Huh?
Author: H Potter
Date: 01-29-04 18:25
"Harry, I need to talk to you."
Ginny sharply taps the tabletop in front of Harry and speaks more insistently. "Harry!"
Her face beginning to grow red to match her hair, Ginny leans across the table and puts a hand on Harry's left arm. "Earth calling Harry James Potter!"
When Harry's shaggy head doesn't move in the slightest to acknowledgement that Ginny is there and has spoken, she moves around the table and comes up behind Harry's chair. Her eyes narrowed in growing frustration and anger, Ginny takes firm hold of the chair and yanks it out from under Harry.
Harry hits the floor hard but ignores the hand Ginny holds out to him. "What in bloody hell did you do that for, Ginny?" Harry barks out.
"I've been trying to get your attention for a full five minutes now."
Harry rubs his backside, his green eyes going dark with anger as he glares at Ginny. "Must not have been trying very hard."
"Not trying hard? NOT TRYING HARD! I WAS PRACTICALLY IN YOUR FACE AND TOUCHED YOUR ARM WHILE LOUDLY SAYING YOUR NAME!"
"Yeah, yeah. If you say so," Harry mutters sarcastically before informing Ginny, "You're cutting into my study time. What do you want?"
Harry pulls the chair back to the table and sits down then looks expectantly at Ginny while pointedly tapping his watch. The heated flash in Ginny's brown eyes, her high color, and her agitated, angry stanceis apparently lost on Harry. She walks back around the table and leans low over it. Ginny looks Harry straight in the eye and in a low, dangerous tone, enunciating every syllable, Ginny slowly tells Harry why she's sought him out.
"Charlie wrote Bill to inform him that Adriana Fairchild is dead. We - we being Briar, Majandra, George, and myself - felt that since Adriana was your first cousin you should be given the news. Majandra was going to come but I told her I would come tell you since I am your girlfriend and since my family considers you to be part of it and since you consider all of us Weasleys -along with Sirius and Dierna - to be your family."
Ginny smiles sweetly at Harry and instead of realizing there is no real sweetness in it, Harry smiles back. "Oh, okay. Thanks for telling me. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to this."
"That's it? The only blood relation you know of has died and all you can say is thanks, you've got better things to do? Go to hell, Harry Potter!"
Ginnypushes the books and papers directly in front of Harry onto his lap, jerks off the ring and necklace Harry had given her on her last birthday and practically hurls them at him before stomping out of the library. A few seconds later, Madam Pince sticks her head around the nearest bookshelf, "I passed Ginny Weasley on my way back from tea. She looked upset. Is everything all right?"
Harry, rearranging the books and papers to his liking, looks up and vaguely replies, "Yes, ma'am. As far as I know anyway. I don't know what Ginny's problem is. Some girl thing I guess."
With that, Harry returns to his research on flobber worm farming.
Introductions
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 01-29-04 18:49
After I sat down and Arley recognized me he pulled me into a hug. It was actually more like being squeezed to death. He then started asking a few questions with no time for me to respond. That was until he asked about Bronwyn who'd finally made her way over to me, but without Sebastian.
"I'm glad you weren't waiting long Arley. Yes, I know why you're here. My mom sent me a letter explaining some of it. And yup, she's a friend of mine. There was someone with her, but he's not here," I turned to Bronwyn, "Bronwyn, this is Arlington James Montgomery, I call him Arley," turning back to Arley, "Arley, this is Bronwyn Dewhurst, she's my best friend here."
The two exchanged greetings, and then Bron turned to me, and looked a little too friendly. "So, how long have you two known each other?" she asked.
"I've known him since I was about 8. He's like my brother. Of course, it felt weird when he was going out with... someone else..." Bron raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to ask the obvious question.
"Ah, oh--hello," Sebastian said before Bronwyn could ask. He looks down a little, but a short time later he looked back up.
"Hi!" I said, "Sebastian, this is my friend Arlington. Arlington, this is my new friend Sebastian. We met last night." I said a bit quickly. I glanced at Bron to see if she would still ask the question.
