Clock Tower Entrance

[Zoe]

The Clock Tower Entrance is one of the three main entrances of Hogwarts Castle (the other two being the Viaduct Entrance and the main Entrance Hall). It aligns with the third-floor corridor, connecting with the courtyard that stems off to the Wooden Bridge and the rest of the school grounds. This large open space can be magically sealed with a portcullis and the massive double doors can be locked with numerous bolts.

At the base of the Clock Tower is a large window that may cause you to question why it is even there as all you can see out of it is the side of a building. Fortunately for you, the massive steel and iron pendulum swinging back and forth will likely pull you out of trying to figure out that mystery. If you look closely at the suspended weight, an imprint of a many armed star in the middle and a number of runic symbols on the outer rim can be seen. Study the purposeful design on the pendulum as long as you like. Just don't fall into temptation of swinging from it and pretending to be a wrecking ball.

[The Narrator]

An expected occurrence each and every day, Scrimgeour's low and rough voice booms from the school loudspeakers on the hour without fail. Certain events that transpired throughout October and early November brought with it a number of new school rules, whether you are in favour of them or not. It is better best that you not tune out the headmaster if you wish to avoid point loss, detention, or worse.

"When lock-down is called, you are to stop whatever it is you are doing and go directly to your common room."

Hopefully you will be able to keep these rules straight ... or, if you dare, you'll choose not to. The choice is yours.

[awakemysoul]

Lots to think about these last couple of days... Benji was sort of wandering the castle aimlessly (and hoping that he wasn't unintentionally breaking any new rules by doing so, but they were cropping up so quickly that it was hard to keep track). He was mulling over several things currently:

1. Obviously the changes at Hogwarts this year. This was certainly not how he had expected things to go. Professors getting sacked left and right, about a billion new rules to follow, the constant paranoia about accidentally doing something to get in trouble... It had him in a state of pretty much constant stress, really. He was naturally obedient, with a deep-seated fear of authority figures, which meant he was extra careful about staying in line. It worried him to think that he could slip at any moment without even meaning to.

2. Penny. He wasn't quite sure where they stood with each other, but he knew that he liked her. A lot. A LOT a lot. And she had HELD HIS HAND. Which was BREAKING A RULE. But nobody had seen, nobody knew, and he would never tell anybody... But still! He felt a little guilty. In the moment, he'd just enjoyed it. But now... He would have to be extra careful not to let it happen again even though he really wanted it to. Ever since they'd started hanging out together, it was reeeeeally hard not to spend all his time thinking about her. And, you know, breaking rules with her secretly. Both of which were problematic because of

3. The letter his mother had sent him, saying that he had better be obeying every rule to the letter and making excellent marks, or he was in for it when he got home. Yikes. He was vaguely afraid of her on a good day -- don't get him wrong, he did love her, and he knew she loved him, too. But she was overall very stern, demanding, not really understanding, and well... Fairly absentee, as was his father. Since Benji didn't hear from her often, this letter packed an extra punch. He was already doing his best to meet those requirements even before she'd threatened him (apart from the single incident with Penny), but now there was an added layer of anxiety to it all.

What was a boy to do? He stopped and watched the pendulum swing for a while, lost in thought.

[Watson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by awakemysoul

Lots to think about these last couple of days... Benji was sort of wandering the castle aimlessly (and hoping that he wasn't unintentionally breaking any new rules by doing so, but they were cropping up so quickly that it was hard to keep track). He was mulling over several things currently:

1. Obviously the changes at Hogwarts this year. This was certainly not how he had expected things to go. Professors getting sacked left and right, about a billion new rules to follow, the constant paranoia about accidentally doing something to get in trouble... It had him in a state of pretty much constant stress, really. He was naturally obedient, with a deep-seated fear of authority figures, which meant he was extra careful about staying in line. It worried him to think that he could slip at any moment without even meaning to.

