Happy Birthday (Not!)
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 09-06-04 05:06
I got up early and realized it was my birthday, but with what was going on at home I felt anything but happy.
I trudged down to the Great Hall not knowing why I didn't feel hungry and I just sat there looking at the food. I managed to just pour some pumkin juice and sipped that when the mail began to arrive. Spotting Morgana my stomach turned. I didn't want to know what she was carrying. I saw a package and a few letters in her beak and claws, and I sighed as she landed in front of me and delivered my mail.
She cocked her head to the side as I just looked at the package and gave a small hoot. I picked up the letters and stroked Morgana. "Sorry girl, it's just I'm worried about mum and dad." I said and handed her a strawberry tart, which she took happily and flew back to the owlery. I opened the letters and saw they were birthday cards and greetings from my friends, then came the package I din't want to open it for fear of what may be in it.
Picking up my things I headed back to Gryffindor Tower to drop off my things and get to class before everyone else did.
Application
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 09-06-04 16:01
Harry glances up and across the table at an almost back to normal Ron. He passes a piece of parchment across to his friend. "Your personal information is all filled out."
Hermione, to Ron's right, speaks up just then, though not too loudly so as not to incur Madam Pince's wrath. "Almost done with this page as well."
"Thanks, you two. I'm about done with this essay and then this application will be ready to send," Ron says, referring to his application to St. Emrys's school of flying and sports, Wright College. After the realization that he did indeed need a backup plan, after being released from the hospital wing, Ron had immediately sent off for the application. With Hermione's and Harry's help, Ron has sped through getting all the paperwork completed.
Also with Hermione's help Ron quickly settled into a study routine for the N.E.W.T.s. Most of today has been spent divided between homework, studying, and getting the application ready to send off. Within a few minutes of Harry finishing the last portion he'd been given of Ron's application, Ron has all the pages of parchment neatly folded and in an envelope.
Harry reaches for the envelope. "How about I have Hedwig take this? She's been eager for a long flight. I'll meet you in the Great Hall."
The three gather up their things, Hermione and Ron heading out the door to the Great Hall, glad that supper is a good excuse to take a break. Harry hustles to the owlery, makes short work of getting the envelope to Hedwig and is soon on his way down to rejoin his friends, also very glad for a reason to take a break.
Eye of Newt, Tongue of Bat...
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 09-06-04 19:22
Carefully, I read over the list of ingredients for about the seventh time. This is the strangest "curing" potion I have ever encountered. Each and every component, by itself, has at least one severe harmful effect on human beings. And yet, here is the recipe, written in black and white, in the Abstracts of the Ancient Alchemical Society of Switzerland. I remove my reading glasses and rub my eyes before returning to the list.
extract of belladonna - 1 part
elixer of hemlock - 3 parts
back-skins from six golden frogs
fly agaric - 2 parts
cobra venom - 1 part
.....
.....
The list goes on for almost half a page. I check them off, one by one, against the inventory on my counter top. All present and accounted for... I mutter as I assemble the necessary glassware for producing this "curative". Beakers, retorts, small cauldron, bottles, etc., are set neatly at one end of the counter. With a mental shrug, I set to work. The only problem I have not yet solved is, "How amd I going to test this blasted stuff?"
Dig Dig Dig
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 09-06-04 19:22
Julian puts the closed sign on the door, exits the shop, and locks the door behind him. After months of moping and having practically no social life, Julian has a date. He'd known Lizzie years ago, before he'd even met Helena. This morning the door to Twice Told Tales opened and in walked a vaguely familiar figure. After this customer and Julian had spent several minutes exchanging surreptitious glances, they placed each other at about the same time.
Over tea for Lizzie and coffee for Julian the two caught up while Julian kept one eye on the shop. This is when Julian learned that Lizzie is very recently divorced. By the time Lizzie left an hour later, they'd agreed that she would return this evening for dinner at Julian's flat.
Julian has fresh swordfish to grill along with the makings for a salad and some prawns for an appetizer. He has a nice selection of wine. What he doesn't have is anything for a dessert but that's easily fixed by a quick trip to the bakery. Maybe some little fruit tarts.
Julian strolls into Briar's Bakery, not the least bit surprised to see Bill the Weasel standing behind the counter. Spying Julian, the other man bites out, "Valentine."
"Weasley. Gringotts got wise and fired you, did they? Explains why you're here so much."
Bill ignores the jab, instead saying, "Briar's the only one here today. I'm just waiting on her to finish changing Grace and close up so we can go to dinner. I can help you with whatever you need."
