A Three Hour Tour
Author: Andrew Tennyson
Date: 06-20-04 11:43
As I lurch into consciousness, I begin to take stock of my senses. The first items to come to my attention are intense cold, and the feeling of sand beneath my skin. I can hear the roar of the sea behind me, and the smell of brine and seaweed fills my nostrils. The unpleasant taste in my mouth reveals that I must have swallowed some sea water during the ordeal. I force my eyelids open, despite the great weight that seems to hold them shut. In the dim moonlight, I can make out another person's shape. *Victor?*
I struggle to my feet, much to the protest of every muscle in my body. *First things first .. if I don't dry off, I'll have pneumonia to contend with.* I pull my wand from its home in my sleeve. *Thank goodness I had the time to stow this.* "Aridus pro se!" The flick of my wand that accompanies this spell seems to flick off all of the water that has soaked my clothing with it, leaving me dry. "Now for some warmth. Lumos." With the tip of my wand thus lit, I examine the beach, searching for something with which to make a fire. Seaweed won't do, I'd have to dry it first. Then I spy some gnarled driftwood slightly farther up the beach. "Perfect! Accio driftwood!" As the spell sends driftwood hurtling my direction, I use my wand to conduct the driftwood into a pile in front of me. Once a sufficient pile has formed, I cast one last spell. "Incendio!"
Pausing for a moment to enjoy the warmth of this blaze, I once again stow my wand into my sleeve. I trot back to the water's edge, and roll Victor onto his back. *Breathing, but unconscious. The warmth of the fire ought to fix you right up, old friend.* Hooking my wrists under Victor's arms, I drag him back to the fireside, silently grateful that his magical bag makes the heavy warhammer within as light as a feather.
After a span of time that felt like hours, Victor comes to, with much indignity. "Good morning to you as well, Mr. Van Winkle" I tease. "Right ... that does it. I'm turning you into a toad ... just as soon as I can move." I chuckle at my friend's reply. "If you're feeling well enough to be sarcastic, you're well enough to at least sit up. We're on an island somewhere, but I've no clue how we're to get home. Did your master plan include that minor detail?"
Harkwell snorts in response. "My 'master plan', as you call it, didn't involve us severing the mainsail and parachuting into the sea. Why don't we just apparate back to Harkwell manor?" "Well," I reply, "as I said, we're on an island somewhere. I've no clue how far we are. Unless we drifted a very, very long way before we beached, I'd say we're too far to apparate ... we'd end up splinched." Victor groaned his assent as he finally sat up, then spoke. "There's one other thought ... there may be a Door around here somewhere. Up for a trip through the Otherworld?"
Despite the warmth of the fire next to me, a brief shiver runs up my spine at the mention of the Otherworld. My experiences on the other side have, to date, been ... unsettling. "I suppose we don't have much choice, now, do we?" Taking a deep breath to settle my nerves, I say the three words I know I'll soon regret. "Check the map."
Friday's Lunch Meeting
Author: Blossom
Date: 06-20-04 15:53
A short time before they are due to meet up with the Weasleys, Fred and Blossom apparate to Hogsmeade, arriving within half a second of each other. Blossom smooths down her skirt and pats her hair, asking Fred, "Do I look all right?"
Fred takes one of Blossom's hands in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You look fabulous though why you're so worried I don't know. It's not like your meeting Mum and Dad for the first time."
"I know but...," Blossom lets her voice trail off, unable to truly explain feeling so nervous. She ends up giving Fred a weak smile then hand in hand they walk down the street to Pots & Pages. Fred holds the door open for Blossom then steps in behind her, surveying the shop.
"Mum? Dad?" he calls out, though not too loudly. "Anyone here at all?"
Ghostly Friendship...
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 06-20-04 20:02
Logan was having the time of his life. Nathanial had been showing up at alot of his classes...it was interesting...sometimes the other students could see him and sometimes only Logan. It seem Nathanial had a somewhat jovial personality and enjoyed popping in and out of people's vision at random moments just to make them wonder if they had just seen something. Mostly he like the whisp of mist and a bit of a breeze to tickle the hair trick...Logan was finding out that Nathanial was quite the joker.
