Tuesday and Wednesday

DADA DA VOOM!!!
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 12-20-03 01:55

As I sat in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class waiting for the new Professor to arrive the class was talking a bit about their summer and how things went. Then the door near the professor's stand opened and the new Professor came in.

I saw he wasn't bad looking at all and by glancing around so did some of the other girls. He greeted us and began to take roll then introduced himself as Professor Turin. Soon he began to walk around and begin his lecture about the Dark Arts and ways you can defend yourself. I took down notes as he talked hoping not to miss a thing.

First Day, Second Year
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 12-20-03 11:37

It is shortly before two when Fritz, Coco and the other Ravenclaw second years leave the common room and the castle for the sunny Hogwarts grounds and the greenhouses. They chat amicably with one another, covering such topics as the two classes they already had this morning: Charms and Potions. Professor Flitwick prompted the class into a review of what they learned last year by having them practice common charms such as the Alohomora and Wingardium Leviosa spells. Predictably, Professor Snape opened class with an exam. Unlike last year, the young students weren't as startled into silent stupors when their Potions master came barreling into the room like an angry beast, although most were still a bit frightened of him.

Now it is on to Herbology class, where Fritz, Coco and the others find their places in the appropriate greenhouse and await Professor Logan's lecture.

Testing
Author: Adam Sparrow
Date: 12-20-03 22:13

Darius entertained Adam with minor spells and a few visual treats including a silent fireworks display exploding over his bed. "I remember these from the hospital!" Adam was surprised he carried the memory of the fireworks as a figment of the imagination of a child. "I thought it was a dream."

Darius put sat next to him on the bed. "You were supposed to remember them that way. Now then." He handed Adam his wand. "Let's see what you can do."

The last thing Adam wanted to do was perform for his father. His eyes were pleading. "I don't feel good Dad."

"Nonsense, a minor spell isn't going to hurt you."

"I can't use your wand."

"We'll do it together." Darius got up and checked the settings on the monitors and attached electrodes to his own head then resumed his place.

"We will do it together." He lifted his son's hand. "You with me?"

"I don't feel good."

"I know. It's all right Adam, just try. We will levitate the dinner tray."

"Wingardium leviosa."

Darius ducked when the tray smashed against the ceiling then whipped across the room.

"Well," He put the wand down. "That was a rather robust levitation."

When Adam didn't respond he looked down and found him fast asleep.

The pretty doctor entered the room. "Did you feel it?"

"Yes Hor. I did."

She glared at him. "Horatia or Doctor Bellet will do fine thank you."

Darius laughed. He had worked with her for three years. Dr. Horatia Bellet hated her name and he made it his business to remind her just how much.

Dr. Bellet said, "I'd like to see how many people he can access at once and if he can share with muggles."

"One step at a time luv." Darius rubbed his hands. "All in good time."

What to do about Adriana?
Author: Molly Weasley
Date: 12-20-03 22:34

Molly tried to digest the new information about Adriana.

"Yes dear it is possible. It's also possible she has gone to sort things out. Perhaps she doesn't want to be found. If she has decided to follow ...her spiritual father... Bill luv, there's nothing you can do about her decision. Finding her and dragging her home won't change her mind. What it will do is put you in danger. Promise me luv you'll think about this. Think with your head and not your heart."

She put her arms around her son's shoulders.

"I definitely think you need to inform the OOP of all you've told me."

Molly sat another plate of cookies in front of Bill.

First Day, Second Year and a Question for Mr. Schnackenpfefferhausen
Author: Angelina
Date: 12-21-03 01:52

As the students filled Green House Three I took a deep breath and entered the area. "Good Morning Class." I greeted with a smile. "Good Morning Professor Logan," the students echoed in unison. "Now then, last year we covered the basics of Herbology and worked with some of the simpler plants. Now this year we are going to work with a bit more complicated ones." I turned to get a pot behind me and turned back around placing the pot on the table before me. "Now then, we are going to work on the perplexities of the Bulbor Tuber plant. Now can anyone tell me what the properties of this plant are?"

