Owl from Dierna
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 08-06-02 21:34

"Remus Lupin?" asks the auror in disguise as a police. The other man nods. "Yes, that's me." "Dierna told us you'd be coming here. I'm afraid we lost track of the one you seek, but I'd search among areas of high dark activity. I drew this rough map for you. If you check out these places, you may at least hear of him." The man hands a hand-drawn sketch to Remus. "Good luck!" and he gets into the car and drives away.

Meanwhile, an owl arrives.

Remus.

By now you should have met the Bristol aurors. Also, Peter will be long gone. Check out everyplace, even if you don't find him, you may hear of his whereabouts.

You may not have heard, but Tennille has been captured. Tennille is Dumbledore's granddaughter, and another of my closest friends. I am going to find her. This means coming into direct conflict with whoever has been targeting me. Perhaps even Voldemort himself. I am not afraid. IF you don't hear back from me within a week, you'll know some ill has come to me.

Don't worry about me though, focus on finding Wormtail. THAT is what matters.

Dierna

Mental Preparation
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 08-07-02 07:20

After getting up early and eating a light breakfast, Pyrrhus walks alone to the Quidditch Pitch. He enters the dressing room the Slytherins will use today and sits on a bench to meditate on the upcoming match. He wants to be focused and do his job as keeper much better than last game. Losing to the Puffballs would be humiliating.

An hour and a half later, the other members of the Slytherin team start to trickle in. Isolde comes to sit by Pyrrhus with a quick, good morning kiss. They sit in silence a few minutes then with another quick kiss both rise to don their game robes.

After they have changed, they return to the bench where they sit close together, holding hands, talking with Lia about today's match. All three try to imagine what sort of pre-game talk the team captain will give. After the disorganized way the team played last time, they figure Draco's speech will be alot of bluster about getting their heads together and working as a team. They agree that, despite winning that game, such a talk is something Draco needs to take to heart considering how out if it he himself was against the Ravenclods.

The three don't spend a long time talking about Draco's possible pep talk. They have too many other things to discuss and besides that, it won't be much longer before that pre-game speech is made. Already they can hear the noise level on the pitch rising as students and professsors alike filter into the stands. Not long now at all.

Where the Trail Leads
Author: Peter Pettigrew
Date: 08-07-02 20:48

Wormtail found himself in the city of Leeds, in a hidden suburb where a couple of wizards lived. Voldemort wanted Wormtail to "convince" them that they should align themselves with Voldemort. They were reputed to have an interest in the Dark Arts, however did not want to commit themselves to any one side.

They were also not the friendliest sort, and Wormtail stood in front of their door trying to screw up the courage to knock. The lions mouth door knocker eyed him suspiciously then let out a roar. Peter ran off with a squeak. He'd come back later, when the knocker was asleep.

Starting the Game off Right
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-07-02 20:59

The Slytherin Quidditch team was huddled around Draco in the locker room. His oration was surprisingly short and delivered in a very temperate manner, which was quite unusual for the blonde-haired boy. It was obvious that he was one-hundred percent certain that his team would flatten the Hufflepuffs out there on the field, even though things were somewhat uncertain during the match between Ravenclaw. Nevertheless, he made his demands very clear: Play hard and beat them well, or else there would be hell to pay.

With jubilant cheers, the Slytherins strolled confidently out onto the field while the Hufflepuffs entered from across the Pitch. Draco and Toby approached middle field, where Madam Hooch and Oliver waited with the trunk of balls at their feet. Meanwhile, the twelve other players mounted their brooms and shot up into the air, soaring up high to meet the clouds.

"I want a nice, clean game," stated Madam Hooch.

Draco sneered at Toby, who flashed the Slytherin a sly grin. The boys shook hands and then mounted their own brooms, kicking off the ground immediately thereafter.

Oliver knelt by the box and released the bludgers from their confines. The two missles fired up into the air and disappeared into a pair of fluffy clouds. The golden snitch disappeared from sight next, and then with one solid throw, Oliver sent the quaffle straight up over his head.

In a flash, Douglas Sky snatched the quaffle and tucked it securely under his right arm. He made a mad dash for the hoops, eyeing Pyrrhus, the Slytherin keeper. Isolde and her fellow chasers were hot on his tail, swerving back and forth with the other two chasers from the Hufflepuff team. Somehow, perhaps as Douglas was trying to make a pass to one of his team members, he lost hold of the quaffle, allowing Isolde the chance to gain possession.

