Dinner & Friends
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 02-01-04 00:39

Logan sat next to Sora. It was great fun to finally have someone to actually talk with. He had been trying to fill Sora in about how he had come to Hogwarts, about his parents, about his love of magic, about this...about that...about everything until Sora began looking distinctly fuzzy around the edges with all the talking. Finally Logan realized that he had basically been talking non-stop every minute they had not been in class or eating.

Turning a bright shade of red he apologize to his friend, "I am so sorry for totally bending your ear all day. It seems I have been studying so much and just haven't had anyone to talk to, so the first chance I get I tend to babble to the point that I am sure you wish I was a facet and could just turn me off." Logan looked at Sora and they both began laughing. It really felt good to have a friend.

Logan thought back over the day and all that he had talked about with his new friend. About growing up in Wales, with his parents, he was an only child, and about all the fun things he had done on their farm. It was just a small sheep farm but had been a great place to grow up. They hadn't had many close neighbors so when he started having all those odd things happen to him, his parents weren't to worried about what others would think...Then the big day came when he was officially accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His family had had such fun planning all sorts of things for him to do. Of course most of those plans were so far in the future he couldn't really even imagine it now.

But now he was definitely learning what he loved the most. It had been so strange having all those dreams about being a Wizard...well with a lot of study, his parents had said it was possible now.

This was the best Dinner he had had in a long time...he actually had friends to sit and talk with...what kind of adventures could they have together...

Early Breakfast
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 02-01-04 09:45

I sat at the table, absently eating a piece of toast while looking over my potion books. I, like most other Gryffindors, had come to quickly dread this class. At least it was first thing in the morning. Get it over with and enjoy the rest of the day, that was the only good way to look at it.

Stiffling a yawn, I looked up and watched as the other students started to make their way in to grab some breakfast. Seeing a familiar face, I put my book down and waved them over with a smile.

Escaping Potions
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 02-01-04 11:28

Tranquillina stared blankly at her notes, wondering if what the professor had just said was even remotely English. Silently, she prayed for class to end. And when all hope of escaping the dank room seemed lost...the class was dismissed!

Relieved, Tranquillina shoved her parchment pieces and notes away, then cradled her books in her left arm. She had a few hours to spare before her next class, and she was hoping to get some homework done before then.

"I thought class would never end," Tranquillina smiled at Kairi.

Stepping outside, Tranquillina turned with the others towards the direction of the Gryffindor common room.

Re: Escaping Potions
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 02-01-04 12:39

As usual, Logan was very thankful for robes during his Potions class. It always seemed just a bit chilly here. And when Professor Snape's glance just happened to land on you, well sometimes the added warmth was wonderful. Although still a very interesting class, he was glad it was over for the day.

He could tell the season was beginning to change. The grounds outside were starting to turn the most wonderful shades of oranges, yellows, and reds. This had always been his most favorite time of the year. Of course it could possibly have "nothing" to do with the fact that he had just celebrated his birthday a few days ago. His mum and dad had sent a wonderful package of new sweaters, scarves and gloves to him by owl post. They were finally getting the hang of that. However, they said it still tended to surprise them when one of the schools huge owls kept dropping letters or such on them as they were walking from barn to house. They actually said they were adding on a little place where the owls could come in out of the cold for a few moments before heading back. They had even started reading up on treats to leave in the little alcove for them before they headed back. Logan was so excited too, mum and dad had said he might possibly get his own owl by Christmas. What fun.

Following the other students from Gryffindor back to the commons room, he found a warm comfortable place near the fire and began his studies for Herbology. It was going to be extremely interesting today. So he wanted to make sure he was ready.

That would leave just enough time to go down for lunch and fill those several places in his stomach that never seemed to be satisfied. He was going to have to figure a way to keep some snacks around. Being a bit on the short side he was hoping this meant he was growing...it would be wonderful to be tall like his father.

Quickly he jumped up and gathered all his thing. He was STARVING and needed something to eat...

Spilt Ink
Author: Rolan Boyd
Date: 02-01-04 17:47

"How's this?" asked Kevin Entwhistle as he slid a roll of parchment across the table to Rolan. They sat at one of the several tables in the Ravenclaw Common Room. Rolan, Kevin, and Su Li each had their own clutter of books, parchment pages, notes, and measurement tape. Mid-morning, they were "enjoying" their easiest weekday pouring over assignments from their NEWT classes.

