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.
After a busy yet subdued day, student chatter and relief during the End of Exams dinner were quite the contrast. It wasn't a feast, but still had hints of celebration -- with a few extra dessert options to choose from, and the general sense of accomplishment or freedom.
The day felt to have lasted weeks, going from one exam to the next. Even their free time afterwards didn't quite feel the same, as exhaustion in various forms crept up on them. Now was a time to just socialise and be glad the whole ordeal was over -- though many students had left early, in favor of a quieter hangout in their common rooms or an early sleep in their dorms.
Spirits were further lifted by those who'd been on the grounds or spotted the view through windows today; the Quidditch Pitch's fog and boundary were gone. The towers were restored, and it was no longer a charred skeleton of its former glory. There was still a little work to be done, but the repairs were complete and the pitch functional once more.
Another contrast from how the day began was the tension among Hogwarts staff. Professor Hathmore kept glancing at the sky -- which was moonlit, with a few clouds growing ever-darker. Over the course of dinner, it continued to darken until the stars were gone and even the moon itself struggled to shine through.
All staff were attentive by then. The sky began to spiral mysteriously, similar to something seen earlier in the school year. But back then wasn't nearly this dark. Most students were oblivious, even as the temperature dropped a little -- but those who noticed felt what could only be described as a sense of dread.
Post by Grace Babineaux on Dec 5, 2022 23:52:40 GMT 10
After completing her exams, Grace was looking forward to relaxing until it was time to go home. Hanging out with her friends, spending time with her siblings, she had the time to do everything now that exams were done. She tried not to think about what might happen if she didn't get good grades. Her parents would be disappointed, she was certain of that, but she was just a first year.
Eating dinner at the Gryffindor table, occasionally she looked around her and wondered how different things seemed from the beginning of the year. For starters, she'd been much more shy. She couldn't imagine doing half the things she'd done this year before she started at Hogwarts. She wondered if her parents would recognize her. It had been a while, after all.
Grace munched on her dinner and thought about her friends coming to visit her over the summer. That was good, because she couldn't imagine all that time spent without them. She pulled her robes closer due to the chill, but didn't think much of it, focusing more on chatting with the table than anything else.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Dec 6, 2022 0:14:05 GMT 10
Lindsey arrived into the Great Hall ready to eat. The days events were enough to make her starve and she found her way to the Slytherin Table with familiar ease. This was one of there last meals here, she wanted to enjoy it with her friends and house family.
As she sat, she took a glance around, trying to remember every little detail of this room. She didn't want to forget this night. There was extra desserts, it border-lined being a feast, but it was clearly not quite to that point. She had seen the Quidditch grounds earlier in the day and it brought a smile to the Slytherin's face.
Those who loved the sport would be ready to play next year. Lindsey had no intention of being under Amara's coaching next year, especially if she wanted to continue her time as a Healer. She didn't need the sport and she didn't need a coach who encouraged fouling. She would let them deal with it and honestly, she doubted she would even attend a match unless a friend was playing.
She smiled when Reena joined her at the table and she looked about quickly for Sinead.
"Happy for it all ta be over?" Lindsey asked her after she had finished chewing some of her meal. She glanced up when she noticed the clouds swirling... Well, that was odd?
After the fun of the Skills Room, Amelia had gone to the Common Room and relaxed before dinner. It was good to just sit about the common room, laugh with friends and then head back to the Great Hall for the feast! Yes, she called this particular time a feast, because everyone needed something to look forward to.
As she entered, she noticed the delicious desserts and grabbed one as she walked, munching on it while she looked about. She searched for Jade or any of her friends, really. Where was Jacob? Where was Lucky? They all had to be about the castle somewhere, right?
She found her normal place at the table and filled her plate. She paid little attention to the clouds as she loaded her plates, but she was in high spirits, as she had seen the pitch this afternoon. It was ready for next year and she was ready for the new season herself.
With the World Cups happening this summer, she couldn't wait to enjoy that time with her siblings and her friends. Maybe she should ask if any of her other friends were goind? Maybe Lucky or Sophia?
Post by Reena Ashworth on Dec 6, 2022 0:18:06 GMT 10
"Yes and no," she breathed in respond to her friend's question. Summer was always a weird time for her. On the one hand she was glad to be done with exams, on the other hand she usually did not want to go home and have to be responsible for all the chaos that awaited.
Reena was pretty much done with today and was thinking of her bed while poking her salad - the healthy choice for dinner today. Exams had been exhausting and she had even sat down with Lindsey, insintcively seeking out her year-long friend after a hard day and only realising her mistake after she had already poured herself some pumpkin juice.
