Studying
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 12-30-03 13:35
Unable to sleep this fine Saturday morning, Hermione arose early only to find the common room buzzing with talk of Quidditch. She strode past the small, excited groups of murmuring Gryffindors, book bag slung over one shoulder, and left for some peace and quiet in the library. There, she found a small nook between the stacks and spread her textbooks across the surface of the tiny table.
She started work on readings for Herbology, laboriously notating the margins of her text although she had always hated this habit. She liked a nice clean book, one untarnished by the flourescent lines of Muggle highlighters and frantic scribblings of pen and pencil. However, with NEWTs nine months away and so much still to learn, Hermione felt obligated to underline, arrow and otherwise mark important passages in her texts.
She dipped quill into ink and pressed quill to parchment, crossreferencing the marginal material to annotations in a notebook for a personal study guide. She was halfway through Monday's readings when a thought of the future entered her head.
She sat up straight and pondered for a moment before reaching her hand inside the book bag, which rested against the leg of her chair. Out came an application, which Hermione put on the table in front of her. She stared at it silently for a while, merely wondering if it still remained an option.
She thought of her parents, of the grandparents she no longer had, of the Muggle life she no longer needed...
"Forget this!" Hermione exclaimed suddenly, and she returned the application to the book bag resting at her feet. But instead of take up her Herbology book, she put her arms on the table and pressed her forehead against them as tears spilled from her eyes.
Preparations
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 12-30-03 09:30
Emma stood looking out at the large green field that was the quidditch pitch. She'd woken early in order to get a bit of last-minute practise in.
Her hands were shaking like crazy, and she hopped that an hour or so of flying would calm her down. She knew what she was doing, she'd practiced everyday since the beginning of summer. So she couldn't do the Wronsky Feint with any degree of confidence, so there might be others who were just that much better, it didn't matter. She was here to say she tried, and if she got on the team...
Her broom felt heavy enough to be a muggle vacuum cleaner as she mounted and kicked off. She could do this. She knew she could...
Quidditch
Tryouts Almost
Author: Devo
Date: 12-30-03 09:36
Devo walked down the slope to the Quidditch arena with her broomstick. Only a few Slytherins were preparing for the try-outs. She looked at her muggle watch her mother sent her for her 11th birthday. It only read 6:30 am!! Time was going by so slow today. The cool brisk air fluttered across her head as she kicked off the ground to get some practice before the big try-outs. Maybe this would make her parents proud to come and visit her....
Try
Outs Morning
Author: Ariana Maison
Date: 12-30-03 10:55
Ariana fumbled with her blankets as she awoke. Not noticing her feathered alarm clock pecking at her. Mumbling curses Ariana finally got free as she fell to the floor...and only then did she see her owl.
"Gah...oh Thea! Thanks girl. I wouldn't want to be late." Ariana stroked Mathea's wing and gave her a treat before retreating to freshen up.
Combing her hair then, not feeling much like braiding it herself, she used a charm that did it for her. Staring in the mirror she sighed.
"Well, Ari girl. This is it. If you made prefect then surely you can make chaser. At least it's something you know you're good at. So breathe...and go."
Ariana turned, retrieved her broom, and then headed towards the quidditch pitch. She smiled as she noticed her owl flying above. Ah Thea...You're the best.
Watching
Author: Alicia Waterhouse
Date: 12-30-03 12:11
Alicia had come down to the quidditch pitch to watch and support Devo. She watched her flying through the air like it was the most natural thing in the world, twirling and diving.
Alicia shuddered and remembered the only time her uncle had ever tried to teach her how to ride, it had been a bad experience, apparently, she had a fear of heights. The dizzying twists and turns probably didn't help her constitution much either.
She was content to sit in the bleachers in the warm air and watch her friend dance around in the air.
Official Start
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 12-30-03 14:27
Viktor blows the whistle and motions for those trying out for their respective house Quidditch teams to gather around him. Nodding his head toward one set of goal posts, Viktor states, "To be helping vit keeping zings neutral for ze tryouts, I haf enlizted ze help uv zum uv my Bulgarian teammates. Ve vill proceed in groups. Each group vill haf a varm-up period. Zoze vaiting for zere groups to be called vill sit quietly in ze stands. Anyone responzible for distracting zumone whose group iz on the pitch vill be dizmissed. Any questionz?"
No one speaks up so Viktor begins calling out who is in each group and after shooing all but one group into the stands, he gives the first group instructions followed by a ten minute warm-up.
When it's time for this group to begin its tryouts, Viktor again blows his whistle and officially gets things started.
