22 Nov 2024, 06:14
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
Date: October 9th 7:45 PM
Reducio
Closed for: @Amelia Garnett & @William Cross
The first month of Hogwarts flew by, and October invaded the castle with its frightful decor. The sea of candles that were suspended in the air under a bewitched nighttime sky now had a fair share of Jack-O-lanterns mixed in. A couple of the suits of armor that stood in the corners were replaced by the same size skeleton decoration. At first glance the skeletons looked no different than what you would see on a muggle lawn during this time, but these were bewitched to come to life occasionally. Steven overheard one of them making puns and trying it's best at standup comedy every time a student walked by. Halloween had always been one of his favorite holidays, and Hogwarts was adding a magical touch to the holiday that for Steven was making it that much more enjoyable.
It was getting late in the evening as the number of students at dinner started to dwindle. A few Ravenclaw students got up from the table and went off and joined their friends at the now nearly empty table to the left of them. Steven stayed however for a couple moments more. He was looking over the table that usually held an all-you-can-eat buffet now be limited to scraps as plates of new food stopped appearing. Not letting his eyes win in the contest against his stomach, the boy got up from the table and made for the large double oak doors.
"Not too many people are into necromancy. It's a dying art." The skeleton spoke to Steven as he walked past.
He couldn't help but let out a giggle as he exited the Great Hall leaving the small talk chatter to be muffled by the oak doors. With the sun long set by this hour the corridors were lit by the torches and the cobble stones of the castle reflecting the flame. A couple of students were huddled in groups here and there and chatting while sitting on the stairs, but it didn't compare to the rush hour between classes. Not having to duck and squeeze between students at this hour made the castle seem larger if that was even possible.
"Wish I had checked the time before I left..." Steven thought to himself as he wondered if he could get in a quick adventure before curfew. He started his way up a nearby marble staircase and took the first turn down a long corridor making his way for the Grand Staircase with a mind of its own. The sight of another Ravenclaw student heading away from the common room gave Steven the idea that he did in fact have time. After all, Steven was sure the Ravenclaw common room was the furthest from this spot in the castle and if they weren't in a hurry why should he? The logic lined up perfectly in the eleven-year-olds minds.
With the Halloween spirit fresh in his mind thanks to the decorations Steven decided to fulfill a lifelong dream. Speak to a ghost. He grew up watching muggle shows on television that centered around paranormal investigating, and Steven was always fascinated though scared. He always wondered if ghosts were real, and to his surprise at the opening feast a handful of them just glided in as if they were taking a normal afternoon stroll. Not only was Hogwarts was fulfilling a lifelong dream of being able to do magic, but now it was giving him the opportunity to speak to an actual ghost! Oh, the question he had.
"Right then..." He said as he still stood at the base of the moving staircase. With a plan in mind, he just had to find a ghost! Steven looked around the dimly lit area and to his disappointment saw no ghosts. "Um, excuse me." He spoke up to a portrait of a rather peculiar looking old wizard with a long white beard and a star monocle covering his right eye. "You haven't seen any ghosts around here, have you?" Steven asked almost blushing instantly at how silly the question seemed, and even more so when he realized how weird it must've looked that he was talking to a portrait. Definitely a scenario he didn't have playing out in his wildest of dreams just a couple of years ago.
Reducio
Steven talking to the portrait
22 Nov 2024, 11:15
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
It would be curfew soon, but Amelia couldn't leave her notes in the Transfiguration classroom – she had an essay due on Monday, and she wanted to finish it by Saturday. She had already wasted the day looking everywhere for her notes, until she remembered where she had left them- up on the fifth floor. She couldn't lose them anywhere farther, could she?
After collecting them from the Transfiguration classroom, Amelia held her notes in one hand and went down the stairs quickly. Her other hand was on the railing, and she stayed close to the wall to ignore other students.
Her school robes made running around a bit tricky, so she slowed down when she reached the stairs to the second floor. She had thought it would take much longer to get from the fifth floor to the dungeons, but apparently it was easier to navigate after walking it earlier. Lots of students around her were in a hurry, each minding their own business. Some walked suspiciously slowly, but maybe they just didn't care much about the rules.
