What in Merlin's Beard?! Term 40 (2086-87)

[Magical Soul]

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e206/SS_PB/School/merlinsbeard.jpg

A bit confused about the plot? Housemates talking about a mysterious something going bump in the night? Here's where you can catch up on happenings around the castle and in Hogsmeade -- out of character, of course.

This means that unless your student character heard this stuff from other students or witnessed the actual event, your student character doesn't know about it.

Also, this is a reminder to everyone to only post updates on the school plot here. Please do not post the happenings of your student character in here; that kind of chat goes in the school chat thread.

Have fun!

[Magical Soul]

:sort: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Board of Governors
President - Cassandra Rae-Branxton (Cassirin)
Vice President - Ivy Knox (sarahlooo)
Treasurer - Harold Lagerty (Harold Lagerty)
Secretary - Carter Phillips (LilFox06)
Althea Scabior (Tegz)
Atticus Aldredge (AlwaysSnapesGirl)
Sherman Clark (lemon)
Corineus Vanderbilt (Steelsheen)
Cooper Cope (Hera)
Erik Vinteren (Erik Vinteren)


:sort: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmistress - Prof. Anastasia Truebridge (BanaBatGirl)
Deputy Head - Prof. Abraham Botros (Magical Soul)


:sort:School Staff
Ancient Runes – Prof. Abraham Botros (Magical Soul)
Arithmancy - Prof. Tiara Tanner (hpluvr037))
Astronomy - Prof. Airey Flamsteed (sweetpinkpixie)
CoMC - Prof. Javier Thompson (Charely Potter)
Charms – Prof. Maddox E. Quigley (DaniDiNardo)
DADA - Prof. Sabel Dakest (Tazenhani)
Divination - Prof. Cassiopeia Morgan (Bazinga)
Herbology - Prof. Anastasia Truebridge (BanaBatGirl)
History of Magic – Prof. Nessarose Glendower (emjay)
Muggle Studies – Prof. Meredith Moxley (TakeMeToTheBurrow)
Potions - Prof. Cosgrach Culloden (StarShine)
Transfiguration – Prof. Sophia Bellaire (Davvy_Wavvy)

Flying - Prof. Tiara Tanner (hpluvr037)
Groundskeeper – Mr. Scott Maclaren
Librarian - Mr. Leobald Kitridge (Nordic Witch)
School Healer (Nurse) – Mrs. Cecelia Murdoch (The1HBIC)
School Poltergeist - Peeves
School Ghost - Moaning Myrtle
House Elves – Algamus, Argyle, Beezley, Nimma, Pips, Quirly, Schmoop, Tinka, Tippin, Toddles

:gryff: Gryffindor
House Ghost - Sir "Nearly Headless" Nick
Head of House - Prof. Airey Flamsteed (sweetpinkpixie)
House Moderator - Prof. Maddox E. Quigley (DaniDiNardo)
House Prefects - Zander Adair (ArianaBlack), Puck Sumner Greyvson (Optimist)

:huff: Hufflepuff
House Ghost - The Fat Friar
Head of House - Prof. Abraham Botros (Magical Soul)
House Moderator – Prof. Nessarose Glendower (emjay)
House Prefects – Aditya Rehman (FearlessLeader19 ), Marigold McAlistor (ScarletCharm104)

:claw: Ravenclaw
House Ghost - The Grey Lady
Head of House - Mr. Leobald Kitridge (Nordic Witch)
House Moderator - Mrs. Tiara Tanner (hpluvr037)
House Prefects – Gabriel Banner (Govoni), Sophie Brown (feeheeheeny)

:slyth: Slytherin
House Ghost - The Bloody Baron
Head of House - Mrs. Cecelia Murdoch (The1HBIC)
House Moderator - Prof. Sophia Bellaire (Davvy_Wavvy)
House Prefects – Caleb A. Newell (Lissy Longbottom), Beverly Wayne (Deezerz)

Gobstones Club – Mr. Leobald Kitridge (Nordic Witch) and Mrs. Tiara Tanner (hpluvr037)

:galleon:Hogsmeade Shopkeepers
Dervish & Banges – Saul Bunyons
Gladrag’s Wizardwear – Summer Longshadow
Hog’s Head Pub – Samuel Huxley
Honeydukes – Maisie Windell
Madam Puddifoots – Sapphira Puddifoot
The Three Broomsticks – Harold Lagerty
Scrivenshaft’s – Edina Fairbairn
Simply Stylish Salon – Monte Bossa
Zonko’s Joke Shop – Emerald McDougal

[Govoni]

It's FEAST TIME! New faces and new positions IC announced!

Pleased as she was that everything seemed to be smooth sailing so far this evening, Anastasia had never been one for small talk. Maybe she was too busy reminiscing about the last time she had taught Herbology, and the delightful person who had sat beside her.... She had certainly not been one for making small talk since she had occupied this throne chair here in the middle of the table. Alas, she was getting hungry, and now was as good a time as any for a speech. The redhead stood and walked to the center of the dais, casting sonorous on herself to make certain she was heard.

"Good evening." She'd give those few kids standing and chatting a moment to take a seat.... "I am glad we have all returned to Hogwarts this year. For those of you who are new: WELCOME! You'll find you are not alone in your novelty, as we have a few new faces on staff now. Some of you may recognize our new Groundskeeper, Mr. Maclaren, from the field trip this past summer. Additionally, I hope all of you will learn a great deal from Auror and new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Dakest." She took a moment to smile fondly at them behind her. "Other changes include Professor Tanner assisting Mr. Kitridge with Gobstones, Professor Quigley helping out Professor Flamsteed with Gryffindor House, and I, your Headmistress, will be teaching Herbology this term."

Any other news? She glanced around at them and nodded, as if to herself. "We will be continuing our mapping efforts from last term, and will also have a guest seminar at some point this year, so keep your eyes on your notice boards, as always. Enjoy your dinners, and please try to keep the noise to a dull roar this evening. Happy feasting!"

Why, that was an almost cheerful message for her! With a final firm smile, the Headmistress had a seat back in her throne chair and reached for one of the delicious, buttery rolls which had appeared.

[lazykitty]

Well, this is new, interesting and different:

From The Wooden Bridge:

Having searched the entire castle up and down, the enchanted red envelope turned to the grounds in search of its lucky victim (SpiritWolfe Malfoy). Finding her, the envelop plopped itself down on the railing beside her arm.

Wait too long to open it and your nostrils will be filled with a strong smokey smell....and you may have to explain to the new Groundskeeper why his bridge is singed.

SO DO IT! DO IT NOW!

Having searched the entire castle up and down, the enchanted red envelope turned to the grounds in search of its lucky victim (SpiritWolfe Malfoy). Finding her, the envelop plopped itself down on the railing beside her arm.

Wait too long to open it and your nostrils will be filled with a strong smokey smell....and you may have to explain to the new Groundskeeper why his bridge is singed.

SO DO IT! DO IT NOW!
Relaxing calming against the railing her gaze shifting from her older friend beside her to the view of the rocks down below and then back she almost missed the howler landing beside her arm.

WHOA!

WAIT!

WHAT?! A howler...why?

She knew what a howler was but she had no clue as to why she would be getting one. Had she done something wrong? Hady didn't think so as she ran over the last few days in her mind. Fidgeting just slightly the small girl picked it up and opened it before she could choose not to do so.

What was this about and who was it from?

Adi grinned. He was so pleased that Hady didn't mind the nickname. "Did you know Hades is the Greek god of the Underworld?'' he asked, randomly offering a fascinating bit of information to the younger girl.

"I've been good. I'm so much relieved to be back here.'' He had not realised he used the word 'relieved' to describe how much he wanted to be back at Hogwarts. Adi looked away from all the trees and rocks to give Hady his full attention. "Something bothering you?'' he asked curiously. Maybe he could help because you know... he was a helpful Hufflepuff and helping out made him HAPPYYYYY. "I know what you meant though. This Bridge is my favourite place around Hogwarts.'' He fondly patted the rail but was momentarily distracted by the red envelope making its appearance next to Hady's arm and it nearly sent him into a panic. WHAT IF IT WAS HIS MOTHER SENDING HIM A HOWLER?

But, but buuuuut! The envelope was next to Hady... so it had to be for her, right? "Uhhh, Hades? I think someone sent you a Howler." Gosh! Who would be sending her THAT?! O__O "Better open it fast,'' he advised urgently, as his friend reached for the envelope.

Hady grinned a little bit nodding her head. "Uh-huh. It's okay though it's just a nickname so I don't mind if it's related to him or not." Nope not in the least. Plus Greek gods were pretty darn cool in her book.

That's a good thing. She was glad to hear he'd been doing well but what was he 'relieved' about? Did he just enjoy the school that much? Really Hady could understand that because being here made her feel so much more at home lately. "Relieved? Did something happen?" And then he was asking her what was bothering her... Hm.. Well lots? Or well not really but yeah...

"Nothing exactly but everything." Did that even make any sense? She shuffled her feet a moment looking to the rocks and then back. "Just home and then here, pets and lessons now, studying and figuring out what I want to be after school and uh other...stuff..." Yeah there we go. Stuff. Cause stuff covered a lot.

Shifting her attention the howler she had just opened she gave a tiny nod of her head towards Adi keeping any panic from showing on her face. Panic wasn't good, not at all. Then again though neither was a HOWLER! "I um know...I just have no clue as to why..."

FINALLY! The howler was about ready to just burst into flames right there on the spot. Girl was taking FOREVER!

