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Pathways https://i.postimg.cc/MHDD6kXp/pathways-banner6.jpg A set of paths link the Courtyard to almost every area of the Grounds. Walking upon these stone covered paths, lined with all sorts of trees is a lovely way to clear your mind after a long day of classes. This is a quiet area of the Grounds with the soft sound of leaves rustling in the wind or lightly crunching below your feet. Doesn't the air just seem fresher around here somehow? |
for erik \o/ As he wanted to make the most of the weather while it was still reasonably nice, Kaiser was out wandering the grounds. This was his preferred activity over, for example, homework or studying, neither of which were very high on his list of priorities. Probably because he was terrible at anything and everything related to academia. Wandering also helped him clear his mind, which felt chaotic at the best of times. And, well, it helped distract him from thoughts of outright upping and leaving which, rationally, he knew would probably be a Very Bad Idea. Having reached the pathways, Kaiser scouted around for a while for a decent tree and, upon finding one, took a run-up and leapt up for one of the lower branches, sort of wall-running up the trunk to help him reach it. Once he had hold of the branch, he swung himself up and onto it with well-practiced ease. Kaiser was a climber of buildings, first and foremost, but trees were certainly also within his area of expertise. Now that he was in the tree, straddling the branch, Kaiser looked up to plan his route, swinging his legs gently below him as he did so. |
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"Kaiser! how did you get up that tree so fast??" She almost called him squirrel boy which would be counterproductive to her even getting an answer and not being straight out ignored entirely. |
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But anyway, no, not a professor. A Slytherin. Eloise, from the year below. Kaiser leaned forward so that his head dangled down below, but kept a firm hold of the branch. "Skill," was his answer, and he grinned upside-down at Eloise as he said it. "And a lot of practice." |
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"I mean how did you get up it so quickly?' And don't you dare say practice or she will fling a hex up there |
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"I ran up the trunk, to start with," Kaiser said, relenting and nodding his upside-down head towards the trunk of the tree. "Then I jumped up, grabbed the branch and just... swung up." He shrugged. It was difficult to explain the process of climbing, and he was more a do-er, than a say-er, in this respect. "Try it." That was, if she wanted to climb too. |
Maxie ^_^ Gunnar was doing his best to get back into a regimented schedule of exercise and running now that he was back at school. Sure, he did plenty in the way of staying fit over summer, but with school back in session, he found it necessary for a stricter schedule to get ready for Quidditch and fit his running around classes and study sessions. He had already gone for a run this morning, but it was such a nice day that he had decided another run the other way at the edge of the lake wouldn't hurt. He needed to be in top shape for Quidditch anyway, right? And he had just finished that run and basically collapsed on one of the benches in the pathways. Maybe he wasn't in as good shape as he thought. Leaning back against the bench, he poured the contents of his water bottle over his head to cool off. He'd just rest his eyes here for a minute. |
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Ah, good good good. Eloise didn't need to get her wand out. Perfect. She looked over at a free tree as he started talking and tried visualizing what he was saying and it made a little bit of sense. she was more of a do'er as well and was already thinking of trying it even before he said so. Even if it meant him laughing at her. "Run up the trunk you said?" Well ok, she was doing to try it as she gave one more look at him than the free tree and leap up and start well tried running up the tree and missing the branch to hold onto and landed on her behind. "Owwwww" Circe, that hurt. |
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No danger of that. Within seconds, she was on the ground, and Kaiser had to press his lips tightly together to keep himself from laughing out loud. He didn't imagine it would end well for him if she heard that. "Uh..." he said, changing position so he was draped over the branch, not unlike a panther lounging in the tree. "Not... not quite like that." Was there just a hint of a smile on his features? Ahem. Could be. |
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She scratched her head as she gave the tree another look. "Need more air on the jump I think" Was more a question for Kaiser and her talking out loud as she psyched herself up to give it another go |
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Maybe, just maybe the second-year was getting a hang of all this Hogwarts stuff, and school stuff and that guy was definitely dead- wait. Maxie stopped mid-stride. Dead? Dead?? He backtracked, moving like a cartoon in reverse. Bug-eyed, and worried, all comforting thoughts (or logic, apparently) had gone out the window. He stared blankly at the older boy- one he knew well from the Quidditch pitch, and wiggled. What did he do? wHAT DID HE DO? His first instinct was to run and get an adult but would there be time for that? Gunnar looked quite pale and clammy as it was. Maxie inched closer, all the while slowly drawing his wand. He'd levitate the older boy inside- that was for the best- and then he'd call out for help- Yeah. YEah, that was the right thing. "Windgardium Laviosa." Maxie said, pointing his wand at Gunnar before adding the necessary swish and flick. Thankfully, he was quite good at this kind of magic. |
The little bowtruckles quietly made their way out of the Forbidden Forest and towards the trees near the pathway. They had left their homes and ventured onto Hogwarts grounds in search of a new place to stay. The trees near the pathways would provide a temporary home for the small creatures, they just hoped they wouldn't be seen. |
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Without wings or a broom, he was flying through the air, the wind whipping through his hair. But it was, in fact, the wind on his face that woke him up. And to his confusion and eventual horror, he saw that he actually was, somehow, in the air. "What... what's going on?" he looked around frantically, scrambling for something to hold on to. He wasn't that far off the ground, but it was a very disorienting feeling to wake up to. And he soon saw the younger boy with his wand pointed at him; clearly this was his doing. |
