Fire, fire, burning bright
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 08-04-04 19:01

Bellatrix looked in the mirror and tried to ignore the hoarse gasping sounds coming from Charlie Weasley in the other room. Lucius was giving the HG a good going over.

The polyjuice had worn off once again and last night she had managed to convince her brother in law to show her some of the more complicated concealment charms that he knew. Now she using her spare time to test them out. She muttered a quick incantation and watched as her hair changed to red, not unlike the color of their guest's. She almost had the whole thing figured out but couldn't get the woman's nose right.

Just then the door opened and Lucius strolled out, looking pleased with himself.

"Well?" she asked.

"All I got was another name – someone from the Ministry – that in itself is useful you know," he began.

"Who's that?" she said, looking in the mirror again.

"Nymphadora Tonks."

"Ahh. Do you want me to have another play while you rest?"

Lucius was staring at her with a strange look on his face. "What's wrong with your nose?" he asked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bellatrix shut the door behind her and looked Charlie up and down. Apparently Lucius had been having fun with blunt objects, because even though the HG was healing rapidly it wasn't hard to mistake two broken kneecaps and a couple of broken shins. He was leaning forward, apparently without the will to sit up straight any longer. The defiant man was giving way to one who would be willing to share anything. Well it was only a matter of time, she thought.

She grabbed him by the hair and hauled him upright, shaking him so that he opened his eyes. She gently pushed her knee into one of his broken kneecaps, watching as he growled in pain. Perhaps he wasn't capable of much more?

Well why feel sorry for the bugger? she thought. He's a tool, and a useful one at that.

"Shall we play a new game?" she asked, watching as tears welled in his eyes. "Perhaps we should go and find your brother, Ron. I have a score to settle with him, plus the fact that killing him in front of you might make you talk a little faster. No? Very well then, let's play the fire game. This is where I set fire to you and you talk."

She released his head, watching for a response. Nothing. Pulling her wand out she glared at him. "Incendio!" Flame rippled through the room, reaching the HG and igniting his shirt which was in shreds as it was. He shot upwards and back, terrified suddenly, as the tiny flames took hold of the thin material and began to cinder and burn and then touch his flesh. There was a nauseating smell of scalded skin, followed by a sweet aroma which signaled the start of melting flesh.

"Talk Weasley!" she commanded, "or you will wish you were never born!"

Till Death Do Us Part
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 08-04-04 19:44

My mind was spinning! From the little Sirius had said, I still knew that this had to be the headquarters of the Order. The actual Order! How many Deatheaters could claim they had been inside the headquarters of the Order? Not even his Dark Lord's pet, evil-doer Belletrix Lestrange, could make such claims. This was it. The moment I was waiting for to move up the ladder and be the one that the Dark Lord would be proud of, and all the other Deatheaters would whisper about with respect and jealousy.

I looked down at Sirius, who was looking at me with a serious look. I almost panicked. Had he guessed my thoughts? It took me a moment to realize that he was holding a huge rock before me, and must have just asked me to marry him. Could things get any better?

"Oh Sirius," I let my voice go all gooey, and added a touch of tears for joy combined with a huge smile. "Yes! Of course I'll marry you!" Flinging myself in his arms, I heard Sirius give a laugh which I suspected was to cover an emotional sob.

Holding him close, a million scenarios flashed through my mind. Do I tell the Dark Lord what I had discovered right away? No. No that was too risky. If I was caught too soon, I wouldn't have time to discover the rest of the Order's members and any other secret tidbits Sirius could supply me with. I had to be patient. I had to sit on this secret until I learned everything I could possibly learn, and then I would go to my Dark Lord!

Sirius pulled away slightly and looked at me, wearing a goofy grin on his face. "Are you happy?" he asked me teasingly.

Holding in a laugh that most certainly would have sounded like a cackle, I framed his face in my hands, as I lowered my own for a kiss. "Darling", I whispered. "You will never understand just how happy you have made me today".

An Idea
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 08-05-04 07:27

As Viktor and Ethan continue talking, Viktor comes to a decision. "Ethan, tell me ewveryzing - ewvery detail - you are remembering about zis Taz-Marah. Perhaps, ve vill go over it a few times zen I will take ze information and inwestigate."

Ethan's face scrunches up then he begins describe each little thing he can remember about Taz-Marah and the location in Memphis, Egypt where her flat was located. Viktor even had Ethan go over anything he remembers about objects in the flat and the color of the walls.

Sometime later when the guard steps forward, Viktor had to remind himself he couldn't shake Ethan's hand. The friends settled on verbal goodbyes, with Ethan taking his packages and looking more upbeat than he had been when first coming to the visitation room. Viktor exits the prison, his mind already working out the first step he'll make in uncovering all their is about Taz-Marah.

