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DaniDiNardo · 04-22-2019, 12:40 AM

A bit confused about the plot? Housemates talking about a mysterious something going bump in the night? Here's where YOU can post and catch up on happenings around the castle and in Hogsmeade -- out of character, of course.

This means that unless your student character heard this stuff from other students or witnessed the actual event, your student character doesn't know about it.

Also, this is a reminder to everyone to only post updates on the school plot here. Please do not post the happenings of your student character in here unless it is related to the plot; that should go in the Wizarding World chat thread.

Have fun!

ArianaBlack · 07-08-2019, 07:33 PM

A ministry investigation team (aka the Department of Environmental Regulation and Protection, DERP) is making way to the Hogwarts Grounds to take a look at this spooky mist

THE INVESTIGATION THREAD IS HERE

And here's the fear~~ful~~less Department Head leading the trek

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lislchen

Olly was NOT a born leader.

At all.

When she'd accepted the position as Department Head, she had not thought that the job would entail her leading her entire department on a dangerous mission. She might have declined if she'd been aware of that. DERP had seemed like such a...not-dangerous department too. If you knew your way around plants, that is of course. Yes, you had to be vigilant inside the greenhouses at all times but you still, usually, knew what to expect.

Not today, though. Not here.

With her wand in her hand, Olly had slowly made her way up from Hogsmeade, feeling more and more anxious the closer they got to the castle's gates. She trusted that her team were following her, she could even see some of them out of the corner of her eyes. She hadn't spoken unless somehow had asked her a question and she didn't intend to. If they had been waiting for an encouraging speech from her, they would be disappointed.

She slowed to a halt outside the gates. Rubbing her arm absently, Olly stared up at the castle...or rather, where she knew the castle to be. She couldn't actually see much through the mist surrounding it. Simply being this close to it made a small shiver run down her spine. Why couldn't the Aurors have dealt with this? Or Mysteries maybe? Basically anyone besides her own department.

She'd hugged Schuyler and Evie extra hard this morning before leaving for Hogsmeade.

lazykitty · 07-12-2019, 10:34 AM

The mist is spreading

From the first floor (yes, very near where Headmaster Trent & Professor Cornish are):

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Narrator

The corridor they had just walked into may have been clear but if they paid close enough attention they would notice the temperature falling. Beyond this corridor, down in the next the mist had already began to seep in. This corridor the men have entered appears to have overcrowded portrait frames and portrait occupants complaining of the poor view in their own corridor.

Tiny wisps of mist can be seen just at the corner. Dare they check it out?

Now there's a prefect going 'I told you so'......

Krel Ansell · 07-16-2019, 02:03 PM

Into the mist the Ministry Workers go -

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lislchen

This was it, wasn't it?

This was her moment. A moment she never volunteered for but saw no way around it. She WAS their department head after all. "I'll go first." Olly said softly but hopefully loud enough for everyone to hear. Also she'd somehow managed to hide the fear from her voice, despite the fact that she most definitely felt it inside. All those years of keeping her emotions inside had been good for something after all.

"Tie the other end to the gate." She told Mariana before using the Bubble-Head Charm on her face and grabbing the rope at one end. Alright. This was it. Hopefully everyone knew where they'd put their emergency portkeys should they find the need to. With one last glance at her employees and a slightly longer one at her Division Heads, Olly gave a curt nod. They were going in.

And with that she pushed the gate open with her shoulder, wide enough for them to walk through.

Ginevra · 07-18-2019, 05:42 AM

It's getting tense!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

Bubble-head charm was a quick and easy way to ensure some protection for all involved. Archer promptly applied one, and secured the gloves onto his hands. Certain that all of the adults in presence were capable of also applying their own, he nevertheless had a quick glance around to make sure nobody needed assistance. Nerves, that sort of thing.

The man wasn't wanting to lead, of course, but he would have. Olly also had a family at home, but he wasn't disappointed when she went first. At her glance, he tried to convey a look of trust, of confidence, but wasn't sure it would come across that way. He did trust her, but they had no idea what was beyond this mist.

Taking a firm grasp of the rope, Archer followed those in front of him. Through the gates. It had been a long time for him, but his children - Merlin hope - would also be making their journey into the castle. Not with a mist, though. They had to understand it, solve whatever this was, because there was no way his children were coming here in the mist.

It was eery, the eeriest situation he had ever been in. Not being able to see far ahead, only the people who were also attached to the rope. The ominous feeling, the fear prickling down his neck like an invisible hand. The further they got, the more it intensified. His eyes saw a flicker of something and he felt the blood drain from his head, right down to his feet. Every inch of his intestines felt like they had dropped from his body. Surely his heart was beating so fast it would soon explode, the pounding in his head thub, thub, thub. He wanted to call out, but opening his mouth only paralysed his vocal cords. Something coming, but no - no it couldn't be real. The mist had to be playing with his head. It was... it was impossible. But he couldn't, wouldn't let go of the rope.

