Anger
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 12-21-01 02:07

Hermione watched Harry storm out of the common room. "He obviously woke up on the wrong side of the bed!" she muttered. In truth, it surprised her that Harry was jealous of the fact that she was the new Gryffindor prefect. It had never occurred to her that he might have hoped for the position himself. Although, more likely, the possibility stood that it wasn't jealousy because he wasn't prefect, but because she was.

Hermione frowned and slammed her Transfiguration book shut, anger brewing over the thought that Harry would refuse to support her as prefect. Was it really necessary for him to always be the princeps in the trio?..the first person people think of when the Gryffindor triumvirate is mentioned? Hermione and Ron had just as much right to make a name for themselves as Harry did. But no. Harry Potter is the hero of Hogwarts; the sole hero. He's the one who will always be remembered for the great deeds the three of them accomplished together. Hermione and Ron were just the sidekicks. It was as simple as that.

Thoroughly upset, Hermione threw her book across the room and jumped out of her seat. She started to pace back and forth in front of the fireplace, thinking about how to make things right with Harry. Not that I started it, she thought to herself. It was just that this year they had to stick together, more than any other. Times were dark, and they were only getting darker. Harry was going to need all the friends he could get.

The Grand Tour
Author: Fred Weasley
Date: 12-21-01 02:39

Oliver Wood. He's single. He's devilishly handsome. Well, according to the ladies anyhow. Fred furrowed his brow while in thought as the three of them walked around the castle. Would she go for him? He is a graduate...a professional Quidditch player...

"Fred, wotcha thinkin' 'bout?" Samantha asked, tugging him to a stop.

Fred stammered, "Erm...uh...nothin'. Lookee there." He pointed down some stairs, which got darker and darker the farther one went down them.

"That's the staircase to the dungeons," George said, looking around before completing his thoughts. "Those pesky Slytherins live down there."

"Also, if you ever 'ave the unfortunate experience of detention with Snape, or 'ell, even Potions class, that's where ya go too," Fred added, turning Samantha around.

The three of them proceeded to climb up a flight of stairs. They stopped on that floor and walked down one of the long corridors, passing by several classrooms and the like. "This 'ere is the door to McGonagall's office," George stated, slowing to a stop in front of her door.

"So this is Professor McG's office, eh?" Samantha repeated, making a mental note of it.

"Yeah, now if you go further down the 'all, you'll find the 'ospital Wing," Fred said. "George an' I find ourselves there a lot, don't we ol' boy?"

"Aye, we do," George agreed, grinning.

Samantha arched an eyebrow, "Oh really?"

"Nevermind that," Fred said, taking her elbow to lead her back to the staircase. They made a stop on every floor, showing Samantha what's what and who's who. Sir Cadogan was pleased to see the Weasley twins again, and applauded them for their chivalrous attempts to take care of Miss Thatcher.

Finally, they arrived back to Gryffindor Tower and settled themselves in the common room to get off of their feet for a while.

Jus' Wanna Have Fun Part I
Author: Samantha Thatcher
Date: 12-21-01 20:15

"Wot an' exercise." Samantha had taken off her shoes and was rubbing her slightly sore feet. "This place is much bigger then m'dad's mansion."

"Your dad...owns a mansion?" George questioned sitting up in his seat.

"Yeah..." She sighed, attention still on her foot. "Jus' outside o' London...I don' understand why 'e has ta have such a big place. I's jus' me an'im." She thought out loud. Samantha leaned back in her chair and rested her arms on the...well, arm rests. She took a deep breath and stared at the table in front of her, her thoughts dwelling on something else.

There were a few restless moments of silence before Samantha jump in her seat, startling Fred and George.

"Wot?! Wot is it?!" The twins chorused.

"Uhhh...heh heh heh...Sorry 'bou' tha..." Samantha apologized, running her fingers through her hair in embarrassment. "Umm..."

The boys just sat there, waiting for an explanation. She slowly slid to the floor.

Grabbing her shoes Samantha explained, "Well, I jus' realized you guys 'aven't taken me to the Quidditch pitch yet! That's a sin in my book!" She grinned.

The boys looked at each other and burst into laughter. "That's it then? You got all exited 'cause you realized that?!" Fred laughed and Samantha stretched out her hands. Fred unconsciously took her small hands in his and brought her to her feet.

Standing there for a moment they stared into each others eyes. Fred was a whole head taller than Samantha.

