Theme # 51: Act


It takes courage, to be an alchemist. It is a process, not an act or profession; and intelligence is not, never has been, the core of it. The core of it is, in fact, something else entirely - wisdom, and free will, and to be who you are, and to know who you are.

That was what Dzou Yen thought, at any rate.

He stepped into his little room, very simple chambers for someone who had unlocked, for himself, the enchanting conversion of simplicity into real gilt, and glitter into actual gold.

Sitting down, cross-legged, the alchemist began to read.

Theme # 52: Bore


Bore, that was what these books were. Augustus Worme flipped open the nearest, deciding it was not worth publication two minutes later. Flinging it aside, so that the manuscript landed into a dustbin that jumped forward to receive it, the Editor of Obscurus Books wondered what had happened to the quality of what is put down on paper.

It had been a while, since he had seen a good manuscript.

Picking up the red fellytone on his desk, he punched in a number. "Put Newt Scamander on the line. I think I might have an offer for him, after all."

Theme # 53: Chase


Bowman Wright had scarcely ever felt much better. It had been his aim, for quite a while, to ensure that cruelty to the poor, golden snidget was abolished, once and for all, on the Quidditch pitch. The tiny animal was cruelly misused there, or so was Bowman's [very valid] opinion. With his invention of the Golden Snitch, he had managed to make what he had been chasing a reality, and win himself some well-deserved fame in the process, too.

Grinning from ear-to-ear, the inventor sat down in peace, to enjoy a nice, steaming mug of tea.

Theme # 54: Dare


How dare these people suggest that his attire was anything but perfectly respectable? Old Archie was outraged! Imagine! One of the people - a Ministry official, in fact - had actually suggested that what he, Archie, was wearing was not proper muggle attire, but clothing that muggle women wear to bed!

Archie wanted to thwack the rest of his supply of perfectly respectable night-gowns into the Ministry official's head, and tell him to mind his own business, not interfere in that of a respectable, old man who only wanted some peace.

These Ministry Officials were bonkers, old Archie knew well.

Theme # 55: Egg on


He had had to face fail failures, of course. It had not been easy, to whip up the potion he had wanted to - and it had brought in controversies.

They had only egged him on, so to speak.

Why would anyone want to oppose a potion that ensure that werewolf transfigurations were less painful, much safer, and no more a huge hazard?

No one but a total fool.

Damocles rose from his workstation. He was sure he had the potion, right now. Years of hard work, and years of failures. But he could tell his labour had finally paid off.

Theme # 56: Fight


Egbert the Egregious, was known for his love of duels. Not above-board duels, either. The type that are lawless or follow little laws, the type that never end in victory that is good or fair.

But when he killed Emeric the Evil, there were not many who were sorry. Emeric was known for his wickedness, known for being a bringer of chaos, as someone who was too powerful to be fought, but too evil to be allowed to rule.

But there was another problem, now - and it ended and began with the fact that Egbert now possessed the Deathstick.

Theme # 57: Gape


The lady who claimed to be a hundred-and-ten years old sashayed into St. Mungo's, ignoring the Welcome Witch and skipping up the staircase.

"Lancelot, boy!"

The very old Healer looked up from his desk, and nearly choked on his coffee. "Muriel," he gaped. "What a surprise." NOT!

Muriel grinned at him. "I think I had too much of the potion the twins left in my bedroom," she beamed. "I feel a little disoriented! Come on, let's give each other HUGS!"

Lancelot sighed. This wasn't the first time this had happened because of Fred and George.

Theme # 58: Hoot


Ogg sat down, cross-legged, on the fresh, green grass in the paddock. It was six in the morning and, in the past, the groundskeeper had used to wake up even earlier, often when the sun had yet to peek out, from behind a frosting of pinkish clouds.

But he was getting old now, and he knew it. The signs of age were wearing him down, slowing his step and slackening his control on the creatures he loved. Even the owls hooted more often, were more boisterous than usual in his presence.

The Headmaster, however, refused to accept his resignation.

Theme # 59: Ignore


"Ericoid, please don't do that."

But the gnome that Xenophilius Lovegood had addressed, completely ignored Xeno's half-request, half-command. It giggled, a very gnome-like giggle that was not pleasant to listen to, and then ran straight into the brick wall, up ahead. Which, of course, hurt the potato-like thing.

