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 Nov 29, 2023 8:39:16 GMT 10
It was Thorne she had run into first, in the School. He had babbled about some potion he had attempted to make and how he had wasted his Lariwort. MJ felt bad about his luck and offered to collect some if he had something worth trading for -- after all, Lariwort was dangerous and MJ had her eye on a few ingredients she had spotted him with before.
Orla came second. The two of them bumping into their Slytherin Pal as she made her way across the grounds from the Greenhouses. An invitation was enthusiastically extended. After all, two to help with Lariwort was better than one!
"We just need to be careful we don't get caught, and we don't have to go to the Hospital Wing after this..." MJ explained as she stepped over a fallen branch and made her way towards the area with the Lariwort.
She had been only once before with Professor Rivera, but she was scary good with directions. A trait she inherited from her Granny, she thought with pride. MJ was the Forbidden Forest Guide.
"It's a shame I only managed to get one during my nighttime venture with my Head of House, otherwise I'd have one to trade already." She didn't elaborate that she had traded it with Orla who had needed it for the very same potion.
Oh well.
This would be a good bonding experience... Hopefully.
Post by Orla Fallwater on Nov 29, 2023 9:10:43 GMT 10
Orla had ploughed ahead as their group made their way through the grounds, fuelled by the excitement of an unexpected outing with her friends.
Now, however, she lagged behind Thorne and MJ, gazing all around at the shadows and light filtering through the thick canopy and tree trunks of the Forbidden Forest.
Plants, which were completely new to Orla, grew in clusters around root systems or blanketed the floor; she constantly stooped to gaze closer, but didn't dare touch anything.
It was important that she didn't hurt herself, but it was more important that she didn't put her friends in danger or get MJ into trouble for bringing them here.
"I can't believe you came here at night," Orla said with awe, hurrying to catch up. "You're so brave..."
Teacher or not, Orla never liked any forest at night. A childhood full of ghost stories and stern warnings gave her a healthy distrust of them, but she felt fine with the sun in the sky and her friends beside her.
Besides the background wariness, Orla also felt a little guilty. She knew Thorne's brewing attempt hadn't worked, and she could have given him her own lariwort, but it was somewhere in her rather messy room.
It was definitely somewhere...
Probably quicker to get some fresh lariwort.
Last Edit: Nov 29, 2023 9:12:34 GMT 10 by Orla Fallwater
Post by Thorne Perry on Nov 29, 2023 12:46:20 GMT 10
Emotions warred within Thorne. On one hand, they weren't really supposed to be on this part of Hogwarts' grounds without an adult.
On the other, he really wanted to be able to make this potion - to succeed and triumph, instead of simply lying down and accepting defeat.
And besides- with MJ and Orla at his side, surely they'd be able to get in, get the Lariwort and get out again successfully. Right?
Right.
So, if he could stop jumping at every shadow he saw here in the snowy forest, it would be great, thanks.
"I'm with Orla. You'd never catch me in here at night, professor or no professor...." he kept his eyes open for anything that looked like the lariwort he'd used, unsure if it looked the same before and after being picked.
Hopefully, he'd be able to spy some and help MJ and Orla out in exchange for them helping him...
Last Edit: Nov 29, 2023 12:46:34 GMT 10 by Thorne Perry
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Nov 29, 2023 18:54:06 GMT 10
"Funny, I never really thought about it..." She hadn't been scared because Professor Rivera had been with her, and now it was daytime -- and she had her friends.
That didn't mean MJ wasn't cautious, however. She made sure to tread carefully through the Forest as she sought out the same place she had been before. It was a bit harder to get her bearings since everything looked different in the limited daylight, but she was confident she could direct them.
MJ paused for a second and looked around, then nodded and started off again.
"Besides, this is an important quest! We have to help Thorne succeed!" She gave both her friends a grin and then pushed some prickly plants aside.
There!
This was definitely the right place.
"Look around for some snake-like vines hanging from a tree, but do not approach them. They're tricky to deal with, and I want to make sure I'm prepared before we gather the Lariwort." She warned her friends and got to work looking around for the ingredient.
While she searched, MJ fell silent and focused on the task at hand.
She didn't want to risk missing what they were looking for or accidentally doing something stupid and putting them all in danger.
Now she just had to hope her friends would be as serious about this as she was and concentrate on searching for the Lariwort as well.
Last Edit: Nov 29, 2023 18:54:21 GMT 10 by MJ Birdwhistle
The strong, thick vine of a Lariwort hung from low tree branches. The area around it was rather clear, as if moss itself didn't dare grow too close. It wouldn't hesitate to strangle anyone in reach -- even to death, given a half a chance.
Lariwort won't be easily wrangled. Battling this plant required a second person in case something went wrong, as well as something to cut it away from the tree. It seemed like the sort of plant that would resist magic. A trip to the Hospital Wing afterwards may be necessary.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Nov 30, 2023 4:33:14 GMT 10
"Guys, over here!" MJ called out to her two friends, but she tried not to be too loud. Who knew what was lurking nearby in the Forest, ready to take advantage of three second years who were wandering around?
