Michael Corner

OWLS | HEXES | AMORTENTIA
AIM- uliekts (might have to ping me here to get on. I don't leave it on).
Email- uliekts@gmail.com

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( Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw. )

[Private to Dumbledore's Army]
With the permission of Nev, Luna and Gin, I'd like to ask any able and willing potioneers to help me scavenge for useful herbs on the grounds over the next few days. I'm hoping we can set up a bit of a production line for medicine, but also other useful tonics and the like. Su and I have, since the start of term, been brewing mostly skele-gro, burn salves, pain relievers and clotting poultices. I'd say I have less than a dozen of each. Su? How much have you got?

Can anyone think of other useful potions? I have some Polyjuice, about six doses with eight more brewing and done in a month. I also made a few tries at Felix Felicis, but failed. It's really fucking hard to brew and I lack several key components.

Lee said that members of the Order of the Phoenix were hurt in the battle. I was hoping to help supplement their medical needs since they are the main force risking itself right now. Is anyone willing to help out?
[/DA]

[Private to Horace Slughorn]
Dear Sir,

I am addressing you now as a kindred intellectual. I have a great deal of respect for you and because of that, I am asking for your help. I know there are potential risks. But our society has reached a crossroads and actions are out of our hands. People are dying. All we can do is react.

There are people among my friends who think contacting a Slytherin, no matter who it is, is a bad idea. I don't see it that way. So I'm asking: will you help us? Your stores of potions and supplies, not to mention your incredible expertise, would help save lives.

Please think about it.
Michael
[/Slughorn]

[Private to Justin Finch-Fletchley]
Mate, I need help. I need a non-Trio perspective.
[/Justin]

[Private to Dumbledore's Army]
You're goddamn right that Hogwarts no longer recognizes the authority of the "Ministry."

The question is, what do we do is to be done with the snakes students who's parents decapitated our government last night? If there's a weak point in Hogwarts' defense right now, it's them. Well... that's probably up to Dumbledore isn't it.
[/DA]

This will be my final entry in this absurd contraption for... well, awhile. Conceivably for the rest of the year. I'm pretty much convinced that they are evil.

Just a few things to set right first.

[Parvati Patil]
Don't hate him or hate on him. Help him. Harmony may be a little- okay a lot flamboyant, but he's just a boy. You have the benefit of maturing before he does. He has a long, long way to go. He doesn't need cruel reminders of how he's different. He needs people that are willing to understand him and try to guide him.
[/Parvati]

[Poppy Caxton]
Contrary to what you may think. I don't think you're evil. And you have every right to express your opinions and be heard. Some of what you say I agree with. Some of it I don't. That's life. We can't all agree. I hope you use your ability to find flaws to the benefit of the group, and not seeding discord on a whim. Learn to temper your criticism with pointing out the good too.

I'm sorry we never properly got on.
[/Poppy]

Adios, journal. People know where to find me if they want me. And we've got a lot of fat, lazy owls sitting around not doing their jobs thanks to these things.

[PRIVATE to Self]
No. It's not going down that way. No little girl is going to chase me away from a good cause. The Dark Lord is evil incarnate. He's bigger than little Poppy Caxton.
[/Michael]

( Private to Dumbledore's Army )

( Private to Professor Minerva McGonagall )

I have recently been accused of being unable to say, "I am wrong." I'm wrong all the time, just as flawed as everyone else. So here's a list of times that I have been very wrong in the past.

This year: Going out for the Quidditch team. I think we can all agree that was massively thick, yeah? My shoulder thinks so and likes to remind me of it often. Ouch, I was wrong there.

Last year: Potions, brewing Felix Felicis. I insisted he cut the pods rather than crush them. The potion ended up exploding on the first try, robbing my partner of his eyebrows for awhile. My fault, mate. I should've listened to you. I was wrong.

Fifth year: I raised a stink about the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor match to Ginny Weasley. Gin, I was wrong. You won fair and square.

Fourth Year: Harry, I didn't believe you at first when you said You-Know-Who was back. And I doubted your integrity enough to wear a "Potter Stinks" badge. That was childish and stupid. Damn was that ever stupid. I'm sorry, mate. I was wrong.

Rest assured I've been wrong more than once a year. I just wanted to highlight some of the thickest to date.

Is it Halloween already? Bloody hell. I'm up to my neck in Defense Against the Dark Arts right now. It's a wonderful new way to wake up with indigestion, let me tell you. At least the reading isn't completely dull. Macabre as all fuck, but not dull. I suppose it's fitting for the season.

I have no idea what I'm going as. If I'm going at all.

