Round Two, Task Three

[BanaBatGirl]

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg635/SchoolStaff_PB/School%20Plots/hedgemaze_zpsa1c3a547.jpg

You walk into the arena and as soon as you are in, the gates close behind you with a final, ominous rattle. All is silent as you take your first few steps forward... until a loud rustling sound seems to come from the ground beneath your feet.

Oh no, the grass is growing! And at a rate you can't even imagine! Hedges ten feet tall start to sprout from the earth in an intricate, tight pattern, with twists and turns every so often. The gate out on the other side of the arena is lost to your sight as the maze consumes you at the edge.

Be careful, though, as you are not the only soul lost in this maze. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked and you just might be able to hear the growls, rumbles, and squawks of the animals within. You'd best get started.... it appears to be a long, dark walk to the other side.

Please Note: Only Charely Potter and Bazinga, as well as approved staff accounts, have permission to post in this thread. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang competitors: NO PEEKING! KEEP OUT or you WILL be penalized!

[Bazinga]

Minerva felt sick.. yep sick.. it was the last task, the final task and it was on them. Her and Kitty side by side. It was pretty much what was getting her through those gates. She glanced at him once more with the worry on her face, but she stepped into the arena with him jumping at the sound of the gates closing. Minerva's eyes widened and she jumped at the noise and the feeling of maybe an earth quake. Reaching and clinging to Wade's arm as she saw the grass growing. WHAT THE.... this was transfiguration and creatures.. not herbology!!

O_o

Were those hedges.. a maze.. of all things a maze with vines, and tress, and plants. She steady her breath and looked up at Kitty. He would be right next o her, he would protect her if needed, he said that. She would do the same. They were a good team, she knew this. Still clutched to his arm she held her wand tightly in the other. "I.. I guess we should start up that way." She pointed straight ahead, now did he agree, because if not she would take suggestions. At the moment her head wasn't working with thoughts of creepy vines, but a growling noise made it come back into reality. They had animals to go against and she needed to calm down or transfiguring wouldn't be happening.

[Charely Potter]

A maze.. Wade blinked at his and Min's surroundings. All the hedges and leaves and everything. His brows furrowed, this was somewhat like his Defense Against the Dark Arts OWL years ago. There had to be animals around, but what kind?

He wasn't exactly sure. "..You okay, Mousie?" He looked down as he felt her hold onto his arm. "Let's stay close." He was not going to let anything hurt his bestie despite some of his own nerves choosing now to creep up on him.

"Sounds good.." Nodding as she pointed ahead. He drew out his wand before walking with her, keeping his imaginary tiger-kitty ears perked for any sign of trouble. Flashes of many creatures from re-reading his books flowed through his mind, prepping himself for any surprises.

[Bazinga]

She was still blinking around trying to calm her rapid heart beat when she heard Wade call her mousie. Blue eyes dodge up to his hazel, yes she knew Wade's eye color she looked at them before. A small smile crossed her face hearing the nickname a few of the guys had called her starting last term. This was so stupid to be this worked up over plants.. She had gotten passed it and it wasn't like she'd be forced to hug any on fire here. Nope this was a competition for transfiguration and Creatures.. She could do this.. She was good at this.

"I'm fine Kitty, we got this." She gave him another grin and slowly took her hand from it's tight grip around his arm. She nodded about staying close. Of course she was staying close they were in this together. She just wished it wasn't so creepy, seriously she would have taken the train and snake over these hedges.

She kept her eyes open still trying to figure out what kind of spells she would use for something like this. Everything that was coming to her was anything but transfiguration. Hopefully when it was time they would just jump right to her mind. She could do this.. she could. Keeping her wand in a close protective position she began walking forward to the straight away part of the maze.

[The Narrator]

As the students started into the maze, a deep silence grew around them. The hedges, for all intents and purposes, seemed capable of muffling out all sounds from earlier... except for that soft clacking, tearing, and chomping noise up ahead. Hmmmmmmm. What animal could THIS noise belong to?

[Charely Potter]

Least the good thing going for the two was the sounds of the maze. It definitely gave life to the area as Wade carefully walked with Min. He grinned back when she said she was doing alright, "That's right.. they had to have some reason to make us leaders." Even if this test was quite a way to prove it, in his mind.

Going straight on, Wade kept his hair ruffling senses going. They hadn't tingled just yet.. until the silence. It slowed him down, slightly, while his heart beat picked up the slack. Those nerves were kicking in.. as he could hear a distance clicking noise. His hazel eyes, that showcased green temporarily in the sunlight glanced at Min's blue eyes. Did she hear that? He wanted to ask, but wouldn't that draw it out? He grasped his wand tighter.

His mind went through the images of creatures while the noise continued. "Is that.. an acromantula?" He lowly whispered. The clicking noise sounded distinct, as he tried to think through other creatures that sounded so chilling. "think it's already eating?" He very much hoped so. Hungry carnivorous creatures were one of the most dangerous to deal with.

Wherever it was, it wasn't all that far away from them, and they didn't have any choice but to press on. So Wade continued, with a much tighter grip to his wand.

[Bazinga]

Blue eyes blinked up at him as they walked, so much so that she tripped over her own two feet, but caught herself before she had fallen. She still even this late in term was questioning why they made her a student leader and him saying that she just wanted to sigh and argue, but this wasn't the time nor the place. He knew all to well why she felt that way, especially now.

As she walked her eyes stayed wide, probably on the hedges more than they should have been, but plants made her shudder and shudder she did. She stopped when it felt like things went quiet. Why did it go quiet. No where was the noise at, this was unnerving. Feeling eyes on her she looked up just as she heard the noises. "What is that.." She looked around, but nothing was there.

Then Kitty said nonkitty things. She blinked at him before searching harder. He wasn't serious was he, "Do you really think it could be that." No it was a fluffy kitty or maybe she could make it a fluffy kitty. Minerva wondered if her transfiguration skills could do that, but she wasn't sure. "I'll turn the stupid thing into a hat for you." Yep that sounded better at least in her head it did. No eating the Kitty or the mouse today.

As they hit the first corner she looked up at him, "Left or right?" Which way did Wade think they should go, maybe the way the animal wasn't. That would be the best pick in her eyes.

[The Narrator]

The clicking and now, crunching, seemed to persist and grow louder as the students crept forward. There might have been the sound of something pawing the ground and stirring up a little bit of dirt as well.

The students wouldn't know what was to the left, though, if they never go...

[Charely Potter]

Wow, the noise was getting louder. Wade furrowed his brows as they were slowly reaching the fork in the maze.

Wade wasn't really sure on what to think of this. Yeah, whatever it was, needed to be taken care of right away if possible. The eery silence from the the hedges of the maze stopping earlier was so deafening, making the noises sound less inviting as they continually kept going forward.

Wade grinned, wanting to laugh at Min's suggestion to use that spell from Transfiguration class. It was brilliant! But he knew such a sound escape would potentially draw the creature's attention. Hmm.. left or right. He remembered one theory from his OWLs that somewhat helped. In a maze, usually going where the right hand is would lead the way out. "Let's try right." If it ended up a dead end, they could always go back to the left and take their chances, otherwise.. Well, they would surely see.