A Ravenclaw student raised his hand and I gave a nod. "Yes Mr...." My mind wandered as I went over his name carefully, "Mr. Schnackenpfefferhausen." As I said his name my mouth felt like I had swallowed cotton, and I awaited his answer.

Surprise Customers
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 12-21-03 10:17

To say that my chin nearly hit the floor when Albus Dumbledore and Dierna enter my Shoppe, would be only a slight exaggeration. When Dierna seals the door, I am further amazed and intrigued. When I find what this remarkable pair is up to, I am fairly bouncing with excitement. Of course, being the proper Irish host that I am, I prepare tea and break out a fresh tin of biscuits before they spring the real surprise.

They have FOUND the Fenririan Manuscript... and in the Castle, of all the unlikely places. They plan to make a copy, to be presented by Professor Snape to the Dark Lord. And they want me to be their scribe? This has the makings of a great tale!

"I would be most deeply honored to assist you in this task!" I tell them. "Whatever aid I can give in the fight against the Dark One, I give freely and willingly. As to the vellum, I have only a few sheets on hand. However, I do have several resources. I am sure there will be enough for the job. I believe I can have them here by tomorrow morning. Would that be soon enough?"

"I don't believe we are in such a rush as all that," replies the headmaster. "I am thinking it will take several days to plan the necessary changes. They must be sufficiently subtle that Voldemort will not discover the ruse. But... and we must make absolutely certain of this... we must ensure the correct spell cannot be deduced from the modified information. In other terms, the words must flow smoothly, as if it were all part of the whole."

"Ahhh..." I respond. "That part, I think I can handle! I am fairly familiar with the grammar and the verse forms used in the old Germanic and Scandic languages. Would you also like my input on the content of the spells and potions. In truth, I have been awaiting an opportunity for an introduction to Professor Snape. There seems to be substantial overlap in our fields of expertise."

Professor Dumbledore nods in agreement. "Then we would welcome your help on the content, as well. Come up to the Castle this evening, after supper? We can show you what we have so far." With that settled, I turn my attention to the three pictures which Dierna has passed to me. The first of these has me greatly puzzled. Some of the letter groupings form actual words in Old Norse. However, the bulk of the message seems to be nonsense syllables... That is, until I realize that some of these words are written backwards, while others are anagrammed. Also, some of the figures take on their ancient symbolic meaning. I jot down a few notes and the pattern becomes clear. "It appears to be some sort of Heortling poetry", I mutter. Then I read what I have written;

"Mannaz (man) go opila (property) | jera (harvest) algiz (protection)
"Five flaming fehu (cattle) | feed on isa (ice)
"Bleak bare berkana (birch) | ebon ehwaz (horse)
"Two yellow kenaz (torches) | swallow the sowulo (sun)
"Gebo (gift) of wunjo (glory) | laguz (water)of Ansuza (Gods)"

Dierna shakes her head, her brow furrowed in thought. "It doesn't seem to make any sense!" She studies my notes and the picture, reviewing her own mental images of the scene. "But wait! Could these refer to formations in the cave? There were several large rounded stalagmites, kind of rust-colored, near where this inscription was carved. And the floor was white and shining. This may be a map of the safe path through the cave." Professor Dumbledore and I both agree that this is plausible.

Then I look at the second picture, shuddering as I read the first part of the message... just enough to realize it is a trapping spell. More specifically, it is the trapping spell of one who calls himself Magnus! The trap is a devious one, keying on the final word of the inscription. Should one read the spell through, in its entirety, they would be drawn into The Maelstrom, to die a cold, slow and painful death. "Oh!" I exclaim. "This one is particularly nasty!" I spend some time explaining the nature of the spell and the counterspell. "You say you found these inscriptions in a cave?"

Dierna again describes the discovery, and her feelings of dread.

"I'm thinking this cave bears further exploration," I tell her. "With the proper precautions, and knowing the counterspell, I believe we could penetrate deeper. Ah! But I presume too much. Perhaps you would rather do this with a team of your Aurors." I slide the third picture to the middle of the small table. "Of this one, I can only make a few rude guesses, as badly defaced as it is. The few words which are clear enough to read are from a VERY old dialect, used only by a certain group of Skalds, as I recall. I suspect they may have been the first to use this cave. The other writings are of a later date, and the makers of those were also likely to have been the ones who destroyed this other."