She made a sharp 180 and propelled herself across the sky, nearing the hoops with impressive speed. Prote didn't even see it coming. With one solid throw, Isolde sent the quaffle spiralling right through the hoops for a score!

"Farnon scores for Slytherin!" cried out Lee, not even bothering to hide his disappointment. He opened his mouth to comment further, but slammed it shut just as quickly when McGonagall shot him a reproachful glance. During the last Quidditch match, Lee had been removed from the game for showing too much bias against the Slytherins. Professor Flitwick had ended up taking over his commentatorial duties.

Isolde shot Prote a haughty smirk and then turned her attention to her teammates. Across the Pitch, Pyrrhus was beaming and nearby, Draco was nodding appreciatively. Things were certainly going as they should be, but of course, the game had only begun.

Sitting
Author: Belladonna
Date: 08-07-02 21:11

Bella Sinistra sat and sipped her strong coffee while pulling a coloured pencil from the multitude in her ponytailed hair. She added a light shading of green to the dark-haired figure on her drawing pad before taking up a black pencil and details about the color. Thank goodness she'd found a talented seamstress who knew exactly what she meant and was incredible at finding the right colours.

Spring would be here soon, and that meant thinking about new frocks. For once, she'd discard the night sky as her inspiration and choose lovely spring colors: robin's eggs, the green of fresh leaves, the orangy yellow of crocuses, the bluey purple of fresh violets, and a yellow as lovely as the spring sun.

She sighed as she ran through her drawings. She'd owl them right after the game to the waiting seamstess. At least the day wouldn't be completely unproductive. Maybe this meant she'd start going through her day planner and figuring out things. She ran her fingers through her hair and regarding what she was wearing now: cashmere sweater in yellow, Muggle jeans, boots, and her pendant from her parents.

It was an okay outfit. Today, she really hadn't bothered, but rather grabbed something from her closet, brushed her hair, pulled it back with a ribbon, checked herself quickly in the mirror before putting on red lipstick, and ran to the pitch with her basket. It had been crazy, but she was happy to have her expresso and chocolate croissant with her right now.

She put the pad back in the basket and added the pencils she removed from her hair. There was no way she wanted all that around when the game started. A sip of the expresso proved quite pleasant and nullified the cold weather. All that was needed now was a good game and Prince Charming, although with the Slytherins playing and her luck with guys, neither was to be counted on.

The Game Begins
Author: Amerah Patterson
Date: 08-08-02 19:42

After Toby gives us a little pep talk, we take our position. Oliver Wood releases the quaffle. The game begins by Isolde Farnon of Slytherin scoring for Slytherin. She zooms over to pass the to Azaelia Bramble. However, I catch the quaffle and pass it to Neo Anderson.

Go Hufflepuff!
Author: Majandra
Date: 08-09-02 00:36

After leisurely lingering over breakfast, Majandra along with a large group of Gryffindors heads down to the pitch to cheer on the Hufflepuffs. Getting cozy next to George, Majandra can't help but think he's changed, in a positive way, this past week. Fred too. Ever since the night of the play when she'd given them the papers her grandfather had sent, the twins both seems so much happier, more confident.

Majandra grins at recalling the looks on their faces when it sunk in what the papers were. There really aren't words to even describe their reaction to the promisary note for Gringotts. Everything was replayed when George and Fred showed their parents, brothers, and sister the contents of that envelope. The twins were even allowed a very smug moment with their mother now that they had proof they can make a go of the plans they've long held for when they are out of school.

They have their very own Gringotts vault now plus both were estatic to learn that two of the biggest orders were placed by Zonkos and Honeydukes. In addition to the products already being marketed, Fred and George have lots of creative ideas for even more items. When the school term is over and with the profit their company is showing, they'll have both the time and money to develop these wonderful ideas into reality.

As the quidditch game begins, with a goal being made almost immediately by Py's girlfriend Isolde, Majandra turns her attention to the pitch but not before leaning in closer to George to give him a peck on the cheek. As his arm around her shoulder sweetly squeezes in response, Majandra grins again. Her last thought before focusing fully on the game is that she hopes George and Fred like her own idea. Something she's going to give a sample of today... Hilari Tea. But, that's for later. Right now it's time to cheer Hufflepuff on as they recover the quaffle. Jumping to her feet, Majandra yells encouragement to the entire Hufflepuff team.

