Lock-in Hufflepuff Gryffindor Event Closed

Deep in the caverns, pots clanked together and torches sputtered as they moved about. There were noises coming from up above. Had someone stumbled upon the hiding spot? The masked figure glanced to his master before being sent ahead to scout. His dark robes and dark mask would hide his features, his wand ready for whatever was ahead. They were not ready for a confrontation, but maybe they could scare them away.

"Make sure they do not find us." the Master said to his puppet, clenching his gloved hand into a fist.

There was another way out if they were quick enough, they could escape while the child did his job. The crew was ordered to pack up and abandon their work for now. They would retreat into the forest to try again later. A light glow came from the necklace as the Master made his way out into the forest ahead of everyone else. They would not be caught today, but perhaps another time they could make an appearance. A few gifts had been left behind that would be a nice fail-safe in case the boy failed them.

None of you see this yet. Do not respond to it.

Hmm...Waking up in the afternoon? So damn good, also feeling sleepy at the same time, his eyes wouldn't close even if he wanted them to...How many classes has he missed? Hopefully none, he can't afford to fail anything, not with Ed waiting at home with a list of tasks and exercises to do...One of the drawbacks of having ex-military as  a guardian. But the boy loved the old man, he took Siege in when no one would, and who could blame those countless of people who whispered about him? He was trouble, looks like trouble and they were willing to just look at that, and stay away.

Ed was different. He looked beyond, he really didn't judge the book's cover, even if the book's content is actually full of s**t. Siege was never a good kid, how'd he get his position as prefect, he's either under heavier watch or he's just too sneaky to be caught, it didn't matter to him...After all "Patrolling" has its benefits when he gets tired. Anyways, waking up from another nap, he felt both refreshed and tired, he wanted to go back to sleep...Except he just remembered something. Prof. Sebs barely touched on it, it being a miracle that he even remembered, but yeah....The lock in was today wasn't it? A joint event between the Gryffs and the Huffies...a lock in? Isn't that like a glorified sleep-over? Well either way, it was in the grounds and the last time he was in the grounds, the forest had been burned. Hopefully the centaurs weren't too mad about that...


Now...To go or not to go? On one hand, he'd rather just stay in bed, where he was, and sleep in...But a nice change in environment wouldn't hurt, in fact he was feeling pretty damn bored just sleeping and resting there. It was a hard choice...Stay and sleep in or go down and sleep in...Well his curiosity got the better of him, thus prompting him to just get up and start getting ready.

*Extra clothes? Probably best to put in this duffel bag...Wand? Yeah seems useful, even If I haven't really used it all that much. Whoever or whatever you are, you chose the wrong owner bud, unless you're lazy...Then you picked the right one. Anyways, Butterbeer? Hell yeah, let me just take five pints of Butterbeer in these coffee mugs... Knives? Should be useful at some point, better shove that in as well. What's this? Looks like a container of sorts...It says... "Slug-Repellent?" Eh if it's anything like bug repellent it should be useful in the grounds! Stylsih Walking stick? Nah, I don't see myself using that other than for bashing heads in...Which I hope will not happen, my rep is already bad enough... A History of Magic? I should probably bring it, after all... I probably should look into that one curse that I found...Sounds pretty damn familiar...I think that's all I really need...Besides my pillow though, probably should bring that one.*

He took, what, half an hour to get ready? But then again, he rarely took out anything from his trunk and duffel bag, so it wasn't that hard to find everything. Now...It was time to head out into the glorious open and sleep out in the same glorious open! He'd finally get up from his lazy comforts for something other than class and with his duffel bag in tow. Taking another look at his bed and trunk, he'd leave the Dormitory slowly and lazily, him being still semi sleepy and bored of the lack of action and the recent lack of fun events, let's get real, the BlossomFest was not for Siege, it was totally boring for him, just another event he attended just cause he thought it was fun...It was not fun, It was just another boring thing in his opinion...Though that didn't mean it didn't have good things about it too...Ahem...Anyways, jeez is he there yet? Ah crap, he's lazily walking isn't he? It's gonna take a long ass time till he gets ther- Oh wait, never mind, I'm the narrator I can speed this up just a tiny bit!

