Latest Site Notices

*MadAlice* · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2023, 02:24 AM

Graphic credit: Felixir

A set of paths, some stone, most dirt, link the wooden bridge to almost every other area of the Hogwarts grounds. You will more than likely use these pathways at some point to reach your grounds-based classes, to visit other outdoor locations, or simply to take a walk and clear your head. This is a quiet area of the grounds with the soft sound of leaves rustling in the wind or lightly crunching below your feet. Doesn't the air just seem fresher around here somehow?

Walk with a friend, sit and relax on one of the many benches placed in intervals along the numerous pathway routes, climb a nearby tree, take a moment to appreciate the great outdoors in this breathtaking part of the country. Just be careful not to trip on loose stones or roots as you go. The groundskeeper does what he can to keep the pathways maintained, but he can only do so much.

*Lottiepot* · 09-08-2023, 01:29 PM

Oh to breathe in such wonderfully fresh air in the Scottish Highlands.

Apollonia had been lucky enough to travel around the world with her career as a magical historian but there was nothing quite like the crystal clean smell of the morning dew that settled on the grass in the grounds of Hogwarts. It was this that she was sniffling up as she strolled her way along one of the pathways with no particular direction to her wandering. It was the period between breakfast and her first lesson of the day where the grounds were particularly empty whilst the students were still scoffing down their morning meal and so there was barely a sound other than the birds chirping up in the trees.

Her outfit today wasn’t quite as fanciful as the attire she had chosen for the start-of-term feast although the garish bright purple colour of her robe helped her stand out somewhat from the dark green backdrop of the woodlands. She had also omitted the over-the-top hat in favour of a turquoise necklace emblazoned with an enchanted goblin face whose expressions twisted and turned as she walked. It was an artifact she had been lucky enough to pick up on her travels (after checking whether it had been cursed or not of course).

The History of Magic Professor stopped by a tree having discovered a stone within her black boot. “Oh fumbling fiddlesticks” she muttered before she magically unzipped, levitated and shook out wandlessly in front of her nose.

Emzily · 09-09-2023, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

Oh to breathe in such wonderfully fresh air in the Scottish Highlands.

Apollonia had been lucky enough to travel around the world with her career as a magical historian but there was nothing quite like the crystal clean smell of the morning dew that settled on the grass in the grounds of Hogwarts. It was this that she was sniffling up as she strolled her way along one of the pathways with no particular direction to her wandering. It was the period between breakfast and her first lesson of the day where the grounds were particularly empty whilst the students were still scoffing down their morning meal and so there was barely a sound other than the birds chirping up in the trees.

Her outfit today wasn’t quite as fanciful as the attire she had chosen for the start-of-term feast although the garish bright purple colour of her robe helped her stand out somewhat from the dark green backdrop of the woodlands. She had also omitted the over-the-top hat in favour of a turquoise necklace emblazoned with an enchanted goblin face whose expressions twisted and turned as she walked. It was an artifact she had been lucky enough to pick up on her travels (after checking whether it had been cursed or not of course).

The History of Magic Professor stopped by a tree having discovered a stone within her black boot. “Oh fumbling fiddlesticks” she muttered before she magically unzipped, levitated and shook out wandlessly in front of her nose.

Although it sounded cliché, was this a good hiding spot for a toad? A boy named Solomon has lost one. He didn’t massively care about it, but secretly felt a little ache of worry about its welfare. Besides, his dad would kill him if he had really lost it. It wasn’t his fault they were so lose-able!!!!

The grounds seemed like an obvious place to start looking, although he was aware that it would probably take forever. Just after he had started to think about whether a summoning charm would work, he caught sight of a fantastic looking mushroom growing at the foot of a tree. Even more distractions were about to ensue as he opened up his ears.

He heard a zipping sound coming from the other side of the tree, and yes you could say he was curious as to what or who it could have been. Solly certainly did not expect to come across a teacher, though, and his amused expression quickly disapparated.

OH. UHMMM. Was he supposed to be in class?????

NOPE. But it felt like he was in trouble nonetheless.

“Sorry, madam.” Madam?????? “Are you sniffing your boot?” He wouldn’t be trying out that technique any time soon with his own shoes but each to their own.

