Lock-in Hufflepuff Gryffindor Event Closed

John pumped his fist as Anatole joined their team. His fist then turned to a hand to meet Anatole’s hand, sealing their partnership with a gentleman’s agreement. Turns out Anatole and Amadea already knew each other, which made forming a team much easier. To John, the moods of his teammates seemed to perk up. He liked to think that his own upbeat attitude had something to do with the morale boost.

After their team was assembled, the next step was to choose their own path. Anatole was the first to bring it up, while Amadea asked about what to bring. No one wanted to commit to a path, but John had an idea of where he wanted to go. One group had already disappeared into the right room. A giant group in the center was making their way into the left room. Southward, a bunch of Hufflepuffs were leading the charge in the last unexplored territory. He recognized a few of them: Howie (who waved at him earlier) and Ami (who turned the common room into a pillow warzone earlier in the year). If he were to go down one of these paths, south it would be. Of course, they could just stay in the center. That would mean risking antagonizing an angry door, being put in a pink dress, and being hung in the air for all to see. John wasn’t keen on that fate.

“I know what I’m bringing,” John replied to Amadea. “My jar pf peanut butter, the moss in my pocket, my wand, and all of my wit. And direction: I say we go south. Fewer people so more loot to spread around amongst us. Also, I don’t want to be in a dress like that guy over there, so we can’t stay here. Who’s with me?”

Action: Reply to Amadea and Anatole. John lists his vast inventory and proposes a direction.

[ Interacts with Serena Towers and Reid Kovacs ]

Much to Ellory’s relief, the girl - [SERENA], as she had introduced herself - seemed nice. Unsure of what to do next now that they agreed to let her join, Ellory tried to play it cool and channeled her inner Emlyn. “Er, great!” She flashed a forced smile. “My name’s Emlyn. Nice to meet you!” All her blood rushed to her face once she realized her mistake. A long moment of silence passed where she seriously debated just letting this girl think that her name was Emlyn, but she decided it would only make it more awkward if she did that and they found out. “Erm, no! I mean, it’s Ellory... I’m Ellory.” She shook her head in shame and forced her gaze back to the ground.

Thankfully, the Professor’s instructions drew the attention of most of the students so she didn’t have to wallow in self-pity for too long. Somehow, the Professor’s insistence that the cavern was completely safe did not make Ellory feel any more calm. The tombs were the embodiment of the perfect place to commit a murder. The walls were too thick to hear anyone scream, and the halls were too dark to be able to see if something was lurking around the corner. She was determined to stick as close to the other students as she could, hoping that there really was strength in numbers.

Ellory didn’t much like the idea of going the opposite direction as most of the other students, in case something were to happen, but she knew that Emlyn would probably have taken the path with least resistance in hopes of finding the biggest prize. She looked back at [SERENA] again, trying to hide the worry in her eyes. “We can go to the right if you’d like,” she said with a polite smile. She was perfectly content with following both of them, but she realized that it didn’t necessarily make sense if she had the largest source of light. There was a slight shake in her voice as she asked, “Which one of us should go in front?” The reluctance was clear in her voice. She sincerely hoped that one of them would volunteer and relieve her of the duty, though she would be willing to do it if she had to.

Serena announced that she would be back in a moment, leaving her alone with the boy [REID]. Having a large majority of the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students all together really emphasized how big Hogwarts was and how very small Ellory’s social circle had been. She was in the same year as most of these people, but yet she had never said a word to them before. A few moments of stiff silence passed where Ellory shot a few sideways glances at the boy. She realized that this was another one of those times where it was expected that she create some small talk. She reluctantly smiled at the boy and said, ”This seems like it should be interesting, right?” That is, if they didn’t get killed. ”I like your shoes, by the way!” She hadn’t even looked at his shoes until that moment, but she always thought that people might like her more if she gave them compliments.

ACTIONS: Team up with REID and SERENA and agree to go East. Agree to team up with anyone else and reluctantly ask who should go in front. Strike up an uncomfortable conversation with REID and continue to hold the torch.