Horseman...Pass
By
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 01-29-04 19:18
Nevvyn follows me out onto the stoop. I survey the area, up and down the street, but neither see nor sense anything unusual. The old Wizard seems puzzled and is about to speak, when I hold up my hand for silence. Nothing seems amiss, but still, I have a deep sense of forboding. I look both inside and outside myself for the source of this malaise, but I can find nothing concrete. Finally, I relax a bit and resume my conversation with the old wizard. "I had considered having some of the latest and most advanced Dark Detectors installed, but the cost was prohibitive. So, I enlisted the aid of the head Auror at the Ministry. Between us, we have recruited a number of good folk to, shall we say, watch over things?"
"Ah!" says Nevvyn. "You mean, Dierna ni Ciaran?" He pauses to scratch his chin in thought. "I believe it was herself that passed by here, shortly before you dropped in."
I glance up the road. "Well. if she's up at the end of High Street, there shouldn't be any trouble from that direction." Inside myself, I am hoping I am right. We chat on for another few minutes, and are about to go inside for a cup of tea. Suddenly, a feline furrball comes racing down the road. It runs straight up to me and paws at my robes, then turns and races back in the direction it came from. As it dashes off, I recognize that it is Dierna's pet kneazle. I hike up my robes and lope after it, using a little-known 'traveling' spell to assist my efforts. I round the bend, just behind the feline, and notice that Nevvyn is right on my heels. The creature leaps up onto the rock wall and streaks across the field. With a 'pop', I apparate to where I saw it stop in the tall grass.
The sight before me sickens my stomach. Dierna, lying crumpled at my feet... Ron Weasley, looking like a discarded rag doll, some thirty feet away... Hermione Granger, burned and bleeding, in the other direction. Without further thought, I pull out my wand and sent a jet of brilliant red sparks shooting into the air. While I wait for a response, Nevvyn comes up behind me. With a strength belying his apparent age, he stabs the tip of his iron-shod staff deep into the rocky ground. The orb on top glows, faintly at first, then with a brilliant, golden, pulsating light. This is a magic which is beyond even my knowing. I feel a warmth and strength flowing out of the light. Within moments, Dierna's eyes flutter open. She says a name which causes my blood to boil... Bellatrix Lestrange!
Suddenly, there are a number of audible pops as others apperate into the area... Snape, Turin, Tonks, Shacklebolt. Like a Field General, I start giving orders. "Check for broken bones... Immobilize them. Then, apparate with them directly to the emergency room at St. Mungo's! Severus! Take Hermione! Michael! Take Ron! Tonks! Take Dierna! Kingsly! Come with me! I think we have found Hermione's father. I hurry over to the mangled heap that once was Mr. Granger. Kingsley takes one look and scoops the mangled and emaciated form into his arms. Four pops tell me the victims are on their way. Nevvyn retrieves his staff and the two of us scour the area. Dierna's wand is lying beside where she had fallen. Hermione's is also nearby, but Weasley's wand had been blown into some bushes. Further up the hill, bloodstains on and around a group of rocks, catch my attention. Nearby, I spy the remnants of another wand. The entire shaft has been burnt away, leaving only a bloodied base. I pick it up with my handkerchief and wrap it carefully before stowing it in my robes.
"Nevvyn?" I ask. "Could you please look in at St. Mungo's and see how our friends are faring? I am going straight to the Ministry. Whoever is on duty is going to get a report and an earful of my complaints. If you find out anything, come to me at the Ministry." He nods in agreement and apparates to the hospital. I head to the Ministry, and a confrontation with Cornelius.
Playing with
Dolls
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 01-29-04 19:27
In the upper flat above Twice Told Tales, Isolde, pressed against Py's back, peers over his shoulder at the just arrived package he's opening. "What is it?"
Inhaling the perfume of Isolde's silky hair cascading by his cheek, Py chuckles, "You'll have to wait and see."
Isolde gentle prods him in the back. "Then hurry up and open it!"
Py finishes slitting open the top of the package, pulls out the packing paper, then lifts out something sealed inside an ebony box. He hands it over his shoulder to Isolde who in turn rushes over to sit in one of the plush chairs framing the fireplace. Py chuckles again when Isolde opens the box and squeals in delight at the contents.
"You sneak! When did you order five more voodoo dolls? Now we'll have one for each member of the Gryffindumb team. When we're through with them they'll need to be renamed Gryffingored."
Plopping on the arm of Isolde's chair, Py smirks, "I love the way you think, Isolde Farnon!"
