After listening to the Headmistress, Chris walked through carefully. He moved to the side of their group and held his wand tightly in his hand. "Lumos," He said quietly and waved his wand around trying to see. Okay so maybe he was a little scared now. You'd have to be insane to not be a little scared. He jumped as he heard screaming and looked around. I am brave. I am brave. I am brave. He kept chanting in his head as he looked around the distorted version of his beloved school.

Hearing Oliver he shook his head, "Horror movie 101 mate. Don't split up." He took a deep breath. "I say we form small groups. How many do we have?" He tried to do a head count. But with so many people hidden and stuff he wasn't sure how many there were. Merlin....this was just spooky.

Even with all the talk and rumors about what was on the other side of the portal, Rula was still surprised by what she found when she stepped through. It looked so very similar to the real Hogwarts, and yet it was very different too. They didn't have all these tendrils and things floating in the air after all. And it was strangely darker, as if the sun didn't even exist here.

As she looked around, glancing at the other students who also hadn't cast the Disillusionment Charm, a shiver ran down her spine. Was that screaming she heard? Merlin, she actually hoped so - that meant Abey and his friend were still alive. But it took all her willpower not to run off immediately.

Deep breath, Rula. Stay calm.

Though maybe not too deep of a breath - this air was questionable at best.

"We should probably all stay together as one large group. So we can make sure we have as much magic as possible with whatever spells we use to subdue the monster." Just like they had discussed before they entered, combined effort with the spells and such. Splitting up into smaller groups would weaken their overall potential success if all the groups didn't find the monster at the same time.

But if the Headmistress or Professor Hirsch decided splitting into groups was a good idea, she'd go along with it. Whatever it took to succeed at this mission.

This was bad. Bad. A bad idea. Henry could feel the panic rising in his chest as he looked around at the alternate dimension once he and Charlotte made it through to the other side. All the memories and feelings came rushing back to him all of the sudden and he wasn't so sure he could do this at all. Not a second time.

But he had to. He was going to. Henry turned to look at Charlotte as he tried to find a center of calm, one hand keeping a firm hold on hers with his wand gripped tightly in his other hand as he cast Lumos. Deep breath. He needed to be able to do this. Doing his best to push his anxiety aside, he tried to focus on their purpose so he could move forward and not be frozen to the spot. That screaming off in the distance. It sent a chill through his spine, but it would lead them to the boys. And it hopefully meant that they were still alive.

"That's gotta be them. We need to head that way." He was sure they didn't have much time, but he'd feel better if Hirsch was leading them rather than just jump into it, so he'd wait for his word. And he'd agree that he thought they should stick together, but maybe they could somehow surround the monster on all sides when it came to it.

Stepping through the Portal was a feeling like no other. It wasn't something one could describe. All Camilla knew was it was cold. It was damp. And it was dark and foggy. It gave her the feeling of walking outside very late at night after a storm. Quickly taking in her surrounding the professor knew this was Hogwarts but it wasn't the same. Instant goosebumps rose on her skin and there was a sickening feeling rising in the pit of her stomach.

She was a Professor though and until the other Professors and Headmistress was here she needed to know where everyone was. The grip on her wand tightened as she cast Lumos hoping to shine even a bit of light. "We stay together for now. Any magic we're able to use will be stronger if cast together. If you haven't already Disillusioned yourself, do so now." If they were to split up the Headmistress would give that order.

"Whatever any of you do, don't wander off and try to be a hero. Keep your eyes and ears open and always remain vigilant." No one really knew what they would be dealing with. Holding her wand out a little bit in front of her to shine whatever light she could the women moved forward down the corridor. If those were truly screams they were hearing and she was positive that they were then they needed to move. Now.

Natalia was good at losing herself in her own head and this was no exceptions. Once in the portal, she had started thinking about the weird similarities, but yet the odd differences it had. It was dark and her lumos wasn't really giving much light to fully see. It wasn't until she heard voices that she looked behind her. She had ventured further in than she thought she had, but she stopped where she was to wait for the others.

