Missing
Author: Penelope Clearwater
Date: 01-24-03 10:12
Penny sat in the living room of her muggle London flat watching TV while eating her lunch. Penny still had a couple of hours until she had to be at the station for work. The summer months had been exhausting to her with all the cover ups she had to do. She hadn't had a chance to go back home since June. She was feeling very homesick. She missed being with her friends and family, and especially Percy. Percy did come to visit her at least one weekend each month, but it just wasn't enough for her. Plus it looked like this month Percy won't be able to visit because of a business trip to Egypt.
Penny rose from her couch to take her plate to the kitchen when she saw an owl at her window. She quickly ran to the window and opened to let the owl in. She didn't recognize the owl. Penny took the letter from the owl and set out a treat for it. After the owl left Penny sat down with the letter. It was from Bill. She opened the letter and began to read it, then dropped it like as if it was on fire. Bill had written to inform her that Percy had gone missing a few days ago. Penny picked up the letter again and reread it in hopes that her eyes had been playing tricks on her, but they hadn't. Penny didn't know what to do. She couldn't just sit there by herself doing nothing. Penny went to the phone and called the station telling them that she would not be able to come into work due to a family emergency. Penny then apperated to the Burrow.
It wasn't until before potions, when the students were waiting for class to begin, that Isolde remembered that Alexis never answered that morning's question.
"So, Alexis," Isolde said softly, leaning close, a sly smile on her lips, "What is between you an that Ravenclaw?"
"Nothing. I mean it." she said quickly when Isolde gave her an incredulous look, "We're just friends. I think he's got a girlfriend, anyway."
If Isolde had anything to say to that, she didn't get a chance because at that moment Snape swooped into the room and the lesson began.
Doodles and Declarations
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 01-24-03 12:18
"Bronwyn, what are you doing?" Toby Beck raised an inquisitive eyebrow and leaned over the lunch table to get a better look at her notebook.
She quickly covered the latest doodle with her hand and smiled brightly. "Toby, can I get your opinion on something?" she asked, a mischievous glow in her eyes.
Toby grinned and said, "Certainly. What's up?"
Bronwyn tapped her chin with her free hand and inquired pensively, "Does Bronwyn Somerset sound okay to you?"
Although he tried to be serious, a small smile tugged the corner of his lips. "Bronwyn. He's a teacher. You're a student. Besides that, every other girl in school wants to marry him. Do you know how many Hannah Somersets and Susan Somersets I've seen doodled on notebooks during the past weeks? Come to think of it, I thought I saw a Minerva Somerset up on the Transfiguration blackboard the other day." He chuckled, and next to him, Hunter laughed so hard pumpkin juice squirted out of his nose.
"Stop teasing me, Toby!" Bronwyn exclaimed, giggling a little bit.
"All I'm saying, Bronwyn...my sweet Bronwyn..." He reached across the table and placed both hands over the hand on her notebook and continued, "I think Bronwyn Beck has a better ring to it. It just, rolls off the tongue..."
This pronouncement created a lull in the conversation, in which Bronwyn and Toby merely stared at each other dreamily, and Hunter's gaze wavered back and forth between the two. He decided to take his leave, opening his mouth to say goodbye and see you both later but then opted not to disturb their moment.
After the pause, Brownyn slid the notebook across the table to him and slipped her hand out from beneath his. He moved his hands out of the way to take a look at her doodle, and then he grinned and looked up at her.
She hadn't lovingly doodled Professor Somerset and Bronwyn forever like he had thought. Instead, written in a beautiful cursive script surrounded by a heart was his name.
"This is disgustingly romantic, Bron," Toby stated after another brief pause. He was smiling.
She smiled too. "I know. No wonder Hunter had to leave in such a rush. He's probably heaving up the contents of his stomach right now!"
Toby laughed and wrinkled his brow. "Thanks for the visual...oh, look at the time. You've got class."
"What? Already?" Bronwyn sprang up from her seat and snatched her notebook off the table.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Loverboy?" Toby asked, teasingly.
Bronwyn winked at him and rushed out of the Great Hall. She met Emma on the way to class, and the two slipped into their seats right before Professor Somerset began his lecture.
First Contact: Good vs. Evil
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 01-24-03 15:07
As soon as the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students filed in and found their seats, Ethan stepped up to the blackboard at the front of the room and rolled up his sleeves. He picked up a long piece of white chalk and brought it up to the blackboard, the first stroke creating an awful-sounding scratch.
