Hardly Working
Author: Professor Belladonna Sinistra
Date: 01-17-04 02:10
Bella winced at the pile in front of her. The papers meant only one thing: it was time for a grading party. She'd best lay in some decent liquour and call her siblings to help her out of her usual mess. There'd be some good-natured ribbing, but the multiple choices and first year papers would be out of her way after a Saturday. By class Monday, everything would be done. Who needed work when you had a clannish family? Like family dinners once a month, it was the Italian in them.
She opened her appointment book. Um, that Saturday was out, but the next would do. It wasn't like that one year when she had let all the work pile up until the end of the year. God, everyone had been cloistered the whole weekend. Actually, it had been rather fun, provided she never did anything of the sort again. Not even an upcoming wedding would be an excuse.
Hell, being an airhead with a packed social calendar wasn't even that much of an excuse. She closed the book and picked up a few papers. After making a dent in some of the pile, the thought of ways to take time away from proper work came to her. Bloody brilliant, finding some sort of distraction. Of course, she'd always been able to find distractions. Seriously, though, there were about three notes that could be written. There was work and then there was work.
Dear Miss Granger,
I have a special assignment that might interest you. I think that even my NEWT classes might bore you a trifle. There's this interesting lecture one of my friends is giving on the composition of the Milky Way in London. I would like you to attend and then have lunch with him, my expense. Write an essay on what you've learned. I think I can get you excused for the day, so after lunch you could enjoy Muggle London. I have a paid appointment for a massage and manicure that I can't use, so you could be a dear and see that it doesn't go to waste. Let me know.
Professor Sinistra
She nibbled on the quill. Poor Miss Granger had been through so much that a little afternoon of fun was so deserved. Hopefully the other professors wouldn't be difficult or, at least not difficult enough to not be convinced. As for Alan, that man would be happy to talk to anyone who expressed an interest. No real big deal. The next note was more straight forward and pure business.
Dear Mr. Masterson,
I hope you haven't been having trouble with the prefect position. I wasn't sure if I explained things enough when we met in my office. You're doing a wonderful job, but as always let me know if I can help in any way.
Professor Sinistra
Next she wrote another note. She had been her usual ditzy self, but that was no excuse to let friendships lapse. Besides, with business a little pleasure was deserved. All work and no play made Bella someone else.
Dear Sorcha,
It's been ages. How about lunch at Ivy Cottage Hogsmeade weekend? I'd love to catch up, and I usually spend weekends there, always available to students of course. Thank Merlin I bought a place in Hogsmeade or I'd never get privacy now. Let me know, and sorry I didn't say anything to you at the feast earlier this month. My mind was on other things, but I talk better over food. Plus, would love to know what's been going on with you. Do say yes and I'll have the cook do something amazing. Please, don't let me be disappointed. I'll keep sending notes until you agree.
Bella
Bella sealed the notes and then stamped her monogram on the top as a seal. All that remained was to have Luna deliver them. She heaved a melodramatic sigh. Back to the papers.
Sleepy Sora
Author: Sora
Date: 01-18-04 15:09
Sora was already in the DADA classroom when Tranquillina and Roane arrived together. They took their seats next to Sora (who had his head on his open textbook). "Hey Sora, you awake?" said Tranquillina. Sora didn't respond.
Roane then poked him on the head. "Hey Sora!" But Sora didn't move. There was a loud snore! Tranquillina and Roane each took an ear. "Wake up SORA!!" they said loudly, and Sora bolted awake!
"Hey sleepy head! Didn't get enough sleep last night?" said Roane. Sora shook his head "Oh, I gots plenty of sleep..." he said drowsily. Tranquillina then snapped Sora's book shut. "Really, then how do you explain the drool in your book?" she said. Sora looked like she said something offending.
"I wasn't sleeping! I was... studying with my eyes closed!" he said in his defense. Tranquillina and Roane gave a laugh then stared at him. Sora sighed. "Ok, you win."
They talked as they waited for Professor Turin to arrive.
Question
Session
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 01-18-04 18:52
"I have your quizzes from last day marked," Michael announces to his class. "Oh don't look so worried. You all did fine." He smiles at Sora and Tranquillina, then hands the papers to a student in the front row. "Can you hand these out please?" She takes them and walks around, giving the quizzes to their owners. When the student retakes her seat Michael thanks her.
"The answers to the questions are all in your notes - or should be. So instead of going through the questions and since your end-of-unit test is in two weeks, I'm going to devote this class to answering any questions you have about the unit on beasts."
