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| Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
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| The Hogwarts Three and the Sly Wish
[1] 2 3 4 5 |
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| POSTED Saturday, October 15, 2005 07:11:11 PM |
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As the clock hands neared the toll of two o'clock on a particularly humid summer morning, a young man who wore a blue collared shirt and khaki pants sat scribbling away at an old piece of parchment in a musty apartment located near the King's Cross train station in London. His small kitchen table with seating for two was worn and scarred from years of use. Boxes and sacks were piled to the ceiling and many were half emptied onto the floor--evidence of a recent move-in. In general, the apartment was more of a quaint hole than a home with its water stained ceiling, peeling walls, and ravaged wooden floor.
With a sigh, the man ran a hand through his curly brown locks and his handsome features set into concentration while his tired warm brown eyes inspected the writing before him. The chair beneath him creaked as he shifted about his exhausted form. His face brightened in a satisfied grin and the quill he held clattered to the surface of the table. A deep groan came from his chest as he stood and stretched his aching broad shoulders.
Nigel Benson had always been the talk of his family and their friends as a young boy. Smart and athletic, Nigel always succeeded in whatever situation he was dropped in. Then, ten years ago, a letter arrived on his windowsill via delivery by owl. Nigel and his parents were shocked to learn that he was invited to attend a school named Hogwarts and learn to practice magic. Being a family of Muggles, the Bensons had thought the idea mad. Now, Nigel was a very accomplished young wizard employed in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic. This long night was but one of many. However, this was no matter to Nigel, he loved his job.
The loud shriek of a whistle suddenly filled the room. In a haste to snatch his wand Nigel toppled a nearby lamp and flung many books to a shabby rug on the floor. He spun to see his sneakoscope was signaling the two cloaked figures that had apparated into the apartment. Not feeling up to asking questions at this hour, Nigel's wand twitched as he stepped forward.
"IMPEDIMENTA!"
"PROTEGO!" one of the cloaked wizards barked quickly in return, sending Nigel's curse bouncing away.
"Expelliarmus!" hissed the second.
The wand in Nigel's hand jerked away and landed behind a bookcase as Nigel himself was tossed to his knees. The second wizard was, evidently, quite powerful. Two pairs of pale hands lifted to lower the black hoods and reveal the intruders faces. The first had a stark white head of hair with a pale pointed face and cold gray eyes. The second's sallow features looked sunken, his hair was jet black and his eyes were piercing slits of bloody red. With a Cheshire grin, the younger wizard's eyes danced with excitement and searched Nigel's face for the hint of fear they desired.
Nigel's strong jaw set as he eyed his old schoolmate. "Lucius," he acknowledged fiercely.
"Nigel," Lucius's cold airy voice returned.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" There was a hint of sarcasm in Nigel's tone as he rose to his feet.
"There are rumors, Nigel, rumors that most displease us."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, what exactly are you doing at the Ministry these days?"
Nigel scoffed. "I hardly expected you to be one to play catch-up with an old mate..."
"Me? 'Mates' with a mud-blood? Oh, Nigel, mum would toss in her grave..."
"Get on with it," seethed the other wizard.
Lucius sighed--clearly he could find great sport in taunting Nigel for hours. "The Dark Lord feels you are becoming a bit of a nuisance to our operations."
"The Dark Lord?" Nigel hooted with laughter. "Lucius, have you actually gone gallivanting off after that prat?!"
"You are in no position to be throwing about such insults, mud-blood. You are in the presence of the greatest wizard to have ever lived."
"Really? Don't tell me, this is him? This is the 'Lord Voldemort'? Not much to look at is he? Then again, you always did have a spot for the withered... Tell me, how is dear Narcissa?"
"Oh, you are indeed a piece of work, Nigel Benson," Lucius sneered and his eyes flashed. "I hoped you would be the first. Yes, ever since you attempted to expose half my house for conspiracy against the Ministry. You and your perfect little Gryffindor friends. Your death is but the first of many..."
"Are you threatening me, Malfoy?" Nigel snapped, his fists clenched.
"Threats are for school boys."
Nigel stood stiffly and glared at the man he had detested since the day they had both set foot on the same train bound for their first year at the highly regarded Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. The young men stared each other, waiting for the other to make a move. Nigel felt a burning desire rush through his entire body--if Malfoy wanted a fight that was exactly what he would receive.
There was a rumbling as long ash wand shot out from underneath the dilapidated bookcase in the corner toward Nigel's outstretched hand. The nonverbal summon was attempt to slow Lucius's reaction time.
"CRUCIO!" Lucius screamed.
Hot jagged nails raked up Nigel's spine and over his scalp. There was a thud as he once again dropped to the ground. His wand soared into the far wall and his body jerked uncontrollably in a fit of insanity. Screams of agony that left his mouth could not match the malicious waves of pain and torture that were exerted on his entire body. Rolls of icy manic laughter escaped Lucius Malfoy's curled lips as his counterpart watched Nigel writhe on the floor.
After minutes that seemed like days, Nigel was released from his hell. He rolled to his knees and gasped lungful after lungful of the humid night air. Every limb shook from the savage attack, but his body showed no signs of injury. Sweat dripped from Nigel's form. His light brown curls were mussed and tangled. No one in the room spoke a word. The only sounds were Nigel's labored pants. A necklace with a large opaque stone had shook loose from under his light blue dress shirt and reflected varying rays of light across the dimly lit den.
Slowly Nigel's chin rose and his large brown eyes locked with Lucius's. Not even a quiver of fear showed in his boyish face.
"Do you think you can frighten me, Malfoy?" Nigel's voice was weakened, but stubbornly defiant. "It'll be Azkaban for this!"
Lucius let out a derisive laugh. "Do you actually think you will be alive when the Ministry arrives?"
"Is that it then?" Nigel growled. "You're going to kill me?"
"That would be the plan, yes," Voldemort answered with an air of boredom.
"Over a petty teenage quarrel? I expected more out of even a sniveling git like you, Malfoy..."
"Where are your notes on the Four?" demanded Lucius.
The question mildly surprised Nigel. Researching the founders of Hogwarts was a bit of a side project of Nigel's for Madame Pince back at Hogwarts. You could even call it a hobby of sorts. Nigel gathered from Lucius's earlier banter that he was onto something, but he wasn't sure what.
"Ah, is that what you're after? Actually, they're misplaced at the moment. You know, just moving in and all," Nigel mocked.
"He lies... The roll top, yes, check there..."
Nigel was stunned at Voldemort's words and he glowered at Lucius who crossed the room and began sifting through papers on an old desk. There was a bemused chuckle and Lucius returned to Voldemort's side to hand over a roll of parchment that Nigel had recently acquired. The language was arcane and he had yet to attempt a translation.
"Yes, yes, this is the one," Voldemort sounded pleased.
"Let me do it, my Lord. I want him to be my first!" Lucius's eyes were wild with greed and his voice as giddy as a young boy's.
"He is of no more use to us," Voldemort's thin dry lips creased into a proud sneer. "Kill the mud-blood."
With a sadistic cry of joy and rage Lucius Malfoy turned to face his prey.
"You will never succeed in this sick pursuit of your twisted vision, Voldemort! NEVER!" Nigel bravely bellowed, ready to accept his fate.
Lucius's wand shook with anticipation. "AVADA KEDAVRA!" he finally cried.
A beam of green light shot out from the tip of Lucius Malfoy's wand and hit Nigel square in the chest. There was no screaming or any sign of pain. His eyes rolled back into his skull and Nigel Benson's body slumped into a crumpled heap to join the dust on the floor. Lucius Malfoy cast one last incantation before there was a faint pop as the two cloaked wizards disapparated. The apartment was silent but for the murmurs of fear from the streets below the third story windows--cries from Muggles and wizardfolk alike sounded at the newest sighting of the Dark Mark set above a building in the heart of London. Voldemort had committed murder.
It's Bruce!
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| REPLIED Saturday, October 15, 2005 08:24:58 PM |
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Brettney Waldrip was unlike any other child.. He was a metamorphmagius... a rare ability which enables you to change your appearance at will...
Brettney, you have a letter
Brett rolled his eyes and wondered what she needed this time.... he loved his mother but since he's been closer to going to Hogwarts, she's gotten really irritating....
"Who is it from Mum?" Brettney asked
"OOH IM SO HAPPY!! ITS FROM HOGWARTS" Screamed his mother
Brett groaned and took the letter reluctantly
Brettney Waldrip
The attic in the house
Hampshire
The envelope was addressed to him... and he opened and read
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
The Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr Waldrip,
We are pleased to inform you that you have accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Brett thought to himself as he read the letter... would his mom have to let Albus Dumbledore know that he was an animorphmagius?
"Dear, Im off to Diagon Alley to fetch your school things...give me your book list and stuff... what animal do you want" his mom said
"Cat Mum you know that"
"Ok Sweety, behave yourself.."
Brettney went to the back of the house and flew on a minature broom he got for last christmas... He was definitely looking forward to starting school....
The Metal-Head X-STUD
If it ain't metal, IT SUCKS!!!
Look up the word hypocrite in the dictionary, and you'll see Matacron written next to it.
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| REPLIED Saturday, October 15, 2005 08:50:38 PM |
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"Helen! ... Helen, breakfast!"
There was a soft yawning coo as thin frame of a little girl clammered her way out of her bed covers. Helen shook out her long mane of pale blonde hair and yawned once more. Warm morning sun filtered through her powder blue curtains and washed over her matching powder blue bedroom which was lined with bookshelves of Muggle novels and countless magic books. After making her bed and brushing out her hair, Helen shrugged on a white terry cloth bath robe and padded out of the room--her tan mittens cat Sybilla following closely behind.
A smile crossed Helen's face as she neared the base of the white staircase. Delicous scents of food wafted through the air from the kitchen. Entering the room, Helen saw her mother flicking a wand about to put the finishing touches on the meal and her father was unrolling the morning's Daily Prophet--a wizarding newspaper.
Helen's mother had long pale blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes to match her daughter's. The slim and pretty witch was an advise columnist for the Daily Prophet and at times, tended to be a bit of a social butterfly. Helen's father was a rather brillaint man with trim black hair, cool gray eyes, and a rather persuasive smile. The dashing wizard was employed in the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic.
Orrick Corby's face fell as he read the Daily Prophet's cover story. His wife cast him a concerned glanced as a coffee pot floated through the air to fill thier mugs.
"What is it, dear? It's just a story about the World Cup," Delilah Corby noted as she took a seat at the table.
"No, the cover story changed. He's killed again..."
"What?"
Mrs. Corby leaned across to glance at the story. "Oh, no... Oh, no, no..." She looked crestfallen.
"What happened?" Helen asked as she hopped into a third chair at the table. Her feet swung inches from the ground and Sybilla sauntered over to a small dish that had lowered to the floor by itself.
"Oh, nothing, dear. Nothing at all," Orrick said as he rolled up the paper and set it aside.
Delilah let out an icy huff. "I'll say it's nothing! That man worked at the Ministry! I told you, Orrick, I told you not even that could protect you!"
"Not in front of Helen, sweets, please. We'll talk about it later."
What would have normally been a cheery meal went on in silence but for the brushes and towels, moving with the aid of magic, that washed the pots and pans used to make thier breakfast. Helen assumed that 'he' meant the Dark Wizard who called himself Lord...something. She was sure it started with a V, but that did not matter to her much. She was only just eleven years olld. These were things for her parents to worry about. Helen was more concerned about what she would wear that day when she went to her friend Abby's house to play. She finally decided that her blue sundress would be best and maybe her new sandals.
A golden owl suddenly swooped low through the window. The three watched it circle, drop a letter onto Helen's toast, and swoop back out with a low hoot as Sybilla lept to the window in a sly attempt at an attack.
"What is that, Helen?" her mother asked curiously.
Helen turned the thick yellow paper over in her hands. The green lettering was a looping scrawl and read:
Miss Helen Corby
53 Knight Street
Cantebury
There was a crest that said "Hogwarts" above a red wax seal on the back. Grinning, Helen anxiously ripped open the letter and read feveriously.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Corby,
We are pleased to inform you that you have accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Helen excitedly looked up to her parents. "It's Hogwarts!"
It's Bruce!
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| REPLIED Saturday, October 15, 2005 09:42:03 PM |
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Birds chirping, doves flying, fishes splashing, it was a peaceful day for the a young couple. They have recently bought a house in the country of endless field, filled with flowing river and calm trees. Harris Lowes had met a woman of his dreams, Mary James, when they were in Hogwarts. It was love at first sight.
One evening, Harris got back to the house when Mary was preparing for dinner. She was five-month pregnant. They ate their delicious dinner, not knowing the bad news. After having dinner, Mary cleaned the table while Harris was getting everything ready for tomorrow. He hung up his uniform and that was when he coughed down blood. Harris collapsed onto the ground with a thud. Next morning, he was treated with a doctor. Mary stood behind the doctor. As soon as the doctor had finished with him, he told the worried Mary the bad news: her husband had been infected with a deadly plague. Mary didn't take the news very well. Every single second of the ticking clock, Harris' condition had gotten really bad and he had to be put out of his misery. Mary wasn't there to watch her husband on the day that he was going to be put to sleep.
Since her husband died, Mary always stayed inside the house that she and her husband bought. She soon went into labour. She screamed in pain and as soon as her newly-born baby came out, she couldn't resist and took one last look at her baby. Mary James then passed away. The baby was taken to an orphanage. The orphanage gave him his first name: Julius. They did not give him his surname because they knew that one day, he will be adopted.
Five years, Julius was eating his breakfast in the courtyard and that was when Andrew and Martha McGregor came into the courtyard. Mother Flores, Julius' motherly friend, had told him that he was adopted. Julius did not know whether to be happy or sad. It took him a while to get used to his new adoptive parents. Andrew was an experienced Auror and he was with the Ministry of Magic. He had taught Julius many things about the Wizarding world. Julius was really happy to have a father like him. They have bonded really well. His adoptive mother was really kind to him. Often, she would give Julius a tinkle. She was a great cook.
Four years with the McGregors, Julius heard that his father, Andrew, was called to serve his duty one morning. He wasn't heard from for two days. A knock on the door was heard by the worried Martha and Julius. Martha went to get the door and that was when she received the news that she wished she had never heard it: her husband was killed on duty. Since then, she had never spoke a word. Finding a job in the Wizarding world was really hard. Martha managed to find a job as a dishwasher in the Leaky Cauldron. Julius often helped his mother, despite her loss of speaking.
