Williamson landed on his feet with a thump, one of the first to arrive. His wand slid into his left hand from his wrist holster by reflex as he took a few steps forward and glanced around.

So far, everything seemed.... okey-dokey. Now, he knew they weren't exactly EXPECTED today, but he also knew some of the people who worked here, and so he wasn't too concerned with their arrival.

"STICK WITH YOUR GROUP," he bellowed once again. "We're looking at the CHARACTERISTICS of the DRAGONS. So make some observations, write some things down... get GOING but BE SAFE......"

And he'd be going to grab the nearest adult human he could find to shake some sense into them. DID THEY KNOW HOW BAD THINGS WERE AT HOGWARTS? DID THEY KNOW?!

Claudine almost flinched when Minjae was attacked. Almost because she caught herself just in time. If she hadn’t, The Hood standing by the boot group would surely notice. Anyway. The Snakette had immediately grabbed onto the old boot when the appropriate time came and had soon gotten carried away {literally} with the familiar sensation of Portkey travel. The good thing about this time around? Claudine managed to stay on her feet when sticking the landing. This was possibly her first time ever she could say she hadn’t fallen over after using a Portkey.

The girl looked around at her group, secretly hoping that The Hood had gotten left behind. And were all her boot-mates here? “Everyone okay?’’

What a relief it was to be someplace other than Hogwarts right now. What a time to be exploring dragons!

"Which direction should we head in?" Because this girl was itching to check out the winged creatures!

The landing was... Not graceful. He had never gotten the hang of portkey landings and he didn't think he'd ever would. Getting up from the ground with yet another groan (his chest still hurt), Minjae looked at his group first to make sure that everyone was alright before he looked around.

When the professor had told them that they would be observing dragons, he naively had thought they'd be in the wild. But this, a reserve filled with non hogwarts people, it was not what he had expected and he wondered why the Neo-Alliance had agreed to it.

But this... This was also an opportunity. A way to ask for outside help. But he knew he couldn't just walk up to a nearest dragonologist and say 'Hey there, Hogwarts has been taking over by a group who call themselves the Neo-Alliance. We need immediate help or else we will all die. Anyway nice weather!' if they did it like that it be suicide especially since The Hoods had come with most likely to keep them from getting help.

Merlins beard his head was pounding.

Maybe they could somehow leave messages without The Hoods knowledge...

"which way should we go?" he asked the other muggleborns as he turned around to look at them.

Quinn landed with a very ungraceful thud and a groan.

That.

Was.

Terrible.

Quinn clutched his stomach nauseously and didn't even attempt to move yet. He never ever wanted to travel by Portkey again, and then it dawned on him he would have to Portkey back. He groaned again.

Quinn sat up hesitantly and looked around. Oh—wait—people! Other people! Non-Alliance Muggle-neutral people! Quinn was about to get up and run—screw it, if he threw up he threw up—but then remembered that the Hoods came with them. He curbed his impulse and settled for standing and brushing off his side where he landed. He looked at the normal people, potential saviors, wistfully, for a moment, before turning back to his group. Then his mind was brought back to the fact that, not only was he still trapped, he had to go and find dragons. You know, the XXXXX-rated untamable wizard-killing creatures. How fun.

He shrugged at Minjae's question. "Would we be able to go somewhere where, there were, y'know... people that would be able to stop us from getting killed? If the situation were to arise," he added, seeing as it was indubitably possible.

Mamie supposed her improved balance from the flying practice helped her land a portkey. She still felt a little...queasy...though. She definitely preferred broom travel, even if it was slower. Or perhaps travel by Floo, she hadn't tried that yet.

Still, she was still standing, and managed to keep ahold of the pitchfork. She'd just...hang on to this pitchfork. Maybe they'd find some dragon dung and want to check it for bones? Or maybe they'd need to vault themselves over a ditch or a sleeping dragon. But no, she would not be using the pitchfork for any dragon tickling. She didn't want to be physically roasted, in additional to verbally roasted.

