Re: Taken
Author: Tranquillina Aemilius
Date: 02-27-04 08:20
Tranquillina had gotten to the Quidditch Pitch quite early that morning, quite nervous about her first game. She'd watched Quidditch played countless times (her mother absolutely adored the sport), but it was as though she was drawing a blank. What were the brooms for again?!
Shaking off her nervousness, Tranquillina met with the rest of her team, and awaited to go out to the playing field. Finally, they made their appearances, much to the approval of the Gryffindor house.
Bronwyn Dewhurst was the announcer, and Tranquillina's stomach twisted in the most peculiar fashion when she heard her own name announced. But never the matter, there was no time to dwell over such things. Viktor Krum was announcing who the quaffle went to first----Mary Black of the Slytherin team. With that, they were all up in the air. Tranquillina did her best to train her mind on the game, whizzing after the quaffle, hoping to somehow intercept it.
After much 'running' around (the Slytherins seemed to have an excellent game plan), she did in fact get a hold of it. Before long, however, the Slytherins were closing in on her. Glancing about, she tossed the quaffle to one of her fellow Gryffindor-chasers, then steered away from the Slytherins.
Now that she was up in the air, and having forgotten the crowd below, Tranquillina was having a grand 'ol time. Steering to her left, she went to see if she could aid her Gryffindor comrade...
Cheering Squad
Author: Roane Eternal
Date: 02-27-04 08:43
I made my way up the stands to join Sora and the rest of the gang, to cheer on Tranquillina and the Gryffindor Team. The screaming coming from Sora alarmed me at first, until I realized he was just excited and cheering for the team.
"Hey guys! What did I miss? I can't believe I'm late! Did anyone score yet?"
Barely taking their eyes off the game, they said hello.
"No score yet" Logan told me.
"Good. Then I didn't miss anything."
Settling into my seat, I placed my books beside me.
"You brought... books?!?" Sora exclaimed. "Why do you need books when you're watching the most exciting, wonderful game ever!!"
Smiling, I pointed to the field. "Sora, I think you missed a play".
"What!" He quickly turned his focus back on the field, leaving me to catch up on some of my reading while watching the game.
Meeting Bellatrix
Author: Merdroit Turin
Date: 02-27-04 20:25
Merdroit sat in the hidden room of the tavern. The owner, another Knight, provided this room for those in the "Club." It had the advantage of secrecy, and was protected by several spells. Besides which, the owner would never do anything as stupid as betray one of the knights. Especially not Merdroit. He'd die first - and knew it.
When Nathaniel and the lady came in, the Dark wizard instantly notices how uncomfortable his friend looked. Like he'd rather be anywhere than with that particular woman. Merdroit smiled slightly. It was amusing. Very amusing.
"Good to see you again, Nathaniel," he says to his friend then turns to the lady.
"Who is your lady friend?"
"Bellatrix Lestrange," Nathaniel replies.
"Rodolphus' wife?" Merdroit asks, with a new interest. He regards the woman critically. Nathaniel nods, then goes to buy drinks.
"Nathaniel says you want to cast a particularly strong spell on an enemy. Tell me of this rival, also what kind of spell do you have in mind, what do you need from me?"
Bloody, Bloody Hell
Author: Pyrrhus
Date: 02-27-04 20:53
Py hovers before the goals he keeps, semi-crouched over his broom, while watching the action over the pitch. He can't help but laugh a few times at watching that twit Annie Paul attempt to hit the bludger correctly. In fact, Py's gets so busy watching her that he forgets to pay attention to the other Gryffinbore beater, Brett, that he leaves himself open.
Next thing Pyrrhus knows, his viewpoint is one of looking up towards the underside of the goal posts, seeing Kingston smirking down at him, and hearing Bronwyn Dewhurst practically screaming, "Wynbourne scores! Gryffindor 10, Slytherin 0. Way to go, Jared!"
While still on his back in the sand, Py shakes his head to clear it, then gets up as quickly as he can, hops on his broom, and pushes back up cover the posts, all the while muttering hotly under his breath about how all Gryffindorks are stupid wankers.
Going to the Game
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 02-27-04 22:10
Vera wasn't much in the mood for watching Quidditch. So instead she sat in front of the window in the Hufflepuff common room staring out onto the grounds. She was alone; everyone was at the game. It was after all the first game of the year. The first of many last ones Vera would get to see at Hogwarts.
