WWN Broadcast
Wednesday, February 14th ~ Evening

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"We interrupt the 'Lover's Serenade' to bring you news from the Black Orchid Hotel. This is good, so straighten your clothes and listen to Rita for a moment, you lucky lovers out there.

"Witnesses say Healers from St. Mungo's had to be called to the scene because of a scandalous outbreak on the main dancefloor.

"Spokespeople for the Malfoy-owned establishment had no official comment to give, but according to guests it was socialite and friend of the family Pansy Parkinson who caused the disturbance. Gentlemen, please, if you're going to start panting and rioting over a witch, do it over someone with her own nose. This is 100-percent Skeeter here — get it while it's hot!

"Apparently the scene has quieted down now, but with a near-orgy going on out in the open, who knows what might have happened in the more secluded rooms? Shocking behavior indeed to be linked with one of the wizarding world's stiffly upstanding (Floo me, Lucius!) families.

"As always, ladies and gentlemen, WWN is always interested in the comments and concerns of our listeners. More importantly, if you personally witnessed a sensational bit of scandal, owl me, Rita Skeeter, care of the WWN. The Wizarding Wireless Network now returns you to our regularly scheduled programing."

Not everyone finds the idea of being pelted with frozen water appealing. The thrilling sensation of getting lost in a blizzard, of freezing to death in the woods and having to eat your friend's buttocks to stay alive.
That is lost on many people.
- Gilmore Girls
Tuesday, January 30th ~ Early Evening

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Draco stepped back from his creation and tilted his head to the side. Perfect. Looking up as a woman passed muttering something or other about public indecency - the very idea, he was a Malfoy and therefor far beyond mere decency and into the realm of the superior - and promptly blew a raspberry in her direction.

( He turned in a slow circle, admiring his work and trying to decide what was missing.Collapse )

“The less I behave like Whistler's mother the night before, the more I look like her the morning after.”
-- Tallulah Bankhead

Sunday, January 7th ~*~ Late Morning

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Sunlight had found its way across the flat to the bed, and finally forced Daphne awake. She opened her eyes and immediately wished she hadn't, reaching up to cover her eyes with her hand and groan.

"That's it, I'm bricking over all the windows."

Last night there had been the Staff party at Hogwarts and Daphne remembered being there and having a bit too much to drink, but they'd been celebrating. It was after the party that she was a little foggy on.

Another, much more cautious, attempt to open her eyes confirmed she was in fact in her own home so that was worth something. A tilt of her head told her she wasn't alone in bed.

"You better be Harry or we are both in so much trouble."

"What is love? Love is when one person knows all of your secrets... your deepest, darkest, most dreadful secrets of which no one else in the world knows... and yet in the end, that one person does not think any less of you; even if the rest of the world does.”
-- Unknown

Saturday, January 6th - Late Night

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The cottage was dark when they arrived home. Claudius had poked his head around the corner as they approached the front door, just to make sure it was his Masters seeking entrance and not some smelly brigands, and then disappeared.

Severus lowered the wards and held the door open for Ginevra.

His mood had been sour since his conversation with Vector at the staff party.

"Yet another eventful evening spent at the castle, wouldn't you say?" Severus' tone was stiff.

WWN News Update
Saturday, January 6 ~ Evening

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"... And as parents across the commonwealth well know, this weekend the Hogwarts Express will speed across the land to bring the students back to their books.

"Tonight, though, the members of the Board of Governors and select members of the Hogsmeade community were welcomed to the castle ahead of the start of second term by the staff.

"Percy Weasley, the director of the Hogsmeade Ministry office, spoke at length and quite knowlegeably about traditional and non-traditional spellcasting methods.

"So, students, take comfort in this as you head back to class: even over the holidays, your teachers went in for a little learning themselves."

"Never too old, eh?"

The sound of a door creaking open floated over the airwaves, and if one listened closely, a fiercely whispered exchange could be heard:

"Tell them about the after-party! The drunken debauchery! Tell them what really happened!"

"Rita, get the hell out of here! You don't have any sources, we'll get sued ..."

"Some greedy witch got engaged before I could have a fair crack at the groom-to-be! That's injustice! I should write an editorial ..."

A fierce rustling was heard, and the original voice returned.