She cast a glance over the table but couldn't spot Amara, which was a relief because she was in no mood to explain herself. Reena just finished chewing a particularly spicy raddish when she remembered why it was actually good to sit with Lindsey - other than that she really wanted to.
"About visiting for summer," she started and laid down her fork. "I don't think I can make it this year, my grandpa's got some surprise planned for us and I've already accepted another invitation."
Reena did not elaborate on that, she figured Lindsey was smart enough to piece the puzzle together.
"I really appreciate it though," she smiled to disguise the guilt she felt towards her friend and bumped her arm somewhat playfully.
"Hope you and Sinead'll have a blast."
Reena busied herself with another raddish before feelings of jealousy could overcome her. Despite her own predicament of having to cut out Lindsey if she wanted to stay with the Alliance of Partisan, she felt as though she was slowly being replaced by Sinead. Which was nonesense of course, they had all been friends for years.
Reena was pretty much oblivious to the ominous nature of the sky outside but she did notice it was getting darker - which she chalked up to being tired after the day she's had. She was once again glad she hadn't taken COMC.
Saoirse came into dinner with hair still slightly damp, having gone for a swim in the Black Lake before the sun had set. She would have stayed longer, but the evening mosquitos had chased her out. Saoirse wasn't squeamish with insects, but the sight of one's arms turning the literal colour black from being covered in bloodsuckers made even her stomach churn.
She pre-emptively scratched her arm, knowing it would be covered in bumps the next day. At least she had worked up an appetite and felt excellent. Nothing made her feel better than working out did. She'd even tried out her knife against a tree- though none of her hits had landed. Saoirse would probably have to practice that more over the summer.
The Great Hall was a welcome sight. Saoirse realized it would be one of her last times this year having dinner there. The room was full of chattering and relief. Even people who had done poorly on exams could at least celebrate the fact that it was over. She walked along the Gryffindor table until she spotted someone she recognized- older Twiggs? Nope, nope.
Saoirse hurried along until she spotted a friendly face. She immediately threw her legs over the bench and sat next to Grace, smiling and helping herself to some roast and gravy immediately. She had noticed it was rather dark, and a bit cold as well. Maybe because there were fewer students at dinner than usual? Saoirse had seen a few Gryffindors already packing in their dorms.
"Hey, how did you do on the exams? Or if you'd rather not talk about it, I get it." Saoirse's cutlery clattered as she heaped mash onto her plate.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Dec 6, 2022 0:35:12 GMT 10
Lindsey understood the whole 'yes and no' answer, as she felt slightly the same way. With exams over, it was just another step closer to going home and Lindsey wasn't sure she was ready to say good-bye either. It sucked, having to say Good-bye to all her friends. Sure, she had Sinead coming to Highfield, but she still would miss the others. Lindsey was glancing at the sky again when she heard Reena spoke up about the invitation.
"Well, I canne fault ye for wantin' to spend time wi' kin," she said with a soft smile. "I wish I had invited ye first, who ever did beat me to it, I'm sure it will be good fun." Lindsey was truly happy that her friend had been invited by others and that was okay. It wasn't like Lindsey had a claim on Reena. She just was a little sad about it, that was all.
"Maybe we can meet in Diagon Alley for ice cream one day?" Lindsey was sure her parents would take a trip there or her grandparents. It was only gonna be a matter of time before her mother needed something for a potion or her grandfather wanted to see old friends.
Kassia had awoken from her angry nap starving but otherwise feeling more refreshed than she had in weeks. She'd checked her face in the dormitory mirror- having destroyed her personal one- and was pleased to see that she looked more girl-next-door as opposed to open-casket. She just adjusted her hair a bit, so it fell in pleasing coils before heading straight for dinner.
Quite a few of her House-mates were packing, but Kassia didn't have much to do herself. Skin care and clothes were all she'd brought, and multiple pairs of shoes had been rendered unusable by Care of Magical Creatures class. As much as it had surprisingly grown on her, Kassia wanted to do divination next time. Mainly because she hadn't tried it before and wanted to be good at everything.
The Great Hall was always boring after exams. No drama, no tears, just relieved and chatty individuals. However, when Kassia entered, she noticed it was- cold? She rubbed the sleeves of her robes and frowned. She stalked down the hall, looking out the windows at the mostly-rebuilt Quidditch pitch. She stopped at a group of fourth-years and promptly plonked down beside them.
"Good evening, dears," she greeted Lindsey Bryce and Reena Ashworth.
She knew it would be fully odd for her to sit next to them, but Kassia was a master at moving past awkwardness. They had their own conversation going on, so rather than cut in she eyed the rest of the Hall. As usual, she spied on the teachers- and found all of them quiet, staring out the window. This was... not usual. Kassia warily placed a bacon-wrapped asparagus in her mouth and chewed.
