Matters Simple and Complex
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 12-17-03 19:05

Dierna enters with a greeting and a perplexed look. "You REALLY have to teach me how you do that!" she exclaims.

"Do what?" I ask, feigning innocence and hiding my grin. "Oh! Do you mean, How do I know who is on my doorstep? It's actually quite a simple matter. Do you recall a bit of parchment known as The Marauders' Map? Now, I ask you. Where might Mooney, Padfoot, Prongs and Wormtail have come up with the idea and the esoteric knowledge to put such a spell on a piece of paper?" I sit back with a smug look and slide a map of the Castle and its environs across my desk.

She picks it up and stares at it with some amazement. There is a small green dot with her name beside it. She looks around then back to the parchment, reorienting it to better get her bearings. "I see myself, sitting before your desk... but... where are you? I don't see your name on here, anywhere!"

I let this fact sink in before replying. "Should this fall into the wrong hands, I would not want to become a sitting duck!" Taking the map back, I pass my hand across the surface. This causes all the special notations, dots, names, secret passages and what-have-you, to vanish. It now looks like a simple map of the Castle, as one might use to give someone instructions on how best to get from one place to another. "Howsoever, the spell is keyed to my own aura. No one else can activate it. Perhaps my additional precaution is a bit paranoiac." I shrug as I tuck the map away in a stack of assorted papers.

"Now, as to the reason for my most cryptic message..." I lean forward and tap the center of my desk with my wand. Meanwhile, I am mentally reciting the reversal spell for the transformation. With a shimmer, a new stack of papers and an old worn manuscript appear. "I want you to give me your candid opinion of something. Can you read the Eldar Furthark? The Ancient Runes, as they are called."

Dierna draws the coveted volume towards her and opens it with great care. She opens it and begins to read. I watch with some amusement as her eyebrows gradually creep towards her hairline. She turns one page, then another, her excitement slowly growing. "This... this appears to be the genuine article!" she declares. "Where did you manage to find it?"

"Ah! Well... Severus and I seem to have stumbled across it," I explain, scratching my head. "But, for the life of me, I cannot remember exactly where we were at the time." I shrug again, mentally trying to reconstruct our steps. "I distinctly remember coming from the direction of the Library. However, I am certain it was not there when we first searched. The Restricted Section is rather large, but we searched it thoroughly. Hmmm... perhaps I'm just getting old and forgetful. That, or there is a VERY powerful 'Forget' spell on it's hiding place."

Ancient Lit
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 12-17-03 20:06

The marauder's map. It's been quite some time since Moony left to "test it" I hope he hasn't encountered some trouble. But for now, I bring my attention to the task at hand.

"I can read Ogham asleep, but not Furthark. I am seriously considering learning those Runes though. I can determine if this is the actual Manuscript of not even without understanding the script."

I take a page and feel it between my fingers. "Yes, it's brittle but," I attempt, unsuccessfully, to tear it, "protected by a charm against damage. Like most manuscripts." I scan several pages. "This is a genuine ancient script. There's a subtle different between modern forgeries and the ancient style."

Finally, I pick up the book and open it other center and appear to "read it". Then quickly close it and return the book to the center of the desk.

"It has a strong aura of power to it. I can barely stand to hold it. It appears, Olamh, that you have found the real item. The question is now, what to do with it? Voldemort knows your hand writing, I expect. He certainly knows Severus' and since he had my material stolen, would know my own. It seems we'd need to elicit outside help on this part. Someone trustworthy. Perhaps Nevvyn, down in Hogsmeade? He is familiar with Runes, and I'd trust him without hesitation."

Revelations
Author: Santhea Fennally
Date: 12-18-03 11:05

Glamour charms were a lovely thing indeed. At least no one had thought fit to ask if Santhea was feeling alright. Which, as she reluctantly admitted to herself, she wasn't. Last night, she hadn't been able to rest at all. Her thoughts repeating again and again both Pansy's words and her own reaction to them. What was worst, she still was aching. Her heart felt as if it might burst with hurt, as well as anger. But there was no need for her fellow Slytherins, and least of all Malfoy, to see her distress.

