The Wager and the Hufflepuff
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 08-11-02 06:22

After the friendly banter with Fred, she waved goodbye to him and watched him go. Cho's mind immediately turns to the quidditch match at the end of the month. Her team was going so well! They would definitely give the Gryffindors a great fight. She had some new flying strategies and also some very old ones she'd found while going through some old Quidditch stuff. As the match today got started, her attention turned to it.

Though she wore the charming colors of Ravenclaw, there was a saying that had gotten started, "Cheer for Ravenclaw and anyone who's playing Slytherin." A bit frisky because of the spring air, every good move by Hufflepuff was awarded with a shout, getting completely into the game. As Hufflepuff's scores she cheers, "Go Hufflepuff!!" standing and clapping before sitting down and leaning forward on her seat. Not a strategy hidden in the game that got past her.

Chaos
Author: Majandra
Date: 08-11-02 16:30

Majandra and George watch as Azaelia Bramble regains the quaffle and begins darting around, avoiding bludgers, and attempting to set up for another goal. Their attention to the game, however, is soon interrupted. Fred breaks between them, forcing George and Majandra to unclasp their hands, and settles between them while stating, "Oh, I am so dead."

Both George and Majandra direct their full attention on Fred, their faces scrunched up in puzzlement. Majandra reflexively takes Fred's hand and gives it a pat. "Why? What's happened?" she asks in a very concerned tone.

Fred begins telling them about seeing an opportunity to talk to Samantha alone. He's barely into his explanation when a hand unexpectedly descends on George's shoulder and spins him around. In less time than it takes to blink, Samuel Thatcher has punched George in the face, has grabbed the front of George's robe and has his arm cocked back to hit George again.

In one motion Fred is on his feet and lunging at Samuel. Majandra leaps the short distance to where George now sits clutching his nose, blood running between his fingers. Samuel, in his fury, seems unfazed by Fred's efforts to stop Samuel from doing anything else. His fist connects with Fred's chin at the same time he slams a knee into Fred's stomach.

Next thing Majandra knows, she's been shoved hard down the stairs, crying out as one knee makes a horrid cracking sound. George, already angry at being hit for no reason, becomes enraged at Samuel's treatment of Majandra. Dodging Samuel's kicking feet, George jumps to his feet and lands his own punch to the other boy's nose. Furious Fred reenters the fray with a well-aimed fist at Samuel's jaw.

Before any of the three boys can do another thing, Hagrid appears. One large hand grabs George by the scruff of the neck and the other snares Samuel the same way. Hagrid towers over Fred while demanding the three explain what the ruckus is.

Fred quickly replies, "Samuel punched George for no reason."

Samuel, struggling against Hagrid's grip, snaps out, "Did not! I punched Fred for breaking Samantha's heart then George jumped me."

That's when one spectator chimes in, "George was hit first, Hagrid. And with no warning. Samuel would have hit him again if Fred hadn't jumped up to stop him...."

Seeing others nodding their heads in agreement, Samuel goes bright red, muttering he thought he was hitting Fred first.

An angry Hagrid releases his hold on Samuel and George, then directs all three boys to come with him to the hospital wing. Scooping Majandra up, Hagrid stomps out of the stand and heads for the castle. Glaring at Samuel, the twins rush to catch up with Hagrid, leaving the Thatcher boy to trail behind at his own pace.

-Foul-
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 08-11-02 16:37

Cho cringes as Toby makes one of the few mistakes she'd ever seen him make. He hit a bludger aimed for Isolde Farnon. He continued on his way for a moment, attention still on his bludger, annoyed when it misses Isolde he absentmindedly runs into Clara Devaki for a foul. Cho bites her lip almost until it bleeds, anyone who knew her extremely well could tell that she was a bit over-animated for a quidditch game, 'specially not one with the Ravenclaws in it. But you'd be the same way if it was spring time and you were single.

A Fine Kettle o Fish...?
Author: Samantha Thatcher
Date: 08-11-02 16:39

" 'et's over 'e says." Sami snached the butterbeer form her brother's hands.

"Mr. Fred Weasley finally decide to break it up for good did 'e?" Sam said.