There was a bright flash of light, followed by a thunderous BOOM of an explosion. It seemed to come from the castle itself, as if Hogwarts had turned on them or was being dismantled from within. Rippling magic and something thick in the air pulsed throughout the school -- a wave of energy that, for a moment, was ice cold.
A few random bricks fell from the walls of the Great Hall, and all fires snuffed out. Food vanished. The ceiling's enchantment was gone, never before looking so dull or far away. The moving staircases stopped where they were, some frozen in mid-turn. Portraits yelled and fled, leaving their frames blank.
Then there was a stillness of everything. Never had Hogwarts felt so... ordinary.
'Remain in your seats,' Rickard instructed, leaving his own. He gestured for the Prefects to carry out that order by ensuring everyone stayed put.
Perhaps the most chilling of all was the undeniable shock and apprehension of the faces of the Professors; those who usually had all the answers and magical skill to handle anything. Yet this disturbed even them. They'd drawn wands, and looked around nervously for a moment, trying to work out what was happening -- or perhaps, how it happened.
Professor Hathmore took charge; giving directions to various other staff or 7th years. They marched out of the hall, leaving via all exits -- with only a few Professors remaining in the Great Hall. Rickard, as Headmaster, dutifully remained with the students.
It was silent for a while.
Waiting.
Then the ground shuddered, as if in pain. Panic set in for some, while others leaped out of their seats in shock. Vines came into view, beyond the glass of the windows -- as they spiraled and grew. Ravenclaws, being the closest, mostly fled to the other house tables. If anyone dared get a closer look out the windows, they'd see the courtyard below was overrun with vines as well. Professor Sprout was amidst it, keeping them at bay.
Professors McGonagall, Hathmore, and Rivera returned. They spoke quickly with Rickard, then he addressed the students with firm authority.
However, unknown to others, during this speech several students felt a pull of magic that they recognised as a dulled version of what they'd experienced when touching their Founder's Artefact -- Grace Babineaux , MJ Birdwhistle , and Lindsey Bryce knew that magic calling to them... drawing them to the Grand Staircase.
'Hogwarts' magic has been disturbed or powered down, somehow,' Rickard informed the students, his voice raising above everything else. 'Prefects, lead your houses back to their dormitories immediately. We need to ensure everyone is present and safe, while staff rectify the situation. Do not leave your house common room for any reason.'
Everyone clamoured to their feet, with some needing assistance out of fear or a reluctance to leave. As they filed out of the hall, it was apparent that all the doors in the castle were open. Older students whispered about how the wards were down, and the common room would be their safest place indeed.
And yet, it was also possible for a few to sneak off -- against their better judgement.
This is the Story Quest outcome event
It is very short; expected to only last approximately a day. Participation isn't recommended for anyone unable to remain active and attentive to what's going on. We recommend heading to your house common rooms / dorms and gather there to discuss, comfort, or otherwise. This is a social RPing opportunity.
If you wish to participate and are able to, choose one of the following:
Story Quest | Chapter 11-- available to those who completed Path 1 of the Story Quest. Head to where the magic is calling you to: the 7th floor platform, where the portrait of the Raven awaits. You'll need to dodge Gryffindors and their Prefects in the process.
Overgrowing Vines --for those with the Pruning Charm. Head to the Main Courtyard to help Professor Sprout combat the vines by pruning them constantly and keeping them at bay.
Mysterious Sound--this is a dangerous option. While leaving the Great Hall, you overhear a strange sound coming from somewhere in the castle. The sound of trouble. It's up the Grand Staircase, possibly around the 6th floor? A long, beautiful corridor is disturbed by the clash of spells. Knowing how to duel is a must, as well as having other spells which may help face the intruders.
Your actions may earn exp related to them (casting spells, Story Quest continuation, Prefect duties etc) but otherwise there are no special bonuses or rewards for participating in this event. It's brief, entirely optional, and more for plot purposes going forward. Choose wisely.
Kassia didn't get to eat very much. Not when a flash of blight light and an explosion shook the room. Kassia dropped her fork and looked at the window immediately. She saw Ravenclaws running. Had someone attacked the Quidditch pitch again? She stood up to get a better view, but immediately saw the vines instead. She looked around herself, but her eyes were adjusting to the darkness.
Eventually enough wand-light emerged that Kassia could see the food was gone, and the Great Hall now resembled the interior of any old castle in Scotland. She looked at the professors again and found they were white-faced and frightened. Kassia took out her own wand.
