Greetings
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 08-29-02 09:12
"The greenhouses are out on the grounds. If you would please follow me, I will take you to them." McGonagall said, as she ushered Angelina out the front doors.
"I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy HeadMistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, but I am sure you knew that." The old witch allowed a small smile to creep across her thin lips.
Angelina struggled to keep the plants still. "Oh, yes! I am sure your students will love these plants. But...I think we need to hurry...eek...these Snapdragons can get pretty feisty!"
Soon they were at the greenhouses, and settling the plants in nice and safe. "There are a couple of watering cans over there if they need a good drink, and some plant food there, in the corner."
"Thank you so much, Professor McGonagall! I know my plants will be quite happy here." Angelina smiled.
McGonagall handed the woman a watering can. "Professor Sprout should be around here somewhere. I can get her and bring her back here so that you can tell her about your plants."
April 4th:
Lunch with Julian
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 08-29-02 20:41
Briar carries a plate of steaming manicotti to the table while Julian opens a bottle of wine. He waits until she's seated before asking a question.
"You'll have all the orders sent out before noon Sunday. Why don't you come join my family for the big lunch we always have on Easter and then spend the rest of the day with me?"
Briar takes a bite of her food to stall answering. While Bill hasn't out and out asked her to go to the Burrow with him on Sunday, he has hinted at it as has Charlie. The only drawback would be that Adriana would most likely be there and Briar still avoids contact with her as much as possible. She would hate to disappoint Bill and Charlie but things with Julian have been going really well.
After taking a sip of wine, Briar smiles at Julian who is trying very hard not to exhibit signs of impatience waiting for her to reply.
"I would love to have lunch with you and your family Sunday and spending the rest of the day with you sounds lovely."
A short time later, Julian thanks Briar for lunch and gives her a kiss that leaves her feeling slightly breathless. It's only as she starts back down to the bakery that Briar realizes she's also a little weak in the knees. As she begins whipping up a batch of cauldron cakes, Briar wonders if it's such a good idea to spend Sunday afternoon all alone with Julian. "Well," she thinks to herself, "I guess I'll find out, won't I?"
Blythe House
Blooming in Spring
Author: John 1st Duke of Marlborough
Date: 08-29-02 21:42
Situated along the Trent lay the incredibly beautiful Blythe House, a 13th century manor, with connections to a great many of England's noblest families. It had belonged to the Churchills for the last two centuries and three score years and maintained in a pristine condition. The town of Lichfield lay nearby; a little farther off, lay the Etruria Porcelain factory, an 18th. c. manufacture in which Lord John's family owned a considerable stock. It was all situated in the rich heartland of Staffordshire, in W. Central England. No population too close, no civilization too pressing around the corners. The sun stood high on the sky's crescent. The clouds were minimal only and the almost periodical rains would not appear, this had been forecasted. In short, the scenery was excellent.
Here, Lord John had invited and now most eagerly anticipated the arrival of a certain lady from Scotland. Certainly there had been previous houseguests during the breaks and vacs over at Blythe. Certain ladies with cool hyphenated names. Faces so stuck in the air that they quite literally could have brought down a fighter in the air. Ladies of the best breed, but yet lacking the most elementary quality of life, namely life itself! This Belladonna Sinistra possessed in such a rich and splendid abundance that almost chocked the Lord. But he overcame it most willingly and readily, since she gave vivacity a whole new meaning and the quality of life also a new perspective.
In short, as he awaited his guest, surrounded by the typical Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bulldogs and Corgies prowling around his feet on the courtyard, Lord John felt very, very blissful, very happy and at ease.
From a window a bit further down the perch of garden aisles, came the sudden crashing sound of something frail, like glass - or china, that was being hurled on to the stoneground and crushed: "Ahhh, 'cuse mah, m'lad" a coarse voice roamed in the distance. "Jus' eer 'tis damned portrait figures, 'twas. One more crashed, e'm efraid" the voice added. The Lord just paced the ground, not bothering to respond. He had, after all quite literally thousands of these archetypical Staffordshire Portrait Figures stowed almost everywhere around the estate. Who really would care if one or two got in pieces? Afterall he did hate them, but as a measure to support local trade, local culture he had collected these figures to use them on local charities, at auctions etc, to raise money for local, privately sponsored communal and county-activities.
So, where did she linger, fair Bella??? Could she not appear soon enough? Oh, this suspense! And then it dawned all too clearly for Lord John! Never had he felt this kind of apprehension, excitement or anxiety while waiting for any of his old "flames"! It must mean one thing, and one thing only....
Lord John shrugged...if it meant what he thought it did, then...
