Ewan didn’t exactly hear what the headmaster had said due to the fact that they were getting deeper and deeper into the bog and what was worse, they had now come to a stop near the edge of a river. Ugh. What was it with teachers and taking them to some form of water? Did they now know about the time a teacher took them to the lake and almost killed them all? Nope. I guess not or they wouldn’t be here. Despite the ominous looking lake, Ewan couldn’t help but make a mental note of the characteristics of a Hinkypunk.

That was until he discovered that he was about to set sail. What was this, another Pirates of the Caribbean Sequel? Because he was not about to go down with the ship, regardless if they were supposed to be “Unsinkable”. Jheeze, every heard of the black pearl? With a small sigh he hopped into a boat on his own, ready to set off as soon as another four students joined him.

Rylee very much heard every single word that both her cousin and the Headmaster had said. Yes, she had been conversing with the younger lioness, strictly to ensure the girls safety but that would end here and now as advised by the Headmaster. However she wouldn't be letting Isla out of her sight... or well out of arms reach really. "Sorry Headmaster, it won't happen again." He had her word on it. Isla on the other hand received a look from her that showed she understood the younger girls fear and that it was okay.

As they walked deeper into the bog she kept a good hold on her cousins hand walking just a tad bit in front of her so if anything happened she would be the first to know about it. Stopping at the river Rylee carefully inched closer so they would have a better look at what was there and what was going on. Unknown body of water, unknown body of water deep enough that boats were needed... this alone had her stomach doing flips but now wasn't the time to be nervous. Now wasn't the time to be reminded of Inferi or Grindylow both of which she was still very much frightened and left both physical and mental scars on her.

Get in a boat and listen for the Headmasters voice and follow the light of his lantern. Yeah, right. Easier said than done. Even if these boats wouldn't sink. Rylee inhaled a deep breath holding it while very carefully getting into a boat, when it didn't move of flip over she reached out a hand to help Isla into the boat with her, as well as three others that were welcome to join them. Sitting down she picked up an oar and handed them out to everyone else silently.

After coming to a stop, Mark listened to the Headmaster discuss what was mentioned and answered by the other students. He didn't have time to walk and take notes at the same time so he would have to do his best to remember these things for later.

Now, if Mark had to choose what boat he would enter the most logical option would have been to get into the headmaster's with him. He had mentioned there was no worry of capsizing, but still being in a boat with a responsible adult as opposed to...he looked behind him...say Zoryn, or worst of all, his Sister? Wait...there was something similar about those two.

Mark still kept the hood over his head wanting to avert attention to himself for having fallen in love with the Headmaster. Perhaps getting in the boat with him was an awful idea.

Unfortunately/Fortunately the Headmaster had already taken off.

So his option had already been made for him. the Ravenclaw scooted into one of the open Boats waiting on the shore, and to the front taking on the role of the coxswain. He would be in charge here. That felt important and it made him feel important.

Hinkypunks.

Steph remembered reading about them in one of Tim's books. Even though she just remembered the basic thing about them. Nothing to elaborate would come out of her mouth considering she wasn't too into creatures anyway. "Hinkypunks are smoke-like creatures that carry lamps, which shoot fireballs out of them. But if you find yourself surrounded by them, it's best to use a strong light charm to blind them. That also cause them to become solid and easier target to use a knock back jinx on," And that was about it. The passage in Tim's book wasn't too elaborate either. Though, Steph probably should've read it from one of Derf's books instead.

Those were usually more interesting.

Oh and now there are boats. Steph carefully climbed on one and sat down. Last time she was on a boat was her first year and never did she really want to get on another again. Even if they were charm to not capsize, her nerves were still on edge and did her best to not look into the water. Hopefully she'd relax when people got into the boat too. Maybe that would help.

Distractions to the class? Professor Headmaster, couldn’t he see that she was scared out of her wits? Last she checked, she was only a first year. Of course, Isla didn’t know what Hinkypunks were. Was it her fault for not reading her creatures book before coming to class?! Apparently so. Oops. Although, she did listen to her classmates and her older cousin about it now. The only reason she was more concern than eveer.

However, Isla kept her mouth shut for now. She didn’t want to draw anymore attention to herself. All she could do now was staying close to Rylee and her friends.