"Lumos," she said, and it lit up. She actually took it out as self-defense, but lit the wand-lighting charm so it would seem like she just needed the extra light. Kassia listened as the Headmaster gave out the orders. Follow the prefects? Ms. Doren was nowhere to be seen. And Kassia couldn't simply go back to her dormitory while something like this was going on.
She wouldn't deal with the vines, though. Sprout would be on her own for that. But the rumbling sound was far more worrisome to Kassia, anyway. She didn't like something she couldn't see. She was really expected to go back to bed while whatever thing that was could crawl up and kill her in her sleep? Absolutely not. Kassia was going to kill it first, or else wound it horribly.
She got up, wand in hand, and followed the line of people exiting the room.
Post by Reena Ashworth on Dec 6, 2022 2:04:40 GMT 10
"I'd love that," Reena smiled at the mention of ice cream, yet it almost got stuck in her throat.
She'd have to break a promise to either Lindsey or Amara and she finished her salat with little enthusiasm. She grunted a greeting at Kassia, still somewhat wary of her due to her apparent buddy-buddy-friendship with Amelia Twiggs and that was a whole another can of worms for Reena which she did not want to go into, not now nor ever.
She was civil enough however and before Reena had been initiated into the Alliance of Partisan, she had actually taken a liking to Kassia, even relished in the one compliment she had gotten for her hair that one day. It had meant a lot to Reena at the time, Kassia was always dressed to a tee herself after all.
Reena did not have time to ponder her mixed feelings about Kassia or Lindsey right now as she flinched at the bright flashed followed by an explosion of some sort. Her first insinct was to dive under the table and find her wand into her hand and by the time she had any sense of what was going on, the headmaster had told them to remain in their seats.
She tried to exchange an axnious glance with those sitting closest to her, namely Lindsey and Kassia as they waited for something to happen.
Hogwarts had always been so safe to her and now she felt like a sitting duck.
When Rickard sent them off to their House areas, Reena swiftly followed the rush of her house, yet hung back a moment, hoping to get a sight of any of her siblings.
By the time she was out of the Great Hall she was nowhere near Lindsey or Kassia but caught a glimpse of the former heading towards the Grand Staircase rather than the Dungeons, which made her hesitate a little longer.
Reena too changed direction, trying to get to her friend despite the crowd pushing and shoving her around and drag Lindsey away from whatever foolish heroics she might have set her mind to. She only got so far however until she was run over by a seventh year who was about twice her size and thrice her width.
Her wand clattered onto the stone tiles and by the time she had retrieved it and found a somewhat quiet spot to get to her feet again, Lindsey was gone.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Dec 6, 2022 2:31:48 GMT 10
Halfway through enjoying a lovely slice of banoffee pie, a bright flash filled her vision and then a loud boom rattled the Great Hall. She quickly abandoned her seat as she was certain she saw thick vines burst up from the ground outside the windows by her house table. She couldn't help but let out a yelp of surprise.
The end of exam had certainly felt like they should be celebrated with a bang but this... Well, this was something else entirely. And it certainly wasn't a good kind of celebration. Realizing this made MJ shudder as she knew there was something dangerous about or something bad about to happen.
Her first thought was to see if Charlotte was nearby but MJ hadn't seen her at dinner so she could only assume her friend had gone back to their dormitory early. For once, she was glad of Charlotte's shy nature that had perhaps saved her from witnessing something terrible.
Students were directed where to go but strangely, MJ didn't pay attention to that. If a teacher or Prefect warned her to return to the safety of Ravenclaw Tower, MJ didn't hear it because something else had her attention. Not that she would know how to explain the feeling or what she knew, but there was a compulsion in the air around her and she had to follow it.
It had to be the magic of the castle, maybe even of the Founders of Hogwarts, and instantly she thought of the Artefact. A bolt of panic shot through her - what if something had happened to it? After all her hard work to locate it and keep it safe!
MJ grabbed her wand and left the Great Hall, ignoring anything or anyone else.
There was a place in her mind she had to go to and her feet rushed to get her there in time. When she exited the Great Hall, she hurried to the Grand Staircase and then beyond.
Sinead was just relieved exams were over as she headed to the Great Hall for dinner. She entered the hall and went straight to the Slytherin table. She spotted Lindsey sat with Kassia and to her secret delight, Reena. Sinead however chose to go and sit with her older sister to spend some time with her before they were separated for the summer. The brunette took a seat next to her sister but as she did so, something caught her attention.
Sinead glanced up to the staff table and noticed the staff seemed to be tense and quiet, with one of them, Professor Hathmore taking an unusual amount of interest in the sky. She frowned and then glanced over to the window. The sky outside was dark but was moonlit with some clouds. Still frowning, she turned to her sister who had also seemed to notice the subtle tension within the hall.
