An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Post by Ryan Barrow on Apr 25, 2020 13:32:14 GMT 10
Ryan rather liked leading the way. His navigation confidence grew each time, though doubted Toby would judge him for having to check a map a few times just to make sure. He hadn't forgotten that time he'd taken a wrong turn and got attacked by Peeves.
'I think this is it,' Ryan said, tucking away his map. 'It looks private enough, I guess. So we're supposed to check the walls I think? Do you reckon Silkmoss is hard to find?' He peered closely at the image of the ingredient, memorising it before he headed over to a random wall to begin the search.
He was distracted though, still thinking about what horrors may await him in the forest at night. If he went there, which Ryan was fairly sure he won't be going anywhere near it.
Post by Tobias Twiggs on Apr 28, 2020 12:18:30 GMT 10
Toby was happy to follow Ryan around, trusting that his friend knew where he was going far better than he did. "This does look like the right place" he agreed, taking a look around the courtyard as they came to a stop. Deciding that they'd better get a move on, he was already walking towards the nearest wall when he heard Ryan's question. "I don't think so? I mean, it's moss... It can't be that tricky to track down?" he called back, but there was an uncertain edge to his voice. He didn't think the task would prove too difficult, but then again, they were looking for a specific type of moss and for all he knew there could be hundreds of different sub-categories of moss in the world (even if they all looked the same to him).
Running his hands along the wall, he began to search the surface of the wall for a moss that matched the picture on the scroll he'd been given- making sure to check the crevices and often overlooked areas for any sign of the ingredient. The sooner they found it, the sooner they could move onto the next one.
Silkmoss blended rather well with the stone walls, and the lushness of the courtyard itself, yet the boys' diligent inspections paid off. It was Tobias who spotted a patch of Silkmoss first, feeling a tickle and its coolness against his hand. Its name became more clear to him, as the moss indeed felt like some sort of luxurious silk.
The patch was a bit of a mix ranging from bright new leaves to old, powdering ones. There was enough healthy Silkmoss for a viable ingredient. Two ingredients, in fact.
Post by Jonathan King on Apr 29, 2020 17:30:39 GMT 10
Was he getting better at navigating or was he just lucky this afternoon?
Either way Joe was glad when he found the correct courtyard first try.
He waved at Ryan and Toby as he emerged from the castle and made his way across the lush greens of the small courtyard. He had been here before, something about the quietness and overall green made this place rather welcoming to him.
He was not surprised a potion's ingredient could be found here.
"Hey guys. Find anything yet?"
His gaze wandered along the mossy walls. Anything could be Silkmoss.
He had to take another look at his scroll, fumbling it out if his pocket. It looked like any moss to him. Perhaps they would really rather find it by touch.
He started copying Toby, running his hand along the wall beside the Gryffindor boy.
Post by Tobias Twiggs on Apr 29, 2020 19:20:41 GMT 10
Toby withdrew his hand rather sharply from the wall as he felt something cool tickling his palm, rubbing his hand against his robes almost reflexively, he peered once again at the wall to search for what had startled him. Grinning when he saw the moss, he took out his scroll and compared the image with what he found- yes, it definitely seemed like this was what he'd been searching for.
Gathering up some of the silkmoss, he pulled away the dead leaves and then stowed the rest in his pocket. He did notice that there was probably more silkmoss than he needed and glanced up with the intention of letting Ryan know that he'd found some, but then Joe made his appearance, obviously finished talking with his cousin.
"Hey Joe" he greeted the Ravenclaw, pleased that now they could stop anticipating his arrival. "I found some silkmoss over here" he announced to the group "I've already taken some, but there's a little left" he'd let the Ravenclaw's decide on who would get the rest of the silkmoss that he'd discovered- he only really needed one ingredients worth anyway.
Post by Ryan Barrow on Apr 29, 2020 19:33:02 GMT 10
Ryan was distracted with thoughts of dying in the forbidden forest, but turned when he heard voices again. Joe had caught up with them, and Toby found something. He headed over to look at the potential ingredients, noticing there were three of them yet only two Silkmoss to go around.
'You can have the other Silkmoss, Joe,' Ryan said. 'I already have my kit, so I don't need it. And it's not on my list for the potion I want to make. Besides, you're the one who picked Silkmoss. You should have it.' He shrugged, stepping back to give the others room to collect their ingredients.
Sighing, Ryan glanced up at the cloudy sky. He was conflicted, as the more he thought about the potion the more he really wanted to make it. He hadn't brewed a potion on his own outside of class yet, and he really wanted to. Why did the stupid ingredients have to be somewhere dark and scary though?
