Re: WHAM
Author: Aradia Forest
Date: 08-21-02 21:54

I catch the quaffle that the bludger sent astray. It was meant for Angelina, but had come my way instead.

I hold the quaffle firmly, while I head towards the Gryffindor goal hoops. Only, at last minute, I swerve aside and send the ball arching to Sykra. She take possession of the quaffle and makes an attempt at a score, only to be blocked by Samantha.

Eventually I gain possession of the quaffle again, and pass it to Prescott.

La Caprice: Dark Angel Appearing
Author: John 1st Duke of Marlborough
Date: 08-22-02 05:56

The Lord rose to his feet, accepted the lovely, well dressed young lady's outstretched hand and gave it a formal kiss, that just happened to linger a little longer than would normally have been suitable.

"Yes, I am one of your father's colleagues, though on a more humble level, dare I say," he responded when looking up and smiling at her with his typical Churchillian mischievous smile.

"Please, may I?" he added and took out the chair and invited Bella to sit.

She sat down in the offered chair and they then remained silent for just a moment or so, curiously eying each other up. But then Lord John exclaimed:

"Let us order the drinks! As you can see, I took the liberty of providing myself with a good scotch while waiting, but I'll be most happy to provide another, in order to make a toast for such a wonderful apparition that has fallen before my eyes today. I never could have guessed you were so lovely. Do forgive me for past inexcusable negligence, especially during that last Christmas ball, I was attending at Sir Anthony's, before leaving the country!"

Lord John was at his best mood, having just returned from an extended foreign business and governmental trip, and then this creature from the Land of Fairieslanded, almost quite literally in his lap. He felt the evening boded well, indeed very well...forgotten and spoken of in past tense were Christina, Alice, Mary-Louise, Benedicte, Jocelyn, Margot, Beth...and many of the unnamed...Bella was something quite strikingly different! Oh yes! Certainly the others (well, most of them!) had possessed a pedigree that would have been the envy of any through-bred racehorse, but their social skills...well, let's say, many of them suited only to be employed in a certain position without reference to anything else...So empty, so shallow! But with this Belladonna Sinistra, he had, rumour-wise already made up an image: smart, witty, well-versed and -oriented, and a dashing, dangerous Beau Belle!

So he said with a sly smirk in his face:

"So, Belladonna Sinistra it is, eh? Shall I in a moment be afraid of the poison inherent in the first part of your name or the scheme and design entailed by your lastname?" He chuckled a little. He name verily made good on her formidable looks, that was sure!

Happy House Elf
Author: Dobby
Date: 08-22-02 14:55

Dobby excitedly jumps up and down as a well-aimed bludger hit by George Weasley successfully knocks the quaffle from Prescott Clearwater's hands.

Alicia Spinnet swoops in from out of nowhere to snatch the quaffle. She weaves her way down to the Ravenclaw end of the pitch where she makes a beautiful pass to Angelina Johnson.

Angelina sets up to shoot the quaffle only to have the nimble Jelica Carter block the goal attempt. With a groan, Dobby starts to sit down but is on his feet again cheering wildly when Angelina intercepts the quaffle as Jelica throws it to Sykra.

No sooner does Angelina gain possession of the quaffle then she's letting it fly toward one of the Ravenclaw hoops. This time Jelica is a nanosecond too slow. The quaffle gracefully sails through the center hoop.

Lee Jordon deafeningly announces, "Johnson scores! Gryffindor leads 30 to Ravenclaw's 20! Way to go, Angelina!"

Dobby, his throat feeling raw from cheering so much, takes a large slug of butterbeer. A few more gulps to sooth the parched, scratchy feeling and he's on his feet again, yelling for his friend Harry's team.

Coming to Hogwarts
Author: Angelina
Date: 08-23-02 05:29

I left the train and was met by no one. Checking my compact watch I noticed that it read Quidditch Match and I knew I was in the middle of it. "Oh Merlin's beard." I scoffed at my untimely arrival. Looking back at the train I knew I had to get my plants to the school or they would surely die.

Hearing pounding from one of the baggage compartments I knew my snapdragons were getting uneasy. Heading to the compartment I opened the door and noticed that the snapdragons were starting to belch smoke. Thinking quickly I called for my owl Loki and quickly wrote a message.

