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Lower FloorsFrom the entrance hall down to the depths of the dungeons, there is much to explore in the lower floors of this historic castle. Don't mind the rats you may stumble upon the further down you go, their minding their business like anyone else.
One of the less travelled corridors will eventually take you to perhaps the least popular place located in the dungeons. Looking forward, it appears that there is a flight of stairs at the end of the corridor. Indeed, there is. But as you get closer, you realize that there is a bit of an obstacle in your way. A small set of stairs leads you downward into a pit full of slugs, big and small. By the looks of it, this nasty infestation has been here for a very long time.
At this point, there are really only two options for you to choose from: either turn around and head back down the way you came or make friends with the sluggish residents of the pit and walk through the thick slime to get to the staircase beyond. Should you decide to do the latter, tread carefully unless you want to find yourself covered from head to toe in the lime green goo that covers the stone floor or adopt a number of slugs as hair accessories. On the plus side, at least you now know where to find an endless supply of slugs should you need them for Potions class.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
Younger Aryan had been somewhat disgusted by the slug infestation. He still recalled him and a few friends checking out the Pit during their first year. Gilly had not at all been squeamish about getting up close and personal with the creatures; he had admired that about her. With that recollection in mind, and having no intentions of plucking a slug from the pit, he strode cautiously towards the habitat.
Ary ceased his further approach when he was about three or four paces away from the thing. He leaned forward, peering into it and… yep, still full of slugs. But this time, he wasn’t as disgusted by the goo and the crawlies, which the guy considered a great achievement.
Hmm… maybe Gilly would appreciate it if he brought one to her?
Younger Aryan had been somewhat disgusted by the slug infestation. He still recalled him and a few friends checking out the Pit during their first year. Gilly had not at all been squeamish about getting up close and personal with the creatures; he had admired that about her. With that recollection in mind, and having no intentions of plucking a slug from the pit, he strode cautiously towards the habitat.
Ary ceased his further approach when he was about three or four paces away from the thing. He leaned forward, peering into it and… yep, still full of slugs. But this time, he wasn’t as disgusted by the goo and the crawlies, which the guy considered a great achievement.
Hmm… maybe Gilly would appreciate it if he brought one to her?
Alaric’s footsteps echoed softly in the dim dungeon corridor, his wand light casting faint, flickering glimmers against the damp walls. He wasn’t lost... Well, not exactly. Exploring was all about discovering where you weren’t supposed to be, after all. He smirked to himself, imagining the grand adventure this would make for his journal later.
The faint sound of someone shifting ahead made him slow his steps as he rounded the corner. There, standing by what looked like an honest-to-Merlin pit of slugs, was a boy Alaric recognized from his house. Fifth year, if he wasn’t mistaken. But what was he doing here, staring so intently into… that?
Alaric wrinkled his nose as he drew closer. "You know," he began, his tone light with just a hint of mischief, "there are easier ways to gather slugs if you're brewing a potion. This feels... excessive." He paused a few steps behind Aryan, gray eyes flicking between the older boy and the writhing mass of slime below. "Unless you're planning to train them as pets? In which case, I admire your bravery."
With a small grin, he added, "I'm Alaric, by the way. Figured it was better to introduce myself before you thought I was some overgrown slug or anything." He shifted his weight slightly, curiosity sparkling in his gaze. "So, what’s the plan here? Slug rescue mission?"
__________________
Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you can laugh! but people used to believe there were no such things
as the blibbering humdinger or the crumple-horned snorkack!"
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Alaric! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freyr
Alaric’s footsteps echoed softly in the dim dungeon corridor, his wand light casting faint, flickering glimmers against the damp walls. He wasn’t lost... Well, not exactly. Exploring was all about discovering where you weren’t supposed to be, after all. He smirked to himself, imagining the grand adventure this would make for his journal later.
The faint sound of someone shifting ahead made him slow his steps as he rounded the corner. There, standing by what looked like an honest-to-Merlin pit of slugs, was a boy Alaric recognized from his house. Fifth year, if he wasn’t mistaken. But what was he doing here, staring so intently into… that?
Alaric wrinkled his nose as he drew closer. "You know," he began, his tone light with just a hint of mischief, "there are easier ways to gather slugs if you're brewing a potion. This feels... excessive." He paused a few steps behind Aryan, gray eyes flicking between the older boy and the writhing mass of slime below. "Unless you're planning to train them as pets? In which case, I admire your bravery."
With a small grin, he added, "I'm Alaric, by the way. Figured it was better to introduce myself before you thought I was some overgrown slug or anything." He shifted his weight slightly, curiosity sparkling in his gaze. "So, what’s the plan here? Slug rescue mission?"