Mamie pointed toward a stream. "Dragons drink water? We can follow the stream and find a dragon?" she suggested, looking to Minjae for approval. Plus, then they wouldn't get lost. Look at her, using her critical thinking skills twice in one day. Twice in one class, even. Who said Mamie wasn't smart?

And, maybe the sound of running water could provide some cover, if they were to...discuss things. Non-dragon things that Mamie wouldn't think to talk about.

Plus. Water puts out fire.

”I’m okay,” She answered Claudine distractedly, looking around. To be somewhere other than Hogwarts felt like some sort of miracle and the fact that this was a dragon reserve was even better. It made her feel closer to her mum. Her mum probably even had contacts here and maybe if she could just sneakily get word to someone...

But she’d made a promise that she’d be safe, hadn’t she? So if she made a move to say something and she was caught, it could mean REALLY bad things and she couldn’t risk that, could she?

...No, she couldn’t. She couldn’t risk anyone else getting hurt because of her.

Maybe Williamson had a plan. He had been acting strangely, after all. Maybe he was going to do something. She really hoped he was.

Glancing around at the others, the fifth year gestured to the path. ”I say we follow the path up that way and try to find the baby dragons. Come on.” Cece started walking, wand out, hoping her group would follow. Maybe they could put some ground between themselves and the hooded creepers.

Since Ash was being perfect today, she landed gracefully on her feet. She realized the way she was holding the pitchfork was more than a little threatening, so she dropped it immediately. She really wanted to scratch "save us" into the ground, but that would be a death sentence. Hopefully the dragonologists were trained in spotting people who needed rescuing. "I like Quinn's idea. I like his idea. IlikeitIlikeitIlikeit. Let's do that. We can do some peoplewatching AND dragonwatching, if y'know what I mean." pleeease, Minjae(who was basically their babysitter). pleeeease. "Make sure to be safe though." In more ways than one. "Wouldn't want anyone getting hurt or killed on THIS field trip. No mistakes. No dumb decisions."

Stumbling a little upon landing (though fortunately managing to stay on her feet), Ivy wasn't sure if the nausea she was feeling was from the portkey travel or from the realization that they'd landed in an actual dragon reserve. Probably both.

This was real, right? There were not only real life dragons here but also real life dragonologists? As in, humans? As in, people who weren't at Hogwarts? As in, people who might be able to help???

Except there was also the hooded squad lurking around them. But even then, they would still be noticed, right? They couldn't just stop people from noticing a big group of students running around the reserve. Or was there some kind of trap hidden in all this that she just couldn't think of?

This was the closest they had been to freedom in months, but she refused to underestimate these creeps even now. There had to be some reason they'd allow them to go on this trip, even with the Inquisitorial Squad watching. She just...wished she could figure out what that was.

Maybe an opportunity would present itself.

But for now, dragons.

"Soo, where do you all want to go first?" she asked the rest of the group.

There was a time where all this air and the anticipation of not having adult eyes watching would have inspired Phoebe to seek mischief. Nothing too big and splashy, just a little treading over the lines of decency until chaos ensued. But not today, and she was glad that she'd ended up (accidentally) in a group that didn't seem too likely to get into trouble.

With her feet under her, Phoebe glanced at Ivy before taking in the space around them. "I think the Common Welsh Green prefers higher ground for nesting, so we could climb a bit... maybe toward the cave up there? Or just follow the path and see what we see?"

Once they "landed", Aboli could feel her chest un-constricting???? They were NOT ON HOGWARTS PROPERTY? Really? Her eyes darted around. There were people here...regular people. People who knew nothing about Hogwarts. Her heartrate quickened. Should they do something?

NO. no. Not your job. Your job is to stay safe...for Noah, for Bernie, for Fiona, for all your friends...for Koko. And for your group. She twirled her wand automatically, her thinking too focused on her inner thoughts to notice. "I feel dizzy, but otherwise fine," she said blankly, still lost in her thoughts. "Baby dragons. Cool. Lead the way, Summers." Her tone was still.....not right. She was too engrossed in the idea of letting someone know out here what was happening at the school.

