Ideas Anyone?
Author: Blossom
Date: 07-25-04 17:04

Blossom watches as George addresses a package to Majandra. "Is that the cloth for the career day booth?"

Nodding, George explains, "Maj said she'd sew anything we needed if we got her the fabric and the specifications. I also included the material for our kitchen windows. She sent me samples and told me to pick out which one I liked the best and also sent along the information to order the material. I'd written on the order that it was supposed to go to her but for some reason it got sent to the flat."

"She's offered to make the bridesmaid dresses but I hate to burden her."

"Maj wouldn't think of it as a burden, especially since she made the offer. Besides, there's plenty of time between end of term and the wedding for her to make them so it's not as if she'd be taking time away from studying."

Contemplating this information, Blossom agrees with George. Reaching behind the shop's counter she grabs a piece of parchment. She writes a short note letting Maj know she's accepting Maj's offer then asks that Maj get the necessary measurements so Blossom knows how much fabric to order. As she addresses the envelope she inquires of George, "Want to see a picture of the dress the girls chose?"

George walks over to the counter and as he's looking at the picture Fred walks in with lunch and jokingly asks, "So when do I get to see a picture of your dress, Blossom."

She makes a face at Fred. "Well, dear, if you're lucky, I might let you see the dress on the wedding day. If I don't marry some other guy, of course, which, come to think of it, may be just the thing to make your mother exceptionally happy."

Grabbing one of the sandwiches Fred brought, George pulls a face as well. "Speaking of Mum, either of you have any ideas on how Maj and I should break our own news to her?"

Fred shakes his head, "No, though after the reception Blossom and I got when we told her we'd set a date, I'm thinking you should maybe wait a few years. Or even longer, say in about fifty or sixty years when Mum's funeral is over. Just before leaving the cemetary whisper the news over her grave then run like hell out of there."

Blossom and George start laughing only to be informed by Fred, "What's funny about that? I'm serious!"

Watch My Book
Author: Majandra
Date: 07-25-04 18:00

As the sound of the cheers change, Majandra looks up from her book just in time to see one of the Hufflepuff players being taken from the field. Luna and Ginny, sitting behind her, take the opportunity to tease Majandra again for bringing her Potions text to the game and spending more time reading it then she has paying attention to the game. Ginny gives Maj's shoulder a friendly poke. "You're going to surpass Hermione's overly studious reputation.

Hermione, overhearing Ginny's teasing, pretends to be angry before lightheartedly laughing. Luna interrupts further teasing by saying, "Ginny and Hermione went and got the last round of refreshments. How about you and me going this time, Majandra?"

Putting her book aside, Majandra rises to join Luna, asking in a very puzzled tone, "Ginny and Hermione left and got refreshments? When was that?"

This is met with another round of laughter, Harry and Ron joining in this time. Still puzzled that she was totally oblivious to anyone leaving to getting refreshments earlier in the match, Maj follows Luna out of the stands. She stops and calls back, "Make sure no one takes my Potions text."

When half of the stands erupts in laughter, Majandra continues following Luna, asking, "Did I say something funny?" to which Luna just giggles and keeps walking.

Time to Plan
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 07-25-04 18:22

As soon as Lucius mentioned that he had an unregistered time turner the room went quiet. Rodolphus continued to sit there with his soup spoon half way to his mouth, and Bellatrix wore a blank look that Narcissa would have been proud of. Then Bellatrix began to cackle with laughter.

"That is just absolutely brilliant!" Bellatrix hissed gleefully. "I won't ask you how you got it, but it does open up such wonderful possibilities if you used it right."

"Quite," drawled Lucius, who couldn't resist it and smiled.

Bellatrix stared at her brother in law. A thousand thoughts and ideas rushed through her head. "You know," she started, "we could use this to our advantage – unless you intended to keep the time turner secret and not use it anymore."

Narcissa looked to Lucius and then back at her sister, wondering what mad plan she might be thinking of next.

"Go on…" replied Lucius.

"It's just I had a thought – probably the same one you are thinking of, Lucius. What say you we discuss this further? I can think of a few people who might benefit from a quick visit from the Dark Lord's followers, a few visits that are long overdue."

"And you think the time turner would be the perfect way to do it?" he continued.

