Talking to
Michael
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 06-01-02 00:19
Sorcha stopped in front of the door that lead to Michael's room. She stood there a moment, asking herself why she came. Finally, she took a big breath, and knocked on the door. She had waited only a few seconds and was starting to turn away, when the door opened.
"Oh, hi. I didn't expect to see you today, Christina. What are you doing here?" Michael started.
"Do we have to talk in the hall?"
"No, of course not, come in." The two walk into Michael's room. Michael takes Sorcha's cloak, and offers her a seat. Sorcha takes the seat and Michael sits down near Sorcha.
"I wanted to see how you were doing. I didn't have anything to do today."
"Well, I am doing fine. Why did you really come here?"
"Well, I wanted to tell you that I am going to have to chaperone the Snow Ball. Well, I was, umm, wondering if you would want to go."
How We Spent
Our Christmas Vacation
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 06-01-02 01:18
While Bill was eating his breakfast and Speck was zooming happily around the Christmas tree as if obsessed, the phone rang. I couldn't help but notice Bill's startled reaction to the sound even though this wasn't the first time it had rung since he's been here. I answered on the second ring to hear my mother's voice already singing Deck the Halls. As soon as she heard me say hello she launched into one of her extended run-on sentences. The kind I always wondered how long she could go before having to actually stop and take a breath.
"Merry merry Christmas, Aaron darling, I stayed up late just to be able to call you at a decent time in the morning before you might be going out it's two a.m. here so it's what eight there and darling you are going somewhere for a lovely Christmas meal aren't you did the box of presents arrive I sent them overnight mail so you should have had it days ago but I don't see why you couldn't have jumped on the Concorde to New York then caught the Red Eye here then done the same going back no sense really in you spending a holiday practically alone well aren't you going to say something, dear?"
"Merry Christmas, Mother. Yes, it's about eight here. Yes, the box arrived. It came Friday but something came up last minute and I totally forgot to call. I'm sorry. As far as flying home goes, I've been through that with you already. Oh, and you asked if I am going out today. Yes, as a matter of fact. A friend of Bernie's, her name is Bea Bumble, yes that's her real name, has a huge luncheon, fun and games and then supper every Christmas for any friends or friends of friends who couldn't make it home for the holiday. Bill, that's Bernie's and my temporary new flatmate, and I will leave around ten, ten thirty to go to her place."
Mom of course started asking a million questions about Bea and Bill. I promised to call her later in the week to fill her in on what's been going on and who these people are she'd not heard of before. Before we hung up, she asked in a hope-filled voice if I'd speak to Dad. I told her what I always tell her, I'd speak to him but he wouldn't speak to me until he knows I'd say what he's been dying to hear. Since I won't do that, there was no point in putting him on the phone. He'd just hang up on me. She sighed heavily knowing I was right. I bade her a good night and told her to go on and get some sleep. Cora and Audrey, my two young nieces, would surely have everyone in the house up before dawn in eager anticipation of opening their gifts. After we said our goodbyes, I hung up to find Bill staring oddly at me.
"What? Is there a problem?"
"Fly? You said flying home? You can fly?"
Bill sounded almost panic stricken at forgetting something as major as flying. Yesterday he'd been all right with getting into the car but seemed confused at seeing how Bernie drove it. I guessed it's understandable that a guy who seemed to have forgotten a majority of technological gadgets and gizmos would freak at hearing someone mention he could have flown home. I kept all this in mind as I answered so that I didn't sound condescending or patronizing.
"Not me personally. A machine. The airplane. I could tell you what I know about the physics behind it but I think that would just make both our eyes glaze over. I think it's sufficient to simply say that it's a machine that has been built in such a way that it can get off the ground. We'll leave early for Bea's and drive out toward one of the airports. Okay?"
Bill gawked at little longer before slowly nodding. After that we both hurried up and got ready to go. By the time we left, Speck was sitting asleep on top of the tree where the angel would normally go. I'd rolled my eyes at the sight then remembered to get a snapshot. Strangly enough, Bill didn't seem as surprised with the camera as he had with so many other objects. Maybe that was a good sign.
Even with the out of the way detour to see planes (which seemed to impress Bill quite a bit), Bill and I arrived at Bea's right on time. Learning that I also didn't know anyone else but Bea there, Bill appeared to relax more. By the time we left for home late that night, Bill acted the happiest I'd seen him being since he'd woken from the accident. He'd laughed, charmed several of the ladies, and turned out to have a very dry and highly amusing sense of humor. Before we each headed off to bed, neither of us spoke about his memory, or lack of one. I guess we didn't want what had turned out to be a great day to end on a bad note. Tomorrow would be plenty of time for all that again.
