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 MJ Birdwhistle on Sept 21, 2022 21:10:58 GMT 10
The Room of Mirrors had an intriguing name. MJ sought out the third pillar away from the stairs in the main corridor. Luckily, no one was paying attention to her if they walked by. She waited until the moment was clear and studied the surrounding area.
Having been here before she knew what to do - it didn't take long for the mirror to appear either. This was it, she was going to step inside and face the beast again.
She kept her wand in her hand for now, to comfort her. It was nice having it near and knowing she would (hopefully) be able to save herself from danger with a quick spell or two.
Last Edit: Sept 21, 2022 21:16:43 GMT 10 by MJ Birdwhistle
It took a while to figure out the exact spot she needed to stand, then a section of the wall between pillars turned into the door-sized mirror. Having experienced it before, MJ knew to press her palm to the surface of the mirror.
Same as last time, there was a brief resistance before she could move through it. Once she'd stepped into the room, the mirror would fade from the outside wall so no one else could stumble upon it.
Despite the change of door location, the large room was exactly as it was before. It was lit by torches and otherwise empty, except the door on the other side. The floor was typical Hogwarts stone, without the appearance of the puzzle -- her progress was retained; she didn't have to solve it again.
The door at the end wasn't locked.
Inside was spacious yet empty and dimly-lit, except for the sleeping beast in the middle of the room. Though she now knew the name of it, the ancient beast was no less intimidating. It resembled a massive, scaly bear with curved tusks and had three eyes. Hopefully, this time her encounter would be more successful.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Sept 21, 2022 21:23:11 GMT 10
A shiver raced down her spine, sending a ripple over her whole body that seemed to make her hair stand on end. There it was, the beast. What was it Professor Fairburn has said it was called? Gerodenus?
MJ was glad to note she didn't have to solve that annoying puzzle again either. She let out a soft sigh, stepping forward only a few paces before stopping again.
She dug into her bag and took out the fruit she had harvested from the plant that grew from the ancient seed. "Excuse me, Gerodenus? I heard you like the taste of this so I'd like to offer it to you? But in exchange, I hope you won't harm me..."
Was it useless to talk to the creature? MJ didn't think so, she felt it was okay to talk to all manner of creatures. It felt respectful to do so. And a lot of creatures were a lot smarter than some people gave them credit for.
Still, there was some fear in her.
She tried to ingore the knot in her stomach, thinking of her Head of House and how she would want MJ to act. A moment later, she carefully set the fruit in front of the creature.
"I hope you like it." MJ gave Gerondenus an unsure smile.
The Gerodenus sniffed the air, eager for the fruit. Once given permission to claim it, the beast looked down at the fruit. It was formidable and intimidating in size alone, never mind the tusks and fortified scales as well, yet there was a politeness about its manner as it studied MJ for a moment to confirm.
Using its powerful jaws, it gently retrieved the ancient fruit from where MJ had placed it. The beast wandered to the far left of the room -- eating the fruit in one gulp. Its scales shimmered and glowed like pearls, then the Gerodenus returned to its slumber in the shadows.
The floor beneath MJ's feet rumbled. Across the room, the wall changed and shifted to reveal her next task. There were four mirrors with a Hogwarts house crest above each. A phrase was carved in stone in front of the mirrors where MJ stood. Its an ancient language, but the letters shift to English:
The hat chose yours, but to enter you must be whole. For each of ours, tell us how to test you. Show us your bravery, your loyalty, your wisdom, and your deepest ambition. Show us your soul, and the window shall become the gateway.
To use one of the mirrors, step close to it -- the frame will change to match its house colour. Be sure to specify which house you've picked. You can only use one mirror / house at a time. This task is co-op modded -- meaning your input is needed as part of the progress, when requested.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Sept 25, 2022 23:32:43 GMT 10
The words were in another language at first, which MJ assumed to be either very old or very magical (or both). Fortunately, they seemed to shift into modern English and she was able to read the message.
Four mirrors, four houses. That made sense. So this had to be some kind of test... Perhaps to see if she was capable of embodying the major traits of each house...? She thought over what they were, as the message said:
Bravery for Gryffindor. Loyalty for Hufflepuff. Wisdom for Ravenclaw. Ambition for Slytherin.
MJ wasn't even certain she would be able to pull all of them off but she had to pick a mirror anyway.
Where best to begin but where the hat had placed her. MJ stepped towards the mirror and waited.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Sept 26, 2022 7:21:57 GMT 10
It didn't take long for MJ to figure out she needed to say or do something for the mirror to react - but that didn't stop her standing there a few moments to wait for a reaction anyway.
She cleared her throat, "Um, hello Mirror."
Could it hear her or was she being silly? MJ glanced the length of the reflective surface and figured there was no sense in worrying about feeling silly right now.
