The Lady
of the Lake
Author: Kendra Beck
Date: 04-12-02 19:13
Kendra nervously stepped forward, wringing her hands. Adriana gave her a wink and told her to go ahead and begin, it wouldn't hurt.
She took a deep breath and swallowed.
"All right," she said. "This is Act four Scene five of Hamlet, Polonius is dead, and Ophelia has 'gone mad', singing a song reflecting on death. Her brother, Laertes is appaled by her madness." She paused. "Erm, but I don't have a Laertes, so . . . I'll just wing it, okay?"
Adriana grinned. "No problem! I love Hamlet! Proceed, Kendra!"
Adriana's enthusiasim helped greatly.
Kendra took a dramatic pose, and began to sing:
"For bonny sweet Robin is all
my joy.
And will a not come again?
And will a not come again?
No, no, he is dead,
Go to thy death-bed,
He never will come again.
His beard was as white as snow,
All flaxen was his poll,
He is gone, he is gone,
And we cast away moan,
God-a-mercy on his soul.
All of all Christian souls, I pray God.
God buy you."
She ended, taking a bow.
Adriana applauded. "Well done!"
Kendra blushed. "It's not much."
"A little goes a long way, m'lady." Adriana winked.
Lost
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 04-13-02
I stop and stare once more at the paper clutched in one hand and again read my flatmate's very loopy scrawl.
Aaron,
Come join my mates and me for a pint. Turn right out of the first floor entrance
and go two blocks up. Can't ever remember the name of the pub but no way can
you miss it. It's the only pub on that street.
Bernie
Walking from one corner to the next then crossing over and walking back the other way I grumble, "No way can I miss it. I should have known that was the kiss of death. Everyone knows that something that simply can't be missed is not going to be found easily. Hell! Fourth time up and down this street and no sign of any pub."
I stand on one corner debating whether to look one more time. Maybe it's on a basement level or one of those places with a hard to spot, narrow staircase to a second floor. I start walking slowly down the street, paying close attention to all signs and looking for entrances that would be almost hidden to those not familiar with the place.
I reach the end of that side of the street and cross over with the intent of doing a close inspection along this other side. I peer down one set of basement level steps then turn away in frustration and nearly run into a pair of elderly gentlemen. They don't seem to notice me as they walk past, but I certainly notice them. Both are wearing very loud, very outdated golfing type plaid pantaloons. If that isn't bad enough, both are wearing shirts that clash horribly with the pants and one has a Scottish style tam (also in a loud plaid) perched at an odd angle on his head. More importantly though, I overhear one say to the other, "I could use a drink. How about a butterbeer at The Leaky Cauldron? We're practically there."
Having a drink at The Leaky Cauldron! That definitely sounds like a pub. I don't know about buttered beer though. I've heard of buttered rum but not buttered beer. It must be some English drink I've not heard of before.
I follow the two old gentlemen to a worn door leading into a grubby looking building. Now how did I miss this before? I recall the book shop and the record store on either side but for the life of me I don't remember seeing this door the four other times I walked by looking for the pub. I shrug, both mentally and physically, before entering the dark and gloomy interior.
Studying (Common
Room)
Author: Dot Pio
Date: 04-13-02 12:31
Dot chose to spend her free hour before having to go to Care of Magical Creatures on reviewing notes from classes. She sat down and flipped her notebook open to her notes on Defense Against Dark Arts.
News
Author: Penelope Clearwater
Date: 04-13-02
Penelope walked up to the secretary who sat in front of Percy's office door.
"Hello. I am here to see Percy."
The secretary was new and didn't know who she was.
"Do you have an appointment?" the secretary asked with a bit of annoyance in her voice.
"Yes ma'am. My name is Penelope Clearwater."
The secretary told her to take a seat and Percy would be with her in a moment. Penelope took a seat in one of the two chairs that were in front of the office. Today Penelope really did have an appointment with him. She was there on official business. Penelope wasn't quite sure what it was going to be about though.
After a few minutes of waiting the door to Percy's office flung open and Percy stood there with a smile that spread across his entire face. "Penny! Come in, come in. I'm sorry you had to wait out here."
Penelope walked up to Percy and gave him a hug and a quick kiss. They both walked in to the office and closed the door. This was the first time that Penelope had been into Percy's new office. It was much larger than his old one. On one side he had his desk with two chairs sitting in front of it, across the room was an area with two couches, a chair, and a coffee table.