How had Williamson gotten sanction to do this? The Hooded Figures...there...had to be a catch they didn't know about. And so...she would be a good duckling, and she would do her following. No rebellion here. Too risky.

Fiona quickly dusted herself off and straightened her uniform before quickly scanning the area. "I'm fine, thanks, Claudine," she answered her fellow Fifth-Year Snakette.

At Cece's suggestion as to where their little group should go, Fiona nodded and smiled. "I think that's a great idea!"

Fiona couldn't help but notice Aboli's demeanour and was at a lost as to what to do. It was no good reassuring her because life wasn't good these days so she just kept focused on the trip and lesson like a good little student.

The first thing Eden did when her feet touched the ground?

Vomit. A lot of it. She'd eaten a big breakfast, and the world just wouldn't stop spinning. She missed any conversation anyone was having.

"Oh my god," she announced to nobody in particular once the ordeal was finally over. Luckily none of it had splattered on her or anyone nearby. Unluckily, that didn't make the smell any better.

So the second thing Eden did was find the older kid who must've been assigned as group leader or something - he towered over the rest of their little gang. He wasn't too far away. Big green eyes looked up at the hufflepuff, then around at Mamie, Quinn, and Ashley, then back up at Minjae. "Does anybody," she was really just asking the older kid, "Know a mouthwash spell?"

Eden didn't care where they went as long as they saw dragons and maybe got away from the hoods. But she needed the vomit smell to stop.

Nem had known, since they first suspected portkeys, that this journey was not going to be fun. Potentially throwing up was not a problem for them (unlike others) so much as the light-headedness, and Merlin knew that had been an irritating problem for a while now. That was why the tyre had been the best choice, and why Weasley was more or less temporarily in their good books for not trying to direct them to a different object. It provided a sort of stability, something sturdy to brace against, and kneeling helped too, even if Nem did have to contend with their kneecap being all but slammed into the ground upon arrival, and none too gently either.

They took a moment, just a moment, to adjust, and stayed kneeling on the ground, hand still on the used up portkey, a steady throbbing in their knee. Eventually, they pushed themselves to their feet, but didn't move further other than to shove their gloves into their pocket, and draw their wand.

Was this some kind of trap? Could be. Nem did not think it was something as straightforward as a simple field trip, not when the Big Man had taken pains to cut them off from society for so long. It didn't really fit, unless something had changed. Or unless something was going to change. Or...? Or... dragons were very powerful, weren't they? Very dangerous. There were more dangerous things, mind.

Ultimately, Nem knew they were safe, shielded not only by the professor, bound by his job description (and maybe his nature, who was to say) to protect his students, but by their own affiliation with the Big Man and his pals. Neither Walter nor the Neo-Alliance grunts would be much help against a dragon, not on their own, but that was not the kind of complication Nem was anticipating. The vast majority of that feeling of safety came, in any case, from their own capabilities. If something was about to happen, they were almost looking forward to it.

Nem still hadn't moved. They were still sanding silently and seriously beside the tyre, wand still drawn, thinking. Fortifying.

"Ow!"

In following Nem's lead and kneeling, Kinsay had not been expecting for her knee to hit the ground (even though maybe she should have). She tried not to throw a big fuss over it though (even though it hurt real bad and would likely bruise later) because Nem was toughing it out and she had to show him that she could do the same. It was important. Also important? Drawing her wand, just like Nem! Of course, she was mostly just doing it to look like she knew what she was doing. Spells still weren't her forté and, um, she didn't want to try anything in front of Nem and accidentally expel magic that wasn't supposed to be expelled. It was a problem still. She didn't like embarrassing herself in general, but sometimes these things were worse when they happened in front of cool, older kids. Like Nem!

