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 Wrackspurt
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SHIELD's Helicarrier
Posts: 213,818
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Dhruv Vihaan Khanna
Graduated
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Aryan Atreyu-Rehman
Slytherin Fourth Year
  x12  x12
|  ~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
So much has been happening since the Hunt for Peeves started! The group at the Courtyard found him. Or rather, he found them. Students and Staff learned about this mysterious book he had been using to bestow everyone with powers. Plot twist: remember that Sphinx from last term? She's made another appearance: SPOILER!!: The Courtyard Quote:
Originally Posted by Peeves  Who was that dashing young poltergeist, perching now upon a gargoyle parapet above this congregation of students and their overlords. Certainly not old Peevesie, because this poltergeist had a glorious and totally-not-fake handlebar moustache and a very fetching pair of horn-rimmed glasses, which was most certainly not a disguise and definitely his very usual appearance. No, not Peeves. Just an unrelated poltergeist taking in the air.
A poltergeist who, it just so happened, would also have delighted in the pranking of the Potions Master, but who had turned up of his own accord anyway.
Except, thing was, disguises weren't really Peeves' thing. He was a very forthright poltergeist - except for the invisibility thing of course, which didn't count because he said so - but there was no beating the comedy value of a good fake-glasses-and-nose-and-moustache combo. So when he spoke up, he didn't make that much effort to keep up the pretence.
"Looking for old Peevesie?" the poltergeist sang out. "What a coiiiincidence." He was looking for them too, or anyone, really. His little game had become boring. And, uh, maybe His Bloodiness had... had a word. Just in passing. Maybe. "Could it be that you need Peeves' help? State your business, my powerful little friends, and I'll give you your answers." Hehehe. Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixir
Sigh.
"Well, I didn't see-" ... You.
Kamran, who had led a branch of the search elsewhere, checking out the great hall and rooms off the entrance hall before joining the rabble outside, stopped just within the entrance of the courtyard, eyeing the poltergeist with polite judgement. After a pause, he walked across the join this chapter of the search party, jingling all the way like the proverbial one-horse open sleigh. Kamran, grinch that he was (lack of sleep did things to a person), did not bother being coy. "Peeves. What have you done, and how will you fix it?"
Asking for a friend. Quote:
Originally Posted by Peeves "Oooh, touchy touchy," Peeves-who-wasn't-Peeves-but-who-actually-was-Peeves trilled, spinning himself over to float upside down for dramatic effect. "I like the sound of pranks much better." Ickle students always understood the point of Hogwarts far better than any professorships.
But, alas, he did have some information, and he would share. But it was because HE wanted to share it! Nothing to do with His Headness barking his orders. Hmph.
"This is a magic school, isn't it? Old Peevesy was just teaching you all some extra powers. My little gift to you. But now I'm bORED again-" Definitely no Baron running interference. "-so aaaaall you need to do-" Take note: them, not him. "-to fix these charming little peculiarities, is to take my book, brew a special potion, and throw the book into it. And ta-da." It was the ONLY sure solution that he knew about, and the only way he knew to destroy the book itself. He'd tested the, uh, resilience of said book, and it had survived even his experiments, even as accomplished in destruction as he was.
"I can tell you all the potion steps, maybe, if you're very nice to me, but it's all written in the back of my book if you want to check for yourselves." Peeves grinned, and his bowtie span enthusiastically. His sly demeanour became frankly cheerful then; the kind of cheer that only delivering inconvenient news could provide. "One little snag. I tucked the book away for safe-keeping, out in the forest, and now I can't get it. The individual I left it with got ever so aggressive when she didn't like my answer to her riddle." Terrible temper. Quote:
Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19 Jude knew it! Or at least he SUSPECTED Peeves’ book had something to do with the powers they had been given. After all, the Hufflepuff had seen it chucked in the faces of his friends - not to mention the same had happened to him - and shortly afterwards, they had demonstrated the powers. It hadn’t taken much to put it all together. But it seemed the book went hand in hand with a certain potion and the said book was out in the Forbidden Forest with…
“The young sphinx from last term?” Jude blurted out in astonishment. Despite that, his face had lit up as he mentioned her; she had been quite friendly and he had happened to like her a lot. She seemed to have taken to him and the other students who had interacted with her at the Elemental Ball. Jude wondered if she would remember him. Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixir Funny thing, Kamran found himself utterly unsurprised. If anything, he supposed this was - for now at least - turning out better than he'd hoped, the fact they'd received any answers at all. Assuming, of course, that it was not simply a charming little prank.
