Ivy Cottage:
Lunch
Author: Professor Belladonna Sinistra
Date: 01-24-04 13:09
Bella adjusted her earrings. The house elves were bustling about getting lunch ready and clearing out the scent of cigar. From this, she had deduced an important lesson: never invite a fiancé for breakfast on the same day one invites a work colleague. She huffed at the thought of cigars at the breakfast table. That was one habit she was going to break John of if it killed her. The need to smoke herself was overwhelming and she was always trying to quit. Nothing to make one feel like a schoolgirl than passing Minerva McGonegall in the hallway and noting the assistant headmaster sniffing with a frown.
However, she wasn't a schoolgirl at all and she had a lunch to get ready. She could smell something Italian, but the cook house elf had been trained at one of their places in Tuscany. Something light and hot, hopefully. The weather was turning a bit chilly, but wasn't unseasonably cold. It would be a month or so before she swaddled herself in cashmere and took illness remedies with a mimosa chaser. Oh well, she could afford to keep fires going and getting sick meant time in her parents' house being even more coddled than usual.
She took a seat in the parlor and picked up a needle. Sorcha would be here soon, and everything was neat and tidy. Not one of the millions of pictures and figurines were out of place. Things were just as they should be, which was the only way Bella was comfortable. Even if she had to spend most of her time in her own little world, things were predicable and nothing was out of the ordinary. Of course, doing what was expected and retreating into an insular world was as much a Sinistra trait as blue-green eyes. Now, what was expected was Sorcha's arrival and until then Bella would work on her embroidery.
Headed to
Hogsmeade
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 01-24-04 14:24
Stepping off of the train Arlington headed into Hogsmeade. The day was bittersweet...he was leaving his old life in the states, and his girlfriend, only to be forced to live in another country and go to school with his long-time fried, Desdemona Diamond (who just happened to be his girlfriend's identical twin). Bianca hadn't taken well to him leaving and she had threatened to kill his father for it. Arley understood exactly why he was being sent off; Bianca's parents had caught them in bed, though he thought the punishment seemed a bit rash and The Diamond's had given the two quite a lecture, wasn't that good enough? When Arlington's father found out, he immediately took the opportunity as an excuse to get his son away from that....girl! According to Dad, Bianca was nothing but trouble, and he shouldn't love a girl like that...but he did, he loved Bianca.
Arley was quite frustrated with his father and was ready to leave, too bad he couldn't take Bianca with him. Well, that wouldn't work because she and Desi would likely kill each other. He chuckled at his thoughts, he had never seen twins, or siblings despise each other like those two.
Wandering down the street he quickly found a bench and sat quietly, brushing some dirt off his jeans. Arley sighed watching the Hogwarts students pass, maybe everything would workout for the best. He looked towards the entrance to the village and waited, looking for his old friend.
It Only Gets
Worse
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-24-04 18:32
Mr. Granger's body rolled over scattered stones and gnarled twigs and came to an abrupt stop at Hermione's feet. The momentary distraction garnered Bellatrix the perfect opportunity to take Hermione's wand, which flew from her hand and left her utterly defenseless. Realizing the increasing seriousness of the situation, Hermione frantically tried to find a solution to the predicament she now found herself in but at the same time she felt stunned and heartbroken.
She couldn't scream or move or find any rational thought, feeling only the weight of her father's near lifeless body against her toes. Tears spilled from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks as she knelt beside Mr. Granger. She placed a shaky hand to his cheek and looked up at Bellatrix only when she spoke again.
"Didn't you hear me, Granger?"
Bellatrix looked positively jubilant. She twirled her own wand between her fingers and sang, "Poor, little thing. Without a wand, without a mother..." She grinned evilly. "...just a father without any brain activity."
Hermoine felt her fists clench into two tiny balls of fury. She knew she could never win a fight, not without her wand and certainly not alone.
She looked back down at her father's face and moved her hand to lightly touch one of his. A soft whimper escaped her lips and more tears streamed down her face. She shut her eyes.
"You'll never get away with this." Hermione opened her eyes and stood up straight, eyeing Bellatrix levelly.
Bellatrix smirked. "Won't I? It seems to me, after all, that you are completely unarmed and all alone on this cliffside, unless you count that vegetable of a father at your feet. Do you honestly think you can take me on, Granger?"
Hermione opened her mouth to speak but it fell agape when another voice called out her name.