[PRIVATE to Terry and Anthony]
When you resurface, perhaps you'll be good enough to let me know what you're going as for this kiddie holiday? That is unless you're dead. In which case, please rise again for the Halloween festivities so we can catch up. I promise brains. Big juicy brains. Ravenclaw is full of them.
[/TERRY]

[PRIVATE to Justin]
So Captain Frizz, what're you going as? A really big ball of string? Sputnik? I vote Sputnik!
[/Justin]

[PRIVATE to Harmony]
Bellydancer huh? And Terry would go as the lusty Bedouin prince following you around?
[/Harmony]

[PRIVATE to the DA (later scratched out)]
It's been quiet. People who are interested in learning some defensive Transfiguration can see me discreetly or by private message.
[/DA]

[PRIVATE to Sally-Anne]
Merlin's saggy left bollock, woman! Was that you?!
[/Sally-Anne]

[PRIVATE to Hannah]
Hey love. How're you holding up? I bet you're tired of hearing that. Fancy a walk?
[/Hannah]

[PRIVATE to Self]
Need a date for this blasted dance. Ugh. Who to ask? Meh. No one. Going stag. Or not at all. I never thought I'd even halfway agree with Draco Malfoy on anything, but why are little kids being allowed in?

ADDED LATER:
I'm sick of pedantic children that only seek to divide. All I wanted was to show a few people a useful application of a skill for defense. And she wants to get hung up on arbitrary terms to differentiate it? To Hell with the DA. All I want to do is graduate and protect the people I care about. That's all I ever cared about.
[/Self]

First person to guess the pattern and origin correctly wins a full case of butterbeer. To win, you have to calculate the next three sequences of numbers correctly.

A.4, A.73, B.23, B.64, C.31, C.6, D.12.

( Expletives Best Warded Private )

There's a big ball of burning light, heat and eventual death in the sky that is bothering me. A thousand galleons to anyone who extinguishes the damned thing for good.

Thank You.

[PRIVATE to Justin Finch-Fletchley and Wayne Hopkins]
    Blokes I'm in over my head, and I need your help. Have either of you talked to Perky about Hogsmeade? I just lied my arse off to her. I didn't mean to, but I had a bit of a panic. Can you come down to the Library in thirty minutes? I need your help. She's not going to like what I tell her.
[/Wayne and Justin]

[PRIVATE to Self (Added Later)]
    Let's see. I just ruined the weekend of a nice girl- possibly her life in the short-term, depending. I was useless in making her feel better and had to leave that to poor Wayne, who I equally blindsided. Oh... and I found the face of the bloke that tried to murder Justin this Summer. So that's... what it is. I'm just a harbinger of good news and fuzzy, happy things today.

Terry I wish you were around because I really need you right now. In lieu of it, I'm breaking a rule. I'm getting piss drunk tonight.
[/Self]

Can I get someone to take backup notes for me in classes? At least until I either:

1) Get a quick-quotes quill or;
2) Learn to write with my off hand?

My handwriting is unintelligible at the moment.

Also I apologize if I'm a cranky fuck arse over the next couple of weeks.

( Private: Terry )

( Private: Justin )

( Private: Self )

I keep laying in bed staring at the ceiling asking myself: "What is the point?" People are dying outside of these walls, and I'm sitting on my arse (or laying on it) reading a book? What the hell? It struck me as absolutely surreal last night. surreal enough that I half-packed a bag to leave until I realized how barking mad that was. What am I going to do?

Suffice it to say I didn't sleep last night. I'm probably going to lounge in the Commons all day what the fuck else is there to do but wait?

[PRIVATE to Terry Boot and Anthony Goldstein]
    Where are you two idiots?! This is ridiculous. I haven't seen you nearly at all since we got back to school. I swear I saw more of you during Summer! Yes, I have finally cracked

    Terry: Harmony is worried sick about you. Drop a fucking line, would you?
[/Trio]

[PRIVATE to Self]
    I've got to expand my group of mates. Anthony is always busy and Terry has Harmony. I think I'm going to start picking on Justin. Though that might be awkward to explain to Hannah when she finally gets back... poor girl.

    I heard about Jack's dad... I want to say something to him and I probably should. But I'm afraid he'll stomp on my face in some way or another. I think I'll make the effort even though I may get bitten.

    I'm actually quite lonely right now. I'm realizing that. I think that's why I'm so depressed. It's not the workload. I think that's keeping me sane. Half the school jeered Snape for the rise in our class load. Hades. I cheered. It's something to bloody do.
[/Self]

[PRIVATE to Jack]
    I'm sorry to hear about your father Jack. Best well wishes to you all. I hope he rallies and makes a full recovery. If you need anything here I'm sure you'll rely on Colin but, let me know and I'll try to get it for you.
[/Jack]

If anyone needs any tutoring, I'll be in the Library.

[PRIVATE to SELF]
    It's getting harder and harder to wake up in the morning. I missed my class this morning, and breakfast. Looks like I'll be spending all night studying to catch up. And that's different... how? I think I'm mildly depressed. I should probably take steps to mitigate that. It'd be easier if I saw my mates half at all anymore. Anthony is constantly gone off on rounds. Terry is here but he's with Harmony before curfew. Haven't seen Kevin in awhile.