Wincing along with the rest of the class, Ethan apologized and continued to write. When he finished, he dropped the piece of chalk onto his desk and turned around to face the class.
"Good afternoon, everyone." He flashed his students a charming smile.
Several female voices responded dreamily, "Good afternoon, Professor Somerset."
Ethan's blue eyes twinkled and he continued, "We've spent the past few weeks reviewing basic dark arts techniques and concepts. As you all surely realize, you have learned much over the past four years and still have plenty more to learn. Now, like I said on the first day, this class will focus on advanced dark creatures. Can any one tell me what makes a creature dark?"
Several hands shot up into the air, and Ethan couldn't help but notice that the majority of those hands belonged to the female portion of the class.
"Yes, Miss Dewhurst?"
"A dark creature is inherently evil?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow and answered her question-like statement with another question. "Is it?"
She nodded, although slowly as if she wasn't sure.
"Well, what does inherently evil mean? Miss Schultz?"
The Ravenclaw girl lowered her hand and explained, "To be inherently evil means to have been born that way. A dark creature's only purpose is to be evil." She paused pensively and added somewhat reassuringly, "Right?"
"Let me get this straight." Ethan walked over to the front of his desk and sat down on it before speaking again. "The evil within a dark creature is inseparable from it. In other words, it's very existence is evil.
Don't you think this is strange? That there are beings born to be evil?"
Some people shrugged, others nodded or shook their heads.
"Tell me this. If there are beings born to be evil, are there beings born to be good? Is it not possible that things born good can take very dark paths and become evil?"
You tell me.
Ethan gave a start.
He froze, his ears harkening to every sound in the classroom. The voice had been unlike any other he had heard before and certainly had not come from one of the students sitting in the classroom. He scanned the faces of his students, some of which wore looks of concern.
"Professor Somerset? Are you okay?"
It didn't appear that anyone else in the class had heard the voice. Ethan cleared his throat and relaxed. "Yes, Miss Dewhurst. I'm fine. Erm, where was I?" He paused to recollect himself. "Ah, yes..."
Maybe he was cracking up. Koyla hadn't invaded his dreams in weeks, but that didn't mean that the emotional baggage attached to his misadventures in Bulgaria was completely dormant. Ethan shook himself of those thoughts and attempted to concentrate on the task at hand–instructing his class.
"Where do you draw the line between the creatures you learn about in Hagrid's class and those you'll learn about in mine? Think about it in terms of what we've discussed today. I'd like you all to write a short essay, due on Tuesday, on this topic. As this is to be a short essay, please do not exceed four scrolls." He winked.
Oh Drat and Blast it All! I mutter as I search through cabinets and drawers. Where could I have put that present for Miss Granger?
"Londy?" Within less than three seconds, my favorite Hogwarts House Elf appears in the center of my office. I would certainly like to know how he does that! "Londy! Have you seen a gold-wrapped box about so big..." I indicate the dimensions with my hands.
"It be in cabinet twenty-seven, third drawer down, left hand side, toward the back. I should get it now?" he asks.
"If you would, please." Londy rubs his thumb and two fingers on the ancient rugby shirt he wears, then reaches in the direction of the specified cabinet. With a slight shimmer and muted "pop", the gold box is in his hands. Yes! I would certainly like to know how he does that, too! No wand... no words... just "poof"! "Would you like to see what I have for her?"
"I already knows!" he replies with a typical House-Elfish grin. "Could feel it, I did, when it came to me. A new crystal ball you have bought for her!"
"You are close to the truth, my small friend," I tell him with a paternal smile. "Here! Let me show you!" I carefully release the magic, tamperproof seals and open the box. "Knowing Miss Grangers feelings regarding Divination, I thought this might be appropriate."
I lift out the black orb with the mysterious number "8" emblazoned on the side. "This, Londy, is called a "Magic Eight-Ball". You hold it in your hand, and ask it a question like, "Will I win the Irish Sweepstakes?" Then you turn it over and the answer magically appears in this little window." I look and read, "Not in your lifetime! - Buster!" "Ah! Well! You see! A perfectly logical prediction!" I grin, sheepishly.
Replacing the gift in the box and resetting the magical, plaid seals, I hand it to Londy. "Would you please take this to the Gryffindor Common Room and place it on the table where Miss Granger always studies?"
With the slightest of "Poofs", he is gone. Yes indeed! I would certainly like to know how he does that!
