Number Four
Privet Drive
Author: H Potter
Date: 10-13-02 21:41
Mortimus Flister and Hecubia Nintwinty stand at the front door of number four Privet Drive. Hecubia nudges Mortimus with her elbow and in a low, nervous whisper says, "Go ahead and knock."
Elbowing her in the side as she'd done him, Mortimus replies in a low, but emphatic, voice, "No! You knock."
The back and forth argument continues for a full minute before Mortimus mutters darkly to Hecubia, "I've got seniority over you so you knock, Hecubia."
In a prissy, mocking tone, Hecubia replies. "I've got seniority over you Hecubia. My arse. You were hired ten minutes before me. But fine, someone's got to do it."
Hecubia raises her hand and raps loudly on the door. Almost immediately they hear a boy's voice bellowing out that he'll answer the door. A man's voice answers back that he's right there and will get it. This is followed by the boy's voice screeching, "I want to get the door! I NEVER get to answer this time of night. Why are you so cruel to me?"
The man's voice is farther away now but still easily heard. "Now, now, Dudders my boy. If had known you wanted to answer that badly I would never had gotten up. Of course you may get the door. That's a good lad."
A few seconds pass then the door goes flying open. Mortimus and Hecubia find themselves being greeted by an extremely portly young man. His face is so round and pudgy, the boy's eyes seem to be nothing but teeny little buttons.
The greeting is a little on the rude side. The boy eyes them up and down before saying, "Yeah, what do you want? By the look of your clothes, I'm guessing your soliciting for charitable donations for some relief organization."
The boy turns away from the open door and yells, "Mum, there's some people here begging for clothes or something. Should I tell'em to just go away?"
While Hecubia and Mortimus exchange puzzled glances, a woman's voice calls back, "Find out what group their with, Duddy dear, and if they give receipts. If I give anything, even just old clothes, Daddy and I want to be able to claim it on taxes."
The two people on the doorstep cannot understand why this boy would look at their clothes and automatically jump to the conclusion that they are there to solicit for the needy. Why, both are dressed in perfectly nice Muggle clothing. Hecubia is wearing a long, frilly, ecru colored granny style dress so popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. On her feet are macrame sandals and in her long hair, tucked behind one ear, is a flower. Mortimus also wears macrame sandals and his own long hair is neatly pulled back into a pony tail held tight by a leather tie. He wears loose fitting tie-dyed pants and a dark blue Nehru jacket complete with love beads. Neither realize they look liked aging Hippies.
Doing as his mother bid, the boy asks, "What charity?"
Mortimus clears his throat. "There's been a mistake. We aren't from any charity. Miss Nintwinty and I are with the Ministry of Magic. We need..."
The door slams shut in their faces before Mortimus finishes his sentence. "Well, I never!" sniffs Hecubia as she knocks sharply on the door.
The man's voice, very close to the door, calls out, "Go away! We don't want your kind here!"
Mortimus nods at Hecubia who then looks around to make sure there are no witnesses before surreptiously pointing her wand at the door to make it open. They walk in and shut the door behind them. The man, his wife and son each peering over one of his shoulders, looks shocked at their audacity.
His face going purple in rage, he shouts, "Get out! How dare you trespass! Petunia, ring up the police and tell them we've got burglars!"
Mortimus puts up his hand in a placating gesture. "Now, now, Mr. Dursley, don't be so hasty. I'm not really sure what ringing up is but there is no need for any police. We've come on a very important matter. We will leave as soon as you allow us to deliver the news."
Dursley jowls tremble with his anger as he spits out, "Well, tell us and be quick about it. I don't want your kind in my house."
Both Hecubia and Mortimus nod as though they understand Dursley's fear of them. Mortimus clears his throat and begins the speech he's gone over countless times in his head.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. I am Mortimus Flister and this is my associate Hecubia Nintwinty. We are with the Ministry of Magic."
Mortimus ignores the cringing all three Dursleys do at the word magic. "We are, I'm sad to say, the bearers of bad news. Your nephew, Harry Potter, vanished over three weeks ago. There have been no clues to his whereabouts nor has there been any word from him. At the moment the Ministry believes he has been the victim of fiendish kidnappers. The Ministry is actively searching for Harry as are others, such as members of the esteemed Order of the Phoenix. We assure you that everything is being done to ensure Harry's safe return."
Mortimus and Hecubia look appropriately sad though Mortimus is mentally congratulating himself on getting it all said without a stumble. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine the reaction he would receive. Both Mortimus and Hecubia expected tears and the reassurance that Harry would indeed be found alive and well, returned to the loving bosom of his family very soon. Instead, Mortimus and Hecubia stand slack jawed at the response.
