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 Ezra Ashworth on May 28, 2022 13:04:06 GMT 10
Ezra was disappointed in himself for not managing to finish Professor Snape's task the same day he had been given it. He was worried that, since he had taken so long, the professor would not think he was serious enough to use the student laboratory. But he really was! He hoped that the professor could see that.
His need to not let the task stretch any further than it already had, meant that as soon as that morning's class had finished, he had made a break for the outside. Well, after he had checked over his list to decide what to hunt of course.
The expansive lawn was where he had decided to start and he hoped it worked out right for him. He was hoping that he could find some brittlebush, something that he though might be easy enough to spot even in the snow, and some fluxygrass. He was not sure how much luck he would have with the second one, but he figured that there was grass under the snow so it was worth a try.
It was not just an excuse to play in the snow. Not at all. He had serious work to do. He was not going to get even slightly distracted by playing in the snow.
He wondered why it felt like he was lying to himself.
Being capped in snow, it was impossible to identify what the bushes were -- he'd have to uncover them enough to get a better idea of their type or possible use.
Fluxygrass was much the same, as the snow covered most of the ground. His odds were higher there though, as the Expansive Lawn was a common come-and-go place for Students, so some snow had cleared or was melted -- revealing patches of grass or small plants. It would be much easier to search through those areas.
Post by Ezra Ashworth on May 28, 2022 23:40:16 GMT 10
Ezra frowned at the lumps that must have been various snow covered bushes. He couldn't even tell what they were! Well, that wasn't as simple as he thought it would be. In fact, he thought as he looked over the patches of grass that he could see, he might have got the ease of the two the complete wrong way around.
Oh well. Fluxygrass first and then he could see about uncovering some bushes to see what they hid.
With a vague plan in mind Ezra made his way over to the first patch of uncovered ground that he could spot and crouched down. Using the sleeve of his school robe he started to dust away any lingering snow and then took to poking at the grass and various small plants as if they might be hiding his target from him.
A cold, soaked sleeve later... and Ezra spotted a fresh patch of Fluxygrass. Some were a bit too small (not fully grown) for use in Potions, but there was a more matured one that would do nicely. He could collecting it, and it was promising that he may be able to uncover more nearby.
Post by Ezra Ashworth on May 31, 2022 1:06:51 GMT 10
"Aha!" Ezra cheered as he finally spotted some fluxygrass that looked good, making quick work of pulling it free. "Got you." The rest around it he thought were too small, so with a disappointed sigh he left them to keep growing. Maybe he could come back another day and they would be nice and big!
Looking down at his single fluxygrass, he took in its snow soggy state, and then stuffed it in his robes pocket. He didn't think putting that in his bag with his books would be a good idea, especially not since he still had his special book in there.
Since he was no longer distracted by his hunt, he finally noticed the uncomfortable condition of his sleeve.
That was why he could do with learning some kind of heat spell, he decided as he shook his arm about in a wild attempt to dry it. It didn't have to be a fire spell! That would probably be hard to control without completely burning his sleeve off, but just a blast of hot air would be nice.
Ezra finally gave up on his attempts to dry his sleeve, deeming it beyond help. Instead he focused back on his attempts to hunt down ingredients. He had sacrificed his sleeve so he had to get more than just one sad fluxygrass.
He looked over what he could see of the ground. Snow.. snow.. more snow, and the odd patch of grass. He finally decided to try to see what he could find starting where he had already picked some and if that did not work, then he would go back and shake some of those bushes to see what they held.
He didn't think that he could make his sleeve any worse, but just in case he decided to use his foot to hunt this time instead. His shoes were already stood in the snow so he believed they would be fine. Better than his sleeve anyway.
Using his foot, he pushed the snow to the side, laughing as his actions had it starting to clump together in a vaguely ball-like shape. He was very tempted to keep going to see how big he could make it go, before he dragged his thoughts back to collecting his ingredients. As tempting as it was to see if he could get it bigger than himself, he had a task to do.
Refocused on that task, he went back to trying to clear more ground, going from where he had already picked some fluxygrass, all the way towards the next closest patch of grass that he could see. He kept an eye out for a sign of anything other than grass and snow.
His shoe wasn't as gentle on the grass and snow as his hands had been, so the first Fluxygrass he'd spotted was noticed too late -- now crushed enough that it was no longer viable for use in potions.
The next one fared much better, and was at the perfect stage of growth. He could collect it, and either search for a third or move onto something else.
Post by Ezra Ashworth on May 31, 2022 21:11:08 GMT 10
"Oh no!" Ezra cried as he noticed that he had crushed the very same plant that he had been looking for. That was such a waste. He hoped no one else needed that and couldn't find one because he had not been careful.