He let out a long exhale, and looked from the poltergeist to the students, and then to his colleagues. Jingling softly the whole while, of course. "Right," he said, nodding at Javier. No doubt he had an inkling where this was going. "I, for one, want this sorted as soon as possible so..." Nobody be alarmed by the muggle horror film vibes for a moment here. "We'll split up. Professor Hernandez, why don't you go and get a head start on this potion. Peeves can help you with directions." Yes, yes, he knew what an absurd statement that was, but every wayward, troublesome, and/or chaos-driven soul in this school deserved a shot at redemption.
Even pesky little poltergeists.
Kamran looked now towards the students. "If you want to help with the potion, stick with Professor Hernandez. I'm sure he'll appreciate extra eyes on Peeves." He himself glanced towards the poltergeist only briefly before looking back at them all. "Some of your other professors and I will be heading into the Forest to get this book. If you're feeling up to it - and inclined towards good behaviour - you may join us. Otherwise, you might be better off sticking with Professor Hernandez."
Merlin, don't let him regret that. But, in this instance, several heads (and wands) were likely to be beneficial. Kamran did at least know that the Sphinx's lair was not all that difficult to reach, and that the path was unlikely to lead anyone into danger. Still. Nothing could be guaranteed in the Forest, especially with a train of students a little too eager to explore it.
"If that's all, we may as well get going now."
The Courtyard group split into two: some, led by Hernandez, heading to brew that potion with the help of Peeves: SPOILER!!: The Dungeons Quote:
Originally Posted by Peeves
Raspberrying his way to a complete stop in the dungeons, Peeves righted his slightly askew glasses-moustache-nose disguise and flipped over in midair to see who was joining them.
"You there, ickle wee hero," he called, pointing at the nearest individual regardless of whether they were student, professor, toad, or even part of this little potions party. "Golden cauldron. A BIG one. STAT." He flipped over again, a complete three-sixty, and pointed again, not even caring to make sure the gesture was directed at anyone in particular. "And fill it to the brim with water. Or was it vinegar? Hmmm... mucus of glumbumble? No." *flippedy flip* "Water. Final answer. HIGH HEAT." Quote:
Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom Javier JUMPED slightly as Tadhg approached him- even with the wand floating in space next to him, that kept startling him. He nodded and lowered his voice so hopefully Peeves wouldn't hear. "It's the best shot we've got right now," he said with a shrug. Did he trust him? Absolutely not.
He didn't trust Peeves as far as he could throw him...which was not at all. Because he was a ghost and all. Couldn't get the proper grip on him...
"Alright Peeves, what's next?" he asked, stepping back once Rajeesh had filled the cauldron with water - what a great time for that power to come into play - and waved his wand so the flame underneath the cauldron began to heat the bottom at high heat. Quote:
Originally Posted by Peeves Don't mind old Peeves up here, floating around and popping the Potions Master's bubbles with many jabs of his index fingers. Pop. Pop. POP. Pop-pop-pop-pOp-PoP-POP.
What? Oh yes, Peevesy's good deed for the day. He drew himself up and inhaled a big, important breath, ready to announce the next steps which would, of course nEVER cause any exploding cauldrons or (very funny) treachery. No. He was a changed poltergeist. He was turning a new leaf. He was rather enjoying the possibility that they may refuse his very helpful help just because they didn't trust him. But, alas, they listened.
Well, Peeves was bored of this superpower nonsense anyway. All these disruptions ought to belong to him and him alone.
And there was always the chance the potion would explode by accident. Wouldn't THAT be funny?
"NEXT: Add one cup of crushed unicorn horn-" A whole cup! "-one single Ashwinder egg, one heart of crocodile, and half an avocado WITH the stone. Stir anticlockwise until it turns... ah..." What was it now? Peeves squinted around at everyone. Green for Ssssslytherins? No. Gold? Noooo... Pinkpurplegreenblue? Oh. "Silver!" Hehe.
And he'd have the other half of the avocado, once they were done with it. Mr Potions Man would look rather fetching with it splatted up against his ear. Quote:
Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline Rajesh was keeping an eye on the water level of the cauldron so there were no accidents. He stepped back as Professor Hernandez lit the fire under the cauldron but still the water was filling. It was only as he took a couple of more steps back from the cauldron that it stopped just below the curve at the top letting Raj let out a sigh of relief that it had worked out alright. But now Peeves had to continue on with the instructions and the sixth year wasn’t so sure of what the poltergeist was telling them
Crushed unicorn horn and ashwinder eggs he knew to be potions ingredients…but a whole cup of horn?! And crocodile heart and avocado seemed weird if only since he believed them to be more common in the states not anywhere in this portion of the world. The latter is more food related than potions ingredient for sure. Raj looked to Hernandez for his opinion for surely the potions professor would know better.
