Charlotte could really admire Heath telling them to get behind him if they were scared. Honestly she may just have to take him up on that because she did not want to die. Taking one last calming breath she followed the group along until she nearly stopped at hearing Val bring up the blood. Wow was she bold.

Shaking her head she kept walking into the forrest further with her wand in her hand. Ready for anything.

Except for the clicking of the acro-nasties. Tightening her grip on her wand a bit she watched Claudine send the rock person forward. Merlin please let this plan work. She cast a protection charm in hopes that maybe just maybe it would work. Today was the day she'd die wasn't it. Or maybe she'd stop being so dramatic.

Heath blinked confusedly at Violet’s suggestion. Well, that seemed… a bit much, especially since they weren’t dealing with real acromantulas. Luckily, Claudine thought the same and let her down gently. He smiled slightly, nodding in reply to the girlfriend’s question. Of course he’d keep the lead, and of course he had her back. Hers and everyone else’s.

As he forged ahead down the path, he overheard Jordyn and Claudine comforting Kinsay. Any other time, he would’ve added his own words of encouragement or at least looked back, but he needed to concentrate on the way ahead. Besides, he was worried that too much talking could give away their position… and he was right. His heart dropped as he heard the clicking. Once again, memories of his previous encounter with acromantulas, how he completely froze up that day, came rushing back. Well, not anymore! This time he’d be ready for them!

He didn’t need to be told; he already had his wand drawn, poised to cast at a moment’s notice. He looked back at Claudine, watching her send the rock person forward. It was now or never! His eyes darted from to the rock person in front of him to the left of the path, then the right, then behind, watching for any acromantulas that might ambush them from any angle. He was so focused on his surroundings that it took him a second to register Bella’s question. He shook his head. “Not Lumos,” he whispered. “Not now.”

That didn’t mean they couldn’t cast protective charms, though. With a wave of his wand, he cast a quiet Protego, hoping against hope that between his and Charlie's spells and Claudine’s rock person, they could buy themselves some time, but if they didn’t, he was prepared. If those spiders wanted the others, they were going to have to go through him first!

Evan continued to cautiously move forward, he could see the clearing coming up ahead and as the expanse came into full view his feet halted. Their planning and ideas all seemed rather useless now, as it seemed they'd all been assuming the acromantula would have been still within the lair instead of lying in wait.

Out in the open.

Directly in their path.

And yes, he HAD been wrong to choose the open clearing because there was no place to hide or escape. Gripping his wand tighter, he frantically searched his brain for what the best option was now. The feather light charm was clearly useless because they'd see them anyways, and it didn't seem like there was anywhere to hide in order to cast explosions or other distractions. So... now what? He had the spell the Professor taught them, but that was for repelling like when they oversized creatures came at them. He assumed

So there he stood. Staring. Contemplating. Before turning to Val and whispering at her. "What now, you think? I can't see where to go for distraction. We could try Serpensortia and engorgio to see if they flee? We could just proceed and using the repell if they come towards us but..." that seemed unsafe.

The farther Ash got along the path, the less she liked the idea of splitting up. “I agree with Dahlia,” she whispered, keeping her voice low. “We should see how many there are before splitting up, and we can’t accidentally hit anybody in the bait group with a nasty spell. If we do split up, I’ll be in the bait group because I don’t really feel comfortable otherwise.” Even in a simulation, using others as bait made her feel sick to her stomach. No no no. Ash had to be the bait...

Was anyone else creeped out a bit? She nodded at Dahlia and cast a few quiet protective charms. That way, she’d have a few extra seconds to react if the acromantulas went for a surprise attack.

Valentina was absolutely fine with going slow. She nodded in response before casting the featherlight charm on herself. Okay, cool. "Done. I--" She could see the clearing up ahead AND obviously, the spiders too. And plenty of them. OH, NO. She knew they weren't real but that didn't make them look any less scary. Seeing them, honestly, just made her want to run back the way they'd come.. but that wasn't an option so she took a couple of deep breaths, moving a little closer to Evan by default.

"Wait, don't we need to cast some protective charms first??" Safety first, right?