Blythe House:
Arrival
Author: Belladonna
Date: 08-29-02 22:13
She felt guilty. To make matters worse, she knew she should feel guilty and did. She should be spending the vacation with family. However, Mumma and Da were going on a trip to New York, Brynn and Dylan were planning on going to their cottage in Wales, and Izzy and Luc were going to be in Monte Carlo with their children and insisted she'd be bored. Seemed that the entire family had insisted she go with Lord John.
Bella sighed as she sipped the champagne in the large car that had been sent for her and continued to read a chapter in her book. The scenery along the road was lovely, really. This was her first trip to Staffordshire and she should enjoy it.
The driver had picked her up and showed her into the lovely car after seating her in the back. It was quite comfy and there was plenty of room to stretch out and a divider so she wouldn't be seen doing it. It was a clear signal that she would be in the Muggle World for the week. Oh well, nothing wrong with that. Good weather, at least, or so the driver said.
The drive was almost over, and the lovely Blythe House awaited. As they pulled up, it was indeed quite lovely. Of course, not as splendid as Avonford, but what place was? Still, it looked pleasant and she had a lovely smile as the driver handed her out and her bags were taken to the room that a rather pleasant maid showed her to the room that would be hers.
As the maid unpacked, Bella took a mental snap shot to describe it to her sister. Izzy always said that one's status was shown by one's room. If so, then she was quite a welcome house guest. The room was done in pale colors with a lovely view of the formal gardens. A door opened to a wonderful bathroom, and the accommodations included large closet, television, stereo system, elegant vanity, and a wonderfully soft bed. It would be perfect.
She was informed that her host was waiting and she quickly changed into something more fresh than her traveling outfit. A close fitting organza dress in daffodil with matching scarf quite suited, giving color to her pale skin and harmonized with her dark hair and blue eyes. Vibrant colors suited her and she had intended to dress in spring colors anyway. She still had on her pearl earrings and necklace, so a brush of her hair was all the additional preparation she needed before walking to greet Lord John.
She smiled as she noted a puppy walking the halls and scooped him up while cooing in his ear. She carried the cuddlesome dear and smiled again at the sight of Lord John.
"John, your place is lovely, really. I shall be quite comfortable and I do love it here. How kind of you to let me come for the vacation. I've never been to Staffordshire before. Thank you for sending a car for me. So many animals here, and I doubt you could have more. I hope you didn't mind I took time to change. You don't, do you?"
Blythe House:
Presentations and a Surprise Gift
Author: John 1st Duke of Marlborough
Date: 08-30-02 05:49
He had watched the stretched Daimler limo drive up on the rampart of Blythe from behind the curtains. Lord John was quite ever so enthralled about his lady-guest, this magical Belladonna. But it was a custom in his world that never meet up at the doorsteps, unless the gusts were prime ministers, princes or kings. This excuse and deference for tradition gave him a splendid reason to "spy" on Bella as she stepped out of the cobolt-blue limousin. HE grew more mesmerized about the sight! So lovely, so frail, yet so seemingly strong and, here he could not find a suitable word to insert in his soliloquous thoughts...what was it again? Strong and WOMANLY! Yes! That was it! All the rest of them had been but silly girls, mucking around, really? How ever he could have fancied any of those before Belladonna was now quite unfathomable to him!
As the major domus informed His Lordship about Lady Bella's arrival, he decided to let her have some more time to get in order Don't be too eager! Be gentle, be a gentleman. Afterall it had been an arduous trip, even in a Daimler!
So, after a while he went down and met Bella as she appeared out of her room. She seemed elated and even expectant. Her eyes glittered in true competition with the sunrays Her slender body moved around the thickly carpeted floor with such an elegance and graceful maneouvre that it almost took away Lord John's breath. A puppy, it was Tigresse, a six-month-old Yorkshire terrier, mucked around Bella's slim legs, making her fall in a fit of uncontrollable giggle as the dog's tail tickled her bare ankles. Still giggling she took up the puppy in her arms and carried it with her as she met him in the hallway. He greeted her most elegantly kissing her softly on her cheeks and then her lips, after she had stopped talking, but realised that he simply faded in radiance compared with the charisma exuded by fair Bella. Nothing could be done about that, but he did not mind!
"You must excuse those little bitches of mine They are scooping around the whole house, so beware, you may trip on one or more of them!" he exclaimed, but looked at Bella, seeing that she was far from being annoyed by the loose dogs - on the contrary! "I'm glad you've settled down nicely here at Blythe. More of these" *pointing at Tigresse* "Ahhh, if only you knew, too many, if you ask me, but mother is quite infatuated by all living creatures, so, I'm afraid we are living pretty much like either a kennel or a madhouse full of all kind of noises and other kinds of trepidations caused by our animalistic-friends! Feel free to acquaint yourself with them as you may. We have plenty still, you see! Tigresse here is a champion of the agility-competition in Derby, only a few weeks ago, though I rather suspect it was the name under which it was submitted that decided it!" Here Lord John smiled, as he was in no doubt about the influence his name could have on many matters. And, smiling as he did, Bella could also see that John was far from annoyed about her having changed clothes...