Oliver won't take her from me...He just can't! The worried expression returned to his face; and then also to Samantha's.

"What's wrong Fred?" She asked in a half whisper. Fred forced a smile to his face. "Nothing...It's not important really." Was his untruthful reply.

George was about to go insane. He'd had enough of them playin' around with each other. So, deciding to push things along a little, George gave Samantha a hard shove, which in turn sent her into Fred's arms.

"Bloody 'ell George!! Wot'd ya do that for you bumbling blockhead!!" Fred yelled.

By now though George was on the floor laughing.

"Ouch!" Samantha rubbed her nose then balled her hand into a fist and punched George exceptionally hard on the shoulder. "Yeh blitherin' idiot!! That hurt yeh know!" She exclaimed.

The laughter died down a bit and George smiled. "I'm sorry Samantha. I didn't mean to really hurt you."

Samantha scowled down at him. "Hmph...Right...! Le's jus' go!" She stomped out of the common room, again rubbing her nose.

Fred grabbed his brother and yanked him up off his feet. "That wusn't funny George. You hurt her!"

George shook his hands. "Now, now Fred...I didn't mean to! Honest! I just wanted to see more "action" and less "playing"!" Fred let him go but was still upset. "Alright, alright...I know wot ta do to make it up!" George rushed up the stairs heading to the boys' dormitories.

While waiting for the pesky George, Fred thought he'd go and see how Samantha was doing. He was almost to the door when she raced in, nearly knocking him over.

"Oh! Sorry Fred!" She said running up the stairs. She passed George who also had to jump out of her way.

The two were completely confused. "Well...She seems to be fine." George observed. "Wot's she all giddy for?"

Fred shrugged. "I dunno." Then Samantha came back down the stairs with the biggest smile spread across her face.

"Wot's that?" George inquired after the blue cloth she was holding.

"This," Samantha began. "I's a secret. Come with me."

Cousin Rubeus Hagrid
Author: Lostark The Rude
Date: 12-21-01 22:11

After breakfast I went to visit my cousin Rubeus Hagrid. "Cousin Hagrid?" I said knocking on the door. Fang came out and drenched my face with his tongue. Hagrid was still asleep so I took the liberty to feed Fang and leave a note to Hagrid.

****************************************************

Hello, I came to visit you but you were asleep. I fed Fang for you, and took him for a morning walk. We should be back. I promise we'll stay on the grounds. Probably take a few minutes.

love your little cousin,
Chris Lostark

Third Party
Author: Jet
Date: 12-21-01 22:35

Just as Hannah and Jet take a step toward the stairs the sound of dirt and pebbles hitting rock echoes around them. Both flinch from the unexpected sound and look wildly about them for the source. All they see is the light filtering in from the entrance and the inky blackness of the cave beyond the reach of the light glowing from their wands. A figure suddenly jumps from behind a boulder with a loud, "BOO!"

Hannah and Jet jump back with startled shouts, as the other person laughs hysterically. Hearing the familiar laughter Jet steps close enough to bring the person into the circle of light from his wand.

"Bloody hell, Alanis. Nearly gave us heart attacks, you did."

Alanis laughs again then asks, "What are you two doing sneaking around in a cave?"

"I was down here end of last year and thought I saw stairs. Hannah wants to see where they go. Want to come?"

In answer, Alanis holds up her wand, utters the word, "Lumos," adding her own light to that of Hannah's and Jet's.

A Long Walk to Nowhere
Author: Jet
Date: 12-29-01 02:06

Jet very slowly led the way down the narrow, winding stairs. The stairs had been carved from the cavern rock with one side hugging the unnaturally smooth wall and the other side appearing to drop into dark, inky nothingness. The stairs themselves were rather odd. Some were so wide across the three students could have stood shoulder to shoulder and still had ample room on either side. Some were so small that only a very tiny foot could have fit on them. Others were somewhere in the broad range between these two extremes. Then there was the actual step down from stair to stair. Some had a normal step down but for some, the distance was so short as to be almost imperceptible. Several times one of the three would experience a jarring jolt when moving to take a normal step down and finding it was a much shorter distance than expected. Even worse though were the stairs which had huge step downs. These practically required the three to get down on hands and knees and slide over the step to the next one.

