Why Me?
Author: Adam Sparrow
Date: 11-25-03 18:58
The Auror pulled his sleeve up. He chastised the librarian when announcing there was no mark. Adam looked at his badly scarred arm. He saw the marks. How strange. The Auror's face didn't even register it. He didn't curl his lip or wrinkle his nose. Above all he didn't look at Adam like he was a freak and say "What the hell happened to you?" All he said was. "You didn't do anything wrong. You look like you could use a stiff drink." He was right. Sidi accepted.
Nevvyn had prior commitments and thanked Michel. He told Sidi how good it was meeting her and reminded her of a trip Diagonally. Sidi gushed.
Adam didn't like Sidi gushing to men other than himself. She never acted like that in Romania or Jamaica. She was always so serious. No one invited her to do anything Diagonally or to have tea.
Sidi pushed over and put her arms around him. "You ok? What on earth are you doing here?"
"I didn't do anything wrong." He said still shell-shocked.
The crowd had dispersed and the library was back to normal.
Michael came over. "No you sure didn't." He could see the poor guy was traumatized. "How about that drink?" He smiled and soon they found themselves at "The Three Broomsticks" then it was on home.
Chatterbox
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 11-25-03 19:45
"I've never spent so much time in the Muggle world before," Bronwyn announced suddenly as she and Desdemona stepped through the archway to Diagon Alley. "I mean, my mum's a Muggle and I have loads of Muggle relatives but I've never actually lived without any sort of magic for longer than, oh, I don't know...a week, perhaps?"
"Okay, Miss Motor-mouth. I'm glad you had a good time in the amazing Muggle world," Desi joked. She steered Bronwyn to Flourish and Blotts and said, "Did you know you talked the entire flight from Seattle to London?"
"Yes, I know," Bronwyn exclaimed, smiling delightfully. "You've told me this at least a dozen times since we landed. So, which books do we need this year, Miss Prefect?"
"Don't you have the list?" Desi asked. She stopped near the doorway and looked at Bronwyn quizzically.
"No, didn't you bring yours?" Bronwyn questioned.
"Well, I'm sure the bookseller will know which texts we need," Desi stated, starting for the door.
"Of course," Bronwyn agreed.
They stepped inside and wandered the aisles of the bookstore, looking around for any of their classmates or a Hogwarts booklist.
"Who do you think our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will be?" Bronwyn asked, signaling for a bookseller to come over.
"I don't know," Desi replied. "You don't think Professor Somerset is coming back?"
"Sadly, no," Bronwyn answered. She sighed deeply and explained, "Hogwarts DADA professors traditionally only stay for one year, although Professor Somerset didn't even last that long. I wonder why he left," she added thoughtfully. "At any rate, I hope our new professor is as handsome as he was."
"I don't think you should be having crushes on your professors, Bronwyn," Desi said, laughing.
"Why not?" But Desi never had the chance to respond because the bookseller came over and started to help the two Hufflepuffs find their Hogwarts textbooks.
Hi Harry!
Author: Molly Weasley
Date: 11-25-03 19:46
Molly, Ron, Ginny and Hermione gathered in front of Gringotts. Molly reached in her bag to pull out the school lists only to see the back of Ginny's red head bounce away yelling. "See you later Mum! I'll be on time!"
"Ginny!" Molly yelled. "What are you going to do for lunch??" But it was too late. Ginny obviously had plans of her own. "Oh that girl!"
Molly huffed. She looked at Hermione. "I don't suppose you know where and with whom she is going?"
Hermione shook her head. She hadn't a clue.
"Oh look! It's Harry!" Molly started waving her hands.
"Mum!" Ron agonized. "He can see you. You don't have to be so embarrassing. He's going to turn and walk away if he's smart."
Molly poked her son's shoulder. "You mind yourself Mister!"
She threw her arms around Harry. "Harry dear. Nice to see you."
Harry smiled. "Hello!"
Harry and Hermione shared smiles. "I'm glad you're here Hermione."
"Me too." she said. "I'd have thought you had everything you needed at Hogsmeade."
"Well you wouldn't have been there would you?"
"Oh thanks Harry."
She didn't know why but she instantly misted up.
"I know where we can start then!" Ron smiled at Harry then looked at Hermione. "She's not carrying one book!"
Harry started to laugh and jumped in the effort to lighten up the mood. "We can not have that can we?"
