Just ahead of you is a dead end, with no way to go forward. Clearly, you've gone just a bit too far. The plant you've just darted through is still just behind you, though, and if you time your movements just right, you'll be able to get there before the gap is once again closed.

Brielle was gutted, all that waste for nothing, she had chosen the wrong path. It seemed it was destiny for her to smell like cat vomit.

Darting back between the vines Brielle sprinted back up the tunnel, the sound of the Honking Daffodils growing louder and louder with her every stride. Rounding a small bend, they returned in sight, but she didn't stop, the determination drowned out their noise.

Running, running, on and on her legs pumped moving her back, undoing all the work she had done.
But she did not complain, she just kept running.

The smell filled her nostrils, she knew where she was, and not even slowing her step, Brielle turned and plunged head first into the Cave of Stench.

A loud, rumbling sound is heard, and falling rocks begin to block the tunnel in the direction you are going, preventing you from continuing any further.

The way that is now behind you--where the creepy-tendrilled plant still stands partly open--hasn't been blocked at all. The pathway beyond the creepy-tendrilled plant is a dead end.

There's clearly only one way out now.

An observant person might notice that the middle of the plant seems to be hollow, with no immediate ground below it---an opening to get to the ground below. The only way out seems to be through the plant and down to the ground below.

Grasping the first branch, he easily pulled himself up before his hands reached for the next branch. His mind was set on getting his wand, feeling the piece of wood in his hand again, longing for light, and not being powerless anymore, so whatever pain may have been slowing him down before, was the last thing on his mind at the moment.

With the second branch, he pulled himself up, and went onto the third, his eyes on his wand only, though he kept an outlook on where all the bowtruckles were. He wasn’t at all bothered by those; he could take them.

It was only a matter of seconds that passed until he reached the third branch. Taking a large quick step towards the trunk of the tree, he place one foot onto it and pushed upwards, giving him enough height to get to the branch above himself. He may have miscalculated however how high this one was.

The bowtruckles, who were agitated when you began to come near, are now in attack mode. A group rushes toward you, sharp fingers clawing at you as they go for your hands, your arms, your shoulders, face and hair.

Some go for your eyes.

Your wand is still out of reach, surrounded by a second group of the stick beasties.

With his strength in his right arm dwindling, Noel used his feet to try and push himself up, scraping them against the tree’s trunk to find some little crevice or dent where he could do just that. With his foot finding a little knot on the side of the tree, he angled his foot onto it, pushing up to the point where he could use his left arm to pull himself up all the way.

Halfway there, and he wasn’t expecting the sudden pain in his back and neck. He had been expecting the bowtruckles to attack, but with the small delay in their ‘arrival’, his mind had been completely focused on climbing the branches; until now. Swatting at the pesky creatures, an involuntary wince would appear on his face every time their sharp fingers clawed at him. A particular slice to his shoulder caused his left arm to go, and not being able to grab anything with his right since it was already damaged beforehand, he fell back down to the branch below him with a thud and groan. He did however, pain or not, hang on as tightly as he could so he didn’t fall completely to the ground.

If he thought a moments rest would be granted from the bowtruckles, he was surely wrong. The sting and cuts he felt all over his body. His back, he arms and shoulders, hands…face… Growling, Noel whacked and swiped at the creatures as he stood up on the branch once more, trying to get them away from his hair and face. He’d actually like to make it out of here NOT bald and with his eyesight.

Having enough of this, his eyes moved back to his wand before running to the tree trunk, taking one step on it and pushing himself up to the third branch, using all his strength to get himself onto it. With a quick sigh of relief as he was finally balanced onto the third branch, he doubled over slightly, holding the side of his face close to his right eye. A sharp claw had come dangerously close to it, slicing him near his eyebrow but with a few rapid blinks, he realized he was still able to see. Even if it was in this dark cave, it was still the same vision and scenery as before. Shaking his head, he held up his arms to protect his eyes, gasping as he kicked his way down the branch and jumped up to the fourth.

Swatting at the creatures as he pulled himself up, he kicked and swung with his legs, and with any luck, they’d strike a few of the tree dwellers that were causing his life to be a nightmare at the moment. Breathing heavily, more out of frustration and anger than in pain, Noel took a quick check to see where his wand was and how far he needed to go…

Even in the midst of the battle he was in, anyone could have noticed the second group of bowtruckles guarding his wand. Their dark outlines against the tree and even in front of the glowing light did not pass him. "NO!" he shouted, irritation crawling under his skin as he punched his arms and fists through the air, running down the branch towards the tree trunk and jumping to the fifth branch. He was getting his wand.