Sami leaned back. "Yup..." She sighed. She was angry, no doubt about that, but found herself mostly relieved. She realized this would save her the trouble of doing it herself. For she would be leaving Hogwarts with her brother. Back to Canada...after the match between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor...

Sami looked over to where Sam was sitting to find no one there...Throwing her butterbeer in the air she toppled up. "Sam!!" She shouted. He was already down to the Weasleys. Next thing Hagrid is breakin' up a fight.

"Oh...What a fine kettle o'fish!" She grumbled and ran down to chase after Hagrid and the boys.

Too Close for Comfort
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-11-02 20:54

The action on the field was temporarily rivaled by a scuffle in the Gryffindor section of the bleachers. When Isolde threw a quick glance over her shoulder to see what all the hullabaloo was about, she saw Hagrid scooping up what appeared to be an injured Majandra. The red-haired twins were following, each sporting various injuries of their own, and Samuel Thatcher was trudging along after them.

The distraction was enough to throw the fair-haired Slytherin off of her game. Unintentionally, she collided straight into Neo Anderson.

"Foul!" shouted Madam Hooch, after she blew on her whistle.

Isolde cursed silently as she rubbed her aching shoulder. Currently, Slytherin was in the lead with 20 points, with Hufflepuff only trailing behind with 10.

Neo lined himself up for the penalty shot, and Pyrrhus prepared for the block. As Neo arched his arm backwards, Isolde silently sent her boyfriend thoughts of encouragement, but to no avail. After Neo propelled his arm forwards, the quaffle went sailing straight through hoop.

"Hufflepuff scores!" shouted Lee enthusiastically. "Great shot, Anderson! Take that, Slytherin!"

The score was now tied, and as Isolde spun her broom around to scramble for the quaffle, she caught Draco's eye. He was scowling. Such carelessness as she displayed would surely cost her after the game, especially if the Hufflepuffs were to win. Isolde cursed again, this time loudly, and shot her broom across the skies at lightning speed.

Battered and Bruised
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 08-11-02 21:45

Hagrid nearly knocked down the doors to the Hospital Wing, giving Madam Pomfrey quite a scare. She indicated to a white-sheeted bed, and Hagrid stomped over to it, setting Majandra down carefully. Her right leg was turned at an odd angle, starting at her knee.

George quickly ambled over to her side, pulling a chair over. Besides being bloody, the area around his nose was rapidly turning a blackish-blue. Hagrid took a few steps backwards as to get out of the way, and tsked tsked rather audibly as his gaze went from George's battered face to Majandra's injured knee.

Fred, meanwhile, slowly took a seat on a neighboring bed, one hand clutching his belly where Samuel had knocked the wind out of him. His chin was bruising slightly, and it ached terribly everytime Fred winced and grimaced.

Samuel took a seat at the opposite end of the room, rubbing his aching jaw and eyeing Fred dangerously. Moments later, Samantha burst into the room, her angry gaze shifting from one face to another. Her eyes only rested on Fred's briefly, before she turned her attention back to her mildly injured brother.

"Did 'e hurt yeh?" she asked, seizing Samuel's chin to tilt his face up to hers.

As her eyes raked over his bruising jawline, Samuel answered, "Not as badly as I hurt him." He shot a smirk Fred's way.

Fred frowned. I'm just going to have to sleep in the common room from now on...He'll smother me in my bed, for sure, thought Fred. Sammi turned around to view Fred's injuries from afar.

"Are yeh hurt badly?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Fred was unable to tell whether she was genuinely concerned or hopeful. "I'll live," he finally said.

"Listen, Fred," Samantha then said, continuing to nurse her brother's bruise, but continually shifting her gaze from one boy to the other. "Samuel an' I are leaving 'ogwarts in a couple o' weeks. We're goin' back ta Canada."

George and Majandra exchanged looks of bewilderment, and Hagrid shifted from foot to foot. Meanwhile, Madam Pomfrey bustled over with a remedy for Majandra's aching knee.

"You're leaving?" Fred asked, but didn't give her a chance to confirm what had already been said. "You can't leave. You're in your seventh year and almost through with your education. There's only a couple months left of school, and I don't know why you'd want to go to Canada to finish up what can easily be completed here. You should stick it out, even if you don't want to be anywhere near me."