Two Weeks Later
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 08-05-04 10:36

Since the fatal Quidditch match between Slytherin and Hufflepuff. Vera had gotten badly injured and was still recovering. Lawrence had been babying her every day since. Can't say that Vera didn't enjoy it, but she was doing a lot better.

"Lawrence I'm fine, honest." She said as she sat on the coach. Her "a little too concerned" boyfriend was putting pillows behind her and had asked if she wanted a blanket. Vera couldn't help but smile. "It's been two weeks mate. And I'm feeling 90% better!"

Lawrence looked up at her. "I guess I have been a little over the top haven't I?" Vera widened her eyes and nodded her head. Lawrence put his hands up in surrender. "Alright. I'll back off." He smiled sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Was there anything you wanted to do today? No classes!"

"I think just sitting here and reading a book sounds good. Unless you had something else in mind?"

"Oh no...Whatever you want."

"Lawrence, you've done nothing but do what I have for two weeks. It's time we did something you want. I'm feeling much better now and would be up for a walk if you want to."

He thought about that a moment. "You know how I love walks. You sure you're up to it?"

"You bet!" So the two did go for a walk. When it had been an hour Vera started to get tired, but Lawrence was still enjoying the walk. She didn't say anything. For him, she'd endure anything..

A Meeting
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 08-05-04 12:13

Lucius leaves the BOO, the acrid smell of burning flesh clinging to his nostrils, and begins the journey back to London. When he gets to England, he'll make the transformation to look like his usual self, use the time turner, then return home. After another dose of rejuvenating he'll change clothes yet again then leave to meet Cornelius Fudge for a meeting.

Emergency measures had been put into place around Mr. Granger and the Longbottoms after Bellatrix's appearance at St. Mungo's a week ago but something more permanent is to be implemented. Fudge wants Lucius to sit in on the meeting of Ministry officials and the St. Mungo's board.

As he leaves Malfoy Manor for the meeting, Lucius thinks it should be interesting to see what proposals are made that don't require the hospital to go on lockdown, which would effectively shut down the facility to incoming cases.

Secret Business
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 08-05-04 22:03

Quickly stepping inside his office, Bill quietly shut the door behind him and secured it with a locking charm. Under his arm he carried a set of file folders, which were engraved on the front with the Gringotts seal. He brought them to his desk and sat down in his chair, flipping open the top-most folder as he did so to peruse the articles inside.

Since the discovery of the goblin body in vault #405, Gringotts had been conducting its own investigation of the creature's death. It relieved Bill to know that Ministry authorities were not on the case, though why they were not involved remained a mystery.

Bill's own inquiry of the official investigation proved difficult to exercise because of the constant presence of his observer. Fleur Delacour never seemed to leave his side, which on the one hand was strangely exhilarating but on the other left him little privacy to conduct secret business.

When he did find those few opportunities to venture out alone, Bill took them. He'd already learned that Gringotts had pinpointed the approximate day of the goblin's disappearance: New Year's Eve, or perhaps New Year's Day. He'd also discovered that the death had been ruled a murder, as if it could have been anything else. Despite the deterioration, the state of the corpse upon discovery suggested the killing curse did the deed... but who done it?

That was where the records came in. The goblins possessed extraordinary organizing skills, and kept detailed reports of the goings-on at each Gringotts facility. All business transactions were recorded and archived; none were ever thrown away.

Bill had already altered the original document from the thirty-first of December nineteen hundred and seven to remove all traces of Severus Snape from the record, a feat that proved difficult in many ways.

First he had had to gain access to the archives, which were surveilled by high security measures in order to protect the sensitive data stored there. Heretofore unknown to him, his position as branch manager provided him with an advantage. He could enter the archives by verifying his identity.

Unfortunately, record material was not permitted for use outside the archives, which meant that Bill had to perform all of his changes to the document there in the facility under the strong possibility that his actions would not go unnoticed. Only special circumstances, like a murder investigation, could allow for the removal of record material.

As risky as that move had been, Bill had done it to perfection. Now Snape's name was in the clear. To be sure, however, Bill had taken advantage of Fleur's rare absence to go to Diagon Alley to learn of recent developments in the inquiry of the goblin's death. Having felt a bit rebellious, Bill even filched a few notes from someone's desk.

He was reading through them now when there was a knock on the door and the distinct sounds of someone trying the handle on the door. Bill look up sharply.

"Bill?! Are you in zere?"

He carefully shuffled the borrowed pages around and stowed them in the folder. He opened a drawer in his desk, mindful of the noise, and stuffed the folders inside. He shut the drawer, locked it and announced, "Yes, I'm here."