Were they still being pranked by Peeves?
While the other group, led by a rather noisy Kazmi, headed to the Forest to retrieve the book from Hogwarts resident sphinx: SPOILER!!: The Forbidden Forest Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixir Once at the edge of the Forest, Kamran paused just outside the boundary and turned again to the group who had come straight from the courtyard, or else joined the group as they made their way here.
"I'm sure I don't need to say this again, but - just to reiterate - best behaviour in here, or I will be ever-so-slightly upset." This, of course, was for the benefit of the students. His colleagues were very well behaved, as far as he was aware. Sort of part of the job description, see. Kamran nodded once to himself (*jingle*) and made to head into the trees, but paused, and added after some consideration, "And, if anyone feels a particularly concerning... ah... gift about to emerge... let us know quickly, if you can. If you can't, we'll still have you covered." Just helped to have the heads up, that was all. "All set? We've a slight trek ahead of us."
And Kamran was... just going to keep his own wand drawn too. Just in case. Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixir That's right, students - and staff - follow the bells to your beloved (citation needed) headmaster. It was true, the jingling was beneficial for making sure the students knew which way to go, if for some reason that became a little difficult. Naturally, he'd be heading up the pack.
Kamran nodded, once, with a jingle for good measure. "Keep to the path then, and we should have no issues." And no detentions. That came under the good behaviour subheading, in case anyone was wondering. Lucky Kennedy and Tapio were there to be the eyes in the back of Kamran's head, for safety reasons first and foremost. While he was confident this venture would be perfectly safe, nothing was completely without risk or unpredictability, especially in the wizarding world.
With that, Kamran turned and began striding through the trees, lighting his wand and holding it out to illuminate the path. Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixir Milo had spent much of the day out on the grounds, at the edge of the lake, sifting through the shallows for possible ingredients. He'd been considering the deeper waters, and the possibility of gillyweed - which would allow him to not only breathe underwater, but to know how to swim - when he'd spotted this group disappearing into the forest.
Suspicious. Also, interesting. Also, there were things in there he might be able use.
And so Milo had followed, trousers still rolled up above the knee, his damp feet picking up leaves and dirt and pain and ghosts. Less ghosts, the further in he went, having slipped into the ranks of the group. In fact, there was a quiet inside the trees that Milo had not anticipated, and was not entirely familiar with. Not silence - never silence - but an ease he couldn't remember ever knowing before.
An ease which was, however, slightly offset by the fact that Milo soon registered that most present were those who had been doing weird things all term. Though he knew it was the poltergeist's doing, Milo still decided to keep his distance, just in case. He made sure to stick closer to Mr Carton, whom he was sure was still unaffected, as he walked.
What was it they were doing out here anyway? Didn't matter, just as long as Milo allowed the winds of change to guide him, he didn't need to know. He only wanted to.
_____
"Not to worry, Miss Marchand," Kamran said, looking back over his shoulder to the the group of students - which had somehow grown by one since the last time he'd looked. If...... anyway. "We'll make sure you, and your wand, are kept safe." Truth be told, it was those who would transform into animals that he was most concerned for in here, though he was also positive that they would indeed keep them safe.
And maybe if he'd not lost so much sleep from this incessant jingling, he might have thought to establish that particular limitation, just for added security. Hindsight was 20/20.
He trudged on through the trees, ears pricked for any suspicious noises... which was, of course, a complete waste of time. Soon enough, though, Kamran spotted the place up ahead, through the trees; a sort of dell, in which he knew the Sphinx had made its lair. Knew, because he had helped choose exactly the place last year.
"Hello?" he called softly, gesturing the others up to stand with him at the start of the hollow, just before the ground sloped upwards on both sides. "It's Headmaster Kazmi and some visitors from the school. Can you come out to meet us?" Quote:
Originally Posted by Sphinx of the Forest As requested, the Sphinx who now resided here in the Forbidden Forest now came out to play. Within the forest dell, she had a smaller, cosier lair in which she slept and kept any treasures she found, and which could be found down a dark, burrow-like hole in one of the sheerer dirt slopes. It was roomy down there, comfortable and safe, but only the Sphinx was ever likely to see it.
The first sight these Hogwarts denizens saw of her today was one large paw, then the other, stretching out of the cave-like entrance to her den-within-a-den. Her sharp claws shone in the wandlight, and what little light reached the dell through the trees. A moment later, she had emerged entirely.