He took a deep breath, and suddenly realized how much he'd miss her if she would leave. They had, after all, had a history, and their relationship was great for a good while...

Samantha looked like she wanted to reply, but Madam Pomfrey was ready to shoo out anyone who didn't need medical attention.

Focus
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 08-11-02 22:16

Like his gorgeous girlfriend, Py finds himself momentarily distracted by some commotion in one of the Gryffindor stands. He gets a glimpse of Hagrid and his sister before he is forced to return his attention to the game when a stray bludger grazes past his shoulder. Wanting to blame someone for the brief lack of focus, Pyrrhus blames his sister.

"Damn that Majandra," he hotly mumbles. "Might need to play one more joke on sister dear before the school year's over."

Grinning at the thought, Pyrrhus edges out of the way as Clara goes after the bludger that nearly hit him. Taking her bat, Clara thwacks the bludger right at Douglas Sky but much to her chagrin, he effortlessly dodges it.

Somehow Sky had gotten hold of the quaffle again. After skirting around the bludger Clara sent his way, Douglas shoots. Py's ready for him this time. Without batting an eye, Pyrrhus deflects the quaffle towards one of the Slytherin chasers only to have Neo Anderson intercept it and pass it off once more to Doug.

Py chooses that moment to switch from cursing his sister to cursing Anderson and Sky.

Shots Gone Astray
Author: Dobby
Date: 08-12-02 19:13

Dobby cheers on Douglas Sky as the Hufflepuff chaser throws the quaffle for another goal attempt. The boy has barely released the ball when a bludger hit by Simon Samhain crashes into the quaffle, knocking it off course. Azaelia Bramble is right there to snatch the quaffle before zipping to the other end of the pitch. Dobby cheers even more loudly when Prote Spacy easily blocks her shot.

Dobby nudges Winky. "Dobby be thinkin' this is one excitin' match!"

Dunsidhe, Ireland: The O'Cíaran Farm
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 08-12-02 20:56

I arrive to check on the farm I inherited from my father in the wizarding village of Dunsidhe, Ireland. I want to make sure my safe haven is still safe. Also, I want to take one of the winged horses for my search for Tennille. It will be faster that way. It's legal as long as I use concealment charms. I walk into the yard and faithful Seamus is there immediately, seeing who is on the property.

"Who is - Oh! Miss ni Ciaran! I didn't know you were coming." "It's DIERNA, Seamus. This is an unplanned visit. Wanted to check on things here. I know you'd let me know if anything was amiss, but I needed to see for myself"

Seamus regards me closely for a minute. "Is something wrong, Miss Ni Ciaran?" "Yes! YOU keep addressing me formerly, when you have known me all my life." We walk together for a bit and met at the house by Padraig, who manages the farm during my absence with Seamus. "Dierna! This is unexpected. Is everything all right?"

I tell them about meeting Harry, the raids on my office and home and the kidnapping of Tennille.

"It's a trap, obviously. But I took the time to prepare. They were expecting me to rush into the trap. I want to take Scaithmor. He's the fastest."

We head to the house, and take a light meal. I explain my plan and give instructions. I also tell them if they hear anything from Remus Lupin, to help him. They readily agree, remembering him from when he, the Marauders and Lily came to see me at the farm as students. Next they head to saddle Scaithmor, while I collect a few final things to bring with me. I head out to the stables. Seamus and Padraig are holding the Grainian for me.

"May the Danan's keep you safe!" Seamus said as I leap onto the saddle. "Show that Cailleach who is boss! And You-Know-who as well!"

"If you need help, we'll be there!" Padraig promises, handing the reins up to me. "We know you can take on this person, but do be careful. You're a great auror, but your mortal."

"I will be as careful as I can, I promise. And while I am not immune to death, I have no intentions of meeting my end at the hands of any of Voldemort's goons."

They cried at the name and exchange glances. They always believed the accident which killed my father was murder. But there was never any proof. They also know how much like him I am.

"Try not to worry about me. I'll be back here as soon as I can."