Health and Wellness Club Meeting! It was a COLD and brisk January morning. The holidays had come and gone and the students were all back at school. The holidays were a wonderful time, full of good food, candy, sweets, more good food, sugar... etc. Which was why Piers had planned a club meeting for the health and wellness group for right after the holidays. Some students were making New Year's resolutions, he was sure, and could use the extra bump from one of the faculty members. He for one, liked to stay in shape... most of the time. With three of his dogs, Piers trekked through the crisp, frozen grass across the grounds and stopped where the Pathways around the grounds met with the Courtyard. Rubbings his hands together, he waited, hopeful that at least ONE student would want to come on a job with him and his dogs... in the freezing cold |
Since returning from Calais, Analiese had been looking forward to returning to Hogwarts. One of the first things she saw upon her return to Hogwarts was the notice for a 'Post-Holiday Fun Run'. That happened to be exactly where she was off to now. She munched on a chocolate bar she had brought with her as she walked through the frozen grass. Probably not recommended, since she was going to Health and Wellness Club meeting. But anyway, here she was, munching on a milk chocolate bar as she approached where the meeting was arranged. She wrapped the scarf she had brought tighter around her neck. It was cold, after all. As Analiese came nearer and nearer to where they were supposed to meet, she spotted Professor Fuller-Thompson. He appeared to be accompanied by three of his dogs and also seemed to be alone. She pondered whether she was the first one there or very late. Judging by time, it was probably the former. "Good morning, Professor. Did you have a nice break?" She greeted the man politely with a warm smile. |
Hiii! For the record, Vita didn't want to be here. Thing was, she felt obligated to show. Couldn't very well stand up her Head of House, a man who would be receiving a request for a letter of recommendation for future use any day now. She needed to keep him in her good graces, so here she was, all bundled up and ready to run. Maybe. "You know Professor, if you want me to look after the dogs while you take other students on this jog, I'd be happy to do that." She would. |
Ok why Eloise was doing this she herself didn't know but she was here and ready for whatever this Health and Wellness thing was with Professor Good Lookin..she means Fuller-Thompson. Can't really get a fuller last name than that she supposed. Elosie took a big sigh of relief realizing she was not the first one here like that matter at all. Even if one of the two was one of her Prefects....eeeehhhh. Oh no she heard the dreaded J word. She should have stayed in the dorm. "Hey Professor, I just had a giant breakfast so not a lot of running would be appreciated" Has anyone told him today his dogs were good boys? Eloise believed you need to tell every dog you see they were a good boy at least once a day |
Time for some STREEEETCHES Quote:
He smiled at the first student to arrive. "Yes, I did, thank you. Did you?" Quote:
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Piers gave his watch a final glance and then addressed the small group in front of him. "While we wait for any stragglers, let's do a bit of stretching to get our bodies warmed up. It's important to stretch so your muscles don't cramp up, especially in this cold weather." With that, Piers bent one of his knees back and grabbed onto his foot, expecting the students to follow along. "While we stretch, does anyone here have a good New Years resolution or two they want to share? Or, if you'd like, feel free to make a suggestion for a future Health club activity." And while they shared (if they wanted to), Piers would move on to stretch his other leg. |
Indigo was there. He was actually looking forward to this whole thing actually. The thing was that he liked to jog. He frequently got up early to jog before class. It helped him to clear his head. And he needed to be clear that he liked to jog on his own terms. When he chose to do it. Not when he was being forced to. This didn't feel like he was being forced to. This was more like a gathering of other people who also liked the jogging. And he definitely did not have to come. He had chosen to be there, so it was fine. Some who knew him may be wondering why exactly he had chosen to come. Indigo liked to do things on his own. Specifically, being around other people made him feel anxious. Why would he chose to participate in this activity that generally helped relieve his anxiety in a setting that forced him into contact with other people? First of all because he wasn't expecting there to be too many people. Small groups he could manage. Also because this group was being led by Professor Pierson Fuller-Thompson, who Indigo quite liked. Why? He wasn't exactly sure. The man just gave off this vibe that made Indigo feel quite comfortable around him. He liked his class, and interacting with him made him feel more at ease than anxious. Some people were just like that even if he couldn't explain why. When he arrived he was extra pleased because Vita was there. He gave her a warm smile as he went to stand beside her. It seemed that they had already started stretching so he quickly mirrored their positions to do his own stretching. |
Cassidy was running a bit behind. She was excited for the gathering for a brisk jog. Especially since there was a chance that there might be dogs. She really was in love with Professor Fuller-Thompson's dogs. She visited them quite often ever since her and Rhett did. And look. There they were. She was grinning from ear to ear as she joined the rest of the group. "Hello Professor." She chimed as she joined in on the stretches. Now when would she get to pet and play with his dogs. |
Cold Jogging had nothing on Chloe after her winter break, so she was there and ready to get back into her training and support the school's wellness. Heading down to the grounds she made sure she was dressed correctly and smiled as she saw everyone. "Hey everyone" Giving a wave she jumped right in and started stretching. Starting with her legs she stretched downward. "Well professor, I think jogging is great, maybe we could host a Wellness Club 5K at the end of term or something. My resolution is to be able to up my training for Quidditch." Plus to win some games this term. |
You know whenever Eloise heard adults say wE'LL SEE ABOUT thAt all it meant to here was they will do just want she asked them not to do in this case there would be running and it was time for Eloise to let out a groan as she begun the stretches he asked them to do. Because getting hurt during this would not be ideal Oh look more people that frankly Eloise didnt care about showing up well besides Chloe. Ah new years resolutions. "Win gold..first place in a skateboarding competition this summer" |