"Professor Dumbledore or Sprout,

"I am at the station at Hogsmeade and am in need of help. I brought some plants for Herbology and they are getting uneasy I need Hagrid or Professor Sprout to come to my assistance. These plants are rare and highly volatile to the training of young wizards and witches. Please Hurry.

Kindest Regards,

Angelina,"

I gave the note to Loki and instructed him to be quick about this delivery and to hurry back with Dumbledore, Sprout or Hagrid. Loki gave a soft hoot as I slipped him the note then he took off.

Looking back at the plants I saw that the snapdragons were now fighting with the rare Catspaws and it was becoming a real mess. "Enough!" I shouted and it seemed to calm them down, at least for now.

La Caprice: Lovely...Absolutely Lovely!
Author: Belladonna
Date: 08-23-02 15:58

Bella gracefully sat down in the chair and put a napkin in her lap after unfolding it with a perfectly manicured jewel-bare hand. Really, she was a bit taken aback by his suggestion. A dark witch in her family? Never in a hundred generations. The Sinistra family bred ladies, public servants, intellectuals, and society gems, but never dark wizards. As flirting went, he was rather good and a smile broke on her face and a light filled her eyes.

"Afraid of me? Hardly... One should be afraid of my mother when she attempts to meddle in one's life or my sister when she's in the kitchen, but never me. If I had any dangerous tendencies, they'd have come out long ago when one of my students tried my patience. I've been called forgetful and slightly insane, but never dangerous. However, if it makes you feel better, you should follow most of those who know me and call me Bella.

I'll let you order the drinks, although personally, I tend to stick to wine. I must say, it was a pleasant surprise when you chose La Caprice. It's one of my favorite places in Muggle London. I often have lunch with my girlfriends here when I apperate from Scotland. I teach astronomy at Hogwarts, so when I can be gotten out of bed by the persistant, my days are pretty much mine.

Whatever shall we toast to? I'm in favor of toasting to pleasant meetings and new acquaintances. As to my being beautiful, I'm too tall and insist on wearing heels, too thin according to my mother, and too pale. However, it's a lovely complement and I should forgive you for anything after hearing it.

It was a lovely Christmas ball, wasn't it? I think Mumma has it down to a science. How else could she pull it off year after year? Your companion at the time seemed to enjoy herself, as did everyone else. Everyone gets all wrapped up in the champagne and the dancing, so not noticing me was a given.

I hope your trip went well? Do you travel out of the country often? I rarely do during the school year, but in the summer my parents often complain in a jovial manner that they'd not know where I am except for all the postcards. It's a guilty pleasure of mine."

She sipped at her water happily and slightly pouted her red lips. This was going well! Lord John was quite wonderful and flirty. His reputation as a ladies' man seemed well deserved. Oh, but he was charming, witty...and handsome. It was nice to be taken to La Caprice and to be flattered. Maybe Da was right and she needed to date more people in the world she was born to. Well, no getting her hopes up...yet. For now this was a pleasant moment, although she confessed to herself that she wouldn't mind many others like this. Oooh, this was lovely!

Bulgaria: Muggle Sophia
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 08-23-02 20:30

Viktor and Ethan disembark from the bus which runs from Sophia to nearby Mt. Vitosha. In winter and early spring, Mt. Vitosha is an extremely popular ski resort. Although there is still a good snow pack on the mountain this last Saturday in March, Viktor and Ethan are there to hike, not ski.

After paying the necessary leva (Bulgarian currency) for lift tickets, the two men ride up the mountain. Their plan is to spend the afternoon hiking down one of the trails back to the base. This will give them plenty of time to talk without having to worry whether Koyla is eavesdropping on them somehow.

Koyla seems to have accepted Ethan into the group and the story Ethan and Viktor concocted for why Ethan has been staying so long with Viktor has not been questioned. Right after Ethan arrived, Viktor and he had decided that rather than saying Ethan is on an extended vacation, he is there doing research for a novel in which much of the action takes place in both the Wizarding and the Muggle portions of Sophia and the surrounding countryside. Such a cover story allows Ethan to ask more questions than if Koyla, Grigori and Stekfa had been told he was there on a holiday.

Apparently, Koyla has accepted everything Ethan and Viktor have said because more things are being revealed to them. They are becoming trusted and many of Koyla's followers treat them as if they are part of his inner circle along with Grigori and Stefka. Despite all this, the two men feel it's better to be cautious and not talk of certain things anywhere that Koyla may have ears. The last thing they want to do right now is tip anyone off that they are not supporters of Koyla and his ideas or that Ethan is an undercover auror. Too much is at stake.