"Exactly."

Anxiety...for Lawrence
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 07-25-04 22:08

Lawrence sat in the air watching has Vera was taken off the field and into the castle. His mind was racing and he was worried and scared that he might loose her. Surely it wasn't that bad, but the thought still was in his mind. What would he ever do without her?

He shook his head of the thoughts and tried to get back into the game. He was angry. Angry at the Slytheren team for doing this to Vera. and Angry at himself because he wasn't paying attention to her to break her fall.

Clentching his bat in his hand he chased after the bludgers and swung at them with all the strength he could muster. He didn't care where the went, just wanted to let go of his frustration. He had his eye on Cooke and when he had the chance, he aimed and hit. The bludger ultimatly only hit the broom, but it caught the Slytherins attention. The two glared at each other.

As the game went on Lawrence's anger died down. But he became more and more occupied with worry and anxiety. The game was almost over, it had to be. He just couldn't wait any longer...

"Would someone just catch the bloody snitch!!!" he thought to himself. "I don't care who! Just somebody catch it!"

Leaving
Author: Professor Belladonna Sinistra
Date: 07-25-04 22:14

Bella sipped out of a huge expresso mug and smiled. The "Good morning, starshine" was always great for waking her up. Strong coffee and nine different types of strong alcohol also worked for getting through a class. Her bloodsteam had to be pickled by now and thank goodness Twinkle had given Natalie the other type of expresso.

"Where was I? The apricot scones, Twinkle. Thank you. Sorry, I do tend to be easily distracted. I absolutely think that you should tell him how you feel. I knew one young lady who was madly in love with a fellow student and crushed for ages, even after graduation. Trust me, it wasn't smart of her. Besides, nothing is more appealing to a chap than a woman with confidence."

Bella took a small nibble on her scone and thought for a minute.

"I also reccomend filling your schedule so that you don't have time to moon over guys. That's always been my cure. My Aunt Gertrude always said if one had time to sleep, one didn't have enough to do. Of course Aunt Gertrude was always quite Victorian in attitude. I happen to believe in down time and alone time, not to mention time dancing under a full moon.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I probably should head to the infirmary to check on Vera. Why don't you let Twinkle take care of you until the game's over? Otherwise, she'll follow me and I'll never get a decent play by play of what I missed. Drop by the astronomy tower any time and for any reason. Oh, and if he's meant to be yours, he will. Hope to see you outside of class again."

Scheming
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 07-26-04 09:44

As lunch progresses, Bellatrix and Lucius, with input from Narcissa and Rodolphus, make plans. They agree that their base of operations would be someplace neither had used before. This would decrease the chance of association with them in the unlikely event something went wrong.

A list of potential targets is made, verbal of course so that nothing in writing could ever be linked back to them, a possibility to be considered even if they are in Lestrange Manor. The list is quickly committed to their stellar memories and they discuss the logistics involved for each operation.

By the time they take their dessert and drinks in the den, Bellatrix and Lucius have decided who to go after first, how exactly to use the time turner and, just for the fun of it, who to frame for the entire caper.

Foul Weather Ahead
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 07-26-04 11:23

After Vera is taken from the pitch, the match quickly resumes its fast paced level of action. All three Hufflepuff chasers dilegently make goal attempt after goal attempt only to be repeatedly blocked by Pyrrhus. The Slytherin chasers met with the same luck, having one shot after another deflected by Desdemona. As the players make another pass from one end of the field to the other, Viktor eyes the darkening sky in the near distance and how the dark gray is occassionally peppered with flashes of light. The wind is also picking up, making the brisk currents that marked the game until now seem like nothing more than a slight breeze. If the snitch isn't found soon, the players are going to be in for a very nasty rest of the match.

License to Practice
Author: Saffron
Date: 07-26-04 12:50

Saffron impatiently sits waiting to be called into Dolores Umbridge's office. Since running into Umbridge in Hogsmeade two weeks ago she'd managed to put off a meeting. Saffron had hoped to put it off longer but yesterday afternoon an owl had arrived bearing a letter with Umbridge's official seal on it. The contents of the letter did not ask if Saffron were available today for a meeting but instead spelled out all too clearly the demand that she show up at the specified time.

