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.
March arrived with a change in the air, in more ways than one. The sky was darkened by storm clouds, with the infrequent rumbling of thunder and flash of lightning -- clear in the distance, and vivid overheard.
For those in towers who'd peered out their windows, or along the way to the Great Hall (depending on the route they took), there lay a rather foreboding and disquieting view of the destroyed Quidditch Pitch. A few towers survived, though only as charred skeletons. Even the grass was turned to ash and dirt, and the goalposts were gone.
The boundary set up by Professors Snape and Hathmore remained -- preventing students from getting too close. Not that there was much to see from a ground level, as a thick fog lingered in place of the flames and bright magic.
Prefects who assisted that night had worked well into the morning, of what would have otherwise been a match day for Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. @amelia woke in the Hospital Wing feeling sick and with a few come-and-go symptoms. Madam Pomfrey tended to some, but the rest they simply had to wait out. It took most of the morning, with her bedridden. She was released midway into the afternoon.
Jacob Thatcher was free to go by Breakfast, but Madam Pomfrey had him stay to keep Amelia company and distract her from the pain. The Professors had a big morning as well, having only managed to remove the magical chaos from the pitch with the help of various Ministry officials who arrived under the cloak of night per Rickard's summons. Professor Hathmore was livid, naturally.
The situation was mostly contained, now nothing but ashy fog and a protective boundary.
For the rest of Hogwarts, yesterday passed by uneventfully. February then faded, and March made a thundering arrival -- including a downpour of rain that was determined to wash the grounds clean. That didn't bode well for anyone who had to venture outside this morning, particularly for classes. Hogwarts itself seemed to take pity on them though, as various filled umbrella stands mysteriously appeared at every exit.
It was a new day, but March brought a shift in the air. The school term was winding down, and exams were on the horizon. Student chatter was less lively, not just because of the weather or cancelled Quidditch, but there was a heavier focus on studies and preparing for the end of term. It was still a few months away, yet now was the time to concentrate.
Surprisingly, only a few members of staff were present this morning -- such as Professors McGonagall and Archerose sharing a somewhat strained conversation. Headmaster Rickard even arrived late, removing feathers from his hair. Then student schedules were magically assigned to everyone who sat at their house table.
Morning Classes 1st years -- Defense Against the Dark Arts (cancelled) 4th years -- Charms 5th years -- Herbology
~~
Afternoon Classes 1st years -- Flying Lesson 4th years -- History of Magic 5th years -- Defense Against the Dark Arts
Owl Post will arrive soon with the Daily Prophet. Morning class threads will be available for posting in once breakfast ends, and afternoon ones when time changes. If there aren't students in a particular year, that class won't occur; 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th year classes aren't listed on the schedule.
Gryffindor and Hufflepuff players were awarded 100 Flying exp for having their match cancelled, of which broomstick modifiers were also applied.
#20 Night is skipped; when afternoon ends, the new day begins.
Post by Thorne Perry on Aug 24, 2022 23:47:22 GMT 10
There seemed to be a certain gloom hanging about the school as a whole this morning. Thorne couldn't help but notice the foggy, sulky sadness as he hurried as usual to breakfast. Maybe hurried a little too much, for once, as the Hufflepuff table only had a few students at it so far. He slid into his seat, giving a tentative friendly nod, and reached for his breakfast. Toast and honey, bacon, and a cup of tea today. He hoped the warm, simple meal would help him feel better, and help him figure out how to lift the mood...
The schedule, though, did not help.
Flying. He looked up at the ceiling, at how it displayed the rain and lightning outside, and let out a heavy sigh.
"I'm gonna spend all afternoon feeling like a drowned rat..." Umbrellas and brooms, after all, rarely ever went together well...
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Aug 24, 2022 23:47:46 GMT 10
Today wasn't off to a great start.
MJ was still upset about the Quidditch Pitch and no one had really told them what was going on or what had really happened. All she knew was, the Quidditch match had been cancelled.
She still held out hope that the pitch would be fixed before there would be a chance Ravenaw's next match would be cancelled. Luckily, there was still one before that.
Sitting down at the Ravenclaw table, she noticed the class schedules and deflated.Their morning class was cancelled? Sure, this freed up time for other things but MJ had been so excited about DADA.
At least she had a flying lesson this afternoon.
MJ picked up an apple and some nuts to stow into her pocket for later and grabbed a bowl of Weetabix for breakfast. She took the time to slice a banana over the cereal before adding milk.