Confrontation
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 06-01-02 09:21
"Lysander?!"
He stirred slightly, a cool tropical breeze rustling through his hair as he rolled over in the hammock. Through what little light there was left from the fading tiki torch and although his eyes were still closed, Lysander could almost make out a shadow looming over him. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking a few times to get them into focus.
Finally, he fixed his brown eyes on Briar Rose, who was watching him with an unreadable expression plastered across her lovely face.
"Briar?" Lysander said slowly, then his face lit up. "You made it!" He hopped out of the hammock and gave her a light peck on the cheek. "Julian will be pleased to know that you're here. C'mon, I'll take you to him."
He started to lead her towards the beach, when the other woman came into view.
"You..." Lysander trailed off when he noted the look on her face. Standing there with her hands clenched into fists, Adriana looked quite furious. Lysander was in no mood to get involved in a confrontation right then and there, but somehow he knew that it couldn't be avoided. Still, he tried to sway the conversation to a lighter note.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced," he began, holding out his hand. "I'm Lysander Stratford, and you are?"
But his friendly attempts failed and Adriana didn't accept his hand, nor did she even look at it. Instead, she kept her gaze level with his and said in a somewhat fierce tone, "You know perfectly well who I am."
If there was a point in feigning innocence, Lysander would have dealt that card. The look he wore on his face, however, gave it all away. He was completely aware of who she was, and even if his face hadn't revealed it at that very moment, she knew that he remembered her. Both of them thought back to that day in the bookstore only a few days ago...
After a confused and somewhat awkward pause, Lysander spoke up, "Fairchild, right? Adriana Fairchild."
"Where is he?" Adriana said, side-stepping his obvious attempt to stall the conversation.
"Julian?" He pointed off towards the opposite end of the beach. "He's over there."
"Not him!" Adriana's eyes narrowed and she had to stop herself from pinning the man up against a nearby palm tree. But her hardened features softened in a flash, and she paused to recollect herself.
As this occurred, Briar stood around nervously. She didn't think that Julian, Lysander and Chyler could be behind Bill's disappearance, in fact, she refused to believe it. But Adriana seemed so damn certain about it.
Finally, Adriana repeated, "Where is he?"
Lysander noticed immediately that her enunciation had been clear, yet calm. In fact, the woman had relaxed tremendously in a matter of minutes. Still, he only shook his head as if to say that he really had no idea who she was talking about.
Of course, Adriana didn't buy it. Lysander could see that much written plainly across her fair face, but she didn't snap at him this time. Instead, she turned away from him to gaze down the beach where Julian supposedly was.
Lysander took the opportunity to glance at Briar, whose own gaze was flickering back and forth between the two. Raising an eyebrow, he turned back to Adriana.
"Look," Adriana finally said, turning to meet him. The look in her eyes suggested something entirely different than what Lysander saw when she first arrived. The anger seemed to have faded for the most part, although some of it was still lingering in there somewhere. Yet, her expression managed to exhibit a sereneness that wasn't there before. "Where's Julian?"
Again, Lysander pointed down the beach. "I'll take you both two him."
And with that, the three walked along the white sands to where Julian and Chyler were strolling about.
Relaxing in
Paradise
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 06-01-02 15:03
Julian had looked incredulously at Chyler wondering why on earth she'd think he didn't like it and would want it returned. He admired the pendant a second longer than slipped it over his head. Next he grabbed Chyler in a bear hug, "Thanks, sis! I love it so don't you dare think of returning it!"
After releasing Chyler from the crushing hug, Julian summoned her present. "Accio Chyler's present from me."
Two large boxes, one wrapped in gold foil with a deep, forest green bow and the other in silver foil and tied with a blood red, satin ribbon, came flying through the air towards Julian. Chyler clapped her hands together in childish delight. Julian held out the silver wrapped box, laughing as Chyler snatched it from him. Because of the box's size, Chyler plopped down into the sand then began ripping the paper in glee. Lifting off the lid and unceremoniously tossing it aside, Chyler rifled through snowy white tissue paper before looking up at Julian, an almost petulant pout marring her beautiful face.
