Torie had been up on the fourth floor near the library coming from the owlery when he looked out the window and was pretty sure he'd seen Azura heading out onto the grounds. He had made a promise to himself that he'd ask her to go to do something just the two of them. Not a date...nope....maybe... He made his way down the stairs and out of the castle, heading towards the lake where he'd seen her going.

He saw her off in the distance and hurried towards her when suddenly the acromantula spoke and shivers went down his spine as he heard the voice. NOOOO! Not them again! Why?!?!?! His eyes went wide as he turned towards it not too far from Azura. Mum and dad said they were safe! What was the spell they'd taught him?! Merlin, every thought went right out of his head.

"Azura...." he called out. Trying to keep his voice steady. Yes, get away from the spider! NO SPIDERS! At least that was one thing he agreed on with the other students! Back away!

Aletag clicked his pincers together eagerly at the human girl's (FwooperOnYourLeft) offer. "That would be splendid!"

With the promise of a whole roasted turkey on the horizon, his previous precious long gone now, the acromantula was about to leap hairy legs first into his dramatic retelling of events when more humanfolk (Jean Granger) began showing up.

Was that some sort of human riddle?

"The sky? Clouds?" Human intellect was something that remained a bit of a mystery to his kind.

OH LOOK! Even more reinforcements (Callie & Nymphadoraliz)! Shouting ones. But at least they were all keeping their sticks to themselves? Or did humanfolk at Hogwarts no longer carry their sticks with them?

"Eat you? I've never acquired the taste of human flesh, unlike my predecessors and some of my brothers and sisters." Like his dearly departed mother. "The alliance between my colony and Hogwarts prohibits us from it." An alliance that he was coming to honor now so the shouting could stop, yeah? "Strange happenings in the forest these days....very strange...including unusual movements by some of our co-residents. I've come to offer my assistance in their removal."

And maybe a snack. Not turkey exclusive.

acromantula + Azura + everyone
 

Timeline before Acromantula stuff!
 

Oliver was about to tell her that he really loved this drink when Esme said she didn't like chocolate. He knew most people freaked about that because...he didn't love chocolate. It wasn't the same, of course, but he knew better than to freak on her. People did it to him all the time and he kind of hated it. What was the big deal anyway??? "You know, I actually do like this better than hot chocolate. I can't believe I never thought of making it.... How do you make it?" He had never heard of white chocolate powder or syrup so maybe it was just made with white chocolate bars? He had no idea really.

"Oooo that is a really good qquestion." He was kind of hurt he didn't think of it himself but Esme was so great, so he wasn't so surprised. Ollie sat quietly, trying his best to remember everything he knew about both creatures so he could answer the question to the best of his abilities. And while he was biased towards fluffly animals, he knew what his answer was after a bit. "Dragons," he said, nodding to confirm his answer. "I think the dragon could burn the nundu before it even got close enough to breath on the dragon...probably." Of course it all depended on the dragon and the nundu, but in general, he believed his answer/opinion was pretty right.

Beaming was inevitable when Esme said he could go over some time in the summer to talk to her dad and just to hang out too. How fun would that be? He could learn about being an auror and hand out with Esme and probably her twin sister too. Summer always got to be boring near the middle, so being given this option filled up his summer a little more. He was beyond excited. "I'd love that, actually. And we can hang out again if I visit, it'll be just like school but better." Because this way they wouldn't be homesick, thankfully. "I wonder if anyone actually minds when we nap in there?" No one had ever told him anything though so it probably wasn't too big of a deal. And if it was, maybe whoever it bothered could make studying more interesting, please and thank you. Still beaming, Ollie nodded, very happy Esme liked his idea. He always thought therapy horses was such a cool idea. He wasn't sure how things works, so he'd have to look into it some more, BUT STILL COOL. "You could still have a farm of them! You'll have more than one student anyway, ideally, so you'll need more than one unicorn." Bringing two ideas to make up the dream job. He had done that with Ziva the other day too, actually. How was it possible he could do that for other people and not himself? Ugh. "Ahaha that's a good reason. I guess your mum has a point but...no. Does she even remember what studying history of magic was like?" SO. HARD.

More beaming. More blushing. "Thank yoooou." She wasn't the first to tell him that but he never really understood it. What was great? Seeing Esme take a bite of her sandwich reminded him of his. He had been so distracted with all of their conversation. It had been a while since he last spoke with someone else this much. He was really seriously enjoying himself. "Kind of? We know a lot of the same people...but we don't hang out together. Just easier that way." If he and Tim spent too much time together, they were bound to get into an argument, just like all of their fourth year, and he didn't want that again. It was horrible. "That's so cool! I bet your sister is just as great though." She kind of had to be since they were raised exactly the same, right???

