Hogwarts Castle
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 07-02-03 20:42

Having long ago decided she was not going to the quiddtich game, Emma headed to the library. Near the back, she could see Sean hiding out among the many shelves of books.

"Why aren't you watching the game?" She asked, heading over to him.

He looked up at her, obviously startled to see her there. "I could ask you the same thing." He said after a moment of silence.

Smiling, she shook her head. "I have a perfectly good explanation for not going, one I'm sure everyone in the entire school knows by now. Quiddtich is a brutal game, and listening to stories of rogue budgers does not help any." She paused a moment as they both laughed.

"Hey, listen," She said, "I was thinking of going down to the hospital wing to visit Kody, did you want to come along? I'm sure it'll cheer him up, knowing he's not the only one not at the match."

---

Making Excuses
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 07-02-03 21:07

My protests that this injury isn't as bad nearly as Mad-Eye's missing nose and scarred face don't work as Nevvyn performs his healing on my arm. In my head I can hear Mad-Eye growling, "Leave my nose out of this lassie! That was a gift from Rosier."

"I don't get myself nearly killed on purpose! But I don't back away when confronted either! Not this Fenian!" Strength in our arms, I think, not much of that right now. Not in my wand arm anyway. "And I didn't do anything to myself! Some nasty dark wizards who wanted to cull Voldemort's favour did this." I ring wryly, "But I am sounding very ungrateful. I do appreciate you being here to patch me up. Normally I'd have Michael with me, but he is on assignment now. Anyway. I'll do paperwork for this week as punishment. How about that?"

I thank my old friend again, then head over to Hogwarts to catch the rest of the Quidditch game.

---

Kody...Sure
Author: Sean Belgar
Date: 07-03-03 06:08

"Hey, listen," she said, "I was thinking of going down to the hospital wing to visit Kody, did you want to come along? I'm sure it'll cheer him up, knowing he's not the only one not at the match."

"Well I was kind of..." then he looked up at her. How could he refuse? "Oh, ok," he said finally. "You do know that I highly doubt he will recognize me, after all no one usually does."

"That is ok. Maybe you two will get to be friends, you never know right?"

"Uhh, right," he said as they walked up the stairs.

Finally they entered the Hospital Wing. "Hi Kody," she said, "are you feeling any better?"

"A little," he said, "this brew tastes awful though."

"That is understandable," said Sean.

This made Kody finally notice him. "Ohh, hi," he said. Then he pulled Emma closer and whispered, "Who is this?"

"This is Sean. I thought surely you would be nice enough to pretend like you had seen him in the halls," she wispered back. "Well," said Sean, "I better go. Nice to meet you Kody. See you Emma."

"No, don't go," said Emma quickly. "Stay a bit longer, ok? I am sure whatever you need to do can wait."

"Ok," he said.

"So Kody, did you go to the dance?"

"Yeah," he said. "How 'bout you?"

"Nah. No one to take."

"So did you like the dance?"

"Yeah," he said, "I loved it." He looked up at Emma and smiled broadly.

"So what did you do if you didn't go to the dance?"

"Slept. I didn't want to play Chess or anything."

"I see." said Kody. There was a long silence after that. Finally Emma spoke up.

---

A Painful Block Drawn...
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 07-03-03 06:21

I watched as a bludger came close to our seeker. Another Gryffindor, Dean Thomas was his name, came zooming along to try to club the thing but to no luck. Whatever was going through the beater's mind I didn't know.

Taking out my sketchbook I began to draw like mad just as Dean used his body to block the brutal object only to stun him for a moment. I then turned the page and drew Harry's thanks to Dean. As the game went on I thought if there were going to be any more close calls like this one.

As I sat there a sixth year looked over my shoulder and took interest. "Oy Annie, whatcha doin'?" I showed him my drawings and he seemed to take interest in them. "Not bad," he remarked, "Hey, got any others?" I nodded. "Sure do, why?" The boy smiled. "Dunno, just askin'."

I just gave a nod and went back to watching the game.

---

Somebody Scored
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 07-03-03 09:23

After Australia's goal attempt, Michael gained possession of the quaffle and set off towards Ron's goal hoops at lightening speed. Bronwyn followed the Hufflepuff chaser with her eyes, all the while commentating as he dodged and ducked, swiveled and swerved. It seemed the opposing team's efforts to slow him down and prevent him from nearing the goals failed. With an effortless throw, Michael sent the quaffle flying through the center hoop.

"Corner scores for Hufflepuff!" Bronwyn shouted gleefully. A roar of approval ripped through the Hufflepuff side of the stadium as she pressed down on the scoreboard, which now read: Gryffindor - 0, Hufflepuff - 10.