"I don't get it, Jules. What's all this?"
Chuckling, Julian dropped beside her. "Oh, let's see. Miniature throne. Red carpet. Plush, elegant, little clothes and accessories with a very royal appearance. Hmmmm. I guess you want to open the other box now?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes. Give it to me now!" Chyler squealed happily. She had forgotten the second box in her eagerness to open the first. As before, paper and ribbon flew as she dug in. She carefully lifted from the box a doll that stood about a meter* tall and was the spitting image of the woman holding her. Clutched in one of the doll's hands was a jeweled scepter and on her head a very bejeweled crown. Julian took the little throne and rolled the red carpet in front of it then had Chyler set the doll at the end of the carpet.
A large grin on his face, Julian spoke to the doll. "I command you to activate."
The doll seemed to come to life, walking regally down the red carpet, arranging herself on the throne and all the while in a little Chyler voice spouting lines such as, "Bow to your queen!" "I command you to kneel, peasant!" "Off with your head!" "I AM the queen!"
******************
Quite awhile later, after Julian had shown Chyler how to shut the doll off, how to add to or delete or change its repertoire of phrases, after Chyler had tried out every item in the doll's wardrobe, and after Chyler had packed it all back up and sent it to her room in the house, the two sat on the soft white sand, watching the surf roll in and talking about whatever came to mind. They stopped talking only when they heard voices coming their way. Recognizing Lysander's voice, Julian had called, "Lysander, we're over here. Come join us!"
By the time Lysander and two others came into view, Chyler and Julian had gotten up and were walking towards them. In the glow of the torch carried by Lysander, Julian was able to make out Briar. Laughing delightedly he quickly closed the distance. "Briar! What a great surprise! I'm glad you decided to come afterall. And brought a friend as well. Wonderful! The more the merrier at these gatherings."
With that Julian grabbed Briar in a hug and kiss while twirling her around. Setting her back on her feet, he turned towards the others, squinting in the faint light to make out the woman's features. "So, who's your friend?"
Lysander, darting glances at everyone, cleared his throat. "Chyler, Julian, you've seen her around Hogsmeade I think. From the school. Adriana. Adriana Fairchild."
Hearing the name, both Chyler and Julian froze for a split second. Of course they'd seen her around town a few times, though both had only ever seen her from the side or from behind and always with Bill Weasley. Lysander had been by himself Friday when she'd come into the shop. He'd told them of having an odd feeling about her although it was only when he was telling them about it could he place her as being Weasley's Adriana. And strangely enough, even though they'd garned enough information to send to the operative taking care of that situation for them, at no time had her last name ever been mentioned.
Julian had felt Chyler tense beside him and knew she was thinking what he was thinking, "Weasley's girlfriend is Adriana Fairchild. How bizarre is that?!"
Both quickly recovered from the shock. Julian's broad, white smile flashed in the darkness as he extended his hand to Adriana. "My god! I had no idea the lovely teacher I'd seen a few times in town was an old childhood playmate. If I had known you were going to turn out so gorgeous I'd have looked you up ages ago."
Adriana's hand felt soft in his and her laugh was like hearing crystal bells. "You always were a flirt, Julian Valentine. It's hard to tell here in the dark but I bet your dimples are deeper than ever."
Chyler's hello sounded more tentative, more strained, but still very cordial. At her suggestion, the two men lit a number of other torches. Sensing Briar's confusing at what was going on, Chyler explained to Briar that Adriana, Julian, Chyler, and she had been playmates practically from the crib until Adriana moved away. They'd all be ranging in age from about six to eight when the Fairchilds had left. Little did Chyler know that Briar knew all this or that her puzzlement was at Adriana's rapidly changing behavior.
By this time the torches were lit, as well as a fire going, and everyone got comfortable sitting on the sand. Julian, sitting beside Briar and warmly holding her hand, faced Adriana, his dimples now very evident in the glow of the fire. "I really wish we'd known you were working at the school all this time. And to think, I've been friends with Briar for months now and I don't recall her mentioning her friend Adriana. Shame on her!"
Julian had winked at Briar to show he was teasing before grinning back at Adriana. Adriana returned his bantering tone. "Heck, if I'd known you'd grown into such a hunk, Julian, I'd have been panting at your door long ago. I've really not known Briar all that long so let's not hold anything against her shall we? Besides, I'm in a relationship with Bill. Bill Weasley. I believe you know him. He's actually why I'm here."