The boy, Duddy or Dudders or whatever his name is, starts laughing. Big, rumbling laughter that causes his body to shake like so much blubber.
Petunia Dursley's face goes pale with two bright spots of red to mark her cheeks as she begins muttering about what a relief not to have to provide for that ungrateful upstart. Such a drain on the family budget and never lifting a hand to help out around the house.
Vernon Dursley's goes absolutely quiet as if in deep thought. His complexion then turns an even deeper shade of purple to the point that Hecubia wonders if the man is about to have a stroke. Suddenly, he begins railing at them.
"Missing? Our nephew is missing? How can that be? He is supposed to be safely tucked away in what we've been told is a very good school. I'll sue for incompetence. How dare you lose our nephew. I'll sue the school. I'll sue the ministry. You just wait till I'm through with all of you. You'll pay through the nose for this royal foul up."
An hour later, Mortimus and Hecubia finally make it out the door, Vernon Dursley still calling out one threat after another. This is not exactly how they pictured things. As they climb into the Ministry car they used to reach number four Privet Drive, Hecubia and Mortimus are arguing over who gets to tell their boss the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts are about to be sued for millions by a rather irate, nastily rude Muggle with absolutely no grasp or understanding of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
A Little Chat
with Neo
Author: Prote Spacy
Date: 10-14-02 14:43
Prote sat with his friends during the EOTF*. Prote was pleased on how well the Hufflepuffs did this year, but he also felt sad at the same time, cause Harry Potter was a nice guy, and it's painful to watch his friends suffer from his unknown disappearance.
Prote noticed Neo slumped over his plate. "Hey, are you bummed cause Harry is missing or are you upset cause we got second place?" Prote asked. Neo didn't budge from his sulking position. "No," he said in a whisper, but Prote didn't hear him. "What?" he said. "No!" said Neo looking up at Prote. "Well... I'm upset over both of your suggestions..." he said. Prote shook his head in agreement.
"And I'm also upset about going through the year without a girlfriend..." said Neo silently. Of course Prote heard Neo, but he just ignored that little comment, cause Neo has been complaining about that all year! And Prote had just about enough of it to last him a lifetime!
* end of term feast
Mixed Feelings
Author: Amerah Patterson
Date: 10-14-02 20:48
The end of term feast is buzzing with is as awesome as I expected. However, it doesn't have the general excitement. There is a somberness because of Harry Potter's disappearance. I definitely have mixed feelings. I'm thrilled that we did so well and happy that we came in second, close behind Gryffindor. A best ever, according one student. However, I can't help but feel sad about Harry's disappearance. I didn't really know him, but he seemed like a nice guy. I feel badly for those that do know him.
Unexpected
Leave
Author: Angelina
Date: 10-15-02 03:30
As I sat there during the somber mood my arm began to tingle. It was gaining in strength and rubbing it to the point I had to take off my cloak and gloves in front of everyone would be a problem for me. Looking around I had to get up and leave, leaning over to one of the other Professors I excused myself and hastily took my leave. As I rushed towards the door near the Professors Table I felt a pair of eyes on me and I chose to ignore them.
Quickly entering the hall I had to stop and take a breather the sensation was great and I could bear it no more. It felt as if fireants had crawled up my arm and began to sting. Rubbing with all my might I heard footsteps behind me. Not wanting whoever it was to know what I was doing or my secret I took off again in desperation to get to my room.
As I ran the footsteps got nearer, stopping I turned around and raised my wand to defend myself, even maybe to the end.
Secret's Revealed
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 10-15-02 12:54
Severus watched as Angelina left the dining hall, sensing that something was wrong, and decides to leave the hall to follow her.
Once Severus caught up to Angelina, at once he stopped in time to notice that she had her wand raised. Not wanting to make matter's worse, Severus rose his hands symbolizing that he was wand free. "Where are you going?" he asked, "You're suppose to be in the great hall like everyone else."
Angelina seemed lost for words, but her arm came to Severus's attention, since it was twitching. Angelina, who noticed this, hid her arm behind her back. "Well, I..." she started to say, but was quickly interrupted by Severus.
"Why is your arm twitching?" he asked taking a few steps forwards. Angelina put her wand up again, but Severus quickly grabbed her arm and rolled up her sleeve, just to reveal the mark that was upon it...
