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Post by Bessain on Jan 27, 2008 23:14:02 GMT -8
((Ok folks, sorry for the delay. Guess the forums are rather aptly named))
The discovery of the dead man had immediately sent the four students frantically checking their surroundings, quickly spinning around to stand back to back. When no apparent threat presented itself, Gwyddion was the first to approach the body. The fact that the lifeless victim was not stiff did little to set aside their worries.
A quick search through his clothes produced their only clue to the man's identity. Megan pulled the old pocket watch from her jacket and matched up the broken chain with that of the dead man's.
Adrian sighed. "Guess we have to get back up to Dumbledore."
The extent of the night was starting to show on all of them, and no one really wanted to walk all the way back up to the castle. "Lets just get to Hogsmeade and send an owl."
Megan and Andrea continued down the tunnel to do just that, while Adrian and Gwyddion stood watch. It took about another hour or so to get a reply, and even longer for their replacements to arrive. By the time the group made it to Hogsmeade, the sun was already rising.
The girls clutched wearily onto Andrian and Gwyddion as they were finally apparating back to Megan's house. Not really thinking, Megan fumbled around with her house keys for what seemed like hours. Andrea finally took pity on her and extended her wand to assist. The door opened with a quiet click and the four trudged through it.
They sat down shoulder to shoulder on the couch, thinking that they should probably discuss what it was that they had accidentally walked in on. But no one even got a word in. Megan snuggled into Gwyddion's shoulder as he leaned heavily on the arm rest. Andrea went next, closing her eyes as her head rested against Megan's back. Adrian fell asleep almost instantly, leaning against Andrea. Soft snores were soon the only sound in the house, until about three hours later when the harsh tapping of a house elf on the livingroom window would restart the rat race.
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Post by Erin on Feb 14, 2008 17:18:39 GMT -8
Andi woke with a start to find the room was filled with a sharp tapping. Instinctively, she reached for her wand, which lay underneath her pillow. To her dismay though, she grabbed something long and stringy, and before she had fully figured out what it was, there was a shriek and instant apologies as Andi soon discovered she had just pulled Megan’s hair. The two boys woke up with a start to Megan’s scream, but soon all attention was turned to the tapping noise, which had become louder over the last few minutes.
“To just get a few hours of peace and quiet…” grumbled one of the boys; Megan and Andi nodded.
The search for the mysterious tapping had begun. The four slowly moved closer to the source as they rubbed to sleep out of their eyes. None of them expected to see a house elf standing impatiently in front of the living room window. When he saw them, he disappeared with a snap and appeared standing on Megan’s coffee table.
“Sirs and Misses!” he squeaked. “The Great Headmaster Dumbledore, has sent word that you are to return to Hogwarts as soon you can!” Even for a squeaky voiced house elf, the distress in him was evident.
“What is it? What has he found?” blurted out Adrian.
“I’m sorry to tell you this, but I’m lacking any information regarding why he wants you to come back…”
Silence fell over the five in the room. The house elf shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other.
“Well, we may as well freshen our selves up… and maybe get some coffee started. Hey, we could put Fire Whiskey in it… that would really give us a kick!” Gwyn suggested.
“I’ll put the coooooffe – oh excuse me – I’ll put the coffee on.” Andi yawned. “Tell Dumbledore we’ll be there momentarily.” she told the elf. In a snap and a puff of smoke, the house elf vanished.
Within ten minutes, Gwyddion, Adrian, Megan and Andrea all had a mug in their hand (charmed to keep its contents hot) and were locking up the house. Both girls held the arm of either Adrian or Gwyn and in an instant, were standing in Hogsmead, in the same place they had Disapparated from less then four hours previously. Slowly, but surely, they trudged up the hillside towards Hogwarts. Bathed in the morning light, each felt strangely refreshed and clear-headed, as if ready for what the day would throw at them.
“Good morning.” Professor Dumbledore greeted them as the walked into his office.
Gloomy mumbles were mostly what he got in return. Everyone took a seat, the four of them in front of Dumbledore’s desk.
Dumbledore’s stern voice then filled the room, “After many hours of pondering an examination of old records and the body you found, I have come to find a few possible names of the man. Before I tell you anything though, you must swear to me, that everything said in this room is repeated to no one…and especially the Ministry. If they were to find out that a second body has turned up that may be linked to the thrft and murder, I assure you, the uproar would be quite unsettleing.” he added.
All nodded and Dumbledore continued.
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Post by Gwyn on Mar 5, 2008 23:00:52 GMT -8
Dumbledore paused and looked at them intently; he stood and walked to the window and stared out for several minutes. The four of them watched him but said and did nothing, other than shoot questioning glances at one another.
Dumbledore was mumbling to himself and seemed to be debating some issue. He absently reached out and stroked Fawkes neck. Without a word he returned to his desk and sat; his debate had ended.
“I don’t doubt you have many questions and you deserve to have them all answered. Unfortunately at this time I can’t answer them all. If you bear with me for a moment I will try and make things a little clearer. Though, I would be remiss if I did not give you the option of leaving us and leaving everything behind. I ask only that you repeat to know one outside of this office what you have seen and heard.”
He stared at them for a moment and when no one questioned is motives he smiled broadly at them.
“Very well then.” He sat forward and placed his forearms on his desk. “What I am about to tell you is only part of what I wish to say but this matter must be approached carefully and there are other considerations and people whom I must consult. You already know we are working outside of Ministry rules and regulations. You have no doubt seen the other wizards that are involved and some of which, such as Adrian’s father, I’m sure you already know. They are part of an organisation of likeminded individuals who have grave concerns with the way the Ministry is dealing with certain events and possible threats. We are not, and have no intention, of usurping the Ministry and its authority. We merely pursue our own angle of investigation outside of the Ministries directions and completely unknown to the Ministry. It has been discussed and agreed upon that you are now members of this order and will be provided with the location of safe houses and the passwords you need to know. Other members will know of your membership and in due time everything will be made clear to you. We are in our infancy but we have already influential and well placed members, some within the Ministry, such as your father Adrian and your father Gwyddion.”
Gwyddion’s jaw dropped as he sat back in his chair in shock.
“Does he know...?” but Dumbledore cut him off expecting the question.
“Yes he knows, and he didn’t for a moment question your entry to the order when I consulted him. It was the same with your father Adrian and both your parents Andrea, not a moment’s hesitation. I would say that they looked rather proud of you when we discussed it. Though I’m sorry to say boys that at this time your mothers’ know nothing of this. Your parents Megan are away, but I will be visiting them on their return.”
“Now back to the matter at hand. There have been three high profile murders and the Murder of Mr. Atwater makes number four. At three of the murders certain irreplaceable items have gone missing. We believe that all of these killings are in some way linked to a new dark order. When I look for answers those who may have some information are deathly frightened. We now know that a new dark order has risen and it is against this threat that we have come together. The dark order is headed by one called Voldemort, you know him better as Tom Riddle. His tendrils’ have become far reaching and those who crave power or feel disenfranchised are ready to do his bidding. I personally believe that Tom was directly involved in these matters since items of great historical and value were involved. There is little circumstantial evidence so the Ministry is of course baffled and they refuse to even consider the fact that a criminal organisation has been formed. To what Toms full intentions are I can only guess. But for the moment your task is to find the sword of Goddrick Gryffindor and return it to our safe keeping. Should you come across any information related to the killings of Head Master Dippet or Mr. Atwater you will pass this on to me, you are not follow any paths other than the location of the sword. This is deadly serious... and you all have seen that they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.” Dumbledore took a deep breath and sat back in his chair and continued.
“Tom worked for Borgin and Burkes after his graduation and this surprised many. It seemed to be a job that was beneath his standing, but I don’t doubt it suited his purpose.”
Dumbledore picked up a sheet of parchment and handed it to Megan.
“This is a list of those known to be working with Tom Riddle. As you can see they are not all gentlemen. Be very careful what you say and where you say it, the walls may have ears unseen. Find out what you can and get the information to me and I will take it from there. You are at no time to directly put yourself in harm’s way, as you did entering that cave, is that clear?”
They all looked at each other and agreed, though they knew they would not keep that promise.