*Lottiepot* · 09-10-2023, 12:56 PM

The tiniest of objects rolled out of the boot and clinked on the floor by her other foot. Curiously she attempted to bend over to pick it up, hopping on one leg as she tried to regain her balance which in such a fanciful robe was quite a difficult task to accomplish. Once upright again she glanced into her boot again to make sure there was nothing else to surprise her when a voice from the other side of the tree slightly startled her.

Madam? Heavens, did the boy think she was ancient enough to be considered a Madam? “Professor” she corrected, not sternly but with emphasis. And what a strange question. “As much as my feet don’t smell, I wouldn’t want my nose subjected to the boots' deep dark depths,” she chortled. She continued hopping until her boot was levitated back to the ground where she zipped it back up again. “Stone in the boot.” she explained simply to the fourth year.

“Now what in Merlin are you doing out here so early?” In her experience these young lads typically didn’t venture out of their dorm rooms until five minutes before their first lesson which usually meant they were up to something.

Emzily · 09-11-2023, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

The tiniest of objects rolled out of the boot and clinked on the floor by her other foot. Curiously she attempted to bend over to pick it up, hopping on one leg as she tried to regain her balance which in such a fanciful robe was quite a difficult task to accomplish. Once upright again she glanced into her boot again to make sure there was nothing else to surprise her when a voice from the other side of the tree slightly startled her.

Madam? Heavens, did the boy think she was ancient enough to be considered a Madam? “Professor” she corrected, not sternly but with emphasis. And what a strange question. “As much as my feet don’t smell, I wouldn’t want my nose subjected to the boots' deep dark depths,” she chortled. She continued hopping until her boot was levitated back to the ground where she zipped it back up again. “Stone in the boot.” she explained simply to the fourth year.

“Now what in Merlin are you doing out here so early?” In her experience these young lads typically didn’t venture out of their dorm rooms until five minutes before their first lesson which usually meant they were up to something.

Solomon could feel himself turning a shocking shade of red when she corrected him. Was it rude to call a lady madam nowadays??? Solly had no idea. “Oh, yes… I’m sorry, m- professor.” He was impressed by her wandwork, although it was likely that it was nothing to her. Solly chuckled when she confirmed she wasn’t sniffing her boot - again, feeling embarrassed and silly for asking a professor that.

Definitely not up to anything, surprisingly. “I’m, ummm…” he scratched the back of his neck. “I’m looking for my toad.” The longer he was out here, the more panic was starting to set in. “Have you seen one around here?” Solly peered around her side quickly then looked up again.

Hopefully Professor Fergersnout wasn’t about to give him a lesson on the history of toads. He seemed to think that these professors only had the personality trait of the subject they taught.

*Lottiepot* · 09-11-2023, 09:41 PM

It wasn’t that calling her Madam was offensive but it did sound like the sort of title that her mother would have and that made her feel especially old. Besides, being called Professor validated the numerous years of research she had conducted into her area of expertise. “No need to be embarrassed, at least you didn’t call me Mum” she chortled, noting that he had turned a rather fetching shade of crimson.

A toad? He had misplaced a toad in its natural habitat? Oh Merlin.

“Finding a toad out here would be like finding a specific galleon in a Gringotts vault.” Poor child was likely to be out here for hours. “I can’t say I’ve spotted one on my travels but perhaps I could help you look? I did work on archaeological sites for several years, finding lost things is one of my specialities.” Which reminded her that perhaps if unsuccessful out in the grounds it should be the Room of Hidden Things he should check next.

She straightened out her robes now she was fully upright again and back to wearing both boots. “Have you tried croaking his name?” That might help to start.

Emzily · 09-12-2023, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

It wasn’t that calling her Madam was offensive but it did sound like the sort of title that her mother would have and that made her feel especially old. Besides, being called Professor validated the numerous years of research she had conducted into her area of expertise. “No need to be embarrassed, at least you didn’t call me Mum” she chortled, noting that he had turned a rather fetching shade of crimson.

A toad? He had misplaced a toad in its natural habitat? Oh Merlin.

“Finding a toad out here would be like finding a specific galleon in a Gringotts vault.” Poor child was likely to be out here for hours. “I can’t say I’ve spotted one on my travels but perhaps I could help you look? I did work on archaeological sites for several years, finding lost things is one of my specialities.” Which reminded her that perhaps if unsuccessful out in the grounds it should be the Room of Hidden Things he should check next.

She straightened out her robes now she was fully upright again and back to wearing both boots. “Have you tried croaking his name?” That might help to start.

