Welcome to TB, an all levels Harry Potter roleplay with no word count. Our purpose is to go through the books with one exception: the addition of original characters and what changes that makes.
We accept all beings and creatures in the Harry Potter verse including ghosts, veela, muggles and even centaur.
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Post by ROSE WEASLEY on Apr 14, 2024 12:29:26 GMT -5
Halloween Night Feast
The day had finally come and Rose was practically bubbling with excitement. After weeks of excruciating planning, their grand plan was finally going to be executed. The idea had come to her over the summer, while helping out in her dad’s shop. She was cataloging a recent shipment of supplies and noticed a past shipment of billywigs in the log. She knew of billywigs, annoying pests similar to mosquitos, and wondered why they would need living creatures in a shop like that. After a bit more digging she discovered the delightful side effects of being stung by a billywig, and just like that, the idea struck.
Of course she had to rope Don along. She would need an accomplice for such a large plan to work successfully, and hopefully without being caught. Getting the supplies needed had been a little tricky, particularly if she didn’t want her mum or step-mum to notice - they did not appreciate a good prank as much as her dad and step-dad. Luckily, her fatherly parental figures were able, and willing, to offer their assistance in securing the goods. She might have not told them the entire truth about her plans… but as long as she didn’t hurt anybody she was sure they would forgive her little white lies.
Now with everything in place, the pair took their places at their normal house tables for the Halloween night feast. The Great Hall was decked out in Halloween decor, as per usual, and the food was somehow better than ever, although perhaps that was just Rose’s opinion due to her jovial mood. She was finding it difficult to contain her giddiness as the feast progressed, getting closer and closer to the pinnacle of the night.
What the other students didn’t know was that, hidden within two pumpkins at opposite ends of the room, mixed in with the rest of the decor, were containers holding a couple dozen billywigs each. The cages, dotted in small holes to allow air to circulate, were charmed with a silencing charm to avoid any detection. Billywigs were already naturally very quiet, but she did not want to take any chances of being caught preemptively. Rose and Don had taken turns caring for the creatures over the last few weeks as they had gotten everything set up for the holiday night. After all, what better night for a prank than Halloween?
As the dinner seemed to be petering off, and students were finishing off their dessert, Rose looked across the hall at the Slytherin table. She caught Don’s eye with a smirk and gave him a small nod, indicating it was time. Now that they had eaten and everyone was off guard, it was the time to strike. Stealthily taking out her wand under the table, she waved it towards the trick pumpkin nearest her and whispered “Alohamora,” unlocking the billywig cage within. The magical insects, annoyed at having been contained in a small box for a length of time, were now let loose to the masses in the Great Hall, primed with stingable targets.
Rose smiled in apprehension, waiting for the inevitable chaos that would ensue. Of course nobody would actually be hurt. Billywigs were not particularly dangerous. Their stings simply caused giddiness, followed by levitation. A perfectly harmless, yet very entertaining, prank for a Halloween night.
Notes: This thread is open to everybody. Feel free to respond with your character's reaction to being stung, or simply to the chaos that will follow. Just to note, most people would probably not notice the Billywigs right away, at least until a few students have been stung and are exhibiting symptoms. They are welcome to try and catch them, but remember Billywigs are incredibly fast so it would be a challenge for most students. Professors, please wait until a sufficient amount of chaos has happened before intervening. Have fun!
Post by DOMHNALL MCEVOY on Apr 14, 2024 12:31:09 GMT -5
Practical jokes had always been Don's favourite pastime - even before discovering the magical world; admittedly, enchanted items did make it much easier to set up a good prank. Normally, his target was one student. Sometimes as many as four or five, though that required a good amount of planning. Never had he ever tried to ensnare the whole school in some mischief.
Rose's idea received his immediate enthusiasm. Pulling off something of this scale was every prankster's dream, no matter what repercussions might follow. Since their chosen occasion for this trick of the year was the Halloween Feast, there was a good chance they would get caught. Most professors would be there, and Prefects, and Head students - almost everyone residing in the castle, really. Despite the risks, it was the optimal timing if they wanted to prank as many people as possible.