Julian taps the display glass. "That tart. I'll take it."
Bill moves with the ease of someone who knows where things are located, getting a box and carefully placing the tart inside. As he hands over the pastry box and takes Julian's money, Julian casually asks, "So, when are you going to finally pop the question and make an honest woman of Briar? Give your kid a name?"
By this time Julian knows Grace has to be his. For one thing, Molly and Arthur do not act like grandparents nor does Bill act like a doting father. He seems to be much more the kindly uncle; but, it is so much fun to make little digs at Weasel.
Weasel's reply is such that Julian can openly smirk.
"Who's to say I haven't asked and been turned down?"
As Julian opens the door to leave, he takes one last pot shot. "Yes, well, other than one, very short lapse, Briar has good taste in who shares her bed."
Chuckling, Julian heads for home, already thinking about what Lizzie might like for breakfast.
Return to Hogsmeade
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 09-06-04 19:51
After a long absence from the village he'd once called home, Lysander Stratford apparated to Hogsmeade. He stood still for a long moment and scanned the length of High Street, taking in each change and every constant since his last presence in the village. New shoppe signs hung over doors and colorful awnings stretched over wide display windows. Familiar storefronts beckoned visitors closer, and Hogwarts Castle still loomed in the distance. Hogsmeade appeared different and the same all at once.
Walking off the street onto a small path that led to the cemetery, Lysander pulled a sweatshirt over his head and stuffed his hands into his pockets. Although spring lingered in the air, the weather differed drastically from what he'd grown used to during his stay in the Caribbean. He stepped off of the path and approached a neatly-kept grave, which bore the name Chyler Stratford. Lysander's wife had tragically passed away while giving birth to their child, who did not survive. It, unnamed but not unloved, lay with its mother.
Lysander knelt before the tombstone and thought of Chyler. Minutes passed to hours, but the aching husband remained by his wife's side until it grew dark. Then with only moon and stars to guide him, he left the cemetery. He wandered onto High Street once more and let his feet carry him to Twice Told Tales, where he hoped to see Julian. When he got to the front door Lysander found it locked. He pawed his pocket for the key, pausing only when he heard approaching feet coming from behind him. Turning around and looking up, Lysander found a very bewildered Julian staring at him with a cake box in his hands.
Lysander greeted, "Hello Julian."
Annoyances
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 09-06-04 20:20
Michael read the letter from the ministry. Yet another uninformativereply from that odious woman, Umbridge. She actually had the gall to ask what business of his Dierna's dissaperence was. What business of his was it? Dierna is his partner! Umbridge was one of the few people who could actually make Michael trully angry. That took a lot!
Still, Dierna was clever and had a knack for getting out of tough situations (matched only by her ability to get into them). Michael knows she can handle herself, but the woman can really be too stubborn. She doesn't know when to quit.
Throwing down the paper, and resisting the urge to write an uncharacteristically rude letter Michael takes a breath and calms himself.
A few moment later, clam as usual, Michael enters the classroom where the fourth year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students are taking their seat.
"Good Morning, everyone. Please hand your essays to the front of the class and open your text to page three hundred and twelve."
Going to Lunch
Author: Prof Sorcha
Date: 09-07-04 15:40
Sorcha had just completed her last class of the day. As the seventh years walked out of the room they turned in a creative writing essay that they had written in an obscure ancient writing form. She smiled at the students as they left the room to go on to the next thing they had waiting for them.
When they had finally left, Sorcha closed the classroom door and returned to her desk. She placed her elbows on the desk and used her hands to support her forehead. She sighed and said, "I know what you're going to say. I'm not working too hard, and I am eating enough," She looked up at Ailsa, who was looking at her from the other side of the room.
"I'm just not hungry at the moment, I'll eat lunch later." She paused for a moment. "No, I don't plan on skipping lunch like I did yesterday." She paused again. "I need to get out more? This coming from someone who whines and complains every night that it's too cold outside?" Sorcha sat up straight. "I've always had a light skin tone, you know that." She paused again. "When did you become a human psychologist?"
Sorcha stood up and walked over to the window closest to Ailsa. "Fine, go. Go find yourself lunch while I go eat." Sorcha opened the window and Ailsa flew out. Sorcha then turned and walked out of the classroom down to the Great Hall.
Unasked Question
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 09-07-04 18:21
Julian glances at the clock visible through the open office door. Lysander should be back with lunch any time now. Lysander being back period is something Julian is still having trouble wrapping his thoughts around. The last time Julian had seen Lysander face to face, only one month ago, his friend still seemed to be in a state of mind not yet ready to return to Hogsmeade even for a few hours.