“The sword will by now be out of the country. Tom seems to have some affinity with Belgium and Romania. You are all well travelled enough to be able to move about freely and openly but always keep the appearance of Hogwarts students studying historically significant sites. That way you will raise little suspicion. If problems arise at any time leave the area and return to Hogwarts immediately.”
The four of them had rather stunned looks on their faces.
“As quaint as it is, I don’t believe you will find any answers by remaining in Hogsmead.” Dumbledore smiled as he made the comment. “Of course you’ll have to travel about somewhat and frequent certain establishments where people we know come together.” He hands them six pictures of which two are women and four men. “These we know are followers of Mr. Riddle and this is the information we have on them. There is a Mr. Giles in that group. He had been seen some months ago in the company of the deceased. There may be something in that though we have no information of his whereabouts since Christmas. You will find what establishments they frequent but they seemingly don’t live in any one location for long so the pubs they frequent are the best way to find them. Some of the pubs are in the muggle world which all four of you understand better than most. Now you need muggle names and papers which I have here.” He handed each of them muggle Ids, ration books, travel documents and muggle money. “I know I don’t need to make the point but be careful; these men will stop at nothing. Avoid using magic in the muggle world; we don’t want the Ministry to be alerted. The fact that two of you are under age has not escaped us. Under the guise of doing Hogwarts research you will have some liberty in this but your use of magic must be seriously limited and only minor spells. You will be on Hogwarts business if you are asked and you will say that you are studying historical sites significant to both the Muggle and the Magical realms.”
“Well it’s not much but you now know as much as we do concerning the theft of the sword. Seek out those who may give you some lead as to where it might be and any incite as to the identity of the second man involved in the Head Masters death. Take a day or two to sort out your thoughts and we’ll meet again to try and answer your questions.” Dumbledore’s look became very serious. “I must know of everything you plan to do and all information you glean. Do nothing without contacting me first and don’t take unnecessary risks. You are on a fact finding mission and nothing more for the present. I say again, keep me abreast of all your findings. If any action is to be taken we will arrange it from here. If there is trouble you must return to Hogwarts as swiftly you can.”
Gwyn asked, “Excuse me Professor but what about our classes here? Our grades, this is our final year and a lot depends on these last few months?”
Dumbledore smiled. “Realistically there is little that all four of you don’t already know... Hogwarts has nothing more to teach you. I would go so far as to say that throughout this last year there has really been nothing that has truly challenged any of you.”
******* Ten minutes later all four of them were sitting at the in their places in the Great Hall for bereakfast. Only the centre tables were used as it was still Spring Break. Teachers and several guests, who they now knew were members of this new order, sat around discussing the night’s events. The death of Head Master Dippet now seemed so long ago even though only hours ago did they receive Dumbledore’s first beckoning call. Some members of the order smiled at them and gave them nods. Others, such as Adrian’s dad, stopped and in whispers encouraged them. Gwyn head swam with fatigue as he tried to sort everything out, it all seemed so surreal. He pushed his plate away; all he wanted now was uninterrupted sleep. He took Megan’s hand and gave her that “can we go now” look. But something he heard Andi say brought everything home and it brought him back to reality.
“This could be our last meal at Hogwarts” she said.
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Post by Bessain on Mar 8, 2008 18:00:08 GMT -8
Looking quietly over at Gwyddion, Megan wondered why he was so astonished that his father approved of this whole thing. Maybe it was a non-muggle thing? There seemed to be a lot of that going around lately. Her parents, on the other hand, were not going to be pleased with this information. Atleast, not with the whole truth. She was sure Dumbledore was smart enough to make it all out as some highly edjucational trip. Though they didn't say it, they were obviously dead set on Megan staying out of the wizarding world once she became of age. How that made sense; Megan didn't know, but it did explain the extra pressure they were appyling to tie her down to a job. She often suspected they barely tolerated Gwyddion; her anchor to the world that was stealing their only daughter.
Feeling bitter now, Megan accepted her new identity papers and stalked out into the Great Hall for breakfast. She accepted Andrea's realistic comments with a scowl, and concentrated on shoveling food into her mouth.
"Yea well," she said at long last. "Not too much of a difference between now and a couple months. We would have been leaving anyway."
It was a well known fact amoung all of them, and Megan was sure it was not necessary to say it. But it had made her feel better.
"Head students and prefects or not, I find it odd that they ask this much of us." Megan continued, lacing her fingers through Gwyddion's and tracing designs with her thumb on the side of his hand. "They can't all be completely busy." Despite the way she sounded, Megan wanted to go. She really did! But she doubted her parents would give consent, and so this was her own little way of not getting her hopes up.
She sighed. "We'd better get our stuff together." It was eventually decided that Adrian would escort Andrea home to pack, and Gwyddion would assist Megan.
~
Back at Megan's house for what seemed like the hundreth trip in the last 24 hours, Megan unlocked her front door and let Gwyddion in. The two trudged up the stairs quietly to Megan's room.
It took both of them to pull Megan's truck out from under her bed, as she still had not unpacked her things for the break. Gwyddion sat down on the bed, leaning against the wall with his eyes shut while Megan took out school books and cauldrons from her luggage. They wouldn't be needing those things where they were going. She moved a few sets of clean clothing and a few essentials into a messengers' bag. There was no point in taking a big trunk that would get in the way.
She sighed when she'd finished, and turned around to check on Gwyddion. He hadn't moved since the last time she looked up. Megan smiled, and reached down by his side to take his hand. His eyes opened as she brushed the back of his hand against her cheek and sat down next to him.
"Looks like Dumbledore maybe cutting into your summer plans," she chuckled, summoning a smile. "Who knows how long this investigtion thing will take." Unused to the goldchain around her neck, she followed it down the front of her shirt and played with the gold dragon on the end. "By the way. Thank you, Gwyn," she whispered, since she hadn't had a chance to say it earlier. Shifting sideways a little, Megan leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. "And of course I'll go with you this summer."
I'm here as long as you still want me, Megan thought to herself, and secretly doubted how much longer that really would be.
"Well we shouldn't keep Andrea and Adrian waiting," she said, tugging on Gwyddion's hand shouldering her bag.
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Post by Erin on Mar 9, 2008 0:16:35 GMT -8
Andi’s mind was rather out of control. Since Dumbledore said that her family had accepted her entering into this secret organisation without hesitation, she almost expected Dumbledore to burst out, “Just kidding!” Her father was a Muggle... and he had always been a little more protective over Andi than some parents over their kids. She just couldn’t see him accepting this without her mother being a part of something deeper... but she would question her later.
Breakfast crawled past at a snail’s pace, the whole time Andi questioning this new turn of events. She tried eating, but as she chewed a mouthful of kipper and toast, she found she wouldn’t be able to stomach it. So through breakfast, she sat feeling the strange energy that had consumed her in Dumbledore’s office slowly diminish. Eventually, the other three rose from the table, and the four slowly made their way from the Great Hall. By unspoken consent, Megan and Andi began following Adrian and Gwyddion down the seemingly endless corridors of the school, towards the Hogsmead tunnels.
As they reached Hogsmead, the deep roar of voices could be heard from one of the many pubs above the tunnels. Not wanting to be seen, Gwyn and Adrian stopped, the girls close behind, and both Apparated from within the tunnel with a small crack. Instantly, darkness engulfed Andrea and Adrian as they whizzed through what could have been another dimension. But as fast as it had happened, the darkness lifted, revealing the cosy house of the Zabe family.
“Thanks again, Adrian. I’m sure that all this Apparating back and forth is growing tiring. Anyway, come on in. I’ll be surprised if anyone will be home.” Andi said.
“It’s not much trouble.” Adrian replied. “As for whether there’s anyone home, it wouldn’t be a problem for me anyway.”
They trudged across the wet lawn; evidently it had rained during the night, and stepped inside the welcoming doorway. Quickly removing their now wet shoes, the two made their way upstairs to Andi’s bedroom.
“Well, soon enough, I’ll be Apparating for myself. I can’t believe there’s still one month, one bloody month before I’m of age!” Andi complained.
“Yeah, it’s really quite nice being able to use magic in situations outside of Hogwarts. I wouldn’t ever go back to being 16.” Adrian commented.