Ary was starting to wish he had taken the initiative to bring a jar. His Conjuration skills were a little subpar - something which he aimed to fix before his OWLs. He definitely was not about to try making one appear now that there was an approaching company. Especially when it turned out that said company happened to be a firstie. As a fifth year, Ary was supposed to appear cool and all knowing.
He laughed, finding the comments highly humorous. “You sound like an expert on collecting slugs. Well, in ways that don’t involve this pit.” His gaze wandered to the pit once more. He’d just Summon them if needed; at least THAT was a spell he had mastered. “Nope, no thanks. I’ll stick to Mooncalves, Hippogriffs and Dragons. These fine little creatures here are much too slimy for me.” Handling dangerous creatures, yes. Handling slimy ones, no.
“Hi, Alaric. I’m Aryan but everyone calls me Ary. Okay, but how do I know you aren’t truly a giant slug disguised as a human?” The fifth year smirked, playing right along with Alaric’s hilarity. “Sorta. I have a friend who likes slug and was thinking of taking one to her so she can care for it. I forgot to bring a jar though.” Oh well. The boyfriend's sister would just have a slug-surprise another day. “What brings you here? Did you forget the way back to our Common Room?”
Ary was starting to wish he had taken the initiative to bring a jar. His Conjuration skills were a little subpar - something which he aimed to fix before his OWLs. He definitely was not about to try making one appear now that there was an approaching company. Especially when it turned out that said company happened to be a firstie. As a fifth year, Ary was supposed to appear cool and all knowing.
He laughed, finding the comments highly humorous. “You sound like an expert on collecting slugs. Well, in ways that don’t involve this pit.” His gaze wandered to the pit once more. He’d just Summon them if needed; at least THAT was a spell he had mastered. “Nope, no thanks. I’ll stick to Mooncalves, Hippogriffs and Dragons. These fine little creatures here are much too slimy for me.” Handling dangerous creatures, yes. Handling slimy ones, no.
“Hi, Alaric. I’m Aryan but everyone calls me Ary. Okay, but how do I know you aren’t truly a giant slug disguised as a human?” The fifth year smirked, playing right along with Alaric’s hilarity. “Sorta. I have a friend who likes slug and was thinking of taking one to her so she can care for it. I forgot to bring a jar though.” Oh well. The boyfriend's sister would just have a slug-surprise another day. “What brings you here? Did you forget the way back to our Common Room?”
Alaric nodded as Aryan introduced himself, a polite smile crossing his face. "Nice to meet you, Ary. I’ll admit, it’s a bit unconventional meeting someone over a pit of slugs, but it certainly makes it memorable."
His grin was brief but amused as Aryan laughed. "Expert? Not quite. But I’ve learned enough to avoid stepping into something... regrettable." He cast a wary glance at the pit, his expression somewhere between curiosity and distaste.
"Dragons or slugs... tough choice." Tilting his head, his gray eyes flicked between Aryan and the pit as though weighing the two options. "Dragons could burn you to a crisp, sure, but at least it’s over quickly. Slugs, though..." He wrinkled his nose. "You’d feel like you’d never be clean again. I’m not sure which fate is worse."
The mention of disguises earned a faint smirk. "If I were going to hide as something, I’d like to think I’d aim higher than a giant slug. But I suppose blending in would be easy." He shifted slightly, keeping a polite distance while remaining engaged.
"A gift slug, though?" He raised an eyebrow. "Interesting choice. I’d have thought sweets or something less... slimy would be safer."
At Aryan’s question, Alaric gave a slight shrug. "No, not lost. I like seeing where the corridors lead—you never know what you’ll find." He gestured faintly toward the pit. "Although this wasn’t quite what I had in mind."
A small pause, then, "You’ve been here before, then?"
__________________
Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you can laugh! but people used to believe there were no such things
as the blibbering humdinger or the crumple-horned snorkack!"
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Alaric! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freyr
Alaric nodded as Aryan introduced himself, a polite smile crossing his face. "Nice to meet you, Ary. I’ll admit, it’s a bit unconventional meeting someone over a pit of slugs, but it certainly makes it memorable."
His grin was brief but amused as Aryan laughed. "Expert? Not quite. But I’ve learned enough to avoid stepping into something... regrettable." He cast a wary glance at the pit, his expression somewhere between curiosity and distaste.
"Dragons or slugs... tough choice." Tilting his head, his gray eyes flicked between Aryan and the pit as though weighing the two options. "Dragons could burn you to a crisp, sure, but at least it’s over quickly. Slugs, though..." He wrinkled his nose. "You’d feel like you’d never be clean again. I’m not sure which fate is worse."
The mention of disguises earned a faint smirk. "If I were going to hide as something, I’d like to think I’d aim higher than a giant slug. But I suppose blending in would be easy." He shifted slightly, keeping a polite distance while remaining engaged.
"A gift slug, though?" He raised an eyebrow. "Interesting choice. I’d have thought sweets or something less... slimy would be safer."