As a responsible trickster, Don had first tried out the Billywig sting effects on himself - to make sure it was mostly harmless fun. While taking care of the insects, he allowed one of them to sting him and found the giddy sensation that followed quite amusing. After as many as three stings, he was levitating a few feet in the air, which was simply terrific. He could totally understand why Australian teens would be catching Billywigs and actively trying to get stung.
The big day finally came. Don was sitting at the Slytherin table, too excited to eat much - even though the food was most delectable. He kept glancing over at Rose, eager to get started. Once she gave the signal, the fourth-year slipped his dogwood wand out of his robe pocket and aimed it at the pumpkin that concealed a Billywig container. "Alohomora," he muttered. The click of the lock was barely audible - he only caught it because he was listening for it. For a moment, nothing happened. He had just enough time to wonder if the insects had gone dormant or had gotten somehow stuck before he saw flashes of blue streak out through the holes in the carved pumpkin.
Unable to exit their temporary prison in a unified swarm, the insects were spreading out fast. Good - it meant a single immobilizing charm couldn't get all of them at once. Fast as they were, and difficult to target due to their small size, separate Billywigs would take a while to neutralize.
Post by THALIA BURKE on Apr 14, 2024 12:33:15 GMT -5
Food at Hogwarts was always great, but feasts were special. The variety and the presentation of dishes was exceptional, and Thalia had stuffed herself full. She only regretted not being able to try out more dishes. The custard pie looked so tempting... perhaps she could wait a little and then try a bite of it.
As the second-year took a sip of her pumpkin juice, she felt a sharp prick to her neck. Startled, she examined the skin with her fingers and found a tiny bump there. Odd... what could have caused this? Were there fleas at Hogwarts?
The pain faded quickly. She was starting to feel lightheaded now. A boy seated nearby suddenly yelped and put his elbow into the custard pie she had been eyeing. Thalia giggled, immensely amused by his clumsiness.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Apr 14, 2024 14:35:47 GMT -5
The squawks and yelps spreading down the Slytherin table made Olivia speculate if one of the dishes had caused a stomach ache outbreak. House elves were supposed to be good with food, but perhaps one of them messed up - Hogwarts took in so many retired ones who were losing their mental faculties but still wanted to serve.
Students at the other tables were starting to get restless as well. What in Merlin's name..? A stinging sensation in her arm made her recoil. Something blue flashed by her, too quick for her eyes to focus on. Another sting, this time on her cheek, made the girl join the chorus of surprised yelps.
Olivia jumped up from her seat, looking around wildly and very much considering the option of fleeing from the Great Hall. As she tried stepping further away from the table, she realised her foot was refusing to connect with the floor. Feeling a sudden lack of balance, she flailed her arms in an attempt to regain solid footing - only to feel another light jab, now in her palm. Losing balance completely, she fell... but did not hit the ground. Olivia found herself hovering a few feet in the air, feeling a little uncomfortable and flustered but otherwise unhurt.
There was nothing she could do but laugh at the absurd situation. The critical part of her brain reminded her that this wasn't funny, and that she should be getting angry for being made to look so silly. Ignoring the one rational thought, she tittered and moved her arms as though she was flapping wings, attempting to shift position and perhaps glide forward a few feet.
Post by MAEVE THORNE on Apr 14, 2024 17:39:28 GMT -5
The feast was nearing its conclusion, and Maeve was already watching the High Table for a sign of the upcoming dismissal. Although she normally enjoyed social gatherings, feasts at Hogwarts were far too plebeian - food was the only focus, and most of her peers seemed to be inexplicably impressed by dishes that were quite regular-looking to anyone who owned a diligent house-elf. Perhaps it was the number of dishes that dazzled them so - and most really did try to have a bit of everything, disregarding any food combination rules and ending up with an upset stomach. She was eager to get away from this gluttonous crowd and squeeze in a few hours of reading before bedtime.
A wave of exclamations further up the table made Maeve tear her gaze away from the Headmistress and look around. Some students had jumped up from their seats, and not only at the Slytherin table. She could see them flailing, yelping, giggling, and... levitating? Whatever was going on, the seventh-year immediately disliked it. This could very well rob her of the peaceful evening she had been looking forward to.
