Minor cleanup, formatting for nightmares, letters, songs, and article…

…s - chapter 31-42

OEBPS/Chapter32.xhtml

@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@
             <p>Harry scowled and bit off the end of a sausage. That was not a productive line of thought to be pursuing. He was so preoccupied trying to lighten his mood that he almost missed the glances exchanged by Hermione and Ginny.</p>
             <p>Knowing he was barely fit to talk to, Harry occupied himself with his breakfast, letting his eyes roam around the hall. Most of the students seemed subdued as well, though whether the impending classes or the Dementors were to blame was anybody's guess. At the head table, Slughorn was oddly jovial, sitting next to Dumbledore and holding forth about something. Harry guessed that his house meeting last night must have gone fairly well. The other professors seemed to be quietly talking amongst themselves as well, all except for Hagrid.</p>
             <p>For some reason the new Care of Magical Creatures professor seemed preoccupied, almost&#8230; pensive? For the bluff and hearty groundskeeper that was a most unusual look. From what Harry remembered, he should have been very eager to begin his new teaching career, and had even lined up a special treat for his students&#8230; Buckbeak the hippogriff.</p>
-            <p>Harry blinked and set his fork down. "<em>With Malfoy gone, that can't happen again, right?"</em> he mused. "<em>Still, it can't hurt to take precautions, can it?</em>"</p>
+            <p>Harry blinked and set his fork down. <em>With Malfoy gone, that can't happen again, right?</em> he mused. <em>Still, it can't hurt to take precautions, can it?</em></p>
             <p>Harry hurriedly finished his food and was up and out of his seat as Hagrid left the Great Hall early, his breakfast half-eaten. Coming up behind the large man in the corridor, he coughed and asked, "Looking forward to your first class, <em>Professor</em> Hagrid?" he asked.</p>
             <p>"Oh! Hello there, Harry," Hagrid said, half-turning. "Yeah, got ever'thing lined up. Going ter give them a special surprise today too, get things started off with a bang." He paused. "I kind of wish you lot were able to be there, seeing as how you made it possible," he concluded sadly.</p>
             <p>Harry felt like he'd been punched in the stomach. He hadn't thought about it, in his enthusiasm to learn Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, but <em>not</em> taking Care of Magical Creatures would have its own effect on things. Evidently, their friendly presence at that first class had encouraged Hagrid more than they knew. "Sorry about that," he muttered.</p>
@@ -282,8 +282,14 @@
             <p>Something General Hastings had once said stuck in Harry's mind: "All real power flows from the end of a wand." The weakness rotting away the core of society was concealed as long as Dumbledore was there to hold Voldemort in check &#8211; <em>the only one he really feared</em>. But once the Headmaster was gone, there wasn't really anything to hold back the Darkness. The Order of the Phoenix tried, but they were more of an information-gathering auxiliary &#8211; they were better trained than most of the younger Aurors, but the same could be said of the <em>students</em> he trained in 'Dumbledore's Army'.</p>
             <p>With Harry's surety regarding Voldemort's return, Professor Lupin also seemed to be aware of this danger. The snippets he overheard from Percy and the older students suggested that the genial-looking man was quite the taskmaster with the O.W.L.- and N.E.W.T.-preparation classes. <em>They</em> may have thought he was working solely to ensure they passed their exams, but Harry knew better. There was even a rumour that students sufficiently far behind on Defence were being <em>strongly</em> urged to join the Duelling Association to hone their practical skills.</p>
             <p>With Professor Lupin's attention focused on whipping the Defence classes into shape, Harry was a little surprised when he received a note at lunch the week after Hermione's birthday.</p>
-            <p><em>Please report to my quarters following your afternoon classes.</em></p>
-            <p><em>-R. J. Lupin</em></p>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="storyparagraph letter">
+            <p>Please report to my quarters following your afternoon classes.</p>
+            <p>&#8212;R. J. Lupin</p>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="storyparagraph">
             <p>Harry showed up at the appointed time, though doing so did require reminding Ron that Lupin could be trusted, perhaps more than anyone else on staff. If he was going to write lines or serve detention for missing class, he didn't want to do so with an audience, and he felt Professor Lupin would appreciate one even less.</p>
             <p>But when Harry knocked, the man who opened the door didn't seem angry or disappointed. "Ah, there you are," he said with a genial smile. "Follow me and I will explain." After locking his door, he led a confused Harry through the corridors to the Defence classroom.</p>
             <p>Several of the student desks had been pushed aside, and a large packing case was sitting on top of the professor's desk. It looked vaguely familiar and Harry felt his stomach drop.</p>