The quaffle found itself in Australia's arms again, and she took it on the return path to the opposite side of the Pitch where Hufflepuff keeper Ernie readied himself for another block. Meanwhile, the bludgers seemed hell-bent on taking out some of the Hufflepuff team members. In his rapid chase after Australia, Owen narrowly missed being clobbered by a fierce bludger, but Megan wasn't nearly as lucky. That same bludger changed course last minute and hit her hard in the back, causing her to buckle forward over her broom.

"Jones hit by a bludger!" Bronwyn called out, concern ringing in her voice.

The wind seemed to be knocked out of the Hufflepuff chaser for a moment there, but she shook it off and resumed course after Australia, who shortly found herself before the goal hoops again.

---

Babbling
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 07-03-03 10:22

"Drake, of course, just had to go to the game." She said, as if the very idea of wanting to go was ludicrous. "I doubt it'll be all that interesting anyway. I don't think I'll be going to very many of them, not after the last one, with you, him and Jet going on about rogue bludgers and all that." She paused, looking around for something to say.

However, it was then that Drake decided to come striding though the door of the hospital wing. "Hello!" He said cheerily. "The game just wasn't as interesting, watching it all alone." He added, then caught sight of Kody. "Wow, you look awful." He announced.

Kody smiled weekly and nodded. "No worse than I feel, I can guarantee it. And I had to drink this horrible potion of Mme. Pomfery's. As if being sick wasn't bad enough."

"Well, at least you have the Hogsmeade weekend coming up." Emma said, then glanced over to Sean. "Do you think you'll be going?" She asked.

---

Hogsmeade...Maybe
Author: Sean Belgar
Date: 07-03-03 10:40

"Well, at least you have the Hogsmeade weekend coming up." Emma said, then glanced over to Sean. "Do you think you'll be going?" She asked.

"I don't know," he said. "I may be doing something."

"What can be more important than a Hogsmeade visit?" she asked.

He could think of one thing, more like one person. "I don't know. I just might be doing something," said Sean.

"I insist you come with us mate," said Drake. "We are gonna have a brilliant time."

"Yeah," said Emma. "Come with us. We will get some stuff from Zonko's or something and have a couple of Butterbeers."

"Ok," said Sean. "That is, if you don't mind Kody."

"Of course I don't mind. We'll have a great time," he said.

"That settles it. You're coming with us," said Emma somewhat forcefully.

"Well, I have got to go. I will see you guys around," said Sean.

"Alright then," said Drake. "Where you headed?"

"Common room," said Sean.

"I have got to go there anyway. I will come with. See you two later." He smiled at them both and gave a little wink.

"So," started Drake but Professor Flitwick interrupted. "Did you boys see the match today?" He asked.

"Some of it," replied Drake.

"Not me," said Sean. "Professor, can I talk to you in your office?"

---

Wee Small Hours
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 07-03-03 11:03

Captain Electron was sitting behind the headmaster trying to watch the Quidditch game, but finding it more than a little difficult due to the fact that his head was splitting and the grey sky was way too bright, even through his blessedly dark glasses. It had seemed like a brilliant idea last night, or rather, earlier this morning, when the professor had suggested it and Electron was still riding the buzz from his music and (it had to be admitted) a bit of an after-show tipple.

Great, he'd thought, Quidditch, and everyone knows I'm here "for now" and they'll all be too interested in the game to bother me. Which was true. But then he'd gone home and spent the night... rest of the morning... quaffing ale with the Boomers, and, sensible beings that they were, when he was leaving to watch the match, they went to bed.

Electron squirmed a bit in his seat, trying to reach into his pocket for the hangover pills he'd bought from Nevvyn. He crushed one and sniffed heartily, then sneezed enormously. To his credit, Dumbledore didn't even jump. Electron settled back, but just as quickly leaned forward again.

"Who did you say was playing?" he whispered to Professor Dumbledore.

"Griffindor and Hufflepuff," came the reply.

"Oh." He sat back. And forward again. "Who are we cheering for?"

Dumbledore refused to answer that. Of course he couldn't, being the headmaster and therefore supposedly impartial. Electron gave the game his attention for a while. It was very hard to choose the side he liked best, especially when the brooms were going so fast it made his eyes hurt to keep up with them. He was just about to ask Dumbledore yet another question when another teacher (he assumed) came up and sat beside the professor and started a conversation, so Electron leaned back in his seat and kept up as best he could.

---

For the Best
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 07-03-03 12:27

An icy blast of wind howled through a hole in the small cabin, disrupting the calm between the two women who resided within the wooden walls. Helena was quick to cease the shrill whistle and chilly air from invading their space by plugging the opening with a torn piece of yellowing cloth. She had found an old sheet, a victim of mice and other pests, on the top shelf in the bedroom closet.