"Yes, I did have a nice break." Analiese decided she shouldn't go into too much detail. Or maybe she was going too little detail. She silently began stretching as Professor Fuller-Thompson asked them to do. She remained silent as he asked them for New Year's resolutions. Because she didn't exactly have any. She thought of something - anything - because she don't want to be silent for some reason. Ooh! "I also want to improve my training for Quidditch. Even though I am a reserve." |
Here, here, yes, he was here. It had been a long and relaxing holiday. So long and relaxing that Malachi almost forgot the terror that had met him out on the grounds just weeks before. Good food, a great wife and two precious children could do that. It wasn't until the man had hit the pathways and could see the whomping willow in the far distance that it returned. Suddenly, agreeing to help Piers with the Wellness Club didn't seem like such a good idea. Nevermind how bad an idea it should have seemed the moment he thought of running and exercise, it was being out in the open for more giant spiders to attack that gave the Headmaster pause. Was it too late to turn around and pretend an urgent matter had come up last minute? No? Dangit there they were up ahead. It was too late. Malachi took a deep breath to steel his resolve as he fell in next to the Charms Professor. "Not too late I hope." Big lie. He honestly hoped the man would tell him he'd missed the whole thing and they were stretching to wind down. By the sounds of it, they were discussing resolutions? At any rate they were naming things they wanted. "Not dying sounds like a good one to add to the list." Need he remind the students how much of a personal favour he would consider it if they didn't die either? |
Aaaaand... let's jog! Piers nodded as an older Ravenclaw (Indigo) showed up and returned a greeting to the Gryffindor that followed, all the while continuing some mild, easy stretches to prep for the little jog that they were about to take. Quote:
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"Alright, everyone, let's get to it. We're just gonna take a light jog down the pathways. Nothing too intense. If you want to run ahead, you can, but if you want to take it slow, that's perfectly okay too. The goal here is to pace yourself at wherever you feel comfortable - we just want to get our blood flowing." And with that, Piers gestured the students down the path with a swing of his arm, beginning a light jog. He let the quicker ones move ahead of him while he waited to take up a spot near the back to pace himself with the slower ones. He just wanted to make sure no one got left behind. |
As a member of the Health and Wellness Club, Gunnar was here and eager for some physical activity. He ran regularly on his own, but he was still keen for a jog with the group. Sometimes it was fun to switch things up from his regular schedule. But as for new year resolutions? Nope, he didn't have any. He took the time to do a little stretching along with everyone else, then turned his eyes towards his head of house again. Alright, let's do this! "Is that all we'll be doing today, Professor?" Gunnar asked with mere curiosity as he jogged along next to him. An avid runner, he'd likely soon overtake him, but not while he was having light conversation. |
Cassidy made sure she was stretching along with the rest of the group. She really really wanted to pet the dogs and play with them, but she would wait. Maybe after the jog there would be time to play with the dogs. Or she could always go visit them like she normally would outside the professor's hut. And now onto the jogging. Cassidy actually enjoyed running. She always seemed to have some energy to burn, which was why she enjoyed playing with the dogs so much. She settled in to a steady pace, not to fast but enough to keep her in the middle of the group. She still wanted to be able to talk to Professor Fuller-Thompson. "Professor, I just wanted to let you know I love visiting your dogs. They're my favorite." The professor deserved to know that. |
Up ahead, not too far ahead of the group, the mist creeped closer to the castle. It had made its way through parts of the ground already and had no intention of stopping. It brought with it something of a cold chill though this was as likely a result of the dreary January weather. The mist is wispy on the fringes but thick if one were to make their way into it. So thick that you wouldn't be able to make out right from left. So thick that you can't see anything beyond it. |
She smiled as he said it was a good suggestion, honestly, Chloe had thought about it before. They could even do it for a charity thing. Get the students involved in something bigger than even Hogwarts. She thought about this as they started to jog, but got out of her own thoughts when another Claw spoke up. "Analiese we could do some extra practices together if you want." She was trying to get captain at some point and she wouldn't get it losing all these matches, so she had to work harder, plus U17 tryouts were coming up again soon. After last summers injury she had to prove herself all over again. Seeing Gunnar in the group she wasn't surprised and gave him a wave. Her eyes focusing on the path in front of her she noticed the mist but didn't think too much of it. "Looks like we are getting some fog or something." |
catching up a bit at the beginning Vita smiled a bit sheepishly when her head of house laughed at her suggestion. What? She was only trying to be helpful...but it looked like her services weren't going to be needed today. She supposed running wouldn't be so bad, especially now that Indigo had arrived. Returning his grin with one of her own, she got into her stretches. She felt a bit warmer now that she was moving and that was a good start, as far as she was concerned. Resolutions, though? Well, she'd be keeping those to herself. When they started to run, Vita kept pace with Indigo as best she could, his legs being longer than hers. Her lungs burned some as they continued on, but all-in-all she felt good. ...That was up until she noticed the change in the air around them. "That's strange.." Were the headmaster and charms professor seeing this? |