Both Chyler and Julian had leaned forward at this news, simultaneously uttering, "Oh?" Adriana, nodded her head slowly as if she had all the time in the world, an almost catty tone to her voice now. "He's been missing since Friday. I want you three to tell me where his."
Lysander, having heard this from her already, just sat there. Chyler gave another, "Oh?", while Julian began chuckling. He felt Briar tighten her grip on his hand but she remained very quiet.
"Why would we know where Bill is? I've not seen him in days. I think I saw him around Hogsmeade Tuesday. Or was it Wednesday? I've not spoken to him since the grand opening of the bookstore. I have no idea where he is. What about you two, Chyler? Lysander?"
Both shrugged and shook their heads with Chyler saying, "No, sorry. I don't think I've seen him since the grand opening," and Lysander, "Sorry. Me either. Think I saw him last when Jules did, going into The Three Broomsticks I think it was." The three sat there content at not having to lie. They had no idea where Bill was.
The operative was to set up place and time. All he'd been told was to take out the guy's memory. Chyler, Lysander, and Julian were being absolutely honest that they didn't know Bill Weasley's current location or even his status.
Julian put an arm around Briar's shoulders and pulled her close in a compassionate hug. "I know Bill's your friend, Briar. With him missing, I know you have to be worried."
Briar had simply nodded though no one missed her trying to surreptitiously wipe away a tear. They all took her continue silence for the upset and anxiety at a friend's disappearance.
Julian looked around the circle, another smile playing on his lips. "You've both got to be tired with stress and concern. Stay a little while and take some needed rest. I'm sure there are plenty of others doing what they can to locate Bill so it would be all right if you two took a break. Have a drink. Unwind a little in paradise."
Lysander, nodding his agreement, summoned icy cold beverages for everyone. And to Briar's utter amazement, Adriana who'd been in an insane frenzy before, flashed them all a grin while languidly nodding and saying, "Yes, a break listening to the relaxing surf and drinking a cold one sounds like just the thing."
{Azkaban
Fortress} attack, Part 5 - Taking of the Fortress
Author: Lord L. A. Higginton-Smythe
Date: 06-01-02 17:11
"There is no Dark Lord for me here. Escort! We embark for headquarters," shouted Kalgrie. She walked heavily back towards the location at which they had arrived followed by six of the consul's security personnel. As she passed Lord Lludd Alfred, who was in a discussion with the Master Czufor, she sent him a piercing glance.
"I shall finish up the affairs then Consul?" shouted Lludd lightheartedly to Kalgrie who only snarled in response.
"I cannot understand the ambition in her Consul," said the Master Czufor in a raspy voice. "It is to what end?" Lludd was well under the decision that the Master Czufor, who would only give his services yet no name, was nearing the days of his last words. They had though been previously in a more humored conversation.
"Myself neither old Master. Kalgrie has good intentions, but constantly taints them with her desire of glory," replied Lludd thoughtfully. He was prepared to enter a new conversation when a loud disruption past through the still air, and a sudden blast of gray mist came towering from the opposite of the fortress and down upon the unexpecting aurors to the left. The Master Czufor immediately sprang forward with admirable speed.
"Consul! Order your men back! Dark arts this is!" shouted the Master Czufor, and he hurried towards the fallen aurors. Lludd turned to find the nearest commander when another cloud of gray mist began to come from behind the fortress. Lludd spotted what he needed: "Commander! Commander!"
"Yes your lordship?" replied an unconcerned commander.
"The Master Czufor suggests we reorganize in light of this new offensive," said Lludd short of breath. The commander nodded and rushed off towards the front. Within moments the two battalions of the Committee army stood unscathed and at the attention of the Consul. With their wands raised with violent orange sparks springing from the tips the gray mist died mid-way over the army. Lludd spotted out the aurors ahead of them and saw that the gray mist was being sent backwards towards its source.
"Commander! Send both battalions back into the fortress and take it. Find the source of that gray mist and destroy it!" growled Lludd and with his remaining security personnel behind him he moved off towards the aurors. After several paces he found the Master Czufor among a field of fallen aurors, reviving them one by one.
"Dark arts indeed. Always a counter curse for ancient magic there is," smiled the Master Czufor roughly as he helped a female auror sit upward. "The dementors you see, valuable trick of their's. A large group you will find behind the fortress. Crude magic though, crude. Effective against only small groups. The aurors are no match with their numbers spread out."
