BOO!
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13 May 2025
The air was still. Silence hung thick around him, apart from his muffled shuffling down the corridor. Not that the Hufflepuff was particularly keen on breaking that silence. It was on his side, keeping any patrolling prefects blissfully oblivious to his presence. Keeping him out of trouble.
For now.
Running his fingers down the sleek chest plate of a set of armour, Joseph yawned, surveying the flickering torches as though they owed him something. The flames danced before him like skilled tap-dancers, bathing the corridor in dim, rhythmic glow.
Perfect setting for a prank, Joseph thought, chuckling as he slid his hand into his pocket. Not that there was anyone to prank. No one else could possibly be foolish enough to be sneaking at night and risk detention. Joseph grinned, his fingers curling protectively around his rock friend, Astra. She didn't deserve to be shoved into his pocket like some pair of old socks. She deserved a parade. Or a good roll down the corridor at least. But not tonight. Her chaotic clattering was bound to give them away in seconds.
He giggled, a hazy image surfacing in his mind. The first year scrubbing away at filthy cauldrons under the watchful gaze of a professor, and Astra dutifully nudging a sponge of her own, unable to complete their "punishment". Oh heavens, not Astra. He'd scrub a million grimy cauldrons just to keep his pet rock’s record clean.
Of course, he knew Astra couldn’t possibly get into trouble for violating school rules. She was just a rock, after all. But that didn’t mean she deserved any less.
Flopping onto the floor, Joseph sighed, his back pressed against the cool, solid wall behind him. Maybe he’d unwind here, guarded by the dozen lifeless suits of armour lining the corridor. Take a moment to forget the pains and worries of life. Just live in the moment, away from the judgemental eyes of his fellow dorm-mates, to pretend life was as easy as opening a new book. As easy as munching a chocolate bar. As easy as being with Astra.
Letting his breathing slow, Joseph shut his eyes.
@Amelia Garnett
Life is like a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans; you never know what you are going to get.
BOO!
Amelia rubbed her eyes, pushing sleep away. She didn't want to sleep right now, she'd slept all afternoon, her body was buzzing with energy with no outlet. The morning classes seemed like a faraway dream now, just like the castle— things felt weird, out of place, when they weren't as usual. And usually, Amelia didn't wander around during the late night hours. No, usually she'd sleep, spend her time in the common room, or simply stay in the safety of her dorm.
Her nap made her realize: apparently she couldn't sleep for so long, it was just so boring. Besides, what could be more interesting than wandering in the dim Hogwarts corridors, with a warm, white blanket wrapped around her? Amelia grinned to herself, satisfied with her little mischievous act. But even with her glee, she managed to stay careful and look out for prefects and professors, not completely careless. She hadn't seen anyone so far, unless one counted the talking portraits. But Amelia had long since stopped thinking of them.
Wrapped in thoughts as well as her blanket, Amelia turned around a corner. Gasping, Amelia jumped right back, hoping her gasp and rustling blanket weren't too loud. Someone was in that corridor! Amelia tightened her blanket around herself, making herself as unnoticeable as she could, and peeked around the corner carefully.
Rolling her eyes, her smile returning, Amelia realized it was just a boy. And he seemed familiar, too— was it worth risking it, assuming he was a first year, and hopefully not a prefect? Amelia backed away, considering. She could turn back to her dorm, or go find another corridor to walk into. She could take her blanket and just lea— wait a second! A blanket! How brilliant!
Holding her laughter in, Amelia started fiddling with her blanket, shifting and moving until she was covered in it, head to toe, just like a ghost from muggle stories she used to hear as a kid.
Taking a deep breath, Amelia hoped she was heading in the right direction. She'd never considered doing such a thing before... But maybe nights were just different when it came to ideas. Maybe that nap messed her brain up, or it was the recent sleepless mornings. Oh, who cared? This was fun.
Amelia kept walking forwards blindly, hoping she'd prank the boy successfully, but also wouldn't give him a heart attack. However, Amelia had to admit to herself, she didn't make for a very good ghost, not enough for a heart attack— the boy might have heard her shaky breaths, a result of trying not to laugh. The blanket probably wasn't so convincing either, and might've made some noise too.
The corridor was fairly dark and weird things did tend to happen at Hogwarts, though...
Her nap made her realize: apparently she couldn't sleep for so long, it was just so boring. Besides, what could be more interesting than wandering in the dim Hogwarts corridors, with a warm, white blanket wrapped around her? Amelia grinned to herself, satisfied with her little mischievous act. But even with her glee, she managed to stay careful and look out for prefects and professors, not completely careless. She hadn't seen anyone so far, unless one counted the talking portraits. But Amelia had long since stopped thinking of them.