OEBPS/Chapter34.xhtml

@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@
             <p>"You can always snog her to shut her up," Fred quipped.</p>
             <p>Ron paled, then turned and stomped away. Ginny, who'd been collecting empty tea containers from Katie, Alicia, and Angelina, gave Fred a glare. "That was rude," she snapped.</p>
             <p>Harry quietly gulped down the last of his tea, savouring the warmth, before handing it to a silent Neville. Harry noticed that Neville and Luna both made a point of detouring widely around the brewing Weasley confrontation.</p>
-            <p>"&#8230; could have stayed up in the stands, warm and dry, but instead he comes down to deliver some hot tea, and then you go and embarrass him," Ginny concluded, her face starting to match her hair.</p>
+            <p>"&#8230;could have stayed up in the stands, warm and dry, but instead he comes down to deliver some hot tea, and then you go and embarrass him," Ginny concluded, her face starting to match her hair.</p>
             <p>"She's got a point there," George said quietly.</p>
             <p>Fred turned to his brother, looking shocked and betrayed.</p>
             <p>"We'll lay off Ron &#8211; with respect to Hermione," George said to Ginny as Madam Hooch blew her whistle again, signalling the time out was over. He handed her his thermos along with an unresisting Fred's. Ginny blinked, clearly shocked to see the twins break ranks, and made her way back to the stands.</p>

OEBPS/Chapter35.xhtml

@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@
     <h1>35</h1>
     <h2><em>A War of Words</em></h2>
     <div class="storytext">
-        <div class="storyparagraph">
-            <p><span class="raisedcaps">H</span>ogwarts Under Siege!</p>
-            <p>-Reported by Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent for <em>The Quibbler</em></p>
+        <div class="storyparagraph article">
+            <p class="title"><span class="raisedcaps">H</span>ogwarts Under Siege!</p>
+            <p class="byline">&#8212;Reported by Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent for <em>The Quibbler</em></p>
             <p>Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a bastion of higher education and a cornerstone of Wizarding culture, has long been a refuge for students as they struggle to master their magical gifts. Pureblood scion and wide-eyed Muggle-born alike spend long hours mastering the craft under the watchful eyes of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and his hand-picked teaching staff. These children &#8211; <em>our children</em> &#8211; represent the future of the Wizarding World, and their safety must be held paramount in the minds of all responsible adults.</p>
             <p>Except, of course, for those adults who work for the Ministry of Magic.</p>
             <p>In a manoeuvre that has many shaking their heads, Minister Fudge has ordered <em>Dementors</em>, the grisly creatures that guard the Wizarding prison of Azkaban, to lay siege to Hogwarts. The Ministry <em>claims</em> that this is being done to protect the school from the menace that is Sirius Black. Of course, one might wonder about this, considering recent objections aired in the press (including those raised by your faithful correspondent) regarding certain <em>irregularities</em> in the original proceedings against Mr. Black, coupled with the observation that if one believes the Ministry's allegations, Mr. Black escaped from Azkaban when it was being guarded by Dementors.</p>
@@ -24,24 +24,24 @@
             <p>And we would also pose this question to the responsible parties in the Ministry, who have hands wet with the blood of a sixteen-year-old witch: How many more must die to appease the vindictive anger of an unaccountable Ministry?</p>
         </div>
 
