Arrival at Pots & Pages
Author: Bast
Date: 07-14-04 05:21

She sat motionless in a puddle of deep blue shadow between the herbal shop and its greenhouse and watched shoppers bustle about on weekend errands. Most of Bast's attention was fixed on the Sparrows’ Pots and Pages with the occasional glance up and down the street. No one noticed the exotic golden cat for the magic that hid her was small and very old. Another happy customer exited the herbal shop carrying one of the candy flowering plants displayed in the window and passed within inches of the cat.

"What a charming idea" Bast thought.

She'd seen the young woman who owned the shop and approved of her bright, happy manner, Adam needed more friends like Ellspeth. She'd need to "suggest" that Ellspeth plant some catnip, perhaps a book left open to a page with some of the herb medicinal qualities would be enough. This could always be enforced with a few glyphs on the page. The Egyptians had invented hieroglyphics to work magic after all.

But now it was time to get a good look at Adam Sparrow, her descendant as Adam was the reason for her being in Hogsmeade. Dark forces were once again threatening the world and her family. A bargain struck with the Powers That Govern All allowed the goddess to manifest in this time and place but restricted her powers but no living wizard or witch possessed her knowledge and experience.

A young couple approached Adam's shop intent on a coffee and a warm place to chat. Bast streaked across the street and into the door behind them. A long leap put her atop a bookcase where she settled down in a shadowed corner to observe her "grandson" and his business.

Or Maybe Not
Author: Emma Crusher
Date: 07-14-04 08:17

Emma glanced over to where Kody and Drake could be seen walking towards her and Ariana, then back at her friend.

'Well, if ya wanna talk, now would be a good time to make ourselves disappear...I see two Ravenclaw boys heading our way who will, with out a doubt, drag us off to somewhere with food....' Arianna commented.

Emma laughed and shook her head. 'Honestly? I guess I'm just worried about the OWLs and all, you know. Mom's always been a stickler for good grades.' She lied, smiling.

A Decision or Two
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 07-14-04 19:46

Julian sits at the counter in Twice Told Tales reading over the list of items to be in an estate auction, notating the ones he's going to bid on, in particular the various lots of vintage books. He looks up from time to time, keeping watch for any customers who might need help.

The last of the Slytherins to use the secret room left more than half an hour earlier, bracing themselves against the wind which has picked up a great deal as the day has progressed. The customers currently perusing the shelves are a mixture of adults and students and of the students there's a mixture of ages and, based on the different colors of scarves and woolen caps, of houses. For some reason a thought jumps to the forefront of everything else he's thinking, causing Julian to wonder what house Helena would have been in if she'd gone to Hogwarts. Probably Slytherin. Possibly Ravenclaw. Reluctently he admits she could have even been in Gryffindor. Not Hufflepuff though. Helena could be very nice when she wanted but not like those Hufflepuffs always seem to be.

Thinking of Helena always end up on one specific thought - her murderer has never been found. Time to pester the Ministry again though Julian has little faith it will do any good, especially now that Minister of Magic Fudge seems to have other worries to occupy him. Maybe it's past time for Julian to look into it himself. It's past time for him to do alot of things.

Julian knows he let himself get into a rut after first Chyler and then Helena died. He's done lots of thinking about many things, including the fact that Briar Rose is Rosalyn Burnshire and that he's suspecting more and more that Molly Grace Rose is not another Weasley.

First item on the new agenda - hire full time help so he can be out of the store more often and not have to completely shut it down. Julian makes a note to double check with Isolde and Pyrrhus about working part-time again over summer holiday then begins writing a help wanted ad to place in the Daily Prophet. If he's going to take action at last, as the old saying goes, there's no time like the present.

The Date - Part Two
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 07-14-04 20:57

A large, wooden sleigh stained mahogany pulled up to the entrance of The Spinning Horn, led by a pair of white stallions that jingled merrily as if it were Christmas time. Silver bells studded their collars and clamored musically each time they shook their heads. The driver of the sleigh, a short-looking fellow wearing a velvety green top hat, held the black reins in one hand. Standing outside the restaurant, Bronwyn and Theodore exchanged surprised glances.

"Are you Miss Dewhurst and Mr. Nott?" the little man questioned, reading their names from a small card he held in one of his gloved hands.

"We are," Theodore answered for the both of them.

"Well, climb in!" exclaimed the driver joyously.

Bronwyn stepped forward and climbed into the sleigh, sliding all the way over to the right side. She pulled her scarf tighter around her neck and adjusted the collar of her coat as Theodore climbed in beside her. He stayed well on the left side, though, leaving ample room between them.