Narrowing her eyes in search of the reason for this commotion, she noticed the occasional blue streak in the air. Something was moving faster than even her trained Seeker eyes could see. One of the blue streaks appeared nearby and materialized into a blue insect as it landed on her left sleeve. She recognised it at once - a Billywig. With reflexes honed by years of capturing the Golden Snitch, she raised her right hand and swatted at it. Maeve felt the insect get squashed under her palm, but not before it stuck its stinger through the fabric of her clothes and into her skin.
Frowning, she wiped the remnants of the Billywig off her sleeve. How much time did she have before the venom clouded her mind? Giggling was not a vocalisation Maeve allowed herself to produce, ever. She was determined to resist the urge to act foolishly, but first she had to make sure she didn't get stung again. Removing her wand from its sheath, she raised it and aimed at the nearest Billywig that had briefly landed on a goblet. A non-verbal cast of the Freezing Charm rendered it immobile along with a few other insects of the same ilk that were nearby. That was not good enough; she would need to use the spell dozens of times to get rid of all these pests.
Maeve could feel her mind slowly becoming unfocused and confused. The sounds she was hearing around herself were now quite amusing; she registered some boy nearby laughing with the type of laughter that was always funnier than the joke itself. She clenched her jaw, resisting the contagion of mirth. Her brain kept sluggishly searching for a way to evade additional injections of the venom. She had no desire to help others at this point; yes, she was the Head Girl, but it wasn't her responsibility to protect other students - only to keep them in line. She rose from her seat and moved a few paces away from the table.
It took her a while to remember that insects hated smoke and would not willingly fly into it. Not trusting her ability to cast non-verbally at this point, she muttered "Fumus." Dark grey swirls of smoke enveloped her. The redhead could still make out large objects and shapes of people outside of her safe zone, but she herself was now concealed in a cloud of smoke. She waited for any Billywigs to brave what to them would seem like a harbinger of fire, but none flew near.
Last Edit: Apr 28, 2024 20:16:15 GMT -5 by MAEVE THORNE
Post by LIA FLETCHER on Apr 14, 2024 22:34:09 GMT -5
Lia always enjoyed holiday feasts, since it seemed like the house elves put extra effort into the food. She wasn’t sure how, but somehow it just tasted that much better. Perhaps it was just the decor and the good mood in the air that improved her impression of the food, but regardless, Lia was in a particularly good mood as she sat at the Hufflepuff table near some of her classmates. Finishing off the last of her pumpkin pie slice, she began to hear some laughter coming from the Slytherin table. She looked over to see what was causing such a commotion. Had something funny happened? It seemed a lot of students had caught a case of the giggles, and Lia was curious about the cause.
That was when she felt a sharp prick on her arm. She looked down and swore she saw a flash of blue, but there was nothing actually there. Odd. She scratched at the pin prick on her arm, suddenly finding the laughter happening across the room very amusing. The giggles seemed to be contagious as she found herself chuckling, the need to laugh building the more she laughed. She still had no idea what was so funny, but somehow just the idea of a table full of Slytherin students laughing was a hilarious thought.
Looking around, Lia noticed she wasn’t the only Hufflepuff student laughing. In fact, it seemed a number of students at each house table were giggling, the noise level increasing as more and more students joined the communal laughter. What was happening? And what was actually so funny? Despite her confusion, Lia could not stop the laughter bursting out of her.
TAGGED: Open Notes: N/A
Last Edit: Apr 14, 2024 22:34:49 GMT -5 by LIA FLETCHER
Post by PHOEBE ABBOTT on Apr 15, 2024 3:02:25 GMT -5
Phoebe was very much enjoying the Halloween feast. It always had really good food, and the spooky season generally lent itself to pranks and jumpscares. Everything seemed to be going normally, apart from the fact that many people were laughing. She wanted to know what the joke was, it must be awfully funny.
That is, until something very strange started to happen. She noticed some of the students begin to rise up. Were they really floating? What was happening. She stood up and tried to work out what was going on. Something pricked her on the back of the arm, and she flinched a little. A very strange feeling started to wash over her, and she felt a little sick briefly. Then she realised - she was levitating!