Shocked to see some of them instead of just hearing their voices she was afraid the charm didn't work. Could she be seen? She looked down and then back towards the other students. Slowly she made her way towards the group again. "Professor there is the sound of screams and I think it's coming from the end of the corridor." She really didn't know for sure if the echoing was making it sound as if it was coming from one place, but truly it was coming from another, but standing here just talking was wasting time.

She agreed with the sticking together, but decided to stay quiet for the most part. She'd listen to whatever the professors and headmistress said to do and act when needed. Moving closer to Chris she figured she'd stay close to her friend. Her hand brushed his to let him know she was there as she whispered, "Might want to lay off the horror movies once we are out of here." This could be enough of a horror to get the fill of any movies ever.

Those that had casted charms on themselves before going through the portal will find that the spells stuck. Any disillusionment spells rendered those who had cast them invisible, any temporary invisible shields remained in place, and so on. However, after being in the alternate world for a few minutes, the spells began to fade away. The same effect would happen for those that tried casting magic on themselves in this world.

The only thing that wasn't fading away was the screaming of Abraham Botros Jr. and Simon Rockefeller. High-pitched sound waves were definitely not coming from this floor. Head to the end of the corridor and it will be confirmed that the screaming is coming from below.

She had disillusioned herself before going through the portal, mostly because she wanted to be on the safe side of things if what Henry Whittebrook said about magic being weaker rang true. The woman didn't want to take any chances. The only downside of this was that they couldn't see each other, but it was better than the monster seeing them.

"No splitting up," Regina's voice sounded in the eerie hall, echoing slightly, as she wondered whether or not some of them actually listened to her words before going through. Did the term 'collective magic' not translate to 'stick together'? At this point, she really wanted to tell them to stop being such Dorcases. "We're all going to be alert and watch each other's backs." They were not here to split up and explore, after all. "Keep your wand out at all times."

And the two first years seemed to be doing enough screaming. The sound was haunting and made Regina feel uneasy, but she was relieved. It meant that they were still alive ... and it would make it easier for them to find them.

"We need to keep moving," the woman stated following Natalia's comment about the screaming coming from the end of the corridor. As her words lips out of her mouth, the disillusionment spell she had casted on herself before started flickering. Within moments, she was fully visible -- though she didn't realize it. "Follow the screaming. We need to act fast." Before the screaming ended up stopping...

Hirsch didn't like this. He hadn't had an idea as to what the other side looked like and had previously decided that he didn't like whatever lay in the alternative Hogwarts but, now that he was here, he knew for sure that he didn't like it. The cold, damp environment, the tendrils that hung everywhere..... none of it gave him the slightest bit of comfort.

And to think that three students had been stuck in this awful place for five days.

And there were now two other students stuck here.

Speaking of boys, it was then that the sound of screaming rang out and reached his ears. Something tugged at his heart, especially at the thought that that was one of the boys, scared and frightened and probably in some kind of danger. Deep breaths, Hirsch. After all, it meant that they were still, essentially, alive. That was what mattered, didn't it?

Split up? The man shook his head fiercely before realising that the person might not be able to see him as well as they should have. Who said the bit about needing as much magic as possible to subdue the monster? "The others are right," he said, once he'd managed to find his voice, "No one is splitting up under any circumstances." Even if he had to drag them back himself. Which, he found, was going to become easier what with the disillusionment charm slowly flickering away and those who were near them were now being less chameleon-like in their protective spells.

.................. Well. There went that part of the plan.

"Nobody panic," Because, odds were, that was bound to happen. "That didn't work and that's fine. Let's still carry on with the rest of the plan as normal." And if nothing else worked, then they'll think on their feet. His eyes found Regina when she mentioned something about moving fast and he gave her a nod of his head.

"We'll go to the end of the corridor," As Natalia put it. "Follow me and stay completely alert." He lit the tip of his wand and tried not to frown at the weak light that shone off from it. Light always helped in these situations but considering how dim it was, it didn't help to put him at ease at all and it didn't feel like it would last either.

Giving the students one more look over to see if they understood, the man started leading the group towards the source of the screaming.

