swept away OPEN

@Yazhera Pentros

Another cold, snowy Saturday. Harvey didn’t mind the harsh weather. Anything was better than the sweltering heat of summer, so he did not curse this time of year as many others would, but it did limit the amount of time spent outside. Now, the boy was no outdoor enthusiast as anyone who knew him could attest to. Camping, hiking, foraging? No. Simple as that. However, the Hogwarts grounds did provide a relief from the castles interior. Stuffy, crowded, noisy. Things young Harvey was not a huge fan of and it only seemed worse on the weekends. So, Harvey donned his winter cloak and prepared for a quiet stroll.

The courtyard would likely be a good place for him to start. Yes, other students were likely to gather there as well, but it would be nothing compared to the hustle and bustle of the common rooms or the other communal places of Hogwarts. Plus it gave Harvey another chance to admire the architecture of the castle, maybe snap a photo or two if he found a new angle or if the light hit just a certain way. With a shove against the large, wooden door the boy made his way outside.

He clung to his cloak as the winter winds bid him welcome. Harvey should have had someone charm his clothing for warmth, but he’d adjust in time. Layering was key they always said. It was then that he heard the foreign word and his eyes were drawn to someone scouring through the snow, but it was not just any someone. Harvey had seen this girl before, at first mistaking her for an upper-level student or even an adult perhaps had it not been for her turn with the sorting hat earlier in the year. Ever since that moment something had nagged at the back of his mind. Part-giants were a rarity at the school just like his own part-goblin heritage, but there was a hint of familiarity there as well. No time like the present to finally get to the bottom of it.

“Excuse me.” Harvey made himself known. “Do you require assistance? Dropped something, I presume?”

Denise walked outside, seeing the thick sheets of snow and the footprints it left behind. Denise sighed, watching her breath crystallize into visible smoke. She wrapped her winter coat tighter around her, rubbing her gloved hands in her pockets for more warmth. It was a beautiful day, the snow was not ice, but it was fluffy and soft and just so beautiful. It looked pure, something too pure to be walked upon. Denise then headed south to the Great Lake. Miraculously, the Great Lake was not frozen but still beautiful and stunning, spreading out in its darkness. Denise, with trembling hands, picked up a rock and skipped it across the lake, watching the ripples grow bigger and then smaller and disappear completely. Now frozen and feeling numb in her hands and face, Denise decided to retreat inside. Denise stumbled and wandered, taking the long path back to Hogwarts.

In the distance, she saw a rather tall girl, crouching down, who was rather unusual with a boy with her. She approached them slowly and saw, when approaching closer, that both seemed to be looking for something. Well, in another closer glance, she realized that the girl wasn’t just tall, but very tall, seemingly towering over 6 feet. In contrast, the boy seemed to be very well-kept, having his hair clean and kept, and rather noticeably short, about 4 feet. Based on what Denise knew about half-breeds, the girl, due to her rather large size, seemed to be a half-giant, while the boy seemed to be half-goblin based on his appearance. Denise looked upon them, concerned, asking, “Did you lose something? I could help…"

The cold was a biting force, which made most sensible students stay clear of the courtyard unless there was a pressing matter. Concetta had a stark mission, which was to get indoors as quickly as possible, but everywhere was covered with snow, and what wasn't in a sheet of snow was covered in a layer of ice that would cause you to slip over if you crossed it too fast. It was that reason, not eavesdropping, why she was walking so slow. Insistent footsteps crunched show under her feet, but simmered into quieter, slower steps to hear the commotion. Before she got in ear shot, she could see the giantess' frantic searching through the snow, coupled with the concern with the other two students, honest people for stopping in this weather. Since sensible people stayed out of the snow, something must be the matter.

Getting closer, she could hear the concerned questions of the other two students. It would probably stress out the giantess in her already upset state to be bombarded with questions, so Concetta tacked her agreement along with the fellow Hufflepuff that had stopped with a determined nod.

"And me as well", she hung back a little, already trying to scan her eyes for any disrupted snow before realizing it was silly, since she didn't know what she was looking for yet, or if any further help was even needed. Nevertheless, she tightened her coat to keep warm.

Mentions: @Yazhera Pentros, @Harvey Barrows, & @Denise Yarbrough

Mentions: @Yazhera Pentros, @Harvey Barrows, @Denise Yarbrough, @Concetta Poisonwood

Skylar was cold. Like shivering cold. The standard winter coat she got for the school barely did anything for her as snow crunched under her boots. As she walked past the courtyard, she could not help but do a double take. Two Hufflepuffs, a Slytherin, and a Half-Giantess were standing in the courtyard. Sounds like the start of a bad joke, or a really big problem.

"Screw the snow..." Skylar muttered and headed for the group.

"Hello! Do you guys need help?" It appears that the Half-Giantess was searching for something, crouched to the ground and digging in the snow. Skylar thinks that her presence may be useless given that there were already three other students, but a little more help can never hurt.

Skylar scanned the group and recognized a few faces from her classes. The two Hufflepuffs she was sure were first-years like her, however the Slytherin boy she did not recognize. Perhaps from another year. One of the Hufflepuffs had tan skin and long brown-black wavy hair. She was undeniably pretty, that's for sure. The other had striking blue eyes and freckles dusting her face. Skylar feels she probably seen her before, but can't put her finger on it. The Slytherin had pointed ears and jet black hair that was neatly combed back. His features indicate he is a Half-Goblin.

Skylar then turns for the Half-Giantess, who towers over everyone at an impressive height over six foot. However, it was clear that she was distressed. Skylar begins drafting a plan in her head, but they need to know what to search for.

"What do you need help looking for and when was the last time you had it?"