Logan had asked him about how he had become a ghost at Hogwarts, but Nathanial was a bit vague about that, obviously not wanting to talk about it quite yet. So Logan just accepted his friendship. Maybe Nathanial was just shy.
Logan only had one class today and that was History of Magic. Right now he was on his way to lunch. He was starving and really getting excited about all the excitement this weekend...he hadn't had any time to think of anything for Valentine Presents to any of his friends, but had somewhere seen something about a Candy Heart Plant...Maybe he should get one or too of those for some friends.
Quickly he began looking through his bags, papers and books, looking for the add from Ellspeth's Herbals and Etc. Then hurriedly writing a note to Ellspeth he stuffed it in an envelope and decided right after lunch he would head for the Owlry to get it posted......
Filling Orders and More...
Author: Ellspeth
Date: 06-20-04 20:34
Ellspeth had spent the morning preparing Candy Heart Plants for posting. She had several Orders and had spent much of the time getting them carefully wrapped and then packaged and "spelled" (so the poor owls wouldn't find the packages too heavy) and then took a great cartful of them to the Post Office and had them all shipped by Owl Post. She was certainly glad they were on their way. Just in time for all the festivities for tomorrow.
She had taken all the items to the School shortly after that, that she was donating to the Carnival and such. She had been so excited when she had been asked to help. She had already made plans to visit the school sometime during the day tomorrow and see how things were going. It was actually going to be such fun.
After getting all the necessities done for the day, she quickly brewed up a big pot of Hazelnut Creme Coffee, apologizing to all the various boxes of herbal teas throughout the Shoppe, and then grabbed the books on Quidditch and sat down under the Sunflower Lamp to do a bit of lite reading. This was going to be great fun. She planned on studying hard and fast to be ready for the next Quidditch Match at the School.
For a moment, Ellsepth looked up and out the window of the Shoppe. She was so happy to be here in Hogsmeade. The past few months had been wonderful...and there were still so many new people to meet and friends to make. She didn't even miss London...Now wouldn't it be fun to meet......well now that is a story for the young, she thought and began reading once again......
A Very Unlucky Day
Author: Sora
Date: 06-20-04 22:20
It hasn't been a very good morning for Sora Hearts, I'm afraid. His watch stopped working, which caused him to be very late for breakfast. He was lucky enough to snatch a couple pieces of toast from the table before it all disappeared. Also, thinking it was Thursday, Sora burst into the Potion's classroom where Professor Snape gave a surprised look. Sora gave a tiny squeak and ran back to Gryffindor Tower before he could realize what had happened.
On the way back, Sora was very unstable. It was like every step he took he ended up on the stone floor! Every few seconds, you would hear an "ouch!" or an "oh crap!" and a "shnikies!" and now and then a couple of "CHEESE AND CRACKERS!!"... but yeah, that's Sora for ye'. He also got stuck in the trick-step, yet again. It took him nearly ten minutes to get himself out. But luckily Kairi was there to help him out.
Up in the Gryffindor Tower, Sora sat carefully in a squishy armchair next to the fireplace, obviously trying not to hurt himself again. "So, Sora, how's your morning?" asked Riku, who was sitting in the couch across from Sora, who only gave a very nasty look. "How's your morning, he askes me... HOW'S YOUR MORNING?!" Sora rose up on his feet again, his fist shaking with stress as he glared at his feet. "MY WATCH STOPS WORKING, I'M LATE FOR BREAKFAST, I FORGET IT'S FRIDAY LEAVING ME TO GO TO POTIONS CLASS, MAKING ME RUNNING FOR MY LIFE BACK TO GRYFFINDOR TOWER, FALLING ON MY FACE EVERY FEW STEPS I TOOK, GIVING ME NONSTOP BLOODY NOSES, AND FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE, I'M CURSING MY SHOES FOR MY CLUMSY STREAK AND YOU ASK ME HOW MY MORNING WAS???!!!!!!!!!" Sora shouted, making Kairi and Riku shrink in their seats.