Springing to life, the howlers ribbon tie flicked furiously as it delivered its message from a familiar voice belonging to a certain Gryffindor third year...

"HI HADY, YOU'RE AN AWESOME FRIEND AND THANK YOU FOR COMING ON ADVENTURES WITH ME AND NOT LETTING THE BOUNCING BULBS KILL ME. P.S. I LIKE THE GREEN IN YOUR HAIR."

Message delivered, the howler burst into flames and showered ashes down upon its recipient.

You're welcome.


From the seating area outside Professor Flamsteed's office:






Zigzagging rapidly through the corridors of the castle, the vibrant red envelope found it's way into its recipient's hands (sweetpinkpixie) and instantly began heating up to scalding temperatures.

Hurry up, professor. BEFORE IT EXPLODES ALL UP IN YOUR FACE!


A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of the professor's lips. "Not just yet, but eventually we will." Stepping to the side, the professor held open his door for the Hufflepuff. "Why don't you step inside my office for a bit first, hmmm?"

He posed it as a question, but it really was not. And his tone implied as much.

OOC: you can go ahead and post inside the office now. Welcome!





Never in his wildest daydreams had he imagined that pet rocks would have been such a hit! Seemed like youth these days were more interested in vintage muggle things than they let on. Who needed all these fancy new contraptions he did, actually when you could have a rock companion?!

"Woah woah, no need to panic," he assured both of them with his hands raised. "Rest assured there are still many of the little fellows looking to be ---"

But before he could finish his sentence....THAT showed up.

Eyes wide and mouth hanging wide open, he gawked at the red envelope that was heating up in his hands. Who...would have sent him this? Kiera surely wouldn't have - he had yet to see her get mad enough to raise her voice to another person. Although he heard from other she did when it came to creature rights. Daphne would be the sort...but she had been out of the country for quite some time now.

Then his thought fell to Medea and beads of perspiration began forming on his brow. HAD HE FORGOTTEN TO DO SOMETHING?!

Knowing that time was of the essence and that he could not afford for it to explode - HIS POOR SUIT! - he grinned sheepishly at the two first years. "E-Excuse me...for a moment..." he said, turning his back towards the two and trying to get some distance between them and the howler.

Oh sweet solstice...OOOOOOOOOOOH SWEET SOLSTICE.

Maybe he should go inside his office for this? Hand on the handle ready to turn it, the heat of the letter became so much that his fingers instinctively tore it open before he had the change to retreat into the safety of his office.


Savoring his morning cup of Earl Grey, hot...the professor looked over some of his exoplanet research with a furrowed brow. He was just about to dip his quill into the inkwell on his desk to revisit a few calculations when there came a knock at the door.

Quill down, but cup of tea still in hand, he sauntered over to the door and swung it open.

"Good day, Miss Fields," he greeted. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

He could SMELL it! Something baked and glorious outside his office.

Moving before the knock even occurred, the professor opened the door a mere few seconds after the Ravenclaw had done so.

"I thought I smelled something delicious," he chuckled, seeing Miss Wright standing there with a box in her hands.


The envelope was already smoking just a tad at the edges, ready to unleash it's full wrath if the man didn't HURRY UP.

Lucky for him he finally gave in and the moment he did the howler erupted with the voice of one of his students:

PROFESSOR AIREY FLAMSTEED,

HOW DARE YOU TEACH ASTRONOMY SO WELL THAT EVERYONE ACTUALLY LIKES ATTENDING YOUR LESSONS HOW DARE YOU TEACH US ABOUT THE MOON AND THE STARS AND JUNIPER AND MARS. YOUR VAST AWESOMENESS SPANS MILLIONS OF GALAXIES. YOU ARE THE BEST PAPA A ROCK COULD ASK FOR. YOUR STELLARNESS WILL REMAIN LIGHTYEARS FROM NOW!

[Hera]

Soooooo... fancy that huh? SECRET PASSAGE UNVEILED!

Weren't they a curious pair. Valeria chuckled, amused by the antics between them. "I'd be happy to help you with a thing or two though it's no substitute for an actual Professor." Something she would hope the young lion would keep in mind.

A glimmer of light appeared at the question of the castle during her time. "It's was much like it is now, I'd say. Students running about, the occasional disaster...though I daresay...things have gotten a bit crazy in recent times...more so than I can remember during my living time here..."

It was a little disconcerting to say the least.

But in any case the magic words were said and the woman was all too pleased to AT LAAAAST pull on the hinges of her portrait and let it swing open, revealing a passage (http://www.snitchseeker.com/sixth-floor/forgotten-bathroom-100978/).

"Step in, step in."

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg635/SchoolStaff_PB/School%20Graphics/forgottenbathroom.jpg

The rickety old door that previously would not budge no matter who tried to open it for nearly a century has suddenly become a bit more accommodating.

Upon first glance, the interior of the room resembles nothing more than a disused bathroom covered in dust and cobwebs but with orange boxes embellished with a large 'W' thrown about the place haphazardly. The contents of these boxes, while very old, are still potent and functioning. So be careful opening them and inspecting their contents. You may just set off a dungbomb or Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-bangs. Perhaps you'll get lucky and find some Extendable Ears or a Screaming Yo-yo or something else entirely.

A crawlspace in one of the abandoned stalls will lead you to the Gryffindor Tower Reading Room (http://www.snitchseeker.com/gryffindor-common-room/gryffindor-reading-room-100479/). You'll just need to stand on the toilet to reach it.

Lucky lucky Lions! :evil: ... wonder if there are any more of these super secret abandoned places??? Hhhmmmmm?

[lazykitty]

The Howlers are at it again:

Zigzag zigzag ZOOM!

On a mission, the crimson envelope flew right into the Gryffindor's face with an unceremonious SMACK and stayed there. He would have to pull the it off his face, because it was not going to budge.

Best do that soon. Would be something awful if the Howler were to explode as it was.

He heard a hiss and a zip yet Benny still didn't expect something coming at him and smacking him in the face. From the position it was in, the sixth year couldn't help but be reminded of the parchment that had been unceremoniously been stuck to his nose the previous spring when he had fallen asleep while studying in Gryffindor tower.

Benny picked at it, removing it from his face, only to widen his eyes when he noticed the red color of the envelope. A howler?! "Wha---" he got out before swallowing in concern and realizing he had to do something. Like open it...fast! The Gryffindor did just that, wondering what it could possibly be about.

Taking flight once again, the Howler hovered in front of the Gryffindor's face to deliver its message. Try not to mind the ribbon as it flicks you in the nose repeatedly while the familiar voice of a certain third year lion shouts at you.

"BEN YOU'RE A COOL DUDE, THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND FOR BEING THERE WHEN I WAS BORED OR NEEDED YOU. YOU MAKE AN AWESOME GRYFFINDOR BROTHER. RRRAAWWWWWRRRR."

Message delivered, the Howler burst into flames and left a fine pile of ash on the ground.

[nanyjj]

If the groundskeeper was vigilant enough he would feel eyes on him..lots of eyes. The prying eyes don't linger too long, however as they have other places they need to be and things that needed to get done.

Quickly and almost ghost like they made their way past the groundskeeper's hunt and disappeared.

Hmmm...

[Stefan]

Scott was surprising even himself. Been here a few months and not a single meltdown about the castle even with him being so close to the forbidden forest. Nothing went bump in the night close to the edges and he was highly appreciative of the fact the children stayed clear of it. Less reason for him to have to go in there.

The Groundskeeper rounded his hut, mirror in hand as he attempted to adjust his hair. The new product he was on did wonders for the volume and gave it a nice bounce.

This was what great hair was abou--something moved in the background of his mirror. There was SOMETHING moving by his hut.

"AHHHhHHHhhhhHhhhhHH!!" Nothing manly about that scream. Likewise, nothing manly about his retreat.

Dropping his mirror where he once stood, the man darted for his door, throwing it closed behind and him attaching several locks and charms before throwing his whole body against it. They were coming for him. This was the end! He SAW something!

Uh-huh. :shifty:

♫ Something wicked this way comes! ♫ :whaa:

[Lislchen]

Another Howler. This time it's RUDELY interrupting a romantic Tête-à-Tête between Sir Nicholas and The Grey Lady. Rude. Very rude.

Why was he fussing around with the hat? Helena wondered silently. Ignoring the hat all together she raised a brow in surprise. "They did? I thought they'd win this year. Do the students seem to enjoy the foul smelling sport as much as quidditch?" It was the only sport they had available aside from duelling of course.

Nodding she said "Yes, the eagles are doing quite well. They recently had a paint war down by the lake. The state of their clothes and hands after made me shudder. They seemed to have had fun though." It was the most important thing, but still the stains and such. Shudder.

"I'm glad I shook off the Baron tonight. I'd much rather spend the night in your company than his." The lady said softly, her eyes downcast.

There was an extra special message that needed delivering and the howler was on a mission. Had to make the recipient KNOW and had to do so with as much zeal as is to be expected from a howler.

Down the corridor it zipped, aware it was arriving at it's destination but when it approached the ghost it went right through, darting down the corridor.

What what what?

No one was escaping the howler today! It reared around and charged again...going right through a second time. Welp, it could do this all day til it exploded.

Not wishing to insult the Head of House whom Helene worked closely with, Sir Nicholas tried to pick his words wisely. "Judging from the way Gryffindors speak of it, it is of my belief that the only thing that could possibly compete with quidditch in the hearts of Gryffindors would be something along the lines of dragon racing," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

Certainly not rolling little round objects along a playing board. Delicate precision was not something most Gryffindors were known for.