The Quidditch
Pitch
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 12-30-03 20:06
Tranquillina sat in the bleachers, watching the first group of students try out for the Quidditch team. She was hoping to make the team as a chaser. She realized it wasn't common for first-years to make a team, and that nothing short of a miracle would allow her to do well, but she figured it couldn't hurt to try.
Suddenly, her name was called. She looked up, wide-eyed, slightly confused, but she quickly caught on. The group had finished, and she was among those in the next group. She jumped off the stands, and joined the others.
Viktor Krum gave them instructions, and ten minutes to warm up. Ten minutes to warm up? What was she going to do? She looked at the others for ideas. Some were flying about on their brooms, and she decided that would be the widest course of action.
She shakily stepped aboard her broom, and kicked off the ground a little. She was apprehensive, and suddenly wondered why she had come out. But she had no time to further sulk in her misery----Viktor Krum had given the signal for the actual try-outs to begin.
Tranquillina closed her eyes quickly, and as instructed, hit the ball with all her might towards the hoop. Had it gone in? Oh pleeeaaassee let it have gone in....She looked up to find out.
Location Unknown:
A Call to Arms
Author: Voldemort
Date: 12-30-03 20:41
It has been several months since I sent out my Death Eaters with various tasks. Except for Bellatrix and Lucius - always the most dilligent of my followers - I have heard little to nothing of how their missions are going. It is time to call them and find out. Perhaps, by this time, the new recruits have earned their Mark.
I walk over to Nagini and hiss something to him. He slithers away coming back a short time later with a Death Eater. I press the Mark on his arm, as it burns with pain, so do those of the Marks on the arms of every other Death Eater. Within minutes they have all come.
"So, Death Eaters. Tell me, how much have you accomplished since we last met?"
Big News
Author: H Potter
Date: 12-30-03 20:45
Harry spots Ron already in one of the stands and waves to his friend with a gesture for Ron to come down. Ron shakes his head and waves for Harry to come up instead then immediately turns his attention to whatever's going on over the pitch. With a deep sigh Harry starts up the stairs, once again mentally rehearsing how to say what he's been putting off telling Ron this past week.
Reaching the spot where Ron and several other Gryffindors are sitting, Harry takes up a position behind and slightly to the right of Ron. The red head pats the empty seat beside him, "Sit down, Harry. You're late. Viktor's already started tryouts."
"I'm not staying, Ron."
"Huh? You always check out who's vying for a spot on the team. Gives you an idea of what those who make it can actually do." Ron gives a broad sweep with one hand, "All the team captains always watch tryout."
"That's just it, Ron, I'm turning over captain to you."
Harry's got Ron's full attention now. Ron jumps up and faces Harry. "What are you talking about?"
"I've decide not to be on the team this year. I'm making you captain then resigning. Don't complain, it's what you've always wanted. Head boy and captain of the Quidditch team. It will look good on your resume when you go out for a pro team."
Harry starts backing away, stopping only when he's at the stairs. Ron, standing speechless with mouth agape and eyes unblinking, doesn't move. Harry gives a slight shrug, quietly says, "My mind's made up so no use arguing," then vanished down the steps. He's well away from the pitch before he hears Ron calling after him.
Harry just keeps walking towards the castle, pretending he doesn't hear.
Running Late
Author: Sora
Date: 12-31-03 00:00
Sora ran down the stairs and through the halls trying to get to the quidditch pitch. Tranquillina was trying out and Sora didn't want to miss it! Although he didn't have a clue to what quidditch was... but that didn't matter to him. Sora was praying that Tranquillina made it on the team. He wasn't sure if first years had a chance... oh well.
Ten minutes have passed and Sora hadn't a clue where he was or which way the quidditch pitch was... in other words he was totally lost. "Awwww man! I'm gonna miss it!" Sora groaned as he looked down the halls. "Darn! Where's a map when you need one!" Something soared right in front of him and Sora fell over backwards. "Holy shnikies!" he said loudly as he stood up to look for what came over him.
Sora looked on the ground and found a little parcel at his feet. "Oh-ho! Speak of the devil!" he said as he opened it up, but it wasn't what he was hoping for. "Oh! It's from my mom!" Sora said to himself as he took out a little note:
Dear Sora,
Happy Birthday! Sorry about the delay, I know your birthday was yesterday, but I couldn't figure out how to send this to you, luckily I found out how! I don't have that much to say, except that it isn't much. I hope you've made some friends at your new school!
Love you!