Go Slytherin!
Author: Jet
Date: 08-09-02 10:50

The day dawns sunnier and warmer than usual for this time in March so Jet decides to spend a little of his free time taking in the air rather than holing up in his secret place. He ambles down to the pitch and into the stands mere seconds before the game begins.

When the luscious looking Isolde Farnon scores moments into the match, Jet jumps up cheering. An excellent start for the Slytherins. Noticing a group of rather scrawny first year Hufflepuffs staring at him in shock for his show of Slytherin support Jet glowers at them. In a low but menacing tone Jet speaks to the pathetic little group.

"Pop those puffball eyes back in your heads and watch the game. Don't be looking at me if you know what's good for you."

An evil grin slashes Jet's face as he maliciously snickers at the mix of astonishment and fear on the first years' faces. He laughs even harder as to a one, each quickly turns to face the pitch. When Jet loudly boos his house gaining the quaffle and when he shouts bad things at Amerah Patterson for making a picture perfect pass to Neo Anderson, one of them dares to steal a glance his way.

Without deigning to look at the little upstart, Jet fairly cackles when simultaneously her whole body spasms and she gives a yelp of pain as an electric jolt passes over her. The now very cowed first year, her eyes extremely large and brimming with tears, does what Jet jokingly thinks of as being the shufflepuff. The girl, her eyes fixed firmly on the game now, slides away from him on the bleacher seat then eases down several rows so that she is sitting as far from him as she can get and still be sitting with her group.

Jet leans against the back of the stands, evil grin still quite evident on his face as he continues to boo and razz the Hufflepuff team.

Darn Right, Go Slytherin!
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 08-10-02 08:41

Pyrrhus thinks the game is off to a great start. Barely minutes into it and Slytherin is on the board with ten points scored by none other than his Incredible Isolde. The Hufflepuff Neo Anderson has the quaffle now thanks to his teammate Amerah Patterson.

Anderson comes barreling down the pitch at breakneck speed. Even though going too fast to really set up for a good shot, he lets the quaffle fly anyway. Pyrrhus easily deflects the shot, laughing aloud at the mad scramble for the quaffle that follows.

Neo Anderson somehow manages to take possession of the ball again before deftly passing it off to Douglas Sky. Pyrrhus darts back and forth in front of the goals as Douglas works his way nearer with the assistance of his team's beaters.

Sky zig zags trying to fake Pyrrhus out as to which of the hoops he's aiming for. Py tenses and goes to the Sky's right as the other boy throws the quaffle.

He Shoots! He Scores!
Author: Majandra
Date: 08-10-02 11:11

The houses of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor erupt in loud cheers and wild applause. Douglas Sky makes a beautifully executed throw through the center hoop after making Pyrrhus Fine believe he was going to take the shot to his right.

A very excited Lee Jordon loudly screams, "Hufflepuff scores! A brilliant manuever by Sky! Take that Slytherin!"

Majandra is on her feet yelling at the top of her lungs. If her brother ever wants her to cheer for his team, he's going to have to change teams. Until that happens, Majandra is going to thorougly enjoy every mistake Pyrrhus makes and every shot that gets past him for a goal.

Boomers
Author: Azaelia Bramble
Date: 08-10-02 16:15

Azaelia swore under her breath as Doug Sky makes a score. "Bah!" She whizzed around a bit, watching the game take place and going through her planned out strategy. Slytherin had the quaffle now, and it was passed from Py to Lia. She caught it, flawlessly, and with a wink from Py for good luck, she zoomed toward the goal.

Close enough to make a good throw, Azaelia made ready to seize the moment. Just as she gave it a good throw, Amerah Patterson knocks the ball out of the way.

"Bah, again!' Azaelia narrowed her eyes at Amerah and went in search of the quaffle once more.

"Yo, Bramble, you want this?' A taunting Neo Anderson had the quaffle this time. Azaelia sped toward him, but he ducked out of the way. Lia swiveled around and sped at him from behind, knocking the quaffle from his hands. She caught it, sped to the goal and lined up for a perfect shot.

"You KNOW I want it, Anderson." And she tossed it through. Slytherin's team and happy cheerleaders from the stands cheered as the quaffle made a soft woopht through the goal.

