It wasn't a person that came to Esme's rescue, but an ash grey ferret. He appeared suddenly next to the 4th year, jumping and hopping around to her right. A ferret war dance it's called, but it usually means Play with me! He seemed to be completely alone.

After a minute or so, the ferret moved himself onto Esme's lap, and her homework and started to play with her quill.

"ASHER! Get over here!" The ferret froze a moment, looked over at a very disgruntled Hadley. then went back to attacking the quill. "Asher..." she growled a warning. It was not like her ferret to disobey her like this. At all. It was a bit worrying to be honest. Instead of obeying, Asher snatched the quill from Esme's hands and took off running.

Hadley ran up as far as Esme and pulled out her wand. "I warned you. Wingardium Leviosa!" But the ferret was too fast, and the only thing that lifted in the air was a small rock exactly in the spot he'd just been. Then the ferret was out of the courtyard and onto the pathways. Hadley sighed, eager to chase after her pet, but she couldn't just leave without apologizing. "Sorry, Esme. I don't know what's gotten into him. Will... will you help me catch him?"

"WHAT IN MERLIN'S BEARD?!"

Esme felt like she would jump out of her skin as an animal popped out of nowhere.

It wasn't until she got over her initial fright that she saw it was a ferret. Awww, he was rather cute. Or was it a she? Didn't really matter to her, as she was laughing as it settled into her lap and started playing with her quill. "Hey there, little guy." There was no need to worry about diseases or anything because this obviously was someone's pet... but before she could check and see if there was a collar she could hear a VERY disgruntled Haddie. Obviously he belonged to her and didn't want to behave because moments later he had darted away with her quill. Yet another reason for me to avoid doing History of Magic homework...

Watching the ferret as he left the courtyard, Esme brushed off the apologies. "No worries, I know how pets can be." Sometimes Lucy still disobeyed even though she was a very good dog in general. Anyway... "Sure thing," she said as she got up from the bench and took out her wand. "Maybe I can immobilize him..." Well, it definitely wouldn't cause any harm to Asher.

Let the hunt begin.

Nearly everyday usually sometime in the evening after lessons and dinner Hady would meet up with Frankie outside. Together they had continued to work at accomplishing a full transformation from their human self to whatever animal form they were to become. This truly was the most difficult part of the entire two year plus process. It wasn't easy. The level of focus required was hard to achieve at times.

With her last lesson of the day over, homework finished and a full stomach Hady made her way to the usual meeting spot. Or well the new usual meeting spot as of lately. Wearing comfortable was a must for this at least for her. It was all about complete relaxation and then confidence and concentration. Which meant her favorite sweats and shirt and a pair of running shoes. Simple and comfy.

Hazel eyes roamed the area quickly checking to see if Frankie had made it here before her. Not this time. Walking over to an empty bench she laid down across it, an arm under her head and her other arm draped over her eyes. She'd relax a few minutes until the blonde boyfriend showed up. She seemed to do better with this when he was around then on her own.

It was time for her revenge and to find The Book of Mysteria that her hypnotized children couldn't find. She should have eaten them for failing and if she found them she would eat them.

Now she had to do double the work.

First though she was hungry and she could smell children. She slipped through the grounds until she came to the courtyard and saw a student (Hadleigh) alone. Sniffing the air she couldn't help her self and took of jumping and grabbing the student.

After opening the door to the entrance hall, what Sky did NOT expect to see was her older housemate being ATTACKED by some ugly cloaked ... well, Sky wasn't even sure she could call it a lady.

So forget her pet rock project; showing Xeno around the castle could wait and even though she was young and Hady could probably defend herself, Sky had to react because well Hady was one of her favourite Snakes and she looked up to the older girl. So ..... yea.

"Let. Go. Of. Her."

Sky said, very firmly, withdrawing her wand. She wasn't sure what spell she would even cast, but maybe she looked slightly intimidating? Or maybe the ugly thing would grab her instead and then Hady could cast some advanced magic to save them both? Whatever it be, there was no turning back now.

