Arriving
Author: Nick Stokes
Date: 12-08-03 08:17

Nick introduced Serena to Shadowshade with the slight hope that she would shriek hysterically and flee the compartment. But when she giggled in such a cute way he decided he'd rather like it if she stayed.

He even cracked a joke about not being traditional. "Where's this coming from?" he thought, "I'm not usually making jokes." He'd often wanted to make a joke in conversation, but his mother had always said it was inappropriate to laugh except when someone else told an amusing anecdote. And only if that other person were older or more important.

There was an uncomfortable silence after that. Every time he looked up at her she smiled politely at him and he looked down again. The time seemed to drag by. He said nothing, she said nothing.

Nick started to pull a folded up magazine out of his bag, glancing up he saw she was looking at it with interest to see what it was. He pushed it back into his bag again and looked out of the window. His mind wandered.

"Dinner's almost ready Nicholas." his mother called from downstairs. He grunted a reply and carried on reading from his book of Dark Spells.

"Nicholas! Dinner!" she called, he didn't hear her. Suddenly his bedroom door burst open and his dad stormed in.

"Didn't ya hear your - " he began, "What the hell are you reading?" he snatched the book out of Nick's hands, and furiously started to tear it up.

"Dad!" Nick screamed trying to get it back off him.

"We've told you about reading without our permission!" his dad roared showering the room in scrap of book.

"Oh, oh..." Nick spluttered. "Oh Voldemort!" he swore. His dad flinched, momentarily stunned. Then he started beating Nick about the head finally throwing him against a wall.

"Don't you EVER use his name again." he yelled and stormed out of the room, he burst back in with Nick's dinner and smashed it on the floor.

"Clean that up!" he shouted and slammed the door shut as he left.

Nick stirred himself from his thoughts as he noticed the train was pulling into the station. "We're here." he murmured, and started gathering his cases together.

---

Fun, Friends, Food and Sorting
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 12-08-03 12:16

When the Hogwarts Express had pulled into the station at Hogsmeade, Lawrence and Vera had already put their robes on like the rest of the students in the train. They waited patiently for the first years and transfers to get off the train, then headed toward the carriages that would ultimately take them to the castle. This was one of Lawrence's favorite events (even though he's only been to one of them). He had Vera sat side by side, talking and joking with a few other friends that shared one of the carriages with them.

Once they reached the castle they headed into the Great Hall, a sense of relaxation fell over Lawrence when he was back within the castle. He truly did love it here, especially with Vera here. Then it hit him that Vera wouldn't be here next year. He shoved the thought from his mind and offered Vera a bright smile as they sat down at the table.

They waited patiently for the first years and transfers to come in, once they had come in Professor McGonagall would begin the sorting ceremony for the first years and transfers. Finally there would be opening remarks from Professor Dumbledore. Lawrence would eventually make it a point to play a bit of chess with Professor Dumbledore when there was a chance for both of them to get together.

Once all the formalities had been taken care of, there would be a banquet that was unaparalleled by anything else, perhaps except for the halloween and end of term feasts.

Lawrence and Vera spent the time waiting catching up with other friends and such in neighboring houses and various other things. Also comparing schedules, seeing who they would have class with and what would be required for what. Who was escaping another year of boring lectures with Professor Binns and who was looking forward to what classes and all sorts of other preschool year gossip and materials.

---

Second Chances
Author: Nora
Date: 12-08-03 14:22

Following the other transfers and first years off the boats, the young blond girl with an eye-patch covering her left eye, looked around distastefully at the students gathering near the entrance to the Great Hall. "Interesting lot...guess they do except idiots here." Taking in the scene she added, "Well, this place certainly looks better than Durmstrang, hope the headmaster's not a git like my last, never did like that one." Casually leaning against a cool stone wall, she smirks at the other students, focusing on the first years "Any of you ever cross me or do something to offend me, you'll be sorry! They don't call me 'Pirate' just because of my eye. By the way, the name's Nora Masters, but better call me Pirate." Yawning Nora closes her right eye ands waits for the sorting to begin. "Better not get expelled from this place..."