Yesterday evening, Lysander and he had talked while Julian prepped the swordfish to be cooked and tossed a salad together. When Lizzie showed up right on time, Lysander had said hello then retreated to the other flat, his parting words, "I'll open in the morning."
Lizzie and Julian had lingered over breakfast before she laughed about how late she was going to be to work, gave Julian a kiss, then disapparated. Julian showered, dressed, then headed down the interior stairs to the shop, finding Lysander busy with a customer. They quickly fell into the old, comfortable routine of working together. Neither needed to say aloud the void felt by Chyler's absence.
Lysander appears in view, walking down the street toward the shop, carry out food containers in his hands. Watching his friend, it occurs to Julian that he's not yet asked Lys how long he's going to stay. It's a question Julian's not sure he wants an answer to.
Here to Stay
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 09-08-04 15:22
Lysander stood within the stacks and emptied a box of new arrivals into the section on Herbology. He had just placed an old manuscript on magical roots onto the shelf when the door jingled open and into the store came Julian, who had just gone out to fetch two Tea-To-Go cups from Pots & Pages.
Abandoning the remainder of boxed books to quench his thirst, Lysander walked up to the front counter, where Julian handed him a cup of tea. He took a sip and then another, and then felt the need to explain his unexpected return to Hogsmeade to his very best friend.
"I woke up yesterday with the feeling that it was simply time to come back. It wasn't planned or a particularly thought out decision. I just did it, and here I am."
When Julian didn't say anything, Lysander paused to collect his thoughts. He took another sip of tea and said, "I don't regret it, and I think I'm here to stay," he paused again and managed to crack a smile, "if you don't mind having a flatmate again."
"I was hoping you'd stay," Julian said. A pair of dimples punctured his cheeks as he smiled somewhat mischievously and added, "I could use some help around here!"
Lysander laughed, perhaps for the first time in over a year, and said, "That settles it then."
Spring Cleaning, Early
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 09-08-04 18:33
"No." A dark blue dress came flying out of the closet to land at Rodolphus' feet. He continued to stand there, used to his wife's tirades of abuse.
"And no." The white dress from the Valentine ball hit the expensive Persian rug.
Rodolphus pinched the bridge of his nose with both fingers of his right hand, shutting his eyes in an attempt to remain calm. "Could we have this conversation facing each other rather than me holding it with the closet door?" he snapped.
There was a sudden silence from inside, as if the calm before the storm. Bellatrix stalked out of the closet and stood staring at Rodolphus, both hands on her hips. "Was that a threat, dear?" she asked sweetly, a malicious grin on her face. "Because if it was…"
"Look Bella, I wanted to know what your plans were for next week, that's all! I'm going to some chess party with the Knights and I wanted to know if you were free or not."
Bellatrix made a face. "Chess? Why would I do that when I know I can whip your ass any day? Feel free to go ahead, I might have to pop out to the BOO to pick up some things. I left my favorite knife out there, you know."
Rodolphus felt a lot better now that he could go alone. As much as he loved his wife, she just didn't fit in with the crowd down at the club. He'd had a hard enough time last fall when his wife had publicly humiliated Nathaniel Hawkins. "Have you seen the Daily Prophet?" he asked, changing the subject.
Bellatrix smiled that cat-got-the-cream look she did so well. "Yes I did. I'm very impressed with the job Lucius did on Weasley. Actually programmed the man to believe it was all Fudge's doing. I would love to see that man squirming now down at the Ministry. I can imagine all the fun Lucius is having listening to those naughty rumors first hand!" She laughed. "I wonder, do I make a good Natasha though…"
A sudden calculating look came over her face. "I do however question what the Weasley's will think when poor Charlie starts having the urge to wear black all the time, though. Just a little prank on my part during the reprogramming but a lot of fun anyway."
Rodolphus was out the hallway and missed most of the last part of the conversation. He stuck his head around the door, a puzzled look on his face. "What dear?" he said.
"Nothing, just a small joke, that's all," she replied, smirking.
Busy Friday
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 09-09-04 10:04
Friday. Vera's least favorate day of the week. From 9AM to 3PM Vera was busy running around to classes. She woke up early and headed to the Great Hall for a bit of breakfast and a little study time for her Potions class which was first. To Vera's suprise Susan came down to join her.
"Hey Susen! What are you doing up so early huh? I thought you didn't have class until 10?"