The biggest grin spread all across her face - this was so much fun! She’d read about creatures that could make you fly before, could this be them? Or perhaps spme sort of mass levitation spell? “Whoever planned this - I love them!” she said. As a certified prankster herself, this was quite impressive.
Post by CALVIN KLEIN on Apr 16, 2024 7:28:34 GMT -5
Calvin was still adjusting to school life here in Hogwarts.Being forced to sit with people who he shared a common house with almost felt strange for him despite being here for a bit over a month. He enjoyed the food for sure as it was much better than the meat pie and macaroni and questionable cheese they used to get served back in St.Augustine. Everything seemed normal at first as Calvin decided to feast into what was in front of him until he heard a bellowing scream of fear from a distance.
“NOW THAT’S A PARTY!” He said as he ran toward the billywigs doing his best to try and capture one of the nimble magical creatures. “ Come on down here you flying rat!” He vocalised hoping his comments could be interpreted as an insult toward the flying insects before him. He knew what effects Billywigs had on people and he wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
He stepped onto one of the long wooden seats his house was using and continued to wave his hands in the air hoping to not only capture one but get stung by one. Trying to capture these creatures were futile but finally after multiple attempts at waving his hand in the air, he was able to get stung by one.
The initial effects of the sting were a little painful but soon after, the effects of the sting almost. Became immediate. A flush of warmth came around him as he looked around and saw a few other students levitating. He was upset initially as he thought he wasn’t levitating until he noticed just how light his body started to feel as he began smiling and cheering on the Billywigs.
“ I LOVE HOGWARTS! “ He yelled out as he began to do flips around the air he was levitating in.
Post by DOMHNALL MCEVOY on Apr 17, 2024 18:59:42 GMT -5
As the feast descended into chaos, Don couldn't keep the grin off his face. The prank victims were mostly taking it well - not that they had much choice in the matter, since getting stung seemed to forcefully brighten everyone's mood. None of the insects had attacked him yet, but the fourth-year was chortling without additional aid - the scene was just so amusing.
The crowd at the Slytherin table was more cheerful than Don had ever seen it. He was pretty sure plenty of them would find reasons to be upset once their heads cleared up - embarrassment about having lost control, injured pride, etc. - but at least they could enjoy themselves now. It was the most amusing to watch his own housemates, but some people at the other tables occasionally attracted his attention. He heard Phoebe declare love to whoever arranged this entertainment, and barely refrained from blowing a kiss at her - that would be too much of a giveaway, even if a part of him wanted to take credit for the prank. Over at the Ravenclaw table, the Australian transfer student seemed to be having the time of his life; he must have had voluntary Billywig experiences before because he was actually trying to catch one of the insects and looked exultant once he succeeded.
Don picked up a pumpkin pasty from a nearby plate and snacked on it as he watched the show unfold in the Great Hall. Now that the insects were set loose and he had no more influence over the success of this venture, he found that his excitement-curbed appetite had returned. His eyes continued to wander the room, occasionally stopping at the High Table. The adults were bound to eventually end the fun, they always did, but he hoped it would take them some time to get the situation under control.
He glanced at Rose to check if she had been stung. The prospect of seeing her laugh was appealing in an odd, tingly way. Even so, perhaps watching the spectacle with a clear head was the better option - he was probably noticing much more of the action than his Billywig-affected peers.
Post by JULIAN MULCIBER on Apr 22, 2024 1:58:38 GMT -5
Julian Mulciber was not a common sight at the dinner table at Hogwarts. Mostly due to the fact he rarely kept to standard meal times, and much rather preferred to eat when things were quieter and it was less likely he would be disturbed. Today, however, he had been tempted into the Great Hall by the wafting scents of pastries and an empty stomach. Running had certainly worked up an appetite - and Julian had found that the more he ran, the hungrier he grew. Clearly his body was crying out for sustenance now that he was keeping to a regular routine.
