Re: Ellspeth's Herbals Etc - Special Delivery
Author: Ellspeth
Date: 04-02-04 14:54

Just as Ellspeth got to the door of the shoppe, and owl came swooping in through the special owl entrance. A letter was dropped and then the owl headed over to the water and feed box that Ellspeth had made for all the delivery Owls...

It was a letter from Sora. He wanted a special gift for his mother. Ellspeth knew just what send. She headed right over to the Exotic Plant section and picked out the cutest Cocker Spaniel Dogflower Puppy Plant. It was playfully nipping at a nearby Golden Lab Dogflower Puppy Plant.

Quickly wrapping it in the special, insulated "lite-as-air" packaging, then added the growing instructions, dogflower biscuits and fertilizer.

1. Feed 4-5 dogflower biscuits daily
2. Spritz with water when bath is needed.
3. Fertilize once a month
4. Has already had its first set of puppy shots and been fertilized this month.
5. Please feel free to choose the name you think best.

With that done she gave the Owl a special gingerbread treat and sent it on its way. It would be cold on the way back to Sora's and the extra ginger always kept the blood warm for the birds in the winter.

Smiling and waving as the Owl headed towards London, Ellspeth again motioned to the bag and headed out the door. This time locking it up after leaving a little sign in the window...GONE TO HOGWARTS--BE BACK SHORTLY!!!

---

An Introduction
Author: Sora
Date: 04-02-04 20:33

"This is Sora," said Roane as she began her introductions. Sora only scratched his head bashfully. "And this is Riku." Unlike Sora, Riku put out his hand politely. "Hello Mr. Eternal, it is a pleasure meeting you."

Mr. Eternal shook Riku's hand respectfully. "Likewise" he said, smiling at them all. Sora looked a little embarrassed. "Er... why didn't I think of that?" he said to himself. Roane just gave a little giggle.

After the small talk, Roane decided to help Sora find a present for his dad. "So, Roane, I didn't know you lived here" said Sora. Roane only shrugged. "You didn't? Haven't I told you my family owned a store here in Diagon Alley?" Sora blinked. "Uh... um... er... ehh..." Roane laughed. "Typical Sora."

After about an hour, Sora finally found what he was looking for. "A pen with everlasting ink! This is perfect!" It was Riku and Roane's turn to blink. Sora only gave a shrug. "My dad uses up about a dozen pens a day. He always complains about how short lasting they are... This will be a dream cone true for him!"

Roane and Riku both just gave an "Oh! Right!" (surprisingly at the same time). Sora handed Roane the money he owed her. "Well, thanks a lot Roane. It was nice to see you, especially on holiday!" said Sora. Roane smiled. "Same to you Sora and Riku." Sora checked the time. "Oh no! I'm expecting a package from Ellspeth's! And I gotta send her my payment! Sorry, I gotta go now Roane."

After five minutes worth of goodbyes, Riku and Sora made their way back 'Hearts Manor'. "Well, I have a Video Game Arcade in the room next to mine... wanna wear out our fingers when we get home?" Riku just gave a competitive look. "You're on!"

---

Delivery
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 04-03-04 15:43

I was reclining in the living room while Bronwyn was wrapping up the clothing that she bought for presents. We must have spent over a day in that mall, she just wouldn't leave until she checked out every store, twice, it seemed like. She would live in a mall if she could.

She kept asking me about if some shirt would go with some pair of pants, and mostly ignored her since I have no sense of fashion according to her. So, as she wrapped and packed, I looked over at a table next to the chair and found the remote for the stereo.

I thought about turning on some music, and I finally decided on it when I remembered that my Rammstein CD was still in there. I found out very quickly that Bron wasn't all that enthusiastic when it came to their music. A grin came onto my face as I turned on the stereo. I set the CD to the 5th track without Bronwyn noticing.