Pleased to hear that the eagles were doing fine as well, Sir Nicholas felt his un-beating heart skip a beat at the Ravenclaw ghost's words. With every intention of floating closer to her...

...he instead had his path interrupted by a crimson coloured envelope. A very persistent one at that!

Mouth forming a long 'O' underneath his small moustache, Sir Nicholas watched the thing zoom back and froth right through his front. How rude!

"Do you mind, you ghastly thing?" Sir Nicholas spat, waving his hand at the howler as he zipped this way and that. "Just explode and be done with it!"

His curiosity was tickled, however. Just who would be sending him one of these? Furthermore, how did they expect him to receive it?

*will edit with the contents of this Howler* but I thought the ghostly romance was already worth mentioning :whistle:

[nanyjj]

Having taken the suggestions of a few Hogwarts students into account, Maisie was eager for the grand reveal of an entirely new line of Honeydukes sweets. The boxes containing these delectable delights was still in the back room while she was busy cleaning the front of the shop that she SWORE she had just cleaned the night before.

"W'at? 'Ow?" she muttered under her breath as she got to feather dusting yet again. "W'ere did all zeese cobwebz come from?!"

Stumbling over her own feet yet again, Maisie went crashing into her new display and knocked it over. Somersaulting over it, Maisie landed on her bum, legs sticking straight out, and with cobwebs tangled up in her curly red locks.

Oh my goodness!

Oh no oh no oh no no no no!

Pushing her disheveled hair from her face, Maisie's face scrunched up and she shrieked in a tone rumored that only cruppies could hear when she saw cobwebs on her hand.

Jumping where she sat when she heard the voice of two customers, the shopkeeper tried to spin around on spot and whacked her elbows into the stand she had just knocked over.

"Pardon zee cobwebs," she whispered, her cheeks flushed, as the young man helped her to her feet. "Je vais bien. I am fine."

CHOCOLATE!

Back on her feet now - mostly, she was still wobbly in her heels - her eyes flew to the shelves that also had cobwebs strung about here and there.

"Oh no! Ze chocolat!" She spun around this time, nearly twisting her ankle in the process, and pleaded at the two with her eyes. "Can you two 'elp me? No mattar 'hat I do zey just keep coming back!"
The window display was absolutely perfect. Summer could only imagine how many people it would draw to the shop and the urge to add to it was strong. She had gotten a new shipment of scarves in and there was one outfit that could definitely work with a scarf.

After selecting an emerald green one made of silk, she approached the display when she spotted-"COBWEBS?" Summer Longshadow didn't deal with cobwebs. Summer Longshadow kept her shop neat and clean and cobwebs were not part of her display.



Hogsmeade was open again for the students. Great. Samuel had been running this place long enough, so it was just another day of wiping the dust and cobwebs from the glasses. He muttered to himself on how more often the bottles have been needing to be cleaned lately. Too much effort if there weren't enough older folks stopping by every now and now.

Cobwebs everywhere! :whaa:

[Stefan]

Dusting was Tinka's least favoritest of her favorite chores, but only because she didn't get to use her whisk-y whisk. Today she got to dust some of the portraits on the first floor before going back to her whisk-y in the kitchens.

Time to make these frames shine!

Toddles wanties to gets out of the kitchens. Yes Toddles dos. Toddles walkies rounds and sees Tinkas. TINKAS! Toddles beams yes he does. "Hiis Tinkas!" Toddles greets Tinkas yes he does. "Needs helps Tinkas?" Toddles asks beings the goods elf.

Iris sat in her portrait looking more annoyed than usual. She always enjoyed watching the students going to lessons. It was the best part of the year in her eyes, but today she was not happy, no she was down right irritated.

She sniffled and glared, "You there, house elf, make sure you get these cobwebs." Pointing towards the corners of her frame. "I can't see a thing and it's making it very unwelcoming to students."

Why would anyone want to visit her if those cobwebs wouldn't go away. She had never had so many on her before.

TODDLES!

"Tinka be glad to see Toddles! There be lots of dusty dust to do around here." And cobwebs, why those be here?! The picture lady be noticing them, too!

"Tinka be sorry, Lady Iris, Toddles be sorry too," the elf squeaked in a high voice. The little elfsy ears drooped and the bony elfsy hands began to wring. "Tinka punish herself when Tinka get back to kitchens, Tinka shut away her whisk-y for whole hour!" The little elf shuddered at the very thought of no whisk-y!

So the elf hurried to get out her duster and went to work straight away, taking special care around Lady Iris.

Iris looked at the house elves, she wasn't one to complain, especially to the elves knowing how hard they did work. She just didn't want the cobwebs on her frame anymore and it seemed like they kept getting worse and worse.

"No apologies needed just get it done please." She eyed them before looking around to see if any students were around. "You need to make sure the other portraits get cleaned as well. It is rather odd to see so many cobwebs around."

Were the elves being a bit lazy lately? She swore she had just seen them the other day.

Cobwebs, eh? Not just in Honeydukes, Hogwartians. :shifty:

[ArianaBlack]

Hmmmm something wicked this way comes in Hogsmeade apparently

:shifty:

As you walk on the clean and cheerfully lit Hogsmeade Street after a day in the village you pass by the infamous back alley where a bright flash of light catches your eye in the otherwise dark and dank place with its many bad smelling rubbish bins. Are you brave enough to wander off the secure high street and investigate where the light came from?

The alley is a place you know you should avoid but what if someone is in trouble?

[lazykitty]

A muggle camera in Hogsmeade...?

With every step you take into the Back Alley the bad smell coming from the rubbish bins gets thicker and thicker. It’s not uncommon for people who wander down here to start feeling queasy and lightheaded because of the intensity of the rubbish smell.

In the centre of the back alley in front of the largest rubbish bins you spot what gave off the flash of light on the ground. It’s a badly damaged muggle tourist camera that is still taking camera flashes every few minutes.

Going closer to the camera you also find a battered hat and a shabby looking jacket nearby. What has gone on here one might ask themselves. Has someone discarded their belongings here on purpose or has a crime been committed here?

[lazykitty]

Delivery Mosquito (that's actually the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Prophet) for Headmistress Truebridge and Professor Dakest:

One of the benefits of having a daughter at Hogwarts was that he received useful inside information on the happening of Hogwarts. Like the appearance of new passageways to and from Hogsmeade into the castle. Made this service to the Master must easier to accomplish, especially with the shorter distance to buzz about.

People were not usually observant enough to notice the mosquito buzzing through the corridors and even if they had would have thought much of its presence. This particular mosquito was a bit peculiar as it carried something skewered with its snout.

Zigzagging into the empty office, the Daily Prophet Editor-in-Chief reverted back to his human form just in time for the some enchantments on some his belongings to wear off. Taking a few moments to look around the office for anything else that may be useful to the Master, his vacant eyes fell on the article hanging on the wall and an eerie glimmer glazed his eyes. Now he knew just the right buttons to push for the upcoming article.

Reaching for the documents (http://i54.tinypic.com/2uqy6xd.jpg)and a handbook (http://i54.tinypic.com/milavm.jpg) that had fallen to the floor during his transformation, he disposed of them in one of the drawers of the Headmistress' desk and gave the room one last look over before transforming once again to head to his next location with the remaining documents skewered to his snout.

Buzzing into the vacant office, the man transformed quickly into his usual form and set to planting a few pieces (http://i56.tinypic.com/242amxd.jpg) of parchment in any drawers that he could get open and then a book (http://i54.tinypic.com/milavm.jpg) right in the middle of the target's desk. Once he had done so, he looked around of anything that may be useful to the Master or the article waiting to be finished back in his office. His blank stare fell on the pictures of a woman and two children and were instantly imprinted into his memory.

Having completed the Master's bidding, he transformed back into a mosquito and flew away.

Ruh-roh, Raggy!

[MudInMyBlood]

It was about time the man and that kid left the office, there were things in there that needed to be eaten, things like that ferret (http://s969.photobucket.com/user/sweetpinkpixie/media/Airey%20Flamsteed/SS%20Astronomy/General/black_sable_jill_4.jpg.html) that was now leaving the office too.

With eyes on the prize he started to make his way out of the shadows of the office. There was a fancy feast he needed to follow, a... what was this? Another tiny feast caught his attention. A feast for two, right there, on the man's desk, the very desk that he was now on top of too.

Not wasting any time he sucked up the first (http://s1074.photobucket.com/user/cosmicgryffindor/media/SS_SchoolRPG/Astronomy/Astronomy%20Tower%20related/pet-rock.jpg.html) of the snacks then instantly spit it back out. He then moved on to the next (http://s969.photobucket.com/user/sweetpinkpixie/media/Airey%20Flamsteed/SS%20Astronomy/petrock2.jpg.html) one. Yes, this one would do just fine.

With the snack in his mouth he scurried off the desk he made his way out of the office just before the door closed on him. He would be back later to collect that ferret.


Dun, dun, DUNNNN.........

(Airey's office)

[ArianaBlack]

Looks like Airey's lil'pets aren't the only ones in danger :mellow:

They never stayed full for very long and the stables housed all form of creatures, perfect for an evening snack.

Out of the shadows they came, scurrying across the floor. One large and one small were looking for something tasty to eat. Eyes settled on fairies first, the smaller of the two taking one, and then another. The larger went for another meal; the mournful looking bird having no idea it was about to be dinner until it was too late.

Once fed, they disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the absence of the creatures behind them.

[Lislchen]

Uh oh.....poor Cutty. Let's hope it's not contagious.

