Seize the
Moment
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 02-20-02 11:23
Hermione gasped inwardly when she felt Ron take her hand. He's holding my hand! She smiled slightly, staring down at her feet. Only moments before, Hermione had thought that her relationship with Ron certainly seemed like it was going no where.
As they had walked to the Pitch, after a brief chat about school, Adam had delved into a deeper topic of conversation.
"What's your life philosophy, Hermione?" he had asked, his bluish-green eyes twinkling.
She had tilted her head to the side and hummed. "Hmm...This is incredibly cliché, but my philosophy on life would have to be seize the moment. Seize the moment because tomorrow you could be dead." She shrugged, her mind wandering back to the Halloween feast. She had made the first step to seizing the moment. She had admitted to the world that she was in love with Ron, but that was all she did. She didn't take him by the collar and kiss him afterwards, or do much of anything at all really. All she had accomplished by telling him the truth was to cause an awkwardness between them that just didn't want to go away.
But now she was sitting next to Ron, holding onto his hand. The awkwardness was still there, but much less so. Maybe their relationship was moving forward after all.
She smiled to herself again, and then looked up to see Adam still standing there a few feet in front of them. He was watching her curiously.
"Adam, you're free to join us," Hermione said nervously, smiling at him. She felt Ron involuntarily give her hand a tight squeeze. Hermione frowned slightly. Ron really didn't have anything to worry about. At least, she didn't think he did.
She looked back up to Adam, studying him. She had felt some sort of connection to him that morning in the library, and again as they had walked over to the Pitch. He was nice, intelligent and hell, even cute. But she loved Ron. Hermione gulped. In her mind she kept telling herself that she was just a little confused about things. These past two weeks had been new and different, but now, as she was sitting next to Ron, she finally felt as if things were starting to fall into place. Or were they?
Arriving at
the Pitch
Author: Majandra
Date: 02-20-02 11:55
Majandra reaches the Pitch well after most everyone else planning to attend the game has arrived. She catches the tail end of some announcement Lee Jordan's making but doesn't even bother wondering if it was something she needs to know. She's far too busy trying to locate Hagrid in the crowd.
Majandra scans the stands, going back and forth between the various sections but can't locate Hagrid even though his size usually makes him stand out heads above others. Disappointed, Majandra takes the first available seat she can find. As she carefully places Hagrid's sweater in her lap she's amazed to find she's also holding her knitting needles along with yarn of kiwi, cornflower, plum, and daffodil.
Majandra furrows her brow trying to remember when she'd picked up the items. All she can remember is being sure to bring the sweater for her loveable, Gentle Giant.
She shrugs and thinks to herself, No matter. Now I can get to work making little wing sweaters for my Honey's flying pigs. And with that thought, Majandra gets busy knitting.
Freezing
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 02-20-02 11:57
Bill gasped and squirmed, trying to get away from the cold stream of water. "It'sh cold, Briar! Let me outta here!"
"You insulted my coffee, Bill." Briar held onto the collar of Bill's sweater with one hand and had her other hand clamped around his arm. "Since you won't drink it, I have to find another method of sobering you up!"
"It'sh cold, Briar! Pleashe! I'll catcsh pneu–, pneumi–, ah hell! I'll catcsh a cold, Briar!"
Struggling to get away from her grasp, he finally broke free and bolted past her.
"Bill, you'll get water all over my carpet! Get back in here!" Briar scolded, reaching for a towel.
Clearly still somewhat intoxicated, Bill, oblivious to Briar offering him the towel, began stripping off his wet clothes. His teeth chattered as he undressed, freezing cold water dripping from his earlobes onto his now bare chest. Briar managed with much difficulty to turn away as he worked on getting off his wet jeans. Finally, he stood in the middle of her bedroom with his wet clothes scattered about the room. It was then that he noticed Briar was standing next to him with her face turned away and a towel in her outstretched arms.
"Th-thanksh," Bill said nervously,
reaching for the towel. He didn't bother drying himself off and instead just
wrapped the white towel around his waist. "I-I-I-sh-should-b-be-goin', Mish
Rose," he stammered, his teeth still chattering.
"Bill, why don't you wait here until your clothes are dry. I don't want you to get sick out there," Briar said, bending down to reach for some of his clothes.
Bill bent down too and snatched his clothes away from her hands, "N-no, I n-need to go to t-the inn." He gathered up the rest of his clothes and began heading for the stairs. He wobbled a bit as he hurried, dropping a shoe accidentally. It fell unnoticed as he ran through the bakery, startling guests who were eating some of Briar's baked goods.