Isolde's pert, red mouth turns up into an evil grin. She pulls Py down to meet her lips, stating just before kissing him, "The feeling is mutual."
Surrounded
by Loved Ones
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 01-29-04 20:19
Bill lay on the sofa in his living room, one arm behind his head and the other draped over his eyes. He felt ill as if the breakfast he had eaten that morning didn't sit well with him, but perhaps it was the lack of lunch and resulting hunger that caused the uneasiness in his stomach. If only, Bill thought to himself. If only. He desperately willed it to be so, for a lack of appetite or an overwhelming hunger was so much more desirable than the real cause for his illness.
Adriana Fairchild, the love of his life, was dead.
The news in Charlie's letter broke Bill's heart into a thousand tiny pieces. He would never see her alive again. He would never hear her voice, her laugh, her heart. She was lost to him forever, although in a completely different way than he had always feared.
But she was free from Voldemort.
She could no longer be in his clutches, she was no longer a pawn in his game. Could this knowledge comfort Bill? He had known her fate all along, even without proof. It had been her destiny--quite unavoidable. But death? It had never entered Bill's mind.
He felt sick.
"I found Harry," a slightly angry, slightly upset voice called out suddenly, breaking into Bill's thoughts. He heard the click of the front door as it shut behind the newcomer and listened as the speaker continued, "He's not coming. Can you believe it?"
"He's probably upset," another voice said from nearby, and as Bill's mind cleared he realized the two voices belonged to Briar and Ginny.
The youngest Weasley huffed and approached the sofa, where she sat down on the edge and placed a small hand on Bill's cheek. "Bill? It's me Ginny. Are you...will you be all right?"
Bill removed his arm from his face and used his free hand to reach for Ginny's arm. He gave her a gentle squeeze, but didn't answer her question. Would he be okay? As far as he was concerned, no. How could he recover from such a tremendous loss? True, he and Adriana had been more or less apart for nearly a year but the feelings of love had remained strong. There was always that slimmer of hope that she would return to him.
Bill sat up and embraced his only sister, expelling a deep sigh. He drew back and looked her in the eyes. "You don't need to spend your day away from the castle keeping me company, Ginny. I'm not much fun today."
"Oh, don't be silly, Bill," Ginny responded. "You need me, and all of us. What is family for?"
Bill turned his head and looked at Briar, who watched him with a very concerned expression on her face.
"Thank you both for looking out for me," Bill said quietly. "It means so much..."
"Don't mention it," Briar said quickly, managing a small smile. "We're trying to round up the rest of the family. They'll want to be here. Majandra's gone looking for Ron, and George is trying to contact your parents, Fred and Percy. They should all be here soon."
Bill rested his head against Ginny's shoulder. He immediately realized the effects of having loved ones nearby during a trying time. They had the ability to mend a broken heart, piece by piece slowly but surely. It would be a long recovery but with family it would be easier than alone.
Bill was already starting to feel a bit better, but little did he and everyone else know that a battered and bruised Ron and an equally debilitated Hermione were en route to St. Mungo's...
I
Love to Study...
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 01-29-04 20:46
Logan sat in a big chair next to the fireplace, books scattered around him. So far this year had been the most fun he had ever had. It was one thing to know that you could do magic and then another to really practice it with other students. It was GREAT. His parents were so proud when he had received his letter, but had always been at a loss as to what expect from him.
He was having the time of his life here at Hogwarts with all the other students...just like him. So far his favorite class had been Herbology...He had know that he was a whiz at growing stuff at home. Great huge plants that actually frightened him mum and dad at times. And here, he was learning "why" he had had such luck with all those green things. Well hey...EVERY class was fascinating and so full of magic. So far he had managed to make a few friends...but had spent so much time with his nose in his books, he hadn't done much else. Maybe it was time to get the nose out of the books and really try to get to know the other students.
Most all of the upper grades had gone to Hogsmeade for the day so it might just be a good time to put the books up for a bit and see what was happening. Maybe he could find Sora..."he" seemed to be friendly.
But while Logan sat staring into the fire...he thought about all that "great" stuff he was learning about...then picked his nearest book again. It was strange, he had never considered himself a bookworm but this was just too interesting..."Let's see, where was I?" he said to himself and then continued reading...