Togetherness
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 01-18-04 23:48
Ahh, Wednesdays.....The one day that Vera and Lawrence had to themselves. Lawrence was the first to get up, soon followed by Vera who jumped on his lap in the common room. "Mornin' to ya....!" She gave him a big kiss. "So, what shall we do today?"
Lawrence thoght for a moment. "Well, we could go out a have at a few rounds of Quidditch.." Vera's eyes lit up.
"Of course!" And gave him a big bear hug almost squeezing the air out of her poor boyfriend. "I still can't believe you're on the team! We can spend every moment with eachother. And sense we're the beaters...even more fun!"
Lawerence laughed at her excitment. He hadn't seen her so happy all school year long. "Yeah....Until we get sick of eachother that is..." He half smiled. Vera bunched up her brows. "I could never get sick of my Lawrence..You're the world to me." She hugged his face and kissed him once again, she was still sitting on his lap in front of the fire.
*****
They had spent most of the day out on the field. Vera was an good teacher and showed Lawrence all her own moves and techniques. After a good supper they were back in the Hufflepuff Common room working on school papers and studies. Vera herself had all of Thursday to work as well, but Lawrence had Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies from 9 - 12.
Right at noon Vera would be waiting for Lawrence at the Muggle Studies room so they could go eat a bit of lunch. The rest of the day was usually School work in the Library, but at least they would be together.
A Terrible
Idea
Author: Alexis Black
Date: 01-19-04 00:03
Just afternoon on that Wednesday Alexis and Devo were lounging around the common room when Alicia, Isolde and Pyrrhus walked in from their Divinations class. Alexis was staring straight through her potions book, her mind on quidditch, and how one of her sister's little creepy friends made the team.
She thought about how it would be nice to voodoo her sister so she couldn't stay on her broom, but she knew it was a fanciful daydream. There was no way Alexis would damage their chances for the cup, even if it meant keeping her sister pain-free during every match.
"That's it!" Alexis called suddenly, making everyone nearby jump, including herself. The potions book tumbled to the floor.
"What's what?" Devo said, confused. Alexis took a precursory glance around the common room for eavesdroppers and gestured her friends in close.
"For the first match against Gryffindor, why don't we voodoo the enemy? If we caused the keeper and the seeker to be in agony, they couldn't do their jobs, right?" She turned to Alicia, "Since you're not on the team, you could manage it discreetly from somewhere in the castle. The stands would be no good, someone might notice..." She trailed off, looking at her friends for support. "What do you guys think?"
A Tense Situation
Author: Molly Weasley
Date: 01-19-04 09:48
Molly was worried. Hermione had written back and was unable to find a potion. Molly smiled at the thought of the girl. So thoughtful and kind, so polite! To make matters worse Adam was driving her crazy. She adored Sidi and Adam and came to love them dearly. However, the boy was positively helpless. Everything seemed to have to be done for him. She wondered how Sidi got along having to care for a 23 year old infant. The young man had no idea how to do anything for himself. Somehow it made her grateful that her family hadn't grown up wealthy. How would her children have turned out? Somewhere between Adam Sparrow and Draco Malfoy she was afraid. The boy was going stir crazy. Molly decided to help him with his magic while he was there. He so desperately wanted to learn to apparate. But apparating was not an easy task to learn. Every time Molly held his hand to apparate with him he redirected them subconsciously. It was in one of those occasions she was given an excited tour of his home in Jamaica. Molly had never seen such a beautiful home and beautiful land. The ocean was breathtaking. The muggle house made her head spin. Secretly she began to look forward to their impromtu trips.
He and Sidi fought every time she came to visit. Sex was an issue. Molly blushed just thinking about the terrible rows and the yelling coming from the rooms they thought they had hidden themselves away in so no one could hear the arguments. One didn't need extendable ears to hear them. She wouldn't make love to him without a head. He took it as betrayal and she was angry that he acted like an insensitive git. Sidi had stopped coming to visit. It infuriated him even more. The stress was tearing them apart.
Reality TV
or a Marvelous Situation Comedy Really
Author: Darius Sparrow
Date: 01-19-04 12:00
Arthur had just come back from the home of a man named Ira Allstwerp. Ira made his living as a muggle magician. Ira renewed his license every year and provided the appropriate paperwork throughout the year for said license to be issued. He was obligated to provide the names of the muggles hiring him, the muggles attending the event and the place/date of the event. The ministry then would be aware of the magic being used in a strict muggle environment and no alarm would be raised when the magic was detected on those occasions. What Ira didn't provide the Ministry was the countless muggle artifacts that were bewitched to provide an impressive show and cause Mr. Allstwerp to become the leading magician in the muggle world. Articles, including flying chairs, bicycles, bewitched pens that forced the writer to write what was desired by the magician, contracts that bewitched the reader, and strangely enough contorting bedsheets were confiscated.
