Writing Hermione
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 02-19-02
Viktor sits hunched over a desk, hastily penning a note while glancing frequently at the clock hanging on the wall above his head. He really wants to get this letter off to Hermione before practice. As he writes, Viktor thinks aloud in his jumbled English.
My Dearest Hermyownninny,
You haff not vritten me in ower too veeks. You are being mad vith me? I am
sorry for vatewer I haff done to make you angry. Please vrite me. Your letters
are wery important to me.
Today is the first Hogvarts Quidditch match for your house, no? Vould you please tell Harry Potter congratulations on vinning as I am being sure his team vill vin.
I vill be eagerly vatching for your reply.
Yours truly,
Viktor
Viktor ties the letter to the leg of a patiently waiting owl and sends off the large bird. He just can't imagine why Hermione's not written for so long. Viktor runs fingers through his thick hair while pondering what he could have said or done to make her angry.
An idea for getting back in her good graces crosses his mind. He glances again at the clock. If he hurries, he can get it done and still make it to practice on time. Making sure he's got plenty of coins in his pocket, Viktor disapparates in the blink of an eye.
A Surprise
for Gryffindor House
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 02-19-02 19:17
Viktor apparates into Hogsmeade and starts looking for the bakery mentioned in one of Hermione's letters. It doesn't take long to locate and Viktor literally runs inside and dashes to the counter. An older gentleman with a kind face looks expectantly at Viktor.
"Yes, may I help you."
"I be knowing this iz short notice. But I vas vondering if it vas too late to be ordering a cake for thiz afternoon."
The man nods. "Yes, it is short notice but depending on what you wish to order we might be able to accommodate you."
"I vould be liking to order a large cake to send to Gryffindor House at Hogvarts. They are haffing their first Quidditch match today."
The man nods again and smiles. "Yes, I think we could do that. Let me show you the various ordering options."
Viktor shakes his head. "I haff not time. Anything is being fine as long as cake is being large. Oh, and please be putting the Gryffindor crest on the cake and let them know it is being from Viktor Krum."
The man's eyes widen in surprise at hearing Viktor's name. He hurries to ring up the amount due since Viktor seems to be in such a rush. Viktor overpays but waves off waiting for his change before disapparating.
Waiting
Author: Belladonna
Date: 02-19-02 20:25
Bella groaned. Almost time for the game to start and where was Charlie? She was beginning to remember how he's always late for everything. That man would be late for his funeral...although personally she'd kill him if he's late for his own wedding. She groaned as she began to wonder where that thought came from and then frowned as an owl post was dropped in her lap. She was going to whip out her wand and perform a minor hex until she got a proper apology.
Her frown disappeared as she read the note and saw it was from her parents. She looked up to the section where the visitors sat and waved at her mother and father. How he had time to serve as head of the board of governors and run a ministry was beyond her. Her mother wearing the black pearls Bella borrowed during Halloween made Bella smile even more. She loved her parents and quickly sent back an affirmative reply by owl post.
Bella,
If he doesn't show up, might as well have a seat with us. Much better view
anyway. Afterwards, we'll go to Hogsmeade for a butterbeer and a talk. Your
mother wanted something from Honeydukes anyway. Hang in there.
Mum and Da
She leaned back and grabbed a butterbeer from the basket at her feet. She had enough to last the whole match...two matches if Charlie didn't show. Bella chuckled at the thought of a win-win situation as she opened a butterbeer and made a note to go watch shopping. A really nice watch just might be the thing for Charlie. That failing, she could take a page from Adriana Fairchild's book and give him Hell. It seemed to work well with Weasleys and she felt that she fell too easily. She should have made him wait.
Bad Boys...and
Scotch
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 02-19-02 21:24
"I really don't like that guy," Bill stated, referring to Julian Valentine, as Briar led him to the bakery.
Briar shrugged, trying hard to keep Bill on his feet. "I like him."
Choking back laughter, Bill said, "Whatever for? He'sh nothin' but trouble." Suddenly, with a hint of realization in his eyes he said thoughtfully, "Ahh...you like troublemakersh. Mish Rose won't shettle for any ordinary man. She likes them with attitudes. I have attitude, you told me that once."