2. Penny. He wasn't quite sure where they stood with each other, but he knew that he liked her. A lot. A LOT a lot. And she had HELD HIS HAND. Which was BREAKING A RULE. But nobody had seen, nobody knew, and he would never tell anybody... But still! He felt a little guilty. In the moment, he'd just enjoyed it. But now... He would have to be extra careful not to let it happen again even though he really wanted it to. Ever since they'd started hanging out together, it was reeeeeally hard not to spend all his time thinking about her. And, you know, breaking rules with her secretly. Both of which were problematic because of

3. The letter his mother had sent him, saying that he had better be obeying every rule to the letter and making excellent marks, or he was in for it when he got home. Yikes. He was vaguely afraid of her on a good day -- don't get him wrong, he did love her, and he knew she loved him, too. But she was overall very stern, demanding, not really understanding, and well... Fairly absentee, as was his father. Since Benji didn't hear from her often, this letter packed an extra punch. He was already doing his best to meet those requirements even before she'd threatened him (apart from the single incident with Penny), but now there was an added layer of anxiety to it all.

What was a boy to do? He stopped and watched the pendulum swing for a while, lost in thought.

Chase would have returned from a jog because this was the usual time that he liked to go running; however, Headmaster Scrimmy's exercises were making it harder for the boy to brush up on his studies so the Gryffindor needed an adjustment to his whole routine. Thus the boy had decided to take this time to go for a walk while he still had the chance and wasn't barred to stay only in his Common Room unless he was at class.

As he crossed the courtyard, he paused when he heard the somber bell of the Clock Tower. It stopped himself and his racing mind for but a moment. It was a moment long enough to notice someone watching the pendulum swing. Chase took a few steps over to the boy, wondering what the Ravenclaw must have been thinking about. He was certain that it could have been a variety of things that most kids their age thought of: homework, fun, parents, perhaps a girlfriend or boyfriend, friends, Quidditch, dancing, video games, comic books perhaps too? "Galleon for your thoughts?" he offered the unfamiliar boy when he stood next to him watching the pendulum swing back and forth.

"That's oddly calming..." He pointed to the swinging pendulum. Watching it made him forget about everything that was going on around them.

[awakemysoul]

Benji started at the sound of an unfamiliar voice breaking him out of his thoughts. "Oh," he said. Galleon for his thoughts? Nooo way. "Just... You know. Thinking. About stuff." He shrugged lightly. (Wow, very descriptive. And definitely not pointing out the obvious. Good job, Benj.) He didn't dare say what he had been thinking about. He would never voice his disapproval of any authority figure, though that was what he felt -- and what he'd been thinking. Likewise, he would never admit to breaking a rule, which was the other thing he'd been thinking about. And he certainly wouldn't speak badly of his mother, no matter how rocky their relationship was, which was the third thing he'd been thinking about. So overall, zero safe topics to discuss from his thoughts.

...But that didn't stop the tinge of pink (that always stemmed from thinking about Penny, of course) from coloring his cheeks anyway, maybe giving him away. He couldn't help it. He tried to hide it, but... The boy was twitterpated. Still, he wasn't going to say it. The Gryffindor he was talking to would just have to accept the mystery. His lips were sealed. He smiled, though, hoping to make it obvious that he wasn't trying to be cold. Just... Some things were private, ya know? And embarrassing and confusing and UGH girls, right?!?!??!!!!!

"It is," he agreed, looking back at the pendulum. "Not sure why. I like watching it, though. I've been here for probably ten minutes or so already..." It was kinda like hypnosis, actually...

Turning back to the boy, he extended a hand. "Benji Park," he said with a smile. Sure, he was a private kind of person, but he wasn't a socially-inept weirdo, after all. For some reason, he'd been getting the impression that people thought that about him lately, or at least the Gryffindors he'd met lately had implied it. (Just because he wasn't screaming or throwing things like they always were... For Merlin's sake.) Better to head that idea off at the pass and introduce himself like a Regular Human Being.

[Watson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by awakemysoul

Benji started at the sound of an unfamiliar voice breaking him out of his thoughts. "Oh," he said. Galleon for his thoughts? Nooo way. "Just... You know. Thinking. About stuff." He shrugged lightly. (Wow, very descriptive. And definitely not pointing out the obvious. Good job, Benj.) He didn't dare say what he had been thinking about. He would never voice his disapproval of any authority figure, though that was what he felt -- and what he'd been thinking. Likewise, he would never admit to breaking a rule, which was the other thing he'd been thinking about. And he certainly wouldn't speak badly of his mother, no matter how rocky their relationship was, which was the third thing he'd been thinking about. So overall, zero safe topics to discuss from his thoughts.

