Exploring the Corridors of Hogwarts Closed

Interacting with / Mentioning : @Evelyn Folse , @Perry Dorfin
Verner's thoughts
Verner talking

It was still some time until their first class of *Transfiguration*, and the overall the very first class Verner and his friends Evelyn and Perry had at Hogwarts started.

Verner was still leisurely eating his breakfast only couple of bites remaining, when he noticed Perry had become restless. It might have been eagerness to get there first, or some kind of nervosity, but in the end it did not matter what was the reason. What mattered was that Perry started talking.

Perry’s words stated they would forfeit exploration for now, in favour of not getting lost and late. Verner could only agree with the second part. That was the logical thing to do. About the first part though, he thought that even going to the class directly would still count as exploration, only one not as thorough as he would like.

*”Yes, you’re right Perry”* Verner said, *”better we’re not late on our first day”* and he looked at Evelyn, expecting to find her nod as well.

Verner stayed calm and composed, but whatever it has been that forced this nervosity at Perry, it still did not seem to be over completely, as Perry started off to the 5th floor, where the classroom was supposed to be. And as Perry’s friend, Verner decided to follow right after thinking *”It cannot be that difficult to get there, it’s only fifth floor”*. Soon however, he would find out how mistaken he was.

This was the Hogwarts castle, world of magic, and even the stairs and corridors might lead you to one place one day and somewhere completely else on a different day. And they needed to learn the *rules or conditions* of those changes.

*”We need to learn the way of the land — that is the basics of exploration”* Verner thought, his mind flashing back words from one of his favourite books.

But Verner’s mind was quickly forced to return from his thoughts to reality. Just as they have crossed the corridor on the second floor, he needed to react as Perry said he thought he was lost. Internally, Verner laughed at the silly fact it was for this reason they left early, and they still managed to get lost.

*”Don’t worry”* he said out loud to Perry, *”I am sure we can somehow trace our steps back, in the worst case we might ask some other students or something”* and following Perry’s gaze back, he also turned backwards where Evelyn should be...

Sorry forgot this
Interacting with/mentioning @Verner Llf and @Perry Dorfin


Evelyn was just finishing breakfast when Perry became somewhat restless. The breakfast had been amazing with all her favourite breakfast foods plus some type of juice she had never had before. Perry suggested they go not wanting to be late or get lost Verner agreed and Evelyn nodded "Yeah, wouldn't want to be late our first day.

They got up from the table and headed towards the large doors at the end. A few students had already left for classes but there were still plenty in the hall enjoying breakfast. She followed Perry and Verner out of the hall. They began to head up to the second floor. Evelyn stared around in fascination, everything was so interesting. She noticed many suits of armour along the way and the paintings talked! She was having a conversation with a girl when she heard Perry up ahead "Guys I think we're lost" She quickly ran to catch up. Lost? They couldn't be lost!

She scanned the surrounding area. No one in sight. She sighed, she had hoped to ask someone an older student maybe who knew the school much better. But there was no one around besides them. Just then she saw something move out of the corner of her eye. "Guys, somethings there. Maybe it's a student? she started towards it hoping they were following.

Interacting With: @Evelyn Folse @Verner Llf

Reducio

Sorry for the late response!

Perry realized they were lost. He had messed up, and the realization was eating him up. Everything seemed different, his surroundings seemed to change every time he blinked. He really underestimated magic. Perhaps he was thinking this was similar to a normal school where everything is set in stone. 'I can't believe I let my friends on a wild goose chase...what am I going to do?! That's the thing about magic, you never know what's going to happen, it's so unpredictable. What am I going to do!' His mind was buzzing.

Perry heard Verner's words of affirmation about their current situation. Which seemed to calm Perry's nerves. "Yeah, yeah, let's trace our steps." He said this just as Evelyn had announced she saw something. Perry gulped as she walked towards what she saw. "W-wait, where are you going?" Asked Perry, as he began to follow Evelyn cautiously. "What if it's not a student. What are we getting into?" He muttered to himself under his breath. Fearful of what would happen if it wasn't what they expected.

Perry thought to himself for a very long while. It was almost like time had stopped inside his mindscape, he was so deep in thought, and deep in caution (and insecurity) that it felt like everything had come to a close in his mind. 'Where am I? What are we doing? What if something bad happen? What do I expect?' Perry thought this as a drop of sweat bounced down his head.

'No, no, I can't be getting scared now. I'm a Hufflepuff! I won't let that name go to vain. Hufflepuff's are brave, strong, loyal, yet talented. I won't be a wimp now. ' These thoughts seemed to soothe his ever anxious heart. It made him feel stronger than what he was. He pressed forward towards the thing Evelyn had saw.