Unlooping her arm from the tyre, she hopped up super quick and--

Whoaaaaaaaaa, she was kind of ~~ woooooooOOooOOOOoooOOOOzzZZzzYyYyyYYy. ~~

So before she could fall off balance, she latched herself onto Nem for stability. Good thing he was here! But, um, when she realized, she looked up feeling all sorts of bashful and embarrassed. "Sorry," she whispered, still fully-latched and kind of not wanting to let go. He was being awfully quiet, did he know? .... Was he thinking? Kizzy looked over to the rest of the group just to check to see if everyone had made it, before once again turning her full attention to Nemesis Upstead. And after a few moments of silence, she decided to say something because someone had to. "Um. Where do you think we should go first?" The question was meant to be for the whole group, but she accidentally just asked Nem.

Text Cut: Ivy & Fi

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysSnapesGirl

Stumbling a little upon landing (though fortunately managing to stay on her feet), Ivy wasn't sure if the nausea she was feeling was from the portkey travel or from the realization that they'd landed in an actual dragon reserve. Probably both.

This was real, right? There were not only real life dragons here but also real life dragonologists? As in, humans? As in, people who weren't at Hogwarts? As in, people who might be able to help???

Except there was also the hooded squad lurking around them. But even then, they would still be noticed, right? They couldn't just stop people from noticing a big group of students running around the reserve. Or was there some kind of trap hidden in all this that she just couldn't think of?

This was the closest they had been to freedom in months, but she refused to underestimate these creeps even now. There had to be some reason they'd allow them to go on this trip, even with the Inquisitorial Squad watching. She just...wished she could figure out what that was.

Maybe an opportunity would present itself.

But for now, dragons.

"Soo, where do you all want to go first?" she asked the rest of the group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

There was a time where all this air and the anticipation of not having adult eyes watching would have inspired Phoebe to seek mischief. Nothing too big and splashy, just a little treading over the lines of decency until chaos ensued. But not today, and she was glad that she'd ended up (accidentally) in a group that didn't seem too likely to get into trouble.

With her feet under her, Phoebe glanced at Ivy before taking in the space around them. "I think the Common Welsh Green prefers higher ground for nesting, so we could climb a bit... maybe toward the cave up there? Or just follow the path and see what we see?"

Ilya's hair had changed to match the broom's for just a moment after they landed. Slowly, and as he balanced himself, it started changing back. There were no muggles around here, correct??? *slight panic face*

Ilya quietly stood by the group, quietly because he probably looked greenish in the face still from the travel. He HATED portkeys, did he mention that? No? He would if he made sure his breakfast would stay in his stomach. It was a good thing he ended up with some dedicated students who'd lead whatever they were supposed to do in here. Oh, Merlin, something was coming up... something.. something... oh just a small lil air. WHEW.

"Climbing?" Why did Phoebe like laborious work was beyond him. "Oh, you mean the cave. Okay, yes." He thought there was a mountain she was suggesting to tackle. Heh heh heh. The cave was spooky but alright, he didn't mind as long as he didn't have to do much work here except marvel at those dragons. "It's very interesting that there are... people here. Right?" He added in a lower tone, a small smile on his face. Now don't get him wrong, he didn't feel the need to approach any of the adults that they may see. No. BUT it was impossible not to feel a little excitement over seeing those who exist outside the walls of the school during term period. He should've written to his grandmother and told her to come here for a quick cuppa...

This was not the first time Atlas had traveled by portkey, but it absolutely was the worst.

Upon landing, on his bum HARD for anyone watching, Atlas immediately felt as though he were going to hurl. Only he couldn't do that...the consequences would be...well...thinking about those was not helping him feel any less nauseous. There was a burp, which reminded him of the sausage and toast smothered in butter and orange marmalade he had had for breakfast that morning, and then...something a lot more than a burp that the Gryffindor forced himself to swallow back down. His throat burned and he wished desperately for some chocolate or literally anything to take away this flavor away from his mouth and the back of his throat.

And then his suspicions were confirmed, ten fold. The dragonologist station was everything you expected it to look like, but the sinking feeling of being told to stick to their groups was...alarming. He was in a group of first years. All first years. They did not stand a chance and were honestly worst off than the muggleborn groups who at LEAST had pitchforks to use for weapons in a pinch. Not that they would do much to pierce the hide of a dragon but...his group could only invite theirs to tea. Least they would be able to make nice piping hot cups of it?