His hands tremored before his legs gave out under him. His hand being ripped from the rope as he fell. Where he landed on his knees, he covered his head with his arms. The sound escaping his mouth was a horrified groan.

Hey Ju · 07-18-2019, 02:03 PM

Tense, you say??

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Narrator

As you move through the gray haze and on to the Hogwarts grounds, the first thing your well trained herbologist eyes may notice is that the flora here does not seem to be particularly out of sorts. Nothing that wouldn't be expected of plants that had not seen the sun for a prolonged period of time. Your samples here, should you be able to collect any, would reveal just as much.

No toxins. Nothing foul at play. Nothing to fault in the quality of the air. Simply flora starved for sunlight.

......you will also discover that your Bubble Head Charms are worthless against the true nature of the mist....
........which seemed to thicken as you step closer and closer to the castle itself (holding on to a rope to help guide you back a stroke of genius)...

It happens suddenly. Indistinguishable shapes reach out from the murky clouds and grab hold of your legs. Latching on tightly, they yanked hard. A shoe is torn off and discarded, but the shapes came back for more to yank on the leg proper this time with a determination pull you away from the group and into its depths....

lazykitty · 07-20-2019, 03:46 PM

EVACUATION TIME!

Third floor corridor (one-eyed witch statue):

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

They were finally getting out of here, and not a moment too soon. It had been months locked away in the castle, on constant alert in the event the mist rose any higher. The Headmaster wasn't sure how much more of it he could take.

So far, they'd managed to keep it on the lower floors but he'd already lost his own office. This floor held one of the only remaining exits and it was time to get the students out now that the preparations over in Hogsmeade had been finished.

Malachi stood by the entrance to the tunnel. He'd already gone through it to ensure no breaches and was relieved to find the way still clear. No telling how much longer it would remain that way so there was no time like the present.

Having already eaten his own meal, he stood with his hands hanging loosely in his pockets and waited for the students to begin arriving. No doubt they'd be as eager to be getting out of here.

lazykitty · 07-22-2019, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

Despite his certainty the Heads of Houses, Prefects and other Professors had been head counting the entire way down to the third floor corridor, Malachi tried for his own head count. With how crowded the corridor would eventually get, he knew he'd only be able to track so many but it gave the man some amount of reassurance. Seeing them was a relief.

"Thank you all for being prompt." He'd been half worried there would be some hold up or the other that would drag this evacuation out but it seemed that despite whatever fear and angst the students may have been experiencing, they were still capable of following instructions. Even more, they were just as ready to be gone.

"The plan is very simple and as stated, your things will be along with the elves in a bit. We're be finishing up the term in Hogsmeade. The shopkeeper at the Three Broomsticks has graciously agreed to aid the ministry in making accommodations for us all. It will be......different, but under the circumstances, quite welcomed. Before we go, I need you all on your best behaviour. Let's not have the man regret his decision to help. Classes will continue," They still had exams afterall, "albeit differently than we're accustomed to but they will continue until the school term comes to its end. This is not an invitation to go gallivanting all over the village. You will not disappear to shops without permission. Anyone caught wandering off will be confined to their room. Curfews will be in effect. This isn't an early vacation." Merlin knew they didn't need MORE disappearance scares.

"Now if we're all on the same page," Here, the Headmaster paused to utter the password to the statue. Seconds later, the entrance revealed itself. "Let's get a quick move on, watch your step. Wands lit. Professors will be spread throughout the line. If an issue arises, try to find one. The tunnel has already been checked but let's not waste time all the same."

Malachi stepped into the dark, his wand chasing it away. He expected to be followed.

Our kiddos are staying in Hogsmeade!

Ginevra · 07-25-2019, 08:41 AM

The mist has reached the Third-Floor corridor!

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Narrator

The staff and students weren't the only ones capable of finding extra hidden routes about the castle. The fact that the mist doing it was pure coincidence and an unfortunate bit of happenstance didn't diminish the fact that it had indeed happened.

Out of seemingly nowhere, the mist begins creeping into the corridor from the opposite direction the students and staff had all come.

Many who had already entered the tunnel wouldn't notice, but anyone still hanging about on the outside will see that all too familar manifestation of strange weather. While it is still not likely to chase anyone, it does appear to have picked up speed by some small but noticeable degree.

Any room for one more in that tunnel?

Lislchen · 07-30-2019, 02:09 PM

Welp. Good luck with that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Narrator

The mist wasn't moving much faster, no, not since the last time anyone had seen it but for those not present the day the students went missing, several pairs of hands suddenly reaching out from the mist may have come as a surprise.