Andi let out a laugh as she located a bag. “Well you don’t have to rub it in!” she said playfully. Crossing the length of the room, Andrea went and sat down on her bed. Adrian walked over and joined her. Letting out a sigh, Andi said, in an almost mournful voice, “Do you think we’ll actually catch the guys who did this? I mean, if they’re working for who Dumbledore said they are, what if there’s a situation where one of our lives is on the line?” Andi said, resting her head on Adrian’s shoulder. “I just don’t think we’re ready for something like this.” she said quietly. Silence engulfed the room; a tear rolled down Andrea’s cheek.
“I couldn’t bear to lose one of you. Before our fourth year, I never had anyone. I was always alone, in everything I did. That all changed when Megan invited me in, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. You, Megan and Gwyn have become part of my family.”
“Well I hope that the three years of friendship we’ve had made up for your years of isolation.” Adrian said with a smile.
“That it has. I guess I should get packing...” she squeezed Adrian’s hand before grabbing a few things from a drawer. “We probably shouldn’t keep Megan and Gwyn waiting.”
“Oh, I’m sure they’ll keep each other company in our absence.” Adrian replied with an amused smile.
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Post by Naucoaran on Mar 12, 2008 15:15:25 GMT -8
((I live!))
With all the new knowledge that the four of them were getting, Adrian felt a little overwhelmed. Secret societies, safe houses, murderous cults...it was all hard to swallow. One of the hardest was his father's involvement in it all. He would have never marked his father as one of the secret society types. Maybe that’s why he was so good at it.
Breakfast was rather dour as Adrian half listened to Megan talk about leaving Hogwarts. Time had passed so quickly, and the fact that they would be done with school was a painful reminder that they all would move on, maybe separate and not see much of each other anymore. Their last breakfast meal at Hogwarts tasted sour indeed with all of his thoughts clouding his mind.
Not much later after they had all finished eating they split up into groups of two. Gwyn took Megan to her house to pack while Adrian when with Andi. He started to grow more excited as he thought of adventure. The four valiant students solving crime and getting the ones who so hurt the school. The thought made him smile. “Do you think we’ll actually catch the guys who did this? I mean, if they’re working for who Dumbledore said they are, what if there’s a situation where one of our lives is on the line?”
It was a sobering thought. Any one or maybe all of them could die on this expedition. It was a very real possibility. "I won't let it happen." he said suddenly, determination thick in his voice.
Andi looked at him curiously. "What was that?"
"I won't let it happen." He said louder. "If our lives were on the line." he explained. "I wouldn't let anything happen to you," he glanced into her eyes. "To any of us," he said rather quickly before he felt the tips of his ears go red. He cleared his throat after a few seconds of silence. "We should get going; I hope you don’t mind a little detour to my home to pack my things?"
"Certainly not." She replied with a smile. Adrian returned the smile with his own toothy grin. They stepped together and Adrian reached an arm around Andi's waist and pulled her close, hesitating a couple seconds before casting. "Something the matter?" Andi asked with a glance. The older boy shook his head then Apparated them to his house.
There was a lurch in his stomach and he felt as if he were falling through an endless void into nothingness, the same feeling he always felt when teleporting. It all soon passed though as his feet felt like they were on solid ground once more. With a cursory glance at the house he noted that no one was home here either. His mother must be out and about in town, and his father at work as usual. He voiced this much then escorted Andi up the walk to the house. He opened the front door and waved her in. "After you." he said with a smile as he swept a hand inside. Andrea smiled back before going inside.
After leading her up to his room, Adrian quickly began slinging items into a leather shoulder bag. Although it did not appear to look very big, the bag seemed to take a while to fill up. He paused for a second when he saw that Andrea was staring at him. "Its extra dimensional." he said with a grin then shoved his whole arm into the small bag, the limb going far deeper than the bag was deep. "It isn't infinite of course, it has its limits. It only holds about four times what it would usually hold. My dad had a hand in crafting it." Andi let out a soft sigh of understanding. She sat down on the edge of his bed as he finished packing. "I think I have everything so we can leave. Are you ready?" he finally said.
Andi popped up from her seat and nodded before moving into his arm again. He got a firm hold on her waist while he was getting ready to cast. For the second time that day he felt a hesitation to cast as a slight warmth spread through his body from being so close to her. He shook his head again, this time before Andi even said anything, and Apparated them off to meet Gwyn and Megan.
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Post by Gwyn on Mar 15, 2008 23:49:17 GMT -8
“Hey there just hold on a minute.” Gwyn pulled Megan back and wrapped his arms around her. His eyes sparkled as he drew her close and kissed her gently.
“They can wait for us.” He said in a whisper and then he kissed her again. The two of them lay across her bed with Gwyn sitting back against the wall. Gwyn’s arm held Megan as she lay back and snuggled in resting her head on his chest.
They stayed there for several minutes before Gwyn finally broke the silence. “I love you Megan and I don’t say that enough.......” With his free hand he idly stroked her hair. “When all this cloak and dagger so called historical research is done we’ll make our plans. I can’t see this thing Dumbledore expects us to do will last more than a month. We need to be at Hogwarts when the term ends, it wouldn’t be right if we weren’t there with our friends. And if we’re gone to long they might ask questions and they won’t buy Dumbledore’s research story for a minute. I think he knows that already; he seems somehow to know everything.”
Ten minutes later they materialised on the laneway just outside of Hogwarts main gate. Gwyn had Megan’s bag floating along beside him as they crossed the lawns to the castle’s great wooden doors at top the steps. Adrian and Andi were waiting for them just inside the Great Hall. Gwyn immediately noticed a strange smug look on Adrian’s face. It was that same expression he had every time he’d managed to pull off a prank or get away with something. Gwyn stared at him for a moment but there was something different in that look this time. Gwyn said nothing, he and Megan and he sat down across from them.
“You two alright? “ Gwyn asked looking mainly at Adrian.
Adrian answered that everything was fine and asked why they had taken so long.
“We just had a couple of things to take care of.” Gwyn replied. “Well... we’ve got at least a day to kill before we see Dumbledore again. We should talk and figure out what more we need to know about this so called inquiry. But I don’t know about you but I’m knackered. A bit of a kip and a shower sounds pretty good right now.”
With all the goings on sleep seemed to be a forgotten commodity. They all agreed and planned to meet an hour or so before dinner in the Gryffindor common room. When Megan and Gwyn walked into their common room there was a house-elf, the same one who’d woken them at Megan’s home, busy at lighting a fire in the grate. This was odd since there was no one in the Gryffindor dorms besides Gwyn and now Megan. When Megan commented on this the Elf, smiling broadly, promptly told them that the Headmaster thought they might enjoy a fire. He then introduced himself to them.
“My name Kobb young sir and madam and if there’s somethin’ you’d be needin’ the Headmaster says I’m to see to it. “Kobb,” he says to me, “they are in your care when at Hogwarts, even when theys are no longer students here.” E said you’d be visitin’ Hogwarts an’ maybe even stayin’ ere. I’ll be makin’ up special rooms for you after term and all you’s need to do is call for Kobb and I’s be there. Is there anything I’s can get you’s?” Kobb asked.
“Well if there’s any Firewi...” Megan’s elbow in his stomach stopped Gwyn short. “Some pumpkin juice would be appreciated.” Gwyn remarked.
Kobb disappeared at the snap of his fingers and in no time he returned with a green bottle and two glasses. Gwyn looked at the bottle and then at Kobb. Kobb winked and disappeared. Gwyn and Megan took up their favourite position on the couch. The two of them settled in with Megan snuggling in against Gwyn and his arms wrapped around her as he laid back propped up by the pillows. Soon the warmth of the fire filled the room and the mead Kobb had brought soon put to rest all the concerns of the day and both began to doze.
“If it wasn’t for you I’d be sitting in Durmstrang right now. What a waste that would have been.” Gwyn stretched and put the empty glasses on the side table then he laid his hand atop Megan’s and fell into a deep sleep.
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Post by Erin on Mar 18, 2008 19:19:51 GMT -8
At the first mention of sleep, Andi finally realised just how run-down she felt. The weight of their twilight romp on top of the events and shocks of the morning had taken a toll on the four more to the extreme than ever before. I feel even worse than I did when we studied all night for our O.W.L.s! Andi thought wearily. After agreeing to meet again in the Gryffindor common room around four that evening, they parted into groups of two and gradually made it to their common rooms.
