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.
We have many active events ongoing for both students and adults and many characters and locations around the world.
Come join us and discover how your character can grow and evolve in the world of Harry Potter.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Jun 13, 2024 6:12:04 GMT -5
Dear Nate,
I am sending that list of books I promised. At least a few of them should be available for purchase at Flourish and Blotts, if they aren't already a part of your family's library.
It's so quiet here at the hospital. I wish I could read those books, too, but I don't dare to ask my parents for them. Fairly sure at least half of that list belongs in the Restricted Section.
Post by NATHANIEL HARROWS on Jun 13, 2024 6:23:59 GMT -5
Dear Olivia,
I have received your letter, via exceptionally feathery and weather-beaten owl, and have taken the time to search for the books you listed - I had Neville procure them.
I will begin research onto the topic immediately.
Even if it may take a day or so, though, feel welcome to send more correspondence to stave off boredom in the hospital.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Jun 13, 2024 6:37:19 GMT -5
Dear Nate,
Ascalaphus does look exhausted after this trip. Could you send your next reply with one of your family owls, if they're available? A bigger bird might handle such a long trip better.
I am recovering well enough. Those black lines you saw are gradually disappearing, the Healer says they should all be gone before February. That's when I will be released from the Hospital Wing, too.
Have you found any new information about Basilisks?
Post by NATHANIEL HARROWS on Jun 13, 2024 6:46:32 GMT -5
Dear Olivia,
I will do as you ask, and send one of the Harrows family owls, yes. Neville can select it, as I have no desire to visit the owlery - I cannot think of anything worse, honestly.
The decrease in your symptoms is good to hear, though remaining in the wing until February sounds awful. Let me know if you wish for other books, unrelated, to be sent.
Regarding the basilisks, I found an interesting passage in a tome:
"Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size, and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it."
-- Most Macabre Monstrosities
From what that quote states, as well as some checking into corresponding sources, it appears somewhat accurate. There are several things of note, but the most important is that the stare of the basilisk should be instant death. And yet, the Muggleborns were not dead. Does this align with your knowledge about petrified individuals?
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Jun 13, 2024 7:44:41 GMT -5
Dear Nate,
It would be great if you could send some books on the languages of magical creatures. As a less interesting addition, I would also need a list of our homework assignments - starting from November 27. It turns out I am still required to turn all of them in after I am released from the hospital.
The excerpt you sent sounds familiar, though I had forgotten that making eye contact with the monster is unequivocally lethal. Could it be that a young Basilisk wouldn't be able to kill with its stare? Students had been petrified by one of these snakes some thirty years ago, too - it cannot be as deadly as the books make it out to be.
Did you find that tome on curse-derived petrification? It might offer some insights.
Post by NATHANIEL HARROWS on Jun 13, 2024 7:58:12 GMT -5
Dear Olivia,
I will have Neville collect and package all required material for your homework, as well as procure and send the books on languages of magical creatures... though why you would want to communicate more with them, is beyond me. Be that as it may, I am available to assist in your endeavors of completing assignments, should you need me.
Regarding your theory about a young basilisk, this may be correct, and I will investigate further.
I have been perusing books on petrifying curses, insofar as my parents have allowed me to attain, yet the greatest source of information came from an unlikely Fantastic Beasts volume - I have condensed all sources into a coherent quote:
"Petrification was a malign magical state in which a living creature was rendered immobile and unresponsive, as if they had been turned to stone, and is a phenomenon of the most advanced Dark Magic..." "Beasts, beings and even spirits such as ghosts can be affected, with petrification being inflicted by the statue curse, the gaze of the Gorgon and the Basilisk..." "...of the Basilisk, its gaze ordinarily killed living creatures, but when seen indirectly, or by a ghost (who was already dead and couldn't die again), it caused Petrification instead..."
Perhaps this could explain why the Muggleborns were found as they were, as they were found near water and reflections - could this be a passing glance?
