Testing, Testing 1-2-3
Author: Dierna ni Ciaran
Date: 10-07-04 21:34
I hear them demand that I find myself. This is not something I had expected, though at the beginning (when he had first expected me to die - do these men ever learn?) Nathaniel said that I may one day help him find "her."
I inhale deeply, the ceremony is one with which I am familiar, only it's been corrupted by the use. Still, there is still power in it enough to make my skin tingle. I take a breath, offer a prayer to Brid for protection.
Knowing that a lie would be easily found I tell the truth:
"I see her!"
I see the interest of the group peak. Many of those hear would remember their brother who died in Azkaban after I caught him. Those who are to know - no doubt you know the story. To think, I have become something of a legend to them. I allow myself a very small smile at that thought. Not all legends are good.
"Where is she?" Merdroit hisses. "Tell us where the Irish Auror is."
"She is - surrounded by her enemies. I don't know the place, but she is there."
Nathaniel takes up the question this time. "Will she survive?"
My Fenian training yells a warning at me. Never think of defeat I wonder if the 'rule' is different when pretending to be talking about a different person? Could I risk that? Absolutely not.
"Well?!" He snarls, getting impatient.
"She is outnumbered. Only protection higher than human powers can save her." This I judge to be true, and I feel a small surge of power from my brooch, reminding me that I do have that.
"Why is the curse not working?" Asks a third. Oh no! I'm not telling you that! I think.
"The same force which protects her from the curse prevents me from seeing what it is."
Brunch
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 10-07-04 21:47
Bill reached for his briefcase and stepped out of his office, closing the door behind him. He met Fleur in the marble-floored foyer of Gringotts Bank, just as she was entering the building. She carried in her left hand a tray with two Tea To-Go cups and a box of apple-cinnamon buns in the other. Bill felt all rational thought leave his mind as he gazed at the French beauty standing just a few paces before him.
"Hello, Fleur. I wasn't sure if you'd come in today." He found his voice and adjusted the collar of his robes with one hand.
"I am sorrie for my tardiness," Fleur said. "Are you leaving?"
"I thought I'd pop in on the main branch and see if I can join the security committee. Is that lunch?" He eyed the goodies in her hands.
"Mid-morning snack." Fleur smiled.
"We call that brunch." He smiled back.
"So... you were leaving?"
"I don't need to go now," Bill stalled. He turned back to his office door. "How about we... erm..." He eyed Fleur's buns (the ones in her hand) "...adjourn to my office and... is that second cup for me?"
"Oui, just ze way you like your tea."
Bill opened his office door and let her go inside before him (which is when he eyed her other buns). Then he followed her inside, shut the door behind him and ushered her into the seat opposite his desk. He dropped his briefcase on the floor next to it and settled into his own chair.
"Tell me about ze security committee."
"What security committee?" Bill asked, promptly pushing everything from his brain but Fleur Delacour. But it all came back to him in an instant. "Oh, that security committee. Well... it's... I'm not sure what it is right now. It was proposed a long time ago, in light of... certain events... and I am interested in participating because... I miss getting my hands dirty. Placing charms, breaking curses... you know."
He helped himself to a apple-cinnamon bun. "So, would you like to go out to dinner with me tonight?" He marveled at himself for asking so bold a question.
Fleur beamed. "I would love zat vairy much."
Bill smiled. "Good."
By and by
Author: Mirai
Date: 10-08-04 02:04
Mirai stretched out leisurely, her body bent into an arc before collapsing on a solid and warm body, that of her boyfriend Diether. She slid onto a more comfortable position and grabbed his hand.
"Do you think NEWTs are as hard as that of our OWLs last year?" she voiced out her concern to her friends.
They are gathered around one of the sets of chairs in the Ravenclaw common room, all of whom who are resting and awaiting the end of the two exams that would dictate their future, before their finals would begin.
"Well, as the word means... I bet it'd be exhausting," Vincent Triegher said, and he earned a smack in the head from his twin Christina, and eyes rolling from Mirai and Margaritte.
"I hope we'd be able to pass those that we need for our future jobs," Mirai commented.
"Argh! Don't think too far, Mai," Margaritte said. "We have our finals to think about first."
"Oh, all right," Mirai relented. "Let's just enjoy our short break before our finals would begin..."
A chorus of uh-huhs resounded.
