The Last Station

With my patients going away here and there, my work days grew shorter since June, maybe it would be time for me too to take a break. There is more then enough of my colleagues who can take over emergencies should they happen.

Anyone has suggestions? Emma, wanna come along, Darling?

[Warded to Terry]
I'm bloody terrified.

Who: Andrew, Emma, OPEN
What: PARTY!
When: Friday evening and into the night
Where: Flat 24
Rating: SFW? Not necessarily? Depends what you want to get up to!
Status: OPEN

( Our house, it's our castle and our keep, our house, in the middle of our street )

Who: Emma, Michael, and Terry
What: Meeting the girlfriend/meeting the best friend
When: Backdated to Wednesday night
Where: Michael's place
Rating: Low
Status: Ongoing

Emma had already met Michael's family, and she hadn't been nervous then. Not as much, anyway. But now she was meeting one of Michael's best friends and something about it worried her, a little. Just a little.

"I think everything's ready?" she told Michael, looking over the food. She didn't cook too much but tonight she brought out her best (only) dishes. "What do you think? Oh, did he say what time he would arrive?"

Who: OPEN (even if you're not one of the characters listed here)
What: Gnome weeding
When: Today
Where: Behind the Town Hall
Rating: Low
Status: Ongoing

"PROGRAM HEAD UNAVAILABLE. PLEASE RETURN TOMORROW. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE."

That was the sign Julian had put up on the door to his office that morning. He thought, roughly, that it would be how long he might take to weed out the infestation of gnomes in the building's backyard. It wasn't necessarily up to him to do it, mind, but he was a civic servant, and Merlin only knows how long before a solution gets approved if he'd gone through the proper channels. It was easier this way, even though it would eat up all of his day. He'd need a break anyway.

Who: Michael and Terry
What: Hydras @ Falcons game
When: Tonight at 7pm
Where: Falmouth Stadium
Rating: Low (unless Terry swears at Falcons fans...)
Status: Ongoing

After his meeting with Serena Terry headed over to the Floo to meet Michael, giving the bloke a friendly pat on the arm before they took the Floo over to Falmouth. The crowd there was beginning to thicken as they were closer to game time, but after getting a beer and finding their seats in no time.

Who: Open to anybody who bought a ticket, duh
What: CONCERT!!!
When: Tonight at 7pm
Where: Bertie Botts Stadium
Rating: NSFW (Myron assumes)
Status: Ongoing

If Myron Wagtail was aware of the doubt among Hogsmeade's residents regarding his ability to play, he did not show it. He had always been a musician and performer first and foremost, and tended to go off the rails when he was doing neither-- now that there was a show to prepare for, he was, as Muggles might say, completely in the zone. So what if his 'band' have to be rented musicians and not the rest of the Weird Sisters? So what if he was fronted by a local group that only did covers and had a shitty singer?

The facts were this: he was sold out of tickets in less than a week since he announced the show, and his hand was cramped up and still achey to show for all of that autographing. The Daily Prophet was covering the comeback and WROCK had sat him down for an exclusive. Whoever he'd hired as his new publicist-- she was a pretty blonde thing, he thought her name was Guinevere or something-- had seen to it that Bertie Botts was presentable, they had the sound crew, and everything else was ready to go. Rehearsals in the days leading up to the performance had gone without a hitch.

That evening as Guns and Dragons took the stage he sat in his dressing room, going through the same routines that he'd gone in many previous shows before. He went over the set list, practiced his pitch, meditated. In a slow but sure haze he felt himself becoming himself again. He was going to start with a bang, with the fastest songs and the biggest hits. He'll keep his ballads after a good portion of the night was done, ease the tempo faster and close out with the biggest chart topper the Weird Sisters ever had.

Tonight will mark Myron Wagtail's return to the music circuit, band or no band.