Between the weird steps and the darkness which made the light from their wands about as useful as fireflies in a jar the going was extremely slow. With their crawling pace and with the lack of changing details along staircase wall, time seemed to hang suspended. Their growing hunger and Jet's watch indicated that in actuality, several hours had passed. Taking a break on one of the big, broad steps, the three decided they should start back up. They knew they'd missed lunch but were hoping they'd make it back in time for supper.

Before beginning the arduous climb, Jet tried to carve a notch in the wall as a marker of how far they'd gone down. All that happened though was the wall remained smooth while Jet's knife was reduced to a pile of metal shavings. Jet finally gave a frustrated sigh.

"Well, I guess I'll just let this pile of what used to be the blade of my pocketknife be our marker. First chance we have, we'll come back. Bring food with us and start out a lot earlier."

Alanis and Hannah voiced their agreement then Alanis suggested that they'd best keep quiet about where they'd spent the day. It was a sure bet that they weren't supposed to be here. After making a solemn pact to keep silent, the trio painstakingly made their way back up the stairs. Several more hours had passed by the time they emerged from the cave to find the sun setting. They decided on the spot that if asked where they'd been, they'd say they'd just been out walking the grounds all day. Parched and famished, the three then hurried to the Great Hall for supper.

Jus' Wanna Have Fun Part II
Author: Samantha Thatcher
Date: 12-21-01 23:44

"Alright Samantha, we've wandered around enough! Now wot is it?!" George was getting impatient.

Samantha stopped. "Alright, alright!" They were now outside on the grounds. She had led them to a well-hidden place behind a bundle of trees so no one could see them. She began to unfold the cloth she was holding, but stopped suddenly. "Yeh've got to swear to me that you won't tell a soul about this!" Samantha warned pointing at both of them.

The boys immediately stood upright and saluted. "Yes ma'am!" They said in unison.

"Cross our hearts!" came Fred drawing a "X" across his heart.

George did the same. "An' 'ope ta die!" They were both grinning.

"Good..." Samantha finished unfolding what she had and held it up covering her face, for the boys to see the whole thing for it was long.

The pattern of the fabric made it looked as though Samantha held the night sky in her hands.

Fred curved a brow. "It's a cloak...Awesome fabric tho."

Samantha grinned, peaking over the cloak. "Not jus' any cloak..." She then whirled it around her shoulders and put the hood on. She disappeared.

Fred and George's eyes grew in amazement.

"You...you...That's a,"

"Invisibility Cloak!" Fred finished his brother's sentence. They heard chuckling from somewhere.

"Tha's right..." Samantha then reappeared wrapping her arms around the twins' shoulders. "I 'ad a li'l chat with Harry yesterday. Talked about Draco Malfoy an' how 'e's always pickin' on 'im. We made a li'l deal ya see...I watch his back and I can use 'is cloak, but I already have one, but I said I'd still be 'appy ta keep m'eye on 'im...Well, I noticed Draco pickin' on Harry o'er there..." She pointed toward the Quidditch Pitch entrance. "Let's 'ave a li'l fun eh?"

A wicked grin spread across the trouble makers face's and they both rubbed there hands together in excitement.

"You are a wicked gurl Samantha!" George chuckled.

"Why thank yeh..." She bowed. "An' please...M'friends call me Sammi...There's no rest for the wicked! Shall we?" Sammi held up the cloak.

They joined her inside. "You are a genius Sammi!" Fred grinned. She's perfect...

The trio made their way down to Harry's side, like Samantha had promised Harry she would do. They arrived right on time.

In the Three Broomsticks
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 12-22-01 07:30

Dierna enters the Three Broomsticks and takes out today's issue of the Daily Prophet. She smiles, seeing that once again there is nothing by that sensationalist Rita Skeeter. "Whoever is responsible for silencing that woman deserves a reward!" Her humour, however, is short lived. Yet more articles on strange events are in the newspaper. Dierna puts down the paper just as the owner of The Three Broomsticks, Madam Rosmerta, appears.

"Your usual, Dierna?"

"Aye, thank you." Rosemerta walks to the bar and comes back a short time later with a steaming mug. Dierna takes some silver sickles out of her pocket and pays for her drink. "Did you get to read the paper yet? More stories on strange happenings . . . they grow more disturbing by the day." The young woman puts down the mug a bit more forcefully than she meant to. "Sorry, I'm not much fun these days. I don't mean to take my frustration out on you." Rosmerta smiles understandingly, and they talk a bit more. After a while she leaves to attend to some other customers and Dierna is left alone to think.