Perfection Blooms
Author: chase danielle black
Date: 10-08-04 10:33
Chase finally ended up at home again. She walked back inside her house. The smell of turkey sandwiches filled the room. Turkey sandwiches were her favorite. She licked her lips. "Yum" escaped the hole in her face. "Chase! You're home! It's been two hours! Now hurry and eat!" Chase smiled at her eccentirc grandmother and sat at the table. Chase ate in perfect peace. 'In this wizarding world, it seems like perfection blooms!' Chase thoughts made her smile.
When done eating she asked her grandmother to take her to a muggle movie theatre. When she got there Waterboy was the new movie. Chase thought the title sounded interesting. Her grandmother handed her money and Chase left the car. Her grandmother sped away. Chase stood outside the ticket stand. Finally, she bought her ticket and some soda and popcorn. The movie was hilarious. Adam Sandler and his mom were funny. The Paco character was funniest. Chase sat outside laughing her head off. Finally her grandmother showed up with a trunk full of muggle clothes from a muggle shop called Abercrombie and Fitch. She knew the clothes were for her saying Abercrombie and Fitch was a teenager shop. She got in the car and remembered a quote from the movie.
Coach Klein : Gatorade not only quenches your thirst better, it tastes better too.
Bobby Boucher : No.
Coach Klein : Gatorade.
Bobby Boucher : H2O.
Coach Klein : Gatorade.
Bobby Boucher : H2O.
Coach Klein : Water sucks. It really, really sucks. Water sucks.
Chase bgean giggling all the way home.
Another Exam Complete
Author: Majandra
Date: 10-08-04 13:15
Flexing her still cramped fingers from the written portion of the Transfiguration exam, Majandra waits for her name to be called for the practical portion. Despite being filled with fifth and seventh years waiting like she is, the area just outside the main doors to the Great Hall is deathly quiet. This makes any little noise there is seem amplified and in some ways it makes these little noises all the more annoying. At least to Majandra anyway.
When her name is finally called, Maj tries not to appear ruffled. She knows it's all a bluff though because she has to look as nervous as every student face around her. Even Hermione seems a little stressed.
Once through the doors into the Great Hall, Majandra is directed to Professor Huntingdon. After writing Maj's name down on an official looking piece of parchment, the professor gives Maj a gentle smile. "Let's begin with something easy, shall we? Work our way up from there."
After breezing through some elementary spells then successfully tranfiguring a soft, brown hamster into a velvety brown handbag, Maj is relaxed and ready for anything tougher Professor Huntingdon throws at her. When informed she's done, Maj thanks the professor, happy with how things went, and exits through another door. She hadn't thought much about it yesterday during Charms but probably they have to exit a different way from where they came in so as not to give any hints to those still waiting their turns.
Re: Relaxing
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 10-08-04 15:47
Bronwyn was going through one of her lazy moods, which was a nice change from normal. I had been dragged out of the common room where it was ‘too stuffy’ to this spot where Bronwyn and I now occupied. Just seemed like she wanted to work on her suntan or something.
I instead was working out my summer plans. The first part of the summer I would travel back to the states where I would spend some time with my family. Then I wanted to visit my grandparents in Germany since I hadn’t seen them in a while. Since my plans to repay Bronwyn back for that certain day in February require me to be in Europe at the time it works perfectly.
I fold my hands behind my head and lay back satisfied with the knowledge that I'm gonna get Bronwyn back and she doesn't have a clue what's coming.
Buying a Graduation Gift
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 10-08-04 20:50
Narcissa, looking rather fetching in palest green robes of soft silk that matches will with the springtime weather, paces around the half furnished room as she gives it a critical eye. Lucius enters from another room with the agent trotting along behind prattling on nonstop. "... original wood floors in excellent condition. Have I mentioned that each fireplace is unique with the highest quality marble? Oh, yes, I did, didn't I? I didn't mention though that the mosaic tiles in two baths are the best Venetian glass galleons can buy, designed and created for this house when previous owners remodeled. Oh, there are not one but TWO house elves. Why don't I get some tea?"
The annoying woman heads off towards what Lucius presumes is the kitchen. After she's out of sight he drawls, "Well?"
"It is rather nice, isn't it? I quite like it though I won't be letting on to her just how much."
"More to the point, do you think he'll like it?"
"Yes, very much so. Excellent layout. Good location. Already on the Floo Network. Wizarding wireless in every room."
"So, that's it then."
"The furnishings will have to go of course but we'll leave them so that Draco has something to lounge on until he can pick items out more to his tastes. With my guidence of course."
"Of course."
The woman reappears then trailed by a female house elf carrying a tea tray. "This is May. She takes care the kitchen, everything else on this floor, and all the laundry and bedding. Her brother March takes care of everything else."
