Re: Assumptions
Author: Angelina
Date: 02-08-03 01:33
"Say can I get a refill?" Ethan said and our mugs were promptly filled. I gave a sigh and wondered if he was right. But then my grandfather's story came to mind.
"Well there could be one thing that can prove my theory," I said and looked at my mug. "My grandfather, before he passed away a few days ago, told me as a child that Godric Gryffindor and one other helped with the construction of the Library. I do have the map to that area. It's old but it's still legible. It's a copy of the original and has been recently handed to me."
Ethan put down his mug, "Angelina, you're jumping to conclusions again. Look we came here to enjoy our day. Let's do that."
I sighed again. "Maybe all of us are getting a bit jumpy." I thought and took a drink. One more thing stood in my mind but right now I thought it was best to keep it to myself and not tell him. I then decided to change the subject and we got to talking about our teaching at Hogwarts. We then got on the subject of Professors and the conversation turned to Gilderoy Lockhart who be both agreed was a braggart and had no good sense (before his accident) of the wizarding arts.
What She Misses
Author: Mirai Schultz
Date: 02-08-03 01:47
After leaving her friends in Honeydukes, she hastily entered The Three Broomsticks, slowing down to look inside and search for her brother. He was sitting in one of the corner tables near the door. And he was not alone. Her eyes grew big with surprise and delight as she hurried to their place, waving to a few people she knows from school.
"I'm sooo glad you're all here," she said excitedly, pecking Andrew's cheeks, then her sister's, then her mom's before settling to a chair beside her brother.
"So," her mother begun. "What's this I hear about you and Diether?" she asked, a sly smile appearing on her face.
"Muuum," she said disbelievingly, all the while feeling her face getting hot. She can't believe that that's what her mom would want to know first. She looked at Drew and saw him raise an eyebrow at her in question. She looked at Miranda and it seemed as if she's trying hard not to giggle.
"Alright, alright," she said in surrender. She sighed. "I can't believe you want the gory details first," she said jokingly, shaking her head with a smile as Maya's giggles escaped. "Well, we just realized that... we care so much about each other... and that... yeah... we do love each other..." she related quietly amidst the noise in the bar.
Suddenly, Andrew laughed. "What?"
"I thought that I was going to punch him senseless but it seems that I don't have to," he told her. "When I first read your letter, yes, I dropped it," he said at her look. "I felt like, he's taking you away from me." He paused as he placed a kiss on her forehead. "But of course he's not. I'm just overprotected of you, I guess. And you," he continued, looking at Maya.
Maya just stuck out her tongue at him. "Oh, sod it!" she exclaimed, making them laugh.
Now that the tension is over, they caught up on each others lives. Mirai told them that she's coping up in Hogwarts, that she's met a lot of new friends, and even pointed out Lawrence, who was playing with the headmaster, to her mum. Andrew told her of his new job at the Ministry under the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Miranda related how she can't wait to go to Hogwarts, too. Their mother Mutsumi, on the other hand, told her of their natural abilities which can be tapped with the help of magic, and of course, proper training.
Listening and looking at her family, Mirai's eyes almost watered. She missed having these conversations with them. How she feels secures around them.
"I've missed all of you," she said suddenly, halting her mum's story.
"And we you," Mutsumi said, reaching over the table to grasp her daughter's hand.
"Sorry for the interruption but," someone said, making the Schultzes look up to the speaker. "But we have nowhere else to sit." Mirai smiled when she saw who arrived.
"Red," Andrew acknowledged.
Diether, on the other hand, motioned to the other four with him to take a seat.
"Hi mum, Maya, Drew," he said, shifting a bit uncomfortably with Andrew's gaze at him. "These are Kennard, Christina, Vincent, and Margaritte," introducing their friends to Mirai's family. As they crowded in the table, Red whispered to Mirai and they excused themselves.
"What is it?" she inquired.
"I saw this in one of the shops here and I wanted to give it to you," he explained, producing a small box in his hand.
She took it and opened it, revealing a charm for her bracelet, whose shape was two-owls with their beaks meeting. She let him fasten the new charm onto her bracelet, then held her wrist up, admiring the two owls along with the other charms.
