Presents for Professor Dumbledore
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 02-15-04 15:53
With a brief stop in Hogsmeade to tidy up, we head straight for the castle. The Hallowe'en Feast is winding down, but the headmaster and most of the staff are still at the table. Londy greets us in the foyer and, after we have explained our need, she rushes off to fetch Professor Dumbledore.
"Ah!" He says with a smile. "It is good to see that you have returned all in one piece… Well, two pieces, actually. What news do you bring?
"We've both news and gifts," Dierna replies. "But maybe we should discuss this in your office."
Dumbledore leads the way, asking Londy to bring food and drink, after hearing the protests of my stomach. When we are safely settled, we relate our tale, each taking up parts of the story and adding a comment as needed for clarification. When we finally run out of words, we start rummaging in our packs. Scrolls and manuscripts are piled on the low table and Dumbledore takes his time examining each one. His perusals are punctuated by an occasional "Ummm…" or "Hmmm", but otherwise he has little to say. He rearranges things into two piles, one for the Restricted Section of the Library, and another to be locked away in whatever secure place Hogwarts has. Dierna shows him the gold Roman coins, explaining how she thought Bill Weasley might want these for display at Gringotts. I hand him a bulging leather pouch, containing a double handful of rare gemstones. "Tuck these away in your vault!" I say. "There will come a time when Hogwarts has need of ready cash!"
He thanks me for the donation then asks, "But what of yourself?"
With a wry grin, I produce two smaller pouches, handing one to Dierna. "A small payment for all the fun and excitement you have provided an old man," I tell her. "Tuck that away in your own vault at Gringotts. Who knows when you might have a use for it."
Lastly, I bring out the bottles of restorative elixir. I describe in great detail, the effects on my Ogham stick and on ourselves. I also tell of the weeping face which replenishes the basin.
He samples the water and smiles. "It would appear that there are still a few of the old sacred wells in operation!" He pushes the bottles back to me saying, " However, I suggest you keep these for your own use. We have our own supply, right here on the Castle Grounds. Madam Pomfrey is our biggest user of it… And Professor Snape, as well."
"Had I but known," I exclaim, " I could have brought back some of the strange devices for you to play with." I pass one of the bottles to Dierna, with a rueful grin. "Slainte!"
"Had you not brought that water along," she says, "we might neither of us have had the strength to walk out of there!"
I lean back in the chair and something poles me in the ribs. "Oh! I almost forgot… the thing that we went after…" I pull the silk-wrapped scroll from the folds of my robes. "See what you make of this!" I hand him the package , which he carefully unwraps.
Seeing the strange sheen on the surface, he briefly brushes the scroll with one finger, like a presser checking to see if her iron is hot. He looks at me, then back to the scroll. "You were wise to wrap it as you did," he says. Do you know the cause of the strange feeling?" I nod slowly, but Dierna looks somewhat perplexed. "Here, Auror," he says. Get the feel of it so you will recognize this abomination for what it is."
She reaches out and gingerly touches the thing, recoiling with a shudder. "It moves!" she exclaims. "Is that a part of the spell?"
"Not a part of the spell, but what it is written on," he replies. "This is not ordinary vellum! This is human skin, taken while the former owner was still alive. The pain is so great that it leaves a residue within the material, itself. It leaves a bit of the person's spirit or soul behind. It tries to avoid contact with anything!" He takes out his wand and casts a purifying spell, freeing that last segment of the soul.
"Now, let's see what is written here." Dumbledore unrolls the scroll and reads silently for a moment. Gradually, the color drains from his face. "It appears we have not one, but three curses here, all definitely of the Unforgiveable sort. One of these is "Degenero Corpus", the spell which was aimed at the two of you by what I must assume was the spirit of Magnus the Norse. According to the description, this causes a rapid withering or ageing of the body, but leaves the mind intact. Depending on the strength of the caster, and a number of other factors, this process can take from a few minutes to a few days. The second is "Degenero Mentus", which attacks the mind in the same way, leaving the body hale and hearty, a convenient tool or vessel for many dark purposes. The third spell is "Degenero Animus", which effectively removes the soul or spirit." He carefully re-rolls and wraps up the scroll. "I have heard rumors that such vile incantations existed, but this is the first proof I have seen. I am tempted to destroy this scroll, but I fear that I may simply set free the elements which it contains, to drift about until they take root in some other foul brain."