Both Bellatrix and Hermione turned their heads and found Ron climbing the slope of the hill, wand at the ready and eyes frantically passing between the two women.
Hermione felt a sob build up in her throat and she cried out, "Ron, no!"
Ron edged ever closer, however, wand firmly pointed at Bellatrix. He caught sight of Mr. Granger at Hermione's feet and muttered, "Merlin's beard."
He reached out to touch Hermione's arm in sympathy and then shouted at Bellatrix, "You'll pay for that!"
Auror on
Duty
Author: Michael Turin
Date: 01-24-04 18:41
Michael was patrolling the residential area. It was an unlikely place for trouble, but that was why it deserved to be watched. Never, ever, overlook the obvious.
Michael listened carefully for anything untoward, unusual or just plane suspect. He occasionally glanced around for any red sparks - the sing that someone needed backup. So far so good.
He took a left in a small laneway between houses, empty. So far everything normal.
Michael mentally knocked on wood, after all the day had only started.
You Owe Me
Author: Adam Sparrow
Date: 01-24-04 18:50
Adam had recuperated and was back in Hogsmeade in a day. He hadn't found a new place to live and Sidi wasn't happy.
"I thought we agreed." She looked sternly at him as she spoke. A bit too much though that he knew she was trying hard at it.
"But I'm sick. You can't throw me out when I'm sick!" He put on his best pity me face.
"You're not sick. You were sick. Adam I just think you need time to sort out what you really want. Now that you know all about yourself and you have nothing to fear you can make choices based on what you want. Not fear." She ran her fingers through the blonde unruly hair. "Any choice you make is the right choice. It's your life and you have to be happy." She sighed thankful the speech she had prepared was over.
"I know what I want." Adam was irked that she always thought him to be unable to grasp simple concepts. "I want you, but if you don't want me....."
"Oh don't turn it around !" Sidi shot back. "You know I love you." She started to cry. "I'm just giving you the chance to...to..." She turned away and couldn't talk through her chokes and sobs.
"To what?" Adam continued. "To tell you I love you and ask you to spend the rest of your life as my wife? Is that it?"
She couldn't believe how cruel he was being. She felt as if she was a desperate old spinster and he was throwing it in her face. He sounded like his father. "I hate you!" she sobbed. "How can you be such a jerk!"
"Because you owe me." he answered watching unflinching.
"What?" Sidi looked up in horror at the monster that was wearing Adam's face. "How can you say that? I love you. I do everything I can for you, for us. How can you stand there and say that I owe you......and for what??"
Time to Pay
the Piper
Author: Sidi Ross
Date: 01-24-04 19:09
"Well for this ring for one. It cost me a fortune." He lifted the tell-tale little black velvet box. He smiled, his eyebrows lifted.
Sidi's eyes were red and puffy. She dabbed her sniffly nose with a handkerchief. She stared at the box.
Adam grinned and opened it for her. A new flood of tears burst forth from her as he put the ring on her finger. "Now will you shut up?"
She started to laugh through the tears. "Yes."
"Yes what?" he asked. "Yes you'll shut up or yes we're getting married?"
She threw her arms around him. "I love you so much." She pulled back to inspect it. "When did you have time to get it?" He held her, loving how she felt against him and how perfectly they fit together.
"I suppose it was so fine a purchase I lost my head about it." He kissed her neck.
She giggled. "That long ago?"
He kissed her lips. "You make the plans and I'll say yes to everything. But now Mrs. Sparrow it's time to pay the piper..."
He pulled her up the stairs to their apartment.
A Posse Worth
Enjoying
Author: Rolan Boyd
Date: 01-25-04 12:10
Rolan and Su Li entered The Three Broomsticks and immediately headed toward their usual booth on the left side of the room. The booth was easily distinguished, with blue and bronze scarves laying on the top of the booth seat, and with the older students which occupied the seats. Terry Boot, Kevin Entwhistle, and Lisa Turpin were already in the booth, each stretched out in various positions enjoying their favorite drink (Butterbeer for Turpin and Boot, mulled mead for Entwhistle). Seeing their friends approaching from the door, they began to arrange themselves to create space for the newcomers.
Su moved into the booth next to Terry. Their on-and-off romances inevitably began with cheesy flirting and ended in violent arguments which offered hysterical entertainment to their friends. Su removed her coat and scarf and placed them over the seat, where they were joined by two small packages she had been carrying under her arm.
"Packages?" burped Kevin, having just taken a swig of his mead.