"This has been Ezekiel Brunderbluss with your evening news and as always ladies and gentlemen WWN is interested in the comments and concerns of our listeners. If you have one, please contact us by owl or floo. We appreciate the interest shown and will respond as soon as possible. The Wizarding Wireless Network now returns you to our regularly scheduled programing."

Christmas Day broadcast

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The quick fanfare announcing a feature piece lilted over the WWN airwaves, followed by the familiar voice of Horace Knickerbocker.

"Ciaran McIrney remembers his first Cribbage's Wizarding Cracker well."

A high-pitched male voice came over the network.

"I was two years old, and my older sisters were squabbling over the last cracker. I somehow got hold of one end when Marcia let go and sort of fell on it as it opened — my face was blue from the smoke for a month after. Mum was angry at the time, but brings the piccies out now whenever I have a bird over. Still have the Screaming Yo-yo I got from it, though."

The smooth voice of the narrator ( took up the thread.Collapse )

The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
~ John Stuart Mill
Thursday, December 21st ~ The Dawn of the Winter Solstice

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Snow swirled in the fury of the wind, blinding all but those with the keenest sight. For those few fortunate ones, a glimpse of a moving shadow now and then could be caught. It bestowed a gift of unusual sculpture in the form free of kingly coverings. Exuberant, almost crackling with magic, Finvar embraced the heart of Winter. For this was the Unseelie's day - his day to wrest from Summer that which should have been theirs all along. The dance of power was a celebration of sorts. In anticipation of the glorious battle to come when the sun was allowed to rise.

( We will knock upon Summer's door with a fist unable to be denied.Collapse )

Bet you thought we forgot.

Saturday, December 16th ~ Early Morning

Bill unlocked the front door and propped it open so that it wouldn't bang shut when the others arrived, and then he went about making himself some breakfast. After a moment's thought he went ahead and made some eggs for Charlie too, after all it was the his birthday. Sort of.

Once everyone was in place, Bill lead the way back to Charlie's room and barged in, not bothering to knock.

Hey, if they managed to catch Chuckles in his shorts, more the better. They were all family, after all.

I'm alright - nobody worry 'bout me.
Why you got to gimme a fight? Can't you just let it be?
~ Kenny Loggins
Saturday, December 9th ~ Afternoon

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Arthur couldn't help it. The Muggle song kept playing in his head and while Molly wasn't there to dance with - that didn't keep him from partnering everything else that he came in contact with while his head bobbed to the internal music.

Today was a good day. He loved his job, but it was nice to spend time at the Sticks where he could do what he wanted when he wanted and not have to worry about looking or acting 'proper'. That was why he was currently dancing backward with the mostly dry mop in his hands, not noticing the trail of dampness his partner was leaving behind.

Finally, since the only other person in the pub was Georgette at the moment, a line from the song burst out of his mouth as he heard the door behind him open.

Oh, bugger.

I may be greasy and bitter, but I'm not stupid.
Wednesday, November 8th ~ Afternoon

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Severus tilted his head and looked from the threshold that still had a faint violet glow to Remus. Normally he wouldn't have dreamed of asking the Wolf to the cottage, much less asking him for help, but he would not risk Ginevra's safety.

The castle had wards and protections that Severus could not even begin to guess at and still the object from the Fae King had found its way inside. The magics he had personally placed upon the cottage were not nearly as impressive and Severus feared that if the King came after Ginevra more than just a rose might slip past his defenses.

"Are you sure it was supposed to turn that color?"

A spider crawled across my face,
Spreading its web on the human race …
Mama Loi, Papa Loi
I see fire in the dead man's eye
Saturday, Oct. 28 ~ Nightfall to dawn

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"... Get your fun in while you can, because a cold front will be settling in tomorrow. Tonight will be a busy night across the land, with pubs packed and parties in full swing.

"And why do you think it is, my dear listeners? Just because the holiday proper falls on a weekday? Oh, no, I hardly think it's that simple.

"Hallowe'en is Tuesday. All Hallows' Eve, Samhain, the night when spirits may breech the barrier between their world and ours with ease.

"Let all the good little witches and wizards have their fun tonight. Make it your own. For Hallowe'en ... does not belong to us."

Running Errands
Sunday, October 15th ~*~ Afternoon

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Rather than spend the afternoon hidden away in her flat or Harry's house, they were out in Hogsmeade to run a few errands and pick up the invitations to Harry's party.

Then they could hide, Daphne thought with a smile.