Lludd nodded only half listening, and searched out Cornelius, who had last been seen running opposite the fortress. As the last of the army was seen crossing about both sides of the fortress Lludd realized that the aurors would be the only form of defensive if the dementors sent out another wave of magic. Surely the Master Czufor could not withstand another attack alone.
Near the prisoners compound he found a small group of aurors who seemed to be about themselves.
"Who is your commander?" asked Lludd. If they failed to understand him as a consul, they did realize it was long absent Deputy Minister of Magic. A woman auror stepped forward with a faint smile.
"It seems that you are Lord Higginton-Smythe," said the auror.
"Your name please?"
"Dierna your lordship."
"Dierna, you shall come along with myself to find any separated aurors within the fortress. The Master Czufor will continue reviving our fallen aurors, and they will be gathering here at the prisoner compound, and eventually the numbers will rebuild," said Lludd quickly as he glanced around expectantly. They moved forward towards the fortress where the Committee army was racing to eliminate the possibility of any last prisoner removals.
A Visitor
Author: Michael Thomason
Date: 06-01-02 17:30
I stared at the woman sitting across from me and began to chuckle.
"What, now 'Happy Christmas' or 'Get any good presents, Michael?'?" I asked grinning at her.
Christina swallowed. "Erm. Sorry. Happy Christmas, Michael. Speaking of which, why aren't you with family?"
"We celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. Besides which, my family went to Germany, and my sister - have no idea where she went. Got those presents from my parents." I nodded to the chest under the window where several books, two sweaters, and a few other little trinkets.
I smiled. "Now, what was it you asked?"
"Do you want to go to the Snow Ball with me?" She bit her lip.
I thought, becoming serious. "You didn't answer my owls."
"I know. I'm sorry. I just . . . I needed time to think." She said, looking at the floor.
I lifted her chin, gently. "I really like you, Christina. But, I don't want anyone hurt - you or me. If we're going to be together we need to communicate."
She nodded and started to smile just as I did.
"Yes, I will go with you to the ball." I pulled her into my arms. "It'll be good to get a look inside the castle again!"
"Again?" She giggled as I kissed her neck.
I laughed. "Sure! Was a student there back when I was younger."
"Oh, really?"
I laughed again. "Yes, really . . . "
Christmas
Day: The Joys and Tragedies
Author: Australia Kingston
Date: 06-01-02 19:45
Australia's day started when she awoke and saw all the wonderful presents at the foot of the bed. She smiled and opened the all. The last present she opened had been from Prote. He had sent her the most beautiful charm bracelet with dozen of little charms all ready on it.
She loved it. She quickly dressed for the day to go and find out if Prote had enjoyed his presents. When she arrived down in the Great Hall she was surprised to see none other than her brother Brett standing at the front of the hall talking to the Prof. She ran to meet him calling out his name. he turned and ran to her. They held each other for a long while. When they finally separated she introduced him into all of her friends and to her beloved Prote.
Now that the day had started to wind down she felt the need to comfort her friends while the worried over the disappearance of Bill. She sat on the sofa next to George with Ginny in his lap. She comforted them and still tried not to just flat out ignore her brother while trying to comfort her friends.
Brett soon jumped in with the comforting and took Ginny from her brother's arms and brought her into his arms. He knew all too good how Ginny was feeling about not knowing how her brother was doing. So he sat there with her in his arms rocking and comforting her.
Crying...
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 06-01-02 20:18
As Australia and I walked into the room, I saw little Ginny sitting in her brother George's lap crying about her brother Bill, who was apparently missing. As my sister and I sat trying to comfort Ginny and her brothers, Hermione and Ron came in just as someone from the hallway was coming in.
Brett's Comforting...
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 06-01-02 20:34
As Ginny sat in her brother's lap crying, an unfamiliar hand fell on her back and patted her with a kind voice that came with it that said, "Don't cry Ginny. Your brother will be ok."
Ginny had no clue who that had been until she looked up and saw that it was Brett Kingston, Australia's little brother. Her brother would be ok. She felt a little better knowing that someone who had just met her that morning and who she'd agreed to go to the ball with b/c his sister had asked her was sticking around to comfort her and her brothers in their time of need.
She smiled weakly at Brett and slowly started to drift off to sleep only to be re-awoken after Hermione and Ron came back in as the portrait to the Gryffindor common room and another young red-head came in.