[Bazinga]

Minerva kept looking from left to right and right to left when she heard that noise again, jumping a little. What the hell was it and where was it. She wanted to scream show yourself now, but at the same time she wanted to silence it so she didn't have to hear it anymore, maybe even freeze it so it wouldn't move, but where to shoot a spell. Since she wasn't the animal expert she figured she shouldn't do any of that anyway.

"Right.. got it" She glanced left again, "We need to keep eyes everywhere, don't want whatever that is coming up behind us or out of one of these hedges." Nope she had enough of plants fourth year and last term to last her a life time. Plant boy boyfriend could deal with them she wasn't. She turned right and started next to Wade.

"You got this right.. no matter what kind of animal it is. I know you can do it and I'll figure out my end." She hoped at least. She was still trying to figure out what transfiguration that she had learned over the course of seven terms could help her here. Her brain was in every direction at the moment and she just hoped it would come to her when it was needed.

[The Narrator]

The clicking and crunching stopped as something let out a soft squawk, and then seemingly went back to eating. Even that faded away though as the two students went to the right.

Soon they were surrounded by total silence and hedges on all three sides. Nice choice, picking the dead end. It looked like they would have to go left.

[Charely Potter]

"Yeah, that's true," Wade nodded while continuing with Min going towards the path to the right. He was so lucky to be here with his animal bestie. She had her skills and he had his hair-ruffling senses, eyes and ears ready at the whim of anything going to pop out at them suddenly. But luckily there was no such thing.

Instead his brows furrowed as he thought he heard a squawking noise. Was that a..? Hm. He looked back towards the sound as they walked further.. yes, whatever it was had definitely been on the path to the left. He was sure now thankfully that the sound made couldn't have been an Acromantula.

Facing forward again, he was only meant with a.. "Dead end.." Yep, he somehow knew they would need to face the creature. "Sorry," It made sense in his head now, there wasn't going to be an easy way to the end. "We better go back to the left path then." Then face whatever it is, it was. He had a little hunch on the noise.. but was going to save it until they really faced it now. So it was back to heading towards the path to the first fork, and onto the left path now.

[Bazinga]

Walking down the path Minerva kept her wand tight in front of her. Her eyes darted around and she jumped hearing the squawking behind them. "I don't think that is an Acromantula, Kitty." Those things didn't squawk did they? She looked behind them a bit before looking forward again. Her nerves really had calmed down a lot even if the hedges were still there to drive her nuts.

Slowing up as her eyes widened, of course.. of course they would hit a dead end. She sighed loudly, "Of course.. I should have known we would have to face the animal." She felt kind of dumb thinking they could get away from it, but it was a shot. Looking up at Wade she smiled and linked her arm around him, "Sorry for what? It was a worth a shot. Now back the other way to face whatever that is." She looked behind them. Yeah what was that thing anyway, "Any thoughts on what it might be?" Maybe they could get prepared before it tried to eat them or scratch them or whatever.

With her arm linked with Wade's and her wand still in front of her she started back the other way. "We got this.." She gave him a reassuring grin. She was feeling more comfortable even if her nerves were still on edge.

[The Narrator]

The hippogriff was waiting just off to the left. He let out another raucous squawk at the sight of the pair and locked his eyes on the nearest student.

Waiting.

[Charely Potter]

"No, it's definitely not that." Acromantula's for a fact do not squawk. He smiled back at Min when she insisted a silly little mistake was natural. They still had each other no matter what. "Yeah.. but we'll be alright together." They were the Animal Besties for a reason, you know.

Wade furrowed his brows more. He tried to replay that squawk in his head over, and over.. The pawing in the ground and clipping and clicking noise.. "It had definitely been eating, and there's nothing around here but the ground.." and a fresh kitty and mouse. What more could the creature want? His thinking aloud spilled out through his lips at Min, "Hmm.. only thing in the grounds is worms and bugs.." Regular birds wouldn't be too much of a threat to these two. "Is that.. a Hippogriff?" Somehow, it was like he knew deep down what it was.. but was hesitant on being absolutely sure that it would be going against them.

He looked at Min again. "Unless you've seen people die, it's got to be a Hippogriff." A raucous squawk filled his imaginary tiger-kitty ears just then. It was like a joyous feeling had entered into the pit of his stomach. He wanted to smile, but knew that couldn't happen just yet. They had invaded the hippogriff's territory.. "Min.. if you look at it, don't blink." It was all he could say, before his hazel-green eyes met with the orange glow in the Hippogriff's. He just wanted to cry in happiness at the sight, but kept his gaze.

Wade knew what to do. "Stare.. and bow." He had done this before, but the hardest would be gaining its trust. Walking ahead as his linked arm left Min's alone behind him, he stood in front of her, protectively. Keeping his gaze at it, his eyes were not tempted to blink when he lowly bowed, keeping eye contact with the hippogriff. He thought, Please, trust in me and her. Wade's full respect and loyalty was all on the Hippogriff now.

[Bazinga]

Minerva sighed as they walked, yeah they were good one little mistake no big deal, right? As they walked she kept hearing the noises, the closer they seemed to be getting the more nervous Min was feeling again. Her arm stayed linked so she kept moving on listening to Wade talk aloud. Yes it had sounded like it was eating, which was good, because maybe they wouldn't be dinner. Worms and bugs, what on earth was he talking about. Minerva looked up at him confused until his next thought, "No.. I haven't seen anyone.." her blue eyes flashed up as she saw what was standing in their path.

A Hippogriff, wow.. her eyes flashed towards Wade as he spoke, don't blink well of course that made her blink, but at least it wasn't towards the beast, she wasn't looking at it at that moment Wade was in front of her. Kitty was such the protector at times. She watched still with her wand close in case something went wrong. Stare and bow.. was he talking aloud again or was she suppose to be doing this too. Her mind raced not sure what to do, but she followed his lead and bowed towards the creature.

Not taking her baby blues off of the beast she didn't even realize she was holding her breath. This was so cool, but so scary at the same time. If this thing didn't like them they could be in trouble. Hopefully it would like them and they could just pass and let it continue with it's meal.

[The Narrator]

It was wise that both had bowed, because the hippogriff wasn't budging until they both showed due respect. He did, though, eventually buckle his knees, and a slight glint off the scroll tied round his neck became visible.

[Charely Potter]

It was so beautiful. All hippogriffs were beautiful creatures in Wade's mind. He could not wait to be able to spend more time with them, as he thought of his future studying after graduating. He didn't know if Min had bowed too, but imagined she had to have done the same sooner or later in case the Hippogriff looked at her next too.

Eventually, it finally did bow, which made Wade breathe out a sigh of relief. They were safe, for now. "We did it.. I think we're good to go and pet it now Min." He slowly rose up and-"Whoa," Shiny, there was a shiny thing around its neck as he approached it closer to pet. The light reflecting off of it gave their area such a happy brightness. Wade loved shiny things too after all.

"It's a scroll," Wade said in awe once the shine dulled out. He then gave the lovely Hippogriff some good pets and stroking so Min could go on and take it. "Thanks, buddy.." Still giving it some gentle ruffles he looked back over at Min to see what she thought.

