Grounds: Underground Tunnels

[Kolyander]

Not too far from the barns out on the grounds is the entrance to a short non-maze-like tunnel system that takes those that enter (students/staff ect) beneath the Hogwarts grounds where they can observe and encounter burrowing creatures (and of course one another). If one ventures in the direction of the lake they may just find themselves in a tunnel into the lake for aquatic observations (not no where deep as the Slytherin common room though but still just as interesting!).

There are a few areas to sit, rest, observe and even carefully interact with the creatures. All tunnels have been safely charmed for everyone's protection!

[sweetpinkpixie]

Bria was here, sitting criss-cross on the ground in one of the wider burrow observation nooks, notebook open on her knees and a crumb or two of biscuit in her curls (don't ask). A sleepy family of moles had just waddled by, their twitchy whiskers brushing against the enchanted glass and Bria had absolutely MELTED. She may have squealed as well, which would explain why they had shuffled away with such haste, and likely echoed beyond the entrance to the tunnels as well. If there were first years spreading rumors about this place being haunted, one could likely point to the Gryffindor as being the source.

It took a bit, but soon another couple of moles waddled on by and she managed to keep her glee quiet, giving them a wave with wiggly fingers instead. "Bye bye, tunnel tater tots," she whispered fondly and then turned her attention back to her sketches, her homework entirely forgotten in her bag beside her. "Ten out of ten hidey-hole," she mumbled, reaching into her bag and pulling out a teensy pouch of animals crackers to nibble on.

[Kolyander]

There was a new spot to explore! Leave it to Gabs to have strayed away from her brother and his friends to explore the underground tunnels created by Professor Paton for the creatures the first chance she got. Dresses in dark blue overalls, an old pair of boots and with her longish brown hair tied back off her face, she was ready!

Be it as it was, only a couple of minutes into her exploration, there went a family of moles! Oh, my! How absolutely adorable were they all?! Almost at the same time as she saw them, she heard the familiar voice. Bria! Her duck loving friend! Gabby grinned widely and continued to walk in the direction she thought the voice had come from. "This has got to be one of the coolest spots," she greeted her fellow second year.

[sweetpinkpixie]

"Gabby!" Bria gasped, delighted, as she ducked under a low arch of soil where a cluster of glowing mushrooms had sprouted. "I knew I wasn’t the only one who’d come poking around down here." And like DUH, of course the someone else would naturally be Gabby! Would be neat if ducks waddled on down here as well!

Grinning, she scurried over, nearly tripping on a stone (but recovering gracefully, thank you very much) with one hand still cupped protectively around the scruffy bundle tucked in her sweater pouch. "Guess who I found on my way here?" she asked, pulling the soft-eared, whiskered creature into view—a sleepy little yellow-necked mouse, all wriggly tail and blink-blink eyes. "Genuinely the most adorable thing I’ve seen since that pygmy puff that nested in my sock drawer. Had rolled down from the seventh year dorms as it turns out so I was ever so pleased to be able to return the pygmy puff to its owner." As for the mouse, well, she was fairly positive it wasn't someone's pet and, for the time being, Bria was happy to keep it away from any paws with claws.

"Gosh, I love this tunnel already...it’s like a creature subway but with more dirt and charm." She looked around at the carvedout little alcoves and smoothed walls with awe. "Goblins would love the craftsmanship down here, don't you think?" she added with a sage nod. "Glancing that way," she pointed toward the faint glow of the aquatic corridor, "I think there’s a tunnel that curves toward the lake—should we check it out?"

[Kolyander]

"Bria!" the second year chirped in a sing-song tone. Dark eyes shining as she took sight of the glowing mushrooms. How cool were those?! "It's underground! How could I NOT check it out and see what secrets it's hiding." She hadn't gotten very far inside as of yet but already she was super excited with what she was seeing.

Oh, my! Gabby instinctively reached out to catch her friend, not that it was needed as Bria had kept her balance. "What?!" The youngun moved closer so she could peer at what Bria was holding more easily. "Aaawww! Lookit it's itty bitty wittle face and those teensy tiny paws!" Anyone who saw this adorable creature would surely gosh about its cuteness as well. "Are you going to keep it or let it go?" She didn't have any clue what she would do if she had been the one who found it buuuuuut no matter what Bria decided, this girl would back her up.

Gabs giggled. "I like who that sounds. It makes me think that there's so much more to discover each time we come in here." Just like how the castle itself changed from time to time maybe it did the same down here?! "Oh, for sure." Nod nod. "The detailing is fantastic. I doubt I'll ever get bored of coming here." Immediately her gaze shifted down the tunnels corridors. "Most definitely! Do you think we'll be able to see into the lake?" Safely being able to see and interact with the lake creatures would be so epic!

[sweetpinkpixie]

Bria beamed, the kind of grin that took over her whole face and made it seem like she would erupt sunshine from every one of her pores. "See, this is why you’re the best adventure buddy. You GET it." The Gryffindor gave a happy little bounce, careful enough to not jostle the tiny creature still tucked gently in her sweater. "I mean, imagine if...imagine IF one day we stumble into some forgotten alcove and there’s a whole portal to an underwater world just waiting for us? With mermaids waving and grindylows doing synchronized swimming and they teach us the routine!" She paused and rolled up on to her tip toes, eyes wide with the all possibilities and then some. "And and and aaaaaaaand what if it does shift like the castle? What if every time we come down here, the tunnels rearrange themselves just like the staircases?!"

The mouse gave another sleepy wiggle accompanied by something that sounded like a little squeak, so Bria cooed down at it while rubbing her thumb tenderly over the top of its head. "I haven’t decided yet," she admitted softly. "He’s so small and I haven't gauged just how old the little fellow is to know if he would be okay on his own or if he needs a little bit of care...but release is always the ultimate goal soooooo...” Forgetting to entirely complete her thought in the presence of adventure, Bria nodded firmly toward the corridor ahead. "We better investigate while the light is still good!"

[Kolyander]

Love it! Seriously! Gabby could always find something positive about pretty much... Anyone. But Bria had that kind of smile that could make even the saddest of people smile right alongside her. "It takes the best to know the best!" Her own smiles shining as bright as the stars in a night sky. The youngins eyes grew wide in pure joy. "That would be beyond AH-MAH-ZING! How much fun would that be?! Maybe the mermaids would teach us one of their songs too!" Dancing and singing with the underwater creatures would be a dream come true! "Then we would always have somewhere new to explore!" Now it was her turn to bounce on her toes and flail about in excitement.

Oh me, oh my! Gabby nearly squealed at the utter cuteness of the tiny mouse. Nod nod. Every word spoken was completely understood. "If you need any help at all with tending to him until he's ready to be set free... I'd be happy to help look after him." There wasn't anyway that she wouldn't do whatever she could to help Bria in keeping that cutesy mousie alive and well. Yes, yes! Gabriella smiled and already headed towards the light ahead of them in the tunnels. "Let's see what we can find down here." This was going to be so much fun and she was here for it!