As I make my way down to grab a quick bite of lunch, I notice one of the first year Gryffindors heading off to class. Realizing that I have yet to introduce myself to her, I make it a point to find her after I eat and introduce myself.
After filling my stomach, I leave the Gryffindor table to head back up to the common room to retrieve my bag for class. Before I can even reach the door, the young little first year that I've been wanting to meet walks through the door. I stand there looking at her as though I've never seen a more beautiful girl (and I haven't except for my sister). Finally I feel my feet start moving toward her.
"Hi, my name's Brett. You're in Gryffindor right?" I say as I mentally slap myself because that's all I could come up with. "Yeah I'm in Gryffindor. I'm Oreileah McCloi. It's nice to meet you. Um, I'd like to stay and chat longer but I have to get to class. It was nice talking to you." Before I can realize what I'm doing, I say, "Oreileah, I was wondering if maybe after dinner I could maybe show you around the school and we can get to know each other better. I mean I don't have a hole lot of friends and I figured that maybe you and I could be friends." I say with a sigh as I see her face light up. "Ok, I'd like that." she say's as she turns to walk out the door to go to class. As for me I check my watch and see that I only have about ten minutes to get to DADA. But since I have a "date" after dinner I can't keep my mind on the class.
When the bell finally rings to signal the end of the class, I packed my bag as fast as I could and practically ran down to Hargid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures. Like always Hagrid's class is boring yet fun because he's always got some weird creatures to show us.
When class was finally over, I darted back up to the common room to put away my bag and read over some notes from DADA before meeting Oreileah for dinner. This was going to be a great "date" if you could call it that.
Meeting Malfoy
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 01-04-03 17:24
I ran to my classes in hopes not to be late. I made it to all of them in perfect time and with very little problems. After heading back to the tower, I walked the halls and made my way up some stairs. As I walked, I suddenly fell face down to the floor and heard a mean laugh.
My supplies spilt and I scrambled to get them together. "Problem MudBlood?" I heard a voice say and I looked to see three older boys in front of me with sneers on their faces. "What did you call me?" I demanded and stood up. "You heard me Mudblood."
Each time he said that my blood began to boil. I knew it was bad but I didn't want him to get to me. "Crabbe help her out," the boy said and the heavier of the two boys went towards my bag. "Leave it alone," I demanded. "Or what...?" the thin boy remarked and he and the other boy stepped closer and blocked me against a wall.
"Face it mud blood. Your kind are not welcome here and we'll show you why." I heard the sound of knuckles cracking then footsteps, expecting more of the Slytherin house coming. I heard a woman's voice announce. "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Crabbe, Mr. Goyle. What is going on here?"
Looking over, I saw a woman in green robes appear. I didn't know who she was but I knew inside she was a professor. "My office now," she ordered and the three left. "You may go to the dining hall now, my dear. I'll tend to these three."
Afternoon Classes
Author: Isolde
Date: 01-04-03 18:23
After lunch, Isolde and Pyrrhus had a long and overwhelming three-hour block of classes. Joining them for these three back-to-back courses was Alexis, but Azaelia, perhaps having chosen her electives wisely this term, was only required to attend two afternoon classes on this day.
First, the four fifth year Slytherins suffered through an incredibly exhausting hour of History of Magic with the ever exciting (insert extreme sarcasm here) Professor Binns. All could at least agree that nap time after lunch was always welcome.
The second class of the afternoon was Defense Against the Dark Arts with the new and quite handsome Professor Somerset. Every girl in the class, Isolde included, sighed deeply and hung onto the good professor's every word. Of course Pyrrhus was the only boy for her, but that didn't mean Isolde couldn't admire Professor Somerset's good looks.
For some reason (could it be the handsome professor?) Isolde found herself eagerly anticipating the next DADA class as she and the others left the classroom, all but Azaelia heading for the great outdoors to attend Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid. They parted with Isolde's cousin in the entry hall, and watched as she disappeared down the staircase to the dungeons before they stepped outside into the bright sunlight.