WHO: Michael and Emma
WHEN: Wednesday 5th of March
WHERE: Michael's place.
WHAT: Things are unraveling for Michael
RATING: Um.. I'll update if it goes up PG


Michael had always been good at keeping secrets and his conscience had never suffered from it, but recently he had found that hiding things from Emma was possibly the last thing he should do. Even if he wanted to protect her.

He didn't want pity, never had. Michael didn't look like a fighter, but he was and he was proud of this too. But ever since he had met with.. damn why couldn't he bring himself to even think his name? Ah well, ever since he had seen him, things had been complicated. Unwanted thoughts and memories, spacing out once in a while, nightmares.. Unfortunately, even around Emma.

WHO: Michael and Emma
WHEN: Friday evening.
WHERE: Michael's place.
WHAT: Michael made dinner.
RATING: Um PG to start with? We'll see.
STATUS: Ongoing

( Grilled fish with a side of barley )

Who: Michael and Saunders
What: Lunch and Dress-up - Just two friends catching up.
When: Tuesday February 11th, 1pm
Where: Saunderson’s flat
Rating: Low
Status: Ongoing

( I always saw, I always said If I were grown and free, I'd have a gown of reddest red As fine as you could see. )

WHO: Michael and Emma
WHEN: Sunday night
WHERE: Woodcroft Clinic
WHAT: Michael had.. an unfortunate accident.
RATING: PG?
STATUS:

( The pain was actually terrible )

Who: Michael and Emma
What: After meeting the family
When: Thursday night (backdated)
Where: Michael's mum's, and then Hogsmeade
Rating: ?
Status: Ongoing

Michael's family was not the first that Emma had been introduced to by someone she was dating, but that hadn't made her any less nervous. She knew there was some tension between Michael and his mother with regard to the decisions Michael had made during and after the war, and that, while his mother was once a witch, she no longer lived as such, and neither did his younger brother. Emma had only a basic knowledge of Muggle living herself, and her biggest concern going into the evening was that she would bring up something undoubtedly magical in nature and remind everyone of the divide that existed in the family, so she spent a good part of the afternoon writing down things that were not based on magical or Muggle living.

But in the end, it turned out she needn't have worried so much. Michael's mum was warm and kind and understanding. William, Emma suspected, was there mostly to be amused at his brother. And all four of them had a very good dinner, never running out of things to talk about-- the food, cooking, the things Michael had liked when he was growing up, what Michael was like when he was a boy, what William was like when he was boy, even when William might bring someone home next. Mrs. Corner had many questions for Emma, and Emma was equally curious about her. It was late when Michael and Emma left, Emma's arm hooked around Michael's as Michael carried some leftovers with him.

"She was so lovely," Emma told Michael, smiling at him. "I'm glad that hadn't gone disastrously. I hope. You don't think it did, do you?"

WHO: Michael and Wayne
WHEN: Saturday evening
WHERE: At the Three Broomsticks
WHAT: Michael is craving a Butterbeer and ends up having a discussion. He is worried about BOTH Justin and Wayne.
RATING: PG


( It was about helping friends. )

WHO: Stewart & Michael
WHEN: Thursday, January 9th
WHERE: Michael's office
WHAT: Catching up; and Stewart needs someone to talk to
RATING: General
STATUS: Complete

( There were many things that made Stewart nervous )

Michael,

You free anytime soon? I feel like it's been forever. (And in addition to friendly conversation, I think I'm in need of some of your more professional advice, as well.)

Stewart

WHO: Justin and Michael
WHEN: Wednesday January 8th
WHERE: Michael's office
WHAT: Michael's work sometimes brings his own friends into his office. (ooc: I don't like playing with myself, but Justin needed a professional :P)
RATING: General
STATUS: Done!