"Kevin! Look at your handwriting. It's twice as large at the end your paper than at the beginning," said Rolan, sending a piercing glance at his friend. "Binns won't except this. No chance."

"Sure he will," responded Kevin, snatching back his work and grabbing the measurement tape. After some hasty measurements, he sat back with a satisfactory look. "Done!"

"Don't be daft, just do it right," said Rolan, who was busy scanning a reference book, checking to make sure he had quoted the author correctly. "Might as well do it proper," he continued to Kevin, "otherwise Binns will ask you to write it again."

"I've wrote all that I can," responded Kevin hotly, crossing his arms in protest.

"Fine, but don't bother me anymore then," shot back Rolan.

Rolan knew asking Kevin to not bother him was his breath wasted. After completing a few sentences he had to ask Kevin to stop staring at him. A few sentences later, Kevin interrupted him to see if he would play wizard chess with him when he was done. Shortly thereafter, Kevin was obnoxiously turning pages in a book. Next was crumpling up parchment into balls and flicking them down the table. One of his especially long shots hurtled into Su's ink jar and toppled it over onto her parchment.

A long, wrenching scream thundered threw the room. Rolan knew Su's work was due tomorrow, that she had been working hard on it all morning, and that she had a long ways to go. She stared in disbelief as her charts, tables and graphs disappeared underneath the spreading ink.

"Here," said Rolan to her, picking up fresh parchment and moving it down to her. Seeing her eyes well up with tears, Rolan braced himself.

"I have class in a few minutes. I won't have enough time to redo these pages and write my report before class tomorrow. I was going to the library later for books! I'll have to stay up all night!" she said quivering, still looking down as tears ran down her cheeks.

"No no." Rolan tried to comfort her, taking her into his arms. His mind was working fast as he spoke to her, "Go to class. Kevin will clean up this mess and I'll go through your Divination notes and Kevin will help me redo all this work. Go to the library like you planned and do your report. We'll have this done when you get back this evening, and you can go through it and make sure we got it all right. It'll get done, I promise."

It looked like she heard only half of what he said, but he gave her a reassuring squeeze and grabbed her bag for class. She left in a daze, not lifting her eyes to acknowledge Kevin. "You fucked up mate, you clean it up," Rolan said flatly to Kevin.

Probably knowing Rolan would launch across the table for him if he didn't comply, Kevin went searching for a towel. Rolan put away his work and sat down with Su's notes and Divination book. He needed to understand her Divination fast.

Ya Gotta Love Meals
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 02-01-04 18:06

Tranquillina sat in the Gryffindor Common Room for a good two hours. As soon as lunch rolled around though, she more or less leapt off her seat to run to the Great Hall.

Still juggling some homework, she arrived in the Great Hall, and sat down next to Logan. They were the first of the group to arrive to eat.

"Hallo, Logan!" Tranquillina smiled, setting her books down. She looked hungrily at the food spread before her. Tranquillina could never get tired of eating, a dominant gene on both sides of her family.

"Oh, this looks good...I'm starving--as usual." She continued without stopping for breath. Helping herself to vegetable soup and a chunk of bread, Tranquillina pushed back her ginger hair and added, "I thought Potions class would drag on for ever this morning... What do you think of Snape's class?"

Re: Ya Gotta Love Meals
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 02-01-04 23:36

Logan could hardly speak...Tranquillina had actually sat next to him. What should he say? He couldn't just sit there!! "Good Grief!!" he thought frantically, stuffing two more pieces of bread in his mouth and then realizing he just might choke if he tried to talk...Grinning at her rather sheepishly he tried swallowing the whole thing at once. Quickly he picked up a glass of milk and tried to wash the whole thing down at once. Finally the whole mouthful slid painfully down and he was able to speak.

"Professor Snape makes me all cold inside...I don't know what it is about that whole class, it seems like it lasts forever. Maybe cause it is in the dungeon I guess, but when I know I have that class I always wear an extra sweater." said Logan. "How about you?"