Ha...haha...haha...humor. Humor was painful right now.

But then there was another thought. None of them were of age. This wasn't Hogwarts.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERM...

"U-Um...professor?" Atlas spoke up, glancing at his group and smacking his lips to try and get the taste out of his mouth somewhat. "What...what ... should we do... with our wands? I...well...I mean...those of us who are are not 17..."

The fresh air hit her first. Not that Hogwarts wasn’t fresh but this just hit different, y’know? Away from the mental fog that had resided over Hogwarts, she could feel herself easing back into her usual, happy-go-lucky self.

Straightening up from the impact of the portkey, Ingrid looked around at the other kids for a moment then back to her own group and…huh? Wands out? Okay. OKaYYY, she’d just have to pull hers out too then?! Unsure exactly why her wand was now in her hand, she moved slightly closer to Kinsay and Adam and the Slytherin with the uh…yeah. The Slytherin. Yeah.

“Hey, uh…Kinsay? Earth to Kinsay?!” her eyes now on her friend. “Are you sure you’re okay?”. Was it her or did she look a little green? “Do you need to sit down or something? You look like you’re about to throw up over…uh…your friend”, her eyes now flitting between them both and their linked arms. Huh. Weird. Kinsay hadn't even mentioned thingy before when they'd been hanging out. But you know...cool. Whatever.

“Do you want to maybe go see the Dragon’s in the caves? They’re supposed to be bromating. Maybe we could get up close?” because why would they not want to get up close to snoozy, fire breathing killing machines?! It was obviously what all of the groups were going to do but DUH, it was the coolest idea and the only thing they should do.

Her feet slammed into the ground and Irithel fell over, releasing the broken broom Portkey. She got to her feet, feeling super queasy, and picked up her glasses which had dropped near the old broom. Once the nausea subsided and she could see clearly, she was AMAZED. Forget dragons, there were other human beings here! She turned to the older students in her group and was glad to hear Ilya mention the people around them. "Yes, let's go to the cave and we should ask those adults to rescue us and what else do you guys know about the Common Welsh Green? I'm intrigued."

If she sandwiched some risky thoughts between normal speech about this lesson, the inquisitorial squad wouldn't be able to catch them, right?? She was not even glancing in their direction, even though she really wanted to check where they were, because it would look suspicious. The second year led the way up to the cave, hoping they would meet some kind dragonologists in there.

Text Cut: Broom Broom

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysSnapesGirl

Stumbling a little upon landing (though fortunately managing to stay on her feet), Ivy wasn't sure if the nausea she was feeling was from the portkey travel or from the realization that they'd landed in an actual dragon reserve. Probably both.

This was real, right? There were not only real life dragons here but also real life dragonologists? As in, humans? As in, people who weren't at Hogwarts? As in, people who might be able to help???

Except there was also the hooded squad lurking around them. But even then, they would still be noticed, right? They couldn't just stop people from noticing a big group of students running around the reserve. Or was there some kind of trap hidden in all this that she just couldn't think of?

This was the closest they had been to freedom in months, but she refused to underestimate these creeps even now. There had to be some reason they'd allow them to go on this trip, even with the Inquisitorial Squad watching. She just...wished she could figure out what that was.

Maybe an opportunity would present itself.

But for now, dragons.

"Soo, where do you all want to go first?" she asked the rest of the group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

There was a time where all this air and the anticipation of not having adult eyes watching would have inspired Phoebe to seek mischief. Nothing too big and splashy, just a little treading over the lines of decency until chaos ensued. But not today, and she was glad that she'd ended up (accidentally) in a group that didn't seem too likely to get into trouble.

With her feet under her, Phoebe glanced at Ivy before taking in the space around them. "I think the Common Welsh Green prefers higher ground for nesting, so we could climb a bit... maybe toward the cave up there? Or just follow the path and see what we see?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunflower

Her feet slammed into the ground and Irithel fell over, releasing the broken broom Portkey. She got to her feet, feeling super queasy, and picked up her glasses which had dropped near the old broom. Once the nausea subsided and she could see clearly, she was AMAZED. Forget dragons, there were other human beings here! She turned to the older students in her group and was glad to hear Ilya mention the people around them. "Yes, let's go to the cave and we should ask those adults to rescue us and what else do you guys know about the Common Welsh Green? I'm intrigued."

