Bernie had stuffed the cupcake out in no time. Claudine had given the girl a disapproving look but the Lioness was too busy being back to ignoring her. It had been that way ever since the Forest but right now, there were pressing issues, the major one being Hufflepuff blocking their path. Glancing back at the others to see their reactions to the woman, she noticed Eris motioning at them. At first, Claudine was confused but then when Eris walked closer but stopped a short distance away, she understood.

Claudine watched as Eris lured Hufflepuff away, and this made it easy for them to slip off into the chamber ahead. She wasted no time in moving forward, drawing her wand as she did so.

There weren’t many things that Carwyn Eris wouldn’t do for the students of this school (especially his own family) but he never thought that taking cupcakes from a ‘Founder’ of Hogwarts would be something he would do as a Professor. Honestly, what even was going on? They needed to find their frames - and they needed to find them as soon as possible.

Moving his feet in a slight shuffle as Helga moved towards him, he stepped backwards again just to make sure that when Hufflepuff made it to him, there was plenty of space behind her for Professor Noble and the students to continue their search. Carwyn had a feeling that Helga Hufflepuff was trying to distract them from something. He simply wished he knew what.

”Three?” He asked her, eyes wide. ”I couldn’t take three. One will be fine.” He said, nodding as he accepted one of the three that she had held out to him. It stayed held in his hand however, as he tried to figure out the best subtle way to get an answer from Helga over their frames. She had to know where they were being stored - they came out of them after all.

”You have been in the castle for a few months now.” The Professor started as he played with the cupcake paper casing. ”Surely there is a … nicer, brighter, more fitting area for you to be in… Like the Great Hall or the Courtyard?” He hoped that was subtle enough. Maybe he could even get her to leave so that they could continue their search.

He could only hope.

"Save two for later, dear," Helga insisted.

The transfiguration professor's next words were confusing, and Helga didn't quite understand what he was going on about. "I need not worry about that. I have a school to upkeep. The entire castle needs us." The current headmaster was doing an abysmal job on his own. All the students! Undernourished."It is our portraits that need to be kept in the cool depths of the underground chambers." Well, not their portraits exactly, but the frames and backgrounds.

..................

.............................. Oh no.

Had she said that out loud? She wasn't supposed to say that out loud. Salazar would NOT be happy.

".............. Hypothetically, of course."........... "Who wants more cupcakes?"

Eiji tugged a bit more persistently on Missa's hand to have her follow along and move by Helga Hufflepuff. There was entirely too much irritating conversation going on and he had absolutely no desire to stick around and have more cupcakes shoved in his face. The smell was nauseating.

Though he was tempted to point out that, technically, the Founders had been "in" the castle far longer than a few months - longer than any of those present and well before any of them had even been born - but he was more interested in moving further down the corridor.

...especially when she said that.

"Their frames are down here," he said a bit loudly as he picked up his pace a bit more. "See how Godric Gryffindor feels when I run his frame through with a sword."

Salty over the almost decapitation? Always.

!!!

So, they had been right!

The portraits were around there somewhere. Before she could excitedly elbow Eiji over this revelation, he was already tugging her further. Of course, she tried not to be alarmed by his want to drive swords through frames - since they had bigger issues at hand right now.

"QUICK. Before she informs others!" she said, pulling up her wand again - in case there was a use for it, which obviously there will be.

Hufflepuff really was pushy, wasn’t she? Even though Claudine had slipped slightly ahead, she had overheard Eris and the woman going on about the cupcakes. And she had also heard the slipup about the Chambers. It pays to speak less because in her opinion, those who did also were keen on their listening and observational skills.

“Someone should remain here to keep an eye on her. Or she comes with us instead,’’ Claudine spoke up quietly and in agreement with Missa. They didn’t need her causing more trouble than she already had. Well, the other three Founders as well.

Yes, Bernie did indeed ignore Claudine, and Missa, and Eiji, and all ya'll haters out there who wanted to keep her from her love of sugary treats. The second year would have happily helped herself to another cupcake or three, but it appeared the Transfiguration professor wanted some as well, so she continued on toward the end of the underground chamber, wherever it led.

Yes, she was following the Ravenclaw prefect, but no, she was not at all sleepy. If anything, she felt more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than when she'd first entered this corridor.

The castle had been sooooo boring lately but not today, today there was juicy gossip and for once, Mildred was smack in the middle of it.