They passed by her restaurant and she couldn't help but feel a tingle on the back of her neck, almost like someone was talking about her. Daphne shook the feeling off and continued to walk down the street with Harry, laughing and talking for another few minutes before the tingle came back.

"I need to go check on something, I'm sorry. I'll be right back, won't be more than a minute, I promise. I'll meet you right here." She leaned closer and pressed a kiss to his lips before darting away.

How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!
~ William Shakespeare
Saturday, October 7th ~ Evening

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It hadn't taken much effort on Arthur's part to ascertain exactly where the Ministry had placed Percy and he had the address to his son's flat the morning after the press conference. He'd waited, wanting Percy to come to them on his own. He'd also watched Molly mother those around her even more than she normally did. And the cooking! It overflowed the counters and threatened to expand Arthur's waistband through his desire to keep her happy. He was actually considering sending the next bowl of her special icing to Bill since he'd had it every day for the last week.

Enough is enough, Arthur decided when he saw Molly head for the kitchen in the Three Broomsticks with the determined smile on her face. Telling Georgette and Charlie that he was going on an errand, he left quickly while Molly was otherwise occupied. It didn't take long for him to find and knock on Percy's door.

"I'd rather be mad with the truth than sane with lies."
-An anonymous psychiatric patient and poet
Thursday, September 7th
Evening

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The last thing Ginny expected was an invitation from Daphne Greengrass - for anything. Sure, there had been the small party for Vera and they'd managed to get along at Harry's while he was off in one of his huffs, but this was - just the two of them. A social call? Ginny doubted it. A veiled attempt to get her alone for a solitary cat fight. Ginny doubted that too, didn't seem Daphne's style. Which left...what? Some kind of official truce?

Oh, Blondie would kill me.

( In any case, Ginny's curiosity got the best of her.Collapse )

( Owl to Adrian PuceyCollapse )


( Owl to Ginny WeasleyCollapse )

I have no idea what's been going on lately
And I just wish you'd come over and explain things
Thursday, August 31 • Afternoon

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Upon reaching her quarters, Vera immediately went to the dumbwaiter to call up a tray for tea.

"I'm sorry, ladies, for cutting the day short. Here you are, going to so much trouble — Daphne taking off from the restaurant! — and I step all over your plans."

She felt like a right muppet.

Her friends had shown up at her door for a bit of belated birthday celebration. But when they'd been in the midst of Gabby's shop, surrounded by lovely things she still didn't feel quite like wearing yet, Vera had felt a bit like a fraud.

"Thank you for taking me out, though."

Love is like a bogey.
You keep picking at it until you get it,
then wonder what to do with it.
Wednesday, August 30th ~ Evening

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Ginny tilted her head to one side and examined her work. It just seemed - off. Maybe it was the color scheme or maybe the textures or maybe...that Severus had absolutely no skill in decorating.

( OK, so the ivory silk is out...how about the blue brocade?Collapse )

Experience is a dear teacher,
but fools will learn at no other.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Tuesday, August 29th ~ Evening

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The Great Hall has once again been temporarily revamped. The long student tables have been removed and round ones accompanied by comfortable dining chairs have taken their place. They dot the floor under the enchanted ceiling, the soft ivory tone of the linen covering the table tops invite you to sit and enjoy yourself.

It's been a year since the re-dedication ceremony and six years since the Dark Lord was finally defeated. This is an evening for reflection, celebration and if Minerva will allow it, more than a few glasses of good wine with friends, both old and new.

The hippogriff in the room.
Sunday, August 27th -- Evening

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Severus managed to get home first. Home.

When had he begun to think of the cottage as a home rather than simply the house he lived in?

I suspect it was right around the time Ginevra moved in. You do remember this is only temporary, don't you, Snape?

He remembered. He just didn't particularly feel like thinking about what would happen when she left. How quiet and cold the cottage would feel once more. How annoying the damn Dog would become, moping around looking for her.

Severus shook his head and let Claudius in, before opening the ice box and contemplating what to make for dinner. The prospects were dim.

"Eggs and toast it is."

Moods don't command you if you don't know what you're going through.
Sunday, August 27 • Afternoon

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The Healers and a few concerned others had recommended she leave the castle earlier, but until today Vera's considered opinion had been that they could go stick it. Finally, though, she'd gotten sick of her own waffling on the matter and had settled on the Three Broomsticks as the place to begin her reintegration into society after a week of self-imposed exile.