Noelle was heading in from the grounds, tooting her books. She'd been studying and also doing some recreational reading on how to become an animagus. She had questions and was on her way to look for Hady when a site caught her eyes.

Hady. Noah's little sister, Sky. And.... an old woman attacking HADY.

What was going on.

Noelle saw Sky's wand out and immediately dropped her books and grabbed her wand. Nope. She wasn't about to leave her big sister and her boyfriends, little sister alone.

Heading over, Noelle stood right next to Skylar her wand pointing at the old woman who was attacking her big sis. Her heart was racing because for some reason... Flash backs were happening. But she was keeping her wand steady and pointed.

"You heard her. Let go." Noelle said, her voice a little shaky but.... She was here and helping.

The second year made his way around the castle. He was bored and needed to get out of the common room and stay away from books. As he was walking he heard something..someone...a lot of someones. What was going on? Did he just hear the hag?

Bradson made his way towards the courtyard and saw part of what was going on. Seriously though he was just minding his business but no the Hag was here and had to ruin that. She's a ruiner.

Wait.

THE HAG IS HERE!

JHSBGKJRZDGKJDRG!

For a few moments he just stood there out of sight to see what was going on and what he was getting himself into. He shouldn't be here but he had to be here. THE HAG BIT HIS EAR LAST TERM! He had unfinished business with this ugly woman. The Scottish boy stepped out into the open where the Hag could see him. "You heard them! Let. Her. Go." Oh why not go all out when you're about to die. Brady looked at the Hag and gave her a smirky smile. "Did you miss me?" He knew that she would remember who he was.

Wandering towards the courtyard, Esme heard a commotion that had her utterly confused. It wasn't until she had stepped closer that she had some idea of what was going on.

...

"YOU LET GO OF HER RIGHT NOW, YOU OLD BAT!" she called out furiously as she marched over, wand withdrawn. Last term her sister had been threatened and Brady had almost been eaten and now her friend was being snatched for a meal as well. NOT IF ESME COULD HELP IT THOUGH.

More children, there were more children. Smells were stronger now that there were more. She kept a hold of the girl, but was watching hungrily after the others. "Come here children. Come with me. We are going to have a cookout." What fun was that going to be when she was feasting on them all.


It wasn't until the boy (Brady) showed up that she finally let go of the girl. "You" She had just gotten a bite of him before the professor was there to stop her. Not this time. She took off after him. This time he was going to be her appetizer before she ate the rest of them as her main course.

Leaping she jumped and grabbed him.

There was never a thought in her mind that her day would have gone from wonderfully peaceful to whatever this was! One second Hady was laying there on the bench, eyes closed and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine on her face and the next someone was grabbing her. Not to gently either!

Hazel eyes flew open and surprised gasp leaving her lips as her legs kicked out at the person. There was a tiny hint of a second that while her eyes had been closed she had figured it was Frankie messing with her but that was dashed even before her eyes opened. The grip had been totally wrong and something about the action just was completely off.

All at once her mind raced as she took in who was grabbing her. The hag?! What was she doing back here. "Get off of me you old loon!" she snapped trying to keep her mind level and not show a hint of fear. Yes she remembered her very well and all the crazy predictions made last term and everything that had happened as well. Trying to pull herself away she was very much tempted to reach for her wand and hex the old women.

Anything to get herself away was okay. What she didn't want or expect was all the voices that seemed to come right then. Ones she knew. None however were Frankie...yet. Sky, Noelle, Esme and Brady. Where they all had come from she had no idea but now not only did she had to keep herself safe but them as well. The sixth years gaze shifted briefly taking note of each one of the younger years and the fact that they all held their wands. This would help. Maybe.

What was Brady doing? Why was he provoking this hag/lady thing?! Hady wanted to shout at him but she didn't. Before she could do anything she was being let go just as fast as she had been grabbed the surprise combined with her struggles to get free causing her to stumble a few steps the women's nails scratching her arm when she let go. Probably gonna bruise now too. "Brady! What are you doing!" You're not supposed to make matters worse.