More people were coming! Carl guessed that was good ... unless they were all going to die. That was going to be scary.

At the Acromantula's reply, the Second Year blinked and looked up. The sky. Clouds. He looked back at the creature and could not help but laugh. "Yes, indeed. My name is Carl, what's yours?" His fear had decreased significantly, more so because it said that it was not going to eat them. He thought he could trust it, after all, it had a sense of humor.

Put the wand down? Carl did not have his wand out. He was merely holding it in his pocket, but maybe that seemed hostile as well, so he took out his hand and let it stay at his side. "I'm not going to draw my wand." He reassured Azura, agreeing that there was no need to provoke the Acromantula.

He listened to the giant spider speak. According to it, strange things were happening in the forest. Just like strange things were happening in the castle. Perhaps there was a correlation between them. "Co-residents, like unicorns?" He blurted out. "Is there a way in which we can help?" Getting the Headmaster was one thing, but he wanted to really contribute in solving the problem.

He didn't trust the spiders, no matter how much they tried to tell them that they were good and not like his sisters and brothers or cruel or any of that. He simply just did not trust them, any spider no matter how small. The spider hadn't ever acquired the taste of human flesh? His eyes were wary as they spoke back and forth. Was Azura not understanding how evil these creatures were? She wasn't that naive surely! He moved closer but was desperately trying to remember the spell mum and told him to protect himself from them. He just could not remember! He'd practiced that whole summer!!

Strange happenings? What did the spider mean by that? At least the alliance was still standing...or they'd all of have been carried off by now he was sure. It still did not make him any less wary of him, he still was on edge! Especially after having lost almost 3 weeks of his life! THREE WEEKS! All in some zombie state!!! Looking for GOLD!

"Headmaster..." he murmured in agreement with Cornelius. That appeared to be the best option. "What are the co-residents that are causing these strange happenings? The centaurs?" he asked as he approached. "Or something that doesn't belong there?"

Nobody had died yet, which was good. Olly did not want to die today, especially not in the hands of a giant spider. That would not be a good way to go. It also seemed that his hiding place had not done much good because the acromantula had seen him. Or otherwise knew he was there somehow with x-ray vision or something. Others had shown up, obviously drawn by the sight of a giant spider on the grounds. Why hadn't it drawn any professors?

Olly came out from behind the tree since it wasn't doing him any good anyway. He slowly stepped closer. His wand remained in his pocket so the acromantula did not feel threatened and decide to attack, but he was very aware of its location just in case it was needed. What sort of spell would work against a giant spider anyway? He listened to what the acromantula was saying, and caught some of what the other kids gathered were saying back. They were holding a conversation with a giant spider. It was the strangest and scariest experience of his young life.

Apparently they weren't going to be eaten, but he didn't know how much he trusted an acromantula. Not very much. Just because he hadn't acquired the taste of human flesh didn't mean he couldn't start now. Maybe he'd just come to try something new. But the warning he was giving seemed ominous. What sort of awful things could be acting weird that an acromantula had to warn them about? What could be worse than an acromantula?

"What kind of strange things?" He dared to ask. The acromantula had mentioned it included weird movements, but it seemed like there was more to it. "And what do you mean by movements? Are they leaving the forest?" Hopefully in the opposite direction of the school, but of course that's probably not what he meant. Olly heard someone mention the headmaster and hoped they were planning on fetching him. They were just a group of children and should not be the only ones interacting with this terrifying creature.

Azula (FwooperOnYourLeft)...Coral (Jean Granger)...humanfolk had funny sounding names.

"I am known as Aletag," he greeted, clicking his pincers together several times. THE TREE WAS TALKING TO HIM NOW?! Wait no...more humanfolk (Deezerz) hanging from the tree. Twas a bit hard for the spider to position himself to see this one, but the lack of visual contact did not impede his hearing. "Are humanfolk always so hostile?" he inquired. Genuinely curious. If he had wanted to eat any of them...he would have by now. "You speak of the time when Mother ran our colony. Things are different now."

Headmaster? Aletag lifted two of his great hair legs into the air and formed an X shape across his front, his abdomen wiggling a bit and knocking into one of the humans (littledhampir). "Entirely unnecessary unless the lot of you feel that tracking down a pack of nifflers too difficult a task for wizarding blood like yourselves." Which about summed up all the humanfolk's questions, yes? "We noticed unnatural behavior some time ago and then disappeared from the forest entirely. You haven't happen to have seen any recently, have you? I would very much like to escort them home."