They each linked an arm through one of hers and marched her into "Flourish and Blotts." Hermione laughed.
Gawking
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 11-25-03 20:07
Pyrrhus stares at where Jet Obsidian had been standing only moments before. By pure chance, Isolde and Py were passing by just as the green smoke began curling into the air. Instinctively Py had slipped one arm around Isolde and pulled her closer. Isolde in turn tightly clutched Py's other hand. The couple are unable to pull their eyes away until Parvati brushes past them on her way to locate the Weasleys.
Py quietly speaks close to Isolde's ear. "Let's go, love. To Hogsmeade. Julian will be glad to see us. Besides, being there is a hell of a lot better than waiting around watching a dark stain on the ground until someone from the Ministry shows up to clear the area."
"I couldn't agree more! Let's go. We can Floo from The Leaky Cauldron."
They turn to leave, both feeling oddly relieved that they'd done their shopping days before and were only hanging around Diagon Alley today to see friends. As Py waits for Isolde to go through the Floo Network first, he briefly wonders if he should mention to anyone that Jet was using a room at Hogwarts to conduct experiments and that he was in possession of the secret diary of Salazar Slytherin.
Last Minute
Shopping
Author: Remadi Ye
Date: 11-26-03 08:32
Remadi walks down Diagon Alley with her father, her arm wrapped around his. She smiles as they pass different stores, laughing at a joke. She leads them to the right, into a stationary shop.
"I can't believe I forgot some things. It's a good thing we're so close," she says as they enter. Tony nods as his eyes roam.
"At least you remembered before you left," he comments as Remadi picks out the ink she wants and pays for it. She smiles and nods.
They continue on their way, not having to go far, as they enter Flourish & Blott's. Remadi takes her time here, only needing to get one book, but enjoying looking at the others. Tony doesn't seem to mind as he also is browsing the store, picking up this book or that. They finally finish looking around and leave the store after Remadi has paid for her book.
"Let's end with ice cream," Remadi says, pointing to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. Tony nods and Remadi grins as they head over there, finding a nice place to sit and ordering sundaes. They watch the outside traffic as they both take their time eating their ice cream, Tony very interested in this new place heÕs been introduced to. Remadi finishes her bowl of ice cream before her father does, Neko showing up just as she sets down her spoon.
"Neko-chan, you decided to join us?" Remadi asks, grinning at the cat's timing. "Would you like to lick me bowl clean?" Neko meows at this.
"Remadi," Tony says. "This is not a place for Neko to be doing that."
"They're going to be cleaning it anyways," Remadi says logically as Neko jumps onto the table and starts cleaning the bowl himself.
Remadi laughs, "See, too late now anyways." Tony sighs, shaking his head and trying to hide the smile on his face.
A Run-In
Author: Santhea Fennally
Date: 11-27-03 00:48
Flourish and Blotts was as crowded as it ever was and the two young Slytherins had trouble to reach the counter. Santhea had declared that she felt by no means obliged to go and look for her books herself. Let the shop assistant do so.
"Ah, young Master Malfoy and ... Miss Fennally? How kind of you to pay us a visit. I was just about to send something to your father, but now I might be able to give it to him..."
"You might do so if he were here. As it is, would you fetch us our books," she handed him both her and Draco's reading lists for their next, and last, year at Hogwarts, "And be quick."
Once the man had disappeared, Draco turned to Santhea. "Didn't you say you've never been to Diagon Alley before? How come they know you around here then?"
She just shrugged, "So I did. Well, I have been here, as a child. Last time was when Stuart got his Hogwarts things... Before he fell from father's grace by being sorted into Ravenclaw..." No, she wouldn't think about that. "But father is still doing business with Flourish and Blotts so our dearest assistant for example keeps visiting the Manor quite often... I wouldn't be surprise if father had shares in this nice..." she looked around, obviously disgusted, "...little shop."
Behind them, someone cleared their throat and the voice of Pansy Parkinson asked sweetly, "So the Prince and Princess are finally reconciled? I'm so glad. Just to think that the Princess would be in tears over you again. Oh, no..." she added with an evil grin, "That was because of your dear, idiot brother who got himself killed..."
Draco made to reach for his wand, but Santhea beat him at it. Wand in her hand, she whirled around to face her classmate. "Was there something you wanted, Parkinson? If not, be so kind and turn around and leave us alone. I was hoping to spend the last day of the holidays without getting sick at the sight of you!"