-        <div class="storyparagraph">
-            <p>Fear and Rumour-mongering Alleged after Sighting of Sirius Black</p>
-            <p>-Adolphus Milthwhispe, Special Correspondent for the <em>Daily Prophet</em></p>
+        <div class="storyparagraph article">
+            <p class="title">Fear and Rumour-mongering Alleged after Sighting of Sirius Black</p>
+            <p class="byline">&#8212;Adolphus Milthwhispe, Special Correspondent for the <em>Daily Prophet</em></p>
             <p>In a statement issued by the Ministry of Magic, Minister Fudge admits that he is "shocked and dismayed" regarding the wildly exaggerated events reported in the popular press. "While I don't expect much from such shoddy publications," he continued, "this borders on the libellous. I'll be consulting with Ministry solicitors regarding possible legal action."</p>
         </div>
 
-        <div class="storyparagraph">
-            <p>Gringotts Makes Large Donation to Hogwarts Security</p>
-            <p>-Reported by Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent for <em>The Quibbler</em></p>
+        <div class="storyparagraph article">
+            <p class="title">Gringotts Makes Large Donation to Hogwarts Security</p>
+            <p class="byline">&#8212;Reported by Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent for <em>The Quibbler</em></p>
             <p>Today, in a surprise announcement, the Board of Directors for Gringotts voted to donate the services of their elite Ward-Masters to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Aside from various construction materials, this grant also includes several proprietary ward formulae of inestimable value. These formulae, which to date have never been allowed outside direct control of the goblins and their bonded employees, will allow significant upgrades to the school's defences.</p>
             <p>This action comes on the heels of an incident this past weekend, when a horde of Dementors, normally the gaolers of the Azkaban Wizarding Prison, escaped the control of their incompetent Ministry handlers and overran the school during a school Quidditch match. Although the foul creatures were quickly driven away by the Hogwarts staff, the ensuing panic resulted in several injuries and the death of a sixth-year prefect.</p>
             <p>Gringotts Spokes-goblin Shraknak had this to say at an open press conference held earlier today at the Diagon Alley branch: "The management of Gringotts is highly concerned by recent events at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. The young represent not only the potential of a people, but their hopes for the future. We find this blatant disregard for the safety of your young extremely troubling, and so we find ourselves taking steps to guarantee the safety of our future customers. These upgrades, offered <em>pro bono</em>, will prevent the Ministry's Dementors from encroaching on the school grounds in the event of another <em>accident</em>."</p>
             <p>This conference was curiously unattended by other members of the press, even those working out of offices located only blocks away.</p>
             <p>When asked to make a comment on the surprise announcement, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore had this to say: "The safety and wellbeing off all students is of great concern to every member of the Hogwarts staff. I was pleasantly surprised by this extremely generous gesture on the part of the Goblin Nation, and look forward to meeting with them to work out the details."</p>
             <p>Reactions among the wizards and witches on Diagon Alley were varied.</p>
-            <p>"I haven't had many dealings with the goblins, outside of Gringotts, but I'm glad to hear someone is doing something. I remember helping Miss Bulstrode with her robes, right before the term started. She was very polite, even when none of the regular stock fit, and we had to measure her for a special order. It was terrible, hearing she'd been killed like that." &#8211; Miriam Malkin, Clothier.</p>
-            <p>"Smells pretty fishy to me. Them goblins are always looking out for themselves first. I trust them about as far as I can spit one." &#8211; Mundungus Fletcher, Salvage Consultant.</p>
-            <p>"I have six children attending Hogwarts this year, and I've been worried out of my mind since I heard they were putting those horrid Dementors around a <em>school</em>! I was here doing some banking when the announcement came, and I could have kissed my teller when I heard the news. If the goblins are going to protect our children when the Ministry won't, then good for them!" &#8211; Molly Weasley, House Witch.</p>
+            <p>"I haven't had many dealings with the goblins, outside of Gringotts, but I'm glad to hear someone is doing something. I remember helping Miss Bulstrode with her robes, right before the term started. She was very polite, even when none of the regular stock fit, and we had to measure her for a special order. It was terrible, hearing she'd been killed like that." &#8212; Miriam Malkin, Clothier.</p>
+            <p>"Smells pretty fishy to me. Them goblins are always looking out for themselves first. I trust them about as far as I can spit one." &#8212; Mundungus Fletcher, Salvage Consultant.</p>
+            <p>"I have six children attending Hogwarts this year, and I've been worried out of my mind since I heard they were putting those horrid Dementors around a <em>school</em>! I was here doing some banking when the announcement came, and I could have kissed my teller when I heard the news. If the goblins are going to protect our children when the Ministry won't, then good for them!" &#8212; Molly Weasley, House Witch.</p>
         </div>
 