She set down her Potions Kit in a safe spot and took out the knife she had earned from Amara. It still stung to think she had to go to the Slytherin for help for something like this, but it was one of her most prized possessions now.
MJ nodded to Thorne and Orla, "Sorry to say, but I need to use you as a distraction. I'm going to approach the Lariwort when its attention is on you and cut it down. Make sure it doesn't touch you."
Her cloak was removed and MJ noticed the immediate change, shivering a few times. She forced herself to endure the cold as she wrapped her left arm in the cloak -- for the Lariwort to grab if need be.
"Just... Stay out of its reach but make sure it's tracking you." MJ didn't like putting her friends in danger like this, but it was necessary to gather the ingredient.
Once they were in place, then she would go ahead and tackle cutting the thing down. It would be good to have backup just in case the plant got a good grip on her as well.
Post by Orla Fallwater on Dec 1, 2023 10:52:21 GMT 10
Orla had never seen lariwort, so the sheer threatening presence of the plant came as quite the surprise. She instinctively reached out to gently guide Thorne a step away as MJ bravely stepped forward.
Other living things seemed to avoid the area beneath the thick looping vines; Orla wondered if the tree the vines grew around might be gaining something from the lariwort, or if it didn't really have a choice.
"We're with you!" Orla reassured MJ. She watched with concern as MJ took off her robe and shivered visibly in the cold. The seriousness of their task settled heavily over them.
With a steadying breath, Orla slipped her wand down her sleeve and into her hand with a practiced shake of her arm. She made sure her feet were on solid ground and braced herself to move quickly if she needed to.
"Thorne, watch MJ's right and I'll keep an eye on her left, ok?"
How did one distract a vine, exactly? Orla wasn't sure, but it was clear that the lariwort had a sense of what was around it.
"Lumos," she cast with a quick wand gesture. The light at the tip of her wand was surprisingly bright in the thickening gloom of the Forest.
Orla moved a little to the left then, waving her wand in looping motions and jumping over roots and rotting wood, making sure to stay close to the lariwort's area while still giving MJ space to work.
After a moment, she felt the urge to add in the occasional:
Post by Thorne Perry on Dec 1, 2023 21:49:45 GMT 10
His first instinct was to tell MJ to put her coat back on- it was cold out here and he absolutely didn't want her to get sick! But then his brain caught up with what she was doing, and somehow that made it even worse.
all this just so you can brew a beanstalk?
Orla was far more practical, instantly jumping into action to assist. So with both of the girls in motion, committed to the plan, who was he to say no?
"Got it!" he said, far more confidently than he felt, digging around in his pocket for--
Oh!!
He'd bought it on a whim, planning to take it apart and see how it worked, but he just hasn't gotten around to it yet. He pulled the still-wrapped buzzbomb from his pocket, tugged off the wrapper and - being extra careful to stay out of the malevolent vine's reach - stuck it to the branch on the opposite side of Orla doing her light show, where it started buzzing away merrily.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Dec 2, 2023 1:01:08 GMT 10
Safe to say, the Lariwort was definitely distracted now. The combination of Orla's wandwork and Thorne's little prank seemed to do the trick. The plant was stuck between giving Orla all its attention or finding out why something was buzzing over the other side.
Or so she thought.
MJ approached the Lariwort from behind and had hoped to catch it off guard. She should have known it was smarter than that and she wasn't going to fool it for long.
The vine swivelled almost immediately as she approached and lashed out for her arm -- which was thankfully wrapped up in her cloak. The Lariwort tried to grab and squeeze while MJ readied her knife.
Her arm hurt, of course but she was determined to collect this ingredient.
She tugged the Lariwort out just enough to make it taut, and then sliced cleanly through the vine. It resisted only a little but her blade was sharp and it was soon cut from the tree. The vine moved for a few moments afterwards but stilled.
MJ let out a sigh and carefully tucked it into her Potions Kit, letting the cloak that had been around her arm fall to the ground in the process. This exposed her red and bruised skin.
That she ignored for now.
"Are you two okay?" She checked on Orla and Thorne after she had packed everything away. However, MJ kept her knife out (but sheathed) just in case it would be needed.
A smile grew on her lips, "Thanks to you two, that went pretty easily. Is there anything else you'd like to collect while we're here...?"
Well, it seemed a waste to leave so soon. Especially since they had made the effort to come all the way out here.
Then again, they were in the Forbidden Forest and she completely understood if they wanted to leave as soon as possible. Once they were somewhere safe, they could trade ingredients too.
Post by Orla Fallwater on Dec 3, 2023 7:33:00 GMT 10
MJ's efficiency with obtaining the lariwort was startling, even if nothing less could have been expected from their diligent Ravenclaw guide. Before they knew it, she'd turned to them and asked if they were alright, the lariwort already tucked safely away.