Hopefully a friendly face would sit nearby and she could be distracted with some conversation.
Last Edit: Aug 25, 2022 0:01:22 GMT 10 by MJ Birdwhistle
Charlotte had spent much of the last day in the Ravenclaw Common Room, but had taken her time to find her way to the Library to find something to read. It hadn't been hard to find something of interest, revolving around the same thing her and MJ had spoken about. She had gone through and read about some Magical Creatures, taking some notes here and there, before returning the book in the later afternoon.
Now, it was the next day and she arrived on time into the hall, her hair brushed neatly and her clothes ready for the day. She had been looking forward to her studies with Defense Against the Dark Arts, but upon looking at her schedule, she saw it had been canceled and felt her stomach drop a little. Maybe she could do some extra studies on the subject today? Though, she did need to go to the greenhouse too...
A rumble of thunder made her look out the windows and she swallowed at the darkened clouds, remembering how she disliked storms. They were known for causing her a little anxiety. The thunder was loud and scared her, the flashes of lightening were surprising, causing shadows to appear in strange places sometimes. She pushed the thoughts from her mind and focused on gathering her breakfast.
As she began to put some fruit on her plate, she noticed MJ sitting near by and so, picked up her things and walked over and joined the table across from her.
"I do not think I said it, but I am sorry you could not play yesterday," Charlotte said to MJ. Though she did not understand the game, she knew MJ played and enjoyed it. They were friends, right? Maybe it was a good thing to support her friend in her interest? She had seen others do that...
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Aug 25, 2022 0:00:00 GMT 10
"Luckily it was Hufflepuff and Gryffindor that got their game cancelled so fingers crossed everything will be okay for the next match." She answered Charlotte with a smile, glad the other girl had joined her.
The rumble of thunder from outside drew MJ's attention to the ceiling for the first time. She had been so lost in her own thoughts, she hadn't considered the weather.
She scrunched her nose, "Hopefully the weather will be better for our flying lesson this afternoon."
Not just for her sake but for her friend and the others in their class.
MJ began to eat her breakfast, enjoying the familiar choice she would have had at home if she was there now. She wondered for a moment what her Granny and Great Aunt would be doing at this time - if Max was ready for school or still in bed.
A smile came to her lips as she thought about it.
Last Edit: Aug 25, 2022 0:00:44 GMT 10 by MJ Birdwhistle
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Aug 25, 2022 0:02:45 GMT 10
With her sketch book in hand, Lindsey had taken the whole day before to sketch some simple plants and write down her observations. Most were just simple trees and flowers, but it was good practice to write down everything. She hadn't made it to the Greenhouse in a few days, but she had so much stuff in her trunk, maybe it was best to leave her normal slots open to others.
Besides, she also needed to gather some ingredients. With quidditch canceled the day prior, she had enjoyed the rather free afternoon. Granted, she had had no intention of going to the pitch anyway, as it wasn't her team and she didn't see the point of watching Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. Lindsey was far to interested in learning about the world around her.
As she entered the Great Hall, she glanced to the windows when she heard some thunder rumble and found the sound to be a comfort to her. Rain was part of life itself, the gardens needed the water and this just helped with that. Finding a place in the center of the Slytherin Table, she put her sketch pad beside her on the bench seat and began to gather her breakfast, which included sausage, eggs, toast, and some fruit.
Was it possible to still feel awful? Amelia certainly believed so as she had gotten dressed this morning in the dorms. Maybe it was just mentally, but she felt her joints all achy. It had to just be her, there was no way they would have let her leave the Hospital Wing if she wasn't one-hundred percent better... right? Amelia rubbed the back of her neck, feeling a tension that was already trying to give her a headache.
Was this all due to that blasted potion? Knowing how Snape was, she wouldn't put it past him to withhold a few details on the side-effects. She grumbled when she entered the great hall and made a straight line for her normal place. She sat and grabbed some toast and her goblet, her stomach still doing flips.
Where was everyone? She pushed her crazed, red-hair from her face and eyed the hall, looking for people she wanted to see.
Post by Reena Ashworth on Aug 25, 2022 5:14:30 GMT 10
Yesterday had gone by quickly yet somehow Reena hadn’t got anything done. The destruction of the Quidditch pitch was the talk of the school yet there were no more information at this stage.