Stepping through the door to the Ravenclaw common room, with Adrian following behind her, Andi felt the beckoning warmth of a fire… a fire? No, it had to be magically produced heat; fire’s were only lit when it started getting dark outside. Continuing on down the stairs, an unusual sight met the eyes of Andrea and Adrian; there was a house-elf plumping up the pillows on the chesterfield in front of the fireplace, from which a warm glowing, happily crackling fire was dancing.
“What’s all this?” Adrian said, breaking the silence.
The house-elf’s glassy eye’s rolled up to take a gander at the new arrivals.
“Mister and Miss.” He addressed Andi and Adrian giving a little bow. “The Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, had us arrange the common room to accommodate you while you stay at Hogwarts. He said you would not be staying long “so make it comfortable for them!” he says.” The house-elf suppressed a squeaky laugh.
“Sorry, but, who do you mean by “us”?” Andi inquired.
“Oh!” Exclaimed the little elf, “How rude of me! I am called Nobb. My brother Kobb, will be attending to your other friends. If there is anything at all that you need, just tell good Nobb, and you shall have it!”
“Well that certainly thoughtful of him! But unfortunately, I’m not sure we’ll be Hogwarts students much longer…” Andrea commented rather mournfully.
“Well Professor Dumbledore also told us that even when you were no longer Hogwarts students Kobb and I would be to attend to you. As soon as you reach Hogwarts grounds, you can called us and we will come!” Nobb said excitedly.
Surprise then spread across the faces of Andrea and Adrian. They would be coming back to Hogwarts! Andi sighed with relief. I thought we’d be out camping in remote areas almost every night! But if Dumbledore assigned these house-elves to us, then we must be spending a lot more time here than we originally thought…
Andi gazed over at Adrian; she observed the same relief in his eyes that had engulfed her. Slowly a smile spread across her face.
“Is there anything Nobb can get you?” the house-elf asked.
“I’m pretty good with just catching some Z’s for the moment, Adrian did you want anything?”
“Not for the moment, sleep would be nice for me too. Thanks.” Adrian told the elf.
“Enjoy yourselves then!” And with a crack! Nobb vanished.
Andi dragged her tired feet over the chesterfield and took off her shoes. She lay down, and stretched out, savouring the feeling of safety and comfort.
“May I sit down?” Adrian asked.
“Of course!” Andi sat up, making more room for the two of them.
Bringing her legs back up on the chesterfield, she stretched and gave a great yawn. Then gently, she let her head rest on Adrian’s shoulder. The heat of the fire beat upon their faces, the happy crackling the only sound in the room other than the slow and quiet breathing of the two Ravenclaws. At some point within the next few minutes, Nobb returned with a bottle of expensive wine and two beautifully crafted crystal glasses. With careful hands, Andrea poured the wine, handing a glass silently to Adrian and resumed her former position.
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Post by Bessain on Mar 19, 2008 22:18:08 GMT -8
Megan awoke to the soft contented snores that were erupting from Gwyddion. She turned her head to watch him, giggling softly as she came to terms with just how tired he actually was. As slow and gentle as possible, Megan removed her arm from under Gwyddion's and rolled off the couch so as not to disturb him. She yawned and stretched, using the same movement to throw her hair into a ponytail. Checking her watch, she was surprised to find that it was already late in the morning. Today was their only day off for the next month or so, and they were all sleeping through it!
It was a well earned sleep of course! But Megan didn't care. Something about it all screamed blasphemey.
There wasn't much to do around school and the last thing Megan wanted to do was throw together a few questions for Dumbledore. She had a feeling they'd be seeing enough of him. Besides, they were all being good tools at the moment. Any questions she might have were starting to look unecessary.
The Diagon Alley was always open for shopping... But that was what everyone did during the break. If she was going to have a day out, Megan wanted to do something people her age normally didn't do.
She tried to think of the things they'd all done recently, trying to spark some sort of inspiration. Aside from her party, which seemed ages ago, they hadn't really been able to do anything fun. Last night, with the visit from Kobb, had been very relaxing, but not so much fun. Megan chuckled, thinking of Kobb and what Gwyddion had tried to get the elf to serve...
Firewhiskey!
There were pubs in Hogsmead! Gwyddion and Adrian were of age! They could always buy for Andrea and herself.
The more Megan ran through her sudden epiphany, the more she liked the idea.
A short snore from Gwyddion turned her attention. She smiled mischieviously. In a few short strides, Megan was back by the couch. She kneeled down softly near Gwyddion's face.
"Good morning!" she said cheerfully, and leaned in to kiss the length of his jaw line. She turned away, getting a face full of morning breath.
Gwyddion muttered fitfully in his sleep.
Megan snorted, not liking the late morning ignorance. She rose quickly, and backed up a few steps.
Taking a running start for good measure she leapt from the rug and onto Gwyddion, knocking the couch over backwards in the process
"Get up! Get ready! We're going out!"
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Post by Naucoaran on Mar 20, 2008 22:06:02 GMT -8
As Adrian settled the crystal glass in his hand he breathed in a deep sigh, taking a slightly guilty pleasure in breathing in the smell of Andi's hair. Her body was warm against his as she softly leaned against him. Adrian softly swirled the wine in his hand then breathed in the scent. His father had told him enough times how to properly drink wine, using all the senses and not just taste. He could tell that it was a fine drink.
The two of them sat in silence for some time, both eventually drinking the bottle dry. By that time it was quite late and Adrian's head felt light and fuzzy, his body warm all over. The last feeling, he mused, probably wasn't due to the wine. You're falling for her. He silently told himself as he sat on the chesterfield with Andi, his free hand resting lightly on her hip. At some time they had moved to a more comfortable position, half way through the bottle he guessed, where they were more lying down with her back to his chest. Stretching out a leg Adrian rested a foot on the armrest then carefully took Andi's glass out of her hand, his fingers brushing hers as he did so, and placed both glasses on the table with the empty bottle.
She sighed lightly and shifted a little, resting her hand on his chest. She seemed to be either seconds away from sleep or already there. But you've always felt this way haven’t you? Even if you never admit it, there has always been something. He continued to talk to himself softly in his head. He absently ran his fingertips through her hair. He almost told her then, but he held it back. Probably wouldn't hear it anyways. Tomorrow I will...always tomorrow... He told himself as he leaned his head against hers. "My dear Andrea." he whispered softly before he drifted off to sleep.
(bleh, short -.-)
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Post by Gwyn on Mar 25, 2008 22:27:16 GMT -8
(OOC Complements of Andi and Thalion)
Gwyn woke up just as the chesterfield rolled over and hit the floor. He felt the full weight of Megan land on top of him and could hear her shouting. As to what was going on, what and why Megan was shouting Gwyn didn’t have a clue. He instinctively grabbed for his wand and had it pulled before he stopped rolling he then ducked behind the armchair and expected to be fending off curses at any second. Then nothing happened. He looked out and saw Megan standing on the backrest of the toppled chesterfield looking at him and grinning widely.
“Well get ready... are you just going to stay there or are we going?”
“What?” Gwyn asked totally confused. “What the bloody hell just happened and what are you talking about?” Gwyn, bleary eyed, stood up and ran his fingers through his hair and looked around half expecting the common room to be in shambles. His eyes came back and rested on Megan.
“What...we’re going out? What are you talking about?”
“We’re going to get drunk.” Megan said, sounding somewhat exasperated.
She then explained her idea about going to the Hogsmead and the boys buying for the girls. Gwyn liked the idea but there was no way that Aberforth was going to have underage girls drinking in his pub. In spite of its reputation there were a few things that the landlord did not allow in his pub.
“I think it’s a great idea sweetheart, but there’s just no way Aberforth is going to let it happen. I’ve saw a couple Slytherin guys showup dressed as wizards and they barely made it over the threshold. They were out in the street so fast I figured there was a charm on the door, sorry but we’ll never get you in.”
The look on Megan’s face change. It looked remarkably like a small child’s expression that’d had their balloon popped.
“Just wait a sec I’ve got an idea.” Gwyn smiled. “Kobb I need you.”