Lucius and Narcissa take their tea, allowing the woman to prattle on even more. At length, Narcissa says down her nose, "It will do I suppose. Lucius, work out the terms. I'm going to have a look at the garden."
A few moments later, the agent folds her copy of the agreement, thinking that Lucius Malfoy drives a hard bargain but at least she got the minimum asking price her clients were wanting. Lucius, in the meantime, walks out to join Narcissa, their copy of the contract already stashed in a robe pocket. "It's done. Here are the keys. Now, all I can say is he'd better not pull a Marcus Flint."
Dinner and Angst
Author: Darius Sparrow
Date: 10-09-04 01:32
Darius was unhappy as he hailed a cab to the re-scheduled lunch with the Weasleys.
Again he had been summoned by owl to St. Mungo's to intercede in a crisis. The crisis being whether the healers should vote on whether or not to assign specifically colored trays for each floor. The problem lay in that First Floor - Creature induced injuries and Fourth Floor - Spell Damage both wanted the lime green trays to match their robes.
Darius had thrown a patented temper tantrum when Hippocrates Smethwyk and Miriam Strout had it out in a duel in the hallway on the fifth floor, just outside the Visitor's Tearoom and Hospital Shop where the meeting had taken place. He had to resort to Finite Incantatem for fear of damage to the floor. The fact that he'd been summoned to begin with made him see red, but trays and a wand duel over it? He screamed and yelled and destroyed things while threatening all the healer's lives and jobs. Between the boss' tirade and the destruction from the duel, it took all night to make the hall, tea room and a few other rooms right again. Darius was exhausted when he dragged himself into his apartment. He couldn't apparate into the room as it always set off the building's alarm system and he had no desire to be videotaped apparating in. He fell into his bed and didn't wake until his wake-up call the next morning when he dragged himself out of bed with a full itinerary of St. Mungo's in the morning, lunch with the Weasleys and then St. Claires in the afternoon and evening.
Darius stood outside the restaurant praying that Arthur and Molly had enough sense not to apparate into a muggle infested locale. He was mortified when Arthur walked up and tapped him on the shoulder. He gasped at the mismatched mess of outdated and obscene clothing he'd ever seen.
"What the hell are you supposed to be!! This isn't Halloween!" He hissed and dragged his friend into an alley
"Vestitus commuto!" Darius didn't care about the drunks or homeless in the alley.
Molly ooohed, "Arthur! You look lovely dear!" She ran her hand down the soft cashmere jacket. "You look wonderful in blue!"
Darius held onto the wall wanting desperately to pass out and hoping no one he knew saw he and Arthur together. "Dining with fucking Ronald McDonald…" he grumbled as he headed out of the alley.
"Let's get the hell inside."
Molly and Arthur excitedly followed the steaming hot doctor into the restaurant where they were seated in a discreet corner. Arthur watched himself in the mirrors on the wall and prided himself on looking so muggle-like.
He ran his hands up and down the breast and sleeves. "How did you do this?"
Darius didn't look up from the menu. "It's mine. I basically just transformed your… get up… into my suit. It's not difficult."
Arthur was dutifully impressed. "I never would have thought of that… you're very quick!" He smiled at the waiter who came to take his order
Darius flashed a "go-to-hell smile" and ordered the griddled scallops with mousseline potato. Molly and Arthur looked lost and took their host's recommendation of roast lamb with tabouleh and hummus. Darius scanned the wine list and knowing the Weasleys wouldn't know the difference, but still wanted to be somewhat impressive and ordered a 1982 Chateau Cheval Blanc then nodded the waiter away. Instantly the wine was poured and the three sat looking at each other.
"So! Two down three to go aye?" Darius sipped the wine set in front of him.
"Excuse me?" Arthur slipped a pen and pad from his pocket writing down the delicious muggle phrases Darius was spouting tonight.
Darius suddenly sounded bored. "Your children. Two married off more or less and three to go?" He looked between the husband and wife. "You do know you have children..?"
Arthur chuckled. "We have seven children Darius and Fred is planning to be married." He tried to send a warning via expression, one that was more confusing than anything to its intended recipient.
Darius nibbled on steamed Octopus, reveling in the ginger & soy marinade.
"Yes I know, to flower or whatever the tart's name is, I'm talking about the other one… the married one. You know… Mata Hari's husband."
Molly smiled. "You're confused dear. It's not hard when there are so many names to remember! Isn't that right Arthur."
Molly wasn't happy at the mention of the biggest mistake her son would make in his lifetime.
Arthur panicked and scrambled to change the topic. "Darius how is the job at St. Mungo's going? I expect it's a challenge isn't it?"