Bill stumbled slightly as Briar jerked him to towards the entrance of the bakery. "Maybe–, maybe that was Adriana and not you who shaid that. Oh well. Ish Valentine the type of guy for you, Mish Rose?"
Upon entry of the bakery, Briar immediately led Bill to the nearest chair. "Sit here, I'll make you some coffee," she said, avoiding his question.
"Mish Rose likes bad boys," Bill said, leaning over the table. "Valentine is bad, Mish Rose. Bad for you! Nothin' but trouble!"
Briar threw down the coffee mug onto the countertop with a clank and snapped, "Mr. Weasley! I don't think you have any right to tell me who is and who isn't right for me. This topic of conversation is closed! Are we clear?"
Nodding slowly and enunciating as clearly as he possibly could Bill responded, "Yes, Mish Rose. I don't wanna talk about love anymore anyway. Let'sh not talk about her, or you, or that jerk Valentine. Let'sh talk about scotch, Mish Rose."
Briar groaned as she came over with Bill's coffee. "Drink this, Mr. Weasley. Don't make me threaten you with a cold shower."
Bill grinned stupidly and probably could have said something truly inappropriate in response because of all the alcohol he had consumed that morning. Instead, he kept his mouth shut and concentrated on the coffee. He took a couple a sips, swallowing it like a child forced to drink some terrible-flavored medicine.
Finally, having emptied the mug halfway he said, "It tastes awful, Mish Rose. I think it would taste a whole lot better with shome scotch in it."
Hermione
and I
Author: Adam Higginton-Smythe
Date: 02-19-02 21:33
Adam looked at Hermione closely now, he had noticed a reaction in her face as she mentioned him, "Sure, I'll just get all of this cleaned up," Adam grabbed his wand and again whispered something in an undertone so Hermione would be unable to hear him. The books shut immediately on command and flung back onto their slots on the shelves about the library, Hermione had to dodge to the left quickly as the book with the she had gotten for Adam slammed into the shelf behind her. Adam came over to her with an innocent grin on his face, "Sorry Hermione, I forgot about that one," His bluish-green eyes were being to sparkle causing Hermione to lose concentration momentarily while she stared helplessly. He couldn't help showing Hermione some of his skill now.
"Let's er...let's get going or we will be late," Hermione brushed lightly by Adam causing a grin to spread on his face as he followed her, "Wait, you left something behind!" Hermione reached over on the table Adam was sitting at and pulled the parchment forward. It seemed to change color, from a deep brown like the tables to a lighter tone which matched Hermione's skin. She almost jumped from surprised, but the lettering captured her interested. The writting was most definitely foreign, except for the heading which clearly read, To the Briton,.
Adam reached for the letter and pulled it from Hermione's hand. "Thank you," Adam muttered dully while ensuring the letter was secure in a pocket inside his robes. They continued on through the hallways and down stairs while the conversion became much more friendlier and deeper. Each was beginning to show more and more interest in the other.
Taking Notes
Author: Hannah Abbott
Date: 02-19-02 21:45
Hannah and Susan sat in the stands waiting for the Quidditch game to begin. They had gone to the stands early so that they could pick out good seats for the game. Hannah had brought parchment and a quill with her so that she could take notes on the players of both the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams. She wanted to make sure that her team was well prepared to play these teams later in the season.
Just before game time Susan nudged Hannah, "Look, there's Bronwyn and Kendra."
Both girls waved at them as Bronwyn and Kendra waved back and made their way towards them. They took a seat just behind Susan and Hannah.
Games
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 02-19-02 22:05
Charlie scolded himself, quietly, for being late as he made his way to the Quidditch pitch. She'll kill me! She'll kill me!
He broke into a run and made his way to the stands, searching over the crowd for Bella. He finally spotted her in the front and made his way over.
"Bella!" He panted. "Bella, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! I got tied up back in Romania with my team. We found another dragon nest full of eggs, the mother we found a couple days ago, she was ill and died. We couldn't save her--How's your burn?"
She stared at her watch, then back up at him.
Charlie sighed. "Oh, Bella. I'm sorry. I know there's really no excuse--" He took her hand in his and kissed it.
"Forgive me?"
