You Are One Weird Kid
Author: Sora
Date: 06-12-04 15:46
"Uh, is something bugging you...?" Sora asked Logan as he dished up some lunch. Logan didn't respond all he did was look at the entrance. "Hellooooooo?" Sora poked Logan in the back of the head. "Earth to Logan!" Logan didn't budge. Sora sighed and put his hands on Logan's shoulders and began to shake him. "Is anybody home?!"
"Wh-what..?" Logan said startled. Sora looked just a little concerned. "What's the matter with you? You look like you've seen a ghost!" he said, Logan gave a dreaded look. Sora only laughed. "I was only kidding! You should get something to eat! Before I eat everything!"
After lunch, Sora and Logan made their way to Gryffindor tower, since their last class wasn't till late that night. "Well, I'm gonna take a nap... My head dosn't hurt but man! I'm just hurting all over!" said Sora. With a wave from everyone, Sora made his way to the boys dormitories for a nice looooooooong nap.
Felix was sitting next to the window. The first sight of Sora made her ears perk up and she made her way to the bed to lay by him. "Hi Felix!" Sora greeted petting her on her chin. She purred as she rubbed her head against his hand. Sora kissed her on the head. "Bye Felix!" he said. Felix looked just a little confused, until Sora plopped backwards on the bed.... fast asleep.
"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"
Decisions Decisions
Author: Blossom
Date: 06-12-04 18:39
Blossom descends from the flat above the shop, a tray carefully balanced in her hands. She sets the tray down on a table in the office then walks to the front of the shop where Fred's waiting on a customer and George is putting the finishing touches on a new window display.
"Lunch is ready when you are. Beef stew and fresh from the oven bread. It's so nice of you to let me use your kitchen, George."
Turning a cheeky grin her way, George points out, "I benefit from your use of my kitchen so you won't get any complaints from me."
Walking to join Fred and Blossom on the way to the office, George asks, "When are you two going to tell Mum and Dad?"
Fred shrugs, "Don't know yet. Maybe tomorrow night or the next. We could invite them to supper but could be we'll wait until Saturday at the Hogwarts' carnival."
"We'd be just as happy eloping like a certain couple we know and telling them after the fact but I'm already on your mother's list for letting Fred move in with me and us not telling your parents about it for such a long time."
Between spoonfuls of stew, Fred grins. "Mum doesn't have you on any list. She likes you."
George adds, "She wasn't happy when she learned you two were living together, Blossom, but she didn't throw a fit either. That's a good sign. Any decisions yet on a date?"
Shaking her head, Blossom sighs, "Not yet. I never knew picking one would be so hard. The only thing for sure is this summer at the earliest if it's later in the year then it will be a date when Ginny would be on holiday from school. Just before I started lunch, I sent Binx off with a letter to Majandra asking her to be maid of honor. Or, in her case now, matron of honor. I thought Ginny might like to be bridesmaid and Ron the groomsman. We're not going to ask them though until we've told your parents about getting engaged."
Nodding in agreement, his mouth full, Fred manages to say, "I'm asking Lee Jordon to be best man."
George looks stunned then relieved and happy when Fred starts laughing. "Should have seen your face, George. Do you honestly think I'd get married and have anyone but you as best man?"
Blossom, leaning over to give George a hug, adds, "It's only fitting you and Majandra stand for us on such a special day. Now, if only we could figure out when that day will be."
Let's Do Lunch
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 06-12-04 18:41
Julian hands Ellspeth her change while replying to her question. "My parents had friends here so you might say I was visiting Hogsmeade even before I was born. I attended Hogwarts as well and from third year on spent every Hogsmeade Saturday roaming about the town. I moved here roughly two and a half years ago with my friends and partners Chyler and Lysander Stratford to open this shop. Lysander is still a partner but moved away after Chyler died."
Julian moves around the counter and towards the door, holding it open for Ellspeth. "You said Pots & Pages is your next stop. They serve lunch so what say I treat you?"
Ellspeth hesistates for a moment then accepts Julian's offer, waiting while he puts the Closed for Lunch sign on the door. Julian takes the package from Ellspeth then offers his arm to escort her down the street to Pots & Pages. As they stroll along, Julian tells Ellspeth about some of the vintage books on herbs and teas he could acquire for her if she's interested. As the reach Pots & Pages, Julian once again holds the door open, listening as Ellspeth replies.
Falling into Darkness
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 06-13-04 08:06
Emma Crusher stared down at her potions book, a roll of parchment that should have been filled with notes from her latest class lay next to it, void of anything potions-related. Instead it was filled with scribbles; random observations about the people in her class, and just how pathetic most of them were.
She had knowledge that none of them would ever have, knew of spells that her classmates couldn't even dream of! And yet here she was, staring at an open text book, bound to the same worries that all of them were occupied with.
OWLS.