NOW! These creatures weren’t going to stop him. "Get away from me!"

As you kick and punch, bowtruckles spin off into the dark, hitting the water below. But more continue to cling, digging into your skin, grabbing at your hair and clawing at your face.

Your cry echoes throughout the cavern. "Get away from me! Get away from me! Get away from me!"

You're almost there, and they know it.

Lifting himself up onto the branch, he figure a few more to go before her could reach his wand. Why was it so far up in the tree anyways?

More importantly, why was this tree so tall?!

His moment’s pause only lasted for a moment of course before feeling the sharp sting across his cheek and ear. Turning his head, he cupped his cheek before scowling once again, swatting at the bowtruckle creatures. Going back for the fairy eggs was sounding like a better and better idea as the seconds ticked by, but he had gotten this far. He was not giving up.

Grimacing in pain and aggravation, he punched his firsts towards the little monsters, pulling them from his hair and clothes, trying to get them away from his eyes and face… He really didn’t care if they scratched his arms, back, and legs, but he needed his sight. And what else he needed was more light, but to get that he needed his wand. It all came back to his wand.

Pulling himself up to the sixth branch, the leaves up here were crowded, almost blocking his sight of the other branches. Pushing away all the smaller branches that were no use to him, he had a sudden idea and turned around, pulling the bendable branch back and waiting for any outline of a bowtruckle to come towards him. When a shadowy passed by, he let the branch go before kicking and tearing his hands in the air to move the creatures away from his body.

Jumping and grabbing a hold of the seventh branch, he swung his legs once more, wriggling his body as if that would making the slicing from claws and sharp pains shooting throughout his already worn out self to stop. Grunting as he finally got himself onto the branch, he breathed deeply through his nose, looking up to the glow of his wand.

It was his. Or at least going to be. In a matter of moments, if he reached what seemed to be the tenth branch. He was almost there. Almost…there!

With a new found motivation and strength, he pushed himself up from the branch, his hand connecting with something in the air, whether it was a branch or a bowtruckle, he didn’t know. What he did know was that he didn’t care, and the only thing on his mind was that wand of his. "S'éloigner de moi!"

With a cross look of determination and anger, Noel let his hands wrap around the eighth branch, kicking his feet in the air with all his might, not even going by what he thought was right at the moment. It was all instincts and determination to get his wand. No matter the cost.

It's there. Right there for the taking as the bowtruckles continue their assault. Just reach out and wrap your fingers around it. No tricks, just bowtruckles, continuing to claw.

Once you have your wand, the ones that stood guard will also attack. You'll have to do something.

Monique swam a little so she had part of her back against the tree (mustn't squish her little friend). She then once again tightened the jacket. But while she was there, she had an idea. Using her hand she pushed off that tree and reached for the next.

Sure the waves were coming hard, but her extra push should be enough to make some progress.

Groping in the dark for the roots provides some stability, but also some risk. A misjudged wave could knock you into them. If you hit your head too hard, that could be the end for you.

The glow continues off to your right near the rock wall, while, unless you've turned around, the far shore is straight ahead, though far and unseen.

Hurrying now, every time he made it to a new branch, he swiped his hands through the air, kicking at the shadows, though never stopping in one spot. Always moving kept him focused on his wand, and moving closer to his precious glowing wand faster. It’d be in his hand again soon enough, and the thought was what fueled his movements.

Pulling himself up to the ninth branch, his eyes gleamed with greed almost as he smacked a few other shadows causing damage to his body and pulling his hair before reaching his hand out towards the glow. It was almost as if everything went into slow motion. His hand inched towards his wand as his gaze landed on one of the bowtruckles guarding it, before the rest of the bowtruckles entered his vision.

As if everything sped up, his hand grasped around his wand at the same time his eyes widened in shock. He had his wand. He had it!

His moment of victory was short lived nonetheless when the rest of the bowtruckles started to join the battle against him. With the familiar stings, scrapes, cuts, and pains of their claws, his balance on the ninth branch dwindled to nothing as he fell forward. Flailing a bit, his arms and legs tried to grab onto anything until finally his arms wrapped around a branch, causing his chin to hit it as well. Letting out a groan of pain, and with his feet dangling in the air, Noel pulled himself up onto the branch, his eyes watering with tears from the throbbing pain shooting throughout his jaw and head.

