First What?
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 09-23-04 08:13

Ginny looks quizzically at George then Majandra then George again. "You've been dating for more than a year and when you did start dating it wasn't just as term was ending and summer beginning."

As what George said and Ginny's statement sinks in with everyone, there are dawning looks of comprehension. Majandra lightly hits George across the stomach but refrains from saying anything. George tries to cover by sputtering something about how he meant Maj's birthday is coming up soon. Charlie just nods his head, a small, almost sly smile playing across his lips. With the exception of Ron, no one else speaks either. Ron asks, "Do Mum and Dad know? Or your parents, Maj?"

George, knowing the jig is up, shakes his head. "No, only Fred and Blossom."

"Well, and my brother and his girlfriend. He found out by accident but hasn't said anything because he thinks it's great blackmail information. That's all until now," Maj tacks on. "We were going to tell everyone when term is over."

Charlie, licking the last of the brownie batter from the bowl, says before taking the bowl to the kitchen, "Lucky for Blossom then because that will give Mum somewhere else to direct her ire."

"You all have to promise not to say anything. Not even to Percy" This from George.

"Especially not to Percy. Mister Follow-The-Rules-To-The-Letter would go blab the second he were told," Ron states without even a hint of sarcasm. The others quickly agree with his assessment and all promise not to say anything to the Weasleys or to the Fines.

Charlie, having missed this last bit while in the kitchen, returns to ask what was said then points out, "At least it's so noisy in here it's unlikely anyone overheard. Now how about a round of fresh from the oven brownies on me? We can take food to Bill's and talk more there."

Ginny and Harry offer to get the makings for sandwiches, Hermione and Ron get the drinks, and everyone else carries something from Briar's. A short time later they are at Bill's, digging into the food while demanding details about the elopement.

---

Delivery
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 09-23-04 08:40

Snape apparated outside the Hogwarts gates and patted the scroll hidden within his robes. Knowing it was there and safe, the Potions master crossed the threshold and marched up the green, sloping lawn towards the castle. He brushed past a few younger students, who had come from the Pitch, and passed through the oaken doors of the castle. His feet took him to the gargoyle statue at the base of the Dumbledore's tower, and after stating the password the winding staircase whisked Snape to the Headmaster's door.

Snape knocked and entered at Dumbledore's "Enter!".

"Ah, Severus, what can I do for you today?" asked Dumbledore cheerily.

"I come bearing a gift," Snape answered, pulling the scroll from the folds of his robes. "The Volumen Immortalitas, straight from Voldemort's lair."

Dumbledore took the offered scroll and unfurled it, scanning the text with great interest while Snape told him everything he'd done to acquire the original document.

"I think a few memory adjustments are in order," Snape finished, "just in case."

---

In the Dark
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 09-23-04 09:17

Ethan opened his eyes. His gaze, blurred for one reason or another, lifted from his lap as he raised his head. He took in his surroundings as best he could. From left to right he saw a darkened corner, a man hunched over a table against the wall, and another darkened corner where the front half of a wheeled cart peeked out from the shadows.

The man had his back to Ethan and stood over the table, perusing sheets of parchment. Ethan blinked and tried to clear his vision, but it remained blurred. The figure of the man was broad and somewhat stocky. He wore a suit of linen and kept a cigar between two of his fingers.

Ethan tried to move. His hands were bound behind his back and his ankles were tied to the feet of the chair in which he sat. His shoulders ached, but not as much as the bump on his head from when someone struck him upon it. Avery, was it?

Feeling himself grow tired, Ethan fought to keep his eyes open but lost. His head fell to his chest and his eyes shut, and Ethan fell into a deep sleep.

---

The Term's Last Workshop
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 09-23-04 16:08

Viktor calls everyone in to gather around him, including the friends who'd once again come to assist with the workshop. At the rate he's been gaining helpers by this time next year there will be a one to one ratio of adults to students.

"Great vorkshop, eweryvon! I haf cake and ice cream and other goodies in my quarterz for a leetle celebration. At least I hope zere iz ice cream. Dobby promised he vuld see to it himself and haf it zere about now."

Cheers from the students accompany the group as they begin the walk to the castle. With many of the students running ahead, Viktor ends up calling out for them to go on to quarters and the adults will meet them there. Having anticipated this, Viktor had left his set of rooms unlocked. It's not like he's got anything there that would be taken plus who at school would want to break into his rooms and steal his underwear or something like that?

