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.
Harris moseyed out of the castle and wandered back to the Alcove Courtyard, placing himself down in front of a gobstones board. He was still the reigning champion after his last match with Mathias and was hoping some other students would be interested in playing. The whole experience with the girl and the Boggart was almost already a fading memory for him- so many crazy things happened at Hogwarts that it was difficult to keep track of them all.
He looked around the Courtyard, wondering if anyone would be interested in a game with him. It was a really fun and low pressure way to pass the time, and it also provided opportunities to get to know people. Harris loved hearing stories about people's lives and their opinions on a variety of topics, even if outwardly he seemed aloof and dumb. He pulled his gobstones out of his pocket and waited for his next opponent.
Realising that he didn't have the materials to start gardening, Gerald began to wander. It was too late in the Afternoon to start trying for a Herbology kit, anyways.
Entering the Courtyard, he saw a fifth year holding Gobstones. His brother had sent him a set this morning. Walking over to them, he wondered if they wanted to play.
Harris watched as a younger boy dressed in blue wandered over towards the gobstone table. A first year Ravenclaw, no doubt. Harris gave the younger boy a wide smile and called out, "Oy mate, don't be shy! Fancy a game of gobstones?"
Harris knew that a lot of older students liked to pick on and bully the younger kids at Hogwarts, but Harris wasn't that way at all. He didn't like treating anyone poorly, especially not the young and innocent. He went out of his way to make the boy feel comfortable and wouldn't try to cheat to win.
Harris waited to see if the boy would sit down and play or move on.
Last Edit: Sept 7, 2020 11:51:00 GMT 10 by Deleted
This guy was quite friendly, even if he was a Hufflepuff, Gerald had noted, given their reaction to seeing him. It was nice though, since it saved him the pressure of starting the conversation.
"Sure, I can play." He nodded. Sitting across from him, Gerald wondered if there was some sort of Championship for Gobstones. Maybe he could review it to see how to win.
Player 1 (top) goes first by flicking a gobstone onto the board. Each square is allocated points based on proximity to the center.
Player 2 (bottom) then does the same. Players take turns until each have used 5 gobstones.
If your gobstone lands on an occupied square, the first is knocked off the board. If it was your opponent's that got knocked, you gain a point.
Winning is based on accumulation of points. Winner gains 2 house points, 20 exp to all skills, and a random X ingredient (powdered or jar ingredients excluded). Losing costs your game piece.
Note: Mods will determine where your gobstone lands based on die rolls. Each player must wait for a mod post to determine their square before the next player can go.
"Excellent!" Harris cried out as the boy sat down across from him. He extended his hand to shake, indicating that this was a friendly match and that Harris wasn't going to go all out and do whatever he could to win. As far as he was concerned, he was just here to pass the time and enjoy the afternoon.
"I'm Harris," he introduced himself to the Ravenclaw boy as he flicked one of his gobstones onto the board. "Are you a first year?"
Glancing at the Board, and how Harris had just put his pice down, Gerald assumed that this was a Game of Chance. Not quite a Contest of Skill. Harder to win, at least.
Flicking his Gobstone onto the Board, Gerald nodded again. "Just started this year. Are you a seventh year?"
"A 7th year?" Harris' laugh was good natured. "Do I really look that old to you? Oy, I'm not even sprouting any hair on my chin yet!" he laughed as he ran a hand across the smooth skin of his face. He certainly wasn't offended, just amused. Plus it was better to be assumed to be older than younger.
"Nice shot Gerald," Harris encouraged as the younger boy flicked his gobstone and seemed to be playing towards the back of the board, while Harris' plan had been to attack the side closest to where Gerald sat. Harris knew that strategy was only so useful, however, as the gobstones would fall wherever they wanted.
Harris flicked his second gobstone, hoping to put some big points on the board.
"You might be shaving" Gerald shrugged some more, wondering if there was some dress code for Facial Hair at Hogwarts. Maybe this was where some of the Wizards started growing their Facial Hair? Some of the beards he's seen had to be decades old.
Flicking his next piece, he hoped his next piece was closer to the Center. If the squares referred to collected points, then he could be as much as 2 points behind. Perhaps he could try aiming for Harris' piece near the Center. That could give him nearly twice as many points as he does now, and if Gerald guessed correctly, could remove most of his opponents Pieces.
"Woo hoo, tie game boys!" Harris whelped as Gerald landed a 2 pointer. He was genuinely enjoying himself. Harris loved games and loved competition. There was something about how a game could be both so intense and so carefree at the same time that he loved.
"Nope, no shaving here, mate," Harris responded. "I reckon I'll have a baby face if I live to be a hundred. My dad couldn't grow a beard if his life depended on it. Hey, looking forward to the feast tonight?" Harris knew that a lot of people despised small-talk, but he enjoyed the casual conversation.
"Watch this, going for three, going for three!" Harris called out as he flicked his gobstone, praying to the gods of chance that he would land a three pointer.
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