For a moment, the skeleton-like beast wasn't sure which boy to dig its teeth into first. The one that threw the vial at it? Or the one that was frantically looking in his pocket for something? The creature was indecisive as it slowly crept toward the corner it had recently thrown them in.

Then one of the boys started wheezing as it held onto a stick. At that point, the monster had made up its mind about which of the boys it was going to sink its teeth into first. The wheezing boy wasn't as healthy as the other. The choice was easy for it now. A hand snatched the stick from the screaming boy, snapping it in two, and then the hand latched itself onto the boy's collar. A long tongue slithered out of its open mouth, its razor sharp teeth almost glistening in the darkness as its head inched closer and closer.

Suddenly its head jerked to the side. It heard voices and could sense that the three of them were no longer alone. A strange sound left its throat as it then grabbed onto the wheezing boy. The monster lifted them both and pushed them against the walls, allowing thick overgrown tendrils to tie them up.

It then climbed up to the ceiling of the room and hung upside-down near the doorway, waiting.

The logic to Abey's screaming was simple, but it was risky. It relied actually entirely on the idea that the sound of his voice somehow carried back to the normal Hogwarts, so that someone might hear him and know that SOMEONE was in trouble and... come to save them? Maybe? But the closer the monster crept, the more Abey started to think that it was simply no good to hope for that anymore. He was about to meet his end, about to be torn apart by those scary and sharp and unforgiving teeth. Yelling for help wasn't working; he needed to cast a spell, and quickly.

But before he could, the monster had leapt into action. Abey barely had time to register the loss and snapping of his wand - something that would have left him distraught on a regular day - before suddenly he was in the monster's clutches again, actually up close and personal, and this was it, and it was over, and this was how his life would end.

"P-p-please," Abey choked out, shaking in terror and sobbing his tiny heart out. He knew it was in vain; even if the monster spoke English - or even Arabic - it didn't seem the sort to give up its prey when asked nicely. Its mouth kept coming closer, and Abey couldn't help but imagine the pain those teeth were about to inflict. "P-please, no, no... Idon'wannadie, please, pLEASE!"

It was no use. Breaking down into unintelligible sobbing, Abey squeezed his eyes shut, and waited for the end. His pleas - this time very private - had changed too. Please make it quick, please make it not hurt, please make it quick, please let Simon get away, please make it not hurt.

...

When nothing immediately happened, Abey dared to peek one eye open, just in time to see the monster's head sort of turn away from him. For a split second, Abey dared to hope that this might be an opportunity to slip away from the actual jaws of actual death, but the monster moved so quick that he and Simon were both tied up by the tendrils on the wall before he could even think of what he should do.

Not understanding why he had this stay of execution, Abey remained just as terrified as he was before; now he could no longer physically move, now he was trapped. Overwhelmed with fear and the impending doom, he continued to sob uncontrollably from where he was imprisoned on the wall, his eyes transfixed on the creature in its hiding place, daring to wish with all of his heart that it was just an awful, horrible, terrible nightmare.

Thank Merlin the professors also agreed about not splitting up. Strength in numbers and all that.

It was unfortunate, though, that the Disillusionment Charms appeared to be fading already. The spell she'd cast on herself felt like it had disappeared too, so was there any point in trying to re-cast them? Ugh. But, like Professor Hirsch said, they still had other plans, so at least disillusioning themselves wasn't vital to their mission.

She did mumble a quiet, "Lumos," to help with the lighting like a lot of them were doing. Not that it helped all that much. It still seemed unnaturally dim, but every little bit helped, right?

Thank Merlin they were finally moving now, heading in the direction Natalia and Henry had pointed out. Rula quickly followed Professor Hirsch, trying to stay as near to him as possible. The closer to the front of the group she was, the closer she would be to seeing Abey and Simon.

Chris felt a shiver run up his spine as the screaming just seemed to keep on going. When he felt something brush his hand he about jumped but managed to keep that hidden as he looked at Nat. "Definitely...." he whispered and swallowed hard. Okay so he was terrified but he did his best not to show it. He was determined to help.