She hadn’t slept very well the past two nights, thoughts and heart beat racing, jumping all over the place and making her few sleeping moments short and restless.
She hoped that classes would help distract her, happy to have Charms, one of her favored subjects first thing this morning.
Yet as she looked up from her schedule past Lindsey, her gaze was drawn towards Amelia Twiggs, the Gryffindor‘s red hair signaling her like a beacon.
Reena quickly looked away again, pretending to be invested in slicing her fruit into even dices before mixing it into her yoghurt.
Having caught a glance at a fifth year‘s schedule next to her, she had everything she needed to do what needed to be done in order to prove herself. She just needed to stick to the plan.
And not let the possible consequences overwhelm her. After all, she was not supposed to let anyone stop her. No one.
Still, she was chewing her fruit much longer than necessary. The good thing about exams approaching was that those were the perfect cover up for her increased tension.
Kassia had spent the morning listening to the gentle pattering of rain on her window, dozing and enjoying the pleasant sound. Her least favourite season was over. But eventually, she found the energy to get out of bed and start preparing for her day.
She had started experimenting with very light, natural makeup, not wanting to be caught or lose more House points. Nude blushes and lip balms. She knew she would have to wait until she left Hogwarts to try something dramatic, which was incredibly unfortunate.
Once her hair was done and her face was made up, she put on her robes- painful but necessary, as she had class that morning. She made her way to the Great Hall. She had tried to visit Amelia the day before, but had been refused- apparently she had been in a great deal of pain, which made Kassia's pang of guilt significantly stronger.
Her low heels clicked on the stone floor as she made her way inside. Kassia had thought the atmosphere was depressing when Slytherin had lost, but the air was thick with despair today. She had seen the Quidditch Pitch in shambles the previous day. It couldn't even be called a pitch anymore. It looked like a war zone.
She had written to her father the day before to assure him everything was fine. Physically, at least. Kassia looked around herself and made her way to the Slytherin table. She took an apple and some nuts and placed them into a pocket of her notebook before looking around herself. She wasn't feeling particularly hungry.
She saw Reena, who was chewing infinitely on her breakfast and staring at a point about a thousand miles away. Kassia smiled at her. "Try not to worry about exams too much, my dear. You still have another year, if all goes wrong."
She walked away, heading for the Gryffindor table. Amelia was easy to spot, and her hair was even messier than usual- but she had been hospitalized until yesterday, so Kassia gave it a pass. She sat down next to the Gryffindor, taking in her almost greenish complexion and tired eyes. That potion had done a number on her.
Kassia was conflicted. On the one hand, she believed that no one was free of consequences. But to be in so much pain from a potion that could easily have been taken away? And she had been standing right there- she could have done or said anything. She didn't believe in doing anything that would stop her from being at the top, but helping Amelia wouldn't have affected that at all.
She realized she had been sitting silently next to her for some time, so Kassia tried to work the words out of her mouth. Did she apologize? Was it actually her fault? For once, she was speechless. She sat there like a beached whale, utterly pathetic.
After what felt like an eternity, she managed, "How... are you feeling? I tried to visit, but Madam Pomfrey told me..." She swallowed, and clapped herself very strongly on the cheek. Get a grip, Kassia. "I feel awful for what happened to you, Amy."
The sound of someone joining her made her look over and she gave Kassia a sheepish smile as she sat up. Maybe lunch would better, because this toast with jam just wasn't cutting it this morning. Pushing her curly mess from her face. It was silent, but it was a comfortable one. When she spoke, she shrugged a little.
"I think my body is just... tired?" Amelia said as she tried to find the words. Yesterday morning had been awful and after she left the hospital wing, she had going to the tower and right back to bed. It was, by-far, the worst experience she had been in, including the greenhouse incident that everyone knew about at this point.
"Don't feel bad, Kassia, I should have double check the instructions..." To be honest, she thought she had, but she figured it was best not to deal with that again. She didn't want to boil about something that was done. She was on the mend, her body just needed more resting time. As she looked at the schedule, she let out a little groan.
"You know, it would be my luck that it would be Herbology... The very subject that put me in the hospital wing for the first time this year," she said before she found herself smiling in amusement.
Saoirse stayed in bed under the covers for some time, listening to the rain and wishing she was back out on the sea. Class had been cancelled this morning, and she wished with all her might that it had been the afternoon that had been cancelled instead.