Emptying Boxes
and Teasing the Wife
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 02-19-02 22:29
Lysander Stratford stood surrounded by brown, cardboard boxes in the middle of his bookstore. A few of them were already empty and lay discarded in a pile off to his right, but the majority of the boxes were still quite full. He had one of them open and was pulling out old, leather-bound books and placing them on a rather bare bookshelf. Despite the cool air outside, indoors the air was somewhat muggy. The constant bending down to retrieve books had caused Lysander to work up quite a sweat. With his left sleeve, he wiped his brow before running it over the side of his olive-toned cheek.
"Is it hot in here, or is it just you?"
Lysander turned to see his wife standing in the doorway of their office, leaning seductively against the doorframe. He smiled, absentmindedly sticking a book on the shelf as his eyes ran over Chyler's lovely form.
"You might as well make yourself useful, my love," he said, running his tongue over the right corner of his bottom lip.
Chyler arched a dark eyebrow and asked, "What do you have in mind, my precious?"
Lysander cocked his head to the side for a moment, teasing her. Then, he gestured to the pile of empty boxes and said, "Would you mind flattening those and putting them away? They're a bit of a bother at the moment."
He grinned inwardly and resumed removing books from the box next to his feet.
"You're terrible, Ly!" Chlyer chided, heading over to the stack of empty boxes.
Her husband turned and grinned openly, "I know it, baby."
The two worked in silence for a while, Chyler cutting the boxes apart with a dagger and Lysander arranging the books on the bookshelf before him. As he worked, Lysander thought about the other shipments of books he was expecting. They wouldn't be arriving in simple cardboard boxes such as these, but rather in crates with locks. The books were highly valuable to him and many others in the wizarding community. He was awaiting their arrival with incredible eagerness.
Finally, he removed the last book from the box he had been working on. He set the red, leather book onto the shelf with a gentle thud. Stretching his arms in the air, he yawned. A droplet of sweat rolled down his back. He wiped his brow one more time, fully aware that his wife had stopped her work to watch him. Slowly, he lifted his sweater over his head and tossed it into the empty box by his feet. He was about to reach for the T-shirt he had been wearing underneath the sweater when suddenly, Julian Valentine came bursting into the shop.
Weather Forecast:
Cold Showers
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 02-19-02 22:39
Briar glares at Bill. Even if he is drunk he doesn't have to insult her coffee! Briar also admits to herself that she doesn't like hearing Bill put down Julian or ridicule her obvious like for the man. If Bill only knew the truth.
Before she starts waxing nostalgic Briar pulls herself back to the present and takes stock of Bill. A handful of customers are in the shop and starting to stare. Still glaring at him, Briar takes the coffee cup from him and sets it aside. She then hauls him to his feet and guides him into the kitchen. Briar never would be sure of how she then got Bill up the stairs to her apartment. Once there she let him flop down on her couch.
"Even if you do think my coffee needs scotch to make it palatable, you're getting more of it. Black. I'll be right back with a fresh cup."
Briar returns shortly to find Bill in the exact same position as she left him. She gets him to sit up and hands him a steaming mug. He takes a drink but makes a face. "Jush a little teeny weeny drop of shcotch? No?" he almost pouts.
He attempts a shrug but that causes him to start sliding over. Briar grabs him to keep the coffee from spilling. That silly grin eases once more across his features. "Nishe plashe you have, Mish Rose. Shee, even though you shay I have an attitude I can be nishe. Why're you lookin' for bad boys like Valentine when you can have a nishe guy with a teenshy bit of attitude. Not me o'courshe. Well, not unlessh Adriana won't take me back. Shay, what're you lookin' so mad for?"
Briar really is trying not to be mad with Bill. She knows he's drunk and he's hurting because of this Adriana he keeps mentioning. On the other hand, he does keep insulting her. She'll show him.
Briar flashes an overly bright smile at Bill. "I'm sorry. Was I looking angry? I can't imagine why what with you being such a nice, sweet gentleman sitting on my couch saying such lovely, wonderful things. And so formal still. Call me Briar. None of this Miss Rose stuff between friends, particularly one who has just told me he might be available soon."
Standing up, Briar offers Bill her hand, the smile now turning impish. "You're right. I do like men with attitude. Come on. You can find out first hand how much." Grinning stupidly in his drunken state, Bill accepts Briar's hand and follows like a puppy into another room. Next thing Bill knows, he's standing under a frigidly cold shower of water and listening to Briar's laughter filling the room.