Three distracted Slytherins sitting at the study tables
One (SlytherinSistah) might feel a pinch and then another on his ankles
Reddish bumps is what he’ll find once he goes to investigate
Better see someone about the swelling before it is too late.

[lazykitty]

And the pep talk Howlers are back, this time for Sir Nicholas:

It could wait no longer. This one had asked for it and this howler was set to pop. This could have all been done in a civil manner but apparently not?

"YOU NO GOOD, ROTTEN, SPECTRE. DON'T YOU KNOW HOW TO OPEN YOUR OWN BLOODY MAIL??? THE NERVE OF SOME PEOPLE! YOU HAVE A HOWLER AND THIS IS WHAT IT SAYS:

DEAR SIR NICHOLAS, THANK YOU FOR BEING ALL NOBLE AND FOR ALWAYS BEING AROUND, I LOVE HANGING WITH YOU. LOVE, ZEKE." and with that the letter was up in smokes.

Gone.

*eyeballs Zeke*

[lazykitty]

Another victim of the weird pinch/bite thing: Brooklyn

Read here (http://www.snitchseeker.com/11762774-post20.html)

Can't quote for Gryffindor reasons :mellow:

[Lislchen]

More cobwebs. :mellow:

Surely Slytherins are used to the dank dark dungeons by now but they might not be expecting the cobwebs covering the wall outside their common room entrance. Looks like the house elves have been slacking on dusting duties. Tsk. Tsk.

[Charely Potter]

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg635/SchoolStaff_PB/School%20Plots/Term%2040/cartographers-notice.png

Who: Anyone
What: Cartographer's Club Meeting/Mapping!
When: Now ;)
Where: HERE (http://www.snitchseeker.com/hogwarts-grounds/the-whomping-willow-100863/)!
Why: Because Hogwarts grounds are lovely and you know you want to enjoy this mild winter day by exploring the castle more!

[lazykitty]

Something's spooked the Hippogriffs :erm: :mellow:

One of the Hippogriffs (Monty) did give the younger man and that object he held a simple look. How nice of him it was to give him so much pets and attention. Some of the other Hippogriffs surveyed taking account at the amount of humans. Pretty far away and paying little attention to them. Good. They did not feel like moving or bowing to visitors just yet on this tickling snowy day.

There was a weird sensation going over one. Which then spread over two, to three to the rest. As the snow below seemed to be moving...

SQUAWK!

Move over humans. This was not the place to relax anymore, as the whole group were stamping their claws over the crunchy ground, while three (Henry, Buddy and Charlene) were heading toward the fence behind the gathering of humans looking for an escape.

[lazykitty]

And there goes the Groundskeeper after Henry, who seems pretty determined to sacrifice himself for his friends :mellow:

A Goose was waddling in mid air in Patronus form as it made it's way into the opening in the window of the Groundskeeper Hut. It had made many shortcuts along the way to make it's quick arrival to the Groundskeeper.

As soon as it found its recipient the floating Goose-Patronus spoke, "Scott, there's a Hippogriff heading toward the forest. It's name is Henry. We are currently keeping a hold of the other spooked Hippogriffs from heading the same way. Please try to stop it until we get there. Javier." And then it faded.

The Scottsman had somehow gotten his mind at peace again. It took several cups of tea a day, a little down time with his jarvey every evening and a bit of time out in his garden everyday but the man felt at peace. By now, he had successfully lied to himself that nothing had really gone by his hut. Just his imagination.

Fairies hadn't been missing either, just playing silly little fairy games.

Everything was peeeerfectly fine.

That patronus just now? Scott watched it while it relayed its message, watched it disappeared then turned and went right back to his pruning. These little guys had suffered enough and the winter wasn't over yet. Hard enough keeping them alive then you added weeds. What did the man care about an animal that didn't know better than to head into the place where things got eaten? He knew better and could act accordingly. That patronus and the man who sent it could jump off a tall cliff. He was going nowhere.

Except there would be a group of people heading into the forest looking for him in a few minutes...and if anything happened to them it would be on him. Why was there never any winning in this cursed place? With an exasperated sigh, the man threw down his clippers and reluctantly started toward the forest, grumbling the entire way. Bloody hippogriff. Bloody school.

Hippogriff ran off, he said. Go after it, he said.

What business did the man honestly have chasing after overgrown birds that couldn't decide what they wanted to look like when they grew up? This wasn't his problem. Aside from his jarvey, the man had never professed any large love for creatures. He was the Groundskeeper and the grounds hadn't run away. Technically he was still well within his right to say NO.

Fool he was still for heading this way despite his better knowledge. "Henry?! Ye 'n here boy? Oi! Hippogriff! I don' reckon I've go' all day ter be walkin' around this dark place lookin' fer ye!"

He ran a shaky hand through his perfectly done hair. The man was having a good hair day. Nothing bad every happened on a good hair day. In theory he should be safe...so why didn't that make him feel better?

"Henry?!"

This Hippogriff may have looked like a coward from the galloping it did to escape that play area, but it was for his friends own good. (Henry) could hear the faint rustling behind him that was under the snow. Good. It was staying with him and not back there. They had to be safe.

SQUAWK!

Move over human. This Hippogriff did not have time to stop and play. Even if he had to drag said human with him. He rose on the hooves attempting to scare him off with the claws. Go human. As the rustling behind under the snow was sounding not so faint anymore.

RUN, HENRY, RUN!

[lazykitty]

And there goes Henry with the Groundskeeper:

This human was crazy! Almost not human to (Henry) the hippogriff with his wrong attempts to get his attention. How dare such a human speak to him that way? (Henry) had enough nerve built up to kick him as his eyes glared almost misting in anger.

SQUAWK!

But he could not. As angry as this Hippogriff was. (Henry) did not ever intend to kill a human at its worst. Only maim or injure.. But that had to wait because the snow was moving even closer...... to the human!

SQUAWK!

That's it human. You were coming with (Henry). The human was now a target and the only way to keep the danger from going back after his friends too was to take the bait with him. With another loud squawk, (Henry) lowered his claws and his head to scoop up the human onto his feathery back.

And they were off. Off into the Forbidden Forest they went. (Henry) would need to pick up the speed again and take off in flight at the first sight of clearing through all these trees. Wherever it was. They could try to come back after.

SQUAWK!

And the moving snow continued following right behind them...

Typical of a dumb animal to be squawking at him when he was trying to save its life. Typical of him to be caught in a situation like this at Hogwarts. Could he say he expected anything less?

Whatever it was was getting closer and the man was beginning to lose the feeling in his legs. If the sound was getting louder but nothing was coming into sight then it spoke volumes about what it could have been. Needless to say, none of the options appealed to him. Another thing that did not appeal to him was suddenly being lifted and...well quite frankly this was kidnap.

"Help!" He cried in the same overly shrill voice as the day he'd seen something by his hut. "Help! This creature's lost its mind an' wants t' make off with me! Help! HEEEEELLLLPPPPPPP!!!!!"

While they moved, he heard the movements in pursuit, dragging along in the snow. It was hard at first with his own screams and hollers and eventual wailing getting in the way but he heard it and that had him changing his tune quick as that. "I's after us! Heeeeelllpppp! Goin' t' eat us alive! Merlin! Somebody! Anybody!"

The man clung tightly to the creature, hoping against all else that it was faster than anything that might have been after them while he sobbed and wailed openly for anyone to hear. It shouldn't have to end like this. The man refused.

[Felixir]

From the Hufflepuff Common Room :mellow: :mellow: :mellow:

Lately it has been uncomfortable spending time in the common room. Students got itchy ankles and tiny red spots on their arms, it was a real inconvenience while trying to relax or focus on typical spread-the-love Hufflepuff activities or finish that last Herbology homework. Moreover, there have been a few pets gone missing. The school must have a petnapper in its midst!

It is up to the RPer if they want their pet to be missing... and possibly eventually dying.

[RandomRaven]

There are muggles arrived at Hogsmeade :blink:

One might ask themselves, how four constitutes a mob. Not entirely an impressive or intimidating number. One would then need to look at the mannerisms of those within the 'mob' designation. The ability of four bodies to occupy an entire street, for instance. Or the boisterous capacity with which they do so.

So, if anyone should happen upon this rabble, they might be so inclined to label it as, yes, a mob. A bunch. A collection. Rather numerous terms can be associated with the group, but their description remains rightly simple, possibly and probably mundane.

Of the four, two are men and two are women. They can only be described as square, nearly oval, rectangular and triangle-shaped. As varied as the color of their hair and eyes, there is a uniformity to them. All have dressed themselves in sweaters of varying colors and designs, the women sporting thick suede boots while the men appear utterly comfortable in sneakers, and yes, a pair of sandals. In addition, each has slung a camera about their necks and walks with a phone in hand. Lacquered fingernails punch at unseen keys on the devices, while one of the men has a tendency to stop every ten feet, only to hold up the contraption and strike a pose varying from charming to ridiculous. The forefront leader seems uninterested in such activities, and has taken to roaming from one side of the street to the other.

"Surely, he couldn't have gone far." The triangle woman.

The square one types furiously. "Oh, but you know Alan." A tsk noise. Or is that the buttons she pushes?

The oval man waddles along. Stops. Points up the hill. "Could be up there. Reckon that castle got his interest plenty."

The triangle and square both look up, scowls on their lipsticked lips. "Don't be absurd."

"Castles are boring."

"And damp."

"And haunted." A shiver from the triangle one.