"Okay, done!" Bronwyn finally said, looking at the stack of now wrapped gifts. "Now what?" To answer her I hit the play button on the remote. The now familiar beginning to the song "Du hast" started a second later. I could hear Bronwyn's eyes roll as she sighed. "Not again…" She said with an annoyed tone.

Well, how would we get the gifts over to Hogwarts in time. An owl wouldn't be able to do it. Muggle mail wouldn't be able to... What about apparating? No, I don't think anyone can apparate that far. Hey, what about the Floo network? I planned on asking Bronwyn, but instead I started singing.

"Willst du bis der Tod euch scheidet treu ihr sein für alle Tage," I sang, trying to match the guy.

"Do you have any idea what they're saying?" Bronwyn asked.

"Oh, that reminds me," I answered hitting the off button on the remote, "Couldn't we just floo our way over to Hogwarts, deliver the gifts, and then floo our way back?"

"Hey! That's a perfect idea! Why didn't I come up with that?"

"Uhhh, maybe because you're blonde? But seriously, I think that might work. It's still…" I looked at my watch, "Eight over there, they should be there. But, who'll make the trip?"

"You can do it, it was your idea. Just make sure to be back before your sister gets here, you still have to introduce us."

"Ok. I'll go. Just help me with these things," I said as I started picking up boxes.

"Don't you need Floo powder first?" Bronwyn asked.

"Oh, right. I forgot." I put the boxes down and grabbed some powder and used it, making sure I had enough for a return trip. Then I got the boxes and went through. I came out the other side and almost dropped most of the presents, but luckily, none fell. I took a look around, and as expected, the room was empty.

"Arley? Are you here?" I called out. There wasn't any response to the call. "Well, fine then." I said to myself. I placed the presents near the door to the boy's dorms. Then, I went back to the fireplace and returned home.

---

Bad to the Bone
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 04-03-04 18:50

Bronwyn was cleaning up the excess wrapping paper and scraps of ribbon when Desi returned, slightly be-sooted from her trip through the fireplace.

"What did the boys say?" Bronwyn asked, looking up at her friend, who was now wiping her sleeve across her forehead.

"Nothing," Desi said with a sigh, checking her reflection in a mirror hanging on the wall. "They weren't around. In fact, the entire common room was completely deserted."

"They were probably in the Great Hall for Christmas Eve dinner," Bronwyn remarked, packing away everything in a box. She slid it out of the way and stealthily slid a small, wrapped box under the Christmas tree.

Just then, Mrs. Diamond entered the living room and said, "Desdemona, your sister is on her way. She called from the car."

At these words, Desi shot up arrow-straight and looked panicked for the briefest of seconds. Then, she bolted around the room and gathered all of her belongings together. She grabbed a black leather jacket, a long chain of inter-locked paperclips and a notebook and made a dash for her bedroom, where she threw all of her things into a heap on her bed. Then she resumed her frantic scramble around the house to collect anything else that might be left outside in plain view.

Bronwyn watched the whole exchange with her mouth hanging open and an eyebrow raised. She'd never seen Desi quite so stressed before -- not even during that very first Quidditch match.

When Desi finally finished, she sank back down into the recliner and placed a hand over her eyes.

Two seconds later, the front door opened with a bang. In stepped Bianca Diamond, the spitting image of Desi only without the multi-colored hair. Her eyes swept the room and instantly locked on Bronwyn, who'd lost her puzzled expression and now bore a great, big smile.

"Hello! You must be Bianca. I'm Bronwyn, a friend of your sister. She and I are roommates at Hogwarts." Bronwyn walked over to Bianca and offered her hand.

Bianca's eyes flickered down at it, then to Bronwyn's face and then past her to Desi.

"Bianca, your wand, if you please," Mrs. Diamond said gently but firmly.

Bianca shot her mother a dirty look and grumbled something intelligible, but reluctantly handed over her wand to her mother. Mrs. Diamond quickly snatched it from her hand and tucked it into her pocket before embracing her daughter. Bianca pulled another face.

"So, did you have a nice flight?" Bronwyn asked, still smiling.

