Third Time's the Charm
Author: Majandra
Date: 07-27-04 22:14

After helping Fred and George set up their career day table, particularly with the placement of the table skirting she'd sewn just for the occassion as well as a hand made banner, Majandra steps back to let the boys work their (no pun) magic on the first ones to stop by the table. Waiting for a good time to interrupt, Maj gives George a quick peck on the cheek then getting her bearings using the map of tables handout, she sets off for the booth that nice man from Hogsmeade, Nevvyn, has set up because of its emphasis on potions.

As she makes her way past tables and people milling around, Majandra is stopped by a hand on her arm. "Majandra! So good to see you. You were helping my brothers, correct? I always thought George did well by you."

"Hello, Percy. It's lovely to see you. Have a lot of students stop by yet?"

"Not yet, no, but I'm confident things will get busy soon. I know you're set on going into Potions but here, take this booklet I brought. It explains you need to know about International Magical Cooperation. I'm one of the authors in fact. There's even a section you might find interesting. It's about potion standards in international trade."

"Thanks, Percy, and congratulations on writing the booklet. I'll certainly look over it and keep it in mind."

A student Majandra knows by name and has even had classes with over the years but with whom Maj has never really been friends, steps up to the table. Not wanting to be rude and not acknowledge his presence, Majandra smiles, "Hi, Terry. Do you remember Percy Weasley?"

The two males shake hands. "Yeah, the Weasley's are hard to forget."

Percy cocks his head in the direction of the twins' booth. "Some harder than others."

Terry chuckles, "So true."

Majandra smiles again and begins to ease away, still determined to get to Nevvyn's booth but once again she's stopped, this time by Terry. "Natalie Rose dropped her scarf between classes the other day. I've been keeping an eye out for her but haven't seen her since to give it too her."

Terry pulls out the thick, warm, scarf in Gryffindor colors, so necessary on windy, cold days. "Would you see she gets it?"

"Sure, Terry. Thanks."

Majandra accepts the scarf, bids Terry and Percy goodbye, and once again makes her way toward Nevvyn's booth. Maj ends up stopping once more when she spies Natalie entering the Great Hall with a girl Maj has seen but whose name she doesn't know. She waves to Natalie and calls out.

"Natalie! Hi. I just ran into Terry Boot," Majandra turns to point out Terry still talking to Percy. "He found a scarf you dropped the other day but hasn't seen you since to return it."

Majandra hands over Natalie's scarf, takes a moment to be introduced to Holly, then excuses herself. Seconds later she's at Nevvyn's booth, fascinated with everything he's got on display and rooted to the spot as she reads the well put together handouts.

Lost for Words
Author: Natalie Rose
Date: 07-27-04 22:52

After Maj had pointed her towards Terry she went over with Holly and thanked him. She tapped him on his shoulder and when he turned around his jaw dropped.

"Hey Terry, thanks for returning my scarf to Maj, I've been pretty cold walking the grounds with out it."

"Ummm Ohhh uhhh yea wow you ...uhhhh..."

"Terry are you okay?"

I've never seen anyone more beautiful in my life. She's gorgeous. O no, I'm making a complete fool of myself. Get a hold of yourself; she can't know you like her, Terry thought.

"O yes well I would've given it to you directly but I haven't seen you at all, is everything ok? Did I do something to hurt you?" Terry sputtered out all at once.

"O I'm fine I've just had a lot on my mind," Natalie said her smile dropping off her face.

O there's that table I wanted to visit Natalie I'll meet up with you later, Terry keep an eye on her for me or she might end up losing that scarf again" Holly called as she walked away and turned to wink at Natalie.

The two were left alone standing in front of Percy Weasly who was jabbering on about some nonsense not noticing anything had transpired or feeling the tension in the air between the two students who both wanted to be together but neither knew the other's feelings.

Becoming Informed
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 07-28-04 09:35

After briefly saying hello to Arthur Weasley, who offered Hermione several brochures on the advantages of a position in Misuse of Muggle Artifacts (which Hermione graciously accepted), the Gryffindor seventh year wandered to the spell research table, where she met with Carola Canon.

"Hello, my name is Hermione Granger. I've been considering a focus in spell research as part of my future studies at the university, and quite possibly also for my eventual career."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Hermione. There are many aspects of spell research; is there a specific direction you are looking into?"

Hermione smiled sheepishly and explained, "I'm considering Healing, and I'm very interested in medical developments in that field."

"A very promising profession, I assure you," Carola said, smiling warmly. "There's much we as wizards can do for the ailing, but there is still so much that even we cannot do. And that is where spell research comes in." She slid a booklet across the table. "Here's an informational packet about what our division does at the Ministry of Magic. We are a part of the relatively new Department of Magical Research."

"That is very interesting, thank you." Hermione picked up the booklet and thumbed through it a little bit while Carola continued to talk.

