Banishment PV Professors

"A girl, hiding from..." Rosalind said, shifting her grip on her wand. She took a moment to still herself, looking to Zahid as he asked. "I don't know. The girl is hiding from something else." An old woman? She looked around. Herself, maybe. Or Professor Jensen. She assumed that it was a hag rather than a professor, but there was no guarantee that it couldn't be both. An earlier vision came to mind, but she couldn't piece together what it meant. It felt like it could be her - but it couldn't be her. She would know by now if she were a hag, and she certainly wasn't.

More spells were flying. Other professors were attempting to embolden and freeze the Headmaster. Rosalind had read a bit about professor Lear before submitting her application for the professor position - he was an expert on the subject of hags. Convenient skills for someone running a school that was plagued by him. It made sense they had tried to make him disappear. Evidently, his rationality was still missing, despite being found. The situation between him and the creepy Care of Magical Creatures professor would have to sort itself out, as she had no interest in intervening herself.

"I suppose I'm with the headmaster and miss Jensen," Rosalind said, sounding more enthusiastic about the latter. The frenchman called out and ran off from the group - there was no word that could describe her colleagues. They were inexplicable. Rosalind stuck close to professor Jensen, finding her by far the most rational of the group. At her command, she - sprang off chasing the frenchman. Her opinion about Jensen's rationality had been proven wrong, but they were acting now, and it was time to ride it out.

action: Run off after JP and Jensen.
Stamina: 8 || Evasion: 13 || Strength: 10 || Wisdom: 12 || Arcane Power: 10 || Accuracy: 12

Like @Aleksander Ostrowski had suggested, the time for action had come. @Maya Galim recognised this in her colleagues, with them either starting to move forward or planning ahead. There wasn't too much happening of the latter, so she figured she'd work on her own plan. Looking down the hall where others charged past her into the darkness, the professor of Muggle Studies would find little more to add to the evidence already gathered. So many decided to ignore her warning, what was she meant to do? The bones on the floor seemed to be tossed aside on the stone tiles. So odd to leave them there. It was almost arrogant. As if they were trying to state their borders.

Essentially one man she could find a friend in, or at the very least a colleague of the same mind, would be @Artemis Vernatis. He too, thought these actions were sudden and brash. Whatever had conquered the nurse's mind would likely picture the same fool Caradoc had been. Though judging by the screams of Jean-Papillon, this might have run deeper than the Charms professor could have guessed. Artemis would wait for the others to pass, seeing his old friend summon a staff and begin to climb the stairs. It was clear the second group would be significantly slower.

Facing the stairs, Caradoc would feel the grip around his arm. In turn, he would meet Nora's gaze and smile. He'd whisper something back in kind, clearly amused by her words. Nora would receive a wink of her Hufflepuff counterpart as he turned around and started to climb back up. But as his foot set its weight upon the stone steps, Doc tilted his head a little. Looking down to his knee, he could feel it pulsing. Something was fighting back in his body. The warm sensation locked in his chest spread out towards the wound. It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his knee. With renewed strength, Caradoc let go of his staff. Leaving it to lean against the wall. There was still a limp, and a slight aching with each step he took, but he'd manage. Reaching the top floor once more, his eyes would fall upon Ivar and Lear. It seemed someone had frozen the old man and- "Professor Eide! No!"

There was nothing the Head of Hufflepuff could have done to stop @Ivar Eide at that moment. Reaching out to try and catch @Solomon Lear , Caradoc would stick out his arms and end up under the armoured Headmaster. Locking himself around the old man's body for support, Ivar would be met with a glare from the Head of Hufflepuff. "Have you lost it? I-" Browne would start as his mind raced up to meet his tongue. He knew Solomon was still recovering and he knew the man's actions hadn't been too sound for now. "It's alright." Caradoc said in short. "Please regroup with the others. I'll handle the Headmaster from here."

OR after overhearing all this, Zahid could help. He would have his attention drawn towards this scene. After having checked every nook and cranny in the hallway. The sage of history was sure no traps or warnings had been placed upon these walls. Whether they'd be present further in, that remained to be seen. And many of them would, in time. People like @Elaine Pendrast & @Gargott Dunaid would have to follow after the group on their own pace. The Groundskeeper's sparks would flicker past the stone walls. If only he had waited a little to cast his spell, they could have actually shown him the very thing Caradoc was trying to reach. Elaine bought herself another safeguard. Blue flames were conjured and left floating around her.

