered cherry bombs. They explode in your mouth!"
Samantha laughed. "I'm sure 'e appreciated the gift!"
"Of course!"
Another awkward silence followed. Fred had almost forgotten how nice it was to talk to and be around Sammi, but at the same time he still wanted to keep his guard up. He was about to tell Sammi that he wanted to run through his lines again, because he feared he'd forget them all by the time he got on stage, but Sammi cut him off.
"You were goin' ta say somethin' earlier...?" Fred flushed slightly. "Yeah. I just wanted to tell ya that you look really pretty tonight." And with that, he smiled faintly and then walked over to talk with Ginny and George.
The Play's
the Thing
Author: Dobby
Date: 07-28-02 16:32
Dobby had sauntered into the Great Hall early enough to snag a good seat. As short as he is, Dobby wanted to make sure he was able to get something close to the front. More than a few heads turned as the House Elf looked around for the perfect spot because Dobby has dressed in the spirit of the evening's event. Dobby jauntily sported a blindingly white toga held on one shoulder by a dayglo orange clasp. On his feet were glaring, sunny yellow sandals and, although not really fitting for a toga outfit, he wore his ever present socks, one shocking pink with electric blue pixies and the other lime green with violently violet violins.
Dobby found a wonderful seat, up close, and settled back to get comfortable. When the curtain rose, he applauded loudly and tried very hard not to scream enthusiastically every time one of his friends appeared on stage.
Waiting
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 07-28-02 17:29
Ginny, well out of earshot of those onstage, turns to Nessiah. "I know I've said it at least a dozen times since the first dress rehearsal, but these costumes are just great!"
Nessiah lightly laughs. "You've said it at least a dozen times just since Colin Creevey took all those pictures earlier this evening. That won't keep me from turning down a compliment though, so thank you!"
While running her lines in her head, Ginny goes to check herself in a mirror. She feels like, well, a fairy, in the glittering wings and the pretty costume, all in becoming shades of deep greens and blues. The lovely coronet of flowers and leaves on her head sets off the gleaming highlights of Ginny's red hair. Her skin sparkles with a dusting of a golden powder and although in this light, Ginny knows her face looks overly made up, the stage lighting will make the blush and heavily done eyes look natural.
Spinning around and around, Ginny grins in delight at watching her wings flutter. She cannot wait for her time to be on stage!
Enter, Terrie
Skate
Author: Rita Skeeter
Date: 07-28-02 20:48
At the office in Diagon Alley, Terrie Skate sits pen poised just above a parchment and a smug smile firmly planted on her face.
Miss Skate, the freelance writer, had found her edge.
She'd been tipped off, of course, by a student.
She attaches the article to the waiting owl who flies off to the magazine "Youthfully Magical". Terrie is rather enjoying the freelance life, sending articles off to different publication every time meant that she could get away with more...interesting stories.
After all, no-one, not even that damn busy-body Granger, has the time to look through ALL the magazines to find out if Terrie Skate happens to be someone else. Someone else who shouldn't be writing.
Which she isn't, of course.
The Stage
is Set
Author: Jet
Date: 07-28-02 21:37
Jet sits alone in a corner backstage with a look that dares anyone to approach. He plans to sit there until told to get into place for his first scene. Shouldn't be long now.
Sure enough, Jet's name is soon called so that he and the others in Act I, Scene II may take their marks. As Jet moves into place, he thinks once again how stupid all this is. It was not all that long ago, Jet merely thought this was nerve racking and not his cup of tea. He thought it all nice enough but he simply never was one for standing in front of people and performing. By nature, Jet is much too shy to enjoy it or be comfortable with it. Of late, however, he's found being onstage doesn't bother him one iota but spending time rehearsing and now performing a Muggle written play written in bloody annoying iambic pentameter is a frigging waste of time.