[Bazinga]

Minerva watched it closely still not realizing she was holding her breath. When the creature finally bowed she let out the breath she was holding. Oh light headed from holding breath, okay she made sure to take a few breaths to make it go away. As she watched the creature not sure to get up from the bow yet or not she noticed something on it just as Wade spoke and rose. She followed by slowly standing straighter, "Great job Wade." Her brain was every where so she was glad he had been talking aloud or she might not have remembered to bow.

Watching him closely she looked as he said what she had thought she saw, "I noticed it, maybe it's what we are to do next or what I'm to do to help this team." because they were a team. She watched Wade get closer and felt nervous, she knew the hippogriff bowed, but she couldn't help but feel protective as Wade went closer afraid he might get hurt, but she smiled as she saw him pet the creature. "You're good with them. You'll do well at Uni." She knew they were what he wanted to study and he was going to do awesome.

Now wasn't the time to talk about Uni though was it, nope she needed to do her part and she quietly and slowly walked towards the animal. Reaching out her hand wasn't it suppose to sniff her or something or was that a dog, her brain was confusing thing again. She took a breath and listened to Wade moving her hand to the scroll she released it and opened it to read.

[The Narrator]

The hippogriff nipped playfully at the male's fingers. He liked the ruffles, and made a pleasant cawing sound. He also side-eyed the female. Y she no give pet-pets?

The scroll, meanwhile, continued reflecting the moonlight. When unrolled, it would reveal the next direction for the task.

Work your way to the center of the maze,
And animate me if you'd like some praise.
Face of stone, tongue of cement,
Please bring me to life. I'm heaven-sent!

[Charely Potter]

"..Thanks Min." Wade couldn't help feeling touched by what she said. He couldn't ever help feeling like that when complimented on his favorite subject. Other than Indy, no other girl brushed his ego on how he got with animals since his late mother. He pushed those thoughts aside while by the Hippogriff. He could never feel as sad around them.

Now that Mousie could get to read the scroll, he got to do a little bonding with the Hippogriff. "Aww, aren't you a cutie?" Wade beamed as he felt the gentle nips. It he were big enough, he'd give it one of his nice big old badger hugs. "Yeah.." But oh well, these ruffles from him will have to do. He looked over Min's shoulder as she read the scroll, so he could read it too.

Hmm.. "A riddle.. great." They were fine with Wade unless it was academic related. His brows furrowed as his lips read out each line. Deeper furrowing went on. Was it meant to become another creature? He then added, "Kind of sounds like it needs to be a bird.. or something. Since wings belong in the sky." It was difficult to think of on the spot. "What do you think?" Things were getting tricky already.

[Bazinga]

Minerva read the riddle over and over again. She put her hand to the Hippogriff and gave it a few cautious pats. "Good boy.. or girl" Which was it she wasn't sure. Moving away a bit she continued to look at the paper. " Work your way to the center of the maze... Well that is a pretty easy part." That told them where they had to go. "And animate me if you'd like some praise, Face of Stone, tongue of cement, please bring me to life. I'm heaven-sent!" She walked near the hedge without even realizing it deep in thought, she began speaking out loud, but not really to Wade just herself. " Animate well that she knew would be Piertotum Locomotor, but animate what the scroll? You couldn't use Piertotum Locomotor on a scroll could you and praise wouldn't that be to talk? Pierotoum Locomotor wasn't really to talk." She couldn't think of any spells that made something talk other than the charm to record something, but this was transfiguration not charms.

Minerva let out a frustrated sigh, why wasn't this just coming to her. Why didn't she just know what to do. She looked at the riddle again, "Face of stone, tongue of cement.. well that seemed like a statue, but a scroll isn't a statue and not cement. Please bring me to life. I'm heaven-sent! What on earth does that mean. Heaven sent unless it's wings or bird or something." She let the words go over and over in her brain as the confusion stayed. She could transfigure it into a bird, "Maybe Avifors, but that doesn't explain the stone and cement... No that can't be it." She looked up at Wade feeling really stupid. Why was she picked for this again? She was suppose to be the best and right now she felt like the dumbest kid at school.

"Wade I'm not sure... " She looked back at the parchment again reading it once last time and her eyes widened, "Wait.." She started to get a bit more excited, could it have been that easy, was she over thinking it and not seeing the big picture. Of course she probably was. "I totally lost track of center of the maze, I think we need to go to the center of the maze and whatever I'm suppose to animate will be there. I think it will be Piertotum Locomotor by the sounds of it. What do you think?" Did all her rambling confuse him, most likely it did.


She looked towards the right, "Well we already know that way is a dead end so I'm thinking if we keep heading this way it has to head towards the center don't you think?" Well she hoped at least.

[Charely Potter]

Wade smiled as Min went to pet the Hippogriff, "That's it Min, he won't hurt you." His head titled curiously, as she moved away with the paper a little bit. She was definitely concentrating as she spoke aloud her train of thought. His brows furrowed as he tried thinking too. His mouth opened a few times to agree, only for her to already be on the next part of the riddle. Well, luckily they were on the same page. No pun intended. This was one crazy riddle.

He blinked curiously, about to frown in the end when she admitted defeated.. or was she? "..Yeah?" Instead his almost frown turned upside down into a beam feeling as excited as she when she mentioned going to the center of the maze. Huh.. It was in the first line, so perhaps it was meant to be treated as a step by step instruction. "I think you're right about heading on over through here." It did seem kind of over their heads to try and make the scroll into a bird or something right now, and they only had one way to go for now. "Let's go for it!" Beaming before looking at the Hippogriff he was still ruffling.

Hmm.. He was going to have to leave it be, if looked like. "See you, boy.." He gave it one last ruffle, and a somewhat sad smile before stepping away to continue on the path with Min.

[The Narrator]

See you, boy? No, the hippogriff was coming with them! It let out a sad squawk and plodded after the humans. They smelled nommy good. Maybe they knew where the ferrets were in this maze... maybe they had some in their pockets?

He nipped the male human on the leg and fluttered his wings. Where did they need to go?

[Bazinga]

Minerva sighed in relief that Wade understood her rambling. Usually she would have kept all the crazy inside her head, but it was easier to workout aloud, plus if she was way off she had hoped he would jump in and tell her, but he seemed to be on the same page. That was a plus. Now that they both felt they needed to find the center of the maze, but how far was that. She stopped thinking long enough to watch Wade with the Hippogriff. Reaching over she pet the beast once more, "He is beautiful isn't he?" She really did love animals and on a normal day would want to stand and play with the Hippogriff longer, but they had a task to complete.

Seeing Wades face she couldn't help but suggestion a few things, "Hey, maybe he likes us as much as we like him. Maybe he'll follow us and then you won't have to say goodbye just yet." It was a possibility right? She chuckled a bit, "You could be Kitty king of the maze riding his trusted Hippogriff." If the beast let Wade ride him. As for Minerva she would be happy on foot.

"Wonder how far we have to go until the center." She looked straight ahead and started walking only to chuckle once more. "Umm Wade, I think our friend is going to come with us. Maybe he will be our good luck charm through the rest of the maze." That would be nice, plus other creatures might leave them alone if the hippogriff was bigger. Well it was a hope at least. Minerva kept her eyes wide as she started up the path.