Working at the Leaky Cauldron for two years, an owl came and knocked on the window in Julius' bedroom with its beak. He woke up and opened the window. He saw the letter, wrapped onto the owl's left foot. He took the letter and noticed the address in front of it:
Mr J. McGregor
The Bedroom in the Basement, Room 59
The Leaky Cauldron
London
He was surprised at how accurate the address was. He quickly opened the letter in curiosity and it said:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Dear Mr McGregor,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Julius gave out a gasp and he ran up the stairs. He entered the kitchen and found his mother, washing dishes.
"Mom, I just got a letter! A letter from Hogwarts!" Julius told his mother. "Can I go? Can I go?"
His mother gave Julius a soft smile and she put down the dishes onto the sink. She approached him and got down onto her knees. She gave Julius a hug and looked at him.
"Of course," said Martha, in a soft voice, "you can."
"You s-spoke?" Julius gasped.
"Son, I love you. I love you more than anything else in the world," Martha said with a tear. "Every since your father left us, I felt horrid. But you were there... and you gave me light. I love you so much, Julius, and all I want is the best for you."
Julius' tears fell down on his cheeks and he hugged his mother. "I love you, too, Mom," he said.
The Howling X-Stud
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| REPLIED Monday , October 17, 2005 11:09:31 AM |
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Young Nicholas Benson knew this had to be the most trying day of his eleven years. As he sat between his two grieving parents, all clad in varying assortments of black and charcoal grey, he pondered a scuff on his left dress shoe in an attempt to push out the words of the droning uptight preacher that were doing no justice to his brother Nigel's exhilarating and accomplished life. The fact that the family was playing off his death as the result of an unknown heart condition was itself an outrage. His mother had gone to immense trouble to scramble funeral provisions for less than 48 hours after Nigel's untimely demise. The thing that really fired up Nicholas though was that she had outright refused to inform anyone in the magic world of the arrangements.
Raising his head of messy brown curls, Nicholas gazed around at the drooping willows and dogwoods that surrounded the grassy plain of the graveyard where the funeral party sat in mourning silence. Nigel's open casket was surrounded by lavish throngs of flowers and the balding holy man stood before them. Nicholas sighed at the dreary yet idyllic, but completely inaccurate setting. Nicholas knew the difference between the worlds of wizards and Muggles--among wizards was where Nigel had truly belonged.
There was a sudden faint pop that came from behind the seated crowd. Then another pop and four more that followed--almost like the sounds of fresh popcorn. Nicholas curiously cast a glance back over his shoulder. The rest of the cheerless group was attentively listening to the preacher and had yet to notice the growing huddle of oddly dressed patrons at the back. There was a medium height aging woman with a rather homely face that Nicholas remembered Nigel once introducing as the Minister of Magic. She wore a man's black dress shirt with a long mauve and yellow tie that was a bow around her neck and what looked to be backwards brown corduroy bottoms many times too big that were shoved into her bright red boots. At her side stood two rather peculiar looking gentlemen. One Nicholas recognized right away as the quirky and balding old wizard Professor Dippet who had made a visit to their home during Nigel's years at school. He wore a tan fedora hat which clashed greatly with his dark green (and certainly a woman's) sparkling velvet shirt and purple suspenders that held up his sagging grey sweatpants to reveal his bony feet that were shoved into brown thong sandals. The second wizard, who was thin and rather lofty with graying auburn hair and beard that stretched to his knees, Nicholas had never seen before, but he looked rather eccentric in the periwinkle suit and half-moon spectacles that sat on his crooked nose.
Then there was Nora. Nora Crimpen had a doll-like face with rosy cheeks and innocent pale green eyes all beneath a long wash of mousey strawberry blonde hair. The kindhearted witch was Nigel's longtime girlfriend. However, Nora certainly didn't look herself at the moment. Her eyes were raw from the tears that were still rolling in streams down her scarlet cheeks--a stark contrast to her now ghostly white skin--and her bouncy locks hung limp to her quivering shoulders as she hugged herself tightly in the black sweater she wore. On either side of her stood a pale lanky young man with a long blonde pony tail and a second leaner and darker skinned man with shaggy ebony black locks that tossled in the breeze. They were Ben and Richard--Nigel's best friends from his years at Hogwarts. The two were normally charismatic and up to no good, but today both were overly subdued. The three were most normal looking out of the lot.
When the pastor ended his uninspired eulogy, Malcolm Benson stood to shake hands and see to the line that was forming to pay their last respects. The wizardfolk moved to join the end of the line. Nicholas stayed seated at his mother's side, fearing to leave her alone. Rosalie Benson had been reduced to a weeping dainty flower and Nicholas was certain that she would faint at any moment. His worries were soon shifted when she spotted the new guests that had arrived. Rosalie shot of her seat with enough fervor that Nicholas swore a pin had stuck her.
"What are these people doing here?!" Rosalie snapped vehemently. "I want them gone, Malcolm! Do you hear me? GONE!"
"Ros--" Malcolm started apprehensively.
"D-don't you 'Ros' me! I told you I never wanted to see them again!"
"I know you're upset, dear, but you can't just go about cutting out people that cared about him," Malcolm replied calmly and cautiously moved to put an arm around his wife's shoulders.
The commotion was earning curious stares. Many eyed the oddities of the wizardfolk's dress. However, Rosalie seemed to not care at the moment and smacked her husband's hand away.
"I won't have this! Not today!" Rosalie shrieked before rounding on Nora who was quietly intertwining her fingers with her passed beloved. "GET AWAY FROM HIM! Don't you think you've already done ample damage to this family?!"
Nora seemed to crumple on the spot before Richard scooped her up into his arms. Ben and Richard both glared darkly at Rosalie's harshness. When Nicholas saw his mother starting to wag a finger at the school teacher, he decided that he had seen enough.
"Come off it, mum!" Nicholas barked as he marched towards the scene. "They didn't cause all of this! Nigel made the right decision to go there! No one knew this could happen!"
Mouthing silent gapes, Rosalie was struck speechless at her son's words and caught the strong shoulder of her husband for support. Rosalie lowered her gaze and went back to dabbing at her eyes with a damp handkerchief. The tall lanky wizard with the half-moon spectacles said a few words and patted the cherry casket before taking strides to be at exhausted Malcolm's side.
"Might I suggest we take our matters to a less public setting," the wizard politely offered, "and perhaps a spot of tea to calm the nerves?"
It's Bruce!
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| REPLIED Tuesday, October 18, 2005 05:09:05 AM |
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Melodys eyes snapped open. She was shaking with feverish excitement. She was so excited, that she couldnt wait to be called for breakfast. That didnt matter to her though. What did matter was the letter that might be coming in the mail that day...was it the letter?
She didnt care. Melody shook her long brown hair out of her face and ran down the stairs. All she could remember out of her dream was looking at a letter addressed to her. She didnt remember opening or getting it in the first place. Still, that didnt matter.
Melody ran straight into her father as she jumped down the stairs.
'Wha-'he had begun to say.
'Dim'letgetereyet?'Melody understood what she had said but nobody else did.
'Slow down, Mel,-'said her brother.
'I told you not to call me that!'
'Would you like to be called ''Ody''?'
'Shu-!'
'Why are you so excited?' her father interrupted before things got out of control.
'Say it slowly this time,' said yet another one of her brothers.
'Did my letter get here yet?'
'No,' said her father,'but it should be here soon.'
Melody pushed away.
'Maybe they don't like you over there...'
'SHUT-UP!'
Melody's brother fell. Some invisible force had pushed him.
'That's it! You're dead!'
This was and everyday thing in the Bijou household. Nobody would ever get hurt, but then again, nobody would ever let out their threat, too. Luckily Melody's overworked father was there in time.
'I want everyone to sit down!If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say it at all!Now, Isabelle, your sister, has made breakfast for you!We' re all going to eat it with no rude interruptions of any sort!'
Everyone did as they were told. When everything was quiet, their father finally picked up his fork.
All Melody could think was she wasn't getting her letter and would have to go to some other school.
'Melody?' said her brother.
'What?'
'Could you pass the milk?'
She picked up the container of milk and slammed it down infront of her brother.
With a warning look from his father, he was forced to say,' thanks '
They all went back to eating their quiet supper.
Tap, tap, tap. Everyone jumped at the sudden noise. Tap, tap, hoot. Melody looked at the window.
'It's an owl!' she jumped out of her chair and opened the window,'And it's got a letter...for me!'
say "your an eight" five times fast
"I'm an eight, im an eight..."
...."Nevermind."
Now for a Stargate:Atlantis moment...
Becket: My turtles!
Weir: What?
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| REPLIED Tuesday, October 18, 2005 09:45:45 AM |
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Professor Cabot Forbes sat in his office near the top of Ravenclaw Tower and tried to concentrate on the lesson plans that were strewn across the desk. It would not be long until the new term began, and the flood of students would return to Hogwarts. As one of the Deputy Headmasters, he would soon be greeting the new arrivals and watching the wonder on their faces as they entered the school for the first time. It was always a pleasurable task.
He rose, and walked to the window, and flung it open, the summer sun lighting up the grounds and the woods beyond. The lake sparkled in the afternoon heat, and far away he could just make out the ringing and grumbling of the Hogwarts Express as it prepared for a trek south to London.
He was happy with the appointment here at Hogwarts, although some of the instructors had resented his relative youth as a wizard. Tall, dignified and smartly dressed, he was sometimes in contrast to the eccentric members of the faculty. But he won their respect over a couple of years for his scholarly attendtion to teaching, and strict, though fair, discipline. Under a strong set of teachers, the school itself seemed to be working towards all its objectives again: It might also be a good year for Quidditch.
In all the years he'd taught at Hogwarts, and from his attendance as a student, Forbes had never gotten over the thrill of the beginning of a new term.
Although he had to admit, the mood of the school was watchful -- there was disquiet because of the Death Eaters.
Forbes walked back to the desk, and unrolled a few scrolls, looking for familiar names of students of prominent families. There were a number that were known to Forbes, friends of his family, and some that were infamous. Soon the faces would emerge from behind the mask of youth, and some would stand out. Others would struggle to find their place, but all would find some kind of family here at Hogwarts.
The clock on the wall chimed softly, and Forbes pulled a pocket watch from his vest -- an automatic habit. Placing his mortarboard hat on his head, he went to the door and headed down the precipitous staircase, out the front doors, and down towards the station.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." |
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| REPLIED Tuesday, October 18, 2005 08:52:46 PM |
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The boy woke up slowly, as he so often did. The radio emantating from his alarm clock was belting out some old Beatles tune. He rolled out of bed and turned the alarm clock off. Yawning, Brent Dreher stretched and tried to rub the sleep out of his eyes. It was an early Tuesday morning, and he was looking forward to spending the day running around outside and playing any kind of sports his eleven year old mind could think up. He was about to head out to the kitchen when he heard a strange sound -- a scratching at the window.
Intrigued, he wandered over to the window above his bed -- for that was where it was coming from -- and saw, to his amazement, a tawny brown owl with a letter tied to it's leg. The owl flew in, circled the room once, and landed on his dresser. Confused, Brent took the letter from the owl and before he could say anything, the owl had gone back out the window.
Now a mixture of confused, tired, and hungry, Brent went out to his kitchen, where he saw his mom getting ready to head to her secretarial job. "Hi, honey," she said, going over to him and giving him a peck on the cheek. "How did you sleep?"
"Uh...okay, I guess." Brent debated whether to look at the letter in front of her, but decided not to, at least for now. "You're still here? It's almost nine."
"I know, but Mr. Smeltings, the new president, is going to be all busy today with his new assistant -- Vincent or Brendan or something, I don't know, some young kid just out of college -- that I don't think he'll notice if I'm close enough to on time."
"Oh, okay. Is there anything I should do around here today?" So I know if I can look at this letter or whatever, that is , he added mentally.
"No, I don't think so, sweetie. Why don't you go and see if that nice couple who lives across the street would need you?" She was talking about the Tonkses, who had just moved in across the street a month ago, kept mainly to themselves, had a baby girl, and managed to be both grim and fanciful at the same time...although Brent's dad did say that anyone dressing in robes and walking outside all day was at least a little strange.
"Yeah, okay, maybe I'll do that," said Brent happily. "I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay, honey. Love you!" She kissed him again and headed out the door. He ran to the window to try and catch a glimpse of her car pulling out the drive, and as he watched her leave, he thought he saw an owl fly up from behind the Tonks house.
Ignoring it, Brent turned to the kitchen and began studying the letter. On the back, there was a seal with four animals -- a snake, an eagle or some kind of big bird, what looked like a badger, and strangest of all, a gryffin -- holding the envelope shut. On the front was simply written:
Brent Dreher
The corner bedroom
15 Meadows Avenue
Little Whinging
Surrey
More intrigued than ever, Brent tore open the envelope and looked at the hand written letter inside.
Dear Mr Dreher,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Brent tried to think what the letter could mean, but was coming up blank. He put the letter down and chewed his cereal thoughtfully, trying to work out a solution as he so often did. Suddenly it came to him -- he'd seen an owl rising for no apparent reason from the Tonkses yard...surely they could help him out! At the very least, he'd get to go over there and visit little Nymphadora...although personally, Brent liked calling her Nympha. So it was decided then...as soon as his food was finished and he had washed and brushed, he'd go over and try to figure out what was going on.
If I weare a jet pilot, every time I was halfway through the flight, I'd do a nose-dive
My number? 333...only half-evil
Civilian #1: "Look, it's a bird!"
Civilian #2: "It's a plane!"
Civilian #3: "It's-"
Civilian #4: "MOVE IT, YA FREAKS, THE LIGHT AIN'T GETTIN' ANY GREENER!!"
--Amazing Spider-Man #46
This signature property of CDDA member 35
"I am not worried, Harry...I am with you." |
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| REPLIED Tuesday, October 18, 2005 11:12:22 PM |
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Entering the wine cellar in the Leaky Cauldron, Julius took out his father's wand and tapped it onto the bricks three times. A small hole appeared in the wall and it had gotten wider and wider, revealing a busy town. It was Diagon Alley.
Julius stared at the busy street of witches, wizards and most of the street was filled with children. He assumed that most of the children were the first-year students that have been enrolled into Hogwarts. He stepped through the archway and he heard a rumbling sound. He looked over his right shoulder and saw that the archway had shrunk back into a solid wall. Julius smiled and put his wand back into his pocket and pulled out a folded parchment. He unfolded it and inside it read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform
First year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
He realized that Tom, the Leaky Cauldron's bartender, had some of the equipments listed on the parchment that he would be able to borrow and he thought that would save some sickles and galleons. He already had a wand, which he received from his mother. His mother also handed him some of the uniforms from his deceased father's Hogwarts years. All he needed were the books.
