Cold, dark, creepy, damp, eerie.

Those were words that Irene would use to describe this forest. She didn't like the look of it at all. Maybe she was wrong thinking that she of all people had potential to enter the competition? What had the book seen in her? She bit her lip and glanced around her. Nope. She didn't like the look of this place. It made her stomach do somersaults and she felt rather nauseous because of her nerves. Knowing where she was would calm herself and make her feel better. She could use the stars to help her navigate through the forest and have a direction. She glanced up at the sky (or where the sky would have been located if it had not been for the trees blocking out every last hope) and found nothing. The trees were gnarled, ugly, and menacing. They looked like they could come alive and grab her if they wanted too. It made her feel uneasy. "Well at least if it rains, then I won't be too drenched because of the coverage," she murmured with a small smile. This wasn't going to be so bad after all. She felt a little better. Irene would just have to keep reminding herself that this wouldn't be so bad after all.

She turned her gaze into the forest and noticed the lovely fog. It was thick and looked almost suffocating. It suffocated everything behind it, making it more difficult for her to see. This forest screamed death to her and made her stomach begin doing somersaults again. Her heart rate quickened as her eyes flicked back and forth. She was all alone. Lost. The last time she was lost was when she had been a child. She had gotten separated from her parents in the supermarket and spent what felt like hours (perhaps only twenty minutes in reality) circling the store. She remembered feeling so helpless as she searched aisle to aisle for her parents. Irene hated that feeling. The feeling of being helpless and frustrated at the same time. She felt the same way as she did back then as she felt now. Helpless.

Irene couldn't give up not yet. She needed to make this work somehow but she was scared. Would Newt Scamander be terrified of whatever lay before him? Perhaps. Would he show it? Also perhaps- but he would go in there with a plan figured out. She clenched her hands and everything in her body momentarily before letting all the negative energy, worry, and stress out. Okay. She could do this. But first Irene needed a plan.

Irene grabbed her wand, readying herself for whatever was ahead by casting Quietus on herself to soften the noise her footsteps on the ground. Then she cast, Lumos, and covered it with her hand so that she could block some of the light from unwanted attention. Taking a deep breath and holding her chin up a little higher, she made her way further into the forest. With every step she took, the environment around her got darker and colder but she continued on walking, ready for whatever lay ahead.

The light from your wand should act like a source of comfort in this dark forest but there was something forebading about it. The little light that filtered through your fingers might have lit up your path ahead but it also cast long, menacing shadows. Shadows that hid secrets you wouldn't want to find out.

The fog thickens the further you head into the forest, making it difficult to see far ahead. A creature, whether friend or foe, slinked away quietly from the little light from your wand. Then, just when the silence was starting to become deafening, you hear it.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!"

The scream didn't just pierce the quiet of the forest, it pierced your very soul. Even the branches rustled in its wake. Someone, somewhere, was in grave danger.

Dare you go and find out?

The further in she went, the thicker the fog grew. She tried to think of a spell that could get the fog away from her but the fog wasn't entirely bad. It did protect her (hopefully) from mean, dangerous eyes with bad intentions. Everything around her was silent which unnerved her greatly. She didn't know if sound existed until she heard it. Irene ducked, bending over and covering her ears when she heard the piercing the scream. Chills ran down her body and she felt a sharp pain against her chest as if something had pierced her. She closed her eyes, wincing at the pain found near her heart and nearly fell forward. She clutched her hand close to her heart. What in Newt Scamander's brief case was that?! Her heart pounded against her chest rapidly.

Someone sounded as if they were in trouble. Was that Aurora? Or Jesus? Or Kyle? Or Valerie? Or one of her many other compeittors? If it's Valerie then she owes me one, thought Irene briefly. She heard the scream repeat in her head again. Screw whoever it was, whether it be a creature, a fellow student, or something else- she was going to help it. That's what Pukwudgie's did. It was right and she felt it in her heart.

Irene didn't think. Feet began moving quickly. Wand at the ready, she ran towards the noise as fast as she could. She didn't know where she was going exactly but she was going to help that person in need.

Running blindly into the unknown is a dangerous move. The fog was thick, pressing in on you from all sides. It was starting to become difficult to see very far ahead, with the low-lying clouds only barely concealing the gnarled trees surrounding you. With every step you take, the air grows colder still. Much colder than the November air should be...

But if there was anything that worked in your favour, it was the fact that the screams, were starting to grow ever louder. Surely, you must be getting closer?

The fog clears somewhat and you find yourself standing at the edge of a clearing. The source of the screaming is coming from a young girl, not far from your own age. She can be seen cowering from a hooded figure hovering near her. The fog curls around the bottom of its black cloak but there's no mistaking the hand that was protruding from within. A scabby, rotten hand that resembled something that had long since been dead was reaching out towards the victim. If that wasn't bad enough, the rattling breath it was drawing in can be heard, even over the sounds of the screaming.