He cast the destroyed plant one last regretful look before he moved on with his search, quickly finding another plant that thankfully he did not crush. He crouched down to pick it.
Shoving his second fluxygrass into his pocket with the first, he stood back up and looked around again. What to do next?
He could try for another or go back to the bushes that had tempted him. But did he really deserve another lot of fluxygrass when his carelessness had ruined some already. Probably not.
He decided to leave any more of that ingredient to anyone else that needed it and moved back towards the snow covered bushes.
When he reached them he stared for a moment before he shrugged. He only had one idea so there was nothing else to do but try it.
He reached a hand out to the bushes and started to shake them to dislodge the snow, hoping to find what was hidden underneath.
The bushes were quite big and round, so when a child his size started shaking it -- the snow sloshed in all directions, including all over Ezra. And to think he'd been worried about his soaked sleeve. Now he had a full set.
His efforts, freezing and soaking as they were, at least proved to not be without reward. The bush was exactly what he sought, and had enough for him to collect a Brittlebush ingredient. It was about all he could manage though, as the cold overtook him and he'd need to get somewhere warm soon.
Post by Ezra Ashworth on May 31, 2022 23:29:15 GMT 10
Ezra let out a loud squeal in shock as the snow splattered all over him, giving its best effort to turn him into a snowman. Oh that was cold! Cold and wet and horrible! He had definitely messed up with that plan. It was worse than his sleeve!
Still, even a shivering uncomfortable mess, he managed to collect some brittlebush. That would have to be enough though because he wanted to be back inside as soon as possible.
With the brittlebush shoved into his pocket, he turned around and made his way back to the castle as quickly as he could. He was focused on getting back to his common room and the warm fire that it possessed. Oh! And a change of clothes, that sounded very nice to him too.
[exit]
Last Edit: Jun 1, 2022 4:00:53 GMT 10 by Ezra Ashworth: bugging me that i hadnt put exit
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 1, 2022 9:35:17 GMT 10
MJ looked at the footprints left behind in the snow and realised she had missed someone. By how long she wouldn't be able to tell. She saw they had uncovered Fluxygrass and felt her luck might be turning around. It had been another one on the personal list she had made for herself.
She ventured over to the already uncovered clump and carefully used gloved hands to brush away some more of the snow that had lingered. Most of the area was more green than white so she felt hopeful. It wasn't an easy task but she was willing to be patient and gentle, taking the time needed to carefully reveal more potion worthy ingredients.
Or at least, that was the idea. MJ knew nature could have it's own idea and she could end up with nothing!
MJ's plan proved to be a good one, as she soon uncovered some Fluxygrass -- it was quite healthy and lush too; viable for use in Potions. It was only enough for one ingredient, though with its reveal came the hope of finding more, if she wanted to keep searching.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 3, 2022 21:04:00 GMT 10
Delighted at the first one, MJ plucked it carefully from where it grew. She was still inexperienced with potions but felt this was a good one for potions.
Still, one would not be enough. Adopting a crouching sort of walk, to keep her close to the snow (which was beginning soaking the hem of her school skirt), she kept her eyes peeled for some more. Whoever had been here before seemed to be successful too so MJ could only hope the same could be said for her. She wasn't sure how many things she had to collect but after getting the Fluxygrass, she would definitely need to go find this 'deal boy' everyone talked about.
All she knew was he was in Slytherin and a good deal older than her.
MJ thought about this as she brushed away more snow with gloved hands, checking for the ingredient she wanted.
It took longer that time, as she accidentally crushed one during her crouching which she didn't realise too late wasn't just a clump of normal grass. The snow was thinning where she searched, soon revealing more Fluxygrass. She was in luck, too, as her gloves brushed around it and there proved to be enough to have her fill for this morning -- the two more ready for picking, and her task was done.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 3, 2022 21:24:17 GMT 10
Of course, she noticed the one she had crushed after the fact and lamented her carelessness. MJ scolded herself for not being more careful - if she wanted to improve her skills with plants, she had to be more respectful. On the other hand, however, was the fact she had uncovered two more pieces she could use. MJ smiled to herself as she was able to retrieve them and put them with the first.
Three pieces! She made a little check-mark next to the mental list she had been keeping of ingredients. Honey would, sadly, need to wait for another day. She stood up and put her Fluxygrass away with care. She then took a moment to brush down her skirt and robes before deciding her next course of action. While she was outside, she could visit the nifflers again or head to the Student Greenhouse...
Maybe it would be more economical of her to do so with her free time before attempting to search the castle for a student she barely knew. MJ kept her fingers crossed, however, that he would be somewhere easy to find.
MJ nodded to herself and headed off to her next destination.
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