Kobb was there in an instant. Gwyn hurriedly spoke to him asking questions about food, drink and a room. Kobb nodded, smiled and was gone. Gwyn turned to Megan.
“Get your coat we’re leaving. We’re going to the pub and do this in style, but not without Adrian and Andi.”
***
Andi awoke from a short, but much needed sleep feeling almost totally refreshed. She did not open her eyes right away, no. She was comfortably listening to Adrian’s slow and rhythmic breaths emanating from his warm chest. But... if she listened more closely, she found she could her more than just one person in the room... Should she dare to open her eyes?
Cracking one eye open, she looked at the fuzzy outline of something right in front of her...in fact it was almost touching her nose... IT WAS ANOTHER FACE!! An almighty shriek pierced the silence as Andrea toppled back elbowing Adrian in the stomach. Pain spread across his face and he also shrieked. Both of them fell off the couch, Adrian landing on top of Andrea in the process.
“Megan!” Andi nearly screamed. Her heart was threatening to beat out of her ribs. “What the hell is your problem sticking your bloody face right in mine, right when you know that I’m about to wake up?!”
“I told her it was a bad idea.” Gwyn commented from beside the fireplace.
Megan stood there, positively grinning. “I’ve decided it’s time to do something fun for a change.”
Adrian groaned and pulled himself back onto the couch, soon after offering a hand to Andi and pulling her up.
“Sorry about the elbow, Adrian... I hope I didn’t rupture anything...” Andi said apologetically.
“Well, I’m all in one piece...” he croaked. Gingerly he placed his hand on his stomach. Andi laid her hand on his shoulder.
“So what about this phenomenon called “fun”?” Andi inquired.
Megan took a deep breath before continuing. “We are going to get drunk!” she announced triumphantly.
“Mhmm.”
Silence spread through the room. Adrian cocked an eyebrow.
“Well, I hate to ruin this for you Megan, but considering you and Andi are underage, I can’t see how this will work.” he said.
“Which is why you and Gwyn are buying the booze for us! Of course though, like good friends, Andrea and I will be chipping in.”
“What about location? We can’t do this in a pub... and I really don’t think it would be a good idea to get drunk in one of the common rooms or an empty classroom.” Andi pointed out.
“I thought of that too.” Gwyn said directing his words towards Megan. “I don’t like the sounds of a classroom or the common rooms; perhaps, because we need somewhere private, the Room of Requirement?”
With that settled and no further objections, Andi and Adrian quickly summoned their jackets and it was off to Hogsmead.
***
The four of them Apparated from Hogsmead to Hogwarts front gates and made their way across the lawns. Things had gone smoothly at the pub and the only comment made to the boys was the price, six galleons two sickles and a knut. The barman eyed them and wondered why two young men he knew as Hogwarts students, were buying substantially more alcohol than the two could hope to drink in one evening. All that mattered to him was the fact that they were of age and their money was good.
The four friends made their way as quietly as possible and made sure that there was no clink of bottles bang against one other. Gwyn walked past the spot three times and then stood looking at the wall.
““We need to get in the Gooses Gizzard pub.”
The door appeared and a sign appeared over it,”Gooses Gizzard.” It looked as it could have come from any old world pub. The door was worn and the opaque stained glass appeared as though it had never been cleaned. Gwyn reached out and pulled on the brass door handle. One of its hinges complained loudly but once inside they were astounded with what they saw. The first thing you saw was an old umbrella stand to your right made out of old beer barrel, then, at the far end of the room was a coal fire burning low. Tables were placed in a random order with three wooden chairs about it. The walls were covered with old pictures, and old farm hand tools sat in the bays of the windows. The wooden floors were of worn oak and the old bar appeared to have seen many a day though it still had a deep lustre to it. The taps, of which there were three, were polished and the brass inlay gleamed as polished gold. The low beamed ceiling gave the place a cozy feeling and the fire drew you to the far end of the room. Standing by a table with two large two person arm chairs were Kobb and Nobb. The four gave the liquor they purchased in Hogsmead to the two elves, placed their orders, and proceeded to make themselves comfortable. Gwyn looked the pub over and it could not have been more perfect, it even smelled right.
Kobb and Nobb brought over the first, second and third drinks all together and set them on the tables. Gwyn raised his glass to make a toast.
“Here’s to the love of my life.” He put down his glass, wrapped his arms around Megan and kissed her long and deep. After a snigger from Adrian he raised his glass with one arm and kept the other around Megan. “To you two, the best bloody mates a man could have. Now let’s get drunk and as we said at Durmstrang, Nostrovia.”
Gwyn picked up his first and second glass of Firewhisky and tossed them back. He sat back in the chair and watched Andi and Adrian drink.
“When are you two going to figure things out between you?” He was looking directly at them until Megan’s elbow met his ribs.
***
Andi’s mouth dropped as Gwyn downed two glasses of Firewhisky consecutively. She picked up the rainbow wizards champagne in front of her and took a small sip; it had the most delightful taste; very fruity, but not too sweet. She held it up, inspecting the different coloured bubbles rising up from the bottom, and the unique colour of the drink. It was a violet colour when you looked at it, but when the light shone through it the drink shimmered in the most beautiful teal.
Andi had never been drunk before... But then, I guess there’s a first time for everything! she thought happily, draining the rest of her glass with her head buzzing pleasantly. Nobb strode over to the table and removed Andi’s empty glass replacing it with a glass of Firewhisky.
“Oh no,” she said, “I don’t think I’ll have any of that tonight.”
Nobb winked and strode off to join his brother across the room.
“When are you two going to figure things out between you?” Gwyn was looking directly at Andi and Adrian.
***
Andi looked Gwyn straight in the eye feeling herself go red; luckily though, the room was relatively dark. She hastily turned to face Adrian and then grabbed the glass in front of her and without thinking, she took a gulp.
Almost instantly, Andi began coughing uncontrollably. As the name of the drink had warned, it felt like liquid fire was sluggishly crawling down her throat. When the burning sensation in her throat did not subside, Andi desperately grabbed at the bottle of wine and took several long draughts from it. Her three surrounding friends looked at her in a rather concerned fashion; Gwyn chuckled at her plight. With tears in her eyes, she began laughing. It was almost maniacal; like some crazed laughter coming from a totally defeated person with nothing left to lose.
“Never again.” she gasped, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“It’s an acquired taste.” Gwyn remarked.
“You’re not kidding.” Andi replied darkly, taking a few peanuts, flicking them up and catching in her mouth. At this point Kobb and Nobb returned to the table, each supporting a small tray with several bottles on each, inquiring as to what they would have next.
***
Gwyn asked for two Russian Vodka and a pint of strong ale as a chaser. He smiled; it had been a while since he indulged like this.
“This was a great idea love.” He picked up a glass of clear cold vodka and sat back clearly relaxed and kissed her. The third whiskey was taking effect. “You should try one of these.” He handed her the vodka. “It’s cold but don’t let that fool you. Try a sip or if you’re game shoot it back all in one.”
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Post by Erin on Mar 29, 2008 16:41:05 GMT -8
OOC: POST 100 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! ;D
“What can I be getting you now?” Nobb inquired politely.
“Well, I do quite enjoy the rainbow champagne… Yes, another glass of champagne please.”
Carefully, Nobb placed his tray on the old wooden floor and picked up a crystal glass and poured the lavender coloured drink. After handing it up to Andi he gave a small bow and moved onto ask Adrian what he would be having. Andi watched the drink swirl within the glass, and in it’s depths the colourful bubbles being sucked up by the whirlpool. Raising the glass she took a large gulp and sighed contentedly.
“This was a great idea, love.” Gwyn said handing Megan a small vodka.
“Yeah, I haven’t done anything like this before! I suppose it won’t be as much fun when Megan and I are of age.” Andi commented.
Gwyn continued to try and convince Megan to shoot the vodka in her hand as Andi drained the rest of her glass. Nobb came over and promptly refilled it for her. This went on for about half an hour. The chit-chat in the old pub had become more relaxed and for some reason, everything seemed to make Andi giggle. Eventually, talk turned to past doings and their fourth year, when everything had started. Laughter filled the pub as they all recounted things they had gone and done together.