They are still too far away to be of any real consequence but they grab at the air around them, hoping to pull the unsuspecting or exceptionally unobservant in.

A murmur comes from within the mist. Rumblings like a coming storm. Then quite suddenly, it does pick up speed. Not nearly enough to suddenly overtake the group but enough to be noticed as it makes a beeline for the evacuation. That shield charm was starting to sound like a good idea, wasn't it?

*Nordic Witch* · 08-05-2019, 02:42 PM

The headmaster has spoken! We don't know still if there is a castle to come back to.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

He'd caught that look Piers had shot him and returned it in kind. A drink would be lovely for him too...and his wife...and his kids but only after his wife. Just a week or so to decompress before he threw himself back into this mess. It wasn't like everything had been solved and the castle could go back to low maintenance for the summer. No. There was still a BIG issue and he wouldn't be able to rest until it was over.

Did he mention he was tired?

The man watched, eyes somewhat clouded as the others and the students began taking their seats. "Yes, of course." The man replied to the centaur. Suppose he'd be tendering his resignation too. This term had turned into a lot more than he had signed up for, surely, and with the future of the castle still to be seen it only made sense. Malachi wouldn't keep them long tonight. It wasn't the sort of mood for cheerful chatter necessarily and he suspected most would just be eager to get sleep over with so they could board the train and be done with all this. Barlow got a nod out of him, as distracted as the one the others had gotten.

After one final glance, Malachi pushed himself to his feet. He hit his goblet with his fork to gain their attention, amplifying it somewhat as he would his voice in a moment.

When everything was silent, he began. "Well, we did it." Even as he spoke there was a small twinge in his chest as he realized the sentence he'd meant as "they'd survived the mist and saw it through to the end of term" wasn't true for two students. They hadn't made it. A sad sort of look crept into the man's eyes before he refocused on the students.

"Congratulations to Ravenclaw on taking the House Cup for yet another year. Unfortunately, there is no cup for quidditch, given the circumstances that overtook us this term." But honestly, not playing quidditch had been the least of anyone's concerns with a terrifying mist on the loose. "It's the end of the year and we're all in for some well deserved rest. Use the time wisely. If you need to talk to someone, talk to someone." The castle was no more dangerous than any other in the wizarding world--magic begot magic afterall--but he'd seen these children when distracted and il-prepared. They ran toward danger. They took merry skips outside into questionable fog they were warned against.They broke down and cried. For all the dangers they'd seen, some didn't seem any more cautious or equipped. It was as if it didn't occur to them that magic was their reality and that it was both good and bad in equal parts. School was meant to prepare them for the real world and this term had shown him that many still were not. If they couldn't in controlled and safe environments with adults set in charge to protect them, how would they do on their own? It was another thought that made the man sad. He wanted them to be ready. To not take their time at school and go "oh Hogwarts was just dangerous, real life will be way better" when they lived in a magical world where anything could happen at any time.

"I'll be honest, the castle's in bad shape based on reports I've heard and the few visits I've made to the outskirts. September's a ways off and we'll be doing all we can but...it's a little too early for promises." The Headmaster didn't need any overly optimistic kiddos going home and spending the summer swearing everything was alright just to be crushed when there was no Hogwarts Express on September 1st. It was best they be prepared for all eventualities.

"Whatever comes of this, let's use this experience to grow. For the seventh years who are leaving, this is it. You'll be out there. No more hopping on the train and chattering about the homework you forgot. I hope your time here has shown you how unpredictable the wizarding world can be. To those returning..." He didn't know if they'd be returning, but best leave that out for now, "I don't say constant vigilance because it's a cool catch phrase I heard some bloke mutter on the knight bus, it's real. We're not muggles. We don't go to a muggle school. That opens us up for higher stakes. That said, we've got magic and we're learning more and more by the day. There's a reason for that." Most would not grow up and make the decision to live a muggle life so this was something they had to learn to deal with at different scales. "Let's not get down or discouraged. For the most part, this mist was handled well. You stayed away when told, you evacuated in orderly fashion and kept the panic to a minimum--which kept mistakes to a minimum." Did they see how that worked? "There were no reckless and il-thought attempts at breaking out. Common sense prevailed." And because of it, they had made it. "Let's resolve to keep getting better. To greet whatever comes our way with the resolve of wizards who understand magic and how to live with it." It wouldn't be easy, especially not for the younger ones still more accustomed to the safety of home and mum and dad, but that was partially what wizarding school was for.

"I won't keep you much longer. Know I'll be working closely with the ministry to get this all sorted. In the mean time, let's eat." The Headmaster clapped his hands and the food began appearing at each table. The man sunk back into his seat, not all that hungry but glad to have gotten that part behind him.

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