And have a snack.

The acromantula briefly looked to the human (Nymphadoraliz) and their final question. "Perhaps. We have not seen it...but we sense it."

Sooooooooooooo, hows about them nifflers?

That was a look that Echo was all to familiar with. Made him smirk a little because she was providing minimal entertainment for the sixteen year old boy.

"What makes you think I won't take whatever it is I want?" Hmm? Not that he thought she had anything that he could want, but if she did, he wouldn't be the kind to just ask to have it. Echo would take it. The smirk that had faded from her face again found it's way to his. He leaned back on the palms of his hands. "You are actually. Aren't ya a chick and don't you go to Hogwarts?" That, by definition, made her a Hogwarts chick.

This is before Carl saw Nifflers at the Pathways!
 

Aletag. "Nice to meet you, Aletag." Carl echoed Azura. Other than the clicking of the pincers, he found talking to the Acromantula quite pleasant. It was really cool and it had not eaten any "humanfolk".

The Badger watched as Aletag formed a gigantic X shape with its huge legs. Okay, there was no need to get the Headmaster for this. Nifflers? Nifflers were causing strange things in the forest? He guessed that made sense ... "No, I haven't seen any either."

"What is it you sense?" he asked quietly not close to him but close enough that they were talking in normal tones. He didn't trust the spider, no farther than he could throw it. But if there was something dangerous in the forest, something needed to be done. "I haven't noticed anything outside the forest...but strange things have been happening to students." he replied. He himself was included "I was told that I had been acting strangely for a few weeks. Almost a zombie state, but I wasn't the only one." he glanced over towards Azura and Hady "Could whatever it is be causing this?"

Nifflers?

Acromantula peeps
 

Olly was just standing there, minding his own business, talking to an acromantula, when said acromantula bumped into him with his giant spider abdomen and knocked him to the ground. Not only did it hurt his bum a bit when he fell, but it was absolutely terrifying. Spiders were cool and all but he did not appreciate ones this big. He definitely did not want his body to have to come in contact with one. Not ever again. He scrambled to his feet and took a few steps backward.

WHY WAS THIS BOY INVITING THE ACROMANTULA INTO THE CASTLE? Olly's eyes widened and he turned to look at the boy. Did he not realize how bad of an idea that sounded like it would be? Giant spider + caste = worst idea ever. Olly still was not sure if he believed the whole not eating people thing. For all he knew bringing the acromantula into the castle would be just like bringing him to an all you can eat buffet. He had friends in there.

"I've seen some nifflers around," he said. At the moment he couldn't think of where that had been, his brain was too scared to remember such specifics. "Maybe, uh, we could go fetch them for you?" That did not sound very practical because nifflers probably were not the easiest creatures to catch, but it sure beat the idea of the acromantula coming into the castle himself.

"Sorry 'bout that," the acromantula apologized to the one humanperson (littledhampir). He often forgot how puny humanfolk were in comparison to his kind.

As for this group going to fetch the nifflers themselves, Aletag was suspicious. Half hadn't even seen nifflers! Maybe humanfolk could do with a few extra pair of eyes? But then there were some speaking of nifflers recently. "In your shoe?" The great spider took a moment to extend one of his massive legs, lift his body up, and give the boy's (Deezerz) shoe. "Yet you still wear it? Filthy."

Aletag gave one last poke to the boy's shoe before turning his massive body towards another (Nymphadoraliz). "Something that should not be there," he replied bluntly while considering the rest of what the boy had to say. "Curious...and perhaps."

Who was he to deny the boy's suspicions. He was just here to collect nifflers.

Which were apparently inside the castle. Aletag did not REALLY fancy going inside there with all the memories and images of his slaughtered brother and sisters lying in the Great Hall.

"If inside is where they are, would you all be so kind as to escort me there?" he asked. "I believe....the way to the castle is that way?"

Oliver liked the white hot chocolate? He actually liked it? That made Esme BEAM. Not everyone enjoyed it and some found it to be pretty gross; it seemed that white chocolate was something that you either loved or hated. She enjoyed it because it wasn't REAL chocolate. "I'm so glad you like it. I made it myself in the kitchens. I can show you how to some time if you want me to?" It was really simple; all that was needed was some milk, vanilla extract, white chocolate, and marshmallows. Of course she could have shared the recipe with him but the idea of showing sounded better and that way they could make some more! If and when he wanted to of course...