Notice something else? The way a feeling of hopelessness and despair was slowly starting to sink in?

Be careful not to let that consume you...

The screaming was getting louder. She swore it. Or perhaps that was just her mind or the challenge playing tricks? She came to a halt, when she saw that the fog clear a little in front of her. What was that? Her eyes widened at the sight of the hooded figure reaching out over a young girl. That thing, whatever it was, was gruesome. Was it death itself? She stayed silent, huggeing her arms closer to her chest. It was starting to hurt to breathe because it was a dry, sharp cold. Irene analyzed the figure's hand (or what she could see of it). Scabby hand. Skeletal appearance. Shrouded in black. Cold. It was very cold. And for some reason, Irene was filled with dread and loneliness. She felt empty as if there was nothing inside of her. No warmth. "No," she whispered when she realized what it was. It couldn't be. A dementor? Was it a dementor? It surely looked like one she had seen in textbooks but was she actually seeing one in the very flesh? She couldn't defeat that.

Snap out of it. She could defeat it. She had the same potential as everyone else. She had determination. She could do this. Irene had been chosen for this competition for a reason just like every other competitor. Gripping her wand tighter, she took a step towards the creature and the girl.

She decided that she would have to take the risk and assume that the creature was a dementor. If it was a dementor, then this would work. If it wasn't then, she'd have to do some quick thinking later. Irene briefly closed her eyes, focusing on her memories and trying to best to ignore the screams of the little girl. She would help you shortly, she promised. She needed to cast a patronus first. She had cast her first patronus at the end of her fourth year but the patronus itself had been very weak. Thus she had spent hours in that very week and earlier this year trying to make it stronger. Happiest memory. That part of the process had been the most difficult because Irene was generally a very happy person. She was rarely sad. The happiest she felt was when she was surrounded by her family or with friends or with George her Pygmy Puff and ever faithful companion.

Focusing on her mind, she remembered a very special Christmas. It was when she had met her best friend for life, George. Irene had been handed a bright pink, sparkly wrapped box with a black bow on it. When she undid the bow and the wrapping paper, the lid of the box flew off and the fluffy pink creature popped straight off and climbed her arm. She had been terrified at first but once she saw the creature's adorable face, she just giggled and proclaimed that they would be friends forever. The Pygmy puff seemed to agree and began squeaking happily.

Lifting her wand and pointing it at the shrouded creature, she poured every atom of her being into this spell and into the memory of meeting her best friend, George. Circling her wand to strengthen the charm, she focused on how happy she felt in that moment.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Her wand produced a thin silver light which grew taller and wider until it turned into a stallion. She watched it charge towards the creature and the screaming girl.

It sensed her. The newcomer. The new source of energy, hope and happiness...

It let its sense of smell guide it to look in her direction. This new person was growing happier and happier and it was getting hungrier and hungrier. It stopped in its path and changed course; it was going to go for her, instead. The new source of its next meal...

Before it could do so much as glide a few metres, there was a sudden burst of energy. A blinding white light spread across the area and took the form of a stallion. The patronus charged, ready to protect its conjurer and the victim. The energy was strong enough to wash over you with a sense of hope and happiness. Sensing this, the figure rose and drifted away into the shadows between the tree trunks.

Just when victory looks like it's yours, you hear it. The whimpering voice of the young girl you just saved reaches your ears, "Wh-what was that white thing? What d-did you just do?" She looks to be cowering still, but not from the hooded figure from before. This time, she's cowering from you...

YES! A little victory dance was needed but she would do such a thing after she had accomplished her task. Instead, she congratulated herself quietly. Irene smiled, more confident in her ability, as she sent the creature away. It seemed like was a dementor. Huh. A dementor in this part of the competition? Strange, she thought. However, she was certain that the creature had just slithered away and was waiting and observing them. Irene slipped her wand into her sweater, hiding it just in case. Would she have to obliviate the observer? She hoped not. She didn't know if she could actually do that as she had never attempted it.

She turned her gaze to the whimpering voice of the young girl. The white thing? Irene bit her lip, unsure of whether or not the girl was a No-Mag or not. She assumed that she was a witch but one could never be too careful. "The white thing?" she repeated, trying to find the best way to explain it. "It's my guardian angel. It keeps me safe in times of trouble as well as others if I want it too. It won't harm you or me." Irene said with a small friendly grin. Are you alright? What are you doing out here in the woods?"

The whimpering continued, as did the generally terrified look. There was a slight pause in which the young girl seemed to be debating whether to believe you or not. You can feel her eyes on you, as if they were searching for an answer to her questions through your movements rather than your words.