Wrapped in thoughts as well as her blanket, Amelia turned around a corner. Gasping, Amelia jumped right back, hoping her gasp and rustling blanket weren't too loud. Someone was in that corridor! Amelia tightened her blanket around herself, making herself as unnoticeable as she could, and peeked around the corner carefully.
Rolling her eyes, her smile returning, Amelia realized it was just a boy. And he seemed familiar, too— was it worth risking it, assuming he was a first year, and hopefully not a prefect? Amelia backed away, considering. She could turn back to her dorm, or go find another corridor to walk into. She could take her blanket and just lea— wait a second! A blanket! How brilliant!
Holding her laughter in, Amelia started fiddling with her blanket, shifting and moving until she was covered in it, head to toe, just like a ghost from muggle stories she used to hear as a kid.
Taking a deep breath, Amelia hoped she was heading in the right direction. She'd never considered doing such a thing before... But maybe nights were just different when it came to ideas. Maybe that nap messed her brain up, or it was the recent sleepless mornings. Oh, who cared? This was fun.
Amelia kept walking forwards blindly, hoping she'd prank the boy successfully, but also wouldn't give him a heart attack. However, Amelia had to admit to herself, she didn't make for a very good ghost, not enough for a heart attack— the boy might have heard her shaky breaths, a result of trying not to laugh. The blanket probably wasn't so convincing either, and might've made some noise too.
The corridor was fairly dark and weird things did tend to happen at Hogwarts, though...
𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: @Joseph Sims| 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Corridors| 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 & 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆: May 13th, night, Tue | 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒇𝒊𝒕: simple black clothes + white blanket
One day you might look back and realize you've been pursuing your dreams all along!
BOO!
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Peace. Blissful peace. Joseph lost track of how long he spent sitting there, letting time trickle by little by little. Had it been hours, minutes or mere seconds? He didn't know. But what he did know was that he loved this. He loved the serenity, he loved every part of it. Being alone. The groundedness of having his feet pressed against the cold cobblestones beneath.
No worries. No sudden shadows. No large drifting shapes sneaking up on him.
Letting out a sigh, Joseph opened his eyes.
There was a large, drifting shape - pale and unsettling - sneaking up on him.
His heart leapt up to his mouth.
He took a moment to process this, a scream clawing its way up before abruptly dying in his throat. No. No way this was real. It couldn't be.
A yelp of terror escaped him, leaving Joseph wishing he could flee the scene with his muffled cry. The figure draped in consistent, silky white hobbled closer, the torches throwing eerie, flickering shadows over it.
Frightened, Joseph tugged at the gauntlet of a nearby suit of armour, a shudder rippling through the vulnerable first year. Something tumbled out of his pocket - not that he bothered to check it or try remembering what quirky items he had stored in them. All that occupied his mind was the ghost-like figure and its shaky breaths as it inched closer to the cowering boy.
He shut his eyes again, this time with heavy breathing.
Waiting. Expecting the worst.
@Amelia Garnett
Life is like a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans; you never know what you are going to get.
BOO!
She was definitely going the right way— movement sounded somewhere nearby, probably from the boy. Under the blanket, the young prankster grinned in amusement. Sure, it was fairly hot inside the blanket now, and everything seemed a bit muffled, but who knew pranks could be so much fun? She felt disconnected to the world, in her own bubble, the only thing from outside the light from the space between the blanket and the cold stone floor.
The light was replaced with shadows as new sounds chimed in, moving around. Amelia stopped in her tracks, focused, trying to differentiate between the sounds. A shriek, something metallic, and some other sounds that weren't very clear... And then, silence again, for mere seconds. Oh well. Shrugging, Amelia resumed her pace, not done with her prank just yet. She had no idea what she'd do next, but there had to be a 'next'. She'd just roll with it, she decided, and let the prank unfold however.
The faint light from below flickered again, and suddenly there was something moving between her feet, making her jump. Was that a rock?! Amelia slipped on it, and then things happened way too fast: she stepped on her blanket, felt herself losing balance completely. The air was suffocating, gone. She could feel panic building up as she lost balance, climbing in her throat, blocking her from yelling. Her arms flailed around, trying to steady her— there was something there! It rattled in a metallic way as Amelia held on, shaking along with her, until— everything crumpled, and Amelia fell with a thud in a tangle of limbs— human and metal alike— and messy sheets.