"Why iz ze door locked? Am I intairrupting zomezing?

Bill stood up and unlocked the door. He opened it, and Fleur breezed inside and whirled around to look at him scrutinizingly.

"Sorry, I think I'm half asleep. I hadn't realized I locked the door behind me," Bill said.

She seemed to accept his answer and relaxed. "I wanted to inform you zat I will be staying anozzer month. I feel zat I need to extend my observations."

"Oh, really?" Bill stated dryly. He moved back to his desk and plopped down in the chair. His eyes nearly dropped to the desk drawer, but the sudden flutter of Fleur's eyelashes kept his gaze fixed on her.

"Oui, I 'ope you do not mind." She sat down and flipped her hair out of her face.

"I don't mind at all."

Delicious Baked Goods...
Author: Ellspeth
Date: 08-06-04 09:12

After a few moment chit chat with, she believed to be Briar Rose, Ellspeth gathered her purchases, a large basket filled with fresh baked goodies for her Shoppe. The aroma was heavenly and say "thank you" and making arrangements to have a new batch delivered each day, she turned to leave. It was a beautiful little Shoppe full of wonder smells and delights.

As she softly closed the door behind her, once again enjoying the tiny tinkling bell, she headed for Nevvyn's Notions. There she knew she would need several handfulls of crystals and crystal shards for her plants.

As she walked she couldn't resist pulling out a tasty morsel from the basket and thoroughly enjoying the treat. Briar Rose was as amazing baker. Each bite lite and flavorful to the very last crumb.

At last she reached Nevvyn's and slowly pushed the door open to the Shoppe. All seemed a bit quiet.

"Hello? Is anyone here?" she asked as she closed the door behind her.....

Meanwhile at the BOO
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 08-06-04 11:21

Bellatrix was eating lunch when Rodolphus arrived, looking worn out. "Good Gad, Bellatrix, did you have to pick a place so damn far away? Do you have one of those restoration potions kicking around?"

She kissed Rodolphus absently on the cheek and offered him a chair. "Keep it down please, dear. We don't want our honored guest discovering who I am."

"Where's Lucius?" he whispered. "Haven't seen the man for a week!"

"He's off creating another alibi. I think he's attending a ministry meeting about me."

"Oh, because of your little stunt at St. Mungos? I really wish you didn't feel the need to show off so much. A small reminder to Granger would have been enough, wouldn't it? Must you kill a few people as well?" he muttered.

"Getting squeamish, Rodolphus? It's so unlike you! Plus it was only one nurse and she was shrieking her lungs out."

"So what have you both found out from Weasley then?"

Bellatrix sighed. "A few names, some interesting, some not. What kind of hot toddy his mother gives him when he's sick. How to cure scale rot on a Bavarian Blue dragon. It's amazing what information people babble when under torture, you know." She sat forward in the chair, her features suddenly animated. "This is the interesting bit – we know there is a meeting place for the Order now. Weasley told us his parents go off occasionally to meet with Dumbledore and the others, and that it's an unplottable location in London. Apparently Dumbledore put a Fidelius charm on it, and he's the secret keeper. The only way to find it is to actually see it, unless of course you know about it already. Now it's just a matter of finding out where, that could be the tough part. But I've got as long as I need, so I'm not worried about that."

Rodolphus laughed. "So it's starting to pay off, this little jaunt of yours and Lucius?"

Bellatrix grinned back at her husband. "So, you want to see our honored guest? You'll have to change your appearance though."

"Might be up for a bit of fun. No sense coming all this way just to sit in a room and listen to the screaming."

Learning a Lesson, well sort of
Author: Natalie Rose
Date: 08-06-04 17:42

Natalie stood next to Terry trying to listen to Professors Flitwick and Turin, which was proving to be quite difficult. Her feelings for the seventh year Ravenclaw grew stronger everyday and it was becoming harder to hide them. After their reconciliation at the career fair Natalie realized that she was silly to try and avoid Terry even though she knew he liked Su. She would often catch herself trying to brush her arm next to his or smiling bashfully in his direction.

"Natalie…hey Natalie… are you ok???"

"Huh, what? O sorry errr I was just err so anyway?" Natalie replied to Terry who had snapped her back from daydreaming about him.

"So you ready to get started?" Natalie asked.

"You know what I have a much better idea." With that Terry strode off towards the two instructors.

Terry approached the two professors and told them that he was sorry but he and Natalie had to leave early, she needed help with some work and he promised they would practice the new lessons outside of the meeting. Terry couldn't believe himself, he was going to tell Natalie how he felt and he was going to tell her now. He grabbed Natalie by the hand and walked her out of the Great Hall...