"H-how do you create one? I w-want one." The whimpering was now coupled with some shaking and, if you listen closely enough, a few sobs here and there. The young girl shook her head to answer your question. "N-no. I don't kn-know. I g-got lost in here and... and then everything started to feel really cold. R-really cold. I... I thought it was just the weather... mommy always told me to take a sweater. B-but then I heard things in my head. Th-things you sh-shouldn't hear and... and th-things I don't want to hear!" There was a pause in which the girl stopped to sob quietly to herself. "My heart felt sad... really sad. L-like I'd n-never be happy again." You notice the sad, round eyes looking directly at you, this time. "I-is that normal?"

There was another small pause. "I-I shouldn't be telling you this. You're a stranger! M-mommy will be so angry..."

Irene was unsure if the young girl believed her. They needed to get out of this forest sooner than later. Irene still didn't feel safe here but she couldn't show that because that would probably make the poor girl more frightened. She tried to stay confident for the girl's sake. "A lot of practice and happy, positive thoughts. The happier the moment, the better. I can show you when we get home to your Mom," she said with a small smile." Getting the girl home safe was the most important task to Irene at the moment.

She remained silent, listening to the girl speak about getting lost. When the young girl mentioned feeling very sad and not ever feeling happy again, Irene crouched down a little so that they would be on the same level. "That's normal. I understand because I heard those things too. I felt very sad and helpless and cold.. almost empty... I heard you and then saw you with this creature. Did you see the creature?" asked Irene curiously. She paused, wondering if the child had.

Noticing the sad round eyes, Irene continued, "It's hard to fight that sad feeling but you have too. Think happy thoughts." Irene gave the girl a hopeful grin. See? Everything was going to be alright. Be happy. Think happy. At the mention of them being a stranger and her mother being angry, Irene nodded understandingly. "I'm Irene. I'm here to help you but I need you to be brave too so that we can get out of this forest together and get you and I both back home. I'm going to need your help too."

Your response is one that the young girl is taking into account. The mention of her mom seems to be calming her down somewhat; even her sobbing has resided to just a few sobs here and there. She nods at you, satisfied with your answer.

Your next question about the figure is met with a look of confusion. "Wh-what creature? I didn't see anyone but you. I was walking here a-and things got v-very cold and... and I started hearing things. And then," She paused to look up at your face, as if she was looking at her new saviour. "And then you came and shone a white light. Th-there was no one else."

Despite looking confused, the girl nodded at your suggestion. "N-nice to meet you. I'm Isabel." The conversation seemed to have had a positive effect on the young girl so far. The tears on her face were being wiped off and she was now simply sniffling every now and then. "I-I can be brave. For Mommy." Her eyes, once again, meets yours. "H-help?"

The young girl hadn't seen the creature? Oh by Scamander's suitcase. This kid must have been a No-Mag. She'd have to tread very carefully with what she said for now on. It was interesting to her that the young girl had felt the environment around her become colder. She smiled at the child and nodded. "I see," she paused, nodding her head. "I think I may have mistaken the "creature" for being a shadow or one of these trees." She gave an explanation for it so that the girl wouldn't have to be introduced to the magical world more than she already had been. Eventually she would have to use obliviate on this child. It was probably best for the child's sake that she never felt the way she had in this forest, heard the things, or felt so helpless.

Isabel was a beautiful name. It reminded her of home. Her best friend in elementary school had been named Isabel. They had shared the most wonderful of adventures together in the snow sledding together and more. "That's an awesome name. I had a friend named Isabel when I was very young. She was the best," said Irene with a happy grin, trying to keep the mood light. They would need to start walking. She grinned at Isabel when she said she could be brave for her mother. That was the spirit!

Help? Isabel's voice repeated in her head again and again. Irene nodded. "Yes, I do need your help. We need to walk out of here together and be strong together. Do you remember which direction you came from?" she asked. If not, they could always continue walking. Irene was certain that her challenge was far from over at this point.

Isabel stayed silent in response to your explanation but it's clear with the expression on her face that she didn't believe every word of it so far. In fact, she gives you an almost dubious look before she finally decided to speak up. "But... but shadows and trees don't make you feel like... that." Almost instinctively, she shivered on the spot.

"Th-thanks," she said, "You two m-must've been cl-close." Despite the pale look about her, it's clear that she seemed to have brightened slightly, especially at the compliment. That was, until your question reached her. A look of confusion crossed her face yet again and she shook her head in response. "I just... I just came here. I-I don't remember and... and I don't want to remember. It's l-like a bad nightmare..."

The child knew better. Irene remained silent and paused. "You're right," she said. "It is strange..." Trees and shadows didn't make someone feel that way. She watched as the child shivered as if on cue. Poor thing. She wasn't probably still shaken up by it all.