[Charely Potter]

Beautiful didn't even cover the Hippogriff and it's cuteness with Wade. "Yeah.. he really is." Wade knew they would have to eventually leave him. As much as he wanted, Hippogriffs weren't allowed inside the castle. So he went through the somewhat silent pathway, with Min at his side. They hopefully weren't that far from the center of the maze.

It was only such a short time with him, and the sadness of leaving him was slowly creeping on him. "Hmm?" He gazed down at Min as she brought up the possibility of it following them. He smiled at that. That would be amazing.. His brows furrowed before blinking at her. Kitty, king of the maze. Okay, now that made him laugh. "Yeah.. and let's not forget about you Minnie Mouse." Sure, he knew Min trying to ride again would only cause pain. It was hard enough for her having to relinquish her broom riding. "Besties for life, right?"

Wade opened his mouth about to speak his thoughts on how far the center was. Instead, a low squawk sounded behind him, that sent affection rising from his stomach... Henry? He turned around, it was like he temporarily regressed to the little five year old with his old stuffed hippogriff toy Henry, who sounded just like that to him. He didn't even mind the little nip on his leg, before giving him more ruffles."I think you're right." They were now a trio as they continued on the path. Hippogriffs were great at defending their territory too, so this was a major plus.

Soon enough, they had reached another sight of two other paths in the maze. He turned to Min, "What do you think this time? Left or right?" He had chosen the last path, so it seemed natural to let Min have a choice next.

[Bazinga]

Minerva couldn't help but laugh as they walked over how adorable Wade was being with this Hippogriff. "I think you should name him. I know he won't be with us probably the entire time, but hey he's part of the group for now, he needs a name." She was into naming all animals, she always named what they were working with in class. As they followed the path Minerva started feeling uneasy again, "Why is it so quiet.." she wasn't liking quiet. Knowing full well this task had to do with creatures it should be louder, more sounds, right. Hello Mr. Hippogriff maybe you can squawk more or something. She glanced back at their new not so little friend.

Stopping a moment and looking around, "Well we went right last time and had to turn around and the center of the maze. She glanced back and forth again. [b] "What do you think?" She looked to their Hippogriff friend and smiled a bit, he might be able to smell the way, right? "Let's just head left that seems like it would be going further in, which is what we need for the center don't you think?" At least she hoped she was facing the right way for her directions. Maybe they could do the compass thing Flamsteed taught them.

She headed towards the left, "So do you agree with that riddle, do you think it will be a statue to animate as well? Piertotum Locomotor would be the spell for animating I'm sure." She hoped, the longer she walked and thought the more she was second guessing. Her brain was her worst enemy when it came to second guessing and her confidence was her second enemy.

[Charely Potter]

"You think so?" He smiled at Min, before looking over at the Hippogriff he was still petting. Was it really a good idea to get more attached to him? "He's like a Henry to me.." Looking up at him again to ruffle, "What do you think of Henry, boy?" Continuing on to the path wasn't so scary now with their new friend. It was indeed getting too quiet, "I dunno, and I don't like it." Hearing his own heartbeat in any situation was never a good thing.

Wade nodded along the way as Min suggested they keep heading left. Looking at their hippogriff too, smiling a little in case he had some sense of danger. Danger usually ended up being the best place to go in this case. "Yeah, and let's keep our wits and senses up while we're at it." Min didn't need telling that, he knew, it was more towards himself in reassuring. "Maybe we should leave a mark along the way too." Yeah, they knew a charm perfect for that. "In case we ever have to head back and go another way without getting lost?"

Heading towards the left path now with Min and the Hippogriff, Wade's wand was at the ready for any sudden surprises. Hmm, the riddle. "It's possible.. do you think we'll have to animate the scroll when we get there if there's no statue there?" The riddle could be read in so many different ways. Tricky, tricky stuff.

[The Narrator]

The hippogriff, who would henceforth only answer to Henry, ignored the human banter about his little scroll. He was interested in the pat-pats and conversation bits about him, because he was a very noble and important hippogriff.

He trotted on ahead of the duo, leading the way to the left break in the maze. Then he turned his head around and waited for them to catch up, his wings again catching a bit of the cool night air.

This would be so much faster if the two humans had wings too.

[Bazinga]

Minerva continued to walk along the path that riddle still burning in her thoughts. "Henry, I like it." She looked towards the creature, "What do you think Henry, do you like that name boy?" She smiled at the Hippogriff and chuckled as it continued in front of them. She watched amazed at how lovely they really were, "I wish we had a treat or something to give him, but I guess treats we would have wouldn't be something he would want." No he liked bigger animals like Ferrets and stuff, she only had peanut butter cookies in her bag up in the grandstands with E.

She glanced back at Wade, "That might not be a bad idea, getting lost in here would not be my idea of fun. To many plants." Shuddering at the thoughts she focused on the Hippogriff in front of her.

She thought about his words, "I don't know, but if it is I would think I need a different spell. Since it isn't a statue to animate a scroll I don't know if I would use the same spell." She didn't think Piertotum Locomotor would work on a scroll, but maybe they would have to just get to the center of the maze and find out she decided.

Her attention got distracted by the wings, "Oh wow" She said in amazement. "Just beautiful really.. Henry do you know how amazing you are." She smiled and the idea of Wade riding the hippogriff hit her again. "Kitty.." She grabbed his arm lightly, "Do you think he would let us.. I mean ride him. What do you think?" The question is would Henry allow it.

[Charely Potter]

The evening was lovely wasn't it? Once the whole silent and potential unknown awaiting in every corner was disregarded. Wade could only wonder how his dad and Vicky were watching them. Maybe he could think on that later.

Especially when there was a super cute Henry the Hippogriff right by them. "I'm sure of it." Beaming. They weren't just all looks, they were able to understand and would have given some sign if it didn't like it. "Good Henry.." More petting for him. It was shame they didn't carry their typical food around. "All I got are pickles.." Compliments of Nash. "Hopefully we'll find something nice and tasty for this big guy along the way."

Wade's brows furrowed as he suddenly felt Henry's feathers brush past him. He remembered hearing of that incident with Min and plants. "Yeah.. we'll work something out though Mousie." They would just need to get to the center fast and hope for the best. "Hmm?" He blinked seeing as it was going off ahead of them before turning back. Wade blinked again, before it dawned on him. Awesome Min was being awesome at thinking the same thing as him, making him say, "I think so..yeah.. we'll have to."

So much for their riding adventures at Hogwarts ending with Quidditch, there were reasons for them to do this now. Catching up to where Henry was waiting for them. "We'll just end up more tired trying to keep up with him otherwise." After all, they would need that strength to think and react quickly. Giving Henry some more good old ruffles, "Mind if we hop on, Henry?" Smiling up until they were given the okay.

[Bazinga]

Minerva's head snapped up and her blonde hair flew over her shoulder for as fast as her head turn to face him, "Find some tasty, like find a live Ferret to feed him?" She made a face, really.. She understood the fact of life, but she wasn't tossing an innocent live animal to any other thing to watch it get eaten. That just turned her stomach to think about and if the last few weeks had proved anything it proved she had a very weak stomach. So no.. let's not find any live treats for Henry. "Maybe someone would leave treats for him along the way that weren't so alive." Yes that would maybe work.