Hehe. She liked to think that it was a good question too. Her mind could come up with some really interesting thoughts and she was not complaining because she was having a lot of fun right now. "I think I would go with the dragon too! I wouldn't really want to deal with either of them though because I prefer the more gentle magical creatures." Like unicorns and hippogriffs as well. They could be gentle so long as they were dealt with properly and she was always careful with them. The last thing Esme needed was a trip to the hospital ward.

So it was settled then! He was going to come over to the house during the summer and talk to her dad and hang out with them. "Wonderful! I can't wait. And there is a beach a few minutes from the house so we can go there." It was a really nice beach too. Esme didn't really talk about it, but her family had a lot of money through her father's inheritance. Even though they were rich she didn't like to act snobby. She didn't care about designer clothes or anything just as long as they were pretty and comfortable. "You know, I'm not sure but Mr. Kitridge is so nice that I don't think so. He might actually have come across me napping in there a few times." Oops? Well, she couldn't help it that textbooks could be BORING. Some of them not so much, but others. Eh. Astronomy came to mind. Wow, this was amazing. Oliver was so great. She was really considering his idea now because it was exactly the kind of thing that she had wanted to do. Work with unicorns AND help people at the same time. What could be more perfect than that. "Thank you so much for that. I am definitely going to try to figure something out with that. I'm looking forward to going through all the career options." Thinking about life after Hogwarts was both scary and exciting at the same time and she was really looking forward to it. "Mothers can be so odd sometimes." Head shake though she did love her a lot. "Exactly," she added with a laugh. "It's so tedious and I can't keep up with Goblin Rebellion and Wizard Counsel stuff." Like... who had time for that? She would much rather do something more exciting.

More blushing that she was going to ignore because it wasn't nice to point out. "Well, it's the truth!" He was very sweet and helpful and surely lots of people had told him that in the past. She herself was told it too but she didn't see how she was anything too great though she did feel happy with who she was. Aaah, okay. Esme could understand that even though it wasn't like that with her sister; she and Juno spent so much time together. "Do you mean that spending a lot of time with her makes you argue because you are different?" That's what she thought he meant but she wasn't sure. "Well, I'm not that great but she sure is," she added with a laugh. Really they had different personalities. Juno was a lot like her father and Esme had a bit of him and her mother as well.

Chris wandered around in search of Azura when he spotted a large group hanging around the lake. What was going on? He loved the lake! Then he spotted Torie and his grin widened. BESTIE!!! Man though he hadn't really seen him in awhile...he should really talk to him about that. Hmph. Rude was what it was. Not seeing your best friend at all.

Walking toward them his grin widened even larger, if it was possible, at the sight of Azura. Then he stopped in his tracks. Was that a....? Nope nope nope. Part of him wanted to turn and run the other direction because he still hadn't forgotten or forgiven the spiders for what happened to him in Second year. He walked carefully forward and wedged himself between Torie and Azura as best as he could anyway with the large crowd there. He reached for Azura's hand and swallowed hard. He could do this. He was brave see! Funny that inside he definitely was not.

Azura's purple eyes were on the spider as he spoke, her brow furrowed slightly.. Was that all he really wanted? Nifflers? Was that even their call to make?

And where in the Fwoopers were the teachers? Hellooooo Giant spider alert? They could all be dead and no one would actually know about it.

"Of course we can escort you there.. And you are right, that is the way to the Castle." Azura said with a warm smile on her face.. Trying to hide the fact that she was still rather terrified that she was talking to an Acromantula.. Whom she still owed some turkey..

She would have to get on that, lest he want a snack.. She swallowed heavily when another familiar face joined their little group! It was Chris.. And.. was that his hand reaching for hers? Despite the imminent danger and the very possibility that her doom was staring into her face with its several eyes.. Her hand slipped into the older boys and she held it tightly..Perhaps she would be able to move her legs now?

"Are you okay?" She asked him softly.. as she turned to look at him, partially.. she didn't want to fully take her concentration from the Spider in front of them.

to the pathways, humanfolk!
 

More humanfolk! Now the sets of human eyes was the same as his own...was it? Aletag had never been all that gifted with the numbers.

"Then let us depart!" he declared as his massive legs began charging forward away from the lake.

Esme had invited him to her house for the summer and to a white hot chocolate less?? She was being so nice to him! He loved it, really. Especially since all the hanging out would keep him extra distracted, which he always needed. "That would be great! Though I think if I made it and you weren't around to drink it with me, it would feel weird. Since you're the person who introduced me to it." Ollie was sure he made sense...and if not, well...oh well. Sorry, Esme.