Susan helped herself to a peice of sasage from Vera's plate. "I don't. Just thought you'd like some company!" She smiled.
Vera laughed. "Company? Or you just wanted to steal all my food?" Susan was still picking at her friends plate.
"You know it.....!" Susan grinned and then put her own plate of food together.
Just a bit later Lawrence came down and joined the two. "Hey! Mind if I join you pretty ladies?" He asked already sitting next to Vera.
"No." Susan and Vera said in unison.
"Oh," Lawrence had already gotten a plate of food going. "Well too bad I'm here to stay!" Vera leand over and kissed his cheek. "No worries mate." She said mimiking her boyfriends Australian accent. Lawrence laughed.
"Well, we've a long day today huh?" Said Lawrence.
"Yeah. Just another Friday. I'll see ya at noon for a bit o'lunch though." Vera looked over to him and smiled.
End of the First Week
Author: Australia Kingston
Date: 09-09-04 14:59
Aussie enters Yellow cafeteria to grab some lunch between classes. Friday mornings she has a three hour long flying seminar in which the students learn all the ins and outs of teaching the art of flying. Properly instructing others to fly safely and well is much harder than one would imagine.
After lunch Aussie has a Quidditch class. In this class coaching methods are covered. Not only is Aussie learning how to be a coach but all the insights she's learning will be of great, and practical, use in her job as a recruiter. Also today is her Quidditch Through The Ages class. Between these three classes and two others along with work, Aussie's been very busy.
She's also very thankful for her Hogwarts experience. Even though they are just one week into the term, to Aussie it's very apparent who's had formal education in some sort of school such as Hogwarts and who has not. Those who haven't seem to be struggling with some of the assignments and several in her classes were not prepared for quizzes this first week. After having professors like Snape and McGonagall, Aussie feels she's well prepared for whatever challenge St. Emrys throws her way!
Busy Friday
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 09-09-04 17:27
Viktor finishes making sure all the stands are in good order then moves to the pitch itself. He spends time raking the sand around the goal posts and putting fresh markings down to designate the different parts of the playing field. After that he heads to the dressing rooms to do a final walk through to ensure all is ready for tomorrow's championship match. The last thing he attends to is to triple check the balls.
As Viktor walks back to the castle for lunch, he mentally checks off items from a list. He plans to spend the afternoon checking out the school brooms so that he knows how many new ones to order for next year. Viktor is also working on a written pitch for making the flying workshops mandatory to give the first and second years more air time practice. The participation in Quidditch at the workshops would still be optional. Maybe Viktor could add in some other sport, such as Quodpot. As far as the flying portion goes, Viktor's got in mind to add in obstacles for the students to manuever around and through.
The only thing these days weighing heavily on Viktor's mind is the fact that so far he's not come up with any additional information to help Ethan. At least his friend's getting a new trial. Perhaps by then Viktor will have made a useful contribution. Letting these thoughts swirl around in his head, a now distracted Viktor enters the castle, letting his legs automatically carry him into the Great Hall for his midday meal.
Study Food
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 09-09-04 19:44
Tranquillina plopped her books down and sat down next to Roane, shooting a glare over her shoulder at the snickering Slytherins.
So many of their friends had left the past week or so: Sora, Logan, Riku and Kairi. Tranquillina was tremendously grateful for Roane and Rikku, but still felt highly miserable. In fact, she had cried bitterly just the night before.
Out of the corner of her eye, Tranquillina could see Roane was still thinking about the others. Stealing one of Roane's fries, Tranquillina though a bit. What a way to end the school year! She decided to turn Roane's mind to other things. School work was Roane's forte, and she knew she could distract Roane by asking for help with their homework.
"Eh, Roane...." Tranq began, even though she knew the answer to the question. "What year did the Great Revolt occur in?"
Countdown to NEWTs
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 09-10-04 09:44
While waiting for Charms class to begin, Hermione flipped through her day planner to the end of the month and beyond, where nearly two-weeks worth of days were marked in bold, red ink indicating the N.E.W.T. exams. With just four weeks left before their inevitable arrival, Hermione was really starting to feel the pressure. It certainly hadn't helped that Ron had finally realized that the exams were important, even for him, and so very near.
Sweeping a quick look around the room, Hermione noticed that quite a few of her fellow seventh years were exhibiting signs of stress. Some had heavy bags under their eyes, others fidgeted nervously in their seats while a few others still looked like they might burst into tears at any minute. Ron, sandwiched between Hermione and Harry, looked like the seat of his pants was on fire.