She still didn't want to think about it as she walked on. Her pace quickening to keep up with the animal. As they stopped near him and she looked questioning at Wade he seemed to agree with her. Now looking at the hippogriff Min's nerves grew again. Was this safe, should she be getting on a hippogriff. She felt safer walking, but this could get them there faster and maybe stay ahead of the game even if she couldn't tell where the other schools were in their own mazes.

Keeping a watchful eye she bit her lip and waited for Henry's move. They were either going to irritated the beast, ride the beast, or continue walking with the beast. Which one would it be though, she just kept watching and waiting.

[The Narrator]

Henry liked the petting, even letting out out a small little caw in happiness. Then he realized they were asking something of him. Finally!

The hippogriff bumped the male human's hand with his nose, then buckled his knees and lowered his wings. Hop on!

[Charely Potter]

Wade shrugged as Min asked if they were going to try to find a live ferret, "Preferably already dead.. or at least something better than the worms and bugs." Alive or dead, Hippogriffs did enjoy ferrets. He had been still petting the hippogriff, coaxing it. He really loved this Henry fella. "Yeah, hopefully." He agreed with Min, whatever kept this hippogriff happy was fine with Wade.

Wade smiled, as Hippogriff made a little happy-like caw. Here in the moonlight as the evening was turning into night, this would be perfect if like you know.. they didn't have something major to accomplish soon. Was he going to be allowed on? Pretty please?

At last, the Hippogriff seemed to agree, and had lowered itself for the both. He turned to Min, grinning, "Ladies first.." His hand offered out to her. Well, not only because he liked being a gentleman did he offer, but Min more than likely never hopped on a Hippogriff before and might need some help to stay steady before him. "You going to be okay?"

[Bazinga]

Minerva cringed and her stomach flipped thinking about a ferret being eaten. Not something she would like to see. She'd rather not see a pheasant or any other living thing be eaten either no offense Henry. "Well I'm not watching if we do find something for him." Yep that was final, so don't think she was going to do that feeding unless he wanted to see her peanut butter cookies she had eaten before coming out here.

She watched Henry as Wade played with him, he was so good with animals. The setting would have been nice for a special moment if it wasn't for the fact that they didn't know what other animals were in this thing nor what they had to animate yet. So they really needed to get a move on and get this over with. She was getting tired on top of her nerves still keeping her on edge.

Oh.. they were actually going to ride it. Minerva blinked at it a few times surprised Henry really said yes. Was it safe for her to be on this thing. She wasn't even sure, but it wasn't like she had a choice at the moment. "I.. I've never rode one before." Her nerves took another dive for a new reason now, but she went over and took Kitty's hand, he would keep her safe. She let him help her up on the beast and put Henry a few times once in place. "Now be careful Henry.." She cooed at the creature, but hoped he would be safe. "I'll be fine as long as I don't fall off or anything." She really didn't want that to happen. "Alright your turn Kitty." She gave him a smile to show she was alright.

[Charely Potter]

Wade nodded, "Sure, Min." He could understand how gross it might be to see a live animal get eaten by another. So, he did'nt have a problem doing it if needed. He then smiled, patting Henry before going over to Min. So she had never ridden one before, "Ah, it's not that different from a broom, except more feathers." Grinning a little, "Just keep a gentle hold and you'll be okay. " He then wrapped his arms around her, blinking before gently hoisting her up onto the Hippogriff. "Right." Now it was his turn.

Wade then ruffled Henry some more before, going over and swinging his left leg over. He was tall enough to not need much climbing at how low Henry the Hippogriff was currently. "Good Henry," Wade patted him lightly, after making sure him and Min were still situated so he could rise to his regular height again. "Still okay, Mousie?" So yeah, now they were free to ride on through the rest of the path of the familiar hedges and silence in the maze.

[Bazinga]

Minerva was on a Hippogriff... She was on a Hippogriff. Did everyone see this.. She was riding a Hippogriff. HOW COOL WAS THIS!!! She was petting Henry and was trying to keep her hand steady since it was shaking from nerves. This was exciting, but she was super nervous at the same time. "Good boy" This was amazing.. really did Ethan see this.. She wanted to look up in the stands to see, but knew she'd never see him with these hedges and well the stands were pretty much unseen from here.

As she watched Wade climb on she was amazed at how tall he was. She knew he was a lot taller than her 5'3 shortness, but he got on the Hippogriff so easy where he pretty much had to lift her. As he said about a gentle hold she looked at her hand that was still petting the creature. It was gentle wasn't it. Yes she wasn't being too rough.

She was glad he slipped in in front of her, because she had no clue how to ride a Hippogriff, so he was better than her to be the leader of this. She wrapped her arms around him. So that she wouldn't slip off the back when Henry started moving. "I'm fine.. Whenever you and Henry are ready King Kitty." He was being King Kitty King of the maze now that he was riding Henry. She gave a faint smile as she waited for Henry to start moving. "Center of the maze Henry, please." She was still going to be polite even to the Hippogriff.

[The Narrator]

Henry let out another ca-caw as though he took taxicab orders every day. Then he took off without warning, and the two students were soaring through the cool night thanks to the wind beneath Henry's wings.

It was a short but breathtaking trip, however, and pretty soon, Henry was galloping back to the ground. As all four feet touched the ground, he slowly decreased in speed to a canter, trot, walk, and finally a stop. Henry delivered the students to right in front of a brilliant stone fountain with a gargoyle topper.

His work here seemed to be done, so he bowed his knees once again and gracefully rested his wings.

[Charely Potter]

So soft and fuzzy.. yes you are. Wade smiled down while he continually ruffled Henry's feathers. His attention had been so much on him, that he almost forgotten that Min was right there with him. She was keeping a hold of him now, as he looked back to make sure she really was okay. King Kitty.. That still made him laugh, "Okay, Queen Mousie." Beaming back at Henry, following Min as they politely commanded "Lead on Henry." and they were off.. the ground!

Wade's eyes widened slightly at how high they were going. "WOO! AWESOME!" Sure, he had ridden around hippogriff in the past.. but never in the air! As they were passing through, their shadow reflecting off the bright moon in the sky as they flew across it. 'Awesome' didn't even cover the leaping feeling in his stomach. He knew his dad, Vicky, and Indy had to have been seeing this.. his mum.. well, this was closest he could get to her witnessing this from wherever she was. Wade hugged the back of Henry's neck, embracing the warm and fuzziness from it.

Just before he could sink deeper into the warmness, it was over, as they landed just then. Blinking rapidly as he glanced behind, relived that Min was still squeezing onto him. "..You okay?" His voiced croaked a little asking. Then turning just as Henry stopped. "Hey.. this must be the center." As he gazed at the stony fountain with the gargoyle resting, beaming at Henry while they were being lowered. "You did brilliant, Henry, thanks." Extra ruffles for him. He then hopped off so he could help Min out safely.

Looking at the fountain whilst still stroking Henry, his brows furrowed before blinking as he glanced at Min. More shadows were here, as he could barely see her eyes in the glistening moonlight."Least we got something to work with here." He replayed the scroll's message again. Animate me! Bring me to Life! Now what needed to get moving? Wade pointed out the gargoyle topper. "Hey, look at that.. I think that's what we need to get moving." So yeah, now what was their original plan again? "Think the Locomotion Charm will be enough?" He wanted to make sure if their plan was still okay, unless she had any other ideas.