Moving frantically, she kicked the blanket off her, not minding the things in her way, and took quick gulps of fresh, cold air. She took a look around, pushing her hair back and shoving the rest of the blanket away. Her eyes widened, still adjusting to the light in the corridors, trying to take it all in— everything was a mess. There was a fallen suit of armour, a heap made of her blanket, and Amelia herself, staring, shocked.
The light was replaced with shadows as new sounds chimed in, moving around. Amelia stopped in her tracks, focused, trying to differentiate between the sounds. A shriek, something metallic, and some other sounds that weren't very clear... And then, silence again, for mere seconds. Oh well. Shrugging, Amelia resumed her pace, not done with her prank just yet. She had no idea what she'd do next, but there had to be a 'next'. She'd just roll with it, she decided, and let the prank unfold however.
The faint light from below flickered again, and suddenly there was something moving between her feet, making her jump. Was that a rock?! Amelia slipped on it, and then things happened way too fast: she stepped on her blanket, felt herself losing balance completely. The air was suffocating, gone. She could feel panic building up as she lost balance, climbing in her throat, blocking her from yelling. Her arms flailed around, trying to steady her— there was something there! It rattled in a metallic way as Amelia held on, shaking along with her, until— everything crumpled, and Amelia fell with a thud in a tangle of limbs— human and metal alike— and messy sheets.
Moving frantically, she kicked the blanket off her, not minding the things in her way, and took quick gulps of fresh, cold air. She took a look around, pushing her hair back and shoving the rest of the blanket away. Her eyes widened, still adjusting to the light in the corridors, trying to take it all in— everything was a mess. There was a fallen suit of armour, a heap made of her blanket, and Amelia herself, staring, shocked.
𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: @Joseph Sims| 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Corridors| 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 & 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆: May 13th, night, Tue | 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒇𝒊𝒕: simple black clothes + white blanket
One day you might look back and realize you've been pursuing your dreams all along!
BOO!
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It couldn't be a ghost. It simply couldn't be.
Joseph held his breath, counting the passing seconds. One. Two. Three. The silence was overwhelming, wrapping around him so tightly he feared he might burst from the anticipation. Eleven. Twelve.
CLANG! The gauntlet he'd been gripping slipped, hitting the stone floor with a deafening crash.
Pain exploded in his skull as something boulder-hard struck him. The world twisted into a smear of colour and light as if he was seeing through a highly distorted rainbow.
Gasping, he pressed his hand against the wall, trying to stay upright.
He didn't have time.
A heavier force slammed into him, knocking the air from his lungs. He struggled, hardly aware of the pieces of metal clattering to the ground around him.
Something heavy pressed down on him. His heart hammered wildly. Pain radiated from his head where he’d been hit, the impact still making the world around him spin. For a moment his mind went blank. Who was he? What was he doing here? What was going on?
A dull, grey, egg-shaped object caught his blurry eyes - plain and unremarkable.
A name pierced into his mind, slicing right through the mental fog.
"Astra!" He gasped, straining to grab hold of his treasured friend. His fingertips barely grazed past the familiar surface of the precious rock.
"Urmf!" He groaned, thrashing around to shake off the weight. His efforts only seemed to entangle himself more in the chaotic mess.
Then clarity. His panic calmed, his memories flooding back.
Joseph blinked, his breathing slowing as his thrashing abruptly stopped. Apart from the cool piece of metal wedged uncomfortably between his shoulder and the weight from above, whatever was pressing down felt oddly... warm. Like a woolly blanket, but at least ten times more heavy.
He could hear shallow breathing. Whoever - or whatever - it was, it was alive.
"Gerroffme," Joseph managed, redoubling his efforts to shake off the person pinning him to floor. A faint blush rose to his cheeks, that he hoped would be masked by the half-darkness of the corridors.
Goodness. Wasn't this humiliating.
@Amelia Garnett
sorry I'm sooo late T.T
Life is like a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans; you never know what you are going to get.
BOO!
The yellow gleam from the torches shone on the almost-empty corridor, highlighting the fact that it was just Amelia and her mess. Where did the boy go? Did he run off? Will he call for prefects?! That was not part of the plan! But then, why was the suit of armour talking— ? Amelia's jaw dropped as she realized why the floor didn't hit as hard as it should've. Moving as fast as she could, she managed to roll sideways towards the window. She dragged the blanket along, and used the kicking from below to push off.
