Friends and Lovers
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 07-31-02 09:42

Julian casually leans against the doorframe, dimples deepening as his lips move from a slight grin to a sexy smile while waiting for Helena to overcome her shock at seeing him. Julian has one big advantage over Helena in the being shocked department. He'd learned she was going to be visiting in Hogsmeade before she'd even arrived. Plus, as he strolled by the store window just now, he'd seen both Helena and Avery inside.

Unfolding his arms and straightening, Julian takes a couple of steps into the store, finally allowing the door to close behind him. Using a smooth, full of charm voice that he's sure Helena remembers all too well, Julian addresses her.

"Well, well. The woman who broke my heart looking her usual gorgeous self. It's been, what? Two or three years, Helena?"

The smile quickly changes back into a grin as bright red color floods Helena's face. She sputters, "You know damn well exactly how long it's been."

Helena starts to shove past Julian but the first thing he said sinks in. She backs up a few steps to stare directly up at his face and hisses, "I broke your heart? Why you insufferable...."

Apparently Helena has so many choice words to call Julian she's unable to find just one to spit out. She lets the sentence drop off but Julian can tell from her body language, Helena is just itching to slap him.

Julian simply inclines his head towards Helena in mock agreement to whatever it was she was going to say. Then, in a move he knows will throw her off balance, Julian closes the gap between them and leans down to whisper in her ear.

"Send my thanks to your father for the alpine cabin, will you?"

Not giving Helena time to reply much less digest what he's just said, Julian steps over to Avery. Julian has the same silky tone he used on Helena.

"Hallo, Avery. You're looking as tasty as ever. When are we going to have dinner again?"

Avery's eyes frantically dart to Helena then back to Julian. The dark beauty snaps. "Oh, bugger off, Jules. Come on Helena! We're leaving!"

One hand on her arm stays Avery while Julian's other hand makes a playful grab at his heart. "Oh, you do wound me, Avery. Have you so quickly forgotten less than two weeks ago begging me for more attention, particularly when I'd be kissing that cute little mole you have just about... there."

The hand on Avery's arm traces down her body to a spot hidden by clothing. Julian hears Chyler start to chuckle, soon followed by sounds of amusement from Lysander. Julian gives a pointed look to Helena as her face becomes more flushed. Hurt written on her face, Helena stares wordless at Avery. Then, not bothering to look at either Julian or the Stratfords again nor speaking another word, Helena spins on her heals and marches out of the store into the night.

Avery slaps Julian's hand away while muttering, "Sodding idiot!" then also stalks out of the store.

Julian shrugs at her retreating figure then turns back to face Chyler and Lysander, bursting into laughter just as Avery slams the door shut.

Prancing Puck
Author: George Weasley
Date: 07-31-02 10:26

George began spouting his lines, prancing about on the stage:

Through the forest have I gone.
But Athenian found I none,
On whose eyes I might approve
This flower's force in stirring love.
Night and silence.--Who is here?

He craned a listening ear, looking around with his eyes, but not moving his head. He then held up one finger:

Weeds of Athens he doth wear:
This is he, my master said,
Despised the Athenian maid;
And here the maiden, sleeping sound,

George looked at the sleeping maiden, Hermia, played by Australia, and put his hands flat together under his cheek mocking a sleeping position.

On the dank and dirty ground.
Pretty soul! she durst not lie
Near this lack-love, this kill-courtesy.
Churl, upon thy eyes I throw
All the power this charm doth owe.

George pushed up his sleeves and wiggled his fingers like he was casting a spell.

When thou wakest, let love forbid
Sleep his seat on thy eyelid:

He bent down, touching both of the sleepers briefly.

So awake when I am gone;
For I must now to Oberon.

George fled backstage, cackling as he went. As soon as he was backstage, he threw off his cape and joined his twin, Fred. "Wow, Fred. I didn't think this play would be so much brain work!"