"For school, I ballsed-up a potions brew the other night. I had some utensils that needed replacement," replied Su, frowning at Kevin's manners. "Rolo, I'll have my cherry." Everyone at the table snickered.
Rolan approached the bar to order their drinks: Su would have her cherry syrup and Rolan, who often became ill from Butterbeer, would have his red currant rum. Returning to the booth with drinks, Rolan nearly dripped over a younger student who was chasing after some object he had purchased, and was obviously unable to manage.
"Oy pilchard! Watch where you're going!" shouted Rolan down at the crimson-faced youngster. A prefect unknown to Rolan shot him a disapproving look which he ignored.
"Trouble with the children Rolo?" smirked Kevin as Rolan sat down in the booth and passed Su's cherry over the table to her. "It's not right of you to be so hard on them, you pint-sized chaps should help one another."
"You'll be having trouble drinking your mead if you make another cod about my height mate," glared Rolan, taking in a mouthful of his rum. Kevin took a gulp of his mead and turned toward Rolan threateningly.
"All right you two," interjected Lisa, "There's no need for Kevin to get hurt... again."
"Yeah!? Is that what you think?" shouted Kevin with anger starting boil in his throat.
"I don't think it, I know it Kevin."
"It happened once, and he fought dirty!"
The table burst in laughter as they recalled the fight Kevin was speaking of.
"Dragging your face across the ground doesn't account for fighting dirty Kev," said Terry. Kevin hands were wrenched into fists as he glanced around at the amused faces. Unable to contain himself, he shot up from his seat to confront someone, but he instead managed to knock into the table and cause the drinks to slash out of their mugs.
"Oy! That's far enough!" shouted Rolan. "If you can't take the hits Kevin, then don't be the one to give 'em out. Come on, you're going to help me clean up this mess and reorder the drinks."
Rolan dragged the fuming Kevin from the table while Terry willingly aided Su in dabbing up cherry syrup which had splattered up and down her robes. The scene was typical of the posse, and it was that sort of day which Rolan was painfully aware they were running short of.
Two Against
One and the Meaning of Pain
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 01-25-04 12:47
Ron's shout of anger disrupted the quiet of the cliff side. "You'll pay for that!"
Bellatrix laughed. "You'll pay for that!" she mimicked in a high-pitched girly voice. The mocking smile left her face. "How do you know I didn't just happen to come across the body here by accident?"
Ron's wand wavered, a small seed of doubt placed in his mind. "Don't listen to her, Ron!" cried Hermione, searching the ground for her wand. It lay far away, among some leaves under a small twiggy bush. "That woman is Bellatrix Lestrange!"
Ron's eyes grew wide and his mouth hung open, amazed at this news. This was of course what Bellatrix was waiting for. "Expelliarmus!" she shouted, watching as Ron's wand flew to one side.
She watched the two friends standing there, completely at her mercy. "What?" she asked. "Too frightened to fight without your wands? Or is Dumbledore so incompetent these days that he can't teach you basic self defense? I suppose you've heard all about little old me, how I eat children for breakfast and torture mudblood's just for the fun of it?" She paced back and forth, stopping to look at them both. "Well, let me tell you the truth. I don't eat kids for breakfast, or lunch either." She started to laugh.
"I am however, going to show you a thing or two about pain." As if randomly she pointed her wand at Ron's chest. "Crucio!" she cried.
"NO!" screamed Hermione, watching as Ron dropped onto his hands and knees, gasping in pain. She ran blindly at Bellatrix, tears running down her face. All she could hear was the woman's evil laugh as she tortured her friend. She reached Bellatrix, momentarily taking her off guard. Bellatrix felt the girl grab at her hair and she slapped Hermione hard, knocking her to the ground.
Gasping for air and feeling as if his body had been set on fire, Ron climbed slowly to his feet again. Determined, he used the distraction to pick up his wand. Staggering, he turned to face Bellatrix, who was intent on doing further damage to Hermione.
Bellatrix spied Ron out of the corner of her eye, saw him raise his wand and shaking, point it at her. "Stupefy!" he shouted, at the same time Bellatrix sent an Impediment Jinx back at him. She jumped to one side, narrowly avoiding the curse, but Ron wasn't so lucky. He was blasted backwards and landed partway down the hill. Almost immediately he was back on his feet, causing Bellatrix to laugh in amusement.