Sharing Recipes
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 08-10-02 19:22

Briar hands her newest employee, Cora, the last of the small boxes of baked goods to be personally delivered then throws some powder into the fire. Cora steps into the now open Floo Network and vanishes.

After checking on the ovens, Briar walks out into the main room. All the customers currently in the shope have been waited on so Brigid and Quinn are seated near the counter having mugs of spiced pumpkin juice topped with cloud-like mounds of whipped cream. With things so quiet at the moment, she wonders if perhaps now is a good time to go have that talk with Julian.

Briar has seen Julian several times over the course of the week but never when they could speak privately at length. Briar decides she'll make a local delivery and on her way back to the bakery she'll pop in at the bookstore. Hopefully, Julian will be available to speak to her for more than a minute or two. She boxes up the two pies to be delivered and starts for the door only to bump into Chyler Stratford.

Chyler's face lights up with a smile. "Just the person I was coming to see. I'd like your help." She immediately registers that Briar is holding boxes and was walking out the door. "Oh, but I've come at a bad time. I'll come back later when you're not busy."

Returning Chyler's smile, Briar shakes her head. "No, no, you aren't interrupting me at all. I was on my way to deliver these pies but it's nothing pressing. I, or someone else, can take them later. How might I help?"

Briar and Chyler move out of the doorway and towards the kitchen. "Lysander's parents are coming to dinner next week and I want to make something spectacular. I'm hoping you'll let me look through that mountain of recipe cards and cookbooks you have."

Nodding, Briar sets the pie boxes down then calls out to the Donnelys that she'll be upstairs. "Oh, of course you may. Come on up and you can make yourself comfortable while you sort through everything."

Once Chyler's seated at Briar's dining table with numerous recipe cards and a variety of cookbooks, Briar runs back down to the bakery long enough to fill a plate with snacks. She also offers a variety of beverages and the two women sit munching, gossiping and talking about the merits of various recipes.

At length Chyler excuses herself to the powder room. A few moments later Chyler calls to Briar asking if she's got any hand cream Chyler might use.

"Yes, if you'll look in my bedroom, on the dressing table. Oh, and if it's not there, look in the second drawer of the bureau. I know for a fact there's a jar in there."

A couple of minutes later, Chyler rejoins Briar, a huge grin on her face. A few more minutes pass then Chyler settles on the recipes she'd like to have. After copies are made, a beaming and obviously excited Chyler takes her leave from the apartment's door to the outside. "Thank you, Briar. Thanks for everything."

Returning downstairs to the bakery, Briar doesn't think twice about how thrilled Chyler seemed to be over the recipes. As far as Briar is concerned, the other woman simply is excited about the gastronomic treat she'll be preparing for her in-laws. Even if Briar has a reason to dwell on Chyler's jubilant attitude, she would have to do it later because the bakery is now teaming with customers.

Pausing long enough to retie her apron, Briar quietly sighs. Her hoped for talk with Julian will, once again, have to wait. Despite her disappointment, Briar's mouth turns up in a genuine smile as she greets a customer.

At the Game
Author: H Potter
Date: 08-10-02 21:10

A collective groan goes up while Lee Jordan flatly announces, "Slytherin scores."

"Great. Just great," Harry thinks to himself, "if Slytherin keeps scoring every few minutes, it won't matter if Hufflepuff gets the snitch or not. Slytherin will win on goals alone. Their egos would be so inflated none of them could get their heads through the widest doors at the castle."

Harry looks across Hermione at Ron. The look on his friend's face indicates Ron's thoughts mirror Harry's. It's clear both are also thinking that if this is what is in store for the rest of the game, Hermione will pressure them to leave early. It wouldn't be enough that they promised her they'd go with her after the game to study in the library for the O.W.L.s. In fact, it's only because of the promise that Hermione decided to attend the game with them. She spends time doing what they want then they spend time doing what she wants. Apparently in Hermione's mind, time at a Quidditch match is equal to time spent studying. She really gets some strange ideas sometimes.

Another groan goes up as Azaelia Bramble snags the quaffle once more and zooms to the Hufflepuff hoops to take another shot. Prote Spacy, an incredulous expression on his face at realizing he's blocked the shot, goes to throw the quaffle at the nearest Hufflepuff chaser.