“I’ll alert the masses!” The once silent portrait piped up, so excited to finally have a reason to slip out of her frame. It wasn’t the same as the founders, but frame hopping to chat with the Fat Lady was a pass time of hers.

She knew what she was doing.

In a second, the frame was empty and the portrait was off. She was soooo telling.

It was a good thing Isla was in shape, because running from the sixth floor down to the dungeons, all with Gryffindor's sword in her hand, was a job. A chore even. A staff member could take it off her hands any time they wanted, but she'd taken the chance to rob Gryffindor of his greatest weapon while the opportunity had been presented to her.

She paused at the presumed entrance to the chambers. Were all the others deep inside? Had Trent already gone in? She wanted to wait for an older student, or any student for that matter, to come with her. A small panic began to rise inside of her, and she thought about tossing the sword off to the side and running back to the common room. She didn't, though. Not yet, at least.

With his wand in one hand, and a sole cupcake in the other Carwyn waved away yet another comment for him to have more cupcakes. He didn’t need more, heck he didn’t even want the first one but it had freed up space for Ignatius, Missa and the others to go further through the chambers with their search. ”No thank you, one is fine.” The tall man said with a polite nod of his head as he listened to Helga rambling about the castle's needs…

…..

Carwyn blinked. That had been easier than he had expected, but the task wasn’t over yet and he didn’t know how easy all four founders would let go of their fascination with saving the school. ”They are further down in the lower Chambers!” He called out, both to the hopes that the students would keep looking, for his fellow Professor to have the same information as him and in the hope that one of the portraits would pass on the message to the other search groups. Thank you! He thought as he saw the lady in the portrait running out of her frame.

”Incarcerous!” Carwyn said, his wand pointing at Helga Hufflepuff, ropes spreading around her figure so that he knew she wouldn’t run away in the meantime. She didn’t have a sword like he’d heard Godric had in his possession, but who knew what she would do.

”You can walk with me, Miss Hufflepuff or I will levitate you.” She only had two options here. Motioning to continue down the corridor after the students, Carwyn watched her like a hawk as they followed down to the next chamber in the hopes that all four portraits would be there, with the students and Ignatius now standing guard. It shouldn’t take too long for the other Professors and the Headmaster to get here.

They made it into the next chamber, where the students had congregated and the four large - empty - portraits were leaning against the back wall. Carwyn didn’t think he had ever been this far down into the dungeons, and especially not this room… It was a pretty good choice of hiding place, but they had found them now!

”Okay, everyone spread out around the portraits, keep them behind us and watch the corridor we just came down. As far as I can see its the only way in or out of here - so we will be able to watch out for the other search parties and the Headmaster, as they are all on their way.” He stood closest to the corridor, Helga just in front of him where he could make sure that she wasn’t plotting … something.

Every minute seemed to last twice as long while they waited, but it wasn’t long before he heard footsteps echoing - though they didn’t seem to be coming any closer. Not instantly anyway. ”Ignatius, can you look after Ms Hufflepuf?” He said to his fellow Professor, before maneovering her in his his direction.

Then he moved back up the corridor to the main chamber. ”Miss Bellchant.” Carwyn called out once he reached the other side, his eyes taking in the sword in her hand. ”Where did you get that? Which search party were you with?” He looked around behind her, expecting to see others arriving at any time now.

”I’ll take the sword from you now, thank you, Isla. We wouldn’t want it falling back into the wrong hands… or anyone getting hurt when we continue.” The Professor just hoped that she hadn’t hurt anyone with it on her way here. Surely not, but he did hope she had used enough common sense not to run with a sword. He moved closer and held out a hand to take the sword before pointing to the corridor behind him. Professor Noble and Prefect Renaldi have everyone in that chamber. Go on ahead.”

Carwyn looked down at the sword in his hand and made a note to check with the others who came here from the same place Isla did. What had happened with Godric Gryffindor this time… and where were Slytherin and Ravenclaw?? He had a sinking feeling that he would be seeing them around soon.

Isla had to admit that she was a little startled when she heard her name. Nobody was yelling, but she was suddenly on edge. PERFECT. It was an adult, which meant that she was safe, right? "The Battlements," she answered. "We came across Gryffindor, and he had blocked with no way out. Headmaster Trent managed to tie him up, and when he did, Gryffindor dropped his sword. I took it, so he couldn't hurt anybody else." She would gladly hand it over, which she did. Holding on to the sword wasn't exactly her favorite thing in the whole world.

