Jazz nodded and understood that Ronnie was trying to keep her cool. "Well it looked to me that you were scared to death." she told her honestly. "But you are welcome.." she gave her a warm smile. Now she saw her boss Bryce his wand at the ready waiting for the Chorts to make their move. She nodded and got into her same position. She waited for them to strike before they did. She checked to see if Ronnie was doing the same thing as well. She needed to look out for one of her friends right?

The chorts began advancing towards the acromantulas. They were hungry as a distinct disadvantage of causing the polar vortex was that their food supply always seemed to disappear in favor of warmer climates. But that was a different story now as they focused their eyes on the large arachnids.

The humans did not go unnoticed, however, as the chorts stopped suddenly, seeing the large group gradually surrounding them. What did they think they were doing? Not stopping them. The herd saw this as a hostile move, as they were now surrounded on all sides and they began to fan out themselves, preparing for a fight for their territory as they charged on those in the closest perimeter, their horns ready to gouge anyone in their way.

"Well, I'm not quite fond of spiders...especially big ones..." she whispered to her friend in reply with a nervous chuckle. But they spiders seemed like they weren't gonna harm them in any way. Still though, Ronnie couldn't help but be frightened by those ghastly things! Just then, she heard movement and turned to see the chorts, who were getting far too close for comfort...

They looked to be targeting the acromantulas at first, but then they seemed to notice the whole group behind the spiders. Oh, Merlin's pants! With her wand at the ready, she took a few steps closer to the spiders in case the chorts made any sudden moves towards them.

The horns on these creatures were very scary to look at. Those things sure looked like they could hurt. With her wand in front of her, she glanced towards Bryce and Jazz. Should they make their moves?

Fan out?! Right, well... William already felt pretty far fanned out from every else. It was just him and this cruppy-like acromantula over here, hiding in the trees.

Only maybe they weren't hiding out so well... it looked like the game was up and the chorts had spotted them. It was hard to tell because it was so dark this deep in the forest, but he could have sworn the chort hoard was starting to break up and spread out to circle them too.

!!!!!!!!

"Incarcerous," he whispered, bold enough to take the first move and take down a chort heading straight for him. Again, hard to tell in the dark, but he was definitely concentrating on a glint coming off the beast's horns and claws. HORNS AND CLAWS.

He hoped his spell would work for iron chains.

"Join the Ministry and go on adventures!" Thanks, dad. Pem thought from behind her tree. The cold wasn't really bothering her, but the creature filled event was making her just a little bit too jumpy for her liking. She couldn't quite see any of the others from where she was standing but what she could see pretty clearly was horns. "Incarcerous!" Pem hissed at the nearest horned creature.

Okay things were starting to pick and they were being surrounded and as he looked around he saw and heard william… and then a lady from the Enviromental group was doing the same. He tightened his grip and did the same thing and he used the same spell. pointing his wand he said "Incarcerous" it was so dark he had hoped that he had managed to hit one of them… and not one of his group.

SPOILER!!: Ronnie :3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ringo

"Well, I'm not quite fond of spiders...especially big ones..." she whispered to her friend in reply with a nervous chuckle. But they spiders seemed like they weren't gonna harm them in any way. Still though, Ronnie couldn't help but be frightened by those ghastly things! Just then, she heard movement and turned to see the chorts, who were getting far too close for comfort...

They looked to be targeting the acromantulas at first, but then they seemed to notice the whole group behind the spiders. Oh, Merlin's pants! With her wand at the ready, she took a few steps closer to the spiders in case the chorts made any sudden moves towards them.

The horns on these creatures were very scary to look at. Those things sure looked like they could hurt. With her wand in front of her, she glanced towards Bryce and Jazz. Should they make their moves?

"To be honest they kind of creep me out too especially that big one over there.." she pointed and whispered to her friend. She even shuddered looking at the thing. "But we are in this together.." she assured her with a confident smile even though she was so nervous. She looked at Ronnie and she saw her face expression. She shook her wait and held up her finger to wait a few more minutes for the say so from the bosses.

SPOILER!!: The Creepy Chorts

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHORTS!