The seventh year nodded to Bella. “Okay, you’re in charge of ensuring that we head in the right direction.” She trusted the other Snakette would speak up if she had difficulty in reading the map.

With the rock person out of the way, Claudine hoped with all of her might that the acromantulas would go for it, to be drawn in by the scent which in turn would give the group the advantage of repelling the arachnids successfully. “Use Arania Exumai. It repels the acromantulas. But protection spells are good for now.” And she was glad when Heath backed her up. Claudine would have been wondering what was with Violet and her blood obsession, and honestly? It would have been a little worrying. But like the fifth year said, it was show time.

The Snakette began muttering the incantation ‘ Protego totalum’.

Violet had started casting protective spells, too, as soon as she saw Heath begin to do it, because that, at least, sounded like a good idea. Besides, she'd gotten rather good at them during the Neo-Alliance battle. "Protego horribilis!!" she cast, for good measure--that was the strongest one she knew. She was a bit put out that the small group of older students seemed so dismissive--she was only a year or two behind them, and she was nearly 17, for Merlin's sake--it wasn't like she was some child that needed coddling. That reminded her, she had a birthday coming up very soon; she hoped she lived to see it. Because, although the other kids seemed very certain that these were fake Acromantulas, Violet was not entirely convinced. Given the way things had been going the past few years, anything could happen.

KEEP CALM
AND
ARANIA EXUMAI

Swallowing thickly, from excitement rather than from fear, Atlas nodded at Remy's observation. "That's because they're creations of the headmaster's," he assured her. Of course the acromantula knew they were coming, it was the whole point of the exercise! He really did wish that he knew more spells because his personal arsenal was preeeeeeeeetty limited and there was absolutely no way he was going to cast Bombarda on any of the creatures - real or not.

Maybe if he was about to be eaten though. Maybe if Remy was. Maybe.

"Let's try to keep quiet and move around the perimeter first. You'd be cross too if someone rudely interrupted your sunbathing with explosions." Wiggling his redwood wand in the air, Atlas pointed it down at her feet first to perform a Featherlight Charm and then repeated the process on his own. Might make their legs faster too if it came down to it.

Hand back in hers, he started their slow and steady tip toe in acromantula territory.

Lisa would have to try to arm wrestle Eden for the venom but that thought was promptly dashed from her mind as she shivered involuntarily. Was it just her or did she feel like someone or worse… SOMETHING was watching her?

She nodded at her peers’ thoughts. “A protective charm would be good before we go any further..” Wait. Hold up. She must have zoned out about the bait comment cause she missed it (but agreed with it as long as SHE wasn’t the bait). However, Ash did say that she was going to be bait.

She followed suit and cast a few charms before adding. “I’ll go with you, Ash.”

He did notice Valentina sidestep closer towards him, and while he probably wasn't a helpful protector in the sense he... did not know what would work in this scenario, he would certainly do his best to make sure she and no one else actually got hurt. "Thankfully they can't really hurt us. They aren't real." It was another soft remember, perhaps for both of them. Knowing they weren't real didn't really help with how intimidating they were.

Protective charms. Duh, Evan. He turned the slightest shade red and nodded his head in agreement. "Good idea. Protego Maxima." He didn't know the strongest level of the charm yet, so this would have to do. Spotting Remy and Atlas simply trying to creep around the perimeter, Evan gave a nod their direction. "They might have the right idea. Maybe we should try to sneak around the opposite perimeter - that way at least if the acromantulas notice us neither group should get the full force." So ... stealth and preparation to cast.

He padded forward softly, sticking to the edge, but also leaving enough room for Val to stand on the side opposite of him from where the giant spiders actually lay.

Valentina nodded in respose. "Yeah, I know. They still look so scary though." They looked so real. But, she needed to focus on their task now, it was a lot more important. She tore her gaze away to look at Evan instead, who was blushing?? She was momentarily confused. Was it something she said? Or did? But, ANYWAY. - she casted the shield charm on herself too before turning to watch the younger gryffindors thoughtfully. Oh, yeah. That made a lot more sense than just walking right into the clearing.. it would have been recipe for disaster.

"Let's go." She walked softly beside Evan, her fingers gripped around her wand tightly, hoping against hope they didn't attract any attention.