I sit back and sip on my tepid cup, thinking I should possibly reheat it.

Bubotuber
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 12-21-03 10:23

Fritz is surprised by his own eagerness to answer Professor Logan's first question. The Herbology teacher pauses as she goes over his name in her head before voicing each syllable slowly. "Mr. Schnackenpfefferhausen?"

"Bubotubor ist thick, black und sluglike. It has blisters filled mit yellow-green pus, und it smells like petrol. On contact mit der skin, there will be big, ugly boils. However, properly diluted bubotubor pus ist good for acne."

He waits patiently for Professor Logan to provide her thoughts on his answer.

Free Time
Author: H Potter
Date: 12-21-03 17:08

With only one class, in the mornings, on Tuesdays and with his next class not until nine Thursday morning, Harry has a great deal of time on his hands this first day of classes. Deciding it would be prudent (thanks to a little voice in his head that sounds oddly like Hermione's) to review what he knows of potions and to glance again at the first chapter of the seventh year Potions textbook, Harry finds a sunny spot outside, spreads out a blanket, and drops to the middle of it, the review sheets he'd used for the Potions' final firmly in hand.

By midafternoon, Harry is pleased with the progress he's made and finds his thoughts drifting to the recent incident involving Ginny and how she's holding up and to whether he should be worried about Sirius' continued silence. Although Harry has received a message from an anonymous source, identified only as Sirius' contact, letting him know that Sirius is all right and that the mission is taking longer than expected, Harry has had a growing concern for Sirius's safety and welfare.

Harry attempts to squash the thoughts about what could be going wrong on his godfather's mission and to concentrate instead on how he can help Ginny through this rough time. She'd gone off to be alone just after lunch but maybe by now she'd like some company.

With that thought, Harry stands and gathers up everything, tucks it all in his pack and walks up towards the castle.

Explaining
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 12-21-03 17:30

'You're going to what!!' Drake demanded as the four of them (Drake, Emma, Kody and Arianna) sat 'round the common room fire.

'I'm going to try out to be the new seeker. I know I'm not as good as Cho was, but...'

'But... you hate quidditch!' Kody reminded her.

'No, I just thought it was a little violent over here at Hogwarts, but I'm over it. Accidents happen, besides,' she trailed off.

'Besides what?' Drake prompted.

'Besides, I...' How could she explain it to them? How could she tell them of the pride her dad had always had when she told him of her games back at beauxbaton? How disapointed he'd been when there had not been a spare position on the Ravenclaw team last year? 'I used to be on a team back in France.' she said lamely. 'I miss it.'

Re: Surprise Customers
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 12-21-03 18:37

"I do not want to go back in there!" I state firmly, shivering at the thought of that cave.

"I would not make you return, if you truly are against it," Dumbledore replies, "But consider what the consequences would be if Voldemort does go there and gains access to what lies within first." He looks at me over his spectacles.

"I want to consider that even less!"

I want to refuse to go, to argue that going deeper is folly-arrogance -anything to avoid going back and -deeper and further. But the Olamh is right, of course. Under no circumstances can we allow Voldemort to acquire whatever magical items are within that cave.

"Not Aurors. Whoever goes in there needs to be intimately knowledgeable of ancient magic for such a venture. Except for myself, Aurors do not have such knowledge." I turn from DumbledoreÕs steady gaze to Nevyyn If I do this, I'd feel much safer if you came with me, a chara."

I sigh. What choice do I have, really? We must all do things we'd rather not, if Voldemort is to be finally defeated. And Dumbledore believes its important, for him I'd do anything.

"Very well. For you, Olamh, I will explore the cave."

Alarmed!
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 12-21-03 20:01

I gave a startled look towards Tranquillina and Sora as I watched them whispering. Having heard the rumours of Professor Snape long before attending any of his classes, I knew that whispering during class was not exactly the best way to stay on his good side. Then again, I wasn't really sure what was a good way to stay on Snape's good side, other than being a Slytherin of course.

