Hey...!
Author: Sykra Sawyer
Date: 05-31-02 16:24
"Sykra!"
The Ravenclaw had been heading towards the Great Hall when she heard her name called. She glanced about, and spotted Orlando coming up to her.
"Hiya Orlando." Sykra smiled at him. "Happy Christmas!"
"Hey Sykra. Happy Christmas." He replied, slipping his hand into hers. "How are you this morning?"
"Oh I'm just peachy! And you?"
"I'm fine." Orlando looked at. "I was wondering, maybe we could meet up later?"
"Um...okay sure!" Sykra replied as they reached the Great Hall. "Guess I'll see you later..."
"Yeah...See you." The two parted, Orlando heading towards the Hufflepuff table and Sykra towards the Ravenclaw table.
Spotting her friends, Sykra sat down. "Hey!"
"Hey..." Cho said smirking at her.
Aradia giggled. "Hi...!"
"What?" Sykra looked at them for a moment, confused. Then she realized they were teasing her. She blushed. "Now enough of that! Do you want your presents or not?"
"Okay...okay." Cho laughed. "Since it's Christmas I guess we can attempt..."
"Yeah..." Aradia agreed.
Sykra rolled her eyes, laughing. She glanced over at the Hufflepuff table, catching Orlando's eye. They smiled at each other. Then Sykra turned back to her friends. "Here ya go!" She said handing them their presents.
Tropical Night
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 05-31-02 16:53
Adriana's body language was very confrontational, very combative. Knowing the other woman's heightened emotions really had nothing to do with her, Briar tried very hard to keep her own feelings in check. Not an easy thing to do when a good friend's gone missing and his girlfriend was fidgeting and angry before her waiting for Briar to say more. Several seconds passed with Briar thoughtfully staring at Adriana while Adriana impatiently glared at Briar.
"Well? Where? Where is Julian, Briar?"
Agitated but trying hard not to show it, Briar rubbed a hand over her forehead as if in contemplation and at the same time exhaling to a mental count of ten. "Going there based on just a feeling is wrong, Adriana."
No sooner had these words come from Briar's mouth then Adriana had closed the distance between them. Her eyes narrowed, face set hard in growing anger, Adriana had grabbed Briar brusquely on the arm while spitting out, "Tell me now, damn you! Bill is missing, possibly hurt or dying, and you want to stand around quibbling."
With exaggerated care, Briar had released herself from Adriana's painful grip then stepped back several feet. After a second mental count of ten and then a third, during which time Briar was fighting to not display the same heated aggression of the other woman, Briar gave a very calm, evenly measured reply.
"Julian is on an island in the South Pacific. With your wild accusation based on a feeling you have, under normal circumstances I'd wash my hands of you and return to a more thought out, rational, search for Bill. The fact that you are not licensed to apparate makes doing that impossible. To let you attempt the distance alone would weigh heavily on my mind, especially if something were to happen to you. Also, if something were to happen, Bill would never forgive me once he's found. And he will be found. One more thing before I give you a specific location. Don't ever touch me in anger like that again, Adriana."
Briar then gave the necessary information for their destintation, Adriana, chest heaving with contained fury, merely nodded at Briar, listening closely for the salient details. Within a few minutes, Adriana and Briar, hands cluthed tightly together disapparated from in front of Twice Told Tales.
In a blink, the women apparated onto a sandy clearing and into darkness for the island was at least twelve hours ahead of from where they'd just come. Flickering tiki torches further on and a bright moon overhead provided enought light for them to make out a variety of plants as well as a well-beaten path heading in the direction of the torches. The heady scent of hibiscus and other tropical flowers assailed their senses and in the distance they could hear the surf lapped against the shore. Also in the distance, late night revelers could be heard laughing and singing. Strands of music floated towards them with the warm breeze.
Adriana began down the path, pausing with obvious irritation only because Briar wished to disentangle her hand from Adriana's. Once unencumbered, Adriana strode purposefully down the path with Briar trotting along behind. In less than a minute, they had entered a larger clearing. A huge house, built with the island's tropical climate in mind, edged the other side of the clearing. A porch wrapped around the entire structure. The source of the sounds they'd been hearing came from somewhere further past the house. They started that way but another noise caught their attention.
