Dufftown - Weekend Trip

[Zoe]

Welcome to Dufftown! This small village, located in northeastern Scotland, offers activities to suit a wide range of interests. Enjoy a relaxing day perusing the shops along Balvenie and Fife Streets where you'll find a hair salon, ice cream parlour, and several shops selling various Muggle trinkets and clothes. Hungry? Sample some of the local fare in one of the pubs and restaurants.

Maybe you'd prefer sports to shopping. If that's the case, there's a football ground just around the corner from the shops. Grab some friends, and get a game going!

If history is more your thing, explore Balvenie Castle, built in the 13th century and once inhabited by Mary, Queen of Scots, or the ruins of Auchindoun Castle. Check out the clock tower, a building with a colourful history that once housed the town jail, or have a bite to eat at The Seven Stills, Dufftown's longest-running Scottish inn.

Have fun exploring the town and interacting with the locals, but remember to be on your best behaviour and keep your wands hidden!

OOC: This thread is, more or less, a weekend getaway on the final Saturday in May right before final exams come in full swing. Students going on this trip would have gotten permission slips signed and, so the Statute isn't broken, would have arrived to this burgh not far from Hogwarts by bus. This thread is being used for plot purposes; feel free to join in -- the more the merrier!

We kindly ask that you refrain from playing any Muggles (we have that covered), and please post only the student listed in your post-bit. Thank you!

[DaniDiNardo]

Consider him an unhappy camper. What a time for the school to slip on precautionary measures. Most all his Obliviators were already off on other missions, he wished he'd known this bloody trip was happening in the first place. Could've put some on standby, could've responded far faster to such an issue and now Merlin knew how many knew what they knew and were already telling others--who would tell others. This could make muggle news. There was too much riding on this.

The man and his team were here for damage control before anything else. Once he was sure there wasn't a muggle left who could swear he or she saw magical pointy sticks, he would settle a little.

"Alright everyone, you have your orders." He called to his team shortly after apparating to the scene. The report was clear, the secret was blown. He didn't have the TIME or the energy to go apparating around the corner and having to WALK here. All the man wanted was a nap not...not....all this. Ridiculous. That's what it was. Kids with wands on muggle trips. A disaster waiting to happen.

Maddox nodded toward the Headmistress and the Head of Law Enforcement, figuring his unit would be arriving within the next few seconds as well. Consider him surprised they had Aurors sitting around to respond at such a short notice. "Anyone that doesn't wish to forget why they're here is advised to throw up a bubblehead charm." That was about all the warning they would be getting. Before this disaster could spread further, he would contain it. Suffice to say, he didn't have the time to go around asking who's muggle and who's magical. The charm would easily help with the differentiation.

Just like now, this kid coming for the peep show. The Department Head grabbed him firmly by the shoulder after throwing on his own bubble head charm, pulled the vial from his extended pocket and began to spray. "This'll be over before you know it." No questions about the random portkeys and the criminals, not his jurisdiction. The statute of secrecy was his biggest concern right now.

Just in the distance, he saw one of his employees...offering a hand to what he presumed to be a muggle making a less than quick escape. "We're not here to make friends, Ava." He reminded. "Wipe and move on. We've got a whole crowd to take care of."

And here she thought it'd be another slow day in the office. There had been a lot of those in the last week. Her trail had gone cold again, her leads were leading her in circles and it left her faced with all the paper work she'd previously pretended did not exist.

Underage magic, broken statute, an actual criminal to apprehend. She was here for it.

Lex did a brief survey of the scene from where she appeared, noting the students had already been sent back to the school. Having gotten no reports of casualties, she felt confident in the fact her little sister was safely back at the castle. She would be able to focus solely on the mission at hand. Having taken a quick stock of the area and throwing on a bubblehead charm at the request of the Level Three boss man, Alexa made her way over to the Headmistress and her own boss ready to be briefed.

"What's the situation and what's the game plan?" The notice said they needed to head there, but it didn't give much else. Didn't wanna show up wand blazing before she figured what the boss needed of them specifically.

[sweetpinkpixie]

He always knew he would have to come out of retirement in this capacity - not that his skill set in the field had become dormant due to the nature of his current line of work - but receiving such an urgent summons from Maddox had certainly taken the former Accidents & Catastrophe's department head by surprise. Not to mention it was a sure indication that whatever mess Hogwarts had found itself in was massive or else his colleague would not have felt the need to ask him to come assist in supervising the clean up effort. Though it was hard to misunderstand the words 'wipe 'em all' even through messy and hurried handwriting.