”Not at all” were not the words he was hoping to hear...but they were the ones he expected nonetheless. This jog was happening. Malachi started into a light jog as instructed, keeping an eye on the students as they went. Good thing most of them decided to stick relatively close for now. They may not have known the dangers but HE was acutely aware and very much internally freaking out. “The duelling arena is available should you ever decide you want to host one of these meetings inside.” He commented casually. So...Piers...y’know...all this outside dangerous running business...never needed to happen again. While he jogged, Malachi listened to the small talk many of the students were drumming up. Trying to get himself to relax. Good none had directly addressed him as they may have heard a slight crack in his voice every now and then. Stay strong Tre—what in Merlin’s beard was that?? The Headmaster slowed to a stop, even with some the others still at a light jog. Suddenly there were flashbacks of giant man eating spiders warning him about a mist. They mentioned a mist. There was now a mist settling on the grounds.... “Let’s all go back.” He said suddenly. His voice didn’t falter as he spoke, only because he was trying to remain calm for their benefit. He would be no use to the students while in the middle of a panic attack. No one but his wife deserved to see him like that. “The outdoors are overrated. Health is overrated. The weather looks like it’s getting bad. We don’t need this in our lives. If you could all form an organized line and not run screaming, we’ll get through this together.” Dramatic? Only because they hadn’t seen what he saw. In retrospect, without explanation it did seem like a bit of an overreaction but it was all the man could do to not run screaming himself. |
The mist continues making its way across the grounds, seemingly indifferent to any that may now be in its paths. It soon engulfs everything and everyone around. Even then it keeps going at its steady pace. By now it’s hard to see much further than a hand’s distance ahead of you and there’s a faint, undistinguished rumbling. Bad weather, surely. |
Analiese grinned at Professor Fuller-Thompson as he called her resolution 'a good goal'. She began jogging at a steady pace - not too fast and not too slow. She glanced up as an older Ravenclaw mentioned her name. "That would be a great idea, Chloe!" She agreed to her idea. All of a sudden, Analiese remembered the acromantulas she had spotted before the Christmas break. The gargantuan beasts scurrying across the castle grounds. The mere thought of them sent chills down the little girl's spine. What if the colossal creatures were cantering towards the group right now? What if they bumped into each other and the huge spiders tore them apart? What if the gigantic arachnids made a feast of their little group, right here, right now? OK, maybe that was a bit too dramatic, but meeting the acromantulas on this job would most certainly lead to their untimely demise. Analiese shook the thought off. The spiders were running away from the grounds, not towards them. Lost in her thoughts, Analiese barely noticed the change in the air. But when she did, she froze to a halt. They were completely engulfed in mist. "What the -" The young Claw thought aloud. "I don't think this is to do with the the weather, Headmaster..." She contradicted what Trent had said. Hold on. What if what the acromantulas were running from was in this mist? PANIC MODE!!! Analiese calmed herself down by giving herself a short pep talk. She desperately needed one. Just calm down, Analiese. Think about the positives. This could just be the weather like Trent said. |
Chloe had been enjoying herself, it was great to exercise and exercise was always more fun with friends. So she watched the mist with curiosity but still listened in on the conversations. 'We can find a time that we both are free to get started." Extra practice would help them both get to their goals really. She probably should have heard the headmaster saying about going back and thankfully didn't hear him say that health was overrated, excuse you kind sir, but her entire career has revolved around her staying healthy and fit. She didn't hear any of that though because as they moved forward in their running the mist seemed to have come up quicker than the blonde thought it would, glancing back behind her Chloe's jog became a walk and then a stop. "Where is everyone?" She couldn't see a thing. What.. what was going on? She felt a little panicked but tried to stay calm... "gunnar?" Her scream came out more of a weak squeak. Turning in the direction she thought she had started she started to try to jog back, but it was so thick she wasn't sure where she was or which way she was truly going and then she saw something, something was coming in front of her. She couldn't make it out at first, but then her eyes widened. No, no, how, what, why? Her wand was out though she was shaking and she couldn't remember anything at the moment. The thing black and long was coming closer and she wasn't going to be able to get away from it. Could it see in this mist? She screamed louder and stepped backward tripping over something and hitting the ground. "Go away, Pretego" The only spell that she could think of, but would it work. She backed away still on the ground, her eyes wide and her body trembling. |
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Continuing the jog, Piers looked ahead at the students that led the group forward. That was when he noticed the dense fog from the outskirts of the forest had moved up quite a bit and was closing in on their jog. There was something a bit unsettling about it, but Piers just reminded himself (internally) that it was JUST fog and it wouldn't ruin their jog. Yes, he heard Chloe and Vita reacting to the fog, but it was JUST fog. Well, that was what he thought.... until the next moment. The Headmaster had spoken up, and that was when Piers realized that the Headmaster had also stopped jogging. Piers glanced back at him as he suggested that they all go back and that was when Piers finally questioned whether the fog was.. actually dangerous or not. He didn't want any students to get LOST after all, or accidentally wander into the forest, not knowing where it began due to the fog. Piers sighed, reluctant to pull his group back. Then he looked forward again at the jogging students... and a pit began to grow in his stomach. The hair raised on the back of his neck and his heart began to beat quickly. He heard Trent's panic from behind him, and then he heard Chloe scream, but he couldn't see anything anymore. It was time to move. "Everyone stop jogging!" Piers called out, loud enough to reach the farthest jogger. "Come back this way - follow my voice! Come back this way. We need to head inside." He wasn't sure why this fog was doing what it was doing, or what it COULD do further, but he felt VERY strongly that they needed to get out of it. "Is everyone alright? Vita, help me lead everyone back to the castle." She was still close by to him, wasn't she? Was everyone okay? In slight panic, Piers began backing up the way that they came. "Follow my voice," he said again, repeating a few times so they could still hear him. Now he was just going to back up... until he could find their way out of the fog... |