"But what will you do with it, then?" I ask the Professor. "If it is too dangerous to destroy it, where can it be safely kept?"
Dumbledore looks from me to Dierna and back again, as if making a decision. After a moment's thought, he says, "There is a place within Hogwarts, designed and built by Godric Gryffindor, himself. He made it for just such things as this." He begins to gather up the things we have brought, then smiles a wry smile. "Come along! I can use some help in carrying these things. And besides, it's time the two of you had a good look at what the dregs of humanity have managed to devise over the last millennium." We must have seemed to hesitate, for he adds, "No need to worry about divulging the secret of this place. It has something even more powerful than a Forget spell. The portal has the property of stripping away all memory of this place as you leave. No possibility of having it pried out of you, because it just isn't there." He continues as we walk down the hall to the Library, "You will remember some of the things you see, but not the fine details of them… names of spells and potions… those you will remember. Their workings, you will never have known.
A few moments later, we are walking back down that same hall. Dierna and I both look somewhat confused and Dumbledore has a smug smile on his face. We return to the Headmaster's office to retrieve our packs. He bids us a good night and suggests we try to get some rest this weekend. Downstairs, there is one of the carriages, pulled by a pair of thestrals, waiting to take us into Hogsmeade. We drop Dierna off at her cottage with a fond good-night, then they take me to the door of my shop. As soon as I am safely inside, the carriage clatters away, over the cobblestones of High Street and back to the Castle.
After the Halloween Party
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 02-15-04 19:01
Walking into the common room, I made a beeline for the stairs. The feast was so fun, but I was completely drained. Noticing two pumpkin cupcakes sitting next to the stairway leading to the bedrooms, I waved Tranquillina over.
"Look at this," I said.
"And a note too!" Tranquillina exclaimed.
Munching on the cupcake, I frowned as I read the note.
"Aw. He didn't need to do that. We'll have to cheer him up next time we see him and let him know everything's ok".
"Of course!" replied Tranquillina.
"But for now..." I stifled a yawn, "... I'm heading to bed."
Re: Quidditch and Herring
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 02-15-04 20:09
Arley grinned at Sebastian after swallowing the fish, but he quickly looked away realizing he had been starring into Seb's eyes. Quickly changing the subject Arley looked to Bronwyn and Desdemona "So Bron, Desi...you guys as stuffed as I am?"
Desi and Bron exchanged looks as Arley stood. "Well I guess it's about time to head back anyway." Bronwyn replied. She was giving Arley the strangest look and he suddenly realized Desi had told her about his girlfriend back home, the mysterious Bianca.
Looking slightly uncomfortable Arlington grabbed Sebastian's arm. "I know you'll leave with me. I'm ready to go, I'm going to explode if I eat any more!" Sebastian blinked a second and Arley began to leave the Great Hall alone, hoping his friends would follow soon after.
Walking towards the Hufflepuff common room the sixth year had plenty of time to think. Did he really just about drag Sebastian off to their room? God he was going to regret that...or was he? As he entered the common room he went directly for his room, curling up in bed and thinking. I have a girlfriend, I do NOT like 'him'! I'm just a normal sixteen year old boy and I have a girlfriend. Arley sighed and stretched out on his bed. Oh well, he would surely get over it.
Location Unknown: Conditions for Release
Author: Voldemort
Date: 02-15-04 20:14
I can tell that Severus is not happy about having to stay here. He's not supposed to be. The more unhappy and nervous he is the better - it will remind him of the consequences of my displeasure.
Then I have a better idea then keeping him here. A conditional release.
"You summoned me, Lord Voldemort?" He asks.
"Yes, I did," I tell him. "I have decided to let you return to the castle."
He tries not to look too relieved, but I can read it in his thoughts. "But there is one condition."
"What condition is that, my lord?"
I hold out my hand. In my palm is a small silver marble.
"This, as you should know, is a tracing peal. It allows me to extend my legilimens to a greater distance. It will allow me to know your every move - everything you say and think and do. If you want to leave my lair you will keep this on you at all times."
Severus doesn't look pleased, but what can he do?
Time for Bed
Author: Sora
Date: 02-15-04 20:35
Sora just entered the boy's dormitory when he spotted Logan by the window. He was reading a book. "Hiya Logan! What's up?" Sora asked cheerfully, but he was sure that Logan would catch his sleepy tone in his voice.