Sat at the Slytherin table, Julian eyed one of his favourite foods: Yorkshire pudding. Although a very homey piece of pastry - and one that was usually staple in lower-class families, Julian had taken a liking to the food and found a certain comfort in its simplicity. He stared at the pudding for a few seconds before reaching across the table to take one -- only to hesitate upon catching sight of the mudblood McEvoy seated several places down, opposite him. The other boy rarely had an empty plate before him - but tonight seemed far too anticipatory to eat. Julian glared at him (as was usual at muggleborns), wondering why he had not partaken in the feast before him, retracting his hand and settling back down into his seat. The red head was looking over at one of the other three house tables, so Julian turned his head ever-so-slightly to catch peripheral sight of another red-head looking in the Slytherins direction. Julian turned his head back slowly so as to not draw attention, catching sight of McEvoy unsheathing his wand. Julian mirrored the movement, tightly clutching his own beneath the table, gaze trained on the other boy as his lips parted to mutter something softly.
Julian froze, waiting. What had he said? He wasn't quite close enough to catch the spell, so he took the only course of action suitable for an unknown occurrence: patience.
After a pregnant pause in which he barely breathed, Julian was distracted by a giggle erupting from his left. His eyes shot to the side, to see Burke watching a boy across from herself, his elbow apparently having gone for a swim in some custard -- definitely an amusing sight, yet somehow he knew something more was at work. As he continued to watch the boy seemingly appear confused and dazed at his sudden situation, a buzzing noise shot by his ears lightning fast, so close he was sure he felt a light wind on his cheek. Julian's eyebrows began to knit together as commotion began to climb around him. He heard another yelp a little further away - and his eyes immediately shifted to the outburst, catching sight of his cousin. Julian sprung into action - immediately kicking his bench backward to stand, wand in hand. Things were now personal. He zoned onto Olivia for the moment, seeing her wobble a little on weak legs before she began to fall -- his breath caught and Julian reflexively started forward a step -- only to watch in horror as she began floating.
He hesitated, trying to process this revelation as a chorus of surprised shouts, followed by an outburst of giggling and laughter filled the hall. Many students were looking around confused, while others had begun to float upward toward the ceiling.
Understanding his cousin was not in any immediate danger, Julian caught sight of a familiar figure: Thorne. She was moving away from the Slytherin table, backing up from other students before suddenly she was enveloped in dark smoke, and he lost sight of her completely. Acting swiftly, Julian headed in her direction, allowing the laughter to surround him as he moved past several students seemingly intoxicated with glee. He used his free hand to push a girl away from him as she levitated in his way - sending her over the table and toward the Gryffindor students, laughing maniacally.
As he rounded the end of the Slytherin table, a few paces from Thorne's smoke - Julian felt a sudden, sharp pain at his neck, surprising him. He rose a hand swiftly, using his fingertips to feel where the sting had occurred - but finding nothing but a small, raised bump. Whatever creature was causing this ruckus was fast. Julian blinked once, feeling a certain clouding of his mind begin to take over, but did not falter in his steps towards Maeve. He entered into the smoke a split-second later, and stopped in his tracks, feeling woozy - like he had drunk far too many Firewhiskeys from his fathers cabinet.
Uncharacteristically, he felt the urge to chuckle as his vision adjusted to the darkness he was standing in, catching the outline of the Prefect close to him. He swallowed the strange laughter, feeling as though he'd just swallowed an entire mouthful of something starchy, "this is McEvoy's doing-" he started pointedly, speaking directly so as to avoid using too many words. As his almost mentor and confidant, Julian would give Maeve all the information he could gather from an unexpected happening such as this. As an ally, and a powerful one at that, he was comfortable in sharing things with her (even as a Prefect) that Julian would loathe to share with any other authority figure. "Do you know--" a gutteral noise rose rapidly in his throat that turned into an almost groan that interrupted his speech, and Julian shook his head, attempting to clear it once more. He was fighting the laughter with every ounce of his willpower. Once he had gathered composure, Julian continued darkly, "--do you know what creature causes such a reaction?"
Post by MAEVE THORNE on Apr 22, 2024 17:40:37 GMT -5
The hubbub was getting louder as students were trying to figure out what was happening. Judging by the amount of titters and guffaws she was hearing, dozens of people must have already gotten stung. From the relative safety of her smoke cover, she watched the indistinct figures floating in the air. Was that going to afflict her, too, or would more than one sting be required? She tried to remember what she knew about Billywigs, but the ceaseless laughter around her was distracting. So far, her feet were planted firmly on the floor. In case the amount of venom she received was enough to eventually make her levitate, she leaned against a pillar so she could anchor herself if needed.