From one of several massive hammocks slung between the trees bordering the clearing came the sound of a man's very light snoring. Making out his features in the faint light of a dying tiki torch, Briar blurted out, "Lysander?!"
A Sad Christmas
Indeed...
Author: Samantha Thatcher
Date: 05-31-02 17:05
When Sam awoke in the morning she found she had a lot of presents this year. Most of them were from her Father. He had sent a lot of apology letters, which Sam hadn't replied to...yet.
Later that morning she was very mad indeed..."Does 'e think he can win me over with money and letters?! It's the same every bleedin' time! We get in a fight, 'e buys me anythin' I want, I forgive 'im, and then he blows me off like nothin' 'appened!" She grabbed a pillow and threw it excessively hard against the wall.
Everyone in the room stared at her, some even backed away from her...(*chuckle*). Sam didn't know if she wanted to cry, or beat something up.
Her glare melted away and tears filled her eyes. And she fell onto a chair puttin' her head in her hands. Fred came over and sat down beside her.
"I can't do anything right...when I do 'e doesn't even notice and 'e doesn't even care..."
"I'm sure that's not true Sam." Fred tried to reassure her.
"It is Fred...All 'e really cares about is 'e's work." She looked up at Fred, " 'E doesn't care about me, or Samuel."
:::Later that evening:::
Fred paced around the room and Sammi chewed on her index fingernail, watching him, eyebrows wrinkled with worry. "Fer pitty sake Fred, siddown already! You're makin' me more nervous..." She finally said.
Fred stopped abruptly, "Sorry Sam." He folded his arms and stared out the window. Sammi walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"You think 'e's okay Sam?" The worried brother said quietly.
Sam sighed, "I dunno," She circled around him until she was in front of him. "But if I know you Weasley boys as well as I think I do, I'm almost certain 'e's alright." She smiled softy at her nerve wrecked boyfriend, in turn she got a smile back.
"You always know what ta say, don't ya?" He said moving the hair out of Sammi's eyes.
"Isn't there anythin' we kin do?" Sammi asked and Fred pulled her close to him, resting his chin on her head.
"I don't really know Sam..."
Out of the
Blue
Author: Pete Marsh
Date: 05-31-02 18:05
Normally, Pete went home for the holidays but not this year. His parents were off to America for the holidays and it would've been mighty lonely at home.
Christmas celebration being what it was, Pete had enjoyed his presents. As usual there were books, books and more books. His parents had always thought that knowledge is all important. Pete didn't mind.
After dinner, he relaxed in the common room with the others when Alexis surprised him by asking him to the Snow Ball. He flushed a little, hadn't actually crossed his mind before that moment. But, how could he refuse such a lovely creature? After all those light grey eyes could draw a soul in if one wasn't careful.
Pete opened his hand and presented Alexis with a petite pink rose. "I'd love to go with to the ball with you."
Christmas
Author: Amerah Patterson
Date: 05-31-02 19:56
I go to the common room to attend to my presents. The common room is loaded with presents and people. The first present for me reads: For Amerah with love from Dad. Dad's present is a journal to record my thoughts. My mom's present is a package of chocolate frogs
Visions of
Sugarplums
Author: Jet
Date: 05-31-02 20:19
Jet sits sprawled before the Hufflepuff common room fire, legs dangling over one of the chair's arms. He is thinking of walking down to the Great Hall for supper despite stuffing himself at Christmas lunch and then again at the extra special tea this afternoon. Jet's also thinking of the great present Hannah gave him. Knowing how much he loves Muggle style rock climbing and hiking, Hannah gave him a great book on the best climbing and hiking in Britain, on the Continent, and in North America, along with a summer pass to a Muggle indoor climbing arena in the city near where Jet lives. Jet just hopes Hannah likes the perfume and a Wizarding game similar to the Muggle game of Monopoly that he gave her.
