Herbology
Lessons
Author: Nick Stokes
Date: 12-29-03 05:01
Nick pried himself from his warm bed and trudged to the Great Hall for breakfast, after which he sloped off towards herbology. He wasn't feeling good, not that he was ill, he was just not good. He shoved a year seven sharply out of his way as he strode down the corridor.
"Stupid lessons, have to get up!" he grumbled.
Turning a corner he came across Serena, she looked up at him as she picked up her book from the floor. He smiled warmly, his anger melting like first snow.
"Hi" she said. "What class have you got?"
"Oh um, herbology." he murmured.
"Fancy!" she said, grinning. "How are you finding Hogwarts?"
"I walked round a corner an' there it was." Nick chuckled and Serena rolled her eyes and smiled.
Diligence
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 12-29-03 09:46
Professor Snape was mightily impressed with the progress made on the faux Fenririan Manuscript by Professor Dumbledore and Nevvyn. Materials had been collected, charmed to look, feel and be as ancient and exact as the originals, and the dark spells within the text had been laboriously altered so their true power could never been unleashed.
Snape, himself, had been very busy in the evenings after dinner, often working well into the night adapting the potions from concoctions of pure evil and destruction into elixirs no more dangerous than Longbottom's foul attempts at a simple mixture of two ingredients. He also worked diligently creating the exact draught for the ink, which Nevvyn would then use to pen the new text.
The final solution for the ink was indeed finished, Snape having completed it during the wee hours of the night. He had just tested it for accuracy when a strange rumbling went through the castle, but tired as he was, Snape attributed it to lack of sleep and went to bed, satisfied with his creation.
The following morning, he arose early despite the voice in his head telling him to simply roll over and return to his dreamless sleep. He taught two classes full of dunderheads, first year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and second year Gryffindor and Slytherin. When the noon bell finally rang, Professor Snape was glad to be rid of his students.
He went to the Great Hall for lunch and sought out Professor Dumbledore. He stooped beside the Headmaster's chair and said quietly, "The ink has been created. I'll bring it by the office this evening after dinner." Dumbledore nodded his head slightly and with that, Professor Snape found his place at the head table and started to eat.
Girls Against
the Boys
Author: Adam Sparrow
Date: 12-29-03 09:57
Sidi wasn't speaking to him again. Adam spent another morning groveling. "I was nice! I didn't do anything wrong!"
She spun. "You hate my family!" She started to cry.
"I don't hate your family! Its a very interesting family, very loud family..." He followed her as she went from table to table scrubbing and waxing the wood.
"You have no right to think lowly of them! You think you're better than them. You think of them as vagabonds or a band of dirty thieves!"
Adam was shocked. "I do not! Where is this coming from!?" He pulled her to him and held her as she sobbed. He stroked her hair and told her how much he loved her. "I think you're homesick."
"Don't you get homesick?" she sniffled.
Adam let out a sarcastic laugh. "I'm the son of Dr. Jeckyll. Would you be homesick?"
Sidi couldn't help but laugh. She loved him and didn't know why she was acting this way. "I love you Adam." She smiled up through her tears. As he kissed her his hands roamed up the loose cotton embroidered blouse she wore. He held her tight. Her arms circled his neck.
"Owww!" Adam jumped as he felt a sharp jab in his back.
He turned to find the laughing face of Arthur Weasley. Molly waved her finger in his face.
"None of that young man, not 'till you put a ring on her finger!"
Sidi hugged her. "You tell him Molly!"
Adam looked at Arthur. Arthur shrugged and put his arm around Adam's shoulders. "Its to women against two men son. We're horribly outnumbered."
Career Paths
Author: H Potter
Date: 12-29-03 10:04
With the only class of the day, Herbology, well behind him, Harry perches on the edge of a chair in the Gryffindor common room. The table before him is covered in pamphlets and brochures, each pontificating the merits of a profession in the Wizarding World. Engrossed in one particularly thick pamphlet, Harry doesn't look up when Ron sits down opposite him.
"I thought you'd decided to be an auror, Harry."
"I have. Well, I've thought about it I mean. Somedays I'm firmly decided that I want to do everything it takes to get accepted into auror training but other days I have doubts about pursuing that as a career. I've got other interests. Not everyone's as sure of their futures as Majandra and you are."
"I think she's a bit barmy wanting to be a potions master. Working closely with Snape..."
Ron's voice trails off and Harry doesn't have to look up to know that a shudder has just run down Ron's spine because one has just run down his own at the thought of pursuing a potions career with Snape as advisor.
