Animal footprints. The snow that had fallen already would be helpful but the falling snow would soon cause problem. So Cinnamon knew she needed to work fast. The cold wasn't bothering he yet. She that wasn't affecting her looking yet.

Glancing around she noticed a boy crawling around yeah. She wasn't doing that. She headed the other way away from the others. First she mostly seen the prints of humans coming from the castle. It must've been the ones they made coming down.

Wandering back along the side of those tracks she spotted what looked like webbed feet footprints. She looked on seeing another set meet the first half way. "Professor Morgan, I found some webbed feet prints over here." What kind of animal did these belong to? A duck? At Hogwarts. She had no clue.

Brrr, it was so cold. The sooner they were finished this and drinking hot chocolate, the better. Of course Lux wanted to help out the Professor and know what was troubling the forest creatures, but warming up sounded lovely right now. Snow was falling around them, and it would be getting harder and harder to see any animal footprints. Of course there were several made by her and the other SNAC members, but nothing helpful for her to go off of.

Staying as clear from the Whomping Willow and its menacing branches as possible, Lux began looking where the bushes were. Maybe there were some prints there. Anywhere that was shelter from the snowfall was good. She was bound to come across something soon.

"ACHOOO!"

A beat.

"ACHOOOSJKAGFJSD!"

Another beat.

"ACHOOOOO!"

Three consecutive sneezes announced Damian's arrival, his cheeks dry and cracked, and his nose runny. Holy Moley! It was freezing outside. In fact, the frigid wind was cutting through several layers of his clothes, turning his bones to ice, and setting his teeth to chattering. Damian had to jump around to keep warm while Professor Morgan dished out further details; from a distance, he might have resembled a fluffy, poofy ball bouncing up and down.

He wasn't one to surrender to the vicious cold and head back, so without further ado, the boy set to the task at hand — searching for animal prints.

Okaaay.

Snow stretched out for miles before him, undisturbed. Hmm. Damian decided to change course, turned to his left, and headed in that direction, wand out, eyes peeled for marks. This continued for more or less ten minutes, and the idea of traversing any further was beginning to feel bad, when Damian noticed indentations in the snow. The slytherin boy dropped to his knees to investigate the prints closely.

Searching among the bushes, Lux was not having any luck finding footprints as of yet. Either she needed to move further in, or the animals hadn't been hanging around in that area. Debating moving somewhere else, she looked around and spotted Cinnamon working nearby. Ooh, her friend had found something!

Wandering over, she noticed what looked like webbed footprints in the snow. "Oooh, I think you found a duck!" That was so cool. Or were there no ducks wandering around the grounds? Ducks were so cute, and Lux wanted to have one of them as a pet. Or at least feed it bread. Wondering what Professor Morgan would have to say about this animal, she bundled her jacket tighter around herself. "I think this duck wanted to get away from the cold. And I do not blame it at all; it's freezing out here."

Could they go inside now?

Okay, so Adi wasn't panicking but he still could not locate a single animal print. It seemed a few students had luck but it didn't favour him. And for the first time in his life, he wished the snow would just go away.

He wandered further away from his classmates and Professor Morgan, searching from left to right, to directly ahead of him. Even their own prints were hardly to be seen now. There were just a couple here and there plus a few partials. But no animal prints.

Wait!

What was that? Was that some creature's print right next to that partial shoe print?

Oh merlin this snow. It was no wonder the Professor wanted them helping her with the searching for prints along the ground--what little of the ground they could see anyway. Seriously, the snow was getting ridiculous, how much longer did it plan to stick around? Spring would be here soon. Maybe not for another couple months but close enough for this cold to cool it.

Alexa walked along, kicking at snow and wadding her way about around the tree. How did the Professor know the animals avoided the willow? With snow like this, anything could easily be covered up, nothing hard in that, but fine, she'd avoid the tree too if only for the fact that with all this extra clothes being nimble would prove a bit more difficult. If she got hurt, Professor Smiles would have all the reason in the world to keep her company on the way to the Hospital Wing. No thanks.