The curtain begins to rise and Jet, positioned as he is, gets a good look into the audience. He nearly rolls his eyes at seeing his mother rapturously waving at him. When told invitations to attend the play were going out to family members, Jet had indicated he had no interest in having his parents there. The Obsidians were sent one anyway and being the proud, enthusiastic, and supportive parents they are, the couple had readily accepted. Jet, who used to enjoy every opportunity to share an experience with his loving parents, now wishes a hole would open in the floor and swallow the gaggingly nice, caring couple.
Jet briefly narrows his eyes and thinks, "What a joke they are but at least Mummy dearest has stopped making a spectacle of herself."
Turning slightly so he won't have to look at them, Jet listens while Orlando in the role of Quince and Toby as Bottom get the scene moving and waits for his own cue to speak.
Quince : Is all our company here?
Bottom : You were best to call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip.
The Mission
Continues
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 07-28-02 22:10
The search for Wormtail has continued for a week and a half. Despite the fact that I don't have any idea where Wormtail could be hiding, nor have I seen him, or know where he could be I have the feeling I am getting closer.
This quest is more difficult than I thought. I can understand how Dierna's position now. I am far from giving up though. Wormtail WILL show up. And he will be brought to justice. I know it. He isn't smart enough of or intuitive enough to know stay on the run forever.
Helping Hands
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 07-28-02 23:42
Pyrrhus, sitting snuggled with Isolde on a couch in the Slytherin common room, sighs loudly and asks, "What time is it?"
Isolde, enjoying having the whole of Slytherin House all to themselves, answers with her own sigh before listlessly saying, "Past time."
They sit silently for another minute before standing. Both walk lethargically, as if moving is a challenging chore. Py mutters for the nth time, "If they want to put on a play, that's their problem but why punish the whole school by ordering mandatory attendance?"
After a few more steps he adds, "Would almost be worth the pain to break something just so I could go to the hospital wing and have an acceptable excuse to skip out on this bloody, wretched, Muggle play."
The nodding Isolde wholeheartedly agrees with Py's assessment. "At least Lia's holding seats for us in the back of the hall, as far from the stage as possible."
She suddenly grins. "If we're lucky, the seats will also be in a dark corner where we can sneak in some making out."
Py laughs, "True, true. I'm not sure I can go more than a few minutes sitting next to you without being able to kiss your luscious lips. I might go into withdrawal."
"Awww, poor baby. I'd of course have to step in and nurse you back to health. As your nurse, I do believe it's time for another dose of medicine." With that, Isolde stops and draws Pyrrhus towards her, giving him a quick smooch while trying hard not to succumb to a fit of giggles.
The couple turn a corner and start up one of the flight of stairs they need to take to get from Slytherin section of the dungeons to the Great Hall. They pause in the middle of the staircase to kiss again, only to jump away from each other with a start when Professor Snape loudly clears his throat. Without pausing or slowing his stride down the steps, Professor Snape brusquely states, "Miss Farnon, Mister Fine, you are late! If I pass you on my way back to the Great Hall, I shall be forced to take points."
The professor is even with them when he finishes speaking. Isolde and Pyrrhus, turning to give replies of, "Yes, Professor Snape," to acknowledge they heard him, observe the professor abruptly halting. He sways and clutches at his head. They move to assist the professor but the staircase begins to move, throwing him off balance. Still twisted in agony, Professor Snape makes a blind grab at one banister but misses only to tumble to his knees. To Isolde and Py, it appears as though the professor experiences more pain in his head because both hands fly to his forehead then he blacks out completely.
As Professor Snape starts to slide towards the last step, Py and Isolde fairly throw themselves down the stairs to catch his hands. Isolde wraps her legs around one of the railings and Py does the same with the banister on the other side. The professor keeps sliding and goes over the end of the stairs, his fall stopped only by having a pair of hands firmly holding onto each of his. Both Py and Isolde would dearly love to reach for their wands but each is afraid to let go with one hand long enough to make a grab at a wand and cast a spell.
Py grunts out, "On the count of three we pull as hard as we can."
Isolde's quick reply is simply, "K!"