Investigator
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 01-29-04 21:01
Bronwyn studied both the body language and facial expression of her friend, determined to get the dirt on Arlington's and Desdemona's true history. "So, you guys go back pretty far, don't you?" Bronwyn questioned, slipping one arm around her middle and using the other hand to tap her chin thoughtfully.
"Yeah," Desi answered cautiously. She looked at Bronwyn expectantly as if she was waiting for something to happen.
"It can be pretty complicated when such a good friend finds someone else to share his time with," Bronwyn went on casually. "I mean, since you mentioned it being weird and all when he was dating someone else."
Desi expelled a quiet sigh of relief when Bronwyn didn't ask the big question but rather considered, "Did it go both ways? Did it feel weird for you, Arlington--can I also call you Arley?--when Desi was dating someone else?"
While she spoke she took note of the slight flush that colored Sebastian's cheeks. Was he checking out Desi? She didn't ponder this long as she caught sight of the watch around her wrist and realized it was nearly time to head back to the castle, but instead of voicing her thoughts she turned her attention back to Arlington and flashed him the friendliest of smiles.
Visiting
the Bakery -- Again
Author: Kody
Date: 01-29-04 21:11
Drake eyes the bakery again and suggests, "Why don't we drop by there once more? I could go for another slice of that triple decker chocolate cake!"
Kody's head rapidly bobs up and down in agreement. "More of that pumpkin pie with huge dollops of whipped cream!"
Drake's younger brother Deak, visiting for the day, chimes in, "Ooooh, yes, and the iced cinnamon buns as big as a plate!"
Others in the group piped up with their favorites as they move ever closer to Briar's Bakery. The tallest and oldest member of the group, along to keep an eye on Deak, holds the door open for them all then enters as well. Professor Aaron Miller takes a huge sniff of the luscious aromas then states, "I think I'll have at least one of everything each of you mentioned!" Then he addes, "Oh, did I mention this time around is on me?"
The entire group gives a rousing cheer, Kody and Drake loudest of all, then everyone pushes to the counter wanting to be first to order.
Old Friends
Author: Sora
Date: 01-29-04 21:31
Roane and Kairi helped Sora get to the Hospital Wing. He gave an occasional "Ouch! Ouch!" but that didn't dampen his mood today. "So, how have you been Riku? Ouch!" he asked. Riku laughed. "I've been good so far, a bit cold since I've got here though." He pointed out his coat over his robes.
Sora laughed. "Oh, these are my friends, Tranquillina Aemilius and Roane Eternal." Tranquillina and Roane waved. "Hello!" they said together. Sora nodded to Kairi. "And you already know Kairi," he said. Kairi smiled. "Hey there!"
Riku smiled in return. "Good to see you again!" (Sora gave another ouch!) Sora was sure that Tranquillina and Roane had loads of questions to ask Riku when they arrived at the Hospital Wing.
And before Sora could say "Ouch!" Madame Pomfrey mended his arm back to normal! After leaving the Hospital Wing ten minutes later, they all decided to head back to the Gryffindor Common room.
Comtemplative
Relaxation
Author: Mifflin Johanson
Date: 01-29-04 21:40
Mifflin sighed, laying back on her elbows near the bank of the lake. Her shoes were off, and her cloak was off, gathered up in a bundle next to her. Her uniform tie was loosened, white dress shirt slightly wrinkled. The regulation shoes were currently off, as were the grey knee-length socks, both of them next to the bundled cloak beside her. The only thing that seemed to be in order was her grey pleated skirt. Her bookbag lay a few feet away from her, a few books falling out of it.
Uttering yet another sigh, the Hufflepuff seventh year looked out on the slightly glimmering lake. The sun was setting behind the far away mountains, making the scene before her quite picturesque. She moved, sitting up and pulling her knees to her chest, resting her head on them. School had been so hectic as of late. It felt so good to be out here, alone, doing some general thoughtful pondering. Wisps of deep red hair fell into her lightly freckled face, deep exotic green eyes peering out from behind them. A delicate hand then came up to brush the strands of hair from her line of vision. Her expression was that of calm and placidness. She seemed to be really enjoying the sunset she was watching. Classic.
Re: Surrounded
by Loved Ones
Author: Arthur Weasley
Date: 01-29-04 21:52
It was no time before Arthur and Molly were at their son's side. Molly scooped Bill into her arms. She rocked him and fussed over him. She reassured her baby that although it would hurt badly for a while she promised it would get better and she and his dad and the entire family were here for him.