Vera sighed and peered away from the sight of the pitch and all the shouting. Her mind was elsewhere...Lawrence...Hurt...But she couldn't figure out if it was because she missed him, or because she was still agonizing over past events.
She then glared to herself. Vera you pathetic fool. Get your butt down to the Qudditch Pitch and watch the game you love! Quit this infuriating fiasco with Lawrence!
So she did. Walked down to the Pitch found her friends and asked to get caught up with the game..
In Whose Best Interests?
Author: H Potter
Date: 02-28-04 15:33
"Harry."
His head bent over a book, Harry swats at one ear is if batting away a pesky mosquito.
Knock, knock, knock on the table. "Harry James Potter."
Frowning at the page open before him, Harry shifts so that neither he nor the book are in contact with the distracting vibrations of the table.
The book is hauled from his grasp while at the same time a hand chucks Harry under the chin to make him look up.
"I've never known you to be so deliberately rude, Harry."
Harry jerks away from Sirius's fingers holding his chin then snatches the book back, letting it fall open on the table with a loud THUMP! He truculently snaps, "I wasn't being deliberately rude. I thought there was a gnat buzzing around."
"Gnats tap on tables these days?"
"A House Elf cleaning or something like that. Now, did you actually want something because if not," Harry sweeps a hand to indicate the piles of books and papers spread over this table and two others, "I'm extremely busy."
"That's why I came to talk to you."
"What?" Harry rolls his eyes then pointedly looks at his watch, one finger tapping a staccato beat on its face.
"That. The attitude. Dropping Quidditch. Hell, not only dropping it but word is you've got no interest in it. No interest in anything other than studying. One thing I heard I thought was a joke but now I'm not so sure."
"What thing is that?"
"Half your time over the past few weeks has been spent researching the joy and benefits of flobberworm farming."
Harry's back goes ramrod straight, his tone bitingly defensive. "And you would think that a joke, why?"
"Well, that clinches it. There's definately something wrong here. Come on, I think a visit to Madam Pomfrey is in order." More quietly, almost to himself, Sirius muses, "I wonder if I should disturb Dumbledore at the game."
Harry stands, shoving his chair back so hard it tips over, crashing backwards to the floor. "I'm fine! Why can't anyone understand that? Why does no longer having an interest in stupid games automatically mean there's something wrong with me? Why does finally showing a real interest in classes and the future make everyone think I'm suffering from some disorder?"
"It's not that you are showing an interest in things beyond Quidditch, Harry. It's that you are showing those interests to the exclusion of everything else. You aren't spending any time with friends, Ginny's dumped you and I can't blame her one bit for it, you won't take the time to reply to letters from anyone, and judging from the looks of it, you aren't even eating properly anymore. It seems you care about nothing and no one beyond studying and reading about flobberworm farming. The overall impression is one of obsession, Harry, though obsessed with what I don't know. All in all, Harry, you haven't been yourself lately."
Harry, who'd alternated between glaring at Sirius and shoving papers into a bookbag during his godfather's tirade, stops long enough to snarl, "Not been myself? How would you know what's being myself and what isn't? You're never around. You stand there and whine about my not replying to a letter or two from you in the past few weeks when for months at a time I don't even know where you are much less if you're all right. Don't kid yourself into thinking you know me, Sirius. You don't. You never have."
Harry jerks up the bookbag and shoves past Sirius only to have Sirius grab his free arm. "Where do you think you're going?"
Yanking free, Harry takes several more steps, not bothering to turn and look at Sirius as he answers. "Somewhere you can't follow."
Sirius practically bounds past Harry to cut him off. "I'm taking you to the hospital wing. It's in your best interests to at least let Madam Pomfrey look you over."
Sirius once more takes hold of Harry's free arm. Harry swings the bookbag around, slamming it into Sirius before letting the bag go altogether. Taken off guard and totally by surprise, he loosens his hold on Harry, taking a step back. Harry uses Sirius' shock to his advantage, soundly punching the man in the nose. Once more taken by surprise, Sirius staggers back another step, bumping into a table then tripping as he tries to keep his balance. Failing to stay upright, Sirius jarringly lands on his arse.