"Now who's being absurb? There's no such thing as ghosts." A start of a bicker. An argument fully involved. The mob keeps moving, the leader searching, the others squabbling like newly hatched chicks.

[Lislchen]

The oddly shaped Muggles are looking for someone. :whut:

The argument has piqued, the words indiscernible as the women talk over one another. The oval man keeps clicking pictures on his phone, holding it at length and grinning in front of shop, after shop.

Until the rectangular one, the leader, spots something. He pauses, watches and strides forward towards the two watchful boys. Children know things, his walk suggests. See all the things adults don't. And by closer appearance, these people, this mob, are in their adult-hood years.

"Afternoon. You boys look like knowledgeable gents." The leader stops in front of the boys, his companions gathering in behind. He holds up his phone, the screen with an image (http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg635/SchoolStaff_PB/c6f3f52c4ad384c4fbbb003465998a16.jpg) on it. "Have you two seen this man? Name's Ryan Claggain. About six-foot one. Chatty bloke with a right-weird sense of humor."

The three crowd in from behind, straining to listen. One of them types while watching. Another snaps a picture, flash on this time.

[lazykitty]

Ruh-roh......

The groundskeeper had gone missing.

Missing.

While chasing a hippogriff into the Forbidden Forest.

"Why does this always happen at Hogwarts," Annie murmured after Javy's depressing declaration. She sighed deeply and looked up to the sky, then back down at the kids. "You guys need to go back to the castle. Now." The Headmistress then glanced at Sabel. "The adults will keep... searching." What else could they do?

Missing Groundskeeper :mellow:

[lazykitty]

Ruh-roh x2

Jason had turned towards the girl, eyeing her with a mixture of disbelief and suspicion. "And where is this camera? Did you ---"

A blink. A turn back to the first adult. Bright red coloring of cheeks. "What did you just call m----" The words cut off in a high pitched squeak. Mouth open in a silent shout, arms trapped tightly against his sides, he went down like a 2x4 plyboard.

The rest of the company blinked. And then all chaos broke loose.

The triangle woman screamed before she too went rigid and dropped. The square woman tried running before freezing up too, arms over her head in a flailing motion.

The last, the oval man, had been rapidly snapping pictures on his phone. Frozen in place with his thumbs on the lit screen, his eyes wide like two tiny saucers. He too went down, sending up a shower of powdered snow.

Four muggles now lie immobilized in the middle of Hogsmeade High Street, staring at students and adults alike with unblinking eyes. The light of accusation frozen within.

[Lislchen]

So after stunning the Muggles they were brought into the Hog's Head....

Saul did his best to not draw too much attention to himself or the unconscious person he was levitating. Not that he was doing anything wrong, he thought, but he was trying not to cause any more of a panic there had already been. And so he went around the back of The Hog's Head and used the back door to allow himself entrance so as not to be seen by any of the patrons.

He left the door open for the others sure to follow him and he gently lowered the person to the floor. Once they were all contained back here, they could alert the authorities and it would no longer be their problem. And they could figure out if the charms were faulty or not.

Helping to pull one of the other muggles into the back door Hops set the man down nicely, but kept hold of his phone. He moved it around looking at it. "This will have to go to the ministry as well. Looks like they got quite a few pictures." Those would have to be deleted. He expected the ministry would be here soon.

"Wonder where Huxley is. Might have to go find him so he knows we're back here." He looked around as the other two muggles were brought in. "Think you can keep an eye on everyone here. I'd like for you guys to hand out here with us until the Ministry got here. We are all going to have to say what happened most likely. Why don't I go get everyone some drinks." He hoped there was some pumpkin juice or butterbeer around.

........and now Accidents and Catastrophes is here (http://www.snitchseeker.com/hogsmeade/the-hogs-head-101019/#post11771731). :whaa:

[Lislchen]

Uh-oh. :worried:

Like the back alley, things feel off.

One thing that is clear is that there are no hexes or any sort Dark magic involved. At least as far as magical barriers and concealment charms are concerned.

What is also clear is that the wizarding village is exposed and these enchantments all but gone.

[Lislchen]

Meanwhile this happened in the Ministry.....

The residue easily chips off at the woman's skilled touch. Congratulations! Hopefully it will be worth the effort.

The film, now dry, reveals what one would expect from a tourist. Countless tiny images of food and scenery have finally revealed themselves, but perhaps the most striking images belong to the self portraits (http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg635/SchoolStaff_PB/c6f3f52c4ad384c4fbbb003465998a16.jpg) of the device's previous owner. There is one of him making an 'oooo scary’ face with the Shrieking Shack seen in the background from a small distance. Another shows him pointing to the sign outside the Three Broomsticks with a mocking 'what' face. Yet another shows him making a kissy sort of face with a Mimbulus Mimbletonia outside of someone's residence.

The self portraits continue, some more absurd than others, until you arrive at the last one. Only this time in stead of some cheeky face the man wears an expression of horror upon his face as he seems to be turning to run...

What follows this image on the film is a series of sideways photos of the ground of the back alley in Hogsmeade and nothing more.

[AmbiguouslyMe]

Meanwhile, in the kitchens, Deputy Headmaster Botros says the elves need to work harder:

Okay okay, whoa, everybody was here at the same time and they looked heartbreakingly hardworking and sad and scared. Botros leaned on the counter behind him and gestured with his hands for them to calm down and stop what they were doing to listen to him. "No, no, thanks. I don't need anything, thank you." Ahem, so precious those creatures, Ab just wanted to hug them all.

"I know, I know. You're all good elves, you've been at this school for generations but--" he cleared his throat, feeling a little sad that he had to do this. Why didn't Annie just stroll down here and gave them one of HER natural lectures?? Why did he have to do it?? "--everybody's been.. complaining.. cobwebs are found almost everywhere, guys, we--you need to try and clean faster..." Or something? He scratched his bald head. "Classrooms. Dorms. Those are the priorities, alright? And the offices. The entire school, actually. Please, please be sure to rid us of all those dirty cobwebs. That is your job," he added gently with a small smile.

and the house elves are... upset

"Elfses cleans ALL DAYS Master Professor. Webs COME BACK. Schmoop doesn't even have time to make COOKIES" Schmoop spoke without thinking and clasped his little elfie hands over his mouth.

Eyes wide, Schmoop started to tremble. "Schmoop should not have talked back, no no Schmoop should not have. Schmoop is SORRIES."

Schmoop deserved to be punished.

The wall seemed like it would do. And so Schmoop did thwack his ickle elfie head against the wall.

Toddles walks intos Kitchens. Todddles hears elfsies haven't been doing there duties. Toddles been cleanings. Tinka can speaks for Toddles. Toddles has been cleanings common rooms and bedrooms. Toddles beens good elfs. Toddles sees Master and bows towards Master Bostros. "Toddles is sorries. Toddles will cleans master." Toddles will moves his feetsies right now.

Toddles has works to dos nows.

Quirly wants to keep Hogwarts clean, but it is hard. She is glad that she is not being punished. Quirly has punished herself for being a bad house elf. Yes, she has.

"Quirly sorry, master! She will try harder to clean up the dusts and cobbywebs." Theys keep coming back. Quirly doesn't know what to do. She gets very tired from the cleaning of Hogwarts for Masters and Mistresses.

[lazykitty]

The ever present cobwebs have invaded the Staff Room:

Not even the professors' precious sanctuary was safe from the filth, apparently. Great, long cobwebs hung from the chairs, tables, and tea service. Hadn't Professor Botros spoken with the elves about this?

[MudInMyBlood]

*inserts all the faces here* The Tapestry

Surely a majestic tapestry such as this would attract the house elves' attention on a regular basis, would it not? Definitely not, as massive cobwebs have appeared overnight. The scene beneath has been obscured, and the new subject (http://s969.photobucket.com/user/sweetpinkpixie/media/Airey%20Flamsteed/SS%20Astronomy/petrock2.jpg.html) hanging there is sure to cause quite a stir...

[lazykitty]

Someone/something's in the chamber of secrets!!!!!

the scratching and splashing intensifies as the sounds grow louder and come to include the crunching sound of bones being stepped upon and pushed to the side.

Movement in the shadows alerts you that whatever else is down here with you is close. And there is more than one.

Hungry whispers from the darkness reach your ears and send chills down your spin. The words, however, remain muffled.

for now.

[lazykitty]

It has Lux and Cinnamon :bugeyes:

Creeping through the shadows, the splashing and scratching against the ground ceased for a moment. The silence filling the Chamber was almost deafening, but did not last long.

Suddenly, something descended upon the two students and took a firm and inescapable grip on both their legs.

[griffin]

The cobwebs are in the secret passage to Honeydukes

If anyone was familiar with this passage, they would notice something new on the steps. Well, they were not something new in essence, just more cobwebs on the corners and up on the walls. In fact, there seemed to be too many of them here due to how deserted this area was, and how conveniently dark and damp. They would get caught in your hair, your clothes, your FACE and all of you should you try and use this tunnel.

[ArianaBlack]

Welp. Looks like no one's safe now. Not even the ghosts.

Cobwebs are sneaking up on ERRREONE :whaa:

Even the spirits cannot hope to escape the onslaught of cobwebs. In fact, the dark, oft-deserted room is the perfect place for them. Anyone who entered would be sure to be disgusted by the sight and in danger of procuring spider bites from any of the unwanted tenants.

[lazykitty]

Whatever is in the Chamber has friends :bugeyes:

With immense strength, the two girls were pulled further into the shadows by the unseen foes until they could no longer be seen or heard. All that remained was the shoe of the Gryffindor that became caught in a web and the torn remnants of a Hufflepuff robe on the ground from the other.