"While wizarding research and development has been practiced throughout our history, the formal establishment of such committees, at least in Britain, has only arisen during the last decade or two. We are constantly expanding, and as you'll note there on page 4, one of the committees within the division of spell research is the Committee for the Development of Medical Spells."

Hermione looked very pleased. "Do you know if there are any internships or entry-level positions offered for the summer or fall, either in that committee specifically or in the division as a whole?"

"Absolutely," Carola said. She ducked beneath her table and retrieved a letter-sized envelope. "Information for the entire department and the various job and internship opportunities are within. Owl us with a letter of interest and fill out the accompanying application form if you decide to apply."

"I certainly will!" Hermione exclaimed. "Thank you so much."

"You are quite welcome. Good day!"

Extremely pleased, Hermione held the booklet and other brochures to her chest and wandered over to the Healing table. There she met with Melinda Mumps, one of the Healers who had been tending to her father, and also Patricia Aemilius.

Oceans of Potions
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 07-28-04 11:42

Things have been relatively quiet this morning. Several students have stopped by the booth, but there interest was simply that… interest. There was one exception. I did have a long and pleasant conversation with a Miss Majandra Fine. Very interested in potions, as a career, and also quite knowledgeable on the subject, as well. She quizzed me on several aspects of the field. I certainly hope I was able to answer her questions satisfactorily.

Now, however, it seems that a few more of the students are waking up of finishing with breaking their fast. The Great Hall is gradually filling and the buzz of muted conversations fills the air. I keep a close watch on the milling crowd, looking for the face of Miss Diamond. Casually, I brush my hand across the inside pocket of my robes, just to reassure myself that I haven't dropped her "commission" somewhere in all this commotion.

A tall and spare Slytherin sauntered up to the booth, looked about, stuck his over-large nose in the air and started to walk away. "Potions not your cup of tea?" I asked.

He turned with a haughty stare and said, "My fathah buys from only the most reliable sources! He doesn't deal in materials made by itinerant hedge-wizards!" And with those few choice words, he turned and "slithered" away.

Under my breath I find myself muttering, "You're 'fathah' is a bothah!" Well, if he can ignore the terminal "r", so can I.

Things Are Really Cooking Now
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 07-28-04 11:47

Briar gives her full attention to the young woman who's just approached. "Hi, I've seen you in the bakery on Hogsmeade weekends. I'm Briar."

She offers her hand to shake with the girl whose eyes crinkle with a smile. "Megan Jones. Nice to officially meet you. I was wondering, do I already have to know how to bake or cook before learning what it takes to be a baker or a chef?"

"No, not at all though most who become professional chefs and bakers have done a little cooking before choosing it as a career. It's how they know they want to do it. There are culinary classes one can take or studying one on one undersomeone. This set of brochures contain a great deal of information on various cooking schools, many of them Muggle but two are Wizarding. I've included the Muggle information because personally I love incorporating Muggle methods with Wizarding methods. The Muggle way requires a great deal of hands on work while, of course, the Wizarding way is mainly knowing what charms and spells to use, many of them silent so all that appears to happen is a flick of the wand. It's harder than it sounds because even being slightly off can mean getting a robust, clam sauce when one was trying to make plum pudding."

"I've always found it fascinating to watch people cook, both the Muggle way and the Wizarding way but my mother is the sort who can't stand having another cook in the kitchen so about all I know how to do is boil water for tea. I'd like to know more about it. I'm a seventh year and hope to be out on my own soon but it's harder to move away from home when I'd end up spending all my money on eating out."

"Would you be interested in some hands on training so you'll know if you want to go through with learning how to cook and mastering it well enough to make a career of it?"

"Oh yes, that would be great!"

"Cora, the taller than average blond you've probably seen at my bakery, just got married and wants time off over the summer because they are building a house themselves. When the term is over, why don't you pop 'round the shop and I'll put you to work. We'll start you out with the basics and you can be earning a wage while you'r at it. That way even if you decide it's not for you, the time won't have been wasted and I get someone to help cover for Cora being gone. I'll be hiring one or two others but only because it will take that many to replace Cora."

Briar ends with a laugh then finds herself in a bear hug from the excited Megan. "Thank you! Oh! I can't wait!"

The two continue talking for a short time then Megan takes the brochures Briar gave her and the gift box of baked goods Briar's handing out to those who stop by while Briar greets another student who's got questions about becoming a pastry chef.

Time Time Time
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 07-28-04 14:20

"Cornelius, you're doing all you can do to find out who's feeding these packs of lies to the papers and all while not missing a beat in doing your job. Come, let's get a spot of tea. It will relax you, Cornelius. If it helps take your mind off this latest article not fit to line a bird's cage, why don't you tell me all about this newest committee you've formed with Umbridge at its helm."