Raving madness had struck @Jean-Papi Dupont at the mention of a child. It was clear all his senses left as soon as his memories of lost children got triggered. Many things all happened at once. @River Jemari cast a protective charm whilst @Marcus Iwasaki ran straight after the rampant Nurse. @Hjørdis Jensen & @Kateri Karr soon followed after with both their lights flickering on.

In everyone's surprise, the one no one saw coming would have been @Rosalind Kibitzer. The old lady had some spice in her old bones left. With determined loyalty she followed after her Head of House, then passing Elaine and Gargott. Catching up quickly, she came shoulder to shoulder with Nora rather quickly before eventually passing even her. Not even Rosalind herself could have divined the adrenaline rising in her body. The Kibitzer train was moving and it was about to break through everything that would stop her from moving.

Going forward in a fast pace, Marcus would be the first to enter with a clear mind. But not his nose. No, it was telling him in all sorts of manners that this, was not a good idea. The smell of something rotten and vile came from all sides. Felines, dead and half-eaten somewhere in a room further up. A sweaty shoe abandoned in an open broom closet. The further he ran in, the more his sense began to activate towards the signs of warning. It was getting colder and colder the further they went in. But where were they going?

However long they all took to get inside that hallway, they all would feel the sense of dread being thrown upon them like a blanket. Bones left to crack on the floor and rats scurrying away from the approaching intruders, these halls were clearly not often traversed.

Towards the end of the hallway, Jean-Papier would be left with a choice. Left or right, there had been no mention of a guide or path that would lead them straight to danger. He could see the darkness skitter away from his piercing light. It was hiding, fleeing, looking to survive in the dark crevices of the old stonework. "Papa? Papa are you there?" a soft voice of a girl would call out from his left. "Papa! I need you!" Another voice from a boy would call out from his right. Two children? Each on the other side, separated and in danger. An impossible choice for a father to make.

Caradoc's back slammed down hard upon the stone floor as he was holding an armoured man. Grunting in pain, the Head of Hufflepuff would almost be hugging the Headmaster in his catch. "Hey there old man, it's Doc." He would slowly utter in a clear voice. "I know the world's a little more crazy than the way you left it behind. But we'll get through it, pal" Caradoc's hands slowly locked themselves on to Lear's armour. The muscles in his arms tensed up as his legs tried to hold Lear's down as well. "This is going to be slightly nauseating..."

With a snap of his fingers Caradoc thrust the palm of his hand upon Solomon's chest and slowly started twisting his wrist around. Low muttering escaped the Hufflepuff's mouth as he provided the incantation of the infamous Entrail-Expelling Curse. Caradoc had been subject to the very same and if his theory would prove him right. Lear was in for a treat in the next few hours. "Now... Don't... Try to... Resist..." Doc hissed between gritted teeth. His mind flashing back to the horrifying feeling of a centipede crawling out of your throat. He almost made himself heave by revisiting that moment. Doc was sure Zahid or any bystander would be having seconds thoughts about what was transpiring around them, but he needed only a few moments to trya nd clear the Headmaster's mind. "C'mon, old man. Spit it out."

Action: Cast the Entrail-Expelling Curse on Lear.

There had to be one. There was always one who would just run into danger no matter the consequences. In their eclectic group, it was JP, the new school nurse. Not only was he crazy for running further into the dungeon, but he was perhaps our only hope of healing. And here he went, to sacrifice his well-being. This whole event was not strategic. Maya couldn't help but to think someone was going to die... Someone will make the mistake or not care of others for their own purpose.

Maya held onto her handmade torch tightly. As others ran past her after JP, her gaze looked down to the ground at their running feet. It seemed that further down there were more bones than the few that she used for her torches. Maya squinted her eyes and saw that there were many bones that were tossed aside on the floor. Maya was unsure what kinds of bones they were, but perhaps this was a clue as to what could be ahead of them.

"EIDE!" Maya called out to the professor of Care of Magical Creatures. She looked at the man of poor genetics and pointed to the bones that were on the floor ahead of her. "Would you be able to decipher if these bones are human or creature? And if creature, what species they may be?" she asked, hoping his skill in caring for magical creatures was also knowing their anatomy.

If it was a creature, then it can let them know of two things: what kind of creature may be lurking in the shadows from what they have been eating, or what the Hags might be planning if using a specific creature in their spells or brews.

ACTION: Informing @Ivar Eide of the bones on the floor and asking for him to study them.

Jean-Papi kept running and for a man reaching his fifty year mile pole he was fast. No matter what might be lurking in front of him, he would smite it down with the unrelenting resolve of a father who was desperate to be reunited with his children. Nothing or nobody would keep him away. Not again. With an iron will, he set forth in the dark. As he ran through the darkness he noticed the dark creep away, but was still near. Just out of reach of his light. Waiting, watching to strike at him whenever his light would diminish. The Nurse didn't care. His children were in danger and they were here. He couldn't explain it. It was something inside him that was sure of it. Call it fatherly intuition or a daditude if you will.