Holy holly if his son was involved in this mess....

...but one thing at a time, Aron.

Popping in a little ways off, having given a map of the area a quick glance over before coming to scope out a prime location to apparate in, Aron swiftly emerged from an alley and drew his wand only to point it immediately at a fleeing muggle who was screaming their head off about the end of the world or some other load of rubbish. Flourishing his wand, the Aussie cast a silent Obliviate on the man and then took hold of the bloke by the arm to look around for Maddox...and instead found his eyes resting on Alexa instead.

What a bloody mess.

"Oi, Maddox," he called out, just to let the guy know he was here. "Where do you want me?" And yes, he did note the bubblehead charms being thrown up and administered one of his own without question. "Toxin in the air?" Since he had missed that memo.

[SilverTiger]

As soon as the notice of something going down here in Scotland had reached the office, Bryony had been ready to head out. Anything was better than paperwork, and she was 95 percent certain her brother had been here. If anything, the castle would've piqued his interest, and if his girlfriend had been here too... She was going to be part of the investigation. Personal connections didn't always mean she couldn't be professional. And if the truth was anywhere near what had been in the reports...things were definitely going to be interesting. She just hoped none of the students were going to be too traumatized.

The Muggles would be Obliviated, so she knew there wouldn't be too much damage there unless any had been physically injured. As she made her way into the chaotic scene from the alley she had apparated into, she'd immediately taken two actions. She'd cast a bubblehead charm on herself and also observed the scene, heading over toward Alexa and Isaac. Bryony Keighley reporting for duty. Asking for the details wasn't needed, since she'd heard Alexa's statement as she'd walked up.

[Nymphadoraliz]

Text Cut: Alexa and Bryony

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

And here she thought it'd be another slow day in the office. There had been a lot of those in the last week. Her trail had gone cold again, her leads were leading her in circles and it left her faced with all the paper work she'd previously pretended did not exist.

Underage magic, broken statute, an actual criminal to apprehend. She was here for it.

Lex did a brief survey of the scene from where she appeared, noting the students had already been sent back to the school. Having gotten no reports of casualties, she felt confident in the fact her little sister was safely back at the castle. She would be able to focus solely on the mission at hand. Having taken a quick stock of the area and throwing on a bubblehead charm at the request of the Level Three boss man, Alexa made her way over to the Headmistress and her own boss ready to be briefed.

"What's the situation and what's the game plan?" The notice said they needed to head there, but it didn't give much else. Didn't wanna show up wand blazing before she figured what the boss needed of them specifically.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

As soon as the notice of something going down here in Scotland had reached the office, Bryony had been ready to head out. Anything was better than paperwork, and she was 95 percent certain her brother had been here. If anything, the castle would've piqued his interest, and if his girlfriend had been here too... She was going to be part of the investigation. Personal connections didn't always mean she couldn't be professional. And if the truth was anywhere near what had been in the reports...things were definitely going to be interesting. She just hoped none of the students were going to be too traumatized.

The Muggles would be Obliviated, so she knew there wouldn't be too much damage there unless any had been physically injured. As she made her way into the chaotic scene from the alley she had apparated into, she'd immediately taken two actions. She'd cast a bubblehead charm on herself and also observed the scene, heading over toward Alexa and Isaac. Bryony Keighley reporting for duty. Asking for the details wasn't needed, since she'd heard Alexa's statement as she'd walked up.

He paused on his way towards the headmistress when Alexa and Bryony appeared one after the other. "What we know is the statute of secrecy has been broken and a number of muggles need obliviating." he looked around them and saw those with the sprayers, "I would suggest we need bubble head charms" he added smiling at Bryony nodding as he knew she'd already done it.

"Gather as much evidence as we can, and get a good idea of what all happened here. I'm going to talk with the headmistress and the young lady (Melanie) with her." he said nodding their way "Alexa do you want to join me? Bryony, you and Ethan see what you can dig up?"

[DaniDiNardo]

Knowing just how little time there really was before this thing blew up way too big for this method to remain effective, Maddox released the boy the moment he was sure he'd gotten him with enough of the spray and turned next to the woman standing by to him, obviously appalled by the mild form of manhandling.