Interacting with / Mentioning : @Evelyn Folse , @Perry Dorfin
Verner's thoughts
Verner talking

Evelyn was there, with them, so that was one problem less, Verner thought. The question which required immediate answer was, what did she see.

Verner did not attempt to guess what it could have been, simply because there were too many options. An image from a plaque found next to door of their dormitory popped out in his mind. It said *“If you worry, you suffer twice”* or something like that, he was not completely sure.

But just to be sure — and prepared for any strange situation that might arise, Verner’s eyes have quickly scanned the corridor for any shadows, dark places, recesses in the walls or places useful for hiding. This was his mind going on autopilot.

The conscious side of Verner’s mind has focused on following Evelyn. Perry’s tone of voice and words sounded close to him getting scared, the atmosphere at the castle could get spooky even during the day in certain corridors, that was an undeniable fact. But despite that Verner tried to encourage Perry with calm words *”It should be okay, we have not gone very far yet”* Afterwards, he silently gestured Perry to follow him, allowing Perry to also stay back if he wanted.

Looking at Evelyn who has already started moving towards whatever she has seen, Verner also followed, but instinctively he started tip-toeing. He whispered in a mid-loud voice so that only him, Evelyn and Perry could hear it *”Wait Evelyn, let’s not rush, we should probably observe it from a safe distance first.”*

With a few quick and almost silent steps Verner closed the distance to Evelyn. They would soon figure out the source of it, hopefully they would not get further lost in the middle of doing so.

Interacting with/ mentioning @Verner Llf and @Perry Dorfin

Evelyn carefully stepped forward, the object seemed to be shimmering. What on earth could it be she wondered. Just then she heard Verner behind her saying they shouldn't rush they should observe from a distance first. He was right, she turned towards him "Yeah, could be dangerous you never know this castle seems to be full of secrets." she said heading back towards the two boys. There was no need to rush into this. After all, what if it wasn't a student? "Maybe one of the portraits can tell us. I have seen them travel maybe they can head down there come back and tell us what they saw. Whether it's dangerous or not."

She turned to a portrait she had noticed on the way. The little girl. She was gone. Evelyn looked around all the portraits were gone. Whatever it was must be dangerous. She turned to Verner and Perry "Guys," she started nervously "The the people in the portraits are gone". She started to back away nervously. "Whatever this is we should not be messing with it. But maybe they are gone for a different reason? I mean it is Hogwarts nothing can be too dangerous." That was right. There were the students to think about. Nothing in the castle walls could be to terrible. "Can it? she added, almost as an afterthought. She turned towards Perry and Verner "Should we run? Investigate? she asked.

Interacting with/ Mentioning: @Evelyn Folse , @Perry Dorfin
Verner's thoughts
Verner talking

What Evelyn noticed, about the people from portraits running away and hiding somewhere, that certainly was not a good sign.

*”I am sure there must be a good and reasonable explanation for it”* Verner whispered again in the voice Evelyn and Perry only could hear and react to.

Seeing his two friends start to get worried, and not without a good reason for that made Verner thinking about what was the smartest thing to do right now. He was not *afraid* to step further, but he did not want to do it without a good solution prepared for the case he or they had to run or react quickly.

And because of that Verner turned his head back, to the path they have used to get here. What he has seen did not make him jump out of joy. *“Evelyn, Perry, I think the only option available now is to go forward. The staircase we used to get here has just vanished”*. Verner hoped he sounded as calm as usual, but he too was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable.

Whatever the shimmering object was, they would have to face it. Maybe they could get past by without being noticed?

Interacting With: @Evelyn Folse @Verner Llf

Perry was starting to get fearful. As Evelyn walked back, Perry began to think. 'This castle is crazy! So magical, so confusing.' Sweat dropped down Perry's face as he looked for ways to get out of this mess. But he couldn't think of any, just as Evelyn said the people in the portraits were gone, Perry began to think with pure anxiety. 'Oh no, something bad is going to happen. Something really bad, I bet, I know something crazy is going to happen. Whatever it will be.' Perry announced in his own brain.

Perry could not think of a way to cheer himself up or get out of this mess. It was starting to freak him out. 'No, no, no. I wear the Hufflepuff robes, I better start acting like one.' Perry thought this right as Verner turned back. Verner mentioned them not being able to leave. Which worried Perry quite a lot, however he was smart. He knew the only way out of this was forward. "Okay, let's go, I mean, we have to press forward don't we?" He said, taking a big worried gulp.

