Misprinted Lies

Title: Split Screen: Intervention 4/?
Author: Autumn
E-mail: dyslexic_crisco_penguin_fiend@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: J.K’s creations, I just play with them.
Summary: An intervention is staged. Weasley style. And Hermione strings things together.
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Fred/Hermione
Spoilers: HBP
A/N: AU of book six
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Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Harry Potter and the Sorcerr's Stone-Movie

Title: Affirmation
Author: Autumn
Email: dyslexic_crisco_penguin_fiend@hotmail.com
Rating: R
Pairing: Ron/Hermione
Summary: “This isn’t real, but I just wanna feel.”
Spoilers: HBP
Disclaimer: Lyrics belong to J. Whedon, characters to J.K. Rowling
A/N: I never thought I'd ever write a Ron/Hermione fic, but this bunny bit me rather hard.
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Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: Hurt-NIN featuring David Bowie

Title: Not For You
Author: Autumn
Email: dyslexic_crisco_penguin_fiend@hotmail.com
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Hermione/Charlie
Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.K. Rowling, the lyrics to the Eagles.
Summary: Molly ruminates on the nature of her children’s relationships.
Author’s Notes:
This is an answer to two different challenges. Inell’s lyrics challenge, and the Books and Freckles A-Z challenge. The word was ‘Envy.’
This takes place the summer between 6th and 7th year
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Current Mood: bouncy
Current Music: Sweet's Song-Once More with Feeling

You scored as Albus Dumbledore. Strong and powerful you admirably defend your world and your charges against those who would seek to harm them. However sometimes you can fail to do what you must because you care too much to cause suffering. </td> Albus Dumbledore 90% Hermione Granger 75% Severus Snape 75% Remus Lupin 75% Ginny Weasley 70% Harry Potter 70% Ron Weasley 65% Draco Malfoy 60% Sirius Black 50% Lord Voldemort 35% Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...? created with QuizFarm.com

Current Mood: sore
Current Music: Behind these Hazel Eyes-Kelly Clarkson

An interesting topic came up in http://www.livejournal.com/community/hermione_girls/ .

Someone raised the question of Umbridge's fate at the end of OOTP not being very satisfactory. I replied that I likened her to an American politician who seems to have the effect of Teflon, nothing he does seems to stick:

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Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: Collective Soul-Why Pt. 2

Title: Split Screen: Nudge, Nudge 3/?
Author: Autumn
Email: dyslexic_crisco_penguin_fiend@hotmail.com
Summary: Ginny gives Hermione a little push.
Spoilers: HPB
A/N: I guess by now I should mention this is sort of an AU of year six.
A big thank you to everyone who has reviewed this!
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Current Mood: content
Current Music: HP-POA

Some random quizes



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Title: Split Screen: Wink, Wink 2/?
Author: Autumn
Email: dyslexic_crisco_penguin_fiend@hotmail.com
Summary: Something starts after a visit to Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes.
Pairing: Fred/Hermione
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: HPB
A/N: I’m not sure what I think about the Fleur speech. If it’s too obnoxious let me know and I’ll edit it back, and ya’ll can just emagine ze axcent!
(Wink, Wink)


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Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: Flake-Jack Johnson

Title: Split Screen: Recognition 1/?
Author: Autumn
Rating: PG-13 at the moment
Email: dyslexic_crisco_penguin_fiend@hotmail.com
Summary: Something starts at Weasley Wizard Weezes
Warning: HBP SPOILERS. Read at own discression.
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“It’s always the quiet ones.” Ginny chuckled to herself and followed her friend.

Half Blood Prince didn't seem to have as many 'revelations' that OOTP did. But damn, it was quite a ride. I've only read it once so far so I may change my impressiona later on. But here it is:


The Good:

Snape is a Goobad. We're sure he's good, we're sure he's bad. We dunno what to think. I haven't joined the Snape-is-Evil-and-Must-Be-Punished-Perferably-with-Very-Sharp-Objects camp. Color me crazy, but I think that the death of Dumbledore at Snape's hands was a set-up, which will play out in book seven. Dumbloedore himself would be the first to offer his own head as a sacrificial lamb, and in war would you rather lose a spy or a partially crippled general? Just a theory.