"I-I'll return the towel shome-t-time, Mish Rose," Bill called over his shoulder before bursting out into the street.
He ran as fast as he could back to the inn, surprisingly managing not to trip or drop anymore of his wet clothing. When he got up to his room, he threw down his wet clothes on the floor and immediately went to the liquor cabinet. He reached for a bottle of whiskey and a crystal decanter of brandy and placed them on the table. Bill wasn't much of a drinker, but he knew how to make a good drink or too. Conjuring up some sugar and spices, Bill then boiled some water and mixed all the ingredients together. He wasn't about to let Briar sober him up just yet.
Bill slouched down on the edge of his bed, still wrapped in the towel with cold water droplets all over his handsome body. He took the mug he had filled the hot toddy into and brought it to his lips. It was scalding, and he felt the liquid burn down his throat.
"Alwaysh like a woman to drive a man to the drink," Bill muttered, downing the contents of the mug.
Once in a
While
Author: Hagrid
Date: 02-20-02 15:44
Once in a while
Just when you think life has passed you by
Just when you think
Nobody loves me
Just when you say to yourself
Will I ever find Miss Right...?
Along comes one of the little 'uns and does that bloody love spell on some poor unsuspectin'...Oh well, wonder if this one will be any good at brewin' Cider...
Taking a Seat
Author: Jet
Date: 02-20-02 17:32
Jet is torn between going to the Quidditch match and doing more exploring. In the weeks since Halloween, Jet's spent every available moment researching all he can about Salazar Slytherin and getting down to the chambers to poke around as much as he can in search of the strangely shaped key. He really wants to go do more in the chambers while everyone's at the game but Jet also really wants to watch the match-up between Slytherin and Gryffindor now that both teams have brand new members.
Hannah is the only one Jet's told about his discoveries. He's been trying to convince her to help him but as soon as she heard about Salazar Slytherin's crest on the locked door, she told him he was nuts to keep poking around and should report it to Dumbledore immediately. Jet convinced Hannah to keep the secret though she let him know in no uncertain terms she wasn't happy about making the promise. Jet figures there's still hope in getting her to join in since even though the promise was grudgingly given, it was still given.
Jet smiles at this thought as he slides in behind Hannah and several other Hufflepuffs. After the game he's definately heading for the cave and maybe this time he'll manage to get Hannah to join in the adventure.
Hey! Who Needs
a Bloody Title Anyway?
Author: Prof. Snape
Date: 02-20-02 17:33
Snape just couldn't concentrate on the Quidditch game... so he decided to head back to the castle.
Humidity
Author: Chyler Stratford
Date: 02-20-02 17:37
Chyler took a sip from her cup before she tilted her head back and replied, "Well, then. A very beautiful woman needs a very hot date, and it looks like you've got that one covered."
She smiled, wrinkling her nose slightly, trying to get Jules to lighten a bit. Finally, he chuckled, but let out a deep sigh directly afterward, his mood dampening again.
Lysander and Chyler exhanged glances.
"You've got Bill beat hands down, Jules. Just be yourself!" She stood up to clear the mugs from the table, and rubbed his shoulder slightly with her left hand.
Lysander nodded. "She's right, Julian. You can't go wrong--and right now from what you've said about that Weasel, you're in a better state of mind. It'll be easy for you to sweep Briar off her feet!"
Chyler finished rinsing out the mugs and came back to the table. She spoke mostly to Lysander, but was looking at Julian with an impish grin. "Looks like Jules has got something cooking with the baker -- we just need to kick it up a notch."
Lysander laughed. "Where's that spice, my love?"
The three cackled in unison.
Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin.
10 AM
Author: Madam Hooch
Date: 02-20-02 17:49
It was a cool fall day, partly cloudy with a light breeze. Perfect for a Quidditch game. The stands were quickly filling up with students, staff, and other spectators.
Carrying her broom in one hand and holding her whistle in the other hand, Madam Hooch walked out into the middle of the Quidditch pitch. She was followed by Oliver Wood who was carrying a wooden crate containing the Quidditch balls. Once they reached the center of the field, Madam Hooch waited for the Quidditch teams to come out onto the field.
The Gryffindor team was being led by their Captain Harry Potter and the Slytherin team was led by Draco Malfoy.
"Now I want a nice fair game," she said, once the captains had reached Madam Hooch. She continued, "Captains, shake hands."
Neither Harry nor Draco looked too happy to have to be even in the same vicinity of each other.
Harry and Draco returned to their teammates.