"Strange events happening all over. People disappearing . . . and that incompetent Minister of Magic is STILL in denial! What will it take? ANOTHER well-respected family killed . . . " Dierna quiets for a minute, the memory of the Potters still vivid. She has been a best friend with Lily. "NO! I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN!" Dierna takes out a quill and parchment and begins to write a letter.

"Professor Dumbledore, . . . "

The Encounter
Author: H Potter
Date: 12-20-01 06:40

Harry left the castle to get some broomstick practice. He headed toward the Quidditch Pitch...

Just then at the gate to the stadium was none other than Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and newcomer Simon Samhain...

Draco said in his drawling voice, "Well if it isn't Potty the Weasel! Out for a broomstick ride, eh? You won't get past us no matter how hard you try!"

Harry pulled out his wand and said cooly, "You gonna stop me Malfoy? I'm not afraid of you and your goons!"

They all laughed and said, "Who's going to help you Potter? You're all alone out here!"

Harry grinned and said, "Oh Really? I wouldn't be so sure, Draco!"

Three people from out of nowhere said "YEAH!"

Malfoy began to get nervous, "W-Who s-said t-that Potter?"

Harry said, "Oh that's my little secret Malfoy. I knew you might try something, that's why I took some insurance...if I were you I'd get out of here...you never know what might happen...hahahahahahahaha!"

Now You See Us, Now You Don't
Author: George Weasley
Date: 12-22-01 18:05

"Let's go swipe their brooms!" George whispered to Samantha and Fred from his place under the Invisibility Cloak. It was Samantha, then Fred, and then George, lined up, one by one under the cloak. George thought it was best this way, if you get his drift.

"All right, Good thinkin'!" Samantha whispered and the three walked up to Crabbe, Goyle, Malfoy and Samhain, swiping away their brooms.

"AH!" Crabbe cried, looking around in terror at the moving broomsticks.

"W-what the bloody 'ell is happening!" Samhain asked, as he and Crabbe huddled.

Malfoy's expression swam somewhere between frightened and amused.

Harry laughed. "You three are such sissies!"

Fred took one of the brooms and swiped it under Crabbe and Samhain's feet, knocking them to the ground.

The three invisible friends snickered behind their hands, watching Crabbe and Samhain crab-walking away from the spot where they had been knocked over.

"D-Draco, Let's go! There're probably ghosts or something!" Crabbe whined, scrambling to his feet.

Samantha, George and Fred high-fived under the Invisibility Cloak, and stood back to see what would happen next, still snickering.

Underneath the Heavy
Author: Adam Higginton-Smythe
Date: 12-22-01 21:53

Desolation came upon Adam as he gazed out across the field. Everything was in its place below the heavy, ashy clouds above. The winds picked up about him and sweetly stung his bare face, which brought on a chill to him. He walked down to the field, broomstick clasped in his right hand and his left hand in his pocket's warmth. He sat in the crisp, cold grass and stopped again with a slow gaze about. He watched as the grasses opposite him began to quiver furiously, and then the affect swiftly approached toward him. The fresh winds washed about him and his cheek long, golden blond hair whipped his creamy white face. Adam smelt in the air deep causing a prickly sensation in his throat. On exhale a gray mist twisted from his breath.

Adam mounted his broom and shot upward with a growing rush of adrenaline. His grandparents had oddly refused to allow him much flying time over the past summer. Time had been pasted with increased home studies, but nothing else. Adam had been refused travels with grandfather Lludd to Germany, Belgium, India, and Russia, as they had done years before. He was not permitted to greet and participate in the gatherings of his grandfather and the brunches of his grand mum Ranala. The summer had been stagnant for him. Now Hogwarts offered a transparent change. The same concerns and troubles lurked beyond the castle grounds. He dove full force toward the ground and pulled out at the last second allowing the breath to race from his body.

Adam made a second and third drop to the ground before missing the correct approach the fourth time and he spun headfirst from the broomstick. He landed on his back after an airborne flip. He lay there and watched silently unaffected by his spill. The cold ground seemed to suck the very heat from his body. Adam sat up and pulled his charcoal coat tighter about himself. Hogwarts gloomed over head with a lifeless state. Only the owls delivering their packages to and from the castle could be seen up above.

With broom in hand he walked up the path.