After walking for quite some time he'd finally reached the Grounds, it's blades of grass gently pushed away with every lazy step Siege took towards the planned spot that the Lock In was supposed to be in. He'd heft the duffel bag in Lazy Confidence(Was that even a thing?), swaying at this point, being sleepier than ever, was there anything to keep this boy awake? Yes, quite a few, a fight, frustrations, another fight, some more frustrations as well as more fights... Wow he really needs to change up soon, or he'll end up bored to death!

Surveying where he just ended up in, it was pretty...boring looking, except for a doorway in some sort of ditch, shady s*** I tell you! Though kids, other kids mind you, seems to be just going in there and seems to not care much... Maybe Prof. Lear already entered? Yeah, most likely, the door being open and all...But hell...In there? That's where it is? Where the Lock in is gonna be? Why couldn't it be outdoors? It'd be stuffy in there!...Well time to go I guess, cause the boy would just keep on walking towards the door.

Upon nearing it, he saw the features of the door, which certainly interested him. Rather than continuing on to the dimly lit room, where it seems like the others were setting up. He spent his time observing the door...It had a design straight out of Lord of The Rings with the "You have No Power Here" guy's head on top...Why was it there? It looked fancy though, but why was it there? Did it have a purpose? He didn't know, though if there was, he certainly wasn't planning to find anything out.

"Damn son, that head looks old as hell! They shave that thing? Does it talk? Is it like a magical head? Hey head! Have you ever shaved in your life? Jeez man we burned down the forest the other day, but there's an entire forest covering your mouth!" Siege would say, he just couldn't help himself, too many ideas in his head, and he was bored...So it wasn't surprised that he'd just start talking to a damn door. But since his trip, it was the most interesting looking thing he's seen...So...Why not?

ACTION: Antagonize the Damn Door

Lucy straggled in near the back of the pack, huffing as she attempted to navigate her bundle of things. She cursed again the fact that she did not have a sleeping bag or normal backpack or bag like most of the students here. Her face was blotchy from exertion, and since she had been so far behind everyone, she missed the drama with the door completely. Despite that fact, she was eager to participate in the lock-in. She had missed the Hufflepuff campout and hadn't known anyone who attended, so she was not afraid like some students seemed to be.

The air seemed thick with tension as students found places to lay down their things. There were clusters of students, and Lucy drifted towards the outskirts of the room, looking for space.  She stepped over several bedrolls and tossed hers down near the west entrance, a bit closer to the centre than the furthest bed. She threw her blanket of stuff down, rummaging in the pillowcase and pulling out a few granola bars.

She heard Professor Lear's announcement and perked up. She watched as students introduced themselves, but a boy and a girl had already started heading out. She noted that she had seen them lay down their bedrolls near her own. A competitive warmth flared in her chest, and she longed to jump into the action. Determined not to be left behind, she chased noisily after them. 

"Hey!" she called, running up behind them, panting slightly. She patted her robe pockets self-consciously, checking to see if her wand and granola bars were safely secured in her school robe. Seeing so many students out of uniform, she felt slightly silly being in the school attire, but it was cold underground. She didn't mind the extra warmth. "Can I come with you guys? I don't want to waste time sitting around if there's puzzles to solve." She grinned, eyes sparkling with eagerness. "I'm Lucy, by the way."

She paused, frowning at the torch. She could see a lot going wrong with just relying on a simple stick and fire. "I haven't had too much practice, but I'm going to try to do the Wand-Lighting Charm as back up," she told the group decidedly, figuring that if she made a fool of herself that it wouldn't matter. Better to do it sooner rather than later so they could figure out just what kind of witch she was.

She took a steadying breath and paused briefly in the corridor, concentrating on the spell. "Lumos," she said quietly but confidently, tracing her wand through a small loop-de-loop pattern. She stared hopefully at the tip of her wand.

ACTION: Introduce self to Winifrey and Parcel. *free speaking interaction
Take granola bars and wand and follow Parcel and his torch into the west tunnel. *movement
Attempt to cast Lumos. *spell

Apprehension was one word to describe how Duncan felt going into this dark dungeon beyond a door that threatened death. Rumors were one thing, but actually being on an adventure of sorts with Professor Lear unnerved the boy a bit. He had brought a pile of cookies with him as his main extra supply. Otherwise he planned to follow someone else around to see what they could find. No way was he wandering off alone here. Everyone seemed to be getting partners or groups and panic set in for Duncan. He did not want to be left alone.