"Thanks," she said, looking at him. She stood on tip-toe to kiss him quickly on the lips before dragging him back to their table, and catching up on the talk that went on without them.
Walking through the castle, I check my pockets wishing I had my smokes with me. I find myself at the end of the line of people going to Hogsmeade and wait to leave. At least I don't have to worry about classes today. Most seem to be either boring or irrelevant to anything I have planned with my life.
I'm not sure how I am able to deal with the students here. You have the self-righteous Gryffindors led by Harry Potter and perfect Prefect Hermione Granger. Then there's the boring Hufflepuffs. You can't forget the Ravenclaws, even if you try. You can't even count on all of the Slytherins. There are the idiots, Crabbe and Goyle, Draco Malfoy's cohorts. Malfoy has this superiority complex himself. What is it with people who have old money? They always seem to think they're better than everyone else. His act seems to fool a lot of people. Of course, I guess it wouldnÕt take a lot to convince Crabbe and Goyle.
No matter. I'm stuck here. I might as well have a little fun. Speaking of fun, this Wizard's Chess Tourny sounds like it might be interesting. At least I'll be able to play a little bit of chess. We'll see if any of these people are any good. I have to play a 4th year first. A 4th year Gryffindor. It will be worth playing a 4th year, just to see a Gryffindor lose.
Waking up out of my thoughts, I notice that we're almost to Hogsmeade. I spend the rest of the way there watching the scenery. Stepping onto the street, I look around, not really sure where to start, this being my first time in Hogsmeade. I decide just to walk down the street, popping into one store or another until I found something interesting.
Mother and Mother-in-Law
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 02-08-03 16:43
Helena and Molly strolled the grounds at the Burrow envisioning a spectacular yet affordable wedding. Latticed arches crawling with deep, green vines and entwined red roses, simple white folding chairs and candlelit garden lamps ranked high on the list.
"It may very well snow on the big day, but Arthur can charm the ceremony area to remain clear of it and perhaps color the winter grass a rich, dark green. He'll certainly charm heating elements around the area as well so that we don't all freeze to death during the ceremony!"
Molly smiled and took Helena by the elbow, leading her to another part of the property. They wandered behind the house, where rolling plains stretched as far as the eye could see.
"What time is your mother arriving, dear?"
"She didn't specify..." Helena turned thoughtfully to Molly, but paused to get a better look at something she saw out of the corner of her eye.
Helena's mother, a blonde woman of average size, stepped through the back door followed by a Weasley son, Percy.
"Molly, look!"
Mrs. Weasley squealed and rushed to embrace her son, who had just returned home from his adventure-filled business trip in Egypt. Meanwhile, Helena greeted her mother with an equally big hug.
"Mum, I'm so glad you could make it. We have so much to talk about, to plan..."
"I'm glad you're going to let me help plan your second wedding, Helena," Mrs. Tufton said playfully, taking a step back to take a look at her daughter.
Helena blushed. "Oh, Mum!"
"I've already met Percy here, your brother-in-law. He's a very nice young man," Mrs. Tufton praised.
Percy and Molly ended their embrace, both smiling broadly.
"Molly, I would like to formally introduce you to my mother, Charlotte Tufton. Mum, this is Charlie's mother, Molly Weasley."
They exchanged "pleased to meet you" and "how do you do" and made it painfully obvious how nice it would have been to have met before the children ran off and got hitched.
"We will certainly have to all get together a few times before the big wedding," Molly said, smiling. "I'm looking forward to meeting your husband. Charlie spoke very highly of him. Could I get you some tea?"
"Oh, yes. That would be lovely."
Percy took the brief pause in the conversation that followed while everyone went inside the house and said, "I haven't seen Penny since returning home, so I'd like to pay her a visit."
Helena expressed, "She's been visiting here a lot since we learned of your disappearance, Percy. She was really worried."
"We all were," Molly added gravely. "Oh, I'm so glad you and Bill are safe. Why does trouble always find my children?"
Mrs. Tufton arched an eyebrow at this but remained silently objective.