He noticed that Tranquillina was thoroughly enjoying lunch...that REALLY made him feel much better. Figuring it was alright, he refilled his own bowl, then added a couple of sandwiches and an apple...that ought to hold him for a few minutes. There were also some delicious cupcakes near by that he knew that he would definitely have to try. Grabbing two of the best looking cupcakes, he offered one to Tranquillina.

"Here is one for you." he said, "I hope you like it." And then he turned a beautiful shade of red.

"Gee whiz, could he have actually said anything dumber?" he thought. But it was so nice to have someone even talking to him that he just didn't care. "This is the greatest isn't it." And then handing her another apple from the bowl he said, "Do you think we will ever understand Potions or all that Professor Snape is teaching us? I try to take notes, but can tell he would rather have us watch and listen to what he says. Sometimes I get so confused. How are you doing in the class?"

"Is there anything else I can get for you?" he asked quickly looking up and down the table. You know this has got to last us clear through until supper. It seems I am starving all the time." He laughed after he had said that and was glad that Tranquillina had started laughing too.

This was great fun, and of course the food was the best...

A Good Day So Far!
Author: Kairi
Date: 02-02-04 11:46

Tuesday
9-10:30 AM Potions
2-3:30 PM Herbology
3:30-5 PM Charms

With Potions out of the way and homework for that class, Kairi spent some time in the common room working. When she finally put down her pen, she realized how hungry she really was. Tranquillina and Logan had already gone down a few moments ago. "Hey guys." She addressed to Sora and Roane. "Let's go get some lunch, yeah?"

"Yes!! Let's!" Sora leaped out of his chair, clearly ready to eat. "Should we go get Riku first?"

The two girls looked at each other, grinned, and Roane said, "Naw...He knows were the Great Hall is!" and laughed.

"Besides," Kairi began. "He gets out of class at noon, that's 15 minutes away...Do you really wanna wait that long Kiwi?"

"Heck no! Let's go."

The trio found Tranquillina and Logan eating up a storm and they sat with them. "Golly you guys, eat much?" Kairi laughed. The two shrugged.

*****

Once 2:00 came around, the 1st year Gryffindors headed for Herbology. Nothing really exciding in that class today.

Right after Herbology was Charms class at 3:30, which was way up on 3rd floor. They had some climbing to do. Charms today actully went by without Sora making a mess of anything. Yes, he had a tendency of exploding things. But he was getting better!

A Hard Day So Far
Author: Riku
Date: 02-02-04 12:17

Tuesdays were Riku's second most hated days. Three classes, all boring, with one being naptime in disguise. It seemed that every class gave out too much homework, or were more then a little advanced in RikuÕs opinion. Still, he would just keep any complaints to himself and do the work.

Charms was a little duller then normal today but not too bad. Defense Against the Dark Arts was as hard and with as much writing as usual. Riku found his friends already in the Great Hall where they were finishing lunch. They were kind enough to sit there and talk with him while he ate.

Then, once it was almost two, Riku left his friends to go to his History of Magic class while they went to Herbology. After History of Magic, Riku stayed in the common room and did homework until dinner.

Sally Spencer
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 02-02-04 15:50

Vera had a really ruff day, one whole class! After class though, she did spend most of her time in the Hufflepuff common room. She had a lot of homework to do. When Lawrence came down he found Vera's nose in a book and taking notes off to the side.

"Don't work yourself too hard, you'll get a migraine." He winked. "G'day luv."

"Yeah, I wont..." She laughed. "What's on your list of things to do today?"

"Oh, yeah I wanted to talk to you about that..."

Vera arched a brow. "Oh?"

Lawrence took a breath. "The thing is, I haven't been doin' too well in my Ancient Runes class, see...So I asked my teacher to find a tutor for me, to help me out."

Vera listened intently. Not sure she would like where this was going. "And...So who's this tutor for you?"

Lawrence paused a moment. "Sally Spencer." Vera dropped her pen. "Sally Spencer?" She repeated. "I don't think that name rings a bell."

"She's a sixth year Ravenclaw. And she's the only one who offered to take the time to help me. Beggars can't be chooser's you know." Lawrence stated.

"Aye, true that'd be, mate. So, when's your first lesson?"

"In ten minutes. We've decided to meet in the Library." Lawrence smiled. "You can come if you like."