Arthur jumped at the CRACK that proceeded the appearance of Darius Sparrow.
"I know what you're thinking Arthur and I'm offended." Darius leaned over Arthur's desk.
Arthur jumped half glad half disturbed to see him. He grabbed Darius' arm almost knocking the leaning man over onto his desk. "Darius! Where on earth have you been?"
"Working Arthur, just like you do." He removed the man's hand from the sleeve of his pompously expensive Leveti suit. "You're wrinkling me." He brushed the sleeve where Arthurs' hand had rumpled the cashmere.
Arthur released his hand willingly. "Adam!" Darius waved a vial. "That's why I'm here."
He seemed almost imposed upon as he rolled his eyes, cocked his head and free hand rolled in the air.
Annoyed at the arrogance Arthur paused. "He's at my home." He said relieved that finally there was an end to the drama. Although he cared greatly for Darius' son he had no desire to live with the boy a minute longer than necessary.
"Well then let's go." Darius stood waiting for a response.
"Just like that? Let's go?! I've been looking for you for weeks and you know it! I don't appreciate being ignored or being played with Darius." Arthur hoped he made his feelings known by slamming his hand down on the desk a few times for effect.
"Finished yet?" Darius prodded. "Come, come now. I don't have all day Arthur."
Arthur stared at the man incredulously. "Have you no shame? No honor? No decency?"
"No, none at all. Let's go. This is getting boring Arthur. If it will move you along I will fall to my knees and beg forgiveness." He shifted his weight impatiently and glanced out the window.
Arthur was angry. He stood behind his desk. "You've purposely left that boy, your own son, for weeks in that condition. I presume you find it amusing but I tell you Darius it is not amusing." Again his hand hit the desk on each of the last three words.
One corner of Darius' mouth lifted in amusement. "No Arthur, you're wrong. It was very amusing and only reason you don't find it so is because you've had to live with the git for weeks. Do you know what a television is?" He was vaguely aware of Arthur's muggle obsession.
Arthur was confused at the redirect. He did indeed know what a T.V. was. ( ...and proud to call it a "T" "V" like the muggles do.) "I do." He folded his arms across his chest.
"The past weeks would have been considered great "Reality Television" or a marvelous situation comedy really. Truly Arthur it has been glorious watching you deal with it. Do be a mate and lighten up a bit."
Darius' smug grin made Arthur want to hit him. "I'm not your mate you pompous arse." Arthur hissed. Darius frowned. "Oh," he said feigning disappointment and brushing away nonexistent lint from his breast pocket. "And here I thought we were becoming chums." His voice hardened and got louder as he once again leaned across Arthur's desk. "Are we going to your house or are we not Arthur?" He checked his watch. "You've only a few minutes to decide. You are wasting my time."
Arthur looked at Darius reluctant to apparate home. Arthur was not ashamed of his home or family but for some reason having spent so much time with Adam he was a bit hesitant to invite his former Hogwarts classmate into his home.
Werewolf Issues,
You Know How Much Baggage They Have
Author: Sidi Ross
Date: 01-19-04 16:02
Sidi cleaned the tables and glass in the shoppe. Molly took a mop to the floors. In no time the wood was gleaming. The ladies stopped for lunch.
"Darling," Molly started, laying her hand on the gypsy's arm.
"Don't Molly." Sidi didn't want to discuss Adam. "It's not unusual for a couple to feel angry and frustrated and attack each other in so stressful a situation." Molly continued. "It's truly not a time to make rash decisions."
Sidi was offended. "Rash?? You're calling ME rash? Molly, I'm not the selfish, egotistical, spoiled rotten little rich snot now am I?"
"No! Of course not luv! But that's how men are dear!"
"No Molly, it's not. Adam isn't my first relationship or my first lover." Sidi put her egg salad sandwich down and picked up her tea. Her elbows touched the table. "Maybe Adam is just too young."
"Honestly dear." Molly said feeling very forlorn at the conversation. "I think you're perfect together. There are peaks and valleys in all relationships."
Sidi sighed reflectively. "I remember a while back, there was a man I dated. He was a bit older than I was. He was gentle, kind, well spoken and intelligent. Not at all like Adam. We had such a great time together. He was the first man I was in love with. We never fought..."
"Sidi dear, it's very unrealistic to think you'll find a relationship in which you will not fight, argue and want to kill each other." Molly took a bite of her sandwich and reflected on a few of she and Arthur's past rows.
"Oh my God he was such a great lover. Molly you just can't believe all the..."
Molly cut her off fast. "Honestly dear...if here were so great a catch why aren't you together now? You see? No one is perfect."
