The Courtyard
 

https://i.postimg.cc/fLwsJFm4/thecourtyard.jpg

The Courtyard is where many students spend their time between lessons if they're not in their Common Room or in the Great Hall. Its architecture, including watchful gargoyle parapets and real Gothic arches, reveals the Courtyard to be one of the oldest parts of Hogwarts, connecting the castle with the grounds and also leading to the wooden bridge over the ravine. In between lessons, the courtyard is usually filled with students enjoying some sun or gathering around the pear tree before heading back into the castle. Whether you choose to occupy one of the many stone benches or play gobstones on the cobblestone ground, the courtyard is the perfect place to relax with your friends from all houses.

In the middle of the courtyard is an antique ceramic fountain flanked by eagles, perfect for admiring your own reflection or making wishes. Beware though: once your coin has been tossed into the water, you may never get it back as it will continue to magically sink out of dight. Do try not to fall into the fountain, as the staff does not fancy a swim to fetch little students.

Apollo :D
 

Quinn was sitting on one of the benches in the courtyard, poring over Hogwarts: A History. He was learning a lot, actually—the prejudice on blood heritage (which he also learned was mostly diminished, so these Neo-Alliance people were the odd ones out), the founders of the school, and even things about the Second Wizarding War. A lot of this seemed to have ties to what was happening now, specifically the views of the Deatheaters seemingly making a return with the Neo-Alliance. Quinn wasn't as worried about the things he didn't know now, but he realized there was still a lot to learn if he wanted to know everything about the situation he was in.

Quinn also had a stack of books next to him on the bench of various branches of history, types of magic, and even some on magical plants for fun. And Quinn planned on combing through all of them. Quinn shifted on the bench, causing his leg to hit the stack of books, causing the books to tumble to the ground. "Aw, jeez," he mumbled, putting down Hogwarts: A History to pick up the books from off the ground.

Apollo was in need of fresh air more than anything because after only a couple days in the castle, it was feeling very stuffy which was in great contrast to what his family members had talked about when they discussed Hogwarts. Hands shoved into into his robe pockets, he kicked randomly at the grass, trying to make sense of the events. He never imagined that blood purity was still a thing in the 22nd century and yet here they were and it seemed to be quite relevant. How odd.

He frowned when he spotted a young boy, whom he recognized from the sorting ceremony, having dropped his books on the ground. "Hey. You alright?" He asked, taking note of the book titles. Was Hogwarts: A History outdated? Apollo didn't know, as he hadn't read it. All his history and knowledge about Hogwarts came from family and friends, not a book. But he didn't really have the attention span to read either.

Quinn glanced up at the boy, his face reddening slightly. He tried not to face the boy for too long—he still had the "LIAR" on his forehead from the DADA lesson, but it was now just a light scar since Phoebe had given him some murtlap for it. Quinn wondered if it would ever fully go away. "Er, yes, I'm fine, thanks." He vaguely remembered the boy from the Sorting, since he was one of the first. His last name was interesting, and Quinn remembered it sounding like two separate words, but he wouldn't put money on it.

He stacked his books back up on the bench, stood up and brushed off his knees. He wasn't sure what else to say. "Uh, are you... alright..?" That did not feel like the thing to say, since the boy didn't seem to have anything wrong. But Quinn supposed it applied, given the overall situation.

When the boy faced him it was just enough to see the faint words on his forehead, which had Apollo curious some more. "It's been a weird first few days, I suppose. No one told me it was going to be this way." He admitted, trying to recall what the boy's name was but honestly, the only sorting and name he'd been concerned about besides his own was Bella's.

He nodded toward the bench. "May I sit..." He asked, before moving to sit anyway. There was plenty of room, so he doubted it should have been an issue. Unless the other boy was waiting for someone. Perhaps he was trying to study outside while the weather was still somewhat warm. "I'm Apollo, by the way. So what'd ya lie about?" He wasn't about to shy away from being blunt.

Quinn nodded at the boy's response. He hadn't signed up for this, either—he hadn't even known he had magic until a little over a year ago, and this was pretty much his welcome wagon. "Yeah, I know what you mean," he said, sitting back down next to his books.

He was about to tell the boy he could sit when he went and sat anyway. Quinn didn't mind so much. He was just sitting and reading, so... yeah. Fine. He was reading here mostly because no one was out here at the moment, and it was a nice day. He smiled when hearing the boy's name; it was the second boy he'd met in his year who had a name from Greek myth, and it was a nice surprise. "I'm Quinn." When the boy asked about his lie, his face dropped. He looked at the ground. "Um... the forms. From the feast. Blood status confuses me, and I thought was a half-blood, but, um... apparently I'm not." Quinn fidgeted with his hands, rubbing them together nervously. "A-and in the Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson the other day, the Headmaster... h-he..." Quinn didn't finish the sentence. Talking about the lesson in any capacity put him on the verge of panic.