Fred and George's joke shop is successful. Yay twins! If Hogwarts remains open, it'd be a conenient way to get them to Hogsmede and closer to the school. But alas, it doesn't seem that there will be much of a school setting anyway does there?

Hagrid thankfully wasn't in the story much. His childish whining I outgrew in oh say the first half of SS.

The ministry's about face, and attempts to seduce Harry. I love the MoM, his honesty about what he wanted was refreshing. Makes one wish for it in certain, real life administrations.

Luna, bless her heart, that comentary of hers is one of my favorite scenes in the entire series.


The Bad:

In general, the 'maturing' relationships of those randy Gryffindors. Parts of them just felt completly forced and left me with a touch of nausea.

Hermione/Ron being shoved down our throats AGAIN. Oh dear lord, it makes me wish that they would just snog, realize that oposites don't always attract and get it over with already.

Tonks barely dragging herself out of the bed cause Remus is trying to be all nobel. That just didn't work for me. Hopefully some fic fleshing this stuff out will come out of this.

The Ugly:

Harry/Ginny I like this, and it has potential, but it just seemed to come out of nowhere. Kind of reminded me of Harry/Cho which wasn't a good thing.

Horcrux. Tee hee! Hi, I'm 13 again.

Current Mood: pensive
Current Music: Alice in Chains-Nutshell

December 28th, 2003
9:20 PM (central time)
Somewhere in the air



Today marks the begining of my second trip to Europe. I've been in the air for about 6.5 hours now which is about halfway through my air time for today. The trip from Missoula to Minneapolis was uneventful except for some turbulance.

We've been wine and dined already and we are now eagerly anticipating the screening of Spy Kids 3D! I know I've been desperate to see it.


I'm excited about my trip with Jonas almost as much as I'm excited to see him. It has been 75 days since the last time we were together and even though our seperation this time was shorter it's still been long and sucky.


On the plus side to all of this I'll get Jonas-concentrate time since we'll be spending night and day together. I talked to him earlier and he procured our tickets to Finland, and managed to get us a private cabin which makes everything better!

That'll be an excellent adventure though I have reservations about going on a really big boat. Hopefully we will be able to fit in a sidetrip to Oslo as well, then I can tick off all of the Scandenavian countries in the 'seen' row.


The 'morrow will either be a very lazy day or a busy one fraught with bustling and sight seeing. Jet lad, in my experience is best detered by a short nap and then loads of activities followed by about 12 solid hours of sleep.

We'll both be flying in to Amseterdam at around 2:PM, so we'll see where that brings us when we reach our hotel. We've got the Anne Frank House, Rembrant House, Jewish Quarter and VanGoh museums on our list for things to see.

I just know I will scream and have a right out temper tantrum if I miss out on the AFH on what will be my 4th time to Amsterdamn (granted, two of them were simply landing at the airport but still).

Anyway, we've got some bumpy air coming up, so I'll have to concentrate on distracting myself since I'm not much for flying. I've got a new travel journal (third installment), shiny new pens, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and of course Spy Kids Three to keep me occupied.

Current Mood: awake
Current Music: Foo Fighters-Learn to Fly

June 30th 2003
Montana
United States

Reentry



I’ve been back now for a few days and I’m still trying to wrap my head around how much everything has changed in such a short period of time. Some people got married, some people got pregnant, my sister’s dating one of my brother’s friends, new business buildings have gone up.


I feel out of place and it’s like I’ve been abandoned by everything around me. Or maybe I changed too much to fit in her anymore. I itch for something bigger. I’ve seen the world and I’ve been spoiled. Maybe I just have jetlag.

Current Mood: apathetic
Current Music: Home-Collective Soul

June 21
Day 17
Malmö, Sweden


We reached Malmö last night but were stranded there for the entire night due to bad communications and the crappy ‘kundservice’ (customer service) that I have come to expect from Sweden when I’m traveling. The SJ train company had been the bane of our travels and continues to be so at this moment.

The train station closed its doors at 12:10 AM even though trains continued to run up until 2 AM. We didn’t have enough money to pay for train tickets and stay in a hotel so we were stuck between a rock and a very hard place.