"Oh me either. The nicer the creature, the better. Plus, they're more like regular non-magical pets if they're nicer." And a pet was his favorite. Like his turtle! It didn't do much but he still loved it because it was his pet. If the turtle breathed fire and flamed everything in its path, he was sure he wouldn't love the turtle as much.

Wait wait wait. HOLD ON. Not only was Oliver going to hang out with Esme and Juno this summer, but he was also going to get to go to the beach? HE LOVED THE BEACH. This summer was going to be great. And he was sure going to the beach with a friend was way more fun than going with a (now ex) girlfriend, so he was very happy with that. This trip wouldn't even compare to Miami with Kaliyah. Nope. "I can't wait for that! The beach is amazing." Why hadn't he hung out with Esme more often?? Oliver laughed at her next comment. He actually wasn't too surprised if Kitridge didn't mind her sleeping there. "I'm sure he's seen me there loads of time and pretended I wasn't even there." Along with everyone else who found their way in the library. Ollie was sure everyone slept in there one time or another. "I'm really glad I can help! I can't wait to see you doing it. It'll be great." And he said that confidently because he really did know Esme would be great at it, and because he was sure he'd still be friends with her after school and so of course he'll get to see her at work.

"EXACTLY!" Oliver was a little too excited, but honestly, WHO CARED ABOUT THE WIZARD COUNSEL? As he had learned after embarrassing himself in class, the wizard council was bad. The end.

Ollie beamed at her and looked down at his hands. "Really, thank you." He could tell she really meant it, and he appreciated that a lot. "Yeah, I think that's what I mean? We used to be so similar and now...maybe not so much." He loved her a lot, but hanging out with her for more than ten minutes was hard.

hahah ok we're so bad at rping though. *eyes the date from the last post*
 

SAY WHAT NOW?

"Because I wouldn't LET you." Maggie huffed and lifted her chin a little. Pfft. Who did this boy even think he was? Annoying, that was for sure. He was VERY annoying. And rude. Like, nobody was rude to Magdalena Natalie Traulton. That was just wrong. Nobody was allowed to get away with that.

Speaking of rude..."I am NOT a chick." Like, that sounded so degrading and she was way better than that. "Who are you anyway?" Knowledge was power after all and all that. She would need more information to CRUSH this one. A name was a start at least.

It would feel weird for him to drink white hot chocolate without her? Gosh, Oliver was precious. Esme had to laugh though of course it wasn't AT him. "Well, okay then. How about we make it our special drink then? That way it wouldn't be weird for either of us?" That sounded like a good idea to her. Was it a good idea for him as well? Friends could share things and that would be an awesome thing to share.

Yes, yes, yes. So much yes. "Same! I like the ones that are more like normal pets. Like unicorns and crups. And me and my sister have a dog that we named Lucy." Esme missed her dog but she would be seeing her soon enough and they could play a lot during the summer holiday. On top of that she had her Pygmy Puff and owl, but Sparkle was always on her and she was terrified of birds so yeah.

Judging from his excitement, Oliver definitely loved the beach as much as Esme did. "Same! We've always lived right by it and I've been going in the water ever since I learned how to swim when I was little." She even started surfing though she still needed to get better at it. Water skiing was also a lot of fun. "One day I want to go to Miami because everyone says that they have amazing beaches there. Have you ever been?" It seemed that a lot of people from Hogwarts went to the States but it was a place that she hadn't been to yet. One day she would go; either with her entire family or just her sister. "Oh yes. I really like Mr. Kitridge. He is so nice. I heard that he almost died a few years back."Rather scary stuff, that. Apparently it had happened before she and Juno had started school. And of course she knew all about what had happened to Professor Burbage. Awww, he was being so nice to her. Esme beamed. "Thanks! That would be amazing. You totally should come and if you DO become a trainer I will totally go to you." Because she really wanted to work on building her strength up and in the process she would be supporting a friend so it would be win win for the both of them.

SNORT. He sounded VERY excited. Clearly Oliver was really against that stuff too. Esme laughed again. "I find it more interesting to learn about stuff like the second wizarding war even though I am not an expert on it." Lord Voldemort sounded like a terrible person and she was very glad that he was dead now because there was no way she would want to live in a world like the one that he had wanted.

She smiled more as he thanked her. It was always nice to make someone feel good and Oliver was really great. "Yeah, I totally get that. Me and Juno have always had different personalities but we share some interests even though I'm more of a child at heart than she is." Not to say that her sister wasn't playful and fun, she just wasn't as into that kind of thing. But yeah, she understood what he was saying.

Hadsters ^_^