She was just on her way back to the Slytherin Common Room, cursing under her breath because she had gotten up so early without a reason to do so really. When rounding a corner, she heard the laughter of Parkinson and her little friend Bulstrode. Almost against her will she sneaked up to hear what they found so amusing.

"And to think she bought it! Draco almost cursed me when I brought it up, must be softening..." Parkinson was giggling.

"So he actually feels something for her? And you managed to make them split up... Very well done indeed," Bulstrode remarked.

"Yeah. When I asked him if he wasn't afraid his 'girlfriend' would try to ensnarl Crabbe or Goyle, he was about to say something mushy I reckon... Pathetic really."

Santhea turned away, focusing on the act of walking rather than thinking of what she had just heard. Had she stayed, nothing would have been able to keep her from killing Parkinson right then and there.

Slowly calming a bit, she stopped in her tracks, and, turning towards the wall, she rested her head against the cold stone. How could she have been so gullible? To believe Parkinson, of all people! Draco had never said that she was nothing more than... On the contrary. She must have been blind. Remembering the morning of the previous day, leaving Malfoy Manor... Draco had kissed her gently, holding her tightly... You didn't do that if someone was a mere fling for you. Why hadn't she seen it on the train? Oh, but Parkinson would pay!

Quickly crossing the remaining distance to the Common Room she found it empty but for Draco and his two gorillas. The blond Slytherin had been pacing, but stopped as soon as he beheld Santhea. The icy glance he bestowed upon her made her want to run back to Parkinson and try out some lovely curses she had read about recently. 'Talk to him,' her heart was chanting, but her mind summoned a picture of the previous night... Draco surrounded by admirers.

"So alone, Malfoy? Where's your new girlfriend gone? Or should I say 'girlfriends'? Who is it going to be? Nora or Daphne?" Lovely, acting like a jealous twelve-year-old now...

Eyes blazing, Draco replied, "Shut up, Fennally. Or I'll shut you up!" Why didn't that seem to be such a bad idea? Oh yes, because it had involved kissing for the last weeks. But not anymore. 'Well done, Santhea!'

Shaking her head, she whispered, "Whatever you say, Malfoy. Wouldn't want to upset the Silver Prince!" Turning on her heels, she walked out of the room again. Great was her surprise when after only a few paces, someone yanked her back. Turning around she found herself face to face with, wonder of wonders, Goyle.

"We told him." Did the monkey just talk to her? "What happened between you and Parkinson I mean. I think he's furious at her," after a moment he added, "and you."

She could hardly believe it, but she replied, "Because I believed it, right?" Goyle nodded, and she continued, "Well, that makes two of us. I'm very close to doing some unforgivable things to our dearest prefect. She'll pay for this, and dearly..." Leaving him standing in front of the door to the Common Room, she turned her steps towards the Entrance Hall. She needed the quiet of nature more than ever to calm her troubled mind. Draco knew the truth, and still was furious with her...

Berlin, Germany: Bad Night
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 12-18-03 14:36

It was late, perhaps midday already, when Ethan awoke. He groaned and pushed his palms to the hard kitchen floor and forced himself upright, the quickness of the movement prompting black spots to appear before his eyes. He swayed and gripped onto the countertop, waiting for the dizziness to pass. Turning to the sink, Ethan cupped a shaky hand beneath the faucet and drank the cool water.

He wiped the stream of water that failed to enter his mouth from his chin with the back of his hand and turned away from the sink, expelling a deep sigh. "What happened to me?"

His blue eyes fell to the shards of glass on the floor, and then he remembered. An old, familiar feeling came back last night. A feeling nearly forgotten but not long lost reemerged and told Ethan to "wake up!" Wake up from what? he pondered to himself.