It was a startling display, if we were being honest. Well considering that Siege didn't expect it to make a noise, much less speak, it was safe to say it made him jump a bit, at least we know the boy isn't completely fearless, sneaking around cops made him cautious as it is. Though...this was Hogwarts, so what? Filled with a bunch of pampered rich kids, what's the worst that could happen? They never went through a "childhood" like his, if you can even call it that. When was the last time he actually had fun? Well, even that fight with Darius wasn't fun at all, it was just him trying to be a helpful somebody, not actually wishing to harm anyone or had the threat of anyone hurting him. Oh wait, He had already almost forgotten, the three students he took care of! Yes that provided some sort of jolt through him, releasing a bit of his nature, albeit being completely ruined by what happened after. He'd rather not think of what the hell happened afterwards the fight, too painful to remember, even for him, especially for him.

Siege would look up as the visage on top of the door gave him an inhuman, almost dangerous sounding, snarl, a snarl of an animal. Something, maybe to watch out for. "I am not a door..." Obviously! He was a f****** face on top of a f****** door, not the door itself, well maybe the door itself, maybe connected? Probably, cause why add a f****** face on top of the goddamned door? Especially a face that can talk and scare any pampered rich kid back to the belly of their rich-face mothers. In fact, that's one of the reason that he has no friends(Save Serena and Reid), he didn't respect these Hogwarts kids, he rarely respected anyone, Ed and Reid are two people he respects, Serena? Well she's complicated. Does he respect her? Yes? Sometimes? When she shows a bit of attitude?...Why was he even friends with her anyways? It didn't made sense, but what he felt, whatever that is, is much different from respect. Something much much different.

Now back to where he was, the door was open, revealing a dimply lit space that he wasn't sure Serena could even take being in, jeez that thing was dark. Was it weird that that was his first thought about the darkness? Maybe, maybe not, but it's safe to say that he worried, but that was definitely new for him. This happened once before, why? It seemed as if winter had come and Ned's head was rolling on his foot as he looked towards the dimly lit room. His hairs would stand up as if they were alerting him something, but what? What were they alerting him of? He knew this feeling...It was like that time when that man had attacked him, ending up stabbing him, although the first time his magical affinity would ever show up. Like I said, this was a very different "childhood" from these other kids, born rough and rugged, addressing whoever with the attitude of "F*** it" cause what's the point? No one was ever really nice to him, other than Ed, Reid and Serena, so what's the use of trying? He'd take a step forward anyways, distracted by his memories and not really minding anything about it this time, considering this was just a Lock In. If there was anything too dangerous that could happen, he was sure even the Heads of House would take actions. Though what would happen next wasn't exactly dangerous...Just quite the startling next few events.

As he walked in, it seemed as the darkness would encase him. Wait, it really was encasing him, tendrils of darkness would begin to wrap around him. Despite his best efforts to fight back, though it seemed to overwhelm him everywhere, unable to focus on one point considering it was just all around him. Suddenly it became more aggressive, dragging him into the darkness some more, this time at a faster rate.

"F***!! What the hell?! What the f*** in the f****** hell is this?  Goddamn f****** tentacle looking things? Someone with a fetish make these goddamn things? F****** stupid darkness looking face! You ugly son of a b***! F*** you and your Lord of the Rings wanna be looking arse! You F**-" Siege would call out to the damn door, who seems to be responsible for the damn things, interrupted when it finally figured out that it needed to shut the boy up, or else he'd say something worthy of the PG13 Slayer that this narrator is. He was just completely consumed by the darkness, and not in the cool way either. 

He'd first feel his clothes go, like he was swimming, but instead of water he was in a swirl of darkness like Blackbeard was just fighting him or something. He felt weightless but like the heaviest thing in the world at the same time, the darkness pressing something against his skin, indeed a weird feeling, enough for him to at least get his mouth free...He always gets his mouth free, too much toxic words coming out to keep in.

"You f****** c*** what the hell are you doing? Oh hell no you ain shutting me up again you f****** r****** looking f*****, go f****** shave your head off while you shave that coral reef on your goddamn face!!" Siege at this point, was just pissed and confused as to what happened to him, and he did what he could, which was curse at the damn door that did this to him. Wait, what was it really doing to him? Not too long ago he was feeling weightless with nothing on, now...It was starting to feel stuffy, real stuffy, something he did not like most definitely. Why the hell was it so stuffy? It was the opposite of his liberated feeling earlier, well liberated while bound by the damn shadows, still as liberated as he could get, now he was just feeling stuffy. And his hands. What was wrong with them? Instead of being free, they were now in front of him, with the closest thing to his worst fear ever close to him...They were...Bound? They had a metallic clank to them, handcuffs? Why were there handcuffs on him? Before he could really get used to anything, he was spit out like he had just went in a whirlpool prior.

