11 Jun 2018, 21:52
Tree Trouble
Constantine sealed the letter shut, handing it off to a large, horned owl that perched on the window ledge. He gave it a few quick pats, between the 'ears', as he liked to call them. "Please take this to Montgomery." Constantine ordered, though his tone was affectionate rather than commanding. As soon as he'd spoken, the owl gracefully took flight, soaring on the winds that whistled throughout the Owlery. He contemplated staying a little longer, however he'd already been there far too long. The letter had taken him a good fifteen minutes to perfect, including the various ink smudges that came with his left-handedness. Then he fussed over all the owls - it wasn't his fault they were so cute. It was a brief letter, really. The Hufflepuff had just written about homework, mainly, and asking if Montgomery had had difficult homework at his time at Hogwarts. Constantine suspected not, or at least, that Montgomery never did it. The shriek of an owl pulled him from his thoughts, and he quickly moved to the stairwell, not wanting them to give him a parting gift.
As he descended, he didn't think about much. Typical, mundane things, like what he'd have for lunch tomorrow. Then again, the food at Hogwarts was quite the cause for excitement. Finally reaching the floor below, Constantine exited the building. He'd rather walk around to the courtyard, instead of walking through the corridors, so he could get a breath of fresh air. Whilst the Owlery hadn't been too foul smelling, it wasn't pleasant either. Mostly, it smelt stale, despite being relatively aired out. However, he'd make sure he strayed far from the Greenhouses - the last thing he needed was to walk into a pit of Devil's Snare, or stumble upon some unpotted Mandrakes. Besides, he wouldn't want to waste such a nice day inside the castle, as much as the interior decorations interested him.
As he descended, he didn't think about much. Typical, mundane things, like what he'd have for lunch tomorrow. Then again, the food at Hogwarts was quite the cause for excitement. Finally reaching the floor below, Constantine exited the building. He'd rather walk around to the courtyard, instead of walking through the corridors, so he could get a breath of fresh air. Whilst the Owlery hadn't been too foul smelling, it wasn't pleasant either. Mostly, it smelt stale, despite being relatively aired out. However, he'd make sure he strayed far from the Greenhouses - the last thing he needed was to walk into a pit of Devil's Snare, or stumble upon some unpotted Mandrakes. Besides, he wouldn't want to waste such a nice day inside the castle, as much as the interior decorations interested him.
Last edited by Constantine Babbitt on 21 Jun 2018, 21:09, edited 1 time in total.
11 Jun 2018, 23:59
Tree Trouble
Fairies.
Honest to God fairies!
Since arriving at Hogwarts, Maisy Dane had never been more excited to make a discovery made about the school grounds. It was a matter of misfortune that the Slytherin girl, a beacon of naivety, had no idea the group of boys were lying through their teeth. That a fifth-year's boredom was conducive to nasty bouts of ignorant and dangerous jokes. It was a greater misfortune that their lie had involved a certain old tree on Hogwart's Grounds, with a knack for impatience and a violent disposition towards intruders.
As she headed down the hill at a near sprint towards the nobbled willow tree, she was completely oblivious to the prank, her mind filled with notions of fanciful creatures with iridescent wings and beautiful pixie-like faces. They spun round and round in her head, their dresses made from leaves and flower petals and twigs twirling like a dancer. The footprints - that's what she'd been told to look for, and as she slowed about two hundred feet from the willow, she crouched down low, her eyes scanning the ground for the tiny pricks, barely bigger than a pinhead.
The tree's weeping limbs swayed to and fro, and looking up, Maisy tapped her chin. Maybe she needed to get closer...
Honest to God fairies!
Since arriving at Hogwarts, Maisy Dane had never been more excited to make a discovery made about the school grounds. It was a matter of misfortune that the Slytherin girl, a beacon of naivety, had no idea the group of boys were lying through their teeth. That a fifth-year's boredom was conducive to nasty bouts of ignorant and dangerous jokes. It was a greater misfortune that their lie had involved a certain old tree on Hogwart's Grounds, with a knack for impatience and a violent disposition towards intruders.
