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 Caine Hawke on Dec 10, 2023 0:55:45 GMT 10
"Scuse me, coming through!" he'd called out to the people he'd ran by.
Sure, it wasn't the most... polite of greetings, but Caine was on a roll and had things to find! Things to do! And he'd do them. Now that he was alone in the cold and stood up by the Gryffindor that had taken his scarf, Caine was just bound and determined to entertain himself.
And why not?
He'd heard rumors. He knew what he was doing and Caine was well versed in the ways of the world. Around a Ravenclaw and a Gryffindor, he'd made his way further along the path, watching the ground as he ran. No roots would trip him this time!
He was looking for something important. Melted parts in the snow, ashen footprints... something to find Fire-Belly Geckos and see what they were all about. Sure, it might not have been wise to do alone but... since when did Caine worry about that? He'd play now and deal with the issues later. That was the way of it, right?
Passing the others, he slowed, glancing behind him to make sure that they were out of sight and, sure enough, he was far enough ahead to where he didn't see them anymore. Good, good. He took a minute to calm his breathing. Having bolted from the lake to the forest path hadn't been the easiest of runs but he prided himself in his abilities. He was physically fit, see! He did just fine.
Even if he was gasping and his side hurt. He wouldn't talk about that part.
He took one slow step forward, scanning the ground, finding the path to follow. He could do it! He had faith in himself. And, if Evan looked hard enough, he'd find him here. Besides, who didn't enjoy a good chase? But, with the passing of time, Caine was pretty sure Evan wasn't going to come looking for him any time soon. If he didn't see him before dinner he'd show up to get his dang scarf back, that was for sure.
Only friends and... well... more than friends got his scarf.
"Here gecko, gecko..." he whispered, mostly to himself, checking some bare bushes for signs of them.
Last Edit: Dec 10, 2023 17:50:23 GMT 10 by Lena: Readability
He didn't have much luck; all he saw was snow, snow, and more... no, actually those were muddy spots of melted snow from students coming or going along the path. The whole area was like something in a snow globe.
The ground was layered white, and the trees picturesque. The falling snow was minimal, with the forest area itself providing some shelter from the weather. Not so much from the cold, though.
In theory, his task should be simple; Fire-Belly Geckos sounded like exactly the sort of thing that would be easy to track in snow. And there were a few odd marks -- as if something had a scuffle here, but it was hard to tell if it was from creature or student.
There were some scrapes on the tree trunks, then part of a bush was scorched... with bare, muddy patches trailing off the path and deeper into the overgrowth; a risky place to venture.
Post by Caine Hawke on Dec 10, 2023 23:48:15 GMT 10
It seemed like Caine was struggling to find a fire-gecko in the snow. Either the little guys weren't around because it was too cold or he was losing his mind. One way or the other he kept on searching. He wasn't the type to give up that easily. No, he wanted to find the cute little buggers and see what they really looked like.
Sure, he'd probably seen one somewhere once before but, if he really thought about it, it came up one big ol' giant blank. Ah well, such was the way of things.
But... the more he looked, it seemed as if something had been here.
Scrapes on trees, looking like someone or something had had a battle but he couldn't tell what. People? Lizards? Geckos? Hmn. It was something, surely.
Then again, blue eyes landed on a scorch mark and some mud. A slow smile spread over his features as he glanced upward, following the trail that led... well deeper into the bushes.
Rationally, Caine thought that it was probably unsafe to go in there but then again, when did Caine ever do the rational thing? Without spending too much time to think about what could happen, Caine shrugged and trudged further into the overgrowth.
Lucky for him he had on thick, warm gloves and a thick coat so he wasn't too worried about scrapes and bruising.
Keeping his eyes on the muddy patches, the Hufflepuff moved further in, following the trail by pushing what he could out of the way and stepping over other things. It wasn't an easy track but he was getting there regardless.
A scorched twig here, smeared ashy footprints on snowless ground there, and a bush on fire... yeah, this was the right place. Then a fiery-coloured Gecko scurried down a tree and across Caine's path, almost hitting him as it left a scorching trail and melted snow behind it. The dirt itself burned, and Caine felt the warmth in the air -- a welcome relief from the otherwise cold afternoon.