Still concentrated on controlling the unnatural mirthfulness, the redhead didn't notice Julian's approach until he was standing next to her. The tense way in which he delivered his words was telling; he was stung as well, and undergoing the same struggle as her. Out of all inhabitants of the castle who might have joined her in this impromptu shelter, he was certainly the most acceptable company. Maeve expected him to resist this merriment even more ardently than she herself would.
She clenched her teeth as she took in the brief accusation. Although the sneer her features so wanted to shape would have been humourless, she did not want to risk any change in expression. "Of course. What did he do?" Some type of proof would have to be found. Maeve did not expect Julian to utter any type of testimony in front of a faculty member, not even if it would condemn someone he deplored. She, on the other hand, would try to get McEvoy punished even if that meant Slytherin would lose house points for his misdemeanour. Neither the House Cup nor the communal punishment of taking away points for poor performance mattered to her, but she knew plenty of her housemates - especially the younger ones - would be rather upset. They might decide to take it out on McEvoy, which was probably the way this penalty was intended to function - making the students keep each other in line.
Taking slow, shallow breaths, she studied the dull tiles under her feet. Her mind felt fuzzy and disorganised, but it wasn't getting any worse anymore. Now all she had to do was wait out the effects of the venom and maintain control. McEvoy would pay for this. She would rile their housemates up herself if she had to, just to have people casting jinxes at him again like they did in his second year.
Her companion's question brought her back from the malicious daydream. "Billywigs. Tiny insects." Just like Julian, she attempted to use only a few words at a time, all the while carefully feeling for any slip in her currently brittle self-control. "How many stung you?" She still couldn't recall if the levitation was guaranteed, or if it depended on the number of stings one received. Body weight might also factor in. Her eyes remained trained on the floor, avoiding any sights that could trigger amusement.
Post by ROSE WEASLEY on Apr 22, 2024 18:18:47 GMT -5
The plan was going perfectly. Rose watched with utter glee as laughter slowly grew within the Great Hall, unable to wipe the bright grin from her face. Luckily she could just blame the Billywigs for her mirthful appearance, despite the fact that she hadn’t been stung by any insects up to that point. While some students seemed a bit annoyed at the ordeal - although it was a bit harder to tell through the laughter - many seemed to be enjoying the experience. An older transfer student even seemed to be actively pursuing the Billywigs hoping to be stung.
She didn’t need the Billywigs’ influence at that point, finding herself laughing along with the student body, absolutely tickled by their scheme’s total success. How long would it last? She had no idea, but she figured it would probably take a little while to capture all of the insects in the hall and bring all the levitating students down to the ground. Glancing over to Don at his own house table, she flashed him a quick thumbs up, seeing her own gleeful expression mirrored on his face. Nothing like a good prank to lighten up the mood. In this case quite literally.
It was only at that moment that she felt the telltale prick of a sting on her arm. Well, she was already laughing, so might as well fully embrace the experience. Plus, perhaps getting stung herself would help hide her implication in the prank’s execution. So far nobody seemed to be suspicious of either of them, so best to keep up the act for now. She could only imagine the punishment they would get if they were caught.
The Billywig’s venom didn’t take long to take effect, and she soon felt a pleasant lightheadedness overwhelm her. This was absolutely delightful. How could anybody not enjoy this experience? The first sting was soon followed by a few more, and before she knew it she found herself floating up from her seat, holding her stomach as she howled with laughter. This was the best day ever! She never wanted this to end.
Post by JULIAN MULCIBER on Apr 24, 2024 22:45:07 GMT -5
The cheerful, musical laughter filling the Great Hall fell on deaf ears as Julian stood there in the haze of Thorne's smoke, jaw clenched so as to not release any unwanted joyous sounds. He felt as though his body wanted to be released from its current statuesque stance, and with every minute that passed, that threat grew louder.