Sirius is so astounded that he just sits there, cupping a hand over his bleeding nose, too speechless to respond. Harry calmly picks up the bookbag and in a very flat tone addresses Sirius. "I've been seventeen for several months now. You no longer have the right to dictate to me what I will or won't do. Neither you nor anyone will make my decisions for me as if I'm still a frightened, untried, untrained child. The only orders I take anymore are those here at Hogwarts that have to do with classes and the rules set down by the school. As far as what's in my best interests, that's also my decision to make now, not yours. Besides, it's not like you've really been around much these past several years to be able to make judgment calls on what exactly is in my best interests. The next time you get the bug up your arse to decide what's in my best interests, just sod off. Better yet, Sirius, just go to hell."
Harry gives Sirius one more scathing look then spins on his heels and walks out, his only thought know to get to the Gryffindor portal where he knows Sirius won't be allowed entry and where he can once more return to his work in peace and quiet, and without interruption.
Knight's Club - An Explanation of Sorts
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 02-28-04 19:18
Bellatrix stared at Merdroit Turin before casting her eyes around the pit of a place they called a bar. Nathaniel had brought her here, claiming that this man had the ingredients she needed to complete her binding spell. The man was arrogant beyond belief if her instincts played her right, but could he follow up? She'd known far too many men who'd let her down in the past, and they'd all paid for their mistakes – usually with death. Somehow she suspected this Merdriot was a survivor, somewhat like Nathaniel, except Nathaniel seemed to get by on luck rather than commonsense.
"Nathaniel says you want to cast a particularly strong spell on an enemy. Tell me of this rival, also what kind of spell do you have in mind, what do you need from me?"
Bellatrix returned swiftly to the present as soon as Merdroit asked his question. She pulled out a chair and sat down, distaste plastered across her pale face. Nathaniel returned with the drinks, and Bellatrix noticed they both seemed to enjoy their Scotch. Nathaniel had been thoughtful enough to bring her one as well, so she turned a dazzling smile on him, watching as he stared at her, confused.
It was time however, to get down to business. "I want to cast a binding spell on an enemy of mine, yes," she replied to Merdroit. Let us say that recently we came to blows, but neither of us came out a winner. We are both arrogant to a degree and it served neither of us well. This woman is particularly hard to kill – we have been enemies since school. She seems to be well protected – by someone or something. Nathaniel was kind enough to supply me with a strong spell, based in some kind of Druidic or Celtic mystery, but there are certain ingredients which escape me." She flipped the handwritten page across the table to Merdroit.
"You have this spell?" Merdroit asked Nathaniel. He was amazed something like this was still in existence. The page gave off a heady mixture of fear and death.
"I have a book full of them," replied Nathaniel. "It came from the same place as the other." Neither Merdroit or Nathaniel needed to mention where – obviously it came from the same shop as the parchment that contained the recently found ritual.
"Can you find me these ingredients or not?" snapped Bellatrix. She could see the usual boy's club forming around her, and could see that it wouldn't take much before they were off topic.
Merdroit smiled lazily. "Unicorn's blood, yes for a price. But these others – we must come to some kind of arrangement."
One for the Team
Author: Isolde
Date: 02-28-04 19:38
Isolde frowned when Pyrrhus took the hit that sent him falling to the ground. It made matters worse when the snivelling little second year, Jared Wynbourne, took the opportunity to pass the quaffle through one of the unguarded hoops.
"Damn!" Isolde cursed as Dewhurst's announcement echoed throughout the Pitch. "Damn, damn, damn!"
She quickly swooped in to recover the quaffle and maneuvered between the opposing chasers, dodging a bludger here, another there. Mary and Nora fell alongside her, protecting Isolde from both sides as Paul and Kingston tried their best to throw the Slytherin chaser off her intended path. When it was safe to pass the ball, Isolde threw it to Mary, who passed it to Nora, who tossed it back to the older Slytherin.
This quick, adept and sequential movement of passing the ball to one another continued until the trio reached the goal hoops, where Ron Weasley waited for them. He concentrated hard on their motions but wasn't quick enough to stop Isolde's pass from flying through the central hoop.
"Farnon scores for Slytherin!" Dewhurst cried out. "We're tied at Gryffindor and Slytherin with 10 points each!"