Unrelated, I have been asked if your family wishes to dine with my own over the Christmas holidays, though I do not believe my parents are aware you are indisposed, personally. Nonetheless, I ask because I am asked to pass the message on, as my father inquired as to whom I was writing to.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Jun 13, 2024 8:29:22 GMT -5
Dear Nate,
I believe you have discovered the answer! If the creature's eyes only kill when beheld directly, and otherwise lead to petrification, it fits the current situation perfectly. Unless, of course, it's a Gorgon. They have near-human intelligence, or so I've heard - smuggling one into Hogwarts would be easier than bringing a Basilisk in.
As for dining with my family, I have sent a letter to my father. His response was positive - I believe he has already contacted your parents about it. If you could slip some laxative potion into Augustus' food, I would be eternally grateful. He has been rather unbearable with his taunts about my potioneering mishap.
Post by NATHANIEL HARROWS on Jun 13, 2024 8:43:00 GMT -5
Dear Olivia,
It would seem we are on a good track to solving this, and before the Professors, no doubt. That said, should we consider the possibility of a Gorgon? I did some passing research after your mention, and it stated they are creatures with a serpentine body, typically female in appearance, and snakes for hair. The notion of a humanoid snake seems far more chilling to me than a basilisk, if I am being truthful, though both are equally dangerous all told.
With your position inside the hospital wing, were you able to speak with the Muggleborns before they departed school grounds? Perhaps some final healer checks or visits to the hospital wing were arranged?
As to your request, I have forwarded it to Neville, and he as advised me that he will not be doing that. I have asked for some laxative potion for my own use, which he seemed inclined to deny me, but I reminded him that once he passed it to my hand, his had nothing more to do with it. I will continue to badger him until he delivers it. As much as I tolerate Augustus, and he does have his moments, I'm afraid he is very deserving of some retaliation for treating your ailment so frivolously.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Jun 13, 2024 9:03:18 GMT -5
Dear Nate,
I agree - anything that resembles a human, but isn't one, is far worse than a monstrous creature. The comparatively high intelligence level would make it more dangerous than a Basilisk might be, too. Only, what could one offer to a Gorgon to make it do one's bidding? I doubt a creature like that would enter Hogwarts of its own volition, without any reward in sight.
Sadly, I was not able to personally speak to the two Muggleborns before they were released. I did hear them blabber a lot, though it was mostly useless nonsense. Although I couldn't hear everything, I am fairly sure they told the Headmistress that they don't remember anything. Later, one of them fell out of his bed. It must have been an amusing sight, too bad I could not behold it due to this curtain that confines me. Were you able to talk to Beaton or McEvoy privately at any point?
You truly are an exceptional friend to have. I hope you don't get into trouble for this - though I believe nobody will think to test the food for any unexpected additives. Would your house-elves tell on you, if not questioned directly by your parents?
Post by NATHANIEL HARROWS on Jun 13, 2024 9:18:53 GMT -5
Dear Olivia,
I am glad we've common ground on the Gorgon. I do not fancy discovering that creature, should we have the opportunity to search after the break. Far better to find a large snake, I reluctantly admit, though either option doesn't strike a chord with me. Still, the mystery needs solving!
It is unfortunate we couldn't learn more with your stay in the wing, but at least you have been able to correlate some of what I discovered. I spoke with McEvoy at the Slytherin slumber party, which in and of itself was a boring affair, and he spoke of not really remembering anything, or even why he was near the trophy room to begin with. Additionally, I recall that McEvoy said it was Beaton, the other Muggleborn, that fell from his bed in a display of infant-like discombobulation - and that he tried to rush out right away. McEvoy also said he felt well enough to leave, by his opinion, though the healer kept him there for a few days... I imagine some of that lines up with your observations?
As for the laxative, have no fear, I shall not be discovered. The Harrows have specific staff, allocated upstairs and downstairs; our upstairs staff are all purebloods, like ourselves, while the downstairs are house-elves. We do not mix with the downstairs staff. Should anyone seek to question additives to Augustus' food, it will likely fall at the feet of the downstairs staff and I will hear nothing more of it... and I trust that Neville will not speak of it, either, even as he handles these letters and attaches them to the owls (isn't that right, Neville?).