In the year since she had been revealed at the school, she had grown significantly, and was now in her late adolescent Sphinx years. Though still relatively friendly, still somewhat playful, she was starting to embrace her nature. She was proud to be a part of the school, and to help defend it if needed.
"Hello," she greeted her visitors, coming out to meet them and stopping several feet away, head tilted. "Are you just visiting, or is there something you need?" She looked amongst their ranks, but that awful, cackling little man was nowhere to be seen. Quote:
Originally Posted by Deezerz Their journey seemed calm for the time being, not in any way lessening Kennedy’s senses to simmer down. You could call it experience or trauma, or both. The curly-haired man was on full alert. When Norman suggested he cover the back, Kennedy took a glance behind him. He had already been there, a step ahead, making sure there weren’t any students behind him. That had been his plan this entire time after they left the courtyard. When wands started lighting up, Kennedy didn’t go that far. Too many lights may attract unwanted attention, and the students seemed to be alright thus far.
When he heard Desiree’s concerns over her transformations he couldn’t help feeling bad for her. That must be awful. Unsure of when you were going to transform into a creature and lose control of your actual self. Well, he’ll make sure to keep an eye on her and see that she made it back to the castle safely.
When they reached their destination, Kennedy had to tell himself to keep his cool. Even YEARS after being part of the magical world, some creatures just stole his breath. He’s met older sphinxes, some under good circumstances and some under not-so-good circumstances, and each time he was filled with wonder.
When the Sphinx spoke, Kennedy took a step closer, still remaining at the back of the group. “Hello, I’m Professor Escalante, and we’re all here because we need your help.” Introductions first because they’ve never met and respect went a long way. “Peeves has “gifted” some of our students and staff with powers, and we are in need of a cure for them. He mentioned he left the book with said cure here with you?” Asking as a concerned professor and parent. Was the book really here? Was there even one?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixir As the sphinx made her appearance, Kamran took it upon himself to do another headcount of everyone present. Old habits die hard, and some habits shouldn't die at all. Satisfied that everyone who had started the expedition were still present - and then some - he turned his attention back to the sphinx just as Kennedy spoke up to explain.
... And then, because that was more or less covered, he went back to keeping an eye on the students once more, in case of transformations or such like. It was easy to be distracted by the, yes, majesty of the sphinx, easy to possibly miss a student shrinking down into creature form and fleeing, or a student turning invisible, or floating away into the troposphere, or simply wandering off.
Except for one interjection. "It really is imperative we get the book," Kamran said, glancing at the sphinx again. "If you would be so kind as to return it." Fingers crossed that she would just... defy her nature and let them have it, no questions asked. Literally.
But Kamran had a feeling that might not be the case.
_____
So this was a field trip.
Milo was another silent part of the group as the sphinx emerged, but as it approached, his eyes were on the trees and the forest dell all around, in case there was something else to be seen in the vicinity, something at its most beneficial when it was noticed. This he did at the risk of noticing something at its most beneficial when it wasn't, at which thought his blinking became more pronounced than it had been so far out here.
His silence, his listening ears, gleaned other answers. Not a field trip then, but a fetch quest, or a rescue mission, or both at once. A cure for the unsettling peeves epidemic.
Milo's gaze drifted back to the sphinx, and he watched its every gesture and twitch and expression, and the way its fur and hair and claws gleamed softly in the low light. The discussions they might have had. Quote:
Originally Posted by Sphinx of the Forest All so quiet. The Sphinx looked between each of those faces, until one of the adults spoke up.
"Yes, he left it with me for safe-keeping," she said, flexing her paws and digging her claws into the dirt below. "But when he came to retrieve it, he could not answer my riddle. Then he tried to take it by force, but flew away before I could maim him." Though the Sphinx wasn't sure if she could maim him at all, whether he was more ghost than mortal or vice versa, it was still a disappointing performance. Made worse still by the fact that the poltergeist was a rather unpleasant little man. "I would be happy to return it, so long as you answer my riddle. Or you may walk away without answering, if you choose."
She sat back at her haunches, and recited the riddle - a different one to that which she had given to Peeves (and perhaps a much easier one too) - without further ado:
"My first is at the head of a crowd
When I'm happy I rumble, when I'm angry I growl
My second is in the belly of the beast
On birds, mice, and fish, I'm likely to feast
My third and last is the tail of a rat
With all this in mind, I must be..."
The Sphinx stopped speaking, and waited.
Can the respective groups brew the potion correctly and answer the sphinx's riddle correctly?   |