"Mum, Bill is Charlie's older brother and works for Gringotts Bank in Egypt. Percy is younger and works for the Ministry of Magic," Helena explained.
"Yes, I just returned from Egypt actually," Percy reported. "Fascinating country, interesting folk, never a dull moment."
Molly huffed quietly at this statement, flicking her wand to brew the tea.
"I hope you don't mind if I depart to meet Penny. I promise I won't stay too long, Mum."
"All right, dear." Molly spoke protectively, "You be careful."
Percy nodded and prepared to disapparate, but then declared, "Oh, I haven't had a chance to congratulate you and Charlie on your wedding, Helena...and your, erm, upcoming, ah, remarriage."
Helena bit her lip, trying to hide her giggles. "Oh, thank you, Percy."
He smiled, chuckling a bit, and then disapparated.
Her Brother
Author: Margaritte Triegher
Date: 02-08-03 19:14
She was glad they all bumped into each other on the entrance of The Three Broomsticks. She didn't want to go in by herself and sit with Mai and her family. They were introduced to Mutsumi, Mirai's mother, who insisted that they all call her mum. Then to Andrew, then Miranda. Mirai and Miranda looked so alike that she felt that Maya is the younger version of Mai. Andrew is a different story, though. He looks... beautiful.
Shaking her head from the illusions that started going on in her head, she listened as Mirai talked about her experiences in Hogwarts while drinking their butterbeers. She pipes in her own version of the stories every so often. She feels at ease with these new people she met. And it looks like even her siblings and Kennard feels comfortable already, too.
"They just returned to the common room," Mirai was saying, "holding each others hands!" nodding to Ken's and Christa's direction.
"And we all just knew," Vince continued for Mirai. "That they hooked up," he told with a smile.
She decided to add something to the story. "Well, we all knew except for one person here."
Miranda frowned then asked, "Who?"
Mirai was already giggling before she even answered as Diether tries to clamp down her mouth.
"Him!" she exclaimed, pointing at Diether and they all burst out laughing.
"Mirai has been telling us, me and Vince, that she had to explain how my sister and Kennard just got together," she explained in between laughs.
Almost everyone glanced in their direction at the sudden noise but then they all went back to the game between Lawrence and the headmaster. Andrew was looking at her funny and she had to control the blush that she knows would soon break out if he didn't stop. Mirai on the other hand, looked like she wanted to laugh more or something.
About an hour or so passed and it was getting dark. The six friends decided that it's time to go back to the castle. They all herded out of the pub and waited as Mirai said goodbye to her family. She saw Mirai whisper something to her brother who shakes his head and looks at her alternately. Mirai pinched his arm and he just nodded in resignation. Mirai glanced at her and smile, a mischievous smile even from afar, before looking back at her brother and kissing his cheek. Then she hurried to where she and the others were standing and they trooped back to Hogwarts, she looking back now and then at The Three Broomsticks.
Lowering Sun
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 02-08-03 19:47
Cho beams up at Fynn, clutching her new present with one hand, the other arm wrapped in his, head resting on his shoulder as she resituates herself to look ahead as the walk.
The sun was lowering a little which meant it was mid afternoon and they would have to head back to Hogwarts eventually. She rubs his arm gently, a content silence, both thinking of something to say, they open their mouths to speak, seeing what the other was doing, they both state, "You first."
Chuckling and giggling abound, they sober enough to both say, "No, you first."
She rolls her eyes, deciding to be silent, letting him speak, "I'm glad you like your gift."
Cho smiles, nodding, "I do...Thank you very, very much. I'll have to think of something special to thank you."
He shakes his head, "Every moment is special with you and that's all that's needed."
She kisses his shoulder, enraptured with him, murmuring softly, "I love you."
After lunch at the Spinning Horn, Bronwyn and Emma spent quite a bit of time at Honeydukes filling up on snacks and buying some to save for later. Most of their conversations covered classes, Quidditch and boys, but Bronwyn's mind often drifted to the discussion at the restaurant with Emma's parents.