"Don't worry, Georgie Boy. There's nothing to do much to anyway!" Fred grinned as his brother playfully punched him in the arm. They watched Helena and Demetrius flee onto the stage.

Fred got quiet again.

"Ya doin' okay, bro? Somethin' on yer mind?" George asked, settling on a crate.

Fred shrugged. "Maybe I'll tell ya after the play. Now's not really a good time."

"Alright, then. You're sure?"

Fred nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure."

"Alright then."

Gifts Still to Give
Author: Majandra
Date: 07-31-02 15:05

Majandra, in a seat not all that far from where George's two eldest brothers sit, beams as her boyfriend exits the stage. No one in the play allowed anyone to see the costumes before tonight so in addition to enjoying the play, Majandra has the added treat of seeing the creations of another skilled seamstress. So far, Majandra has been impressed with all of Nessiah's efforts. As the action on stage progresses, Majandra starts to consider asking Nessiah to work with her on creating a few original pieces to offer in her Wizarding grandfather's catalogue.

Thinking of the catalogue reminds Majandra of the envelope she holds on her lap along with Ron's birthday present. She'd wanted to give Ron his present earlier in the day but it didn't arrive until after he'd left the Gryffindor common room to prepare for the play. It's really a joint gift from Majandra and Viktor Krum. She hated to take advantage of her budding friendship with Viktor but could think of no other way to get the gift she specifically had in mind.

Majandra had paid for most of the expense (always so thankful for a generous allowance from her Muggle grandmother) while Viktor had put in a small sum along with taking care of what makes the gift all the more special.

The thought behind the present is that it goes hand in hand with the Christmas gift she'd given Ron. That gift, to be used over the summer, is a pass to a fantasy type camp with Ron's favorite team, the Chudley Cannons. The birthday gift is a set of official Chudley Cannon game robes signed by all the current team members. Most likely, Majandra could have managed to buy such robes on her own but without Viktor, there would be no autographs.

The other item in Majandra's lap, the envelope, came at almost the same time Ron's present arrived. It was addressed to Majandra but as soon as she opened it and read the accompanying letter, she knew the contents are actually for George and Fred. According to the letter, a number of orders had been placed for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes items. Majandra's maternal grandfather, Bixelford Hingleberry, sent along copies of the orders as well as paperwork to be presented at the Gringotts in Diagon Alley.

Majandra, thinking about the advance payment figure of fifteen thousand galleons to go to George and Fred, starts giggling. Luckily, no one stares at her or thinks her mirth is disruptive because it comes at a time when the entire audience is laughing at the antics taking place onstage.

Meeting Koyla
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 07-31-02 15:50

Ethan walked into the warehouse arm and arm with the lovely and exotic Stefka, who was asking many questions about his friendship with Viktor. Doing his best to answer her questions without saying too much or too little, Ethan made sure that everything he said was loud enough for Viktor to overhear. Whether the Bulgarian seeker truly heard every word, Ethan was unsure and therefore, couldn't wait to have a one-on-one conversation with him.

The interior of the warehouse was brightly lit and a tremendous number of red, green, and white decorations showered from the ceiling. It was all quite different than the dark, cold, and bleak interior design Ethan was expecting from a warehouse.

The building was already packed with jubilant people, all of whom were congregating around a man who had one hand cupped around a glass of brandy and was using the other to trace a delicate line across an attractive, raven-haired woman's jawbone. He said something the approaching foursome didn't catch, which garnered an uproar of laughter from the crowd around him and a throaty laugh from the woman by his side.

When Grigori and Viktor came into view, Koyla removed his hand from the woman's face and held it out before him as he took a few steps forward to meet the arrivals. The crowd parted as he sauntered past them, and then moved on to congregate in small little groups, presumably about what he had just been talking to them about.

