#4 - Stocking up | Hogwarts AU

MJ Birdwhistle
Ravenclaw: 2nd year

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Posts: 1,016

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Pronouns: She/Her
Sexuality: Demisexual
Blood Status: Muggleborn

Marauder: 7,250
Charms: 4,050
Curses: 2,710
Flying: 5,031
Duelling: 3,300
Defence: 3,560
Potions: 4,490
Herbology: 6,290
Creatures: 3,790

House Points: 253

Potions Grade: A
HoM Grade: A
Transfig Grade: E
DADA Grade: A
Charms Grade: E
Herbol Grade: -

#4 - Stocking up Jun 15, 2023 8:59:46 GMT 10 Rue likes this

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Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 15, 2023 8:59:46 GMT 10

There were a few things MJ wanted to find along the Forest Path before she headed back to the castle.

Honey, which was something she had harvested before and figured she'd find with ease but also something new. She needed some Wild Primpear for one of the antidotes she was interested in brewing.

Since she didn't know how hard or easy a task this would be, MJ felt it was logical to try and find them first. She couldn't recall any information about where or how to find them so she simply walked along the path at a relaxed pace and looked into the trees.

Pears grew on trees, right? She thought a Primpear would be like a magical version of a regular pear and could be found in the same way. They didn't have any pear trees back home (only apple) but she felt she remembered her Granny talking about it one time...

Either way, that was the approach she would take. MJ squinted with determination at various trees, ready to clamber up one if need be.

Character 2: Martha Twiggs

Character 3: Kody Ashworth

Character 4: William Doren

Lena
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Posts: 9,302

#4 - Stocking up Jun 17, 2023 13:47:06 GMT 10

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Post by Lena on Jun 17, 2023 13:47:06 GMT 10

It was a fruitless search at first, if not for a few rotten ones scattered on the ground under some very climbable trees. There was no choice than to climb up to continue the search, which revealed more fruit the higher one went.

Unfortunately, most of the Primpears were too small or weren't ripe enough. It seemed the only ones viable enough for an ingredient were found at the end of long branches, which grew thinner as they went. Care was needed to collect one, as its branch looked as if it could snap at any moment.

Quidditch players had an advantage with their experienced grip and confidence -- but even so, risky stretching may be necessary for anyone to reach a ripe fruit, and tug it free.

Reward (per ingredient): 30 Herbology exp

MJ Birdwhistle
Ravenclaw: 2nd year

Main
Info
Student

Posts: 1,016

RPG Profile: Here
Pronouns: She/Her
Sexuality: Demisexual
Blood Status: Muggleborn

Marauder: 7,250
Charms: 4,050
Curses: 2,710
Flying: 5,031
Duelling: 3,300
Defence: 3,560
Potions: 4,490
Herbology: 6,290
Creatures: 3,790

House Points: 253

Potions Grade: A
HoM Grade: A
Transfig Grade: E
DADA Grade: A
Charms Grade: E
Herbol Grade: -

#4 - Stocking up Jun 17, 2023 22:20:23 GMT 10 Lena likes this

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Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 17, 2023 22:20:23 GMT 10

As she walked along, MJ noticed a few rotten fruit scattered here and there. She followed them further until she found some trees that had Primpear currently growing in their branches. Ah, this was definitely like the apple picking she had to do at home.

MJ was more than prepared to climb a tree for some fruit.

She rolled up her sleeves and decided to remove her robe. However, she would be taking her satchel as it had her potions kit and it would be the safest way to store the Wild Primpear after she harvested it.

Climbing the tree wasn't much of a challenge. There were suitable notches and grooves for her to get a good grip on and make it to the first branch. From there she spidered her way up the remaining branches until she was quite high in the tree. Not at the very top, no, but high enough to feel the way a slight breeze would make the tree sway.

Holding on, she closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. She loved being up high like this and knew that was part of why she loved playing Quidditch so much. The freedom to fly around on her broom was just delightful.

After her moment of quiet contemplation, MJ made sure she was on a secure branch before she judged how best to retrieve the first fruit. There were two she could harvest for her potions kit and she was keen to have both.

It seemed her only choice would be to shimmy along the branch until she reached the end and pluck them from their stems. But the branch got thinner the further out it went and MJ was dubious about its ability to hold her weight.

She would just have to treat it like her broomstick and hope for the best.

Finding a secure notch, of a branch that had snapped off before, she hung her satchel and made sure it was secure. Excellent!

MJ got down onto her stomach and slid along the branch, stopping every so often to make sure it wasn't about to snap on her. She knew she was up high enough that she'd break a bone dropping from this height.

The first fruit was within reach and she grunted with effort as she twisted it free from the stem it grew from. She had to be careful not to bruise or damage the fruit in any way since then it would be no use and she'd have to find a new one. So MJ maintained a firm but gentle grip, ensuring her fingers never dug too harshly into the skin of the fruit.

It took a good yank but it freed itself from the branch and she awkwardly made her way back. She had to stay on her stomach and now only had one arm and hand free to help. At least the Primpear was a good stand-in for a Quaffle and tucked neatly under her arm.

The branch creaked in protest but she made it back to the trunk safely. Now that she was able to sit up, MJ had an easy time transferring the Primpear into her Potions Kit and then take a breather.

She found some Chocolate Galleons in the bottom of her bag and decided to snack on a few of them while she regained her strength and composure to go after the next Primpear.