[Bazinga]

They........were.....in..... the....air... Minerva clutched harder around Wade as Henry lifted. She thought ride meant stay on the ground. Not that she minded flying and if it was any other moment in time she might have enjoyed this moonlight ride, but right now she was feeling a bit motion sick and scared to death. "Please don't drop me.. please don't drop me." She held tight and opened her eyes to see the view, it was dark so there wasn't much to see, but it really was amazing even if she just wanted down.

Soon enough they were landing and with a jolt and bouncing from the gallop, Min was excited about the ride, but excited to get off and be safe on her own two feet too. She was trying to get rid of the small feeling that was going on inside of her that wanted to lose the cookies. She kept hold of Wade as she leaned her head against him a for a few moments. "Just give me a second.." Yep a second was all she would need. Opening her eyes and looking around, "I would say this is the center. Great Job Henry." Now she really wished she had a treat or something to give him.

Watching Wade easily get off Henry Minerva knew better. She knew she wouldn't be as graceful being so much shorter so placing her hands on his shoulders and let him help her down. Once her feet were safely back on the ground Minerva looked around. "Thank you Henry" She gave him a few more pats before moving away. Smiling as she saw the fountain and the gargoyle. "Sweet" She was feeling more and more confident now.

Moving over towards the Gargoyle she looked up. "Yep that's exactly what is needed. Just like the circus last term." She flashed a smile at Wade. "Maybe he can do some tricks for us." She looked to the gargoyle now to remember the spell and hope the thing wasn't stubborn like grumpy last term. "Now it said about animating and to use this spell we had to give commands. So I'm going to have to give it a command once it comes to life, right?" Well that's how she remembered it at least.

Moving right up to the fountain and lifting her wand. "Well here goes nothing." She took a deep breath doing the movement, "Piertotum Locomotor" She waited and watched, oh right a command should be next, right? "Gargoyle walk to us.. please." No reason not to be nice even if it was a stoned figure.

[The Narrator]

Henry dipped his head slightly as a sign that he had heard their thanks. Seeing that they were both occupied with the stone fountain, he ambled off to the right and back into the maze.

The fountain continued to gurgle water softly and the gargoyle waited, frozen in stone. Then the female Hufflepuff did her spell, and the gargoyle shook himself to life. He hopped down off the top of the fountain, swung from level to level, and down to the ground. He walked straight over to the girl and looked up. He needed another command.

[Charely Potter]

Now it was all on the stony gargoyle obeying their command or not. Hopefully. Wade furrowed his brows, biting his lower lip after Min gave her first testing command. She said it herself though, if it were like the circus from last year then this should work, right? "You did it, Min. It worked!" Right indeed! The gargoyle now had walked right up to her whilst Wade gave a beaming smile.

Turning his head Wade looked at where Henry was "Did you see that-" or.. rather where he use to be. "..Henry?" His brows turned inward before a slight frown showed. Was he going already? Thinking of the most positive thing about that. "I.. guess he got.. hungry." He had the urge to go run off to find it again, but there were priorities here. Yeah, after they had taken care of things could they try and find Henry again.

Blinking, he reluctantly replaced his slightly sad face back to being determined again. Hmm.. Wade thought over the note again and it's message. "Animate me if you'd like some praise.. Face of stone, tongue of cement.. Please bring me to life, I'm heaven-sent." Yeah, this was another challenge. "With a tongue of cement.. I don't think they'll be able to sing or talk.. " So how could it praise them? "Maybe we could next have it clap and bow to us for the praising part," His brows deepening as he tried thinking more. "and then try to show us the way out if nothing comes from it?" Well, that was what he was hoping will work. "What do you think?"

[Bazinga]

Minerva watched and waited would it work. Would the gargoyle come to life. It wasn't that she wasn't confident in the spell. She knew she knew it well. She did the circus didn't she, she just wasn't sure it would be that easy. A smile crossed her lips as she saw the gargoyle come to life and head over to her. She clapped excitedly, "Awesome" It worked.. it worked, but now it was looking at her with those cute stony eyes.

She looked back at Wade and that's when she noticed Henry was missing.. Wait.. he left? She assumed he'd be the one that would get them out of this plant maze. She sighed and looked back at the Gargoyle as Wade started talking. "He probably did, he got his workout flying us here. He did great though and so did you." She knew he would be sad to see the hippogriff go, but she assumed it was his time to head back out.

Continuing to look at the gargoyle she let the words Wade were saying run through her head. "Yes Praise could be that if one couldn't talk." She assumed the gargoyle couldn't talk it was a statue after all and to talk she would have to use the record charm, but this was transfiguration stuff. "I could try to have him clap. That would be a way of showing praise for sure."

She looked back towards Wade, "The way out, yes maybe he could do that, but let's try clapping first." She smiled back at the gargoyle, now her mind was racing did she have to say the spell again? No.. he was looking at them so he was still alive or well acting it. "We got to ride a hippogriff, we made it to the center of the maze, and we brought you to life." She couldn't help but smile at their accomplishments so far, but actually telling someone to praise them felt a little awkward, but it was part of the riddle. "Clap and praise us.. please." She watched as she gave the command hopefully this was what they were suppose to do.

[The Narrator]

Well he would clap for them. Their wish was his command, after all. The gargoyle brought his stony little hands together and clap-clap-clapped, even as little bits of stone and rock shredded off his claw-like hands.

Now for the praise part... The gargoyle straightened up and stopped clapping. "Finally, you realise I can talk," he remarked dryly. He put his little palms on his back and cracked it a bit. "Here's your praise: Congratulations, you survived the first part of this task. The last part should be easy for you. Are you lot any good at transfiguration?" He squinted up at them. They ought to be. They were in THIS task, not the DADA one, see. "I've got a spell to teach you."

He supposed he ought to wait for more commands then.

[Charely Potter]

Well, it was doing it. The clapping part, at least. Wade's brows furrowed as he tried to see if any sort of message would come out of those rocky hands or something. Like it expose itself as it did with Henry the Hippogriff. His frown was starting work again at the memory until... it.. talked.

Wade blinked, looking down at the gargoyle than at Min to see her reaction after hearing it speak. "Well.. that was a great command." Seriously, Min's brilliant mind had them attempt to see if the gargoyle would indeed praise them. Now they were just one part away from finishing. Awesome! He wondered what the last part would involve.

As for them being good at transfiguration, Wade smirked at Min. Of course, she is, she was picked to represent the subject. He waited on her response before saying, "I'm good with transfiguration." Least his OWLs results could prove that. Now taking his wand out, he turned to Min. "Ready, Min?" Wade's eyes locked with Min's, it was like they both knew just what to command next. So the next words that came were, "Teach us, please."

[Bazinga]

Minerva watched as the gargoyle started clapping, but her frown started to deepen as it did. "No.. stop..clapping." She couldn't stand seeing the stone coming off it's hands. Poor thing, "I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean for your hands to start crumbling." Big frown she wasn't being very nice to the poor thing.