As Amelia continued walking down the stairs, she noticed a young boy talking to a portrait. He had dark hair, but she couldn't see much else, as he was turned to face the old wizard in the portrait. The boy was probably a second year, maybe even a first year, judging roughly by his height. But why would he talk to a portrait?
"...ghosts around here, have you?" As Amelia neared the boy, she could hear his voice. Ghosts? Why was he looking for ghosts? It wouldn't hurt to ask, right?
"Hey." She walked up to him decisively. "Um, I kinda overheard... Why are you looking for ghosts?"
After collecting them from the Transfiguration classroom, Amelia held her notes in one hand and went down the stairs quickly. Her other hand was on the railing, and she stayed close to the wall to ignore other students.
Her school robes made running around a bit tricky, so she slowed down when she reached the stairs to the second floor. She had thought it would take much longer to get from the fifth floor to the dungeons, but apparently it was easier to navigate after walking it earlier. Lots of students around her were in a hurry, each minding their own business. Some walked suspiciously slowly, but maybe they just didn't care much about the rules.
As Amelia continued walking down the stairs, she noticed a young boy talking to a portrait. He had dark hair, but she couldn't see much else, as he was turned to face the old wizard in the portrait. The boy was probably a second year, maybe even a first year, judging roughly by his height. But why would he talk to a portrait?
"...ghosts around here, have you?" As Amelia neared the boy, she could hear his voice. Ghosts? Why was he looking for ghosts? It wouldn't hurt to ask, right?
"Hey." She walked up to him decisively. "Um, I kinda overheard... Why are you looking for ghosts?"
𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉: @Steven John, @William Cross | 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: corridors| 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 & 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆: Oct 9th, 7:46pm| 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕: 282| 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: same as interacting
One day you might look back and realize you've been pursuing your dreams all along!
24 Nov 2024, 11:36
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
Transfiguration, it turned out, was dreadfully boring, and the book was as heavy as a pile of rocks. William was dragging his feet, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes whilst trying to not drop the book at the same time. At what point in his life did he have to transfigure a mouse into a snuff box? Why was this an important spell and why did they have homework on said spell?
All the other classes seemed fun still. It felt like he had entered the Great Hall and been sorted only days ago but already a month had passed. He felt like his head had been crammed full with spells, witchcraft and potions. Both useful and less useful things. So far defence against the dark arts had been exceptionally interesting. Especially as the teacher kept telling them about dark, mysterious beings. Anything dark and mysterious was of course interesting to an eleven year old.
As William kept pondering his classes and at the same time walking down the stairs he hadn't noticed that the girl in front of him had suddenly stopped. He managed to bump into her, barely able to catch himself on the railing in order to prevent himself from tumbling down the stairs.
He frowned as he took in the scene. He knew Amelia by name only because she was in the same year and house as him, although they had never spoken. There was another boy too, dressed in robes decorated with blue linings. William wasn't quite sure he had seen him before. They probably had classes together but he was another face in the crowd.
"Why did you stop?" William asked rather abruptly, tired and a bit annoyed from class. "I almost fell down the stairs, you know."
All the other classes seemed fun still. It felt like he had entered the Great Hall and been sorted only days ago but already a month had passed. He felt like his head had been crammed full with spells, witchcraft and potions. Both useful and less useful things. So far defence against the dark arts had been exceptionally interesting. Especially as the teacher kept telling them about dark, mysterious beings. Anything dark and mysterious was of course interesting to an eleven year old.
As William kept pondering his classes and at the same time walking down the stairs he hadn't noticed that the girl in front of him had suddenly stopped. He managed to bump into her, barely able to catch himself on the railing in order to prevent himself from tumbling down the stairs.
He frowned as he took in the scene. He knew Amelia by name only because she was in the same year and house as him, although they had never spoken. There was another boy too, dressed in robes decorated with blue linings. William wasn't quite sure he had seen him before. They probably had classes together but he was another face in the crowd.
"Why did you stop?" William asked rather abruptly, tired and a bit annoyed from class. "I almost fell down the stairs, you know."