The Prefect kept kicking at the snow as she walked, trying to clear a path for herself. It wasn't until too late that she realized she'd been kicking at a trail of prints but by then it was too late. Behind her was nothing but her own destruction and ahead of her was nothing that wasn't covered in snow.

Ugh. You had to be kidding.

Brrrrrrr was it cold out. Cassie pulled her cloak tighter. She grabbed her wand and did a heating charm, but it was so cold and the wind whipped through that the charm was found useless. Shivering a bit, she started walking around looking towards the ground.

She really hoped that there were prints to even look at. Her greens eyes scanned the area and then looked around at the others. "Any luck my wonderful SNACers?" She hoped they were having more luck than she was. Her eyes moved back to the ground as she walked. Ooooh was that one, she moved over just to see that it was a boot mark. Nope this was a students.

Goodness she was shivering and was about to turn and go closer to the tree when she heard her name. "Yes?" Seeing it was a young Slytherin, Cutty wasn't it? She made her way over, "Have you found something?"

"Yeh." He said casually in response to the Professorette. "I think I might have."

Using the tip of his Aspen wand, Cutty cleared away some of the brush from the impressions then stood up and stood back to give Professor Morgan a good look. The snow was a bit thinner beneath the shelter of the shrubbery and so imprints were were dramatic with some of the earth beneath the snow showing, making the little clover-like prints look darker. "Booht, I can't tell. What are they?" He asked, genuinely curious.

Having finally arrived at the Whomping Willow, Jasmine was cold despite her multiple layers of clothes. They were charged with finding animal prints which would be difficult given the snow and wind.

Jasmine decided to separate herself from the group a bit to try to avoid the students' footprints. She certainly did not want to get too close to the tree either. Looking down at the snow covered ground, Jasmine strained to see any signs of non-human life. Walking back and forth, she searched and searched, but wasn't seeing much more than her own footprints. It was waaaay too cold outside for Jasmine to be unsuccessful at this task.

Apparently a few students had actually found some animal prints and were investigating them. Jasmine did not know how she would possibly find a good print when the snow was covering the ground almost as fast as they were making footprints. She was considering the odds of her finding a footprint before she froze to death. It wasn't looking too good.

Sophie wandered around out in the cold. She was really just enjoying social hour. She wasn't even looking for tracks. Well, actually she was, but her mind was also running a mile a minute while thinking about other things.

The Centaurs had said Hogwarts wasn't safe for them anymore!

Well, they hadn't exactly said THAT, but it was close enough. They'd said the climate wasn't favorable. Where would they go?! Where would they live?

Not the Centaurs. They could fend for themselves. Sophie was worried about where she and her princess self would go if they had to move. She was NOT living in the wild!

So animal tracks--WHERE BE YOU?!

Gosh, it was FREEZING!! Why did it have to be so cold!? And why were they even outside! Arista turned towards Professor Morgan who was speaking. Okay go find some prints and read them!! Got it!!! This would be okay all she needed to do was find them and not freeze to death!

So, Arista wandered off. Looking for some prints. Oooo look there were some! "I found some!" Her eyes widened as she realized what they were. Ferrets. Her thoughts suddenly went to Anneliese had she escaped again?? Eep she hoped not!

"They belong to a ferret, which she knew because she had one. "I think this ferret was trying to find some shelter from this freezing weather because it looks like it went this way and then this way." She pointed in each direction she was talking about. Who she was talking to she didn't have a clue she was just speaking to let her mouth get warmer, it felt as if her lips were going to freeze off!

Cris had figured out what had made the paw prints he had found in the snow. Or at least he hoped he had figured out the right creature.

He looked around for Professor Morgan hoping to seek her opinion regarding the prints. When he sighted her talking with a Slytherin, he waited for her to be done with him before he called out to her.

"Professor Morgan, I think I've found some rabbit prints here. Would it be possible for you to confirm whether I'm right?" Cris asked as he raised his hand to get her attention.

It was cold. Leah cupped her nose and mouth with her gloved hands and breathed some warm air in. She had expected some coldness but not this cold. She listened to the professor's instructions carefully over the roaring wind.