Post by Jonathan King on Apr 29, 2020 19:49:09 GMT 10
He took his hand off the wall as Toby called him over and started to inspect the Silkmoss, checking with the picture on his own parchment.
"Amazing!", he said. It looked rather pretty too for a moss. Stretching out his hand he felt for it and figured why it was calles Silkmoss- feeling good on his fingers.
He could not help notice there was about enough for one left after Toby had collected his and Joe looked at Ryan, ready to step back.
To his surprise however Ryan offered it to him, stepping back instead. Joe smiled brightly at Ryan, a warm feeling of gratitude coming over him. Ryan was nice. Why on earth had Joe not started talking to his dorm mate sooner?
"Woah, thanks Ryan!", he said as he started collecting the Silkmoss. "Next time you can get it", he added with a shrug.
"So when did you get your kit? Good to know we have an expert ingredient finder with us, eh Toby?"
He felt a bit awkward talking to them like that but he felt like they could be his friends and why not let them know he actually did talk to people already?
Post by Tobias Twiggs on Apr 29, 2020 20:15:16 GMT 10
Toby was quite pleased with having been the one to find their first ingredient, even if he hadn't found enough to share between all three of them- maybe they'd find more if they decided to continue searching the wall, unless Ryan or Joe wanted to move onto other ingredients. When Ryan offered to let Joe have the remaining silkmoss, Toby was taken aback by the generosity of his friend... Even if he already had his kit, he still needed ingredients to brew potions.
"That's really cool of you Ryan!" he chimed in, glad that the three of them seemed to be getting along quite well- even if the boys shared a dorm room, it didn't seem like they'd talked much before now. "Yeah! I'm sure with Ryan's help, we'll have found all the ingredients in no time!" it was easy to agree with Joe's words. Ryan really did seem to know what he was doing and where to look for the ingredients that they needed. He was sure that they'd be done by dinner time if they continued at the rate they were going.
Ryan stuttered and blushed, staring at his shoes as he struggled to form a response. He wasn't used to people saying nice things about him, and had to clench his fists inside his pants pockets to remind himself not to be a crybaby about it.
'Er - thanks,' he managed to mumble. 'I haven't had it long. I did a bit of research too, I guess? Really, I'm not an expert or anything.' Ryan couldn't meet anyone's eyes, though he breathed a bit heavier in worry that they relied on him now. What if he messed something up and they got the wrong thing or picked something dangerous that he thought was okay?
With thoughts of the forest, and now having the pressure of people thinking he was good at something, Ryan had to place a hand to the wall to steady himself. Ground himself in the moment, rather than his increasing panic and not knowing what to do. He was just overwhelmed, probably, by all the support and having his new friends believe in him.
Oh. He guessed Joe was a friend. Well, he said lots of nice things too. Ryan wouldn't mind behind friends with him, even if he had hoped to just spend time with Toby that afternoon. Maybe another person wasn't so bad? If only he could calm down, as he finally glanced up - his wide eyes showing his fear that they'd think he was weak or stupid.
'I um...' Ryan tried to focus - tried to pretend he was okay. 'Where next? Uh, Toby - you want to pick?' He leaned his back to the wall, careful to avoid any Silkmoss that might be growing there. He had ingredients he wanted to find, but his mid couldn't focus on that or the glow potion he might never get to make.
Post by Jonathan King on May 1, 2020 1:35:42 GMT 10
He grinned at Toby, feeling relieved the Gryffindor agreed with him and also as if they were actually bonding. It was easy talking to them and he felt as though he was actually making friends now.
Finally.
He finished collecting the Silkmoss and put it in his pocket for safe keeping.
Glancing to Ryan however his grin faltered slightly seeing his dorm mate was looking at his feet again.
Joe wondered if he had made his housemate feel uncomfortable with what he had said and awkwardly fumbled at his robes in order to keep his hands busy and play over this moment.
Ryan quickly brushed off their compliments and something inside Joe's mind clicked.
"Oh. No expert then but lets say... an experienced ingredient finder? More experienced than me anyways", he shrugged and smiled at Ryan.
"Yeah. You have a specific potion you'd like to try, Toby?", Joe asked curiously turning to the red haired boy.
Would be funny if they were after all the same ingredients and could try to brew the same potion once they had them. Not that Joe had much experience with brewing either...