( So that's why you're here, right? )

The following survey has been heavily charmed to Owl any wizard who kissed somebody at the stroke of midnight, and includes the following note (OOC: Feel free to tag your character if they kiss anyone <3):

Dear Prospective/Current Boyfriend/Girlfriend,

Congratulations! You have been selected by the charm on this document because you kissed somebody on midnight. My name is Emma Dobbs and I would like to conduct research on relationships -- if you could, please fill out the form and return it to me within the week. I guarantee the utmost in confidentiality with regard to your answers, though of course if you would rather fill out the form anonymously that would be more than welcome as well. The results will not be published anywhere.

You are under no obligation to fill it out, but we have developed an advanced rubric and system for determining compatibility based on the answers of this survey, and I would be more than happy to let you know the results in exchange, and what it means for the future of your budding relationship!

Thank you, and happy new year!

Emma Dobbs
Advice Columnist
The Hogsmeade Herald

( The Boyfriend/Girlfriend Survey )


To fill it out:
<b>PERSONAL INFORMATION:</b> Name: Age: Birthday: Place of birth: Current residence: Current occupation: <b>YOUR PROSPECTIVE GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND: THINGS YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW</b> Name of prospective girlfriend/boyfriend: How long you have been seeing your prospective girlfriend/boyfriend: Age: Current residence: Current occupation: Colour of their eyes: Favourite drink: Favourite food: Favourite type of flower: Do they like chocolate?: Current aspirations: Current interests: <b>HOBBIES AND INTERESTS:</b> Favourite food: Favourite drink: Favourite date: Favourite book: Favourite musical artist: <b>RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY:</b> How many drinks do you have per week?: Do you use any other substances?: How frequently?: Do you enjoy any of the following activities?: <div style="margin-left: 40px;"> Dancing: Cuddling: Serenading: Reading books in bed with your girlfriend/boyfriend: Aiding with the problems of your girlfriend's/boyfriend's best friends: </div> Have you ever been in a legitimate duel/brawl?: <b>FRIENDSHIPS:</b> How many close friendships do you currently enjoy?: Do you respect the right of a girlfriend/boyfriend to still have quality friendship time of her own?: Have you ever not gotten on with a girlfriend's/boyfriend's friend(s)?: Have you ever had inappropriate relations with a girlfriend's/boyfriend's friend(s)?: <b>RELATIONSHIP HISTORY:</b> Please fill out the columns as you see fit. If past relationship in question is with male, substitute 'Boyfriend' for 'Girlfriend' and pronouns where necessary: Girlfriend/Boyfriend #1 <div style="margin-left: 40px;"> Name: Birthday: Favourite Colour: Start Date of Relationship: End Date of Relationship: Quality of Relationship: casual/serious/other (specify) Date of First Kiss: Date of First Meeting with Their Parents: Date when you stopped using birth control spells: Dumper: Reason for Breakup: Method for Breakup: Do you still talk to this girl/boy?: On a daily basis? Weekly? Monthly?:</div> Girlfriend/Boyfriend #2 <div style="margin-left: 40px;"> Name: Birthday: Favourite Colour: Start Date of Relationship: End Date of Relationship: Quality of Relationship: casual/serious/other (specify) Date of First Kiss: Date of First Meeting with Their Parents: Date when you stopped using birth control spells: Dumper: Reason for Breakup: Method for Breakup: Do you still talk to this girl/boy?: On a daily basis? Weekly? Monthly?:</div> Girlfriend/Boyfriend #3 <div style="margin-left: 40px;"> Name: Birthday: Favourite Colour: Start Date of Relationship: End Date of Relationship: Quality of Relationship: casual/serious/other (specify) Date of First Kiss: Date of First Meeting with Their Parents: Date when you stopped using birth control spells: Dumper: Reason for Breakup: Method for Breakup: Do you still talk to this girl/boy?: On a daily basis? Weekly? Monthly?:</div> Girlfriend/Boyfriend #4 <div style="margin-left: 40px;"> Name: Birthday: Favourite Colour: Start Date of Relationship: End Date of Relationship: Quality of Relationship: casual/serious/other (specify) Date of First Kiss: Date of First Meeting with Their Parents: Date when you stopped using birth control spells: Dumper: Reason for Breakup: Method for Breakup: Do you still talk to this girl/boy?: On a daily basis? Weekly? Monthly?:</div> Girlfriend/Boyfriend #5 <div style="margin-left: 40px;"> Name: Birthday: Favourite Colour: Start Date of Relationship: End Date of Relationship: Quality of Relationship: casual/serious/other (specify) Date of First Kiss: Date of First Meeting with Their Parents: Date when you stopped using birth control spells: Dumper: Reason for Breakup: Method for Breakup: Do you still talk to this girl/boy?: On a daily basis? Weekly? Monthly?:</div> Time since last relationship: <div style="margin-left: 40px;"> If long time (more than one year), reason for not dating in a while: If short time (less than one month), reason for dating again so quickly:</div> If you have a history of cheating or serial monogamy, please say so here: <b>EXPERIMENTATION:</b> Have you ever had a same-sex relationship/one-night-stand/FWB-arrangement? (If you identify as gay, have you ever had an opposite-sex relationship/one-night-stand/FWB-arrangement?): <div style="margin-left: 40px;"> Do you consider yourself bisexual?: Do you prefer men to women?:</div> <b>SEXUAL ACTIVITY:</b> Ideal time between first date and sex: Favourite sexual position: Are blowjobs necessary for sexual fulfillment?: Will you ever go down on a girl/boy?: Number of previous sexual partners?: <div style="margin-left: 40px;"> One-night stands: FWB: Girlfriends: Boyfriends:</div> Do you consider yourself a skilled lover?: Last STD check date & results?: Time since last sexual experience: Have you ever gotten anyone pregnant?: <b>FREE RESPONSE:</b> Please detail, to the best of your ability, how you met your prospective girlfriend/boyfriend: Why are you interested in becoming their boyfriend/girlfriend?: Is there anything else you think is important?: <b>REFERENCES:</b> Please list the names of three individuals prepared to vouch for your worthiness: 1) ___________________________ 2) ___________________________ 3) ___________________________