Dahlia gave a good firm solid nod of her head at Ash. Thank you, for agreeing with her on this. The need to not split up was real. She didn't feel it was necessary, at least not yet.. maybe if the numbers were small and they felt they had a real chance with that doing so but not until than. As for using anyone as a 'bait' group.. well.. she didn't like that idea at all. Did any of them know what it felt like to actually be 'bait'? It wasn't a very good feeling. She had been in that position before. Granted it had been on no part of her own and technically she hadn't exactly been 'bait', she had more been almost dragon food.. but it was basically the same thing, right? Either way.. not a good feeling.

And yet...

"Me too.." The words were out of her mouth before she could even stop them. "But only as a last resort. Splitting up should be a last option if nothing else works.." They had a plan and that plan needed to work for them. Protective spells, lumos and fire. She also knew that basilisks would be helpful or well possibly any snake.. maybe.

Lia cast a quiet 'Protego' the closer they got to the Riverside. Things still felt off and she could feel as if she was being watched and they probably were. She still very much felt like she was on high alert, glancing around continuously. "I think they're trying to take US by surprise.. maybe we have to lure them out?" Not that she wanted to but wouldn't it be better to draw the acromantulas to them, than to be taken by surprise by them? Just saying..

As it turned out, the strategy he never employed came to fruition. No sooner had the spiders began their scurrying, the watch he wore alerted him to the fact they were...by all accounts...out of time.

He wouldn't have to see the spiders.

He wouldn't have to save any screaming children from something he himself would rather stay FAR away from. All in all, this wasn't such a bad deal--disappointed as he suspected some of his students would be.

With a flick of his wand, the charms began to dissolve and soon they were back in the regular classroom.

"We'll have to consider this wrapped for today, everyone. Homework will be posted on your house noticeboards and be on the look out for a project by our board in the coming week. Be sure you have all your things, then you can go."

OOC: Really sorry for the abrupt end and the stalling guys. The start of the school year here hit me harder than I thought I would, between the new job and the uni courses, I ended up swallowed. Still trying to get on top of things but THANKS SO MUCH for coming. I appreciate it <3

Head bobbed in agreement - they were still in fact scary too look upon, and that clicking sound was entirely too eerie. But they had protection charms, they'd make next to no sound ... they had their spell on hand. They'd be fine. He crept along as quiet as he could and then...

The Headmaster spoke.

Relief was not strong enough of a word as class was dismissed before any of the acromantulas actually came at them. And he let out a deep breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding on to. Evan offered a small smile at Valencia, "Saved by the bell, I guess." No complaints here though.

Fixing his bag over his shoulder and tucking his wand back into it's holster, he headed back towards the door. "Thank you, Headmaster. See you next class." And then he was off.

Wand in hand, protective charms in place, plan in mind, surrounded with others from her group and constantly still glancing around. Just knowing what they would be up against was enough to bring that feeling of dread. It was best to be prepared than to not be though, she understood that much. She appreciated knowing what was to come. Even if that meant stepping up and putting herself on the front line.

Luckily that wouldn't appear to be necessary today. Hearing the headmaster voice break through her thoughts and the forest begin to suddenly disappear around her, Lia knew it was over. Thank Merlin! There would be no luring out acromantulas or anyone being 'bait', no need for fire or anymore protection charms. She could relax once more.

Blinking a couple of times as her eyes readjusted to the change of light, she returned her wand to it's holster on her wrist. "Thanks for the lesson, Headmaster. Have a good day," she offered up a light smile as she shouldered her bag once more and made a quick beeline directly for the door.

It was a bit startling to go from being in a dark woods with eerie clicking sounds all around you to finding yourself back in the DADA classroom, and it took Violet a few minutes to re-orient herself. As frightening as this exercise was, she actually felt a bit disppointed. Now they would never find out if their strategies would have worked (and better to find out in class than in real life).

"Well, I guess we're off the hook, this time," she remarked to her fellow teammates. "Good plan, though Claudine," she added graciously, as she turned to leave.

"Goodbye, Headmaster," she remembered to say before getting out the door--Trent did like you to observe the niceties. Violet left wondering if she had time to wheedle another cup of tea from the House Elves before her next class.