Following along, she kept a few mental notes about the Hinkypunks. Hoping one would not come out too soon. Please ...please don’t. Sigh. It would be most helpful if she could TALK about it but professor headmaster, sir, wanted everyone to be quiet. She talks when she’s nervouss...she can’t help herself, okaaayy

Hold on...they were doing what now? Steering their boats into the darkness with just one lanterrrn?! First of all, why would anyone do this? Rowing the boat in the middle of the night with very little visibility? Clearly, they were risking their necks over here. No point of staying either way, Isla hated being left behind. She would have to get past her fears!

Isla hastily board the boat with Rylee. She mouthed a thanks to her before taking her place at the front of the boat with her oar.

He could see that some reading had been done... of course. Charlie didn't know why it didn't occur to her to read herself, but it just didn't. Charlie nodded decidedly so that the headmaster knew that she was "listening," but in reality, she was ignoring most of what he said on purpose so as not to cry (out of embarrassment, that is). It would probably be over nothing, and it would be too dark to see her tears, but she didn't care, and the crying would likely be loud and ugly anyhow....

Charlie, luckily, had absorbed a lot of the information stated by her classmates and the headmaster (and she would be sure to read after class to supplement it). Hinkypunks, by way of the headmaster's description, sounded cute and adorable (like something out of a muggle children's fantasy cartoon), but they probably weren't so cute once they lead you into a bog... or if they shot fireballs at you. That, too.

So, they won't sink or capsize, but we still have to guide them in the dark with only Headmaster Trent's lantern... right. Charlie just had to trust him... even if she didn't, she would give no indication of such. The boats weren't filling up quite yet, but she didn't care to waste time anyhow, so she made a decision quickly and headed for the boat occupied by the fourth and first year that Headmaster Trent had scolded.

"I hope it's okay for me join your boat," she stated, the lilt of her voice painting it as an inquiry. She was already moving to get in the boat and grab her oar, but she could always leave....

Zoryn literally did not care who frowned at her, Ewan. Soz.

Once they came to a stop at their destination, Zoryn couldn’t help but let her eyes (and her mind) wander. Despite the fact that she had important exams this year, Zor was still incredibly laid-back about this whole “learning” thing. She’d just ace the practical portions and draw christmas trees in on the multiple choice section and that’d bound to get her at least a passing grade. That’s all that mattered anyways. It’s not like she was going to try to do anything academic in the future. HA. As if.

After what felt like AGES, the Headmaster pointed to boats, gave a whole speech about them and yadda yadda ya.

The seventh year tugged on Cameroni’s arm, in hopes that he’d follow her to a boat.

Going down the line, Zoryn looked at the first boat, ew a first year. “Nope.” Then the next one, which was EQUALLY as disappointing. “NOPE.”

And finally, she stopped at Steph’s boat. “….” She didn’t care much for the girl and hadn’t spoken to her since maybe third year, buuuuuut. “I guess,” she shrugged and stepped inside.

She'd been tempted to take out of her wand more for comfort in case the professor decided a sneak attack lesson on them, naturally it had to be about hinkypunks of all things, but apparently, that wasn't an option anymore. Hinkypunks, she knew about. Their walk through the bog was more of a let all the other students give their answers while she observed their surroundings, paying close attention as well to where the professor's light was located.

However, this was the part of the lesson that she wasn't fond of. Boats played no role in her life until this point in time in which she would have happily passed on. Again, apparently there wasn't an option for it... and she had to mingle. Well, not really knowing anyone except whom she ran into on the train, and not particularly enjoying the idea of sharing a boat with them, she chose the first one she saw had an empty space as well as the same robe color as her (Mark).

Ah, well, maybe should've chosen on age too, but what's done is done.

It was one of those moments where Nettie was truly in awe of magic. Somehow magic had turned this tiny room in to a bog, and not only that - but a bog that was large enough to accommodate BOATS that moved significant distances to get to another spot. It was truly mind boggling!

Spotting Mark in his own boat, Nettie grinned and immediately headed towards that one. As she approached, an older Ravenclaw girl (whose name escaped her at the moment, oops) and climbed in. "Hello!" she piped up as she plopped in.

Kaira glanced at the older girl as she joined a boat with another girl and a boy. They looked like they would let her in if she asked.

'Hi..can I join you guys?,' she asked.

Why did all the Defense Against the Dark Arts professors have to be crazy? She hoping for a simple nice year where she learned spells, not getting stuck in a bog where you had to be careful where you stepped or you'll break your neck or fall into sharp rocks or so. Goodness... what was up with these Professors being off their rockers? First red caps and now this, dear god were they trying to scar her for life?