He shook the thought from his mind as something else registered. "Damn!" I'm supposed to meet Kep-Tian at ten this morning, and it's probably well past then. It was around noon, a little past, when Ethan remembered the meeting planned between he and his colleague. They were to review Kep-Tian's plans to locate Taz-Marah's treasure and then to begin a search if time permitted.

Grabbing his wand and sack of coins from the table, Ethan rushed out into the light of the day nearly blinded by its brightness. It had been so dark in the house since ivy and other unruly greenery covered the windows.

Ethan made haste to Zauberstrasse, where Kep-Tian was surprisingly still waiting for him at Die Kaffeekanne. He was sitting outside at a small table for two reading a newspaper underneath the shade of an umbrella.

"You're late!" Kep-Tian exclaimed, throwing the folded newspaper down onto the round table. "And you look terrible! What happened?"

"Bad night," Ethan replied a bit hoarsely, motioning for a waiter to bring him a strong cup of coffee. He sat down and looked across the table at his friend. "Have you brought your notes with you."

"I don't write anything down, Ethan," Kep-Tian said. "Notes can be found, and deciphered if they are encoded."

"And minds can be read," Ethan said.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Kep-Tian asked, concern etched across his face.

"I'm fine," Ethan exclaimed exasperatedly. "Tell me what you know of Taz-Marah's treasure..."

Heart to Heart
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 12-18-03 15:11

Molly burst into tears at the sound of Percy's name, prompting Bill's eyes to widen and his jaw to drop. Surprised, the eldest Weasley child stared at his mother mutely for a few moments. "Percy hates you...us?" Bill asked, when he finally found his voice. He threw a comforting arm around his mother's shoulders. "Since when? Last I saw him was at Charlie's wedding last year––too long ago, I know––but he didn't hate any of us then, least of all you. What happened?"

Mrs. Weasley wiped tears from her cheeks and exhaled a ragged breath. "Oh, you know him dear. Always puts the Ministry before his family. He doesn't agree with what we are trying so hard to fight. Thinks us fools, he does." She sniffled.

Bill squeezed his mum's shoulder affectionately and said, "I don't think he hates any of us, Mum. He may be a big arse most of the time but he loves you all the same."

Molly looked doubtful, but she patted Bill's knee and said, "Do you think Julian will be willing to work with you to find Helena's killer?"

"Maybe."

Both went silent for a moment, Molly drying her tears and trying to take Bill's words about Percy to heart while Bill pondered the right way to going about telling his mother about Adriana.

"Mum," Bill finally said. He removed his arm from Molly's shoulders and stared at the cookie platter on the counter. "There's something I want to tell you. Something I should have told you, Dad, Dumbledore, everyone a long time ago."

"What is it dear?" Molly asked. She patted his leg again as if to say "It's okay, you can tell me anything."

"It's about Adriana."

"Have you heard something about her?" Molly asked, almost smiling.

"No," Bill answered, but then he amended with, "Yes."

"You have?" Molly asked, growing more hopeful. "Is she alive?"

"I don't know. She was alive several months ago but her current status is unknown." Bill sighed deeply, burying his face in his hands. "I guess I should start from the very beginning..."

Revealing Secrets
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 12-18-03 15:33

"Adriana came to Hogwarts two years ago after the death of her father. She grew up in New York and as a Muggle."

"I remember," Molly said, looking thoughtful.

Bill nodded. "You may also remember that she met with Dumbledore, who reversed the memory charm placed on her by her father."

"And she remembered she was a witch, not a Muggle," Molly went on, tapping her chin with an index finger. She met Bill's gaze and asked, "Why did her father perform the memory charm in the first place?"

"For protection," Bill answered, "and to shield her from her past. A few months after we started dating, Adriana decided to tell me the truth. I already knew her father's name, Robert Fairchild, but I didn't know her mother's: Anne Potter. Yes, Potter. Adriana is Harry Potter's cousin."