Standing in front of Flourish and Blotts, Julius felt nervous. He took a deep breath and stepped inside the shop. All he saw were books everywhere. They were located on the walls and those walls were possibly ten feet tall, he thought. A funky-dressed shopkeeper approached Julius with a big smile on his face. He was wearing a pointed hat with a colourful feather on it, a pair of brown pants, red shirt and dark green cloak. On his cloak, Julius saw different badges and buttons. He thought that the shopkeeper was trying too hard to get attention.
"Ahoy!" the shopkeeper yelled. "You here for the Hogwarts books?"
"How'd you know?" asked Julius, curiously.
"Well, I'd have to be stupid not to know," the shopkeeper chuckled. "I'm assuming that you're in first-year."
"Yeah, you're--"
"No worries," interrupted the shopkeeper. "I know exactly what books you want. Follow me this way, please."
The shopkeeper waltzed through the busy shop, filled with bickering and yelling children, like an eel. Julius followed him from behind, struggling to get through the many people in the shop. He had reached the counter and the shopkeeper was waiting for him there, tapping his foot on the ground, with a pile of books.
"Here you go, Mr--"
"Julius McGregor," interrupted Julius, with a small intention of getting back at him when the shopkeeper had interrupted him earlier. He looked at the price, which was written on a piece of paper on the pile of school books. Julius stared at the price in awe and pulled out his galleons from his left pocket. He handed them to the shopkeeper excitedly.
"Thank you very much, Mr. McGregor," said the shopkeeper, putting the galleons into the cashier.
Taking out his wand, the shopkeeper mumbled something under his breath and aimed it at the pile of books.
"BOLSAZ!" he cried.
A flicker of light emerged from his wand and it bathed around the pile of books, as it turned into a large bag. The books were still in the bag and Julius gasped in awe. He was now even more excited to go to Hogwarts because he wanted to learn about magic.
"Here are your changes, Mr. McGregor," the shopkeeper said, handing Julius his changes in sickles.
"T-thanks," replied Julius, receiving his changes.
Julius grabbed the bag, filled with his school books, and stepped through the customers in the shop. As soon as he got out of Flourish and Blotts, he headed straight back to the Leaky Cauldron.
The Howling X-Stud
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| REPLIED Wednesday, October 19, 2005 04:23:49 AM |
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This was it. The moment in in his life he'd been waiting for since before he could remember. It had taken two hours to drive to London in the Ministry car his dad had been leant, and the once pristene letter with it's beautifully scrawled green scrpit now looked more like a worn out rag plucked from a bin. But Richard Chouler didn't care, he'd was about to get his very first wand.
Diagon Alley was as busy as ever, despite the unnerving rumours of dark wizardry that had recently began to circulate. The sun was high in the sky, there wasn't a cloud to be seen, and even the creepy hunchback, Tom, the owner of the Leaky Couldron, had failed to unsettle his feeling of overwhelming joy.
"Let me see the list again Rich," said Edegar, drawing his son's attention away from the surrounding street and taking the list of supplies to figure out where to go first. Only his mum and dad called him Richard, he prefered just being called Chou. "Hmm, robes. Madam Malkin's is just over there. They're still using Scamander's text I see. We could go to Flourish and Blotts first?"
Chou looked up into his father's face, his look of astonishment all too clear. How could he be thinking of books and robes at a time like this?!
"Olivander's," Edegar finished, a slight grin on his face.
Chou had seen Olivander's in a matter of seconds and was soon marching towards it's doors and was in. The quiet ring of the bell died away as he stood on the threshold of the shop, amazement adorning his face at the sight before him. The room was full to bursting with pile upon pile of narrow boxes, the dust cementing them in their places. Every so often it would be a bit cleaner, no doubt moved for other young witches and wizards to test.
Edegar finally entered the shop behind him when Mr. Olivander popped his head from behind a shelf.
"Another future Hogwarts boy. Come in, come in," Olivander said ushering them both further in the shop. "Ah, it's finally come to it then has it Edegar?"
"Finally. Its all he's been thinking about since he got the letter." replied Chou's dad.
"How's yours living out? Let me see."
Edegar drew out his wand and handed it to Mr. Olivander who began inspecting it thoroughly as though it were a long lost treasure.
"Ten and a half inches, unicorn hair. Yes I remember it now. Though I can assurdly say this notch wasn't here when it left my hands."
"Had a not so enjoyable encounter with a manticore down in Cornwall," Edegar replied, trying to appease Olivander. Edegar Chouler worked for the Ministry of Magic in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. "It was a hell of a time. Paperwork got backlogged for days. But anyway, more pressing matters Olivander."
"Indeed. The young master Chouler." Mr. Olivander returned Edegar's wand and drew out a measuring tape which he began stretching across Richard's arms and body.
"Hmm. Yes, I can think of a few possible candidates." Mr. Olivander absent mindedly wondered amoung the stacked boxes muttering quietly to himself. After a few agonising moments he returned with two boxes that he lightly blew clean.
"It's the wand that chooses the wizard remember, try one of these." he said, presenting them both to Chou.
Slowly opening the first he picked out the slender wand and gave it a short wave. With a bright flash the wand jumped from his hand, banging the ceiling and landed heavily back in it's box.
"Perhaps not," said Mr. Olivander closing it back up quickly and putting it aside.
"What about this one?" asked Chou.
"Yes, quite an unusual wand for my liking. Eleven inches, Ivy, with a Demiguise hair core."
"Demiguise eh? Unusual choice for you." added Edegar.
"Yes, I don't usually venture away from my main three cores, but I picked up this fascinating strand years ago in the Far East. Try it out then boy."
Chou picked up the wand and as soon as it touched his fingers it began to resonate a low hum.
"Is this it?" he cried.
"Well done, well done indeed," answered Mr. Olivander.
It was now official. He was a wizard.
"Surprised to see your old nemesis, Optimus Primal? I believe we have some catching up to do. A few memory gaps to fill. Let's start with the Beast Wars. They are over. You lost."
- Megatron
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| REPLIED Wednesday, October 19, 2005 06:23:36 AM |
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In excitement, Julius ran passed through the customers of the Leaky Cauldron, ignoring the young boy and his tall father, and headed for the stairs. He was holding his bag of books and opened the door to his cosy room. He put his bag gently down onto the bed as if it was a fragile object and then dropped onto the floor. Julius put his right hand through the crowded floor under his bed, not acknowledging the dead cockroaches and rats, dusty boxes and pieces of paper, and grabbed the handle of his old trunk. He smiled and pulled the trunk out of the darkness under his bed and laid it onto the desk behind him. Julius turned to his bed and paused. He looked around his room, realizing that how his mother was going to manage all of this while he was gone. He sighed and took a seat on his bed.
Minutes later, Julius made his way to the kitchen to find his mother. She wasn't there, so he asked the cook.
"Hey, sir, do you know where--"
"Ye mom's on the rooftop, Jules," interrupted the cook, as he continued to cook the main entree of raw fish, covered in eyes of newt and snake skin.
"Um, thanks," replied Julius.
He made an exit out of the kitchen and headed for the stairs to find his mother. On his way, he saw a man, talking to someone else in the room in front of him. The door was almost shut, letting out enough voices for someone to overheard. They did not realize this. Julius walked quietly to the door and stood behind the wall near it. He looked into the room and saw two men, dressed in long black coats with pointed hats. He couldn't see their faces because their hoods were covering their faces. Julius had no idea who those men were and they were having a conversation in low voices. In fact, Julius didn't even know why Tom would allow such people like them staying here. He thought that they were some sort of criminals at first sight. He ignored them and headed for the rooftop. His mother was there, staring at the clear sky.
"Mom?" asked Julius. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," answered Martha. "I'm fine, Julius."
"Mom," said Julius, nervously. "I'm not so sure about this whole thing. You know... me going to Hogwarts. What'll happen to you?"
Martha turned around, looking at her son. She approached him and got onto her knees. She smiled and put her warm hands onto his cheeks.
"Don't you worry about me, Jules," replied Martha. "I will be just fine here. You go and have fun there, okay? Make some friends. Learn new things."
"But--"
"No 'buts', Jules." interrupted Martha, with a soft smile. "I know how to take care of myself, darling. You, on the other hand, need to focus on your future. Hogwarts will decide that for you, hon. You will safe over there. Trust me, I've been there before and loved my years... and I want you to experience that as well."
Julius smiled and hugged his mother. He looked at the sun, as it was setting. Martha got off her knees and held her son's hand.
"Come now," said Martha. "We better go inside. The blood-sucking mosquitos are leaving their nests. We don't want to get bitten, do we?"
Julius chuckled and they entered back into the building. As Julius passed the room where he saw the two suspicious men, they were gone. He wondered where they had gone and shrugged.
The Howling X-Stud
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| REPLIED Wednesday, October 19, 2005 11:09:52 AM |
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Three hours later, washed and fully dressed, Brent was knocking on the front door of the Tonks' residence. He had barely knocked on the front door when it opened and there stood Theodore Thaddeus Tonks, his hair messy as ever and his purple robes flapping behind him. "Oh, hi Brent! Come on in! What are you doing here?"
"Oh, well I just thought I'd come over, see if you guys needed any cleaning or anything..." Brent said. Judging from what he could see of the living room behind Mr. tonks, the house definitely needed it.
"Cleaning? No, I don't think so, but you can hang out and visit 'little Nympha' for a while if you want to," said Ted with a smile and a laugh.
Skeptically, Brent looked around again and said, "Yeah, okay. Uh, there was also...this thing...it seems silly, but--"
"Who's that, Ted?" echoed a voice from beyond the stairwell. The owner of the voice turned the corner and Brent saw Tonks's wife Andromeda coming around the corner. :Oh, hi Brent. What's going on?"
Brent smiled at Mrs. Tonks and said, "Well...I just figured I'd come over...see if you guys had any jobs or anything for me. Plus, there was this thing I wanted to ask you..."
Mrs. Tonks started, seemingly surprised by the statement. "Really? What?"
Brent hesitated, unsure of how to go on. "Well...it seems kind of silly, but...
Mr. Tonks smiled, laid his hand on Brent's shoulder, and said, "Come on, son, spit it out..."
Brent closed his eyes, prepared himself for the laughter he was sure he would recieve, and quickly said, "Whadayouknowabootowels?"
Mr. Tonks blinked for a moment and said, "Towels? Well, I know they're soft, and fuzzy, and Andromeda has quite a few of them...."
"Owls, Ted, not towels," Mrs. Tonks corrected gently. To Brent she said, "Why do you ask, dear?"
"Well...it's just that....well, this morning, an owl woke me up and there was some letter tied to it's leg..." he paused and showed them the letter that had come from the owl before continuing, "...and then I saw an owl coming up from your yard earlier, so I thought..."
Immediately, Ted tore open the letter and quickly scanned it, letting out a short bark of laughter when he got to the end. "Look at that, Andromeda! Minerva got that deputy headmistress position after all!"
"Not now, Ted, we have to explain to him..." She looked carefully at Brent for a moment before going on. "Brent, do you remember that one time last summer when you fell twenty feet out of that tree and didn't break anything?"
"Yeah, Mrs. Tonks, I--" he stopped talking as he realized that while that had happened last summer, the Tonkses had only been living here for a couple of months. "I never told you about that."
Mrs. Tonks smiled mysteriously and said, "Call me Andromeda, sweetie."
Ted cleared his throat and said, "See, Brent, the thing is...this letter...if you recieved it, that means you're a wizard, like us."
Brent wasn't sure if this was a joke or not. "A wizard...like Merlin?"
"Exactly," said Ted
Slowly, a smile began to spread across Brent's face. "So you mean I can do like magic and stuff?"
"Precisely...hey, you know what? As long as I'm heading into London today, why don't I take you down to Diagon Alley today to get your supplies?"
Andromeda paled slightly and whispered to her husband, "Dear, are you sure that's safe, with all the...you know-whats?"
"Andromeda, it's the middle of the day...we'll be fine." Ted turned to Brent with a smile on his face. "Come on, Brent...your real life starts now."
If I weare a jet pilot, every time I was halfway through the flight, I'd do a nose-dive
My number? 333...only half-evil
Civilian #1: "Look, it's a bird!"
Civilian #2: "It's a plane!"
Civilian #3: "It's-"
Civilian #4: "MOVE IT, YA FREAKS, THE LIGHT AIN'T GETTIN' ANY GREENER!!"
--Amazing Spider-Man #46
This signature property of CDDA member 35
"I am not worried, Harry...I am with you." |
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| REPLIED Wednesday, October 19, 2005 11:41:47 AM |
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The sun was still shining at the Hogwarts receiving station, and the engine was still in place. It had been a long walk, but Forbes rarely took the boats or carriages on this habitual journey.
He bought a Snickelbert Soda from a vendor in the little station, and went over to talk to the Station Master and the engineer, who were deep in conversation.
Albert Moran, the driver was a middle-aged man who had gone to Hogwarts, but preferred this job to any he had ever had since graduation. The Station Master, Thomas Pullet; was a tall gangly man who oversaw several goblin porters at the Hogwarts end of the line.
Forbes cheerfully greeted them, and they waved back as he walked up.
"Good afternoon, Professor" said Pullet in his deep gravelly voice.
"Good day to you both," replied Forbes. "How long until you make the trip? I thought you'd be gone by now."
"No, there's been a delay," grumbled Moran, "Don't know what's going on, some problem with the Yorkshire line, so the Ministry sent a message saying we'd better wait."
Forbes looked down the track automatically. Then he pulled out a sheaf of papers from a grubby briefcase and riffled through them. It was a passenger manifest.
"Looks like a long list, there, Professor," said Pullet. "Anyone yeh lookin for in pertickler?"
"No, no, just the usual suspects. Although there's an interesting crop of First Years coming up this time. I'd like to meet them, you know, my usual routine."
The other men smiled.
"How's the old girl performing this year?" said Forbes indicating the gleaming red locomotive.
"Ah, good as gold, sir." Moran beamed proudly, placing his hand lovingly on the cab window frame. "We're using some of that Glen Argyre leprechaun coal. It keeps her in trim."
Forbes shared the men's love for this odd muggle machine that seemed so much a part of life at Hogwarts.
"Care to come up, and sit a while?"
"Yes, I think I'd like that, as long as you're not going anywhere."
Forbes deftly swung up the stepladder into the cab, turning to face Moran and the gleaming array of dials, knobs, steam valves and levers.
"I think they prepared a primer on the trip for the First Years this time, so there should be less trouble for you and Pullet and the conductors."
He settled into the fireman's seat to pass the time.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." |
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| REPLIED Wednesday, October 19, 2005 04:50:57 PM |
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"'Nigel Benson, a young but talented wizard in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was found dead in his new apartment yesterday evening when he failed to show up for work that day. Eyewitness sightings state that a glowing green skull was seen hovering over the sky above the apartment in the previous evening. The Ministry of Magic refuses to confirm or refute any rumors relating either to Mr. Benson's death or the green emblem. Mr. Benson is most noted for his investigation into the alleged illegal activities of one Lucius Malfoy, a well known...' That enough or shall I keep reading?"