He landed with a loud thud, another thud following him, presumably his crap, the things he brought...His duffel bag seems to still be okay, intact at least. But, he landed pretty hard, giving a groan for the lower part of his back that landed first. Finally opening his eyes once more, he noticed he wore something horribly colorful and too damn small for him, though more so, he noticed he was indeed cuffed, was he going to prison? Nah, they wouldn't do that...Would they?

"Not your day... not your day m'boy!" Suddenly a hearty laugh would emerge from the large man, named Solomon, the Head of House of the Hufflepuffs. The man what silvery white hair from old age, an old face, maybe even to rival the head on top of the damn door. He wore armor, was it real? Was it? I mean it did look pretty damn real...Did he put that much effort in cosplay or something? He's heard about it, but it seems that the Professor of Care of Magical Creatures seem to be into darkness, tentacles and cosplay? Anyways, jeez, he was no chained up and in this very stuffy dress. 

"Obviously not Old geezer, I'm glad you could tell" Siege would lazily say, now resigned and pretty damn sleepy almost wanting to sleep just like that. He didn't care if they laughed or snickered or anything, he wasn't one to care for what others think anyways, expecting to either just go with Serena or Reid, but it seems that the cave itself had different plans for his arrival. 

"S- Siege?!" Uh oh, did he forget she [Serena Towers] was also a Hufflepuff? Or was he just not thinking? Probably the latter, he didn't expect to hear her voice, even though she was a Hufflepuff and this was a Gryffindor and Hufflepuff event Lock In. He looked over to where the voice was coming from, only to see her worried and also irritated, maybe angry, face storming towards his. Following her short gaze to where the door was, he'd notice that it was now gone, uh oh, how were they gonna get out now? Well, we'll just have to figure that out now won't we. "... What did you do? You pissed off the door, didn't you?" F***! She knows the boy all too well, well either way even if he'd actually Solomon he'd have probably done the same thing as well, just cause the boy was just that impulsive...Though if there's one thing that this has gotten anything through him, he ought to be more careful, he did not wanna stay in these chains nor be chained up again. "Oh, for f*** sake, Siege! You had one job! Can you do everyone a favour and listen to people once in a while? Or you know, act like a Prefect for half a second?" It wasn't as shocking as it would have been back at the grounds, but Serena snapping like that was still something unusual to Siege, often never thinking Serena would even be capable of snapping, and obviously she loved to prove him wrong. 

"Antagonize the door? Okay how the hell was I supposed to know that it talked? Or that it spewed out tentacle s****?" Siege would respond with quite the lazy nature, probably the reason why she simply just stomped off somewhere, just leaving Siege there. Siege wasn't even mad, it was his fault and he's always dealt with his own faults by himself, not really relying on anyone else, if anything he'd just walk around with the cuffs on, if it didn't scare the hell out of him.

"You shouldn‘t have antagonized the door.  Are you alright?” A certain voice he's never heard before would walk up to him, as he was still laying on the ground. It was a she [Cynthia Evans], and she was a Hufflepuff an underling of Mr. Cosplay Tentacle Solomon Lear. And she probably was correct, though he hadn't heard him say not to do anything, considering he was pretty damn late in arriving to where they were supposed to meet. “If you haven’t partnered up with anyone, why don’t you and I work together?” Did she really just ask him that? Well it seemed that everyone in here had already partnered up probably...Was he really stuck with her? Was she really his last choice? I mean, he doesn't fare well with strangers, let's just put it at that, he certainly knew he wasn't gonna fair well with her...Or will he? I mean she is trying her best to take them off, though right before she could really try, Serena would come back once more, this time with an all too familiar knife.