Re: Games
Author: Belladonna
Date: 02-20-02 00:43
Bella slightly smiled as she slid over. She wasn't mad, since five years of teaching night class caused her to accept lateness. Of course, those she cared about could do no wrong in her eyes and all and lately the category included Charlie. I was crazy when a guy could make you swoon and forget everything just by kissing your hand.
She pulled down the shoulder of her blouse to show a nicely healing burn. "Of course, I forgive you, Darling. Madam Pomfrey took a look at my burn when I got back. It seems to be healing nicely. I must have been so clumsy trying to hold off that dragon. Tell the truth---everyone laughed when I left, right?"
Suddenly, a comment he made hit her and her big blue eyes got all teary. "Charlie? The dragon we found sick in the forest...it can't have happened. We spent most of the weekend trying to save her. She looked better the night I left. I thought she was going to make it, really. It's so unfair. What will happen to her eggs?"
She buried her head in his shoulder and just started crying. The game hadn't started yet, so everyone was talking amongst themselves. Somehow Charlie's holding her while rubbing her back and whispering in her ear made everything seem like it was going to be okay.
Waiting for
Hermione
Author: Ron Weasley
Date: 02-20-02 01:33
Ron stood in the stands with his fellow Gryffindor students waiting for the start of the game. Well, actually, Ron was just waiting for Hermione, who still hadn't shown up. This isn't like her. Maybe something's wrong...
Wrinkling his brow in worry, Ron scanned the crowd until he finally he spotted her, wonderful her, walking towards him with–wait–some Ravenclaw bloke! Ron burned with jealousy. How dare he! But then Ron lamented...he hadn't taken any action since Hermione announced to the school that she loved him. None what-so-ever.
In fact, things had become even more awkward for the two of them. But enough was enough. Am I a man or not? Ron thought to himself. It was time to take some action.
Smiling broadly, Hermione walked over to Ron with her new "friend."
"Ron, this is Adam. I'm not sure if you two have met." She glanced back towards her escort. "Adam, this is Ron."
Adam smiled and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you."
Ron cringed inwardly but accepted his handshake. "Charmed," he replied, almost sarcastically. He really didn't need to be introduced to Adam–he remembered him from Quidditch trials.
Adam seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "You did a great job at Quidditch try-outs. Really, very nice effort."
Nice effort!!! Ron didn't seem to be taken with Adam's innocent attempt to make friendly conversation. After all, Adam was a quidditch team captain and Ron didn't even make it! But Hermione loved Ron, not Adam, so he put it behind him to face a more pressing issue. Turning to Hermione, Ron held out his arm. "Would you like to sit down?"
Hermione nodded and accepted his arm gratefully as he led her a few feet away to where he had been sitting. Once seated, Ron took a deep breath. And then he did it. He reached down and gently clasped her hand.
Almost Time
Author: Jelica Carter
Date: 02-20-02 01:58
Jelica reached the quidditch pitch just seconds before game time. Out of breath, she looked around frantically for some of her teamates. She spotted Cho, Sykra, and Aradia and hurried over to join them. Today almost all of the students were cheering for Gryffindor...there wasn't a single Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw who wanted to see Slytherin victorious.
Searching
for Two Lovely Ladies
Author: Toby Beck
Date: 02-20-02 02:31
Toby and Hunter walked through the masses of students looking for a good place to sit. There they were–walking along, minding their own business–when someone let out the sexy whistle. Toby looked up to see the sly smile of Bronwyn Dewhurst.
Flashing her a princely grin, Toby made his way up to the scandalous vixen, with Hunter following behind as always.
"My, aren't we looking smashing today." He took Bronwyn's hand and kissed it, but then turned his attention immediately to his kid sis.
"So, Ken, do you think we'll be able to take on these Slytherins?"
Kendra smiled shyly. "Of course!"
Toby turned back to Bronwyn as if to say more, but was interrupted by the voice of Lee Jordan. It was time.