"Ahh, well thanks but I'll just stay here. I've already got all m'stuff sprawled out everywhere." She chuckled and kissed her boyfriend. "Besides, I trust you.: She winked.

:: :: ::

Vera didn't see Lawrence again until supper. She had a mind to go and fetch him from the Library, but decided against it. She quietly sat at the Hufflepuff table eating, drowned in her own thoughts. She almost didn't hear Lawrence greet her.

"Vera! Hey, I want you to meet Sally...Sally, this is my girlfriend, Vera."

Vera looked up at the girl. "Hello."

"Hi! I've heard nothing but Kudos about you Vera." Sally was clearly trying to get on Vera's good side.

"Oh...Well.."

"Hey Lawrence I'd better go. I'll see you tomorrow." Sally didn't give Vera any chance to respond. "Nice meeting you." Sally said as she walked off as Vera eyed her.

"She's a nice gal." Lawrence said as he took a seat.

"Oh yeah..." Vera started still watching Sally. Then turned her attention to Lawrence. "Charming." Was all she said.

And thus began the Ancient Runes tutoring...

Day is Done...Finally
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 02-02-04 23:54

Logan fell into bed, he barely remembered to put on his pajamas and hang up his clothes. It had been a great day. Classes were interesting and he had finally made some friends. It was wonderful at Hogwarts. Between Tranquillina and himself they had but away almost all the food within reach. They had had loads of fun trying everything they could reach...it was the first time he had been truly full in a long time.

Full and Happy...that was the life.

Herbology had been fascinating as usual and Charms was another one he had to study at. But that was just part of being at school at Hogwarts.

"Swish & Flick, S w i s h & F l i c k...S w i s h & F"

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hard-Headed Auror
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 02-03-04 09:38

I poke my head around the doorway and take a quick look around the room. Dierna is lying in the bed and smiles when she sees my face. I check behind the door and inside the small closet, then go to look out the window.

"What on earth are you doing?" she asks, chuckling at my antics.

"I'm looking for your 'Faithful Indian Companion'! That's what I'm doing!" I respond with some asperity.

"My WHAT?" she giggles as I continue to search behind the curtains and under the bed.

Finally, I stand up and face her. "I was thinking that since you have decided to become 'The Lone Ranger', that 'Tonto' would be around here somewhere!"

"Oh! NO!" she groans. "You're not going to lecture me, too? Are you?"

"In truth, I should turn you over my knee and tan your backside!" I grumble. She looks both chagrinned and defiant at the same time, if that is possible. She starts to speak, but I interrupt. "Yes, yes! Dumbledore told me all about it. Trying to take on the "Lady of Pain" while you're worrying about a couple of younglings. Pfagh! I thought you had better sense! Albus tells me there's been bad blood 'twixt the two of you since your school days at Hogwarts. That's still no reason to make this a one-woman vendetta! When there's help to be had, you're to USE it! Is that clear!"

My tirade has caused her to shrink down into the bed and pull the covers up, almost to her eyes.

"Being as your Da isn't around to do it, I figured somebody needed to read you the Riot Act!" I say to her. "And Dumbledore is too soft-hearted where you're concerned. There now! I've got that off my chest." I pause long enough to walk over to her bedside and pull the coverlet down to her chin. "So, how are you doing? I see you've got a bit of color back in your cheeks."

"The Healers say I should be out of her in another few days," she replies. "They let me up to walk about a little. Really, I feel fine... except for being a little tired."

"I shouldn't be at all surprised at that!" I grin. "You used up every last drop of yourself with whatever that last spell was. Your 'life-spark' was a mere glimmer when we got there. I pumped a little back into the four of you before the others arrived to bring you here."

"So that was the surge that I felt!," she says with some amazement. "Aye! The life-blood of the sweet Earth-Mother!" I tell her. "'Tis a good thing there are still a few of us about who know how to draw on the old powers. There's ley lines all over the place, up there, but many of them are weak or broken. There's a good big node under Hogsmeade and a bigger one under the Castle. That's where the Magic comes from, and that's the reason those Muggle things don't work around there.