O_o

It.. it was talking.. Did Wade see this.. IT WAS TALKING... How epic was that.. She had no clue it could actually talk, that was a lucky mistake, but hey they didn't have to know that. Nope she could just act like she knew what was going on. "Thanks" She said towards Wade with a smile. Blue eyes going back to the gargoyle, "Of course I am." Hello best subject right here.

O_o

The gargoyle was going to teach them a spell. Well that was interesting. She was so curious as to what he was going to teach, but at the same time she let out a quiet groan about the task not being over. They had just hit the first part of it, there was more, so maybe more animals as well. She hoped for nothing dangerous.

Looking back at Wade she gave a smile, he wanted to learn the spell too, well why not they were partners right? So they would do this together. As he spoke she said the words at the same time. "Teach us please" She smiled back at the gargoyle. This seemed like it was going to be fun!

[The Narrator]

Finally he would be getting some action. Took them long enough he was feeling quite stiff..ha! Cue the drums for his funny. Right then he was suppose to teach them the spell they'd need to continue on their quest to get out of the maze.

With his pretend wand at the ready, the gargoyle raised his wand and clearly said speculum catábulum while doing a reverse Z wand movement.

"I hope your minds are sharp, I'm only showing you once." He cleared his gargoyle throat and continued.

My time with you has ended at last
Your winged companion you must turn to glass
Only then will you be free
Because there in lies your key

[Charely Potter]

Wade's brows furrowed, as he attempted to clear his mind for the last part of their task. Him and Min had been doing swell together, and had been doing amazing. They totally had this.. or so one would assume.

"..Speculum Catábulum" Wade's lips pronounced after the gargoyle repeated it. Spec-oo-lum.. Cah-tá-boo-luhm.. Then what followed was a backwards 'Z' shaped wand movement. With his wand already how, he mimicked the movement too. Okay, now that was the easiest to remember. Now came another riddle. Knowing that it was going to be repeated once, did shake some little nerves in Wade. Yeah, he would really need to know this, so he also repeated the words right after..

"My time with you has ended at last.." That was a good thing to Wade.
"Your winged companion you must turn to glass," He blinked for a moment, maybe it got better?
"Only then will you be free.." His brows furrowed..
"Because there in lies your key" Before his brows turned inward.

.... No. It.. can't be. Wade's head turned to Min, "Min?" His voice croaked for a moment, before his next words "...It's Henry... isn't it?" That wasn't even a question, more of a.. finality. "I.. I.. um." He found himself blinking more and more rapidly as his stomach felt like turning over and rising up. His eyes closed tightly, there were many questions going through. Where was the bright side in all of this? He had to find it before it started raining for him.

Taking many deep breathes. We're not killing him.. we're not killing him.. It's.. just like the rabbit and hat. His eyes slowly opened, slightly red around the white in his eyes. "We won't kill him Min.. We're just.. going to have him help us again.. by doing this right?" Smiling softly, "Maybe we can turn him back after this is all over." That was true, the spell was likely to be reversible.

Rubbing the itch from beneath his eyes, Wade looked towards where Henry may have gone. "Henry?" Now where did that fluffy, cute, and nice smelling Hippogriff go.. "Should we go find him? Or.. do you think there's more that Mr. Gargoyle can show us?" Blinking back down at the gargoyle. It didn't seem so, with that last message, but it was nice to rule out all the possibilities first.

[Bazinga]

Minerva listened to the Gargoyle some more as he was about to teach a spell. This was super cool if she could say that at that moment. A gargoyle teaching them. Who would have ever thought, but she shouldn’t be too surprised it was Hogwarts, well something that dealt with it. In the past seven years she was taught by a centaur, professors, learned things from the ghosts, annoyed by peeves, watched a killer plant, attacked and watched attacks from Dementors, why wouldn’t a gargoyle teach a spell to them.

Now she was focused on him, her part was transfiguration so she should be able to learn this quickly, right? Of course she could. No doubts, there just wasn’t time for that because he was already started on the words. “speculum catábulum” She repeated after him, “speculum catábulum okay.. got it.” She then moved her wand in a backward Z to practice. This seemed easy enough. So her mind kept saying it and visualizing the motions over and over again. “I think I have it stony.” She said to answer him about minds being sharp, even though he probably really didn’t have to speak at that point in time.

When he started in the riddle Min’s mouth opened and she blinked, “I.. I can’t do..” Then she heard Wade and before another second passed she was next to him with her arm around him. “maybe it’s the gargoyle. It was wings, right?” Did it have wings she couldn’t believe in her mind she couldn’t remember and glanced back towards it. “No Professor Bellaire even said that transfiguring animals do not hurt them. They don’t even realize, just like the bunnies.” Yes.. that was it, Henry wouldn’t feel a thing and they could just reverse it once done.

She kept a comforting arm around Wade for a little longer, “speculum catábulum.. speculum catábulum” She wanted it to be the gargoyle so badly, because than she knew she could do it, but the riddle said companion. The gargoyle hadn’t been their companion through this, Henry had. A hippogriff, she had to transfigure a hippogriff. She released her arm from around him and walked back over to the Gargoyle, “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” How much could this thing talk she wondered.

“Stony, I mean Gargoyle, I have to transfigure the Hippogriff?” Could it even answer her? “Could I practice on you?” Would it let her. “Maybe we need to just go find Henry.” She turned towards the gargoyle and practiced her backwards Z could she just practice on him anyway?

[The Narrator]

If he had eyebrows he would have certainly raised them at the girl but his did not move much..if at all so he could not.

Did she expect him to answer his question? If he did then he might as well solve the entire riddle for them and get them out of the maze while he was at it.

The gargoyle shook his head at the young girl and froze once again. So no, no you may not practice said spell on him.

Henry hadn't gone very far, in fact he was cleaning his feather just out of sight but after hearing his name he came trotting back. Were they ready for him now?

[Charely Potter]

Wade and his furrowed brows continually went through the riddle, back to the possibilities. Before he knew it, he could feel Min's arms pull around into a hug, and hugs always got Wade returning him. "Usually, but.." Could it really be the gargoyle they change instead? "I.. wish it wasn't Henry. But he's been our companion all along.. So it's got to be him." They both knew it, but that didn't make it easier, as he nodded. "That is true.. and we can bring him back after." Bright side, Wade, bright side.

As for practicing on the Gargoyle? He frowned a little as it shook it's head. Guess it was an all or nothing. "I guess we better go and find-" Hm? His ruffling senses seemed to pick up as he turned his head to see Henry come back from the opening in the maze ahead. "Henry.." He sighed, smiling a little. Hmm.. His brows furrowed, he could only imagine the thought of two people aiming at him.

Blinking, he glanced down at Min, "I think.. I better go make sure he's okay and stays close." Yeah, that would work. One last feather ruffling from Wade. "You know what to do, right?" Wade stared into her eyes, they both knew what needed to be done.. and fast while their heads were still in the game.He walked towards Henry, smiling before a thought hit him. "You got this Min, and don't forget Tobey's saying," He raised his right fist up, "Badger Boom!" before turning back to Henry.

Sweet, wonderful Henry the Hippogriff. Wade gave him some good old ruffles, before speaking to him. "Hey, Henry.. we missed you boy." *Ruffle, ruffle* "You know we both are thankful of your strength and help.." He buried his face into it's feathers like a hug, "We love you, Henry.. and we're going to go and take you someplace nice with lots of yummy dead ferrets to eat." Turning his head at Min, now was the time to do her stuff.