Interesting Game
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 08-23-02 20:52

Hermione and Ron watched the game with great interest. There were so many interesting things going on, that neither one could take their eyes off of the blue skies without missing something exciting.

At one moment, George Weasley was swiftly trailing one of the bludgers, while the other one was spiraling right towards Katie Bell. Unfortunately, Fred and George were on the other side of the Pitch and unable to protect the chaser from the aggressive bludger. It connected with Katie and caused a sickening crunch in her shoulder, but she gritted her teeth together and continued to soar through the skies with the intent of recovering the quaffle.

George, meanwhile, caught up with his bludger and sent it flying through the clouds with incredible force. At the same time, Prescott Clearwater wasn't paying attention to the direction he was flying in, and collided right into the red-haired beater.

A shrill sound of the whistle echoed through the stadium, followed by a loud, "Foul!"

Details
Author: Alexis Black
Date: 08-23-02 21:12

The four of us made our way slowly across the Hogwarts lawns, occasionally looking around to check for eavesdroppers. All of Pyrrhus' plans meant nothing to me. I only understood after everyone explained to me how Majandra was infatuated with George, and how Fred was taken (or something) by a Canadian (huh?). As for Harry and Hermione, Pyrrhus let me know that Hermione was with Ron (who? oh... Weasley) and Harry liked another Weasel child. I did not know any of the Weasleys, but I knew they were bad. I was afraid to ask.

"Alright," I said, finally getting everything straight in my head, "Now that we know whose lives we're going to ruin, and what we're going to do to ruin them, how exactly are we going to do it? Some rumors, forged love notes... what exactly do you have in mind, Py?"

That's when the real plotting began.

Re: Where the Trail Leeds
Author: Remus Lupin
Date: 08-23-02 21:14

The search for Wormtail continues. The people do mention someone going to a wizard to talk to a couple of wizards who were reputed for dark arts. They also advise me to stay away from him. After some debating I decide to just wait outside. If they are really as nasty as the people say, he'll come screaming out. That would be a chance to nab him.

Sure enough, Wormtail comes screaming out. He runs smack into me. I grab him and hold him tightly. Wormtail, however, has other plans. He turns into a rat and bites me. I let go, and Wormtail escapes.

The Meeting
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 08-23-02 21:22

Right in front, Dierna stood defiantly before Sorcha. Sorcha had just watched Dierna walk up and ask questions. They were obvious questions, but not all of the questions that could have been asked.

"Tennille, Tennille...Tennille...Oh yes, I remember now, she is around, here, there, everywhere and nowhere. Same with your stuff, it's here and there. It's all scattered around, where I can find it." The last part said with a bit of a serious tone.

"I am so glad that you could make it here tonight. I did really look forward to meeting you. As you can see, I am not an old hag. I am not a mean person and I haven't hurt or damaged anything I took from you.

Now, I must insist that you come with me. I really don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to. Voldemort would be mad with me if I gave you to him and you were near death. So, please come quietly with me and you won't be hurt."

Dierna begins to glare at Sorcha. Sorcha looks intently at Dierna, like she is trying to see something in her face. Sorcha then looks like she sees something and lightens up.

"Oh, and I can see that concern in your face, Tennille hasn't had any harm come to her. Nor have I given her to Voldemort. Still, if you force things, I may have to harm her, or let Voldemort do it. I would hate to see her get harmed."

Bad Flying Game
Author: Golbez Rushdie
Date: 08-23-02 21:24

The excitement of the game continues. A bludger goes flying towards Cho, I accelerate towards the bludger, but I fly into Katie Bell. Oops. The shrill whistle blasts, and Madam Hooch gives Katie a penalty shot. Katie takes the penalty shout but misses.

Playing Games
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 08-24-02 22:00

By now, I am in no mood for games. That said, I am fully capable of playing right along with them, and adding layers of my own. I keep my voice light, still that conversational tone. All the time, though, I am analysing, assessing possibilities. What can and cannot be done. I am alert, ready to react at the slightest sign of danger.