Harry looks up from the pamphlet and grins at Ron, "Be careful what you say about Maj. Barmy she might be but she could well be your sister-in-law if she and George stay as serious as they've been."
"True, true. If things go on as they have with Fred and Blossom, could be we're looking at a double wedding. Mum would love that. And I don't mean that sarcastically. I swear sometimes she's already got Ginny's and yours planned out."
Harry goes bright crimson and he barely manages to sputter, "Ginny's and mine?"
"Breathe, Harry, or that Weasley red you just turned will become a nasty shade of bluish-grey," Ron chortles then adds more seriously, "I'd love to have you in the family but I know things could change between you and Ginny so I'm taking things one day at a time where you two are concerned."
Ron makes a big show of cracking his knuckles, "Though, if you break my sister's heart, your face will get a personal introduction to my fist."
Harry laughs at that, "I think my face would be very blue - and black and purple - if that ever happened because I'd be meeting quite a few Weasley fists. My luck to fall for a girl with six older brothers and a protective father."
Ron joins in the laughter, "Ah, but just think, blue and purple are good colors for you so at least you'd look stylish." He reaches for one of the brochures and picks it up. "Making A Career Of A Magician In The Muggle World," he murmurs. "Say, this could be a bloody brilliant job if Quidditch happens to fall through. Not that it will of course."
With a roll of his eyes, Harry replies, "Of course," then returns his attention back to the pamphlet in his hands.
Conversation
with Orei
Author: Jared
Date: 12-29-03 10:25
Jared went along with the introduction to Brett and Brett did the same, neither wanting to tell Orie that the two had spoken before, most recently when Brett was carrying Orie's sleeping form. Even before Brett joined them, Jared had been pondering Orie's question about Quidditch and now, as she asks about the rest of Jared's day, he makes a decision about the game.
"I'm done with classes for the day so I'll work on getting a few assignments started and maybe one or two completed. I think I'll do it outside though. I hate being cooped up with the sun's shining. Want to join me? We can quiz each other on all this new Potions information. He's sure to give us a test on it Wednesday."
Orie nods in agreement and a short time later the two second years are seated on a dry, sunlit patch of ground, Potions notes open before them. Just before Orie asks the first question, Jared suddenly chimes in, "I am going to try out for the team, Orie. I've been thinking about it since you asked earlier and I've decided I'll give it a shot."
Potions,
Quidditch and a Friend
Author: Orieliah McCoi
Date: 12-29-03 12:22
Orei and Jared found a place to sit on the grounds, both second years working on homework assignments, and going over the new potions information. Before Orei could chime in with the first question Jared pipped in that he was going to try out for the Quidditch team. "Awesome Jared! I really hope you get a spot on the team."
She grinned brightly looking down at her potions book. "Tryouts are soon, hopefully I'll be ready for them."
The two chatted a bit more about Quidditch before turning their attention to the new potions information. Orie asked the first question...
"How long do lacewig flies need to be stewed before they can be used in a potion?" Question asked as she grinned at Jared.
She read over the answer before looking back at Jared. "Eleven, twenty-one, or thirty-one days?" She offered him a few choices.
Silent Musings
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 12-29-03 14:13
One week down, many more to go. But, I survived that first week without it being too painfully obvious I don't have any teaching experience beyond the few seminars I gave in the Muggle world. With the exception of an extremely small number of students, the kids here have been wonderful and more than happy to help a newcomer to the maze of hallways and rooms making up Hogwarts castle.
The faculty and staff have been equally helpful. Dobby, a curious yet amusing and very friendly creature called a House Elf, has practically done back flips in an effort to give assistance when needed. I ended up giving him some silk socks and silk ties from my way too large collection of such items and darned if the little guy didn't swoon in ecstasy.
I've bonded of sorts with Viktor Krum, not only because we are new to the faculty but because of my growing fascination with Quidditch plus Viktor's going to help me master flying. Professor McGonagall has proven to be a true angel when it comes to making sure I'm settling in well. Hagrid is a big, hairy, friendly to a fault Teddy bear and despite overheard student murmurings about nasty Professor Snape, even he has been of indispensable aid. Yes, he's standoffish and tends to look down that long nose of his but after I explained my predicament about my father the squid deciding to keep his family in the dark about the Wizarding World, Severus lent me several beginner Potions books. He also offered excellent advice and critique of the potions I've attempted so far. He even seems impressed that I'm a fairly quick study.
