Pam looked up. First shaving cream, now this!!!!!!! Feathers were for birds, and owls, and any other feathered creature. NOT FOR THIS!!!

Despite the fact that Ravenclaw's mascot was an eagle and that she really mind looking like one for a bit, Vashti didn't enjoy it in her face. Particularly since she had no beak so it defeated the purpose of being any kind of bird.

So, as she wiped her face clean with her sleeve, she heard a familiar voice saying her name and then- stop. Eh? What had just happened to the person? Risking a glance to the side and behind her, the third year spotted someone whose face was covered in shaving cream. Not so unlike Vashti just a few moments before.

"Yeah, it's me," she called back to the person before quickly turning back around to dodge a few incoming shaving cream!balloons. Feathers were still falling and covering her while she tried casting the Shield Charm again. It, thankfully, worked again and she was free from the falling feathers and shaving cream for a few moments.

She took this time to glance back and see if that person was there still - but she wasn't. Well crud, where had she gone? Vashti wanted to know who it was calling for her, as she hadn't recognized the girl while her face was hidden by shaving cream and feathers. Oh well, maybe she'd find her again? Even though she wasn't sure who she was looking for. But she'd turn up eventually, wouldn't she?

Feathers? Raining from the sky? Gee, thanks for that one, professor. Fortunately the feathers didn't chicken-ify him, mostly because the shaving cream hadn't got a chance to settle, but before all the feathers could bounce off him and go harass someone else he grabbed a few and cast a sticking charm on one side of his horse's head, just behind and under its ear.

Not really caring that he was no where near the front, Kellen took the time to stick the feathers on Nag, arguably making the horse-on-a-stick appear less like a nag. Why not, right?

Marie had successfully made it past the balloons without getting hit by the white goo that was in them only to have feathers falling on her head.

Really!?

Feathers! What was it with these professors and the dang feathers and making them look like animals. As she started to pull a few of the feathers out of her hair she was suddenly being knocked around.

What in the....

She should have known. The purple haired freak had run right into her. Oh that boy was going DOWN! "You watch where you're going you little freak." she yelled at him when he blamed her for running into him. It was quote obvious the boy had no idea what he was doing on the stick horse of his. "Maybe if you paid attention in class you'd know..."

OOMPH!

The troll ran into her AGAIN!

Sticking out her foot she kicked him away from her. "Stay away from me!" she shouted at him.

And then there was Evelyn...

She couldn't help but laugh as shaving cream went flying when Evelyn appeared to drop her shield. Why did she find this so funny? Because the gooey mess was headed straight for the purple haired freak.

Bwahahaha

The boy was going to get splattered, there was no doubt about it. He couldn't control his horse enough not to run into someone, there was no way he was going to be able to dodge that mess coming towards him.

"Ha, let's see you get yourself out of that mess," she yelled back at him as she took off on her way around the track once again.

"Protego!" she said as she pointed her wand at herself just as she was coming upon more popping balloons. A few feathers in her hair she could live with but a gooey mess was unacceptable.

Edmond looked up to see...feathers? What?! Why would the professor do that? He was already sticky as it was. First it had been the shaving cream (he didn't even have a mustache to at least use it for) and now feathers. Edmond bet the teacher was having a laugh out of this. He held on to his 'horse' tight, not wanting to suffer a painfull fall. They weren't that far from the ground, but still. Better safe than sorry, right. Swiping some of the shaving cream off his eyes, Edmond kept a steady but semi steady pace. He wondered if there was someone he knew here too.

Viky sat up straight, spluttering a little to get the feathers out of her mouth. Of course she would've fallen off... this was why she never went to flying classes. Rubbing her shoulder, she winced as she realised how much it hurt. And that was A LOT, just so you know. She got to her feet in a rather ungainly manner and grabbed her horse/stick with her uninjured arm, heading over to stand near to Proffessor Carlton.

'MISS CARLTON!' she yelled, wondering if she would hear her. She was pretty high, after all 'Uhm... Miss Carlton... can I go the hospital wing, please?' she called, still rubbing her shoulder. 'I fell off the thing, cause there was foam in my eye' and I'm really uncoordinated, she added in her mind.

In a matter of seconds, the feathers stopped falling, and all seemed to be normal--save for the music that was still playing over and over.

Then suddenly, a powerful wind begins to blow in the opposite direction from the one you're traveling in. It's a powerful force that attempts to blow you backwards and off your horse. You're nearly at the finish line, but...how will you get there with all the wind blowing against you?

Meanwhile...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe
I'd been married long time ago
Where did you come from where did you go
Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe
I'd been married long time ago
Where did you come from where did you go
Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe



OOC: Please don't feel as if you need to rush to catch up with all the challenge posts. Just reply to them at your own pace. I'm leaving the thread open for about 24 more hours, so you have time.

Despite the fact that a forceful wind had started up--and Cotton Eye Joe was still playing over and over--Lexi was able to hear a Gryffindor girl calling out to her. She couldn't really tell who it was or about how old the girl looked, but none of that mattered now.

Apparently, the poor girl was hurt!