Thankfully, Hagrid's hour seemed to fly by, more likely than not because the giant's antics in trying to teach the class were so amusing. Today he was instructing the class about something slimy, something wiggly...Isolde didn't catch the name of the creature. All she knew was that it was extremely difficult to get a grip on the worm-like creature and that it smelled foul.
When four o'clock rolled around, Isolde, Pyrrhus and Alexis gave an exuberant cheer and ran up the sloping hill for the castle. They made a beeline for the dungeons, finding Azaelia reading a book in the corner of the common room. Her nose wrinkled as she caught a strong whiff of the wormy smell, prompting all three CoMC students to rush to their respective bathrooms to wash up and rid themselves of the awful stench.
After a great amount of effort, Isolde emerged from the bathroom stink-free and joined her cousin in the common room. After a lengthy and busy day of classes, she was happy and relieved to be finished for the day and longed for a big plate of dinner and an ice-cold drink.
Potions Class
Author: Emma Riley
Date: 01-04-03 19:50
I slipped into an empty seat near the back of the room. My first class had gone rather smoothly, and I hoped the same for this one. Potions had always been my worst class and I was not looking forward to this one. I just wanted it over with.
A thin dark man entered and stood before the class. I immediately thought dark, even though I felt I had never seen a paler human being. There was something about him that I could not quite put my finger on it. I resolved to ask Bronwyn about him later, just to set my mind at ease.
Class began and I was pleased to note that it moved along quite quickly.
Returning to Domestic Life
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 01-04-03 21:16
Sirius looks up from his gardening long enough to affirm for one of the painters that the house shutters are to be done in black. The man nods and returns to his task, first making sure each window shutter is clean and ready to be painted before waving his wand and sending paint laden brushes to work. Others are busy painting the house a medium tone of a dark shade of slate gray and the trim a dark cream.
While the painters are getting the outside of the house looking good as new, Sirius has been enjoying the beautiful September day by putting the garden in order. When he bought the house, both the front and back yards were tangled jungles of weeds. Working steadily all morning, Sirius had managed to get most of the front patch cleared though it and the rest of the yard are in dire need of degnoming.
Glancing at his watch, Sirius sees it's well past afternoon tea. He finishes patting dirt around the bush he's just planted and stands up, brushing the dirt off his legs. Calling out to the painters to take their tea break, Sirius goes inside and washes his hands then exits the house once more. Enjoying the sun on his face, Sirius walks slowly to Briar's Bakery intent on getting a thick wedge of warm pumpkin pie with a bowl sized scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. As he walks, Sirius once again thinks, "It's good to be truly free!"
Meeting Brett
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 01-04-03 22:31
Orei had forgotten something in her dormitory, and left Fritz and Coco and dashed quickly toward the Gryffindor common room. She said the password and nearly dove into the common room before running up the stairs to the girls dormitory. She caught her breath, when she realized she still had some time and didn't have to hurry any longer.
She walked back down the stairs and out of the common room and run in to a handsome boy whom she had yet to meet, not that she knew anyone else in her house. We talk for a few minutes, she says good bye to Brett, a smile on her features. She laughed at the looks from Coco and Fritz when she reentered the classroom for Transfiguration.
Her thoughts kept drifting to her 'date' with Brett, if that's what it was. She paid enough attention to Professor McGonagall to take some semblance of notes. When the bell sounded she told Fritz and Coco she'd see them at dinner. She had a few things to do.
She quickly went to her dormitory and put her books from today's classes away and grabbed her potions book. She still had some time before she had to meet Brett. She wondered down to the common room and waited for him to get back from his classes.
Getting Ready for Lunch
Author: James Simpson
Date: 01-05-03 12:32
James glanced at his watch and decided he would go out for lunch today. After extensive grooming, since he didn't leave his apartment much, he jogs down the steps. He stops at Honeyduke's for some sweets, raising his eyebrows at the new boy behind the counter, "How long've you been here?"