The chorts began advancing towards the acromantulas. They were hungry as a distinct disadvantage of causing the polar vortex was that their food supply always seemed to disappear in favor of warmer climates. But that was a different story now as they focused their eyes on the large arachnids.

The humans did not go unnoticed, however, as the chorts stopped suddenly, seeing the large group gradually surrounding them. What did they think they were doing? Not stopping them. The herd saw this as a hostile move, as they were now surrounded on all sides and they began to fan out themselves, preparing for a fight for their territory as they charged on those in the closest perimeter, their horns ready to gouge anyone in their way.

Up here is their time to take down the Chorts. Jazz was shaking in fear and they look like ugly creatures. Then again which creature ever looks beautiful or even good looking? But she couldn't see them that well through the dark. She squinted but saw it and aimed her wand since she heard others do the same thing. She said, "Incarcerous!" and she hoped her rope aimed well.

Before Ronnie could reply to Jazz, members of their group began casting the spell at the chorts. No time for chat now, they all had spells to cast and chorts to get rid of! Looks like they were going to be making moves now after all. Stepping foreword, she noticed a nearby chort that had been making its way to one of the acromantulas and she hopped in front of the acromantula and took aim at it with her wand. "Incarcerous!" she said firmly.

Never had she thought she'd ever be protecting an acromantula in her life.

Harmony was quite still as she raised her wand, eyes locked on the Chorts who were becoming increasingly hostile. Their mannerisms said as much and though the red head was a gentle woman with a calm nature, she had foreseen such a situation and was prepared for action.

She was aware of the ministry workers nearest to her, knowing they too saw what was an immediate threat before them. She just hoped that they understood the nature of these creatures and that like them, the Chorts were willing to do whatever they could to ensure they would win this battle. All hands had to be on deck and people willing to act if they were meant to walk out unharmed, as she so hoped they would.

And they did.

William was the first that Harmony saw make a move and she mirrored his movement, conjuring chains as the defense professor had suggested. Her aim was at the Chort nearest her, claws and horns acting as visible targets at which she could aim. She just hoped that her aim was true.

Their move indeed.

His hazel eyes seemed to be glued to the two different beasts in front of him; the Chorts and the Acromantulas. Those horns? Man alive, he wouldn't be surprised if they could skin someone just by touching them with those horns. Another shudder crept through the man. UGH. Top it off with the claws and he wouldn't be surprised if this thing became his new boggart. Why did they have to come with HORNS and CLAWS of all things? Those things were SHARP.

Bryce did, however, manage to catch Ronnie's eye and gave her a nod. Do look after yourself, Personal Assistant, and give the chorts something to cry about if they started to--

................... ASDFGHJKL! They were ADVANCING! With those HORNS. Those SHARP, SHARP HORNS.

"Incarcerous!" he called in a voice that was a decibel or two higher than his normal voice. What? Dire situations didn't call to be manly.

Alex just observed mostly as her co-workers inched ahead of her and then it was William who led the group and made the first move - casting the spell used to conjure iron ropes and chains on the advancing chorts.

Her eyes seemed frozen on the large beasts, as she observed and almost nearly forgot the wand in her own hand. It probably took as many of them as possible to bind the creatures. It wasn't until she heard her boss that she remembered her wand and exhaled (how long had she been holding her breath, she did not know)

"Incarcerous!" she called out, her wand cutting through the air. Now to pray it was enough; she didn't fancy becoming some beast's dinner tonight and she doubted her coworkers did either.

Merlin’s holy socks! The things were advancing! Max heard the growls get louder, and it was his only clue that the chorts were now onto them! The architect had a split second to think about the agreement that the Creatures Head had with the acromantulas. Why can’t they use them as baits? Or some sort of diversion? It’ll be easier to capture the chorts.

But then again, what does he know about creature love? His mind wandered to his other nephew studying dragons, imagining him to be love-struck with those beasts.

Anyhow, Max quickly and swiftly got his wand out and trained his eyes onto one of the pair of claws and horns that caught light. How deep were they in the forest anyway? Max finally found a clear shot, and without a word, pointed his wand towards the middle of the horns and claws. Did they know he was fast? Non-verbally, he muttered the word ‘Incarcerous!’ in his head and a single, but thick rope erupted from the tip of his wand.