26 Nov 2024, 09:05
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
The old wizard in the portrait beamed at Steven with a concerned puzzled expression. Steven assumed the look was because of the question, but as an answer didn't follow, he wondered if he had heard him at all. A defeated sigh escaped the boy's frowning expression, of all the portraits I've could've chosen, he thought to himself. Caught up in deciding to ask again or move on, Steven didn't hear anyone coming up on him and nearly jumped out of his skin when a voice spoke behind him.
Embarrassing wasn't the word to begin to describe how he felt, as he turned to face the girl speaking to him with his cheeks the color of a strawberry. "Hi," He squeaked now feeling embarrassment from being overheard. Running couldn't be anymore awkward; he thought to himself as he shifted his eyes to the corridor he just walked down.
"I uh- you see, I grew up watching a lot of Ghost Adventures, and wondering if they were even real, and well... you know" He cave in and begun to explain his reasoning to her. Steven was aware of magic sure, but his cousins never told him about the ghosts, and Hogwarts had its fair share. He was about to continue on when another boy pointed out they were blocking the bottom of the stairs at this point.
"Sorry - my fault." Steven started to explain to the boy, but then suddenly the old wizard from the portrait chimed in. "HUH?" he started to shout like they were on the other end of a Quidditch pitch. "I DON'T WANT TOAST," The portrait continued on. Steven looked at the other two with an expression that read 'can you believe this' before he started cracking up. The feeling of embarrassment he had felt prior had fleeted.
interactions: @Amelia Garnett & @William Cross
26 Nov 2024, 13:09
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
The boy turned around, his cheeks red, perhaps from embarrassment. Although curious as to why, she couldn't dwell on it; his high-pitched response caught her attention, and Amelia stopped herself from laughing, amused. As he explained himself, Amelia's eyes lit up, her Transfiguration essay forgotten. A ghost adventure around the castle could be exciting, especially during October! What would he do with a ghost, though? Was he looking for a specific one? Where did ghosts even stay in their free time??
Just as Amelia was about to ask him what he had planned, and maybe even ask if she could join him, another boy knocked into her- not hard enough to make her fall, luckily. She wasn't very bothered, though, still trying to think of how to join this fascinating quest.
As the boy from earlier replied to this new one, Amelia snapped out of her thoughts and took the chance to see who she was talking to: she recognized the one who knocked into her as a fellow first-year Slytherin– she was pretty sure she remembered his name, too. William, an easy enough name for her brain to remember. She'd seen him around in classes and the common room, but never had the chance to talk to him. The first boy, however, was a complete stranger. Amelia could see he was a Ravenclaw; why was he so far away from his common room at such an hour, so close to curfew? He also– toast? What?
The portrait suddenly interrupted, shouting madly about some toast-related business. The Ravenclaw grinned at them, then started laughing. His laugh was catching, and soon enough Amelia found herself grinning widely too, although she had no idea what the wizard had said; the laughter was funny on its own.
"Sorry for blocking the stairs," she said apologetically to William, not sure she even pronounced the words correctly. She struggled to breathe, now fully laughing.
Just as Amelia was about to ask him what he had planned, and maybe even ask if she could join him, another boy knocked into her- not hard enough to make her fall, luckily. She wasn't very bothered, though, still trying to think of how to join this fascinating quest.
As the boy from earlier replied to this new one, Amelia snapped out of her thoughts and took the chance to see who she was talking to: she recognized the one who knocked into her as a fellow first-year Slytherin– she was pretty sure she remembered his name, too. William, an easy enough name for her brain to remember. She'd seen him around in classes and the common room, but never had the chance to talk to him. The first boy, however, was a complete stranger. Amelia could see he was a Ravenclaw; why was he so far away from his common room at such an hour, so close to curfew? He also– toast? What?
The portrait suddenly interrupted, shouting madly about some toast-related business. The Ravenclaw grinned at them, then started laughing. His laugh was catching, and soon enough Amelia found herself grinning widely too, although she had no idea what the wizard had said; the laughter was funny on its own.
"Sorry for blocking the stairs," she said apologetically to William, not sure she even pronounced the words correctly. She struggled to breathe, now fully laughing.
𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉: @Steven John, @William Cross | 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: corridors| 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 & 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆: Oct 9th, evening| 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕: 319| 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: same as interacting
One day you might look back and realize you've been pursuing your dreams all along!