Following the Headmaster watching where she stepped she sighed to herself. She was beginning to think maybe fighting the red caps wasn't as bad as this, she absolutely hated this. God knows what was going to happen, it was so dark she couldn't see a thing but the lantern. Finally reaching a boat she shrugged and gotten in glad she wasn't in that muck anymore, but wondered what else awaited for them. Quite honestly she was a bit scared to find out.

Taking a seat in the boat she waited to see who else qas going to join her. The boats were filling up fast so she just decided to make another one. She didn't care who sat with her, she friendly and she was just glad to be in the boat.

More mention of bogs. And as if things couldn't possibly get worse, now there was a lake. Max fidgeted awkwardly, the urge to pee increasing by the minute. He peered over his shoulder, looking back in the direction they'd just come from but who even knew where the classroom door had gone. Ughhhhhhhhhhh.

He turned his attention back to the boats and immediately spotted Zoryn tugging Cameron in the direction of one Steph had claimed. It looked like there'd be room for him too but, noooope. No thank you. Max didn't care if they'd been charmed to be unsinkable and not capsize, there was nothing stopping Zoryn shoving someone overboard.

Instead, he made his way over to a boat with one of the younger kids. He supposed it was better than the alternative. "Looks like you're stuck with me," he mumbled, stepping on board and plopping himself down. Hopefully, they were charmed to row themselves too because he wasn't about to volunteer for rowing duties.

She had been in the back the entire time. As they stood in the darkened room her heart raced a little. If nothing the last two years did give her a little anxiety when it came to new things and new people. She had to remind herself this wasn't last term and this headmaster wasn't going to be crazy mean, she hoped. As the first question had come she listened to others, being only 4'9 she was one of the smaller and in the back she felt maybe she could just hide from answering. It wasn't that Chloe didn't like to answer, she was just nervous at first and didn't want to get anything wrong. The worst feeling was being wrong in front of her peers, especially older ones.

As they started moving she wished she would have stood next to her brother or someone she knew before it felt like it had gotten darker and they weren't allowed to use their wands. What if there were creatures in the dark? Her eyes darted back and forth as her heart beat jumped again.

Could she leave?

There was no going back though, she was in this to learn and to be a better witch and that was exactly what she was going to do. So she followed and listened to the professor and the other student's responses. She did wish that she could take some notes though, then she could remember what was being said.

As she spotted the boats she couldn't believe they were going in them. Could they at least use their wands there? It seemed like that would be a no as well. Seeing some of the older ones join together she started thinking maybe she would jump in with them, they'd no what they were doing, but then she saw some of her housemates and one Ewen getting into a boat.

"Hey Ewen, mind if I join you?"

This one would work, so maybe she could get some older friends in. Maybe Juniper or Choe would join them.

Okay, they were going out on the water. Vita was scared, of course she was. She couldn't swim, you see. Still, she had her wand and she wasn't about to make a fuss, so she climbed in to the first boat she spotted and took a seat, looking uncomfortable to say the least.

Oh. Hello small humans.

"Hey, I'm vita. Hope you guys don't mind that I've joined you." Could they swim? "Guess we're just waiting for a few more..." Hopefully they'd hop in soon so they didn't lose sight of the headmaster.

Just because wizards were supposed to carry their wands on them at all times didn’t mean that they did. So Headmaster his answer wasn’t really that simple was it? It was logical and that was how he thought and anyway everyone else had said all the good answers so what else was he supposed to suggest without sounding like an idiot.

The lesson progressed and the Headmaster went on about Hinkypunks and he half listened to his ramble whilst he looked down at his feet making sure he wasn’t sinking or about to be attacked by some strange creature lurking about in the dark. You couldn’t be sure what was about after all, at least that was what he had learned so far since coming to this school. Suddenly they were thrown into the deep end and had to be sociable and join a boat of people who he had no idea were. He looked around at who was on offer, barely recognising any of them. It seemed this class was full of first years or older kids and the fifth years were running a bit sparse on the ground. For fear of looking like the loner new kid otherwise he picked the boat nearest to him which contained a younger and older student (Stella and Max).

Eh. That’ll do.

“Mind if I join?” he asked stepping into the boat before he even got an answer. He slumped down in a seat on the left hand side and eyed the oars. This was pretty awesome, Caolan had always wanted to learn how to row.