Sighing, Emma stood and gathered her books together, hoping she'd be able to concentrate up in her dormitory, away from the steadily growing noise of the common room as students returned from their day of classes.
For a brief instant, she wondered if there was a spell she could use to augment her learning capability for the next couple of months, but the idea that she would be caught was so terrifying that the thought was quickly dismissed. Taking a seat at the end of her bed, using one of the great bedposts as a backrest, Emma casually flicked her wand and called up a bit of light music from the air. That done, she settled down and began to read the chapter they'd covered in Potions that afternoon. Had she paid attention, she would have been able to skip straight to doing the assignment, but... for once in her life, her thoughts had not been on the lesson.
Valentine's Day?
Author: Santhea Fennally
Date: 06-13-04 09:40
"Valentine's Day? Hmm, let me think..." Leaning back in her chair, she gazed at the ceiling. "Oh, I don't know, Draco..."
"Fennally!" He wasn't really annoyed, but still Draco again nudged her foot, a little harder than before.
Her hand found its way into her robes and closed around the necklace the blond prefect had given her for Christmas. "Let a girl consider her options, would you? So..." she sighed dramatically, "I could either stay in the Dungeons with my lovely homework. Or I could spend the day with you... Hmm, that's a hard one."
Another nudge made her yelp, which earned her a look from Madame Pince that clearly said 'do-this-again-and-you-can-find-yourself-another-place-to-study'. Glaring at Draco she whispered, "Is this a way to treat your date for Valentine's Day?"
"Oh, I'm so very sorry. It won't happen again." A mischievous smile appeared on his features as he added, "I'll make sure to step on your feet next time, not just nudge them..."
Re: You Are One Weird Kid
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 06-13-04 11:28
Tranquillina happily found herself in the Great Hall just in time for lunch. She looked around, spotted Logan and Sora, and plopped down beside them.
"Hallo!" She greeted happily, and immediatly began to fill up her plate. Sora smiled and passed some food in Tranquillina's direction (which Tranquillina gladly accepted). Logan, on the other hand, seemed distant and in deep thought.
"You O.K., Logan?" Tranq asked, growing concerned. Logan blinked, then looked at Tranquillina as it registered she had spoken. "I mean.... you don't seem.. quite yourself."
"Ehhm..I was just thinking.." Logan replied. Tranquillina eyed him a minute, exchanged a glance with Sora, then proceeded to focus on her meal.
Leaving the Great Hall, Tranquillina decided to settle in the Gryffindor Common rooms. She curled up in a chair, looked at the fire for sometime, then devulged into her book.
A Puzzle to Solve
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 06-13-04 13:23
Logan walked with Tranquillina and Sora slowly back to Gryffindor Hall. He said goodbye to Tranq as she settled into a large overstuffed chair with a book, and paused a moment as she started staring into the fire, lost in thought herself...
Following Sora upstairs to their room, Logan watched as he as he petted Felix for a bit and then just seemed to fall asleep on his way to the pillow. Logan chuckled to himself at the antics of poor Sora...he should actually walk with some sort of "Pillow Spell" surrounding him at all times. He was always crashing or running into something...now that was an idea...Logan thought...a "Pillow Spell" for Sora.
He sat down on the edge of his bed and began to think once again about the young man he had seen. The ghost part hadn't surprised him at all...well it did surprise him after especially when he thought he was an actual person at first. What was strange was the fact that it seem the young man was staring at HIM. That is what was puzzling him for now. NOT the ghost part but the fact that so far, "he" was the only one to seem to realize the young man was there. Well at least he "thought" he was. He was pretty sure Prof. Dumbledore probably knew all about him... since Prof. Dumbledore seemed to know everything that went on at Hogswart. But this was a puzzle that Logan wanted to figure out himself. Maybe if he continued seeing him, he should try to talk with him. Find out a bit about him...that was an idea. He would just keep his eyes open and see what happened.....
Lunch at the Pots & Pages
Author: Ellspeth
Date: 06-13-04 14:13
Julian moved around the counter and towards the door, holding it open for Ellspeth. "You said Pots & Pages is your next stop. They serve lunch so what say I treat you?"
Ellspeth was pleasantly surprised at the invitation for lunch and accepted graciously. As he pulled the door shut behind them she quickly pulled her scarf a bit tighter as a gust of wind blew down the road, sending the snowflakes dancing into corners of windows and quickly filling the steps of people walking here and there. This was definitely a day to be indoors for "most" people, for her personally, the surprises and energy of the different seasons always brought a smile to her face.
They both held their coats tightly around them as they made their way through the snow drifts piled near the sides of the buildings.
"Thank you so much for inviting me to lunch. Is it that obvious I don't know that many of the inhabitants of Hogsmeade?" She laughed.