"Mount your brooms!" shouted out Madam Hooch, and she blew her whistle. Oliver Wood threw the Quaffle up into the air. The game began.
Lee Jordan's voice could be heard through out the stadium, "And the Quaffle is taken by Gryffindor!"
Concerned
Author: Prof. Snape
Date: 02-20-02 17:53
Snape was walking to the Dungeons.
You know you felt that Severus...
Snape stopped dead in his tracks. He looked around, he saw no one... "Hmmm," he said to himself. He continued his stroll to his office.
I know you can hear me, you can't just keep ignoring me...
Snape stopped again, "Who's there?!" he said. "What do you want!"
Come back to me, Severus... It's for your own good.
Okay, now things were getting out of hand. Snape started for the Dungeons and if he heard the voice again, he'd just ignore it.
Comforting
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 02-20-02 18:00
Charlie held Belladonna's small figure in his arms. He didn't think she'd take the news of the dragon so badly. But, then again, he should have expected that from a dragon newbie.
He lay his head on hers, whispering into her hair.
"Shhh. Everything is going to be okay. We took the eggs and are probably going to try to take care of them ourselves. Jon's taken care of a situation like this before. Not to worry, Baby. Shhh."
After a little bit she stepped back from him wiping her eyes.
"Look at me," she said, chuckling a bit as she took Charlie's handkerchief he offered her. "I'm a mess."
"You're beautiful," he said. Just then they locked eyes, and she smiled her beautiful smile.
"AND THE QUAFFLE IS TAKEN BY GRYFFINDOR!" Lee Jordan's voice rang throughout the pitch.
In all the excitement, Charlie and Bella hadn't realized the game had started.
They took their seats, and Charlie slipped his arm around Bella's waist. They both began cheering with the crowd for Gryffindor.
Oh, Brother
Author: Kendra Beck
Date: 02-20-02 18:23
Kendra rolled her eyes at how her brother was messing with Bron. For gosh sakes, what is he thinking?! Bronwyn is her best friend! Not only that, it's just gross to date your sibling's best friend. Just...ew!
Kendra pretended she was totally enthralled with the game. She whooped and cheered along with the rest of the crowd. Kendra may have been a soft-spoken, shy fourteen-year-old, but she was an avid Quidditch fan, and she wasn't too bad on a broom, herself!
Proposal
Author: Belladonna
Date: 02-20-02 18:47
Bella sighed happily as Charlie called her beautiful. Charlie had his arm around her waist and she was quickly remembering how her head fit his shoulder perfectly. What a way to watch a game, or at least that's what she thought as she grabbed another cold butterbeer from the basket in front of her. Pure heaven. Poor baby dragons, though. Maybe she could help in some small way.
She suddenly had the most wicked idea in the world and leaned over to whisper in Charlie's ear. "I've got a bet, if you're up for it. If Gryffindor wins, I've got this cold bottle of champagne in my office I was saving for a special occasion. We'll open it and toast the win and use the rest of the bottle to come up with other toasts.
If Gryffindor loses, you buy a few brandies and we go up to your room and talk about ways the Slytherins cheated. We'll have to go to your room because I don't anyone catching me drinking. Minerva would want my job on a silver platter and I don't want to be seen by any students, parents, or other teachers. Bill can chaperone and we might even cut him in on the champagne. What do you think?"
She gives a slightly wicked, but ever so sweet and innocent grin before handing him a butterbeer. Okay, she'd probably be out a good bottle of champagne, but it would be worth it if Gryffindor won. The early lead was good ... very good. She couldn't help but smile and squeeze Charlie's arm while watching Harry Potter.
"You know, he's almost as good as you were when you played for Gryffindor...almost. You know, I never missed a game when you were playing. Just another silly girl in the stands. I'm glad you never played for England, since I couldn't handle all those girls flocking around you and I'm growing quite fond of Romania. Besides, you're such a good dragon handler."
She couldn't help but giggle and manage to have an adoring look on her face at the same time. She loved Romania....matter of fact she wouldn't mind moving there some day.
Breaking
Apart
Author: Adam Higginton-Smythe
Date: 02-20-02 18:57
Adam shook his head causing his hair to flap about and catch a small breeze, "No, thanks for the other. I need to join up with the Ravenclaws over there. Good to meet you Ron," Adam grinned, but it weaked as a slight frown was forming on Ron's face, "Erm...see you around Hermione." Adam turned away and flattened out his grin immediately.
