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sweetpinkpixie · 02-10-2026, 05:01 AM

Professor Cox arrived just ahead of the first proper rush of students, the crunch of leaves and twigs meeting his ears as he stepped through. His hazel gaze swept instinctively upward first — habit — taking in the canopy and the scattering of enchanted light.

He positioned himself near the edge of the clearing, leaning back against the broad trunk of a tree with his arms folded loosely across his chest, expression neutral, eyes tracking movement through the brush with practiced ease.

A sharp voice cut through the air and his attention flicked immediately toward the source just in time to catch sight of Miss Dane taking off at a run, paint projectile flying in the general direction of Mr. Dreamer and Mr. Singh-Phora with more enthusiasm than precision. A faint huff of breath left him, something that might have been amusement if one were generous.

He supposed, eventually, he would ready his wand from his wrist holster...but for now he was content against his tree trunk.

■□□■

Hesitate was not a word in Calliope's vocabulary.

She barely spared the rules sign a glance and the moment the crunch of leaves replaced stone beneath her boots, her wand was up, posture sharp, and eyes scanning like she'd been dropped straight into enemy territory instead of a friendly inter-house activity. Her wrist flick without breaking a stride at the first sign of any sort of movement.

"PINGO GREEN!"

The spell snapped forward, splashing bright emerald paint across a fallen log just off the main path. Well, that one had obviously not aimed at anyone but rather was a range check. Calliope moved immediately after, her boots navigating uneven ground with practiced ease as she slipped off the obvious route and into the cover of thicker trees.

Another sharp flick of her wrist.

"PINGO GREEN! PINGO GREEN!"

Paint burst against a tree trunk while her second casting whipped by brush and further into the shadows where she heard a soft splat. A feral sort of grin ghosted across her face as she readied her wand again and shifted positions again, deeper into the forest, deliberately noisy enough to bait attention. Hide-and-seek had never been a favorite pastime of hers, could you tell?

Surely other housemates were around here somewhere—and once opposing houses revealed their positions by casting at her, she’d be more than happy to retaliate in full force.

■□□■

Iris hesitated only a moment before stepping through, her gaze flicked briefly to the rules posted ahead, then beyond them. Specifically, toward movement, voices, and the unmistakable gathering of Gryffindors already plotting something loud and coordinated.

Try not to duel the furniture.

Adrian's words echoed, unwelcome and persistent, in her thoughts. Iris exhaled softly through her nose and trudged forward. Defense Against the Dark Arts had always been one of her favorite subjects, theoretically, that is, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. Knowledge was the most dangerous weapon anyone could carry, far more reliable than brute strength or flashy spellwork.

And stealth, she decided as she slipped quietly away from the forming cluster of lions, would be hers.

Keeping to the shadows cast by the thicker trees, Iris moved with care, placing each step deliberately as she searched for higher ground or dense cover... somewhere she could observe before being observed.

Perhaps she would even attempt to climb a tree to gain a higher vantage point...No. No she shouldn't do that because then she would be vulnerable without much footing.

So she ~~walked~~ tiptoed on in search of an advantageous hiding spot.

02-10-2026, 05:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
sweetpinkpixie Wizarding World RPG Admin Gladrags Mod Quibbler Mod Minister for Magic Alley Proprietor Sea Serpent Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: The Paths Posts: 41,108 Hogwarts RPG Name: Professor Cox Ravenclaw Graduated Hogwarts RPG Name: Briallen Ashburry-Hawthorne Gryffindor Fourth Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Nyle Harden Hufflepuff Fifth Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Iris Harden Ravenclaw Fifth Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Calliope Barrington Slytherin Fourth Year Ministry Department Head: Charles Hollingberry Minister's Office Ministry Department Head: Airey Flamsteed Mysteries Diagon Alley Proprietor: Victor García Massey Ollivanders x12 x12	astronomizzle ♧ gryffinDORK \| & the rest is drag ♣ #badluckDerf Professor Cox arrived just ahead of the first proper rush of students, the crunch of leaves and twigs meeting his ears as he stepped through. His hazel gaze swept instinctively upward first — habit — taking in the canopy and the scattering of enchanted light. He positioned himself near the edge of the clearing, leaning back against the broad trunk of a tree with his arms folded loosely across his chest, expression neutral, eyes tracking movement through the brush with practiced ease. A sharp voice cut through the air and his attention flicked immediately toward the source just in time to catch sight of Miss Dane taking off at a run, paint projectile flying in the general direction of Mr. Dreamer and Mr. Singh-Phora with more enthusiasm than precision. A faint huff of breath left him, something that might have been amusement if one were generous. He supposed, eventually, he would ready his wand from his wrist holster...but for now he was content against his tree trunk. ■□□■ Hesitate was not a word in Calliope's vocabulary. She barely spared the rules sign a glance and the moment the crunch of leaves replaced stone beneath her boots, her wand was up, posture sharp, and eyes scanning like she'd been dropped straight into enemy territory instead of a friendly inter-house activity. Her wrist flick without breaking a stride at the first sign of any sort of movement. "PINGO GREEN!" The spell snapped forward, splashing bright emerald paint across a fallen log just off the main path. Well, that one had obviously not aimed at anyone but rather was a range check. Calliope moved immediately after, her boots navigating uneven ground with practiced ease as she slipped off the obvious route and into the cover of thicker trees. Another sharp flick of her wrist. "PINGO GREEN! PINGO GREEN!" Paint burst against a tree trunk while her second casting whipped by brush and further into the shadows where she heard a soft splat. A feral sort of grin ghosted across her face as she readied her wand again and shifted positions again, deeper into the forest, deliberately noisy enough to bait attention. Hide-and-seek had never been a favorite pastime of hers, could you tell? Surely other housemates were around here somewhere—and once opposing houses revealed their positions by casting at her, she’d be more than happy to retaliate in full force. ■□□■ Iris hesitated only a moment before stepping through, her gaze flicked briefly to the rules posted ahead, then beyond them. Specifically, toward movement, voices, and the unmistakable gathering of Gryffindors already plotting something loud and coordinated. Try not to duel the furniture. Adrian's words echoed, unwelcome and persistent, in her thoughts. Iris exhaled softly through her nose and trudged forward. Defense Against the Dark Arts had always been one of her favorite subjects, theoretically, that is, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. Knowledge was the most dangerous weapon anyone could carry, far more reliable than brute strength or flashy spellwork. And stealth, she decided as she slipped quietly away from the forming cluster of lions, would be hers. Keeping to the shadows cast by the thicker trees, Iris moved with care, placing each step deliberately as she searched for higher ground or dense cover... somewhere she could observe before being observed. Perhaps she would even attempt to climb a tree to gain a higher vantage point...No. No she shouldn't do that because then she would be vulnerable without much footing. So she ~~walked~~ tiptoed on in search of an advantageous hiding spot. __________________ We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back......................................... But now we're seeing all the beauty in the broken glass..................................... The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like