Thor's Hammer
Author: Victor Harkwell
Date: 06-14-04 00:17
The Norwegian Sea, near the coast of Trondheim.
Early morning.
The misty rain is thick aboard the airship, but a simple Lumos provides sufficient light for me. Quietly removing myself from my hiding place, I creep across the gloomy, creaking deck. The airship glides peacefully, in a westerly direction. But I cannot allow these pirates to deliver Thor's Hammer to the Shetland Islands. There, a Muggle buyer awaits this powerful artifact. My wand in one hand, I reach the other into my shoulderbag to be sure the ancient weapon is still there. The hammer is heavy and intricately designed. In spite of its weather and wear, it's still fiercely beautiful! I sigh, anxious to restore this to the Royal Museum of Magic, in London. "Expelliarmus!" I suddenly hear roaring behind me.
My wand flies from my hand, and Thor's Hammer falls upon the deck. Without looking back to see my opponent, I lunge toward my wand and retrieve it. Finally turning back, there is a giant of a pirate, whose face is covered in blue tattoos and red whiskers. In his hand is Thor's Hammer! The captain must know I'm aboard, for the speed of the airship increases drastically, veering sharply to the south. My painted friend and I are both thrown to the starboard - and Thor's Hammer from his grasp! The weapon disappears into the fog, but remains aboard. The two of us, however, are tipped over the edge. I hold tightly to the ledge, and the pirate holds tightly to the tails of my overcoat. I try to kick him free, but I become too concerned for my own safety. I do not know how much longer I can hold the two of us, and it's quite a fall before hitting the icy water below.
"This had better not make me late for my first college term," I grumble to myself.
Potions: Gryffindor & Slytherin
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 06-14-04 11:34
Professor Snape thundered into the Potions classroom, the doors nearly falling off of their hinges as they slammed against the stone walls. He reached the podium at the front of the classroom and whirled around, robes billowing and hair flowing from the swift movement. Dark eyes pierced the young faces of each Gryffindor and Slytherin student present in the classroom.
"Today we begin the unit on simple Healing potions. Mr. Hearts, I trust you've read the assignment?"
He didn't pause to allow young Sora the chance to affirm or deny Snape's question.
"What is the key ingredient for the simple antiseptic potion mentioned in the reading?"
Sora gulped and pulled at the collar of his shirt. "Uh... erm..." He chanced a frantic look at the person seated next to him, who slyly but not stealthily enough slid an open textbook towards him across the surface of the table.
"You don't know?" Snape asked. He quirked his dark eyebrows ever-so-slightly but kept his gaze stern. "Pity."
He turned away and waved his hand over the blackboard, whereupon neatly written instructions appeared.
"In groups of two, create the antiseptic potion from your text using the instructions seen here. Ingredients are in the store cabinets," Snape waved his hand in their direction, causing the doors to swing open, "you have until the end of class. Start."
Practice Makes Perfect
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 06-14-04 11:52
Luna giggles as Ginny raises her wand, "You're ready?"
Luna nods, her right leg planted firmly next to Ginny's left one. Ginny points her wand at their legs. "Conjointius!"
The girls watch in fascination as the two legs become one, their giggles turning into deep laughter as they find the process tickles a great deal. Once the transformation is complete, Ginny pockets her wand and slides her left arm around Luna's waist. Luna then puts her right arm around Ginny's waist and the two do their best to stand straight. Still giggling but more composed now, Luna says, "Ready... steady... go!"
The two begin running down a course they've marked out, stumbling about a quarter of the way along. The laughter comes full force again as they figure out how to stand back up. They hobble back to the start and get set once more.
Ginny and Luna plan to practice the rest of the day, stopping only for lunch, for the three-legged race and maybe get in a little practice for the balloon toss as well. By Saturday, they hope to be the best team in both contests!
New Signs & a Cuppa
Author: Ellspeth
Date: 06-14-04 12:26
Tuesday morning found Ellspeth going through her cupboards looking for Hazelnut Creme Coffee...after yesterday’s lunch at Pots & Pages, she remembered just how wonderfully warm and comforting a hot mug of coffee could be. Granted she had every sort of tea you could imagine, and even sometimes felt a bit of a traitor when she enjoyed a good hot mug of coffee once in a while. But yesterday had brought back memories of cozy little chats with her sister Pol in the small flat in London. Rainy days full of mist, sitting near a heater reading books and drinking Hazelnut Coffee. She decided she just had to have some. Besides, she argued with herself, she had totally forgotten to pick up the book on Quidditch. Someone had mentioned that Mr. Sparrow enjoyed the game and she thought he just might have a book or two on the subject.
She would just pop over in a few and see about both things in a bit. But right now she needed to get the sign ready for the windows. She brought out some wonderfully pink posterboard and set it up on her easel and then taking wand in had, carefully tapped her chin for a moment, think of the best way to present the Special for Valentine's Day.