I cast the charm to make myself and the winged Horse invisible to muggles, and take off.

My search has begun.

Chocolate for Lunch
Author: Helena Tufton
Date: 08-12-02 21:39

On Saturday around lunchtime, Helena slipped out of her room at the inn in Hogsmeade and exited the building in search of a restaurant or pub. A slight breeze ruffled her hair as she ambled down the cobbled road and instinctively, she drew her scarf tighter around her pale neck.

Ever since last weekend, Helena had pretty much stayed locked up in her room at the inn, only leaving to stroll briefly on the small stretch of street before the building to get some exercise and fresh air. She ordered meals to her room, as well as the newspaper, but rarely did she chance to go outside and run into the few people she really didn't ever want to see again.

The day after the discovery that Avery had been spending quality time with Julian, Ally had stopped by to check up on Helena. The blonde-haired woman learned that Avery wanted to tag-along and make things right, but that Ally had convinced her to stay behind to give Helena some time to cool off. As far as Helena was concerned, Avery could stay out of her way until Hell froze over.

One of the first things Helena had asked Ally was whether or not she knew about the affair between Avery and Julian. The question had been unmistakenly avoided, and Helena even began to wonder if Ally had ever fallen for Julian's charms. She hadn't pressed the matter further, mainly because she probably didn't really want to know the truth.

A week later, when most of the town was on school grounds for the Quidditch match, Helena walked the empty streets, keeping an eye out for unwanted confrontations so that she could make a quick getaway if need be.

Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she was searching for a place to satisfy her hunger. She eventually decided that the Three Broomsticks and the Hog's Head were out of the question. She knew Avery frequented the latter pub, and knowing Julian and his friends, they probably weren't adverse to a pint or two at either one.

Instead, Helena decided to grab a bite to eat at Briar's Bakery, one of the few shops in Hogsmeade she had yet to visit. After pulling the door open, she stepped inside and approached the counter. No one was standing behind it, so she scanned the display case, admiring all the tastey-looking cakes and cookies.

The silence in the empty room was suddenly disturbed by a voice all too familiar.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Helena jerked her head up and groaned when she saw Charlie emerging from the back room with some chocolate smeared on his cheek and across his lips. "Well, I was going to get something to eat, but I think I'll just leave..."

She spun on her heel and started for the door, but Charlie ran out from behind the counter and pulled her to a halt. "What, no hello Charlie? No, how've you been? Geez, Helena. We haven't seen each other in over a month!"

Helena pulled her arm away from his grasp and replied curtly, "You didn't exactly send me a friendly greeting either just now. And for your information, I'm here in Hogsmeade because I was visiting a friend–well, a so-called friend. And the reason I'm here right now," she pointed downwards, indicating the store itself, "is because I'm hungry." Her eyes flickered from his eyes down to the chocolate on his face. "What have you been eating?"

"Chocolate!" Charlie exclaimed, licking his lips and wiping his cheek with his sleeve. He seized her by the hand suddenly and started leading her behind the counter.

Helena tried to tear her hand from his grasp, but he refused to let go. "Charlie...what are you...?"

"I want you to meet some people..." he paused, stopping in front of the swinging door to look Helena in the eye. "What happened with the friend you were visiting?"

Helena shrugged. "It doesn't matter...I don't want to talk about it."

Charlie shook his head. "It looks like it matters to you, but I don't want to pry. I know, I know. It's not your business anyway, Charlie!" he added in a girly-sort of voice. "Anyway, I know just the cure for a broken heart, or a deflated ego, or whatever is ailing you. The perfect remedy for a bad day..."

Still holding on to her hand, he lead her through the door into the kitchen of the bakery, where a man and a woman stood, decorating what appeared to be a large, several-tiered chocolate cake. The man had the same flaming red hair Charlie had, which helped Helena deduce that he was probably Bill Weasley, the brother Charlie had been so worried about while they were stuck in quarantine.

"Helena, this is my brother Bill. Bill this is Helena Tufton, the woman who drove me mad over the holidays."

Helena and Bill exchanged hellos and how do you dos, and then Charlie introduced the woman. "This is Briar Rose, the lovely owner of this lovely bakery."