MJ was ready to go after a few minutes and she studied where the second Primpear hung from. It was attached to a decent looking branch but there were other branches growing awkwardly in the way. MJ would have to push them out of the way or break them in order to get to the Primpear.

Or, she could drop to the branch below and grab the Primpear from there. She would definitely be able to reach but it would mean having to balance on the branch. Could she trust herself to remain upright long enough to pull the Primpear off the branch...?

This debate over which way to do it took a few more minutes and MJ ultimately decided she would risk having to deal with the branches that grew in the way. It would mean a more secure way of collecting the Primpear -- even if it sounded more boring if she re-told this adventure later.

With a shrug and a sigh at herself, MJ eased her way around the trunk and made it onto the opposite branch. She scooted along it until she came to the first branch, which was more like a twig.

It snapped easily.

She moved along some more, snapping the smaller branches when she could, but for something too thick to break, she simply had to push and force her way through. This results in a few scratches but it was worth it if she was able to get the second Primpear.

It grew at an awkward distance and angle from the branch so MJ did what any other sensible second year would do. She tucked in her blouse and jumper into the band of her skirt as she recalled a flying lesson from her first year, tightened her legs around the branch and then allowed herself to roll and drop.

Her hair hung down and she could feel her jumper and blouse starting to pull loose but it would be fine for now. Hanging like this was fun but it did make all the blood rush to her head!

MJ reached for the Primpear but missed the first time. She let out an annoyed grunt and shifted her position along the branch. It was awkward and tiring to do this from upside down but she managed and she was able to grab the Primpear the second time.

She tucked it up under her jumper for safe keeping and began the annoying process of righting herself again.

It was more of a struggle than she would have liked to have admitted to but thank goodness the branch was able to take her weight while she did all this. She clambered the right way up and then froze when she heard a crack.

But when she looked, she couldn't see anything wrong with the branch she was on... MJ didn't hang around however, and hurried to make her way back to the trunk. She inspected the fruit when she was safe and sound and was glad to see it was perfectly fine. She inched around to where her satchel hung and stowed away the second Primpear.

"Almost done..." She muttered to herself. If she wanted to gather some honey today too, she'd be stuck up more trees! At least getting down was the easy part. MJ just went the reverse of how she came up and a few seconds later, she was standing back on the ground.

"Nice one, MJ." A pat on the back for a job well done. She giggled at the idea of congratulating herself but hey, it no one else was around to do it then why not? She walked away from the Primpear trees and a bit further into the undergrowth.

On the lookout for some wilder looking patches and the distinct sound of buzzing, MJ gazed up into the trees in the search for a hive that would offer her some Honey.

Character 2: Martha Twiggs

Character 3: Kody Ashworth

Character 4: William Doren

Lena Administrator Posts: 9,302	#4 - Stocking up Jun 19, 2023 18:20:04 GMT 10 Reply Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Lena on Jun 19, 2023 18:20:04 GMT 10 The hive was heard before seen. With several branches out of reach, climbing was required to gently scoop some honey. There were a few bees around but, as long as they weren't disturbed, they wouldn't be too bothered. Reward: 30 Creatures exp

MJ Birdwhistle
Ravenclaw: 2nd year

Main
Info
Student

Posts: 1,016

RPG Profile: Here
Pronouns: She/Her
Sexuality: Demisexual
Blood Status: Muggleborn

Marauder: 7,250
Charms: 4,050
Curses: 2,710
Flying: 5,031
Duelling: 3,300
Defence: 3,560
Potions: 4,490
Herbology: 6,290
Creatures: 3,790

House Points: 253

Potions Grade: A
HoM Grade: A
Transfig Grade: E
DADA Grade: A
Charms Grade: E
Herbol Grade: -

#4 - Stocking up Jun 19, 2023 20:17:51 GMT 10 Lena likes this

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Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 19, 2023 20:17:51 GMT 10

She heard the bees first and saw them lazily buzzing around one tree in particular. MJ approached it and made sure her satchel was secure on her back after she removed a jar from it. This she jammed into her pocket and started her climb.

This tree was easier to get up into but the branches were packed close together and very good at jabbing or snagging at her.

MJ frowned and hoped her satchel wasn't getting too damaged since it was made from leather and rather nice. Her Granny and Great-Auntie had bought her a new one for the start of her new year at school, to replace the old one she had used since primary six.

"Almost there." She mumbled, inching closer to the hive. The bees didn't seem too bothered about her being there and MJ was careful not to disturb them. She had a lot of honey she wanted to collect so...

She used her jar to catch as much honey as possible and fill it to the brim. A few drops got on her hand and she licked it off, enjoying the explosion of sticky sweetness on her tongue! Delicious!

MJ hefted her satchel around while she leaned against the trunk and stowed the jar of honey inside. She nodded and then climbed back down, landing on the soft grass a moment later.

It would be nice to get more honey but there didn't seem to be another tree that had another hive for her to raid, at least not right now. MJ shrugged and decided to head back onto the path and somewhere else.

[OOC: Exit]

Last Edit: Jun 19, 2023 21:29:52 GMT 10 by MJ Birdwhistle

Character 2: Martha Twiggs

Character 3: Kody Ashworth

Character 4: William Doren

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#4 - Stocking up

Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 15, 2023 8:59:46 GMT 10

Post by Lena on Jun 17, 2023 13:47:06 GMT 10

Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 17, 2023 22:20:23 GMT 10

Post by Lena on Jun 19, 2023 18:20:04 GMT 10

Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Jun 19, 2023 20:17:51 GMT 10