As the class wrapped up and we were all gathering our books and parchments, I finally spoke up.

"Rough class huh? And a quiz too! I hope that doesn't count on our final marks. Do you think it will be worth much? I mean, it really isn't fair to have a test on the first day. It's so.. unexpected!" I watched Sora and Tranquillia exchange amused looks, before realizing that I was babbling.

Back to School
Author: Saffron
Date: 12-21-03 22:43

Saffron finishes straightening up the classroom at the end of the day, her mind already on tomorrow's classes, both N.E.W.T. level. She sits down at her desk to go over the lesson plans for those two classes then makes sure everything she needs for Wednesday is in order. Once Saffron is satisfied she shuffles items around on her desk to make room to finish working on invitations to a little get together she's decided to have on Friday night. Saffron also writes two short notes to Briar's Bakery and to that interesting, new shop in town, Pots and Pages, placing a few small orders for various finger foods for the gathering she's got planned.

Gathering up the invitations and the two letters Saffron hands them over to two large screech owls from the school's owlery. One owl promptly wings the short distance to Hogsmeade with the two letters while the other swoops in and out of offices and rooms around Hogwarts delivering invitations to faculty and staff.

You are invited to attend a back to school gathering, Friday, September 5, 1997.

Where: Divinations Classroom

When: 9 pm

Why: Why not?

Light refreshments will be served.

Re: Bubotuber/5 pts. to Ravenclaw
Author: Angelina
Date: 12-22-03 06:55

He looked apprehensive after he gave his answer and I smiled. "Correct, 5 points to Ravenclaw." The young man beamed and was given a few pats on the back. "Now then each of you have a plant in front of you and some jars. We are going to get the pus for Madam Pomfrey's hospital wing. She's running a bit low since a lot of you are going through that acne stage."

There were a few giggles and I smiled, "Now class, one day some of you will go through it. I know I did and I am grateful for this little plant. Now begin." Soon the class was filled with muttering as the students filled the jars with the pus. I walked around to make sure no one got the pus on their hands.

Meeting
Author: Nick Stokes
Date: 12-22-03 07:45

After Nick had had his breakfast, his third day at Hogwarts opened up before him. No lessons to speak of. Unless he'd got his timetable wrong...again.

He saw Serena walking outside and sauntered over to say Hi. "Thanks for getting Shadowshade back for me." he muttered shyly.

"Oh no problem." Serena beamed.

Nick eyes wandered towards her chest slyly. He saw the Ravenclaw badge and looked up at her. "Oh, you're in Ravenclaw." he said, surprised. "I didn't realize."

"Well, I am." She grinned.

"Isn't that...a bad thing?" He looked puzzled.

"Noooo." she said slowly raising an eyebrow.

"I'm not up on all the inter-house politics." He smiled, losing some of his shyness. "So..." he looked down again, "Can we sit together at lunch?"

She grinned.

The Best Plan - Thank You Luly
Author: Marina Sanjarya
Date: 12-22-03 10:07

Marina reads some Le Fontaine's Fables peacefully, feeling the great silence the library has - specially because there is nobody looking for books, so she is really relaxed.

Luly, one of her pet cats, tries to get a small butterfly that sits on a bookshelf. He jumps gracefully to the air, hiking the bookshelf in his crazy attempt. Marina doesn't even notice a sound, when Luly is risking his own life - and maybe worse - risking the ultra-old books that rest in the bookshelf, too.

When Luly is almost at the top, almost getting the small insect, he pulls a book off the bookshelf, and this one falls down to Marina's head.

"Ouch!", moans she, and turns back to see Luly on the shelf, "You crazy! Don't do that again, you hear me?" Luly meows, feeling a big cloud of shame on his cute little head. Marina then gets the book that dropped, to put it in its place, and accidentally reads its title.

"Oh my! I found the solution I needed!"