"I didn't know James had a sister! Does Harry know any of this?"

"I told him that Adriana is his cousin during the last Hogsmeade trip of last year. I couldn't keep it from him any longer, but there is something I kept from him. Anne was a death eater."

"No!"

Bill nodded solemnly. "And there's more. Anne placed a hex on Adriana to make You-Know-Who her spiritual father. And if that isn't strange enough, he spoke to her. Called her back to him. Apparently Adriana's father knew this day would come, so he erased her memories and pulled her from the wizarding world. You-Know-Who found her the minute she came back into our world.

"She resisted as long as we were together, that much I know, but we lost track of her after Charlie's wedding when Adriana ran after Helena."

"What are you suggesting, Bill?" Molly asked.

"I've wondered this, feared this, for a long time." Bill grimaced as he said the words. "I think Adriana has joined Voldemort."

A Good Suggestion
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 12-18-03 16:10

"Nevvyn, you say?" I pause for a moment, reviewing what I know about the fellow and his background. "Yes! That's a splendid idea! I was going to take a walk down to the Village to see him about possibly supplying us with vellum and whatever ingredients Severus might need to duplicate the ink. I'll have a talk with him about acting as scribe. I know that he is familiar with the Furthark, and in Old Norse, as well! He is also quite trustworthy."

I take the book, repositioning it and my notes. Muttering the spell, I cause the stack to merge with the desktop. "Did you and Tonks find anything of interest in Oslo? You were certainly gone long enough. I was beginning to worry, when I didn't hear from you."

Chocolate Covered Pretzels if You Don't Cry
Author: Darius Sparrow
Date: 12-18-03 17:36

Adam recognized the room when he opened his eyes. He touched the oxygen mask attached to his face but didn't know if he had the strength to move it. His father's hand pulled his away from the mask.

"Don't touch. There's medication coming through it. Hungry?"

Adam shook his head.

Darius waved a small chocolate covered pretzel in front of Adam's face and seemed to wait for a response from his son.

Adam mustered a smile and accepted the treat they had used to bribe him in the hospital as a child. If he didn't cry he got his favorite treat. Asking a severely burned child not to cry during dressing changes was not only unrealistic but cruel. So there was never a time he didn't get a bag of the treats and lots of encouragement from his parents. He was surprised and pleased that his father actually remembered the tidbit from his childhood. He often wondered if his father was aware that he had still children anymore.

Darius raised the bed to allow him to sit upright then removed the mask.

"Only for a bit, understood?" Adam nodded, bit the pretzel and put it down. He was too tired to even deal with a pretzel. His face distorted as he quickly leaned forward and vomited violently into his lap. Dr. Sparrow supported him until the fit of vomiting stopped then called for a nurse. When again alone Darius reached for the mask as he tweaked medication outflow from the IV bottles, fiddled with the monitors and readjusted the levels in the mask. He reassured his son the nausea would pass and replaced the mask while slowly lowering the bed.

Adam was wiped out from the fit. His father reclaimed his place beside him. Darius reached into his coat. Adam's eyes grew wide recognizing the object in his hand as a wand.

"So you want to see your old man do some magic?" He smiled a fatherly smile at the amazed and excited face of his suffering child.

Memos, Memos Everywhere
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 12-18-03 19:41

I expertly ducked a memo as I walked into the office. My first sight was that of Arthur Weasley sitting behind his desk with a pile of paperwork in front of him. Obviously, my friends were keeping him busy. Good.

"Good morning Dru!" I cringed at the nickname, but managed a smile.

"Good morning Arthur. Busy again I see?"

"Yes, yes", he nodded. "Things are just a flutter with activity."

I took off my traveling robe, and nodded thoughtfully. Of course, I knew exactly what was happening, but tipping my head slightly, I tried to portray a look of concern.