"Fireballs..." Anna repeated under her breath, a tiny smile on her face. Sounded cool! She was hoping they would actually see some Hinkypunks soon because that'd be interesting. They were known to make noises? That made the Gryffindor chuckle for some reason. She was looking forward to encountering the creatures.

When the boats appeared, Anna could hardly see because she wasn't exactly at the front of the group, but she wasn't bothered. Soon enough she managed to get close enough to find a boat with an empty seat. She climbed onto it and greeted those in there. All Ravenclaws, it seemed. Anna didn't have a problem with that. "Hi, all!" She greeted them with a grin as she settled in. "I'm Anna." She introduced herself in case some of them didn't know her name, and also hoping that would make them tell her their names, because although she had seen some of them before, she actually didn't know them.

Except the little boy who was Ravenclaw's keeper the previous year. Gunter. She knew that much. It'd be helpful to know his first name, actually. "Where's my-" There the oar was! The fifth year quickly grabbed one and got ready to row! "Cool!" She finished with a beamy grin.

One legged, lantern carrying smoke. Right. Sounded completely terrifying. Not.

The fireballs from their lantern things was just cool, too - nothing scary about that, not that Józef could see. He wondered whether it was possible to steal a lantern from a Hinkypunk, or even buy one from them. SURELY they had a supplier? Maybe if he hopped around he’d convince them that he deserved one?

But he didn’t have time to contemplate the issue further, because they were at boats! And Jó’s wish from the night before, that he’d have a chance to travel in boats just like he had in first year, was coming to life!

The fact that none of them could capsize or anything would have been annoying had the second year bothered to listen to that part of the Headmaster’s speech.

Instead, he was tugging on Lucas’ arm and directing them to the nearest boat, where Stella, the Slytherin prefect and a fifth year he didn’t know were already sitting.

“WE’RE WITH YOU LOT.”

Just incase they hadn’t guessed yet.

And no, Lucas did not have a choice in the matter.

Indigo did not like boats. Yes, he could swim, but he couldn’t do it particularly well. He generally avoided water, and he definitely avoided boat. He could count on one hand the number of times in his life that he’d been on a boat. He’d been reluctant about every single one of them. So he sighed and simply followed Vita onto whichever boat he had chosen. He barely even paid attention to who else was on it. Nobody he knew. And no, he did not introduce himself. He gripped the side of the boat a bit more tightly than was necessary. The fact that the boats were magical and would not tip over actually did reassure him a bit. Honestly, the prospect of facing hinkypunks was looking better and better. It couldn’t get much worse than this.

The fourth year listened intently as the Headmaster began telling the class of Hinkypunks and the first thing she had immediately thought of was fire. Why one may ask, that was unclear but the mental image of the creature was already made in her read from her readings. Never actually experiencing one before, her curiosity was already reeling.

She followed the crowed as they read a collection of boats, following the headmaster's instructions to gather into one in groups of five. The fourth year pursed her lips as she quickly realized they were filling up quick. Her hazel green eyes glanced towards a group of what looked like four with one remaining spot....that had her name all over it!

Quickly shuffling towards their boat, she wasted no time climbing aboard the boat as she claimed the last spot for herself."Hello! Hope it's alright that I took this last spot in your boat?" Her tone bright as bright as usual as she glazed over the other four faces with a smile. Hopefully it would not be a problem, or that would be rather awkward because.....she had no real intention of moving now...she was quite comfy you know...

Was it time to start moving along yet???

Hinkypunks. Lovely. Perhaps they were less aggressive than redcaps, but they were still quite dangerous and the Headmaster was leading them into their territory, which brought back TERRIBLE flashbacks of last term when the crazy Headmaster had lead them all right into the home of a bunch of redcaps. Lots of screaming. And blood.

Cool.

Since she was a seventh year and a Prefect on top of that, Natalie felt immense pressure to keep her cool and stay calm and not freak out when they were asked to get into boats. At first she was going to follow Max into a boat, but his got full just as she arrived. Then she saw Vita in a boat and was going to join her, but hers was full as well. And that one was full... and that one... and that one...

Oh, Merlin, was she going to have to go on a boat alone? Biting her lip, Natalie approached an empty boat and TRIED to tell herself it was going to be okay because SURELY they weren't actually going to die. Right? Wobbling slightly as she sat down, Natalie sat up straight and tossed her hair back in an attempt to look.... chill. Was it working?

Ok now Igor knew what a actual hinkypunk was and they sounded a lot worse then their actual name. and shooting fireballs sounded like something you would see in vr/ar which is pretty cool if not for the fact it would be shooting at you. Was he actually safe here with only one Professor even if it was the Headmaster?