Riku on the other hand found this quite amusing. "Well, what do you expect on Friday the 13th?" he said, but it was a mistake to say that because Sora exploded, "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATT?!!! FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!!" Sora was shouting so loud that Felix and the rest of the gang came down to see what all the racket was. Tranquillina was first to speak. "Sora, what's the matter with you today?" she asked. Riku was the one to answer. "Sora's having a bad day. It's a bit unusual, but that's Friday the 13th for ya!" he said. Sora glared at the floor. "Aw shut up Riku." he mumbled. Riku only laughed. "Well, unlike you Sora, I've been having a great morning! Look at me!" he said. Sora only gritted his teeth and jumped on him.
Breaking the News
Author: Blossom
Date: 06-21-04 00:14
Molly and Arthur emerge from somewhere towards the back of the shop, closely followed by Adam Sparrow. Quick kisses and hugs are exchanged between the Weasleys, Fred, and Blossom with greetings also given by the couple to Adam. A scant two minutes later, which to the-worried-about-how-the-Weasleys-will-take-the-news Blossom seems more like two hours, and the four are seated at a table while Adam deftly shows off his sandwich making skills.
Sensing Fred and Blossom have something to say, both Arthur and Molly look expectently at the younger couple. Fred exchanges glances with Blossom who gives him a gentle nudge to the ribs in return. Shifting his gaze to his parents, a for once serious Fred takes a deep breath then plunges in. "Mum, Dad, Blossom and I are engaged and are thinking of getting married sometime in July or August."
Under the table, Blossom's hand seeks out contact with Fred's hand, finding it and taking comfort in his hand in hers while both Blossom and Fred wait for the Weasley's reactions.
Re: Breaking the News
Author: Adam Sparrow
Date: 06-21-04 09:09
Adam started to laugh. "What are you crazy? OH my god..."
Molly and Arthur both quickly turned and glared.
"Oh, yes well, I believe I'm needed....somewhere."
Adam rolled away still sniggering.
Re: A Very Unlucky Day
Author: Riku
Date: 06-21-04 09:40
"Well, unlike you Sora, I've been having a great morning! Look at me!" Riku said with a laugh. As Sora landed on Riku, throwing the both of them to the floor, Riku yelled, "NOT LIKE THAT!" The small fight ended up with Sora sulking in a chair massaging a large bump on his head, and Riku sitting across from him.
"Hey, would you look at that. It's lunchtime. I'm ready to eat. Gonna come with us Sora, or are you afraid you're going to fall on your face with every step?" Riku teased.
"Aww shut up," Sora mumbled.
"You know, if you're afraid of falling on your face I could carry you down like a baby!" Riku laughed.
"I'm not a baby! I can go on my own!" Sora replied.
"Prove it," Riku challenged.
"Fine, I will." Sora stood up and took a step forward and suddenly went downward. Fortunately for Sora, Kairi was close enough to catch him before he hit the floor. Riku on the other hand hit the floor laughing.
Io rinunciato!
Author: Hestia Jones
Date: 06-21-04 14:07
Voices bellowed through the halls. Dust was falling from the ceiling and the owls in the back of the office began to softly hoot, they had been woken up from their drowsy sleep in the middle of the day. The rest of the office was silent as everyone was intently listening to the ruckus going on in the private office down the hall.
"I don't know how you can live with yourself! You know that He Must Not Be Named is back! You and that stupid prat, Fudge, are in denial!" It was a woman's voice that was yelling, the only one of the conversation that could be heard from outside the room.
In the private office the man at the desk sat back in his chair, it squeaked under his weight. "Johnson..."
"-Jones, sir, my name is Jones," the woman lowered her tone.