Darius was pleased to have the subject turn to himself. "Challenge doesn't describe it Arthur." He waved his Chicken Liver Pate as he spoke.
"So far, I've found only one healer with a brain."
He popped the pate into his mouth and licked carmelised orange from his fingers.
"Augustus Pye, have you heard of him?"
Arthur was surprised yet pleased to hear Darius' version of praise for Augustus Pye.
"Yes! A very innovative healer! Interested in complimentary medicine. He tried to fix a wound of mine with muggle stitches. It didn't work…pity…" Arthur shook his head.
The meals came and were served. Arthur drank in his surroundings.
Molly continued to question Arthur about George and Majandra. and threw angry looks when he didn't respond. She was getting more and more agitated.
"I read that." Darius said through a mouth full of scallops. "Of course it didn't work the idiot. One doesn't heal magic with muggle means. To compliment a technique means means add on to it, to combine it with something. All he needed to do was to create a spell for the stitches. But of course he couldn't because he doesn't know why stitches work or how and what type of material to use nor which ligature nor the anatomy that goes with it."
Arthur had no idea what he was talking about. He only knew that Molly was upset and couldn't get the things Doctor Dementor had said out of her head. As much as he hated to end the evening, as he was having a wonderful time, Arthur needed to get his wife home to familiar surroundings where she could worry and agonize in comfort. Arthur sighed. It wasn't bad enough she was making Blossom's life miserable…now what?
Theory of Herbology
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 10-09-04 10:35
Hermione closed a sentence on a Herbology question about bouncing bulbs and put down her quill to massage her writing hand. A mere thirty minutes had passed on this third theory exam, leaving approximately two and a half hours until its end. She looked up at Professor Logan, who paced in front of the room and kept a watchful eye on both the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. examinees.
Then deciding to resume her work on the exam, Hermione stretched her fingers one last time, picked up her quill and bent her head over her test booklet. She carefully read the next question, this one about venomous tentaculas, and formulated a well-thought out answer in her head before committing it to parchment.
A Watchful Eye on All
Author: Angelina LoganGryffindor
Date: 10-09-04 14:14
I had given the class their instructions on the exam and turned the hour glass over. "Begin." I said and paced up and down keeping a close eye, non cheating quills were given but still a wandering eye could happen and that I could not allow.
I noticed Miss Granger stop for a moment to massage her wrist I had to smile a bit she was a very excilent student and took pride in her studies. I knew how exhausting the exams could be and writers cramp was a part of it I looked at the hour glass as I heard the sounds of quills to parchment then back at the students some sported bags under their eyes and I knew it was the result of long hours of study.
I then noticed Mr. Longbottom; he was writing down his answers in a hurry and there was a smile on his face. He loved this subject and knew it well. I had no worries about him. I knew deep down he would pass the written part with flying colors.
Two hours left on the exams I sat on the stool and rubbed my eyes for a brief moment then sighed, my mind wandered a bit but then I gave my head a shake to clear it. I looked at the students and noticed someone turning their head to try and look at another students test. "Eyes on your own exam please." I said in a warning tone and the offender quickly looked back to their own paper.
(The Burrow) Failure as a Mother
Author: Molly Weasley
Date: 10-09-04 14:48
Molly sat stifling sobs, clutching an old photo as she sat on her bed. The happy faces of her children smiled up at her and waved.
She siiffled into her handkerchief..
"This is when they loved me!" then threw herself against husband's shoulder.
Arthur sat spouting encouraging words.
"No, no Molly they love you! They adore you! You know how it is with young people these days!"
Molly refused to be consoled. "My George got married and I wasn't there!" She wailed. "My son was ashamed to have me at his wedding! I'm a failure as a mother Arthur!"
Arthur refused to believe that was true.
"Nonsense! They probably ran off together at the spur of the moment." You know how it is when you're young! They got the idea in their heads and that was that. I'm certain they regret ever second of it!"
He wiped tears out of his wife's eyes. She blew her nose.
"Do you really think so dear?" He sniffles diminishing just a tad.
Arthur spoke with authority. "I'm positive! They're absolutely miserable!"
Molly clutched the hankie to her chest.
"If only I could believe its true!
"Oh its true dear. They regret the day they were born I'm sure of it!"
She looked at him, the doubt diminishing from her eyes. "You are so dear!" She stroked his cheek. "To say such lovely things just to make me feel better."
Arthur smiled and hugged her. "There there then. No more tears!"