"What's your point?"
"Is it true?"
"That Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters killed him and placed the Dark Mark in the sky? Yes."
"Ha! Real subtle."
"Is that sarcasm I detect in your tone?"
"How perceptive of you."
"Careful my friend, the ice is thin where you're standing."
"The ice is virtually gone, 'friend', and below the maelstrom waits."
"Can HE rely on you for this task?"
"I don't care about Hogwarts or Dumbledore. You know what I'm after..."
"Serve him well--"
"Yeah, whatever."
"--and it will be arranged."
"Make sure that it is."
----------------------
The clock struck seven when Bane Northwood, recently christened 'Professor Northwood', stepped between Platforms 9 and 10 at King's Cross Station to the train that would actually take him to Hogwarts.
Taking a look around as he emerged between the walls, he saw that it was abandoned. Which was not surprising, considering that the train itself hadn't arrived it.
Looking around, he spotted a maintainence man who looked like he worked at the station. Approaching, Bane asked the older man, "Excuse me, sir... Any idea how much longer before the train arrives?"
"Which? The Hogwart's Express?" The burly wizard asked, straightening and scratching the back of his head.
Bane nodded. "That'll be the one," he replied pleasantly.
The man pulled an ancient timepeice from his belt and studied it for a moment. Bane waited without any sign of impatience. "In the half-hour I reckon," he finally said.
"Cheers mate," Bane nodded then removed himself to a nearby pillar where he proceeded to wait. |
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| REPLIED Wednesday, October 19, 2005 05:59:41 PM |
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In the rather lavish dining room of the Bensons there stood a witch and two wizards. The overly theatrical Rosalie Benson had been put to bed for the afternoon with the help of a rather soothing charm cast by the aged and thinning wizard Armando Dippet. Nicholas had been sent to scrounge together some food and drinks for the guests to allow his father to discuss more adult matters with the oddly dressed trio. This was much to the disgruntlement of young Nicholas, he had hoped to hear more about his brother's death and the world of magic. Upon returning, Nicholas paused to the side of the closed double doors to listen in, but, surprisingly, he could not hear a word.
Eventually, Malcolm Benson came out of the room to retrieve Nicholas and their afternoon tea. Nicholas took a seat at the long dining room table next to Dippet who inquisitively pulled a hot chocolate to himself. After an explanation of what was in "hot chocolate" for Professor Dippet who dared to taste the drink for the first time in his life, the group remained in silence, unsure of what to discuss since Nicholas was now in the room. Dippet then broke the silence with a small cough.
"Well, Mr. Benson, have you ever considered that both your sons might attend Hogwarts?" Dippet happily inquired as his tapped his mug with his wand, causing the contents to stir.
"Y-you want Nick to go to that school as well?" Malcolm ran a worried finger over his brow.
"Oh, no, this wasn't my decision to leave the invitation open, Albus is the Headmaster now," the frail wizard replied before sipping his hot cocoa. Dippet paused and dipped the tip of his bony finger in the thick brownish liquid in his mug. "Blimey, you say this comes from 'syrup'? I believe I'll need to acquire a bottle! ... Of course, I fully endorse Albus's decision to invite Nicholas inspite of recent events. Every child who shows magical promise has his or her name down on the Hogwarts list since birth. Nicholas will be a fine addition!"
"So, he is to be a-a wizard? Like Nigel?"
"Yes, it is not odd for Muggle siblings to both display abilities. After all, there is a bit of a Muggle in all of us," Dumbledore assured with a smile.
" Nearly all of us," Bagnold quickly corrected.
"In due time, Milicent, in due time," Dippet added with a nod.
"Professor--Headmaster, I must say that while I appreciate your offer..." Malcolm moved to quickly shut the dining room's glass double doors and lowered his voice, clearly afraid of being overheard by Rosalie. "I am a bit uneasy about allowing Nicholas attend the school. I can not even begin to explain what my wife's reaction would entail and so soon after Nigel..." his voice seemed to trail off as if he struggled to complete the sentence.
"What happened to Nigel was, I daresay, quite an anomaly," Bagnold quipped in her defense. "The Ministry of Magic can assure you--"
"Milicent," Dumbledore interrupted. "This family has lost a son. I believe they deserve to know the truth."
The Minister's face soured like she had just tasted a rather tart lemon.
"The truth?" Malcolm sounded intrigued. "So, he wasn't murdered?"
Albus Dumbledore sighed quietly and turned to face Malcolm. "The truth is that he was killed by a curse from the one who prefers to refer to himself as Voldemort or one of his followers. Not by a copycat burglar or pure non-magical 'anomaly' as the Ministry would have you believe."
"You can not prove that, Albus!" Bagnold hissed. Her face was growing redder by the second. "I swore I'd never live to see the day when the Headmaster at Hogwarts would believe tabloid hogwash!"
"So, it's true. This wizard, Voldemort, is on a killing rampage through the magic world?"
"It's not wizards and witches he's really after, I'm afraid," Dippet noted softly.
Malcolm's expression shifted to one of alarm. "You mean--?"
"Muggles," Nicholas finished in a whisper as he stared at the dredge in his tea cup.
"Yet you still ask me to send my second son to that school--RIGHT INTO THE LION'S DEN?!" Malcolm pounded a fist on the table in his anger.
"I can assure you, Mr. Benson," Dumbledore replied in the same gentle tone, "that Hogwarts is the safest place for your son. Nicholas will be surrounded by witches and wizards. Voldemort would never be so naive to attack the school."
"What if he is outside of school--what then? He'll surely be assaulted by this evil wizard!"
"I am afraid that we are all subject to that clause, Mr. Benson, wizard or not. Better to be prepared, I think."
Malcolm opened his mouth to protest once more, but sighed in his defeat. Seeming lost in thought, he slowly walked along the table to stand in front of a window that looked out onto a tidy backyard. Stroking his chin, Malcolm sighed once more as Nicholas watched his father's movements intently, eyes pleading. Nicholas wanted desperately to go to Hogwarts, to become a wizard and help put a stop to this Voldemort nonsense.
"You must understand," Malcolm spoke to the window, "my wife, she's not handling this very well. She's a tad distraught."
"She's going spare," Nicholas grumbled.
Malcolm's head immediately snapped around. "Do not insult your mother!" His expression softened before his eyes dropped to the floor. "What I mean to say is that I don't think she would be able to handle me allowing Nicholas going to this school. I-I think she could with a bit of a holiday...as soon as possible, and I could as well." Malcolm paused and took in a deep breath. "I-Is it possible, Headmaster, that you could... find Nicholas a safe place to stay until school begins and ...ensure his safe passage to there as well?"
Nicholas's father raised his eyes to meet those twinkling behind half-moon spectacles. Dumbledore glanced to Bagnold, to Dippet, and back to Mr. Benson. Nicholas's fingers were digging into the wood of his seat in anticipation.
Dumbledore smiled warmly. "I believe something can be arranged."
~~~~~
Ben's blonde ponytail swung from side-to-side as he helped Nicholas heft a large red trunk from the Ministry car. Ben blended rather well with society with his long hair, bell-bottomed jeans, tie-dyed shirt, and sandals. It scrambled Nicholas's mind as to how so many wizards could be horrid at dressing themselves in Muggle clothes. Nicholas's eyes widened as the weight of the trunk nearly pulled him to the ground when Ben switched hands.
"Can't you just...y'know...jinx it or something? So we don't have to...carry it?" Nicholas whispered expectantly.
Ben laughed and gestured to the mildy-bustling street of Muggles around them. Nicholas looked up and down the tiny side street. The dreary gray and stormy afternoon sky only made the path seem narrower. Muggles were milling about, not paying the pair much attention. Nicholas wasn't sure where exactly they were, but he was pretty sure it was somewhere in the heart of London--which he thought a little odd. They were shuffling towards a building that faced the street. If this place was so popular, then how was it that no Muggles ever accidentally wandered inside?
Nicholas cast Ben a raised eyebrow as Ben pushed open the dark wooden door of an old grubby-looking and possibly abandoned pub. The two carried the trunk inside and let it fall to the floor. Nicholas gazed around in shock. They really were in a pub, but not just any pub, some weird wizardfolk pub. There was a trio of old witches with tall pointy hats just inside that were cackling and drinking a honey colored liquid out of mugs. A pudgy old man who sat in the corner was spilling more from his flask onto his shirt than the amount that was going into his mouth which was flapping about as he sang to the wall. At the bar sat a pair of wizards dressed in billowing orange and green robes that were speaking adamantly with the bartender who lacked any noticeable hair atop his head or teeth in his smile.
Ben grinned and threw an arm around Nicholas's shoulders. "Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron!"
It's Bruce!
DWTS on CountingDown! |
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| REPLIED Wednesday, October 19, 2005 09:02:07 PM |
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Once in London, Ted and Brent hit the streets, with Ted talking all the way. "Now, the key to being a wizard, Brent, is that no muggles ever see you using magic. Of course, your family probably will, but there's an exemption for same household family members as far as magic goes according to the Wizengamot."
"What's that?" asked Brent, genuinely interested in anything he could learn about this new world of his.
"Basically, it's a system of judges set up to take care of people who've seriously broken any of the wizarding laws." Ted paused to catch a breath outside a dingy tavern. "Now, at Hogwarts, there are four houses. The brave students go in Gryffindor, the smart and clever ones in Ravenclaw, the caring and helpful ones in Hufflepuff, and the...cunning...ones go in Slytherin?"
"Four houses..." muttered brent. "Which house were you in, Ted?"
Ted smiled. "Actually, I was in Hufflepuff. Most people consider that a house for students not 'good enough' to be in one of the others, but that's just unfair all around. Anyway, all the houses are equally good -- even if Slytherin does have a reputation for turning out Dark wizards..."
"What does that mean?"
Ted paused as if unsure what to say. "Well...put it this way. If those chaps causing problems over in Asia were wizards, they'd all be Dark."
Brent swallowed. "So, there are evil wizards too, then?"
"Evil is a bit strong...though maybe not entirely off," chuckled Ted. "Anyway, I doubt you'd be put in Slytherin, so don't worry. I might not be a Legilimens like Andromeda--"
"Legi-what?"
"Basically, a mind-reader, though there are some who try to make it sound more important. Regardless, I've seen enough Slytherin students to be reasonably certain that you won't be one of them. In fact, I might even go so far as to say with an inquisitive brain like yours, you might actually end up in Ravenclaw."
Brent nodded, distinctly reassured. He looked around and noticed that they were still in front of the pub. the sign out front said The Leaky Cauldron , and it looked as if it had been there since Londdon was built. "So, what are we doing here, then?"
Ted smiled widely. "Here, Brent, is the entrance to Diagon Alley."
Brent stepped back and craned his neck. There were some additional floors on top of the ppub, indicating apartments. There were more buildings just behind the pub, and while there might have been an alley behind them, Brent doubted it was wide enough to hold an entire shopping plaza. "Where is it?" he asked. Ted just chuckled again and said, "Follow me."
The two went into the bar and Brent saw pretty much what he expected, right down to the old, bald, and toothless bartender. "This way, Brent." Ted kept going and soon they were standing outside in a small walled courtyard. Ted took out a small stick from inside his robes and counted bricks -- three up, two across -- and then he tapped the last brick three times. After a second, all the bricks started turning inward and within seconds, had become a doorway. Brent took a look at Ted, who stepped through and gestured him to follow.
Brent stepped through and stopped, astonished at what he was seeing. Through the doorway was a busy street, bustling with people selling all kinds of things. Brent saw carts with regular fruits and vegetables, but then he saw others selling stuff like bat wings, vampire teeth, and strangest of all, what looked like genuine human eyeballs.
Brent glanced around and saw Ted a few feet ahead of him. He ran to catch up and said, "What is all this?"
"Diagon Alley,," replied Ted knowingly. "The one-stop spot for all a Wizard's needs. You still have your letter, right?" Brent nodded and held it up. "Good, because we'll need that list inside it."
"List, what list?"
"There should be a list of books and suppliues you need in there."
Brent looked and saw that Ted was right. Behind the letter was a second piece of paper which read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform
First year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
"Most of the stuff," continued Ted, "we can pick up easy enough, and the robes and wand will take a while but we can take care of those too. The problem is you don't really have any Wizarding money."
"There's wizarding money, too?"
"Yeah...you got galleons, knuts, and sickles. Unless the rates changed on me, it's twenty-nine knuts to a sickle and seventeen sickles to a galleon."
"So how do I get it? I mean, I don't really have any money on me."
"Well..." Ted looked around. "Andromeda comes from a family with a lot of money, and before they kicked her out for marrying a muggle-born like me--"
"Muggle-born?"
"Oh, right, I didn't explain about muggles. They're basically what we call non-magic people, and certain other wizards hold the view that to be muggle born is to be...inferior, somehow."
Brent frowned sadly, realizing that this would include him. "Oh...okay."
"Ah, don't worry, Brent. It's mostly Slytherins who hold that view, and who cares what they think. Now, as I was saying, Andromeda still got a fair deal of money before she left, so how about I lend some to you so you can start your own account?"
Brent stared openmouthed. "Really? Won't that leave you short?"
Ted clapped his hand on Brent's back. "Not even a little bit. Come on -- this way to Gringotts. Oh, and you might want to beware the goblin bankers. They won't hurt you, but they can be a bit...titchy."
Brent nodded and looked up as they entered the massive stone building. They went inside, and Brent saw dozens of goblin bankers milling around, weighing gold -- no, galleons -- on ancient-looking scales, carrying reports, and doing any number of other odd tasks. Ted walked up to one with a hooklike nose and said, "Hi, we'd like to open a new account and transfer some money into it."
"Any relation to the new account holder, sir?" said the goblin sharply.
Ted paled and said, "Well...no."
"Very well," said the goblin and made a note on his paper. "I need you to fill out the amounts right here." He handed the paper to Ted, who took it, considered, and wrote some amounts on it. The hook-nosed goblin took it back, nodded, and gave it to another smaller goblin. The goblin said, "Follow me," and gestured to Ted and Brent. They followed him onto an old rail car and as soon as they had sat, the car was rocketing down the tunnel, taking turns at light speed. Brent saw bursts of flame coming from the sides of the cart as it went further and further downward and wondered if they were from dragons. Eventually, the cart slowed to a stop and the goblin announced, "Vault 546." He started to get out and then impaled Brent with an icy glare. "Your vault."