It gave him no comfort or help as the bowtruckles followed him, continuing their battle of scratching him to death. Holding his jaw, he leaned forward to protect his eyes from being scratched and clawed. He needed to get out, but his mind was just not working at the moment. The only thought was how much his jaw hurt, causing the head splitting headache to follow straight afterward.

Gasping, the wizard shook his head. He had his wand. He could at least do SOMETHING! "Accio fairy eggs!" he shouted, pointing his wand to the way he came into the entrance of this place and trying to concentrate all his thoughts on those eggs he saw. It was the only thing he could think of before going back to protecting his eyes and holding his jaw. It hurt to speak, and only three words felt as if he spoke an entire hour long speech.

Those were fairy eggs he saw near the entrance right? His mind was clouded and cluttered with thoughts trying to organize themselves, he wasn't so sure anymore.

Monique safely reached the next tree but she knew she'd get nowhere fast like this. Maybe there was a way to the other side near the rock wall. Plus, she could get a closer look at what that glow was.

She headed of in the right direction toward the glow hoping the waves didn't cause her to lose much ground (... water...?).

Nooo, he was going down.

Jermaine should have known the stupid lilypad wouldn't hold him. Now here he was, falling into the water below...

or was he?

No! His scarf had caught on the next tree so he was able to pull himself up to it. "Thank you Rhea, I owe you big time for zis," he said as he pulled himself up onto the tree.

Taking a minute to catch his breath he looks back over at the glow. He just knows that is his wand over there. Not wasting anymore time he continues to climb over the trees hoping to be able to each out and grab what is his.

His WAND!

You've taken quite a beating and it just keeps coming as the bowtruckles continue to claw at you, especially your face and wand hand.

Your spell summons every fairy egg in the cavern, sending them flying toward you. Most smash into trees, but about a dozen head your way.

Hope you have to some way to catch them, or they'll smash into you.

The waves still churn, and your mandrake still screams, but the going is a little easier as you fumble in the dark toward the glow.

Indeed, when you're just below it, you realize that the faint glow you’ve been seeing this whole time is extremely familiar—it’s your wand! It’s nestled safely in a tree, but don't celebrate yet! A number of sticks seem to be standing guard within the branches of the tree. The sticks are moving around and look like tiny little stick figures with very long fingers…they’re clearly Bowtruckles. It’s very obvious that the only way you’re going to get your wand back is to make it past this little army of tree men…but how?


Your guess is correct as you catch your breath.

Having crossed a portion of the water, you can now see that the faint glow you’ve been seeing this whole time is extremely familiar—it’s your wand! It’s nestled safely in a tree, but don't celebrate yet! A number of sticks seem to be standing guard within the branches of the tree. The sticks are moving around and look like tiny little stick figures with very long fingers…they’re clearly Bowtruckles. It’s very obvious that the only way you’re going to get your wand back is to make it past this little army of tree men…but how?

Finally! Moniuque arrived at the tree with the glow and hoisted herself up. She then looked up the tree for the source of the light. Wait a second... was that...?

It was her WAND! This whole time that weird glow had been her wand!

Wait? Did wands always glow like that...?

Whatever. She finally found it. And that's what mattered. Happily she tightened her earmuffs and headed up the tree.

That is, until she saw something moving by the glow. They looked like little stick things. Bowtruckles. Her wand was surrounded by bowtruckles. Maybe she should have stopped to gather some of those wood lice. No matter. She would be fine. She did have a mandrake and a stick.

She climbed the tree toward the glow. She then perched herself on a branch. She carefully tied the mandrake and her cape to the stick. Then she lifted the stick complete with mandrake toward the bowtruckles. She hoped that would be enough to distract them long enough for her to retrieve her wand.

Continuing to cover his face, his eyes may have been safe but his right arm was beginning to feel as if it were on fire. Standing up, swaying a bit from the pounding headache and throbbing pain in his jaw and head, he swatted and swung at the bowtruckles, thinking he just had to get out of this tree and perhaps into the water; to get away from the dangerous creatures.

It was only when the sound of little thuds and splatters nearby did he pause and uncover his face to see what was going on. What!?

Glancing behind himself, he watched as little ground things flew in the air, some hitting trees along their path and others heading straight towards him. Continuing to kick and claw his own hands at the creatures attacking him, he made his way to the end of the branch as much as he could, holding the one above him for balance. A move that opened up a whole new side of him on his left, but he needed these fairy eggs. "Immobulus!" he shouted, the tears welling up in his eyes once more as he pointed his wand towards the eggs.