27 Nov 2024, 14:10
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
William had barely had time to take in the scene. The Ravenclaw boy had apparently been staring, or trying to talk to the painting next to them. He hadn't heard much of the conversation but even so the painting who suddenly yelled back and spooked half the castle couldn't make any sense, right? William had flinched once the painting had started yelling. William frowned at the painting, not quite getting what was so funny about him. He ignored the girl's apology and turned his attention to the Ravenclaw boy instead.
"Are you trying to talk to Dinadan the deaf?" William then asked the two of them once they had seemingly caught their breath. William knew who he was since he had found Dinadan the deaf particularly funny in "Hogwarts a history". The old man had had his hearing blown out by a spell and whilst he could read lips slighty, it didn't seem to help this time. "What did you ask him?"
Most of all, William wanted to head back to the dungeons and hit the hay but he couldn't help but find the situation slightly intriguing. He didn't usually find students who would stop and talk to the paintings on the walls. And being as curious as he was he couldn't just leave the situation alone either.
"Are you trying to talk to Dinadan the deaf?" William then asked the two of them once they had seemingly caught their breath. William knew who he was since he had found Dinadan the deaf particularly funny in "Hogwarts a history". The old man had had his hearing blown out by a spell and whilst he could read lips slighty, it didn't seem to help this time. "What did you ask him?"
Most of all, William wanted to head back to the dungeons and hit the hay but he couldn't help but find the situation slightly intriguing. He didn't usually find students who would stop and talk to the paintings on the walls. And being as curious as he was he couldn't just leave the situation alone either.
30 Nov 2024, 08:11
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
Mentions/Interaction: @Amelia Garnett & @William CrossAs Steven caught his breath, he turned and faced the portrait, "No, not toast... just never mind!" He said with a slight chuckle. Dinadan seemingly heard that as he went back to paintly activities. Returning his attention to the two students in front of him; it was the newly appeared boy stole his attention. "Dinadan the deaf ya say? Well that makes sense.." He rolled his eyes before continuing again," How'd you know that?!" Steven asked now fascinated by the wizard who occupied the portrait. Unfortunately, with curfew approaching he only had time for one mission, and getting to know the portraits would have to wait.
"Oh I- uh asked him if he's seen any ghosts any around." Steven said no longer embarrassed by the whole predicament. "Have you seen any?" he asked the boy with a quizzical look, but also glanced at the girl hoping maybe she could say she had. "Like I told her," Steven started and nodded at the girl in front of him. "I've watched a lot of Ghost adventures - it's a Muggle show" He added remembering he wasn't in a place where Muggle things weren't exactly common knowledge to every student.
"Anyway, I have a ton of questions for one! It could also be useful having one as a friend." Steven said with a devilish grin and a shrug. Although the later just came to him. At first Steven honestly had no idea what his own intentions where other than to speak to a ghost. "I've heard some of the older students say you should watch out for.." His voice trailed off and he begun to snap his fingers trying to remember, " Petty The Poltergeist... I wanna find him!" Steven declared his mission as he remembered the infamous ghost of Hogwarts
2 Dec 2024, 08:09
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
"Well, if you had read Hogwarts a history then you would know too." William said rather cheekily. "You can find him in the chapter on portraits. Right behind Deegan the..."
William realised he had been drowned out when the second question was asked. He huffed slightly indignantly but couldn't help but be intrigued by the promise of ghosts.
"Well. Weren't there ghosts present on the first dinner we had in the Great Hall?" William asked, desperately trying to remember. He knew that the ghost usually showed up to investigate the new students but William had been way too hungry and nervousto pay attention to any ghostly shapes. "We are supposed to have ghosts aren't we? One for every house. I read that in Hogwarts a history."
William wasn't sure how useful a ghost could be as a friend. But maybe they could tell him more about the old ways magic was used. He started to wonder who the oldest ghost at hogwarts could be. And where they could find it. Is a ghost an it? William wasn't sure. He was adding it to the growing list of questions. He had also heard about Petty the poltergeist who used to play tricks on both students and teachers. So far he had been lucky enough to not encounter him, but was Petty really the right name?
"Surely it isn't Petty." William mumbled, but he wasn't sure what the actual name was either.