More movement came from the shadows still as unknown number of enemies scurried through the darkness towards the remaining pair (sarahlooo & nicole black).

"FEED! FEED! FEED ON FLESH!" they hissed.

Another appearing from the right, it leapt forward and just barely grazed the leg of the boy. But it was enough to puncture the skin.

A thud of a large body somersaulting upon the damp ground notified the two students that the attacker had fallen, momentarily preoccupying the rest of its accomplices from their pursuit.

But at least Cinnamon and Lux got away :yes:

[lazykitty]

EW!!!!!!!! A spider shower!

As careful as they may have been, it was no use for the poor girls. Spiders began to rain down from everywhere after having been disturbed by the first two students. The arachnids began to bite with a vengeance, not sparing anyone.

Perhaps that Ravenclaw's idea about running to the Healer was a good one.

[Krel Ansell]

It appears that whatever is in the Chamber of Secrets is being controlled. Who (or what) could it be?
Recovering from it's tumble, it scrambled back to its feet with several of it's companions pressed on. Some began climbing the walls up towards the ceiling to attack from above.

Another, thinking it had come close enough, leapt at the girl as she ran. It only managed to tear the sleeve of her robe. Leaving a searing crimson scratch on her forearm, it would have tried again had it not been for a booming voice from somewhere deep within the Chamber.

"Not yet," it commanded.

All movement ceased and retreated back into the shadows.

For now.

[griffin]

A dead toad has been found in the spare office.

Suddenly, a mass falls from the ceiling and dangles in front of both your faces, swinging back and forth lifelessly from a web. It is no arachnid, but the mangled form of a toad (http://www.snitchseeker.com/11768203-post22.html).

[griffin]

There are cobwebs in the Ravenclaw common room!

Ravenclaw may be the house of the wise, but it's certainly not the house of the clean. You sit there chatting with friends only to realize just how dark and gloomy it seems to be. Cobwebs covering the windows would certainly explain the gloominess of the room.

As if that wasn't bad enough, try taking the stairs to the dorm rooms and you'll find yourself surrounded by even more of those nasty, sticky, irritating webs.

Best not touch the walls, you never know what you might get into.

There are also cobwebs on the Fat Lady's portrait...

Covered from top to bottom in sticky cobwebs is the portrait of the Fat Lady. You can try to enter your common room but might find it a difficult task as the occupant of this portrait is preoccupied with trying to get rid of the filth that surrounds her.

[SarcasticStrawberry]

Looks like the lions are going to have a hard time getting in and out of the common room

Covered from top to bottom in sticky cobwebs is the portrait of the Fat Lady. You can try to enter your common room but might find it a difficult task as the occupant of this portrait is preoccupied with trying to get rid of the filth that surrounds her.

[Anna Banana]

Acromantulas in the girls' bathroom! O_O

The slide down was no match for their hairy legs ascending from the depths of the Chamber, it had been some days since any human flesh had entered their temporary lair and teased their hunger. But Mother had said no and therefore no human flesh had been savored.

Yet.

Four massive bodies scurried out from the entrance and into the partly flooded bathroom, the splashing of water hiding their arrival for the time being.

Many of their siblings had left the darkness not too long ago and were now in position to begin.

[Lislchen]

So at least Damien and Evie made it out alive. And they warned Maddox.

Merlin, Grindelwald, Harry Potter, He was alive. Alive and breathing. Damien had never felt so thankful for the oxygen in his lungs, the blood pumping through his veins and for the very real feeling of the wet grass he was laying on and the cold early spring air that swept over his unmoving form.

He couldn't believe they'd gotten free from the chamber and whatever had been hidden deep within, those inky black shapes that had taken poor Lux and poor Cinna - A pang of guilt, acute and deep in his chest struck him at the thought of the two best friends and how they'd been dragged off, kicking and screaming. They needed to do something, grab someone and tell them what happened, surely the Professors would do something about this.

They had to.

They. Had To.

He looked sharply to his side as Evie spoke, blue eyes taking in her features with concern. "I'm- I'm fine." He said dismissively. "Are you okay?" He asked, sitting up. "We- We need to find someone. Make sure you're okay, I'll get help." Damien moved, trying to stand but his leg protested, the pain shooting through him and making him yelp.

"Holy, Holy... " He bit down on his lip, sinking back down into a sitting position, not daring to move quickly, least he further injure himself.

"I'm fine. I'm not half as bad as you." His leg looked a lot worse than her arm. If Evie's arm hurt half as bad as Damien's, she knew standing up wasn't going to be an easy task for him. And she knew even more when he came back down to the ground in pain. Without hesitating, Evie took off her sweater and carefully pulled up the remnants of Damien's pant leg. She got out her wand and cleaned it up the best she could, muttering an apology for the pain it might cause. And then she took her sweater and wrapped it around his leg tightly, using a couple sticking charms to keep it tight and secure.

As for helping the others (if they hadn't been eaten yet)... "We'll both get help," she said in reply. Evie was fine. Her arm hurt like hell, she was tired, sore, and scared and her stomach was in knots, but she was fine. Fine enough.

Keeping her injured arm to her side, Evie pulled herself up to her feet and held out her hand for Damien. "Try again? We'll get help and then we'll go to the Healer." Whatever they did, they should hurry so A) those girls didn't die, and B) their limbs didn't catch disease and fall off.

You know what made him happy? A tree full of apples. That's what Maddox had walked into when he strayed a little from the pathways earlier and after helping himself to a good few from the tree it was time to head back to the castle.

Sure the fresh air was lovely but it was also riddled with children, children that almost always found a reason why he couldn't just curl up on his cushy pillow and nap away the afternoon.

Not today. As far as he could, he was avoiding the little buggers. No 'he broke my wand', no 'she copied my homework' and most certainly no 'we almost got killed'. All very common themes at Hogwarts but none he was willing to tackle on a full stomach...it just didn't seem possible at the moment as proven by the slow waltz like stroll he was taking along the shore of the lake on his way back to the castle.

Would this go any faster if he was a cat?

He wasn't going to argue that, his leg was probably much worst, but it didn't matter about the severity, it simply mattered that she was hurt. Damien hissed with pain as Evie cleaned and dressed his messed up leg, but he said nothing except a small, muttered word of thanks.

"Okay, together." He said, relief flooding through him, right now, being alone was the last thing he wanted, he was still very much shaken up after all and having someone every that he needed to be strong for helped him keep calm.

Damien watched her, his eyes on her arm, guilt flooding through him again as he saw the way she held it close. He should have told her no, not taken the dare and suggested they go to the library or somewhere equally as safe and quiet, then maybe Lux and Cinna wouldn't have found the entrance and he and Evie would be whole and safe too. He took her hand, slowly getting to his feet, gingerly putting wait on his mangled limb. It still stung, but it wasn't as bad as before. "Thanks, Evie... " He softly said, still holding her hand.

"We better get going and fin-"

MADDOX, PROFESSOR MADDOX. THE GODS HAD FINALLY SMILED UPON HIM.

"PROFESSOR!! PROFESSOR! IT'S AN EMERGENCY!" Damien called out, hobbling down the path and toward the Professor who seemed to be taking a nice, leisurely walk. Merlin, please let him help them.

Evie was all business. They had stuff to do. Hufflepuffs to save. She helped pull Damien up with her good arm and noticed that he kept her hand in his. It was comforting, which is what she needed right now. She couldn't have imagined doing that alone and she was glad Damien had been with her. Glad that he was still with her then, too. Evie squeezed the boy's hand when he thanked her. She was thinking about what to say when Damien suddenly started shouting across the grounds. Her eyes lit up and widened and focused on the image of Professor Maddox several yards away. Oh, Merlin.

"MADDOX!!" Evie shouted, joining Damien. But the situation was urgent and Evie let go of Damien's hand to run towards the professor, new hope and adrenaline pumping through her veins. "Maddox!" she shouted again as she approached the professor, clinging her injured arm to her side. "You have to help," she exclaimed, already gasping for air again. Her stomach was churning. Evie's words were quick and hurried, but probably mostly sensible. "There's something in the Chamber! It attacked us and I think it took Lux and somebody else." SO, LIKE, HELP PLEASE?


PROFESSOR IT'S AN EMERGENCY!

Maddox! Maddox!

Emergency.

"Just keep walking Maddox. You don't hear them." The Charms Professor muttered to himself as he held his head straight for a moment, now convinced everything would be easier if he was a cat. No one talked to cats--though Miss Shacklebolt did that first lesson. He would be safe. He would bolt back to his office before they even saw him transform. It was the perfect plan in truth and the man was all set for it...until he actually saw the children.

Dammit this is why he didn't want to look. Mister Belfort he could have...probably...pretended not to see but now Miss Shacklebolt was right there and--hang on.

"What?" Ravenclaw say what now? Blue eyes shifted between the girl and her friend who was steadily hobbling over. What....how...wh--"They--it--whatever took someone?????" Miss Carrington. Always the Hufflepuff, Merlin.

"Did either of you see what is was? Where it went??--The bloody hell were you both doing down there in the first place??" He rubbed at his face, wondering HOW students ALWAYS seemed to find SOME WAY of getting near killed. It was remarkable really. "Just....just start from the top, quickly." Oh Merlin, oh Merlin, oh Merlin. They had to move fast.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?! :whaa:

[Holmesian Feline]

They're free from the bathroom!