Instinctively he took Nat's hand and gave it a squeeze before taking a deep breath and letting go. Then they started moving. Of course he knew that going toward the screaming was the logical thing since that would be where the boys were but that also meant that's where the monster was and he couldn't help but start to feel like this was a really bad idea. He held his wand tight and looked around making sure to look from floor to ceiling so he wasn't surprised by things jumping out at him. Definitely watched too many horror movies.

He paused a moment as the screaming seemed to stop and looked toward the professors. That couldn't be good. A part of him wanted to run forward but he knew that would be a disaster. Glancing around he pursed his lips. "We need to move faster..." he whispered.

Now that they were here she definitely didn't want to split. It may have sounded tactically sound to her back in the safe Hogwarts, but here in this abyss there was no way she wanted to split - not even if it was just two groups.

Her lumos may have been faint, but soon it was joined Rula's, which was a small comfort. Nearby her she noticed the spells the others had cast before entering the portal were fading away. She hadn't cast anything so she had nothing to lose.

Then she heard the screaming. "That's them!!!" she squeaked in alarm. Then the screaming had stopped.

"We should call them," she said in a slightly lightly shrill voice, her arm trembling. "Maybe that'll distract the monster, and then it'll come for us instead of the boys, and we'll finish it."

No! No! No! Abey No! Simon watched in horror as the Monster lunged at Abey and not at him. the Hufflepuff wheeze/cried as hard has he could screaming "Stop! No! No!" He extended his wand arm out at the monster breathing hard again. He couldn't....he couldn't think of any spells. Abey moments before had tried incendio, but Simon wasn't very good with that spell, Simon wasn't very good with ANY Spells, but he had to try.

Tears found his cheeks again as wheezed out "Inci...In...Inc..." But he couldn't finish. His voice was gone and all he could do was cry as the Monster's sharp teeth bared themselves at Abey. "St...op" He wheezed out again his wand arm retreating to his chest as now both his hands were clutching at it. He feel to his side, he couldn't take all this breathing much anymore. Wheezing noises became louder from him as he continued to try and hold on to consciousness.

a Loud unsuccessful gasp for air escaped him next and his glasses fell off his face when the Monster Snagged him up. He Couldn't see now. He could only hear. Had the Monster finally done the Worst!? Was Abey gone, eaten...dead. Simon was alone again. He started to cry again as he was sure he was going to be next now. Instead he found himself tied tight into something. It felt no better than being dragged by the monster into here. So Simon continued to cry and wheeze loudly. Unable to hear Abey beside him, or even see for that matter.

He was alone, Abey was...gone, and the Monster. It had decided to leave him for later. Please...no. Simon didn't want to be alone anymore.

Noelle's hand was firmly in Olly's as she stepped more into this tendril infested place. It was weird that it was Hogwarts.... just a very different version.

Letting out a shaky breath, Noelle tightened her grip on her wand. She stayed quiet, taking in everything. The screams were nerve wracking and all Noelle wanted to do was go back through the portal but there was another side of her saying to run and get those little boys. Because if they were screaming... that meant they were at least alive.

Nat's voice broke through her terror. She had said where the screams seemed to be coming from. Noelle agreed with Chris about needing to move faster. And calling out the monster that Kitty had suggested was a big risk. What if the monster felt that his food was threatened and proceeded to eat them faster?

"We have to hurry." Noelle said, voice barely over a whisper. Noelle started following Hirsch. She planned on staying as a group just as he and Headmistress said. She looked down realizing that her disillusionment charm was rubbing off. She glanced over at her hand and started to see Olly's hand. Oh no.

She felt the squeeze that Chris gave her hand and she looked down. Gasping a bit when she saw her own hand in his. "The spell is wearing off." Frowning she looked up at the others and it confirmed it. They were all being seen now. She slipped her hand back into his and held it tightly. She was scared even if she wouldn't admit it and Chris had become a very good friend lately. They could help each other and help everyone else.

She listened to the headmistress and to Professor Hirsch. He was leading them down the corridor closer to the screams. Gripping her wand she started to walk with the group. She stayed as close to Professor Hirsch as she could, but she continued to look around for everyone that was with them. She caught site of Noelle and gave her an encouraging nod. Trying to keep a count on everyone that was there she turned her eyes back forward and walked.