The day has been so full Jet's not even thought about going down to his chamber. He'll definately go tomorrow though. Right after he sends off an owl ordering Hannah's corsage for the Snow Ball. With that, Jet drags himself out of the chair and makes for the Great Hall, thoughts of food, especially sweets like sugarplums, once more filling his head.
{Azkaban Fortress}
Attack, Part 3 B - Retreat
Author: Voldemort
Date: 05-31-02 20:25
It can't be happening. My servants begin to fall; the dementors are captured. Oh yes, some escape, some are able to return to me, but too many are captured.
After some time I have done enough damage to the aurors and the army that materialized unexpectedly. I recall my allies: The freed death eaters and dark wizards and the dementors that have evaded capture.
They escape and return to me.
This is a battle lost, not the war...
Christmas
in Quarantine
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 05-31-02 20:41
Helena was shocked, to say the least. She was sitting on a cot with Charlie at her side, flipping through the golden-edged pages of the books he had given her. After a few moments of that, Helena looked up at Charlie.
"I don't know what to say..."
Charlie smiled, "I think a thank you is in order here."
"No–"
"No?" Charlie frowned.
"No! I mean, yes," Helena sighed heavily before continuing. "I mean, I didn't give you anything. I didn't even think about it. We aren't really..."
Charlie shrugged. "We aren't really...friends?"
Helena nodded.
"True," Charlie started, cautiously. "We do fight with each other. A lot. And you could almost say that we hate each other."
"Actually, I tell you I hate you every day, Charlie Weasley," Helena cut in, grinning.
Charlie laughed. "Every hour, actually. No, no...every minute."
"Hey!" Helena playfully punched him on the arm. The light-hearted moment passed as quickly as it came, and Helena became serious once more. "Listen, I feel terrible now. I haven't gotten you anything, and you've been so incredibly thoughtful. I guess–well, what I'm trying to say is..."
"Yes?" Charlie prompted.
Helena's eyes narrowed slightly and she spat out "Thank you" quite inaudibly through clenched teeth.
Charlie arched a ginger eyebrow, "What was that? I didn't quite hear you."
Again, Helena mumbled her thanks.
"Sorry, I didn't catch that."
"I said, thank you!" shouted Helena. She dropped her voice considerably to repeat it. "Thanks, Charlie. I really appreciate this."
He smiled, "You're welcome, Helena."
They sat there for a moment in peaceful silence, when suddenly, Stephen shouted for Charlie to step outside. Whatever he wanted to tell Charlie sounded extremely urgent.
Charlie jumped off the cot and stepped outside, with Helena closely at his heels. She didn't want to seem too nosey, but for some reason she felt that she should hear the news as well.
"Bad news, Charlie," Stephen began, hesitantly.
Charlie held up his arms and shrugged, "Can't get any worse than this, Stephen. Lay it on me."
Stephen nodded and revealed a crinkled letter. "This is from your parents," he said, his face contorting into a frown. "It's about your brother."
"Ron?"
"Bill," Stephen corrected. "He's gone missing."
Charlie shook his head, "Missing? He should be in Hogsmeade."
"He's not, and apparently he got an urgent call to Egypt, but he's not there either."
Charlie stood there, dumbstruck. After a pause he asked, "How long has he been gone?"
"Since Friday."
"Since Friday..." Charlie started to pace the small stretch of grass within the perimeter of the tent. Normally, he wouldn't have worried about Bill being gone for a few days without contacting anyone. It happened from time to time. But to be completely untraceable on Christmas of all days. And to have supposedly gone to Egypt, but never checked in over there? Something was not right. "What's been done about this, Stephen?" Charlie finally said.
Stephen sighed, "Your father is looking around. He's looking, Charlie, but the reality of the situation is that there just aren't any clues about Bill's disappearance."
Charlie's face went from pale to bright red. He squared his shoulders and started to bolt away from the tent.
"Charlie! No!" Helena, careful not to stumble, ran after him, stepping in front of him swiftly to stop him in his tracks.
Charlie gripped her by the upper arms and easily moved her out of his path. "Out of my way, Helena."