Lexi lowered her umbrella and, when she was at an appropriate distance to make a graceful landing, casted Finite. She hurried over to Viky and carefully inspected her shoulder. "Of course you can go to the Hospital Wing, dear. Do you need someone to walk with you, or do you think you can make it on your own?" she asked.

Having switched places with Viky again, Simon was in front of Viky when she fell off. He only knew something was wrong as he heard her voice yell for Professor Carlton and being himself not to far away. Slowing the horse the best he could, he chanced a look back to see her on the ground.

"Finite!" he cast, jumping to the ground and walking back to his injured housemate. The Gryffindor boy, ducking to avoid more balloons the best he could till he came up beside her just as Professor Carlton arrived as well.

"I can take her Professor," he offered hearing what she had asked of Viky.

Oh, good. Looks like the proffessor could hear her after all. Viky gave a small smile as she landed - it was pretty cool, really. Maybe next time she should get herself a magical flying umbrella, not a horse? Actually, maybe that wasn't such a good idea. You could at least sit on the horse, or a broomstick. Umbrella, not so much.

'Thanks, Proffessor' Viky said quietly, trying not to wince as she moved her shoulder a little. Hmm... someone to walk with her. She was tempted to say yes and steal Simon, but that would be unfair - he wouldn't finish the lesson. So she shook her head 'No, I can make it up there, I think' she said, looking up at the castle. Mmm, it wasn't too far. And besides, it wasn't like she'd injured her leg or anything.

Ah, but then Simon offered to take her up. Aww, that was so sweet of him! But... what if he missed something important in the lesson? Then it would be her fault, and she was still pretty sure she could make it up there. But... it would be nice to have someone to walk up with. Maybe she'd let Miss Carlton decide? Yeah, that sounded like a good idea. then, if she thought Simon would miss anything, she could say no. Good plan.

The song was getting annoying now, and Lori found herself singing [LOUDLY!] the words to nursery rhymes. "Humpty DUMPTY sat on a waaaaaallll, Humpty Dumpty had a GREAT FALLL! All the kings h-- Oh." Had she just JINXED that little kid before her? Eh. Pulling back on the reins of her Wooden Horse, Porcelain, Lorelai slowed right down and peered down, sighing. "Kid? You okay? Y... You need some help?" Poor soul. She looked young. Or so.. Younger than herself.

Within a few moments, Professor Carlton had came over, and the Prefect offered a small smile at the Professor. "Will she be okay? I didn't MEAN for her to FALL! I was only singing Humpty Dumpty. And it isn't HIS fault neither...." The brunette concluded, with a nod, and a pat on Porcelain's head. Good horse.

Deciding that the younger student would be okay with the Professor, or on her way to the Hospital Wing, Lorelai leaned Porcelain's head forward slowly, and giggled as it sped it. "Ring a ring a roooooses, a poooocket full of POOOOOSIESSS. ATISHOOOO! ATISHOOOO! You. All. Fall DOOOO-oooooherrrrr?" This wasn't the way she was meant to be GOING!

"EEEEEEP!" Lori squealed, gripping tighter around Porcelain's reins, and then her legs around the wooden stick. She. Wasn't. Going. ANYWHERE.

NOWHERE. Meanie wind.

Now. Let's work this out.

EW. Problems.

Wind?

Extremely powerful wind as well. Blowing in the complete opposite direction she was going in so that it was heading straight towards her and the colourful feathers were flying absolutely everywhere. The blonde removed a few stray feathers on her face here and there before deciding how she was going to get through without injuring herself or damaging her poor precious horsey.

Perhaps she could somehow make the wind less powerful. Slow it down perhaps. Aresto Momentum perhaps? Would that work on wind? Who knew what could be used against the elements. Or maybe the hot air charm? If she produced air out of her wand wouldn't it react with the wind and perhaps reduce the risks a little bit?

In the end Trixie choose to use them all practically until she had fought her way, without injury through the wind. "Protego Totalum" she called just to produce a small shield around her for extra protection so that any falling off would not happen. And the finish line was in her sight... eventually.

Hearing Simon's concerned voice, Lexi glanced over and gave the boy a quick nod. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Bennett. I sincerely appreciate it," she said. "If she needs someone to go with her, I'd love for you to help out and walk her to the hospital wing." She gave the boy a small smile before turning back to Viky.

"You're welcome, dear. I don't doubt that Li---Healer Moretti will be able to doctor that up in no time. You'll be good as new soon," she said, trying to reassure the girl that although she was hurting now, it would all be healed and she'd be back to normal soon.

"Oh, well, alright then," she said, replying to what Viky had said about being able to make it on her own. "If you need someone, though, Mr. Bennett here has volunteered. Just turn around and call out to us if you find that you can't make it."

Well, that was very reassuring. Miss Carlton thought that the nurse would be able to fix it up easily. Brilliant - Viky didn't want to go walking around with like, a sling or something. It'd look weird, plus she wouldn't be able to take notes in any classes! So she really hoped that Miss Carlton was right.

Hmm. Now she really wanted Simon to come with her... and the proffessor didn't seem too bothered about him coming. 'Okay... I think I changed my mind. Simon, you don't mind taking me up there, do you?' she asked him, looking up at the castle, and then back to Simon.