It has been a week now, since I returned to the manor, and I wanted to ask of your recovery again - how do you fare? I hope all is as expected and you are comfortable.
Yours sincerely, Nate
PS: Did you receive those books? I had Neville send more, for fear you might get through the list with the time on your hands.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Jun 13, 2024 10:35:46 GMT -5
Dear Nate,
Yes, your findings match mine - too bad they avail nothing. All I can conclude is that these Muggleborns are unable to provide us with anything of value - not even simple answers. Clowning around is their only achievement in this mystery, and it is a counter-productive achievement at that.
Your household arrangements sound fascinating. I am glad you are thus enabled to slip anyone's notice or suspicion. If one of your house-elves gets sacked, that would be no big loss - a new one can be found easily. Or are your parents more likely to simply punish the creature?
My health is improving every day. There are no more signs of the poisoning on my face, and every other mark could easily be concealed under my school robes. However, the Healer insists that I must stay until I have recovered fully and no longer experience any pain when I move - which might still take a while.
Yours sincerely, Olivia
P.S. I have indeed received the books you so kindly provided - watching three owls carry the heavy package all together was quite entertaining. This literature is possibly the only thing keeping me in moderately good spirits. Thank you for sending it.
P.P.S. Could you attach your Potions essay on aconite, if you still have it? I need to write three more inches about it, but I have run out of ideas. No plagiarism shall occur, I simply seek inspiration.
Post by NATHANIEL HARROWS on Jun 14, 2024 1:47:12 GMT -5
Dear Olivia,
A shame, then, that we seem to be at an impasse regarding this mystery. I suppose we will need to wait until after the Christmas break to look further, once back at Hogwarts.
And yes, our arrangement allows us to only deal with individuals we wish to, and if I am being honest, I find house-elves a little disconcerting - they look very odd, with droopy ears and long noses, and incredibly large eyes. A little off-putting, in my opinion, though I cannot complain about their skill with maintaining the manor or the food they cook, which is all very delightful.
I am glad to hear you are improving. The dark veins were concerning when I first saw them, and even after as well, though knowing you are recovering is pleasing. You evaded my question in the ward: what poison was it?
Yours sincerely, Nate
P.S. If you wish to discuss any of the books, I have read most of them myself, so feel free.
P.P.S. I have had Neville write a copy of my Potions essay, which you can find attached.
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Jun 14, 2024 1:59:51 GMT -5
Dear Nate,
House-elves are indeed quite unattractive. Most of ours are instructed to stay out of sight when going about their duties, but we do still see them. I shall suggest to my parents that we could hire human staff as well. Speaking of, when is the dinner with my family set to take place?
The poison was called Creeping Death. I was told that its recipe has been removed from my belongings, however, so I wouldn't be tempted to try brewing it again.
Yours sincery, Olivia
P.S. & P.P.S. As always, you are most helpful. Once again, you have my gratitude.
Post by NATHANIEL HARROWS on Jun 14, 2024 2:13:16 GMT -5
Dear Olivia,
The different staff groups does promote a pleasant manor, I admit, though I may be biased as I have Neville to help with any concerns personally. Perhaps a butler might be worth suggesting, also?
Creeping Death. I see. I will look into it, and perhaps find another copy of the recipe, in case we wanted to try again. And speaking of learning, do you have any similarly questionable potions or spells you want me to keep aware of, in my efforts to find things?
Post by OLIVIA MULCIBER on Jun 14, 2024 2:35:20 GMT -5
Dear Nate,
A butler would be great, but I am afraid I shall not get one. My parents have decided not to hire servants exclusively for me after that incident with my last nanny some four years ago. I fail to understand the reasons - I heard her hair has mostly grown back by now, so no harm done.
Good luck in your endeavours to find another copy of the recipe. It might reside in the Restricted Section, if at Hogwarts at all. As for other questionable potions or spells, yes - the weather here is abysmal, I hope the winter ends soon sadly no, I only stumbled upon this one by chance. It was on a page concealed in another book I borrowed from the library.