As he sat forth, he noticed the end of the hallway and with great dismay, he noticed it splitting in two. Left or right? Victor! Nicolette! Where are you?! There he stood. Listening intently for any sound, noise or voice who would answer his plea. JP didn't have to wait long for him to get his answer. Oh, no. His children were listening! "Papa? Papa are you there?" a soft voice of a girl would call out from his left. "Papa! I need you!" Another voice of a boy would call out from his right. The pleas tore his heart apart. These monstrous beasts were playing with his mind. Making him do things he never would even consider. Forcing him into sickening choices. Here he stood. Trying to make a decision who he would rescue first. Tenez mes enfants! Papa est arrivé!*, he yelled in return. His mind was racing. What to do, what to do? His first instincts honed by years on the job working as an auror, he thought it's a trap, but what if it was not? What if his children were in need of him. What if they just couldn't find their way back? Their way back to him? So as any sensible father would do he would see what his odds were. The Frenchman didn't waste any time. He merely pointed his wand at the left hall and thought: Homenum Revelio!

This would have to show him whether or not any child was there. If not he knew it would be a trap and he would simply rescue his other child, but if it was the dilemma would remain. Either way he would have to make another sickening choice. That much he was sure of.

Once again, a heavy sigh left Artemis' mouth as he watched his team race ahead of him into the darkness. At least they were smart to light their wands. But the Charms professor knew that he needed to follow after them, at least after the Snake mother as Artemis had a hunch that Cara wouldn't be too happy with him if she were hurt. A scoff left the man's mouth as he silently cast Lumos Duo and ran down the hall where the rest of his team were heading. Didn't Caradoc know that Jensen was a formidable woman? He had to know since the two of them were down here before. Jensen didn't seem like the type of woman to be a damsel in distress.

As he continued to run, Artemis lost track of the rest of his team. He could hear the sound of running footsteps around him, and he strangely didn't bump into anyone while he ran into the darkness, but he couldn't see them. This darkness was no joke, but it did seem to move off to the side away from Artemis as he continued to run. He truly hoped that he and his partners could figure out what this dense blackness was before it moved from the dungeons to the rest of the school. It was bad enough that it was so damn close to the Slytherin common room. Maybe the little snakes should be moved to an area on the higher floors of the castle.

It seemed that he was approaching the end of the hall as he heard the new Nurse calling out to his..."children". One voice came from the left while the other came from the right. Rightfully so, the French man was confused about which direction to go and Artemis couldn't blame him. But this all still seemed strange to him. He walked up to the man with his lit wand, hoping not to startle the already stressed out and frantic man further.

"Jermane Dupree, you never said where you lost your children, did you? Or maybe you did and I missed that little bit of information. If they aren't Hogwarts age, then why would they be here? No one has been inside of the school since the beginning of July. Your children...are you positive that they are down here? Hags can pretend to be your children and then we'd be running straight into a trap. This darkness...it isn't your usual darkness, as we saw with Browne being pulled into it. You have to think this through, man."

Artemis touched the other man's shoulder lightly. There was a chance that the man would knock his hand off but Artemis wouldn't care. Honestly, he didn't know why he said what he said. If Yuya and Yukina were down in these halls in the dark, there would be no reasoning with him either.

He just hoped that they would be prepared for whatever was coming for them...or whatever they were running into.

Action: Casts Lumos Duo and follow after Jean to the end of the dark hallway.

"Jean! JEAN!" River shouted over and over as he chased the nurse. The farther they ran, the more danger they were in. However, he was well aware that more of the school's staff had decided to follow the reckless man, something that managed to at least slightly put his mind at ease. Eventually, he noticed Jean come to a halt at a dead end. No, not a dead end. An intersection. A choice. Left and right. Whatever Jean was rushing to, he couldn't seem to decide what direction to go. That was good. That meant he might think clearly for a few moments.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He said as he stopped running directly beside the nurse. River didn't sound angry. Instead, he just appeared to be extremely confused. As he waited for an answer the professor of flight began to chew on his lips. He then looked towards each corridor, down at his broom, back towards where he came from, and back down at his broom. Straight path from here back to where we started. He thought. Then, just in case a quick retreat was necessary, he got on his broom and took off, hovering just above the ground.