Presents arrive either via owl or are given in person, and include a note wishing them a happy holiday.

( For Susan )

( For Michael )

( For Andrew )

( For Isabel )

( For Lucy )

( For Alicia and Isla )

( For Romilda )

Everyone receives the same vintage-style Christmas card with their owl.

( Alexei and Morag (and Jaime) )

( Alicia and Isla )

( Dan )

( Kevin )

( Lucy )

( Megan )

( Michael )

( Myron Wagtail )

( Neville )

( Ritchie )

( Sebastien )

( Tracey )

Owls:
( Owl to Eddie Carmichael )

( Owl to Michael Corner )

( Owl to Emma Dobbs )

( Owl to Justin Finch-Fletchley and Wayne Hopkins )

( Owl to Andrew Kirke )

( Owl to Harry Potter )

( Owl for Lisa Turpin )

( Owl to Violet and Merrill Urquhart )

( Owl to Caleb Warrington )

( Owl to Oliver Wood )

( Present for Asher left on the kitchen counter in Julian and Asher's flat )

Presents given in person on Christmas morning:
( For Julian )

( For Cormac )

Owl to Lisa Turpin
The owl carries a collection of six chocolate and liquor pairings from around the world.

Figure you'll receive plenty of photography gifts. Happy holidays.

Owl to Luna Lovegood
The owl carries a basket of food-stuffs known to attract rare magical creatures, as well as a leather notebook and quill to sketch the natural world.

From one animal-loving Ravenclaw to another. Happy holidays, Luna.

Owl to Michael Corner
The owl carries two tickets to a Hogsmeade Hydras match.

Not all that healthy to work too much. Happy holidays.

Owl to Alexei Levski and Morag MacDougal
The owl carries a painting, by Kevin's own hand, of a lively Quidditch scene.

Figure you can hang this in the nursery, start the little one early. Happy holidays.