Perry trotted towards the shimmering object. It was shining, but it wasn't nearly as bright as Perry had expected. He rushed forward past the other two, trying not to look confused. Or even afraid. He had been shook to the core, and the only thing keeping him going was the fact he was a Hufflepuff. 'The Sorting Hat can't lie. I-it can't right? Maybe I'm not cut out for this stuff. Maybe the Sorting Hat is messing with my brain!' These thoughts clouded Perry's brain, as he seemed to shiver. All of his movement seemed to stop for a tiny millisecond, almost like a stutter. 'No, no, I've got no reason to fear. I'm a Hufflepuff for a reason!'

Just as Perry thought this, his confidence seemed to grow. He knew deep down that he had the bravery and the strength to be a Hufflepuff. If the situation ever got terrible, Perry would put his own life on the line to help his friends. Even if he didn't know any magic at all. He continued walking in spite of his brain telling him no. "Come on, we have to press forward."

Interacting with/ mentioning @Perry Dorfin and @Verner Llf

Evelyn stopped abruptly. This was no way to be acting! She wasn't a coward and needed to stop acting like one. The shimmering thing, whatever it was, needed to be faced. Even if they turned and ran Evelyn knew she would always wonder what it was and always regret not finding out.

Just then Verner noticed the staircase behind the was gone. Well, now we really do have to go forward she thought. There isn't a choice. "Guess we have to go forward." she said with as much courage as she could muster. Perry started forward and Evelyn followed. She slowly stepped closer and closer taking careful note of her surroundings. The people in the portraits were gone, the staircase was gone, and the shimmering thing wasn't as bright as she had first thought.

It was definitely still shimmering, there was no doubt about that. Still, it definitely wasn't as bright. "It is not as bright as I thought it was." she whispered. "Do you think we could sneak pat it somehow? Or can it even talk or interact with us? It doesn't seemed to have moved." She looked at it again. It might have. Still, it could be just her eyes playing tricks on her. If it had moved she doubted it had even moved the length of her arm. "Well, maybe a little. But not very much." Evelyn said her voice still in a whisper. If it is able to speak or interact with us I do not want to spook it. After all it could still be dangerous.

Still, she kept heading forward. This was no time to be a coward and make a fool of herself. We are heading to transfiguration! How could I forget? She checked her watch, the one her sister had given her for her eleventh birthday, they were about a quarter way through class. Oh well, they probably won't mind. After all, it probably happens to first years all the time. She looked ahead towards the shimmering thing. She had to focus on the problem at hand. They could worry about transfiguration class later.

Interacting with / mentioning: @Evelyn Folse, @Perry Dorfin
Verner's thoughts
Verner talking

As both of his friends Evelyn and Perry noticed the stairs at the back of the corridor have just vanished, and the only option to continue was to move forward along the shimmering object, they seemed to have steeled their resolution to move forward, despite the probably dangerous situation awaiting ahead.

Verner did not mind to move forward either, and wondered what will happen when they get closer to the object. While they all moved closer Verner’s mind started processing several inputs at once. First as usual, he prepared for a swift escape, but this time he would also grab his friends by their collars if needed.

Second set of thoughts were related to the current situation. *”How is it possible that the stairs disappeared so suddenly?”* Verner also noticed, when Evelyn checked her watch, and he realised the ridiculous discrepancy between how he has perceived the time flow and what Evelyn’s watch displayed. In his mind they have been here merely a couple of minutes. Granted, they have spent some time getting to this corridor, and they seemed to have made several wrong turns and got lost. But in the end it was nowhere near the amount to be already late for Transfiguration class. *”It must be some kind of illusion”* Verner thought, and to reaffirm his resolve and also to encourage his friends, he said *”I think something wants us away from here, similarly as those ghosts from all the paintings”*.

Verner decided to observe the shimmering object intently while saying that. Verner’s words, were actually an entry point to the third set of his thoughts he voiced, partly as a guess and in part just himself thinking aloud, but still welcoming different theories. Looking at the object, Verner suddenly had an insightful thought. In his mind a flashback to their dormitory has popped up. It was a painting with various magical beasts and it made a base for his theory. *”It probably is some kind of a strange animal’s egg or maybe a youngling“* Verner said aloud and continued thinking. *”His mother will be here any minute!”* he said with urgency in his voice.
*“The impression we have of stairs missing and time skipping ahead might be a way it wants to protect or defend itself…”*

And with these words and thoughts Verner started looking around, trying to predict what might come next.