Orlando smiles and hands him his change, "If you count the years at Hogwarts, 7, if not, then only a few months."
James nods and shrugs, heading outside, slipping his purchases into his pocket and surveying the place, trying to decide where to eat lunch as he ambles absentmindedly along the street.
New Assignment
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 01-05-03 15:28
Slipping away from the castle had been easy while class was going on. No one paid any attention to Sorcha as she walked away from the castle. She was lucky to have all her classes in the morning, making it easier for her to slip away unnoticed. It was also easy to slip away without the annoying air born shadow.
Now entering Hogsmeade and blending into the crowd, Sorcha made her way along the street in order to carry out her latest assignment from Voldemort. Getting her orders weren't as easy as they were, since she had the chief auror closing in on her. Still, she had gotten the order to make James Simpson choose a side, Voldemort's side, by any means necessary.
While wondering Hogsmeade Sorcha had other concerns then the chief auror in the crowd, and that was former Hogwarts students in the crowd, and those that served as Dierna's spies. She could explain her presence easily by stating that she needed some supplies for her classes that she forgot about. In order for her deception to work along with her mission, she would have to quickly find James before she went to the store.
She didn't see James until she was heading back to Hogwarts. He left Honeyduke's just before she reached there. Picking up the pace, she came up right behind him. It was easy to come up behind him; he seemed to be distracted by something. Just as she reached him, an idea struck her, the perfect way to get his attention.
Keeping the quickened pace she had been walking, she moved as if she was going to pass him. She saw a pit in the ground the ground that James would simply pass. Sorcha headed for it, like she didn't even see it. She was standing next to James when her foot sank into the pit, and she went sideways, right into James. Sorcha let out a yelp when she started to fall. It was just her luck that the force of her impact sent the both of them sprawling on the ground.
That was perfect, now he will be feeling sorry for me. Sorcha thought on her way to the ground. When she landed she felt a sharp pain from her ankle. It had been twisted, badly.
Damsel in Distress
Author: James Simpson
Date: 01-05-03 16:02
As he walked, true to his thoughts, he hadn't noticed the beauty who'd come up beside and behind him, until, of course, she stepped into a pit. This small step sent them, as stated, sprawling to the ground, he exclaims, "Oh bloody...I'm so sorry," he carefully, sits up. He glances down to her ankle, "It looks like you've twisted that. Are you alright? Can I help you with anything?" Great, the previously unattached, uncommitting bachelor that he was, now had an injured lady on his hands.
Work, Work, Work
Author: Blossom
Date: 01-05-03 16:25
Only after Fred had disapparated the night before had Blossom noticed that hanging from a finger on the hand she'd curled over Fred's shoulder during the goodnight kiss was the neatly tied box of leftover pizza. Not knowing where Fred lived and being certain it was far too late in the evening for him to have returned to his store, Blossom couldn't go after Fred to give him the pizza. As she walked into her bedroom and change into pajamas, Blossom's thoughts were that she'd seem him tomorrow for sure and give him the pizza then.
As it turned out, things had not gone exactly as planned today. Blossom was woken up at the crack of dawn by an over excited owl tapping frantically at her bedroom window. After reading the message it carried, she understood why the owl had acted that way. One of Blossom's coworkers at the sandwich shop needed Blossom to cover her morning shift. The girl's Muggle mother had been rushed into emergency surgery a short time earlier. Blossom sent a reply back saying that of course she'd cover the shift.
Immediately afterwards, Blossom hurriedly dressed and composed two more messages. The first was to the sandwich shop owner to let the woman know that Blossom would be covering Sandrine's shift. This would mean Blossom needed to change her own lunch shift to the evening shift so that she could get her day's work at Gringott's in. The second message was for Fred to let him know she wouldn't be available just before lunch afterall. She included a brief explanation and also mentioned he'd forgotten his pizza last night.