Brent swallowed and followed the goblin. He glanced back at Ted for reassurance, but Ted merely waved him onward. He nodded and followed the goblin into the vault. What he saw inside shocked him. There before him was a pile of gold at least as tall as he was. In addition to the gold, which Brent took to be galleons, there were little silver ones and round brown ones. Brent took a proffered sack and scooped as much of it as he could into the bags. "Careful there, Brent," said Ted from behind him. Don't take too much or you'll use it all up. Best to stop with what you have for now."
After the bank, Ted and Brent went to a bookstore to pick up the textbooks Brent needed, and from there they went to a place called the Magical Menagerie to get a cat for Brent. They left with a fat brown-and black striped cat who had bounced onto Brent as soon as he stepped in the store and would not stop following him. Brent decided to call the cat Lincoln, both because he looked somewhat like an American penny and because he, Brent, had been born on February 12, the day that, according to his American father, Abraham Lincoln had been born. "Well, from here there's nothing left to do except get your wand and your robes," said Ted. "Let's see...Madam Malkin's is right there. Let's do your robe first."
They went into a shop that was ten feet away from them and had many children going in and out with robes of varying sizes in hands. The lady inside just finished up with someone and was sending them off when she spotted them and said, "Well! Theodore Tonks! Your face hasn't changed one bit! And who's this charming young fellow?"
Brent smiled at the woman's outgoing manner. "Hullo, maam. My name's Brent."
"Just Brent? Didn't your parents give you a last name?"
Still smiling, Brent said, "Dreher."
Ted spoke up again. "We just needed to get Brent here a set of robes. He's starting at Hogwarts, and--"
Madam Malkin cut him off. "Say no more. Step up here, young man. We'll see what we can do for you."
Half an hour later, Brent emerged with his robes and hat in a bag on his side. Him and Ted went to pick up the neccessary sundry supplies that Brent would need, and finally they did what Brent was most looking forward to getting -- a wand. They went to an old looking shop named Ollivanders' and stopped outside. "Well, this is the spot. I'll just--er--wait here," said Ted.
"You're not coming in?" asked Brent.
"Well...no. I have to say, Mr. Ollivander, he...well, he frightens me, a little. But you go in, you'll be fine. He doesn't bite...at least, I don't think he does."
"Well...okay. Stay with Ted, Lincoln." Lincoln mewed and hopped up onto Ted's feet, as though to keep him from going anywhere else. Brent went inside and was astonished by how filthy the place looked. Every other store Brent had been in had maintained some semblance of cleanliness. This place, on the other hand, was covered in cobwebs and dust. A pile of rags at a desk moved, and Brent realized it was a person. "Ah! New student at Hogwarts, yes?"
"Er...yessir," said Brent, immediately realizing what Ted had meant about Mr. Ollivander -- for that had to be who this was -- being creepy. "I'm Brent Dreher."
"Well then, let's get started!" Mr ollivander leapt over the desk he had been sitting at and immediately started taking measurements of Brent. "Which is your wand hand?"
"My--oh! My right hand...I guess. I mean, that's what I write with, so--"
"Yes, yes, fine!" said Mr Ollivander testily from behind a shelf. Brent immediately realized that he was over there but the ruler was still taking measurements of him. Brent heard some fingers snap and Mr. Ollivander said, "Now, every Ollivander wand has a core of a magical substance, Mr. Dreher, and no two are alike. At Ollivanders' we use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and dragon heartstrings as cores for our wands. Now, try this one -- ten inches, holly and phoenix feather."
Brent had barely touched it when immediately it was snatched out of his hand and Mr. Ollivander was saying. "No, that won't do. Try this one -- willow and unicorn hair, nine inches. Very flexible."
Brent tentatively reached out for the new wand and closed his fist around it...just in time to feel a slight burn as it was yanked away. "Not that either, hmmm. Alright, try this -- dragon heartstring, maple, ten and one-half inches."
And so it went, for ten minutes, with Brent trying various wands, and Mr. Ollivander smiling more and more as each one failed to pass whatever test Mr. Ollivander had for them. Finally he said, "Okay, let's try this one...twelve inches, rowan and unicorn hair."
Brent reached out for this latest one, and immediately felt a surge of warmth run through his arm. A wind seemed to blow from somewhere, even though all the windows were closed and the door was shut tight. "Oh, yes, yes that's it!" cried Mr. Ollivander gleefully.
"That...that was...stammered Brent, unable to think of what to say.
Ollivander smiled thinly. "That, my boy, is what happens when a wand has found it's match. Now, I should tell you that no wand will ever work as well for you as that one, and that I will be needing five galleons for it."
Brent gave Mr. Ollivander the money, and decided that although Ted was right in a way, Mr. Ollivander wasn't near as bad as Brent had feared. Wand in hand, Brent went out into the street where Ted and Lincoln were waiting. Lincoln immediately leapt up into his arms while Ted said, "Everything go alright?"
"Yup. Check it out," Brent said proudly, displaying his wand. "Rowan and unicorn hair, twelve inches. Nice, huh?"
"Definitely. Now, we should really be getting back. There's one more rather difficult task ahead of us."
"What's that?"
"Telling your parents about this."
If I weare a jet pilot, every time I was halfway through the flight, I'd do a nose-dive
My number? 333...only half-evil
Civilian #1: "Look, it's a bird!"
Civilian #2: "It's a plane!"
Civilian #3: "It's-"
Civilian #4: "MOVE IT, YA FREAKS, THE LIGHT AIN'T GETTIN' ANY GREENER!!"
--Amazing Spider-Man #46
This signature property of CDDA member 35
"I am not worried, Harry...I am with you." |
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| REPLIED Thursday, October 20, 2005 03:47:02 AM |
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Richard Chouler's trip to Diagon Alley had been one of his most exciting to date. Of course being a half-blood he'd been countless times before, but then none of them had been filled with the anticipation that in just a few more days he'd be heading to Hogwarts.
After buying everything he needed, his father had dragged him to the Leaky Couldron where he seemed determined to linger and chat to several other witches and wizards for what seemed like hours.
"I didn't want to worry you about anything Edegar," said a burely wizard, dropping his voice a fraction of what it had been. "But when an out of the way chicken farm just randomly recieves that large an order of Toads..."
"And from Borneo of all places," added the stocky witch next to him.
"Well, one does tend to put two and two together," continued the wizard.
"No, your quite right Algenon," answered Edegar. "It must be looked into. And especially with these, uh, troubling rumours circulating," he added in a near audible whisper. "I'll send Douglas to inspect the place first thing in the morning."
Half an hour later, and then yet another 2 hour drive home, they both arrived home exhausted and to be greeted with a mournfull cry from the pet augurey. Their house was an eclectic collection of Muggle and wizarding adournment, as though two different homes had been spliced together with magic.
"He's been groaning all day," said Chou's mum, Patricia as she greeted them home. "Before you pack your things away Rich, go bring in the washing for me. Its probably going to rain."
Chou's face brightened with joy as he grabbed for his new wand.
"You can put that away for start young man," she said. "You're not at school yet.
"But..." he exclaimed
"I don't cook and clean with my bare hands for my health you know," she quickly cut in. Her finger was pointing now and that meant there was no point arguing further. As a Muggle, Patricia had found it hard to fit into the wizarding community at first. But she was always adamant that before her son became of age, he'd be living as much a Muggle life as that of a wizard.
Trudging outside under the overcast sky, Chou flung the linen basket onto the grass and proceeded to pull at the sheets that were hung from the line. With as little care as he could muster he pushed them into the basket and continued to the next. It wasn't until the second large sheet that his grin returned with a slight laugh, placing it in as unceramoniously as he could. Each time he flung them in they descretely folded themselves up into a neat pile that his mother would be proud of. Looking up he saw his father inside the house, his back to the window, slighly twitching his wand behind his back.
"Surprised to see your old nemesis, Optimus Primal? I believe we have some catching up to do. A few memory gaps to fill. Let's start with the Beast Wars. They are over. You lost."
- Megatron
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| REPLIED Thursday, October 20, 2005 06:11:33 AM |
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The clock struck midday, causing the owner of the bed to launch a trainer at it. He was slow to get up, it was a saturday morning, how he hated getting up on a saturday
well earlier than 2pm
he rolled in his bed cursing the cuckoo clock he had got for his birthday the other day.
He rolled over to his left and fell out of bed
"You up Simon,"
"yes mum" replied simon
"Good, you've got mail"
"Me, mail, where from"
"It says its from somewhere called hogwarts,"
"Never?"
"It says so"
"Ill be down in a sec mum"
He couldn't believe it, he had heard of a school called hogwarts from his freinds, people they had known were disappearing to this far off school.
He jumped into his jeans and slung on his t shirt.
He rushed over the hall and jumped down a flight of stairs to land on the floor below.
He rushed into the kitchen and found, accompanied by a large cup of tea was an envelope, made of a peculiar paper.
"This is odd paper mum,"
"Its not paper, its parchment,"
Simon opened the envelope, labelled with the address
Simon Purdy
Upstairs cupboard (This was his rooms name)
34 dunkam street
Sheffield
He tore through the seal, and looked at the letter
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Purdy,,
We are pleased to inform you that you have accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"mum it sounds like i wont be 'ttending greenstone after all,
He read further to realise there was another sheet behind it, it said there was a need for all these odd things.
But it said below that where he could get them at a place called diagon alley.
We have to go shopping, first we need to go the post office.
Suddenly there was a tapping at the window, there was a tawny owl rapping at the window.
Simon rushed to open it, there was a note in its claws saying
Send your reply with this owl,
Thanks
Albus Dumbledore.
So simon filled in a slip of paper and sent it off with the owl.
Then he continued, we gotta go to london.
Eventually they got to london, it was very busy. They went through into the leaky cauldron. There was a queue of people coming through the back door, apparently they were all trying to get into diagon alley, but didn't know how.
One person said "we s'pposed to be going into diagon alley, and you cant figure out how to do it?"
So after a while the barman went round the back to sort them out, there was a loud crash from the back, when simon finally got there it appeared that there had been a wall and it had collapsed.
Simon and his mum went along the alleyway to discover that the items in shops were priced in something called, knut, sickles and Galleons
so they went up further and thankfully they found a bank
it was run by the most odd of individuals
they entered the bank to find more odd people, they joined a queue to get their money changed over to this odd currency.
Outside it was hot and humid, so they bought an ice cream, which was very nice, it didnt even seem to melt, how odd, like magic thought simons mum
which simon replied, it probably was.
They rushed round buying bits and bobs, when he'd got his clothes and his equipment, he had one place left to visit - Ollivanders - the best wandmakers - apparently.
So simon made his way to the shop while his mother stopped outside for a cigarrette.
"Aah, hello young man. Your first wand, well i am here to help as always. "
simon was astounded, normally in a shop you had a wonder around, but this was like walking into a corner shop. only he couldn't actually see any wands,
"Try this" said Mr. Ollivander
simon waved it, and it just cracked, it sounded like a firework,
"Not quite, try this"
Simon must have waved fifty wand before anything happened,
"12 inch Beech with a charcoal core - an experimental core, but here try this," simon waved it, there was a rush of warmth shoot up his arm, he produced a small rain shower and then got rid of it.
"Well, well well, i am impressed, and you come from a muggle family, do you?" asked mr ollivander.
"Muggle - ? yes yes" said simon
"Well i am impressed" said mr ollivander waving him out the shop.
Simon and his mum made their way back to the exit, and walked towards the back door of the leaky cauldron, there was a loud grunt behind him, the wall had rebuilt itself, if this was magic, simon couldn't wait to learn it. He made a mental note, to read all his school books as soon as he got home.
He got home that night, he ran upstairs. The first book he picked up was transfiguration. He was immediately hooked, simon knew then it was going to be a long night.
There was two months at least before term started. He had two months to really get into it.
But by the morning, he knew he was really going to enjoy transfiguration. He felt he would be really good at it, but didnt know why.
He stood up dazed a little, staying up all night can do that to a person.
He opened the window to finds his new owl - benjy come in, he opened the cage to let him in, then he dropped back on to his bed, falling asleep immediately.
Rule Britannia yeah! lol |
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| REPLIED Thursday, October 20, 2005 07:48:47 AM |
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While they chatted, Forbes noted the that Moran had been catching up with the latest from the Daily Prophet .
"What d'ye think, Professor, of this here murder?"
He pointed to the vividly illustrated story on the pages. A number of Ministry Wizards and Witches were examining a house.
"It certainly has stirred a lot of people up," said Forbes. "Of course, the poor fellow was one of their own. Yes, I'm very concerned about what this will do to the school this year. Hopefully it won't affect attendance. I think Dumbledore will calm most of the parents -- for now."
He wondered about the name on the school list that came from the affected family, but he said nothing to Moran.
"I'm not sure you need to worry about anything, Albert. Hogwarts is a safe place."
The Station Master put his head into the cab from below, and slapped the side of the partition.
"Ollright, gents, we've got the all clear."
At this, Forbes vacated the seat for the fireman, who was climbing aboard from the opposite side. He tipped his hat to both of them, and clambered down onto the platform.
"Safe journey to London, gentlemen!"
He stood back as Moran looked back along the platform, then forward through the glass to the signal at the end of the station yard limit. The little semphore was in the down, or clear position.
A cloud of steam escaped from the cylinders as Moran slowly opened the valve, and the first chuff of power was applied to the massive drivers.
As he stood on the Hogwarts platform, Forbes gave a wave to the conductor, and watched the driving wheel slip once, twice, and then catch and slowly the engine began to move along beside the platform, gathering momentum on its journey south. He sent a silent thought towards the train as it now moved steadily away from his view, a haven for some of the students, a big adventure for others, and a thing of dread for a few.
In a few days, it will all begin again.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." |
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| REPLIED Thursday, October 20, 2005 01:32:56 PM |
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| REPLIED Thursday, October 20, 2005 05:01:20 PM |
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Melody grabbed a handful of the sand-like powder.
'Remember to say it clearly!'said her father.
She nodded as she threw the powder into the fire place, stepped into it and yelled 'Diagon Alley!' In a flick of green flames, she was gone.
Melody immediately closed her eyes. She couldn't believe how sick this was making her. A moment passed and she fell out of a fire place.
Several thuds came after her before she decided to open her eyes. Her father, brother's and sisters were dusting the soot off their robes. Melody looked down at her muggle clothes.
'I'm a mess!' she blurted out.
Melody had been unaware of the surrounding crowd of people.
'Sorry...'she mumbled.
Everyone went back to what they were doing.
'Dad, where are we?'
'The Leaky Cauldron, stupid,' said one of her brothers.
'Andrew!' yelled Isabelle.
'What?'
Isabelle rolled her eyes.