---

Carriage Ride
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 12-08-03 18:43

After the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station, the prefects dispersed to monitor the doors and to guide young first years to Hagrid. Hermione and Ron helped second years to the carriages, since they would be viewing the Sorting Ceremony as observers for the first time. By the time the Head Girl and Boy finished loading stragglers into the carriages, most everyone was already in the Great Hall.

"What do you think is wrong with Desdemona?" Ron asked, breaking the silence only otherwise occupied by the steady rotation of the carriage wheels.

"Why did she nearly faint in our compartment, you mean?" Hermione asked. She tore her eyes from the nighttime scenary to look at her boyfriend.

He nodded, and she shrugged. "Maybe she's just nervous about being a prefect or about starting her NEWT studies, or maybe she has migraine headaches."

"Maybe," Ron simply said. He looked out the window for a moment, watching the lights in the castle grow larger as they neared the school.

"Are you nervous about being Head Girl, and about taking the NEWTS at the end of the school year?"

Hermione met Ron's gaze and answered softly, "I'm more nervous about other things." She suddenly felt like crying, but pulled herself together before a single tear could roll down her cheek. Draco's words from earlier on the train entered her mind and Hermione couldn't help but ponder aloud, "Do you think my dad is dead too?"

"I don't know," Ron replied quietly.

"Do you think I'll ever know what's become of him? Do you think I'll ever see him again?"

"I don't know."

Hermione sighed deeply and looked out the window.

---

Meeting Hagrid
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 12-08-03 19:04

Blinkey had set out Michael's maroon robes for the Feast then went off to meet the other house elves. Michael smiles at really teaching again (last term and Dursmtrang doesn't count!). Then a huge, giant of a man enters the hall.

"Ahh. You must be Hagrid!" Michael says.

"Ah yeh. I am. Don' believe I know yeh."

"We haven't met. But I know about you from the Headmistress of Beauxbattons."

"Yeh...yeh know Olympe?" Michael notices Hagrid's face turning bright red.

"Indeed. I taught at Beauxbattons for several years, and Olympe is my niece's godmother. She sends you her best regards and says she misses you very much. She wrote this letter for you." Michael takes a folded letter from a pocket and hands it to Hagrid. The giant opens the letter and flushes even deeper. Michael chuckles to himself, Olympe reacts rather similarly, getting tongue-tied and embarrassed at the mention of her "'Agrid".

Michael turns toward the doors again when he sees the Headmaster come inside the great hall. "Ah, professor Dumbledore. Good evening sir!"

---

Muggles Have Their Uses
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 12-08-03 19:45

Lucius left Myrtle with her hands tied behind her back in an extremely stuffy, cramped, dark room, which has a number of strong spells and charms to ward off attempts to disapparate from it or escape via some other means. Hours later, when Lucius knew Myrtle's robes would be sticky and uncomfortable from her being cooped up in an overly warms, small space, he has Radinka bring Myrtle to another room. As they walk, the older woman bravely declares she'll never tell them anything.

An uncomfortable looking chair made of very hard wood sits in the exact center of the room, or as Lucius like to think of it, the dead center. The chair is also situated over what looks to be a drain of some sort. Myrtle's hands are untied long enough for her to be seated and then each hand is tied to an arm of the chair. Radinka retreats to the corner nearest the door where she can quietly observe what is to follow.

Lucius, looking thoughtful with his tented fingers lightly tapping his lips, slowly makes one turn around the chair. Returning to the spot directly in front of Myrtle, Lucius finally speaks.

"You might notice this room is quite a bit cooler than your first accommodations. Just above freezing as a matter of fact."

Lucius walks to the wall on Myrtle's left and it's then that she sees handle attached to a pipe. She remains silent as her eyes follow the pipe up the wall and across the ceiling where another pipe hangs down from it. This pipe has what almost looks like a small shower head on its end and the shower head looking device is centered exactly over the chair Myrtle is sitting on.

A pleasant smile alters Lucius's serious gaze, making him appear to be suddenly happy. His fingers dance over the pipe's handle then slow to a sensuous caress.