Post by Tobias Twiggs on May 1, 2020 12:11:37 GMT 10
Watching Ryan react to his and Joe's comments, Toby couldn't help but feel like they'd somehow made their friend uncomfortable- or embarrassed? He'd only wanted to pay the Ravenclaw a compliment and acknowledge his generosity, he hadn't meant to cause him any discomfort. "Yeah, you definitely know more than I do, I wouldn't have even known where to look for the silkmoss!" he agreed with Joe once again, hoping to make Ryan feel better.
He didn't want the atmosphere to become awkward between them, that would be really uncomfortable and he'd been having fun- but it would only continue to be fun if Ryan was also having fun. "Well, there are a few I'd like to try out..." Toby said, glad that someone had asked him what potions he was interested in. Of course, he had no idea if he'd be any good at brewing them, but some of them sounded fun and would be a riot to try out. "The slug one sounds fun..." not for the unlucky one who had the misfortune of drinking it, but Toby thought it would be hilarious.
He also didn't know how hard it would be to obtain all of the ingredients, it might be that one of his friends might suggest something simpler to start off with- he was open to suggestions. The end goal was always mischief though. Next time Amy thought she could boss him around, he could slip her some of the sluggy potion and then he'd have the last laugh... Until she stopped throwing up slugs, then he'd likely have to run for his life.
"We could go check out the expansive lawn?" he suggested, aware that so far Ryan didn't seem keen about venturing into the forest and the lawn seemed to be a pretty safe option. There was also the black lake, but he had plans that might not be the safest option if either of his friends were nervous about what might be lurking within that water.
Post by Ryan Barrow on May 1, 2020 20:39:15 GMT 10
Ryan felt a bit better with their words of encouragement, but the fact they'd stayed and continued being nice meant even more. Like with Gerald, he finally felt as if he was making real friends now. Ryan had already dreamed about that, wondering what it would be like, and now he was starting to learn it. He just hoped he could be as good a friend to them as well.
'Okay.' He nodded. 'Expansive lawn, then? What are we looking for?' Ryan fumbled with the him of his uniform sweater, not feeling as confident anymore about leading the way. He didn't know the grounds as well as the castle yet.
It was a good thing he refused to even go to the bathroom without his map.
'There's nothing fun about slugs, Toby,' Ryan added, rolling his eyes. What was with Gryffindors and gross crawly things? He dreaded to think what their common room was like - a living nightmare, he assumed. 'They're slimy and gross.'
He wanted to bring up the glow potion again, but didn't want to push it. They probably wouldn't care about it as much as him, and he hadn't decided yet if it was worth going into the forest for. He did not plan to die for a potion. That would be a horrible way to be remembered. He also didn't know Joe well enough yet to determine if he'd want to join them or if he'd run and tell a Professor.
Last Edit: May 1, 2020 20:40:01 GMT 10 by Ryan Barrow
Post by Tobias Twiggs on May 1, 2020 21:00:26 GMT 10
Toby wasn't sure if there was a particular ingredient he was searching for on the lawn, but he was sure that many ingredients would be found anyway- and besides, his main goal was to just find six ingredients so that he could prove to Snape that he could do it. "I'm not really sure... But I'm certain we'll find something worth taking" he admitted, looking between the boys and feeling a little anxious that he didn't quite know what he was doing. "Slugs are amazing, Ryan" he argued, a grin appearing on his face. Of course Ryan thought slugs were gross now, but he was sure that he could change his mind about that. "They're slimy and gross but in the best way!" he didn't know if Ryan was still interested in making the glowy potion that he'd mentioned before, but Toby was interested in it just because of the adventure it apparently provided. "Let's go, we want to be done before dinner" preferably, because he was not interested in missing a meal- he'd already done so once and that was a hellish experience. He'd woken in the middle of the night starving and hd to wait until breakfast to fix the issue. Hesitating for a moment, he waited to see if both his friends would follow, before leading the way towards the expansive lawn.
Post by Jonathan King on May 4, 2020 22:55:19 GMT 10
Joe was glad Ryan seemed to be more at ease now that they had taken his title of 'expert' away from him again. His house mate evengave Toby a comment about his slug potion.
The slug one...
He briefly looked at his scroll to see which one Toby meant.
Eww.
He could not help agree with Ryan on this.
Slugs were pretty gross in themselves. Imagine having them in your mouth and gullet as you had to puke them out. Disgusting.
He was not sure he could do that even to Ben.
But then perhaps Gryffindors were different.
With a shrug and a sheepish smile he followed behind his new friends, looking at his scroll and finding Fluxygrass to be an ingredient he could find on the Expansive Lawn.
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