When the adults do arrive, the students are spread out, sprawled on the floor and stuffing their faces. Before long, Viktor and the other adults are too. He'd spread the word to the rest of the faculty but with this being a Hogsmeade Saturday, Viktor isn't sure how many of the staff is actually on the grounds today. If any of the cake's left over Viktor plans to take some to Ethan on Monday at the new trial though at the rate the extremely large cake is going, Viktor may have to make a special trip to Briar's to pick something else out. With that thought in mind, Viktor shovels a forkful of cake into his mouth followed by a large spoonful of the strawberry ice cream (one of several flavors) the House Elves made.

---

Summer Plans
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 09-23-04 18:23

Coco, with Pea in her lap, sits cross legged on the floor in Professor's Krum's living quarters, eating from a bowl piled with a scoop of each flavor of ice cream. Between bites she says to Fritz and Jared, "Avin a party is brill*. Oi fink I'm gorna have some o'that cake after Oi finish tha ices* but Oi'm gorna save room for me bangers and mash*. Maybe there'll be bubble and squeak for supper as well.*"

Jared, around a mouthful of some of the fudge candy also part of the repast, says, "I don't know about you two but I'm knackered*. You'd think with no more Quidditch practice I'd have more energy. Say, are you two excited you've got spots on your house team all sewn up?"

His mouth too full to reply, Fritz simply nods. Coco then asks, "You gorna come visit this summer, Fritz? You too, Jared. Papa Wal could take us fishin' on 'is boat."

"I'd love to! Before supper I'll owl home and ask. Maybe you both could come visit me as well though I have to warn you my sister Etta can be a bit of a pain."

By the time the party begins to break up, the three have agreed to send off owls straight away, each asking if the other two can visit that summer and in turn if each can visit the other two as well.

brill = brilliant = excellent
bangers and mash = sausage and potatoes
ices = ice cream
bubble and squeak = potatoes and cabbage fried together
knackered = tired

---

RE: A Cup of Coffee, If You Would
Author: Darius Sparrow
Date: 09-23-04 19:25

Adam looked up from making sandwiches when the bells on the door jingled.

"Dad! What are you doing here?" a line appeared between Adam's brows as anxiety crept over his face.

"'ello Adam!" Arthur waved. "Where's Molly?" Adam pointed to the super safe storage room. She's in the torture chamber. Sidi is inflicting Tarot." Arthur chuckled and walked into the back room.

Darius was at the counter helping himself to a cup of coffee.

"You know Adam, it truly would be nice, for once, to be welcomed by at least one of my children with a smile that wasn't flavored by anxiety." He sat down at a table in a huff.

Adam wheeled over. "I"m sorry Dad. I wasn't expecting you! Is everything okay?"

'His father sighed. "Fine just fine. I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd say hello." He took a sip from the cup.

Adam smiled, rather pleased that his dad just dropped by. It was highly unusual but nice none the less.

"Oh! Hi." They sat and looked at each other.

Darius tisked. "Nice weather we're haviing isn't it?"

A customer walked up to the counter. Adam rolled over and packed up a grilled cheese sandwich and chocolate milk.

"Now you're sure this is an authentic muggle lunch? My son is having such fun in muggle studies, I want to surprise him."

Darius wondered whether the woman was brain-damaged at birth, or just stupid.His loud sigh and dramatic eye roll wasn't lost on his son. Adam scowled and made nice to the woman oogling the cheese sandwich. He got up to refill his mug he ignored the jingling of the bells on the door, not caring who entered or left the shoppe.

"I'd like a cup of coffee, if you would, Adam," Genesis said in the smartest accent she could manage before a great grin spread across her face"

His head snapped around at the sound of his daughter's voice.

"Genny!"

---

The Future
Author: Santhea Fennally
Date: 09-23-04 22:43

Santhea sighed, and turned her gaze to the butterbeer in front of her. She knew exactly what her future would look like, and the implications were frightening her. "Auror training, I've been accepted about a week ago. I just, you were still so absorbed in Quidditch that I didn't know how to break the news to you."

If ever Draco decided to join the Death Eaters, he'd be her enemy. She would have to hunt him down like any other of the Dark Lord's followers. However, if she could do that, she didn't know.

The blond's thoughts were apparently running along the same lines because he suddenly took hold of Santhea's hand, drawing her attention back to him. "And were does that leave us?" He had not yet decided which side to take in the war that was to come, but maybe he would be forced to make up his mind much earlier than he had hoped.