Black eyes scanning their surroundings, the small herd made their way towards the entrance. Finding it locked from the outside, the largest of the group scurried back towards the opposite wall to gain momentum. With incredible speed, it threw itself again the door and broke it down as easily as the Whomping Willow could make toothpicks out of a broom.

"Let's go," the large Acromantula sniggered, waving its black hairy front legs eagerly for its siblings to follow and meet up with the rest of the family.

[Deezerz]

Acromantulas in the second floor corridor!:whaa::whaa::whaa:
Some scaling the walls while others scurried across the floor, the herd made their way quickly through the corridor. In silent agreement, as if it had been the plan for some time now, they broke off into two groups heading in opposite directions.

[Lislchen]

THEYRE ON THE THIRD FLOOR! :whaa:

Forgoing the stairs and instead using the walls, another small herd scurried through the corridor with pincers clicking hungrily.

[Lislchen]

.....and Entrance Hall. And they apparently have a "clear destination in mind". :whut:

Their numbers seemingly growing, yet another herd descends upon the entrance hall. A clear destination in mind, they quickly became distracted by some tantalizing smells coming from within the Great Hall itself.

"I smell something juicy," announced one as it began bounding off towards the door.

"We do not have time for that!" sneered another, whacking its companion over the head with one of its great hairy legs.

"Just a quick bite," pleaded a third.

What a sight for anyone happening to pass by, bickering acromantulas.

[griffin]

ONE HAS ADI! :whaa:

Just in case the acromantulas get a whiff.

Words spoken too late, Hufflepuff.

Rearing back in its back for legs, the largest of the group waved its front ones wildly to silence the others.

"THIS WAY!" it roared, scurrying across the ground towards the trio of foolish jabbering students. "One for each of us!"

One lone acromantula, the youngest of the bunch, took off towards the inside of the Great Hall. A certain smell in there too tantalizing to resist.

The others followed instructions, one scampering up and along the wall close enough to one of the human's (FearlessLeader19) and grabbing him by the robes with his pincers.

[Deezerz]

They've reached the staff room....:mellow:

RUUUUUUN, Moxley!:whaa::whaa::whaa::whaa:

"Use the webs to find your way around they said. Just use the webs. It's easy," muttered one acromantula as it scurried about the corridors after having been separated from the rest of its herd. "EASY FOR SOME MAYBE!"

Scurrying along the wall now, it came across a close door. DOOR! There had been something about doors in their plan...probably should have been paying more attention instead of chomping away on rats in the Chamber.

Throwing itself against the door, the acromantula broke it down easily due to its size. Front legs flailing wildly at the sight of ADULT HUMAN FLESH, it screeched and tried to force its way forwards. Only there was one problem. Its abnormally large abdomen was stuck in the door frame.

Screeching and swiping its legs towards the nearest (and plumpest) human (TakemetotheBurrow), it clicked its pincers together hungrily while the black colour of its eyes seemed to turn a shade darker.

[Lislchen]

Uh oh...watch out, Torie and Chris!! :worried:

Leave no stone unturned.

Loyal and obedient to Mother's words, another herd scurried through the dark corridor. Shrouded in darkness, the only thing alerting the two students their presence would be a mysterious clicking.

The clicking of an unknown number of pincers.

[lazykitty]

There's more :mellow:

What? Are you guys some super lab modified spiders or something?

Huffing, one of the arachnids ceased their pursuit of another human and turned to face the trapped one (FearlessLeader19). "HOW RUDE!" she retorted, her pincers clicking together rapidly in an agitated state. "How RUDE to assume that I am anything but natural!"

This one was gonna die. Right now.

Out of the ridiculous number of spells being thrown by the humans, one or two managed to hit the spider as she descended upon the boy. Blasting off a few of her front legs and sending the hair black body crashing into the wall, web was not the worst thing that now covered the boy. What remained of her continued to screech and claw at the air, pincers snapping violently with rage.

The one chasing the small human (griffin) was limber enough to avoid most of the spells thrown its way, but soon fire was licking at its abdomen. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" it sneered, being pushed back just slightly by the following spell. Leaping up the stairs, it followed rapidly after her while it still could.

Legs still flailing and web spewing every which direction, the acromantula let out a loud shriek when the book smacked it right between 4 of its eyes. More enraged than before, it began aiming its web towards one of the walls hoping to use that to its advantage of getting back on its feet. And THAT one (Felixir) would be next.

Movements slowing as the flames consumed it, the acromantula could not avoid the spells that came from its target (VRSCIKA). Pincers just barely managing to take a bite out of her leg, there was a sickening SPLAT noise as the acromantula was no more.

Still gleefully running after its whole turkey, the smallest (and youngest) of the invasion managed to get its pincers back around its prize. "I GOT IT AGAIN I GOT IT AGAIN! HUMAN FLESHIE DIDN'T ESCAPE ME!" he declared, bouncing in place to show off its prize to its siblings. Only as it turned it saw one of its brothers blow up at the hand of a human. "THANATOG!" it cried, discarding the turkey and waving its legs in despair.

Aletag was blasted back by one of the spells cast (one by Symphora) and fell to the ground, all 8 of its legs sticking out to its sides as it lay there on the ground motionless. The whole turkey, meanwhile, was discarded nearby.

Victory may have seemed near for the humans...were it not for an ominous clicking sound echoed from through the space. One could have almost mistaken it for a sudden downpour...if it were not for the screeching battle cries that soon followed.

Reinforcements had arrived and their numbers were enough to make the timid wet their trousers.

Bolding and coloring by me.

Also, they have two more students in the Secret Passage down in the dungeons: Chris and Torie...

Chris shook his head but then realized Torie probably couldn't see it, "No. I want to play my guitar." Yup and if he could do that and make a living doing it it would be bonus. He glared at what he hope was the back of Torie's head as he was talking about wriggly spiders. "That's not funny Tor." Nope not at all. He wanted to stick his tongue out at him again but instead sighed.

Wait...what was the clicking.... His eyes widened and he practically clung to Torie, "Can we go back? I don't know enough spells to protect myself." If he died here he was totally coming back as a ghost and haunting Tor forever.

Some remaining grounded while others scurried up both walls, one single acromantula launched the attack from the front. Leaping down from the ceiling, it landed in front of both humans with its two frontal legs waving menancingly in the air as it screeched, "GET THEM!"

He grinned at him, "Guitar huh?" he asked, shaking his head. That wouldn't be all that big on his list, but he hadn't heard Chris play either. Maybe he was actually good...there was that school in London for music and dramatic arts... He smirked though at Chris's response to the idea of wiggly spiders. He'd thought it was! He didn't mind spiders or most bugs for that matter. His sister's were the ones against those, but he wasn't saying that aloud!

He looked at him curiously "Mum said there's nothing to be scared of at Hogwarts, we're com..." he gasped out when the acromantula lept down from the ceiling landing in front of them. "Merlin!" he gasped out. Get them? THEM? He grabbed Chris and pulled him trying to get away "GOOD IDEA!" he managed to gasp out as he tried to run.

[Deezerz]

So...the acromantulas kidnapped the Headmistress......:whaa:

It was hard to decipher what spells were hitting and what were not in the fray, but it was becoming clear that the number of acromantulas was dwindling. Just not at a very fast rate.

The initial pair of acromantula on the attack for the two humans (BanaBatGirl and Samia) and already fallen, but were quickly replaced by others to fulfill their cause. And fulfill they did. Wrapping their big hairy tree trunk legs around the human, the pair of acromantula lifted them high above their ugly black heads and let out a loud screech.

A screech that was echoed by the remaining arachnid.

Two humans in their clutches, the acromantula scurried through the fray. Despite being hit by a few spells, their abdomens smoking, their resolve was too strong to please Mother. Bursting forth from the greenhouse, they moved a quickly as their 8 limbs could carry them towards the Forbidden Forest...

[griffin]

It looks like the spiders are trying to take over the castle and give their mother the throne...

Everything was going according to plan. Mother would be pleased when they took the enter castle and gave her the throne to sit upon.

Through the corridor the three crawled, catching the scent of fresh meat.

They were told not to eat, not yet, but the delicious smell pulled them closer and closer until they came to the humans in this corridor.

Nothing wrong with a little bite...

[lazykitty]

They had learned the hard way when they had attempted to take the two from the Chamber back to their lair. An invisible force had prevented them, but not out smarted them. Drawing from the experience of one of their kind who had ventured down to the wizarding village - and almost blown their cover by eating that one human - the acromantula carrying their newest victims scurried quite a ways away from the castle until they found the place where the invisible force ended.

"This way," sneered the leader carrying one of the humans (BanaBatGirl). "We'll take them to the others."

Which meant they had to scurrying back over the same distance now that they were back in the forest.

Moving swiftly through the trees, but also taking care not to allow any branches or shrubs whack their victims and spoiling them further, it was some time before they arrived at their lair and threw the three humans (BanaBatGirl, Samia, VRSCIKA) into a massive and sturdy web in the middle of their fortress with their previously captured pair (Squishy, Saraie).

"MOTHER! MOTHER!" they chanted excitedly, pincers creating an eerie and terrifying roar filled the ears and chilled the spines of everyone present.

Meanwhile, back at Hogwarts castle, their siblings continued to fight.

Except for the one off chasing after that patronus with its turkey clutched gleefully in its pincers.

Meep!

[Krel Ansell]

Mama's pretty big...

Hearing her children calling, she moved slowly from the depths of her den.

"Evil? That is all in the eye of the beholder," came an icy cold voice from the darkness.