Mom and Dad
Sora blinked. "I forgot that yesterday was my birthday..." He smiled as he pulled out a small package of chocolate frogs. "Cool! I can share it with Tranquillina and Roane!" he said as he turned around, remembering he was lost. "Uh... if I can find my way to the quidditch pitch..."
Tryout Nerves
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 12-31-03 02:08
Orie and I ran out to the Qudditch Pitch from Gryffindor Tower and made it just in time. Holding on to my broom I waited for my name to be called as I stood in the Beater group. "Miss Paul, Gryffindor." A young man called my name. "Here." I answered and the man checked off my name on a scroll. "All right, you all vill get a club. Ve vill start our warm-ups."
I got a club and lifted it. I found a balance point and got on my broom. "Ready?" I then heard the whistle. Kicking off hard I felt the wind in my face and turned to face the hoops. Soon a brown ball came rushing towards me as it was hit by a member of the Slytherin house. Leaning forward and putting on a burst of speed I played a little chicken with the bludger and then swung the club at the last second, sending the fast moving bludger towards the hoops. Then it was blocked by another student.
Making a swooping turn I watched the ball's move and saw it making a turn, and following its progress I made a windmill swing hitting it again and sending it out of the way. The bludger then zoomed away and I followed making another turn. The Bludger was about to go under me. "Wait for it." My mind raced and then I did a roll over and managed a solid hit, sending it away to another potential beater from Ravenclaw.
The whistle sounded again and I knew it was time to land. Heading down I landed with no problem and took a deep breath then wiped my forehead with a sense of pride in my heart. I hoped I did good enough and went to the stands to watch the other groups have their turns.
Grand Opening...
Author: Tigeress
Date: 12-31-03 06:21
Well the day had finally come. Everything was in order and I hoped for a nice turn out. I hung up a banner saying "GRAND OPENING" and smiled. I hoped the other shop owners will come and help me celebrate this special occasion and I hoped to get to know my neighbors rather well.
Going inside I set up some tables and prepared the refreshments. I went upstairs and changed into my Egyptian robes, and pinned my school's badge to my robes and looked in the mirror. "Lovely as ever Ty." the mirror spoke and I smiled.
Tryouts
Author: Rolan Boyd
Date: 12-31-03 06:53
Rolan had been joined by bunkmate and Ravenclaw captain Terry Boot at the Quidditch tryouts. Rolan had spent a couple of days at Terry's in the countryside and there they had played Quidditch together. Rolan was an able enough player to help boost Terry's confidence for the looming task of rebuilding the graduated Ravenclaw team.
When Rolan was called upon for the keeper position, Terry shouted some encourage, though Rolan wasn't failing in confidence. Following some play time he returned and sat next to Boot to discuss the others that were flying, and some envying of the Bulgarians.
Watching the
Tryouts
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 12-31-03 08:11
I watched the try-outs, while balancing some homework on my lap. When Tranquillina came out though, I set the homework aside and stood up to watch.
"Go Tranquillina!" I shouted.
Seeing a somewhat lost looking Sora at the bottom of the stand, I waved him up. Turning back to the action, I saw Tranquillina take a shot. Keeping my fingers crossed, I watched...
The Call
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 12-31-03 08:56
Bending over a small, bubbling cauldron, Professor Snape added a dab of blue powdery substance to the boiling mixture. It hissed and cracked, much to the Potion Master's satisfaction, and he smiled grimly. He straightened up and pushed a stopper into the mysterious powder's vial, then set it aside for the glass stirring rod resting on the corner of Professor Dumbledore's desk.
Professor Snape worked busily on altering the remaining potions for the new Fenririan text and hoped to complete them by next week. A difficult goal, to be sure, but one Snape wished to accomplish anyway. His only remaining task would be to memorize at least one potion from the real manuscript, should Voldemort ask for a demonstration.
Of course, it all relied on whether Snape lived to get the chance to offer the manuscript and its powers to the Dark Lord. Professor Snape knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Voldemort would strike him dead on the spot, if it suited him. And as far as Voldemort was concerned, Snape deserved death. Why should he receive a third chance?
Suddenly, the mark on Snape's forearm burned fiery hot. He flinched and nearly lost grip of the stirring rod. An ominous shadow fell over the Potion Master's face.
Voldemort was calling his followers to him, and the Manuscript wasn't ready yet...