"You can't!" Helena shouted, blocking him once more. "We're in quarantine, remember. If you go any further, you'll expose everyone in the camp to whatever it is we may be carrying."
He was about to protest, but Helena firmly placed her hands on his chest and began to push him back towards the tent. She was successful, but only because Charlie no longer seemed to be seething angry or upset. Something was different about him. Beads of sweat were forming along his hairline, and his face had gone pale once more.
"Oh, Charlie. You're ill!" Helena helped him into his cot and dabbed his forehead lightly with a washrag. Still, the sweating continued and Helena was nearly prepared to strip the man of his shirt when another voice called out from outside the tent.
She dropped the washrag into the metal basin and slipped outside to see her father standing next to a very worried-looking Stephen.
"How is he?" Marcus asked. "And how are you, Helena?"
She noticed lines of worry etched across the old man's face as she spoke, "I'm well, Father. My legs are practically useful again, and I think the fever has completely passed. But Charlie's in bad shape. He's really worried about his brother, and on top of that...I think he's come down with a fever."
She told them a little more about Charlie's condition, and Stephen told her to take extremely good care of his friend. She promised she would, and with a good night to both men, Helena slipped back into the tent and to the side of the ailing redhead.
{Azkaban Fortress}
Attack, Part 4 - Beginning of the End
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 05-31-02 21:32
By midday it is obvious that the dark forces are losing the battle. Most hallways are empty, and the torches have sputtered back to life now that the dementors aren't around to drain the life out of the room. Then one of the few remaining dark wizards jumps out wand pointed to curse. Unfortunately for him, my reflexes are faster.
"Expelliarmus!" I shout, and his wand comes flying to my hand. He turns and tries to dash away. "Stupefy!" He collapses into a heap on the floor. "Mobillacorpus." I walk to the make-shift compound where the captured aurors and dementors are being detained.
"I'm fairly certain that is the last of them," I tell Orion, the auror guarding the enclosure. "But I'm going to look around again, to be sure." I turn around and head into the fortress. While tired from the constant battle, the decreased presence of dementors and the thought of the victory that we have surely won is enough to keep my stamina up.
Bulgaria:
Christmas Day
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 05-31-02 21:35
Viktor had opened presents that morning. He'd been quite happy to receive an extremely nice book from Hermione and while surprised at the gift from Majandra, Viktor was also delighted. Most of Christmas Day had been spent with his small circle of family and friends, exchanging gifts and eating. Lots and lots of eating. Tomorrow Viktor has more big plans. Plans to help the Cause. First though is getting through yet another meal and then going home to recover.
Giving and
Forgiving
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 05-31-02 22:11
The serious conversation that was taking place in the Gryffindor common room was suddenly interrupted as a rather thick book came tumbling down the stairs.
"What in bloody hell?" Ron exclaimed as he walked over and looked up the stairs only to find that no one was there.
Picking up the book, he saw that it was a book all about his favorite Quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons. Ron opened the front cover and saw that someone had written in it, an inscription.
Dearest Ron,
I am terribly sorry that I've lost your trust. I really do love you. I think
I've loved you since that first day I met you on the train and you had a spot
of dirt on your nose. I saw this at the bookstore and thought of you. I hope
you enjoy it. Happy Christmas.
Love always,
Hermione
Ron slammed the book closed with a thud. Harry looked curious. "What is it, Ron?"
"Nothing." Ron managed. "I'm just...I think I'm going to head off to bed."
Saying goodnight to Harry and his siblings, Ron hurried up the stairs and stopped in front the dormitory door.
The girl's dormitory door. He knocked first but then went ahead and walked up the stairs to the four-poster beds that looked so like his own. At the top of the stairs he nearly ran smack into Majandra, who immediately let out a startled yelp.
"You're not supposed to be in here!"
Ron shrugged and pushed past her. "Where is she?"
Maj pointed to the far four-poster bed with the curtains drawn. Ron walked over to Hermione's bed and opened the curtain. Hermione looked up at him and pretended to be surprised. In her hand was an open book.