What were the other adults thinking muttering the incantation? Those chorts were smart…and if they can hear even their whispering then they would have given the dark creatures a chance to evade the ropes.

Ah well. ‘To each his own’ they say.

Their legs stomped eagerly. "Ring-around-the-chorts-y sound like fun."

The acromantulas scurried on ahead of the man without another word.
Bossy human was bossy. Very bossy.

The oldest was annoyed and reluctantly followed instructions because of their arrangement. The others were a bit more eager and moved into position...


...just in time.

The humans LIED. This was no GAME! These things called chorts were the MONSTERS that had been ruining their home! Only the oldest of the group had understood this from the beginning.

Hissing and rearing their front legs, the acromantulas held their position around the perimeter. Humans and their fancy magic sticks shooting restraints at the monsters. Should they try and shoot web out of their bums?

As the chorts advanced on the encircling humans, the group was momentarily stunned as ropes and chains came flying out of the magical sticks, binding many of them and causing them to stumble to the ground. The herd roared with fury - those on the ground struggled against their bindings, the strength of the monsters beginning to pull apart the ropes, though the chains seemed strong enough to hold. The few that evaded magical binding for now charged on the nearest humans with a renewed rage. This ganged up on, surprise attack did not please the chorts at all.

Harmony's heart was pounding so hard and she was so sure that those around her could hear it. Better beating than silent though, yes? And if the red head had a say, she'd see that everyone's remained strong and beating and leaving this area unharmed. If only all of the Chorts had been subdued. The department head watched with wide eyes as the few who had escaped continued their advance. After conjuring more chains at those already secured with ropes, she whipped around to focus her attention on those coming at them. She'd be lying if she said her aura wasn't pulsating an uncomfortable lemony-yellow right now.

The acromantulas, though. This was their chance to help and she knew that the Chorts had invaded their home, disrupting their day-to-day life. Surely there was some anger there. She was just hoping against hope that they'd seize this opportunity while the number of Chorts had dwindled Thanks to those chains. Good looking out, Professor.

Sooo. It was TIME to attack! The Chorts did NOT seem happy, and Ember knew if they waited TOO long, then the beasts would make the first move. And that would be--

Oops.

The chorts DID make the first move, and Ember cried out(not TOO loudly, thank Merlin!) before shouting, "INCARCEROUS!" and the chains erupted from the tip of her wand--now, if they hit their mark, well, she sincerely hoped so because she quickly did it again, to try to hit two bird--er, Chorts?--with one stone. Or chains. She quickly looked around, panting slightly from excitement, her cheeks flushed, just to make sure that everyone was still okay! No one had screamed in pain or anything--so she assumed that everyone was still all good! Thank Merlin! She sighed and eyed the Acromentulas. Were they okay? They seemed all right---

BUt it seemed the chorts were NOT done yet. THey had a few still on the loose, and Ember growled before sending more chains out from the end of her wand, hoping to get one of the last few ones.

The sight of all the chorts tied up on the ground unable to get out of their bindings filled Ronnie with some relief, but the on-charging free ones that were making their way to them did not fill her with anything but fear. Yelping in surprsie, she stumbled back as one neared her and she jabbed her wand in front of her, nearly shouting the spell. "Incarcerous!" she then rounded to see another one and took aim. "Incarcerous!" she said again, watching as the chains appeared out of her wand. She then looked all around her to make sure her team-mates and acromantuals were all okay.

With eyes now accustomed to the dark, Max can now see that some of the Chorts were already on the ground, bound by ropes and chains. Well, the chains were more effective, seeing that the ropes that were used to bind the others were starting to fray. Time to rectify that, because he can see better in the dark now. Confidently, Max pointed his wand at one of the chorts on the ground, battling with the rope. “Ligatenous.” No need to shout really. He had to remain classy. Ahem.