All around the sleigh, passing visitors and residents stopped and stared, because it wasn't everyday that such a fine-looking sleigh and equally fine horses paraded through the village. Bronwyn half wondered how they would ever make it through the street with all the pedestrian traffic present.

"The name's Perkin Hefflemeyer," said the driver. He sat on a seat at the front of the sleigh, and flicked his wrists to signal to the horses to go. The sleigh lurched forward and set off slowly through the snow, which grew ever thicker as more and more of it fell from the sky.

"Enjoy your ride," Perkin said, before turning around to allow the two some privacy for what remained of their date.

The sleigh moved slowly up High Street towards the gates of the castle grounds as people moved out of the path of the oncoming horses. Some giggled and exchanged comments with one another, and Bronwyn distinctly heard someone murmur, "Isn't he in Slytherin? Isn't she in Hufflepuff?"

They passed the first few moments of the ride in silence, and then Bronwyn ventured a look at Theodore. He had his left arm resting on the side of the sleigh, while his right stretched out across the backrest. His fingertips were several inches from Bronwyn's left shoulder.

"Why don't I ever see you hanging around Malfoy?" she asked curiously, when she found her voice.

Theodore looked at her and shrugged. "I'm my own man. Don't need him to tell me what to do when I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions. He's a good guy," Theodore conceded, "but I don't worship him like 90% of Slytherin does."

Bronwyn quirked an eyebrow. Draco Malfoy a good guy? She almost laughed aloud.

"Why do you commentate Quidditch?" Theodore questioned, turning the tables on the Hufflepuff. "I'd have never pictured you knowing the difference between a bludger and a quaffle." Theodore smirked, and for the first time since their date began he truly looked like a Slytherin.

But Bronwyn could tell he was joking with her, or at least she thought that was the case. She smiled, shrugged her shoulders and explained, "I don't know. I just decided to go for it. And you're right, I knew very little about the sport at the time, but I'm glad I took the position. It's a lot of fun!" A playful grin spread across her already smiling face. "I do keep my copy of Quidditch for Dummies under my pillow, just in case I ever need it."

Theodore chuckled and looked left at the shop windows as they passed them by. It wasn't much longer before the sleigh stopped at the gates between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, though, and it seemed both riders were eager to disembark for the warm indoors because the air seemed to grow colder with each passing minute.

Perkin turned around to say goodbye to his guests. "Thank you for riding, today. I do hope you both enjoyed it."

"Oh, we did, thank you!" Bronwyn exclaimed rather breathlessly. She climbed out of the right side of the sleigh and moved a few paces away from it, and Theodore soon joined her where she stood.

"Goodbye!" Perkin said, then he turned the sleigh about and disappeared into the crowd.

"Well, Dewhurst, I suppose this means we're finished," Theodore said. A twinge of a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Yes, I suppose we are." Bronwyn smiled slightly.

Theodore started to walk away, "Well, goodbye then."

"Goodbye."

He, too, disappeared.

"So, how was your date?"

Bronwyn turned abruptly to find herself face to face with a very determined-looking Desi.

She pulled a disgusted face. "Vile, awful. Blech! He's such a jerk." She sighed dramatically, hoping Desi hadn't heard the amicable parting words between Bronwyn and Theodore or seen them at all during the course of their date.

Desi seemed convinced; she'd obviously been doing other things during the day to not have known otherwise. Just then, Theodore re-emerged from the crowd with Blaise Zabini at his side. "No brains whatsoever. She's as blonde as she looks," Theodore was saying. They passed the two Hufflepuffs without any acknowledgment and went straight for the school.

Bronwyn waited until he was out of earshot before saying, "See! What was I telling you?! Total. Jerk."

"Ghosty with the Mosty" Plant
Author: Ellspeth
Date: 07-14-04 21:33

Ellspeth had received a Special Order from one of the students at Hogwarts a bit earlier in the day. Seems that one of her "Ghosty" Plants was needed for someones birthday.

Checking the address once more, she read: Logan Hendrickson c/o Gryffindor House, Hogwarts.

Quickly going through her plants that loved to sit near a darkened corner of the room, she quickly boxed and wrapped it and after addressing the package and adding the "light as a feather spell" she quickly had one of her own personal Owls, Hector this time, head out to Hogwarts with the package.

She had had a few of the students in for cookies during the day. But most of them seemed to be enjoying other places. She really couldn't blame them. She herself had wanted to go visiting herself.

She chuckled to herself quietly. It would be nice when Vera starts working there. Then Ellspeth could go visiting too......