We ended up camping on one of the train platforms, but naturally it was an unusually cold night with a bone chilling wind. We sought shelter at a few of the surrounding hotels asking if we could possibly stay in the lobby until the train station opened in the morning.

We were turned down there as well which leaves me with the feeling that Jesus was born in Sweden, and not Jerusalem. In desperation we boarded a train headed to Copenhagen to escape the cold. Our inter rail passes aren’t valid in Sweden so we got kicked off the train at Katstrup Airport. That suited us just fine since at least we were out of the cold.

Our troubles continued when we boarded the 5:33 AM train back to Sweden and discovered we couldn’t take the 6:40 or 7:14 trains towards Örebro due to price inflations. When we did get on the 9:05 train we were charged an extra 100 SEK because we didn’t have a pre-booked ticket despite the fact that both the ticket machines and ticket office was closed.

So it was a shitty start to a carry over of an uber-crappy night. My belief that Swedes can even feel compassion was sorely questioned. I still maintain that they don’t understand what customer service is, and on top of that don’t care as long as they get your money.

Its people like the ticket master on this particular train who renew my faith. He really went out on a limb for us to help us get tickets at a decent and fair price so we can now afford to go home, and to me who is tired, in terrible need of a shower and exhausted, its priceless.

June 19th 2003
Day 15

Prague, Czech Republic


Today was our last official day of traveling. We returned to Prague for the sole purpose of a stroll and shopping. I obtained what I wanted too, so all was well. Tomorrow’s going to be a long ass day, but we’ll get through it, though we'll be tired as hell. Not much more to say except zzzzz is needed desperately.



June 20th
Day 16
Tour Wrap up


After a little over two weeks on the road our trip is coming to an end. I’m not exactly sure how to feel about it in general, but a few things have become clear.

1. A whirlwind tour is just as fulfilling as a more conventional one, but a bit more tiresome.

2. ‘Seeing Europe’ only sparks deeper curiosity to see what was left of it this time around. It makes me wanna rush out and see the old Eastern block.

3. Traveling by train is only as tolerable as the people on the train. Travel with people that you can deal with in cramped spaces for hours on end.

4. Always make a seat reservation or couchette reservation on night trains, even if your ticket says you don’t have too. Spend the extra 20 minutes in the ticket line; it’ll be worth it when you feel rested the next day.

5. Paris is highly overrated but Luxemburg is understated.

6. Bathrooms on trains are too scary to risk not using a toilet paper seat.

7. Hostels are invaluable, but in general are overpriced in the city center. Private rooms are lifesavers.

8. Prague is wonderfully cheap and a real treat to visit.

9. Just because something’s a few hours out of the way, don’t miss risking it.

10. There is always something worth taking a look at, and it’s usually a few blocks away from the tourist traps.

11. 13 countries in 14 days isn’t impossible.

12. Seeing Europe is not a ‘once in a lifetime’ thing, its several journeys in the course of a lifetime. I’m already plaing a tour of Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus for next summer with Jonas.

13. Wanderlust defiantly grows stronger the more you travel.

14. Showers are a precious commodity.

15. No matter what they say, Europe is NOT America, nor do they wish it to be. Learn a few phrases of the local language. Locals like it when you at least attempt to speak their language. Except the French, they just sneer at your mispronunciation, which leads me too…

16. The myth of the French being rude is not a myth.

17. The Coliseum isn’t all that it is cracked up to be.

18. St. Peter’s Basilica is fabulous. It is very clear where the money from the collection plate goes.

19. There’s no place like home.

20. It is impossible to share the full experience with anyone, save a fellow traveler.

21. Take TONS of pictures.


This year abroad has truly opened my eyes to a lot of things: why Europeans hate Americans, why things at home wouldn’t work over here, the tradition, the history and the people carry on their culture no matter how many borders you cross. No two countries are quite the same. Its worth the time, money, energy and annoyances to discover the little nuances between everything. A year of traveling is worth more than 2 years of College education.

So endeth the lesson here.

June 18th, 2003
Berlin, Germany
Day 14


I’ve wanted to travel to Berlin for as long as I’ve wanted to explore Europe in general. It has always been one of the cities I’ve most romanced and now it is even more so.