@ @Steven John @Amelia Garnett
William realised he had been drowned out when the second question was asked. He huffed slightly indignantly but couldn't help but be intrigued by the promise of ghosts.
"Well. Weren't there ghosts present on the first dinner we had in the Great Hall?" William asked, desperately trying to remember. He knew that the ghost usually showed up to investigate the new students but William had been way too hungry and nervousto pay attention to any ghostly shapes. "We are supposed to have ghosts aren't we? One for every house. I read that in Hogwarts a history."
William wasn't sure how useful a ghost could be as a friend. But maybe they could tell him more about the old ways magic was used. He started to wonder who the oldest ghost at hogwarts could be. And where they could find it. Is a ghost an it? William wasn't sure. He was adding it to the growing list of questions. He had also heard about Petty the poltergeist who used to play tricks on both students and teachers. So far he had been lucky enough to not encounter him, but was Petty really the right name?
"Surely it isn't Petty." William mumbled, but he wasn't sure what the actual name was either.
@ @Steven John @Amelia Garnett
5 Dec 2024, 08:58
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
(I was given permission by Amelia to Godmod her exit, please don't come for me prefects XD)It seemed the mention of Hogwarts a History stirred a memory of forgotten homework for the green-eyed witch. Before leaving the two boys behind she gave her apologies and wished them safe hunting. Safety is something they defiantly needed wished for them if they were going to take on the Hogwarts Poltergeist. Still, Steven was optimistic that a sit down could happen. Off in the distance one of decoration skeletons could be heard playing his rib cage as a musical instrument.
"I remember seeing a couple floating in during the sorting ceremony." Steven recalled, "I've seen some on my way to classes too, but haven't actually tried talking to one." Steven said although it wasn't completely true. He had helped another Ravenclaw find her way last month, and when they were both lost, he had suggested asking a ghost, but she wasn't too thrilled with the idea. No need to add all that, Steven thought to himself. "I probably should read that book." Steven admitted with a grin as he rubbed the back of his head. "I think each house does have their own ghost mascot, but I bet there's at least thirty ghosts!" Steve squeaked excitedly.
His cheeks went ruby red again due to his voice squeak. It had been coming and going all year at the most unexpected times. "Hmm.. I'm sure it's Petty, or maybe they just say he does petty things..." His voice trailed off as he again tried to recall the name, but perhaps he was right.
From what sounded like only a level above them a loud crash stole Steven's attention. The noise was as if someone was trying to set up drums but dropped all the cymbals. He knew sometimes the suits of armor came to life and liked to fight and based on the sounds that could be what happened. However, with the talk of the Poltergeist fresh in his mind Steven couldn't help but wonder if that was the culprit. "Lets' check it out." Steven said as he glanced at the boy before climbing a couple steps ahead of him.
Mentions/interactions: @William Cross
8 Dec 2024, 12:33
The Most Useless Room In A Ghost’s House Is The Living Room.
William watched her walk off and then turned to the boy still standing in the corridor. He seemed so excited about the potential of meeting a ghost that the feeling was starting to rush through William as well. He didn't want to seem too eager however, determined to keep his cool.
The sudden crash made William jump and the hair at the nape of his neck rose. He didn't particularly get scared, it was probably nothing. Just a rat or a cat. But the other boy seemed to think differently. William didn't even know his name.
"Okay." William breathed, barely knowing what he was getting into as he followed the other boy up the stairs. It was getting close to curfew but he couldn't care less. This was getting exciting, even if he didn't want to admit it. And potentially seeing a ghost did sound like a fun time. He kept a firm grip on his books in order not to drop them and tried to keep a look out for the faulty step he knew was somewhere on this staircase at the same time.
_____________
@Steven John
The sudden crash made William jump and the hair at the nape of his neck rose. He didn't particularly get scared, it was probably nothing. Just a rat or a cat. But the other boy seemed to think differently. William didn't even know his name.
"Okay." William breathed, barely knowing what he was getting into as he followed the other boy up the stairs. It was getting close to curfew but he couldn't care less. This was getting exciting, even if he didn't want to admit it. And potentially seeing a ghost did sound like a fun time. He kept a firm grip on his books in order not to drop them and tried to keep a look out for the faulty step he knew was somewhere on this staircase at the same time.
_____________
@Steven John