Well...

No risk of calling anyone mum, since he had grown up without one for the majority of his life. It was a grim thought, but when you barely remembered a figure in your life, it was easy to get on with things without moping around. STILL - the thought of calling a professor MUM was even more embarrassing than madam. Why did Solly now feel like he HAD called her mum? He smiled to conceal his awkwardness. "Won't happen again, Professor Fergersnout." He wasn't entirely sure if he was pronouncing that correctly.

Her words caused Solomon's heart to sink. Was it really an impossible task to find Goliath out here? He did like the thought that it would find its way back to the dungeons on its own, but he was unsure whether they had those smarts. "If you're not busy, that would be great to get some help." The panic was being hidden well at this point. "You did?" He asked, in response to her archaeological site visits. That sounded super interesting.

CROAKING his name???!

"Erm... no, I haven't... could that really work?" He supposed he was pretty much at the point of desperation. "His name is Goliath." If she wanted to start off the croaking, she could go right ahead.

*Lottiepot* · 09-13-2023, 07:19 PM

There was no harm done, Mr Duck needn’t worry about it.

The Professor had an hour before she needed to be back in her classroom to teach the first lesson of the day and so wasn’t in a particular rush. “Two sets of eyes are always better than one.. although I can’t guarantee mine are quite so perfect anymore.” Oh the joys of ageing. The tree she was leaning against stood at an intersection of pathways leading to different parts of the school grounds. “Let’s see, how about we head this way towards the Lake. If my memory serves me correctly, toads are rather fond of being soggy.”

The woman reveled in any opportunity to share her knowledge and experience with the malleable minds of the youngins. At Solomon’s interest her face lit up into its big toothy grin. “Oh yes! Historians are rather important on archaeological sites. It’s incredible what information you can gain and catalogue from the tiniest little artefact.” The actual digging side she left up to the experts, she did however take home a small sample of dirt from each of the sites she had visited which remained in a jar on the shelf in her office.

Apollonia was unfortunately not an expert in communicating with toad’s although she could determine that croaking was their method of talking and therefore it seemed an appropriate response to his predicament. “Surely it is worth a try? I’m sure he’ll respond to your croak more than mine” she chuckled. With that being said, Fergersnout was not afraid to make a complete fool of herself and it would almost be like an acting exercise in Drama Club. She crouched down, her knees clicking in response to not being as supple as they used to be and let out a deep…

“Qwark.. Qwark.. Ribbit.”

Nothing to see here..

Emzily · 09-15-2023, 10:38 PM

SPOILER!!: “lmao”

“Thank you, Professor.” Solomon smiled genuinely. Albeit inconvenient, he appreciated that the professors were busy people and it was awfully kind of her to care about such things like this. UGH. He had ALREADY tried the lake many times, but, “Great idea, he’s probably there.” Another smile, but not one so genuine.

The archeology conversation did spark quite an interest. “Awesome. I bet you found some cool stuff. Did you get to keep them?” And without asking too many questions, he wanted some examples of things she had witnessed, please. “Did you find any dinosaur bones?” His mind went completely blank on that funny word that was associated with dinosaur bones. ~~fossils, duh.~~

Indeed, the toad might perhaps respond to Solly more, but that didn’t mean he was going to do it.

Before he knew it, she was crouched and ribbiting, as if she had no care in the world. That must be a nice trait to have. Solomon had to cover his mouth to conceal the loudest laugh he had ever tried to hide before. This was even funnier coming from a teacher of all people. “Uhhhmmm…” he almost whispered, really unsure about how to behave in response. All he could imagine was the pure embarrassment he’d feel if someone caught him crouched down with Professor Fergersnout acting very peculiar.

“That’s some… uhh… great ribbiting there, Professor.” Solly chirped and encouraged. He really did not care about the welfare of Goliath at this point in time, he just wanted to be swallowed up as the expectation for him to join in felt like it had grown. “Maybe we should try in the Weasley swamp.” That felt like a safer option to hide from students, but also sounded like an ingenious hiding spot for a toad.

“And then… and then, I will definitely help.”

Solly LIED. Hopeful he could slip off down a corridor without Professor Fergersnout noticing.