His eyes quickly darted to his duffel bag, which looked unopened....Unless...Serena had her own knife? Well that's some Kaegen Dethmote type s***, what, she's gone paranoid now? I mean I wouldn't blame her, considering she was just attacked by the "darkness" some time ago, it generally doesn't leave a good experience for someone to be attacked by the damn darkness itself. "Here, let me help you...Don't move" Intending the last part to be for Siege, and only the last part, just goes to show how much she was probably irritated at this point.  Siege merely nodded, just wanting the cuffs off and off right now. That knife she was holding certainly will help with that, Siege experimenting with it some days ago, it truly was magical...Hopefully it'll be off him sooner or later.

He didn't know how to answer the other girl though [Cynthia Evans] considering the known fact that he doesn't do well with strangers...Perhaps once his cuffs are off he'll give an answer.

ACTION: Let Serena and Cynthia try to take off his cuffs.

Lucy, Parcel, Winifry and Duncan



The sound of running water and the scent of damp stone could be sensed in the darkness. The space behind them had fallen to shadow, the sounds of the other student's voices nothing more than a muffled and distant memory. How quickly these great, cavernous spaces seem to swallow words. Thankfully the great torch illuminated the stone corridor, the rough stone walls and the smooth tiled stone floor. The door itself quite lovely, even if the concept seemed somewhat cruel. A door of secrets one could say. The frame made a simple declaration: "The password is a secret." The statement seemed simple but it, like many things had dual meanings. It could be as elementary as the term 'a secret' served as the magical word to command the door open. It could also suggest a toll, that those that wished to traverse this threshold had to pay a price and the price that they were expected to pay was their secrets.

"Lumos" Lucy announced.

Roll: 13 (Success)

With the magic word and a swish of a wand, the tip of Lucy's cherry wand would erupt in a warm light. That light would represent knowledge, safety and magical proficiency for the young caster.

“The password is a secret, any idea what it means? My first guess was that the door means it literally, and the door’s password is “A Secret”, but it might also be that the door wants a secret from us, you know, as a payment for entering, or I might be entirely wrong, and it means something else, any of you have suggestions?”

They tried to verbally work their way through the puzzle.

"A secret!"

Duncan yelled.

"That's the password, door."

Duncan took the initiative. Nothing dramatic happened, it was not as if a face would emerge from the actual door and announce that they could enter. There was no sound, no magical light. Rather a simple, silent door and a lonesome nest in a seemingly dark and empty room. The others were on the defensive, their wands already gripped. Duncan, on the other hand crammed another cookie down his gullet.

Lucy was a cautious girl, after rebuking the Irish boy she would approach the door and whisper a secret of her own for good measure.

"I judge Ravenclaw students harsher than others because I'm jealous that I wasn't smart enough to make it into that house."

Perhaps that was true, perhaps it was false. Perhaps the door would know the difference. Perhaps not. Again, the door would not do anything spectacular. The actual doors slightly ajar they could see inside. The rush of water and no discernible movement yet on the other side.

Parcel would do the same, quite the gentleman.

“Sometimes when a girl like… touches my arm or something, instead of recoiling back in fear I actually become a bit happy and feel like I have butterflies in my stomach…”

Casanova's secret also out, had they paid their toll? It was impossible to know. The looming menace that was the door simply stood there. There was no indication, no reaction, no life. There never was in dead things such as this of course. Bereft of life but not always magic, the warning engraved upon the frame. 

Their peace would be fractured as a larger party would start to make its way down the stairs. First a girl that some of them might recognize, then another girl [Rosie]. Then a pair of young men, Max and Dorian. Then Dorothy. Then at the very back of the pack Rhea at the top of the stair. This tunnel in particular looked like it was getting quite congested.

Had their attempts worked? It was hard to say since the door gave no outward sign of success or failure. Parcel would study the door of course and be left to wonder -- had the toll been paid and how would he test this theory? 

Secrets were shared by 2.
The term "a secret" was used by a few.
Additional adventurers have joined this group. A small group has become a crowd.

Aurelia and Frost

Frost and Aurelia decided to team up. Aurelia packed away her supplies and lit her magical candle. The candle was not nearly as large as the torch that she had lit it with, but it cast its own warm glow about them. There was something about the light that made people feel safe, secure and prepared for whatever might come. It made it harder for the unknown to sneak up on them.