Ugh yea. It was rough. Like he knew there were dangers but death of innocent creatures seemed on the harsh side. He sighed.

"Cool name," he said upon hearing the boys name. He hadn't met too many people with a name that started with Q. Plus the one syllable thing made for an easy name to remember. Wait what. So if he wasn't a half-blood ... did that make him muggleborn? But he didn't seem like he was stupid or any of the other lies that these people seemed to be spewing about muggles and muggleborn. He didn't seem less deserving of a magical education either. Apollo rubbed absently at the back of his hand. "So uh... you don't have any ... witches or wizards in your family?" He frowned when the boy trailed off about the Headmaster. "He doesn't seem like he really ..." Apollo found himself gazing around, wondering if anyone was listening to them. "If he really wants to be here." He whispered.

Quinn smiled a bit at the compliment. People didn't usually think one way or the other about his name. "Thanks."

Quinn shook his head. "No, I do, my aunt's a witch! But my dad's a Muggle and my mom's... a, um... Squib? Yeah, a Squib. So I thought I would be a half-blood because of her, but..." he sighed, not finishing the statement. His forehead finished it for him.

Quinn made a concerned face, looking around. "I... I don't know. I don't really understand... who he is, or the other people in that... group." Quinn was still really new to the whole wizarding world, and he was trying to read up about everything he could so he could get some sort of grasp on the situation. But he still hadn't read much yet. "What do they want?"

Apollo & Quinn - Permission to crash :)
 

Dahlia needed some fresh air. Some time out of the castle away from everything. Just a little bit of time on her own so she could lose herself in all of her thoughts. When she was by herself it was easy to feel however she wanted and not have to worry about effecting how anyone else feels. She was free to feel sad.

Cradled in her arms was Sir Frederik Puffington the Pink Pygmy Puff. Carrying him around with her anytime that she could gave her a sense of comfort and security that she normally felt when around her siblings and friends. The poor little thing was getting rather old but that was okay, it meant much more cuddles for her.

Lia hadn't gotten very far in her walk when she spotted a familiar face and a... well a not so familiar one. Without even thinking about it her feet were already heading straight towards the boys, a small set lightly on her lips. "Enjoying the sunshine and fresh air while you can?" she asked quietly by way of greeting before adding, "Hey," along with a wave of her hand.

Quinn looked up from his whispering as Dahlia spoke. "Oh! Hi, Dahlia." He glanced down at her arms. "And Sir Frederik! Very nice to see you both," he grinned, then nodded. "Yeah, I just thought it was nice out, so I could get some reading in out here. Oh, this is Apollo, by the way." Quinn gestured to Apollo. "And Apollo, this is Dahlia. We're Housemates. And in her arms is Sir Frederik Puffington the Pygmy puff." Quinn wasn't exactly sure how he should, er... segue the conversation he and Apollo were having to include Dahlia—it wasn't the lightest of subjects—so he figured he would let them have his introductions and see where things went, for now.

The little smile that had been on her lips slowly grew as Quinn introduced her to the other boy. "Hey, Quinn." She turned towards Apollo and nodded slightly in greeting. "Hi, Apollo. Like he just said," he being Quinn obviously, "I'm Dahlia but you're welcome to call me Lia if you want and this is Sir Frederik Puffington the Pink Pygmy Puff. He's super friendly." She had started adding that last little bit whenever introducing her companion to anyone.

"That's why I'm outside too. The fresh air and sunshine always helps clear my head... and well... I'm much more of an outdoorsy type of person." Lia giggled softly. "Do you mind if I join you two?" Since they had been talking already before she had joined them, it was only fair to ask.

There it was again. When Dahlia referred to Quinn as "he"... it made Quinn feel all gross inside. Quinn still didn't understand why that happened—she wasn't wrong, he was a boy.

It's just an acquired taste, Quinn. Like that fizzing popcorn... that you still think is gross. But it'll get better with time. You're fine, Quinn.

Returning from his thoughts, he shook his head. "Oh, no, you're alright, Apollo. This..." he looked down at his books, closing the one in his lap, "this isn't really for class anyway. Just, y'know, personal reading. B-but you're welcome to join us, Dahlia." Quinn scooched to make room on the bench for her. "I'm definitely a fan of the fresh air, too, though. it's... much better than being inside," he said, knowing they both knew what he meant.

Dahlia's gentle smile never wavered. Despite all the going-ons around this place, she was doing her best to attempt to remain positive whenever she was around others. Attempt being the important word there. It wasn't always easy being her usual cheerful, adventurous self lately.