As they stroll along, Julian told Ellspeth about some of the vintage books on herbs and teas he could acquire for her if she's interested. As the reach Pots & Pages, Julian once again held the door open, listening as Ellspeth replied.
"I have always had a dream of living here. Finally this past year I made the decision to move and open my own Shoppe. It is something I have always wanted. Something I couldn't really do in downtown London. This is wonderful. I am even really enjoying the snow for the first time in my life."
They both enter Pots & Pages, quickly shaking and stomping off the snow as they enter. Ahh ~~ Ellspeth thought, the smell of books and fresh coffee...wonderful. She waited a moment after hanging her cloak on the rack by the door, as Julian did the same....
I Will If You Will
Author: Kody
Date: 06-13-04 17:53
Famished after not being able to eat their usual snack on the walk from Charms to Potions, Drake and Kody had practically flown out class in a rush to get to the Great Hall for supper. They slow to a jog going through the doors and over to the Ravenclaw table, and in one motion unceremoniously dump their book bags by two seats while sliding onto those very seats.
Kody eyes an empty plate in front of another student. "Guess they aren't serving yet. Wish they'd hurry. Feel like I'm wasting away."
Drake grabs two apples from a fruit filled bowl and passes one to Kody. Around the half of the apple he's just bitten off, Drake asks, "You going to ask Emma on the tunnel of love ride Saturday?"
For a reason he can't explain, Kody feels his face flush. Ducking his head, pretending to be searching for something in his book bag, Kody mumbles, "Don't know. Hadn't even thought about it."
The last statement is a fib and Drake knows it. He gives Kody a playful punch on the arm. "Have too! You know you want to. Ask her tonight."
Kody suddenly sits up straight and turns to Drake with an impish little grin. "I'll ask Emma but only if you ask Ariana."
The grin widens as now it's Drake's turn to blush. As Kody starts to chuckle, Drake sputters, "What makes you believe I think of Ariana as anything but a friend?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's the way you bore a hole in the back of her head staring at her in Transfiguration."
"That doesn't mean a thing. She sits in front of me so I have to look at her head sometimes."
"She sits behind you in Charms so that must be why you sometimes try to do an owl imitation, swiveling your neck around to peek at her."
"Just stretching. Sort of like how you stretch your own neck in Defense Against the Dark Arts and always stretch in the direction Emma sits." Drake says this with a smug tone but one laced with humor and good naturedness.
Kody makes a face at Drake then once again the impish grin appears. "So, you ask Ariana and I'll ask Emma. But maybe not tonight. Maybe tomorrow."
Drake nods, all of a sudden solemn, "Tomorrow's good. After breakfast. I'm not as likely to screw it up on a full stomach. Right after lunch would work too. Gives us time to think about what to say."
Kody nods at his friend's sage words. Emma knows he likes her and he knows she likes him but asking her to go on the tunnel of love ride with him seems like a giant step.
Before his thoughts about Saturday overrun him, food begins to appear on the table. Glad to shift his attention to eating, Kody heaps his plate high and digs in.
Brain Activity-challenged Have Rights Too!
Author: Adam Sparrow
Date: 06-13-04 20:29
Molly wouldn't be in until after lunch. Adam chastized himself for procrastenating the renovation of the shop that would allow it to be fully accessble to him. He tried to reach the empty vacuum pots but reaching the highest point on a quidditch pitch would have been just as easy. Adam sat back in his chair, frustrated. Sidi had stayed through the morning rush before she apparated to Sighisoara. Their usual morning arguement caused both to forget to fill the pots and move them to the lower counter by the sink.
Today was the day she was giving her favorite exam to the students. They were to conjure up a spirit by using one of three types of incantation; beseeching, compelling and Sidi's ultimate favorite - invoking. She had been talking about it all week, excited to learn who were of superior mind and magic by means of which technique they chose. Adam was sick of hearing about it. He thought it was just plain weird, commenting that she should leave the poor dead people alone and not embarass them by making them jump through hoops in the name of higher education.
He knew Sidi hated it when he rained on her parade.
"Adam! They have to learn this!!" She slammed her spoon down on the table making both their coffee's spill a bit over the edge of the cup and onto the table.
Adam was relentless.
"Did you inform the brain activity-challenged that they'd be dragged away from whatever it is they are doing to stand and stare at a goof-ball student?"
He went on to support his opinion by giving multiple examples.
Sidi sipped her coffee and scowled. "No, I did not. It doesn't work that way. I give them a choice as to whom they'll conjure up! You have to make it a bit enjoyable you know!"
Adam shrugged. "Enjoyable to whom? What if they're eating dinner?" He slathered a toasted bagel with creamcheese and took a bite.
"What??!"
"Yeah!" Adam was certain he found an arguement his wife couldn't win. What if, like when you're eating dinner and all those marketing people call you and your dinner is cold when you finally get to come back and eat it!"