Wiping her mind would be a pleasure. Anything to get her to stop yelling at him the way she was. Oi vey, she was giving him a headache. Deciding not to make a scene of it, she too was held firmly--but not too firm that he'd have a mob on his hands and again he sprayed. It was mid spray that he heard the call from one Aron Ashburry-Hawthorne. Good thing he wasn't as booked out as the rest of his Oblivator Unit. The more hands on board the better.

"Nothing toxic." He replied to the query he hadn't bothered to explain twice. Once, to his own team before leaving the office, was enough. Thankfully, Law Enforcement had jumped right onboard with his announcement, constant vigilance working in their favour right there. "Here." He levitated a few vials of spray over to the man, before turning and grabbing another muggle. "Should wipe their memories of the last few hours. It'll leave 'em dazed for now but nothing that'll hurt 'em." Much.

"Saw some of the crowd dispersing down that street. Grab a couple hands and see if you can find 'em before their loose lips give me more work to do." This was already too much.

Were she not effectively in work mode, Alexa Cambridge may actually have allowed herself a small moment of fangirling in memory of the former Head of Magical Accidents and Castrophes. It was probably the best present she could give to her eyes that day, the former and the current in the same place but alas, there was work to be done and she couldn't afford to be distracted--least of all now that some form of orders were being given out and it sounded like the man was receiving orders of his own.

Drinks later, maybe. Definitely work now.

Lex spared a glance and a nod toward Bryony when she joined them. Suffice to say after coming all the way here, evidence collection wasn't necessarily top priority for her making her very happy at the bossman's offer to tag along for the interrogation of sorts.

"Sure thing."

Again, she was here for it and would follow his lead.

[Zoe]

With the last of the students out of Dufftown, the headmistress was able to focus solely on making sure Melanie somehow didn't find a way to escape, or that her brother came back fighting. A cold stare was all her former colleague received. There were many unanswered questions that were whizzing through her mind, but the biggest one was What the hell were you thinking, Mel?

Granted the entire Dufftown situation was not a good a good one to be in, Regina was at least relieved when the Ministry personnel started to arrive. She was sure that many of them, as per usual, were thinking the worst, but all here was going smoothly until a certain pair of twins showed up.

The words of the Accidents and Catastrophes department head didn't go unheard. Immediately she casted a Bubblehead Charm on herself. Even Melanie received a bubble of her own.

From her peripheral, she saw the Magical Law Enforcement making his way toward her. Regina did not move though, her wand remaining firmly pointed right at the tied up woman as the woman's wand was still being held in her other hand. She did, however, acknowledge that he was there ... and some familiar faces were tagging along with him.

"Hello, Mr. Muir," she said, eyes still not wavering from Melanie. "This is Melanie Williams. Former colleague of mine, who is responsible for what happened here. Her brother, though, managed to escape just as I and other members of the staff arrived on the scene."

Forget about finishing his paperwork! Even though the scenario was not a good one, Frankie was perhaps a little more than excited to be leaving his desk and getting into some action. This was, after all, why he wanted to be an Auror in the first place. The adrenaline rush. And, you know, making sure the wizarding world was safe.

In line with his training, the blond managed to Apparate in a dark alley, safe from view of Muggle eyes. Not that it really mattered considering, but it was protocol and all. He stepped out onto the main street, taking in the chaos -- or at least what was left of it.

A woman was tied up. Muggles were being ... Muggles. Stewart had been knocked out. There were even familiar staff faces hanging about (but no Hirsch?!). Then, of course, there were the teams from A&C and his own department. Speaking of his own team, he quickly caught up with the boss man and Alexa.

"What would you like me to do, sir?" he asked as he waved his wand, causing a bubble to form over his mouth and nose. Could he tag along too? Or did he have to do the grunt work of fishing evidence?

[FearlessLeader19]

Knocked out cold meant that Kaysha had not the inkling of what was happening. Nothing was known to her: not when her colleagues got there; not when the Ministry officials from the two Departments arrived nor when Ignatius bounded her.

Hopefully when she came around, the powder's effects would have worn off totally or maybe even a bit.

[Stefan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nymphadoraliz

Text Cut: Ethan & Boyd

Isaac noticed a few more people arrive including the muggle. Nodding to Gideon from level 3 he turned towards Ethan when he arrived. "Good to see you. Ethan." HAH he'd gotten it right this time. Hmph, not going to mention the fiasco of a meeting.