Granted, it probably wasn't any of Bronwyn's business since she hadn't know Emma for very long and certainly didn't know her incredibly well, but she couldn't help being curious. Bronwyn waited for Emma to finish purchasing some sweets, and then the pair headed outside to visit another shop.
During their walk, Bronwyn found the courage to ask, "So, what do you think your grandmother is going to give you?"
A Moment of Peace
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 02-09-03 01:58
After the older students left I made myself at home in the Common Room. I had taken out my lucky cricket bat and began to clean it. Knowing full well that Quidditch was the chosen sport of the Wizarding world, I still had my love for cricket.
After I cleaned it, I gave it a swing and I smiled. "Still got the touch," I thought and then held it in both hands just looking at it. It was a nice reminder that I can live in two worlds despite what my Aunt Melinda told me and that I still have friends waiting for me in the Muggle world.
Wizards Chess and
a Few Pointers
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 02-09-03 10:55
Larwence smiled when Professor Dumbledore agreed to a game of Wizard's Chess. He pulled up a chair to the table and sat down. He had chosen the white pawn and the option to go first.
He saw out of the corner of his eyes that Vera and the others at his table had come over to watch. He studied the board for a few moments before he made his first move.
He waited while Professor Dumbledore studied the board and made his move. There was quite a bit of talking, and sharing of pointers between the two, each had their fair share of "checks" but neither could get that final "check mate." Lawrence made another move and then waited for Professor Dumbledore to make his move.
"Ah, ha! And you see...here I can take your queen, checking your king, Mr. Masterson. You must watch very carefully!" Dumbledore said as his piece glided across the board and knocked Lawrence's queen to the side, checking his king.
Lawrence moved his king just far enough out of the way, and now it was again Professor Dumbledore's turn.
Draco paused for a moment after delivering condescending commentary about Gabriel to Crabbe and Goyle in order to observe the Ravenclaw's reaction. Judging by the location of his table in relation to the bar and the fact that the most boisterous part of the pub seemed to be the far side of the room, Draco presumed that Gabriel had heard everything.
Disappointment followed by disgust displaced Draco's interest when he noticed that Gabriel's attention had turned to the door where Mudblood Granger stood. When her eyes fell upon the Ravenclaw, they lit up brightly. She bounced across the room to him and embraced Gabriel.
As Draco threw back the contents of his drink, he cast a critical look at the pair. Granger smiled brilliantly and squeezed her childhood friend tightly, appearing overjoyed and ecstatic to be in his company.
Gabriel's face betrayed him. Pure delight passed over Draco's face as he witnessed a fleeting glance of desire materialize in the Ravenclaw's eyes. The pang of longing for something not his vanished as soon as Hermione ended the embrace and stepped over to the table where Annabella stood. Something in Gabriel's facial expression changed when his eyes fell upon the other girl.
"Well, well," Draco spoke cunningly, his gray eyes focused intently on the three figures at the table. "Things just got more interesting. Did you see that, Crabbe? Looks like Weasley hasn't been keeping an eye out on his girl. Wonder what he would think if he saw the way Baine was looking at her just now. That yearning twinkle in his eye, the way one of his hands found its way to the small of her back during their embrace...poor pathetic Weasley. Won't he be in for a shock."
Draco paused, leering at the three at the table. Annabella seemed visibly uncomfortable, Hermione looked pale and Gabriel appeared annoyed. Impassioned by their reactions, Draco continued, "Can't say I'm surprised, though. For one so clever, you'd think she'd have realized he's pitiful from the start. Perhaps she's also discerned that she ought to stick to her own kind. The world would certainly be a better place if Mudbloods kept to themselves."
Hermione reached across the table to calm Gabriel, who had risen from his seat.
Draco smirked and added cruelly, "Or perhaps there's more to Granger than the pure and innocent Gryffindor we've all been lead to believe."
Gabriel gently shook Hermione hand from his arm and turned to Draco, whose features displayed total pleasure. He slid off of his stool and put his back up against the bar counter, eyeing Gabriel steadily with a smug grin on his face.
The Ravenclaw approached Draco and demanded calmly, "I'm going to have to ask you to cease speaking of Hermione in that way."