As she ran, Kateri tried to focus on any sound or noises around her. She had never encountered anything like this strange darkness before or a hag... let alone the thought there could be more than one down here. The research she had done prior made her a little more confident and knowing they at least had, well... somewhat of a group together even if theh had split up.

Wand still firmly in hand and light the only thing cutting through the darkness in her path, she glanced back to see if anyone else had followed. All she could see was the darkness swallow her up and become whole the moment the light passed. The only thing that gave her any sense of direction were voices up ahead. Hopefully that of her companions..

A couple orbs of light came into view as she saw familiar faces. Kateri let out a light breath of relief it hadn't been hags greeting her. Not sure if Kat would've passed people but I know others ahead of her who ran away first haven't posted so I'll leave that vague.

Jean seemed quite distressed and the others were comforting him in one way or another. She couldn't exactly see the problem at hand but from the talk assumed they were at a crossroad.

"I don't think we should really split up..again." Kateri spoke calmly, her voice low and restrained. There was no sense in getting lost in the moment. Even if she knew how it felt to agonize over a lost child...they had to be sensible.

"Vernatis is right.. If we rush into things and your children are here then it could only make things worse for not only us but their own lives as well. You can't help your children if you're dead." It may be a grim thing to think of but if he rushed on ahead and made rash decisions.. he may not be there to save them or watch them grow.

Gripping her wand, she chased after the nurse alongside the others. There was enough light between them to, at the very least, avoid getting mauled by the darkness but these were not walls that she trusted. They reached a dead end, at some point - splitting into two directions. Whether or not she heard the voices did not matter. Everyone had grouped up where Dupont stood, undecided on a path. There were two choices. At this point, going back was a futile option. They had some sort of resemblance of a plan. It was not a lot but at this point, it was all they had.

There was no doubt in her mind that anything lurking in these dungeons knew of their presence by now. That was pretty much guaranteed by their entrance. Subtly and stealth went out of the plan a while back. They were at a disadvantage. Whatever lurked here likely knew of their presence and where they were...

She had no idea where Dupont intended on going but if he chose a path, it was best to just follow him now. Hjørdis agreed with Karr silently. Splitting up again was not the best plan. Vernatis tried to reason with him but the Head of Slytherin said nothing. She honestly doubted Dupont would listen to reason at this stage. His pain was unimaginable to her. If she was in the same situation, she likely would have reacted the same way. Drowning them out, she stepped towards the wall ahead of them, raising her wand arm to point at it as though to inspect it.

"Trust nothing..." She whispered, "Even the walls can lie to you..." She continued, reminding them of the 'wall' that two of them had seen near the runes. A wall that was actually an illusion. Caradoc had run through it, successfully getting yet another curse for the collection.

Most of the walls were real, of course. But in these dungeons, they were not walking through empty corridors. They were part of someone else's game. Anything and everything could be lies. She stared intently at the wall in front of her, before looking towards the left side. Dupont was pointing his wand in that direction. Turning to the right, she stared at the right. If there was anything on the left, he would see it. So, she focused in the other directions, looking for any sort of clues on the right hand side instead.

She could not shake the feeling that they were being watched. It was likely a figment of her own imagination but she had a feeling something was watching her. Watching all of them. Was it the dark?Probably. It likely was. It sickened her.

ACTION: Maintain Lumos Duo and look around for anything (sixth sense)

Stamina: 15 | Evasion: 9 | Strength: 2 | Wisdom: 20 | Arcane Power: 10 | Accuracy: 14
Abilities: Sixth Sense | Evasive Maneuvers | Perfectionist | Poison Resistance [others pending]

Outfit of the day

Chaos reigns..." He muttered under his breath, as the school's Nurse sprinted fecklessly into the darkness. The Potions Master scuffed his shoe against the stone floor. He knew he should leave, truthfully this had nothing to do with him, his job was cures to these curses, not destroying the source of it. He had remained a pacifist for the past year, he had sworn he'd never fight for someone else's sake again.

But as his cohorts braved the darkness he felt his blood stir and his heard beat faster. He clenched his jaw as his skin went pale. He thought of all the terrible things that would happen to him if he went much further, how he could avoid all of it and simply go back to bed if he just walked the other way.

"Well I am sticking with Professor Pendrast." He remarked to any who still remained, not even looking over at them as he started walking forward. "She seems at least dedicated enough to not getting us all killed." He continued, walking further into the darkness until he spotted his former Professor's blue flames.

He rushed to catch up to her, his wand remaining holstered, it seemed he was hesitant to use it. "So seriously...what are our odds?" He asked Elaine curiously, keeping an eye out for anything that might be creeping around.

Action:

Reducio

Following Pendrast, standing guard and keeping an eye out for her.