"Sounds good, see what you can find out. I'll speak with the headmistress and the young lady that's with her." Seemed to be a good start at least. He glanced around again before heading towards the Headmistress.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nymphadoraliz

Text Cut: Alexa and Bryony

He paused on his way towards the headmistress when Alexa and Bryony appeared one after the other. "What we know is the statute of secrecy has been broken and a number of muggles need obliviating." he looked around them and saw those with the sprayers, "I would suggest we need bubble head charms" he added smiling at Bryony nodding as he knew she'd already done it.

"Gather as much evidence as we can, and get a good idea of what all happened here. I'm going to talk with the headmistress and the young lady (Melanie) with her." he said nodding their way "Alexa do you want to join me? Bryony, you and Ethan see what you can dig up?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Knocked out cold meant that Kaysha had not the inkling of what was happening. Nothing was known to her: not when her colleagues got there; not when the Ministry officials from the two Departments arrived nor when Ignatius bounded her.

Hopefully when she came around, the powder's effects would have worn off totally or maybe even a bit.

Well, good for you Mr. Muir. Those would have been Ethan's words if there wasn't a pressing matter to attend to at the moment. He was glad...no, excited to be there finally getting some action. Situations like this meant more puzzles to solve, and he was more than ready to take on the challenge, no matter how grim it may it be. "No need to tell me things twice, Mr Muir. I'm on it." And with that, he'd put on his bubble-head charm as he went on to document and gather evidence.

First things first. Ethan got his camera out and began to take pictures of the crime scene. The fallen professor and her burned bag, other staff members of the school who were on the scene, the Headmistress with the bound woman on the ground, the remaining mound of portkeys, the muggles present, the street where it all happened, heck, even the weather was documented. Ethan took pictures of the beautiful sky and got lost there for a minute.

With the lack of acknowledgment from his other MLE colleagues, and with his partner Drew Meyer missing, Ethan went on to do his business alone. He'd eyed the burnt something on the ground and carefully made his way towards the group of professors with their stunned colleague. "Ethan Mordaunt, from the MLE, professors," he announced as he briefly looked at the Hogwarts mentors before crouching near the stunned woman and her burned bag. "I'm here to collect evidence for further investigation, and imminent trial," he said glancing at the other woman who was under the Headmistress' mercy. He took out his charmed latex gloves, donned them on and levitated the contents into a clear bag and stowed it away. Those will have to be carefully examined for physical and magical tampering.

Like a well-oiled machine, Ethan got his supply of q-tips and smaller evidence bags and began to swab the fallen professor's hands first, and then her face. Those too were stowed away in separate bags, sealed and properly labeled for further examination. Bits and pieces of the woman's clothing were snipped off and collected too, simply because he wanted to be thorough. Ethan was determined to get to the bottom of everything. "By the way," he started off again after he kept the last specimen inside his evidence bag, "Where is her wand?" the most important piece of evidence was missing.

[Dokimoto]

Ava looked over as her Department Head appeared, and was inwardly irritated at his reminder. During her years as an Obliviator in America, she was expected to get any additional information possible before erasing. This would definitely take some getting used to. She did not show any trace of emotion on her face however, as she responded to him.

"Yes, Sir."

She used the bubble head charm on herself, and prepared to mist him. Looking back at the elderly gentleman, Ava gauged a few hours would do, and sprayed. She watched as the glazed look overcame the man, and she was off to the next sorry No-Maj... er... Muggle.

[Shanners]

She wasn't LATE, okay? Eliora had made sure that the decent members of staff had cleared out of their Department and were on their way to Dufftown NOW. She was always looking out for Maddy, right? Because he couldn't check the ladies bathrooms and she had found Ursy in there! And then got chit chattering to her about all the stuff that was happening and honestly how exciting it was going to be to be on the FRONT LINE of all the drama. She never really did get to do that. Researching spells was a lonely job sometimes. And it didn't have NEARLY as much fun as it should have. Hence why she was in the middle of writing a proposal for Maddy to change her job role and job description to be BETTER.