She looks at me with eyes full of unasked questions. "When you've got a bit more of your strength back, I'll take you out for a walk... show you where they are and how to use them to the best advantage." I pop a peppermint into my mouth and offer one to Dierna, who politely declines. "Oh! And speaking of having a walk, I think we need to talk about taking a look at that cave of yours. If we aren't going soon, we'll be waiting for spring. The snow and ice are already getting deep in those parts of Norway."

Mystery
Author: Mary
Date: 02-03-04 11:05

Mary eyed Nora suspiciously as they walked together out of the Charms classroom.

"Are you actually going to go to potions today?" She said rudely. Nora blinked and turned to her friend. A smirk split open her exceptionally pale face.

"I suppose." She replied.

They wandered down several flights of stairs and Mary watched Nora carefully. Something was very strange about the girl, and it wasn't just her eyepatch and cocky attitude.

"What are you looking at?" She said to Mary.

"I was just trying to figure that out, actually." She grinned. Nora smiled back and they walked into potions together.

Mary would just have to keep an extra eye on the one-eyed girl.

Secrets
Author: Nora
Date: 02-03-04 11:51

Nora took her seat by Mary in Potions, she was a bit annoyed that the girl didn't even care why she was missing all day Tuesday and part of Monday, but that was just how Mary was. "I wasn't in class Monday or Tuesday because I was in the hospital wing. I had gone back to get one of my books after Charms when I collapsed again I think Isolde found me and took me to the hospital wing. That's what Madame Pomfrey told me. She still has no bloody idea why I've fainted twice now, I don't know either...but I'm fine!" hopefully her lie wasn't blatantly obvious.

When's our next quidditch practice?" Nora smirked and sat back in her chair, wondering if she would be in trouble for missing four classes. "I wonder if McGonagall will know why I was gone...oh well, the woman's evil." Looking up Nora caught the eyes of Professor Snape and bit her lower lip. He's going to be mad...

Workaholic
Author: H Potter
Date: 02-03-04 17:16

Books piled around him, Harry hastily scribbles out another paragraph for the paper he's been researching. He looks up long enough to grab one of the books and starts to thumb to one of the many pages now marked with a bright orange piece of paper sticking up a few inches above the top of the book. That's when he notices Lavender Brown staring at him.

Lavender grins and jerks a thumb toward Harry's stacks of books and parchment. "You don't have any classes on Wednesdays. What are you so busy working on when you could be doing a dozen things more interesting than working on an assignment?"

"It's the research paper for Potions," comes Harry distracted reply as he scans the pages the open tome in his hands.

"But that's not due for almost three weeks."

Lavender continues to stare at Harry, waiting for a reply but he's already once more engrossed in his work. Lavender shrugs, wondering whether Ron's and Hermione's extended stay at St. Mungo's has Harry scrambling to keep himself occupied so that he doesn't keep dwelling on how close to death his two best friends came.

Lavender's puzzlement only increases more when Ginny Weasley walks up, takes Lavender by the arm and gently pulls her toward the portal to the hall. "Let's go get some lunch, Lavender, and leave the flobber worm farmer to his selfish little world."

Taking a Walk...
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 02-03-04 22:03

Everyone had gone their separate ways after lunch and Logan decided to just go for a walk around the immediate grounds. There were probably only a few nice days left before winter started and he wanted to experience the fullness of the Autumn months before it started snowing. He walked out the front door and sat on the steps watching the students pass by.

It was a beautiful day. All the trees on the grounds were turning beautiful shades of orange, red, and yellow...Even the Whomping Willow was dressed in Autumn Finery, though at times it would shake a branch or two at whom ever got just a "bit " too close for comfort. It looked as though it was still holding a grudge against the students for the time that Harry and Ron and driven the car right into it. Logan wondered if it had ever had any friends. He sat there looking at it and decided he would run down to talk with Professor Logan to see if he could find some answers.

His mum and dad were always saying he came up with some of the strangest questions. Now he was sure that Professor Logan would be thinking the same thing. But there were just some things and kid just had to know. One of his passions had always been growing things and maybe, just maybe when he got older he could teach Herbology some where...Would it be wonderful he thought...Looking down at his watch he figured he had just enough time to run over and see the professor and then get to his next class. Of course that meant missing lunch but then...well a kid's got to do what a kid's gotta do...