She turned back to Hermione, but the girl had scrambled across the grass and just about reached her wand. Bellatrix sent a bolt of red lightning towards Hermione, hitting her hand. Hermione was thinking quickly however and ignored the searing pain. She grabbed at the fallen wand with her good hand, rolling over and coming to her feet.
Bellatrix watched curiously as the pair of students stood before her, wands pointed at her chest. "Do your worst then," she drawled, "and I will show you the meaning of pain."
Make That
Three
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 01-25-04 16:05
With her wand fixed firmly at Bellatrix's chest, Hermione exchanged a brief look with Ron. He was breathing heavily but seemed to ignore the pain in his body. His wand was aimed at the Death Eater too, and he looked ready to retaliate for what she had just done to both Hermione and himself. As if they could read each other's minds, both screamed out an offensive spell.
Unable to fully react to both of them simultaneously, Bellatrix blocked Ron's and narrowly avoided Hermione's. A fiery mark from the impact of Hermione's spell burned white hot on Bellatrix's upper arm. She took in a sharp breath and glared at Hermione, who managed to show confidence even though the odds were likely still in the Death Eater's favor.
Hermione's face stung from the blow Bellatrix had given her, and the injury on her hand was quite painful. She ignored it to the best of her abilities, however, even though the simple task of holding onto her wand only seemed to agitate the wound.
"Is that the best you can do?" Bellatrix questioned, clearly amused. "If you're only going to throw baby spells at me than maybe we should end game. I can't say it hasn't been fun but I do have other people to see, other people to kill." She waved her wand between the two Gryffindors, finally settling it upon Hermione.
"I think I'll start with you..."
Suddenly, a third figure joined the fray.
Awww...does
Bewatwix think she's scawwy?
Author: Dierna n’ C’aran
Date: 01-25-04 17:34
This time I knew it was for real. Spells being shot - and I knew the voices. All of them: Ron, Hermione -- and Bellatrix Lestrange. I start running toward the sounds, jumping, and climbing over rocks. They barely slow me, trained Fenian that I am. I arrive where they are.
"Yes, Bellatrix." I say, walking purposely toward her, my own wand pointed toward the woman. "Sin e. Game over. But for you. Not for these two." I speak casually, but my voice and demons are fire and lightning ready to strike.
"You! Ni Ciaran!" She looks delighted in the way a cat looks seeing a mouse: Poised to strike, certain of the kill. But Bellatrix didn't intimidate me when we were students - and she certainly doesn't initmidate me now.
"Oh, I'm so happy you remember me." I reply, still in that falsely casual tone. "Now here's what your card says, "Go to Azkaban, go directly to Azkaban. Do not pass Gringotts, do not collect two hundred galleons."
"I'm not going back there!" Now it was her turn to step purposefully - toward me. "I think you will be my next victim. Want to know what it feels like to be hit with the Cruciatus curse, ni Ciaran?"
"I know what that feels like, go raibh maith agait. I don't think I want to experience it again."
"Oh but I do want you to feel it again. Then, after I've had my fun, you can go to St. Mungo's and spend more time with your pathetic little friends."
"I don't think so, Bellatrix. But I will avenge Frank and Alice. I will do that, and I will get you back into Azkaban. This time you won't escape. Stupefy!"
A Secret Missive
Author: Nathaniel Hawkins
Date: 01-25-04 18:51
Nathaniel reread Merdroit's letter. He absentmindedly stroked the owl that had delivered the missive and then hand fed it another pellet of food. He pulled a piece of parchment towards himself and dipped a quill in some ink. He paused, trying to think things out without committing too much information to the note. He would have to trust that Merdroit understood his meaning.
Dear friend,
It was good to see you again, after many long months. However, I think that it might be prudent for you to undertake a trip here. If have in my possession something of curiosity; indeed, something of a most interesting nature.
If you could see your way clear to visiting I would be eternally grateful,
Yours,
Nathaniel
He read the letter again, trying to look at it from an outsiders point of view. Was there anything in the note to suggest a hidden meaning? He didn't think so, but it was better to be safe than sorry. He put down his quill and picked up his wand, waving it across the paper so that the words became illegible to any but the intended recipient of the letter. The spell was strong enough that even Nathaniel had trouble making out any of the words.
Satisfied, he tied the letter to the waiting owl's leg and sent it on its way back to Durmstrang.