Blossom sent both messages off with her tawny owl Marmalade then apparated to Diagon Alley. Working the morning shift meant helping to get the deli open for the day and serving breakfast as well as doing all the prep work for the lunch crowd. By the time the lunch shift began, Blossom was getting her chores at the shop wrapped up and rushing off to the bank to get in several hours of work there. Once done at Gringotts, Blossom had popped home long enough to shower and change into fresh clothes before apparating back to the sandwich shop to cover the evening shift.
Despite an already full day's work and several more hours of work to go, Blossom decides that when done, she'll walk over to Weasley's and see if Fred's still there. Maybe he'd like to take a stroll with her in the cool, refreshing night air.
Re: Damsel in Distress
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 01-05-03 19:03
Sorcha sat up, very carefully so she wouldn't further hurt her ankle. She heard James apologize for the fall, and ask if she needed help. She didn't immediately answer him. With a quick look around, she found the bag she had been carrying.
Finally, Sorcha looked at him before she began apologizing. "I'm sorry," she started, "I should have watched where I was going. I was returning to Hogwarts after buying a few things for my classes."
James looked a little startled when he asked, "You work in Hogwarts?"
"Yes, I am the Ancient Runes professor, Christina Sorcha. Would you mind helping me up?"
Getting Off Easy
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 01-05-03 19:11
Draco's lip curled into a cruel sneer as his gaze hardened on the little girl. Watch yourself, he seemed to say, but with McGonagall hovering over his shoulder Draco merely nodded to his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, and left for the Deputy-Headmistress' office.
Once there, Draco sunk into one of the armchairs in front of McGonagall's desk and scowled. "The little Gryffindork's going to pay for this," he spat, running a hand over his pale blonde hair.
He wracked his brains for a reasonable story to fabricate in order to spare himself the trouble of losing points for Slytherin House on the very first day of school. As to be expected, Crabbe and Goyle stood around stupidly waiting for Professor McGonagall to return to her office.
When she did arrive, she looked sternly at all three and sat down in the seat behind her desk. "Mr. Malfoy, explain your behavior in the corridor," she demanded, the reproving look never leaving her old face.
On the other hand, no trace of his signature sneer was visible as Draco began to speak. "Professor, the girl dropped her bag in the hall and we were merely trying to help her. These young first years are always in a hurry, getting lost and such...we only meant to lend her a hand."
She didn't believe his story for a second. That much, Draco knew. Yet perhaps to prevent a negative start to the school year, McGonagall said, "Very well, Mr. Malfoy," and let the three boys be on their way.
Once out of earshot, Draco's smirk returned to his face and he muttered something coarse and highly inappropriate. Like faithful dogs, his sidekicks laughed approvingly and followed Draco to the Great Hall.
There they met Clara and Tempest and relayed the tale of their run-in with the Gryffindor first year. After dinner, the five sixth year Slytherins sauntered to the dungeons and spent the rest of the evening talking in the common room.
After a long day at the Ministry, I decide to head out marginally earlier. I have done a lot today toward catching up, and tomorrow I'll be at Azkaban, checking on the progress of rebuilding it. Besides, I spent all weekend working, so I have extra time in the bank.
Back in Hogsmeade, I think that I really should go the new potion shop. However, I decide to check on Sirius' progress on his house first. One of the workers, leaving for the night, informs me that Sirius had gone for tea at the Bakery.
I thank the man and head for the bakery, this will serve as my promised visit to Briar AND a change to see one of my two oldest friends (the other being Remus Lupin), who is also now my neighbour (a very big surprised which made my week).
I make my way to the counter, where Sirius is making his order. "AN trahona maith!* Hello Briar, thank you for the basket. It made my day! Good to see you again, Sirius. Your house is looking smashing already. I can't wait to see it when it's finished!"
* = good evening/afternoon
Upon a Ledge
Author: Gabriel Baine
Date: 01-05-03 21:24
"Gabriel?"