[Bazinga]

Minerva couldn’t help but glare at the gargoyle as it shook his head, well then rude little thing wasn’t he. As he went back to stone Minerva patted it’s head, “I would have at least commanded you back to your fountain so you’d be home first, but whatever thanks.” She turned back to Wade.. when.. oh Henry was back. Did the hippogriff have a death warrant or something. Not that she was planning for that to happen, but seriously Henry when you left you should have fled.

Watching as Wade noticed there creature friend, that was actually a good idea, [b] “Alright, but when I say ready I want you to step back out of the way.” If her hand got nervous or the spell would hit Wade she wouldn’t not be able to handle that. “Yep I know what to do.” She knew the spell now, it was just doing it and the seemed to be right in front of her. A smile came to her lips, “I got this Kitty.. Don’t you worry.” and a chuckle came next, putting her fist up, “Badger Boom!”

As she watched him head towards Henry, Minerva started running the spell through her mind speculum catábulum… speculum catábulum. She felt she knew the spell now, but her nerves had to calm down. She closed her eyes visualizing what she had to do and gasped a bit at the image. This had to go alright.. It had to. Blue eyes focused on Wade again.. He was being super cute with Henry, but Wade dear you are having a girl moment if she had ever seen one. Not that she was going to tell him, but honestly the Hippogriff should be fine.. well she hoped.

Gulp

It was her turn, she had to do this. She started to pace just a bit trying to calm down. She had this, she was great at transfiguration. Her best subject, she had never not been confident in the class. So this should be easy for her. Yes she could do this.. She would do this. Walking over to the hippogriff she gave it a few pats, “Wish you could just fly us out of here buddy.” but that wasn’t meant to be. Stepping back a bit she raised her wand, “Alright Wade, I’m ready step back.” She waited for him to move out of the way before she did her backwards Z “speculum catábulum”

There spell complete she held her breath to see if Henry would turn into glass.

[Charely Potter]

Wade didn't want this to end, but he needed it to. Grinning at the idea of them flying away on Henry again.. but it was time. Min was ready and now Wade had to be ready. "Alright." He stopped hugging Henry, before stepping back enough so he wasn't threatened to turn into glass too. "Don't move.. please. I'm right here, Henry." Saying it so the hippogriff wasn't tempted to move. He had to stay for them.

Wade watched in the glistening moonlight, taking in the beautiful sight of Henry the Hippogriff before awaiting Min's spell to take place. She could do this, she was amazing at the subject.

[The Narrator]

One minute he was enjoying a left over piece of ferret that had gotten stuck in his beak and the head rub he was getting from the boy when the next thing he knew bliss then absolutely nothing.

The spell was spot on, turning the once live hippogriff to a miniature glass version of itself. A low rustling ahead alerts you to the hedges opening to reveal a key hole just the right shape and size for the glass hippogriff.

Look alive it's almost over!

[Bazinga]

Minerva was still holding her breath as she watched waiting. Did her spell work or did she hurt the lovable Henry. She was about to close her eyes because she couldn't stand to look anymore as her stomach turned when she saw it happen. The hippogriff was standing there and then he was glass. HE WAS GLASS. OH MY GOD she had done it. As much as she didn't want to act to surprised and wanted to seem overly confident she couldn't help but to bounce and clap.

"IT WORKED.. WE DID IT!" She squealed as her arms went around Wade in a hug. "It worked.. did you see it.. it worked." She looked back down at the glass hippogriff, but gasped as she heard the rustling. Not herbology.. not the plants weren't coming at them. She watched wide eyed as the hedges began to move.

"There.." She pointed as she walked closer. Looking down at the hippogriff she picked it up. "Wow.." Still amazed that she just transfigured a hippogriff, a real life hippogriff. She stuck out her hand with the hippogriff in it. "Here you put the key in."

Could this be it, could they have done it..

[Charely Potter]

Wow.. It was like someone stupefied Wade. One moment, he was keeping his eyes on the adorably cute Henry the Hippogriff in the glistening moonlight, and the next moment.. He was glass-like. That was it. It really was.. was it?

Wade blinked as he essential 'woke up' from the hug Min gave him as she squeaked that they really had done it. "Yeah.." He smiled down at her, "That was brilliant work, Mousie. I knew you could do it!" ..Hm? His imaginary tiger-kitty ears perked at the low sound of rustling, what was this? Were they going to have to endure a final battle? Did Henry the Hippogriff's lover somehow come to take revenge?

"Oh.." Well, it didn't look like it. Instead, an opening was showing.. like a keyhole. Wade blinked as he saw Min pick up the glassed Henry before handing it to him. "..Me?" Why? Well, the words didn't come out, all he saw was what the glass hippogriff once was. He accepted it, before giving it a nice hug.. Henry.. Could he keep this? "...Alright" Breathing out before walking to where the keyhole was with Minnie Mouse.

"Ready?" Wade glanced at her, holding his other hand out. He was the Kitty, who was nothing without the Mousie to help out. They were in this together, Animal Besties for life after all. Then he placed in the glass hippogriff into the keyhole, it fit! He gave it some gentle turns, awaiting whatever was coming next from opening it.

[The Narrator]

Oh it was a perfect fit!

The rustling got loud and the high hedge opened up completely letting in a flood of light and revealing the crowd. It was all over.

Well done Hogwarts champions.

[Bazinga]

Minerva was smiling at Wade's reaction, was he surprised she was giving him the key? He really shouldn't be he did amazing and deserved to be the one to do the key. She nodded in his questioning and then walked towards the key hole with him. She had her wand up though, she didn't trust any plant.

Giving a smile to Wade, "Yep let's do this." Would this be the end or was this to something else. She blinked at his opened hand before placing her's in it. This was great to get to do the task with one of her best friends. They were an amazing team as co-leaders, quiddtich team members, this task, and just being best friends. She watched as he placed Henry in. Would they be able to make Henry go back to normal after this. She really hoped so.

Hearing the rustling again she squeezed his hand tighter. Watching the hedges lower she blinked at the lights. Wow where was the light coming from. She squinted in it and realized it was the grandstands. Her legally blonde squeal "We did it" came out again as she hugging Wade in celebration that they had finished! "You were awesome! This was great!" Had they been the first, did they do good, were the professors proud? She was too excited to even think about answers to any of those.

[Charely Potter]

What a task for them.. Wade could never have expected it to be like this. Smiling as Min took his hand, he placed it into the keyhole.. So what now?

Wade's eyes widened as the rustling got louder and louder, quickly the removed the glass key attempting to exchange it with his wand that was sitting in his pants pocket. Instead his arm covered his face as blasting light shined through.. along with the deafening sound of the crowd. His arm lowered at Min's squeal. We.. did it? We really did.

Wade laughed before hugging Min again. "Hey, you were awesome too Minnie Mouse!" Merlin.. could Indy, his dad, Vicky, and his friends see them. Could.. his mum see them? He briefed a sigh of relief while facing everyone in front of them. He didn't know if they were first or not, but all the same, he felt glad to have gotten through it all with his best friend.