It headed to another Fire-Belly Gecko, and they spit sparks at each other -- their bellies flaring ominously until their bodies caught fire. Some squawking and bickering later, and Caine was faced with four flaming lizards, which weren't super tall considering how long they were but there was something unnervingly crocodile-like about them.
Either they hadn't noticed him, or simply didn't care. But he should probably put that bush out before the fire spread... not that it would be an easy achievement, given all the snow, yet the fire was caused by magical creatures so it was best not to risk it / leave it regardless.
Post by Caine Hawke on Dec 11, 2023 0:54:44 GMT 10
He looked this way and that, keeping his eyes peeled for one of the little things - or, well, he assumed they were little at any rate. If they were or not... that was yet to be seen.
But it felt like he was on the right path. Burned twigs, ashen footprints in little dips between the snow... yeah, it looked like something with fire went this way! He paused as something caught his eye from the very corner, scurrying down a tree. He cursed and ducked out of the way as the little thing crossed his path, nearly knocking into him.
He stepped back one step and watched it go with a sense of wonder, relieved slightly at the warmth that rushed to meet chilled skin. Huh. That was neat!
It met with a second and Caine watched in interest as their bellies lit up and they caught fully on fire. Oh. Oh that wasn't good at all! They were near trees and bushes! But it was snowy so water would keep it from spreading too far, right? Right?!
He had no bloody idea!
They were angry with one another and, thankfully, didn't seem to notice him. But gosh they were long! Not huge but... their faces were creepy. He shuddered, glancing over at the burning bush near him with a sense of dire concern. He should put that out.
"Aguamenti!" he cast toward the burning branches, watching with wonder in hopes it was enough to put it out. "Aguamenti!" he repeated, trying to make sure he covered all the fire. Put it all out and keep the fire from going back on the others on the trail.
Even with the bush successfully put out, though leaving it in a charred state from the fast-acting flames, the risk to the forest remained -- as the two Geckos readied to face off with each other. Their bellies flared hot again, and there mouths spat sparks.
No bush nor tree was safe, even with the melting snow.
Post by Caine Hawke on Dec 12, 2023 13:53:55 GMT 10
He watched the flames on the bushes sputter out and end - charred but not engulfed thankfully. Then again, Caine wasn't the best judge at what was... actually surviving when it came to plants. He was not good at herbology but he was doing his best!
It seemed, however, that Mr. Hawke had other things to worry about. Like two fire-belly geckos that were spitting sparks at one another!
He felt a flash of panic as he pointed his wand toward the two of them.
"Aguamenti!" he cast, hoping to put out their little sparks before they set the whole path ablaze.
"Aguamenti!" Once again for good measure, just to make sure both had plenty of water to cool their little angry jets. He stared at the little guys a moment before he glanced for the other two that were... somewhere. Were they going to spring out and spit sparks at him, too!? That was all he needed!
But he was ready! Caine was on guard and ready to battle it out or... or figure it out. One way or another he had this.
A Gecko was ready to spit fire at another, when suddenly it was raining. No wait, someone was hosing it down. He stilled, confused by what was happening at first, then its feisty temperament sizzled out along with the flames. It stuck out its tongue, then lay chill on the ground -- yawning widely. It was content.
Its would-be-opponent made weird squawking sounds in victory, then scurried off to find someone else to spit at -- while carefully avoiding the other Gecko, which was bigger... despite its dulled colour and cold-burning flames.
Another two hurried closer to where Caine stood, not seeming to notice him as they flared challengingly at each other -- to the continued risk to the forest, and soon the Hufflepuff himself unless those flames are put out fast.
Post by Caine Hawke on Dec 16, 2023 12:27:37 GMT 10
Goodness it seemed like the little fire lizards were wanting to blaze everything in sight! Caine wasn't really afraid of fire but he did have a healthy respect for it! There was no need to let it go all out and tear along the pathways and, really, it seemed like these little guys were cruising to see what would happen if they just... let it go!
