Carpe Diem Closed

The group began to venture down the corridors again and it soon lead them to a dead end. Well, not so much a dead end but the end of that particular corridor and now they needed to choose whether to go left, or to go right. Alina looked to the left. Rows of doors and stone corridor floors and portraits and suits of armor. She looked to the right and it was exactly the same but in the other direction. This castle was such a maze.

"I tell you, they can't put up ONE sign?" but she actually liked not having them. "What way to the Owlery?" she spoke up to a portrait of a rather old looking man in a crazy hat who looked as though he should be sitting in a pub somewhere. What was WITH this school and their hats? The stupid sorting hat...this man's hat... And Merlin, didn't he know there were KIDS present here? He really could button up that shirt... The man quickly set down his bottle of booze, surprised to see them.



The man looked them over, up and down, before speaking. "The Who-lery?" he asked. Alina sighed. "The OWLery," she enunciated again.

"I'm sorry, The What-ery?" the man now said and Alina looked back at her friends like this guy is completely mental. "Oh nevermind!" she said to him and shook her head and turned left, just because that's what direction her mind told her to go.

"I'm starting to wonder about the portraits. I mean, besides Poppy, they can be a little extra." She once again glanced back to see if they all agreed but got caught by a blank stare. "Poppy's up on the third floor. She's exceptionally nice and I named her that because she always has flowers in a basket. She's amazing, really. I'll have to introduce you all to her sometime soon. Especially you, Clive. I might have brought you up a time...or two," ...or a million.

Adventuring with @Clifton Troublefield, @Alina Rosier, and @Lindsey Springhall

Alina led the way down the corridors, and Alexa brought up the rear of the party. They reached a T-intersection, and after hesitating for a moment (as both directions looked precisely the same!) Alina mentioned wishing for a sign, but she seemed to smile as she said it. Alexa smiled to herself, getting the feeling that Alina was really getting into the adventure, signs or no signs.

When she spoke directly to the portrait in front of her, Alexa was slightly startled. She was used to the portraits moving now, and even talking amongst themselves quietly, but it had never occurred to her that SHE could talk to THEM! A broad grin crossed her face as Alina spoke to the wizard with his funny little hat.

Alexa couldn’t help but laughing at the painting’s antics; he was either quite deaf, or quite unaware of what was going on in the world. Which she supposed wouldn’t be too difficult as a painting; it’s not like they could read newspapers and catch up with the latest happenings, right? That seemed to make sense, but who really knew with all of this magical… Stuff.

“Who is Poppy?” Alexa asked, glossing over Alina saying that she may have mentioned to Clifton to said picture… A few times. Idly, she wondered why Alina called Clifton “Clive.” Must be something on the inside between them.

“Why don’t we go to the left? In the stories, you always keep making left-hand turns until you find something. But then if you don’t, it’s easy to retrace your steps.” Alexa took a few steps down the left-hand corridor, waiting for the others to see what they would do. She didn’t particularly want to lead.

At the end of the corridor, they reached a tightly wound spiral staircase. “This looks promising,” Alexa commented, taking the stairs two at a time, curious to see where they went. And lo and behold, she reached the top of the stairs and passed through an open stone archway into… Not the owlery!

"I think the Owlery must be on the other side of here," Alina said because of the staircase and all. But this was almost better. "We could....keep going this way," she said innocently and then flashed a smile first to Clifton and then to the others. "I mean, might be interesting. The Owlery is going to have owls and other letter-writing, package delivery type setups but THIS... Yes, this is promising."

She was up for it, and Clifton knew by now that she wasn't scared of trouble. Part of the adventure she always said. "But I understand if anyone wants to turn back. This is Hogwarts: uncharted territory." That made it seem all the more exiting to her. Alina came over and touched the stone archway, still not exactly unconvinced that maybe Hogwarts wasn't somehow enchanted or alive or something. It was ever changing and that in itself wasn't normal for a building but it didn't scare her. It fascinated her.

"But we need to vote on it first. I don't want anyone feeling uncomfortable," especially her new friends. She liked Lindsey and Alexa and didn't want them harboring bad feelings. "I'm in. Anyone else?" and he was free to make his choice as well but her eyes did come to Clifton's warm brown eyes and she held out her hand toward him.