"Oh Yes, I am quite certain that Voldemort would be QUITE distressed should any harm come to me." I say to the other woman. Behind me, Scaithmor scrapes the ground with his paw, nervous. The he calms, at the slightest motion from me. And then, unexpectedly (or perhaps not) a flash of feline eyes, briefly telling me Siabhra is here. I am not alone, it seems. Kneazles can be quite vicious, if provoked.

"I DO hate to disappoint you, but I have never been good at graceful surrender. I wouldn't know how, even if I wanted to. Which I don't. That said, if you can prove to me that Tennille is herself, and not someone using a pelagic potion or other such trickery. Which, of course, brings me back to my original question: Ca bhuil Tennille? fan go bhfeicfidh i me. Anois!*.

* = Where is Tennille? Let me see her. Now!

Finding a Way
Author: Angelina
Date: 08-25-02 12:56

The plants were getting out of control and I looked around knowing the train had a schedule to keep. Seeing a large palette I levitated that and brought it to where the plants were. Putting a sleeping spell on them I began to unload them one by one as I hoped they would stay asleep for the trip to the school.

I knew it was a long trip and gave it a thought. How will I get there Apperation was out of the idea sense the school was protected by magic to prevent those things. Finding a carriage driver who was not doing anything I approached him.

"Excuse me," I began and the driver woke up out of a daydream. "Yes Mum how can I help you?" He answered.

"I need to get to Hogwarts I hope you can take me and my cargo." I pointed to the plants. They need to get to the greenhouses or they'll parish."

The man looked at my plants and then at me. "How do you suppose to get them there?" He asked as he scratched his head.

"I'll worry about that," I answered as I put my luggage on the carriage. "Just make sure I get to Hogwarts please."

Keeping the palette behind us I got into the carriage and kept my concentration on the palette. We began the trip and before I knew it we were at the gates of Hogwarts. As we pulled up I saw the doors open and someone came in my direction. "Welcome to Hogwarts, we just got your message." I lowered the palette and looked up at my greeter.

"I had to make due I know there was a Quidditch match going on but you know the train.." I looked at my plants and they began to wake up and the snapdragons began to belch. "Oh no not again," I muttered "We must get them to the greenhouses at once."

Game Over
Author: H Potter
Date: 08-25-02 22:21

The action of the game slowed considerably for awhile as one foul after another is committed. Prescott fouls George with Alicia tapped to take the penalty shot. She misses as does Katie mere moments later when Katie is fouled by Golbez. Next, George and Lilah make a dive for the same bludger near the Gryffindor hoops. George beats Lilah to it, sending it towards a Ravenclaw chaser but Samantha is forced to dodge out of his way and ends up flying into Lilah and in getting out of that tanglement she manages to smack Sykra with her broom. Sykra takes Lilah's foul shot as well as her own but misses both attempts.

The game seems to get back on track when Angelina gains possession of the quaffle and darts to the other end of the pitch. George zooms in to assist by hitting a bludger towards Jelica but she's able to both dodge it and block Angelina's shot.

Sykra takes the quaffle and begins working her way back to the Gryffindor end of the pitch. A bludger comes whooshing up fast but Sykra bends low over her broom then passes off the quaffle to Aradia. Angelina is hot on Aradia's heals, intent on stealing the quaffle but she's forced to pull up suddenly when Lilah whacks a bludger straight at Angelina's head. Angelina avoids being hit but the delay allows Aradia to get that much closer to the Gryffindor hoops.

Alicia manages to do what Angelina could not. She somehow catches up to Aradia and snatches the quaffle straight out of the Ravenclaw's hand. Doing a fancy 180 degree turn, Alicia quickly heads back down the pitch, sets up for the shot and...

Lee screams out, "Johnson scores! Gryffindor up by 20!" Harry had been hoping to spy the snitch while all those fouls were taking place, but as yet, he's not seen the illusive little winged ball. He stops weaving the firebolt back and forth long enough to raise his arms in cheering for Alicia. And that's when he finally sees it. The golden ball is hovering only a foot above his head, well within arm's reach. Afraid to even breath in case something that simple would cause the snitch to dart away, Harry doesn't so much as blink as one hand snakes out quick as lightening to grab the snitch.

Everything seems silent and then an almost deafening roar reaches Harry's ears. Over the sound of cheering and applause, Lee's voice booms out, "Potter's got the snitch! Gryffindor wins 190 to Ravenclaw's 20!"