Sure, he wouldn't have minded doing more physical activity than a simple jog. He was an athletic kid after all. But this was fine too. As Gunnar started jogging at a slightly faster pace, he moved a bit ahead of some of the group and jogged alongside his sister. But his attention was soon diverted towards the fog as she pointed it out. He wasn't too worried about it though, not until he noticed how it seemed to be moving towards them at a steady pace. Weird. And he slowed his jog as he kept his eyes on it, hearing the headmaster suggest heading back. Maybe he was right.... But before Gunnar could agree or turn around, the fog had completely overtaken him and he couldn't see anything in front of him but a thick mist. Wait. Where was his sister? A panic rose in his chest as he looked this way and that, unable to see her. "Chloe?" he called, his voice sounding muffled to his ears and met with screams. Her screams. "CHLOE!" he yelled again, this time louder, a panic mixed with fear creeping into his voice. She was in trouble, he just knew it, and he was filled with a need to protect her. But where was she?? What if he couldn't find her in time? He moved through the mist, trying to follow the sounds of her screams, consumed with finding her, and terrified that he wouldn't get to her in time. "Chloe, where are you?!" |
As the mist washed over them like a great wave, Vita paused where she stood and stretched her arms out in front of her, feeling around for anyone she might catch a hold of. She knew Professor Fuller-Thompson was nearby, but she couldn't reach him, and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't sca-- Though the fog was thick, the seventh year could just make out a dark form on the ground ahead and she moved towards it, each step causing her heart to race, the sound of someone's screams ringing in her ears. Had someone fallen, had someone been hurt? It was a possibility since it was impossible to see obstacles in your way, so Vita called out to whoever it was. "Are you alright?!" Her wand was removed from its holster and the brunette held it out with a trembling hand. "I'm coming for you. I'm going to help you u--" She was vaguely aware of her head of house talking to her, but she couldn't look away, not as the dark form began to take shape. Dread filled her to the brim and another scream cut through the air, though this time it was her own. More dark forms revealed themselves, making a new kind of path before her, and Vita clutched her chest as her wide eyes filled with tears. No. No. No, no, no, no. |
As they started running Indigo kept pace with Vita, but otherwise didn't really acknowledge the group around him. He was sort of lost in his own thoughts - running was good for that - until he suddenly realized that he couldn't see. Well he could see in the sense that he hadn't suddenly gone blind, but all he could see was this very thick mist. Immediately he reached out for Vita, as she had been right next to him as they were running. He didn't want to get separated, especially now that he could hear the panic of the others, and the warnings of the professors. And that rumbling definitely didn't sound good. Thunder? He didn't want to be lost in some fog if it was about to storm. His wand was in his hand, because this was Hogwarts and because the mist had been so sudden and he just felt a little strange about it. He cast a quick Lumos but it didn't really seem to do much. He could barely see the wand in his own hand. He heard a scream and was about to tell whoever it had come from to just calm down, it was just some fog and it would be much easier to find their way out if they remained calm, when he heard a second scream and could tell that this one had come from Vita. "Are you okay?" It was starting to get difficult to tell what sounds had come from where, so he wasn't exactly sure which way the professor had been. |
Well thank you Captain Obvious. Malachi didn’t respond to the First Year, thinking it quite clear at this point that he himself didn’t believe it had anything to do with the weather. He wouldn’t snap at a twelve year old because of fear though, no, he was well above that The Headmaster found it harder and harder to see anything before him and hoped the students HAD stopped like he’d suggested. He meant it when he said they were turning around and as long as he didn’t move before he sorted himself and the others out, he wouldn’t lose his orientation. Right now he knew exactly which way was back and planned to keep it that way. Malachi cringed at the sudden screams and the yells. He could hear footsteps as the students proceeded to KEEP MOVING and felt his heart pounding. There was a sense of dread in this mist and soon he could see them. It was all the man could do not to drop dead immediately. His legs felt like lead, he could feel the blood rushing through each vein and the panic was quickly rising. They’d come back for him. For them! The students must’ve seen them too. It would explain all the screaming. With robotic movements he raised his wand and tried to speak, praying his voice wouldn’t be caught in his throat. ”Piers! Students! This way! Follow this sound and this sound only. Stay calm—d-don’t panic. Piers, light your wand and have the students follow you to me!” Oh merlin they were getting closer. The man was all but wheezing, desperate for even the smallest breath of air but he managed to keep talking, urging the students and his coworker to come toward him. |
Was something happening because it was getting spooky real fast and while Eloise didn't know many things she was certain Halloween was not even close? "HEY PROFESSOR..HEADMASTER IT'S GETTING REAL SPOOKY RIGHT NOW" Like she was a tiny bit happy the running had stopped for a bit but with the tones of Fuller and Headmaster, something was happening not even they knew about. Like not even being able to see around her was a real problem. Yep, she was also being captain obvious. Yeah, she was going to need more help than a voice to find Fuller Thompson or Headmaster or really anyone in this. This wasn't funny anymore. |
Out of the mist we gooo... Students were panicking and yelling, which was understandable, but he wished they would panic less and try to focus and make their way back up the path. It hadn't curved THAT much, so it should be easy for all of them to get back out. Piers wasn't afraid of fog per say, but something about this fog was particularly spooky and it was his job to keep his students out of danger. So, he followed the Headmaster's advice and ignored the obvious comment from one of the girls about this being SPOOKY (because obv). "Lumos maxima," Piers muttered, and his wand lit up brightly in the fog. He then raised it in the air, still backing up towards the Headmaster. "Everyone, keep following my voice. Look toward the light on my wand and follow it. Can everyone see it? We're almost out." Whether that was TRUE or not, he didn't actually know, but he was hoping that it would calm everyone down. Glancing back up the path, Piers was pleased to see the figure of the Headmaster. They were finally getting out of the mist. |