"My name is MJ Birdwhistle and the sorting hat choose me for Ravenclaw." She paused before continuing.
"Actually, the hat gave me a choice and I felt Ravenclaw was the right place... And one of the house traits is wisdom. My granny always said that wisdom was having good judgement about things and people."
MJ stared at her reflection in the mirror, "I think I am wise because I act on my knowledge and I have understanding - and good judgement." She thinks about her classmates.
"I use my wisdom to help my classmates and encourage them to also seek knowledge, understanding and good judgement in class and outside it."
Now she waits and hopes her appeal to the mirror was enough for this test.
Her willingness to admit that she didn't know everything, even as she continued to seek to learn, was what appeased the mirror. Its glass was no longer reflective, though whatever was behind it was too black to see.
One house was unlocked. Three awaited her approach.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Sept 26, 2022 16:59:23 GMT 10
The mirror's surface shifted and MJ gasped softly, taking a step back.
She looked at the other three and stepped towards one, making a quick decision. She wanted to get this one out of the way now she had conquered her own house.
Bravery... She would need to demonstrate bravery? MJ wondered how to do that.
"It is said to show bravery is to be courageous. I know I wasn't chosen for this house so others might assume I lack that trait... But, I left my best friend and twin behind to come to an unknown place to learn. My family isn't magical - as far as we know, I'm the first witch ever. I hope this shows bravery enough to pass your test."
She waited, hoping it would work...
Last Edit: Sept 26, 2022 16:59:46 GMT 10 by MJ Birdwhistle
As MJ didn't demonstrate or reveal anything, the mirror was unresponsive. The word bravery on the floor behind her glowed bright for a moment -- the emphasis was mainly to help her understand that the Gryffindor mirror was different from the other she'd faced so far, and likely the others yet to come.
MJ's reflection vanished from the mirror, as if she was no longer a part of its purpose. Something else formed in her place. It was as if she looked into a window -- she could see and hear what was on the other side, but not be a part of it. The duplicate chamber was the same as the one she stood in, without the Gerodenus. It began to shift and change, as the form within the mirror took shape...
Co-op modding comes into play here. RP what the reflection turns into and how it acts -- it must be something MJ fears, similar to a Boggart situation but can be anything. It will behave in a way of trying to get to her or attack her. It must affect her and seem very real.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Sept 26, 2022 17:58:37 GMT 10
This mirror was different and MJ took a step back as the reflection shifted. It showed the mirror of the room she was in but it was obviously different - there was no Gerodenus there and something else was there.
No, someone else was there.
MJ's mouth went dry for a second and then she grinned, "Max! Max, it's me! It's... How did you get here... Wait, can you hear me...?"
Even if he didn't move, MJ knew it was Max. Was he still upset she had left for Hogwarts without him...? The figure turned slowly and she gasped when she saw how twisted his face was.
She had never seen her twin so angry before.
"Max..." Her voice quivered for a moment. The reflection Max seemed to snarl and leapt towards the mirror, towards MJ and she let out a startled yelp, stumbling backwards.
"Max please! I'm sorry! We're still best friends! You're still my twin, Granny says we'll always be twins..."
"I hate you!" Yelled reflection Max, banging his fists against the mirror between them.
"You abandoned me! You think you're so special because you're a witch!"
"No! It's not like that at all!" MJ found herself choking up with tears and she needed a moment to calm herself. Was this how Max really felt about her coming to this school?
Mirror-Max banged his fists again, this time causing the glass to shudder from the force of it. He stated more hurtful words, exposing the raw insecurities she had.
With each word, the surface of the glass rippled; each pained phrase threatened to break him free -- his hands raised, ready to do physical harm as well. His eyes glowed red with hatred and anger, his voice breaking from the strain of his abandonment.
His words turned offensive, and she had the impression that he wanted to get revenge on her. That she had hurt him so terribly that mirror-Max intended to hurt her back.
'Maybe if you were gone, I could be the magical one,' he said. 'You stole it from me. It should be me at Hogwarts! Why do you get to be the special one?'
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Sept 27, 2022 18:43:15 GMT 10
"No!" MJ protested, stepping back from the mirror. This version of her brother was too real, even if she had never seen him this angry before.
Mirror Max's face was twisted with rage, his eyes pinning her in place and MJ cowered slightly. It felt like he would break free anyone moment and grab her.
Hurt her.
"I'm not special—!"
She swallowed as Mirror Max yelled and shook her head, "I didn't choose this! And if I could—"
Choked up, MJ wiped away her tears before continuing, "I'd give you this in a heartbeat. If this was what you wanted, if this would make you happy."
Her voice was no more than a whisper and she stepped to the mirror again, reaching out to touch the surface.
"I love you, Max. You're my bestest best friend. I miss you so much. I'm so sorry I let you down..." She had never meant to.
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