As they walked through the hall and down the stairways, Lord John instructed an amazed Bella about his ancestors, hanging from huge oil-canvasses on the walls, all the way back to a smaller painting, reputedly by the German-Flemish artist Lucas Cranach from the mid 15th century, showing Winstayne Church, one of the ancestral patrons of this family.
Suitably impressed by Lord John's demonstration in pedigree, it was high time for evening meals and tea. During this Bella had a chance to bring Lord John up to date with posh Muggle London, her own family and all about Scotland. John had listened bemused and interested Bella's soft lightly aired tenor sounded like music in his ears!
In every respect Lord John went out of his way to provide Bella with the best, most comfortable means of living while at Blythe House. The whole house had been preheated, since it was from the 13th c and thus extremely difficult to heat. Though the bill for this luxury was paid for by Lord John himself, his father, the Duke had made a comment on it. (A comment that shall remain unfolded here...*S*)
Even a car of her own was provided for Bella. Knowing her taste in exclusive, British cars, a Monza-red Aston Martin DB 7 stood parked on the courtyard, as the couple walked out of the huge, lofty oakdoors from the main entrance hall on to the courtyard, having eaten and enjoyed their meals in comfortable solitude.
"Here, use it at will, it is yours, Bella, if you want to." Lord John suddenly exclaimed with an almost arrogant, aloof voice, mimicking quite ostensibly the manner of an aristocrat pundit (the voice was, of course not seriously intended at all!), offering Bella the leather-encased keys to the sportscar in front of her. Now it was her turn to be completely taken by surprise. She shook her head and hesitated. No, she could not, however, awfully generous this offer was, but Lord John insisted. And did not the smart-looking car just appeared so, so attractive? But what did HE expect in return? That was a question Bella had to find out...
Sunny Spring
Morning - Friday, April 5th
Author: Majandra
Date: 08-30-02 07:52
Just after breakfast Friday morning, Majandra sprawls across a blanket spread out in the warm spring sunlight. Attempting to ignore George who keeps tickling her bare feet, Majandra debates whether to change one of her electives.
After a few minutes of contemplation sprinkled with giggling at George and telling him to leave her be, Majandra decides to drop Astronomy and History of Magic and in their places take Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy. She completes the class form, carefully folds it and tucks it between pages of her Transfiguration text.
George, having given up on tickling her feet, moves to lie down beside Majandra. With a resigned sigh, he opens his Muggle Studies book as Majandra begins studying something from her Ancient Runes text. Majandra turns and gives George a quick peck on the cheek before returning her attention to studying. In reply, George laces on hand with one of Majandra's, enjoying the sun and being with his girl even if it's time spent studying.
Next Year's
Class Schedule
Author: Jet
Date: 08-30-02 15:46
In the practically deserted Hufflepuff common room, Jet sits in shadow mumbling to himself while writing on a piece of parchment.
"Astronomy. Check. Charms. Check. Defense Against the Dark Arts. Fat lot of good it does but check anyway. Herbology. Check. History of Magic. Check. Potions. Check. Transfiguration. Check. Electives, electives. Keep what I've got or change to something else. Divination. Stupid, stupid class with an idiot of a professor. Unfogging the future, my ass. The only people who take that class seriously are those clueless nitwits Lavender Brown and Parvati Patel. It is an easy course to ace though so why the hell not stay with it? Divination. Check. Muggle Studies. I bet if Professor Fairchild teaches it again she'd force another bloody play with a high hurl factor off on us. What a waste of perfectly good time. Hmmmm, Care of Magical Creatures perhaps? Yes, that would do nicely. Another easy course to pass. Care of Magical Creatures. Check."
Jet exits Hufflepuff House and stops by Professor McGonagall's office just long enough to slip the parchment under her door. From there he goes down to the his secret chamber to spend the rest of the day.
The Ink Spot
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-30-02 20:19
Bronwyn sat curled up in one of the over-stuffed armchairs in the Hufflepuff common room. In her lap was a course schedule, which she was perusing while marking a few classes with a fine-pointed quill.
She had truly enjoyed both of her elective classes this year, and frankly couldn't see herself taking anything different next year. She would just have to wait until her sixth year before more elective slots opened up in her schedule, and she could drop some of the classes which had been part of her core education during her early years at Hogwarts and instead focus on some new and exciting subjects.