'It will leave me hunting you if you become like your precious father.' Drawing breath, Santhea responded, "It doesn't have to have an influence on us, if there really is an us. But that depends on a certain decision of yours, as you very well know. I will not stand back, and let life pass me by. I will find the murderers of my brother, if it's the last thing I do."

Draco's eyes had turned to liquid ice. "If there is an us? You were the prove around your neck!" Letting go of her hand, he drew back into his own chair. "As for your dearest half-brother, he probably brought his death upon himself."

"How dare you? Yes, he might have been less than careful, but he gave his life for a good cause, something I can't see anyone of your father's friends do." Her voice was raised, and the mudblood Granger was turning her head towards them, and promptly got glared down. "And this," Santhea's hand came to rest upon her necklace, "this doesn't prove a thing. Let me ask you a question, Draco. Where do you think this leaves us?"

---

A Gift for Me?
Author: Albus Dumbledore
Date: 09-24-04 07:12

"Come in... Come in!" I call to Severus.

I lead him to the little nook behind my desk, the one with the comfortable chairs. He presents me with the purported "original" of the Volumen Immortalitas and proceeds to describe how he came by it. As he talks on, I read over the scroll with great interest, translating as I go along. Parts of it seem rather familiar. In fact, they are quite similar to Nicholas Flamel's work on the Philosopher's Stone. However, there are two sections where the author has gone astray. I should know, as these are the very sub-spells that Flamel had me investigating, when I was his student. While I cannot see how the overall procedure could grant immortality, it is too close to the correct formula to be allowed in the wrong hands... Voledmort's hands, to be specific.

I reroll the aging vellum and slide the cylinder back into its silken case, just as Severus concludes his remarks with,"I think a few memory adjustments are in order, just in case."

"Let's see what we have, then," I say as he leans forward in his chair. I reach out and gently touch him, fingers on the temporal region and thumbs together on the forehead. Immediately, he relaxes and opens to me as he looks into my eyes. His thoughts and memories are like a large bowl of spaghetti, in constant motion. I immediatly spy several threads associated with the scroll. Unfortunately, each is a combination of legitimate memories regarding the handling and translation, as well as memories of the theft. Deftly, I isolate the damning segments and snip them out, reattaching the the ends to form a seamless whole. The loose segments I lift from his mind on the tip of my wand and place in a shallow brass bowl. When I am satified that I have all of the suspicious evidence, I incinerate the half-dozen sements with a flash from my wand before releasing Severus from the Legelamency Spell.

He blinks and stares at me like a night-creature caught suddenly by the sunrise. I watch as he probes his own mind. He sorts, categorizes and rearranges various memories, while I monitor the progress. Finally, with a little shake of his head, he announces that everything seems to be in order and ready for the NEWT's. Good! The implanted reason for his visit, today, seems to have "taken"!

"Well, then!" I announce as we stand and walk to the door. "Thank you for stopping by. It's reassuring to know that at least one of my professors is prepared."

---

Cheered
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 09-24-04 09:01

Lysander rather enjoyed catching up with Nevvyn and the Toms, but before long it was time to return to Twice Told Tales. Thanking Nevvyn for the tea and conversation, Lysander then wished him and the Toms well before parting ways at the door. He strolled down High Street, taking in the atmosphere. How much more alive the village was when the students were in town, as pesky as some of them were. Though by now the crowd had thinned as the day was nearing its end.

Lysander entered Twice Told Tales and said to Julian, who had just helped a Hogsmeade resident with a purchase, "Dinner's on me tonight. Let's do the Spinning Horn after we close shop."

"I can't refuse a free supper," Julian answered. Twin dimples formed on his face as he smiled in response to Lysander's suggestion.

"Excellent."

"Hello Mr. Stratford," came a familiar voice.

Lysander turned to see Pyrrhus Fine and Alexis Black emerge from the stacks. He smiled.

"It has been a long time! Hello Pyrrhus, hello Alexis. Where's Isolde?"

"Not feeling well," Pyrrhus answered. "She'll be sorry she missed you, though. How long are you in town?"

"Tell her I have no plans to leave. Did you find everything you needed?" He eyed the heavy tome under Pyrrhus' arm.

"Oh yes, it's from the special collection," Py stated mischievously. "Something to cheer up Isolde. Alexis and I need to make a quick run to the bakery before it closes."

"Nothing like chocolate and curses to cheer up a girl," Alexis added.