She hesitated when he pointed her in the right direction, but she ended up going there anyway. How had she managed to head off immediately after Trent but lose sight of him at the exact same time? Pretty soon, she caught sight one person and then another, and then a moment after that, she had successfully joined those who were already in the chamber. WHEW. It was so good to see familiar faces!

Heading up his group as he was, he hadn’t seen Bellchant behind him running with Gryffindor’s sword. It was probably for the best. This was not the time to go scolding anyone when they had bigger fish to fry but it was careless and she could’ve hurt someone. It was like running with scissors. Anyone could’ve suddenly turned a corridor and run right into her. As if the healer didn’t have enough worries.

The man got there in time to see Helga wrapped with rope—had she been attacking this group as Gryffindor had? It certainly seemed out of character for a portrait so IN character but he trusted there must have been Good reason and instead turned to Eris. .

“I’ll take that.” He said, relieving the Transfiguration Professor of the sword and slipping it for now into his extended pocket. “Gryffindor may come looking for it at some point. Be ready if he does.” He would head on further into the chamber in search of the others.

As it so happened, it didn’t take him too long to find them and a certain first year who’d gone on ahead after relinquishing the sword. ”In future, Bellchant,” As he was still their defense professor and in charge of ensuring that they conducted themselves well in crisis moments, “it’s a poor idea to lug around a heavy object when in a hurry. It could’ve slowed you down enough to be captured by any other founder lurking behind us. As well, we do not run with sharp objects. You could’ve hurt someone.” The outcome he was sure the girl was trying to avoid with her actions. It was like he said in his lessons, clear thinking was important during emergencies. Not frantic action.

“Stay alert, everyone spread out. They have to be in here somewhere.” Said to those he was now joining. He was ready for this to end.

Isla had no idea what to say to the headmaster. She thought she was doing something super helpful, but she guessed not. "Yes, Headmaster," was all she managed to say. After all, now wasn't the time for small talk. When everyone (or mostly everyone) was in the correct chamber, Isla followed the Headmaster's glance to a wrapped-up Helga Hufflepuff.

WHOA.

She was the last person, err portrait, Isla expected to be causing trouble, but apparently a lot had gone down before they'd arrived. Speaking of lasts, the last thing she wanted to do was spread out and go at this alone, but there were lots of people around. She didn't think she'd wander off too far to the point where nobody would be around. She moved around a little, still remaining cautious, and began looking for anything out of the ordinary.

Four frames vacant of their subject matter hung in a neat row against the back wall of the deepest chamber. The dim light of the blue flames stretched around the room glistened against the canvas and seemed to highlight the fact that a certain tetrad were not where they should be.

Someone was clearly listening to Eiji, because Missa STARED as a first year came running with a sword. Gryffindor's sword???? Was it really that light that you could RUN with it? Maybe she had placed a feather-light charm on it?

A thing Headmaster Trent realised too, she noticed. She was kind of a fan of him, did he know? Because even during chaos, he made sure to school a kid when it was needed.

But there was no time to show such appreciation. Before Gryffindor charged in there, or the harmless-looking, tied up Hufflepuff suddenly did something drastic to stop them - they needed to find those portraits. Wand in hand, Missa moved further into the chambers with Eiji - since tugging each other into the right direction was a thing of theirs now.

And it was definitely the right direction because there they were. The four empty portraits.

"There!" she called out, feeling her heart beating stupidly - because it was clearly little scared. After all, who is to say there weren't any traps other than Helga Hufflepuff's cupcakes lying around in there. "Be careful, we can't be sure they have left these portraits completely unguarded"

Well it sure felt like no one was listening to him and, for the first time since Missa or even Trinetta had worn a prefect badge, Eiji felt envious. No, he still had no real ambitions to become a prefect and that reluctance was purely based on the fact that both his parents had been them and he wanted his own path at Hogwarts to be his own. But clearly, CLEARLY, it was what got the attention of others...seeing as everyone was deflecting and directing people to follow Miss.

Whatever. Whateveeeer. It was fine. FINE.

He wasn’t surprised that Professor Eris was focusing on Missy. After all, Eiji was always just the afterthought as was seen when they had been summoned to the man’s office. But WHATEVER.

He was salty and angry and unable to let anything go this term, clearly. A nothing that became all the more obvious when the Sword of Gryffindor was being dragged back into the picture. Already towards the front of the pack in hot pursuit for the Founders’ portraits, his head snapped around when Missy said she had found them.