"I'm... so sorry," she whispered, shocked, finally recognizing her protection pillow for what it was: the boy and parts of the armour. She sat back on her knees, taking a second to sort her thoughts.
Seriously, why did she ever think this was a good idea? Nevertheless, she could feel a grin stretching across her face, her heart racing with adrenaline. Maybe it was the late hour or the unbelievable scenario, but this whole thing was funny. Irresponsible, yes. Stupid, yes. Should never be done again, probably. But funny? Hell yeah.
Walking on her knees towards the boy, Amelia recognized the weird ball from earlier, bumping into her softly. Moving it aside, she turned back to the boy, letting the blanket fall behind her to the floor.
"I'm so sorry," Amelia repeated, offering a hand. If he were spiteful, he could make her fall again and that would be her pay for her little play. If not, then maybe it would be all forgiven, she decided. And even if the boy had another plan in mind, Amelia didn't care much. She was bored, and craved some more action, now that the 'ghost' was gone.
"I'm... so sorry," she whispered, shocked, finally recognizing her protection pillow for what it was: the boy and parts of the armour. She sat back on her knees, taking a second to sort her thoughts.
Seriously, why did she ever think this was a good idea? Nevertheless, she could feel a grin stretching across her face, her heart racing with adrenaline. Maybe it was the late hour or the unbelievable scenario, but this whole thing was funny. Irresponsible, yes. Stupid, yes. Should never be done again, probably. But funny? Hell yeah.
Walking on her knees towards the boy, Amelia recognized the weird ball from earlier, bumping into her softly. Moving it aside, she turned back to the boy, letting the blanket fall behind her to the floor.
"I'm so sorry," Amelia repeated, offering a hand. If he were spiteful, he could make her fall again and that would be her pay for her little play. If not, then maybe it would be all forgiven, she decided. And even if the boy had another plan in mind, Amelia didn't care much. She was bored, and craved some more action, now that the 'ghost' was gone.
𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: @Joseph Sims| 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Corridors| 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 & 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆: May 13th, night, Tue | 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒇𝒊𝒕: simple black clothes + white blanket
ooc note: apologies for the quality & delay
One day you might look back and realize you've been pursuing your dreams all along!
BOO!
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For an endless, painful second, nothing happened. Then the weight tumbled off him, tugging away a piece of cloth with it. Cool air hit him, leaving him feeling like a rat caught in polka-dotted trunks in public. Or maybe it was just the embarrassment coursing through him.
Joseph blinked, then pushed himself upright, forcing his breathing to slow. Something hit the floor with a dull clang. His eyes flickered about, registering the mess around him. The armour pieces. The white sheet. The girl with tangled black hair, shuffling closer as she muttered an apology.
Joseph’s eyes widened as realisation struck him. He’d been pranked.
“So you were the ghost all along,” he said, lifting an accusing finger though his voice held no malice. An incredulous look flashed across his face, his lips twisting into a curved grin. “Wow… that’s… wow… you really got me…”
He stopped, eyes locked with hers for a moment. Tense. Unbearable.
Then collapsed to the floor, exploding into a fit of giggles.
“Splendid,” he breathed, clutching his chest. Another chuckle slipped out. She had to be think he was mental or something, but he didn’t care. “Okay. Sorry, seriously though, that was hilarious. Pure dead brilliant.”
A beam spread across his face, an imprint of his emotional outburst. It'd been ages since he'd last been pranked. Since anyone had tried to jumpscare him. He would've thought living with the constant threat of his older brother sneaking up on him would've kicked some wariness into him, but apparently not. There he'd been, cowering like a helpless loser at the sight of a girl under a blanket.
He cleared his throat as warmth rushed to his cheeks. “Right... um well... better not linger around here. We've caused a lot of you know..." he mouthed the 'chaos', gesturing towards the strewn pieces of armour around them. Any passerby would think some rogue martial artist had a random urge to bash up some metal.
"Seee... ya around?" he muttered, not really a question. Joseph reached for his prized pet rock, then rose to his feet, groaning. "Before anyone catches us here. We'd have a lot of explaining to do." He finished with a choked laugh, wriggling his fingers uselessly.
No one knew how to amplify awkwardness better than Joseph.
@Amelia Garnett
Life is like a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans; you never know what you are going to get.
BOO!
Confused, Amelia stared at him. Did he know her? Or did he genuinely believe she was a ghost earlier? "You...?" She started, but had to stop. She wasn't sure how to even ask. He saved her the trouble of talking, though, bursting into giggles. Even more confused than before, Amelia smiled hesitantly. At least he took it light-heartedly...