Sidi abandoned her breakfast. She threw the napkin down on the table and went to gather her briefcase and coat.
"This is the stupidest conversation I've ever had! Those in the spirit world don't eat like we do and thats not the point anyway!"
"What if its something just as enjoyable? He retorted through a mouth full of eggs.."
She slapped him on the back of the head just before she disappeared. "You are insufferable!!"
Visitors
Author: Adam Sparrow
Date: 06-13-04 20:54
Adam wheeled over to the door to grab his cane out of the umberella rack. He returned to the rows of vacuum pots. He leaned forward and used the hook of the cane to catch the neck on the copper pot. It clattered down to the floor with no damage. He used the hook again to pull it up and then sat it on the counter. It worked well until he came across a pot tht was not quite empty. He yelped in pain when he was showered with hot coffee before it landed in his lap. Angrily, he whipped the pot across the room and damned it to burn in hell for eternity even though, for the record, burning in hell would be no hardship as pots burned on a flame daily anyway.
He reached for the vodka bottle in the lower cabinet, mixing it with a glass half full of pumpkin juice. He gulped the sweet ambrosia just as the bells on the front door jingled and two fellow Hogsmeade merchants, Ellspeth, and Julian Valentine entered the shop. He was glad they couldn't see the mess behind the counter then scanned the room for the missing pot which seemed to have made its home behind a stack of real-life-sized talking golden snitches and the companion pieces the angry bludger and happy quaffle. All three came in a gift pack with a children's book boasting the beauty and value of being different.
Adam pushed the pots out of his way and wheeled over to the guests, happy to see them but wishing desperately that Molly would hurry.
"Hi, what can I do for you today?"
He looked at Julian and instantly got a bad case of insecurity. Julian, would have been considered super-model standard in the muggle world. Adam pulled at his pantlegs and tried to sit straighter and taller in his chair.
"Can I interest you in a nice cuppa? How about a great Hazelnut or Irish Creme?" He plastered a smile on his face hoping they'd take him up on one of the two lowest pots on the shelves.
Funeral
Author: Professor Belladonna Sinistra
Date: 06-13-04 23:27
I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die. And everyone who has life, and has committed himself to me in faith, shall not die for ever. As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. After my awaking, he will raise me up; and in my body I shall see God. I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him who is my friend and not a stranger. For none of us has life in himself, and none becomes his own master when he dies. For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord, and if we die, we die in the Lord. So, then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's possession.
Bella looked through the veil on her hat and wiped a tear from her eye. The day was gloomy, rather appropriate for a funeral. John’s father had always known how to pick times to do things, so much like his son in that way. Poor John, so stoical right now. How odd for no one to be hysterical or throwing themselves on a coffin. Even Lady Pat, who was grieving with every fiber of her being, didn't require sedation. Fancy Lady Stella doing that at Sir Anthony's funeral. Unthinkable.
Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord! So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.
It had been a peaceful death. Everyone had hoped for a peaceful death and one had been mercifully granted. Duke John, as she would always think of John's father, had been in such pain towards the end. John's sisters had been talking in the hall of giving their father an overdose of morphine the day before he died. Bella herself had only arrived an hour before her future father-in-law went to his rest, but John had managed to get in some long quality time before it was too late.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother John. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For our brother John, let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, I am Resurrection and I am Life. Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for John, and dry the tears of those who weep. You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow. You raised the dead to life; give to our brother eternal life. You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our brother to the joys of heaven. Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our brother; let our faith be our consolation and eternal life our hope.
Bella mouthed the proper responses as she discreetly held John's hand. Thank Merlin that there had been a Book of Common Prayer somewhere in the house to study. Muggles had the oddest customs, but there would be a private ceremony for the wizarding members of the family, at Lady Pat’s request. Really it made more sense to remember that one came from nature and one went back to nature. Much better than having some sort of archbishop or something of the sort depressing everybody.
Father of all, we pray to you for John, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant(s) with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you ordain when you created me, saying, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return." All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant John. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tomb. The Sun of Righteousness is gloriously risen, giving light to those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death. The Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace, having taken away the sin of the world. Christ will open the kingdom of heaven to all who believe in his Name, saying, Come, O blessed of my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you.
Into paradise may the angels lead you. At your coming may the martyrs receive you, and bring you into the holy city Jerusalem.
Everyone the Father gives to me will come to me; I will never turn away anyone who believes in me. He who raised Jesus Christ from the dead will also give new life to our mortal bodies through his indwelling Spirit. My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope. You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our brother John, and we commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless him and keep him, the Lord make his face to shine upon him and be gracious to him, the Lord lift up his countenance upon him and give him peace. Amen.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant: Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Bella walked from the gravesite, leaning on Johns arm. The arm of the Duke of Marlborough, head of his family and now one of the premiere dukes of England. Oh Merlin, what responsibility…