*Lottiepot* · 09-16-2023, 09:22 PM

It was in Apollonia’s opinion that the Professors weren’t just there to educate the future generation but to also act as that positive influence. If helping one student locate his beloved toad was her good deed of the day then she’d feel incredibly accomplished. “I don’t proclaim myself to be a toad expert but I’m fairly certain they live in ponds, don’t they?” She was no Ravenclaw but it seemed the logical place to start. Never mind that he’d already searched it’s shoreline, the Great Lake was particularly large and he couldn’t have scoured every inch of it surely?

“No that would be paleontology, I study history young sproutling” she chuckled. “Magical history to be precise, the story of our ancestors from years passed. Dinosaurs unfortunately did not possess any magical qualities as far as I’m aware although a Tyrannosaurus Rex waving a wand in his tiny little arms does conjure up quite an amusing image.” The accuracy of his spells would be a little questionable, perhaps that was the true explanation to the disappearance of the species? “I have quite the collection of artefacts in my office should you want to visit one day.” All obtained legally of course.

Hopping around on the floor was quite the task for the middle-aged woman and so she sort of crawled in a squat instead calling out for the toad and expecting her young student to join in. “This’ll be far more *croak* effective if you join in too” she glanced up encouragingly. Nevermind should anyone catch them, there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for the odd behaviour.

Hmm.. Yes. The Weasley Swamp would be another place to conduct an investigation but they were out here for now and the Professor only had an hour before she had other places to be. Unfortunately communicating with amphibians would not be a reasonable explanation for tardiness.

Emzily · 09-17-2023, 11:50 AM

SPOILER!!: “prof fergersnout”

Solomon shrugged. “Goliath doesn’t live in a pond. He lives with me, always has done, don’t know why he would abandon me for a cold pond.” He always gave him treats and a cosy lap to sit on. There was a defeated tone about Solly’s voice now. It was quite sad to be without his trusty toad.

Solomon wasn’t sure he’d ever heard of palaeontology, he shrugged again (like a proper moody teen) after she said the word, and the confusion had almost caused him to miss everything that she had explained, but he did catch her little joke about t-rexes and let out a giggle. He reckoned there were wizard dinosaurs once. “Oh, yeah that would be awesome.” While he didn’t enjoy hanging out with teachers as such, Solly would definitely pencil in a trip to see cool objects.

UGH.

He couldn’t really say no to a professor, could he?

Solly whined very quietly and took a quick glance around him to check nobody important was watching. He crouched beside Professor Fergersnout, although keeping an appropriate distance, then gave the most halfhearted, “Ribbit,” known to man.

Without even looking for the toad, Solly said, “it’s not working.” Followed by a HUFF.

*Lottiepot* · 09-17-2023, 07:22 PM

Oh the poor little tadpole was clearly missing his amphibian companion. Apollonia reached out a hand to Pat Solomon comfortingly on the shoulder. “Not to fret, we’ll find him somehow whether we have to form a whole search party to do so.” Her personal companion was of the plant variety but she could empathise with loss. “Perhaps he was simply visiting his froggy friends and got lost on the way.” Who knew what was flowing through their wonderful little minds.

Ever the opportunist to educate others, Professor Fergersnout would be more than happy to lecture on the difference between archaeology and paleontology if he had asked. Sadly he had not engaged in such a question and so she kept her mouth quiet for now. “I also have this wonderful little jar containing a sample of soil from each of the historical locations I have worked upon during my years. The horizons that have formed are utterly fascinating. The dry terra Roxa of South America unfortunately erodes artefacts easily whereas the peaty waterlogged soils are far superior at preserving organic matter.” It was a subject she could truly rattle off about for hours, not that Solomon would be even remotely interested in the correlation between soil matter and preservation of historical artefacts..

There was no need to be embarrassed. Replicating toad conversation was a perfectly normal thing to be doing on a fine Scottish morning. “That’s the spirit!” she beamed encouragingly. Nevermind that it hadn’t worked yet but there were plenty more locations to check anyway.

Emzily · 09-18-2023, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottiepot

Oh the poor little tadpole was clearly missing his amphibian companion. Apollonia reached out a hand to Pat Solomon comfortingly on the shoulder. “Not to fret, we’ll find him somehow whether we have to form a whole search party to do so.” Her personal companion was of the plant variety but she could empathise with loss. “Perhaps he was simply visiting his froggy friends and got lost on the way.” Who knew what was flowing through their wonderful little minds.