Down a floor you steadily go, looking left and right with great caution. Suddenly everything has gone quiet, besides perhaps the chattering of teeth coming from the person beside you -- it definitely isn't a good sign. Either the group of witches and wizards was too late, or the monster was waiting for them all before it attacked at the opportune moment. No matter what: always stay vigilant.

But what should you do? Your trail will soon run dry unless you do something that will potentially cause their voices to sound once more...

Zelena didn't really see the point of casting a Disillusionment Charm on herself considering that magic wasn't working too well in this ghastly world. As she was deliberating about whether or not to use the charm, her wand tip turned off. "Lumos!" Zelena said in a soft and firm voice. It was a tad brighter than before but still rather dim.

Zelena was perfectly fine with sticking with a large group especially since the situation they were involved in was like no other. At first, she was following the Headmistresses voice but within moments she was visible. "Headmistress, the charm has worn off," Zelena whispered as the group made their way down the corridor.

Zelena was feeling sick in the pit of her stomach. She could sense that things had gotten even worse and the fact that she didn't hear anything from the two boys was very unnerving. She was curious if the monster had done away with them. Was she nearing the monster?

They weren't splitting up and they needed to keep moving. Those were two things, Camilla could agree with right now. The need to find the boys and return safely with them was growing more and more with each step everyone took.

It wasn't until one of the students mentioned their disillusionment charm had worn off that she realized her own had faded away as well. Well that was just a bummer but there was nothing that could be done about it. At the same time the light on her wand faded away too throwing her into darkness once more.

"Lumos," Professor Stewart cast again hoping it worked even just dimly. Any light was better then no light.

She continued forward reaching the end of the corridor and then down the steps to the lower floors. With each step forward Cami found herself looking left and right, right and left looking for any signs of the boys or the Monster that had taken them. Every part of her was on high alert taking everything in. The screams of the young boys had been their guide up until the screams had stop, giving her a terrible feeling of dread. Please let them be alright!

Should they call out to the boys? No, no the Monster might attack them then. Camilla wasn't sure what to do but keep walking occasionally glancing over her shoulder to check on those behind her. She didn't want to lost anyone else.

No splitting up, that was good. As long as they knew which direction to go and where the boys were trapped. But for now they could follow the screaming. It wasn't exactly pleasant, and it made Olly's heart hurt for those poor boys, but if they were screaming it meant they were still alive and still had a chance of being rescued. Olly hurried along behind the group, letting the professors lead the way of course. He was there to help but certainly should not be the first line of defense. His wand was still gripped tightly in one hand, held in front of him so he could be ready at a moment's notice. And of course the other one was still gripped tightly in Noelle's.

They headed down further and Olly noticed that he could see Noelle plain as day. He glanced down at himself and discovered that his own disillusionment charm had worn off as well. Oh well, he hadn't been so sure the monster really needed to see them anyway. He also noticed that the screaming had stopped. Everything was quiet.

"I agree with Kitty," he offered. His voice was quiet but it still seemed too loud in the silent corridor. "We might distract the monster. And I think it might be good to let the boys know we're coming? So they don't lose hope." He was thinking that if he was one of them, he would like to know help was on the way so he wouldn't feel so hopeless. He glanced at Noelle, wondering if she agreed with him or also thought calling out was a bad idea. Of course it was ultimately up to the professors and what they thought would be best.

They continued to move. Down the corridor and down a floor. Tendrils lined every surface. Had the screaming stopped?? An eery feeling was left hovering over Noelle as she walked in silence.

Kitty and Olly were talking about distracting the monster. Noelle by her lip. "How though?? Because we don't want ito scare it into ... hurting the boys further." But just walking didn't seem to do the trick.

Spells didn't work right here either. "[b]What if we all send the same spell out, distract the monster?? Maybe the combined force would scare the monster a bit?? Possibly not but... they needed to do something.

Noelle knew one thing. She didn't hear screams. And that scared her most of all.