Looking down at the ground the Badger walked around, looking for animal prints. So far she could find none. That was when she found prints in the snow. Squinting her eyes, Leah bent down to observe when she realized that they were HUMAN footprints. Groaning at her stupidity, the second year tried to stand up to continue her search but landed on her bottom because of her thick layer of clothes.

With a great amount of effort the girl stood up again and walked forwards, staring at the ground.

No amount of staring could help decipher the source of these scattered paw prints. Most of the tracks were leading in the same direction and ended near a bush, but at one point, Damian noticed a couple that were backtracking. Was this animal somewhat confused? The marks were all over the place, no cohesion. Still kneeling in the snow, his limbs numb from cold, Damian waved at Professor Morgan, "Pro . . . . PROFESSOR! PROFESSOR MORGAN!? WE HAVE A DRUNK ANIMAL ON THE LOOSE!" The boy giggled at the stupidity of his deduction, his voice sounding a tad hoarse.

Jasmine kept going, determined hoping to find some prints. Still not seeing anything, she decided to get closer to the ground. Bending down on one knee, Jasmine allowed her eyes to scan the nearby snow for clues. This was probably not a good idea. With all the clothes she was wearing, if she fell over she probably wouldn't be able to get up. Then the snow would probably pile up over her and they wouldn't discover her body until spring. Dramatic sigh.

After several minutes on her knees staring at the snow, Jasmine stood up again. If at first you don't succeed......... Third times a charm. We're there any other old sayings that Jasmine could come up with to attach to this situation? Still she pressed on. Find a new spot? Yes. Hoping to get lucky, Jasmine looked for another area to search.

Lucy started to found some prints...
When she saw near the bare branches of a bush two small footprints and she said:"Professor!Here!!..They might be the prints of a fox?"

Well, it looked like an animals print but with the heavy snowfall it was almost obliterated. Adi eyed it in disappointment. Was he going to be the only one here who didn't find a print to examine? This almost gone one looked curved like a Unicorn's or maybe even a Centaur's but without the rest of the print, that was impossible to determine for sure.

Exhaling noisily, Adi slipped his hands into his pockets to keep them warm as he trudged back closer to the group. Maybe he missed a print somewhere and hopefully he could salvage it before the snow got rid of it.

Jasmine tried to find a spot that nobody had covered yet. Seeing a spot that appeared undisturbed, she carefully kneeled down and inspected the snow. For a while there was nothing but snow. Then Jasmine saw something that might have been a very faint print. It was almost covered in snow and she couldn't be sure. Was she just imagining a print there because she wanted so badly to find one?

Getting closer to the ground, Jasmine wanted to believe that it was a raccoon footprint similar to the one they had seen in class. Unfortunately, every minute that she spent examining it, cost her because it was becoming more and more obscured by the snow. She tried to evaluate the footprint, but it was very difficult. If she called the Professor, the print would be gone before she got there. Disappointed, Jasmine felt that she was not going to find a good print before class was over.

Angel was trying to find a footprint to study but it was just so cold, "Professor I'm not having much look." Angel pouted, seriously why did this have to be so hard, surely there was a footprint somewhere and where was this unicorn that could make her a set of nice new footprints to look at, surely they were around here somewhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlytherinSistah

"Yeh." He said casually in response to the Professorette. "I think I might have."

Using the tip of his Aspen wand, Cutty cleared away some of the brush from the impressions then stood up and stood back to give Professor Morgan a good look. The snow was a bit thinner beneath the shelter of the shrubbery and so imprints were were dramatic with some of the earth beneath the snow showing, making the little clover-like prints look darker. "Booht, I can't tell. What are they?" He asked, genuinely curious.

Ooohhh he did find something. "Oh Good you did find something." She beamed at him before looking down as he explained. Gasping she put her hand to her chest and let her green eyes go wide. "Cory do you know what these footprints are?" She gave him a concerned look and leaned down towards them. "These a dog prints, but not any dog... You are in great danger finding these prints." She looked up at him in worry.