"Ah, Grigori, Viktor!" He held out his hand and gave each man a firm shake before turning his attentions to the striking woman at Ethan's side. "Stefka, you look lovelier than ever." He took one of her hands and gently pressed his lips into her palm. When he straightened back up, he turned to Ethan and smiled. "Aren't you three going to introduce me to your friend?"

Ethan returned the smiled and spoke up for them. "My name is Ethan Somerset. Pleased to meet you."

"Ethan iz being a friend of mine," added Viktor.

Koyla's smile widened and he held out his hand saying, "Any friend of Viktor's is a friend of mine. I'm Koyla."

"Ethan vuz juzt telling uz about how he and Viktor becoming friendz," said Stefka, sending one smile to Koyla and another to Ethan.

"Really?" Koyla took a sip of his brandy and snapped his fingers. A dark-skinned waiter came bustling over with a tray of assorted drinks. Each of the four selected one, Ethan opting for a glass of brandy like the man standing across from him. Koyla continued, "How did you and Viktor meet, Ethan?" He flashed the blonde-haired man a charming smile.

This set warning bells signaling off in Ethan's mind. Extreme caution had to be exercised from this point onward. Dierna had informed Ethan about what she had learned about Koyla from Viktor, and from what Ethan gathered, this suave and charismatic man was probably not one to cross. Behind the cultured speech and soothing mannerisms was danger and deception. The charming smile and the melodious eyes reeked of suspicion, fraudulence, and betrayal. Despite everything, however, he was good. He'd mastered it all to the highest level that whatever he did was incredibly convincing to the untrained eye.

Ethan took no time in formulating a plausible history of his friendship to Viktor. What would normally take much time and thought came easy to Ethan. Within a matter of seconds he responded as if he was spouting out the whole truth and nothing but. "Viktor used to date my cousin, Cecily. They met about four or five years ago when she came to Bulgaria with some of her classmates. It was love at first sight, was it not, Viktor?" Mimicking Koyla's charming smile, Ethan turned to Viktor.

"Yez, Zezily vuz the most beautiful girl I haff efer zeen. I mizz her very mooch." The pain in Viktor's eyes was almost too real.

Ethan continued, "You see, Cecily was in a serious accident several years ago. The details aren't important, but we miss her terribly. She was too young, too young." Ethan sighed and brought the glass of brandy to his lips.

Meanwhile, Stefka ran a comforting hand across Ethan's forearm and then reached across to give Viktor's hand an affectionate squeeze.

"My family usually doesn't like to talk about her. Viktor doesn't either, but I think sometimes it's just healthy to talk about things. Wouldn't you agree, Koyla?" Ethan asked.

Again, Ethan found himself surveying the man standing before him. It really was little wonder that this Koyla had such a massive following. His eyes were so intense and captivating, as if he could look right into one's soul and use that smile to ease all cares away. "Talking about something can be very therapeutic," he agreed. "I'm pleased to hear that you and Viktor are still in touch. Friendships are very valuable things."

"Viktor's a good friend," Ethan said. "It's a shame we don't get to see each other as often as we'd like."

Again, that nauseatingly pleasant smile was shot at Ethan. "I hope you'll be in town for a while, Ethan. I'm sure Viktor would be pleased to have his old friend stick around a bit, and I'd like to get to know you better as well." Koyla emptied his glass and signaled for the waiter to bring another.

Ethan didn't respond, since Koyla's last sentence was merely a statement as opposed to a question. Inwardly, he made a series of mental notes about his new friends, a lot of which would be included in a progress report to Dierna when he would get a chance to write her.

For now, he simply turned his full attention to the four people standing around him.

The Play Continues
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 08-01-02 09:35

After George left the stage, Hermione and Ron appeared alongside the sleeping forms of Harry and Australia. A few lines and stanzas were spoken here and there, and then one by one they began to exit stage right. Ron was the first to take his leave, followed by Hermione, Harry, and finally, Australia.

This ended the second act, and the curtain fell to the floor as Douglas and the others working backstage quickly set the stage for the next portion of the play.