Sinead couldn't help keep glancing at the sky occasionally as she struck up a quiet conversation with her sister. After a while she glanced at the sky again noticing the clouds had gotten darker and the temperature had subtly dropped, which made Sinead more than a little alarmed about the situation as she felt an uneasy feeling begin to fester in the pit of her stomach
Suddenly a huge flash of light and very loud booming sound seemed to shake the castle to it's very core and in spite of her best attempts to hide her feelings of alarm and uneasiness, the young girl could not help but jump in visible fear. Sinead looked around as she felt the air nearly seemed to ripple and almost pulse, like a shot of magic had been pushed through through it. She looked up and to her horror, she saw the enchanted ceiling had disappeared.
After a few moments Rickard spoke and told them all to remain in their seats as he left his own to investigate which Sinead had no intention of doing anything otherwise. The brunette quickly looked at the other teachers and saw that they looked as shocked as she felt. Some of them left to go and check things out whilst the others stayed to help the prefects keep order. Other that everything seemed to be still and quiet now.....too quiet nearly.
Then without warning the ground seemed to give a shudder and then vines appeared at the windows. Sinead looked around frantically as panic filled the hall, as people ran from the Ravenclaw table. In all the ongoing commotion, Sinead decided it was safer to stay put in her seat at the Slytherin table.
Sinead's decision turned out to be a wise one, when the teachers who had left suddenly returned and spoke with the headmaster who then proceeded to instruct everyone to return to their dorms as the school's magic had been disturbed. In the ensuing clamor to leave, Sinead noticed that her older sister had disappeared along with Lindsey and she could not see Reena anywhere either.
Sinead was extremely worried about her friends and sister but chose to follow the majority of her house back to the dungeons. As she exited the hall and made her way back to the Slytherin common room, she came across Reena picking herself up. The girl must have been knocked over in the exodus of students from the hall. Not wanting to be separated from her friend, Sinead made her way over to Reena and stuck close to her.
[Exit]
(ooc: Mention of finding and sticking close to Reena with permission)
Post by Grace Babineaux on Dec 6, 2022 3:45:01 GMT 10
"I think I did pretty well," Grace tried to be confident as she answered Saoirse. She was about to ask her friend about how she did on her exams when she heard the boom. Instantly, everything seemed to change, and Grace felt a little bit panicked. This wasn't normal, was it? Not some prank that someone planned, otherwise there would be someone laughing. Right? Right?
She looked at one of the older prefects as the headmaster told them to stay seated. Grace looked at Saoirse to see if she had any idea of what was going on. It was so quiet, it felt like someone should be saying something. Someone should be saying anything. What was going on?
As Professor Rickard started to speak, Grace looked around, startled. Something was happening, a feeling she almost recognized. She was barely able to focus on Rickard's words. Not that it mattered. She knew she couldn't go to the common room.
"I have to do something." Grace said to Saoirse, though it was entirely likely that it was impossible to hear over the sound of everyone trying to make it to their common rooms. She slipped out of view of the prefects and all the older students, though the area she was already on the way to where she was actually supposed to be going, though Grace lost track of anybody she knew as she left.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Dec 6, 2022 5:58:45 GMT 10
Lindsey smiled at her friend and looked over at Kassia with a smile of greeting. She was enjoying her food when the sudden bright flash happened and she felt the unease and tremor from the boom. Something was very wrong and she felt fear clench at her.
Lindsey felt the chill of ice that seemed to spread over every inch of her body. But, what she also felt was a pull of magic she knew was familiar. The need to go to a place she had been before.
She heard the sound of something hitting the ground and turned to see bricks falling. She noticed the darken hearth, where fire had licked at the air. What was going on?
She could hear screaming from outside the great hall and she looked up to see the enchantments gone. It was like she stood in the old muggle castles that were all about the great Highlands. It felt muggle. Magic did not stir...
The order to stay in her seat was like an echo, the panic of everyone else quickly overtook everything, but the pull of magic that came to Lindsey was too much for her 5p focus on the chaos. Her wand was drawn as the shudder seemed to come through the ground. People were in a panic and the movement of vine like things outside the windows by the Ravenclaw barely caught her attention.
The pull was growing and she knew she had to get to the Artefact. The speech from Rickard was basically drowned out by that very magic. Lindsey didn't look for Sinead, her vision was set ahead, her body being pulled, her hands sometimes grabbing someone to brace herself against the impact of another.
The Staircase came into view and she made her way up and towards the floor was the picture was.
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