Re: Playing Games
Author: Prof. Sorcha
Date: 08-25-02 22:50

"Yelling in Irish won't solve anything. I can't get her without danger to myself, and why would I do that. You would just free her and use her to try to capture me and send me to Azkaban. So, it's against my better judgment to bring her to you.

"I know that you won't come with me without a fight, but I would first like you to know that your manuscripts and plans will prove to be most useful to Voldemort and his followers."

Sorcha slowly pulls out her wand when saying the last sentence.

La Caprice: The Joycean Monologue Rapport
Author: John 1st Duke of Marlborough
Date: 08-26-02 06:12

How beau amusant this was! How chattering, so talkative, almost as if she was doing a Joycean inner monologue! Lord John gazed with lightly amused and soft eyes at his female companion at the other end of the petite table. Yes, she was most charming and entertaining! Talking like a Browning Mg, he thought for himself, but no wasted words, everything carefully placed and organised in a flirtatious manner - certainly nothing like his previous gals, that was for sure! Bella had such a youthful, tender, but at the same time strangely wild, untamed charisma. Lord John already knew she was not dumb, that's for sure! So many implicit queries, so many seemingly disorganised comments, but all very well balanced up by her hectic, active intellect. This was a woman in Lord John's taste, he felt! Taking care to try to cover all her comments and questions he responded with a light air:

"Then wine it will be for you, prey tell what sort only. I do prefer the stronger ware of a thorough liquor instead of the more gentle wine, which shall go nicely as a companion to a good, sumptuous dinner.

"My lady friend, at that ball? Well, I remember we had to carry her to the car afterwards, so, yes, she did thrive a little too much for my taste, I'm afraid. La Caprice is one of my regular places, but I can see that during my absence they have changed the interior somewhat...for the better? Well, the taste is different and is better left so...

"And, yes, Bella, I do travel both in my capacity as third-secretary of state and in private business. I'm afraid the good living standard I enjoy does not come by itself but demands constant attention, not least in these nihilistic and egalitarian days' when each and everyone can acquire an empty noble title to stutter around with and even buy the ancient manors of the gentry to really ridiculous sums! - So travel is one of my most frequent activities. I have accumulated a handsome amount of fliers' mileage!" Here Lord John again chuckled at the idea of ever using those worthless fringes!

Then looking Bella deeper in her darkish eyes, below those wonderfully curved eyebrows, Lord John said in a low, muted, half-whispering voice:

"As for the toast, my dearest, pretty Bella, let us toast for new, hopefully lasting acquaintances and a long syne thereafter..."

Continue? Yes/No
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 08-26-02 07:24

"Actually, it helps quite a bit." Tells me that I am right, that she knows the language. "Those spells take quite a long time to learn. It's not like reading the Standard book of Spells. Not at all. Of course, Prof. Sorcha, you would know this. Tu dtuigeann Gaelig.* As for Azkaban, I don't need her to do that. Though she will be a witness at the trial." By this time I also have my wand ready. Dueling has been illegal for several years, defending oneself is not.

And the battle starts. At first just her and I. Then she is joined by a cloaked figure, then another. I don't have time to find out who they are. Three against one is NOT a good situation. I have faced worse, but these are my equals in skill. (I don't like admitting that though).

Eventually, I begin to think that discretion IS the better part of valour. But I also know that I can win if I get high enough on these cliffs to cast a certain spell. There is another higher plateau. My adversaries don't seem to want me to get there though. Or want me to do the spell. Probably both. Druidic storms are quite powerful.

I whirl around to parry a spell and force it towards the caster, but the force of the spell is stronger than I expected and the effort cracks my wand. Damn it! I curse in Gaelic and toss aside my now useless wand. I am satisfied to hear a yelp when some gets the claws of my kneazle in the face. Scaithmor, sensing trouble, flies off for help.

However, without my wand I am at a serious disadvantage. And THAT is putting it mildly. I can spend all night dodging spells, but that won't get me anywhere. I make for my mount, but someone hits the cliff face with a spell that causes a rock fall. Suddenly, I find myself covered with large rocks, one on my ankle. I hear Sorcha say, "Lord Voldemort said she is not to be harmed."

When the rocks are removed from me, I stand up, still proud, still defiant. "You haven't won yet," I say, in Irish, as they bind me, and lead me away.

And she hasn't. Not at all.