A slow smile moving on her lips and she bounced back up to her feet. "Just Kidding." She giggled a bit before pointing at the little prints again. "I'd say a little Niffler came through here not very long ago. Good work! Now if you can record what the prints tell you that would be A-mazing!!!" She gave him another smile and continued to the next student that needed her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luna_Midnight

Gosh, it was FREEZING!! Why did it have to be so cold!? And why were they even outside! Arista turned towards Professor Morgan who was speaking. Okay go find some prints and read them!! Got it!!! This would be okay all she needed to do was find them and not freeze to death!

So, Arista wandered off. Looking for some prints. Oooo look there were some! "I found some!" Her eyes widened as she realized what they were. Ferrets. Her thoughts suddenly went to Anneliese had she escaped again?? Eep she hoped not!

"They belong to a ferret, which she knew because she had one. "I think this ferret was trying to find some shelter from this freezing weather because it looks like it went this way and then this way." She pointed in each direction she was talking about. Who she was talking to she didn't have a clue she was just speaking to let her mouth get warmer, it felt as if her lips were going to freeze off!

She had to stop for a second when hearing the young girl. A ferret? Her little legs took her towards the girl and the prints. Looking down at them she smiled, "A ferret are you sure?" She glanced at the prints and was puzzled for a few moments, "Ferrets aren't usually wild. I think these are more bird prints, but if you know of a ferret that could have gotten lose and went to the castle grounds, than maybe the snow has covered some of the tracks. Can you figure out what the prints mean for me and record it?" She gave the young student a encouraging smile for all her great work so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireboltAvis88

Cris had figured out what had made the paw prints he had found in the snow. Or at least he hoped he had figured out the right creature.

He looked around for Professor Morgan hoping to seek her opinion regarding the prints. When he sighted her talking with a Slytherin, he waited for her to be done with him before he called out to her.

"Professor Morgan, I think I've found some rabbit prints here. Would it be possible for you to confirm whether I'm right?" Cris asked as he raised his hand to get her attention.

Moving around she shivered feeling her cheeks starting to hurt from the cold. "Are you doing alright?" She glanced down, "Oh yes these are certainly rabbit prints. Wonderful job! Now if you could record what you think the prints are saying that would just be fabtastic!" She grinned toward him. What a wonderful job they were all doing for her!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yusrieee

No amount of staring could help decipher the source of these scattered paw prints. Most of the tracks were leading in the same direction and ended near a bush, but at one point, Damian noticed a couple that were backtracking. Was this animal somewhat confused? The marks were all over the place, no cohesion. Still kneeling in the snow, his limbs numb from cold, Damian waved at Professor Morgan, "Pro . . . . PROFESSOR! PROFESSOR MORGAN!? WE HAVE A DRUNK ANIMAL ON THE LOOSE!" The boy giggled at the stupidity of his deduction, his voice sounding a tad hoarse.

Wait! What? The five foot professor made her way over to the Slytherin first year. "Hold the owl, what did you say?" How did an eleven year old know how to spot a track like that one and two WHAT? She looked down at the ground and chuckled. "I don't know if I'd call it that, but if you can see that you might have an eye for this subject after all. I would probably say that it was running from something and changed direction and then back again, but look at it closely and see what you think. You have such a great start so far!" An amazing thought process this one. She'd be watching him closely in her lessons!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiara

Lucy started to found some prints...
When she saw near the bare branches of a bush two small footprints and she said:"Professor!Here!!..They might be the prints of a fox?"

"Good... good dear, now remember what we talked about?" She said as she moved closer to the Gryffindor. "Check the prints to see what you can come up with. How do you feel the animal was when it made this print?" She was being encouraging and trying to get the young student to look and give some thoughts onto the print. Was it more front or back heavy? What did that mean?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry174

Angel was trying to find a footprint to study but it was just so cold, "Professor I'm not having much look." Angel pouted, seriously why did this have to be so hard, surely there was a footprint somewhere and where was this unicorn that could make her a set of nice new footprints to look at, surely they were around here somewhere.