Show up Saffron did only to be told to wait. So far she's been waiting just over an hour and a half, making Saffron glad she brought along papers to grade. Now she's wishing she'd packed a sandwich as well. With that thought the door to Umbridge's office swings open and out steps Toad Woman, using a napkin to wipe away the obvious signs of having just eaten. She smirks at Saffron, "So sorry to keep you waiting, Professor Sacheverell. Something urgent came up requiring my complete attention."

Urgent. Right. Preplanning to keep me waiting while she eats lunch is something urgent suddenly coming up, Saffron fumes silently as she steps into the office and takes a seat.

Umbridge settles her bulk behind her desk, tents her hands in front of her, and with that smirk fixed on her face she begins. "You may not be aware Minister Fudge has appointed me head of a newly formed committee. Our task is to weed out pretenders, fakes, and charlatans among the divination community. Every practitioner must obtain a license by the first of September. I need background information from you and you need to look over this list of dates and pick one convenient to you."

"License? I need a license to read tea leaves and to have the occassional psychic premonition? What is this list? Why do I need to pick a convenient date?"

"Those dates are the ones for testing would be diviners, no matter their choice of equipment, be it tea leaves or tarot cards."

The timbre of her voice a cross between incredulity and anger, Saffron glares across the desk. "How, pray tell, Ms. Umbridge, will these so called tests separate those with a true gift from those gifted with the ability to give a believable, credible performance? Even those with the sight are simply making predictions of a possible outcome. That's one thing I stress to my students."

Umbridge waves her hand dismissively. "I cannot discuss with you the measures being put in place because that would give you an unfair advantage of thinking up possible ways to overcome those measure and get around them, particularly if you, Professor Sacheverell, are a fake. Now, pick a date so that I may put you on the schedule. If you don't pick a date I shall be forced to pick one for you and send an escort to ensure you show up. We don't want that, now do we?"

Infuriated beyond belief, Saffron does the only thing she can at the moment. She picks a date, glares at Umbridge as she answers questions for the information Toad claims is needed, then when the questiosn are over, gets up and walks stiffly from the office.

Cold
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 07-26-04 18:26

It was cold out there on the broom. If I hadn't been moving so much I might just be freezing. Just the dang Slytherins keep trying to score. One attempt after another, never ending.

I felt a few drops of rain hit my face, but then again, I could have been imagination. But the bright flash of lightning that blinded the young child Mary just as she was trying to throw the quaffle wasn't. Her aim was off and I was quickly able to catch it and return it to Siegfried who took off to the other side of the pitch.

A Stormy Victory
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 07-26-04 19:14

A flash of gold flickered in front of Abbott before disappearing behind a wisp of cloud. She was on its tail with right arm outstretched, desperate to get ahold of the winged ball. Draco was right behind her, so very tempted to seize the bristles of her broomstick to prevent her from reaching her target, but he was quite aware that many eyes were watching him and that his foul couldn't escape notice.

Suddenly, there was a flash of light. Abbott momentarily lost sight of the snitch, having become distracted by the golden illumination of the clouds. The already strong winds picked up and howled ominously, dark clouds overshadowed what little sunlight had originally been present and then the sky emptied. Big drops of rain pelted down from the clouds, forming small clumps of ice as they fell through the sky.

Draco cursed out loud.

So did Abbott.

And then the snitch emerge from the clouds and spiraled straight down. One by one, the seekers followed with Draco in the lead. He ignored the rain and the hail and the wind and the freezing cold and put all of his efforts into catching the snitch.

Just a little bit closer, just a little bit closer! Draco silently told himself. His fingertips brushed the rapidly flapping wings. Lightening flashed again and without warning, Draco felt something collide into his back. The force closed the distance between him and the snitch, allowing him to close his hand around the golden ball. He quickly pulled up on his broom with his left hand, flying away from Abbott as she hurdled to the ground. She managed to soften her fall by gaining some control of her broom but still made contact with a rather sickening crunch.

Draco never saw her sit up, grimace and tenderly touch her wrist; he was too busy pumping his fist into the air.

"MALFOY CAUGHT THE SNITCH!" Dewhurst yelled, raising her voice over the wind and the rain, "SLYTHERIN WINS 190-30!"