At Aryan’s question, Alaric gave a slight shrug. "No, not lost. I like seeing where the corridors lead—you never know what you’ll find." He gestured faintly toward the pit. "Although this wasn’t quite what I had in mind."
A small pause, then, "You’ve been here before, then?"
“Nice to officially meet you too, Alaric. Sorry I couldn’t introduce myself at the Feast. I was a little occupied.” Somehow he had unintentionally managed to make a great number of friends, which he wasn’t complaining about. It just awed him that no one {that he knew of} found him boring. A grin spread across his face. “You’ll be remembering this meeting for the rest of your life, my friend. Want to move closer to the pit to check these fellas out? Just… watch your step? I wouldn’t fancy having to help you clean up if you fall into slime.” The expressions reflected Alaric’s thoughts and Ary could truly relate.
“Dragons will burn you to a crisp only if they feel threatened,’’ the older Slytherin explained, feeling the need to defend dragons in general. "For me… I’d say slipping into this pit would be far worse.” He grinned now. “Oh yeah? What creature would you choose then?” Maybe he’d learn a little more about Alaric based on the answer.
“Yep, my friend is an interesting person so… anyway, you might have seen her around. She’s also a Slytherin fifth year. Her name is Gillyweed but we call her Gilly.” When Ary spoke, there was a deep hint of fondness in his tone for her.
“Oh, you’re right about that. Have you gotten lost due to the Moving Staircases? It’ll happen if it hasn’t already.” Again, he was speaking from his first year experiences. “Uh huh. What do you think about the pit? And the Castle, for that matter.”
“Nice to officially meet you too, Alaric. Sorry I couldn’t introduce myself at the Feast. I was a little occupied.” Somehow he had unintentionally managed to make a great number of friends, which he wasn’t complaining about. It just awed him that no one {that he knew of} found him boring. A grin spread across his face. “You’ll be remembering this meeting for the rest of your life, my friend. Want to move closer to the pit to check these fellas out? Just… watch your step? I wouldn’t fancy having to help you clean up if you fall into slime.” The expressions reflected Alaric’s thoughts and Ary could truly relate.
“Dragons will burn you to a crisp only if they feel threatened,’’ the older Slytherin explained, feeling the need to defend dragons in general. "For me… I’d say slipping into this pit would be far worse.” He grinned now. “Oh yeah? What creature would you choose then?” Maybe he’d learn a little more about Alaric based on the answer.
“Yep, my friend is an interesting person so… anyway, you might have seen her around. She’s also a Slytherin fifth year. Her name is Gillyweed but we call her Gilly.” When Ary spoke, there was a deep hint of fondness in his tone for her.
“Oh, you’re right about that. Have you gotten lost due to the Moving Staircases? It’ll happen if it hasn’t already.” Again, he was speaking from his first year experiences. “Uh huh. What do you think about the pit? And the Castle, for that matter.”
Alaric gave a small nod, his faint smile laced with humor. "Memorable? Absolutely. Though I can’t tell if that’s more because of you or the slugs." His tone was light, clearly joking, as his gray eyes flicked between Aryan and the pit with mock deliberation.
When Aryan suggested moving closer, Alaric raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "I’m curious, but I’m not sure I’m that curious." He smirked slightly. "If I do end up slipping, though, I’ll take full responsibility for the cleanup. No sense in dragging you into it—figuratively or literally."
Aryan’s defense of dragons earned a thoughtful hum. "Fair enough. I suppose as long as you’re not waving a wand or roast chicken at them, they’re mostly reasonable." He tilted his head as if weighing options. "If I had to pick a creature, I’d go with a phoenix. Sure, they might singe you, but at least they can heal you with their tears. That feels like a fair trade, doesn’t it?"
Hearing Aryan talk about Gilly brought a faint glimmer of interest to Alaric’s eyes. "Gillyweed? That’s a name you don’t forget." He paused, his tone light. "She sounds like someone who’d find this pit more exciting than horrifying."
The mention of the Moving Staircases drew a soft chuckle from him. "Not yet. I’ve been cautious so far, but I imagine it’s only a matter of time before they get the better of me." He gestured faintly toward the pit, shrugging slightly. "The pit? Disgusting, but fascinating in its own way. The Castle, though? It’s incredible—like a puzzle you can never fully solve. What about you? Does it lose its charm after a few years?"
__________________
Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you can laugh! but people used to believe there were no such things
as the blibbering humdinger or the crumple-horned snorkack!"
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Alaric! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freyr
Alaric gave a small nod, his faint smile laced with humor. "Memorable? Absolutely. Though I can’t tell if that’s more because of you or the slugs." His tone was light, clearly joking, as his gray eyes flicked between Aryan and the pit with mock deliberation.