Blinking hurriedly to try and get the sweat out of his eyes, he raised his wand again; just to be on the safe side that he had least got a few of the eggs. "Aresto Momentum!" Noel needed those things! Or else he was going to be sprinting out of the cave, if he ever did, with a trail of bowtruckles attacking him.

His speech on the other hand, would probably be gone by the time he made it out. It was starting to hurt too much to even breathe through his mouth.

The little army of bowtruckles stands proud, ready to do whatever it takes to protect their home from any harm you may bring to it. As you continue up the tree, their little sharp hands begin slashing toward you, and a few on the front row actually come forward a few steps. It's clear that despite their size, they'll protect their tree at all costs. That is, until a moment later when they all seem to simultaneously pause, a look of sheer horror on their miniature faces. They've spotted the mandrake-stick combination and have started to retreat back a little.

The fairy eggs that hadn't yet crashed into anything suddenly came to an abrubt halt, and as they slowly fluttered down toward the water, they gave off the appearance that it was snowing eggs inside the dark cave. Some float directly in front of your face. Others flutter into nearby branches and some, the ones that were already close to the water, disappear into the waves. The bowtruckles, having seen the snowfall of fairy eggs, slow their assault on you considerably. Some have stopped their attacking altogether, but it's unclear whether or not their actions will continue for long if they aren't given the falling fairy eggs soon.

Seeing the fairy eggs suddenly slow down to a halt, he didn’t know whether it were his spirits that lifted considerably, or he was just nervous that they might fall down and splat against the tree roots.

However, they did not fall like he had thought they would. Everything seemed to slow down in the cave; his thoughts, the bowtruckles, and the eggs even took their time in floating around in the air. The pain however, did not dull in the slightest, and was in full blast. Still feeling a few of the bowtuckle’s claws scratching his skin, Noel raised his wand towards them, casting one more, "Immobulus."

Regardless if the spell hit the creatures or not, the Beauxbatons wizard turned around just in time to see a few of the eggs float by his face. Raising a red hand towards them, he slowly guided them into one small area in front of him before closing a fist around them. Four or five at the most he had, and he quickly spotted the others. Their light color in contrast to the darkness of the cave was an easy task for him to complete.

Taking no mind to the eggs that dropped into the water, Noel jumped down from the branch he currently stood on, seeing that he was on the first branch before the tree roots anyhow. He had not realized how close he was to the bottom until now. Shaky breathes escaped him as he tried to get away from the remaining bowtruckles that were still slowly attacking him, but the few eggs that had floated towards the lower branch, he tried to get those as quickly as possible. He had no strength to climb up the tree anymore to get the others.

Swinging his hand lazily towards the remaining bowtruckles attacking him once more, he blinked as he stared at the eggs in his red hands. Frowning as his heartbeat picked up in pace once again, Noel swallowed dryly as he jogged on the roots to the lower branch. "I have them here!" he yelled, raising his fist in the air. "HERE!"

Laying the now semi-red fairy eggs on the lowest branch, his arm scraping against the branch itself though he payed no mind to it, the Beauxbatons’ champion stumbled back on the roots, away from the eggs and the tree, hoping they’d take the bait.

Monique smirked. She was still in one piece and the bowtruckles were retreating. This was good. Now all she had to do was make it up to her wand, while keeping the bowtruckles back, and while holding a stick.

Piece of cake gâteau, right?

Monique held the stick tightly with one hand. Using her other hand she she reached for a branch higher up. She hoisted herself up to a level of branches halfway in between where she currently was and where her hand was. She then waved the mandrake stick again hoping they'd once again fall back.

Sure this process might take a bit of time, but at least she'd remain safe and stable in the meantime. She'd surely make it to her wand in no time.

Jermaine sighed a breath of relief when he looked up and seen that is WAS his wand in that tree. His most prized posession had been found and was within his reach... almost.

Making his way over to the tree he is about to climb it when he notices little sticks moving in the tree. Merlin! There were bowtruckles infesting the tree. Well how was he supposed to get his wand now without getting attacked? Looking around he doesn't see anything that he can use to distrtact the little creatures.

Thinking about what he went through to get this far he remembered the fairy eggs he had passed in the cavern right before he got to the lake. Maybe if he went back he could gather some of the eggs and feed to the critters...

OR

Better yet he could collect the wood lice that were there. He read about bowtruckles after that last Care of Magical Creatures class he had attended and remembered that they could be distracted with woodlice.