“And do you fremember,” said Andi, wiping tears from her eyes, “the tine when we Un-Disillusioned Adrian and almoshst made Gaetano shit himself because he thought Adrian wush a ghost?” she slurred slightly taking another drink from her glass. Suddenly, her hair went from long and black, to purple and red, curly locks and her eyes turned dark brown. Evidently, the drink was starting to take effect of her Metamorphmagusing powers. The pub went temporarily silent, and then the three burst into laughter at Andi’s strange appearance, but she had taken no notice of her change.
“Alright Andi, I think you’ve had enough to drink.” Gwyn said with laughter. “Just put your glass on the table.”
“No vay, I’m fline!” Andi said critically.
“Seriously, Andi,” Adrian said, “listen to Gwyn. You’ve had enough.” Adrian reached over and took the glass from Andi’s hand and put it on the try Kobb was carrying as he walked by.
“Hey!” she exclaimed. “I’ll shtop when I know I’m drunk!”
She attempted to rise from the table and grab her glass, but failed to do so and fell backwards landing hard on the floor. Almost instantly, many pairs of hands helped her back to her chair and sat her back down. As Nobb passed with a tray she reached over and grabbed a new bottle of champagne. The cork though, was proving hard to remove with her loss of dexterity. After several minutes of struggling with the blasted cork, she finally remembered, Hey! I can use magic! and clumsily removed her wand and pointed it at the cork in the bottle of champagne which she longed for. Instantly, the cork exploded and showered down on everyone in small pieces. Stuffing the wand back into her pocket, she drank from the bottle. There again, Adrian reached over to remove to bottle from Andi’s hands.
She pulled away quickly angrily retorting, “Smerioushy, I’m skine!” Adrian looked at her worriedly. Her language had become so slurred it had become a little difficult to understand what she was saying. He watched her yawn wisely and made for the bottle again but was unsuccessful.
Andi’s eyelids had suddenly become very heavy. Exhaustion overwhelmed her. Heaving a yawn she sat quietly listen to the blabbed around her, every so often taking a swig from her bottle. Less than twenty minutes later, the bottle that was previously in Andi’s hands smashed on the floor, sending shards of glass the remaining contents of the bottle flying. Not noticing the disturbance, her head drooped and she slipped off to sleep, unknowing to the monster she would face the next morning; her hangover.
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Post by Bessain on Mar 30, 2008 21:55:00 GMT -8
Megan wasn't particularly interested in the taste of most of the drinks found at the table that day. But that wasn't the point of their activity. She took Gwyddion's advice and just shot down most of what was handed to her as fast as possible. The less she tasted of it the better. Megan was determined not to make as many awkward faces as Andrea had on her first few shots, but that proved nearly impossible for her own tasteless style of drinking. Imbibing fast made Megan swear the drink was hitting her brain, making her experience just little more unpleasant than Andrea's.
She eventually allowed herself to relax, and started actually sifting through the different tastes in drinks. Megan found she enjoyed the vodka better mixed with some kind of juice, and wondered if that was simply because she was unused to the taste. She giggled along with Andrea about different happenings in the school, most of it included the dating scene.
After Andrea crashed, Megan resorted to questioning Adrian about their night. Her reprimanding attitude from earlier had been chased away by the drink. She talked on and on, happy as ever and not really pausing to give Adrian time to answer. Andrea was gone and there really wasn't anyone who could keep up with her now. With Megan's sense of inhibition lost, it was a good thing for the two boys that she began to tire rather fast. She looked out the window of the pub, to the direction of Hogwarts.
"You know," she said. "We should go swimming sometime... like now! Now works!" She shook the glass and stared down at the dregs of her drink. "Theres a lake up there and everything. Shouldn't have any trouble, I'm sure old whats-his-name at school won't mind, he seems..."
Megan babbled on, leaning against Gwyddion eventually starting to nod off in her chair. Her rants eventually just became sound, and at one point she tried to rise from her chair in hopes to actually make it to the lake. But she stood up halfway before staggering backwards into her chair. Not really caring, she settled back next to Gwyddion.
"We should do this more often," she said as she settled her head down on the table, thinking only to close her eyes for a minute. She started to snore softly soon after inspite of herself.
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Post by Gwyn on Apr 7, 2008 21:49:25 GMT -8
Gwyn had gently picked Megan up off the table and rested her head against him. He lovingly kissed her forehead and gently brushed her hair out of her face. The alcohol had numbed Gwyn senses and he was feeling no pain. His drinking days started early in Durmstrang and he learnt his lessons the hard way; by staring at the bottom of a bucket. After the first rounds, six drinks in all, Nobb had brought him a small glass with something pale and cloudy in it which Gwyn drank right away, he then waited for fifteen minutes before he finished off the remaining three. Nobb came and refilled two of the glasses, the third he took away as asked. Adrian had asked him a question about Durmstrang and that lead to Gwyn talking freely; a little too freely, babbling actually. The first drinks had loosened his tongue and he’d dropped his guard around his closest friends.
“We’d play Quidditch with teams sent in... part of a small local league, mainly guys from towns like Hogsmead. Cannon fodder they were, sometimes they wouldn’t play; with good reason. Before the games we’d go through this damn mind numbing ritual. They’d have us standing in front of the school at an assembly. We’d be in a semi circular hall, like an amphitheatre, and there’d be bleachers all around for the school to sit. In front of us there was a table, and on it there would be three small shot glasses for each of us. Each filled... two of them were clear and the other a cloudy pale yellow. I nearly puked the first time I drank the yellow one. We had to toss each of them back and then the ranting would start. Usually the head master spoke but not always. Zay are fat and veak... to cowardly to do what it takes to vin. Zay send us children but ve send zem men... men who know how to vin and know how to fight for the glory of Durmstrang. VE ARE DURMSTRANG, VE ARE DURMSTRANG.” Gwyn triumphantly raised his fist high. “We’d raise our fists in the air and the place would go nuts; everyone chanting we are Durmstrang and other stuff in Bulgarian. Like fucking Nazis. Sometimes it went on for 20 minutes. We learnt loosing was defiantly not an option and we knew that all too well.” Gwyn stared at the table as he idly fiddled with the two glasses on it. He smiled remembering days past.
“What we drank from the first yellowish glass was fish oil; the other two were vodka. The fish oil would prevent the vodka from going to our heads. I started this in my second year. Gave me a taste for vodka, but not fish oil.” Gwyn was smiling as he recalled days past. “There are some things I miss but I have no regrets about anything. They taught me things I’d never learn here. That walrus Slughorn would piss himself if I’d tell him of the potions we put together. It sticks with you somehow, I still remember the best ones; I don’t know why. I should teach you some of them once we’re out of here. You should know the spells, could come in handy sometime. They’re things people in this unnamed order should know. Things an Auror should know... things you need to know to survive in a fight, do or die, a last resort. But for now we’ll keep it between ourselves. Once we’re in London I’ll show you.”
Gwyn picked up the two remaining shot glasses and emptied them, he sat back and smiled. Nobb came over to refill his glasses but Gwyn reached down and turned the glasses over.
“Thanks but I’ve had enough Nobb.” The elf bowed and walked away.
“You remember the book don’t you Adrian? Bloody hell... in my fourth year to have something like that laid in my lap. Any Prof in Durmstrang would have given gladly half his life to have that book, but no, it was some stupid head strong pumped up kid in his fourth year that has it handed to him; and I was the only one who could read it. The power that that book held was fucking scary. The spells, some of em seemed so straight forward it made you wonder why no one else had thought of them. The book was destroyed but not before I copied some of the pages. I couldn’t help it; I was right out of Durmstrang and a product of my schooling. That book was to me like honey to bees. I used one of the spells to try and fix some of the tunnel that caved in when the Henkel crashed. It was a spell that would make caves in rock face or hillside. It bored into the rock and gave you an instant shelter. Damn near killed me when I tried to use it, did put half the tunnel back though.” Gwyn chuckled. “I’ve memorised a few of the spells, things to know if you’re up against it. Maybe they’ll come in handy with this Dumbledore thing or when I’m in the Ministry.”