         <div class="storyparagraph">
@@ -95,9 +95,6 @@
             <p>"Mr. Potter, such tactics are&#8230; are scandalous in the extreme!" McGonagall objected. "No matter what the circumstances, you can't just behave like&#8230;"</p>
             <p>"Like a Slytherin?" Harry asked. He shrugged and felt his shoulders sag. He'd been hoping that she'd actually get it. "Professor, I just want to be alive to see my twentieth birthday and celebrate it with my family. My second family, that is &#8211; my first family is gone, thanks to the adults that were looking out for them."</p>
             <p>With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving a silent McGonagall behind him, staring out into space.</p>
-        </div>
-
-        <div class="storyparagraph">
             <p>Harry was a little surprised to find his friends loitering in the hallway when he left McGonagall's classroom. Too weary for another argument, he just raised an eyebrow.</p>
             <p>"After last year, do you really think we're letting you out of our sight again?" Ron asked with some exasperation.</p>
             <p>Harry took a deep breath. "I suppose not." He glanced over at Ginny curiously.</p>
@@ -283,7 +280,7 @@
             <p>Life had been much simpler as a rat.</p>
         </div>
 
-        <div class="storyparagraph">
+        <div class="storyparagraph letter">
             <p>Dear Sirius,</p>
             <p>I was pleasantly surprised to get your letter. I can appreciate why we need to be discreet, but it never occurred to me to go through Mrs. Weasley. I supposed the old Marauder still has a few tricks left to show.</p>
             <p>I suppose you heard in the press and from the Weasleys what happened at the match. My broom is wrecked, but I still have the 2001 the Nimbus company donated to the team. The worst part is what happened after I was knocked out. What happened to Melissa Bulstrode wasn't an accident. She was murdered, and I suppose it's really my fault&#8230;</p>

OEBPS/Chapter37.xhtml

@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@
             <p>Arthur slowly nodded, but Molly still looked a bit dubious. He supposed she didn't consider Quidditch an entirely proper activity for a respectable young witch.</p>
             <p>"I suppose we can just put my part in my trust vault, but we'll need to get vaults set up for Ron and Ginny," Harry added quickly before another mother-daughter conflict erupted. "I know Hermione already contacted Gringotts to get a copy of the paperwork. Neville and Luna probably already have something set up."</p>
             <p>"Ah, yes," Arthur agreed, heading Molly off. "I suppose we should at least get the paperwork started before you all go back to Hogwarts. That way it'll be ready when the, er, money arrives."</p>
-            <p>"I guess I'd better make sure I have my trunk organized for the trip back," Harry said quickly. "Ginny, I think Ron has the latest copy of <em>Which Broom</em>? upstairs. We should see if there are any cheaper alternatives that have the same specs as the 2001."</p>
+            <p>"I guess I'd better make sure I have my trunk organized for the trip back," Harry said quickly. "Ginny, I think Ron has the latest copy of <em>Which Broom?</em> upstairs. We should see if there are any cheaper alternatives that have the same specs as the 2001."</p>
             <p>All three of them beat a hasty retreat.</p>
         </div>