Since Julian was still behind the front counter, he rang up Py's purchase.

"We could use some help over the summer," Julian reminded, "so if you two and Isolde need a summer job, you're hired."

Py and Alexis looked pleased.

"Nice seeing you again," Lysander said, as they left the store. He turned to Julian. "Those are some good kids."

---

Full House
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 09-24-04 09:41

When Bill returned to his cottage he found a house full of family members and close friends, snacking on sandwiches and sweets and deeply immersed in a conversation. George and Majandra were at the center of the discussion, revealing exclusive details on their secret elopement from last summer.

Bill dropped his briefcase near the door and walked to the group with a furrowed brow. "Did I just hear that right? George and Majandra are married?"

Giggles and chuckles erupted through the group, and George and Majandra filled Bill in on what he'd missed at the Bakery.

"Wow, that's... wow. Mum's going to kill you both when she finds out."

"We know," George said.

"Charlie, what do you think of all this?" Bill asked.

Charlie ran a hand through his notably darker hair. "Marriage is wonderful when you're in one with someone you love and can trust. There's nothing like discovering that the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is in fact a liar." He ended on a bitter note, thinking about Helena Tufton and the wedding at the Burrow that wasn't.

The rest of the group fell silent as some of them recalled the same events and while others thought about Helena's unfortunate death.

Bill cleared his throat and said, "Well, I'm sure Mum will grow used to the idea in time. When are you going to break the news?"

"Sometime after graduation," Majandra answered.

"Hard to believe it's so near," Ron said.

"N.E.W.T.s are in three weeks," Hermione added. "We really should get back to the castle and get a few hours studying in, don't you think?"

A few people laughed.

"I don't want to kick you youngsters out of my home but the day is nearing its end," Bill started. "If you're due back at the castle by dark, you'll probably want to set out as soon as you finish the rest of those sandwiches."

---

The Trouble Keeps Floating
Author: chase danielle black
Date: 09-24-04 10:32

Chase woke up with the feeling that the day would be hot. Sure enough she walked outside and saw the beating sun. She sighed and went back inside. She walked into her grandma's room. She was still asleep. Chase tiptoed into the room and got the car keys. She got her bathing suit and started the car. She was beginning to head to the community pool when a button began glowing on the car. She pressed the button so it would stop glowing. Instead the car began floating into the air. Chase looked as the ground got farther and farther away. She didn't know what to do. Everyonce in a while she'd see a muggle or two looking up at her. She began screaming. Suddenly the car flashed and she was back on the ground. Her grandmother was standing next to the car. She had a grim look on her face. Chase smiled and sank into the car seat. She knew she was in trouble.

---

Do What You Must
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 09-24-04 11:33

Santhea's eyes blazed. She tugged on her necklace and repeated, "Where do you think this leaves us?"

Draco felt anger rising within him, but instead of bursting out with a verbal tirade against the woman he loved, or perhaps thought he loved, Draco kept his voice low. "You know how I feel about you, but I will not choose between you and my father if that is where we now stand."

He threw a furtive look around the room. This was dangerous conversation for such a public place. "You do what you have to do, Fennally."

He rose and dropped a few coins onto the table. With one final look at Santhea, Draco spun on his heal and left The Three Broomsticks.

---

Almost Great Day
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 09-24-04 13:46

Through the day Py has been pleasantly surprised to find he's enjoyed himself but Isolde not being there has made the difference between having a good day and a great one. Seeing Mr. Stratford again and finding out he's living in Hogsmeade again has been a high point. So has spending time with Alexis. Py would never say it to her face but she seemed much cheerier today than usual. Maybe that's because she spent part of the time telling Py of the various, insidious, horribly painful ways she'd kill her sister if given the chance. Definately got an imagination, that one. Alexis has even given Py some ideas to add to his growing list for the demise of his own sister. Unlike Alexis, Py can at least be thankful Maj isn't his sister by blood.

Before returning to school Py offers to buy Alexis an early dinner. They get sandwiches and drinks from Pots & Pages but there are Weasels about so they take their food and find a patch of grass on which to eat. Over their meal, Alexis fills Py in on more of her ideas. As they finish up and grab their packages to head back to Hogwarts, Py remarks, "You know, Alexis, you should write a book with all these ideas of yours."

She grins wickedly at him simply answering, "Maybe I'll do just that."

The conversation on the walk back is peppered with possible titles for a book, such as Murdering Mary and How To Deal With Unwanted Siblings.