As she headed down the hill at a near sprint towards the nobbled willow tree, she was completely oblivious to the prank, her mind filled with notions of fanciful creatures with iridescent wings and beautiful pixie-like faces. They spun round and round in her head, their dresses made from leaves and flower petals and twigs twirling like a dancer. The footprints - that's what she'd been told to look for, and as she slowed about two hundred feet from the willow, she crouched down low, her eyes scanning the ground for the tiny pricks, barely bigger than a pinhead.
The tree's weeping limbs swayed to and fro, and looking up, Maisy tapped her chin. Maybe she needed to get closer...
13 Jun 2018, 18:51
Tree Trouble
As Constantine walked, he gazed at his surroundings. Hogwarts was certainly a pretty place, the perfect mix of greenery and school grounds. With his hands stuffed into his pockets, the Hufflepuff followed a small trail of grass, which appeared recently disturbed. Maybe it was a rabbit? Or a fox? Constantine wasn't sure if Hogwarts hosted any non-magical creatures, however there was always time to find out. The prints in the grass looked a lot bigger than a woodland creature, though. He followed the trail regardless, letting his walk drag on a little bit longer. Constantine braced himself as he strolled down a hill, though it quickly turned into a run as he sped to steady himself. In the distance, he could see the faint outline of a large tree. Wasn't it supposed to be dangerous?
Well, it was what he'd heard from his brother. Though, how scary could a tree really be? Besides, his brother was probably pulling on his leg. It looked a bit more animated than your average willow, however it wasn't really cause for concern. Although, shortly after, he had spotted Maisy crouching amongst the grass. Gleefully, Constantine jogged over, albeit slowing down when she seemed preoccupied. "What're you doing out here? Is exploring Hogwarts not enough for you?" He joked, bending over to see what she had been looking at. Constantine squinted, but ultimately couldn't find a lot. When he saw nothing, he frowned. "That's an interesting bit of grass you've got there. " The Hufflepuff tittered.
Well, it was what he'd heard from his brother. Though, how scary could a tree really be? Besides, his brother was probably pulling on his leg. It looked a bit more animated than your average willow, however it wasn't really cause for concern. Although, shortly after, he had spotted Maisy crouching amongst the grass. Gleefully, Constantine jogged over, albeit slowing down when she seemed preoccupied. "What're you doing out here? Is exploring Hogwarts not enough for you?" He joked, bending over to see what she had been looking at. Constantine squinted, but ultimately couldn't find a lot. When he saw nothing, he frowned. "That's an interesting bit of grass you've got there. " The Hufflepuff tittered.
13 Jun 2018, 19:06
Tree Trouble
Maisy had been so focused on the task at hand, she hadn't heard Constantine until he was behind her, and as he spoke, she nearly toppled over, spinning on her heels with a small squeak. Without thinking, because there was just no time for that when one was tracking fairies (or so she assumed), she clapped her hands over the Hufflepuff's mouth.
"Shh!" She breathed, putting a finger to her lips, "We have to whisper... Or we'll scare them off." Lowering her hand, she bent down again, crooking a finger in his direction, indicating he do the same, "Oh, Constantine! This is so exciting. You've no idea! I didn't even know they were here... and all the books, there was just nothing, at all. But I imagine there's probably a bit hard to find, so it's not a wonder."
Glancing over at him, she smile, "But some of the older boys in my House, they told me all about it. And they must be wonderful, cause they couldn't stop laughing... Oh, I can't wait to see one! They live in that tree over there, and if you can be real quiet and sneak up... they'll come out. Fairies! Real, honest fairies!"
"Shh!" She breathed, putting a finger to her lips, "We have to whisper... Or we'll scare them off." Lowering her hand, she bent down again, crooking a finger in his direction, indicating he do the same, "Oh, Constantine! This is so exciting. You've no idea! I didn't even know they were here... and all the books, there was just nothing, at all. But I imagine there's probably a bit hard to find, so it's not a wonder."
Glancing over at him, she smile, "But some of the older boys in my House, they told me all about it. And they must be wonderful, cause they couldn't stop laughing... Oh, I can't wait to see one! They live in that tree over there, and if you can be real quiet and sneak up... they'll come out. Fairies! Real, honest fairies!"