'C'mon,' said their father. He brought them outside of the Leaky Cauldron, tapped three stones with his wand and stood back.
Nothing happened.
'Dad...'
'Oops!Wrong ones!' he took out his wand again and repeated the process.
Melody's mouth opened in awe. The wall had opened up to show a street that had definetly not been there before.
Isabelle left to meet her friends who had just called her over. Andrew, Bobby and Josh began to talk about what they needed and wandered off to what looked like a joke shop at the end of the street.
'First,'said Melody's father,'We should go to Gringott's to get you some change.'
He grabbed her hand and walked her over to one of the tallest building she had ever seen. Melody watched as a man and a boy walked out of the building.
'Ex-excuse me?We'd like to make a with-drawal?'
'Next dask!'said a goblin.
'Sorry, i haven't done this for so long, you know-'
'Can i help you?'the goblin said to the man behind him.
'All right...next desk, then...'
In a few minutes, the two were speeding underground.
'Vault 1919!'
Melody stepped out of the wagon as her father handed the goblin the key.
'Are they always like that?' Melody asked when they had exited Gringgott's a few minutes later.
'Pretty much, yeah...Ollivander's!Tell you what, I'll go buy you an owl and you go get your wand.'
'Okay!!'
Melody ran into the shop.
'Hullo!!' said what must've been Mr.Ollivander.
'Hi!'
'Hogwarts?'
'Yes!'
'Great!' he flicked his wand. A measuring tape flew towards her. 'Wand hand?'
'Right.'
'Good, ash,unicorn hair.'
Melody flicked it.
'Excellent!3 galleons,please.'
say "your an eight" five times fast
"I'm an eight, im an eight..."
...."Nevermind."
Now for a Stargate:Atlantis moment...
Becket: My turtles!
Weir: What?
hehe |
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| REPLIED Thursday, October 20, 2005 08:51:49 PM |
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After arriving home from Diagon Alley, the first thing Ted and Brent did was to send a reply owl saying that Brent would be attending Hogwarts in the fall. After that, Brent hung out at the Tonks until his parents got home from work around six. "Now Brent, maybe the easiest thing would be for you to tell your parents we invited them over for dinner and we can tell them about you being a wizard then," said Andromeda.
Brent nodded and ran across the street just as his parents were getting out of their cars. "Hey Mom! Hey Dad!" he shouted.
"Brent! Have you been over there all day? I tried calling you," said his mother with a little anger in her voice.
"Oh..." said Brent, trying to think up a good excuse. "Sorry, but Ted and I had--"
Brent's dad interrupted him. "You mean Mr. Tonks."
"He said I could call him Ted, Dad," Brent protested.
"Brent, what have I told you about lying?" his Dad sighed.
"I'm not lying!" shouted Brent as the garbage cans at the end of the driveway fell over, even though there was no wind. Oops...
"Eric, please, if Ted said it was okay, it's okay. Now," she said, "where were you today?"
"Oh, Ted and I went into London...just hung around there all day."
Now Brent's dad looked interested. "Really? Why'd he do that?"
Now was his chance. "Well, you could ask him...they invited us over for dinner tonight and--" Brent stopped and looked down as he noticed Lincoln rubbing around his legs, craving attention.
"Oh," said Brent's mom. "What a pretty cat...I wonder whose he is..."
"Uh, actually Mom...he's mine," Brent said.
There was silence for a moment as Brent's parents processed this information and then Brent said, "Maybe we should go over there now."
* * *
For the first five minutes, dinner was relatively awkward. Finally, Brent's dad bluntly broke the ice with, "So tell me, Ted...what do you think yoou're doing going into London with our son and buying him pets without our permission?"
"Eric..." cautioned Brent's mom.
Ted was momentarily stunned at the bluntness of this question, but he recovered quickly. "Well...Mr. Dreher...I'm sure you can remember your son being in a number of accidents that should have hurt him, but didn't, yes?"
"What does that have to do with it?"
"Humor me, please. I promise I'll explain everything."
"Well now that you mention, I do. Guess the boy's just lucky."
Ted smiled. "Luck has nothing to do with it, I'm afraid. Now, this will sound strange -- believe me, my parents didn't believe it at first earlier -- but your son is, or at least has the potential to be, a wizard. He's been accepted at and will be attending a school up north some ways named Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, headed by Albus Dumbledore, the most brilliant wizard in the past hundred years -- maybe more."
There was silence for a moment, and then Brent's mother said, "...and the cat?"
"Oh, that's Lincoln, mom. The letter I got said I could have an owl, a toad, or a cat with me at school, and as soon as we walked into the pet store after the goblins had given me some of Ted's money that he had transferred into my own account at their bank, this guy jumped right on me and wouldn't leave, so the witch who owned the place gave him to me free, since she thought we seemed so right." As soon as he finished, Lincoln purred his agreement with this statement and then started eating some scraps from Brent's plate.
There was silence from all around the table at this, though that might have just been the breathless way Brent had said it. After a moment, Brent's dad laughed. "Oh, grand story. I suppose there's spellbooks and a wand involved too?"
"Yeah, they're in here!" Brent ran over to where he had lain his bags in the recieving room earlier and pulled out the ones marked The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 and A Beginner's Guide to transfiguration . He shoved each of them into one of his parents' hands, and they began to flip through them. "Uh-huh..." said Brent's dad. "And the wand?"
"Right here -- twelve inches, rowan and unicorn hair." Brent's dad put the book down and held out his hand. Pleased that this was going so well, Brent handed the wand over and his dad looked at it from every conceivable angle before announcing, "It's a stick."
"Oh, no sir, Mr. Dreher," said Andromeda, speaking up for the first time. "It's probably the most important tool in a wizard's arsenal...and I would advise you to be careful with that," she added.
"Arsenal? You make it sound like he's going to be training to become a soldier or something."
Ted leaned forward and said, "Well, that would certainly be a career option if he so chose, but there are many viable--"
"Ted, let him finish," said Andromeda.
"Thank you, Andrea," said Eric, not noticing how Andromeda stiffened at the mispronunciation of her name. "Now, you all obviously put a lot of thought into this show, and I'll admit, were I more gullible, you might have me convinced. I'll even allow for the keeping of that --" he pointed out Lincoln with a sharp jab of the wand, which caused Lincoln to glare harshly at him -- "--since they seem to like each other, but wizards do not exist, and however you all set this up--" he waved the wand around wildy, covering the whole room "--I want it known that my son will not be attending any wizard schoo OOWWW!!!! " Suddenly Eric's sleeve was on fire and Lincoln was diving at him. Lincoln bounced across Eric and picked up Brent's wand in his teeth. As Brent's mom screamed and got back from the table, Ted stood up, got out his wand, pointed it at Eric and said, " AGUAMENTI! "
Immediately a huge gout of water erupted out of Ted's wand and sprayed over Eric, completely dousing the flames. After a few seconds, the spell wore off and things returned to normal, except that Eric was now dripping wet and staring at Ted with two things in his eyes Brent had never seen before -- awe and terror. He didn't say anything, but instead just crawled backwards for a few feet and then got up and ran out as quickly as possible.
Brent stared after his father and then turned to his mom. "Mom?" he asked tentatively, all too aware that she could soon follow his father out the door. "Are you okay?"
Brent's mom's mouth moved soundlessly for a moment, and then she said, "I'm...just shocked, is all." She paused and then asked, "What happened?"
It was Ted who answered. "Wands are somewhat...tempermental. If the wrong person uses the wrong one, or if it's used incorrectly, things can get messy. Although believe me, this was a pittance compared to--" he stopped after catching a look from Andromeda that said, Don't even go there, Ted.
Ignoring the byplay, Mary Lou nodded and seemed to be thinking deeply. She looked down at Brent, then got on one knee to look him in the eye. "Is this what you want?"
Brent thought about it, and then nodded gravely. "Yes."
She looked over his shoulder at Ted and Andromeda. "Will he be safe?"
Ted shrugged. "As safe as anyone can be in this world, I guess."
Brent's mom nodded, which seemed to indicate that this was an acceptable response. "Okay, then..." she said, and gave Brent a big hug. He hugged her back and they both sat down. "Now...shall we finish dinner?"
"Oooh, one moment!" shouted Andromeda, who leaned over and pointed her wand at the spot where Brent's father had so recently lay. She shouted " Scourgify! " and immediately the spot cleaned itself up. Mary Lou stared at where the mess had been not ten seconds ago and said calmly to Brent, "If you don't learn that spell, I'm kicking you out of the house."
If I weare a jet pilot, every time I was halfway through the flight, I'd do a nose-dive
My number? 333...only half-evil
Civilian #1: "Look, it's a bird!"
Civilian #2: "It's a plane!"
Civilian #3: "It's-"
Civilian #4: "MOVE IT, YA FREAKS, THE LIGHT AIN'T GETTIN' ANY GREENER!!"
--Amazing Spider-Man #46
This signature property of CDDA member 35
"I am not worried, Harry...I am with you." |
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| REPLIED Friday , October 21, 2005 06:51:27 AM |
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Julius was cutting a large fish with the kitchen knife and his mother was collecting the dishes from the paying customers. She entered the kitchen and smiled at Julius. Knowing that he was going off to Hogwarts in a few days, Julius has gotten more and more excited by the minute. While scrolling through the busy Diagon Alley yesterday, he overheard the children talking about the "Houses" that they wanted to go to. He also had overheard the word that gave him so much curiosity: "Slytherin".
"Mom?" asked Julius in a soft voice.
"Yes, Jules?" replied Martha.
"You went to Hogwarts with Dad, right?" asked Julius again, hoping to get a clear answer.
"Yes," answered Martha, with a soft smile on her face. "And that's where we both met."
Julius looked at her in realization, "What are 'Houses'"?
"Groups of students," said Martha. "There are four different houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and--"
"Slytherin," interrupted Julius, with a small nod. "Which one'd you go to?"
Martha waved her right hand and the sink turned off magically. She put the washed dishes onto the cupboard above her and turned to Julius. She smiled at him.
"Slytherin," said Martha. "And your father was in Slytherin, too. I know that this house's gotten some bad reputations about bullies, but... not all of them are bad, Julius."
She then walked out of the kitchen, leaving Julius to continue cutting the fishes. He had thought of becoming an Auror and he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.
As soon as Julius finished with his job in the kitchen, he went for another scroll in the Diagon Alley. It was busy as usual. Julius saw a tall building ahead of him. Many wizards and witches were walking in with nothing and out with some coins and objects covered in old newspaper. Approaching the building, he saw a large solid sign near the door. "Gringotts" was engraved on the sign. Julius took a small peek inside the place when the door was open wide by one of the wizards. Inside, he saw several ugly goblins, walking abouts. He quickly scanned the place with his eyes and located many coins on the counters. Julius assumed that the place was a bank.
"Hey, you!" yelled a goblin in suits. "Get outta here! Move, move, move!"
It grabbed a broom and then hit Julius, but he dodged it and ran away, panting. He wondered why it was so eager to get rid of him that fast. Maybe the goblin thought that he was trying to rob the bank. Julius chuckled and continued his tour through the Diagon Alley.
Still touring around Diagon Alley for about an hour, Julius came across a dark alley. It was broad daylight and there was not even sunlight in the alley. He saw a sign on the wall that read: "Knockturn Alley". Ignoring the beggars, he walked through the alley. The homeless wandered around the troubled street and Julius tried to ignore as many of them as he could, as they came and begged him for sickles. All shops were closed, but only one wasn't. Julius saw a big sign above the door and "Borgin & Burkes" were the words on it. He stood behind the wall near the shop and peeked through the see-through window. Inside the shop, a dark-haired man was dusting the counter. He was wearing a long black cloak. His face was so pale and out of shape. Julius was curious when he saw the strange items, which were set on the counter.
"Spare some changes, will ya?" said a drunken voice.
Julius turned around and saw an old man in torn clothes, holding a steel cup in his hands. His odour was so unbearable that Julius had to cover his nose with his right arm. He fled the alley and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron.
The Howling X-Stud
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| REPLIED Friday , October 21, 2005 08:47:15 AM |
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Forbes decided to have some tea with the Station Master, and was ushered into the small waiting room. An old cookstove gave off metallic ticking noises as the two men sat and caught up on things.
"The school is going to have a couple of new faces in the faculty," said Forbes. "A new Charms teacher. Never met him, though. I wish we had invested more time in that subject in the past, too, we would probably have more students doing research on new forms of charms and magic."
The Station Master nodded. Then he spoke. "Well, Professor, Charms was never my best subject. Maybe I ought to look in, what do you think?"
They laughed together, Forbes smiled at the vision of Tom in a Hogwarts classroom in his uniform and peaked cap.
"I can't see you crammed into those small desks -- with your height. I just hope the Ministry can keep trouble out of the newspaper and out of Hogwarts. But I suppose that's too much to ask."
Forbes poured more tea and continued.
"What about your own kids, Tom? Any of them showing some promise?"
The Station Master chuckled and stroked his beard. "Mebbe one or two of 'em, but they're young yet. Next year Alphonse will be old enough. He's been picking up some simple charms from his mother. I daresay he's got a lot of book learning so far, too."
Forbes thought it would be nice to have a few of the local kids in the school. Lately they seemed to be getting a lot of students from other countries. His list had two on it for classes this term...from New York. Not that he didn't respect the American schools, but why would they want to come to Hogwarts?
"It's different from my father's day, so many new faces," continued Forbes. "And so many ambitious people, they're not content with the regular magical careers. But listne to me, I sound old."
"What are you teaching this term Professor?" asked his friend, who handed him a tray of biscuits.
"History of Magic, Astronomy, and Magical Cooking. Some of the most maligned subjects at the school." He grinned.
"There's a lot of talk about the stars these days, Professor," mused the older man, munching on a biscuit. "I don't know much about these things, but with this whole uproar about Dark Magic, it's going to be a popular subject in itself. But what about your family? Aren't you married?"
Forbes smiled, his mind partly in the stars. "Oh, no, I think I'll be a confirmed bachelor -- for a while. There are enough children at school to give me some experience if I ever want a family."
He remembered the day he had left China with the letter from Hogwarts in his hand. He had been torn. The young witch there had been very beguiling, and she came from an impeccable family, but, there was the great cultural divide that he could not bridge. He didn't even remember when he last wrote to her. He silently remonstrated himself for forgetting about her, but she had understood. He would have to send her an owl, but it was such a long way.
"You all right, Professor?"
"Yes, yes, sorry, you had me thinking there for a moment."
The Station Master filled the cup once more, and chuckled. "Thank goodness someone does around here. "
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." |
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| REPLIED Friday , October 21, 2005 10:25:36 AM |
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Bane didn't need to wait long before the train rolled smoothly into the station. As he turned to watch it come gradually to a halt, he caught the eye of the engineer who gave him a thumbs up. Bane merely nodded in response.