"Oh, Ron. I was just reading...you're not allowed to be in here, you know that!"
Ron said nothing, but took the book from her hand and turned it around. Hermione had been "reading" it upside down. He sat down next to her on the bed but without looking at her. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a simple brown box that fit easily within his palm and set it gently on her lap.
"Happy Christmas, Hermione," Ron whispered softly.
He looked at Hermione in a way that told her he was sorry. She took the box and opened it, revealing a beautiful gold chain. Lifting it out of the box she followed the golden chain with her fingers until reaching its pendant. There, hanging from the chain, was a clear glass capsule capped on either end with gold. And in the capsule glowed the most beautiful powder she had ever seen.
Hermione could tell from they way it glittered and shined that it was fairy dust.
"Oh, Ron," Hermione exclaimed with delight. "It's so beautiful! But it's too much! How could you afford this?"
Ron shook his head. "It doesn't matter. All that matters is that I love you." And with that, he leaned into her and the two young Gryffindors shared their first kiss.
Thoughts
Author: Majandra
Date: 05-31-02 23:58
Majandra had decided to go down with Hermione afterall when Hermione came bounding back up the stairs and dived onto her bed pulling the curtains closed behind her. A scant moment later, Ron came into their room, bold as brass, demanding to know where Hermione was. It soon became clear that the two were making up. Majandra and Lavender who'd also been in the room, quietly withdrew to leave Ron and Hermione with a little privacy.
With the news of the missing Bill Weasley, the mood hanging over common room was a sad and somber. Not at all what one would expect on Christmas. Both Lavender and Majandra decide a quiet exit is in order. Once in the hallway, they continue down to the Great Hall where Lavender joins the Patil twins and some other friends. Majandra chooses not to join in but instead carefully checks around before sneaking out to the school grounds.
Running in the freezing cold and snow towards the Quidditch pitch, Majandra calls herself all sorts of names for coming out without a coat. Reaching the Quidditch dressing rooms, Majandra quickly ducks inside. She digs a blanket out from where she'd hidden it ages ago to use on so many other nights when she'd come seeking peace and ended up sleeping here. Next Majandra pulls out the pillow she'd also stashed the same night she brought out the blanket.
After getting warm and cozy, Majandra lies there thinking about a number of things. When will the next weird crush hit? On whom will it be directed? How do the strange nightmares centered around Pyrrhus correlate to the crushes? Or is the onset of the nightmares about the same time of the first crush just a coincidence? How would she ever find out if there is a connection?
Her mind whirled with these questions and many others before settling on a most recent event. Hermione and Ron have clearly made up and Majandra thinks that it's wonderful they did. True to the promise she gave Ron on Friday, Majandra will back out as Ron's date to the Snow Ball. If Toby is a true Hufflepuff, the second he finds out they've made up, he'll bow out so that Hermione and Ron may attend as the couple they are.
The Unpleasantness
of Waiting
Author: George Weasley
Date: 06-01-02 00:10
George stretched out on the couch, gently easing himself out of the blank stare he was in. His eyes stung from staring so long, and he closed them, resting his head in the palm of his hand.
George exhaled, sitting on the couch the correct way. Feet on the floor. "How could this happen? I mean, Bill is like . . . . the most . . . . world-savvy person I know! I mean...Ugh! I don't know!"
He buried his head in his hands. He started feeling frustrated with himself for his outburst, and at all of the faces who had turned to watch him cry out. He shut his eyes, tightly, but could still see everyone in the room looking at him in his mind.
Moments later, two small hands lifted his chin.
George looked up into the face of his sweet and caring little sister, eyes full of tears. "Please don't, George. Please..."
George inwardly scolded himself for scaring her. He reached out and pulled her close into a safe, warm hug. "I'm sorry, Ladybug. I really am."
"It's okay." Ginny allowed herself to be pulled into George's lap as he held her in a hug.
It was funny how it always took something tragic to bring family close together. George let himself ease into the little bit of comfort of his friends and his family being in this very common room with him. Now if only the other two Weasley brothers were here, or at least accounted for, Christmas would be complete.