Backing off from the wall, the gnome decided it was fed up of being fed, inside. It trotted off towards Xeno, who petted it rather absently, and then proceeded to cheerfully bite the man on the finger. Xeno petted it again.

Ericoid cheerfully bit him again.

Theme # 60: Joke


Mundungus found it the joke of the century. Will had stolen some toads from Warty Harris, only to have them stolen from him by Mundungus, and now the old man was scratching his head, wondering where the toads he had stolen were, as he made ready to buy them back from Mundungus.

It was quite a shame, that Will was still ready to steal at such a age, but business is business, and it was the easiest way for Will, to make a living.

"Five knuts for the lot, then?" the old man asked hopefully, still scratching his graying head.

Theme # 61: Kiss


She had tried. She had honestly tried to win Pollux Black. Irma Crabbe did not believe that her husband had to be a pureblood, or rich - but she had believed he would be Pollux.

But she had tried and lost.

Sitting in the hammock under the large tree in the garden outside his house, she wondered where to go from here. Continue her job. What else?

"Irma?"

She stood up. "Hey, Pollux."

Then he had kneeled down in front of her, and her breath was stuck in her throat -- hands numb -- breathless.

"Irma Crabbe, will you be my wife?"

Love.

Theme # 62: Lope


UGH! Humphrey Belcher crashed a fist into the nearest wall, the moment he had thrown open the door of his office, and stormed inside. He could not believe what the Committee of Cauldron Standards had said! How could they, how dare they, tell him that his idea was worthless, and that cheese cauldrons would never become a standard, the world-round?

Muttering under his breath, he picked up the cheese cauldron that sat on his desk, and flung it through the air. It collided with the door, and cheese splattered everywhere. Great.

Now he had murdered his finest cheese cauldron.

Theme # 63: Mooch


"Mr. Bashir -"

On his way out of the office, Ali paused. "What the heck do you want now?" He snapped.

"You're a moocher," the Senior Undersecretary at the Iranian Ministry of Magic snapped back.

"Oh, and that's professional," the wizard growled, as he picked up the rolled-up flying carpet he had brought along, and stormed out of the place.

It looked like no country was going to allow him to establish a business based on flying carpets. Why, why did these people not get that flying carpets were only family vehicles?

He would win, yet. He would.

Theme # 64: Nap


Cedric yawned, sitting up in the hammock that was his current favourite spot to nap. Rubbing his eyes, the fifteen year old took a few moments to let his eyes adjust to his surroundings. He was, he realized, at home. In the garden, actually. Not at school, and certainly not near the black-haired girl he had been dreaming off.

Trying to shake the thoughts of Cho Chang off, he rose to his feet, to head back into the house and grab himself a bite to eat. He found it harder to forget her than he had bargained for, however.

Theme # 65: Ooze


There was no doubt that Cuthbert Binns loved to be a ghost. He had a peaceful existence, and even money he could contribute to charity. Maybe that was why Dumbledore still paid him, and had even given him a raise.

Of course, he had loved his life as a wizard, too. It had been fun, full of failed potions experiments, sticky stuff oozing out of the crack beneath his bedroom door, and a few detentions. On the whole, a very fulfilling life.

Point?

Professor Binns was enjoying his sleepy, new existence, as much as he had enjoyed the riotous old.

Theme # 66: Pace


Things were not looking up. His efforts had resulted in a goblin-human meeting, and it had ended exactly as he had hoped it would not - a goblin leader had thwacked a goblet in his face and stormed off, claiming that Oswald was no different than any other insensitive human being.

Oswald Beamish would come, in due time, to be known as a pioneer of goblin rights. But, for now, he was but a common individual, the kind that few were ready to listen to. With a frown, the burly man paced up and down his room.

Life was tough.

Theme # 67: Quell


Rodolphus had thought, seriously thought, that she had married him for love. It had never occurred to him that Bellatrix believed she was expected to take a pureblood husband. Had not occurred to him until two days after the marriage, that is.

"Bella, listen to me -"

"You listen to me, Rodolphus," she snapped. Her hand was gripped round her wand and, no mean wizard though he was, Rodolphus Lestrange could not help but feel worried. The last thing he wanted was his own wife to attack him.

But he couldn't pacify her. Her anger could simply not be quelled.