Pansy looked stunned, and even a little scared. Clearly, Santhea couldn't really do anything to her in the crowded store. However, she wasn't prepared to try her luck. "Very well. I'll be seeing you around, Fennally," her voice was wavering, Santhea realized pleased. Flashing Draco a smile, she added, "I'm sure I'll see you..."
Then she was gone, leaving the "Prince" and "Princess" behind. "Oh, I think I'm going to be sick," Santhea muttered. Then she felt Draco's hand come to rest on the small of her back and she had to fight down the smile that threatened to take possession of her face. 'Malfoy, Malfoy... So protective all of a sudden?' Oh yes, this year would be highly entertaining...
Claredon Abbey: On
Retreat
Author: Professor Belladonna Sinistra
Date: 11-27-03 04:15
The owl dropped a parchment with the words Tomorrow is the start of term. Apperate here before you leave. We just want to know you're safe. -Da
Bella looked at the note in half wonder. Really, no one had to tell her what date it was. So far, it had been one lunar month and three days. That meant today was the 31st of August, and today was the last day at the Hermit's Cottage. It had been built during the 1300's when Claredon Abbey was actually an abbey and not a country home of the Sinistras.
Almost seven hundred years after the one room cottage had been built, Bella had decided that what she needed was a retreat. No distractions, no people, no cigarettes, no alcohol, and nothing that had been processed in any way. She didn't even bring her wand. No, life was simple: watch the stars all night, bring in water from the well, sleep on a straw mattress, and eat what could be gathered from the woods.
Not using her voice had enabled her to listen to her senses and mind. She had made up her mind about so many things and caused certain things to be transparent. She hadn't felt so wonderful since the last time she had gone on a similar retreat.
She had been seventeen, a shy, quiet girl. That year she had filled in for the previous astronomy professor who had left midyear, took her NEWTs and received excellent marks, came out in society, and received her first proposal from Liam. So many paths had been open to her, and which one to take had been difficult. The retreat that year had helped her make up her mind.
This year, it had taught her to listen to herself and be proud of what she had accomplished. Okay, maybe she couldnÕt keep a chap to save her life, but she was a professor at what could be the best wizarding school in the world. She had exhibited paintings that the critics thought were promising and had the first of a set of astronomy textbook coming out some time next year. And she had done it before the age of thirty to boot. Her inner critic had been silenced and she was looking forward to a year of finally being the person she somehow had known she was capable of being.
Pensive
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 11-27-03 10:17
Snape sat in his office, scrolls of parchments unfurled before him over his desk. He thought about tomorrow, when the older students would return to their familiar surroundings at Hogwarts and young first years would arrive, wide-eyed with innocence and wonder. He recalled his own first time at Hogwarts from boarding the Hogwarts Express, sailing across the lake in a small boat with some of his classmates and entering the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony. How long ago that had been!
But it wasn't a time for reminiscing, and those seven years at Hogwarts weren't necessarily ones he particularly cared to remember anyway. An all too common frown tugged the corners of his lips as more thoughts of the past entered his mind, but he ceased them with a sudden shake of the head and pushed a more important matter to the forefront of his mind. The Fenririan Manuscript had yet to be found, and Snape knew without the slightest of doubts that Voldemort's patience had worn thin long, long ago.
Shopping with Vera
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 11-27-03 18:09
Lawrence and Vera spent the entire day on Diagon Alley, wandering through the streets as well as getting their supplies for the coming year. "Vera, I don't know if I told you, but I am possibly thinking about trying out for the house quidditch team."
This got a reaction from the girl at his side. "Oh? Really? Well, that's going to make this year GREAT!!" She laughed and hugged him tightly. "Where do we need to go next?"
"Well, we've got our books, new robes, and all that's left is getting writing supplies and such. Well, we can go to Flourish and Blotts, or wait a little bit longer on that and go to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, for some ice cream and a drink before finishing our shopping." Lawrence spoke, as the two stood at the corner, waiting and figuring out where they were going to go. Though Lawrence had something planned perhaps.
"Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, I've got a craving for some pumpkin juice." Vera spoke and grabbed his hand tugging him toward the Ice Cream Parlor. "Come on!!"
He laughed and shook his head. "I'll meet you there. There is something I need to get real quick. Order me the same thing you are having, get a table outside?" He looked hopeful, and reluctantly she let go of his hand, though he didn't miss the sparkle of curiosity within her eyes. He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I won't be long."