Looking Forewards
and Backwards
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 02-20-02 21:49
Briar went after Bill, calling his name but he ignored her and kept going. "Damn drunken fool!" she says under her breath as she walks back into the bakery. Ignoring the stares of customers and the Donnelleys, Briar gets back to work. Quinn hands her a rush cake order and she gives that her full attention.
Once the cake is baking, Briar turns her thoughts to dinner with Julian. Possible menus run through her head as she talks to customers, takes orders and checks on things baking. At one point she trips and looks down to find Bill's shoe. Briar picks it up with an annoyed sigh and carries it upstairs to her apartment.
As she enters the small living room on her way to the bedroom, Briar spots the doll she retrieved from her former home. She picks it up from its well cushioned spot and lovingly cradles it as she continues into the next room. "Can't have Julian seeing you. I doubt he'd remember you, Gertie, but just in case."
Briar smiles mistily as she recalls the birthday so many years ago when Julian gave her the doll. Oh sure, she knew his mother had bought the doll and had it wrapped but Julian was the one who actually gave it to her. Gertie had become her most cherished item on the spot. Briar is still amazed that she's not given herself away to Julian since meeting him as an adult and she's not about to make simple slip-up by leaving Gertie in plain view during Julian's visit.
Briar drops Bill's shoe at the foot of her bed before opening a drawer and gently places the fragile doll in between two soft nightgowns. Briar then goes to the kitchen and checks her pantry before going back downstairs to check the bakery's larder. After running several recipes through her head, Briar makes a short list of what she will need for dinner. Heading out the back door, Briar calls to Brigit she'll be back in just a few minutes.
After breezing through the small, local market, Briar returns to the bakery and works on decorating various cake orders while waiting for the one to be sent to Gryffindor House to cool. As she works Briar frees her mind to her long held childhood dreams centering around one Julian Valentine.
Questions...Hmmm
Author: Prote Spacy
Date: 02-20-02 22:07
Prote and Australia talked most of the time, until she put her attention on Neo... but that didn't worry him, he guessed...
"Hey Neo, what kind of girl do you wish to hook up with?" she asked Neo. Neo looked a little surprised! "What?" he asked. "You know, do you want a girlfriend someday?" asked Australia.
"Uh... I never thought about that... I don't know, I think I'd like a girl with a sense of humor..."
The Game Starts
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 02-20-02 22:14
Madam Hooch blew on her whistle and Oliver Wood tossed the quaffle into the air. Immediately, the race for the ball began. Alicia Spinnet dove for the ball and snatched it from the air, carrying it tightly under her arm.
Fred zoomed around on his broom, the beater clutched tightly in his right hand. He kept Sammi in his line of sight, and would occasionally check on his brother, George. Suddenly, he saw one of the bludgers coming straight towards him. As soon as it was near enough, he whipped the beater back with the intentions of aiming the bludger straight at Draco Malfoy. Unfortunately, his aim was a little off. Upon impact, the bludger bounced away and whizzed right passed Draco's nose. Draco sneered at Fred and zoomed away, searching for the golden snitch.
Voldemort's
Voice
Author: Voldemort
Date: 02-21-02 00:02
The cold, quiet voice of Voledemort whispers in Severus' head.
You know you felt that, Severus. He tries to ignore the Voice . . . but the Dark Lord is not fooled.
I know you can hear me . . . you cannot keep ignoring me. It was getting harder to ignore the Voice . . . but still, Severus tried.
Come back to me, Severus . . . it is for your own good. The voice was still the cruel, cold one but it has an edge to it now.
This is your only chance, Severus. Return now, or I will have you hunted down. You cannot hide from me, Severus. It will be easier for you if you return now.
Then the voice was gone, leaving only the echo of Snape's footsteps as he made his way to the Dungeon, trying to pretend he hadn't heard the voice. Trying to act as if his arm wasn't throbbing painfully.
Fired Up
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 02-21-02 15:02
Pyrrhus pushes up from the ground, rising so quickly the wind whistles in his ears. The adreneline rush kicks in as Py soars higher and aims his broom to the Slytherin goal posts. He swings around just in time to see one of the weasels knock a Bludger towards Malfoy, just missing him. Py sniggers at the twin's look of anger at missing the shot.
Quick movement from another angle draws Py's attention. He defly manuevers over as Alicia Spinnet, Quaffle in hand, flies rapidly towards him. Her arm raises in preparation of throwing the ball for an attempted goal.
Fred in an effort to knock one of the Slyterthins over hits another Bludger but again his aim is off. It careens straight at Alicia, knocking the Quaffle away. Py cheers loudly when his Isolde swoops in and snatches the ball.
