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 Amber Lloyd on Aug 27, 2023 1:52:54 GMT 10
After her bountiful harvest at the Greenhouse, Amber made her way to the Great Lake.
Her nose was still itching and now running - maybe still from the harvest or from the cold air as well. What wouldn't she give for her scarf now...
With that thought, she came to a halt. She did have one with her, although it wasn't hers... Amber looked in her bag at the Hufflepuff scarf, then around the lake. There seemed no one here, so she shouldn't feel bad if she wore it, right? And if Joshua was here, he surely wouldn't mind, he didn't want her to get cold.
Having decided that, she quickly wrapped the scarf around her neck and sighed with relief. That was better.
Almost immediately, she noticed that the scarf had taken on her own scent, making her momentarily forget it wasn't hers – the color being the only reminder. She really hoped she would get the chance later to swap it back... or not. It was a bit funny to run around in it. Now she knew why Caine liked to do it. And it reminded her about the Hogsmeade trip.
With a smile on her lips she started to tread along the water’s edge, keeping an eye out for Frogspawn.
An abundance of frogs, within wading distance of the water's edge, was the best clue in searching for the well-hidden Frogspawn -- found by combing through the nearby reeds. It was a tricky thing to collect or contain, given its goopy form; careful consideration of the task and ingredient were needed.
The frogs wouldn't take too kindly to such thievery; actively trying to interfere or distract anyone set on retrieving their Frogspawn. They were mostly harmless, but made the task difficult and one far more likely to get soaked.
Post by Amber Lloyd on Aug 27, 2023 7:17:27 GMT 10
Amber kept her eyes open and spotted a lot of frogs at one spot near the edge of the lake. And where frogs were…
However, to get to it she needed to get a bit closer – which meant wading a bit into the lake. She frowned. Not getting wet again…
With a sigh she took of her jacket and scarf, laying it together with her bag onto a rather dry stone nearby. Then she rolled up her sleeves and, while looking down, pondered over what she should do with her feet.
It would be cold, but dripping boots didn’t dry as easy again, even with a warming charm. With a shudder she took of her socks and boots as well, placing them neatly next to the stone with her other stuff.
She rolled up her trouser legs as well, then rummaged through her bag for a small box she could use to put the Frogspawn in. Being equipped with it, Amber thought she was ready and stepped forward into the lake.
“Argh! So cold!” she shuddered and stayed for a moment, before deciding to rather get it done quickly than dreading it on any longer.
With two fast steps, she waded forward to the frog spot. There she bend over, carefully flipping through the reeds, searching for the Frogspawn. There!
She had spotted some of the balls and reached with one hand towards it.
It felt weird. Slimy, thick, but semi-liquid. A bit like jelly, she guessed. And it was as difficult to scoop up merely with fingers as the dessert. Though she carefully formed a cup with her hand and tried to scoop the Frogspawn into her container, some of it still didn’t want to come with her.
And the angry frogs weren’t making it any easier, trying to wildly defend the Frogspawn, jumping around, thereby plashing water everywhere, and making her trouser soon dripping with water.
“Yes, I’m sorry for stealing, but I need these!”
However, the excuse didn’t work on the frogs.
One frog was even so daring to sit on a reed right in front of Amber, staring at her with big round eyes, croaking at her.
Amber stared at it and internally melted. Aww, so cute!
It was the approaching cold that jerked her out of her admiration. She glared at the frog.
“Damn you! Why are you such a cute distraction?” She giggled and tried to ignore the frog.
Though she managed to collect two portions of the Frogspawn, her eyes often enough darted back to the frog. Just why was it so cute? She almost felt bad for collecting the Frogspawn now…
But only almost. She closed her container and waded back onto shore. Soon, a puddle had formed beneath her feet. Feet which felt rather cold now… Still…
Amber looked around. If she was already here and wet, maybe she could collect a third portion? Eagerly her eyes darted around, trying to search for another spot nearby with frogs and frogspawn.
The likelihood of there being more was so high that it was surely only a matter of time and keen searching. With Amber out of the water and no longer doing anything interesting, the frogs started to calm down and drift off.
Perhaps if she wandered a bit further, or simply waited for the frogs to lose interest entirely -- then more viable frogspawn will be easier to spot.
Post by Amber Lloyd on Aug 27, 2023 15:30:05 GMT 10
Amber had the nagging feeling, this spot here was great to collect even more Frogspawn, with so many frogs around for sure. But with them splashing around it was difficult to make it out.
So she decided to wait until they calmed down. While doing this, she stepped a few feet aside from her stuff and made a few Jumping jacks to warm up, some droplets of water flying around during it. But she saw no reason to use the warming spell if she would go in only a minute later…
Having done that, she observed the water’s edge, ready to go in if everything seemed calm again.
There was a chorus of croaking nearby, signalling the presence of frogs, but they were far more interested in a few brave bugs swarming by a patch of wild lake weeds.
The Frogspawn was nestled within some reeds, close to the water's edge. It was a tricky thing to collect or contain, given its goopy form; careful consideration of the task and ingredient were needed.