Wednesday Morning
Author: Isolde
Date: 12-22-03 13:18

Even though they didn't have to, Isolde, Alexis and Devo awoke early to eat breakfast with Alicia in the Great Hall. Pyrrhus joined them as well and told the new Slytherin sixth year all about the different pranks he and his friends had pulled over the years, from framing Hermione Granger for cheating on a potions exam to charming his big sister Majandra into falling in love with the most unlikely of people such as Professor Snape and Hagrid.

Isolde laughed until tears were in her eyes, remembering "the good old days" with joy.

Soon, Alicia was off to her first class, Arithmancy, leaving the other four Slytherins behind. All had Astronomy that evening, but Isolde and Pyrrhus also had Divination at 10:30. The Slytherin sixth years lounged in the Great Hall all morning, the lovebirds half reading their Divination textbooks, half getting distracted by other things while Alexis and Devo started reading up on Astronomy.

As it neared mid-morning, Isolde and Pyrrhus reluctantly rose and gathered together their things, wishing Alexis and Devo "see you later" and then it was off to Divination with Professor Sacheverell. They passed Alicia on the way out of the Great Hall as she was going downstairs to the dungeons, presumably headed for the Slytherin common room.

With a wave and a smile, Isolde turned away from Alicia and went upstairs with Pyrrhus.

Pacing and Plotting
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 12-22-03 14:03

Day two of no classes found Draco in the same place as before, pacing the common room while Crabbe and Goyle watched. He trod the same path over and over again, back and forth, back and forth, mind concentrating not on classes or N.E.W.T.s but girls, and two in particular: Santhea Fennally and Pansy Parkinson.

Santhea was still angry, though Draco noticed some sort of change in her biting remarks from yesterday. Something was different, as if she knew something she didn't know before...something that altered everything. When Draco questioned Crabbe and Goyle for their thoughts on the matter, seeing as both had confided the truth to Draco yesterday and experienced rare but genuine moments of clarity and understanding, they nodded their heads dumbly as if the light that had turned on behind their eyes burned out long ago.

Draco was still angry, too, and while he knew something he hadn't known before it didn't change everything. Santhea could come crawling back to him, and he would probably––no, definitely welcome her back with open arms, but it wouldn't go the other way around. He had much more pride than that, and he'd drop dead before he'd fall to his knees and beg Santhea to take him back. In the meantime, the verbal arguments and glares could continue. Draco rather liked a good fight anyway. Pansy, on the other hand, had another thing coming.

Checking Hospital Supplies
Author: Madame Pomfrey
Date: 12-22-03 16:57

Madame Pomfrey began the day checking all the necessary supplies needed for the beginning of the school year...she had worked hard at filling all her cupboards, bottles, drawers, chests and anything else that would hole the necessary items needed to maintain the Hospital during the coming year. It never surprised her anymore at how the students, both new and old, could come up with new ways to use the Arts of Magice. Both on themselves and their fellow students. She finished up by checking that all her own Spell Books and other necessary Reference Manuals were all in there proper place.

She loved working here and enjoyed meeting all the returning students and the new ones each year. She could be quite stern when necessary but loved them all. And of course when there was something that needed the extra knowledge and experience...there was always the benefit of having her co-worker close by to ask a question here and there.

Confident that everything was ready for the new year...she paused for a moment to look around and then with a smile thought to herself..."Let the New Year Begin..."

First Defense Against the Dark Arts Class
Author: Sora
Date: 12-22-03 23:26

Sora woke up late and he had no time for breakfast! This was one of his bad morning habits (most of the time). He quickly put on his robes, got his books and ran out the dormitories. "I'm gonna be late! I'm gonna be late!" he said outloud as he ran down the hall to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Sora finally made it! He gave a huge sigh of relief as he ran into the classroom. "I'm here! I made it! I'm...ACH!!!" Sora's foot caught onto one of his fellow student's bag straps and he went crashing to the floor. Sora laid there for a moment. "Ouch." was the only thing that came out of his mouth.

Sora rose and discovered his nose was bleeding. Not knowing what to do about it, he picked up his books and his wand and sat down at an empty desk. "This is just not my day." Sora mumbled as he wiped his nose on his sleeve.