Draco expressed false surprise and asked, "Is that so? What are you going to do about it, Baine?"
"I'm only going to ask you once, Malfoy."
A sneer marred Draco's handsome face as he declared, "It seems awfully interesting to me that you're so intent on preserving the dignity of that little minx. I saw the way you looked at her, Baine. Tell me, what does she do for you that she doesn't do for Weasley?"
Anticipation
Author: Annabella Mayberry
Date: 02-09-03 19:22
Annabella watched as Gabe hugged Hermione but barely looked at her when the two girls approached the table he occupied. She took a seat and looked around the familiar surroundings of the Three Broomsticks, yet Gabe's behavior still bothered her. She wanted to be able to hug him like she did before and tease and joke with him like before but something told her that it would be hard or even impossible to go back to the friendship they had before and this weighed heavily on her mind.
Having Draco Malfoy say rude things about Hermione didn't help ease the tense atmosphere at the table but only made things worse. Anna knew it was hard to ignore him but it was the best thing to do. Gabe on the other hand was not like that. He stood up about to confront Draco. Hermione tried to calm him down but both girls knew Gabe and his temper.
As he approached Draco, Anna heard him say "I'm only going to ask you once, Malfoy." This was not going good, Anna thought and exchanged worried glances with Hermione.
"It seems awfully interesting to me that you're so intent on preserving the dignity of that little minx. I saw the way you looked at her, Baine. Tell me, what does she do for you that she doesn't do for Weasley?" came Draco's reply. Anna's eyes widened in shock as she watched Gabe and Draco, afraid of what was going to happen next.....
Lawrence has played a very good game. Perhaps I should say, an exceptionally good game for one of his age and relatively limited experience. A number of times, he has surprised me with variations and diversions I have not encountered before. At last, I see the opportunity to bring this contest to a close.
Taking a long draught of my third Butter Beer, I study the board and review the board moves once more. "Well and bravely fought, Sir Lawrence!" I announce. "However, I believe it is "Mate" in three moves." I send my rook down the side of the board, pulverizing the pawn that is at the end of my run. "Check!" Lawrence responds in the only way possible, advancing his own rook to crumble my own. My own queen slides over and gives his rook a sharp rap with her sceptre, causing his piece to crumble into dust. With a flick of her long skirts, she blows the dust off the edge of the board and turns to face the opposing king with a glare on her face. "Check and Mate!"
I lean forward and peer at Lawrence over the top of my spectacles, expecting to see something other than the broad grin on his face. A very good game, my friend. You quite had me going there a few times. I should think you will not be at any disadvantage in the tournament. If anything, his grin broadens at this compliment. His group of friends who have gathered around the table are also congratulating him for having lasted almost an hour. He gives me quite proper and polite thanks for spending my valuable time with him. Now... I say with a smile. Why don't you all finish your drinks and then go see what else the village has to offer? With that, I signal Madam Rosmerta that I will pick up the tab for the table. This results in more enthusiastic thanks from Lawrence and his several companions. Very well... Now, off with all of you. I chuckle.
Draco, he appeared to Gabriel to resemble some sort of rodent, sneered as he put to Gabriel a question with the intent of provoking him to act.
"It seems awfully interesting to me that you're so intent on preserving the dignity of that little minx. I saw the way you looked at her, Baine. Tell me, what does she do for you that she doesn't do for Weasley?"
The remark failed to impact Gabriel's pride, but touched upon his consciousness of Hermione being present. It took a moment to contemplate his course of action, and Gabriel willingly took the path which was beneath his character. His temperature swelled slightly before he suppressed his emotions and grinned.
"Still preying on those whom you consider below yourself Malfoy? How 'bout we have enough of your talk on your magnificence and have some bloody proof? Myself, I have doubts there's much for you to be proud about."
Draco's ensuing glare deeply impressed Gabriel, for the amount of revulsion he was able to work into his face required some skill. However, Draco appeared to have no rejoinder. Gabriel shook his head while heaving a sigh and began to turn from Draco when he noticed his hand entering his robes. He needed no more to be evoked.