"I have found, Myrtle, that in addition to making excellent servants, Muggles do have a few, a very few, useful things to offer we superior Wizards. During some of their wars and even during times of peace, certain Muggles have perfected techniques in extracting information from those resistant to questioning. One such technique is commonly known as Chinese water torture. It intrigues me. I've been waiting for just the right person to perform it on... with a modification or two of my own."

Lucius eases the handle down a fraction and a within a few seconds Myrtle feels a tiny drop of icy cold water spatter on her head. Lucius continues easing the handle down until he's pleased with the size of the water droplets.

"I've spelled the water to remain at a constant temperature just below freezing but not form ice. I'll be back to check on you in awhile, when you are thoroughly soaked through to the point that your robes are dripping puddles of water down the drain. If I'm lucky, Myrtle, your lips and fingertips will be a lovely shade blue by then. Ta for now."

With a blinding white grin, Lucius swivels around and walks out, Radinka close on his heels.

---

Heading to School
Author: Nick Stokes
Date: 12-09-03 05:27

Nick was ushered on to one of the carriages, he had to be nudged as well, he couldn't stop gawping at the strange winged horse creatures tethered to the carriages.

"I expected strange things, but these are just, weird!" he thought.

Finally getting into the carriage. He heard a younger pupil remark to another one about how the carriages were so odd.

"I wonder how they pull themselves?" he heard them say.

"With their legs!" he said sarcastically. Sitting back in the carriage he checked his pockets for Shadowshade. He wasn't there.

"Aargh!" Nick yelped as the carriage pulled away from the station and off to Hogwarts.

---

The Sorting Ceremony - Part One
Author: The Sorting Hat
Date: 12-09-03 08:31

The heavy oaken doors of the Great Hall swung open suddenly, ceasing all chatter among students and staff in the chamber. All heads swiveled around to watch the Sorting Ceremony unfold, eager to catch a glimpse of every new student to step through the threshold. Professor McGonagall led the pack of wide-eyed first years and less impressed transfer students to the front of the room.

She placed a three-legged stool in the center and placed an old, tattered hat upon it.

...and suddenly, it started to sing...

The Sorting Hat is my name,
I'm glad that we can meet.
Sorting is my favorite game,
Let's do that, then we'll eat!

Four houses Hogwarts offers you,
Where you will find a home.
I'll put you where you're good and true,
With chambers you can roam!

Gryffindor is where you'll go
If you show courage against any foe!
Hufflepuff is where you'll be
If you display great loyalty!

Ravenclaw is where you'll see
Cleverness as the key!
And Slytherin is where you'll rest
If you'll do anything to be the best!

So put me on atop your head,
And let me find your place.
Then platters will be filled with bread
And new friends you'll embrace!

The Sorting hat finished its song and Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a scroll of parchment. She unrolled it, cleared her throat and announced, "We will begin with the transfer students."

She looked down at the first name on the list and called out, "Masters, Nora."

A young girl about twelve years in age stepped forward and perched on the stool. Soft murmurs went through the Great Hall as all noted the patch covering her left eye. With a sharp look across the room, the Hall became silent once more, and Professor McGonagall proceeded to place the Sorting Hat over the girl's fair head.

"Hmm...Interesting," the Sorting Hat murmured. "A bit of a trouble-maker, are you? But very bright...yes, interesting...You belong in SLYTHERIN!"

Professor McGonagall removed the hat from Nora's head, and the new Slytherin hopped off of the stool and went to join her classmates. The next person on the list was, "Stokes, Nick."

The tallest and oldest of the new students, a boy of about seventeen or eighteen, emerged from the crowd. He approached the stool and sat down, and Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head.

"Home-schooled, were you? Interesting...A pureblood, yes... Hmm..." The Sorting Hat paused for a moment as if under debate with itself. Then it declared, "SLYTHERIN!"

Nick, perhaps a bit surprised, slowly stepped down from the stool and walked over to the Slytherin table.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and announced the last name on the transfer list, "Waterhouse, Alicia."