MOM Headquarters: The
Road to Madness
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 01-24-03 20:59
"WHAT?? No way, Dierna. Absolutely not." Michael was floored by his partner's suggestion. "I am not going back there."
"Come on, Michael. We need someone to supervise the school and its . . . activities. You speak their language AND you know the place."
"I spent the year I was Durmstrang trying to blow the place up so I'd get expelled and have to go back to Beauxbattons. I think they'd remember me."
"That is why you use an alias, and a potion to change your appearance."
"Can you find one to change my attitude?"
"I'm not asking you to do that. Just pretend. You've done undercover work before."
"Why can't you send me to Beauxbattons?" He asked, completely rhetorically. "Dierna, I don't want to go to Durmstrang." Michel sat at his desk, knowing that he'd be heading to the Dark school soon. Dierna was right, of course, they did need to keep an eye on the place. Still, he really didn't want to have to think about another year at Durmstrang. One nightmarish year as a boy was enough. "But you will." The chief auror smiled charmingly, knowing her partner would agree. "The pureblood conference is coming up. You can meet the new headmaster then. See what positions are available."
"I swore never to go back there again, you know."
"You did not anticipate a renewed Voldemort then... Besides, who else am I going ask? Lucius Malfoy?" Both grinned at that.
"Your right, Dierna." Michael sighed "Alright, I'll do it. I'll pose as a teacher at Durmstrang. But I can't just pack up and leave. It'll take a great deal of planning first."
"Thank you, Michael. I knew I could count on you. Take what time you need." With a last smile Dierna left Michael's office. The deputy head watched her leave, wondering, not for the first time, why he always ends up agreeing with his partner.
Search for Garou
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 01-24-03 22:00
The search for the mysterious Lu Garou. Though no sign of him has been found yet, I do believe I am getting closer. This mission is considerably more dangerous than the one dealing with Wormtail. Because I have no wolfsbane potion to keep me sane during full moons, I am a full-fledged werewolf, a dangerous one. However, if gaining his trust means risking attacking someone, that's what I must do. I am largely from human isolated, however, so that danger is greatly reduced.
Presents!
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-25-03 09:48
When Hermione arrived at the Gryffindor Common Room after Herbology class, she intended on going straight to the girls' bathroom to wash up and fix her hair. Instead, she gasped in surprise at the sight of many of her housemates crying out, "Happy Birthday!" The whole common room was decorated with colorful streamers and banners, and piles of presents littered the armchairs and endtables.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat and she lightly placed a hand onto her chest. "You guys," she finally began, smiling wide. "I can't believe it. You all did this for me?"
Heads nodded and Ron slipped an arm around her shoulder. "It's not everyday you get to celebrate your Sweet Sixteen, Hermione."
She rolled her head onto his shoulder and hugged him tight. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Hermione. Now are you ready for your presents?" Ron grinned.
"Yes!"
She received so many thoughtful gifts: a lovely cat carrier from Harry and Sirius, an extra large package of joke products from the Weasley twins, books and more books...The charm Ron gave her was perhaps her favorite gift, but the photo album from Gabriel on her bed was not forgotten.
Gryffindors came and went, some having classes, others desiring a real lunch. Not a crumb of the cake from Briar's Bakery remained; it had been that good. Like many, Hermione wanted to go to the Great Hall for a while, but she desperately needed to clean up first.
She excused herself for a few minutes, carrying as much as her presents up to her dorm room as she could. The gag gifts Ron and Majandra had given her, as well as the book from Professor Logan joined the photo album on her bed, and then Hermione took a few minutes to wash up.
She rejoined her friends in the common room, and then the big group went to the Great Hall. They didn't stay there for very long and soon returned back to Gryffindor Tower for more fun, but although all play seemed very desirable, Hermione did want to get some work done. After a little while, when many of the other Gryffindors were attending classes or elsewhere, Hermione took the rest of her gifts to her room, set them on her unmade bed with the others and then returned downstairs with her Care of Magical Creatures textbook.
Harry and Ron were talking about Quidditch and didn't seem to notice Hermione as she plopped down in her favorite chair. She smiled and flipped open her book to the correct page, and just as she set it down on to the table, a golden box caught her eye.
"We forgot one," she said, and Harry and Ron turned their heads to look.
"Who's it from?" Ron asked.
Hermione flipped over the tiny tag and replied happily, "It's from Dumbledore!"
"Well, what's inside?" Ron asked eagerly. "Come on, open it!"