...But that didn't stop the tinge of pink (that always stemmed from thinking about Penny, of course) from coloring his cheeks anyway, maybe giving him away. He couldn't help it. He tried to hide it, but... The boy was twitterpated. Still, he wasn't going to say it. The Gryffindor he was talking to would just have to accept the mystery. His lips were sealed. He smiled, though, hoping to make it obvious that he wasn't trying to be cold. Just... Some things were private, ya know? And embarrassing and confusing and UGH girls, right?!?!??!!!!!

"It is," he agreed, looking back at the pendulum. "Not sure why. I like watching it, though. I've been here for probably ten minutes or so already..." It was kinda like hypnosis, actually...

Turning back to the boy, he extended a hand. "Benji Park," he said with a smile. Sure, he was a private kind of person, but he wasn't a socially-inept weirdo, after all. For some reason, he'd been getting the impression that people thought that about him lately, or at least the Gryffindors he'd met lately had implied it. (Just because he wasn't screaming or throwing things like they always were... For Merlin's sake.) Better to head that idea off at the pass and introduce himself like a Regular Human Being.

Things? "Time? Space? Mates? Being confined to conform to strange rules? Girls being confusing?" he offered with a slight chuckle. "The last one has been bugging me as of late." Ever since the start of this year and agreeing to go on a date with not one, but two girls... Sheesh... Things had been confusing with Maeve and Kam. At least Anna was still very much the same. And Gumball Girl aka Beth was still as feisty as ever. He didn't even know how to read her.

But anyway... That was a thought for another time as the other boy had mentioned how long he had been standing there for. Ten minutes?? MERLIN. Chase assumed that the guy surely must have been deep in thought. "Ten minutes... Wow... It must be nice to get away from the happenings of the castle and just relax..." he said before eying their surroundings just in case one of the new Headmaster's cronies decided to stroll their way. He didn't particularly want to have a run in with Scrimmy or the new Astronomy Professor. Pfft.

Before he could get lost in those thoughts, the Ravenclaw lad had extended a hand towards him. He took his hand and offered a smile. "Chang-Woo Spenley but I go by Chase these days. Nice to meet you, Benji."

[awakemysoul]

Benji smiled as the Gryffindor boy listed potential topics of thought... Until the last one. "G-girls?" he choked out, his eyes widening. HOW HAD HE KNOWN??? He cleared his throat hastily, trying to cover up his minor freakout. "Has... Has it?" Was this boy in the same boat Benji was? WOULD HE UNDERSTAND? (Because truthfully, Benji was absolutely dying to talk to another boy about his situation, and he was about ready to trust the first person who mentioned anything about girls, which just so happened to be the boy in front of him currently.)

He shook his head. Anyway. "Yeah, it is. Nice to just clear your mind for a bit..." Or to think obsessively about Penny and his parents and other things that were a bit mentally exhausting, to be honest. "Is that what brought you out here, too?"

He shook Chang-Woo... Chase's hand. Sounded Korean, like Benji, but that was probably boring to talk about, right? Although kinda cool. He didn't know many others."Nice to meet you, too. These days? Is going by Chase new?" Benji was curious because his first name was Western, so he'd never had to think about what to go by. His middle name was a traditional Korean first name. Confusing, yes, and to be honest, he wasn't quite sure why his parents had gone that route. They were both from Korea and very traditional, and he didn't know their reasoning for his name. He'd never asked, and they'd never explained.

On the subject: "My middle name is Jun-Seo." Wait, was that boring conversation, too? Nobody really cared about other people's middle names, did they? Oh, well. Too late now. He was just excited to make a connection!

[siriusblackliveson]

Patrick had stashed himself back in the corner of his favorite place. The clock tower entrance. He had found it his first year and had been coming here to study, read, basically do anything because generally it was a quiet place to be. But now he had to be cautious about the headmaster. Always a watchful eye looking over him making him feel as if he may breath wrong and get expelled.