And so much for that plan, she thought, looking around the mostly empty pub. Ah, well. Better to start out slow.

Vector claimed a seat and spoke to someone rummaging through boxes beneath the bar.

"If you've a bottle of wine down there you've been saving for emergencies, Arthur, break it out. I've come to find solace in a bottle, and I won't settle for anything ordinary."

Vera looked up from arranging her robes so they wouldn't be wrinkled when she got off the stool just in time to see the person on the other side pop back up.

"Oh, Ginny. Sorry, I thought Arthur was working today." She smiled, embarrassed. "I could still use that wine, though."

Men are more moral than they think
and far more immoral than they can imagine.
~ Sigmund Freud
Sunday, August 20th ~ Evening

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Izabel was thankful everyone had returned in one piece - more or less. The frostbite, cuts and scrapes from ice and nasty bite marks could be easily dealt with. The first thing she did was to move toward the kitchen. Harry had asked Dobby to forgo his normal day off and she wanted to see if he would get some hot soup ready for them if nothing else was wanted. She heard the pop of Apparantion and glanced over her shoulder at the motley crew that was appearing.

I am surprised Harry would allow Malfoy senior to come here, but he did his part and Draco is still unconscious.

Minerva hadn't wanted to accompany them, but had headed back toward the school saying now that all the professors were accounted for, she needed to get other things lined up for the new term. Izabel hadn't missed the hugs she'd given Vera and Adrian upon their return nor the slight chuckle that escaped her lips when she'd inquired if Draco was badly injured and found out the reason he was - silent.

I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way.
~ Franklin P. Adams
Friday, August 18th ~ Evening

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From what Remus had told her, if they managed to find the missing people in the Fae world, it would require a great deal of coordinated efforts on their part to have even a chance of a successful rescue. Glancing around the room, Minerva had to wonder what their chances were. Her eyes lingered for a moment on Luna and she mentally shook her head.

Ravenclaw? I just don't see it, but that's why we have the Sorting Hat.

At least Horace isn't here.

She still didn't see what Doris saw in him, but having him go off to be with her saved Minerva some aggravation so she wasn't going to object. Rising to her feet, Minerva cleared her throat lightly and when the small bit of chattering died down she raised her chin slightly.

"I think we all know why we're here and I'm not going to waste any time expounding on it. Remus? What do you want us to do and how?"

Wednesday, August 16~Late Afternoon

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Ever since they'd learned the news of Draco's fate, Lucius and Narcissa had been pouring through their own library on anything they could find on the Fae. It wasn't enough. Not for him. He was a man of action, not content to sit on the sidelines and even though it had been a decade since he'd seen anything one could call eventful, losing his only son was not the way he wanted to get back into action so to speak.

( Arriving in front of Severus' cottageCollapse )

“I'm lost in the middle of my birthday.
I want my friends, their touch, with the earth's last love.
I will take life's final offering,
I will take the last human blessing.”
~Rabindranath Tagore
Friday, August 11th ~ Morning

She was rarely left alone and grateful for it. Alone meant worry and thoughts and that still unsettling feeling that part of her, something untouched by Finvar, had wanted to leave with the Fae that night. It was that same part of her that had convinced her that Paris was a good idea, that anywhere but 'home' was a better place to be. It appeared in doubt and stress, when life took a dip out of happy and pleasant and Ginny felt weak for it.

( She was rarely left alone to guard against any possible attempts from Finvar to call her again, but Ginny was grateful for the protection from herself as well.Collapse )

Never Try And Teach A Pig To Sing:
It's A Waste Of Time...
And It Annoys The Pig.
~ Robert A. Heinlein ~ Time Enough for Love
Tuesday, August 8th ~ Afternoon

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Silence may be golden - but it's also suffocating as hell, Harry decided as he, Ginny and Daphne arrived at Glen Hollow. Daphne mumbled something about the kitchen and Harry glared at her back while she made her escape.

Food does not cure all ills, Daph, but I don't blame you. Much.

Turning to face Ginny, Harry wondered if she had her wand on her and how much time he'd have to duck. He didn't have the slightest idea how to 'make her feel at home' after the last conversation they'd had and honestly didn't think she'd willingly be in the same room with him after the letter he'd had Doris send.

"Would you - like to watch a movie?" he asked while gesturing at the telly room.