"Expelliarmus!" shouted Gabriel with his wand brandished in his left hand. Draco had just managed to pull his wand from his robes before it was flung from his fingers. "Trying for my back turned were you Draco? Well then, I suppose you've just learned a valuable lesson. Next time know the skills of your opponent. Let's see what you're really made of without a fancy twig in your hand."
Gabriel moved toward Draco until the swiftly diminished Slytherin had backed into the counter.
"Apologize to Hermione." Draco's contorted face was only matched by the pathetic emptiness of his eyes. He stared at the girl beyond Gabriel's shoulder and then back at the cool face of the Gabriel in front of him. "I'd never to apologize to a filthy Mudblood. Crabbe! Goyle!" shouted Draco defiantly, as he attempted to duck beneath Gabriel. A steady hand grabbed a hold of his shoulder and he was thrown against the counter causing a shot of pain across his back. Gabriel sent an angry blow with his fist into the side of Draco's face causing the Slytherin to wrench and howl with pain. Gabriel felt himself knocked into a nearby table with alarming force as Goyle and Crabbe came upon him. As the occupants of the table rushed for safety, Gabriel wiped his lip, which caused a smear of blood to appear on his hand. He sent a punch into Goyle's extravagant stomach sending him into wheezes as air rushed from his lungs. Gabriel winced as a well aimed punch from Crabbe found his right side. With his arm raised to send a jab back in response, Gabriel was stayed by a vociferous shout.
Veronica sighed, taking a long gaze around the room. "I would treasure a longer browse around your lovely shop, but I've vowed to myself that I'll see the whole of Hogsmeade in this one outing. I've so much to catch up on." She shook Nevvyn's hand again. "It has been a pleasure chatting with you, and I thank you for letting me look around," she said as she made her way to the door. She gave one last friendly wave goodbye before exiting.
Minerva McGonagall had just picked up her glass of butterbeer when she saw out of the corner of her eye...
She slammed the glass down and stood up furiously, her figure as straight as a rod. Her fists were clenched, with one great voice she yelled across the room:
"What in the name of Merlin is going on in here!" Albus, too, stood up. The sparkle in his eyes had left. Minerva stormed over to the boys and separated them.
"What is the meaning of all this? I have never in my wildest...." McGonagall's mouth frowned even as she spoke. The boys stood there beneath the cold and steely glare she gave them.
Her eyes landed on Miss Granger who's facial expressions swam somewhere between worry and disgust. At the table with her was Miss Mayberry who had nearly the same expression. The old witch looked around and spotted both professors Somerset and Logan at a table in the corner. They, too, had stood to approach the brawl.
"Will someone tell me what is going on here?" The whole place was quiet.
Albus Dumbledore stepped forward. "Will anyone tell Professor McGonagall what has happened here?" He looked into each and every face, his own serious and flat of any expression.
"Professor....Draco said some horrible things, and...and Gabe, he was just trying to stick up for me. But, Draco was going for his wand...." Hermione started.
Malfoy spoke up. "It's not true! Baine came at me, first!"
"All right, that's enough!" Dumbledore said loudly. Again, the room was silenced. "Minerva, I am going to have to think these things over. We have two stories here."
"Did anyone else see what went on?" McGonagall looked to Professor Somerset, who shook his head. To a few others, but no answer. "Professor Somerset, would you be willing to take these boys up to the hospital wing? If you would please stay with them until Madame Pomfrey is finished with them."
Ethan nodded. "Yes, Professor. I'd be glad to."
"I want to get to the bottom of this, but for now I'll take points away from both your houses. Fifty points from each house." Dumbledore's eyes held disappointment. "Minerva, whatever else you deem needs to be done." He turned and left the scene.
The old witch sighed, her lips pursed. "Each of you will serve a detention. We'll start tomorrow. Now, Professor Somerset, if you would escort these gentlemen to the hospital wing to get cleaned up."
He nodded and the boys followed. Minerva turned to Hermione and Annabella. "Miss Granger, I imagine Professor Dumbledore will want to speak to each of you separately concerning this afternoon. I will let you know as soon as I speak with him further. Good afternoon, Dears." And she, too, turned to leave.