Post by Amber Lloyd on Aug 27, 2023 17:46:23 GMT 10
As the frogs seemed to have calmed down, Amber tried another attempt to collect even more Frogspawn. Together with her container in hand, she turned to the lake again, holding her breath for a moment as she braced himself for the upcoming cold water.
While she stepped with one foot forward, she noticed that actually quite nearby was Frogspawn available to collect as well – and she didn’t even have to wade through water to get to it!
Unfortunately, she realised this too late – her foot and calf already submerged in cold water.
“Wahh, I just can’t get used to this!” Amber exclaimed and quickly pulled out her foot. She took a quick glance around.
At least the frogs seemed to be occupied with catching bugs, so no more splashing her was involved.
Relieved, the Ravenclaw girl approached the reeds with the Frogspawn. The ground there was a bit muddy and she noticed – or rather felt – how the water touched her toes, but she didn’t really care.
Sure, it was cold, but with boots she would have been more occupied with not getting them too wet and muddy. Perhaps that was the advantage of doing the task barefooted, being able to just put all her attention to collecting the ingredient?
Like before, she folded her hand in a form of a cup and scooped the jelly Frogspawn into her container, although it was just as difficult as before, as some of it just didn’t want to get into the container.
When Amber was content enough with the amount she collected, she eagerly turned around to get back to her stuff, getting warmed up again.
However, her spinning had been too energetic, so when she turned, one of her feet slipped on the muddy ground – and she suddenly fell flat on her face, pressing the air out of her lungs. Uff.
At least she landed rather soft on the ground and, more importantly, had managed to instinctively grab the container with both of her hands and hold it up, so no ingredient spilled out of it.
“Puh, I got it!” Amber gasped in relieve.
Carefully she bend her knees and struggled a bit to raise first her upper body without losing any Frogspawn. Once that was done, her lower body followed and she stood again. Her clothes now dirty and wet, her face having a few strokes of mud on it, but she stood. She just hoped no one had seen this…
Now with full attention on her feet and the ground, she moved away from the water’s edge successfully, then, when she reached her clothes and the Hufflepuff scarf, she closed the container with Frogspawn first thing, carefully tugging it away in her bag.
Next up was getting tidied up and warm again? Amber looked down at her and sighed. At least she wasn't as drenched as yesterday - but instead muddy. That would take a bit... So she got started, but without hurry.
Last Edit: Aug 27, 2023 18:45:29 GMT 10 by Amber Lloyd
Post by Joshua Twiggs on Aug 27, 2023 21:36:52 GMT 10
Having finished at the boathouse, Joshua took the path along the lake on his way, still whistling to himself.
He passed a group first years who were laughing and running around. One of them appeared to be chasing the others with something gross on a stick, so Joshua stopped him and whispered to him about that goo on the floor in the boathouse.
The boy's eyes lit up and Joshua laughed to himself as he watched him scamper off to tell his friends. Perhaps they'd even see the Giant Squid if they hurried?
He kept walking along the path, now and again bending down to pick up a pebble or two, to inspect closer tonight in his dorm.
As he continued onwards, he spotted someone at the shore of the lake near a patch of reeds. He recognised her before he was even close enough to see her properly, all too familiar with the way she walked and held herself.
Joshua almost instinctively left the path to stroll towards her. She appeared to be wading into the shallows and had probably ducked down, as he lost sight of her for a while as he walked closer.
She reappeared suddenly and he lifted his arm to a wave -- when she suddenly planted face first intl the mud.
He snorted.
Out of shock.
And, it had been comical, her tipping over, straight like a wooden board.
"Amber!", he called out to her and quickened up his pace.
He stopped short of her and offered a hand to help her up. She was rather muddy and wet.
And she had his scarf.
"Are you alright?" He licked his lips in an attempt to stop himself from grinning.
Post by Amber Lloyd on Aug 28, 2023 3:43:09 GMT 10
When someone shouted her name while she was laying in the mud, she just freezed for moment. It couldn’t be, right? But the voice was all too familiar…
And there he was, suddenly standing in front of her. Damn, her wish hadn’t been fulfilled…
At least Joshua wasn’t laughing but offered Amber her hand instead. She gratefully took it and got up with his help, making sure not to loose any Frogspawn from her container in the process.
“Thanks!” she pressed through her lips while standing up and walked a few feet away from the water’s edge.
When she stood on solid ground, she finally looked at him – and saw his grin. He tried to hide it, but his eyes gave it away. That was fair, it must have looked hilarious. She pondered which fall from her had been more comical, todays or yesterday?
“Yeah, I’m fine! A bit muddy and wet, but fine otherwise. That’s nothing compared to yesterday”, she grinned and actually stood proud before him. Amber had been productive at least.
She eyed him from top to bottom. He looked neat, which was suspicious.
“What are you doing here? You look rather clean for a productive day!” she teased him.
Or maybe it was just her, always ending up having dirt all over her or being wet. She couldn’t remember the last time she went ingredient hunting and didn’t have to clean herself up afterwards. Did she do it all wrong, perhaps there was a secret to it?
Nevertheless, she put away her Frogspawn and started to tidy herself up. She grabbed her wand and pointed to her clothes.