With that he slipped off into the crowd, his destination Quality Quidditch Supplies, and he slipped within. He spoke briefly to the man behind the counter and passed currency over the counter to him and smiled as he was handed the package that had been waiting for him to pick up. "Thank you." With that the young man left the shop and headed to meet Vera and give her the gift.
"So whatcha get?" he asked as he moved to slide into the seat across from her, large package neatly wrapped in brown paper at his side.
"Pumpkin juice and just a plain ice cream." She spoke with a smile. She pointed to his which were resting right in front of him. "Now, what did you get?"
He laughed, watching as she set aside her pumpkin juice and ice cream. "Well if you want to know so bad, I'll tell you, or rather let you see for yourself." He handed the parcel over to her. "It's for one year of friendship and more Vera."
He watched as she tore open the brown paper around the broom and smiled lightly as she squealed in delight. "So I take it you like the new broom?"
Vera nodded and moved around the table to hug him tightly. "I figured you'd get good use out of it this season." He smiled and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Now go eat your ice cream." He shooed her back to her seat.
"Thank you." She said moving back to sit in her chair and eat her ice cream.
"So, do you think your parents will allow you too remain at my house, so that it will be easier to get to the station tomorrow?" He asked, after a bite of his ice cream and took a sip of his pumpkin juice.
The Magic Begins
Author: Mallory
Date: 11-27-03 20:21
Hogwarts responded to my letter in timely fashion, revealing that yes, magic is very real and yes, I am a witch. Imagine my surprise when all the skepticism I retained even after receiving the follow-up letter vanished upon entering the Leaky Cauldron. Of course, it took some convincing to get my parents to escort me there in the first place. When my mom learned it was a pub (or bar, as we Americans say), she nearly refused to let me out of the house because she found it completely irresponsible that a school would have any affiliation with an establishment full of rowdy adults and free-flowing beer.
I pleaded and begged until I was blue in the face, but mom wouldn't relent until dad stepped in and saved the day. He suggested that perhaps the Leaky Cauldron was a family-friendly place, otherwise a well-respected school wouldn't send prospective students there; and Hogwarts seemed just that, well-respected. He didn't know why he felt that way, and yet somehow I had the same feeling. "Besides," Dad continued, "it even has a sort of witchy theme to its name. The Leaky Cauldron."
Well, come Sunday around noon time we were standing outside the Leaky Cauldron. My parents seemed blind to the whole establishment until I opened the door and led them inside, where we discovered numerous other parents and children of varying ages, some seemingly very much like myself: extremely new to all of this.
A young woman smiled broadly at us and asked us to follow her to the back of the building. It was there that she pulled a magic wand from her pocket and tapped at several bricks in the wall. We didn't even have time to register the wand in our minds when the bricks magically parted and formed into an archway.
"Whoa," I breathed, eyes wide at the sight.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," the woman said. "You'll find all of your school supplies here. Good luck!"
She left us standing there, all three of us slack-jawed and immobile from surprise.
School Supplies
Author: Mallory
Date: 11-27-03 21:39
We recovered from the initial shock from our first glimpse into the wizarding world quickly, and made haste to Gringotts Bank to exchange our pounds and pence to, well, I'm not sure. Anyway, it wasn't long before we were standing on the steps with our faces raised as we admired the towering white facade of the building. We stepped inside and gaped as the sight of short, sharp-looking creatures working meticulously and methodically behind counters in the long, marble-floored chamber.
"What do you think they are?" my mom whispered fearfully, one hand clamped firmly around my dad's wrist while the other held onto my hand tightly.
"Gremlins?"
"Gnomes?"
"Goblins?"
Completely unsure, I approached one of the teller counters and told one of the interesting creatures to kindly exchange my British money for whatever the wizarding currency is. It seems paper money isn't common in the wizarding world because the Gringotts teller gave me a sackful of coins.
We left in a little bit of a daze, perhaps feeling as if this was all a dream. I fished out my school supply list and directed us to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where I was fitted for three sets of plain work robes.
"Every year we seem to get more and more Muggle-borns attending Hogwarts," Madam Malkin commented, selecting a plain pointed hat and a pair of gloves as part of my uniform.
"What's a Muggle?" I asked.