A moment later she was waving her wand here and there, writing appearing on the poster, and cute little hearts and flowers popping into mid air and then nestling themselves here and there all over the paper. After another moments worth of thought...she made a bit more waving and a picture of her Candy Heart Plant poofed into the air above the poster and then settled itself in the center of the picture, bright little colored candy hearts appearing here and there throughout the leaves on the plant, cheery little saying popping on and off. The leaves on the plant waving pleasantly as you watched and read about how much fun it would be to have one of these "cute" plants for you special someone for this year. Satisfied with the new sign, she used a quick little "Swish & Flick" of the wand and moved the sign into the window. Then stepping quickly outside she looked to see if it needed anything else. "Perfect," she said to herself. Then adding to actual plants to the window near the sign she decided she would run over to Pots & Pages to check on that delicious coffee.
A moment later she was on her way. She opened the door gently and inhaled once again the aroma of the fresh coffee beans/book smell. She knew that someday someone was going to have to bottle that aroma...it was heavenly and sure to make them a fortune...
"Hello? Mr. Sparrow?" she called quietly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the place. "Is anyone here.....?"
Nathanial Jackson?
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 06-14-04 13:06
Logan had be up and dressed since early morning. He now was totally on the look out for the "ghostly" young man. He had thought of everything he could remember about him and was trying to figure out ways to possibly find out who he was. He had decided to start checking in some of the archives of Student Records, to see if he could find any pictures of the young man. But more than anything he was hoping he would just show up again and at least talk to him.
No matter what, this was an interesting bit of mystery that had piqued Logan's interest. For some strange reason, it finally made him feel more part of the school. He had been feeling like he just wasn't fitting in before...now something was actually "happening" to him. Some kind of adventure...if only a bit. It was great. It just added that bit of "spring" to his step that made him really love the idea of being at Hogwarts. Something exciting was happening to HIM!!!
Just then he walked around a corner and down the hall that lead into the Great Hall and noticed the young man at the doorway. Maybe this was his chance. Logan quickened his pace a bit. But just before he reached him, the young man just smiled, and then turned and walked through the wall he had been standing near. Disappointed, Logan walked slowly into the Great Hall and sat down. Looks like he would have to wait a bit more.
He quickly picked up something for breakfast and headed for the Gryffindor table. Spreading his books out near his plate, he began studying a bit for Herbology. That was his first glass after lunch...might as well get a bit extra studying in while he was there.
He had been concentrating on his reading when he noticed someone had sat down beside him. Looking over casually, he noticed it was the young man!!!
"Hi, Logan," he said. "I'm Nathanial...Nathanial Jackson. I have been watching you...."
Logan's eyes widened just a bit as he tried to think of something to say.
One Class Ends, Another Begins
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 06-14-04 14:23
As Professor Flitwick announces the homework assignment for his second year Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students, Fritz hastily dips his speckled-feathered quill into a small well of ink before scribbling down the assignment. He's still writing when Flitwick dismisses the class, but quickly finishes and collects his parchment, quill and ink and stuffs them into his book satchel. He slings the bag over his shoulder and rises from his seat, tucking his Charms textbook under his arm as he follows Coco out of the classroom.
They amble through the densely-packed corridor, talking about the upcoming carnival and the events they've signed up for. Fritz has no doubt in his mind that they have a good shot at winning at least one. He and Coco make a good team!
The pair stop on one of the staircases as it jerks suddenly to change. Once it stops, they take a detour they hadn't wanted to but which doesn't take up too much of what little time they have between classes. Eventually finding themselves at the grand staircase, they walk down to the ground floor and then to the staircase to the dungeons. Once underneath the castle, Fritz and Coco walk to the Potions classroom, where Professor Snape is busily stowing away flasks from an earlier class into a storage cabinet behind his desk.
They take their seats and await the start of class.
Potions... again
Author: Sora
Date: 06-14-04 15:01
"Today we begin the unit on simple Healing potions. Mr. Hearts, I trust you've read the assignment?"
Sora at once straightened up with his eyes wide open. He opened his mouth to say something, but Snape apparently didn't give Sora the chance to respond to his question. "What is the key ingredient for the simple antiseptic potion mentioned in the reading?" the Professor asked. Sora gulped and pulled at the collar of his shirt. "Uh... erm..."
Oh great! Just when I know the answer, it blows out of my head!! Thought Sora. He looked desperately over to Roane, as she slowly slid her textbook over to him. That's not gonna work...! he thought. He looked back up to Snape, who only gave Sora his usual stern look. "Pity."
As Snape turned around to the blackboard to magic some instructions, Sora sank down a few inches in his chair. Darn... I wish my brain were as big as my shoes... he thought. He sat normaly in his chair again, with a slight smile on his face well. At least he didn't take away any points from Gryffindor.
The Plan
Author: Natalie Rose
Date: 06-14-04 17:15
Natalie sat down at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. She placed her bag on the floor next to her and opened it to grab a quill. She opened the heart locket and started to scribble a response to Bobby from the note he had sent during her last class.