"Wait for me," he said to Paracelsus as the boy grabbed a torch and headed down a hallway. "Do you mind if I join you?"

The Gryffindor boy was someone he had never met, and this was supposed to be a mingling type of thing. If he was going to follow someone off it might as well be a stranger he was supposed to be meeting anyways. This seemed like the best course of action before he got left alone, or worse; left with a teacher.

Duncan offered one of his smuggled cookies to Paracelsus with a smile on his face. The chocolate chip cookie would still be fairly fresh and enjoyable. If that didn't entice the boy to let him join, he didn't know what else would. There was little else he had to offer besides some basic spells and moral support.

Action: Follow Paracelsus and offer cookies.

Frost slung her bag over her shoulder. She was going back and forth between staying or going. Although she hadn't been part of the Hufflepuff's campout, she had heard about it. I mean, Frost was all for daring and dangerous things, but she didn't feel so good about injuries.

She glanced down at her brown leather boot. Just to make sure her wand was secure. She might need it later. 

In the gathering of yellow Hufflepuffs, she spotted flecks of red Gryffindors. At least she might make some new friends.

Frost entered the odd door that spoke and stood behind the large group of mixed colors. She was exceptionally small compared to most of them. She tried to jump and see what was going on. 

Being small, she could easily fit through the gaps between people and get to the front. So that is exactly what she did. Crouching, she made her way through. 

The ginger-haired girl could see bedrolls and sleeping bags spread out in one area. A tall brunette stood with her sleeping bag in the corner. 

She recognized her as Aurelia. She barely knew her, but who else did she have?  

Frost excitedly scampered over to her area.

"Hello, Aurelia! You might not remember me, but in Frost. Mind if I join you?" 

She beamed at the taller girl. Frost fiddled with the leather straps and buckles of her bag. 

Action: Greet Aurelia 

[ Interact with Eris Fawley, Rosie Parker, Max Avery, Dorothy Do & Alan Vanes ]
[ Mention Amadea Campbell, Serena Towers, Reid Kovacs & Dorian Gray ]

So incredibly stupid. That's what she was; always overthinking everything, rather than looking at everything simply. This habit of hers would be her downfall, if not now, then later in time, perhaps when she was older. The thought of simply stepping back and turning back flashed through her head, but immediately disappeared. This wasn't like her! She would never step back because of one simply inconvenience, ever. Besides, her spell casting did prove to be somewhat useful - it was shown that she was able to cast Lumos successfully, and some words were uncovered. A lost fah vodahmin. What they meant, she had no idea, but it was something. Something that only her and Dorian could see, and if they figured out what it meant could be useful. 

Shrugging, Rhea kept her wand out, focusing on making sure the spell didn't extinguish. Based on Lear's words, they would need some source of light to be able to make their way through the tunnels, and the fact that Rhea had already succeeded in casting the spell certainly was helpful. It meant that none of her friends that she would no doubt group up with would have to spend their time attempting to cast the spell. 

Being the first one to the doors, Rhea was the first one to snag a spot where to set up, along with Dorian. She began to unpack, and as she did, more of her friends started to pile in. Eris was the first, and Rhea nodded when her ginger friend asked her question. "Heck yeah." She laughed heartily when Eris pulled out a beautiful floral pink sleeping bag. Of course, Rhea had other more neutral coloured sleeping bags, but what fun was it if she didn't let Eris suffer? Eris wasn't the only one who'd been given a horribly coloured bag - some other kid, Reid (who she'd been hearing a lot of, but had never actually met) had gotten a sparkly, bright pink bag too. Eris had asked for one for him, and Rhea had delivered. 

Rosie came in after Eris, and started to set up alongside them, talking. "I'm just really bloody excited for this... and I hope I can get past the fact that I completely messed up with the door riddle thing," Rhea replied to Rosie, then tilted her head. "We have more people coming, right? Cause if there is, we have something to tell you, but it's better if we don't have to repeat it more than once." At this, Rhea cast a look at the boy who'd performed the spell with her, Dorian Gray. She'd never actually talked to him before, but she'd heard about him through Eris and a little bit from Max. He seemed nice enough; if Eris and Max liked him it meant he was a good person.