Now there was a man who prided himself in his work, Bane thought bitterly. After securing a prestigious and much sought after teaching position at the world's foremost school of magic, by all means, he should have been taking pride in that too. But there was nothing to be proud of in what he was doing...
And what he was doing... simply had to be done.
"It'll be a while to get her prepared for departure, sir," the engineer said as he approached Bane again. "She's not due to leave for another hour or so."
"Hm."
Undeterred by the lack of response, the engineer continued. "You new to Hogwarts?"
"Indeed," Bane replied in a nuetral tone.
"Oh yeah?" The man prompted as he wiped grease stained hands off on a dirty rag.
Bane sighed. "I'll be teaching there this year. Charms."
"No kidding?" He responded in surprise. "You should head over to the waiting area then while we get the train ready, I think there's another professor who came in with the train in there."
It was Bane's turn to be surprised. Suddenly, he grinned. "If that's the case, I think I'll go meet him."
The engineer turned towards the window of the small cafe. Through it, Bane could see two men conversing. "That's him right there, next to the station master. Comes down every year to greet the students."
"Do you know his name?" Bane asked.
"Forbes, it would be. I think you'll find him decent enough."
"Cheers again, mate."
The other grinned. "Good day and good luck, Professor."
As the engineer suggested, Bane headed over to the small cafe that doubled as the waiting area. The two were still talking as Bane approached.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," he interrupted. "Might one of you be Professor Forbes?" |
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| REPLIED Saturday, October 22, 2005 07:42:08 AM |
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Melody dusted herself off, took all her books and ran upstairs to pack. As she through her things into her trunk one of her books caught her eye. ' The Dark Forces:A Guide to Self-Protection By Quentin Trimble '.
Melody picked it up and mouthed 'Wow...'. She began to read. When she finished she picked up the potions textbook, then the transfiguration book and so on and so on. By midnight, Melody had practised spell upon spell, written notes and was planning on testing herself the next day.
She stood up and began to pace around her room. The whole day had been like a dream- one of the best dreams she had ever had. She was a witch and had a wand!
Melody fantasized as she fell into a wonderful sleep.
'Hey, Mel, it's time to wake-uuuuuuuuup!'whined Andrew. 'Jeeze! GET UP!'
Melody jumped.
'Didn't see that one comin', did you?'
'It's eight am! Why are you waking me up this early?'
'One week until school, stupid,' Andrew didn't question how she knew the time.
Melody made a snobby face as her brother left. She slipped on her slippers and her robe before quietly and swiftly heading down the stairs.
'Breakfast!Whoa!Melody, you scared me have to death,' started Isabelle.
'Sorry,' she shrugged as she sat down.
For the rest of the week Melody practised her spells (that were simple) and had her sister give her tests. The family was ready to leave when it was time too and soon arrived at the station.
say "your an eight" five times fast
"I'm an eight, im an eight..."
...."Nevermind."
Now for a Stargate:Atlantis moment...
Becket: My turtles!
Weir: What?
hehe |
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| REPLIED Saturday, October 22, 2005 09:25:26 PM |
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Brent spent the next month looking at all of his schoolbooks, trying to get the pronunciation of each of the words right. He was careful to not say any with his wand in hand though, since he had no desire to catch fire like his father. As far as his father was concerned, something vital had changed and it was not for the better. Most of his things were now gone from the house, and though his sister had come back from school and brought a certain happiness with her and a second acceptance of her brother's ability, this was dulled by the presence of a new word his parents had brought to his attention one evening -- "divorce."
Eventually, despite all of the goings-on in the Dreher household, September 2nd arrived, the day that Brent had to go to King's Cross Station in London and take the train to Hogwarts. Ted and Andromeda volunteered to take Brent to the station, and the morning Brent left, his mother gave him a very teary good-bye.
"Now, Brent," she was saying as ted waited next to his car, "you're sure you have all of your clothes?"
"Yup, they're in my trunk," said Brent happily, pointing it at it with his wand.
"You know Brent, you might want to put that away, so you don't hurt yourself," advised his sister Lori. He laughed, but did as she suggested, stowing it in his trunk.
"And you have your schoolbooks and supplies?" continued his mother. Again, Brent nodded. "And your robes, and pens--"
"Quills, mom."
"--and some food for Lincoln?" she asked, not noticing that the cat was now looking as impatient to be gone as Brent was feeling. Brent rolled his eyes and nodded. His mother stood looking at him for a second, and then gripped him in a fierce hug. "Mom!" he cried out, a little embarassed at having this done in front of Ted.
"I am just so proud of you," cried his mother. She released him and he went over to Lori. "So," she said "try not to get killed or eaten or anything at this school of yours, okay?"
"Hey, if you can survive your boarding school, I can definitely survive mine, right?" He laughed and hugged her. After a minute, she hugged him back and patted him on the head. "Good luck, Brent," she said softly. "I love you."
"Love you too, sis," he replied. He hugged his mom one more time. "Love you, mom," and ducked out of her arms before another deluge could begin. He ran for Ted's car, opened the door to let Lincoln in, waved goodbye one more time, and hopped in the car yelling, "Okay Ted, let's go!"
* * *
"So Ted," Brent was asking as they were getting out of the car at the station. "There will be, like, cat food or something for Lincoln at the school, right?"
"Well, not exactly, but there does seem to be a limitless supply of mice around there, so I wouldn't worry too much." Ted hefted Brent's trunk out of the back as he and Lincoln looked on. The three went into the station and after getting to the main platform, Ted said to Brent, "Now Brent, you're sure you have your ticket?"
"Yes, but...it's weird. It says I'm supposed to board the train at platform nine and three-quarters. Now, there's platform nine..." He pointed to the appropriate platform, "...and there's platform ten..." he pointed to another further down the line, and then started walking towards a post a little over halfway between the two, "...so if I have it right, the only thing close to nine and three-quarters would be right he--" Brent stopped talking as he realized that the hand he was using to point had disappeared through the wall. He pulled it out and looked at it, relieved that it still looked normal. He glanced down at Lincoln who stared back at him with an expression that seemed to say, Hey, I'm a cat -- what do you want from me? He glanced back at Ted, who nodded and gestured for him to go through.
Swallowing hard, Brent and Lincoln went through the post and on the other side saw a whole other station. It was only about a third full and a train had not yet arrived, but it was no less busy for that. Parents were cooing over children, some of whom looked excited and some embarassed. A few were already dressed in their Hogwarts robes, but most of them still wore plain Muggle clothing like Brent. Behind him, Brent heard Ted come through with his trunk. Brent looked around again at the different faces, wondering who they were and if he would become friends with any of them.
If I weare a jet pilot, every time I was halfway through the flight, I'd do a nose-dive
My number? 333...only half-evil
Civilian #1: "Look, it's a bird!"
Civilian #2: "It's a plane!"
Civilian #3: "It's-"
Civilian #4: "MOVE IT, YA FREAKS, THE LIGHT AIN'T GETTIN' ANY GREENER!!"
--Amazing Spider-Man #46
This signature property of CDDA member 35
"I am not worried, Harry...I am with you." |
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| REPLIED Monday , October 24, 2005 07:19:13 AM |
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OOC: Yes, I was just carrying on with some "pre-term" posting, and the posts, and as Vanya said, it didn't mean that the Express was leaving or arriving for the students. Sorry for the confusion. It most definitely is not real time.
IC:
The big clock on the wall of Hogwart's Station announced the arrival of one of the interim trains. These would be bringing some of the faculty and early students from stations along the route of the Express.
The Station Master rose and excused himself to go check on the newly arrived train. He hed barely reached the door when a young man, probably in his early twenties, popped in.
...is one of you by chance, Professor Forbes?"
He rose and proferred his hand to the man, who was almost certainly their new Professor of Charms. At least he liked to be on hand early for the conferences Dumbledore would give, that was something.
"Yes, Professor Cabot Forbes, History of Magic. I also teach some of the advanced Astronomy Classes, and some electives. You must be Professor...?"
He smiled.
He also decided that although he already knew the man's name, he wanted to give him the option of saying the name. It usually spoke volumes about the type of person they were.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." |
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| REPLIED Friday , October 28, 2005 04:05:42 AM |
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The heavens opened just as simon and his mum arrived back from their trip to Diagon Alley. The clouds perfectly reflecting simon's mum's mood.
"Simon, thats the third trip we've had to make to get you some new robes, not including the first time, four times in all, I know kids grow a lot at your age, but hell i aint even that tall, none of my family is,"
"Well i dont know why i'm this tall,"
"Look simon i know you dont its just getting so expensive, four lots of robes, even madam malkin cant believe it,"said his mum rather dejectedly.
Simon ran upstairs shouting"Well someone must have been tall in the family."
"I know your dad was tall, he was very tall, but we shan't talk about him under this roof." she said but continued in a much lighter tone, "Anyway what was that book you bought,"
" Its a book on some kind of advanced transfiguration," replied Simon.
"Which ones that?" asked his mum
"Its where you change one thing into another,"
"You havent changed any of my things hve you?"
"No mum, i haven't, just my pillow, i have managed to change it into a pile of bricks and back, i think im really getting the hang of it."
"well you keep practising then, make me proud."
Simon rushed upstairs, and jumped on his bed. He looked at his copy of a beginers guide to transfiguration, he wasnt normally a big reader but he must have read that five times in the past four days, he was really getting into this, he had in the past week changed his single bed into a king sized bed, but he hadnt told his mum that. He turned to pick up his new book, it was called, "Turning - one form to another"
below the title it said "For those considering learning to change their form seriously they must inform the ministry of magic"
"Wo..."
He continued to read on
"Only an individual who had really mastered the basics of transfiguration would have a chance of learning the art of becoming an animagus..."
Rule Britannia yeah! lol |
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| REPLIED Saturday, October 29, 2005 03:17:29 PM |
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"Why do you have to take me? I've been watching them from the window the past couple days and Tom even took me to Florean Fortescue's and Gringotts. I think I can handle this myself." Nicholas whined to Ben's back as they went out into the small courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron.
"Well, first of all, how exactly did you plan to get past this point?" Ben asked with a chuckle as he cheekily tapped the brick wall before them with his wand. "Secondly, you don't know a sickle from a knut... and thirdly, I'm enjoying that you're miffed you have to listen to me all day."
"Ha... ha... Just don't get all...y'know, hippie on me..."
Ben faked a shocked expression. "I go to America for one year and this how I get treated?"
"No, it's because you brought it back with you."
"Hey, I think the Vietnam War is a very pertinent issue. If you knew half of what--"
"Yeah, yeah, save it for when you storm the Parliament." Nicholas waved off Ben's rant and motioned to the brick wall that was receding to reveal a very busy and narrow street.
The pair stepped out onto Diagon Alley and the rush of families busying about to gather school things before their students soon left for school. The sight was a might different than what Nicholas was used to when he went shopping with his parents in London. Nearly everyone was wearing a set of long robes of multiple drab and outrageous colors. There was also a varying array of hats and most had cast a spell on their purchases so that followed their owner's footsteps by floating through the air. Nicholas ducked low when a broomstick whizzed by his ear.
"Sorry! Sorry!" a rather plump and hurried looking boy called over his shoulder as he chased the rogue broom.
"So, you've been to Gringotts already, eh?" Ben called back as they began to weave through the crowd.
"Yeah, Tom said that Nigel's vault wasn't much but with the one dad set up I'd be doing alright for a while."
"Good, good. What's say we get some books?"
"Sure...where do we go for those?" Nicholas asked as he fished a list out of his pocket.
Ben's grin broadened. "...and you wanted to go alone, ha!"
~~~~~
Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions was one of the more popular shops on the cobble road known as Diagon Alley. Madame Malkin herself was a short squat witch with robes of vibrant pink crushed velvet. In just a mere week, many school children would be loading the Hogwarts Express bound for a new school year. For this reason, as one might expect, the shop had been rather bustling all morning. Currently, Madame Malkin was pinning up Helen Corby's new robes as she stood on a stool near the back of the shop. Helen's mother was perusing the shop as Helen struggled to stand still while launching into a story that she felt was very pertinent. Her gestures were broad and her speech hurried--clearly this was one of the single most important tales of her life...maybe.
"...and then Abby's mum said that she could visit on holiday! Isn't that brilliant, mum?! I still can't believe they're sending her to Beauxbatons! I don't mind that she's a Squib. Nutter to send her off to France because they're ashamed to send her to Hogwarts! Don't you agree, mum?!"
As Helen became more involved in her anger that her best friend wouldn't be attending Hogwarts, she forgot that the real purpose of the moment was to get a new set of robes. Even though Madame Malkin was moving to avoid pricking Helen's leg, the needle skimmed Helen's ankle. Being the mildly pampered 11 year old that she was, Helen let out a shrill shriek.
"Ouch! Mum, she stuck me!"
"Terribly sorry, dear, rarely happens," the squat witch quickly replied after taking out the many pins she held in her lips.
"Stand still and stop waving your arms around. I swear you're just like your father--such theatrics. He never can keep two feet in place if he has a story to tell." The airy female voice had come from behind a rack of new Hogwarts robes.
Delilah Corby was busying herself by looking through a varying array of fancy women's dress robes hanging on a back wall. Smiling, she pulled out a particularly expensive looking set that were a deep cobalt blue with gems that twinkled in intricate designs.
A set of chimes jingled as a boy about Helen's age entered the shop. Madame Malkin looked up from her pinning and shooed another witch towards the new customer. Helen tipped her chin, making her braids swing, as she watched the boy who was eyeing the shop with extreme wonderment.
"Hello," Helen cheerily called to him.
The boy paused and turned to see who had spoken. His face looked rather young and though he cast her a weak smile, his expression and eyes had a hint of sadness.
"Hi," the boy replied as he hopped onto a stool in front of Helen's.
"Hogwarts?"
Helen's question was immediately answered when the rather tall skinny witch threw a set of black Hogwarts robes over the boy's head before he had a chance to speak. There was a muffled "Yes" that came from beneath the folds of black material before a mop of brown curls appeared through a hole atop the pile.
"Really? Me too! First year?"
"Yeah..." His body seemed to stiffen when the witch began pulling at the robes to pin them to the correct length.
"Well, I'm Helen. It's nice to meet you." Helen grinned warmly. She hoped the conversation would ease him up a bit. It was rather apparent that the boy was a Muggle and probably a little confused
"Nicholas," the boy returned with a nod of his head.
"First time to Diagon Alley?"
"Um...sort of...I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron."
"Oh?"
"I'm just living there until school starts."
"Ah..."