Theme # 68: Roar


The Hobgoblins had started off as a two-member band, the type that plays at small-time parties, and in alleyways. Their fame had grown from there, rather unexpectedly, perhaps for their outrageous lyrics, perhaps for their unconventional style. Whatever the reason, the fact was that the now five-member band was starting to enjoy A-list status, and lead singer and founder Stubby Boardman loved every, every minute of it.

Stepping up on stage, he chuckled at the roar of the crowd. Who had known life could be this generous?

There was no doubt that the singer was ecstatic.

Theme # 69: Slap


".... and the Falmouth Falcons! Spinnet Denton! Karl Broadmoore!"

The commentator's enthusiastic voice rang loud and clear, throughout the French International Quidditch Stadium, as Karl Broadmoore, beater for the Falmout Falcons, shot out of the locker-room, into the air, gathering height before plunging downwards in his signature spiral; which, for all of its predictability, made the crowd gasp in delight.

He raised a hand, to slap his hand against his brother Kevin's in midair - a sign of pre-victory - before kicking off higher, to survey the quidditch pitch through expectant, blue eyes.

Tonight's match should be fun.

Theme # 70: Team


Sir Cadogan had, at one point in his life, been a noble knight. Of course, two centuries later, he was quite forgetful of the fact that he was now a photograph - but, in his own time, the man had been one to be reckoned with, powerful as an individual, and powerful when part of a team.

"Come back, you!" The knight shouted after an eleven-year old Neville, as the latter scurried away, clutching a squirming Trevor. "Come back and fight, you scoundrel!"

If his old order of knights could have seen him now, they would have fainted of shock.

Theme # 71: Untie


"UNTIE ME, YOU IDIOTS!"

The Ministry official standing next to him, a quill in one hand, a notebook in the other, completely ignored him. Herbert Chorley struggled against the cords that bound him for a minute longer; and then, realizing that that was of no use, went back to imitating a rather disoriented chicken.

"Cluck. CLUCK CLUCK. Feed me. UNTIE ME!" He tried to peck at the ground, but the cords held me back. Furious, the Junior Minister waved his arms about. Or tried to. The Ministry official, a wizard, shook his head and let out a cold sigh.

Life.

Theme # 72: Vex


The world had yet to see a person, who could find fault with Kingsley Shacklebolt's work. The auror was, to say the least, one who deserved the status of Head of his department. Of course, he was promoted directly to Minister of Magic, later on; but the point is, Kingsley Shacklebolt was more than efficient - he was classy; could not be easily vexed, or angered; and, most importantly, knew how to tackle the worst of situations.

*

"What do you have to say about the whereabouts of Sirius Black, Mr. Shacklebolt?" the Daily Prophet reporter continued to pester.

Kingsley shrugged.

Theme # 73: Warn


He had not yet risen to fame, as an author or naturalist. Which was exactly why Newt had more than one misgiving, when he stepped into the highly-polished office.

"Sit down," the man behind the desk said airily. He was an arrogant type and Newt could tell, by one look at the face, that this was a cause lost. The man wouldn't be interested in his research. His friends had warned him. Why had he even tried coming here?

"What's your name?" The man asked, rather lazily.

"Newton Artemis Fido Scamander," Newt mumbled.

The man blinked.

"Next."

Theme # 74: X-tinguish


It was hard to believe what the letter said. Faris had expected the promotion, seen it a mile off, and yet he had not fully accepted the fact that he might, one day, find himself the Minister of Magic.

He picked up the official letter and re-read it again, now. In the light of the lamps in his room, it was possible to make out each word, each alphabet, with complete ease. For a while, Faris Spavin read and re-read. Read and re-read.

Then he extinguished the lamps, and let the silence wash over, in quiet waves.

Theme # 75: Yodel


The very idea of outrageous. Percy Weasley crossed his arms against his chest, glaring at his twin brothers across the table.

"I do not!"

"But, Perc -" Fred was clearly trying to keep back a grin, something Percy failed to realize. "It can be our little secret, bro. George and I won't tell anyone, honest."

"I do not!" Percy shouted, hand clenched round his wand, even though he knew he could not use magic outside of Hogwarts, yet. Would not try until next year either, when he would be of age.

"But Perc -"

"I DO NOT YODEL IN THE SHOWER!"