Sidi again sighed. "Hmmm yeah. Well he was a werewolf. Actually he broke up with me. Werewolf issues, you know how much baggage they have. God did I love him."
Molly nodded. "You like werewolves? I know such a nice fellow...not sure about the issues though."
Sidi laughed. "In the sack? I sure do! Adam was always insanely jealous of him. He's so jealous." She caught herself. "Well anyway, we agreed. He's going to find another place to live when he's healed. Maybe we'll work it out maybe we won't. He's got to get his priorities straight."
Molly worried. She knew darn well the girl was still in love with him. But perhaps they did need time. Maybe they needed to see just how much they did love each other. Molly vowed that if the two did come to their senses somehow she'd force them to get married. Had they been married now there would be no separation and they'd be forced to confront and talk it out. Kids these days, living together and not getting married. Didn't they understand when they committed to live together that they committed to a relationship that was based on being able to run away at will? They ruin everything for themselves! Molly loved Adam and Sidi as if they were her own. She loved them together and vowed to take steps to reunite them.
Playing
it Out
Author: Amashelle
Date: 01-20-04 08:37
The past few days had been spent, for the most part, sitting back and watching the fireworks of her offer- which largely consisted of huge sections of land she was certain nobody else would want.
The giants were uncertain as to her honour as a witch, but what she was offering was such a tempting deal that they weren't ready to just dismiss it.
'What of humans?' one of them asked, Ama thought it might have been one called Gripe but she couldn't be sure.
She shrugged. 'You wouldn't be bothered by any muggles, if that's what you're worried about. And, if you are, I'm sure you have methods of dealing with them.'
'And your sort?' Asked another, perhaps Vacc.
'You would be expected to serve my master as best you can, but all other beings who disturb you would deserve whatever you give them.'
The debate was taken up again, this time with a few more heated arguments. It's only a matter of time, Ama thought, before they start killing each other over this...
Veela Charming
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 01-20-04 10:52
I sat outside Cornelius' office, amused to know that the Weasley boy was gaping at me, with his mouth half open. Funny how this boy was so different from his father. Sure, Percy Weasley thought he was smart, but in reality he had a lot of growing up to do before he caught up to his father.
Finally, the boy stood up awkwardly and cleared his throat. "Mr. Fudge will see you now."
Standing up gracefully, I flashed Percy a smile and murmured a thank you. I laughed inwardly when his face turned beet red. As I walked into Fudge's office, I noted how he flushed and stood up a bit too quickly.
"Drucilla! Come in, come in."
I sat down and smiled softly.
"I have everything you asked for." He handed me an envelope. "This will get you into the more trickier files and areas at the Ministry. I dare say, I don't know why you weren't given this sooner. Arthur must be slipping up".
Taking the envelope, I spoke softly, almost musically. "Arthur has been busy and must have forgotten. Thank you for this. I hate bothering people all the time to get into the files. It will help immensely with my work at the Ministry."
You Do So
Live In Your Own World, Don't You?
Author: Arthur Weasley
Date: 01-20-04 14:49
"I can't just pick up and leave my job as obviously you can Darius."
Arthur sat back down at his desk and grabbed a stack of paper pretending to be very busy, which he was but not any more than usual.
Darius laughed at Arthur's attempt at a jab.
"Mmm yes being powerful and indispensable does have its perks. You afraid big bad Cornelius is going to come and throw you into Azkaban for sorting your paper wrong or going home for lunch too much Arthur?"
Arthur glared. "You do so live in your own world don't you?" He got up from his chair and moved the stack of paper to a file cabinet.
Something Arthur never did but did now to look busy and important.
Darius plopped himself in Arthur's chair. "You should demand a bigger office. This is ridiculous. He scooted up to the desk. Well now, do I look like Ministry personnel? How'd I look?"
Arthur looked at him. He was a far cry from the troubled youth that was expelled from Hogwarts. Darius, with his dark eyes, dark hair, expensive suit and accessories plus the arrogant swagger looked more like the devil to Arthur but he wasn't going to tell him that.
"You don't fit in." Arthur stated flatly. "I thought your indispenableness had you needing to be somewhere. How is it you found the time to torture me all afternoon?"
Darius leaned forward with his elbows on the desk and his hands clasped together, his voice syrupy. "Arthur we're practically family. You took care of my son. I suppose I owe you."
"Ha!" Arthur laughed. "This is how you repay me? How is it Darius that you have the guts to sit here in an office of the Ministry of Magic? Aren't you afraid of being seen?" He really did want to know.