Riley had been going along perfectly well, or at least as well as you can on the back of a fake horse floating eerily over the ground. He was actually starting to enjoy the ride, gazing dreamily over the top of the forest the fifth year was in utter shock when a nearby balloon burst and sent shaving cream all over his clothes and head.

"Great, just awesome!" Riley shouted sarcatically as he moved the reigns of his levitating fake horse away from another incoming cream balloon.

Simon smiled back at the professor, noting her appreciation and feeling good about his offer. His attention on Viky awaiting her words on how she was and if she needed help getting to the hospital wing, he nodded in acceptance of her choice about to let her go and stay with Professor Carlton for the rest of class. It wasn't like he could really continue the track anyway.

"No not at all," he assured her when Viky changed her mind turning to the professor to take their leave. "Good day Professor."

After wiping the shaving cream out of his eyes and off of the majority of his face, the gryffindor continued to ride along the make-shift track on his floating horse staying far away from the evil balloons. Where was their Professor in all of this? He had lost sight of her at the starting line, and let's face it, she wasn't bad to look at for an older woman.

Before he could go gazing into his Professor's eyes, he found her soaring higher than any of the students' horses and sprinkling something over the track. Ooh was it glitter or money?! No it was nothing fun like that. Riley sped on and was soon covered in feathers....he was not happy.

Sophia felt the winds and she tried to figure out a way to go faster. "Locomotor Horse!" she yelled, wondering if that would make the horse move any faster. She saw a girl fall off of her horse, and Sophia knew that she would be next if she didn't move. Like now. "Locomotor Horse!" she tried, again. Her horse picked up speed a little but and moved closer to the finish line. On the way there, her horse jerked around. She gripped the horse as tight as she could, not wanting to fall off.

Adeline yelled "Protego!" and kept flying, protected from the wind, she sped up a bit, racing to the finish line.

Sophia's horse was still jerking around, and she was getting a little tired of it. Not to mention motion sickness. She slowed her horse down a little bit, just enough to stop the jerking. She then said "Protego?" with a question like tone in her voice. She wasn't sure if that would work against the wind, but she hoped it would. Her horse picked up speed and headed towards the finish

Alice continued to work her way through the balloons, some popping once they made contact with her protective shield, causing her to bring it down so the shaving cream would fall off of it, before casting Protego again. She was feeling pleased with herself when she noticed that Professor Carlton was now rather high above them with something in her hand.

Alice watched as she started to dump something down on top of them....wait....were those feathers? Multicolored feathers? Alice watched a neon pink feather float down and land on the mane of her horse. Interesting...

Alice realized that she was going to have to come up with something fast if she didn't want to become a fluffy chicken riding a horse. Seeing that as long as she prevented the shaving cream from hitting her, the feathers wouldn't really have anything to stick to...other than her horse's mane really.

"Protego!" Alice yelled out, continuing to block the shaving cream exploding out of the popping balloons. Alice was pleased with the protection her shield was providing, although she had to admit all these feathers were difficult to see through, not to mention they were rather itchy when they landed on her skin...specifically the tip of her nose.

Branwen walked out to the racetrack with the other students and looked in the box of horses. She found a really pretty silver one and walked over to the starting line. She climbed aboard her horse and said “Wingardium Leviosa”. When the horse rose into the air with her on she was actually surprised and squealed a little. Fortunately she remembered to use the next spells before she rose to high. “Fixate, Locomotor broom.”She felt the wind blowing through her hair as she rode around on the track.

Rex's horse is attired in a tuxedo like his clothes for his Waltz dance competetions but he has cap on his hwad above the mane with the words "Dallas Cowboys". Rex has his cowboy hat, his western shirt, his western tie , his western jeans with a big belt buclke and his cowboy boots on his feer. This is Rex's outfit from when he does the Texas Two Step. "Wingardium Leviosa" Rex called out. Then " Locomotor Horse" Rex said the rest of the spell.

Marie was finally getting away from that purple haired freak. Now she would be able to fly without being assaulted... or not. She still had to dodge the popping balloons and the falling feathers, which she was doing until...

A HUGE wind came along and started to blow her back, not to mention is blew the white goo onto her shield. Crud, now she needed to get rid of that. But at least it wasn't in her hair.

Dropping her shield long enough for the mess to fly behind her she continued to try and fly forward. After putting her shield back up, to avoid getting hit with wayward balloons she leaned forward as far as she could urging her horsestick to keep going forward. She figured if she treated it like a broom and leaned as close to it as she could it would help her gain speed and get her through the wind. Which it did. Of course she didn't gain much speed but at least she wasn't going backward.

She would be at the finish line in no time at all.

“Second Lap. YAY!” Branwen said to herself. Suddenly she heard really loud music. She had heard this song somewhere before, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She looked up to dee where the music was coming from the suddenly, “Psshhhh. Ka- pow!”. There were balloons everywhere. “Eeeek!. Branwen screamed they were popping. Fortunately she was looking up so the icky tasting stuff didn’t get in her eyes.