Somewhat startled he looked down the corridor behind him and recognized a familiar person approaching. He sat precariously upon a thick ledge along a hall which overlooked a courtyard below. The sun had begun to slide down into the west and across the castle the very first evening lights shone from a few of the numerous windows. Annabella Mayberry approached in her Gryffindor attire, a complete contrast to Gabriel whose Ravenclaw robes were entirely open and hung loosely about his shoulders before falling down upon the stone floor.
"Are you well Gabe?" asked Anna with an inquisitive gaze into his face. He remembered her satisfying features and welcomed them back into his sight with a sudden desire.
"Hello Anna. Yes, I'm well enough I suppose. How was your first day?" Gabriel inquired as she sat with an affable manner next to him on the ledge. He noticed she did not bother herself to look over to judge their height, but instead continued to gaze back at him. Her pleasant attention caused an unexpected smile to break upon his face.
Anna received the smile with a radiant one of her own in return and replied to Gabriel, "I am glad to hear it. My day went well, but I had very little to do aside from passing it with some reading in the library and talking with my friends at meals. How about you? How was your first day of classes at Hogwarts?"
The smile thinned upon his lips and he looked away from her blue eyes out into the gray skies. "It was all right."
"That is it? You do not sound as though it were all right. What is the matter Gabriel?"
"Nothing," Gabriel answered in such a detached tone he could hardly find any truth in it himself, let alone expect another to believe him.
"Gabe. It's all right for you to tell me. Do not be cross with me, but I have noticed that you're not associating with anyone, at least whenever I have seen you in passing."
He looked back into her face. Her expression was attentive to him in a way that both created uneasiness and confidence within the same instant. The entire day he had kept his feelings within himself, or shared with his journal. With a ready ear at his disposal, Gabriel conceded to Anna.
"I like nothing here. I hate this school, I hate my house, I hate the people here, I hate the cold, I hate that I had to come here, I hate that I miss my old friends, again, I hate that she's not with me, I..." Gabriel paused here and glanced up into Anna's face which he had abandoned in his talking. Anna reached forth and took one of his hands in hers.
"It's only been one day Gabe. You can't cause yourself to dislike Hogwarts so quickly when you have barely experienced it. You've adjusted more in your life than I have ever had to; certainly you're able to overcome change. Perhaps you expected something different, but to disregard everything because things aren't the way youÕd like them isn't the person I think I saw in you."
Damned, she'd told him everything his reasonable self had been telling him. Gabriel found himself appreciative of her honesty. They lingered awhile longer upon the ledge. Anna answered several of Gabe's questions he had developed over the day, and they laughed a little as they joked about some of the characters he had met so far in the school. They agreed to meet again and make a point to do so as much as possible.
After Toby and Bronwyn had parted, the oldest of the Becks decided to take a walk and clear his mind. Before he knew it, Toby had found himself at the Quidditch pitch, seated in one section of the stands, watching Ron Weasley and Harry Potter going through some standard Quidditch drills. When a short while later Harry suggested a friendly match made up of some of the spectators, Ron, and, of course, Harry, Toby knew he had to take his advice to Bronwyn to heart. Kendra would have been the first one grabbing a broom to be on one of the make-shift teams and would not have expected any less from Toby.
Hours later, as the freshly scrubbed Toby enters the Great Hall for supper, he is glad he joined the Quidditch game. Everyone had had a blast, a good number of the players had gotten much needed practice in playing, and Toby felt a lightness he'd not experienced since that God awful day in Bulgaria. Playing in that game affirmed for Toby that Kendra is and shall always be with him in spirit.
At the End of the Day
Author: Veronica Dumbledore
Date: 01-05-03 10:20
Veronica had done quite well today seeing as how it was her first time to instruct a class. The day had gone off without a hitch, that is, if you donÕt count falling over backwards in your chair as without a hitch. It's not easy to gain your composure with the entire class roaring with laughter. Even after they had settled down, she could still hear the snickers when she turned her back. Somehow she had expected the first day to be like this. Oh well, at least she got through it alive.