If she sandwiched some risky thoughts between normal speech about this lesson, the inquisitorial squad wouldn't be able to catch them, right?? She was not even glancing in their direction, even though she really wanted to check where they were, because it would look suspicious. The second year led the way up to the cave, hoping they would meet some kind dragonologists in there.

Williamson had been acting weird. Granted most people had been acting differently all year, but considering their circumstances it made sense. Louise just felt like he had been acting EXTRA strange today.

That concern, however, vanished as quickly as the Hogwarts grounds did when the portkeys spun them off and away and into.... a DRAGON RESERVE. Louise caught herself when they landed (she had lots of practice with portkeys) and her big green eyes looked around, delight filling her insides. "This is amazing," she whispered, feeling a sense of freedom that she hadn't felt in ages. Being trapped in that castle had really done her in. Louise never wanted to leave this sanctuary.

Maybe they could knock out their hooded friend and run away.

"Cave," Louise said in agreement, her feet already taking her away. She ignored the other students idea to ask the other adults to help them because the enemy (inquisitorial squad kid) was still in their midst, and instead chatted about the Common Welsh Green. "They like to hide in the mountains, of course. But they're one of most calm breeds of dragons. They don't particularly like human interaction, but they're less likely to burn us to a crisp." That's what she remembered from her readings, anyway.

Portkeys were pretty much awesome. Don't believe anyone who'd tell you otherwise! Morgan thought they were almost as cool as a muggle roller coaster, except this kind of ride took you to a completely different place altogether - and even better! was that place was a DRAGON RESERVE!!

This was basically the best day the Gryffindor had since school started, which had been one big bummer after another. But today they were going to see actual dragons, up close and personal probably, and he couldn't have been in a better mood.

"Yeah! Great idea, Cece!" Morgan agreed, though he'd be up for pretty much anything that involved dragons at that point. Would they be allowed to ride a dragon, maybe, too? He glanced over at Triple Dubs before following his group up the path on the search for baby dragons. Woo!

Holding his hand against his chest, Minjae breathed in and out carefully as he looked around at his surroundings with caution. It still hurt but it was managable. This whole trip did not sit easy with him. The Headmaster had gone to great lengths to cut off all communications in and out of the school. So why had he agreed to this field trip? They could easily ask for help even with The Hoods present. Because who would people believe first? Adorable little kids like Quinn, Eden, Mamie and Ashley or a scary looking hooded figure who at first sight just seemed menacing?

This was TOO easy and Minjae did not like the feeling of dread that he felt in the pit of his stomach that he couldn’t place. A feeling of dread that had nothing to do with the dragons they were supposed to find.

He took out his wand but kept it hidden in his sleeve before he turned around to look at the younger students in his group. . He was surprised that Mamie and Ash had managed to stay upright, good for them. His eyes landed on Quinn next and he was about to ask him if he was alright when Eden caught his attention.

The way she doubled over told him that something was wrong and the Hufflepuff didn’t think twice before he marched over to help her. Only to stop dead in his track when she began vomiting. He had to look away as his own stomach seemed to turn . Was she done yet? He didn’t dare look in fear that he too would vomit.

Luckily, he held it in and instead he reached inside of his robe pocket to search for something. When Eden approached them and asked for a mouthwash spell , Minjae handed two peppermints instead. ”Here” he said. He always carried a roll in case of , you know, Noah had set him up for another unexpected blind date with someone. AHEM ANYWAY.

As for the vomit? He did nothing about it. Because a twisted thought inside of his mind hoped that at least one of The Hoods would step in it. Also because he wasn’t sure if he COULD do anything. They were away from Hogwarts and although he was a seventh year, he was still sixteen years old with his birthday coming up next month. Were they allowed to use magic here ?