The mist was so thick she tried to find the voices she was hearing. When she heard Gunnar's she froze, no, no, he couldn't get near these. He had to stay safe, "GUNNAR RUN, RUN AWAY FROM HERE." Her body trembling she tried to scoot back as they moved closer. What were the spells they learned, WHAT WERE THE SPELLS? She couldn't figure it out from the fear that took over. She wasn't a good witch, she wasn't able to protect the others. Instead, she pushed back on her hands and kept scooting trying to move away from them. Hitting something hard, Chloe knew she was trapped. She could try to fight, but why? They were strong and she wasn't. No, she was going to die today, she just knew it and for that, she needed Gunnar far away. She needed to at least know he would be safe. She tried to be strong or at least sound strong when she tried to yell. "Gunnar get out of here. " They were getting closer even as she spoke... She shut her eyes and buried her face to not see the end. She thought about how she hadn't told Finlay she liked him, but at least she had gotten her first kiss before she died, thank you, Aaron Botros. |
"We're follow -" Analiese stopped in mid-sentence. Her hands fell to her sides, and she let out a blood-curdling scream. A truly petrifying horror was standing right in front of her, engulfed in the mist. She stumbled backward and tripped over a tree root. She fell down and her screams persisted. "Someone help!" She yelled for help as she crawled on all fours, back down the pathway. She didn't know where she was going, being completely engulfed by the cold mist. But anywhere away from the dreaded beast was best. The horrifying creature reached out towards her and her screams grew louder. A light appeared in the mist. She must follow it. That was Analiese's first instinct. She stood up and ran. Ran towards the light. She panted as she reached the source of the light. Panted and panted and panted. "I s-saw... " Her voice trailed off, and she pointed in the mist. |
Searching blindly in the thick fog, Gunnar tried to follow Chloe's voice as he reached his hands in front of him. There it was again - her screams. Terror gripped at his chest as he turned towards her voice. "I'm not leaving until I find you!" Was she crazy? He was the oldest; it was his responsibility to protect his siblings. He was just glad Morgan and Aidan weren't here.... or were they? The panic and fear consuming him was starting to confuse his mind. But all at once there was a light. It was still foggy, but he could make out shapes in the mist, including that of his sister. "Chloe, come on!" Panic still coloring his voice, he grabbed her hand to help her to her feet. "We need to get out of here." His fear was still rather prevalent, motivating him to get her to safety, vaguely aware of the shouts of his head of house (among others). But he was going to protect his sister from... whatever danger was in this fog, and following the light seemed to be the way to do it. |
a little catch up Cassidy was rather enjoying herself. She had a lot of energy and the jog was the perfect way to deal with this. She wished she could have talked Rhett into coming but this really wasn't his thing. All of a sudden a mist seemed to take over the pathways. Cassidy suddenly stopped, a sense of fear and dread slowly taking over her. Her heart beat faster as the sense of dread grew. Then she thought she saw something, something horrible. "No." She muttered under her breath. "No." She muttered a little louder. She could hear the professor calling for them to follow his voice, but she was frozen in one spot. Her fear too great to move her. The first year was practically in tears at this point. What was she supposed to do? |
Indigo was lost, and confused. Except if he just turned around exactly 180 degrees then he should be able to backtrack and get out of this mist just fine. That was what he kept telling himself, at least, to try to prevent the oncoming panic. He just didn't want to leave without Vita, and she seemed to be moving forward toward something. Probably feeling a sense of duty as a prefect to help get the rest of the kids out too. He took a few steps forward, and then he saw a shape too, there on the ground just barely visible through the fog. It looked like... Indigo stopped breathing. Because that shape couldn't be what he thought it was. It couldn't be possible. It didn't make any sense. His feet carried him a few steps closer without any real thought and it became a little clearer. No, no, no. The voice of the professor sounded like it was coming from far away. Indigo might as well have been underwater. He stumbled forward a bit more and fell to his hands and knees. It was only a second later that he managed to listen to the part of his brain that was telling him this was dangerous. There must have been something else. Judging by the screams around him, whatever else it was out there was upon them. And would be upon him too if he didn't leave. But he was frozen to the spot, unable to move, barely able to breathe. |
Was she supposed to be following Fuller or Headmaster it was getting confusing and this mist and not being able to see didn't help. She took a step towards whatever voice sounded closest like she could really tell anyway. But before she could do anything she caught something out of the corner of her something she never wanted to see here or anywhere. She was no frozen in place. No no no no no it wasn't possible but yet. Tears were starting to well up under her eyes and yep she started crying. It just wasn't possible but she was seeing it. Too scared to even move and avert her eyes. getting the attention of a Professor was the last thing on her mind. |