---

And It's Only the Beginning
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 04-03-04 20:13

I watched Bianca with one eye through a small opening in my fingers. She looked like she would have thrown her luggage into Bronwyn’s stomach, if she were still carrying it.

"So, did you have a nice flight?" Bronwyn asked cheerfully. Bianca was released from the hug, and she turned to face Bron.

"Yeah, I had a nice flight, after I stole the window seat from the guy sitting next to me, and after I decked him for hitting on me," Bianca said with an amused smile. I couldn't see Bronwyn's face since she had her back to me. My mom started to leave, but she turned back to Bianca.

"Bianca…" She said with a warning tone. My sister sighed and pulled her wand out of her pocket and gave it back to my mom. "Thank you, now play nice," My mom said as she left the room.

"So…" Bianca started, "You live with my sister at school…" She didn't say it in the form of a question, more like she was just trying to make conversation. She also started walking further into the room. I saw her suddenly rise off the ground about an inch or so and I heard Bron breath in through clutched teeth.

"Well, good for you." Bianca finished. She started to walk around the living room keeping an eye on me as I lie in the recliner still, with the hand over my eyes. She stopped in front of the stereo. That's when I remembered I forgot my CD; it was still in there. You could see if a CD was in the stereo, and by the way Bianca stopped, she saw the CD.

"Oh, lookie what we have here…" She said as she took the CD out. I knew that it was too late for me to do anything, except start a fight. "Whoops," She said in a high voice as she snapped the CD in two, and let it drop on the floor. I flinched at the snapping noise, but Bianca was watching the CD and didn't notice.

Bianca started to walk around the room again. Bronwyn spoke up, "Wow, I guess you're not a Rammstein fan, huh?"

"Nope, don't ever plan to be," Bianca said as she walked out of my line of vision. She knew I was watching her, and she knew that I couldn't see her any more. I suddenly heard running, and the chair suddenly sprang up, and landed on one of its side throwing me on the floor.

"Oww…" was all I mumbled, as I heard Bianca right the chair and jump in. I stood up on my feet and looked at my sister. Bronwyn came up behind me and looked to see if I was ok. "It's Christmas and we have a guest, couldn't you attempt to be nice for once?" I asked.

"I am being nice. I haven't hurt anyone yet."

---

Knights Walpurgis: Down Time
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 04-03-04 21:25

The dormitory that I'd been held in had one amenity: a small fireplace. I'd spent most of the day staring at it, forcibly resisting the urge to send a message. I happened to have just enough floo-powder in my pouch to be able to contact someone. However, considering the complete lack of trust with which I'm viewed, I expect there some kind of tracking spell on the fireplace. A spell so they can tell if I've contacted someone. It's much too risky, and too tempting. Frustrated, I'd left the dorm and gone walking around the Neophyte's compound.

The air is crisp, usually so for the warm climate of this place. I wrap my cape tighter around me and start walking the perimeter of the field. I knew that I can't disapparate, that much I'd been told the first day. I also know that simply can't walk out of the compound and leave. There was some shielding spell preventing that. I'd seen a few third order knights try that. Seeing the look of pain on their faced when they tried, I'd decided against a similar attempt. Besides, it would be very suspicious for me to simple vanish, even if I could. So for the mean time, I'm stuck here. Little better than a prisoner, really.

The compound is empty today. The Initiate Knights - those above third level-no doubt all gone home for Christmas, to act normal to their families. The handful of second and third order knights are inside, save for a few. I see them regarding me with ill-concealed hatred and distrust.

I'm relieved for the downtime, the constant battle of wills between the knights, especially Nathaniel, is wearing. It brings out a kind of abrasive sarcasm in me that I don't like. But it's become "Appollonia," and it works for her persona.

I stop, resting against a tree. How long will I be stuck here, I wonder? How long before the look of vague recognition congeals into knowing? Don't think of defeat, I remind myself. Think only of what needs to be done to win. Then do it.