The witch with a hooked nose and streaked black and purple hair stepped between the two children as she pinned Nicholas's sleeves. Helen waited for the witch to move before continuing their conversation. She thought the boy curious. Well, in general, Helen found every person she had met to be curious. This boy was different, however, and she could not seem to discern why that was.
"So, is this your last stop for the day?" Helen said as she turned on the stool to allow Madame Malkin at her left side.
"Um, no, I still have to get a wand."
"Well, this is the last thing I needed to do today. My dad's over at Flourish and Blotts. He's fetching my books. Actually, I think he's fetching them because he's afraid I'll want a whole cauldron full of other, non-required books. He thinks I have enough already."
"So, you read a lot of magic books in your free time?" Nicholas's face looked puzzled like the idea had never occurred to him.
"Oh yeah, loads!" Helen's face lit up at the chance to talk about how much she already knew. "Mum even took me to her old wand maker in Paris. She wanted me to start learning early, but Mr. Ollivander said I was too young for a wand. In fact, most of the magic schools wanted me to start early."
"So, are there many other schools besides Hogwarts?"
"You'd be surprised to know how many, actually--Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and a slew of others. My mum and dad waited for Hogwarts though. They really wanted me to go there."
"Why's that?" Nicholas asked as he looked down incredulously at the witch who was feverishly stabbing pins into the mass of fabric at his feet.
"Oh, everyone knows Hogwarts is the best."
"That so?"
"You'd have to be pretty thick to think otherwise."
"Almost done, dear?" Mrs. Corby appeared with a pile of robes across her arms.
"Jusa-ewmopins!" Madame Malkin mumbled incoherently.
Helen watched her mother pay for the new robes--most likely for a Ministry ball of one sort or another. She then realized that Nicholas had come into the shop alone. Surely he could not have made it to Diagon Alley alone being the first year and Muggle that he was.
"So, did you come with your parents?"
Nicholas blinked, seeming surprised by the question. "No...They really couldn't bring me to this place..."
"Older brother or sister?"
"My brother also isn't very capable of taking me..."
"Ah, I see, because you're all Muggles, right?"
"No, it's because he's dead," Nicholas replied solemnly.
"Oh..." Helen's stomach suddenly felt like it had been hexed. "I-I'm really sorry...I didn't mean to--"
"It's alright," Nicholas assured her with a shrug, "you didn't know."
There was an awkward silence that followed. Helen averted her gaze, unsure of what to say next. She was kicking herself for making assumptions while trying to make conversation. Sneaking a look back at Nicholas, Helen saw that his warm brown eyes had become distant as he stared intently at a wall behind her. Madam Malkin whisked the robes off Helen. With one last quick glance at Nicholas, Helen hopped off the stool and sauntered over to her mother who had just paid with a pouch of Galleons. The robes were collected and they turned to leave the shop.
"Helen?" Nicholas called after her. Helen slowly turned to face him. "A family friend has been taking me around, actually." There was a short pause as Nicholas cleared his throat uncertainly. "...and he was a wizard, my brother. I just thought you should know."
Her braids bounced as Helen slowly nodded. "I'm sure he was brilliant!"
The two smiled at each other like some sort of truce or understanding had been reached.
"I'll see you on the train," Helen finally said.
"Train?" Nicholas's expression had become rather confused.
"Yeah, it will take us to Hogwarts."
"Oh, alright then..."
Helen gave the boy a small polite wave before she turned and grinned up at her mother as they left the shop, the chimes jingling on their way out.
~~~
With great apprehension, Nicholas pulled open the heavy oak door to Olivander's-Makers of Fine Wands, noticing a display of a dark brown wand atop a simple purple cushion in the storefront window. Inside, Nicholas blinked as his eyes adjusted in the low light. The shop was rather narrow and was lined with rows of thin boxes from floor to the water stained ceiling. The only furniture was a spindly chair in front of a dusty counter. Nicholas craned his neck to look behind the short counter, wondering if anyone was even there. Ben had went to do last rounds of shopping for Nicholas's school supplies, mumbling something about the owner of this shop being "a tad dodgy on the nerves" as his reasoning for not accompanying Nicholas inside. An old man suddenly burst out from behind a stack of boxes, startling Nicholas.
"Another for Hogwarts!" The old man said happily, but it was not a question. His eyes were big, silvery, and made Nicholas's innards squirm in a most uncomfortable nature.
"Yes, sir," Nicholas replied.
The old man, Mr. Ollivander, in the rumpled clothing was just as odd and creepy as Ben had described him. Nicholas forced a smile when the man's nose was only an inch from his--the man's moon-like eyes were close enough to even examine the entrails of Nicholas's nostrils.
"You are a young Mr. Benson, yes?"
"Yes, sir. Nicholas Benson," Nicholas's voice was guarded, unsure of how Ollivander knew his name or where he was taking the conversation.
"Hmm, which would be your wand arm?"
"Wand arm, sir?"
"You do intend to use your wand?"
"I believe so..."
"Then your wand arm would be?"
"I'm left handed..."
"Hold out your left arm." Ollivander pulled out a measuring tape out of his pocket and with a swish of his wand it began measuring Nicholas shoulder to finger.
"I remember every wand I have ever sold, Mr. Benson. Your brother is no exception. Timid when he came for his first wand. Spruce, 10 1/4", phoenix feather, whippy." Ollivander was practically fluttering about as he pulled down many boxes from around the musty shop. "That wand, however, had a bit of a run in with a rather nasty hex which dashed it to pieces. Nigel came back to me a charismatic young man and found a much more suitable wand his second time."
Ollivander stopped and turned back to Nicholas with a distant thoughtful look in his wide marble-like eyes. The measuring tape was round Nicholas's head and then moved to snap around his middle. Nicholas just stood motionless, trying to pay the intrusive cord little attention.
"Yes, ash, unicorn hair, 13", rather resilient--as your brother was, I promise you. Tragic was his loss, very tragic." The old man's dry lips pressed into a thin smile. "Now, let's gather you a new wand, Mr. Benson."
With a flick of his wand, the measuring tape dropped away from measuring the breadth of Nicholas's chin and collapsed onto the floor at his feet. Ollivander was running a finger over a column of dusty boxes and snuck a glance back at Nicholas before shimmying out a beaten black case from near the top.
"Here we are, Black Walnut, 11 1/2", dragon heartstring, pliable. Take it and give it a wave."
Removing the lid, Ollivander held out the tattered foot long box to Nicholas. Skeptically, Nicholas stared at the long polished stick. He had seen Nigel's wand before and had even seen Nigel use it once or twice, but Nicholas was still far from believing that he could make this thin piece of wood do...something. Reaching out a hand, Nicholas lifted the wand out of the box and moved his wrist in a slow swish. A thick burst of liquid suddenly jetted out of the wand and covered the surrounding shop in a swap green film that smelled of old eggs. The brunt of the stream had caught the old man off guard and sent him tumbling to the floor. Ollivander let out a rather odd squawk and scrambled back to his feet.
"No, no! Definitely not!"
Ollivander looked abashed at the mess strewn across the old floor. The wand Nicholas held was immediately taken away. The old wand maker eyed Nicholas before timidly opening another long black box he had retrieved.
"Hemlock, 12", unicorn hair, bendy..." The wand had barely nicked Nicholas's fingers before being yanked away. "Rosewood, phoenix feather, 9 3/4"..." The wand was snatched back and another thrust forward. "Fir, 10 3/8", dragon heartstring, springy..." Nicholas's hand did not even touch the rounded end before Ollivander added it to a pile on a nearby spindly chair. "Difficult to place are we? Your brother was as well, I daresay."
The wand maker's initial frown was beginning to upturn more and more as they continued. It seemed a real challenge was what the old man craved--though, Nicholas was not entirely sure what Mr. Ollivander was doing or what result he was looking for. Suddenly, a look of realization came over the old man's face. Turning on one heel, Ollivander disappeared behind a set of dusty shelves. Nicholas then spotted him scaling a ladder at a far back wall behind another stack of wands. After retrieving a thin dark red box, Ollivander scurried back to Nicholas with a bemused grin on his face.
"...and ...hmm, yes, try this one ."
Nicholas's hand warmed the second the wand touched his fingers. He gave the wand a little wave and the sensation continued through his body before a burst of crackling light left the tip of the wand. Ollivander let out a joyous titter.
"Yes, yes, there it is!" Ollivander was beaming. "Eastern Shesham, 10 1/4", dragon heartstring..." Ollivander continued to speak as placed the deep blood-red wand back into the long burgundy box he had retrieved it from, his expression becoming serious. "Strong, reasonably bouncy--excellent for dueling."
"Dueling, sir?"
"I assure you, young Mr. Benson, that I know the potential of each and every wand I sell. This wand will guide you through many a battle. I only hope you take the time to prepare enough for them." Ollivander handed the box to Nicholas, but held on to make one last point. "It is not the wand that makes the wizard, Mr. Benson. It is the wizard who makes the wand ."
Nicholas shoved the box into a large pocket inside his jacket, paid six Galleons, and headed out of the shop. He spotted Ben leaving another--he was carrying a tall domed cage of some sort. Ben laughed when Nicholas told him of Ollivander's ravings.
"I told you he was an old kook," Ben said pointedly. "He's been around for years. I think it's went to his head."
"Is that...an owl?" Nicholas was poking at the metal cage that Ben held. Inside there was a mass of rusty brown feathers on a perch.
"Yeah, this is a tawny. You can use him to send messages to folks. It's daytime now, so he's taking a wink. His name's Mycroft and he came highly recommended."
"I see..."
Ben grinned and ruffled Nicholas's tangled hair with his palm. "You really do have a lot to learn about wizards."
It's Bruce!
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| REPLIED Sunday , October 30, 2005 04:22:32 AM |
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It was five o'clock in the evening and Julius was taking his walk through the Diagon Alley. The shops were beginning to close up and the children were leaving with their parents and their many bags of books and other school-related things like cauldrons, wands and school robes. Approaching the only shop with its lights on, Julius stood onto a wooden box to gain his height, so that he could take a peek through the dust-covered glass window. He wiped the window with his long-sleeved jacket to see an odd-looking man in the shop. He was standing on a moving ladder and putting boxes back onto the shelves. Julius turned to his right and read the shop sign; Ollivanders, Fine Wandmaker since 832 BC. Wanting to get a closer look, he moved closer to the window, but instead, he stepped onto the nothingness and fell off the box. Julius groaned and held his right knee with both of his hands.
"What the flamin' is going on out here?" said Ollivander, holding up his wand. He heard a groan from below him and looked down. Julius was sitting beside him, holding his knee. Ollivander gasped and bent down to Julius' level.
"I'm s--"
"Shush now, Julius," interrupted Ollivander.
The weather was starting to get cloudy and droplets of rain were beginning to pour onto the empty street of Diagon Alley. Birds were squawking and trying to find covers. Ollivander located one and it was trying to get into his shop for cover. He aimed his wand at the fierce bird.
"Oh, no, this won't do," growled Ollivander. "EVANESCO!"
A spark of white light appeared from the tip of Ollivander's wand and formed a bubble around the bird. The bird was trapped inside the bubble of light and seconds later, the bubble disappeared along with bird. He grinned and turned back to Julius who was in awe and still holding his knee.
"W-where'd it go? Is it dead?" asked Julius.
"Oh, it's not dead," chuckled Ollivander. "Well, to be frank, I'm not quite sure on its current location, Julius. Wh--"
"How'd you know my name, sir?" interrupted Julius.
"Your mother," replied Ollivander, "I met her quite often while she was buying things for the Leaky Cauldron. Nice lady. Now, why don't we go inside? You don't want to get any wetter, do you?"
Ollivander was right. The rain was getting heavier and heavier by the minute and Diagon Alley is slightly flooded with water. Ollivander grabbed Julius' right arm and put it around his neck. Entering into his shop, Ollivander settled Julius onto a small wooden chair near the counter. He took out his wand and aimed it at Julius' knee.
"Wait, I don't th--"
"REPARO GENU!" cried Ollivander, interrupting Julius before he could stop him.
Julius felt something cold in his right knee. All of the sudden, the pain was gone. Julius gasped and looked up at Ollivander who was standing proudly in front of him. The shopkeeper then put his wand back into his pocket inside his cloak. Climbing up the moving ladder, he put the final boxes back onto the shelves.
"Now, now," mumbled Ollivander, "going to Hogwarts, are you?"
"Uh, yes, sir," answered Julius.
"Your mother told me that she's given you a wand," said Ollivander, climbing down the ladder. "Holly and dragon heartstring, twelve inches, said she."
"Yes, sir," replied Julius, in a nervous voice. "She gave me the wand a few days ago. It was my father's."
"Yes, yes, Andrew McGregor was a good man. He made a great Auror. Shame that he passed away so soon. Would've made a good long life."
Julius felt boilings in his stomach when Ollivander started talking about his deceased father. He knew that he should've kept quiet. He looked out the window, worried.
"Don't worry, I've already passed the message of your whereabouts to your mother." said Ollivander. "When the raining stops, you can go. And in the meantime, do you mind if I take a look at your wand?"
"Oh, umm...no," replied Julius, taking out his wand from his back pocket.
Receiving the wand from Julius, Ollivander began analysing the wand. He put on his rectangle-shaped glasses and walked to his counter. Julius was still sitting on his chair, creating a structured drumming beating from tapping his feet.
"Holly and dragon heartstring, twelve inches, indeed," mumbled Ollivander. "Its strength is quite strong. It has been well-preserved, thanks to your mother. Now, have you tried this wand?"
"What do you mean, sir?" asked Julius.
"Enchantments."
"Oh, no, I haven't, sir."
"Well, go on," said Ollivander, handing Julius back his wand, "aim your fine wand at anything in this room and say the enchantment, 'evanesco'. How about that vase over there? I've no use for it, anyway."
"S-sure," replied Julius, lifting his wand arm and aiming his wand at the vase in front of him. "EVANESCO!"
A shining white light appeared from the tip of the wand, blinding both of the caster and Ollivander, forcing them to cover up their eyes. As soon as the blinding light was gone, both of them returned to their sights to see that the vase had vanished into the thin air. Ollivander stared at Julius in awe and pride. He clapped his hands in a steady beat.
"I suppose I don't need to tell you that this wand is for you, obviously," said Ollivander, still clapping his hands. "Ah, the raining has stopped. You should go back to the Leaky Cauldron. Your mother is worried."
"Yes, sir," said Julius, opening the door, as he stepped outside. The Diagon Alley was flooded with water and the shopkeepers were casting some sort of enchantment that seemed to be repelling water away from their shops. He turned around to Ollivander
"Thanks for everything, Mr. Ollivander."
The Howling X-Stud
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