As soon as they were doused, however, one stuck out its tongue, laid down, and then the other squawked. Ok. That was about the cutest sound he'd heard in a minute. It wasn't as cute as the niffler by any stretch but... yeah. They were pretty adorable.
He didn't have much time to dwell on their adorable, however, because two more were ready to go.
He watched them for a second, completely puzzled. Then again, animals weren't so quick to realize that the sudden rain that their friends had experienced had been a wizard with water spells... so... well, he would just have to rain on their parade, too.
No fires today, thank you! He really wasn't feeling the pull to be burnt today. It was snowing, couldn't the little guys just have some fun and play rather than try to roast one another? Silly creatures. Cute, but silly.
"Aguamenti!" he cast again, aimed at the two that seemed rather ready to take out their frustrations on one another. He understood, really, he did, but dang. Cool it.
The Gecko still on fire had wandered off, a bit confused what to do with its pent-up energy now everyone else was just chilling on the ground like a day at the beach. The biggest one sneezed, and sprawled flat on its belly -- less cute than the others, as it seemed to do so out of exhaustion.
The chest was nearby, as promised. Inside contained the vial of medicine.
Caine was well on his way to completing his task, so it was only natural that having turned his back for a moment had came back to bite him. Not literally, thankfully, but rather the still-on-fire Gecko had taken to biting a bush in frustration -- and thus, promptly setting it on fire.
Post by Caine Hawke on Dec 21, 2023 0:44:10 GMT 10
He'd managed to do some good in putting them out, or, at least, he thought so anyway. It was difficult to tell when one simply just wandered away. One of the little guys looked absolutely exhausted, so he figured that was the one that wasn't feeling quite up to par. Poor thing.
Now, Caine wasn't the best of students. In fact there were many things that he just wasn't good at... but he liked animals a lot - even if they bit and spit fire. He wasn't afraid of them, but he did know when to be respectful of their space. This was one of those times.
But medicine called!
He moved quietly over to the chest settled nearby and lifted the lid, pulling out the vial of medicine that would help the creature. There! He held it up to see in just enough time to watch one of the geckos bite a bush... sparking another fire.
He sighed,.
"Aguamenti!" he called, then again for good measure.
"Aguamenti!"
Making sure the fire was completely out and the little guy got the point that he'd not be letting anymore fires take over.
"Now hang out there," he told the creature, trying to sound as even and calm as possible, voice low to not send them all in a scattered frenzy. No, he had to get the medicine for the tired little guy on his belly!
So, moving slowly, making sure he didn't step on any tails or make anyone upset, Caine got a little closer to the tired Gecko, making sure visually that it was the biggest and opened the vial, attempting to administer the medicine without getting big in the process.
Last Edit: Dec 21, 2023 0:45:26 GMT 10 by Caine Hawke
The bitter medicine administered, and narrowly escaping a fiery snort thanks to his hasty retreat, Caine's task there was done.
The treated Gecko regained some colour, and went to plop on the ground with the others. One of the Geckos Caine had doused earlier was back by the bush -- no longer able to set it on fire, the Gecko settled for just ripping it to shreds the old fashioned way. That bush's fate was sealed.
With the somewhat snowy clearing still, and the Geckos napping, one could almost overlook the scorched ground or stripped bark. It was peaceful, in the most wary of ways.
Post by Caine Hawke on Dec 30, 2023 1:44:07 GMT 10
It wasn't really easy to make the gecko take the medicine but, eventually, he got it done. Some snorts to his side had him all but diving out of the way to save himself from getting some crispy coat or something that sounded equally as bad.
He stuck around long enough to make sure the sick gecko was alright, regaining some color and looking a little better - while one of them just went on to attack a poor, innocent bush. That gecko had a vendetta, he was pretty sure. And that bush just happened to be the target. Ah well, there was nothing he could do to save it so he just let the gecko go about its path of destruction.
Standing, he stepped slowly back away from them so he didn't rile them up. e e Slowly, step by agonizing step, Caine backed out of the little clearing before turning on his heel and bolting from the area again, this time headed... wherever the winds decided to take him. There was no point in dwelling on being stood up nor was there a point in feeling bad or lonely. So he'd keep running until he found something to strike his interest.
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