Ever the opportunist to educate others, Professor Fergersnout would be more than happy to lecture on the difference between archaeology and paleontology if he had asked. Sadly he had not engaged in such a question and so she kept her mouth quiet for now. “I also have this wonderful little jar containing a sample of soil from each of the historical locations I have worked upon during my years. The horizons that have formed are utterly fascinating. The dry terra Roxa of South America unfortunately erodes artefacts easily whereas the peaty waterlogged soils are far superior at preserving organic matter.” It was a subject she could truly rattle off about for hours, not that Solomon would be even remotely interested in the correlation between soil matter and preservation of historical artefacts..

There was no need to be embarrassed. Replicating toad conversation was a perfectly normal thing to be doing on a fine Scottish morning. “That’s the spirit!” she beamed encouragingly. Nevermind that it hadn’t worked yet but there were plenty more locations to check anyway.

The shoulder pat was not welcomed by Solomon, rather he just felt even more embarrassed and looked around his shoulder at passing students. He did quietly hope that the history of magic Professor wouldn’t take offence to that, by the way. “Yeah… well, I suppose it’s not the first time I’ve lost him… so, I’m sure he’ll turn up when he’s hungry.” That was quite true, actually. Although maybe they weren’t thought of as smart creatures, Solly had some faith in Goliath. The dungeons were damp enough to be inviting for a toad, he thought.

He was confused before, but the more she carried on explaining things, the most lost Solomon became, but he so WANTED to learn…

… about fossils. Not dirt in jars.

“Oh, I see…” he lied, trying his most interested face. “Hope to get a lesson on that one day.” Another lie. History of magic was cool, but not one of his favourites, it required a lot of concentration in his opinion.

Solomon didn’t spend long near the ground, as it felt completely pointless. He stood back up and smoothed down his clothes that were momentarily wrinkled from his posture. “Thanks for the croaking tips, Professor, I’ll, uhhh… never forget it… and I’ll make sure to keep trying as I make my way back to the common room.” She was welcome to get up now as well. PLS could he be excused???

*Lottiepot* · 09-18-2023, 09:34 PM

A toad search party around the castle seemed the perfect opportunity for some of the new students to become better acquainted with their home for the next several years. “If you can’t find him soon let me know and I’ll rally the troops” she beamed reassuringly. No offence was taken over the awkwardness to the shoulder pat and she had actually been oblivious to the reaction anyway.

To be perfectly honest, the description of the different strata found within soils wasn’t exactly relevant to anything she would be teaching this term although if Solomon was interested in digging for fossils it would be useful to understand in which locations he was more likely to find them. Unfortunately Apollonia was far more interested in the history of the magical community than she was in dinosaurs but she was not the type to knock anyone else’s passions. “Well be sure to pop by my office one day and I’ll explain the history of each of my artefacts to you.” He’d be surprised to hear that it was FAR more interesting than reading from a textbook was. “I found myself in some rather sticky situations acquiring them” she chuckled. Literally on one occasion thanks to some rather viscous bog land.

She couldn’t say she wasn’t entirely surprised at the lack of enthusiasm over the croaking, she was sure that she wouldn’t be seeing him at drama club for some of those students would THRIVE at the acting exercise. Getting up from this crouching position would prove a rather complicated task considering that her knees were not the supple joints they were in her youth. In fact she found herself falling backwards onto her bottom and having to use the tree to pull herself up. “Alright. You hurry along before you’re late for class” she nodded, leaning against the tree and dusting off the gravel from her behind.

Someone remind her not to do that again?

Emzily · 09-19-2023, 12:59 PM

A sense of guilt crept upon Solomon when she mentioned gathering troops just for him and his search. Now he felt horrendous about being so embarrassed by her. Solly half smiled, “thanks, Professor,” and he would do her the favour of telling all his mates how cool she was, boost her street cred a bit. He clearly thought he had a lot of influence on his peers.

One day, for sure. Solomon made a mental note to do so at least once before he graduated. Meant he had a few more years to remember, and to get better at history of magic, too.

His eyes widened when she fell backwards, but she soon seemed to recover herself by using the tree. Solly was thankful she didn’t extend a hand out for him to help her up. Ahh, finally - permission to vacate. “Right. Yeah, better not be late. Thanks again.” He smiled, hands behind his back as he dawdled for a second, before disappearing down the pathways.

Latest Site Notices

Latest Harry Potter News

Latest FanFics

Latest Forum Posts

Latest Games

Hogwarts RPG

Wizarding World RPG

Members