Sighing he took out his journal and began writing about what had occurred that week, how quidditch practice was going, and honestly just writing down his thoughts on what he thought may happen next tern. If his favorite teachers would return or not.

[MunchyBubbles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson

Patrick had stashed himself back in the corner of his favorite place. The clock tower entrance. He had found it his first year and had been coming here to study, read, basically do anything because generally it was a quiet place to be. But now he had to be cautious about the headmaster. Always a watchful eye looking over him making him feel as if he may breath wrong and get expelled.

Sighing he took out his journal and began writing about what had occurred that week, how quidditch practice was going, and honestly just writing down his thoughts on what he thought may happen next tern. If his favorite teachers would return or not.

Phe had always loved the Clock Tower entrance, it was second only in his mind to the Tower Patch, but seeing as it was too cold at the moment to go up there, not to mention, all the stairs going up there and then back down to the common room.

Merlin, everyone back in the day must have had fantastic legs from climbing all the stairs. With the SORE exercises every morning, his legs felt like jelly most days.

He nudged his nap sack up over his shoulder with a finger as his brown eyes looked around. He saw someone writing and he smiled and made his way over to him.

“Hey, I hope I’m not disturbing you?” he asked.

[siriusblackliveson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MunchyBubbles

Phe had always loved the Clock Tower entrance, it was second only in his mind to the Tower Patch, but seeing as it was too cold at the moment to go up there, not to mention, all the stairs going up there and then back down to the common room.

Merlin, everyone back in the day must have had fantastic legs from climbing all the stairs. With the SORE exercises every morning, his legs felt like jelly most days.

He nudged his nap sack up over his shoulder with a finger as his brown eyes looked around. He saw someone writing and he smiled and made his way over to him.

“Hey, I hope I’m not disturbing you?” he asked.

Finishing his thought about how great he thought the Quidditch team would do next year Patrick looked up when he heard a voice echoing off the walls. He almost forgot that other students typically walked through here.

Putting the pen in the middle of his journal he looked at the sixth year. He looked so familiar he swore he had had conversations with him often... but for some reason he just couldn’t pull his name.

Although, at this rate if he kept silent for any longer the poor guy would think that he was abosolutely rude and hated to talk to people. That was the furthest from the truth.

“Oh, hey. No not disturbing me at all. This is a good place to get things done.” he shrugged coming out of his nook a bit.

[MunchyBubbles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson

Finishing his thought about how great he thought the Quidditch team would do next year Patrick looked up when he heard a voice echoing off the walls. He almost forgot that other students typically walked through here.

Putting the pen in the middle of his journal he looked at the sixth year. He looked so familiar he swore he had had conversations with him often... but for some reason he just couldn’t pull his name.

Although, at this rate if he kept silent for any longer the poor guy would think that he was abosolutely rude and hated to talk to people. That was the furthest from the truth.

“Oh, hey. No not disturbing me at all. This is a good place to get things done.” he shrugged coming out of his nook a bit.

Phe smiled and settled down on a handy bench as he waited for the other boy to speak. He hoped he hasn’t disturbed him at all. His hand went to his tie and instantly started to loosen the yellow and black strap around his neck, once that was done, he undid his top button and sighed softly.

Stupid ties, his neck needed to breathe, so did he actually.

“Mmm, it is a good place to get things done, homework and the like.” Phe responded as he smiled over at the other boy. ”And it’s a good place to hide out and let your neck breathe for a moment, all these stupid rules, I’ve never been so clean in all my life.” He joked softly as he ran a hand through his brown hair, messing it up a bit..

“Much better.” He said with a smile.

[siriusblackliveson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MunchyBubbles

Phe smiled and settled down on a handy bench as he waited for the other boy to speak. He hoped he hasn’t disturbed him at all. His hand went to his tie and instantly started to loosen the yellow and black strap around his neck, once that was done, he undid his top button and sighed softly.

Stupid ties, his neck needed to breathe, so did he actually.