First to appear were her two front-most legs, terrifying and somehow elegant in their movements, and then her feelers attached to her horrifyingly beautiful head. She paused for a moment to take in the sight as her children continued to chant her name and click their pincers together.

Fully exposed now, her menacing 16 foot height caused her to strike a few lower tree branches as she purposefully move towards the web that held her children's captives. She gazed down upon them each for the first time and her massive pincers clicked together more and more excitedly with each human she gazed upon.

[Lislchen]

They're coming back! :whaa:

Dooming themselves? If a spider could bark a laugh she would but alas there was nothing but a light chuckle. "I believe you are the one in a web, Headmistress." Who was the doomed one here? Soon her children would feast on not only these caught in there intricately woven web but those she'd gotten word of as being locked away in a secure place until they were ready to collect.

Perfectly at her leisure, the acromantula stretched her long legs, crossing the clearing with that elegant little strut she possessed. "We've minded our own business long enough but that has not stopped you humans from wondering into our presence, desecrating our forest as you go. Your kind doesn't understand boundaries. Your kind is known for tresspassing and it is your kind that is responsible for the death of my mate."

She had had this attack in mind from the very moment she caught sight of the lifeless corpse of her greatest love and Hogwarts was no longer in her good graces.

"It is our turn to tresspass." She hissed, the pent up anger escaping her pincers in much the same way the built up venom now was. It was enough that she could taste it. "Go forth my children; take the castle, it is ours. Go forth and devour as many as you like." The mother watched, a contented glow in her dark eyes as a large portion of her children scampered off back toward the forest.

And apparently the whole thing is because of the death of the Mummy!Spider's partner.

[griffin]

The acromantula with the turkey is in the observatory!

Having chased the shiny and elusive otter all around the castle, the acromantula had lost visual contact with it about a floor ago. Still clutching the turkey in its pincers, Aletag made his way into a strange room with lots and lots of windows.

"Where did you go?" he hissed excitedly while all eight of his legs scurried eagerly forward. WAS it in here?

Looking around and seeing no silvery otter, the acromantula made its way towards one of the MANY windows and looked down. A large dark moving mass had emerged from the Forbidden Forest and was quickly making its way towards the castle. A large mass that, had Aletag known how to use a telescope to take a closer look, was in fact his brothers and sisters once again descending upon the castle.

And they would be here SOON.

[Lislchen]

"We cannot get out. The end comes. Drums, drums in the deep. They are coming..." (excuse my fandom crossover)

Moving quickly over the Hogwarts' grounds, the second wave of Mother's invasion were soon clamoring to enter the castle and begin their feast. The sea of hairy tree trunk legs pounded against the stone floors, creating a loud drumming sound to announce their approach while their pincers clicked hungrily.

It would only be a matter of seconds before they would come pouring into the entrance hall...

[Nordic Witch]

Attention! Attention!

The 40th terms Gobstones Championship winners are HUFFLEPUFF! Congrats to the badgers for winning and thank you all houses for participating in the matches! Gobstones doesn't run with out you.:glomp: We hope you'll come back to play with us and to win the cup again for your houses next term!

Final Gobstones Club standings:

1st place: Hufflepuff
2nd place: Ravenclaw
3rd place: Gryffindor
4th place: Slytherin

[Krel Ansell]

The Acromantulas are retreating! Good Job everyone.
Staggering where they stood, the black beady eyes on each acromantula glistened with an unnatural sheen.

And then came screeching. Loud and shrill.

Some began waving their front legs wildly, smacking others and toppling them over, while others clicked their pincers together apprehensively.

"HOW!?" bellowed one as it toppled over on to its back after being struck by another.

"THE ENEMY!" lamented another who, in its haste to run away, had crashed right into a wall.

The entrance hall was now a sea of panicked moving black masses, each trying to find the exit but never quite managing to do so.

Continuing to throw themselves against walls and into each other, the acromantulas were only helping their prey defeat them. Their panic was sent over the edge when yet another of their mortal foes appeared.

"TWO?! HOW DO THEY HAVE TWO?!" shrieked a large arachnid who used its abdomen to whack one of its smaller siblings towards the basilisks. "BETTER YOU THAN ME!"

Very few continued to attack, but they were blasted back by spells that sent them crashing into the back wall or their fellow arachnids.

Aletag, having just scurried all the way down from the highest part of the castle, stopped and nearly dropped his turkey at the sight while secreting some venom right there on the stone floor. The appearance of shiny blue lights from somewhere reminded him of the otter he had just been chasing around and became distracted with after those. Still with his turkey.

The moving mass of dark hairy bodies began to dwindle some as more and more became stunned in their panic. There were even some who, upon looking at the basilisks, fell over on to their backs assuming they had died.

"DO NOT CAST YOUR EYES UPON IT!" ordered one as it turned its back towards the oncoming serpents.

"SHAME WE DO NOT HAVE FLESH FLAPS ON OUR EYES!" barked another.

"RETREAT!" hissed a third.

[lazykitty]

And it seems like all the spiders (inside and out) are gone!

Scrambling and climbing all over one another, the acromantulas' numbers were visibly less and enough so that the floor to the entrance hall could actually be seen. There was an uncomfortable sheen covering parts of it, no doubt due to some involuntary secretion.

Meanwhile Aletag continued to try and whack the flaming balls with his hairy legs. The turkey, that had quite literally been through war and back, was now missing one of its legs that had fallen off a few moments earlier and lay forgotten on the floor.

"SAVE YOUR SPINNERETS! MOVE OUT! RETREAT!"

Steady stream leaving the castle, the horde moved towards their home in the Forbidden Forest. Those that remaining fell into four categories: thought they were dead from the 'basilisks'' gaze, were actually dead, were in the middle of fleeing, or were Aletag.

They were not threatened by the wild stick waving that immediately took place, nor were they swayed by the hollow words of protection and peace that were being handed out. Mother had been specific in her plan and when some fell, others were there to take their place. Not even the attempts at taming them with magic could prove effective for the highly intelligent creatures.

The number that remained, however, was not great enough to keep rising when their siblings fell so when that man (Sabel) raised his wand and sent the blast, it took some time before any others could move into action.

But then they heard it, there was a stampede heading towards them. Pincers clicking wildly, heavy thuds and quick steps. Soon the forest came alive with the shrill cries of hundreds of acromantulas all rushing and pushing in an effort to be anywhere else. "RUN!" One shouted.

"Get away if you can! The enemy is near!"

The spiders in the clearing though confused at first, quickly jumped into motion with the others at the sudden, dreaded mention of two 'basilisks' in the castle. The giant swarm grew even bigger as now they were joined by those who had once been watching the hostages. In one large movement they swept across the forest floor in obvious retreat, wailing and shrieking of the horrors that they had seen until finally the swarm was no longer visible and the forest fell silent once more.

[The1HBIC]

ATTENTION
ALL 5TH AND 7TH YEARS

The time has come for you to take your OWL (http://www.snitchseeker.com/ordinary-wizarding-level-examinations/) and NEWT (http://www.snitchseeker.com/nastily-exhausting-wizarding-tests/) exams.

You have until 11:59 PM EST on 8/17/2015 to complete your exams.

Please be sure to read the RULES (http://www.snitchseeker.com/owl-and-newt-examinations/read-first-77209/) before you start your exams.

If you have any questions please let me know and I will get you an answer. Just not the answers to the exams.

GOOD LUCK!

[Govoni]

_

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CLICK THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

EVENT PORTAL (http://www.snitchseeker.com/a-taste-of-the-caribbean/)

_

[Magical Soul]

The House Cup Championship
Winner! Gryffindor- 4106
2nd place: Hufflepuff- 3559
3rd place: Slytherin- 2963
4th place: Ravenclaw- 2517
:gryff: :gryff: :gryff:

[Holmesian Feline]

Alas, the end of term speech...Farewell dear Headmistress!

Well, the event had wound down and Annie had made herself one (1) s'more so far. She wanted another, but while her first was still digesting and the students were still wandering down to the bonfire, she decided to steel herself up for her final end-of-term speech.

Her voice magically magnified as usual, the redhead began with a simple, "Good evening, Hogwarts." She waited for eyes and ears to focus on her. "I would like to start with some congratulations for Gryffindor and Hufflepuff: the former won the House Cup points race, and the latter are our Gobstones champions for this school year. Let's have a round of applause for those hardworking and high-achieving Lions and Badgers, and a round of applause for our Prefects and House Elves who have put together this great event!!!"

She led the applause and followed it up with a big smile. "Congratulations are also in order for us, Hogwarts, for we successfully completed the map we started last term AND we beat back the acromantula onslaught as a team! In the wake of that event, I would like to also announce that I will be stepping down as Headmistress at the end of this term. I have new opportunities knocking at my door and it is time for me to hand over the Head's office to Professor Botros." Where was Ab, eh? She took a moment to wave at him in the dusk. "I have enjoyed my nine terms here as Headmistress and teaching Herbology this past term has just been the icing on the cake. As much as I will miss this place, and miss you all as students," well, some of them, "I will still be involved in Hogwarts' future as the proud parent of an incoming student. So on that note, I wish the best of luck to everyone leaving this school, and continued success to everyone staying. Hogwarts will always be here to welcome us home, should we wish to come and visit one day. Now let's all enjoy some s'mores, relax under the stars, and have a great night's sleep tonight! The train leaves bright and early tomorrow morning!"

And she was certainly looking forward to seeing it off! On that note, Annie let out a bright sigh of relief and moved forward to mingle with the students and roast another marshmallow.