After Rosie was Max, who came in stating that the only thing they should be concerned with was causing trouble. He didn't cast a look at Rosie, instead simply ignoring her. Why? Rhea didn't know, but she planned to find out. Did he have some sort of prejudice against Hufflepuffs, or something? Rhea hoped not, because she didn't want any of her friends to be in some sort of argument. Casting the brunette boy a look, Rhea glanced at Rosie then back at him, as if asking if they were in some sort of fight. She didn't want to verbally ask, fearing it would make things awkward. 

More and more people piled in, some of them familiar, some not. Among those she recognized were Serena Towers and Amadea Campbell, who she considered close friends. Debating whether or not to approach them, her question was answered for her when a Hufflepuff walked up to them. Rhea had no idea who she was, but nevertheless, she introduced herself. "I'm Rhea Bishop. It's a pleasure to meet you," Rhea said, and raised an eyebrow when she started talking about some beat up Hufflepuff. Why did her friends love to get into fights so much?

Spreading out her emerald green, snake decorated sleeping bag that her parents insisted she packed, Rhea felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle, and it was then that she understood that someone, or something, was looking at her and the group. Turning around, she spotted a Gryffindor boy unpacking. He looked familiar - had they met her? Maybe at the Gryffindor tag, or during classes. Whatever the case was, Rhea waved and beckoned for him to come over. Why not? If there was a lot of people, it meant there was more people to help them with their adventure, right?

Once she thought everyone was gathered around, she decided to start making a plan. "We should make three groups, since there's three possible directions we can go. We'll still be able to hear each other, I think, if we stand close enough to each other. Yeah?" Maybe more people were to come, but if everyone right now agreed to split into three groups, then they could just split the newcomers into the groups. "If we were to split into groups, at least one person would need to know the Lumos spell, right?" Obviously, her and Dorian already knew the spell; she knew for a fact Eris did, as she'd helped Rhea with the homework assignment, but for the rest, she wasn't sure.

ACTION: Greet everyone who came up to her (mentioned at the top) and suggest splitting up.

Their spells had been successful, and Dorian couldn't help but feel a tinge of excitement when he saw the soft glow at the tip of his wand. He had been expecting something grand to take place at their show of initiative, but it seemed all that the door wished to reveal to them were a few words that meant absolutely nothing. A lost fah vodahmin. It sounded like some kind of ancient curse, which made the boy wonder how old this door must be. The castle itself was pretty old, so it didn't take any great stretch of the imagination to imagine that the door was just as old. At least he had cast Lumos successfully. Seeing as they would be entering the dungeons, according to the professor, the source of light would be a boon.

Dorian could have kicked himself when the professor reached for the door and opened it with impunity. It seemed all the hesitation that he had exercised was in vain, and he wondered just how much of a fool he had made of himself. The rest of the class didn't seem particularly interested in his and Rhea's failed attempt at doing something magical, so he took that in stride and allowed himself some comfort in the thought that he had not yet completely screwed up. He entered behind the professor and Rhea, looking around in the darkness with his conjured light. The open space seemed large enough to fit all of them and then some, and at the professor's words, he got down to choosing his place among his friends to lay down his sleeping bag. At Eris' question, Dorian flexed comedically, wearing a silly grin. "I was born ready!"

Seeing that he, Eris and Max were together, he figured that they would likely stick together for the duration of the adventure. Rhea and everyone else would also be great additions to their team, and whatever came their way would have a hard time fighting through them as one unit. Around this point was when the girl, Dorothy, approached them to make her introductions before turning on Max about some kind of altercation between himself and a Hufflepuff. Dorian wondered what all that was about, shooting Max a mischievous look as if to say "you've been busy", but didn't say anything otherwise. There would be time enough for idle talk later. For now, it seemed Rhea had a plan of action that she wanted them to consider. If they were to form three teams with the people they were with now, then Dorian didn't see anyone besides Max and Eris that he would rather go with, but they might have different plants.

The two did seem to have a considerably larger pool of friends than he did, but this didn't bother him at all. "If that failed attempt at solving the riddle outside has taught me anything, it's that Lumos is the most useless spell we'll ever know." That seemed to be all he was willing to add to that conversation. With regards to teams, he would leave the others to decide, going with whichever team chose to have him. It didn't matter at this point, or so he wanted people to believe while he contradictorily stared holes into Max and Eris' heads.