Veronica always tried her best to live up to the standards that her Uncle Albus carries so easily. In some ways you could say she bears the weight of her name like a cross. It had become quite evident that she was not really cut out to be a teacher, but she was deeply certain that if she put her mind to it she would accomplish it.
With something of a renewed spirit, she set off for the Great Hall for dinner. There were no more classes until tomorrow, thank God. All that was required of her now was to smile and show her face, which she was more than happy to do... as long as no one asked how the day went...
End of the First Day
Author: Adriana Fairchild
Date: 01-05-03 22:26
Exiting her office, Adriana pulls the door shut behind her and pauses just long enough to lock it. Walking up to the Owlery, she reflects back on a successful first day of the new term. With only two classes today, one of fourth year Slytherins and Ravenclaws and the other of sixth year Ravenclaws and Slytherins, Adriana had had time to enjoy the students who'd dropped by to say hello and to inquire if there would be another big Muggle Studies play thrown this year. Adriana had also been able to work on lesson plans for the next several weeks. All she might have to do with those plans is tweak them a bit here and there but all in all, Adriana feels sheÕs well on top of things.
Reaching the Owlery, Adriana sends off a reply to the letter she'd received from Bill bright and early this morning. Her lips turn up in a tender smile at the thought of Bill bent over a desk writing her a letter as one of the last things he did before going to bed last night. Adriana hopes that means Bill's thoughts as he fell asleep were of her. Maybe sheÕs being a hopeless romantic to want his lasts thoughts of the night and his first thoughts of the day to be of her, but so what. Every woman in love is entitled to want to be the most important thing in her man's thoughts.
Leaving the Owlery to walk down to the Great Hall for dinner, Adriana's own thoughts turn to running through a variety of possible projects her Muggle Studies students could undertake for the spring. If she chooses to have to undertake another major project this year that is. By the time she's reached the Great Hall, Adriana's wondering if she would be able to convince Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore to let her take her students on a Saturday field trip into London. Afterall, what better way to see how Muggles at work and at play?
Remadi finds her way down to the Potion's classroom and enters. She's one of the first ones and decides to find a seat near the back. Neko had left her just before she entered the class, which Remadi feels was probably the best idea. She doesn't say much through the class, but does answer a couple of the professor's questions. She is happy when the class is over, not really caring too much for the atmosphere of the room.
Next she finds herself in a greenhouse for Herbology. This isn't her best class, mainly because her mum wasn't the best on this subject, so Remadi listens intently to everything that the professor has to say. She had read a good part of her herbology book already, because she knew this was her weakest subject. None-the-less, she asks a lot of questions, making sure she knew everything correctly. When class is over, she felt good with how it went and heads towards Care of Magical Creatures.
Neko catches up with her on the way to her last class and happily takes his place on her shoulder. She scratches his ear as they reach Hagrid's hut. Remadi finds this class very interesting. She loves the half giant's unconditional love and care he shows the creatures and is a little sad when it's over. She leaves Hagrid's class for the Gryffindor commonroom and her dorm room. Having some time before she has to go down to eat, she decides to decorate her area of the room. She takes out a poster of a muggle Chinese singer, Faye Wong, and puts it up on the left side of her bed. The picture is still, like all muggle pictures. Remadi says a word as she turns back to her chest and music starts playing from the poster. She rummages through her trunk and then pulls out a dreamcatcher and puts in above her pillow. She takes out a couple more smaller things to put beside her bed and then steps back, looking at her area. She smiles happily at it and looks over at Neko, who is purring.
"Let's go down for dinner," Remadi says to Neko. Neko quickly jumps onto Remadi's shoulder. "This was a busy day, wasn't it? Tomorrow won't be so busy, then I can get a lot more studying done and go through some of the muggle subjects dad wanted me to follow." Neko just purrs at her as she leaves the Gryffindor commonroom and heads towards the Great Hall. Remadi smiles as makes her way through the castle. This day had gone fairly well.