Hermione removed the lid from the box and laughed. "I haven't seen one of these in ages. It's a Magic Eight-Ball."
Harry grinned and explained to Ron. "There's nothing really magic about it. It's a Muggle toy. Dudley has one, I think."
"What does it do?"
Hermione gave the eight-ball to Ron and said, "Ask it a question. Any yes or no question."
"Okay..." Ron paused for a minute and then asked, "Will Slytherin win the Quidditch Cup this year?"
"All right, now shake the eight-ball and then turn it over," Hermione instructed.
Ron did as he was told and watched as a bluish triangular shape came into view. It said: Better not tell you now.
"Wicked," Ron muttered. Then, he looked up and exclaimed, "I'm going to ask it something else!"
Moving In
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 01-25-03 09:53
Captain Electron slumped exhaustedly into the brand-new armchair and looked around the room. It was perfect, he decided - his guitar hanging just so on the wall, the odd golden disc up there as well. Behind him, the Weird Sisters posed on their colourful poster. The drummer let off a silent volley - long ago, he would have heard that, but it had annoyed Electron so much by suddenly starting up in the middle of the night that he'd Silenced it.
The images had sulked for a whole week, but since it hadn't worked, they'd got used to it. Electron had just got back to England from his last tour. Just yesterday, he was playing Dublin's Temple Bar - both the Wizarding and Muggle parts. He preferred the Wizarding gigs. He always had to use a microphone when he performed for Muggles, and he hated that. It felt uncomfortable. He had studied some of their stars, seeing how they got round the problem, but nothing worked - you had to practically stick the thing down your throat before you got any sound out of it. No, Electron would prefer only to play for Wizards, because then he could use the Sonorous charm, and some of his special effects were really quite spectacular.
Ah, but he shouldn't be thinking about work - he had a brand new home and some time to relax before he started writing the new album. In an all-wizarding village! There were hundreds of interesting things to explore, and maybe he could see them all before anyone realised who he was. Electron had boxes full of wide-brimmed hats, hundreds of plain, unassuming robes, even a charm to keep people from recognising him, if he really wanted to wander around privately. Without his show gear on, he looked pretty normal anyway, except for his hair, which was in long red dreads. That always gave him away. Oh, and Hogwarts school was nearby. He hoped none of the students were the stalking kind. Well, now that he had some time to himself, it might be nice to meet some fans, if there were any...
Electron smiled to himself and dropped his wand down beside him. It had been getting quite a battering today, moving furniture about and changing the colour of the walls. He'd have a rest, and later, maybe wander the village and see what was there to be seen.
Meanwhile, Back at the Shop...
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 01-25-03 10:51
It has been a busy morning. Not that there was an abundance of customers for either Notions or Potions, but that there was a new shipment had just arrived. The three Toms and I have been moving cartons and crates about the storeroom, and deciding which of the new products to put on the shelves. The bell on the front door gives a jingle and I hasten into the shop to serve another customer. It's Old Morris from down the lane, wanting a refill on his rheumatism medicine. No sooner does he leave than a great brown owl flutters in through the hatch in the gable.
Well, now! What have we here? I think as the owl lights on the counter. A message capsule is attached to the bird's leg. Opening it, I extract a note and begin to read:
Honoured Sir;
My name is Michael Turin, and among other things I am the chief Auror's partner here at the ministry. When she returned to work, I noticed she was on-edge and not at all her usual cool self. I was becoming very worried about her, but Dierna wouldn't tell me what was bothering her. This week she is much better and much less on-edge. I appreciate your helping her and hope one day to have the honour of meeting you in person.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Turin,
Deputy-Head Auror
I give the owl a pickled mouse and while he is occupied, I dash off a response to Dierna's partner.
Master Turin,
I am greatly pleased to hear that Miss ní Cíaran is much improved. It seems that the "Small World" syndrome has struck again. As it turns out, her father and I were "business" associates, many long years ago. It was quite a pleasant surprise to meet her here in Hogsmeade. I would welcome the chance to meet you, also. The very next time you visit the village, be sure to stop by and introduce yourself. I am most certain we would have things to talk about, as I have also worked for the Ministry in a capacity similar to your division. Please give my regards to Dierna, and tell her I am glad she is feeling so much improved.
Respectfully yours,
Nevvyn
I roll the bit of parchment tightly and cluck to the owl, who has finished the mouse and is now preening his feathers. Inserting the scroll into the tube, I tell the owl, "Take this to Michael Turin at the Ministry of Magic!" He blinks one eye in acknowledgement and takes off with a great sweep of his wings. I watch through the window as he circles once, then heads south, toward London.