In possession of one of the four torches that were in the room, Aurelia was in good shape. Frost would look around the room, planning on taking two torches for herself but she would come to a terrible and startling revelation: all of the torches had already been taken. Parcel had taken one. Aurelia another. Amadea the third. Ellory the final torch. That left none for her.

Frost never said that she would follow after she made her way to the top of the stair. Aurelia never said that she would wait for her new companion. The room would become increasingly dark as the students parted ways, some down the south tunnel, others down the west tunnel. There was a congregation of students to the southeast and the northeast corner providing an ambient light still but soon enough they too would depart, leaving the girl, the Professors and the straggler students that remained in the dark.

Aurelia had chosen to move south into the unknown. It was a good plan, a team had already run down the western tunnel. The head start they had was obvious, leaving east and south for interested parties. Would that mean that the group would be divided into three or would these tunnels bisect even further? It was impossible for her to know yet but she had a sense that something was not right with Professor Lear. Perhaps it was time for her to get as far away from him as possible. The south was the nearest and she took the opportunity to rush off.

She would give him an uneasy smile, Solomon was either oblivious or he did not care as he gave her a broad grin in return and a hearty wave. "Have fun!"

Aurelia would head south into the cavern. Frost would look on, the girl's torch was bright and it cast a fiery glow on the stair but with each step she descended into the darkness and the brilliant glow of the flames would become muted, a shade of grey. Darkening. Fading. Aurelia did not get far before Frost would see her no more. No light. No sound. There was nothing left of Aurelia but darkness.

Aurelia would descend down a staircase, her footsteps would echo as she did so. Her feet would meet a fine gravel at the bottom. The gravel would crunch underfoot and despite the fact that she did not come down these stairs alone she would see nobody at her side. She would no longer hear the party left in the common room. There was an utter and complete silence. If she looked back she would see darkness and the same if she gazed to either side or forward. If she looked down, she would not see it at first but there would be a rolling fog that would surround her. The fog would seem to come from the ground and climb above her waist, reach her lips and creep past her eyes. She would see a wall of mist. The mist seemed all-consuming as there was nothing besides the white fog in every direction.

That is until she saw something. It was a shadowy figure, small... smaller than her. It was a figure, it looked human. If she squinted her eyes she would see muted hues. A red dress, pale skin and brown hair left down. She was singing a song.



"Silly dancer turn around."

She would rotate a full 360 degrees.

"Silly dancer touch the ground."

She would squat near the floor and touch the gravel with the palm of her hand.

"Silly dancer do the kicks."

She would kick her feet one after another in the air as high as she could.

"Silly dancer do the splits."

She would spread her legs and try to do a wider V stance than she had prior.

"Silly dancer lay down."

The girl would lay on the ground and look like she was about to fall asleep.

"Silly dancer get out of town."

The little girl would not answer or even address Aurelia and would disappear shortly thereafter. However, several seconds later she would return, the same little girl in the fog singing the same song once again. 

In a sing-song voice she would sing her rhyme once again:

Silly dancer turn around.

The girl would spin around, teetering as she did so for a full rotation.

Silly dancer touch the ground.

She would plant her hand onto the ground.

Silly dancer do the kicks.

She would lift her leg into the air.

Silly dancer do the splits.

She try to do a sad split.

"Silly dancer lay down."

She would flatter herself onto the ground.

"Silly dancer get out of town."

And she would be gone once again. She would be alone but that lonesome sense would not last for long. The little girl would return again and do the same song an dance. 

Frost could not find an additional torch, they were all taken.
Frost remains at the top of the stair.
Aurelia went to the bottom of the stair and she is utterly isolated. She could see a little girl dancing and singing a song.

Serena, Ellory, Reid, Cynthia and Siege

“Lumos.”

The unfortunate Hufflepuff announced, Cynthia's wand gave off a few angry sparks but failed to light. Magic is an act of passion as much as it requires the right words and motions. Since the terrible events that befell the house it has likely been hard. Cynthia's confidence had likely been slashed, blame had been laid at her feet for the previous series of tragic events that had nearly cost some of the other students their lives and here she was again attempting to cast magic that might be above her station.

“Lumos.”