"All those poor muggles." I cooed. "It's just becoming ridiculous out there! In fact, I wanted to discuss some things with Cornelius on this. You don't mind if I step out to speak to him do you?"

Arthur waved his hand at me, already immersed in his paperwork again. Smiling broadly, I stepped out of the office. It was time to get some work done around here. It was time to make my Veela mother proud, and work some charm on Mr. Fudge.

Still in York
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 12-18-03 20:01

Exasperated beyond words, not that he's really got anyone he can unload on, Sirius hurls the empty ink bottle at the dresser mirror. Even before the large mirror fragments with an echoing crash, Sirius is ashamed for breaking something that doesn't even belong to him. He aims his wand and states, "Repairo," then steps close to make sure every glass shard found its way back to the mirror to make it look like new.

Peg Marsh's voice drifts through the door, "Hiz ev'rythin' awl roight, Mr. Blackburn?"

Sirius reaches the door in three long strides and swings it open, "Yes, Peg. I just knocked a few things over. Sorry my clumsiness caused you any worry."

"Cor, thas awl roight, Mr. Blackburn. Least ways you be fine and arn't nothin' broken."

Sirius smiles and Peg and she shyly smiles back before returning to her duties. Sirius pulls the door firmly shut, locks it, then makes for the stairs then outside. In dire need of some fresh air to help him think more clearly about the reasons why he's still undercover in York and not home in Hogsmeade as he should have been almost a month ago, Sirius walks purposefully to a nearby patch of forest with hiking trails, glad that with the day off from work he's not got to come up with a credible lie for not showing up.

Ancient Magic
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 12-18-03 21:58

"I'm sorry I worried you, Olamh. I took an extra precaution and stayed, with Tonks, in a muggle hotel. Anyone who is tracking our movements wouldn't think to look amongst muggles." I explain. "I may not yet be as paranoid as Alastor, but I make sure to cover my tracks. As for what I found, not much - but these runes which I was going to ask Nevynn to translate for me."

I take a small envelope and slide it across the desk to Dumbledore.

"The first set caught my eye because they have not shown any sign of wearing. They could have been inscribed that day. The second had the same kind of feel about it as the Manuscript. The third is the opposite of the first. Someone has deliberately defaced it. The cave where these were taken has the same kind of ancient magic as Bruighe na Boinne*. I almost expected to turn around and find a Dannan staring back at me. As we went further, the magic became darker, more forbidding. There came a point where I just couldn't go any further. I believe it was that place where Magnus created and practiced his magic. Had I explored further I would have found out if that hunch was correct. However, the further I went, the greater I felt warnings against it. Not fear, that I can ignore. But something deeper, more intuitive. That part of me which understands very deeply ancient magic. And the ancient Scalds were not so different from the Drui of Eire.

*Newgrange

Magic from the Mists
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 12-19-03 17:16

As she continues to speak, I examine the three tracings with which Dierna has presented me. When she finishes her vivid description of the cave, I slide them and the envelope back to the Chief Auror. "I can make neither heads nor tails of the first inscription," I tell her. "Though the letters are definitely of the Eldar Furthark, the language is not any of the Scandinavian group. Perhaps it is in some sort of code? As to the second, it is well that you do not speak or read Old Norse! I can only pick out some of the words... However, it has the appearance of a trap spell or, possibly, a trigger for some physical trap. I see references to The Maelstrom," I suggest, pointing to two groups of symbols, "which might lead to a death as permanent as Avada Kadavra and as painful as Cruciatus. The third seems to be in a dialect which is beyond my kenning."

I rub my hands briskly, trying to remove the chill which seems to linger on my fingertips. "These inscriptions may well be from that misty period which the scholars refer to as the Hyborean Age... well before Beowulf, before the Vikings. That time when Giants contended with the Gods, themselves. Perhaps it is best that you let Nevvyn have a look at these." She slides them back into the envelope, then unconsciously wipes her hands on her robes.