In a blink, a dazed Prote is spinning around on his broom trying not to slam into one of the hoops. A well-aimed bludger by Clara Devaki caught him off guard when it smashed into his chest. Azaelia quickly swoops in and snags the quaffle once more.

The Wager and the Break Up
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 08-10-02 21:39

Although the decision had been made, Fred had yet to tell the other party what had been decided. It wasn't that he didn't want to reveal it. Divulging everything that had been plaguing his mind for several months now was perhaps the greatest possible thing he could desire at that very moment. Still, the chance to spill all of his feelings and to get any related thoughts off of his chest just didn't want to arise.

After the play, Fred had spent the majority of his time celebrating with Ron and the rest of his family. He didn't want to take a certain someone aside for the talk on that evening. It would have only dampened what was and should have been a night full of joy and excitement.

During the week, Fred had approached the object of his thoughts several times, determined to tell all. Finding that certain someone alone and getting some private time with said someone proved to be a problem, however. Wherever she went, her other half went too. Fred could understand it, after all, he had another half whom he adored too. Still, it frustrated the redhead because the timing was just all wrong.

The week hadn't been completely irritating, thankfully. George's lovely girlfriend, Majandra Fine, had given them the knowledge that Weasley's Wizard Wheezes would without a doubt be getting off of the ground and in full-force! The savings at Gringotts were already growing at an amazing rate, and if the ideas both twins had, along with a few of Majandra's were produced, soon the company would need a bigger vault!

Such news was more than enough to put a smile on Fred's face, even when all he wanted to do was scowl. On that Saturday in early March, the sometimes happy and sometimes unhappy boy trekked over to the Pitch, where the game had already begun. As he entered, he caught the eye of a dark-haired girl making her own way inside.

"Hey Cho," Fred said, his mood swinging immediately from somewhat down to bright and cheery.

Cho smiled. "Hey Fred. How are you?"

"Oh..."

Cho nodded, as if she understood. "I second that."

Fred smiled. "Can I escort you to the Ravenclaw stands?"

"Sure!" They set off towards the area of the stadium, which was packed with black-robed students sporting blue and bronze scarves.

"Do you remember last summer at Diagon Alley when we made that bet, Cho?" Fred asked, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

Cho laughed. "Of course. If Gryffindor beats Ravenclaw during the game at the end of this month, I have to do your homework."

"George's too!" piped in Fred, chuckling.

Cho shrugged. "It won't happen, anyway, because when Ravenclaw beats Gryffindor, you and your trouble-making brother will have to give up tricks for a month!"

Fred shook his head. "Someone's delusional," he said in a sing-song voice.

"We'll see!"

The pair came to the stands, and after a little more friendly banter, Fred waved good-bye to his friend and slipped over to the Gryffindor section. He found George and Majandra sitting cozy, and immediately felt that he needed to break that up.

Before he could pry them apart to plop down on the bleacher in between them, a sudden movement from above caught his attention. Samuel Thatcher had just risen to his feet, and was beginning to march down the stairs on the opposite side of the Gryffindor section. When he disappeared from view, Fred shifted his attention to Samantha, who was now sitting alone with her feet up on the row in front of her, her elbows on her knees, and her chin in her hands.

Fred took a deep breath and climbed up to meet her. He didn't bother to slide into the seat next to her, even when she gestured to the spot next to her.

"Look, Sammi..." Fred began, his cheeks starting to flush. This was going to be harder than he thought.

She opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly he found his courage and held up a hand to cut her off. "I've made my decision," he said. "It's over."

The suddenness of it even caught him by surprise. He opened his mouth to say something more, but somehow he couldn't find the words. He was just standing there like a fool. Walk away, damnit! he scolded himself mentally.

She stared at him, and it was hard for him to tell if she was sad or angry. Probably both, he decided. C'mon, Fred...move those legs...

"Hiya, Fred!"

Samuel had returned with two butterbeers. He took a seat next to his silent sister and handed her one of the drinks.

"Erm...Hi Sam..." Now this was an awkward situation. It would be best to get away now...

"I've gotta run...bye!" And with that, Fred high-tailed it down the bleachers, with every intention of leaving the Pitch and locking himself in his dorm room, but what good would that really do? Samuel was, after all, one of his roommates!

"Oh, I am so dead," Fred stated, prying George and Majandra apart so that he could slide in between them. He needed all the protection he could get.