Knowing their time before the staircase completes the move to its new position is rapidly running out, each student braces and tries to increase their grips on Professor Snape's hands. They know if they mess up this one chance, Snape will be crushed between the bottom of the staircase and the wall. They also know that they could just as easily be pulled off the steps.
One quick, but deep and calming breath and Py begins the count.
"One... two... three... PULL!"
Straining and gasping the pair somehow manage to haul Snape up. Isolde jerks one of the professor's legs clear just as the staircase snaps into place. Isolde and Py lie on the steps beside the still unconscious professor. Hearts pounding and chest heaving, both seem nearly in shock over what just took place.
Waiting and
Watching
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 07-29-02 09:54
It was a cool day in Bulgaria, but no one around Ethan seemed to notice. People were screaming and waving their arms around in an overly-enthusiastic manner, for today was a very important Quidditch match between the home team and Italy. Ethan sat with the red, green, and white-clad Bulgarians as they shouted out words of inspiration towards members of their team, such as the new beater, Grigori Zhivko, and everyone's favorite seeker (in this part of the world), Viktor Krum.
Across the stadium, Italian fans were also sporting red, green, and white, but the fact that both countries shared the same colors caused all the more confusion on the field itself. There were several occasions of an Italian chaser passing the quaffle to a Bulgarian and vice versa. Perhaps the added confusion in the game made it all the more exciting. At any rate, Italy was currently in the lead with 60 points, and Bulgaria was trailing behind with 40.
Although an avid follower of Quidditch, Ethan paid more attention to the English teams than to any others. As he sat amongst the crowd of Bulgarians, who at this point were shouting out insults at the Italians, his mind drifted back towards his parents and their secret meeting regarding You-Know-Who, and then to the head auror, Dierna, and the reason why he had been sent to Bulgaria.
Ever since that day when Ethan had come home from work early to find his parents locked up in his father's study with an unknown person or persons, Ethan had gotten extremely curious, if not even a little suspicious. He had never needed a reason to question anything his parents had done, because they had never given him a reason to think that anything was out of the ordinary. Yet, something on that day had sparked his curiosity and had given him a motive to think that something was amiss. For days afterwards, he had thought about confronting his parents about what he had overheard, but the more he thought of it, the more he started to realize that perhaps all his worries were for naught. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more absurd it all became. He had no reason to be suspicious about his parents. They were an average witch and wizard, and had always been model citizens in the wizarding community.
If anything, the conversation his parents had behind closed doors was simply a discussion about Voldemort's rise and the terror that he had been wreaking as he had been gaining power. You-Know-Who was, after all, a major topic of discussion these days.
After a week, Ethan had pushed any suspicious thoughts or worries out of his mind and turned his attention to something new. It was one day when he was at the office, that he found a memo on his desk asking him to meet with the head auror in order to be briefed for a new case. Ethan had gone to meet with Dierna right away, and had learned about Krum's visit to her home and his investigations in Bulgaria. Dierna had suggested to Ethan that he go meet with Krum in Bulgaria and assist him in his endeavors.
Ethan had accepted the mission, and was now sitting in the stands with thousands of jubilant Bulgarians. Krum had just captured the snitch and won the game for his team and country. After fighting the throng of ecstatic fans, Ethan made his way to the locker rooms in search of Viktor Krum.
In the Audience
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 07-29-02 14:29
Nothing could have kept Bill from not going to the performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream on that Friday night. First of all, the love of his life, Adriana Fairchild, was directing the play. When she appeared before the curtain and gave the opening announcements, Bill's heart had leapt with joy. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his entire life.
The event was also not one to miss because his brothers, Fred, George and Ron, and his baby sister Ginny were all actors in the play. Ron had already appeared on stage in the first scene, and surprisingly had done quite well.
Finally, and certainly not the least in importance, was the fact that today happened to be Ron's 16th birthday. Before the play began, Bill had sneaked backstage to deliver a special gift for the birthday boy. Ron had received it with many thanks, and then with a cheerful "break a leg", for that was what Adriana told Bill to say when wishing an actor good luck, Bill attacked Adriana with a flurry of kisses. Then, she had sent him back to his seat.