"I'M HERE, I'M HERE!" She called, waving her arms and tossing the empty coffee cup that she hadn't left behind with Ursula in a nearby bi-- where was that beautiful accent coming from!? It was almost like her heart leaped into a song because she instantly KNEW it was HER Aron. HER ARON. Ohhhhhhhhh how he was really going to see her being all authoritative and beautiful in her job. She BET he missed seeing her everyday. They still got lunch every now and then but it was just...different now. Once it had been Aron, Ursula, Rusty and Eliora. And now it was Maddy, Ursy and Eli. "CoooOOOOOO-EEEEEEEE Aron!!!!!!!!" Just a quick wave and she was bustling off to get things done that needed to be done.

Like judging the hair on some of these people and taking an ice cream sample or three that had been left on window ledges untouched.

BasiC flavours. Ew. She threw those away and cast a bubble head charm on herself. Didn't need to be losing any of THIS memory.

Eliora brandished her spray bottle and went on the hunt for a cute little Muggle that hadn't been SPRAY DAZZLED yet. Still judging.

[Nymphadoraliz]

As he approached the headmistress, he cast the bubble head charm on himself. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Ethan already getting started and nodded to Frankie as well when he appeared, pausing momentarily "If you want to give Ethan and Bryony a hand gathering evidence that would be great." Too many around a suspect might make them a bit more wary. He was pleased to see Ethan quick to jump in to gather the evidence.

"Headmistress Hawthorne" he greeted her in return. He knew that Alexa would already be watching the woman's responses. Good question though from Ethan, he assumed the wand was the other wand the headmistress was holding. "Melanie Williams….Ilvermorny." He nodded when she said that Williams' brother escaped. "What do we have on her brother? Can you give me a brief rundown as to what happened here?" He already was taking out handcuffs in case Alexa hadn't any on her. "We'll be taking Williams in with us."

[hermygirl]

Blew something? Noble looked between Derfael and Kaysha on the ground. "That's useful information indeed." Noble pursed his lips thoughtfully, glad someone had been paying attention. Although the fact Derfael had spotted that in amongst all the Hogwarts students milling around really begged the question why the Prefect couldn't apply the same concentration and eye for detail to his potion making.

"I doubt they'd left it behind," he replied to Laurel after she'd dismissed the Hufflepuff. "Much too risky." Something airborne like that in a Muggle location? With the slightest gust of wind it could spread who knew how quickly left unattended. Whoever was behind this might have wanted to draw attention to themselves, but not that much.

And speaking of airborne things, Noble grumbled at the mention of bubblehead charms, non-verbally casting one of his own. It wasn't the need for one in and of itself, he used one regularly in his previous job, but of course Accidents and Castrastophes would just waltz in here and waft their memory spray with barely a moments notice. Fat lot of use it'd be if the remaining professors lost their memories of the last few hours too...or, for that matter...the key witness. Nobody had actually thought to protect Kay yet, had they?

Idiots, the lot of them. Grumble grumble.

He cast the charm on the Muggle Studies Professor, just as the first of the forensics team showed up. "Ignatius Noble," he introduced himself, watching Ethan get straight to business. Maybe one of the Ministry's minions was competent after all. "I'd suggesting swabbing up her nose too once she regains consciousness. One of the Prefects saw the male suspect blow something in her face. I'm guessing there's probably some residue still there." Some sort of powder, he surmised, though of course he couldn't be certain.

As for her wand? That...was a good question. "Did you see who disarmed her?" he asked Laurel. Surely one of the students wouldn't have taken it back with them...right?

[Archibald Greer]

Good god this crawling was a lot of work. Breathing heavily, Archie wasn’t sure how much more of this he could take. He was tempted to look over his shoulder just to see how far he had removed himself from the loonies, but he feared that he hadn’t gone very far at all. He just kept on moving, even when some kid apparently left his cane beside him.

Just keep crawling.

Just keep crawling.

Just keep crawling.

Then he gave up entirely. Some woman approached him, asking him if she could assist him and offering a hand. The old man turned his head around, his old, tired eyes gazing up at her much younger eyes. For a moment, he believed that she was one of the sane people in the town. A shaking hand slowly reached out…

Until he heard a man tell her that they were not there to make friends. Quickly, the man’s hand retracted and he began to crawl again.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!” he huffed.

And then ... nothing. He remembered nothing that had happened. The last thing he could recall was letting the pooch in and making the decision to head into town.

What was he doing out here on the street?

Who were these random people? What were they doing there?