“Headmaster, may I have the honor of running Godric Gryffindor’s through with his own sword? He did almost decapitate me while I was defending the Dueling Arena.” Oh yes, he would be playing both those cards now.

One destroyed portrait wouldn’t be the end of the world. Sure, as a historical artifact it would be regrettable to loose something so ancient...but portraits could be repainted and replaced soooooo...no real loss for the actual flesh and blood if one frame was broken and the canvas within shredded.

Just saying.

We're they rushing? Not really or err, Jillian was one of the last people to leave the 6th floor, she needed to check that no student was behind or at least captured by the fake Gryffindor and his sword. Last time she saw it, Isla had it in her hands but as she finally reached the dungeons the headmaster was already holding it.

The crowd of people were a lot bigger, the other group must have been here too or was lured here? who knows. Jillian walked in the same pace as everyone did and in the same direction of the chambers was and her head snapped when she heard what the Ravenclaw prefect said. She's also right about them being in plain sight. Suspicious, very suspicious.

Jillian has no plan in going near the portraits- it could be a trap at this point but one thing is for sure. She sure is happy to see them. UHHHHH F I N A L L Y. They have been looking at the wrong place for quite sometime and to find it here in the dungeons made her smile softly. PLUS a promise of an early rest-slash-dinner was a great motivation for this.

Let's just hope there are no more tricks.

Isla peeked around another corner, still in pursuit of the portraits but trying to stay right by the group, nonetheless. She happened to look up just as the Ravenclaw prefect was staring at her. Ouch. What'd Isla do?! She'd given up the sword and being given a mild scolding outside the chambers. Then a good talking-to inside. Maybe those inside had heard it all? Double ouch. The last thing the first year wanted to do was get on the bad side of the prefects. She heard they could be scary when mad.

So no more sword grabbing and running. Noted. Although, years later, she would look back on this and say it'd been cool to run into battle (or a great big search kind of similar to a battle) with Gryffindor's sword in hand! She mentally scolded herself from getting off task then searched some more.

She looked up when the same prefect found the portraits, and Isla looked up with awe. Whoa. Missa thought the portraits might be guarded? And Eiji wanted to run a sword through one of them? Was it too soon to say that this was COOL? Yes? Yes. No matter how cool it might seem, the first year decided to wait for an adult or older student to make a move.

It was unfortunate that Bernie missed seeing Isla running with Gryffindor's sword, because 1) she would have laughed heartily at that, and 2) she would have then asked the firstie if she could hold the sword, please. She was getting a bit bored by this never-ending scavenger hunt, even now as the group pushed forward into another chamber where, it appeared, the empty frames had been stored.

Bernie let out a loud SIGH at all the obvious obviousness happening, and turned around to bother the nearest professor. NOT the headmaster, though; she was still terrified of him expelling her for breathing loudly. So instead, she tapped the Transfiguration professor on the arm politely.

"Professsssssor Eris, sir, are you going to eat that cupcake, or can I take it off your hands for you?" He probably needed both hands to restrain Helga Hufflepuff, after all, and Bernie was sure that this portrait hunt was going to run over into dinnertime. She'd already ruined her meal with the first and second cupcake, so what was the harm one or two or three more?

Listening to Isla, the Professor nodded. Okay, so if they were on their way, surely the third search party would be here soon as well. He was still on the look out for the unaccounted for founders. "Thank you, Isla." He nodded and turned back to looking around the corridors. Ever vigilant.

Carwyn didn't have to wait long before Headmaster Trent turned up, along with multiple other students. He motioned the students down the corridor that led towards Professor Noble and where the other students were searching. "Down that corridor." He said, motioning with a nod before turning back to the Headmaster. Nodding instantly, he handed over the sword. "Miss Bellchant had it; and I would definitely prefer it to be in our possession over hers if this goes awry." He murmured quietly to the Headmaster, as he watched the sword being put away. He felt better with it being in Malachi Trent's possession. As long as it didn't end up with Gryffindor again though, they would be good. He nodded at both the agreed sentiment and the statement of being ready. His wand was in his hand, and he was alert.

He moved back down the corridor and stood at the entrance of the main chamber that held the portraits. He wanted to keep an eye out for the second search party while staying close to protect the children within the room. His attention however, was shifted by a tap to his arm. He looked away from the corridor quickly to look down and saw Bernadette Grantham. "Now isn't the time to be thinking of your stomach, Miss Grantham. Besides, you shouldn't spoil your dinner." He have her a nod of his head. "Keep your wand out, and stay focused." She did realise how important this was, right?