"Hey, I'm just glad you guys didn't ditch me for good after being late," Clifton laughed. Then met Alina's gaze. "I'm up for anything."

He took her hand and stepped toward the archway with her and Alexa. "And besides. If we can't find the Owlery, I'm definitely sure we can find a What-erly."

Up until now. Clifton hadn't said much on the journey. Mostly because he was enjoying watching his friends. It was fun to see this new side of them outside of class. Alexa had surprised him by taking the lead and it looked like it might become the most exciting part of their adventure. He'd smiled to himself. He knew there had to be more to the redhead than turning away shyly at every compliment she got.

And of course he could spend all day watching Alina be her animated, spunky self. She had a natural ability for drawing others to her--himself included--and he enjoyed seeing it in full action in a group setting. He still didn't know Lindsey very well, but she too had a contagious sort of energy and pep in her step.

Clifton was convinced that if magic didn't already cure things like doldrums or depression, these three definitely could. Kindness, humor, personality, determination--it was better than muggle energy drinks.

No matter where they explored, Hogwarts probably wouldn't know what hit it.

"The what-ery can be for another time, like how we still have to go to the library and do research!" They still had things to plan but there was time to do it. Alina squeezed his hand and smiled. "Alright then, onward bound."

Alina then looked around where they stood. "I wonder if this is some kind of secret passageway. I bet it is! I bet that portrait wasn't foolish at all and he was trying to lead us astray." That had her even more eager to explore it. Together the four began walking again. "I heard some older students talking once again how some of the portraits hide the entrances to them. He probably doesn't get many visitors come this way, which is probably why he took the opportunity to get a little tipsy."

It was relatively dark now in that corridor. The windows that periodically lined the corridors seemed to have disappeared and Alina stopped walking a second, causing Cliff to stop too since he still held her hand. "I've got something that can help us," she said. Always prepared. She ruffled around in her bag and pulled out a small sphere that resembled a bit of a crystal ball. "It's an EZ Glo Luminous Orb." It was the wizarding version of a flashlight. More overall light than lumos and perfect for young wizards and witches who had yet to learn the charm.

Adventuring with @Alina Rosier @Clifton Troublefield@Alexa Mackenzie

“Ah, pretty dark here isn’t it?” Lindsey hadn’t said much during this journey, and she found Alina a really talkative and vigorous young girl. She’s so nice. Lindsey thought. So was Clifton and Alexa.
“Hmm, so what should we do? Anyone know the spell to enlighten here?” Lindsey asked. She’d heard about some lightening spells but just could not remember them. Guess I had to work harder on Charms. She said to herself.
Alina had already dragged out a crystal ball. It’s called “an EZ Glo Luminous Orb”, as she explained. The corridors was soon full of light.
“Maybe I’ll get my grandfather a resembled one.” Lindsey laughed. “He can’t see clearly at night, and well, you know what happened after that…” She giggled.
It’s not that respectful to say this, especially when laughing. But her grandpa was kind and, humorous? He liked to tell others these kinds of embarrassing things, really. So Lindsey did not care that much.
“Anyway, I think we are getting closer to the What-ery, isn’t it? But I do prefer How-ery!” She said, laughing.
Alina was really a good humor girl. And Clifton’s like her too. Wait! Why do Alina called Clifton “Clive”?
Hmm, it seemed interesting…Lindsey looked at Alexa, questioning if she knew anything between them

Adventuring with @Alina Rosier, @Clifton Troublefield, and @Lindsey Springhall!

I know this isn't canon, but it seems like it might be fun!

Alexa smiled at the group as they discussed their options. “I’m definitely in,” she said in response to Alina’s asking for a vote. Exploring was fun! Exploring with friends was even better.

She was very impressed by Alina’s EZ GLO light. She knew eventually they would learn a charm or spell to light the tip of their wands; she had seen several adults do it all the way from the train to the Great Lake the first evening. She wondered when they would learn that. In the meantime, this light was just enough to make a bubble of light around them so they could just see a little bit ahead a little bit behind. In some ways, it made things more mysterious, as the shadows deepened around the lighted space.