---

Unexpected Guest
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-04-04 09:32

"Gringotts?" Bill questioned curiously, looking up briefly to meet the back of Snape's head. He crinkled his forehead in thought and asked, "What sort of intel?"

Snape seemed to process this question for a few moments.

Bill turned around to open a cupboard and retrieved two teacups and two saucers.

"I need to know about the protection spells on the vaults," Snape finally said. He looked up as Bill entered the living room bearing a tray with the tea set. The eldest Weasley son sat down on the sofa next to his old professor and started to pour his guest a cup of tea.

"Are you wanting to secure a vault of your own?" Bill asked, adding a dab of milk to the tea. He passed the cup to Snape.

"No, ... thank you." Snape accepted the teacup and took a sip. "I've a very complex assignment that cannot fail."

"Something tells me this doesn't come from Dumbledore's order," Bill remarked as he swirled his tea with a spoon.

Snape inclined his head in acknowledgement. "Do you think you can help me?"

Bill pondered for a moment. He took a sip from his teacup. "Tell me everything you can, and I'll see what I can do for you," he finally said.

Snape told Bill what he could, and Bill listened intently with growing interest. When their teacups were both empty, and the teapot nearly drained as well, Bill reflected silently for a few minutes.

"I'll need the vault number," Bill said. "They're not all programmed in quite the same way, although the basis of the ward is always the same. Get me that number and I can get you everything you need to know in the next few days, but let me tell you how to start. This is what you need to do..."

---

Knights Walpurgis: Message in a Bottle
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 04-04-04 19:40

Sometime later that day, I remember I still have Fawkes' feather in my pouch. I'd managed not to lose it in the Norse cave, and have kept it on me. I'm sure that if I send it to Dumbledore he'll recognize the feather, and from whom it came. I walk quietly over to a small bird, pecking at the ground. It looks up at me, but doesn't flee. I'd always identified with Falcons, but now it will be a small unobtrusive Lark who helps me. I hold out my hand, and sit still. After a moment the bird comes to my hand.

"Can you deliver a message?" I ask not sure if it's possible to communicate with birds, like parcelmouths communicate with snakes, but Druids did many unusual things, and I have their training. Perhaps it will serve me well today. The bird looks at me, then seems to nod.

I take some bark, lying on the ground and using my Ogham carving tool (which I always keep with me, in my pouch) carve a rune in reverse: Thurisaz. Carved in reverse it indicating danger, malice and evil. Then I carve another Nauthiz, to indicate that I will overcome the obstacles, and endurance.

"Fly swift, little Lark. Take these to Albus Dumbledore in England." I hold my hands out, casting a spell of protection on the bird, making her unseen to enemies. Brig shield your flight."

The bird takes the bark in her feet, then flies off toward the Castle. I watch until she's out of sight, then dust the dirt of my robes and walk back to my dormitory. It's not much of a message, but at least it's something.

---

Christmas with Fallon
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 04-04-04 21:12

Christmas Eve had finally rolled around after a nice, relaxing day with Sebastian. Soon it was time to head to Fallon's place in Hogsmeade, and Arley stalled for as long as possible.

"Do we have to go, Sebastian?" He asked, sprawling out on his bed.

Sebastian looked at him "Yes, she is your sister, everything will be fine."

"I doubt that, it's gonna be hell. You know she's gonna be askin' all sorts of questions! I don't think I can take it." He sighed and sat up, pulling on his black leather jacket.

Arley sighed. "The girl needs a boyfriend, maybe then she'll leave us alone!"

Smiling the boys left the castle and headed down to Fallon's new residence. As they approached the house Arley stopped. "Okay, I wasn't expecting this. It's actually, nice." Shrugging he approached the door, gripping Sebastian's hand as he knocked with his right.

After waiting a good five minutes the door swung open and Fal ushered the boys in, closing the door swiftly behind them. "Now, you guys hungry? Sorry if it's a little burnt, I'm still learning!"