As she sat there, chewing on the end of her quill, Kendra came over and plopped down in a neighboring chair.
"How goes it, Bron?"
Bronwyn looked up and removed the quill from her mouth. "Just fine. What's up?"
Kendra started giggling. "Go to the girls room, Bron."
Curious, Bronwyn got to her feet and skipped up the spiral staircase to get to the restroom. When she entered, she looked around for anything or anyone, but found absolutely nothing out of the ordinary or no one at all. Shrugging, Bronwyn was about to turn to leave, when her reflection caught her attention.
A big, black ink spot was on the corner of her lips and partly on her cheek. She gasped and immediately went for the nearest sink, turning one of the faucets on and cupping one hand underneath the running water. She vigorously splashed and scrubbed herself, but didn't have any luck completely removing the spot away. The only good her efforts did was to change the dark black to a smudged gray.
Bronwyn groaned and reached for her wand. She pointed it at her face, and after great hesitation, muttered a simple spot-removing spell. Unfortunately, the spell back-fired and the smudged gray spot changed colors to a bright green.
Screaming in frustration, Bronwyn attempted the spell again and managed to add some little purple polka-dots to the green spot on her face. It was finally after utter desperation to get that spot removed, that she bolted out of the bathroom in search of someone to help her. She kept one hand clamped firmly against her cheek as she scurried back down the stairs, where she found Toby sitting in the spot Kendra had been sitting in.
She halted at the bottom of the stairs, not quite willing to show him her blemished face. Something inside her eventually forced her to walk over to him and ask for help, though. When she approached and removed her hand from her face, Toby's eyes went as round as saucers before he began to laugh and laugh.
He managed to say in between the heavy laughter, "What did you do, Bronwyn?"
Bronwyn slumped into the chair beside him and answered unhappily, "Ink. Spell. Bad."
Toby grinned and asked, "Need some help?"
"Yes!"
Surprise!
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 08-30-02 21:00
No work today so I slept in a little later than usual for a Friday. After a quick shower I pull on old, faded jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers then jog the few blocks to The Leaky Cauldron. Before I can grab a cup of coffee, someone is opening the archway. Knowing I can get coffee once on Diagon Alley I hurry through the passageway before it closes.
I stop long enough to buy the much needed cup of coffee then go straight to the bookstore. As long as I'm careful with it, Will never minds if I bring something to drink into the shop. I give him a friendly nod as I enter then go about my usual routine of taking a stack of books to peruse while seated in that oh-so-comfy-I-could-live-in-it chair.
I lose track of the world around me as I become engrossed in one book after another, putting some in the buy stack and others in the pass for now stack. I only becoming aware of how much time's passed when my stomach starts rumbling. The books I'm not going to buy today I return to the shelves. The ones I've picked out so far I take to the counter.
"Will, I'm going to get some lunch. Hold these for me?"
"Sure, Aaron, happy to oblige."
Thanking Will, I meander down the alley until I come to one shop with huge but tasty looking sandwiches on display. It takes several minutes to decide which one I want and when the order comes I'm not disappointed in the slightest. The sandwich is made up of an entire plate sized round of thick, hearty bread with a dark crust. The still warm bread is piled high with savory cuts of meats, cheeses and loads of crispy veggies. I savor every bite I take, washing it all down with icy cold butterbeer. When I've eaten as much as I possibly can, the waitress wraps the rest for me. I also buy a few extra bottles of butterbeer figuring to finish everything off for supper tonight.
With bag in hand I decide to make my next stop Gringotts. In those days between recovering from being ill and Mom coming to visit, I'd taken a vault at Gringotts and have made a few deposits there as well as using it for storing a number of the Wizarding books I've read from cover to cover. I've got the apartment to myself now but I still feel better knowing that many of the books are more safely hidden than just in the back of my closest.
Whistling, I bound up the bank steps three at a time, knowing the Goblins at the doors will have them open by the time I reach the top. Giving a nod of thanks to them both, I don't see the man walking out as I'm bounding in. We collide, the bag in my hand flying up but I manage to snag it before the bottles of butterbeer crash against the hard steps.
The other man and I turn to face each other, an apology on both our lips, when instead we blurt out at the same time, "Bill!" "Aaron?"
Ever since putting the name Briar from Bill's list with the name of the bakery in Hogsmeade, I've had a niggling suspicion. I'm still shocked at actually seeing him though. Bill, on the other hand had, no clue I knew about this place or the Wizarding world. I'm not sure if saying Bill looks flabbergasted would be an understatement. I put out my hand and shake his. "It's great to see you, Bill. Um, I think maybe we could both use a drink. Talk about a few things. I'll buy."
Still looking a bit dazed, Bill nods and together we walk down the steps to go get those drinks.