Gwyn yawned. “I’m tired and Megan needs a bed. She’s going to have a rough morning. No doubt it’ll be my fault.” He paused for a moment before looking back at Adrian. “I’ve said too much mate but there it is... I’m an unrepentant bastard but she keeps me in line. I’d do anything for her... and if we were a couple years older I’d ask her to marry me.”
Gwyn got up and picked up Megan. He bid Adrian good night and wondered what Adrian was going to do with Andi, considering she was now sleeping in his lap. Gwyn went up a set of stairs and found that there were indeed rooms in the inn. He lay Megan in one of the beds, took off her loafers then opened the top button on her shirt and covered her with the blankets. For himself he took a big comfy chair and a blanket and moved it close to the bed. He pointed his wand at the fireplace and instantly a warm fire sprang to life, the light of it danced on the ceiling and walls. Gwyn watched Megan lying so still and breathing in and out slowly until sleep finally took him. He had hoped for her sake the morning wouldn’t be too rough though he prepared for the worst.
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Post by Bessain on Apr 29, 2008 19:17:41 GMT -8
The morning light came streaming in through the window across the room, causing Megan to roll over and tuck her head underneath her pillow. It took awhile to perceive pain, but altogether the movement left her feeling dizzy and a little nauseous. Megan groaned and rubbed at her swollen temples.
"Good Morning," she heard Gwyddion call softly.
Megan groaned again, but opened her eyes slowly. The room spun slightly, but that didn't really concern her as much as the fact that she had no idea where this room was.
"We're still in the inn above the tavern."
"Shh!" Megan hissed.
"What?"
"Stop screaming at me!" she growled, the littlest noises seemed amplified in her head.
"I'm not--"
"VOLUME!"
"Ok..."
Megan cradled her head in her hands for a few moments longer before attempting to sit up. She swayed momentarily before nausea took over, sending her to her feet and stumbling across the room to the bathroom. Her clumsy bound left an overturned chair and bedside table in her wake.
~
It was just after noon that Gwyddion and Megan left the room. Megan felt absolutely miserable, but refused to say anything about the night before. She was already suffering, and was dead set on the fact that it was anyone else's fault but hers.
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Post by Erin on May 2, 2008 23:31:00 GMT -8
[OOC: Meh, will edit later. For now, bedtime!]
A familiar throbbing engulfed Andi’s head as she awoke, only this time it was accompanied by horrible waves of nausea. The inside of her mouth felt coated by a horrible mixture of slime coated fuzz and the most bitter taste she had ever woken up to. Perhaps she had over done it with champagne last night… As Andi grew more awakened, the throbbing became so bad that she would have sworn there was a demon in her head if she hadn’t remember the previous night’s events. Never had she felt so sick in her life. The shaking in her joints, combined with the light-headedness, nausea, weak muscles, throbbing head and extreme sensitivity to light made it very hard for her to run from bed to the washroom without the room looking like something big and clumsy had stumbled through it. Eventually the waste paper basket stayed permanently beside her bed, as to prevent her from hurting herself on her way to the restroom.
Sometime in the afternoon, Adrian crept quietly into the room carrying a glass, which appeared to be smoking. Quickly registering the new arrival, she made as though she was asleep, for the last thing she wanted was to talk to someone in this state. Quietly, he placed the smoking glass on the table beside Andrea’s bed and walked over to the window. The curtains preventing light from entering the nearly pitch-black room were drawn back ever so slightly, but it was enough for Andi to react. Pain had erupted from her eyes to her head and she groaned in such a manner that said, “if you don’t close those curtains, I’ll have to kill you.”
Quickly, the light was extinguished and Adrian walked over to Andi’s bed and whispered to her that the smoke of the potion would help with the nausea and headache, but wouldn’t take it away. He also said that she could easily go to Matron and be feeling fresh in an instant, but explanations would be difficult considering she was underage and had a hangover. Before he left, Adrian cleared the contents of the garbage bin and silently left the room.
With the edge taken off of her headache, Andi was able to sink into an uneasy sleep. Hopefully she could sleep off the rest of the alcohol. She dreamed of many different things, but the most pressing thing within them was what may come to pass when they left Hogwarts for their investigation.
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Post by Naucoaran on May 17, 2008 12:37:51 GMT -8
((Let it be known that I am a horrible person. Let it also be known that I am aware of this fact and will try to improve.))
Adrian first awoke and wondered where he was and why he was sleeping on a small couch. It took a few moments to realize that they had all stayed in the rooms above the inn that night instead of trudging back to the common room to sleep off the booze. As he sat up he suddenly realized what it felt like to have your temples squeezed by an angry troll. Adrian promptly fell back down onto the bed and hissed a curse. The next time he sat up he was more successful. He was about to rummage about for some tea when the soft sounds of snores became aware to him. Glancing over to the one bed in the room he smirked. Andi was sprawled under the covers and snoring contently.
It was at this time that he remembered more of the previous night. Andi had drank herself silly and passed out on him. After seeing Gwyn take Megan upstairs he followed suit only to find that there was only one bed per room and he didn't want to leave her alone in this state. He well remembered his first hangover. He had tucked her in then collapsed on the couch, falling asleep easily enough.
“When are you two going to figure things out between you?” Gwyn’s words echoed through his head, much clearer now that his mind was not clouded with drink. When indeed? Soon, he decided. Very soon. Today maybe? There was a thrill of excitement in his body at the thought. In time, when it's right. Adrian decided to go downstairs to get something to help with the headache and bring something up to Andi to help her too. And some dry toast, it always helped.
When he came back up to the room Andi was no longer snoring but she also hadn't moved yet. He took this chance to draw the curtains back a little to let in a beam of light. The sun conspired against him though and shot angry beams right at Andi who promptly growled at the world. Shutting the room in darkness once more he walked over to the bed and Helped where he could before leaving her to rest some more. There was nothing left for him to do to help her.
The day was creeping along as he settled back down in the room they had all drank in the previous night. Before he could put his thoughts to voice and summon Nobb, the little elf was at the table side waiting patiently. "Something dry." he said softly. The elf nodded enthusiastically, his ears flapping back and forth. Just as the food was brought Gwyn and a haggard looking Megan shambled down the stairs. Adrian smiled thinly and bid them to join him, explaining that Andi was not yet ready to join them.
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Post by Erin on May 18, 2008 9:24:19 GMT -8
A barren landscape with skeletal buildings and dark alleys, with only moonlight to guide them. A sinister mist engulfed any visible ground. Gwyn, Megan, Adrian and Andi walked uneasily through the dead scenery. Andrea glanced cautiously around and pulled at her cloak. Everyone jumped when a pair of crows flew overhead, the shrill cawing and dry rustle of wings filled the air. Andi watched as they landed on a nearby building, their red eyes shinning intelligently in the darkness and watching as they passed by. Wings filled the air again as the crows flew ahead of the group. The hairs on the back of Andi’s neck stood up… were the crows were following them? As they passed the crows a second time and turned the corner two men in black robes blocked their path. Instantly wands flew out and all were in a ready position, waiting to see who would strike first. No one moved.
Green light filled the darkness as a spell was shot from behind. There was barely enough time to react; as Adrian whipped around Andi looked over at him just in time to see the jet of light hit him in the chest. The life was instantly stolen from his eyes. A cry tore from Andi as spells flew through the air like bullets. Desperately, she shot spell after spell, fighting her way to Adrian’s side. One of the robed men shot a red jet of light followed closely by green at Andi, who ducked, not realising Megan was behind her. Megan fell back, and she didn’t move.
The cry that pierced the air seemed almost inhuman. Gwyddion lunged at the shooter, also being blasted back by yet another green jet of light. The commotion stopped. Each of the four men turned toward Andi, pointing their wands at her for a foolproof shot. Screaming for her life she lunged towards Adrian, the men shot and –
“ANDI!!”
Drenched in sweat, tears and almost strangled by her sheets, Andi woke to find her throat raw.
“Andi, what the hell happened?! I’ve been trying to wake you up for five minutes! You were screaming like you were under the Cruciatus curse!” Adrian exclaimed, evidently very worried, which was reflected on the faces of Megan and Gwyddion.
Terrified Andi looked into Adrians eyes; they had life in them. She pulled herself into his warm embrace, sobbing into his shoulder, and offering no explanation of what had occurred. Several minutes passed as gradually the sobbing subsided.