Cornelius Fudge sighs heavily, his shoulders sagging. "You're quite right, Lucius. I'm doing all that can be done. Just so disheartening you know. Let's go to the dining hall for that tea. There will probably only be a few people there at this time of morning but it still helps seeing their supportive faces."

As they walk to the elevators, Fudge begins filling Lucius in on Umbridge's latest brainchild. Over tea he finishes informing Lucius about the move to have anyone practicing divination licensed. By the time they return to Fudge's office, the man is bending Lucius's ear about another committee being put together. Over lunch, Fudge talks endlessly of restructuring some of the existing departments within the Ministry. Hours later when Narcissa and Fudge's wife have joined the men for dinner and a concert by a popular Wizarding string quartet, Cornelius has talked so much Lucius feels he knows everything there is to know about every current situation in the Ministry though annoyingly enough, not a word about what the head auror has been working on the past few months.

As midnight approaches, Narcissa and Lucius return to Malfoy Manor. After kissing Narcissa goodnight, Lucius goes through the necessary steps to undergo a transformation then apparates to a prearranged meeting place. Bellatrix, also in disguise, is there already but beat him by only a few minutes. Lucius drapes the chain to the time turner around Bellatrix and himself then begins turning the timer.

Seconds later, Lucius and Bellatrix mount the newest, fastest, most advanced brooms to fly across the English channel. Once over, they will stow the brooms and make a series of apparating leaps to their base of operation. By the time the sun's fully risen over Europe on Saturday, March 21st, the two will be at the safe house drinking rejuvenating potions to pep them up as they embarke on the next stage of the mission.

Education Destroys Ignorance
Author: Sidi Ross
Date: 07-28-04 15:18

"I am Professor Sidi Ross. I am instructor of "Gypsy Magic and Culture" as well as the head of The Department of Alternative Magical Cultures at The Sighisorara School of Magical Arts in Romania.

"Sighisorara's student population is incredibly diverse. We have Wizards, Witches, Gypsies, Elves, Werewolves, Fairies, you name it and we have it. You all are rather cloistered here at Hogwarts but in Sighisorara we found a rather fierce need to open the minds of each student attending the school to the culture and histories of their fellow students. I was sent to many different places to study the diverse cultures and create the Alternative Cultures program. One benefit of that experience was meeting my husband Adam while in Caribbean studying the Vodoun cultures there."

Sidi smiled and looked over to the next booth where her husband cringed and sank in his chair, embarassed to be singled out.

"The reason for learning about different magical cultures is not only to know as much about magic as you can, as it is your culture, but also to dispel ugly myths and prejudices assigned to those who use it differently than you do. In many cases the different techniques and belief systems connected to the many flavors of magic is quite beautiful and should be celebrated. Magic is as different and personal as snowflakes or fingerprints and how you access the magic inside you should not be feared or judged by any man.

"For example; in a sense, just as my Romanian accent is different from your British accents, your Wizard and Witch magic it different from Gypsy magic. It is all magic, just a different accent. To learn and know the truth will destroy misunderstanding, and ignorance.

"Ignorance, is what caused the Gypsies to be persecuted through the centuries for their differences. Through the 16th, 17th, 18th centuries and beyond, hunting and killing us was encouraged. Gypsy hunts were not uncommon. England, being a bit kinder later gathered us up and sent us to the Caribbean to be sold as slaves. It was all done in the name of fear and ignorance, ignorance of the nomadic live as well as the mystery of magic. That nomadic life is what shaped the Gypsies into..."

She paused and thought a second.

"…into what you would call a potions master. Living so close to the earth, respecting all things natural and intuitively responding to it gave the Gypsy the ability to use it to produce truly wonderful healing and magical potions. They didn't learn it from books or a teacher. No, they learned it from the earth itself.

"But, even now amongst some of our magical brothers and sisters, we are seen as an inferior race, views similarly assigned to hybrid Witches and Wizards born of the paring between magic and non-magic.

"Unfortunately there are many people today who want to continue to cultivate the ugliness of segregation and value the elitist mentality. Education is the only way to combat the evil that tries to separate the magical cultures. Knowing the truth and learning it to teach others as well as the generations that follow you, will unite us."

Sidi looked around, hoping the students gathered around weren't bored to death.

"Does anyone have questions....about anything?"

Two girls raised their hands.

"Oh! Yes?" Sidi smiled, thrilled that the girls were interested in so important an issue.

"Can you read a crystal ball, read tea leaves and do Tarot?" A girl asked

"What about reading palms?" another girl added.

Both girls were enamored by the romance of the traditional Gypsy costume she wore.

Sidi could hear Adam starting to laugh loudly in the booth next door.

"Yes....yes I can, but prefer scrying in water, mirrors and candles." Her smile never faltered.