The day was LONG but very wonderful. We started out by taking a look at the bombed out ruins of Kaiser Williams Kirke and it was amazing to see the old thing still standing, even with a significant amount of the roof blown off. From there we took the U-2 lone from the Zoo Station (O got a kick out of the whole U2 bit since Achtung Baby was made in Berlin and now I see what Zoo Station is) to the Brandenburg Gate. Another song came to mind “All Along the Watchtower” as we witnessed the ‘death zone’ in all its grotesqueness. The wall is long gone, but where it once stood is obvious to all.

The Reightstiu is still towering over everything, though the top has been completely rebuilt. The building was heavily bombed in WWII. From there it is a short walk to the memorial of the Russian Sympathizers and the little girls who were brutally tormented by Soviet soldiers.

Checkpoint Charlie is another sobering scene. The museum is very large and is crammed with a vast wealth of information about resistance movements, conditions in post-war Berlin, escape tales and more. I’d recommend it for everyone to see.

The ingenuity capable of human beings when they need it most is amazing. 12 months were dedicated to tunneling under the wall where 58 people escaped. 2 families BUILT a hot air balloon and flew from the East to the West. Dozens of people hid in cars, jumped over fences and braved the death zone itself. It’s simply amazing.

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Zoo Station-U2

June 17, 2003
Brussels, Belgum
Day 13


The modern city of Brussels is so incredibly ugly that it’s hard to believe it is the same city as the Lower Old Town sector. While it doesn’t have the charm of Lux. City, it certainly holds its own. And the chocolate is to DIE for! They are not kidding when they say that Belgian chocolate is the best in the world. Everybody knows about Godiva, but Leonidas is just as spectacular for about ½ the price. The white pralines are particularly fabulous.


Amsterdam, Holland


All I can say is that it was a big inconvenience and that I was cranky. I didn’t get to see the Anne Frank house, which has long been my heart’s desire, and the central train station is as bloody confusing as the airport.

Amsterdam will have to be done properly on the way home in monetary restrictions are applicable, and if not, then it goes back on the list of things to see.

Current Mood: grateful
Current Music: Lithium-Nirvana

June 16th, 2003
Leaving Paris, Entering Luxemburg City
Day 12


I felt that my disappointed with Paris warranted an entire entry itself. It’s my opinion that to be able to forgive the rudeness, the stench and the ever-present anti-American behavior one has to be French, or live there for a period of time.


The frustration of all those points erases the joy that can be derived from any of the monuments. They are all overpriced and not as well kept, as they should be. The fact that NOTHING is in English after the ticket booth, plus the smell of piss everywhere just grates my cheese.

I want to take a shower the second that I’ve stepped into the subway, and the fact that everyone and their dog smokes, and frequently in your face are minor annoyances. It is a very dirty city, and doesn’t live up to the reputation that it has garnered over the years. I wouldn’t recommend traveling to Paris unless you speak French or like to be frustrated.




Luxemburg City, Lux.


What a sweet surprise this minute country was! Luxemburg city is absolutely gorgeous. The population is around 80,ooo and it has preserved its history very well. A valley below what is now the main city used to be the entire town, and the fortress.

The latter was demolished at least 20 times in a 400-year period! They Luxemborgonians were under: Dutch, German, French, Austrian and Spanish rule, and has 4 languages as the ‘official tongues.’ If anyone had a choice between Luxemburg and Paris, I would advise the second one. Paris is only 3 hours away by train and is better to visit in short spats when one has a limited amount of time.

Current Mood: bouncy
Current Music: "They're Coming to Take Me Away" Napolean Bombarte III

June 14th, 2003
Paris, France
Day 10



There are few things more rewarding in life than a nice long shower to was away sweat and dirt from 2.5 days of travel. I’m not entirely sure that the French know this. The subway, train station, and streets in general either look or smell dirty.

From our walking around today I don’t understand where the city gets its romantic reputation. And I don’t get why it’s such a tourist hotspot, even the Eiffel Tower. Once employs collect your ticket money they refuse to speak English though it is the language the majority of tourists are going to know.