Reporting
In
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 12-31-03 08:59
Feeling the burn on his arm, Lucius exits the room where Marblehead sits staring vacantly, spittle trailing from both corners of her mouth. He picks up a set of carefully rolled and tied parchments from a table commenting to Radinka, "We are summoned," then moves to one corner and disapparates. Radinka rushes to the same corner, the only point in the set of adjoining rooms from which someone is able to magically leave, and with a loud POP she too vanishes.
Arriving at the Dark Lord's location, Lucius patiently waits for his turn to give Lord Voldemort a progress report. He hands over the seemingly blank pages of rolled parchment knowing Lord Voldemort will spill a little blood on the sheets to bring forth the ink, will read the information, and then after committing that information to memory, the Dark Lord will destroy the pages.
When his turn comes, Lucius details the capture and question of Marbleline. "She has proven to be a vertible fount of information, my lord. Her words have streamed out like a waterfall and so far everything Myrtle has told us has checked out to be true. Complete details are here for you," Lucius states handing over the parchment. "Names, dates, locations, how to get into certain Gringott's vaults, passwords."
Lord Voldemort accepts the parchments with a nod then turns to the next one waiting to give a report.
If
Only Somebody Loved Me
Author: Adam Sparrow
Date: 12-31-03 09:09
When Adam vomited in the store the third time Sidi dragged the couch into the safe and forced him to spend the morning hidden away, chamber pot by his side.
"Did you take your medicine this morning? You're driving the customers out of the store!" she demanded obviously angry.
"I took my medicine."
"The potion?" She knew he was hedging by using the word medicine.
"No."
"Why?"
"I don't like it. I was feeling fine."
"That's stupid. You know better. You wouldn't stop the Tegretol or Dilantin if you felt better."
"They don't taste like shit." He looked up deliberately pathetic. "It tastes so bad when its cold and worse reheated."
"Oh God Adam! You tried reheating a potion??!"
"Nobody loves me enough to make it right every morning."
"NEVER NEVER NEVER alter a potion!"
"I wouldn't have to if someone........."
"Maybe if you had a wife she'd do it for you!" She snapped. She didn't like how he looked. He had a fever and was shaking.
"Mother warned me about marrying women who don't make proper potions for me."
The room started to spin. "Just bring the cold swill over. I'll force it down." He felt terrible and didn't want to argue anymore and grabbed the chamber pot as she walked out the door.
"Stop it! I'll make the Damn potion!" She stormed out of the safe and into the shoppe.
The Call
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 12-31-03 10:06
Bellatrix felt a sudden burning in her arm and immediately turned around, looking for Rodolphus. As ever, he was ready to go and waiting for her word. "Do you feel that?" she said, looking down at her arm, almost as if she could see the burning flesh through her robes.
"I do, my dear," Rodolphus replied. "Shall we?"
She went to his side and took his arm, disapparating together. They arrived a split second later with an audible popping sound. The cavernous entranceway of the Dark Lord's dwelling was lit with a few smoky candles, but it was no matter as they both knew their way around.
As ever Wormtail arrived to greet them, looking rather apprehensively towards the pair. He had been jumpy ever since Bellatrix had seen him last and threatened to do him serious damage. "This way," he whispered.
"I know the way, you sniveling wretch," hissed Bellatrix. She brushed past him and marched forward, Rodolphus beside her. She only slowed down once she reached her Lord's inner sanctuary, stopping once she realized that Lucius was explaining his recent work.
After a few minutes Lucius moved to one side, allowing Bellatrix and Rodolphus to come forward and explain their actions of the last weeks.
"Lucius, dear! How have you been?" Bellatrix asked warmly. "Narcissa is well I hope?"
Lucius was about to reply when the hissing voice of Voldemort caught their attention. "Bellatrix, come forward."
Bellatrix walks forward and bows low. "Master," she said, the word sounding rather like a loving caress rather than a statement.
"How are things since we last met?" the Dark Lord asked.
"Good. Unfortunately our dear friend Mr. Granger has become catatonic, and is of no further use to us. As for the prophecy-," there was a slight pause before she plunged ahead. Bad news is better out quickly. "I used the Imperio curse on a witch from the ministry and bade her enter the Department of Mysteries in an effort to find out what was inside. Something happened to her while she was in there, and I am at a loss to explain it. She was supposed to meet with me later on, but when I tracked her down her mind was gone. She was a blethering idiot, Lord, and unable to make any sense of anything. All I could get from her was that something was bright and small, with a little label. She said it wasn't for her. Other than that I have nothing for you. I am truly sorry!"
She bowed, backing away, waiting for Voldemort to decide what to do next. Now it was Rodolphus' turn to update the Dark Lord.