Flying was absolutely terrifying, and she didn't understand why she had to use it. She had negative interest in Quidditch, and it seemed like wizards used Floo powder or portkeys when they had to travel a significant distance anyway. What purpose did flying serve her?
Eventually, Saoirse's growling stomach forced her out of bed. She sat up. She had done her hair in braids the day before, since she simply had no energy to make do with it otherwise. She slipped into her robes and made her way to breakfast.
It felt odd, being miserable when everyone else was too- but for completely different reasons than herself. Saoirse was concerned about the pitch being destroyed for the danger it posed to Hogwarts, but it seemed everyone else only cared about their precious blood sport being cancelled. The tension in the air could be cut with a knife.
Saoirse sat at the table and stuck an apple and some nuts into her robes for later. She wasn't sure if she would eat lunch with flying being directly afterward, but it would be good to have something in her stomach anyway.
Saoirse looked around for her friends, but only spotted Amelia Twiggs with a Slytherin sat next to her. She would have ordinarily thought it a bizarre sight, but after the pitch had been decimated, Saoirse didn't find herself all that surprised anymore. She poked at her oatmeal with a spoon, sighing.
Although she was upset that Amelia was so bedraggled, Kassia was secretly thankful that she didn't appear to notice her colossal loss of composure. It happened so rarely that it was a struggle to pick it all back up again. Schooling her face, keeping hands still, posture upright.
She told her not to worry about it. Amelia didn't blame her at all, which should have made Kassia feel better, but it didn't. She felt she had failed herself by failing Amelia. She was being ruthless and nasty in order to better herself, so she could take care of the people she cared about. But she was doing a poor job of it.
Amelia had her sense of humour intact, which was a relief. Kassia joined her in poring over the schedule. Kassia had to admit herbology wasn't her favourite either. She disliked getting her hands dirty in general. Why would she put her hands in filth when she could just go to the market and pay someone else to dig around in muck for her?
"At least that potion didn't destroy your sense of humour." Kassia joined Amelia in smiling. "Don't take this the wrong way, darling, but you look dreadful. What if I did you up a bit before class?" She started rooting around in her bookbag. "I'm sure I have a brush and moisturizer here..."
It was a rainy morning, and the mood in the Great Hall was just as dismal as the gray cloudy sky above. Xavier didn't even bother looking out the windows as he made his way over to the Gryffindor table. The pitch was still destroyed, and looking at it any longer only made him that much more depressed over the whole matter. He needed to try to raise his spirits a bit.
Sliding in across from a fellow first year, Saoirse, he loaded his plate with some eggs while looking over today's classes. The morning class was cancelled, which was a bit odd but he was looking forward to the afternoon class.
His love for flying wouldn't be dampened by what had happened and practice was still practice. He wasn't very excited to have said class in the rain but he was intrigued how that would go in this kind of weather. Would they cancel it too? He still had other things he wanted and needed to do, but was it worth getting wet?
Poking around the eggs on his plate he glanced up at Saoirse who looked a bit down. Though lots of the students looked the same way. He knew it would pass eventually, but there was still tension in the air from the whole situation.
"Morning Saoirse," he said with a friendly smile. "How are you?" Xavier tried to keep the conversation casual, whatever was bothering her he didn't want to make it worse.
Saoirse was so consumed by thoughts of flying that she didn't even notice someone sit in front of her. She had moved on from her oatmeal and was now stabbing at a stick of butter with the prongs of a fork. When she was wished good morning, she looked up with a start.
She recognized Xavier Quinn from the other day at the niffler sand pit. She hadn't seen much of him since, especially after the disaster the other day. Saoirse sat up straight. What was she doing, being such a pathetic baby? She had never shied away from anything before. Her fears were nothing compared to what had just happened to the school.
Saoirse shoved half a chicken sausage in her mouth and chewed forcefully before swallowing. She did her best to appear energetic. "Good morning, Xavier. It's been a weird week. How are you doing?" She paused. "I mean, after... everything that happened."
Amelia laughed a little as she spoke about how it didn't take her humor. She was far from feeling humors, but the laugher was helping. It was the ability to be able to find peace, even if her body was far from it. Why couldn't it be a full on free day with her in the common room? Would her parents be mad if she skipped the whole day and stayed in bed?
No, but someone would find a way to make a big deal out of it.
"Well, then I look as bad as I feel," she said to her friend, but smiled and nodded. She didn't want to look like a crazed, red-headed, wild-child.
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February