He looked down at the kids ‘oh my gosh i am FINALLY the tallest in a group’ and thought for a moment. He really did not like that they were looking at him like he was some kind of baby-sitter leader. He knew he was the oldest of the lot but Merlin’s Beard did he look like he paid attention in class?! Well, actually he had been paying attention in classes this year out of fear of the Alliance but the previous years?? Ha! the teenager was found playing games more than actually studying.

"Let's find a dragonologist and ask for a" he had to choose his words carefully here "Tour " he said, giving Mamie an apologetic look. Her idea to go to the water wasn't bad at all. The sound of the stream could cover up their voices, especially if they found a waterfall, however his main goal here was not to find the dragons. It was to find other people. To ask for help. But what if Rosier WANTED that to happen? What if he had stationed his followers disguised as dragonologists to see who dared go against his rules so they could be punished accordingly when they got back ?

He was worried. Extremely worried and it showed on his face as he looked around for any sign of The Hoods . But it was worth the shot wasn't it? If they did get caught he'd say it was all his idea . That he had threatened them to come with. "Keep hold of the pitch forks" he said "They could serve as an extra defense" weapon was more like it.

And if they did come across a dragon before that then whoopdedoo.

Camryn made her arrival at the dragon reserve by falling hard onto her knees. “Owww”, she said, as she stood up feeling a bit queasy on top of everything. She...did...not...like....portkeys! Rubbing her sore knees, she immediately tried to gather with her group.

Seeing Atlas first, Cam went to stand by her housemate. She was strangely excited about seeing the dragons. At the same time, she was extremely anxious about being close to some very big and fierce dragons while partnered with three of her fellow first years. How was it possible to feel two opposite things at the same time? Life was so complicated.

Yes, they were supposed to stick with their groups, but were they allowed to just wander off? That did not seem like a very good idea to Camryn. This was going to be interesting a disaster.

Still clinging to that pitchfork, Mamie fidgeted as her idea to, you know, do as they were told was shot down. By basically everyone (except for Eden, who was sick but she was pretty sure Eden would have also not wanted to do as they were told). Mamie didn't want to get into trouble today. Recard wasn't here, if anybody's teeth got pummeled or worse, literally the only trustworthy adult around was Williamson, and that was...questionable. He seemed freaked out, imagine what the poor grumpy old man would do if the Muggleborns went and tried to run away.

Because yes. She interpreted "ask for a tour" as "run away and never come back to Hogwarts."

There was a reason she didn't want to let go of the pitchfork, and it wasn't that she thought she could use it for defense. She didn't want to miss the portkey back and be stuck here. With dragons and weird dragonologists who didn't sound like they had real jobs. Did any of these supposed dragonologists have children? Why would you bring children to the home of dangerous, firebreathing creatures, in the middle of winter?

"Okay," she mumbled quietly. She didn't need Minjae to tell her to keep the pitchfork. She pulled out her wand, too, so she had pitchfork in one hand and her wand in the other.

She would follow along with Minjae and the others. But...but what if the outside adults were like Rosier and the Neo-Alliance, and not like their good professors? She wished they had scattered the muggleborns among the other kids, then at least people would have to think twice about who they were hexing, and aim better. But if someone was out to get the Muggleborns (and they were, in her experience), them all being in a group together made them one big target. Instead of lots of little targets.

Good, they all agreed to climb up toward the cave. Phoebe shoved off toward the path that led in that direction, following behind Louise who was apparently ready to just GO GO GO. Honestly, Phoebe was ready to go go go herself. She wasn't in the mood for conversation or trying to charm Ilya (who was one of her favorite people to charm).

But then she heard from Irithel, Phoebe spun on the girl, quickly glancing around to see if any of the Goon Squad was near enough to hear her. "Keep that kind of thing to yourself. No one is dying today, okay? If you want to wander off in search of dragon eggs, that's up to YOU, but don't... don't you dare get someone killed by talking about things like that."

And now she was done being a bossy little Gryffindor, and she was going to climb this mountain. "Don't climb behind me in case I throw myself off the mountain."