13 Jun 2018, 19:44
Tree Trouble
Constantine immediately recoiled, surprised by how fast Maisy had gotten up from her spot on the floor. He had opened his mouth in protest, only to shut it again as he was muted by the Slytherin. Constantine peered over her hands, waiting for an explanation. As she freed him from her grip, Constantine pretended to zip his lips, before chucking the key away into the grass.
The Hufflepuff did as he was told, taking up the space besides Maisy in a slightly confused daze. He didn't really understand what was so interesting about the floor - did Slytherin students really like green that much? She had begun to talk about books, so Constantine's initial thought was that they were looking for bugs. For a while, he'd stare down, determined to find whatever it was Maisy had been looking for. However he quickly looked back to the girl, a lost look in his eyes. Clearly, he needed some sort of confirmation as to what was going on.
"Fairies?" Constantine repeated, a little too loudly than anticipated. He quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, as if willing himself to be more quiet. He had a bad feeling about this. Something told him that the boys were up to something - why would they know where to find fairies? It wasn't exactly the typical teenage boy's hobby. The Hufflepuff caught Maisy's wrist, urging her to look at him. "We shouldn't go over there. Monty told me about a tree like that one, said it was dangerous. He didn't mention any fairies, either." He said, in a hushed whisper this time, however his warning was still serious.
The Hufflepuff did as he was told, taking up the space besides Maisy in a slightly confused daze. He didn't really understand what was so interesting about the floor - did Slytherin students really like green that much? She had begun to talk about books, so Constantine's initial thought was that they were looking for bugs. For a while, he'd stare down, determined to find whatever it was Maisy had been looking for. However he quickly looked back to the girl, a lost look in his eyes. Clearly, he needed some sort of confirmation as to what was going on.
"Fairies?" Constantine repeated, a little too loudly than anticipated. He quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, as if willing himself to be more quiet. He had a bad feeling about this. Something told him that the boys were up to something - why would they know where to find fairies? It wasn't exactly the typical teenage boy's hobby. The Hufflepuff caught Maisy's wrist, urging her to look at him. "We shouldn't go over there. Monty told me about a tree like that one, said it was dangerous. He didn't mention any fairies, either." He said, in a hushed whisper this time, however his warning was still serious.
13 Jun 2018, 19:51
Tree Trouble
Her excitement prior to his arrival had been excessive... now, it was nearly uncontainable. Not only was she going to find fairies... but she was going to do so with a friend, and they would be able to share the experience, tell others about it... It would stay with them for the rest of their lives, and someday, when they were older and had families of their own, they'd be able to tell their children all about Hogwarts and the amazing, incredible discoveries that they--
But something was wrong. His hand latched around her wrist and Maisy paused, turning back to him, catching light of the look of doubt on his face.
"What do you mean we shouldn't go--" Blinking, Maisy trailed off as she looked to Constantine, then back to the tree and for a moment, there was trace lines of confusion in the young Slytherin's expression. His concern, she had to note, seemed fairly genuine, and upon inspection, the tree did seem to be swaying slightly more than the wind should have allowed, but...
"...I don't understand." Moving to sit back on her heels, she frowned, "Why would they tell me about it if it were dangerous? Why would they lie?"
But something was wrong. His hand latched around her wrist and Maisy paused, turning back to him, catching light of the look of doubt on his face.
"What do you mean we shouldn't go--" Blinking, Maisy trailed off as she looked to Constantine, then back to the tree and for a moment, there was trace lines of confusion in the young Slytherin's expression. His concern, she had to note, seemed fairly genuine, and upon inspection, the tree did seem to be swaying slightly more than the wind should have allowed, but...
"...I don't understand." Moving to sit back on her heels, she frowned, "Why would they tell me about it if it were dangerous? Why would they lie?"
13 Jun 2018, 20:21
Tree Trouble
"I'm not sure if we should go over there." Constantine faltered, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. He stared out to the tree, thinking hard. Aside from the tree's unusual movements, nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. Maybe it wasn't a fairy inside the tree at all. He'd read about Bowtruckles before, and that seemed more likely. Although, they were only dangerous when you threatened the tree - maybe Montgomery had been messing with the willow, causing them to attack? The word 'Bowtruckle' and 'fairy' were two entirely different words, though, so it was impossible for the older students to get mixed up.