Cynthia repeated, the wand spat out some pathetic sparks. Perhaps her wand was broken. Perhaps Cynthia was broken. She was alone here in a room full of people. Were people avoiding her because of what happened at the last camp out? Did they ignore her because she was forgettable? Because she was not good enough, strong enough, smart enough or pretty enough? In many ways, except in those that could be defined as tragic the young girl was rather mundane. It was rather unfortunate and terrifying that this young girl would have to spend the evening on her own quite possibly. EDveryone else had already teamed up and many were already off on an adventure. However, salvation came in the form of a bound man. Well, boy in a dress and a pair of handcuffs. Siege was launched out from a dimensional pocket like a bag of holding being dumped out. Except Siege was still alive.



She should have left him bound, he would have been easier to control. A friend for life even. However, apparently she immediately desired his liberation so with a pen knife she would try to break Siege free of his fetters. His wrists would be encased in thick, heavy silvery metal with an over-sized lock in place.

She would try to pick the lock with a pen knife but she would be unsuccessful. The lock required more finesse, perhaps a locksmith's knife, an unlocking charm or a really big hammer if the Gryff allowed such a dangerous tool near his dainty wrists. She would of course mention his erroneous judgement, he like most Gryffindiors needed a chaperone. Someone to keep them safe from their greatest enemy - themselves. She could protect Siege. Maybe.

Cynthia offered to team up with him. She was alone. He was alone. They would make a wonderful pair. Or perhaps quintet. Serena, the Huffle House Prefect would join Cynthia, berating Siege with more venom than Cynthia had as she drew her locksmith knife from her belongings.

"Don't move."

The future mother commanded as she attempted to free the Gryffindor.

Roll: 14 Success

As she wiggled the blade in the keyhole she would hear a click and the lock would open limply. The first prize of the adventure? Cuffs. Thankfully she was too young to think of any deviant application. Thankfully. The same should not be suggested of Siege.

They had chosen to go east on their adventure. Well Serena had. Ellory was willing to move on but she was not going to volunteer herself for death, thankfully Reid was. Reid was willing to lead the party to their own demise but he was in need of a torch. He knew well enough that casting was far from his forte. He had tried on more than one occasion to cast the Lumos charm when his friends were in peril, he failed each time. His greatest strength and asset was his glorious biceps. A pro in a number of regards, the girls were going to be swooning over him in the next few years. However, he was not in a muggle school but rather a school of Magic. Strange how someone could feel both accomplished and inadequate at the same time but that was likely the sense that Reid felt. He was physically strong but what could a man do in the face of peers that could alter the fabric of reality. What sort of man, wizard or hero could he be?

Of course Reid, like the rest had much to learn. He was young, he was strong and he was a Hufflepuff. His power was of course in his brawn but that was not his super-power, his power was in his reliance in his friends. His ability to cast his wants, needs and glory aside to work with others for a shared goal. It was the same for Serena and Cynthia, they were comparing themselves to the Gryffindors who had the confidence to run to's deaths dark and shadowy maw and either the luck or the skill to come back alive. Why didn't they have that? The truth be told, that was not their super power but it did not make them less or wrong, simply different and always strong.

Siege is no longer bound.
A group is potentially forming and they contemplate taking the path least traveled.

Howard, Ami Procoppio, Rosie Turner and Leslez Skoris

Rosie, Howard and Leslez could not help but notice the ridiculous spectacle Siege had made as he was spat out from some alternate space. The young man bound in chains and ready to herd sheep was the first to be disgraced on what promised to be a light-hearted adventure with perhaps a few unsettling pranks. They would not invite the Gryffindor to their party, thinking better of it. Who wants a troublemaker in a group where they would be adventuring in a prankster's lair? There was no need to give their peers fuel to ridicule them with.

Howard, Leslez and Ami were in agreement regarding two things: first that they would travel south. Second that they would cast Lumos.

“Oh, we’ll need some light too. Let me try.”

Howie withdrew his wand, swishing it around in a circular motion.

“Lumos.”

Roll: 14 Success

The tip of Howie's wand started to glow brightly illuminating the space before him independent of the flames and other wands that have been preemptively lit. He wanted to move south, another girl had already started to make her way into the darkness. Shortly after she left the main space, despite having a source of light the darkness would seemingly swallow her after she walked only a few steps into the inky night.

"Alright, let's try this"

Ami muttered, nerves getting the best of her.