“Mmm, it is a good place to get things done, homework and the like.” Phe responded as he smiled over at the other boy. ”And it’s a good place to hide out and let your neck breathe for a moment, all these stupid rules, I’ve never been so clean in all my life.” He joked softly as he ran a hand through his brown hair, messing it up a bit..

“Much better.” He said with a smile.

Patrick laughed. He completely agreed. The rules were starting to get a bit over the top and he was so over it he couldn’t handle it anymore. It seemed like they were going to start getting into trouble for breathing wrong.

With a quick flip of his head his slightly longer hair flipped out of his eyes. “Yeah it’s he perfect place for hiding since the common rooms aren’t even safe anymore...” He trailed off not knowing what the Hufflepuff common room was like.

“You think it’ll be this bad next term?” he tapped his hand on his leg thinking about if any of his teachers would come back. He was terrified that the current teachers would stay and it would be another term of rules.

[MunchyBubbles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson

Patrick laughed. He completely agreed. The rules were starting to get a bit over the top and he was so over it he couldn’t handle it anymore. It seemed like they were going to start getting into trouble for breathing wrong.

With a quick flip of his head his slightly longer hair flipped out of his eyes. “Yeah it’s he perfect place for hiding since the common rooms aren’t even safe anymore...” He trailed off not knowing what the Hufflepuff common room was like.

“You think it’ll be this bad next term?” he tapped his hand on his leg thinking about if any of his teachers would come back. He was terrified that the current teachers would stay and it would be another term of rules.

Phe nodded, “Mmm, the Puff common room isn’t super bad, though I’m not really a fan of Noble.” The boy shrugged, “It must be even worse for you though, the Slytherin common room has been invaded by the interloper.” He shook his head.

“I wonder if people miss Professor Kennedy?” The question was softly and almost idly said to himself, as he pushed a hand through his bow messy brown hair.

“I hope it won’t be this bad next term, I say we.. do something about it before then.” He said with a sly grin. “Because if no one does anything, I doubt anyone will want to come back.. I certainly wouldn’t with them here. I’d transfer back to America first.” He said with a nod.

Or maybe to Australia.. that was a nice place.

[siriusblackliveson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MunchyBubbles

Phe nodded, “Mmm, the Puff common room isn’t super bad, though I’m not really a fan of Noble.” The boy shrugged, “It must be even worse for you though, the Slytherin common room has been invaded by the interloper.” He shook his head.

“I wonder if people miss Professor Kennedy?” The question was softly and almost idly said to himself, as he pushed a hand through his bow messy brown hair.

“I hope it won’t be this bad next term, I say we.. do something about it before then.” He said with a sly grin. “Because if no one does anything, I doubt anyone will want to come back.. I certainly wouldn’t with them here. I’d transfer back to America first.” He said with a nod.

Or maybe to Australia.. that was a nice place.

Patrick envied The boy, while Noble wasn’t his favorite by any stretch of his imagination, he supposed it would be a better option than one of the Headmasters luckies. “Yeah, the common room is not a place I frequent any more because of the Headmaster’s Lackies.” He sighed wishing for the days where he could go read by the fire in the common room with one of his muggle books from his friends back home.

“Dude, I miss Kennedy so much. He was one of my favorite professors. I always loved exciting things we learned in the astronomy tower... you never knew what cool trick or story you might learn.” Patrick had also gotten to know Professor Kennedy and Marchand a ton last term because he was always passing them on the grounds.

His ears perked up hearing that Pheonix was from the States originally. He missed his friends. He wonders what his experience would have been like at Ilvermorny if he had been allowed to stay with his grandparents. “How long did you live there? I’m from Kentucky. My parents moved here right before I was to start at Ilvermorny... Suppose I could convince them to let me go back.” Mumbling the last part he flicked his head to get the shaggy hair out of his face.

“What’d you have in mind?” His voice lowered as if he shouldn’t be asking this question since he was the Quidditch Captain... but honestly he’d rather go down trying than to stay a student leader and not lead for his fellow classmates.