Re: Secrets
Reavealed
Author: Angelina
Date: 10-15-02 15:26
Looking at him in anger I pulled my arm free. "You have some explaining to do." Severus said in a slow tone. I lowered my wand and said nothing. "It's none of your business." I responded after a while and rolled down my sleeve.
Snape just stared at me in a cool manner. "With all that is happening, it is my business to learn all. Where did you get that mark?" I stood there and shook my head. "You are not the Headmaster, you are just..."
"I WORK FOR THE HEADMASTER!" Snape responded. "He trusted me with the security in these dangerous times. I am keeping an eye on anyone who acted suspicious." Giving a sigh, "I know you were accused of being in with the Dark Lord. Why should I trust you?"
Snape rolls up his sleeve and shows me the Dark Lord's mark. "I haven't gone back to him. Look at the mark. It's not black but when he becomes stronger it will. Now why do you have the lion mark on your arm?" He demanded as he backed me into a wall blocking my way with both arms.
"Back off Snape, or you'll know my true power." I warned and he just glared, "You're not that powerful. You're just an Herbologist."
"I AM THE DECENDANT OF GODRIC GRYFFINDOR!!!" I shouted back at him and my voice echoed through the hall...
Confession
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 10-15-02 16:45
Julian steps back to admire the carefully arranged table before glancing at the clock. As if on cue, there's a knock at the apartment's outer door, the one with a landing leading to the alley between the bookstore and next door. Julian opens the door and greets Briar with a peck on the cheek while at the same time handing her a glass of perfectly chilled wine.
Although not the same caliber of cook Chyler or Briar is, Julian can hold his own in the kitchen. He felt he was overdue in offering to cook for Briar considering how often she's cooked for him. Also, having Briar come to his apartment rather than going to hers means Julian has more control over things. And tonight he'll need it.
It's high time Julian makes mention of a past with Helena, something he actually should have done weeks ago. With Helena hanging around with Charlie the Weasel so much and with Charlie becoming almost as much of a buddy to Briar has his elder pest of a brother, at some point the wrong thing could be said to her. If anyone is going to tell Briar about his past with Helena, Julian wants it to be the one to do it.
Over dinner itself, the couple talk about the things they usually talk about. Once Julian has cleared away the dessert dishes and settled cozily next to Briar on the couch, Julian says in a serious tone, "Briar, I have a confession I should have made to you long ago. About Helena Tufton."
Briar furrows her brow. "Helena? I didn't know you ever knew her."
"Not only do I know her, but I know her extremely well. A few year ago, we were engaged. Everything was going well then it all fell apart on the day of the wedding. I thought you should hear my side in case Helena ever says anything to you. Her version isn't exactly flattering."
Julian reaches over to refill his wine glass and does the same for Briar's before continuing. Briar gives him one of her bright, encouraging smiles and gives his hand a reassuring squeeze. Julian brings her hand up to his lips for a very courtly style kiss then his cheeks dimple deeply in returning her smile.
"Before meeting Helena, I'd dated around. Nothing ever serious. Helena bowled me over the second we were introduced... much like when I first met you, Briar. We were engaged just a few months later and plans for the wedding were made. I was ecstatically happy. Hadn't even know it was possible to be that happy and in love. I wasn't aware there were any problems until the day of the wedding. Helena's father came to the room where I was getting ready and offered me a large sum of money and an alpine cabin if I would call things off. It seems he didn't approve of how I had dated around before meeting Helena. Mr. Tufton also made no bones about the fact that he disliked my family's past association with He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. He didn't care that the family had been totally exonerated in that matter. Mr. Tufton also made aspersions against all my great grandparents and even against all their parents. He claimed they came by their money in underhanded, shady ways. Then he began to tear down my parents, and even said vile things about Chyler and Lysander."
Julian takes a sip of his wine, a contemplative look on his face mixed with a hint of pain in the remembrance of what took place. Briar gives him another affectionate squeeze but doesn't interrupt.
"All this came as quite a shock. I'd thought Mr. Tufton liked me and my family. He'd taken an active role in helping to plan the wedding. Went out of his way to make me feel like a son. When I confronted him about his past behavior and actions, he claimed it was all an act. I told him to shove his offer, I loved Helena and in less than an hour was meeting her at the alter. Mr. Tufton became angry. He went to the door and called to someone. Next thing I knew some goon was shooting cords out of his wand at me to truss me up and another was right there to stuff a gag in my mouth. Mr. Tufton had the nerve to look shamefaced and to tell me he hadn't wanted things to happen this way. He stuffed the money and the deed to the cabin into my robe and walked out. Quick as a blink, the two goons whisked me out of there."