"Thanks," she nodded, sitting down on the bench beside Quinn. She really hoped that she wasn't intruding but it didn't seem like it, since they told her she could sit with them. Sir Frederik Puffington made himself comfortable on her lap, puffing himself up so that he would look larger but all that did for him was make him appear to be a giant pink cotton ball with a face. Lia was more than content to pet him though. "Do you want to hold him?" she gestured to Sir Fredrik. She knew that Quinn liked the pink fluff ball and Apollo was welcome to hold him too if he wanted.

A simple nod of her head was all that was given. Neither boy had to be more detailed on what they had meant. "What's your favorite thing to do out here?" Dahlia was attempting to change the subject a little bit but if it didn't work she would deal with it. They had been talking before she showed up and maybe they weren't finished with their discussion yet.

DADA Lesson 2
 

Where was this place? What a magnificent castle. If they weren't in such a huge rush to book it out of here, the muggles may have stopped to admire the architecture. As it stood, they wanted to be AS FAR AWAY as possible.

That was what took them to this...courtyard of sorts.

On the other side was a castle. Perhaps someone inside would help them. Only one way to find out.

DADA Lesson 2
 

Fiona had her wand out and was looking for the Muggles when sure enough, she spotted some in the courtyard. Ducking behind the fountain, Fiona aimed her wand at the group and said clearly, "Repello muggletum!"

"Hope this works," she thought to herself.

Dada
 

Aboli fell in step behind Valencia and Fiona, aiming her wand at the muggles as well. "Repello Muggletum!" she cried, feeling like it might be overkill for all three of them to repel them, but then again...one of their spells might be weak, or if any one of them had failed to produce the spell correctly, it would be good to have the backup.

She felt like she couldn't breathe. Placing a hand on Valencia's shoulder, she took a deep breath and dabbed at her eyes with the end of her sleeve.

The spells had done a great job. A great job of alerting the muggles to the presence of the children with intimidating OBVIOUS MAGIC WANDS. What sort of nightmare was this anyway?? Given the required raised position for the spell to be cast, when the small crowd turned, all they saw were wands being pointed in their direction while crazy words were being uttered.

They had to get out of here!!!

The group continued to run but found themselves stopping as they hit the invisible barrier. Something...there was something, much more urgent than going this way.

Ah, that was right, escaping!! They needed to go. "This way!!!" One insisted, no longer heading in the direction the spell was cast but to the other side of the courtyard from where they could see another entrance. "We can't let them take us!!!"

Violet got to the courtyard just in time to see the crowd of Muggles turning to the entrance at the other side of the courtyard. She hurriedly skirted around the edges of the courtyard, keeping behind pillars and shrubbery as much as possible, until she was just at the edge of the other entrance. Leaning out from behind one of the pillars of the archway, she raised her wand and cast, "Repello Muggletum!!", concentrating as hard as she could. Then, just as quickly, she withdrew back into the shadows, hoping that the spell would work.


OOC: Sorry if I disappeared for a few days, my power has been out, and is not that reliable now, so if I start something I can't finish, I apologize in advance.

Adam and a brief mention of Kinsay and Em
 

Never in all of her life had she had to muster so much effort to simply run and yet, it was odd because she knew that none of the pain was actually real. She wasn’t even tired from the run. No, the pain was from something else. She knew what. Could feel it tugging on the edge of her consciousness, threatening to bring her to her knees again just like it had a few minutes ago.

Ingrid tried her best to drag her brother and to keep up with Em and Kinsay as they all ran away from Rosier. Taking a deep, she pulled Adam into the crowd, losing the other two girls in the process but that didn’t matter as much now. They had a crowd and she had her brother. “Adam, we need to find the others. To make sure they’re okay”. She’d never survive if something had happened to any one of her family.

Taking a deep breath, she loosened her tight grip on her wand before casting a glance around. She may have had her wand in her hand but she had no intention of casting any charm towards the muggles. No. Instead, without really looking, she pointed her wand randomly out of the throng of students and away from the muggles “Repello Muggletum”. Let it not be known that she did at least try.

Mention of Adam and sorry Muggles
 

Fiona gritted her teeth in frustration. She was very good at Charmwork so why didn't the spell work? She felt the need to obey Headmaster Rosier's orders but her moral compass was plaguing her mind. Then a thought came to her as she watched Adam cast his spell near a Muggle. Aiming her wand at the Muggles she cast, "Stupefy!" Fiona wasn't going to miss not even by a millimetre when there could be repercussions if she did.

hi everyone! we're here physically but uh maybe not the other ways???