Another round of how do you dos and it's nice to meet you were exchanged, and soon Helena found herself decked out in an apron and helping to decorate the huge cake while sneaking in a few bites of chocolate here and there.

In Clover
Author: Belladonna
Date: 08-12-02 22:56

Bella instinctively pointed her wand behind her to get the bastard who snuck up behind her and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Damn it, that hurts, Bella! Make the boils and oozing sores go away and I promise to never do it again. I just wanted to amuse you. Forget the talk about how you should have been in Hufflepuff. Something like that has me convinced you're Slytherin material."

Bella quickly performed the counter curse before giving Liam a hug while she screamed in delight.

"I'm sorry, but a girl's got to defend herself from unwanted desires. Oh, I've missed you. First India, then Saudi Arabia, and then Kentucky, and not the United Kindom since Valentine's Day. I mean you sent really nice presents, but I missed you."

"Isabella? You're not Bella, because Bella doesn't pout or wear red lipstick. I'm not that Weasley chap and can't be fooled by the old switcheroo."

"Oh my God, Izzy told you? She promised not to and it was only for the first fifteen minutes while I stopped hyperventilating. Who else knows?"

"Bella, sweet flustered Bella! Izzy's too confident and Dylan told me, thinking I'd enjoy the joke as much as when we were kids. You're becoming quite daring, know that? Nope, on closer inspection, you've been Bella the whole time, so I present bourbon chocolates from Kentucky guaranteed to knock on your bum, although with the coffee you drink, might not have an effect."

"Hey...a little brandy in one's espresso keeps the blues and nasty thoughts away. I'll need plenty of it on the 18th. It's going to be a fun party, and not just because I planned it and will be hostess. Just hope the band doesn't make us dance for a week straight again."

"Aie, that's what you get for hiring the Little People to pipe. It'll be a nice change from all the sophisticated dinner parties that have been going on lately. We'll drink cheap green tinted Guinness, fill up on corned beef, dance to the pipers and harpers, and I'll thank the stars in heaven that my money can rent an authentic Irish cottage with peat fire to do it in. Can't picture a better idea for St. Patty's Day. Now, will you be wearing one of those lovely frocks on this pad or something else?"

"Green silk Alaia with Manuelo heels. Hopefully, I'll be able to dance til the morning. Liam, you do know how to perk a girl up. Now, can we watch the game?"

Way to Go, Hufflepuff!
Author: Brett Kingston
Date: 08-13-02 20:04

Having gotten both hungry and thirsty, Brett had rushed down to buy some concessions. Returning loaded down with cauldron cakes and two icy cold bottles of butterbeer, he plops down beside his sister. Brett hands Aussie one of the drinks while asking, "Did I miss anything?"

Australia takes a sip of the butterbeer before shaking her head. "Nope, nothing exciting since that fight."

Just then Toby Beck, intent on sending a bludger Draco Malfoy's way, commits his second foul of the game by flying right into the Slytherin chaser, Isolde Farnon. Not only does Slytherin get another penalty shot but Malfoy easily dodged that bludger.

When Prote knocks the goal attempt aside, Brett cheers loudly but Aussie jumps up and down proudly screaming for her boyfriend. Brett decides that next time Hufflepuff plays, he's wearing an earplug on whatever side Australia's sitting on.

Re: Battered and Bruised
Author: Samantha Thatcher
Date: 08-14-02 11:14

Samantha looked like she wanted to reply, but Madam Pomfrey was ready to shoo out anyone who didn't need medical attention.

Samantha got the hint and stood up. "I'll be out in the 'all waitin'." She said, not addressing anyone in particular. And she left the room shutting the door behind her.

She sat down against the wall hugging her knees and stairing at the floor. The truth was, she didnt' want to go back to Canada. She loved it here at Hogwarts. And, as much as she wouldn't want to admit it, she would miss Fred dearly. Even though they were no longer together.

She didn't have to go to Canada. But Samuel does. After all, he's only here on vacation, and he's leaving next week. Anyways why should she stay?

All this was going through her mind confusing herself. When she jumped back into reality. What was going on in the Hospital wing while she wasn't in there? She wondered what they were talking about...