"If I screw up, I apologize in advance. Lumos!"

Roll: 3 Failed

Ami's enthusiastic attempt failed, the wand did nothing as she waved it about and said the correct incantation and it came dangerously close to breaking despite the fact that she would not have known just how close it had been. Still she had the light from the other wands, candles, and torches... just none of her own as of yet.

Leslez would do the same as Ami and Howie. Call it peer pressure. Call it self-preservation. It did not matter, with the wave of his rod of chestnut wood he would cry out the magical word:

  "Lumos!" 

But the result was sadly rather anticlimactic as nothing happened, the wand did not light. The wand did not spark. There was nothing there. Still, there was more than enough light to share as they had agreed upon a place to go and that was south.

This is where the party would part, unbeknownst to them.

Leslez
The southern path had a wide mouth and was likely the path most traveled. He would reach the top of the stone stair and before Leslez would be only darkness despite the fact that a lone student (Aurelia) had already run off ahead with a torch. How far did that staircase go? He would not be able to see a hint of light from the errant student.

It mattered not, they had their own adventure to attend to. Leslez would descend the stair. The steps were small, smooth and even and the descent was not terribly far. About a flight, no more. But about halfway down the stair, the light from the common space and his travel mates would be lost. Leslez was plunged into darkness. If he looked back, he would not see anyone. If he called out, nobody would answer.

His feet would crunch on the gravel.

The young Hufflepuff would hear a voice break the silent darkness.

"Silly dancer turn around...
Silly dancer touch the ground...
Silly dancer do the kicks...
Silly dancer do the splits...
Silly dancer lay down...
Silly dancer get out of town."

And then he would head nothing. No voice, no movement. Not the sounds of his peers. If he called out, nobody would answer - they could not hear him. Nobody could hear him. Indeed, nobody could hear him scream. It was dark and lonesome here, there were stairs behind him, perhaps he should go back. Find a light. Make his own light? Try to find his friends. 

The song would repeat after a brief period of silence.

"Silly dancer turn around...
Silly dancer touch the ground...
Silly dancer do the kicks...
Silly dancer do the splits...
Silly dancer lay down...
Silly dancer get out of town."

Over and over again...

Ami
Ami would approach the stairs all the same, before her was only darkness. The light would penetrate it ever so slightly but it would not go far enough. only a few feet in front of them. A few steps down and then darkness. It was unnaturally dark. All the same she would make that descent into the darkness, the others had light and they were not far. If she were to extend her hand she would be able to touch them.

... but where were they?

The darkness would encroach upon her field of vision, shades of grey before the light was entirely snuffed out. If she were to look back and to either of her sides she would see only darkness. She would not hear them either, perhaps they were being quiet. Perhaps they were not. It did not matter, they would not be able to hear her scream and she would not be able to hear them scream either.

Her feet would crunch on the gravel floor.

She was alone, if she looked for Howie she would not see him. If she looked for Leslez, she would not be able to find him either. If she looked back towards the common room she would not see anything, not even a dim glow. 

It was utterly and completely dark, as if she was in a coffin.

She could not even see her own hand in front of her. If she called out, she would get no response. It was as if everyone had left her here, in this cold, dark place alone.

Well, not entirely alone --

She could hear a voice. A small, childish voice singing a song.

"Silly dancer turn around...
Silly dancer touch the ground...
Silly dancer do the kicks...
Silly dancer do the splits...
Silly dancer lay down...
Silly dancer get out of town."

This song would repeat after a few moments pause.

"Silly dancer turn around...
Silly dancer touch the ground...
Silly dancer do the kicks...
Silly dancer do the splits...
Silly dancer lay down...
Silly dancer get out of town."

The song was unrelenting, increasingly insistent perhaps even with each rendition the words exactly the same.

Howie
Howie's experience would be slightly different, he had the light from the end of his wand to guide him down he stairs. The light did not grant him much vision but he could see a few steps in front of him and he knew. He would be able to see Ami's descent down the stair, she was only a few feet away from him and his light was guiding her path. She would disappear into the darkness but he would not hear her yell. there was no sign of distress, she simply walked beyond his range of sight and was gone. The group behind him, those still gathered at the basecamp were muted already. Sound seemed to be quickly swallowed in these caverns.