“Tergeo!” There, that was better. She nodded in content, of course forgetting that maybe she should have pointed the spell on her face as well…
Next was the warming charm on her, filling her up to the brim with warmth and drying up her clothes. The only thing missing were now the rest of them. Amber turned to them and spotted something she rather wouldn’t have seen now – the Hufflepuff scarf. Joshua’s scarf.
She felt her face heating up in embarrassment and she quickly put back her socks, boots and jacket on, not daring to look at her friend. Why did she feel more embarrassed for wearing his scarf, he knew she had, than for face-planting in front of him?
Though not sure why, one thing was clear: Joshua surely would have seen the scarf near her stuff, so she rambled some excuses, feeling the need to justify herself before he could even ask.
“Ehm, I know that scarf is yours, but … I didn’t really have a choice. I felt cold today, thus I had searched for my scarf and beanie, just to find yours instead. So, I packed them into my bag, originally with the idea to swap back. Buuut you know, timing and such…”
Amber finally turned to him, her cheeks still lightly flushed, and hold the Hufflepuff scarf towards Joshua.
“You don’t have my stuff with you by chance?” she asked and peered at him. Then they could switch it back… Although, she somehow felt a bit reluctant to do so, while wanting to get her scarf back at the same time. Weird.
Last Edit: Aug 28, 2023 5:07:09 GMT 10 by Amber Lloyd
Post by Joshua Twiggs on Aug 28, 2023 4:58:11 GMT 10
His friend seemed to be fine, although embarrassed, so he tried his best not to laugh at her. She had impressively managed not to spill any of that sliley frogspawn she had collected and he gave her some space to clean herself and get back into her socks, shoes and jacket.
"I'm here to catch you, of course. Just missed my timing. Shame." He couldn't help himself but make a joke.
"Nah, I was on my way to the forest path for that Charms extra-c. Just helped out at the boathouse to meet Hogwarts' most famous creature: the Giant Squid!"
His tone was still joking, as he was sure she wouldn't believe him about the squid anyway.
She suddenly started to ramble about his scarf that she had worn today and he held up his hands, palms facing towards her, to stop her. There was no need for her to be embarrassed about wearing a scarf he had given her. In fact, he quite liked that she did.
"It's fine, you're allowed to wear my stuff," he said. Coming from a big family with not always the best means, he was fairly used to sharing clothes.
Besides, he still had her scarf, though he had admittedly forgotten about it, as he'd packed it away neatly into his drawer to keep it from getting stained by some late night snacks.
"Err... No, it's still in my dorm," he said. "Sorry. I can get it for you and we swap later?"
He glanced past her towards the forest. He really wanted to get on with that Charms quest. What if he saw more cool creatures and helped make a difference.
"You wouldn't want to come with me?", he suggested. Coukd they do extra-c together? That'd be cool.
Post by Amber Lloyd on Aug 28, 2023 5:41:52 GMT 10
“Yeah, shame on you!” Amber responded to his joke with a grin. What he was saying next let her eyes glisten, as she remembered it all too well.
“That was awesome, right?! Would love to see it again!” She gave him a bright smile. “Glad someone else could make it happy as well.”
She hoped other students would do the same.
Amber was a bit stunned for him to hear he just allowed her to wear his stuff and felt dumb as well. Of course she knew it wasn’t forbidden, but it still felt somehow weird. Mostly if she wore it alone.
Maybe it was because of what Caine had sad to them in Hogsmeade, taking someone's scarf would give you trouble. But she didn’t believe this and didn’t take it, so she was save?
Hm, or was it because it reminded her about Caine as he was proudly wearing the Slytherin scarf, from his boyfriend. Did all couple usually do this? Would others then think they would be one? Or that at least she would have a Hufflepuff partner?
Pfft, no, they surely wouldn’t. She had two best Hufflepuff friends, so she clearly got one from one of them. And she actually didn’t quite care what others would think. Only her friends.
She rolled her eyes. Yep, it seemed just like her, thinking too much again, over nothing. However, another more positive thought came to her.
As Joshua just allowed her to wear it and didn’t have hers with him…
“Then, allow me….” Amber grinned and wrapped the comfortable scarf around her neck. With a beam on her face she teased him. “Looks great, right? As I’m presentable with this, swapping can wait then.”
At his next question though, her smile vanished.
He wanted to do the Charms extra-c? The part after cleaning the lake? In the forest? She clearly remembered what it was.
Amber had read it – and had successfully avoided it until now. Although, she really wanted to do it. There was a creature in despair! A fiery creature… And that was all what it took for her to postpone it. She felt bad about that.
However, perhaps with Joshua together she actually got a better chance at confronting her fear? And she really needed to train this if she ever wanted to pet a dragon…
“I… actually wanted to do the extra-c as well.” Amber paused for second and looked him in his blue eyes, which helped to keep up her resolve. “Let’s go.”
Amber grabbed her bag and started to head for the forest, though making sure Joshua followed her.
[OOC: Exit]
Last Edit: Aug 28, 2023 6:04:30 GMT 10 by Amber Lloyd
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