Briar looks shocked to hear all this. Julian is sure it's not just shock at his mistreatment but that fact that Helena's probably frequently gushed about what a great man her father is. Suppressing a grin, Julian finishes the heartbreaking tale.
"When I was finally released, Chyler and Lysander told me all about how devastated Helena was when I didn't show up at the wedding. The only person who seemed able to console her was her father. I later learned that Mr. Tufton told Helena I came to him asking for a huge sum of money. He claimed to have been angry and hurt that the person he treated as a son had used Helena for monetary gain. He said he refused but that I'd lorded something from his past over that could be taken the wrong way. He'd felt it best to pay and get me out of their lives. He also claimed that I had laughed uproariously when he'd mentioned poor Helena waiting at the alter for me. I tried seeing Helena but she would have nothing to do with me. I wrote but she returned everything. Friends attempted to intervene on my behalf but Helena would hear nothing bad about her father. And since he couldn't possibly be the bad guy in all this, that meant it was me."
Julian resumes his seat beside Briar, his face screwed up in pain. "I loved her and she wouldn't even give me the time of day to hear my side. She told everyone her father's version and since it did appear to those who'd been at the wedding that Helena was jilted at the alter, most believed her. I don't blame Helena for not wanting to think her father capable of such a thing but it took me a long time to reach that conclusion. I was so hurt I threw myself back into the playboy lifestyle and that's where I've been until getting serious with you. Being burned like that is a big reason why I wanted to take things slowly with you."
Briar's eyes have a watery look, as though filled with unshed tears. She nods in understanding as Julian finishes talking.
"Don't be mad at Helena if she says bad things about me. She had to make a choice between believing her father or me. Not an easy choice to make. I don't know what I would have done if faced with something like that. Anyway, now you know what happened and if Helena ever does mention me to you, you'll be prepared for all the bad things she'll say and understand why she's saying them."
Nodding again, Briar wipes away a stray tear then leans over to gently press her lips to Julian's. Pulling her closer, Julian mentally pats himself on the back for giving such a grand performance.
A Heart-Felt
Speech
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 10-15-02 17:51
Minerva McGonagall sat at the High Table with the rest of the professors of Hogwarts. She had been listening to the roar of conversation from the students in the hall. The old witch pushed her thoughts aside as Albus Dumbledore stood to address the students. He cleared his throat and began hushing the crowd of students.
"It has been a great and sad year for all of us here at Hogwarts," He began, bowing his head for a moment to think, and then lifting it again. "I would like to congratulate you all on a wonderful year, and announce the house cup to everyone."
A hum of voices rose among the students.
"To Ravenclaw, sixty seven points."
A round of applause came from the Ravenclaw table, though it did not sound too enthusiastic.
"To Slytherin, One hundred and forty-five points."
The Slytherin table burst into applause.
"To Hufflepuff, Five hundred and fifty points."
The Hufflepuff's began whooping and cheering for their house, congratulating each other.
"And, Gryffindor House, Six hundred and five points!"
Gryffindor cheered loudest it seemed. They were all congratulating themselves and Minerva couldn't help but let a small smile slip across her thin mouth.
"We will be loosing a handful of students, but it is my pleasure to give you seventh years a round of applause for a year well done!"
The hall erupted into applause, whistles and cheers for those seventh years who were to be leaving the school. They had graduated, accomplished something truly special. Minerva thought it good to give a standing ovation for those students. She stood, carefully, applauding them. And, one by one, the other professors followed.
It was truly a wonderful End of Term Feast. The applause died down, the teachers took their seats and Professor Dumbledore spoke again:
"I want you all to know that hope has not been given up on finding Harry Potter. He is a strong young man."
The hall was even more silent than before, and so it should be.
"Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore clapped his hands together and food spread across the tables. The students began to eat their last meal at Hogwarts.
It was minute later, after the food had spread, and cheerful laughter and conversation made its way over the hall when as Angelina and Professor Snape left the room. This was an odd thing, and Minerva made a mental note to check up on them later.
Happy
Author: Jet
Date: 10-15-02 18:25
Jet allows alot of his jubilance over Harry Potter's vanishing to surface when all the Hufflepuffs cheered their second place finish for the House Cup. It's the best they've done in years plus they won the Quidditch Cup. Lots for a nice, normal Hufflepuff boy to be joyous about. To make things even better, the always excellent End of Term Feast food seems to be even more wonderful this year. And in just two days, Jet will get to go home to his own room with no one to snoop as he reads more of his special books.
Ah yes. Life is good.