The Hufflepuff really hoped this wasn't what he thought it was. A set-up. He took a glance at Maisy's face, laced in confusion. His resolve to stay away from the tree crumbled, and instead, Constantine wanted to make Maisy happy. Even if it meant going against his gut feeling. You're right, they wouldn't lie like that. It's probably Montgomery pulling my leg." Constantine swallowed his looming feeling of dread, flashing the Slytherin a smile. He really couldn't bring himself to tell Maisy of the student's true intentions, so Constantine hoped that there really were fairies in the tree, and that their intent was pure. "But for my peace of mind, stay behind me a little?" He compromised, before getting to his feet. Constantine offered Maisy a hand, to pull her from the ground.
The Hufflepuff really hoped this wasn't what he thought it was. A set-up. He took a glance at Maisy's face, laced in confusion. His resolve to stay away from the tree crumbled, and instead, Constantine wanted to make Maisy happy. Even if it meant going against his gut feeling. You're right, they wouldn't lie like that. It's probably Montgomery pulling my leg." Constantine swallowed his looming feeling of dread, flashing the Slytherin a smile. He really couldn't bring himself to tell Maisy of the student's true intentions, so Constantine hoped that there really were fairies in the tree, and that their intent was pure. "But for my peace of mind, stay behind me a little?" He compromised, before getting to his feet. Constantine offered Maisy a hand, to pull her from the ground.
13 Jun 2018, 20:33
Tree Trouble
As he reiterated his hesitancy, Maisy continued to watch the tree. It swayed, sweeping limbs brushing along the ground, bows groaning with what sounded like a guttural sound... like a territorial growling. Fear had a knack for making things appear far scarier than they actually were, but if she was honest, something about the willow felt downright predatory.
Constantine continued and turning to him, she looked up, reaching to take the outstretched hand to pull herself to her feet, "Montgomery... He doesn't... do that often, does he? Pulling your leg?" Biting the edge of her nail, she shuffled her feet, obediently keeping behind him, even before they'd started forward. She'd forgotten entirely about whispering, or about being quiet at all, and kept hold of Constantine's arm perhaps a little more tightly than necessary.
It occurred to her that, of course, she was overthinking things. It was a tree, and while there were many things in Hogwarts that were mysterious and magical, she couldn't fathom that they would have anything dangerous on their property. Except that the limbs closer to the edges of the willow did appear rather largely like fists... and she was fairly certain she wasn't imagining that it seemed to scrunch tighter as they took a step closer.
Giving his arm a small tug, she paused, "...M...maybe we'd better... Maybe we shouldn't?"
Constantine continued and turning to him, she looked up, reaching to take the outstretched hand to pull herself to her feet, "Montgomery... He doesn't... do that often, does he? Pulling your leg?" Biting the edge of her nail, she shuffled her feet, obediently keeping behind him, even before they'd started forward. She'd forgotten entirely about whispering, or about being quiet at all, and kept hold of Constantine's arm perhaps a little more tightly than necessary.
It occurred to her that, of course, she was overthinking things. It was a tree, and while there were many things in Hogwarts that were mysterious and magical, she couldn't fathom that they would have anything dangerous on their property. Except that the limbs closer to the edges of the willow did appear rather largely like fists... and she was fairly certain she wasn't imagining that it seemed to scrunch tighter as they took a step closer.
Giving his arm a small tug, she paused, "...M...maybe we'd better... Maybe we shouldn't?"
13 Jun 2018, 20:57
Tree Trouble
Despite feeling courageous at that moment in time, for Maisy's sake, Constantine still didn't like the grumbling noises that erupted from the willow. It's gnarled appearance wasn't exactly the friendliest, either, so it took him a good few seconds to steel himself before he took his first step forwards. Nothing happened, at all. It made him uneasy, but also question what he was so afraid of. It's not like the tree was going to grow legs and attack them both. "It's fine, he teases me all the time." He reassured, brushing the comment off as if it was nothing. Whilst it wasn't a direct lie, it wasn't the truth. Montgomery did enjoy poking fun at him, however he'd never joke about a dangerous scenario - he was simply too protective of his little brother.