Not Paying Attention
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 02-28-04 20:20
"Oh, bugger!" Majandra cursed, shaking her head sadly. Isolde Farnon had just scored for Slytherin, closing the gap between them and the Gryffindor team. Sighing, Majandra first seized her boyfriend by the hand and then turned her head to look at Hermione, whose head was bent over the parchment in her lap.
"Hermione, want a snack or something to eat?"
Hermione wrinkled her brow and crossed out a word on the parchment before grabbing the ink well resting on the bench to her left. She dipped her quill into the ink and started to write something down when Majandra elbowed Hermione's arm causing the quill to scratch a black mark across part of the parchment.
"What happened? Did I miss something?" Hermione asked, looking first at Majandra and then to the action on the field.
"Did Gryffindor score again?"
"No, Slytherin did!" Majandra said, exasperated.
"And I bet Ron feels rotten about that one," George exclaimed, shaking his head. "Did you want something to snack on or a drink? Maj and I think it's time to get some refreshments. We'd be happy to bring you something if you'd like."
"Oh, thank you." Hermione said, nodding. She scribbled through the entire sentence on the parchment and looked across Maj to address George. "A drink would be lovely, thanks."
"Okay," George said. He started to rise from his seat, but Maj turned to Hermione first and asked, "Is that very important?--what you're writing, I mean?"
"This?" Hermione asked, gesturing to the parchment full of scribbles, line-throughs and other gibberish. "Yes, and no. It's nothing for Hogwarts or anything official. Just a practice test."
"Practice test? Like for auror training?" Majandra asked, genuinely interested.
"You want to be an auror?" George questioned. "I didn't know that!"
"No, no. Not an auror." Hermione smiled somewhat sheepishly. "It's rather silly, and I'm not sure I should even bother with it as I don't know if I'll even make the first round of admissions. I have lots of options, lots of choices. I just think this would make my parents proud."
"Sounds... secretive! Ron's already said something about you mentioning Healing. Are you still interested in that?"
"Yes!" Hermione said, smiling. "Very much... especially since my dad's at St. Mungo's. He'll need my care for life, you know." She started to frown. "But maybe things will change. Maybe someone will find a cure for his ailments." She smiled again, softly, and asked, "You both wanted to get some refreshments?"
"Oh, yes," Majandra said, finally allowing George to escort her to the refreshments stand. "See you in a few minutes."
Hermione smiled and watched the pair wander away for a few moments before resuming her attention on the parchment in her lap.
Questions and Answers
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 02-28-04 20:34
"I killed a woman." The nervousness in his face increased when Dumbledore enters the room. For a moment he looks surprised, and there is that look that I never want directed at me. Then that look too is gone, replaced by his penetrating, knowing look.
"Who did you kill?" I ask. I mentally run through a list of murdered or suspected murder victims.
"Taz-Marah." A name I don't know.
I look to Dumbledore. "Do you know the name?"
"I have heard of it, but only a little."
"Who is this woman? Why did you kill her?" I deliberately keep my questions pointed. Despite the change in Ethan I am not willing to let my guard down. I can't take that risk.
"What happened to change you?" Dumbledore asks, "What made you 'ill'?"
"Yes. Start at the beginning. When did this happen?"
Business Transactions of a Sort
Author: Merdroit Turin
Date: 02-28-04 21:28
"I can provide you with anything you care to ask for," Merdroit replies is kind of a bored drawl. "The real question is if you can afford the price. These ingredients are particularly hard to come by, and only done so at great risk. The price will reflect not only the cost of the ingredients, but the risk to myself in getting them."
Merdroit leans back in the chair, watching the woman think it over. He could see that she truly wanted vengeance. Merdroit decided to take a guess at something - or rather make a conclusion based on his sources. There was little guess work involved in anything the man did.
"As it is, I think I know whom you mean. About sixteen years ago, one of the Knights, a man from Ireland, was captured by a green Irish auror who should not have survived her first mission. The man, Conla, died in Azkaban shortly before the riot that freed you. Conla, who had advanced training in Irish magic, was a valuable member of the Knights. You are not the only one who wants vengeance on Dierna ni Ciaran."
I can see her interest increase. No doubt wondering how I know so much. Knowing is what keep me alive and out of prison. I have informants everywhere.