After Game Meeting
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 07-26-04 20:02

"MALFOY CAUGHT THE SNITCH! SLYTHERIN WINS 190-30!" Bronwyn yelled out over the now horrible weather. I was soaked and freezing. As I landed on the soggy ground I dragged my broom into the locker rooms. I had a hard time changing out of the soaked robes since they stuck to me.

I let me hair out so it would dry. I looked in the mirror and it looked like I was wearing blue lipstick, but I didn't have any! It would be impossible to live the Slytherins now. They would have an ego so huge they could fill the castle with it.

I know the loss wasn't my fault. It was square on the shoulders of Hannah for basically handing the snitch to Draco. I still felt like I had a hand in it for letting those shots past me.

I suddenly remembered that I had a meeting with that weird old guy from Hogsmeade. He had agreed to see me for a special job I requested. I got up, did a final check to make sure I had everything and walked back to the field. I spotted him right a way and walked over to him.

We talked for only a few minutes before I handed him a couple shards from the exploded crystal ball. We talked a bit more before I started to feel a cold coming on and left to go back to the Hufflepuff Common room.

Cold, Wet, Semi-frozen...
Author: Logan Hendrickson
Date: 07-26-04 21:29

Logan had spent the last few minutes of the game just trying to see what was going on. When Draco Malfoy finally caught the Golden Snitch, most everyone around him were totally deflated. He had been sitting with some of the Hufflepuff Students and all were extremely disappointed.

Slowly and quietly they made their way down the stairs and into the school. Logan was beginning to travel slower and slower. His footsteps beginning to drag since he was so cold and wet. Everyone seemed to be wet clear through to the skin.

He tried to hurry up the stairs to his rooms thinking about taking a bath and then getting something to eat. But the closer he got, the more a bath and bed sounded better. Those last few stairs into his room seemed endless. Looking down at his frozen feet, he could almost swear they were solid chunks of ice that he was dragging up the stairs.

"At last......" he whispered to himself. He had decided on the last 3 steps that maybe even the bath would have to wait. He was just going to crawl into a nice warm bed. But as he began to cross the room towards his own corner, he kept getting a whiff of a hot meaty stew, fresh hot baked bread and .... yes.....Hot pumpkins pie cream. (This is something new for those cold evenings--a hot creamy pumpkin pie flavored drink with a large dollop of whipped cream on the top.)

Logan quickly looked around, trying to figure out if he was at the wrong bed. But no...it was his bed and bedstand.

Suddenly a head popped through the wall just about the night stand and Nathanial stepped through the wall.

"I took the liberty of asking someone to bring you up tray. I couldn't help noticing that you were dragging. Ahhhhhh yes...I remember the days of crawling up the stairs after a rousing game of quidditch. Pouring rain, dirving sleet, wind strong enough to blow......."

"I get the picture," said Logan softy. Now he was REALLY cold so quickly changing into pajamas while Nathanial rambled on about Quidditch, he finally hopped into bed and after pulling the covers up placed the tray on his lap and enjoying each bite of the hot delicious meal and slowly began to thaw......

Crystal Shards
Author: Nevvyn
Date: 07-27-04 09:08

As soon as Slytherin was declared the winner, the Toms and I hustled out of the Staff Box and down to the general direction of the Hufflepuff Locker Rooms. After some time, the young lady (Miss Diamond ws her name) appeared and explained her need.

It seems she had an old crystal ball and was attempting to scry out someone or something. Suddenly, whatever appeared in the crystal took control of the link and somehow caused the ball to explode in the girl's hands. The flying shards caused multiple minor injuries, which were soon repaired my Madam Pomfrey. Now, she is concerned that whoever (or whatever) caused that explosion will come looking for her.

She handed me a few shards of the crystal, which she had kept as a souvenier of her misfortune. Her request was that I try to make something which would warn her of approaching danger from the causer of the explosion. She was very vague on what she had seen in the crystal, but it was obviously a source of unease with her. I wrapped the shards in a bit of silk and told her I would see what I could do.

Looking rather downcast, probably from the loss to Slytherin, she dragged her soggy self back to the Castle. I, on the other hand, erected a portable RainBow to keep the water off, and the four of us headed back to Hogsmeade.