I finish dashing off an owl to Bill and send the very vague message off. Bill will definately wonder why he's getting a short letter informing him we need to talk in private at his earliest convenience. I included a copy of my schedule and suggested he take lunch with me one day this week or that I come into town for supper. Boy will he be surprised at the news that Dumbledore approved the use of my new estate, Cloud's Kiss, for hands-on Muggle Studies experience and that we'd like Bill to help put safety and defensive charms and spells around the estate's perimeter.
If all goes well, Bill and I will have a meal together within a day or two and hammer out the details. I just hope he remembers to bring along something from Briar's Bakery as I requested in a postscript. Hmmm, Briar's. I could place my own order. Who needs Bill? Pouring more perfectly chilled water into my glass, I decide I need to write another owl.
Re: Transfigurations
Author: Sora
Date: 12-29-03 15:46
"Hallo, guys." Tranquillina smiled as Roane and Sora walked into Transfigurations. "You look run-down..." Roane commented. Tranquillina smirked. "If you had the dreams I did last night, you'd be quite tired as well."
Sora gave a curious look. "What kind of dreams...?" he asked as he looked down and saw that his foot was caught in his robes. "Oh no, not this time!" he said as he untangled his foot. He gave a triumphant grin, and took a step to his seat next to Tranquillina.
But his hand slipped off the desk and he came crashing down. "That kind of hurt..." he said as he got back up and sat down. "At least my books and stuff didn't go everywhere this time." Tranquillina and Roane laughed, Sora smiled. "Just call me Goofy!"
Flying Lessons
Author: Sora
Date: 12-29-03 15:44
Tranquillina, Roane and Sora all stood next to each other with their brooms waiting for Victor Krum to arrive for their first flying lesson. "Oh this is exciting!" Roane said smiling. Tranquillina gave a grin. "Yeah, I can't wait!" she said in return. They both looked at Sora, who was kind of shaken about all of this.
"What's the matter Sora?" Tranquillina asked. Roane looked a little concerned herself. Sora gave a weak grin and looked at his toes as he fiddled with his fingers. "I-It's nothing..." he said. Roane gave him a nudge in the arm. "Aw, come on Sora tell us what the problem is."
Sora cleared his throat. "It's just that... that... well......." He looked at Roane and Tranquillina. "I... I have a little problem with.... er... with heights..." he managed to say. Tranquillina and Roane gave a laugh. "Oh Sora, you'll be fine!" Tranquillina reassured. Roane smiled as she patted Sora on the back.
Viktor Krum arrived. Once all the students settled down, he gave them clear instructions. "Now I'd like you all to mount your brooms." Sora's face turned pale as he mounted his broom. "On my whistle, three... two... one..." The whistle blew and everyone started to hover above the ground. Sora felt his feet leave the ground.
"ACH! OH NO!! THIS IS IT!!! I'M GONNA DIE!!!!" he cried as he wrapped his arms around his broom with his eyes closed tightly. Viktor Krum walked over to Sora trying to get him to calm down. "Mr. Hearts! It's all right! Open your eyes!" he said. Sora was breathing fast as he opened one eye; he looked down and saw that his feet were only about a half inch off the ground.
"Oh............." he said, he felt his face go red as he stepped off the broom. Tranquillina and Roane both laughed.
Pretty as
a Picture
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 12-29-03 15:54
Side by side on a thick blanket, flat on their backs, fingers interlocked, Isolde and Pyrrhus watch the fluffy clouds overhead, playing the ageless game of "spot the shapes and figures." After one long stretch of finding one animal shape after another, Py comments, "We need to think up another devious plan to keep things from being boring this year. I'm not sure we can top having Maj falling in love with someone new ever two seconds though."
Isolde turns on her side and props herself up on one elbow, her lovely mouth turned up in the most impishly appealing grin. "We still have the voodoo dolls."
"Oooh, very true. We could even borrow Alexis's to have some fun with two people at once. There's also the blackmail pictures I have of Maj."
One of Isolde's eyebrows raises in a perfect arch. "Blackmail pictures? You've been holding out on me, my dear."
Py props himself up on an elbow to face Isolde, unable to resist giving her a kiss before replying. "I didn't tell you about the pictures? Well, this summer I found an invibility cloak and borrowed it one day. While wearing it I spotted Maj and George, who after having a heated kissing session in front of that stupid store the twin weasels own, went up to the flat above the shop. They were up there a long time and when they came down both were grinning way to much for it to have just been a heavy petting session. To say the least I got curious. I borrow the cloak another day but had a camera that time and followed them into the flat when they were supposedly on a lunch break from work."
Isolde's eyes are beguilingly large with anticipation, "And?"