Orla barely heard her words of concern, however. She had frozen when the vines had taken hold of MJ's arm, and as her friend came closer Orla could clearly see the harm that had been done.
"M-MJ..." Orla said quietly, her bottom lip wibbling with upset. "Your poor arm..."
Orla kept looking at MJ and then at Thorne and back again, unsure how MJ could possibly ask what else they would like to look for in this dangerous place.
A small, logical part of her brain whispered that mole bones would probably be handy but...
"Thorne, her arm!" Orla said a little too loudly, gesturing wildly in her confusion and shock.
Post by Thorne Perry on Dec 3, 2023 12:13:15 GMT 10
MJ dispatched the lariwort rather effectively, the buzz bomb and Orla's wandwork doing the trick- though Thorne definitely noticed the vine grab MJ's arm. He frowned when the Ravenclaw girl shrugged it off- her arm was definitely hurt! That bruise looked sore already.
"We're fine, it didn't come near us," he pointed out when MJ asked, as Orla gesticulated towards the injured limb, trying to look serious and concerned and...well.
Like someone a friend would listen to.
"Don't you think you should get that looked at? I can wait, the forest's not going anywhere..." he trailed off, peering around between gloomy underbrush and looming trees.
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Dec 3, 2023 21:13:47 GMT 10
MJ tried to brush off her friend's concerns about her arm, but it really did hurt. She knew she had to go to the Hospital Wing as quickly as possible... On the other hand, she didn't want to waste their chance to collect other things here since they had come so far.
"Listen, if there is anything else you need to collect, we should get it now before it's too late. We can't hang around here too long otherwise it gets more dangerous." MJ didn't know this for a fact but was mostly going off the feeling she had.
And how cautious Professor Rivera had been.
She waited to hear what her friends wanted to do while she fixed the strap of her satchel and shouldered it again. She favoured her right side, so she couldn't risk hurting her arm more than she already had.
There was a dull throb settled into her bones now, and she snatched up her cloak.
It was cold without it, but she didn't put it on just yet, staring at her friends and waiting.
Post by Orla Fallwater on Dec 4, 2023 6:06:10 GMT 10
Orla drew close to MJ, her hands hovering over her injured arm without touching - she knew her friend must be in pain because she hadn't put her cloak back on despite the biting cold.
"Here, I'll take that," she said, gently lifting MJ's satchel from her. She ducked through the strap and settled the bag against her hip, before glancing to Thorne.
"We'll come back another day, right?" She said with a small smile. Her chest felt tight with worry and her lip still wobbled, threatening a good crying session to come once she was alone.
But she needed to pull up her socks and be strong for her friends. MJ was the one that needed to be cared for, and adding a blubbering mess to their situation wasn't something a good friend did.
Post by Thorne Perry on Dec 4, 2023 22:27:33 GMT 10
"Exactly."
This time it came out confident, firm and grown-up. Mostly because Orla was on his side about getting MJ taken care of, rather than hanging around the Forbidden Forest. After all, it was forbidden for a reason!
One look at MJ - her arm already bruising - and a second at Orla - her small smile a little wobbly - merely confirmed that this was the right thing. Thorne peeled the used buzzbomb off the tree trunk (no point leaving evidence, plus littering was bad!), shoved it in his pocket and took out his wand instead.
"Lumos!" he breathed. The forest wasn't that dark yet, but having that small point of light before him felt reassuring.
"C'mon. Lets get you fixed up, yeah?" Thorne looked back at the girls and gave a nod, setting off back along the tracks that marked their earlier path, leading the semi-successful trio back towards Hogwarts.
And maybe he kept his eyes open for tiny mole bones or small fangs as he walked, but.
They weren't really a priority right now.
Last Edit: Dec 6, 2023 13:02:05 GMT 10 by Thorne Perry
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Dec 5, 2023 5:59:37 GMT 10
She really appreciated that her friends were so concerned about her and nodded, consenting to leave the Forbidden Forest and head back towards the school with them.
"We'll definitely be back!" MJ assured Orla and let her friend take the satchel from her. It did help to ease the hurt in her arm.
MJ walked between both friends and smiled at Thorne, "We can swap ingredients after we're done at the Hospital Wing... It might be best for you two to wait outside, though. Madame Pomfrey doesn't like it when the place gets too crowded."
At least that was her feeling from the few times she had visited. Especially since she felt like the Healer would be able to fix her up quickly enough, and there wasn't anything wrong with her two friends.
Aside from probably being too cold.
"What are your plans after this? Are you going to brew your potion, Thorne?" Was there anything else he needed for it? She glanced at Orla and hoped she had something fun planned for herself as well.
The edge of the Forest soon came into sight, and they were back on the path towards the school. MJ felt they had got away relatively easy, considering how many rumours and stories she had heard about that place.
But she only looked ahead and as she walked with her friends.
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