Her eyes went towards one of the twins, "Oh keep looking you are doing fabulous! The snow is heavy so it's going to be harder." She tried to be encouraging to all the student, but she really knew that some might not find them in this weather. She was staying positive though, she had her SNACinators out there with her, they would find what they were looking for she just knew it!

Stepping out to where she could see the students better she watched smiling, "You are all just doing so wonderful! Keep it up I know we are going to find what we are looking for!" Her fingers were feeling a bit numb though from the cold and she worried about how the others were doing. "How's everyone feeling? Maybe do some jumping jacks to keep warm."


OOC: Amazing job everyone! Keep it up, if you get the three post done, don't just leave us if you don't want to. Have fun, look for some more, build a snowman, complain about the cold. Just have a good time, that's what we are here for!!!

Angel was really cold and very scared now, seriously what was it with all the Professor trying to get them ill, surely they should have a nice fire going. "Professor ca....ca....can w.....we cre....create a f....fi..fire?" Angel really hoped the professor knew how to do one and would do one soon because she was feeling very cold now.

"Profe.....Profess....Professor I th....think I fo...fo...found o...one." Angel was half glad she had found a footprint but she was also scared this was going to be the last thing she did because it was freezing here.

The Whomping Willow stood tall as the snow poured down on top of it. The bitter wind causing it's branches to freeze and ice to begin to form. Annoyed by this the willow shook it's branches to throw the heavy snow and ice to the ground, which fell onto little prints and students below.

Already annoyed the tree could sense students around. Feeling they were too close it began to swing it's branches towards them.

Adi completely gave up hope of finding any footprints in this weather. He trudged back closer to where Professor Cassie was so he could listen to what she was saying to his classmates. Some of them had found some interesting prints.

Soon, he became bored of just listening. Adi stared down at the snow. He always loved the white, powdery thing. Sure that Morgan won't mind he got flat on his back. Snow angel! Adi loved making those as a kid and that was what he was doing right now. Hehe. Maybe he should tell Professor Cassie that he was unable to locate any print and that he just wasn't at the meeting to make angels. "Professor,'' the third year called up to her. "I couldn't find any footprints.''

Adi continued moving his arms and legs as he continued. "I'm down here on the gro-'' But he never got to finish his sentence for he received a faceful of snow from above.

Zander made it out to the cold with millions of goosebumps already forming. He was not prepared to go outside for this. Hmph. Was this really necessary? Really? Nevertheless, the Gryffindor started wondering around looking for animal prints.

Ugh.

This would be pointless. The temperature was also extremely unbearable. Hopefully they'd be done soon because he didn't know just how much more he could take! Maybe they could end the lesson short like Ancient Runes? That had been amazing. AHHHHHH INCOMING!

UGH. Before the Gryffindor could even process what was happening, he was thrown down by a huge chunk of snow. Stupid whomping willow. Stupid outdoor lessons. Stupid animal prints that aren't even here. Hmph. And with that Zander was buried down under a good few centimeters of snow AND FREEZING. Could this day get any worse?

Probably.

Cris was glad whe Professor Morgan agreed that he had correctly identified the prints he had found to be that of a rabbit. Studying the prints he noted that the rabbit didn't seem to be overly rushed or panicked. Cris suspected that if the rabbit had been in a panic state and running away, its prints wouldn't be so clearly defined but rather hapzarded and messy with prints running this way and that. He reckoned that if the rabbit were scurrying away, there would be more upheavel in the snow.

Nothing of which he was seeing here right now. These prints seemed to be neat and straight, like as if the rabbit was taking its time as it hopped on. Cris pulled out his journal and was writing down his thoughts on it when something wet fell on his head...and then on the ground covering the prints he had been examining. It was snow!! Even before Cris could register where the snow had come from....

....out of nowhere he felt a rush of air above him.

WHOOSH!!

Cris looked up and realized that the Whomping Willow had woken up and was swinging its branches....and that whooshing sound was most likely a branch narrowly missing his head.

Cris called out a warning,"Look out everyone, the Whomping Willow is awake."

....hey maybe he could now test his theory regarding who was faster. Him or the tree?

....and here comes a branch right now. Cris immediately leaped out of the way as it swung past him.