Percy motioned for her to take a seat on one of the couches.
Percy joined her on the couch.
"We're just waiting on Ioan and we can start this meeting."
Penelope looked at him quizzically.
"Ioan Bamber," Percy said in reply to her unspoken question. "He is the head of the Department of Accidental Magic Reversal."
The Department of Accidental Magic Reversal, this was the first clue that had been allotted to Penelope. She began to wonder what Ioan could possibly need a journalist like herself for. How can a journalist help in reversals? Penelope didn't have much time to mull over this because there was a knock at the door.
My Big Chance
to Prove myself to Him!
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 04-13-02 17:21
Ginny sits quietly while she listens to her friends recite their lines. Bronwyn and Kendra did a great job as they both took their places beside her again.
"Ginny," Adriana calls warmly, "you're next."
She smiles and slowly makes her way up onto the stage. She begins, "The selection I have chosen to read for you today comes from Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted
colour off.
And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark.
Do not for ever with thy vailed lids,
Seek for thy noble father in the dust:
Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die.
Passing through nature to eternity."
She bows low and walks down to Bronwyn and Kendra. They turn to leave.
Adriana asks them kindly to please ask Prote, Australia, and Neo to come in for their auditions. The three of them walk out smiling after being asked to send Prote's group in. They agree.
As they walk, Ginny thinks to herself, "Now that should catch his attention if I get the part."
The Divulgence
Author: Percy Weasley
Date: 04-13-02
"Come in!" Percy called out towards the door.
A dark haired, tallish man of about 40 walked in and crossed the room towards where Percy and Penelope were now standing.
"Percy! Good to see you again." Ioan and Percy shook hands. Ioan then turned to Penelope, "and you must be Penelope."
"Hello, very nice to me you, and please, call me Penny."
Percy and Ioan took a seat on the couch next to the one Penelope was sitting on.
"Well, let's get started!" began Ioan. "I am sure you are wondering why we called you in. Our department, the Department of Accidental Magic Reversals, has decided that it might be good idea if we integrated some of our journalists into the Muggle world. If we had our own journalists reporting Muggle news, then when out of the ordinary things begin to happen, it can be easily covered up. You know that with You-Know-Who being back, there is bound to be a plethora of incidents that will require covering up."
Percy looked over to Penelope to try and read her reaction. She just sat there looking intent as she digested what was being said. There was a moment of silence before Penelope said anything.
"And...you, want me, to be one of those journalists?" Percy began to worry. Could it be, she didn't like the idea? Percy had been certain that this would be a task that Penny would gladly under take. Penny had after all been saying that she was becoming tired of her assignments at the The Daily Prophet; and she had always wanted to experience how Muggles lived! Penny just couldn't turn it down; Percy would do what he could to get her to take the job.
"Penny, we are only asking those journalists who we know are capable of the higher level magic that will be involved. There will be the task of changing memories and trying to control everything that goes on in the studio."
"The studio?" Penny now looked confused.
Ioan took on this question. "Yes, studio. We would have you working at one of those television studios where you read the news and a camera is pointed at you which allows other people to be able to see you from their televisions at home."
A Calculating
Stare into a Mirror
Author: Christine Delaney
Date: 04-13-02 17:33
Christine examined her skin carefully. Flawless. A perfect peaches-and-cream complexion. She blew herself a kiss which caused her to frown. Still frowning she reached for her wand (fourteen inches, willow and unicorn tail hair; rather whippy), pressed it's tip to her mouth and murmured,"Lushus!". A wash of crimson spread over her lips, which were now full and pouty. She blew herself another kiss, cleared her dressing table with a further wave of her wand and turned to enter the Ravenclaw common room. Perhaps today she'd work out which one of the Weasly twins was cutest. Or maybe she wouldn't. Life, she thought as she twitched the hem of her robes another inch above her ankles, was too much fun to be worrying about N.E.W.T's.
Off to See
a Wizard
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 04-13-02
I take a few cautious steps into the pub, allowing my eyes to adjust to the dim interior. This pub is much darker than most bars I've been in and after a few seconds it occurs to me why. The lighting is all candles and gas type lamps. Either they forgot to pay the electric bill or they think using candles and gas lamps gives the place more atmosphere. Or --- or now that I can see better, it's to hide the fact that all the regulars have really eccentric tastes in dress. I only thought loud, out of date duffer wear on those two old men was strange. Many of the patrons seemed to be dressed in robes, some rather plain but some with very elaborate designs and motifs. The majority of those not wearing robes have clothes that look as outdated and clash as badly as those worn by the two old men. "Okaaaaaaay," I think to myself. "Could be the ones in robes are all magicians having a convention of sorts or belong to some sort of coven. The others though --- maybe they are all sight-impaired. If not, then well, to each his own I guess."