The scenery is beautiful, and by the time you reach the top of the tower, it doesn’t smell like pee anymore. The cemetery where Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are buried is huge, lovely and very calm.



June 15th
Versailles, France
Day 11



The palace of Versailles (and the namesake of the infamous WWI ending treaty) is HUGE! The gardens alone are at least 2 miles long, and so long that a tram (glorified golf carts) takes people through the gardens.

We weren’t able to get into the palace since the reduced price was still $12 per person, for only about 3 rooms. The Hall of Mirrors and the Chambers of Katherine and Louise IV weren’t included, so we just couldn’t see paying that much to look at the entryway to the castle, and one smaller set of ‘mock up chambers.’


Jonas and I took a train back to Paris and visited the famed Notre Damn Cathedral, and learned why it is still the setting for heaps of movies and books. The size of it is awe-inspiring but it’s the detail of the inside that really catches your eyes. The stained glass windows, fifteenth century oil paintings and the structure itself give you the sense that the Church is important for a reason.


Arc ‘d Triumphe is another monument in the city that lives up to its reputation. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier is very evocative. Its in a rather noisy section of town and seems like a roundabout for 4 lanes of traffic. I think it’s the single most impressive sight we visited during our time in France.

June 13th, 2003
Zurrich, Switzerland
Day 9


The hillside coming into Zurrich is perfectly picturesque. It reminds me a bit of home, but with more houses and a bigger lake. The main street is right outside the Bahnhof/trainstation and it is a shopper’s paradise. I’m not all that much of a shoppaholic, but the watches are nice, and the Swiss Army Knife store inspired me to buy my dad a knife for Father’s Day.


Vaduz, Liechtenstein
2:33 PM

We came, we saw, there was nothing but banks, we left.


Zurrich
11:20 PM


We traveled a great deal of the country today in search of the Rhine Falls, which were supposedly near Zurrich, but in reality were at least 1.5 hours away. We didn’t get to see the falls but the country alone was gorgeous.

When we pulled back into the station we went in search of a restaurant to enjoy some fondue. It was as excellent as expected, but also the most expensive meal in my life. ($60 for a pot for two, and about $10 more for wine). Tomorrow, it’s on to Paris.

Current Mood: happy
Current Music: "Peaceful World" John Cougar Mellencamp

June 11th, 2003
Rome, Italy
Day 7



Rome produces evocative images of romanticism, history and old-worldliness throughout the world. I too harboured what turned out to be delusions. Instead, Rome is dirty, expensive and completely sold out to commercialisation. Absolutely everything from sandwiches to the Coliseum was overpriced and left one feeling empty and more than a little disappointed.


When did the grandeur of old get replaced by a sandwich @ 5.50 and ½ a litre of water @ 2.00? I felt angry and cheated; this is not the Rome I wanted to see. The sights I had wanted to see: the Coliseum, Roman Forum and Basilica of Santa Maria Novea all disappointed. Bars and gates were up at every turn, keeping out any sense of history the ruins evoked, and ruining most of the pictures.


The Basilica wasn’t even open, the forum had gates around the principal buildings and the Coliseum just didn’t hold up to the lore. On the upsides, the Palatino was a nice surprise. The House of Olivia was immense and impressive. The prison of St. Peter was a definite highlight, and for a brief moment history came alive.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings.





June 12th
Rome, Italy




My spirits were renewed at the end of the day when we visited the site of San Pietro’s Basilica, which was absolutely amazing. Now I know where all the donations to the Catholic Church go. The gold, marble, and jewels that are in the place are beyond comprehension.

The Vatican Museum is also close by and vast. It would take weeks to see even a quarter of the riches it contains, and I certainly intend to do just that! We took the opportunity to check out the Sistine Chapel, and that alone was worth the 10 Euro entry fee. Its hard to describe the sheer beauty of the chapel is something that needs to be seen.

Fontana de Tripoli was wonderful to see and far too tempting to jump in. The water is so blue and the coins inside it make it shimmer majestically. The 80 plus year construction period was worth it.

Overall, I think my impression of Rome improved immensely and I’m glad for it. It would have been disappointing if my image of Rome had never existed.

Current Mood: nostalgic
Current Music: "When in Rome" Billy Joel