Now, Bill was sitting between two empty seats, fending off anyone who might like to take them. On stage, a group of students were acting as if they were preparing to act out a play. It seemed quite comical, and Bill found himself laughing with the audience.
Making Contact
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 07-29-02 17:52
The jubilant Bulgarian team members prance and dance around the locker room. To be placed in the World Cup standings where the team wants to be for their next match, this victory over Italy was key. Viktor is as elated as his teammates but today is additionally important to him for an altogether different reason. A reason that makes him nervous.
When last at Dierna's, she'd given Viktor the name of the auror being assigned to Koyla's case. Beyond that, all Viktor knows is the man will contact him sometime today. As Viktor emerges from the shower and heads to his locker to dress, he wonders if the man will simply go to Viktor's apartment and wait for him there.
As Viktor is putting on his shoes, a security attendant appears by the bench. In rapid Bulgarian the man says, "Mr. Krum, there is an Ethan Somerset here to see you."
Viktor's thick eyebrows arch in surprise. For some reason he'd not been expecting the guy to show up here at the stadium. Quickly recovering, Viktor thanks the attendant and asks the man to let Mr. Somerset into the locker room. As ill luck would have it, the auror enters and starts over to Viktor just as Grigori chooses to come sit by his friend to remind Viktor of the victory party Koyla's throwing.
Grigori nods towards the approaching man and asks, "Zis iz a friend, Viktor? Inwite him to ze party, no?"
Viktor knows that neither he nor Somerset can let on to Grigori that this is their first meeting. Having no idea what Somerset's plan for a cover story is, Viktor extemporizes as Somerset reaches the bench. He thrusts out his hand and vigorously shakes the other man's hand.
"Ethan! It is being so wery good to see you after, vhat?, three years? You are looking wery mooch ze same. Grigori, come be meeting Ethan!"
Viktor nods toward Grigori who extends his own hand to Somerset as Viktor makes the introductions. "Grigori Zhivko, zis is Ethan Somerset."
Much to his credit, Ethan Somerset doesn't bat an eye as he replies, "It's very good to meet you, Grigori. Excellent game! And wonderful to see you again, Viktor, though I think it's probably been closer to four years. The same goes for you, by the way, bloody brilliant catch you made for the win."
At this point both Viktor and Ethan would like nothing more than to leave so they might talk privately about the case but once again Grigori reminds Viktor of Koyla's party. "Viktor made ze promiz he vould be zere vin or lose, Ethan, zo he joost haz to be zere for at least a leetle vhile. Az hiz friend, you are being mooch velcome to come alzo. It iz zat or eezer Viktor vould haf to break hiz promise or he vould haf to leaf you on your own for a leetle vile. I am being sure zat any gud friend of Viktor's iz a person Koyla vould vant to meet."
Ethan and Viktor know they are on the spot to agree with Grigori. Viktor nods at Grigori, "You are being correct. I must be attending ewen if only for a short time. It has been zo long since I last saw you, Ethan, please do be saying yes to coming along alzo."
Ethan gives a friendly grin. "Sure, I'd love to come to a party. I'm guessing there will be drinks and lots of pretty girls."
All three men laugh as Viktor and Grigori agree that a party just isn't a party without women and at least butterbeer. Grigori points to an approaching lady, "Speaking of ze women, Ethan, please be meeting my sister Stefka. Stefka, zis is Ethan Somerset, a friend of Viktor's. Ethan iz going to Koyla's party vith uz."
The four walk the short way to the warehouse Koyla has rented for the party, Stekfa, arm looped with Ethan's, is asking him one question after another. Viktor, straining to hear all that Stefka asks and Ethan's replies, tries to deflect some of the same questions from Grigori since almost all are about Ethan including Where did Ethan and Viktor meet? How long have they been friends? What does Ethan do? Viktor tries to say very little until he can consult with Ethan. The last thing they need right now is for their stories to contradict before Ethan's part in the mission is even truly begun.