Logan looked up. "Oh, hello Sora! I was just reading." Sora yawned as he took off his fangs and pumpkin patch from his eye. "I see that, I like to read too, but the only reading material I can tolerate is comic books!" Logan gave a laugh, Sora grinned. "I'm just kidding, I love books!"
As Sora took off his costume Logan continued to read. "Hey Sora, what do you like to do with your free time?" Logan asked as Sora put his costume in his dresser. He thought about it for a second. "Me? I like to play video games most of the time, but when I'm bored with that I usually either read a good novel, draw some pictures or write some stories..."
"Do you play video games with your other siblings?" asked Logan. Sora glanced at him, then looked at his feet. "I don't have any... I'm the only kid in my family, or what you would call a family..." Logan hesitated. "Oh... I'm sorry..." Sora just grinned and sat on his bed. "Hey, no big," he said as he laid down (Felix jumped onto his chest, Sora stroked her lovingly). "You see, my dad is a major business man and he doesn't spend that much time at home. He often gets a calling and we have to move to other countries. That's how I met Riku and Kairi, you see."
Logan nodded. "I see, sounds like fun going to different places in the world." Sora sighed, "It was... but it started to get old after the fifth time we had to move." Logan nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure it would be," he said as he looked out the window.
He continued to stare at the grounds. Sora stood back up. "I'm gonna go for a walk, I'll be back in a few minutes okey-dokey?" Logan looked up from his book. "Okay, take your time."
And Sora left the dormintories and out of the portrait hole.
Returning to the Dormitory
Author: Sebastian Sjoblom
Date: 02-15-04 21:15
Arley tugs Sebastian up the stairs to their dormitory like a rag doll. As he regains his footing, he looks up. The room is lit with the soft, strange glow of the luminescent yellow and black balloons, still bumping lazily around on the ceiling. It's an unobtrusive, low light, not even strong enough to read by, that doesn't try to interfere with the sanctity of the night's shadows. He remembers that every day the past week Rudolph, annoyed by the bright colors, clawed and pecked at them relentlessly, but of course they were magical and unpoppable balloons. Rudolph had since lit out for parts unknown, but Sebastian isn't worried. Rudolph knows when to come back home.
He opens the window and leans out into the cool, spicy fall air. He feels a private satisfaction that Arley had chosen only him to return to the dorm with him. Of course, he reminds himself, it's only boyish fantasy to think that Arley might think him a friend or confidant or anything. The full harvest moon hangs in the sky above. This reminds him of something, and he turns quickly back toward the room, almost cracking his head open on the upper windowsill. The wooden sill only pulls his hair up into a funny-looking cowlick, and he smooths this down.
"Do you know? I had a Halloween costume," he says, hoping that his fellow Hufflepuff, fetal on his bed, hasn't drifted off yet. It's the first word either of them has spoken since leaving the feast prematurely.
Arley responds with a muffled, "Oh."
"Do you want to see it?" Sebastian asks, slipping his finger into his wand pocket. Arley sits up, propping himself up on his hands, and nods.
Sebastian clears his throat, points his wand at his face, and says, "Luna simulacrum." A loud crack resonates, and in an instant his school clothes are replaced by his werewolf costume, with a miniature moon floating overhead.
"Is it good?" he asks, spreading his fuzzy black arms wide. "I am a werewolf." He curls his lips back, proudly displaying his fangs.
Sebastian
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 02-15-04 21:27
Arley looked up as Sebastian asked him to if he wanted to see his costume. "Sure Seb..." He sat up and watched as his fellow blond changed into a werewolf.
"That's quite impressive Sebastian, how long did that take you? I must admit though, you don't look very scary. More like a furry puppy" Seeing the hurt look on Sebastian's face Arley quickly added "Uhh...I mean you're a great scary beast! I'm so afraid!" he held his arm over his face and pretended to faint over his bed.
The Veiled Threats of Chitchat
Author: Sebastian Sjoblom
Date: 02-15-04 22:24
At Arley's inquiry about how long the costume took to make, Sebastian shrugs nonchalantly.
"It did not take long. It wasn't hard to make, for me," he lies. "I only found a useful charm in an old book." He examines the backs of his false claws, and sits down on the edge of his four-poster, laughing at Arley's mock faint.