"Jones, there is no proof that He Who Must Not Be Named has returned. Are we really supposed to go by what the little whinny Potter boy said four years ago?" He put his finger tips together and smiled. "Like I have told you before Jones, The Daily Prophet is not the Quibbler, we do not make up news just to sell papers."
"But, Mr. Griffith, how many times do I have to tell you I know for a fact that the Dark Lord has returned? I know this for a fact," Hestia Jones, leaned forward toward Mr. Griffith. She was serious.
Mr. Griffith raised an eyebrow, "Do you really, Miss Jones? Now how do you know this?" his voice dripped with sarcasm. A young female journalist seemed like an unlikely source for the whereabouts of supposedly gone dark wizards.
"I, er- I..." she stumbled over her words. She could not tell her sources.
He continued, "That's what I thought, Johnson. The Daily Prophet is not a place for folly political gains."
Her anger kicked in again. "Stupid git," she muttered under her breath. Mr. Griffith's ears were too full of ear wax and hair to have heard her.
"...We are here to inform the magical world of the hard core truth. I believe if you are not happy here telling the truth, you should greatly consider leaving this publication."
Hestia still sat leaning forward, her arm on the desk, she was completely shocked. Her mouth was open, but she was without words. Is he firing me? Rarely was Hestia Jones without words. Just like many times before, her outspokenness seemed to have gotten her in trouble.
"Jones?" his eyes narrowed with a concerned face.
"Ah-" her mouth opened and closed. Her hand was wrapped around her wand in her pocket.
"Well, I'm going to give you the afternoon to think about it." His faced relaxed again and he straightened up. "I believe it is best you either stop being so vocal about your eccentric ideas or you leave The Daily Prophet. Okay, Jones? Good. See you at five o'clock." He stood up, Hestia sat back in her chair.
Mr. Griffith opened the office door, "Jones?" He motioned to the open door.
"Er, yes, ah-" Hestia let go of her wand and stood up, straightening her robes. "I'llseeyoulater."
She was barely a step outside the door when Mr. Griffith shut it behind her.
I hate this place! she thought as she walked down the hall back to the news room. Voices shut up as she passed. Apparently everyone in the place had heard her conversation with Mr. Griffith again. As soon as she was passed, the voices picked up again with snickering. No one in Hestia's office liked her, which was strange because Hestia normally made friends wherever she went.
When she came to her cluttered desk in the back of the room, she was angered even more. It was like talking to a wall when she was speaking to Mr. Griffith. An ignorant wall.
If you don't like it, why don't you quit? said a voice in her head. You shouldn't stay here if you're unhappy. The Order could use more help. They need you. Your position here isn't helping them much.
Ah ha, yes! That was the answer. Help the Order full-time. Quickly she grabbed a cardboard file box and began to stuff all of her possessions into it. It wasn't much, a plant, a couple pictures (none of her, she didn't like to have her picture taken,) some quills, and quite a few notebooks of notes and proposed stories (the majority of which were either about clearing Harry Potter's name or how the Dark Lord had returned.)
Hestia didn't need until five, she had made up her mind. She stormed past the snickering coworkers carrying her box. They were silent now, wondering what she was up to. With a deep breath, she wrenched open Mr. Griffith's door.
He sat leaned back in his chair, with his feet up on the desk, reading the Quibbler. He quickly put his feet on the floor and shuffled his papers, trying to hide the magazine. The recognizable chartreuse 'Q' was still visible. "Ahem," he cleared his throat. "Yes, Johnson?" He took off his glasses and began to rub them.
"I quit!" she yelled at him and then with a crack, she Disapperated.
Re: Breaking the News
Author: Molly Weasley
Date: 06-21-04 20:46
"Married!!" Molly's hand flew to her chest. "Married!" She looked to Arthur, unable to say much more.
"Married!" Arthur smiled. "Really?........um.......why?"
"You're so young dear!" Molly patted Blossom's hand. "Why the hurry?"