Not too fond of the idea of going all the way back to get the bugs he sits there a minute pondering what else he can do. Tugging on the scarf around his neck he has anoher idea. He will use the scarf to get his wand.

Taking the scarf off his neck yet once again he ties a loop in one end of it. If he can toss it in the tree just right maybe he will be able to lasso his wand and get it before the bowtruckles know what happened. If not, well he would be fighting off an angry mob of stick bugs.

Looking up at his wand he tosses the looped end of the scarf towards it while holding tightly to the other end.

"Merlin please let this work."

Despite your shouting, which would ordinarily disturb the creatures a great deal, the eggs do the trick. The cease their attack, mercifully, though the damage has been done.

Wand now in hand and bowtruckles appeased, you might want to see to some more light, and then a quick look around will tell you that you are in the middle of the lake, with the far shore in front of you. That is your destination. That is where you must go.

The lilypads below seem to bob in and out of the water as it churns and the trees spread further apart. Skittering among the leaves suggests that the bowtruckles in neighboring treesare anxious to be appeased, as well.

The backed up but only for a few moments before launching themselves at it. But at least it isn't you... yet.

They scratch at the root gouging it, leaving your wand unattended. It's just a few branches up. Can you get to it without drawing their attention? Only one way to find out.

Retracing your steps would have been far easier as your lasso lands in the tree, disturbing and angering the bowtruckles.

First, they claw at it, shredding the fabric.

Then, they come for you. They head for your hands, your arms, your face, your hair. One group leads the assault while another stays behind, circling around your wand.

Their fingers are sharp and they tear into your skin. If you give them opportunity, they'll go for your eyes.

Oh no. The poor mandrake. Monique would have apologized... but she didn't want the bowtruckles to came after her.

Now was her chance. They were scratching at the plant leaving her wand all alone. She propped her stick against a branch so that the root of the mandrake was in the bowtruckles' reach. She then climbed the tree up to her wand as quickly as possible. She didn't dare lose any precious seconds by looking over to see if the bowtruckles were still occupied.

Monique then reached for her wand hoping to finally have succeeded in retrieving it.

Seeing that the bowtruckles finally were distracted, Noel sucked in a giant breathe before letting it out in a relieved sigh of happiness. He had his wand.

"Lumos." He whispered, barely moving his mouth to do so. Moving away from the creatures, Noel held his zebrawood wand up, letting the light play across the waters and trees in the cave. He was closer to the farther shore it seemed. Catching his breath for just a moment, he held his right shoulder, hoping that it’d ease the evident throbbing that he could not ignore.

He also couldn’t ignore the fact that he needed to keep moving. The bowtruckles were bound to run out of fairy eggs sooner or later and he didn’t want to be here when they did. The trees were too far spread apart to jump however, and with the condition his leg was in, he wanted to save his strength. Not to mention that his experience with these trees were not the most pleasant in his life.

The only other way would be the water. The last thing he wanted to do. But it was either this way, or the tree route which bound to have more bowtruckles. Or even worse, other creatures. The water on the other hand, did not look safe. He didn’t know whether it was the movement, or the darkness of it. Even with the light shining from his wand dancing across the water’s movements, he could only see the lilypads. Unless his sight was blurry from the cuts on his face and possible broken jaw.

He was not going to use the tree path.

With one last look back to the tree that held his wand, Noel turned back forward and took a leaping jump to the lilypad, pushing off the roots with his left leg. He had a feeling he’d just end up swimming to shore.

The sound of falling rocks made Brielle's heart stop.

Throwing herself against the wall the girl dodged the falling rubble, the stones stopping against her toes. She is trapped. the way ahead is shut, the passage behind her is a dead end, Brielle doesn't know what to do.

A small wave of helpless washes over her, but she banishes it, stops her hands from shaking, and steadies her breath.

Running back down the passage, past the Daffodils again, Brielle arrived back at the Devil's Snare. Looking past it, she knew the other side was a dead end, but this cannot be the way it ends, she thinks to herself.

Holding the seeds in her hand, the girl began to inspect the Snare. It was still parted, but at the same time still licking at the air with it's tendrils. Starring into a small clump, the girl noticed something she had not seen before, a depression in the earth.

Another Route, deeper into the cave.

Luckily the girl is thin, Brielle measures the hollow, she will just be the right size to slide through. Preparing herself, calming her nerves she sat on the ground, and slowly lowered her body through the hollow.