Hady ignored the throbbing in her arm to pull her wand. "Leave him alone!" She would hex her to help him. To help any of them. Wand aimed at the hag Hady walked over to position herself closer to the three younger girls. "Stay back. Do not go near here..one of you should go find a professor or the Headmaster," she dropped her voice so they could hear here. She wasn't leaving though.

There was a lot of shouting up ahead, though of what Kitty did not know. She was just walking by the courtyard when she heard it. "I wonder what that's all about?" the Gothic girl mused out loud to herself curiously. Her curiosity was enough to divert her from her path towards the sounds of the shouting. She was getting closer. Then she stopped in her tracks.

Professor Black. Professor Ursula Black. The face that had haunted Kitty's nightmares unceasingly for the past year, now, lunging at Brady. Brady, the very same boy she almost cooked alive last year...

"No..." Was the world spinning upside down or was she dizzy? For a moment Kitty felt as if she might faint. But she couldn't faint. Not yet.


"HELP!" Kitty screamed as loud as she could, hoping that a teacher would hear. Then instead of drawing her wand, she threw her new hand mirror as hard as she could at Professor Black.

A nice walk on the grounds with Shawn the pet rock was what Kay was having. It was winding down to the end of the term so she thought she would enjoy the Hogwarts scenery before the all headed home. "It's quite beautiful out her-'' she was saying to Shawn when she heard a commotion when she approached the Courtyard followed by a shout for help. "What in the world?'' she muttered and dashing off in the voices' direction.

OH NO.

It was the hag again. The creepy old thing had a hold on Brady. OH NO SHE DIDN'T! NOT HER STUDENTS! NOT ANY OF THEM!

"Incarcerous!'' She pointed her wand at the hag, careful to aim for her alone and not Brady. Kay may certainly use magic less than a usual witch or wizard but by no means was she weak at her spell work.

Even running around Ursula knew there were more people. More children people and an adult. She licked her lips and turned around to look but it was a female adult not the young man she had kept her eyes on since she saw him first. But these two would be a nice addition as well.

"Come here, dear" she said to the girl (Kitty). "The cookout is soon we don't want to miss it." She hadn't yet caught the boy (Brady) who had left a taste in the previous year but she would get him. There was a shout from the adult and Ursula ducked out of the way avoiding the spell. She laughed and turned to grab the other girl (Kitty) around the wrist and took a deep inhale of her scent. "Delicious," she said quietly, and plucked a hair from the girl's scalp. With her free hand she rolled it into a ball and ate it. "Yes you will do nicely my dear" she said with a twinkle in her eye and pulled her along as she went running away towards the forrest.

Kitty screamed as the Hag reached out and grabbed her around the wrist. She squeaked in pain as she tore one of her hairs out and ate it. "HELP!" she screamed as loud as she could, but fear had taken away most of her voice. The Hag was dragging her towards the forest...

And for the first time in her life, Kitty fainted.

With her wand raised, Noelle let out a breath when she heard others coming up. They needed to surround the hag. Maybe that wound stop her. But.... what?? What was Brady doing???? Egging the hag on? True Gryffindor that one.

Noelle's eyes went to Hady when the hag let her go. she instantly stepped forward but stopped once Hady put her hand up, She saw the wince though. Hady was hurt! Noelle's eyes narrowed. She could help! There was no way she was going to leave Hady alone.

Thank Merlin! A professor. Noelle didnt have to leave to get the professor.

But what was this??
The hag was trying to run off with Kitty?? Not happening. "Let her go!!" Noelle called out again. She couldnt risk hitting Kitty with a spell. "Professor!" She could help!!

Noelle did have an idea though. SHe had been working on cushioning charms lately. Sending one out in front of the hag, she hoped it would knock her back a peg so that the professor could do something.

About the usual grass trimmings all the way back in the main grounds, Justin could hear a lot of commotion going on. It was very distracting. Turning this walk into a jog, he could hear the sounds become more troubled. Approaching the main site he stopped as he saw a gathering. A number of students quite upset with Kay... with a familiar sight for sore eyes and smell straight ahead. Oh no, no, no this would not do. The hag was making off with the poor girl. Not under his watch.