When Aryan suggested moving closer, Alaric raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "I’m curious, but I’m not sure I’m that curious." He smirked slightly. "If I do end up slipping, though, I’ll take full responsibility for the cleanup. No sense in dragging you into it—figuratively or literally."
Aryan’s defense of dragons earned a thoughtful hum. "Fair enough. I suppose as long as you’re not waving a wand or roast chicken at them, they’re mostly reasonable." He tilted his head as if weighing options. "If I had to pick a creature, I’d go with a phoenix. Sure, they might singe you, but at least they can heal you with their tears. That feels like a fair trade, doesn’t it?"
Hearing Aryan talk about Gilly brought a faint glimmer of interest to Alaric’s eyes. "Gillyweed? That’s a name you don’t forget." He paused, his tone light. "She sounds like someone who’d find this pit more exciting than horrifying."
The mention of the Moving Staircases drew a soft chuckle from him. "Not yet. I’ve been cautious so far, but I imagine it’s only a matter of time before they get the better of me." He gestured faintly toward the pit, shrugging slightly. "The pit? Disgusting, but fascinating in its own way. The Castle, though? It’s incredible—like a puzzle you can never fully solve. What about you? Does it lose its charm after a few years?"
Ary liked this kid. He really did. There was a really nice sense of humour that he possessed, the sort that Ary was all too familiar with because of his Dad Adi. He grinned. “Both. It can be both.” Alaric might be joking but he was being serious. Sort of. “Suit yourself, though I might add that you’ve made a wise decision by refusing.” Aside from there being any tumbles into the pit, he wasn’t sure if the younger Slytherin would hurl the contents of his stomach if he got closer. “I’d appreciate you not dragging me through literally,’’ Ary said with a chuckle. ”My offer will always stand should you find yourself in this green, slimy situation in the future.” He paused thoughtfully. “Though, of course, it expires two years from now when I graduate.”
Aryan winked as he slid his bag down his shoulders. The only reason he had it in his possession was because a trip to the library had just been completed. Preparing for OWLs would have anyone going back and forth to the library. “That’s right. Dragons are our friends.” Had Ary befriended dragons? Yes, he had. “Oh! That’s an excellent choice. Aside from the tears, the fact that they can fly is always a bonus.'’ This creature lover was rather enthusiastic and that much was obvious. As the duo spoke, the older boy rummaged through his bag for anything that would safely hold a slug. “Nope, you wouldn’t ever forget Gilly’s name,’’ he said, sticking his face super close to his open bag as he searched. “Her twin’s name is Mandrake. Drake’s my boyfriend." Whom Ary was very much in love with, by the way. "Can you tell their mom loves Herbology?” Then there was the fact that their mother was named Juniper. “That’s Gilly for you. She might sound unusual to you but she’s great.”
The guy paused in his rummaging, looking towards Alaric. “Not to get your spirit down but you’re right. You’ll be caught at least a couple of times per term.” Again, Ary was speaking from experience. “Excellent observations. Both are fascinating in their own way. I can’t say that the Castle has lost its charm. I still love every bit of it. I hope you feel that way a couple of years from now. Which reminds me… are you homesick?”
Alaric smirked at Aryan’s response. "Both, huh? I suppose I’ll let you take credit alongside the slugs, then." He cast another glance at the pit and shook his head slightly. "And I appreciate the confirmation that keeping my distance is the smarter choice. Not that I needed much convincing." His tone was dry, but there was a flicker of amusement behind it.
He let out a small chuckle at Aryan’s offer. "I will keep that in mind. Good to know I have a limited-time slime rescue plan." He paused for a beat before adding, "Though I am hoping I will never need it."
As Aryan rummaged through his bag, Alaric arched an eyebrow at the mention of his friend’s name. "Mandrake and Gillyweed?" He gave a thoughtful hum. "Yeah, that does give away their mum’s interests a bit." He nodded slightly at Aryan’s fond tone. "She sounds... unique. In a good way." He did not comment on the boyfriend part. He was not the type to pry unless someone made it a point to share.
When the topic shifted to the Moving Staircases, Alaric sighed lightly, already resigned to his fate. "Well, at least I know what to expect now. If I vanish for a day, you will know where to look." His tone was wry, but his grey eyes glinted with humour.
At Aryan’s question about homesickness, Alaric hesitated briefly before shaking his head. "Not really. It is different, sure, but I expected that. There is too much to take in to dwell on home too much." He shrugged slightly, keeping his answer light. "Besides, I have an owl. If I ever miss home too much, I can always send a letter."
His gaze drifted back to the pit before he quirked an eyebrow at Aryan. "Alright, since you clearly have more experience here, what is the absolute weirdest place in the castle you have found? Please tell me it is not worse than this."
__________________
Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you can laugh! but people used to believe there were no such things
as the blibbering humdinger or the crumple-horned snorkack!"
Pit of Slugs 
x12 
x12