One So Far
Stressful Saturday
Author: Adriana Fairchild
Date: 02-20-02 03:01
Adriana sat with the other professors, her mind in turmoil. That morning she had sent Bill away again. She knew it was harsh–he was coming to apologize after all–but she just couldn't bear to see him look at her with those judgmental eyes. Adriana was tired of lying, but afraid of being honest. How would Bill react if she told him the truth?
She lost her train of thought when she noticed Snape suddenly jerk in his seat. He looked around cautiously and then proceeded to rub his left forearm. I wonder... thought Adriana, as she tried to ignore her own throbbing arm.
But her attention was diverted once again as Charlie Weasley rushed into the stands and to Prof. Sinistra's side. Adriana sighed jealously. She was a fool. As soon as the match was over she was going to have to find Bill and apologize.
"Adriana."
The young professor looked down to find the owner of the voice who called her name. It was Minerva.
"I'm going to have Lee make your announcement here," Prof. McGonagall continued cordially. "I think it's the best place to get everyone's attention."
Adriana nodded gratefully, and then Lee gave her a thumbs up. He turned back to the crowd and began to speak.
"Good morning, everyone!" Applause thundered through the stadium. The entire school was anxious for this game to begin.
"Before we start the match between Gryffindor," Lee said excitedly as the audience cheered loudly, "versus Slytherin..."
Lee altered his toned viciously on "Slytherin" and a few boos from the crowd could be even be heard.
"I have an announcement to make on behalf of Prof. Fairchild. The muggle studies classes will be putting on the play A Midsummer Night's Dream. Auditions will be held on Monday, and all muggle studies students are required to audition. Bring in any piece of Shakespeare!"
As if on cue, more applause erupted from the crowd. Adriana smiled. She hoped they were excited about the play, but more likely they just wanted the game to start.
Lee cleared his throat. "Now, if both teams are ready, let the games begin!"
Storming
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 02-20-02 10:36
The entire way back to the bookstore, Julian mutters nastily. He throws open the shop door then lets it loudly bang shut. Still hotly mumbling, Julian storms over to one wall, rips open a box and begins shoving books onto one of the new shelves.
"Expecting a lot of customers who read upside-down and backwards are you?"
Julian doesn't acknowledge Chyler as he practically throws another book on the shelf.
"We weren't expecting you back so soon, Jules. Could you at least go elsewhere to have your little temper tantrum at being stood up? You might say you're stifling our creative juices."
Julian grabs more books from the box while noting the tint of annoyance in Chyler's voice. "So get a room or go break in your apartment upstairs." As an afterthought he adds, "I wasn't stood up. Briar was there."
Chyler is suddenly right beside Julian, cattily purring, "A lover's spat so soon, Jules? Do tell."
Julian pauses while heaving a huge, exasperated sigh. Lysander walks up beside his wife and takes the books from Julian's hands. "I do believe, my love, that there is more to Jules' story than just a disagreement with his little baker."
Chyler nods while suggesting, "What say we all sit down for a hot cuppa with a chaser of Ogdens Old Firewhiskey* for you Jules while you tell us what's got you so steamed."
The three head into the kitchenette just off the office. Chyler has piping hot cups of tea ready in no time. Lysander pours a dash of the whisky into Chyler's and his cups and then a fairly large dollop into Julian's. Julian quickly drains his cup before speaking. "As you both know I left here later than planned. I walked into The Hog's Head with an apology for being late all ready to give Briar but instead of a slightly ticked Briar, what do I find? I find her sitting all chummy, cozy with..." Julian pauses then bites out, "with that SOB Bill Weasley."
Chyler's eyebrows arch in surprise while Lysander swears at hearing the name.
"Briar got a little annoyed that he and I were ready to have a go at each other on the spot. Not only that but she defended him while chiding me for being confrontational to a man who'd obviously been drinking. She sent me away to stay at the pub with him with a promise of making it up to me over supper tonight... IF I have cooled off by then."
Julian pours more of the whiskey into his cup and drinks it without bothering to wait for more tea to be added. "If that weasel thinks he can horn in on someone I staked out two weeks ago, he better think again."
Chyler pats Julian's arm in a soothing, sisterly manner. "So, dear Jules, what are you planning to do?"
Julian's face suddenly crinkles into a deeply dimpled grin. "Why go for dinner tonight, of course."
*Ogdens Old Firewhiskey is mentioned in book four, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