"But that does not answer my question: are you willing to pay any price for these ingredients? And don't think of threatening me. It won't work. You'd be dead before you can draw your wand."
The Whole Story
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 02-28-04 22:03
Dumbledore arrived and the feeling of dread in the pit of Ethan's stomach tripled. Dierna wasted no time in asking questions, finally asking Ethan to start from the very beginning. Resigned, Ethan took a deep breath and started his tale. He talked about his arrival at Hogwarts, the nervousness he felt at being a new teacher but how quickly he overcame it. Things had been fine, lovely in fact, until Ethan started hearing voices in his head.
"Voices?" Dierna questioned. "What sort of voices?"
"Just one voice, actually, and it was V-" Ethan stopped mid-word and expelled a ragged breath. "The voice belonged to Voldemort."
"How do you know?" Dumbledore asked.
"I didn't at first," Ethan admitted, "and I don't know the reason why he spoke to me either. I'm trying to remember but I just don't know. Maybe I never knew. There are bits and pieces to all this that make no sense whatsoever. Parts are missing, like I've lost part of my memory."
"Go on, what happened after you started hearing Voldemort's voice?" Dierna asked.
Ethan explained that nothing had happened for some time. He'd only thought that he was cracking up, but then one day things all fell into place. "Halloween," Ethan mused, "my transformation truly began on Halloween of last year. I remember collapsing in my office at the castle, and when I awoke... something was different. It was then I knew that V-" Again, Ethan paused. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, warding off the headache that was on the verge of breaking free.
He opened his eyes and said, "I knew I'd been in contact with Voldemort. It just clicked in my brain, like a switch turning a light on in a dark room. It's all a bit of a blur after that."
"That was nearly a year ago. Can you not tell us anything else, Ethan?" Dierna asked. She exchanged a look with Dumbledore.
"I don't remember what happened between Halloween and New Year's."
"What happened on New Year's?" Dumbledore asked.
"The final stage of my transformation. All the worries I had felt since Voldemort's first contact were gone. Why? I do not know."
Ethan paused again to collect his thoughts. "You both came to see me a few months later, I remember that. I was..." He turned to Dumbledore. "I was stealing your letters. And when you came, I got worried and I left. I went into hiding, but..." Ethan wrinkled his brow in thought. "I can't for the life of me remember where I went at first. It's a complete blank in my mind.
I traveled the world after that; I think I met with some people but I can't remember who they are. The only person who stands out in my mind is..." Ethan shuddered. The vision of green light flashed before his eyes again. "Taz-Marah. I know there were other people present, but I can't see them! I see only the woman over and over again. I don't know why I did it but I know there was a reason. I can feel it. I just don't know if this reason was a right one or a wrong one. I suppose murder never is the right choice."
Ethan went silent and stared off into space, unable to shake the image of Taz-Marah's death from his mind.
"When was this?" Dierna questioned.
"Last spring, I think." Ethan snapped out of his trance and continued the remainder of his tale, or what he could remember of it. He couldn't recall people, only some of the places he had visited. He finally finished with the feelings of doubt that started to cross his mind a few months ago culminating in his fall to utter despair and remorse.
"I can't tell you why I did the things I did. On the one hand I feel as if I had been a puppet pulled by strings, but on the other hand I can't ask you to believe that someone else is to blame for my actions. Do with me what you will. I am ready to take full responsibility for what I've done."
Everybody! Everybody!
Author: Sora
Date: 02-28-04 22:12
Sora couldn't take his eyes off the game. Everything about it was fascinating! He tried to keep his eyes open for the snitch, every now and then he would see a glimmer of gold... but it would disappear almost instantly!
Sora then looked over to Roane. She seemed to have brought some books along with her "You brought... books?!?" Sora exclaimed. "Why do you need books when you're watching the most exciting, wonderful game ever!!"
Smiling, Roane pointed to the field. "Sora, I think you missed a play".
"What!" He quickly turned his focus back on the field, then seeing that he didn't really miss anything he looked back to Roane, grabbed her books, put them on the bench and kneeled down holding her hand. "C'mon Roane..." he said in a whine. "Scream with me! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease???"
He looked up at her with his wide blue baby eyes. Roane bit her lower lip. "Don't give me that!" she said in her defense. Sora just kept staring. "I mean it!" she said.
But Sora just kept staring.