After feeling a quick jerk on his arm, he looked over to Maisy. She'd been clutching awfully tight, not that he minded - was she frightened? He tried not to let his concern be evident, after all, he had wanted Maisy to have fun. "We shouldn't? But what about the fairies?" He asked. Constantine really didn't want to watch her face fall as he revealed the truth behind what the boys had told her. Why couldn't there just be fairies, just this once? "We're almost there, aren't we? Nothing's happened yet." Constantine added, partly determined, but also nervous to reach the willow. Too preoccupied with the Slytherin behind him, he hadn't noticed the branches begin to unfurl.
After feeling a quick jerk on his arm, he looked over to Maisy. She'd been clutching awfully tight, not that he minded - was she frightened? He tried not to let his concern be evident, after all, he had wanted Maisy to have fun. "We shouldn't? But what about the fairies?" He asked. Constantine really didn't want to watch her face fall as he revealed the truth behind what the boys had told her. Why couldn't there just be fairies, just this once? "We're almost there, aren't we? Nothing's happened yet." Constantine added, partly determined, but also nervous to reach the willow. Too preoccupied with the Slytherin behind him, he hadn't noticed the branches begin to unfurl.
13 Jun 2018, 21:12
Tree Trouble
For just a moment, she allowed herself to relax a little, as Constantine confirmed that his brother was, in fact, quite the jester. Maybe it had been just a tease, to give him something to worry about - other students watching him give the tree a ridiculous berth, while they walked past it without issue. She could see his brother having a good laugh at the idea, and later telling him the truth.
But that was the part of her that wanted nothing more than to believe in fairies... and not in fairies, but in the general good-nature will of people. Because if it was the truth, if Montgomery's warning held merit then it meant that the boys had lied. Not only that they had lied, but that they had put her up to something that could very well be dangerous... And the idea of that hurt far too much to fathom. She was naive - she knew it - even at so young an age she was all too well aware that she saw the world in shades of light it wasn't really capable of. But the incandescence was the only thing, sometimes, that made all the bad things feel better...
Being an indefatigable optimist wasn't about viewing things through rose-colored glasses... it was a last line of defense against those things she could only pretend weren't really out there. And someone lying to her about something like this? It was too much...
And so she allowed herself to be lead, following Constantine closer to the tree. It was only when he stopped that she looked up again and as he spoke she could see the digits of the massive willow uncurl. She could see it... could feel it in the air. The wrongness.
When the first branch slammed down onto the ground mere feet from where they stood, she didn't have time to scream. Instead, her mind working faster than it really ought to have been capable of, she grabbed the Hufflepuff by the shoulders and with a squeak, shoved him as hard as her wet-noodle arms could manage, diving in the opposite direction seconds before the next bough smacked into the earth directly where they had been standing.
But that was the part of her that wanted nothing more than to believe in fairies... and not in fairies, but in the general good-nature will of people. Because if it was the truth, if Montgomery's warning held merit then it meant that the boys had lied. Not only that they had lied, but that they had put her up to something that could very well be dangerous... And the idea of that hurt far too much to fathom. She was naive - she knew it - even at so young an age she was all too well aware that she saw the world in shades of light it wasn't really capable of. But the incandescence was the only thing, sometimes, that made all the bad things feel better...
Being an indefatigable optimist wasn't about viewing things through rose-colored glasses... it was a last line of defense against those things she could only pretend weren't really out there. And someone lying to her about something like this? It was too much...
And so she allowed herself to be lead, following Constantine closer to the tree. It was only when he stopped that she looked up again and as he spoke she could see the digits of the massive willow uncurl. She could see it... could feel it in the air. The wrongness.
When the first branch slammed down onto the ground mere feet from where they stood, she didn't have time to scream. Instead, her mind working faster than it really ought to have been capable of, she grabbed the Hufflepuff by the shoulders and with a squeak, shoved him as hard as her wet-noodle arms could manage, diving in the opposite direction seconds before the next bough smacked into the earth directly where they had been standing.