His laughter was contagious, though, and soon Amelia sat down and joined his glee, grinning as well. "Thank you, brilliant is my second name," she laughed lightly, trying to keep her voice low so as to not alert any prefect or professor nearby.
Amelia nodded proudly. Yup, the hallway definitely looked like a crime scene to her, her very own chaos filled crime scene. The metal pieces strewn around, her blanket looking like it was covering a certain mystery, the torches' fire reflecting it all in a lighting that would not shame a thriller movie... She kept the picture in her mind, weirdly satisfied with the outcome.
"Mmm? Yeah, see you around!" Amelia said absentmindedly, reaching for her blanket. Now that the prank was over, her mind started on other worries, such as the cold of the hallway without her blanket and the promised warmth of her dorm. The ghost of a laugh was still etched on her face as she gathered some of the armour pieces to a tiny pile, just so she'd be able to walk out safely, not noticing the awkward state the boy was in.
"Yeah, no, we weren't even here, what do you mean? There's no explaining to do at all," Amelia declared in the most innocent voice she could muster, her eyes twinkling with joy. Who'd know they were to blame if none of them would tell of this to anyone? There'd be no need to explain; some jokes weren't meant to be shared, after all, not when they put her at risk of detention... He'd better not tell anyone! Amelia tilted her head, judging. Would he?
"It's not like I'm gonna tell anyone." she said, staring at him, trying to convince him wordlessly not to tell, though the laughter bubbling inside her nearly betrayed her. After a few short moments, deciding there wasn't much else she could do, Amelia wrapped her blanket around herself and turned to leave, calling back quietly, "You'd better go back to your dorm too. Good night!"
Later, when she'd reach her dorm, she'd struggle not to wake up her roommate, as she'd be laughing too hard. All in all, she'd decide, she enjoyed it, even the mere moments of panic when she had no idea what had happened. And the best part? She didn't even intend to prank to begin with! Non-intentional laughter was her favourite kind, because it always left her happier than she was before. She'd fall asleep quickly after the energy-draining event, and the memories of her so-called crime scene, along with everything that has led to it, would become a blur...
His laughter was contagious, though, and soon Amelia sat down and joined his glee, grinning as well. "Thank you, brilliant is my second name," she laughed lightly, trying to keep her voice low so as to not alert any prefect or professor nearby.
Amelia nodded proudly. Yup, the hallway definitely looked like a crime scene to her, her very own chaos filled crime scene. The metal pieces strewn around, her blanket looking like it was covering a certain mystery, the torches' fire reflecting it all in a lighting that would not shame a thriller movie... She kept the picture in her mind, weirdly satisfied with the outcome.
"Mmm? Yeah, see you around!" Amelia said absentmindedly, reaching for her blanket. Now that the prank was over, her mind started on other worries, such as the cold of the hallway without her blanket and the promised warmth of her dorm. The ghost of a laugh was still etched on her face as she gathered some of the armour pieces to a tiny pile, just so she'd be able to walk out safely, not noticing the awkward state the boy was in.
"Yeah, no, we weren't even here, what do you mean? There's no explaining to do at all," Amelia declared in the most innocent voice she could muster, her eyes twinkling with joy. Who'd know they were to blame if none of them would tell of this to anyone? There'd be no need to explain; some jokes weren't meant to be shared, after all, not when they put her at risk of detention... He'd better not tell anyone! Amelia tilted her head, judging. Would he?
"It's not like I'm gonna tell anyone." she said, staring at him, trying to convince him wordlessly not to tell, though the laughter bubbling inside her nearly betrayed her. After a few short moments, deciding there wasn't much else she could do, Amelia wrapped her blanket around herself and turned to leave, calling back quietly, "You'd better go back to your dorm too. Good night!"
Later, when she'd reach her dorm, she'd struggle not to wake up her roommate, as she'd be laughing too hard. All in all, she'd decide, she enjoyed it, even the mere moments of panic when she had no idea what had happened. And the best part? She didn't even intend to prank to begin with! Non-intentional laughter was her favourite kind, because it always left her happier than she was before. She'd fall asleep quickly after the energy-draining event, and the memories of her so-called crime scene, along with everything that has led to it, would become a blur...
𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: @Joseph Sims| 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Corridors| 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 & 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆: May 13th, night, Tue | 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒇𝒊𝒕: simple black clothes + white blanket
One day you might look back and realize you've been pursuing your dreams all along!