Darius frowned. Did this man never listen to anything he said? "Again, you've mistaken me for Sirius Black or Bellatrix Lestrange. I'm not notorious. I'm a nobody because I'm innocent."
"Cornelius knows you." Arthur quickly replied.
"Yes and Cornelius is an idiot who couldn't find his way out of his office alone if he tried. Anyway. I'm allowed to be here Arthur. Why do you insist on making me an escaped convict?" Darius was mystified. He was trying to be ever so congenial and friendly and all Arthur could do was hurl insults.
Arthur liked seeing him backed into a corner defending himself. "The condition of your release was not to use magic."
Darius raised his hands in the air as if to offer Arthur the chance to search him. "...and you see magic, where?"
Arthur pulled the chair out from the other desk. "Apparating is magic."
"What have I ever done to you Arthur? You desperately want me in Azkaban don't you! I'm sorry I'm going to retard your effort to throw me back in hell but the agreement was not about my using magic. It was all about allowing myself to be put under a binding spell to prevent me from using magic. I agreed and the idiot cast the spell. Happy Arthur?" Darius got up from the desk extremely agitated where this conversation had led. "So now that you're done ripping me to shreads shall we go and help my son?"
Thursday...
Author: Sora
Date: 01-20-04 20:08
Sora sat in the great hall eating his breakfast. He wasn't very hungry which is why he left early to get his stuff. He managed to climb up the Gryffindor tower without tripping on the trick steps. Felix waited inside sitting on Sora's books which made his morning a little better. To be honest, Sora wasn't having a good day which was strange since he was usually the happy-go-bouncing off the walls type of kid (it must be the shoes). He made his way back down the tower heading for his least favorite class, potions with Professor Snape.
Sora didn't like Professor Snape that much, but he was determined to complete all his assignments without fail or mistakes. If he did mess up it would only give Snape a reason to give him more dirty looks or worse, take away house points and Sora didn't want that to happen.
What really was on Sora's mind was flying. He really wanted to work on his fear of heights. What Sora liked about himself most of all was that whenever he discovered one of his fears he had to work on them until he wasn't afraid anymore! Ever since his friends told him about Quidditch, he thought seriously about taking part on the team when he had the chance. Which position did he want, you ask? What he wanted to do was to catch the golden snitch as seeker. He hasn't seen any games yet, but he was anxious to see how the game was played.
Sora let his thoughts race until he got to potions. Tranquillina and Roane were already there saving him a seat. "Hey Sora!" they said together as he sat down in-between them. "You seem kind of stressed," said Roane. Tranquillina noticed this too. "Yeah, usually you're so bouncy! What's the matter?" Sora sighed, "I was just thinking about Quidditch."
Tranquillina raised a brow. "Why are you stressed about that?" she asked. Sora put his books on the table. "I want to work on my heights problem so I can try out when I get the chance next year... or whenever," he explained. Roane nodded her head. "Oh yeah, I remember our first flying lesson!" Sora put his hand on his head. "Don't remind me!" he said. They all gave a laugh.
That Alexis
is a Genius
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 01-20-04 21:50
Just after lunch on Thursday, Py enters the common room, unable to refrain from looking jubilant. After hearing Alexis's brilliant idea yesterday, Py began thinking of how he could get something personal of Weasel Ron's to use with one of the voodoo dolls.
He finally decided that the easiest way would be to look around the Quidditch locker rooms. Py made a short visit to the pitch before lunch and quickly found several bright red hairs. Best of all though is the shirt discarded at the bottom of Weasley's locker. The Gryffindork's shirt had been accidentally ripped the other day when Weasley had gotten into a friendly shoving match while waiting for his team's turn to practice. Py had witnessed this and couldn't believe his luck in finding the shirt. He'd been sure Weasley had thrown it away or taken it with him to the castle for someone to mend. Too bad for Weasley that he hadn't done either because now a swatch of this very shirt will be used against him come game day.
Now, if only the Slytherins knew who the Gryffinbore's keeper was going to be for the game. So far Professor Krum has allowed several people to work with the team to try out for the keeper position but so far nothing permanent's been announced. Maybe they're all hoping Potter will rejoin the team.
Py shrugs. It won't matter who has the spot. All they need is a day's notice to get a hair or something of whomever will be the other team's keeper. The only real question now is who will control the voodoo dolls during the game since Isolde, Alexis, and he will be playing. Maybe Devo can take one of the dolls and Alicia the other since they were both in on the conversation about Alexis's genius plan.
"Yep," Py thinks, "that should work if both are interested in helping and if Alexis and Isolde agree. This will be a FUN match!"
Snickering, Py heads to his room to stash the red hairs and torn shirt until the items are needed for the voodoo doll.