So Isabel didn't know where she had come from. A bad dream? Merlin if only she had her apparating license and knew how to apparate then perhaps the two of them could have left the forest and gone straight to the young girl's house. "Alright." She paused, trying to think of what else they could possibly do. Head back the way she entered? Perhaps. "We can head back in the direction that I came from. If we get to the edge of the forest and out of this fog, then we should be able to navigate better." Irene had no intention of staying around for whatever or whoever was watching them.

"Let's get out of here," she said with a small smile and offered her hand towards the girl in case she was feeling unsure.

Your agreement doesn't seem to have comforted the young girl at all. In fact, Isabel looks at you with a look of someone who's trying, and failing, to figure out what was going on. "Then... then what happened?! W-where did the cold come from? Why d-did it start to feel like... like..." Her voice trailed off but she looked up at you, a questioning look on her face.

When you hold out your hand, her hand finds itself in yours and she nodded at you. "O-okay." She started to walk forward... slowly... carefully. Her eyes turn back to look behind her before her next words reach your ears, "This place is bad. Bad bad bad. I-I want to forget all about it."

If you haven't been sucked into the words of the young girl, you might even start to notice how much longer the walk out of the forest is compared to your walk in. Don't get lost, will you? There are still dark creatures wandering about...

Irene nodded at the girl's supposing. Where did the cold come from! Why? And how did it all happen? If only she could fully explain the situation to the girl but the girl seemed to be a No-Mag. She decided to let the girl wonder by herself. It was time to move and get out of here before they felt cold and useless and alone again. She didn't want a date with a dementor. One dementor was enough.

A smile tugged at her cheeks when Isabel took her hand. Good. Now they could move. As they began wandering away from the site, Irene remained quiet as she listened to Isabel talk about this place and how she wanted to forget it. Irene could make that possible. A simple memory spell could do the trick but she would prefer to do that outside the forest and when they were safe. "I don't like it here either. It's too quiet," added Irene as she scanned the forest.

They continued for a while and Irene stopped momentarily. It was taking them a lot longer to get out of the forest then it had for Irene to get in here. What? She glanced and looked about her. Had they been here before? Why was it taking so long? She kicked herself wishing that she had left herself a sign of where she had been before. Though that may not have helped. Hiding her wand in her other sleeve (not the one near the girl), she cast a Quietus on her and the girl so that their noises would be softened in case someone heard them. "Almost there," said Irene, trying to remain positive. They had to be close, right?

"And scary," she said, in agreement, clutching onto your hand even more. The previous sounds in the forest that had been dulled out by the events with the hooded figure seemed to have returned tenfold. Your ears catch the sound of every snap of a twig beneath your feet, every sway of the branch above your head and every creature that passed in the shadows surrounding you...

Just when you think that the darkness is going to engulf you, the trees start to thin and more light starts to seep through. You step out into a wide grassy area and it's then that a number of things happen.

Firstly, the small hand holding onto yours starts to harden and turn less human-like. Looking to your side, you'll find out the reason why. Young Isabel seemed to be changing form right before your very eyes: her hair shoots up into her skull, her skin turns a pinkish, plastic colour and she grows up into the size of an average adult. Right next to you, where Isabel stood moments before, now stands a plastic dummy.

Before you could properly grasp this, a man walks out of the forest and takes away a disillusionment charm on himself. Put two and two together and you might come to the conclusion that the man has been following your every move in the forest itself. He shoots you a look before saying "Well done on completing your first challenge. In the future, make sure to wipe away the victim's memory first."

Taking out his wand, he pointed it at the dummy beside you and gave it a flick. The dummy rose to the air and hovered there, relieving you of the hold. He then hands you a small porcelain doll that has patched clothed, half of its hair missing and a wonky eye to boot. "That's your Portkey. It'll take you back to the stands where you can relax for the time being."

The doll starts to glow bright blue, ready to whisk you away...


OOC: You may now look at the viewing area and other competitors' threads.

She had prepared herself to cast the memory spell on the young girl but before they could the trees had thinned out and the scenery had changed. Much had changed.

Irene could have jumped three feet into the air when Isabel, the young girl, turned out to be nothing more than a dummy. Whaaat? She blinked and then saw a man approach her. Had he been watching her the whole time? She let go of the dummy's hand. This was a test after all. And she had forgotten to use the memory charm to remove the victim's memories first. But still Isabel had been a person.... She bit her lip, to stop herself from getting more upset. Brave face. She needed to be brace and not let anyone see her emotions.

"Alright. Thank you, sir," nodded Irene as she gave the man a small smile before holding onto the glowing doll. Then she was whisked away.