Letters,
Missives and Meanings
Author: Merdroit Turin
Date: 01-25-04 19:24
Nora,
What an unexpected surprise to receive your letter. I miss having someone capable in my classes. And yes, you may call me Merdroit. I am no longer your professor. AS for that other Turin, unfortunately he is my pathetic excuse of a cousin. I"m not so unfortunate as to have him for my brother.
You are perceptive to notice that difference. I was careful to make sure I didn't judge you less harshly than anyone else. In fact, I was harder on you. I knew your parents, yes. We were friends and I suppose you could call me your godfather, though that kind of term is not used in our circle very much.
They were capable, skilled but careless. They were killed by Aurors when you were a child.
If you can think of a way of receiving my dark arts material without getting caught, then I will be happy to give you correspondence lessons. But remember, there's no point in being bad if your going to bet caught. Talent is no excuse for carelessness. As for Nastivitch. the man was rightfully fired for incompetence.
Good job on making the Quidditch team. Be sure to win - no matter how. I have some projects coming up that may take me away for a while, so no promises for Christmas.
All for now,
Merdroit Turin
Merdroit sent the letter with a school owl. Soon after, his own owl flew into the room.
Merdroit glances at it briefly.
"Good, the man is being careful," he says to himself. Merdroit glanced at his watch. Still early in the day. Lots of time to meet with Nathaniel.
He walks down to his office, picks up a few items, dons his cloak, then disapparates to his friend's place.
Great Idea
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 01-26-04 07:39
Vera ruffled her brows. "I want to be able to be close to you, so I was thinking about moving and getting a job in Hogsmeade...So I thought, perhaps, we could look around. I know it's still early. But one can never get to early of a start right?"
Lawrence hadn't said anything. Vera wasn't sure if he was speechless, thinking or angry that she would bring this particular subject up on a day that was supposed to be fun.
He remained silent for a little bit longer before he would sweep Vera up into his arms. He pressed a kiss to her lips and chuckled. "I think that is a fabulous idea Vera. It will give us a chance to still be close and I can always spend time with you at breaks and such. And after next year, we can possibly move in together..." Wow, was he really thinking that far into the future? Yup, most definitely.
His eyes sparkled as he looked at her, who would have guessed he would have become so attached to her in the short span of one year. And it was just over a year ago that they had met.
"And of course I'd be happy to help you look for a place Vera. You want to at least start working on a deal before the end of the year so you can move in after graduation." He kissed her once more before they continued their walk towards Hogsmeade.
He lightly squeezed her hand and they opted to stop into the Three Broomsticks for a bite to eat. They found a table in a quiet corner of the place and placed their orders a few moments later before the two once more set into talking about possible places for them to look at while they spent the day in the village.
Bad News
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 01-26-04 13:08
Dear Bill,
Unfortunately, this isn't a letter you'll want to read. It wasn't one I wanted to write and perhaps it would have been better for me to come see you in person but I'm unable to get away from here for some days. Another epidemic, similar to the one from two years ago, has struck this area and a number of the dragon population has already been lost.
I'm writing to tell you that Adriana Fairchild is dead, and I know it is true because I saw her corpse with my very own eyes. Dragon keepers recovered the body yesterday, deep in the woods. She was severely burned and mangled. It is uncertain whether her injuries were the cause of her death or if they occurred after she died. The local authorities, who were called in as soon as the body was brought to camp, don't suspect foul play.
I recognized her right away when they brought her in. I'm so sorry, Bill.
I don't know what she was doing here in Romania. Do you have any idea? Was she coming to see me?
It can't help but make me think of Helena, and try as I might I can't stop thinking about her lately. I never signed the divorce papers she sent me. They're still in my tent bearing her signature and a blank line where mine should have gone. I suppose there isn't any point in completing the paperwork now, is there?
You're the closest thing Adriana had to family...perhaps you should come and bring her home? She's currently resting in the morgue at the Romanian Ministry of Magic. If you are unable to visit, I will bring her to you next week.
Take care big brother. I'm very sorry for your loss.
Charlie
Bill was in his office at Gringotts, ignoring the jubilant sounds of children's laughter and conversation outside his window. He heard nothing but Charlie's voice. He saw nothing but Adriana's face. And he felt nothing but a pain in his heart.
"Nooooooo!" Bill cried out suddenly, springing up from his seat. He swept his arms across the surface of his desk and knocked everything to the floor. He pushed over his chair and kicked it. Then he threw his hands into the air in defeat and sank to his knees, where he started to cry.
His Adriana had finally been found, but for the first time in his life he didn't want it to be true.