Once backstage, Hermione breathed a great sigh of relief. So far the play had gone quite smoothly, and she had been able to remember all of her lines. Hopefully, the remainder of the night would be just as successful. Ron, reading the look of concern and anxiety on her face, clutched her hand tightly and smiled. For someone who had no intention of auditioning for the play, he certainly looked like he was having fun out there. Even Harry seemed to be having a good time.

When the curtain was drawn open once more, Quince, Snug, Bottom, Flute, Snout, and Starveling entered and began to deliver their witty lines.

{Location Unknown} Annoyance
Author: Voldemort
Date: 08-01-02 20:02

I pace around the circle of death eaters glaring in rage; Wormtail has managed to get noticed by the aurors posting as Muggle police in Bristol. He was supported to be contacting some of my secret supporters there. Instead, he is no doubt cowering in a gutter somewhere.

"Crabbe, Goyle, go to Bristol and find that pathetic excuse of a wizard. See he gets out of Bristol safely."

"Yes master," they say.

"If you can get rid of the three aurors there all the better. But don't attract attention to yourselves."

"We won't, lord."

I turn to glare at some others in the circle. "Why can't you all be as efficient as my servant in the school? She has done excellent work."

I give a smile to freeze blood. My servant in Hogwarts has indeed done well, and soon she will bring me someone who should have died years ago. Someone too stubborn and foolish to know what's good for her. I grow stronger each day, and more servants seek me out. Soon I will show the world that I am the greatest wizard. Once again, the name Voldemort will be feared by all.

Where Do We Go From Here?
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 08-01-02 20:35

Helena rushed out of the bookstore and into the dark night, either oblivious to the fact that the temperature had just dropped several degrees or just not caring. She didn't bother to button up her coat or tighten the scarf that hung loosely around her neck as she ran across the street in the direction of Avery's flat. The only thing on the blonde woman's mind was to get as far away from the bookstore as possible.

Calling out her name and asking for her to wait, Avery tailed her friend, or ex-friend as she now appeared to be. She felt incredibly guilty for what she had done, but who could truly resist the charms of Julian Valentine?

Had Helena been in her right mind, she would have apparated to Sweden right then and there in the middle of the street. Perhaps she would have stopped to confront her so-called friend about the serious lack of loyalty she displayed, but as it stood at that very moment, Helena was anything but clear of mind.

She didn't want to listen to Avery reason why she had been seeing Julian behind her back. She didn't need to be told the reasons...she knew them first-hand.

As she stomped up the stairs and nearly kicked down the door to get inside, she fought back tears and a full-range of other emotions battling within her. She felt hurt, angry, upset, and most of all, betrayed. She was no stranger to betrayal.

Twice now, someone she deeply cared for turned out to be untrustworthy, and poor Helena had never seen it coming.

She pulled out her wand and started gathering her stuff together just as Avery came barreling through the door.

"Helena, please! You have to hear my side of the story! It wasn't like that..." pleaded Avery. "You're not leaving are you?"

With a flick of the wand, the suitcase snapped shut and Helena turned to face the dark-haired woman standing next to her. "You can't possibly think that I'm going to stay here after what you've done, can you?"

Avery frowned. "No, I suppose not...but where will you go?"

"Home, Romania...Timbuktu, I could care less. Just as long as I'm away from people like you." Helena narrowed her eyes angrily and reached for her trunk. "Spare me any explanations, OK? I don't want to hear them." And with that, she strode out of the apartment and slammed the door behind her.

Where would she go? Helena sighed heavily and stalked down the dark road. When she got to the corner, she set her suitcase down and sat down on it, placing her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands.

When she learned that Charlie was in town, she figured things couldn't get any worse. Boy, was she ever wrong. Right now, running into Charlie would be glorious and almost welcomed compared to meeting with certain other people living in this town.