Rolling his eyes Arley takes his seat by Seb, throwing his jacket at Fallon. "Hey! I invited you guys here trying to be nice! If you wanna spend the rest of the night alone in the cold school, go right ahead! If not stop your whining and be happy!"

"Sorry Fal. Thanks for having us, nice place." He smiled and elbowed Sebastian in the ribs playfully.

As dinner progressed, no one spoke, and Arley became increasingly fidgety.

"So," Fallon says with her mouth full. She swallows. "You two're..." she crosses her middle finger over her index finger and wiggles them suggestively, smiling. "...Eh?"

"Shut up," Arley says firmly. "It's none of your business." Sebastian inwardly notes that shut up is neither "yes" nor "no", but rather seems to suggest that Arley is dodging the question rather forcefully.

"Whatever you say," Fallon says, uncrossing her fingers, shrugging and feining disinterest. A few minutes later, she looks up from her plate at Arley, then at Sebastian, then back to Arley.

"What? What the heck are you lookin' at Fal?" Arley questioned, slamming his fork on the table.

"Oh, come on!" Fallon says, dropping her fork. "You can talk to your big sis." Sebastian coughs nervously and shifts in his seat.

"Shut up!" Arley says again.

"You're blu-shing," Fallon singsongs.

"Open a window, then." Arley suggests.

"Don't be surly, now, AJ." She scolds him as Sebastain opens a window.

"Thanks, Seb," Arley says.

"A-ha!" Fallon says, slamming her fist down on the table.

"What, it's his name?" Arley says.

"His name is Sebastian, 'Seb' is a pet name," She says.

"So? AJ's a pet name." He goes back to his meal. Fallon is about to say something, and he tells her to shut up again.

"Why?" She implores. "Truth is beauty, and beauty tru--"

"Because it's Christmas, dammit," Arley tells her. I just want to spend a nice relaxing Christmas Eve with my boyfriend...

There is a short pause, and then Sebastian raises his glass of cider. "Merry Christmas!" He says.

---

G'Night!
Author: Sora
Date: 04-04-04 22:11

Once Sora and Riku got home, Sora rushed up to his room, hoping that his package was there (and making sure his mother wasn't snooping about in his room). Once he entered through the door, he made sure that Riku came inside then shut the door with a snap.

"Aww, man," said Sora. It appeared that the owl coming from Ellspeth's has not arrived yet. "Maybe she didn't have anything that matched my description?" Sora said to himself as he looked out the balcony. "Speak of the devil!" exclaimed Sora as he immediately opened the balcony doors to let an owl fly inside his room.

It gently landed on Sora's bed, letting Riku untie the package from his leg who handed it to Sora. "Thanks a lot! There is a bowl of water and some food over there by the door," Sora explained to the owl, who gave a soft 'hoot' and went to accept its treat.

Sora quickly unwrapped the parcel and almost fell backwards when there was a loud barking noise. "Holy Shnikees!!" cried Sora, as he finally pulled himself together to see what was in the box. Riku seemed to have been quite surprised since he was breathing rather fast. "What the heck is that thing?!" he asked. Sora put his finger to his lips. "Shhhh!" and the thing went silent. "It's my mom's Christmas present! Isn't it awesome?!"

After getting the Dogplant settled down, Sora quickly wrapped his dad's present. Riku looked a bit confused. "Aren't you gonna wrap your mother's present?" he asked pointing at the plant (who was scratching its ear). "No, it's just gonna start barking if it's cooped up in the box for too long. I don't want my mom to be afraid to open it!" Riku only nodded his head. "Riiiigggghhhhtttt." Sora shrugged. "So, you hungry?" he asked. It was Riku's turn to shrug. "I guess."

After dinner, Sora and Riku spent at least an hour in Sora's personal video game arcade, then they made their way to their bedrooms. "G'night Riku!" said Sora. Riku yawned. "See you in the morning."

And then 'Sugar Plums danced in their heads'.