Action: Enter and says unnecessary things and wait quietly.
I apologize for this post! The next will be better? >.<

Alan had unpacked everything and sorted everything out that he brought. A Locksmith's knife, that would be able to pick any lock and a three Magical paper airplanes they can be used to send notes and would fly to the person they are meant for as long as their won't be any wall blocking its way. He still had them from the class and he purchased the knife just to feed his curiosity. He slipped the papers with a pen into his pocket, as well as his knife. They never said it was forbidden to bring a knife and every adventurer has a knife!

When he could someone see, that motioned for him to come over, Alan gasped inaudibly. Have he doen something? He hoped not. Maybe they saw the knife and would tell him he can't take that with him? He shook his head slightly and decided to just walk over to them, it could not be that bad and he figured it would be horrible to be alone in this adventure. With all the darkness here... Maybe he should ask one of them to gie him one of the torches? he was too small to reach them.

"I-I am Alan, Alan Vanes" he greeted them insecurely as he looked around in the group. "It sounds good, I was thinking about taking a torch also, but I am too small to reach them" he said a bit nervously.

Action: Walk up to Rhea and the Others. Pocketing his Locksmith's Knife and three Magical paper airplanes in case he has to send a message to someone.

It was implied to be a trip: maybe a small little escapade at most, nothing too magical or dangerous. Nice and easy meeting with the Hufflepuffs.

From the moment Anatole saw the door in front of him, he knew that the whole situation was in fact the contrary: possibly highly dangerous, not as peaceful, and maybe a little gut-wrenching. How...fun. Anatole was never a huge fan of these sort of trips--yes, he loved adventure, but not those which hinted directly at his untimely death--but he decided to go along for the comradery. It would be nice to make some new friends.

His bedroll in hand, he watched as Dorian and Rhea wildly cast their spells (after a bit of conversation Anatole attempted to partake in (obviously to no avail)), and sooner than later, he was able to follow the mob of yellow and red into the undisturbed cavern.

Caves like this seemed like an almost perfect setting for a fantasy novel: swords at their sides, bold adventurers venturing through the murk like the valiant warriors they were. Maybe they'd even find some sort of magical creature, or some battle-worn artifact hidden deep in the mud. Beaming with all these curious thoughts, Anatole followed until he reached the area of bedrolls. Instantly, some had decided to cluster with one another. Since more people were filing in, Anatole took a hasty step to the side to let more students flock in.

Trying to not let the haunting scenery distract him, Anatole observed the little huddles. For a second, he swore he saw Rosie's bouncy hair, but was it someone else? She was in a tightly-knit huddle with Rhea, Eris, Max (OH DEAR GOD, IT WAS MAX!) and other confident first years. The tan Gryffindor boy was afraid to budge into the huddle. If he split one thread from the woven friendship, it could all tumble. Well, that or they were sure to completely ignore the softspoken Anatole. How had Rosie managed to slide in with them? She probably had to teach Anatole to be better at making friends. Normally, it would have been the opposite, if his innate social-ness hadn't plummeted as soon as he arrived at the school. He was determined to bring it back into him, if it was the last he did...

...but not today. Not in front of them.

Thankfully, there were plenty of other paths to venture down. There was Dorian, carefully and smoothly, as always, sliding out of conversation and clearly plotting out what he was to do next. It was funny, considering Anatole had never seen Dorian with actual...clothes on. When he observed the boy, all he saw was him in a merino. A stupid mind trick, but it made Anatole snicker at the boy.

There were also various groups sitting alone like hermits. That one Ami from Diagon Alley that one time sat there, hopefully making friends with someone. Inside, he hoped she was having a good year, even if they hadn't cared to exchange once. He had his preconceived notions about her. A curly redhead Hufflepuff conversed with a blonde Hufflepuff, and honestly, they appeared nice and friendly. He might go over toward them later in time.

Conflicted on who to visit first, he decided to wait until someone approached him, in dire need of someone to break the silence. He walked toward the center of the room, lying out his bedroll as close to the center as possible. It seemed like the best way to make a subtle statement.