Well at least the younger Gryffindor had an idea setting some object ahead. Taking his wand out, Justin went to aim carefully at the hag's feet, "Impedimenta!" That should put a stop to the ugly hag or at the very least let the poor girl go.

As everything began to unfold he had thought that the hag had caught him but it seemed like she hadn't caught him at all.

The second year had looked around and noticed there were two professors here now. It took them long enough! That could also just seem like took forever for them to get here. He wasn't yelling for them actually. Everyone else was. Brady blinked as he saw Kitty faint. What? He looked over at the hag. She was running away! He was about to do something stupid. Really he should just take his wand out and shoot some kind of spell at the Hag but he wasn't all about that right now. He wasn't going to stand around and let the Hag take Kitty or anyone for that matter.

Some spells were flying at the Hag but Brady had a gut feeling that magic wasn't going to take her down. The Hufflepuff started to sprint toward Kitty and the Hag. As he got closer he lunged himself at the ugly woman and tried his best to tackle her.

The girl Ursula had grabbed around the wrist was screaming out for help which wasn't helping Ursula. "Shh child," Ursula said in a soft voice and pet the girl's cheek with her rough hand. She looked back at another child who was yelling at Ursula to let go (Noelle) but all Ursula did was look back at her and smile. Not before taking a deep inhale of the breeze that was carrying the scent of the child to her. "Come with me, you," she said to the girl. They should ALL come with Ursula.

Another breeze wafted a different scent. It was enough to turn Ursula's head again in hopes that it was the one that got away (James) but it wasn't. Ursula had enough time to see the man raise his wand and she darted away from the jinx with a laugh as she did so. But her luck was improving as the boy she had a taste for (Brady) lunged at her. She caught him and heaved him over her shoulder. With two delicious children now Ursula moved quicker to get to the forrest.

This was insane and the Hag needed to stop taking her friends. First Brady and then Kitty and now she had the both of them again. The adults were trying to stop the evil woman with magic and it wasn't working.

"Stop trying to eat people! It's wrong and disgusting!" Angrily she chased after the Hag, trying to kick at her and tried to stop her from taking Brady and Kitty away.

Juliette was all ready to enjoy the nice weather in her brand new sunflower dress that her Aunt Arielle had bought her -- she had even gotten yellow shoes that matched the dress perfectly! *GASP* She pranced her way out of the castle and straight through the corridor; however, she stopped right quickly when she saw . . .

"BRADY?!" She screeched. Who was the ugly hag that was carrying her kinda, sorta friend away?! Just like others around her, she quickly drew her wand (another thing about this awesome dress: it had POCKETS). This Hufflepuff was not ready to get this beautiful dress dirty, but she also wasn't about to let her fellow Hufflepuff get taken away. What if this ended like that story Hansel and Gretel? Oh no.

"Loco -" What was that spell again?! She thought long and hard before blurting out, "Locomotor Mortis!" Hopefully that would slow the hag down.

Ursula looked behind her as she ran and saw another child running after her (Esme) and Ursula kept running in hopes to lure the dear with her and the other two children that she had.

Another spell came at her and Ursula felt it as it shot past her head. That was close, but she was on a mission and nothing would stop her. She continued running towards the forrest.

Ugh. So apparently her interrupting the ugly hag person taking hold of her older housemate had been a FLOP. She hadn't caused a distraction at all, and in attracting many others to scene, Skylar MAY have just made it worse. Sometimes she felt so useless, with her lack of knowledge.

But when the hag dragged two students off in the direction of the forest, not Hady, but a Hufflepuff boy and a Ravenclaw girl, well Sky wasn't sure what to do. She could run after and try to cause a diversion again, but that completely flopped the last time she did that. OR she could maybe go and find someone who COULD help more. Professor Stewart and the Groundskeeper were there, but their spells didn't seem that effective. Perhaps the defense professor or maybe even the headmaster? She hadn't seen him too much, but what she remembered from the feasts and meals, well, he seemed not one to mess with.

Yes, that would probably be a better use of her abilities; she was agile and quick enough for that. Besides, others had already followed into the forest.