Professor Flitwick entered the room shortly and climbed onto a stack of towering books, which seemed to lean precariously in one direction. Perhaps sensing some of the distress in the room, the tiny professor launched into a bit of a review of N.E.W.T. level charms. Quill and wand at the ready for note-taking and spell-casting respectively, Hermione listened to the charms instructor's every word.
Third Time Charmed
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 09-10-04 12:07
My first attempt at reproducing Criswold's Curative Concoction was a terrible flop. The result was a sickly gray-brown sludge which rapidly hardened into a solid lump, giving off a foul odor. The second try was not much better, producing a gelatin-like substance that was solored both red and green at the same time. Criswold was VERY clear on the list of ingredients and the relative quantity. Likewise, the order of addition was quite well defined. What he completely failed to mention was that there was a critical waiting period between adding the bosnart powder and the bladderwort roots. Also, it would have been nice for him to mention that the mixture must be gently stirred while blending in the sterile cobwebs.
At last, however, I have it. The flask of pale golden liquid I hold in my hand, seems to sparkle with a life of it's own. There is a very faint aroma of fresh spring rain, and I haven't worked up the courage to test the taste. According to Criswold's writings, one or two drops if this potion, diluted in a cup of water or tea, will cure anything but death and the common cold. Well, one can't expect miracles every day! Now, I need a test subject!
"Tom!" I call out from my laboratory. Three heads appear in the doorway. "I need a bit of assistance, here!"
All three lads eye me with more than a bit of suspicion. I think they remember the Tonic I gave them last spring. Their collective gaze shifts from me to the bottle and back again.
"It's all right, Lads! You're safe, this time!" I grin. "But I need a test specimen to try this out on. How about that scabrous old rat that we've seen in the storage room? D' you think he's still around and about? Last I saw of him, he looked like he could use a dose of just about anything!"
The lads nod as one, and vanish into the depths of the store room. I hear a few rattles and bumps, grunts and groans, and finally a frantic squeal. The Toms return with one holding the mangy creature by the scruff of the neck. I quickly conjure up a proper rat-sized cage and the lads deposit their captive inside. I fill a smalle bottle with water and add just one drop of the potion. It bubbles and fizzes for a moment, then is quiet. I fix a stopper with a glass tube into the open neck, and hang the bottle on the side of the cage with the tube sticking inside.
With great caution, the creature approaches the drinking bottle. He takes one sniff, and his limp whiskers begin to twitch. The little pink tongue reaches out and touches the golden droplet hanging before his nose. There is a longish pause while he makes up his ratty little mind about whether this is good or not. He gives himself a shake, which begins at his nose and works its way down to the tip of his wrinkled tail. He reaches up and takes another sip, then another and another.
The four of us watch carefully for any sign of reaction. The changes are so gradual that we hardly notice. First, his splochy grey coat starts to darken and thicken. His ears, which were lying flat against his head, are standing erect. His tail, which was limp and wrinkled is now pink and fleshy, and tends to "wag" back and forth. I busy myself with jotting down notes of our observations as our half-dead rat regains a full measure of health. The bottle is half empty when the rat sits back with a satisfied squeak.
"I'm thinking he's had about enough!" I say as I remove the bottle from the cage and replace it with one containing fresh water. One of the lads fetches a handful of owl-treats, which he slips in through the bars. Our guinea pig seems satisfied with this fare and sets to eating.
"You're not going to keep him locked up in there forever, are you?" one of the Toms asks.
"Only for a day or so," I reply, "until we can see if the effects are long-lasting or only temporary. Also, I think it wise to watch for side-effects, as well."
I carefully stopper the bottle and place it in a self-locking cabinet. "You can take him to your room, if you like," I tell them as I start dousing the lights. One of the lads picks up the cage, the rat being completely unconcerned about his current state of captivity.
Tomorrow's the Big Game
Author: Jared
Date: 09-10-04 16:07
With Herbology over, Jared now has only one thing to occupy his mind - the championship game tomorrow. The team roster has shifted once again. Not only that but so has the position Jared will be playing. He'll work with Brett as the other beater. Jared is fervently hoping he plays well because his parents and sister Etta are supposed to be in the stands. Not only does he want to make his parents proud but Jared is bound and determined not to give Etta anything ammunition to tease him with over the summer.
Jared sinks onto one of the common room couches, listening to the buzz of conversation going on around him yet not really hearing it. All Jared can think about is the game and not letting the team down - or the house for that matter. Jared's stomach gives a lurch just then, causing Jared to reconsider going down to supper in awhile. Food suddenly doesn't sound very good.