I move further into the room looking for Bernie and his friends. I make a circuit around the pub but don't see Bernie's familiar face. I don't know any of his friends yet so in case Bernie's stepped out for a moment I keep my eyes peeled for anyone wearing more normal clothes.
Great. Just great. No sign of Bernie. No sign of guys who look like they could be friends of Bernie. Why would he tell me to meet him here and then not be here? Unless --- unless he had something to do before coming here, like pick up his friends and I somehow managed to beat him here. Yep. That must be it. A female voice at my ear catches my attention.
"Ya look uh bit lost, luv."
I return the barmaid's smile. "The friend I'm meeting here and who is supposed to be here already isn't."
"Ooooh, iz thot an American accent? Just apparate in fer uh visit?"
Apparate? Must be some idiom for fly. I thought we Americans had some off the wall slang but in the week I've been in London, I'm starting to think ours is downright tame.
"Er, no. I'm not in for a visit. I moved here a week ago. I got a promotion at work which requires me to be in London a great deal of the time so it was simpler to move than to commute."
The barmaid nods her head in understanding then winks. "Oi 'spect thot means ya cud become uh regular 'round here. Nice lookin' mug laike yours'll be roight welcome 'round here if ya wont me two knuts worth. An congrats on thuh promotion. How's about uh drink on me? Name yer poison."
I feel my cheeks warm with a blush from her compliment as I think "Newt? Really got to learn this local slang asap." I push that thought aside as I ponder what I'd like to drink. "Thanks! That's really nice of you."
I'm about to tell her that whatever they have on draft is fine when I recall the drink that one old man had mentioned. "I hear you have excellent butterbeer here."
The barmaid fairly beams at me so I guess I must have said the right thing. "Ya heard roight. Best butterbeer uh round. Be roight back wif it."
I lean against the wall near the bar and watch the door in case Bernie should come in. True to her word, the barmaid is back in less than a minute with a bottle that looks like a regular beer bottle on her tray. I take a tentative sip, not really sure what to expect. Not bad. Not bad at all. I take a longer pull as the barmaid looks on expectantly.
"Thanks again. This hits the spot." I truthfully add, "Best butterbeer I've ever tasted."
I few minutes later I'm down to the dregs in the bottle and still no Bernie. Thinking I might as well go home, I take a step towards the door when the barmaid is back at my elbow. She nods toward the bald, grizzled looking publican behind the bar, "Tom saize ya might wont ta haf uh look 'round Diagon Alley fer yer friend. Don' know why Oi didn't think ta suggest it. Ya bein' new 'round here an from America Oi don' 'spect you know how ta get ta Diagon Alley from the Cauldron. Oi'll be happy ta show ya."
"Thanks! That would be great. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this." I set the empty bottle on the bar as I follow the woman out into a small courtyard. I'm looking around for an exit to this Diagon Alley place but all I see is the one leading back into the pub.
I guess it must be an extremely well concealed door or gate because the barmaid walks straight back to a solid looking brick wall. It's a good thing her back is to me because I have a feeling that if she saw my look of utter shock she would have known I'm not someone who should be a witness to this.
The barmaid pulls out a wand, an honest to God wand and says, "Ya start above thuh trash kin. Three up, two across an then tap three times wif yer wand." She stands back as the bricks on the wall start moving. A small opening forms and becomes progressively larger until an arch is formed.
Optical illusion. Has to be. The opening was there all the time and she simply triggered the illusion mechanism to turn off. All the people in the pub in funny robes are magicians afterall and this place caters to them by displaying some of their magic tricks. That's got to be it because I really don't want to think of what other explanation it could be. Totally bizarre though I have to admit it's a pretty cool illusion. I guess I've managed to wipe the shock off my face because the barmaid simply pats my arm, smiles that wide smile of hers and says, "Roight. Well back ta work fer me."