So far I have three doses of polyjuice brewing- damn stuff takes a month. I have several ingredients for healing salves- probably enough for five or six burn or cut salves. I need to collect more. I think that means a trip down along the Dark Wood. Two bottles of skele-gro. I'll transport it all to the Room of Requirement over the next few days. Who knew I was such a hoarder?
[/Michael]

    So Hogwarts. What's happening then? Anything interesting?

[PRIVATE to Self]
    Why would he say that about my father? He's been dead nearly as long as I've been alive. And he was a good man. Mum doesn't talk about him much, but I'm sure it's because it's a painful chapter in her book.

    Why would he say that? He must have me confused for someone else
[/Self]

If anyone needs a last proofread of their papers for Transfiguration and their other Summer coursework, I'll be in the Ravenclaw car for most of the trip. I'll be gentle, but firm when I need to be.

[PRIVATE to DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY]
    Some of our friends and housemates couldn't keep their noble mouths shut in Mr. Crabbe's journal and as a result, he and his mate Goyle are pretty riled up. I think it's best if we not move to antagonize the Slytherins on the train, but if you see any movement within their cars that hints at something suspicious, flip your coins or make some kind of notice. Notify the Prefects first and foremost.

    Be especially watchful for Dukelow, Peakes, Hopkins and Summerby. Their well-beings are most likely to be targeted.
[/DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY]

( Private to Self )

[PRIVATE to Hannah]
    Did you get back home alright in the end?
[/Hannah]

[PRIVATE to Harmony and Terry]
    Hope you blokes had yourselves a lovely night. You better have shagged already I stayed over at home, got in late after we got separated. Terry I'll be back tonight, likely. My turn in the bed, Harmony
[/The Cute Couple]

[PRIVATE to Ravenclaw DA]
    Once we get back to school, lets get everyone together for a proper demonstration of the spells that Potter gave us before he stepped down. I have a few more to add as well- a lot of defensive spells we can supplement with. We can train ourselves and once it's mastered, we can help train the rest of the DA. I was thinking it might be wise to start stocking up on useful ingredients for potions. Just as a safety. Potter seems reasonably sure that the Death eaters won't be able to invade the school or act out. That doesn't mean Hogsmeade isn't a target. We should be prepared to respond as we are the closest.

    Luna. We are with you.
[/Ravenclaw DA]

So. Everyone accounted for from the concert? No casualties, fatalities, unusual disappearances?

The Isle of Muck. As in Muck, Scotland. They want us to believe that one of the greatest specialists of ancient languages retired to a pimple of land in the Inner Hebrides with thirty people on it? With more sheep than people?

She spent her whole life teaching communication and language and suddenly dropped off the planet? Then was "found" and "out of contact" with the rest of the world? For weeks? Without a word to anyone?

[PRIVATELY HEXED to Dumbledore's Army]
Are we still doing the readiness drill and testing the coins? Does everyone still have their coin?
If I remember right these ideas were being thrown around as part of the plan:
    - Apparate to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. People felt like it was safe so those of us who are under lockdown can stay reasonably safe and still show.
    - Using the Floo was not an option. It could be monitored.
    - Break into small, less conspicuous groups by going over a set of days.
    - Find a way to turn the coins into something usable as a distress call or homing signal.
    - Those of us that can apparate will meet and co-apparate with those who can't yet. Terry and I volunteered to take the Creeveys.
If you can't apparate let us know so we can match you up with someone who can.
[/Dumbledore's Army]

[PRIVATE to SELF]
    Waiting...

    And I can live with it. I won't hurt Terry to satiate my petty feelings.
[/SELF]

[PRIVATE to TERRY, KEVIN and ANTHONY]
    Any of you lot do the whole Weird Sisters concert bit? Everybody's been screaming about it.
[/TERRY, KEVIN and ANTHONY]

[PRIVATE to KEVIN]
    Pub. Now? I want to get laid. Or alternatively get you laid and feel like I bloody helped accomplish something. I need a drink. I know that's impossible just go with it
[/KEVIN]

[PRIVATE to LUNA]
    Unfortunately the Ministry told us to sod off in a nice, bureaucratic way. But thanks Luna, for trying to help.
[/LUNA]

[PRIVATE to TERRY]
    Miss you a lot. Having trouble sleeping. How's Harmony?
[/TERRY]

[PRIVATE to JACK]
    I'm breaking the silence here because something occurred to me. Given what happened and what was said... maybe I shouldn't be a part of your paper for awhile. It's not fair all 'round, I think. So best I duck out. Hope you understand.
[/JACK]

Isn't bloody school ready to start again yet? Can we get this going already. I'm so bored I'm counting the dimples in the ceiling of my flat.