He didn't really know what boat to take and some where finally up rather quickly with people. He looked around for friends or really any first years he knew and well nothing so far.

He walked over to the one boat that had two people even if they were a lot older than him inside it.

"Hello, um im Igor"

He said getting into it.

Would be kinda of rude to just get in with them and not say anything. Hopefully they aren't weird or anything. It was the first day of classes and he didn't want to test his luck further.

Hopefully.

Maxie opened his mouth only to close it right up. He hadn't expected a part two to his question and hadn't mentally or physically readied himself for the Headmaster speaking to him so directly. Taken. Taken. Taken. He hadn't really thought about that, but now it was all he was thinking about. If he was captured by a dark creature realistically speaking he'd be dead.

The Professor, and the class, carried on. Maxie kept quiet.

Others had spoken the very thoughts he'd been having and been praised for it and- and and- Ugh. Last night had been terrible enough but this felt? Worst. Somehow. He couldn't explain, and he didn't want to and he wouldn't. The Hufflepuff crossed his arms under his chest (careful not to poke himself with his grandfather's wand) and puffed out his cheeks as the Professor talked on and on about Hinkypunks and all the dangers they posed. he was interested, he was, but he was also feeling weird and frustrated too and that kinda cut into his listening.

Boats again, water again. At least this time there wasn't rain. Maxie chewed his lip, peeking around at the other students as they clambered into their boats, and he decided that none of them looked very welcoming. Er. Yeah.. Um..

Fidgeting, the Hufflepuff's eyes fell on a boat with only one occupant- an older boy who looked... fairly... normal....

He weighed his options. He could a)get in the boat or b) fake sick and walk back alone through the dark classroom and- Yeah, no, he was getting into the boat.

"U-Uh... C-can i?" Was he even supposed to be asking? It seemed rude not to.

Well, that made sense. And honestly, Abra did try not to be so worried and anxious about what could go wrong, but also he'd seen a lot of things in life that had taught him to expect the worst. He hadn't quite reached the level of paranoia of an ex-Auror, but... you know... monster in a portal.

Anyway, regarding the lesson, in a way Abra was actually glad that they were traipsing through a bog, because it gave him an iron clad excuse not to take notes. Now he could just listen to what everyone was saying and forget it - because he had a memory like a sieve - and it wouldn't even be all his own fault.

After listening to the Headmaster's instructions, Abra squinted around at the boats for one he could hop into. Except, you know, not literally hop. Even if they were charmed not to capsize, he couldn't risk losing his balance and going overboard or something. Spotting one boat that seemed only to hold one person, Abra made an immediate beeline for it. He climbed inside as carefully as he could - he really didn't trust himself not to fall face first into the water - and peered through the gloom to see who he had joined.

It was Natalie McKinley. "Oh, uh... Hi, Natalie." ... Was it terribly rude of him to have just climbed on board without asking if she was okay with it? UhhhhhhHHHHH...

Well... too late now.

Mary was happy that her tripping had gone unnoticed. She did not want to face a bunch of people asking if she was okay. The soccer maneuver, did, of course, do her sock over. Hopefully house elves were good at laundry.

When the group stopped, she listened carefully, feeling the mounting discomfort. After the explanation was complete, she made to get in a boat. The boat she ended up in was empty, so she went to the front and grabbed a set of oars, silently hoping for a quick trip.

Gunnar almost forgot that they were still in the castle, in the classroom even - they still were, weren't they? - the further they walked. He was truly able to immerse himself in this environment, and now they'd actually be getting into boats to sail down a river? This was already proving to be an interesting class. And his mood was beginning to lift the tiniest bit. At least he was mildly distracted from it and the events of the night before.

But speaking of boats, he needed to get in one. It was a little hard to see, even with his eyes adjusting to the darkness, but he was pretty sure he saw his sister in one nearby with one spot left. Until Vivian took it before he could get there. Okay. That was fine. Probably better that way anyway. He might have been mildly distracted from events, but he hadn't completely forgotten. And he'd rather not be around people he knew anyway.

Still, he needed to get in some boat. Gunnar stepped into the first boat he saw that was semi-empty, only seeing that it was occupied by the new prefect of his house and the Gryffindor prefect when he climbed inside. He barely knew who they were, which was probably best for all involved anyway, but he offered them a quiet hello before settling into a seat and waiting for their next step.