As they moved slowly down the corridor, carefully watching their steps, Alexa peered through the darkness. She could just make out the end of the corridor. It was a blank stone wall! There was no portrait, no suit of armor, no statue in front of it. It looked very odd.

Alexa inspected the wall critically. If there was magic here, there had to be something afoot. She looked at each of the stones in the wall carefully, and saw that just one protruded ever so slightly from the wall. She gently laid her hand on it, hesitated for a moment, and pushed. The stone slid back quickly, surprising her, and she jerked her hand away as the wall began to unfold block by block before them! It revealed an archway and a room on the other side… It was a very strange room…

Lol I'm awful at keeping to canon.



A secret passageway with a moving wall. Clifton hadn't necessarily paid to come to Hogwarts, but if he had, that would've been one of the reasons. You couldn't have a giant, magic castle without something fun.

"Wicked," he grinned. His usual curiosity urged him forward, which meant Alina came too, by default. Because, after all, you didn't waste an opportunity like a long, dark passageway to hold your crush's hand.

The glow from Alexa's light shone into the room to illuminate what at first looked like an enormous stack of really fluffy, pink-and-purple pillows. Almost like they'd stumbled in on a giant sleepover party. It took only a second for Clifton to recognize them for what they were.

"Pygmy puffs," he laughed. "There's one of the boys dorms that's based on some guy named Newt. Whoever stays there has to kick the whole lot of them out at the beginning of the year. And clean up the fur. I only know because the kid I sat by in Charms kept sneezing. I bet this is where they all hide. "

Curiosity only growing, he stepped past Alexa toward the squirming wall of pink and purple--and dropped out of sight.

I have no clue where this is going. I figure if we all add our ideas we can come up with something fun. Or intense. Or both.

"I've heard of those!" she spoke up and smiled, thinking the photo she saw of them were adorable. She lifted her orb light as Clifton walked past just a little higher and instantly, he was gone. Gone? "Clive?" She spoke quickly and her heart instantly started to race. No. It was some mean sort of prank. She lowered the orb. Maybe he was just tying his shoe.

Nothing. "CLIVE!" but now she was growing really worried. "Clifton Troublefield, you get back here now!" she demanded. The loudness of her voice was now causing those fluffy furry pillow creatures to stir as she was disturbing their slumber.

Alina looked back over her shoulder to Alexa and Lindsey, wondering if they had any sort of idea what happened but both seemed to be just as clueless as she was. She would try again. Now even more worried, her voice quivered a little. "CLIVE?!"

Nothing.

She thought of their time in the Astronomy Tower where he said he wasn't walking away from her; that he'd never walk away from her. That if she ever wanted free he would probably run after her. This was one of those times. You jump, I jump.

Alina handed Alexa the luminous orb since they only had one and didn't want to leave her friends without it, then turned back forward where she stepped forward, and too - was gone.

Adventuring with @Alina Rosier @Clifton Troublefield @Alexa Mackenzie

All of a sudden, Clifton disappeared. Alina called him, and——well, gone too.
“Oh dear!” Lindsey murmured. “Where are they?”
She looked at Alexa, who was holding the orb. “Let’s see.” She got the orb. “Is there a hole or something? I hope they are okay.” She walked slowly forward.
“I don’t think I should go further.” Lindsey returned after a few steps, giving the orb back to Alexa. “They’ve fell down like…there.” She pointed. “But I cannot see anything.”
They both stood there, unable, or fear to move.
“Let’s do this, Alexa.” Lindsey said after a while. “Look, I have a piece of paper. My cousin had taught me how to make a paper plane and I’ll go forward. I do think there’s a big hole. If I disappear too, don’t panic. I’ll fly the plane up if I could. If you see the plane, that means we are okay. You could…jump down too? If you don’t see, then, maybe you shall find someone or…it’s up to you.”
Lindsey quickly folded the paper and a small plane appeared. She threw it up and it flew really high. “Nice work!” She laughed.
Lindsey walked forward, with the plane, and gone too.
To her surprise, she landed softly.
Before doing anything, Lindsey threw up the plane, and, it disappeared soon.
But, where’s Alina and Clifton?