Since the beasts were fast, he moved further to his left as he anticipated one of the chorts that escaped the rope dart towards him. There was so much going on, and the speed of the beast wasn’t helping. “Impedimenta.” He wasn’t sure if it had hit the chort square on its chest, but he didn’t even take another breath to mutter, “Ligatenous.” A string of mean looking chain came out of his wand once more. At this point, he didn’t care if it wrapped around the beast, or simply swatted it in the face. He’d love to ROAR back, but no, it wasn’t his thing. If it was his youngest nephew though…


Max moved back and there he saw one of the acromantulas ready to fire…whatever from their bodies. “Aim at the chorts on the ground.” He said calmly to one of the baby spiders. Easy target while those ugly beasts resist the chains.

Oh yes. It was time to play.

Non-verbally this time, another string of chain erupted from his wand, as he aimed at the nearest chort.

Things were getting crazy!! spells being shot everywhere and those Chorts did not seem to be happy.. oh he wished he was back in his flat watching the t.v and eating very bad food. Jose looked around and tried to aim chains at the Chorts that were everywhere.. "Ligatenous." he said over and over again.. were they winning he really hoped that they were but it was so hard to see….

Sweet Merlin, the man hasn't seen this much fury since one of his fellow employees in Costa Rica had found out that someone had swapped the dangerous plant sample they were testing for one of a mundane plant. Needless to say, this made the already jumpy man jump again. When he was done with this, he was in some serious need of coffee. Or pastries.

In the meantime, things were getting a little heated, in the metaphorical sense. Bryce had no remorse for the chorts that were tied up an on the ground. None. Shouldn't have invaded someone else's property. There was no time for remorse, even if he felt some, since the chorts were approaching. Charging. With RAGE and HORNS.

"Ligatenous!" Because the chains were working better than the ropes. Four for you, Defence Professor. "Ligatenous!"

The chorts were angry and knew what was coming now. The humans were trying to overpower and entrap them, but they were not going to give up without a fight. They liked this new habitat where they had now established themselves and weren't so willing to leave now. As the bound chorts lay on the ground struggling against the chains and roaring angrily, new chains bound those with merely ropes while the still free chorts set out to attack the humans in retaliation - or just get them to leave. But it didn't seem they were going anywhere. As this chort and that prepared to gore the closest humans with their horns and attack the with their claws, more chains were shot out of the magical sticks, binding the rest of the monsters and sending them stumbling to the ground where they growled and roared in angry protest. With the entire herd bound in chains and on the ground, would this be the end of the chorts reign over the grounds of Hogwarts?

Everything was a blur as the wizards and witches, chorts and acromantulas moved around her. Harmony could hardly tell how much time had passed from when she'd began aiming the chains at the chorts to when they all went still, bound on the ground before her. All she knew for sure is that when she finally paused to take a breath, the threat seemed neutralized.

"Incarcolvo!" A large black mesh net shot towards the chorts, hopefully large enough to cover them all. If all went well, the net would harden and entrap them inside. A way for her to move them as a group without risking anyone else in the process.

"Is everyone alright?" The red head glanced over her shoulder, looking for injuries. She'd celebrate when she knew that no one was hurt.

Max was satisfied. Very satisfied that he was able to secure a good number of chorts in chains. He always finds himself in a good mood every time he conjures something out of his wand. It is, by the way his specialty. He still wasn’t completely sold with the idea of hanging around juvenile acromantulas to be honest, thus his decision to move away from them. The architect stood behind the Creatures Department Head with his arms crossed across his chest, waiting for her next order.

Max stayed quiet as the red head asked if everyone was okay. He’s fine…not even rattled with what just happened. To the man, it felt like he did go on a serious workout routine. Max then eyed Bryce. It was his turn now to move, yes? Work on the temperature and stuff?

Whew, they'd all survived! No acromantulas were harmed in the evacuation of the chorts, too. Whew whew whew! William let out a sigh of relief as his boss cast a net over the chorts. Now they just had to figure out a place to move them, right....?

While the brave Ministry employees were doing their Ministry thing in the forest, Annie enjoyed a lovely cuppa and chat in the kitchen with her house elf staff. She looked fondly out the windows and pretended that the chorts were already gone and carted off to wherever.

Eventually, though, she didn't see anyone come back out of the forest and as it was getting on toward dusk, the redhead bundled herself up and moseyed outside. She waited by the trees, not TOO close to the forest, though, and tried to see things. Anything. Hmm? Was it feeling warmer or was that just wishful thinking?