Arthur ruffled his son's hair and added a few "You're mother's right son, we all love you." now and again. As well as a few "We're so sorrys."
She agreed with him that the entire thing was unfair. She listened to him list the million "what if's" and nodded her head at the appropriate times. She listened, and talked and encouraged him to yell, cry or get angry as all of the emotions he was feeling right now were correct and absolutely normal. Again she reassured him that he was loved and that they all were there for him should he need anything.
Arthur ruffled his son's hair and added a few "You're mother's right son, we all love you." now and again.
Trouble in
Hogsmeade
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 01-29-04 22:06
Snape had been patrolling the area of the Hog's Head when Dumbledore's signal of bright red sparks shot into the air. He disapparated instantly and appeared on the edge of the village with Michael Turin, Tonks and Shacklebolt. The Potions master felt a strong sense of foreboding as his coal-colored eyes swept the scene before him. Granger, Weasley, n’ C’aran and the figure of an unfamiliar man lay scattered about the cliffside. Both children were unconscious as was the unknown man, but n’ C’aran seemed alert though considerably weak.
Where's Potter? Snape wanted to ask because the Gryffindor hero was invariably always out and about with Granger and Weasley. Had he been here, was he taken?
Dumbledore didn't give Snape the chance to voice his thoughts. Immediately, tasks were delegated.
Professor Snape strode to Granger's unconscious form and knelt beside her. Her injuries looked severe but with treatment would likely fully heal. He frowned and reached one arm under her knees and slipped the other behind her shoulders, scooping her up with one swift movement. With a crack, they disapparated.
At St. Mungo's Snape approached the reception area and was followed by Turin, who quickly cast the Mobilicorpus spell on Ron to relieve himself of the difficult burden of carrying a grown boy around the hospital. Tonks, Dierna, Shacklebolt and the man Snape had since learned was Granger's father were swift to follow. The witch at the reception desk charged them to the fourth floor, where Healers immediately relieved them of the injured and set to work treating their wounds and other ailments.
Snape exchanged concerned looks with his colleagues. What had transpired today?
One is Silver
and the Other Gold...
Author: Sebastian Sjoblom
Date: 01-29-04 22:48
Sebastian shifts his weight, looking down at his shoes again while Bronwyn questions Desi. His brow furrows. These aren't the questions to ask on first introductions, he thinks, and the young male friend--the young male friend does have a name, so he corrects himself-- Arlington doesn't deserve to have his feelings prodded, especially concerning such a sensitive subject as his attractions.
"Well, I was dating...someone very close to Desi, so she might feel weird," Arlington begins to answer Bronwyn in an indirect sort of way, dodging her question, and takes a breath before launching into an explanation. In the pause, Sebastian hastily interrupts before Arlington is forced to bear any further interrogation, cloaking his tone in his usual cheerfulness.
"I bought lots of candy, if anyone is hungry," he says blithely, attempting to sound natural, and spreads the handles of the brown paper bag emblazoned with Honeydukes' logo. Bronwyn's mouth turns down slightly, her quest for information interrupted.
"And look," he adds, and jerks his head toward the western horizon, "the sun is falling. Arlington, I hope you'll be coming with us back to Hogwarts?" His lilting Swedish accent ends in a questioning high note, and he's not exaggerating: he most certainly does hope that Arley will be coming back to Hogwarts.
"I'll be a sixth year there," Arley explains. Sebastian's eyes widen, and he pauses, his lips slightly parted as if he's about to say something. Desi stands, and Arlington follows suit, and he closes his mouth quickly, composing himself.
"Let's start back now," Desi says curtly, folding her robes over her arm.
"No candy?" Sebastian asks as he takes a step toward the path back to the castle, and holds out the bag. The girls and Arley nod and each take an everlasting gobstopper, which happen to be on top, and they all walk together down the cobblestone road.
A refreshingly cool wind ruffles their hair and wafts a brilliant red-flecked gold leaf past their heads. Desi and Arlington catch up on life back in the U.S., steering clear of the subject of dating. Bronwyn walks in silence, wordlessly consenting to let them reestablish their friendship. Sebastian is content to swing his candy bag back and forth in the crisp air, stealing glances at Arley and walking to the beat of an old Swedish melody.