I step onto the cobbled street of Diagon Alley and hear a noise behind me. To my amazement, the arch disappears and the wall looks as solid on this side as it did from the pub's courtyard. I reach out and touch the brick hoping to get a good laugh. My hand will seem to vanish into the wall when I find the arch is still there but hidden by the illusion. My hand makes contact with the brick. I expel my breath slowly and touch again. I push and meet all the resistance a solid brick wall should have.
I mumble to myself, "Deep breaths, Aaron. It's a trick. It's got to be. Just don't know where the trigger mechanism is, that's all. Look around for Bernie and if he's not here, find someone to turn this thing off again."
I take another deep breath and turn to take my first really good look at Diagon Alley. Shops line the way on both sides of the narrow street. The majority of the people I see are dressed in magician type robes like so many in the pub are. Like many of the shops, the one nearest me has merchandise out on display. Cauldons. Small, medium, large. Silver, brass, pewter. Funny, I thought all cauldrons were big, heavy, black cast iron things.
Still muttering to myself, "You're not in Kansas anymore, Aaron."
Getting Ready
for Auditioning (with Prote) *Hehehe*
Author: Australia Kingston
Date: 04-13-02 17:48
"Well my darling," she turns to face him directly, "I think we should do a scene from Romeo and Juliet. What do you think?"
"Oh but I think we should." He smiles lovingly at her. "Maybe we could do a kissing scene." He flashes her his wicked grin.
"Yes, I think that might do." She kisses him lightly.
As she does this, Ginny, Kendra, and Bronwyn come out from the classroom and announce that Prote and his group are the next to audition.
Neo just stares at Prote and Australia (who are walking arm-and-arm, head-and-head together) as the three walk in for their auditions.
Chat with
Severus
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 04-13-02 22:32
I wait until Severus is done teaching class, and the students have all hurriedly filed out. Then I walk into the dungeon where the Severus is putting away phials and potions ingredients. Not too surprisingly he isn't too happy that I made good on my promise to "come back later". I had decided to let him recover from whatever (or whoever) knocked him out in the hall after the quidditch game.
"Afternoon, Severus," I say pleasantly, then ignore his lack of response. "We need to talk, let's go. But first, let me clarify something: I'm not here to accuse you of anything dark or illegal. I believe your conversion to be sincere. And that is not something I believe lightly."
Rehearsing
Lines
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 04-14-02 10:21
Fred, Samantha, and George sat outside the classroom, quietly running through their lines for their auditions. Fred still had no idea which Shakespeare excerpt he'd recite from–he had a few selections memorized and decided he would just go with whatever flew out of his mouth first.
George seemed very ready for his audition, and would on occasion glance around the hallway where the other participants sat, nervously uttering their lines. "Don't worry, guys. You'll all do super! It won't matter if you mess up. Just give it your best shot and everything will be fine!" he announced encouragingly.
Suddenly, the door creaked open and three very pleased and quite relieved faces emerged from the room. Ginny immediately came over and knelt to give her brothers each an enthusiastic hug. "I did great, I think!"
"See, I knew you would, Ginny!" George said, giving her another tight hug.
Fred smiled and pulled Ginny in for another hug as well. "I'm proud of you, Ginny!"
Ginny smiled back and then stood up, glancing around the hallway for him. She frowned slightly when she realized he wasn't there, and then decided to stick around to support her brothers who would be auditioning shortly.
Remembering
the Weekend
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 04-14-02 10:53
Bill had spent most of Sunday in bed, moaning about a massive headache from an incredible hangover. The only time he chose to get out of bed was when he decided to go to Briar's Bakery for some coffee. Briar didn't seem too pleased to serve him after the way he had acted the day before, but obliged anyhow. Something else seemed to be bothering her, but Bill wasn't in a mood to ask her what was wrong.
He was quite surprised that he remembered the events from Saturday–Having a little too much to drink at the Hog's Head, running into both Briar Rose and an old foe, Julian Valentine, getting an icy cold shower from Briar as well as running through Hogsmeade in nothing but a teacup-patterned towel...
He remembered it all, and his favorite memory was when Adriana came over. Finally, she came over to see him after he had been turned away from her countless times. She naturally got the wrong impression about him when she caught him in another woman's towel, but Bill and Adriana soon made up and shared their first kiss. Of course, the kiss only lasted half a second because of Bella and Charlie's unexpected arrival, but it was still very memorable.
On Monday morning, Bill decided that before going in to work he'd stop by Briar's Bakery and apologize about his behavior from the weekend.