"And sister dear is not the sweet, innocent she would have people believe and George is definately no gentleman. They were so busy getting hot and heavy on the couch neither one heard the camera shutter. I went through a whole roll of film. I've been saving the pictures for when I need something major from Majandra. Or when I just really want to annoy her no end. I'll show you the pictures when we get back to Slytherin House. Be warned though, looking at them might cause blindness. Who knew my sister was into shagging weasels?"
Isolde giggles them points up to a passing cloud, "Speaking of weasels, there goes one now."
Clowing Around
Author: Majandra
Date: 12-29-03 16:48
Majandra enters the common room in time to catch the tail end of Harry's and Ron's conversation. "Muggle magician, huh? More like Muggle clown if you ask me."
She grins and winks then adds, "Let that red hair grow longer and tease it out. Perfect clown hair."
She sets down a large tray of sandwiches and sweets on the table then pulls out a thermos from her bookbag. "I noticed you two weren't at lunch so I brought some snacks. All it took to get this lot was to mention Harry's name to Dobby. I swear he'd have given me even more if he thought I could carry it."
Both boys grab sandwiches and, too busy eating, just nod at Maj. She pours them each some of the chocolate milk from the thermos then pours some for herself. "Which one of you has all these papers spread out?"
Around another bite of food, Harry manages to say, "I do."
"Still keeping career options open, huh? Speaking of careers, has Hermione said word one to you, Ron, about her plans? She hasn't said anything to me other than she's taking as many classes as she can because she doesn't want to limit herself."
"Shtobizee," Ron gulps down what's in his mouth, "I mean she's too busy telling me to have a backup plan to Quidditch."
Majandra snickers, "Well, now you have two. Magician or clown. Or possibly both."
Hogwarts Castle
Author: Madame Pomfrey
Date: 12-29-03 18:43
It had been a strange night...a few students came to the hospital wing with odd symptoms...headaches, nightmares, and bouts of sleeplessness. What was going on? Madame Pomfrey was just a bit uneasy...
Learning to
Fly
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 12-29-03 19:17
I watched Sora, and then turned to look at Tranquillina. There was just no way to hide it, I had to laugh! As a fit of giggles hit me, I held onto my broom and started to inch up and down, as each set of giggles hit me harder. Wiping my tears away, I finally got my feet back on the ground. Seeing the disapproving look of Victor Krum, I quickly stopped laughing.
"Sorry Professor Krum", I mumbled.
Fly Away
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 12-29-03 22:08
Viktor managed to get through both flying lessons without anyone getting injured. If you don't count Sora Hearts tendency to forget to breath whenever his toes were so much as a millimeter above the ground. He'd wound up awarding five points to the boy for not giving up despite his obvious, intense phobia.
At the end of each of the sessions, Viktor told the students about the workshops he gives for the first and second years on Hogsmeade weekends. At the mention of having the opportunity to learn and to practice Quidditch as well as additional flying practice, a number of faces lit up. Viktor hopes that means another good turn out for the workshops.
Walking back towards the castle, Viktor reminds himself to verify the Hogsmeade weekend dates so he can owl them to his friends on the Bulgarian team. After the great time the three who helped last year had, a number of others have expressed interest. That means it might be possible to have groups as small as two or three getting help and advice on flying and playing the game from skilled Quidditch players and everyone knows that a small student to instructor ratio almost always gets the best results.
An Early
Start
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 12-29-03 23:32
It was 4:45 AM, and Vera was wide awake. She couldn't for the life of her get to sleep, and she didn't know why. After about an hour of tossing and turning, Vera gave up and got up and dressed. She collected her things for her Herbology class at 9:00.
Pretty soon the sun came up and she was still sitting on the couch. But had resorted to staring into the fire pit. As time passed students started to immerge from their rooms and joined Vera in the dorm.
"Vera! Wow, you're up before anyone else!" Desdemona Diamond said to her. "How long have you been up?"
"Technically? Since about five." Vera gave a dreary smile. Desdemona shook her head and wandered off. Not long after Lawrence sat down beside her and kissed her cheek.
"Hey you look worn out, what's wrong?" Lawrence asked.
"Couldn't sleep." Vera leaned her head on his shoulder.
Desdemona walked by. "Yeah, said she's been up since five!" And wandered off again.
Lawrence looked down at Vera. "Really? Is everything alright?"
Vera shrugged. "I don't know. I just woke up and despite how tired I was I couldn't get back to sleep. It's really no big deal. I'll just take a nap after class."
"Good!" Lawrence kissed her head. "Just don't fall asleep in class ok? ...Vera?" He glanced down at her. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Looking at the clock it was only 7:30. An hourŐs sleep would be enough to replenish her for a 1 1/2 class...