Controlling her breathing and looking up with puffy eyes, Andi shakily rose from her bed and silently retrieved clean clothing and went to change. The cold water felt good on her hot tearstained face. Quickly putting her hair back to normal she entered the small, stuffy bedroom, realising the fumes of the potion must have taken the rest of the edge off of her hangover. Only Adrian remained, sitting on the bed. Smiling, she lit a small candle and sat down beside Adrian placing her wobbly arms around him. He caressed her and simply asked, “Are you okay?”
“I think so. I haven’t had night terrors in years… I suppose that was the last of the alcohol going to my head. I don’t know… that was probably one of my worst ones.”
Minutes silently ticked away as the two simply enjoyed each other’s company.
“Was that Megan already up?”
“Yeah… why?”
“Damn, I guess that means I drank the most last night. I can’t even remember half of what happened. I think that if I ever see a bottle of champagne again I’ll puke. I never thought the hang over would be that bad.”
“You were rather defiant last night. I even tried to take the bottle from you, which failed rather miserably. Eventually you fell asleep though. Megan convinced herself that we were all going to go swimming in the lake… considering none of us had swim wear, it would have been interesting.”
“…Funny that I have no memory of this. Swimming, eh? That would have been hilarious and dangerous. I suppose neither Megan nor I could walk last night, so how on earth would we swim without drowning? I must admit though, I had a great time last night, although I suppose Gwyn will demand an explanation.” His words began echoing in her head as she recounted what she could of the night’s events. “Anyway, I suppose they’re waiting for us downstairs.”
Both rose from the bed and exited the room, proceeding down the spiral staircase leading in the welcoming light of the tavern, hand in hand.
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Post by Gwyn on Jun 16, 2008 21:34:40 GMT -8
The morning could have been much worse but Megan was up, if only just. As they slowly made their way down the inn stairs Adrian spotted them and invited them for a bite of lunch.
“Thanks mate but we’d best get to the dorms. I’ll catch you up in bit.” he replied.
There was still the issue of getting Megan down the several flights of stairs and then back up to the Gryffindor tower. It seemed as though it took ages for them to finally arrive at the portrait of the Fat Lady.
“Oh my what have we here?” she commented and let out a loud laugh.
“My aren’t you a sorry sight. You can always tell by the eyes you know. Had a bit too much last night missy, head in a bit of a fog this morning? I don’t think your new Head of House would have approved; but live and learn that’s my motto. Now if you take willow bark and mix it with…” The Fat Lady was suddenly silent though her lips were still moving. It took her a few seconds to realise that she had been hexed. Megan stood there glaring at her wand in hand as though she was ready to kill.
“Ah, now would be a good time to let us pass.” Gwyn commented.
Obligingly she swung revealing the entrance, but not before making a rude gesture. Once inside Gwyddion ran up to his dorm and retrieved a small packet from his trunk and then ran back down. Megan was waiting for him at the stairs to the girl’s dorm.
“Here take this.” He placed the packet in her hand. “Just tip it into some water and drink it. You’ll feel loads better when you wake.”
Without a word or second glance Megan took the packet and slowly headed up the stairs.
Gwyddion headed back to the Room of Requirement. Adrian had, by now, finished his lunch and there was still no sign of Andi when Gwyddion arrived. As he ate his lunch Adrian filled him in on Andi’s morning after and the night terrors she had. Gwyn felt a twinge of guilt wondering if their nights binge may have been the cause of it. They had a couple laughs at the girls expense until a creak in a floorboard announced someone else had arrived. Gwyddion and Adrian both stood up sharply.
“This room, has no doubt, been put to many uses over the centuries but this may just be one of more original.” Professor Dumbledore commented as he walked in and gave the pub a good look over.
“One tends to notice when four of fifteen students are missing for dinner, breakfast and then lunch. I assume the ladies are with you then?”
Gwyn gave Adrian a quick glance and swallowed.
“Megan is in the dorms Professor.” Gwyn replied sheepishly followed by Adrian
“Andrea is in one of the inns rooms sleeping sir. Ah would you like to join us Professor?” he added awkwardly.
Dumbledore stared over the top of his half-moon glasses at the boys for a moment before replying.
“I think not but thank you. We had become somewhat concerned with your unexplained disappearance, and, as I wished to meet with you all this afternoon it we thought it best to search the castle for your where abouts. You have given your new head of house, Professor McGonagall, a bit of a fright with your disappearance.” There was a hint of indignation in his voice. “Well then shall we say four o’clock in my office. I do hope the ladies will be sufficiently recovered by then. MacIntosh Toffee will see you by the gargoyle.” He turned to leave but made one more comment, “In future I will ask you take your custom to one of Hogsmeade fine licensed inns. I would prefer that news of this establishment not be spread. I’m sure you understand my concerns for the younger students.”
“Yes thank you sir.” Both young men said in unison.
“Shit…” Gwyn dropped into his chair. “How the hell did he know to look up here?” Gwyn sat and thought for a moment. “Well we’ve been summoned, I’d better go and break the news to Megan; she won’t be happy.”
Gwyn left the pub and watched as the door disappeared and again turned into nothing more than a section of panelled wall. It was likely the last time a pub would grace the halls of Hogwarts. Gwyn made his way quickly to the common room. Because of the spell placed on the girls’ dorm stairwell to keep young men out, Gwyddion used the Liberacorpus spell and floated up above the stairs and into Megan’s dorm. He walked over to her bed and sat down on the edge of it. He noticed that the packet he had given her was on her bedside table empty, he was pleased she had taken the powder. Her back was to him. He gently laid his hand on her shoulder and called softly, “Megan… Megan.”
“Go away, I hate you.” Her reply was not unexpected, but there was a hint of bitterness behind it.
“What do you want?” she asked a moment later.
“We’ve been summoned.” he replied. “He wants to see us at four.”
“What time is it now?”
Gwyn glanced at his wristwatch. “Half past two.”
He was not ready for what happened next though. As he looked back at Megan he was hit in the face with a heavy feather pillow. Gwyn was knocked off the bed and sent sprawling. He landed hard, his head hitting the flagstone floor. Megan made a quick move and would have hit him again except for the fact that the blow had ripped the pillow open and there were feathers flying everywhere.
“I see you’re feeling better.” He commented biting his tongue. He got up and ran his hand over the back of his head feeling the growing lump; it felt sticky and around it his hair was matted. He looked at the blood on his fingers and wiped them on his pants.
“Happy? Now we can both see Dumbledore with a headache.” He made his way to the door though the shower of feathers and shouted over his shoulder. “Welcome to the morning after club by the way. And in spite of what you’re thinking now, it won’t be your last.”
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Post by Bessain on Jul 30, 2008 22:26:37 GMT -8
Gwyddion was followed out of the dormitory by Megan's muffled grumblings. If she did not have a headache at that moment, Megan would have felt bad about hitting Gwyddion. She wasn't normally like that. But the dull ache that seemed to lie just behind her forehead was not allowing remorse to enter Megan's mind. She lay in bed for another hour before forcing herself up to get ready.
~
Four o'clock came and the four selected students all gathered around the gargoyle that led to the headmaster's office. Megan kept Gwyddion a little farther than an arms length away. She really wasn't in the mood to be touched... by anyone.
"MacIntosh Toffee," Gwyddion called out, a little too loudly.
Megan and Andrea both winced.
The gargoyle leapt aside to reveal a set of stairs. Groaning quietly, the girls shuffled forward and made their way to Dumbledore's office. The boys followed soon after, making sure to give themselves a little running space.
"Good afternoon," said Dumbledore as the four slowly in to the room.
The girls murmured quietly in response. They did not want to appear rude, but at the same time, they didn't care enough to raise the volume.
"I trust you're all well enough to hear me out," he said, pausing briefly to stare down the two outwardly grumpy young ladies.
"Yes sir," Megan replied, realizing that now was the time to act well; even if she didn't feel it.
"Wonderful! Now, going back to your discovery the other night. We are currently still in investigation of this man's identity. His murderer, or partner as it appears to be, is nowhere to be found. To make matters even better, the only thing he left behind was footprints and the body of his help. Sadly, this is not yet of any use to us."
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