A girl over fifteen approached the stool and waited patiently as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat onto her head.

"Yes...a fan of art," the Sorting Hat said pensively. "Hmm...How interesting...Very intersting indeed...I know just where to put you...SLYTHERIN!"

The girl, like the two students before her, leapt off of the stool and joined the Slytherin table.

---

Busy Day for Owls
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 12-09-03 09:02

"Oh Magairligh!" Electron groaned when he saw the amount of post waiting for him inside. He sat down immediately and started to go through it, deciding that he might as well, since he wouldn't be able to go out for a little while unless he wanted to be mobbed. (DID he actually want to be mobbed? He couldn't decide!)

There were the usual newspaper stories from the management, which he tossed away this time without reading. It was just becoming annoying; the newspaper-him was having more fun than the real him! But there were a few letters from fans as well, which cheered him up a bit. A note from his manager informed him that there were several sacks of these waiting at the studios, and did he want to come in and deal with them, or did he want them sent on? Electron sent back to say he'd go in one day soon and try to wade through them. Laden-down owls limping through Hogsmeade with sacks might raise a bit of attention!

In the bundle was a letter from the owner of a concert hall in Edinburgh confirming a booking; the Captain had told them he'd go ahead with the show even without the Boomers. Now why the hell had he agreed to do that? He must have been drunk... but it was a good thing, he decided. He had to go on somehow, and he could always break in a new backing group just to play some instruments. The show was set for the end of October, and there were several tickets enclosed in the letter, in case Electron wanted to give some to his friends. He snorted - he knew exactly who *wasn't* getting any of those. But then....

He scribbled a note back to the organiser and sent that owl back, managing to shake a couple of owl treats out of his sleeve that had lodged there in the shower, then he grabbed another sheet - paper, this time, not parchment, and wrote on it in biro.

"Sorry I scared you earlier," he wrote. "I meant what I said about coming to a Wizarding show, though - next one is in Edinburgh in October and I'm sending you a couple of tickets in case you and your wife feel like taking me up on it. There won't be any Boomers, of course, but I'll do my best. Do you fancy being one of the first to see how I manage?"

He signed it, underlining his name a few times with his usual flourish, then folded it over two of the tickets, stuck it all together with a Muggle sticker, and shouted at Hendrix.

"Take this to Pots and Pages," he instructed, attaching the letter. "No need to wait for a reply, unless he wants to send one, of course, and he probably won't... off you go."

He opened the window for Hendrix, and the owl exited in a rush of wings and brown feathers. Closing the window again, the Captain settled down to re-read his fan mail and get a few replies ready, fishing in a box under the table for some photos. He'd have to get cracking on preparing for the show, as well...

---

Sorting...Any New for Gryffindor?
Author: Orieliah McCoi
Date: 12-09-03 09:42

Orei sat at the table amongst the rest of the Gryffindors. Chatter stilled once the Sorting Hat had begun its song. One that Orei wouldn't forget, and would hear it several more times before her run here at Hogwarts was through.

She leaned forward against the table, watching the first three get sorted. All three went to Slytherin. Oh joy, just what the world needs more of them. Hopefully there'd be some new faces for Gryffindor, maybe even Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, but don't need any more Slytherins.

She'd continue to watch the Sorting Ceremony with rapt attention, waiting to see if there were any new additions to Gryffindor.

---

Interesting
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 12-09-03 16:06

The Sorting Ceremony, quite often dull and repetitive (particularly after bearing witness to over fifteen), commenced with a bit of a surprise this year. All three of the transfer students, ranging from a young second year to two N.E.W.T. levels in the form of a sixth and seventh year, were sorted into Slytherin House. And although pleased to see the new faces enter his House and no other, Professor Snape was also a little concerned.

What circumstances brought these three students to Hogwarts and into his House? Times were growing ever darker in the wizarding world, and try as he might to deny it, ex-Slytherins were often present where evil was to be found.