"Hey Bobby… I give Cannona my approval for your affections… She seems very nice and since she's Steven's younger sister I know she must hold high morals and values… I hope you can get up the nerve to ask her out for Saturday. Worse thing that can happen is she says no and I find it highly unlikely that she would do something like that. She would be stupid to turn you away. Sometimes I feel you're one of the only good guys left. I have to go now, it's dinner here. O, and in response to your suggestion for solving my Rolan dilemma, No, I will not just go up to Rolan and tell him that if he doesn't ask me out he'll be making the worst mistake of his life. That was sweet to suggest but somehow I don't think some boy I've never even talked to would take that well. He'd probably send me to the hospital wing thinking I lost my marbles. Have a good night. I will talk to you in the morning. Love Always, Natalie"
"Hey Natalie," Hermione said when she noticed Natalie was finished writing, "Have you seen these order forms for the candy heart plants" I think a certain seventh Ravenclaw boy might enjoy one," she added slyly.
"O yes, Rolan would just love receiving a present from me. He'll have to ask the whole school who I am and when he finds out he'll probably go into hiding. It seems like lately everyone has had a suggestion on what I should do." Natalie answered.
"Well he doesn't have to know it's from you. You could sign it as a secret admirer like the person who's been sending you a rose each day."
"O yes, this way I drive him crazy first and then I drive him into hiding. That sounds like an even more disastrous plan."
"O come on Natalie, you were planning on sending a plant to your Uncle Iris anyway, and you haven't stopped thinking about Rolan since the last Quidditch match. Why not just place a second order on the form and send it to Rolan. When he receives the plant we can gage his reaction. If he seems totally appalled at the idea of having a secret admirer we'll leave it at that, if not we'll take it from there. Just fill out the form and give it to me. I'll wait till you decide what you want to do and then I'll send it, this way you won't tell me that your sending the order and never do."
"So what your saying is I have no choice and you're going to make me do this whether I want to or not?"
"Yea pretty much."
"Well when you put it that way I guess I don't have a choice."
"No not really. I mean the plan can't go wrong."
"Well ok then, I'll do it but make sure you don't send it before I tell you it's ok."
Natalie filled out two forms, one for her Uncle Iris telling him that she missed him and thanking him for always being so loving every day of the year. The next was for Rolan, which she simply signed, "From someone who has admired you from afar." She laughed at herself she had never done anything like this, but then again she had time to think about if she would do anything at all. She gave the two forms to Hermione with some money and ate her dinner.
Later on that night Natalie was sitting before the fire and reading a book when, Hermione walked in through the portrait hole. Natalie looked up and told Hermione, "I decided not to send Rolan the plant because I just don't think it's ever going to work out. I mean he's so good looking and intelligent and he seems to be so popular among his friends. There's no way possible he would ever want to even talk to someone like me."
Hermione stared at her for a few seconds and then her face broke into a huge smile. "How can you not see how much you deserve someone Natalie? If not Rolan, then he's making a huge mistake. I mean that. I know, we've only just become friends but I can see you for who you truly are. Anyway it doesn't matter. I've already sent out the forms."
"HERMIONE!" Natalie shrieked. "I can't believe you." She tried to sound angry but it wasn't possible through the smile that could be seen on her whole face, her eyes even seemed to be grinning.
Hermione laughed and told her that she could thank her later and Natalie went back to reading her charms assignment, much happier then she had been earlier.
Organized?
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 06-14-04 18:27
Staring at the pile of papers mounded in front of me, I wonder how I ever manage to pull off even a little bit of organization much less my usual level of efficiency. And to think, every one of these papers has to do with the upcoming carnival. It's only a few days away now and there still seems to be so much left to do. Sighing as I wonder what I've gotten myself into volunteering to put this thing together, I begin going over yet another list and hope that the next few days go by very slowly so I can get everything done.
Dressing the Sacrifice
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 06-14-04 18:29
Bellatrix paced backwards and forwards across the Persian rug in her bedroom. Rodolphus sat on the bed and stared at her with a dismayed expression on his face.
"I just can't do it!" she said, her voice bordering on hysterics.
"Good Gad, Bellatrix!" bellowed Rodolphus, standing up. "It's only a party!"
She ripped off the beaded jet choker she was wearing and threw it across the room. "It's not that! I can deal with your insipid friends and your little secret society, it's this dress!"
"And what's wrong with it?" he reasoned.
"It's… dove grey!" Bellatrix spat. "I feel like a stupid muggle in this thing. It has a train!"
Rodolphus sat down again. "The only way they'll let you into the Gentleman's Club is if you're dressed…up. We've been through this many times and you know that black just isn't acceptable for a woman."
Bellatrix moved the yards of offending dove grey silk out of the way and rustled over to where her husband sat. Then she leaned over until she was inches from his face. "If that Nathaniel Hawkins even dares to crack a smile in my presence I shall rip his pretty head from his body!"
Rodolphus took her arm and steered her to one side deftly. "Please don't upset my friends, dearest, you know how much this means to me."
For a brief moment Bellatrix's eyes rolled up into her head. Rodolphus took this as a sign that she was desperately trying to keep her temper in check. Just.
"Very well then," she relented. "I'll play along with your poxy friends for the moment, but remember, you owe me one. I hate this dress!"