"Drew his wand--" Julian stopped briefly, swallowing another golf-ball and raising a hand to steady himself on the same pillar that Thorne was currently attached to - a particularly strong wave of vertigo washing over him. He held the pillar with a vice grip, unwilling to falter. He sucked a breath through his teeth defiantly, the sound creating a sort of hissing noise. It was better than a giggle, that was for sure. "--moments before this chaos...In league...ha-no-" He had slipped momentarily, a low, foreign sound forcing itself up his throat, shocking him. He had quickly uttered a verbal command as though he could force his body to comply - but it seemed ill-effective in the face of this creatures toxin. "--In league with a Gryffindor," he shakily breathed out, still fighting to remain steadfast.
As he had asked her if she was familiar with the creature that was causing this - Thorne answered, and he almost sighed in frustration. Tiny insects. How many could there be? With the chaos unfolding so swiftly - he could only assume they numbered in the dozens. He had witnessed himself just how fast they were - they would be lucky to remove themselves from this position without several more stings. "How long do we have?" Was his follow up question. He did not know how effective Thorne's smoke would be once it began to dissipate. It seemed that outside the protective smoke other students were having a field day - and with the particular effects of the Billywig sting it was highly unlikely they were going to be contained anytime soon - with everyone simply too dazed and elated to even so much as try.
As she questioned him, Julian did not hesitate, "once," he lifted the hand not currently attached to the pillar to motion toward the raised bump on his neck. "You?"
Post by MAEVE THORNE on Apr 25, 2024 1:51:59 GMT -5
If McEvoy used his wand to cast some spell, a trace of it would be left. She had researched Prior Incantato during the summer, to determine how many recent spells could be revealed with it. To her relief, its effectiveness was severely limited. Still, it should be enough to provide proof of the Muggleborn's guilt - as long as he cast no other spells in the meantime. He would not get away unpunished.
Clinging to thoughts of retribution alleviated some of the lightheaded joviality Maeve was currently struggling to contain. The effects could be likened to the Patronus Charm, only done in reverse - focusing on thoughts that fueled spite to keep abnormal merriment at bay. Thinking of that particular defensive bit of magic tended to irritate her, since it was one of the few spells she struggled to master; presently, however, the hint of dejection it caused was welcome.
Julian's halting speech, as well as the interdiction he directed at himself, produced an irritated sensation in Maeve's chest - it felt as though a handful of feathers had been conjured there. She recognised the feeling as amusement, made unpleasant by her attempts to repress it. Laughter was building up; the redhead tensed in an effort to contain it. Keeping her lips sealed tightly, she let out a shaky breath, releasing some of the buildup. Her eyes shifted from the floor to the ceiling while she fought to keep her expression blank. There was nothing humorous about this situation, she had to remind herself. Focusing her gaze on a candle floating high above, she inhaled deeply and felt in control again.
"I will handle it... McEvoy shall suffer," she pledged once she felt able to speak. A faculty member might want to have the culprits reprimanded in private, so their identity would not be immediately revealed to the whole school. Maeve intended to let everyone present witness the proof of their guilt, so the frustration some of the victims were bound to feel upon sobering up would have a deserving outlet.
She considered Julian's question, her eyes still following the candle. Intended as a temporary cover, the smoke was already dispersing. Recasting the spell would be simple enough, but perhaps they could relocate somewhere further from the epicentre of chaos first. Maeve fully intended to let professors deal with the situation - she only had to stay close enough to pounce on McEvoy as soon as the insects were gone. "Less than a minute. We should move away--" she had to pause and exhale again, her lips twitching a little as someone nearby snorted. "--away from others. They attract Billywigs." The loud noises and sudden movements students were making had to be provoking the insects. She turned to look at the door; it seemed to be unattainably far. Some flailing students were already moving in that direction, too, luring the Billywigs with their motions. A recess in the wall, some yards away from the two Slytherins' current hiding place, was far more inviting... provided they could relocate there without floating off.
Perhaps they could. One sting might not steal the benefits of gravity from them. "Same," she answered briefly. If body weight had any influence on the venom's effectiveness, Maeve was far more likely to suffer the hovering. "Let's move-- to that alcove?" Through the thinning smoke, she could already make out streaks of blue flashing around the hall. Her chosen recess was free of such movement, possibly because it held nothing of interest to the irritated insects.