"I don't think I'm very good at being a werewolf," he admits, smiling, and stretches out on his back on the bed, reaching for the hardbound tome tucked under his pillow. It's in Swedish, a book about the lifestyles of contemporary Muggles of Europe. For a while, no one speaks, and the only sound is the periodic sussurous rustle as Sebastian awkwardly flips the pages, hindered by the claws attached to the knuckles of his costume.
"Where'd you go to school before?" Arley asks, rolling over to face Sebastian.
"Kristianstad Private Wizarding School," he answers, "in Sweden." He tenses, and hopes with crossed fingers that Arley doesn't ask any uncomfortable questions.
"Nice place?"
"Ja," Sebastian answers tersely, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Then why'd you come all the way to Hogwarts?" Arley asks. Sebastian, forgetting the fangs, bites down on his lower lip hard. He draws blood, but doesn't notice. Out of all the questions he could have asked, he thinks miserably, it was that one.
"Um..." he fumbles for something to say, sets down his book, and finally spits out, "Why did you?" In his haste, he realizes, his voice tightened and the words ended out sounding contemptuous and angry. Sebastian, you stupid skitstövel, he thinks, wishing he'd spoken more gently.
"N... no reason," Arley says, and stands up quickly. "Anyway, I have to go the bathroom."
"Interlunium," Sebastian murmurs once Arley is gone, and his costume morphs into his school robes again. His lip is swelling from the bite now, he notices, and the tangy metallic taste of blood is on his tongue. He pulls the curtain around his bed and strips to his boxers, tosses his clothes and book messily next to his bed, and burrows under the covers quickly to escape the cold. He hears feet ascend the stairs, and sinks his head into the pillow.
"Goodnight, Sebastian," Arley's voice says from the other side of the curtain. The curt tension in it has dissolved.
"Goodnight," Sebastian says. "Sov så gott."
There's a silence from the other side of the curtain.
"It means 'sleep well,'" Sebastian adds.
"Oh," Arley says. "Okay, sove so goat, Sebastian." Coccooned in his layers of blankets, Sebastian's face splits into an affectionate smile at Arley's horrible pronunciation. Before Lee and Lawrence have even returned to the dorm, Sebastian is deep in a warm, dream-laced sleep.
Voices in the Breeze
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 02-15-04 23:47
Logan hadn't realized how late it actually was. His book had actually been quite interesting. The Halloween Festivities were sure to be over with and most of the students were probably heading for bed.
Logan wondered where Sora could be heading out this late at night but decided that there were definitely times when each of them had wanted to be alone. Then thinking that he would probably not survive the night with out more food, he decided to make a quick trip to the Great Hall to see if there were possibly any snacks here or there.
Sure enough there were actually some more pumpkin cakes left and also some pumpkin juice. Figuring he had better eat it in the Hall itself, he sat at the table watching the candlelit pumpkins dance there way across the ceiling. He wondered if someday he would be able to do things like this. Maybe he could become a teacher at one of the schools like Hogwarts. Noticing that most of the students had left, and that the candles in the floating pumpkins were slowly winking out about the tables where there were no students, he figured it was just about time to head upstairs. He had already finished his homework and was quite ready for bed.
He was passing one of the windows that looked out on the Whomping Willow and suddenly heard a low voice.
"Hi there Logan, why don't you come out to play sometime?"
Quickly looking around, he couldn't see anyone in the hall that could have spoken the words. "Good grief," he thought to himself. "Now I'm going crazy to boot. This has been a Halloween I will remember for a long time."
Turning slowly he started up the stairs to his room. Just as he reached the portrait and gave the password he heard the voice again. "Goodnight Logan, have good dreams." Again looking around quickly and seeing no one, he couldn't decide if he should actually talk with someone or just ignore it all.
Yes...this was a Halloween to remember...
Eyes Wide Shut
Author: Kairi
Date: 02-15-04 23:41
After an totally fun Halloween Feast, Kairi was back upstairs in her dormroom. She was sitting in her bed doing some last minute Hisory of Magic homework. Oddly enough, History of Magic was one of Kairi's favorite classes. Sure, Professor Binns' teaching techniques (if you call his teaching a technique..) was mundane and boring. But the leasons were so inticing for the young Gryffindor. History was, by far, her favorite subject.
Almost two hours had gone by before Kairi had realized the time. Unless she had some real catching up to do, Kairi tried to get to sleep no later then nine. Now it was eleven at night and she was extremely tired. So tired in fact she almost forgot to put her PJs on.
Not but a minute passed before she was in a deep slumber...