Helena cradled her head and let out a sob. She hadn't expected to run into Julian every again, yet there he was, only a few doors down. Although their meeting that evening was brief, Helena had been able to take in enough time to study him. He was still as handsome as ever, but at the same time quite devious and conniving. It wasn't that long ago that Helena thought him to be charming and pleasant and the man of her dreams. That, of course, was when she thought she knew him.

She stifled a laugh. Oh, people change. Some do, anyway. Helena had become less trusting of men after learning the truth about Julian. It now seemed that she couldn't trust anybody...not her friends, not perfectly charming and handsome men...

There are people who appear to be one thing, but in actuality are quite different. Julian was one such person. He had worn a mask when Helena knew him years ago, and she hadn't even noticed. It was a bitter slap in the face when the truth came to light, but Helena had sought comfort with her friends and family. They were there for her in those difficult times, but was it all an act? After Julian, trust didn't come easily, but after tonight's events, trust couldn't even exist.

Helena wiped some stray tears from her cheeks and sat up, gripping onto the handle of her trunk. She was a tough girl. She would survive this as she had survived other unpleasant situations. Deciding that she wasn't quite ready to leave Hogmeade, for she didn't want to give Julian or Avery the satisfaction of being the sources for driving her out of town, Helena made a beeline for the Hogsmeade Inn.

Maybe one day when she was strong enough, she would try to beat Julian at his own game. For now, she just wanted to get a room and soak in a nice, long bubble bath.

Heady Laughter
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 08-01-02 20:49

Brett as Starveling ambles onto the stage along with Orlando as Quince, Jet as Snout, Toby as Bottom, Seamus as Flute, and Prote as Snug. It's the beginning of Act III and the tradesmen are meeting in the woods to rehearse and to work out the details of the play, Pyramus and Thisby. Unbeknown to them, very nearby sleeps, Titania, Queen of the Fairies.

As the scene unfolds, it becomes clear just how little the men know about staging a play and even less about acting. The audience's laughter lets the student actors know they are doing something right. When Puck appears again and turns Bottom's head into that of an ass, the audience roars with laughter. Brett thinks the effect is greatly helped by the fact that a transfiguration spell is used to change Toby's head.

The sight is so funny that, as with rehearsals, Brett has a hard time not doubling over with hilarity and is very glad that all the tradesmen except Toby as Bottom get to make a quick exit from the stage. Brett goes to the furthest reaches of the backstage area to compose himself and to begin going over his next set of lines. Act IV, Scene II will be here before he knows it and Brett wants to be mentally ready for it!

Stirring up Trouble
Author: Chyler Stratford
Date: 08-01-02 21:02

"Well, that was a riot! I don't think I've ever seen any witch blush that deep!" Chyler cackled. "Besides which, I love to stir up trouble. Watch it fester. Watch it boil!"

She kissed Lysander deeply, then danced over to Julian. "You, my dear, were brilliant!"

"Why thank you," Julian took a deep, sweeping bow. "I am brilliantly evil, I suppose."

"Don't suppose! You are!" Chyler said and the three, again, began to laugh.

Chyler glanced over to her husband who was pouting. "I'm not brilliant?"

"Oh, baby. You're the most brilliant, most wonderful, most extraordinary, most loveable, husband in the world!" Chyler ran back to him and lept into his arms, kissing him over and over again.

Lysander grinned. "Don't forget handsome!"

"No," Julian said, laughing shortly. "Most gag-worthy!"

Chyler poked her tongue out at him, and Lysander glared.

"Oh, Jules. You should have bee there! The look on her face was sooooooo priceless! I watched her face empty of color, and her eyes fill with tears as she realized the love of her life wasn't there. Oh, boo hoo hoo!" Chyler doubled over as she saw Lysander make fake cry faces and rub his eyes. Julian rolled his eyes.

"Yeah. So both you and Lys have told me countless times. But, ya know? I never get tired of hearing it!"