Post by JULIAN MULCIBER on Apr 28, 2024 0:31:36 GMT -5
It was as though he were fighting the urge to vomit - but rather than the surging of his stomach contents, it was the constant flexing of his abdomen as laughter threatened to escape. Julian needed not to think on sad thoughts, or focus hard on something that angered him - rage was always something kept close to his heart, and this situation was only knocking on that door. He hated being under the influence of an uncontrollable effect - not being in complete control of his body was infuriating and if his control was not teetering on the precipice in that moment - he was almost certain he would attempt to curse McEvoy on sight. And who had been his accomplice? His brain fought the stupor of the sting - trying to paint a picture that failed to come to fruition. He had only caught sight of someone in his peripherals - but the hair had been red.
He knew only one redhead Gryffindor by name.
The two of them were tense in their fading smoke, and Julian had begun to make out his surroundings - if only by colour and movement. Things were still hazy, and they still seemed to be protected from any Billywigs - though not for much longer. He heard a shaky exhale emit from Thorne following his slip, understanding she was doing all she could to fight laughing at his unintended noise. He released a breath through his nostrils loudly, grinding his teeth as she spoke. McEvoy shall suffer. Good. Let the mudblood pay for this chagrin. More light was penetrating their smoky surroundings now, the candles above now providing a warmth to Thorne's usually quite pale skin. It was nearly time to move - and he didn't quite trust casting much magic lest the spells be interrupted by sounds of amusement.
As Maeve informed him that they likely had less than a minute, and to move away, he shot her a short, curt nod. He was deferring to her knowledge of the foreign creatures being attracted to crowds - certainly they would be having an absolute blast with everyone confined to the hall. As he motioned to the sting on his neck, she informed him that she had been stung once as well. So they were both under the same effect currently. Moving was certain to attract more Billywigs - and given their speed, Julian prepared mentally for at least another sting. He followed Thorne's line of sight to the aforementioned alcove, catching sight of the cavity in the wall: dark, quiet and isolated. "Oui," he spoke sharply, loosening his grip on the pillar he had been attached to, feeling blood rush back to his fingertips. He flexed them, lowering his arm.
He could see through the smoke now, and caught sight of a student high above their heads -- was that Klein?? -- he was spinning around amongst the candles - appearing to be trying to get stung as he swum after the blue insects. Julian blinked at the Ravenclaw, momentarily distracted by this sight before turning his attention back to their goal. "Move," he was clinical with his words - speaking only what was necessary to verbalise his intent. He stepped first out of the fading smoke and into the chaos, calm in his manner as he ignored the increasing number of floating students, moving instead with a steadfast intent. Frantic movement would only attract the insects more. His legs felt heavier than usual, however, and his balance was slightly off. He attributed this to the vertigo from the sting, and kept his eyes peeled for any signs of blue in the air before him.
The alcove was mere yards away, but even so, he was vulnerable. Julian swiped a brass goblet from the table beside him as he walked, pulling his arm back to lob it at one of the students nearby. Create a diversion. The goblet hit him square in the forehead - the force knocking the boy backward onto the table behind him, arms flailing and causing several more pieces of cutlery to come crashing down around him. The commotion seemed to attract the Billywigs to the innocent student - streaks of blue honing in on the sudden noise. If he were able, Julian would have smirked, but he did not trust himself not to release more humoured noises. He was nearing the recess now, and moving away from the other students and to where the insects seemed uninterested to populate. But then - quite suddenly and unexpectedly - another sharp sting. This time on his forearm. Julian hissed, immediately swiping at the area of pain to feel his hand smack something small, sending it spinning in another direction. He stopped in his pacing - having reached their destination, swaying a little on the spot as he looked down at his forearm - catching sight of the telling raised bump. No.
It was darker here, away from the candlelight. His eyes adjusted, though his vision was a little blurry. "Two," he managed to breath, tone a clear indication that he was not happy with this outcome, the urge to chuckle at this predicament now almost impossible to ignore. Julians facial muscles were twitching in an internal struggle - for those that were typically used to smile had not been stretched in years - which might account for why he was able to fight the expression for longer than most others. Thankfully he did not feel lightweight in any sense just yet - but his failing ability to think clearly was an immediate issue.