Nina was not thrilled to be here to say the least. She did not like crowds, nor did she particularly enjoying putting herself in the face of danger. And that was exactly what it felt like they were doing here. Her only solace was the fact that Headmaster Trent was present and he was the only adult she trusted in this entire castle at the moment, meaning it was far safer to be here with him than to be in any other random corridor.

While she had been late to join the group, the clocktower was far away afterall, she did come in time to catch Eiji's words.

And of course they elicited a frown. She shot him a look that he likely wouldn't see as she was behind the rest of the crowd, still. It was actually exactly where she intended to stay for the duration of whatever it was they were doing down here, by the way. Standing at the front in unpredictable circumstances was a Gryffindor's job. And Nina would gladly volunteer Bernadette, seeing as the girl enjoyed getting into trouble.

Eris took care of Hufflepuff and this gave Claudine a huge sense of relief. Wand still clutched in her hand, she was about to take up position by the portraits when she looked around at the mention of Isla, who incidentally was in possession of that sword. Why was she here? And how did she get the sword? The Snakette listened to Isla’s response which answered her questions. Trent gave a greater insight to the matter which led Claudine shaking her head and rolling her eyes. Really? Who in their right mind ran around with a sword? Claudine always thought Isla was sensible. Apparently she was wrong. Then again, the second year should be the last to judge. Walking into the Forest was not a brilliant idea on her part.

She turned to look at the frames but changed her mind about going any closer. Missa was right: there could be traps and enchantments or whatever else. She passed a judgmental look to Eiji. Riiiiight. As if Trent would give him the sword for that reason?

Claudine edged back to Bernie. “We’ll get cupcakes after we’re done here, Bernie,’’ she whispered to her best friend. What if Bernie got a sugar rush in that moment?

Oh dear, this was quite a predicament.

"I have four left!" Cupcakes were surely enough to distract everyone, yes? Helga turned back towards the transfiguration professor to offer him another, but was instead faced with an incoming bundle of ropes. "Oh my." Quite a predicament indeed. "This is not necessary!" If only she had her wand! Why didn't she have a wand?

It made negotiating much more difficult, but surely the Potion's Master was a reasonable man. "I am a founder of this divine institution! Untie me at once!" Helga started to panic, seeing all of the students run towards the frames. "Please, dear, I am certain we can talk this--"

Did that boy say he would run a sword through their portraits? "NOOO!" Helga screamed dramatically before plastering an unnatural smile on her face. These children were so violent. So hangry. They. Needed. CUPCAKES.

"Tempting, Rasting." The Headmaster conceded at the boy's request. After the grief that founder had given him this term, the boy probably had no idea just how tempting, "But we both know I won't be letting you do that." He'd just scolded Bellchant for her wielding of the sword. Handing it to another student was not on his list of things to do.

At least Bellchant saw where he was going. Her intentions, he had no doubt, were of the purest sort. An eagerness to help, but even then, it was important to maintain critical thinking. Professor Eris, too, agreed.

And they'd found the portraits??

On impulse, Malachi nearly yelled "where??" but did manage to maintain his composure. This was almost over. "Renaldi has the right of it, let's not let our guards down." Disasters had a way of...popping up.

As did Helga. As did the rest of the founders. Hearing her dramatic protest, Trent mentally braced himself for the others somehow making an appearance. It was just a thing he was beginning to expect. There was something more though, something in the way she protested. She truly cared if he let Rasting run a sword through their frames?

Interesting.

"You've given us no choice. Sweep the chamber for hidden curses then go get the frames." He told the students. This was ending.

Salazar had run as fast as he possibly could from the clocktower entrance to the area where their portraits were stored. While he still didn't truly understand the exact logistics of it all, he knew that there was only one reason the school staff and students were seeking out the portraits. And he was not going anywhere without a fight.

"Helga, enough, remain calm!" he snapped at his fellow founder as he slowed to a halt in the chamber. He was NOT going to let them see how frazzled he was. Salazar Slytherin didn't let anything bother him, and he was certainly not going to start now. He paused and eyed the sword that was currently in Trent's possession. Drat. That wasn't good. He'd been counting on Gryffindor to do something drastic here to help the situation but he was apparently incapacitated.

"It's not going to work Trent. Just accept it," he told the Headmaster, crossing his arms and trying to appear as confident as he possibly could. Perhaps if he made the man think this was all for naught, he'd be so convincing that the man would just back off.