Professor Snape thought of the Fenririan Manuscript, the coveted item found only hours earlier and currently resting safely in Dumbledore's office. Its facsimile was far from complete, but an end was truly in sight. Things are going to get interesting very soon, Snape thought grimly before turning his attention back to the Sorting Ceremony.

---

Wishing and Hoping for...GRYFFINDORS!
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 12-09-03 16:13

Three new arrivals were already sorted and each was placed in Slytherin. "Oh boy," I muttered and it seemed I wasn't the only one concerned with this problem. I looked at the others and closed my eyes and said a quick prayer. "God, no more Slytherins. Put someone in another house like us or Hufflepuff or maybe even Ravenclaw." I opened my eyes and noticed there were others practically doing the same thing, then there were the staff members. I saw Professor Logan looking rather uneasy.

I wondered what she was thinking and for that matter what were the other professors and the Headmaster himself.

---

Who's Keith Moon?
Author: Sidi Ross
Date: 12-09-03 17:15

Sidi looked at the time piece on the dresser.

"Oh God Adam. What are you doing?" she groaned.

"I feel bad," he said sitting in a pile of old records clutching one in his hands.

"Why would you bring these here?" She looked through the ancient vinyl that Adam collected. She wondered how he got turned on to this stuff since it had been obsolete since before he was old enough to care what a recording was. He was a fanatical music collector. "These aren't going to work at Hogsmeade."

Adam sat quiet slowly rocking back and forth staring at the record in his hands.

"Oh my luv. We need to go to London soon." She pulled the vinyl from his hands and started to laugh. "Autograph or not, I sincerely doubt Captain Electron is a Keith Moon fan luv." She wondered what obscure band Keith Moon was in and why Adam thought he would care.

"What?"

"I said let's go to bed and worry about Keith Moon tomorrow."

"OK." Again he fell asleep but Sidi couldn't sleep. She went downstairs for hot chocolate. Mid marshmellow she noticed the scratching at the window.

"Hendrix, baby." She petted the Captain Electron's owl. "Surely you must either be lost or think this is owl treat heaven!"

Hendrix indeed remembered the owl treats and instantly found them tossing the lid to the container aside and enjoying a beak full. As an after thought the owl dropped the note in front of her.

Sidi was elated. Never in a million years did she think the likes of Captain Electron would be a sensitive sort.

She hurried and accepted the most generous offer.

"Wife," she said aloud with frustration and even embarassment as she read the note. "I'm too old to be a girlfriend."

---

What's With All the Slytherins?
Author: Amerah Patterson
Date: 12-09-03 17:51

Amerah watches the sorting ceremony with interest but is horrified to see all the transfer students be Slytherins. "What's with all Slytherins?" I ask Ariella and Leonora, rolling my eyes.

"I don't know" replies Leonora, also looking incredulous. "But it's only temporary... I hope."

Amerah looks over at the other students at the table and can guess they (save for the Slytherins) are praying for the same thing: No more Slytherins. She pays attention, waiting for the rest of the students to be sorted, but her attention is limited as her hunger is increasing. She hasn't eaten since the train-ride. "Come on," she mutters. "Hurry up!"

---

Ceol
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 12-09-03 18:03

For no reason at all, I'd taken out an old feadog and started playing an ancient tune. I hadn't played one for a long time, though I still carried it with me almost everywhere. Funny how you never really forget some things.

The air I play is either happy or sad, it was merely pensive. So much had started happening in rapid succession that I hadn't had any time to think things over. Especially not in the ministry with "toad of toad hall" appearing in my office every ten minutes wanting updates. I swear, I was sooo close to throwing something at her. Anyway, here I am playing an old air, as I sort out the various threads of thoughts in my mind. I really could use a pensieve.

Eventually I stop, put the whistle in my pocket and look outside. It's getting dusky, but te night is warm so I decide to take a walk. I put on my cloak and head out, followed by a blur of orange fur that is Siabhra. Wonder what she sees that is so fascinating?

I must have music in my blood tonight, because I find myself playing softly as I walk towards the cliffs on the edge of Hogsmeade. One air, then another in a smoothly, entrancing sequence.