"It'll have to do," Helena said, turning away from the patched-up wall to glance at Adriana. She cowered in a corner close to the fireplace, half-hidden in the shadows of the walls and furniture around her. Firelight danced across her face, which Helena noted wore a troubled look as if Adriana was considering something very grave and alarming. Her face had long since lost its normal coloring, too; she was very pale from worry, fright and weariness. It was also hard to miss the rather ominous look that often flashed in her eyes as if something awful was brewing deep within her, ready to be unleashed...

Helena had never planned on spending the past six weeks with Adriana. She had wanted to flee from the Burrow quite alone, to disappear into obscurity and then to re-emerge strong, free and ready to move on with her life. It seemed fate had altered Helena's scheme, having placed Adriana directly into her flight path on that unfortunate night, New Year's Eve.

Helena had quickly come to realize how favorable Adriana's arrival had been. Something had happened to her that night, something that she probably hadn't intended and something Helena probably wasn't supposed to have witnessed. At any rate, it had happened and opened Helena's eyes to a whole new Adriana. She had convinced Adriana to abandon her former life as an almost-Weasley, to go into hiding -- it would be for the best.

And now, as Helena watched Adriana huddle in the corner of the small cabin she had to maintain her thoughts from before. This arrangement will be for the best. You'll see.

---

Yawn
Author: Kitt Flynn
Date: 07-03-03 17:40

I wasn't sure I knew why I even came to this bloody game anyway. The Gryffinbores and Puffballs, as we Slytherins like to say, always seem to make a boring game. Oh, exciting. Another score. Rah, rah. Shish if I care.

I wrapped my yellow and green scarf tighter around my head, ears and neck and decided to head back to the castle. I was beginning to get one of those headaches again. I could feel it slightly pulsing at the base of my neck, and slowly traveling up into my head. This was going to be a long day.

I stood and wrapped my robes tighter around my middle before I made my climb down the steps and away from the field. I could hear the faint yell of the crowd and Dewhurst calling out the scores as I walked through the cold. My headache was getting worse, and the bitter cold wasn't helping. I could not feel my nose and cheeks as they had gone numb with the needly wind that stung my face.

Madame Pomfrey can give me something for the pain, and then I'll sleep it off. Yeah, that sounded like a good idea. Drugs and sleep.

---

Durmstrang Institute: A New Colleague
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 07-03-03 20:46

"And finally, this is the replacement teacher for Ivanov," the headmaster announced, indicating a tall, darkish man with deep-set eyes. Most teachers were quick to welcome the man to the school. Continuing with his indifferent attitude, Michael asked somewhat insolently, "And where exactly did Ivonov go, headmaster? I don't believe you specified."

The headmaster fixed Michael with an unimpressed look. "Ivanov is away on important business."

Michael rolled his eyes. "As if I hadn't summed that up myself. How do you know he is really running away to tell the Aurors about us?" The comment causes the expected reaction. Several jump up, holding wands threateningly at Michael. A few even make slips about just what the teacher in question is doing. Those one are quickly silenced by the others. He reacts with a bored wave of his own wand, forcing the others down. So, I did learn something useful here after all, he thought.

"Being new here, I question everyone. Back in my old employ, one teacher said he was going on sabbatical, then ran off and told the Aurors everything we had planned. Can you be so sure Ivanov is not of the same worthless quality?"

"Ivanov's loyalty is unquestionable. He alone killed four muggles and set the Dark Mark above the house just before you arrived." Finally, thought Michael, useful information.

"If I may, Headmaster?" Interrupted Merdroit, looking at Michael. "Perhaps your new potions master is simply hiding his own guilt by picking on Ivanov?"

"I have nothing to hide, Merdroit. But I question you as well. Turin . . . they are a well-known clan. Most occupy potions of authority in various European ministries. Why should we not believe you to be a clever plant - a spy for your family?"

Merdroit spat, "I do not associate with my goodie-goodie cousins and their families." Michael repressed a smile. "And you, sir, where did you teach, if I may ask?" Merdroit continues, with a challenging edge to his voice.

Michael was ready for this question, he replies without hesitation. "At the Magegro Academia in Spain. It's very small and private only the most advanced people even know about it. I don't suppose you would be one such elite."

"I have, actually." Merdroit replies, sounding bored and unimpressed. "What did you teach there?"

"Potions, as I teach here. Though the students there were rather more talented than the substandard ones here. Some idiot nearly blew the place up last week."

A couple of teachers glanced at each other - no doubt remembering a rebellious, unhappy youth who had tried just that - and nearly succeeded several times.

The headmaster cleared his throat brining the meeting back to attention. "I think we are done this meeting now. Nastivitch, I expect you to make Merdroit welcome, as we did for you."

"Of course, headmaster." Michael thrust as hand at the man to shake. "Forgive my skepticism, Merdroit?" They shook hands, briefly, summing each other up. Michael couldn't tell what the other man was thinking, but his own thoughts where clear: Welcome indeed, cousin. And just what are you doing here, I wonder?