Drake?
Author: Ariana Maison
Date: 07-15-04 00:10

Ariana smiled back at Emma. "Alright then, looks like were going for food!" Though the Ravenclaw wasn't entirely sure her friend was being truthful, she let it be.

The boys walked up to them, Kody watching Emma. "Hey girls."

After the girls replied, Drake started making gestures to Ariana. "Uh...Drake? You okay there? Ya look like your brain is short circuting or something..."

Drake looked up at the sky, shook his head, then grabbed Ariana's hand and began dragging her. " Come on. I wanna talk." Ariana protested and finally managed to free her hand when they had neared the shade of a large tree.

"What in the bloody hell........?!" Ariana glared. "What is going on, Drake?"

Drake sighed, shifted, then looked at the girl, as if thinking about how to word what be was going to say. "I wanted to ask you about Emma."

"What about Emma?"

"Well...does she still like Kody?"

Ariana looked at him for a minute. "Far as I know.....don't tell me you dragged me off for that?"

"Well...do you know what's going on with her? She really hasn't seemed herself lately. Ko..I mean we...were just wondering. We thought maybe she'd talked to you.""

Ariana shook her head. "Look, Emma is a friend. If she talked to me it stays between us. Unless she wanted me to tell someone. And if she hasn't said anything, that stays quiet too. If she wants anyone to know she'll talk to them.It's her buisness."

Drake got a look like he didn't like the way the conversation had gone. "Alright..."

"Shall we get back to our friends?" It was Drake's turn to be dragged.

"Bloody Hell, Ari...do you wanna pull my arm outta my socket?"

"The passed through my head yes...." Ariana flashed a grin and they headed back towards Kody and Emma.

No Luck
Author: Kody
Date: 07-15-04 14:33

Kody spends only a minute or so alone with Emma though the silence between them makes it seem much longer. Beyond saying hello, Kody couldn't seem to find the right words, especially when faced with Emma's brooding, far away expression. As Ariana and Drake, being towed by his arm, approach, Kody looks past Ariana at his friend. Drake gives a shrug and a slight shake of the head.

As Ariana draws even with Emma and him, Kody blurts out, "Well, nice seeing you both. Promised Drake I'd buy a snack. See you girls later."

Drake finds himself once again being dragged by the arm. Once well out of earshot of the puzzled looking girls, Kody lets Drake go and in a quiet tone asks, "Not luck then?"

"Ariana says as far as she knows Emma likes you."

"As far as she knows? That has a ring of uncertainty to it."

Drake gives another shrug. "I know but that's how Ariana phrased it and she wouldn't say anything more other than not to expect her to repeat anything Emma's said when they've talked."

Not wanting to sound like a sighing, lovesick fool, Kody refrains from saying anything more beyond, "Well, I owe you some food. Where do you want to go for it?"

"Pots & Pages. I hear they do great sandwiches!"

In Town
Author: Saffron
Date: 07-15-04 16:34

Draping her scarf over her head then wrapping the long ends around her neck before tucking them in at the collar of her coat, Saffron steps out of The Three Broomsticks into a strong, brisk wind. She'd come to town for lunch, enjoying a corner table at The Spinning Horn where she would easily people watch. From there she'd gone to Egyptian Mysteries to see what interesting divination objects the shop had. After making a purchases she'd gone to Ellspeth's Herbals and to Nevvyn's Notions and Potions, buying different ingredients to blend her own tea.

By the time she left Nevvyn's, Saffron was ready for something sweet so made her way to the bakery, stopping in at Twice Told Tales as well to pick up an order she'd made a few weeks ago. Taking her slice of cake to go, Saffron trudged through the snow to The Three Broomsticks to enjoy her dessert with a pint of fine ale.

Now, sure she's so stuffed she'll need some students to roll her up to the school, Saffron steps to the side, out of the pub's doorway to allow someone equally bundled up to enter. Only this person doesn't go inside. The person moves to block Saffron's path.

"Professor Sacheverell?"

"Yes?" She answers, peering closely to see who this person is.

"Dolores Umbridge. We've met once before."

Saffron shudders inwardly at hearing the odious name. Outwardly she attempts a polite smile. "Yes, I recall it well."

"I'd like us to have a chat soon. I'll owl you to schedule something." Then with her signature clearing of the throat noises, Umbridge enters The Three Broomsticks before Saffron can get out her question of, "A meeting about what?"

Not wanting to confront the horrid woman now, with so many students around to see Saffron lose her temper should it happen, she pulls her cloak more tightly around her and heads to the castle.