"Non-magic folk, such as your parents." She added a winter cloak with silver fastenings to my items and charged me an unknown amount of money. I simply opened the bag of coins and asked her to select the correct number because I didn't know what she meant by galleons, sickles and knuts.
We went to Flourish and Blotts next, where I found my course textbooks for such unimaginable classes as Charms and Potions. Then, we went to Ollivander's for a magic wand of my very own. I was nervous with anticipation, not really sure what to expect when I gave the first wand a little wave. Nothing off the wall happened and nothing spectacular did either.
Mr. Ollivander handed me another, and somehow we both knew that this was the one. "Well done, Miss Horton. You'll make a fine witch with this wand."
I beamed, unsure of what to say. After my wand was boxed, wrapped and paid for, we went to the Apothecary, where I purchased a number of other things from my list, such as a set of glass vials and a set of brass scales.
We found relaxation at a cute little ice cream shop, which gave us the perfect opportunity to reflect on all we had seen. I was happy to see that both of my parents were slowing warming to the idea of me being a witch and of magic being as bona fide as everyday, Muggle life. Even I was growing used to the fact that I wasn't the girl I thought I was. Come tomorrow, I'd be starting my magical education and I couldn't wait to begin!
2nd Year Shopping
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 11-28-03 01:54
By now I had gotten used to my new broom and it was now time to get the rest of my school supplies. Mum and Dad also had gotten use to the Leaky Cauldron and its keeper Tom. As we entered there were other families there. Some I noticed were first year students and I knew how they felt for I was in their shoes just last year.
"Hello Tom," I said and gave him a wave. Tom gave a toothless grin and a nod as we made our way past the crowd. "Nice to see you again Miss Paul." He answered as he cleaned a glass. "More new ones this year and just as nervous." I had to agree on that one and we finally made it to the back. Pulling out my wand I tapped the bricks that surrounded a notch in the brick work and the rest was magic as a portal opened to Diagon Alley.
"Let's see first Gringotts for some money then my supplies." I said. Dad nodded as we walked up to the Wizards Bank and entered. The sight of Goblins didn't bother me as much as it did last year. Of course, coming across a lot of animals last year seemed to tame the shock. After we went to my vault number 612 we came back up and started my supplies shopping. Mum went to get my potions supplies while Dad and I went to Flourish and Blotts to get my books like "The Standard Book of Spells Grade 2" and then it was off to Madam Malkins for some robe adjustments.
"How about lunch?" Dad asked as he looked at his watch and we all agreed. We were soon seated at the Ice Cream shop and were enjoying a little rest as I saw some of my school mates walk by and wave. It was relaxing and fun I couldn't wait for school to start.
Emergency
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 11-28-03 10:15
By the time Parvati burst into Flourish and Blotts, out of breath and eyes frantically searching, Hermione, Ron and Harry were each carrying a towering stack of books while Mrs. Weasley counted coins in her hand. "Ah, that should be enough," Molly said, turning her hand over to drop the money into the cashier's open palm.
"Mrs. Weasley!" Parvati cried out, "Something's happened. Ginny..."
"Ginny?!" Harry and Molly repeated simultaneously.
"Majandra said you'd be in front of Gringotts waiting, but I didn't find you there and searched all over Diagon Alley..." Parvati went on, practically gasping for breath.
"Where is my sister?" Ron asked. "What happened to her?"
"Is she all right?" Molly questioned. She looked very worried.
"Yes, I think so, just come with me!"
Without another word, Parvati fled out of the door with Molly right behind her and Harry, Hermione and Ron at her heels.
Alicia
Author: Alicia Waterhouse
Date: 11-28-03 12:50
Alicia stood still in the sea of jostling and shoving bodies that ebbed and flowed on the sidewalk just outside of Gringotts bank. She had just withdrawn all the money she would need to buy her supplies and for anything she might want the rest of the semester. She now had no idea where to start, and looked hopefully at her supply list that had come in the mail.
She noted what books she needed and scanned the street carefully, looking for Flourish & Blotts, her uncle had told her that was the best place for her to purchase her books. She spotted it and headed closer, trying to avoid bumping into anyone on the way.
Once outside the doors, she glanced at her list again and pushed on into the store. The musty smell of old parchment and leather bindings filled her nostrils and put her at ease. It reminded her of the great libraries of the Old Country.
She took her time meandering through the aisles before buying anything, and then headed back out into the dreaded streets, to many people tended to make her claustrophobic...