Chris kept walking and feeling Nat's hand in his squeezed it. He'd protect her that's for sure she was one of his good friends and Tim's other best friend. Tim would kill him if he didn't. He was trying to not appear scared but the silence had him terrified. He definitely watched too many horror movies. Silence was bad. Very bad. He could practically feel his stomach twisting around in a knot. His gut told him something was going to happen and hopefully he could prepare himself for it. He mentally tried to think of as many spells as he could so he didn't freeze up in the moment.

"I don't like the quiet..." Chris whispered as he looked around his light seeming to dim. He carefully extinguished his light and relit it. "Ever hear the phrase, the calm before the storm?" he glanced at Nat and swallowed. Yup it was too quiet and he didn't like it. Carefully he continued to walk and look around.

It wasn't long before the light at the end of his wand flickered and died. There was something about being in near darkness that caused his other senses to be heightened. The shuffling of feet, the sharp breathing from someone near him, the slightest sounds were being picked up which, essentially, was both a good and a bad thing.

Something he didn't pick up? The sound of the screaming.

No no no.....

The screaming had taken them a floor beneath the spot they started off at and, just as it felt as though they were getting somewhere, it was nowhere to be heard. That didn't mean.......? He lit his wand again and, with the dim light, tried to look this way and that to see if there was a physical reason why the screaming had stopped. Was the monster somewhere out here instead?

The man was still looking around but his ears picked up on the faint talking from the students. They were right: they needed to figure out where the boys are first. His initial train of thought had been to cast a Patronus but, as his eyes found the dim light at the tip of his wand, he found himself doubting that that method could work. If Lumos was difficult to cast and stay lit here, that didn't leave much of a chance for the Patronus Charm to work, did it?

"The others are right: we need to use sound. Our voices, nothing magical. We need to check that the boys are safe," he whispered to no one in particular but loud enough for all of them to hear, "We'll stand, back to back, covering every part of the corridor, just in case. We'll say their names together, at the same time, to alert the boys that we're here and they need to guide us." If they were still alive. "Everyone should light the tips of their wands and be poised, ready for a possible attack. Those of you in the middle should point your wand upwards to cover all bases."

Breathe.

"We'll keep walking in the direction we were going. If someone sees or hears anything at all, speak up fast." Or scream. Whatever worked. "After three, we'll chant 'Abey'," As some of his friends seemed to call him. "and 'Simon'. Abey, Simon, Abey, Simon... got it?"

Was anyone else's heart beating unnecessarily quickly?

"Three..... two..... one....." Deep breaths. "ABEY! SIMON! ABEY! SIMON!"


OOC: In case this gets confusing, let me explain the plan: shout out the boy's names so that they can call back and the charries can find out where exactly they are. But make sure to position yourselves facing different directions with your wands at the ready, in case the monster decides to come after them instead. #ConstantVigilance

"Yeah, exactly," she nodded at Olly's seconding her suggestion. [B]"If we call then they can call back and we'll know which way to go!"[B] If her words came out like a hiss, it wasn't out of anger - she was just nervous.

Noelle also had a point but before she could think of a proper reply, Professor Hirsch was giving instructions, and he agreed with the making noises.

"I'm on the left," she declared loudly as she moved to stand in the left side of the group - wand already out with a faint lumos. Then she shouted, "ABEY! SIMON! ABEY-SIMON! ABEY! SIMON!"

She tugged on Chris's hand and gave him a look. He didn't need to freak anyone out more by saying that phrase. She let the other's talk and she just listened. She wasn't fully sure yelling their names were a good idea. What if the monster heard them and jumped to eat the boys quicker so they couldn't make it in time. It was fully a fifty fifty chance. She was trying to stay positive, but the Slytherin had to admit if even just to herself that maybe they should have left the boys to the monster and just closed the portal. She didn't want to see anyone die, but they could honor their memories with a statue or a portrait in the castle. Two brave first years fought until the end.

Knowing that wasn't what the head girl should be thinking she pushed it out of her mind and tried to listen to Professor Hirsch. She still wasn't fully sure it was a good idea, but she trusted him. So if he said it was good and the headmistress and Professor Stewart agreed then that's what the head girl would do.


She gave everyone around a nod and made sure her wand was ready.


"ABEY, SIMON!!!! ABEY, SIMON!"