Molly tried to smile as she wondered if she were the only one who didn't know her son's secret. She decided to find out.
A Pleasant Day
Author: Melafir Gardenn
Date: 10-09-04 17:17
Melafir came up from the cellar where he had been putting a few items together at his work bench. When he walked into the shop that doubled as their residence he called out for Synn, yet there was no reply. Checking his pocket watch he noted the time as being Synn's afternoon nappy time and decided to check in on her. Climbing the stairs to the second floor and passing the various swords and shields he had hanging in the wide hall as decoration, he came to their chamber door and opened it a crack, peeking inside. Sure enough, there she was covered in red satin sheets and a thick quilt comforter. Scarlet lifted her head and looked in his direction as if demanding who had disturbed the peace of the room.
Closing the door quietly once more, Melafir retreated back the way he had just come, back down the stairs and made his way into their kitchen, it was early afternoon and he had not eaten any breakfast this morning. Opening the icebox door he pulled the large leg of lamb that Synn had allowed to thaw and was planning on preparing for the evening meal. He took it and placed it on the counter and began seasoning it just the way he knew Synn liked, after all, he did taken a few home economics classes here and there…
Finishing up with the lamb he placed it in the preheated oven and began his cleanup then tossed the paper towels in the trash. Moving to the other side of the spacious kitchen he pulled out a box of Jasmine tea, placing several small bags in the water and then put the pot of water on the stove and soon it began to hiss its announcement of being ready, filling the house with a clean, crisp scent. He then placed everything on a tray and readied it to take back up to the bed chamber. As he did, Melafir looked out the front window and watched as people passed by.
Melafir suddenly had a wicked grin on his face and at the same time as he pointed to one of the women walking by he said, "Menzo Ber-Ranzan." And relished as she suddenly reacted as if the man behind her had grabbed her bum! He laughed out loud when she turned around and slapped his face.
One More Down
Author: Kody
Date: 10-09-04 19:45
Kody looks at the question booklet to fix the question in his mind then starting at the top of a clean sheet of parchment he begins writing the answer to the question List the plants used in a standard Shrinking Solution and how each is prepared for the solution. It only takes a couple of minutes to write the answer out, with Kody ending with Daisy roots are chopped before being added to the solution.
Moving on to the next question Kody reads What is the proper procedure for repotting Mandrake? What is another name for Mandrake? Discuss its uses. And the question after that is Why is it necessary to protect human skin when working with undiluted bubotuber pus?
Stopping occassionally to stretch his legs out and wiggle his fingers, Kody reaches the last question, List five plants or trees used in wand making, in his exam booklet with plenty of time to relax a little and read back over the answers he doesn't feel one hundred percent about. When it's time to turn exam booklets and parchments in to Professor Logan, Kody is positive he did well. Now, to pass the practical, which begins in just two hours!
Quidditch Anyone?
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 10-09-04 21:29
Leaving the DADA classroom, most everyone heads straight to The Great Hall for lunch. By the time Coco arrives, there's no sign that OWL and NEWT exams were given today. The long tables are in place with platters of food already visible. Coco takes a seat next to Fritz, who'd beat her to the hall by a fraction of a second. Nodding towards a soup tureen she requests of Cecilla Berenger sitting a few seats down, "Oi, me china*, pass the loop*, please."
Cecilla points to the tureen, "You mean this?"
"Roighto. Fanks alot. Say, anyone up fer a game o' Quidditch when tha dickory* strikes one?"
Curtis Fiennes, sitting on Coco's left, immediately answers, "Yes! It's great weather for a little Quidditch match. By the time we eat and one o'clock gets here we should have enough interested people to make two teams."
By the time Coco and Pea leave the Great Hall, there are eight who plan to play. As she walks past Drake Bennett, he grins at her. "Wish I could join you but I don't think playing Quidditch is an acceptable excuse for missing the Herbology practical." Sitting across from him, Kody Reese-Emerson readily agrees. Jared Wynbourne overhears this remark as he's walking by and stops. "Some of you are playing Quidditch?"
"At one. Yer wanter join us?" Coco asks.
"Wouldn't miss it! Oh, but I can only play until just before two. Have a class then."
"Well, that awlroight. Probably be someone else who wants ter play by then."
Moments later, Coco exits the Great Hall, goes and gets her broom, then walks down to Hagrid's to drop Pea off to visit with Fang. When she gets to the pitch just before one, she sees that enough have gathered to make two teams with extra players on each side. Taking to the air, Coco thinks this is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!
****
china = china plate = mate
loop = loop de loop = soup
hickory = hickory dickory dock = clock