I start back to the storeroom, but something under the counter catches my eye. Oh, my goodness! I mutter. I almost forgot. I pull out the Rune Stone set I had selected earlier and proceed to wrap it in the fancy embossed silver paper which I save for special occasions. When I have finished, I call to Tom. "Would you please take this up to the Castle and ask one of the House Elves to put it in the Gryffindor Common Room?" With a nod, he picks up the package and hustles out the door. The bells jingle their merry tune and I return to my earlier job of sorting and stacking the rest of the shipment.
Something for the Party
Author: Prof Flitwick
Date: 01-25-03 11:45
I am standing for fifteen minutes in front of the painting of The Fat Lady, although I would never dare to call her that toher face. We have been arguing about whether I have permission to enter the Gryffindor Common Room or not! Meanwhile, I am trying to balance a full keg of ButterBeer, which weighs at least five times what I do, myself.
"My Dear Madam!" I try again. "You know me well! I AM Professor Flitwick! This is a gift for Hermione, and is needed for the party. Can you not at least signal someone inside to come and let me in?"
"That is all beside the point, sir!" she replies, lifting her nose a notch or two higher. "I have been given specific instructions and I shall abide by them. No Password? No Entry!"
Carefully, I lower the heavy keg to the floor and stand with hands on hips. I am seriously considering turning her into a rust spot on Sir Cadogan's sword when one of the First-Years comes rushing up. I recognize Titus Fitzgerald from the Charms Classes. He mutters the password and the painting swings wide. Taking advantage of this fortuitous breach, I quickly levitate the keg and wedge it into the opening. She squawks something about soiling her pretty pink dress, but it's too late. I duck under the keg and into the Common Room, which is filled with boisterous Gryffindors. "Delivery for Miss Granger!" I shout above the noise. With a little zigging and zagging to avoid running over various students, I finally guide the keg over to a large, sturdy table. I set it down and wedge it into place with a couple of textbooks. "Happy Birthday, Hermione! The drinks are on me. However, ye'll have to be gettin' yer own cups. Couldn't manage everything, ya know!" With a quick bow and a happy grin, I scoot out of the room and leave the young ones to their festivities.
Wake Up Call
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 01-26-03 10:56
Today was quite an easy day class wise for Vera. She had Astronomy and midnight; she tried to stay up until then but fell asleep on the couch. Vera woke up with a start thinking she had slept through class, but it was only 10:15. So at an attempt to stay awake, Vera grabbed her Astronomy book and started to learn and memorize all the constellations. Which did keep her awake for a long while and then she dozed off again.
Midnight was approaching and Vera was still asleep. Something lightly tickled her cheek and then kissed her lips. Vera stretched with her eyes still closed and smiled. "Shouldn't you be asleep?" She said her eyes still shut.
"I should be. But I knew if I didn't wake someone, she'd sleep through her Astronomy class." He replied. Vera chuckled. "Always watching out for me? How sweet." She finally opened her eyes and look up at Lawrence. "What time is it?" She asked.
"It's 11:30. Did you really think reading would keep you awake?" Lawrence grinned holding up Vera's Astronomy book. Vera smirked, "I wasn't reading it...I was looking at the pictures!"
Lawrence laughed and Vera snatched the book from his hands. "Well,' he began. "Shall I walk you to class so you don't fall asleep on the way and get lost?" He teased.
"I would do no such thing! That would be funny though..." Vera laughed. "Well, I'd better go. I'll see you tomorrow." She kissed him and went to class.
**********
Vera woke up around nine o'clock in the morning. After taking a nice warm shower she put on some clothes and went to the Herbology room to meet Lawrence. He didn't have any classes until one o'clock so they enjoyed a few hours together.
At lunch time their friend Mirai Schultz strolled over and said hi. It was nice to see her again. Vera hadn't seen her sense the Start-of-Term Feast.
Later that night Vera had Quidditch practice. From seven to nine o'clock. Lawrence decided to watch her so he sat in the stadium. Vera always had fun at practice. During games though, she was kind of competitive. She didn't mind loosing, but she didn't like to.
The rest of the day went on well, and when bed time came around Vera decided to go early. She had a lot of classes the next day and wanted to be ready for them. Before she called it a night, however, she and Lawrence went for a little walk around the grounds.