They were closing in, forcing the man to stumble further and further back toward the end of the fog. Typically, this would be a good thing. The POINT was to exit this mist in one piece and high tail it back to the castle. The problem? The students weren’t listening. Despite the lights and the booming voice courtesy of the charm he’d cast earlier, they were still off in the mist, running wild presumably or just straight out panicking. After all they’d ever discussed in DADA about remaining somewhat calm and not panicking because it made everything worse, they were still panicking to the point they put themselves and others at risk. Choosing to remain to save them put himand risk and while that could be forgiven for his job title, they put each other at risk too. If they kept this up they WOULD be eaten and he would be devoured along with them. The thought frustrated the man as much as it frightened him and with each second they waited, the mist creeped further adding more distance to how far they’d need to travel to be clear of it. He doubted any of them were thinking of THAT just as he was sure none realized that they stood very little chance of survival staying out here. None made any attempts to make themselves more visible. The fog was thick. There were creatures everywhere and many chose to freeze. How did they expect to be found? They were not exhibiting any sort of tactical behaviour or employing anything they’d ever learned in their lessons. It was disappointing. It was worrying. It told him none of them were ready for the real world. None of them were likely to survive out there at this rate and it frightened the man all the much more. So many frightening things in one afternoon. Push came to shove and they all hit immediate panic mode. This was their reaction to danger? Making themselves an easier target? For all their big talk during lessons.......he would need to have a word with them all in case there were more who would react like them—if they ever got out of here that is. For now, in the absence of the students having any survival or self preservation skills or common sense of their own—typical of teenagers, to be honest—Malachi once again spook with his voice booming. ”WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS. PULL YOURSELVES TOGETHER IF YOU HAVE ANY INTENTION OF LIVING! LIGHT YOUR WANDS! THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT YOU CAN. PIERS AND I WILL FIND YOU!” He didn’t begin wandering. That was a poor idea. Never wander when you were uncertain of your surroundings. Something else he expected them to know better about. When the run started they were all relatively close and now...now he didn’t know where they were or what they were thinking. Instead he lit the path ahead so they’d be able to find it after—oh? Well at least one student had found him. Wasting no time, Malachi wrapped rope around the first year Ravenclaw to prevent her from wandering off again. “We’ll be fine, we just need to get out of here.” And for that, he would need the students to look past their fear for a moment and do what they were told. |
Cassidy was almost sobbing at this point. The fear so immense it made her heart race. Then she heard the headmaster's voice. It was just enough to pull her out of her trance ever so slightly. Light. She needed to make light. She grabbed her wand and looked down at it, prying her eyes away from the horror in front of her. "Lu-umos." She muttered between sobs. A faint light appeared. She knew that would not be enough. She took a few deep breathes, trying to calm down enough to produce enough light to get out of this dreadful mist. "Lumos." She was able to muster a brighter light. Hopefully it was enough for one of the professors to find her because she was still afraid to move. |
When she looked back on this, Vita would remember how Nightmarish it felt. Her heart beating so fast, drumming so loudly that it distracted from all other sounds. The feeling of ice running through her veins as the fear set in and in contrast, the hot tears streaming steadily down her face as she gazed down at the shadowy forms in front of her. This wasn't happening. She couldn't-she didn't know how to deal with this. Wiping at her face with her hands, she felt her wand brush up against her cheek and that..sparked something. Her wand. They had been out running and then this...this mist and then she was here and she'd seen...but it couldn't be real. Her wand, that was real. It was a lifeline and she was holding on to it as hard as she could, knuckles white, body trembling now. Looking around, panicked, Vita realized that she'd lost Indigo somewhere along the way. She wanted to scream again, call out for him, but more yelling would do more harm than good. No, she just needed to try and be found. Be helped before she could help anyone else. She needed to get out of here. "L-lumos Maxima." The flash was quick and bright, but it only lasted a moment, her mind on other things. Flashes of things she'd wished she'd never seen. Hoped she'd never have to see again. Eyes welling up with tears again, she swallowed the lump in her throat and croaked out more forcefully this time a, "Lumos Maxima!" And it worked. And she wanted someone to come get her now. Someone needed to help her, please. |
This fourth year was still crying, not quite sure she believed what she was seeing. Didn't help her get moving or anything. But Eloise finally snapped out of it when she heard Headmaster shouting or yelling very loud. Logic slowly crept back into her head. Not like anything she was seeing could be real since well the event happened when she was only eleven. She slowly got out her wand and raised it. "L..lu..lu...lulu..Lumos Maxima!" Jackpot! Nope none of this was real she repeated to herself...well besides all the students and her getting saved she hoped. |
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She knew he wanted to get out, but how? Her green eyes straining to see if she could find something and ignore the site in front of her. "There, do you think that is their light?" Was that the wand light of her Headmaster and professor? She hoped so because she and Gunnar were going to head that way. "Professor... Headmaster... help!" Her had was so tight around her wand she felt her nails cutting the skin, but she stopped for a second. Her wand.. her wand, yes, she might not have been able to fight, but she could try and light up around them. Lumos Maxima |
search and rescue all aboard The mist definitely wasn't just mist. Things that they were seeing - the things that HE had just seen was meant to scare them and it was clearly working. Piers was working through his fear to think logically in order to get this kids out of here, but... honestly, they were making it difficult. What happened to fight or flight? Because he didn't hear anyone fighting and he didn't see anyone coming through the mist to safety. As Piers' fear started to morph into mildly annoyed desperation, he heard the Headmaster's voice boom through the air. There was no missing that. The students NEEDED to get a grip and get their butts out of there. Thankfully, due the Headmaster's short speech, Piers was able to follow his voice and finally find him in the dense mist. He was relieved to see the man, even though it had only been... what, 30 seconds? Looking back down the path, Piers saw a light form in the mist. And there was another... and another. And some more, good. "That's good, I can see your lights!"' Piers shouted ahead. "Keep walking forward - the Headmaster and I will come find you." And hopefully there wasn't anything lurking in the mist that wanted to eat them, or else they were going to be one big, tasty meal. Piers looked back at the Headmaster and the one, single student that had made it to safety and then looked at the rope he had and grabbed onto the end of it. "Here. Hold onto this