Butterbeer Bumps
Author: Rolan Boyd
Date: 07-15-04 16:58

"We need to get moving if we want to catch Su and Kevin," said Lisa Turpin as the pretty, blonde haired Ravenclaw seventh year's head rounds the corner of a bookshelf. There stood Rolan Boyd, his brown eyes scouring the pages of a thick blue-colored book. Rolan heard his friend, but decided to ignore her and he continued to read while she approached him.

Flipping over the book's cover, Lisa read aloud: "More than Merlin: Profiles of the Great, and Lesser Known, Sorcerers of Medieval Europe, Asia, and Africa. Sounds fascinating Rolan."

"There's no need to jest. I'm coming," replied Rolan, sending a smirk toward Lisa as he followed her out of the aisle with the book under his arm. "Wait. I want to buy this quick."

"You know, I do like to read some of your books? You own some extremely interesting pieces," said Lisa as they exited Pots & Pages and turned left to walk up High Street. "I've even bought books for you that I've wanted to read myself."

Rolan laughed and pulled his coat tighter around his body, getting a slight chill from the February wind. "I finished the one you got me from my birthday, about the creature and substance trafficking industry in Russia and the Ukraine. I really got into that one. In fact, I'm starting to watch for more of the same."

"I'm glad to you liked it, I was wondering if you'd allow me to borrow it once you had finished it...I need to go in here for a second," Lisa said, nodding to the Hogsmeade Gringotts Branch. Rolan followed her up the icy steps and into the warmth of the bank.

"I'll get it for you when we're back at the school," Rolan answered Lisa as she approached the counter to accept a pouch of coins her parents had sent from London. After she signed a few forms the two were continuing their walk up High Street before turning to enter their destination: The Three Broomsticks.

Crossing the slightly overcrowded room, Lisa and Rolan joined their friends Su Li and Kevin Entwhistle at their usual booth. Also at there were Ravenclaws Marybell Devons and Mandy Brocklehurst, and everyone at the table were enjoying foaming tankards of Butterbeer. Lisa slid in next to Marybell and Su while Rolan slid next to Mandy, with Kevin on her opposite side. Immediately Rolan recalled receiving a Valentine's gift from a secret admirer, and guessing by the red color of Mandy's face, he was accurate in thinking her to be the culprit.

"A Butterbeer for Lisa..." began Kevin, sliding a lonely mug down the table to Lisa, "and hot chocolate for Rolan, who looks a bit chilled, eh?"

"Thanks Kev," smiled Rolan as he removed his wooly blue gloves and set them on-top of his new purchase.

"Why no Butterbeer? I forget Rolan," asked Marybell, swallowing a gulp from her tankard and eyeing Rolan, but also sneaking a look at her sheepish friend next to him.

"Allergic or something. Breaks out in some nasty hives. You should see the ones that sprout up on his..."

"KEVIN!" shout Lisa and Rolan in unison. Somewhat confused, Kevin takes a moment before a knowing look crosses his face, recognizing that Marybell and Mandy probably don't need to know where Rolan's hives grow, or that Lisa and Kevin had seen them before.

"Well it's nice to know you aren't perfect, Rolan...I was beginning to wonder," grinned Marybell, but her attention passed to a motionless Mandy, whose eyes had grown to the size of saucers while she stared into her empty mug. "Isn't that right, Mandy?"

"I need to go to the toilet, excuse me," replied Mandy, practically falling over Rolan trying to get out of the booth. Sending Kevin a glare, Rolan returned to his seat hoping that Mandy was all right. Su, meanwhile, appeared to be oblivious to everything happening around her as she suddenly perked up.

"Has anyone seen Terry lately?"

"The Dating Game," replied Marybell. Lisa's eyes connected with both Kevin's, and then Rolan's. "You remember. He'll be off with that Gryffindor girl."

"Oh, right." Su said coldly, and she procceeded to return to her benightedness. Rolan shook his head and emptied the remaining contents of his mug in a single gulp. Once finished, he glanced longingly the glass, wishing the drink were perhaps something a bit stronger.

Brooding
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 07-15-04 19:49

Sirius stares pensively into the roaring fire in his den. Today would have been perfect to spend with Dru snuggled on the couch but she begged off, claiming a slew of reports came into her office late yesterday afternoon that needed to be seen to. Sirius spent a little time with Harry and his friends but apart from those few hours, he's had much of the day to himself and his thoughts. It's past time for certain people to either give him reasons for not allowing him to tell Dru about the Order or to give him the go ahead to invite her to join. He's tired of keeping secrets from her. "Maybe," Sirius muses aloud although no one's around to hear, "just maybe I'll tell her about the Order no matter whether they approve or not!"

Slamming a fist into the palm of his other hand, Sirius moves to flop down in the chair opposite the fireplace to brood even more.