[MunchyBubbles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson

Patrick envied The boy, while Noble wasn’t his favorite by any stretch of his imagination, he supposed it would be a better option than one of the Headmasters luckies. “Yeah, the common room is not a place I frequent any more because of the Headmaster’s Lackies.” He sighed wishing for the days where he could go read by the fire in the common room with one of his muggle books from his friends back home.

“Dude, I miss Kennedy so much. He was one of my favorite professors. I always loved exciting things we learned in the astronomy tower... you never knew what cool trick or story you might learn.” Patrick had also gotten to know Professor Kennedy and Marchand a ton last term because he was always passing them on the grounds.

His ears perked up hearing that Pheonix was from the States originally. He missed his friends. He wonders what his experience would have been like at Ilvermorny if he had been allowed to stay with his grandparents. “How long did you live there? I’m from Kentucky. My parents moved here right before I was to start at Ilvermorny... Suppose I could convince them to let me go back.” Mumbling the last part he flicked his head to get the shaggy hair out of his face.

“What’d you have in mind?” His voice lowered as if he shouldn’t be asking this question since he was the Quidditch Captain... but honestly he’d rather go down trying than to stay a student leader and not lead for his fellow classmates.

Phe made a face and a soft silent sigh left his lips as he looked at the other boy. “I’m so sorry that it’s gotten bad with him there.” He said in a quiet voice as he looked over at the other boy. His brown eyes fully of sympathy.

If a small smirk graced his lips he quickly hid it. “I liked Kennedy as well, though my favorite Professor was Wayland, his classes were always fun and informative. Sadly I could never get into the stars that much. I’m more of a potions guy myself.” He said with a nod. “But yeah, Astronomy was pretty fun and I’m sure he misses all of you guys too.”

“I was there up until a few years ago, I lived in California but still went to Ilvermorny, I was a Thunderbird for three years until we transferred over here.” he shook his head, “Nah going back shouldn’t be an option.. this is our school. We should do something about it.” He said with a grin as he lowered his voice a bit.

“Revolt. Let’s all break some rules and let them know we aren’t going to take it anymore. If we all do it… they can’t expel us all right? Maybe we can get through to them.. somehow.” He said with a grin.

[siriusblackliveson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MunchyBubbles

Phe made a face and a soft silent sigh left his lips as he looked at the other boy. “I’m so sorry that it’s gotten bad with him there.” He said in a quiet voice as he looked over at the other boy. His brown eyes fully of sympathy.

If a small smirk graced his lips he quickly hid it. “I liked Kennedy as well, though my favorite Professor was Wayland, his classes were always fun and informative. Sadly I could never get into the stars that much. I’m more of a potions guy myself.” He said with a nod. “But yeah, Astronomy was pretty fun and I’m sure he misses all of you guys too.”

“I was there up until a few years ago, I lived in California but still went to Ilvermorny, I was a Thunderbird for three years until we transferred over here.” he shook his head, “Nah going back shouldn’t be an option.. this is our school. We should do something about it.” He said with a grin as he lowered his voice a bit.

“Revolt. Let’s all break some rules and let them know we aren’t going to take it anymore. If we all do it… they can’t expel us all right? Maybe we can get through to them.. somehow.” He said with a grin.

Shrugging, Patrick it wasn’t his fault that the head of house was so brutal. “Eh, its not your fault. But hopefully something can happen to change that.” honestly he avoided being in the common room and just went to his bed to avoid the awkward.

“The care of magical creatures classes were always interesting. The barns are nice to get away to sometimes, it was always nice to help out.” although none of the professors had survived. It was like a totally different place around here now, Hogwarts just didn’t feel the same.

He had never been to california, but he had always heard it was a fun place to visit. “I always heard California was nice.” he nodded his head hearing about being a Thunderbird. He always secretly wondered what house he would have been in, if he would have been in the same house as his brothers. Yeah my oldest brother was...” he trailed of remembering his oldest brother was a Thunderbird.

Revolting... that wasn’t too bad of an idea. He wasn’t sure what they could do. “I mean that wouldn’t be a bad idea... I think we need all the help we can get honestly I’m surprised it hasn’t started yet. What’s your first thought?” he asked with sincere hope that they might be able to get rid of the headmaster sooner rather than later.