"Why don't we both go down to the Village and have a chat with the old fellow?" I suggest. "As I said, I want to see if he can procure a supply of genuine vellum."

I call Londy to tell her that I would be going out for a while, then we both take the spiral staircase and the short walk to Hogsmeade.

First Potions Class
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 12-19-03 18:03

Tranquillina leaped about twenty feet in the air when Professor Snape entered the room. He went to the front of the class and studied them for a moment.

Tranquillina already was not liking this class.

"Potions is an exact art, and one I know most of you will fail to master. Nevertheless, it is my duty to instruct you in potion making regardless of your intelligence level." Snape had looked at Sora for that last half. If it weren't for the fact that she was frozen in place (and that Snape would have bitten her head off), Tranquillina would have glared at the professor.

"I assume none of you have read the required reading for this class."

'Required reading?' Tranquillina said to herself quietly, as she exchanged a glance with Roane.

"As such, I feel it necessary to punish you all with a pop quiz. Remove everything from your desks except for quill and parchment."

Tranquillina did as she was told, and listened to the questions. Did he just speak in some foreign tongue? Tranquillina had glanced at her books once or twice when her mother "tricked her into it," but...Furnunculus spell? She doubted she could even pronounce it.

Nevertheless, she tried to answer the questions, even if they were all uneducated guesses.

No sooner had Snape collected the tests, than he began to lecture, and Tranquillina listened intently, trying to absorb everything like a sponge.

Re: First Potions Class
Author: Sora
Date: 12-19-03 19:20

Sora thought the class was kinda boring, but he was afraid to show it or Snape'll have his head! Instead Sora said in a low whisper to Tranquillina, "What a sourpuss! Giving us some stupid quiz!" Tranquillina nodded. And Sora went back into his concentration of Snape's potions lecture.

Business with Nevvyn
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 12-19-03 19:21

To say that Nevynn was surprised when Dumbledore and I walk into his shoppe, would be a great understatement.

"Professor Dumbledore, Sir!" he states, with a slight bow. "Dierna. What brings you here this morning?"

Dumbledore looks at Nevyyn over the top of his glasses for a minute and I point my wand at the door and say "Subrosa," sealing the shop from any prying.

"We have a matter of importance to discuss with you." Dumbledore beings. "Importance and confidentiality."

"Do sit down." Nevyyn takes us to his table and brings out tea and biscuits. "What is this matter?"

"Have you heard of the Fenririan Manuscript?" He asks.

In response, Nevyyn chokes on his tea. "Yes! Yes of course! But it was lost ages ago."

"And has been found," I state. "Of all places in some hidden corner of the Castle. As far as I can tell, it is the real manuscript."

Dumbledore tells of Snape's plan and I tell about the search in the ruins, the cave and finally pass the pictures to Nevynn for translation.

"Our request is multifold," Dumbledore concludes. "Can you provide authentic vellum for the fake manuscript and would you be willing to pen the ersatz manuscript?"

Location Unknown: A Gift to the Dark Lord
Author: Voldemort
Date: 12-19-03 19:56

"You have something you think will interest me, Ivanova?" I ask the Death Eater who comes diffidently to my chair.

"Yes, Lord. The Dark Wizard Merdroit Turin sent me an owl this morning. He says that while he prefers to remain independent, he is happy to support your efforts. As token, he sends you this potion which he describes as bottled Cruciatus."

I take the potion and turn to Nagini. "Go find Wormtail and bring him here."

The snake slithers away and returns with Wormtail.

"Drink this, Womrtail."

"What-what is it, Master?"

"A potion. Drink it."

He takes a slight sip and he instantly clutches his throat in agony. "Master it burns!" he whimpers, and falls on the floor convulsing in pain.

"Interesting. Useful for some of our less talkative guests. Write back to Merdroit, telling him I am thankful for his services and accept his gift. In fact, Ivanova, I have the perfect assignment for you and your colleague."