and extend it. I'll take it down the path and find the rest." Because they clearly weren't moving and they needed to get OUT. Holding tight to the end of the rope, Piers stepped further into the mist, quickly disappearing from view of the Headmaster. "I'm coming to find you," Piers shouted as he squinted through the fog to no avail. His head turned quickly to the side when he thought he saw a student, but he had to force himself to look away and keep moving. It was the mist playing tricks on him. "Just remember!" He shouted again. "What you're seeing isn't real. It's just trying to scare you." And it was WORKING. Piers was coming up on his first light and was pleased to find Vita, his prefect. Thank goodness. He couldn't lose one of those. "Vita, are you alright?" He put a hand on her shoulder to make sure she was real. "Take hold of this rope," he instructed. And to make sure he did so, Piers grabbed her hand and put it around said rope. "Now, follow it to the end and you'll find the Headmaster, okay?" He patted her shoulder and then moved on, the end of the rope going with him as he walked towards the next light. "I have the end of a rope and the Headmaster has the other end. When I come to you, hold on TIGHT to the rope and walk to the end. The Headmaster will be there and he'll lead you toward the castle." Those were simple enough instructions to follow, right??? RIGHT??? Piers found the next student and grabbed their hand and put it on the rope so they would hold onto it and not get lost. "Follow this back to the Headmaster," he told them, and then he moved onto the next... and the next... and the next. Cassidy, Indigo, Eloise, Chloe, Gunnar - Piers found ALL of the students and made sure he secured their hands to the rope before moving on. When he was sure he had retrieved all of the students, Piers turned, now deeper into the mist than he ever wanted to be... and made his way back up to the Headmaster, half tempted to close his eyes to avoid seeing what the mist was projecting at him. But he had to keep them open in case a student decided to panic and stop mid-rope to cry. He wasn't gonna deal with that well. |
Cassidy was still crying when the professor reached her. All she could give out was a stiff nod as he secured her hand on the ropes. The vision in front of her was still the worst thing she had ever seen and she did not want to see it anymore. This rope was the only thing that was going to save her. She walked along it, moving hand over hand, not wanting to lose her grip on it. It was leading back to the headmaster. Back to safety. Away from this nightmare vision. She saw some of the other students ahead of her. She must've been close to the end. There. There was the headmaster. Cassidy let go of the rope and sprinted toward the headmaster. Not caring what he or anyone else thought the first year wrapped her arms around his legs and continued to sob harder. She was out of the nightmare but couldn't wipe the vision from her thoughts. |
To be honest, Indigo was feeling like he wouldn't mind if he just got lost in this mist forever. It wasn't that he didn't want to run, necessarily, but his legs didn't seem to be working. Neither were his lungs. It felt like he hadn't breathed in ten years, and when he did his breathing came in short gasps. He had bypassed mild anxiety and jumped straight into a full blown panic attack. The voice of the headmaster managed to actually reach his ears, thanks to the magical amplification. Yes, help, they needed help. Maybe it wasn't too late. He became suddenly aware of his wand, still gripped tightly in his hand. "Lumos." His voice was just a bit shaky but the spell still worked. Please come and find him. The next voice that reached him was that of Fuller-Thompson. Not real? He looked hard at the figure in front of him, trying to convince his brain that it wasn't real, but the panic was hard to pierce through. Still, it was the mantra of not real, not real that allowed him to finally get to his feet and obediently grip the rope being placed into his hand. He was still hyperventilating a little, but his feet kept carrying him forward back toward the headmaster. |
Leading everyone away to safety, feel free to include your students ^^ Malachi kept a firm grip on the rope, allowing Piers to take the other end and head out into the students. There was a nagging little feeling...that someone else was doing the rescuing while he stood by but those snapping jaws...yeah he'd wait for the students to get he--eh? The Headmaster saw a mass moving toward him and flinched believing it was another of the many horrors that lurked in the mist but once it was close enough, he recognized it as Burke. Malachi said nothing about her latching onto him like his own children would, not at first. When he did react, it was nothing more than an awkward hand at her back and another promise that everything would be fine. When all the lights from the different wands began lining up--along the rope, he assumed--he began walking. "Hang on everyone, we're getting out of here." And true to his word, against everything he was seeing, Malachi followed the lit path he'd created. Back to the castle and he wouldn't be stopping until they were safely there. "Anyone in need of the Healer, please head up to the Hospital Wing when we get back!" For now, they were out of here. |
Vita wondered if Fuller-Thompson was real the moment she saw him, shrinking some as he put his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes were still wide, red-rimmed, filled with fear. Her cheeks were tear stained. She felt numb. She didn't answer his question, the lump in her throat was too big to allow for that. Instead she let him place her hand on the rope and did as she was told, moving towards the direction he'd indicated. She would've squeezed her eyes closed if she wasn't aware that other dangers might be lurking out in the mist somewhere. She just...she didn't want to see-she couldn't handle seeing what she'd seen again. She couldn't. And so she kept on walking, feeling the rope being tugged along now, guided by their headmaster. Weirdly, she wanted to laugh at his suggestion about seeing the healer. How could the healer help heal the damage that had been caused by what she'd just seen? No, no, she wanted Maverick. He'd help. |
Cassidy felt the pats on her back and pulled herself away from the headmaster, just glad to be close to someone that was actually solid and there. She wiped some of the tears away from her eyes and nodded at his words. She grabbed a hold of the rope again, following him out of the dreadful mist. Anyone in need of a healer go there. Did she need a healer? Would a healer even help everything she just saw in front of her? Maybe, but first she needed to see her twin brother and then maybe head up to the healer. |
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