His feet would crunch on the gravel floor as he left the stone stair.

Around him was a thick mist, he cold not see far. The light he carried was enough to pierce the darkness but not the fog. He could not see the girls. Not to his left, his right, his immediate behind or even ahead of him. Had they wandered off? Already gotten themselves lost. They were dependent on his light but it was not doing them much good in this misty fog. 

If he called out to them, he would not get an answer. He would not hear them either. If he reached out, he would not feel their hand. He was alone, or at least it seemed so as he looked around this place. His lonesome thoughts would not last for long if he ever realized, he would see a little girl through the fog playing a game and singing a song.

"Silly dancer turn around...
Silly dancer touch the ground...
Silly dancer do the kicks...
Silly dancer do the splits...
Silly dancer lay down...
Silly dancer get out of town."

The girl was young, no more than four perhaps five. She was quite lovely with a cherry red dress and brown tresses that were allowed to flow freely behind her. Her song was playful and sweet. She would sing her song and then she would fade from sight. She would not be gone for long and when she returned she would sing the same song again.



"Silly dancer turn around...

She would make a full rotation, teetering playfully as she did so.

Silly dancer touch the ground...

She would place her hand on the ground.

Silly dancer do the kicks...

She would rise back up and kick one of her legs in the air.

Silly dancer do the splits...

She would lower herself closer to the ground, her legs in a V pose. She was not particularly flexible but she got an A for effort.

Silly dancer lay down...

She would tip over to her side, her hands tucked under her head as she feigned an angelic slumber.

Silly dancer get out of town."

And she disappeared.

This process would repeat over and over again, taking only a few seconds each time.

Rosie

Rosie would watch but not follow, standing at the very top of the stair she would look down as her party left her behind. She could see them walk away, every few steps they would appear dimmer, darker and by the time they were about twenty feet from her they would disappear from sight. She would not see their outline, the light from Howard's wand or any sign of life as the all-consuming darkness took them.

If she called out to them, her voice would not reach them. If they called back to her, she would hear nothing.

Rosie would stay behind, watch her travel mates disappear.
The rest of this group would be isolated from each other and they would each see the same vision: a little girl singing and dancing.

 
The Huffrindors: Anatole Evans, Amadea Campbell and John Johns.

Anatole would team up with the Jonhiest of Johns and Amadea. Their enthusiasm greater than any other team which was sad to say. At least they had fire, it was one of the things that separated early man from the beasts of the land and here it separated those who had to depend on their elementary skill from those with sticky fingers and portable non-muggle device light.

Armed with peanut-butter and moss, the Johniest of Johns would choose to go south. Why south? Well, why not!

They would not be the first of course, several students had already disappeared in a literal sense down that corridor. Perhaps their sloth would be advantageous in this matter, there would likely be a commotion as those that were left behind seek their lost comrades. 

Team-talk.
They decided they wanted to go south.

Eris Fawley, Rhea Bishop, Rosie Parker, Max Avery and Dorothy Do.

Dorian's wand continued to glow as the room became increasingly dim. Students had already started to run off with torches in hand, leaving the room intended to share in the warmth and light in darkness. However, Dorian was a skilled caster despite his age. He should be able to keep his wand aglow, right?

Roll: 10 Lumos maintained successfully.

He was indeed capable, for now. Magic had a habit of failing at the most inopportune moment. Thankfully that moment was not quite yet.

Eris was not a nice girl. Nor particularly intelligent. Tsk-tsk... threatening a Hufflepuff with a Professor... no two Professors in the room. Well, Professor Cazerez only sometimes counted. "I have another dress just your size!" Solomon shouted from the thirty-ish feet away he was standing with cupped hands. "Play nice!" He knew that they wouldn't, but he had ways of dealing with bullies in manners that made him quite the hypocrite. He was a man of extremes, something most failed to appreciate about the once celebrated adventurer. He did not believe in half-measures.

Enough about the Professor. Rosie would try to defuse the situation as well. She was the link between worlds -- the world of the angry and violent Gryffindor House and the woobie Hufflepuff House. Perhaps through her the houses would one day know peace. At least feigned peace as Eris relented.

"It's okay, we won't be punching anyone."

She claimed. Max was equally 'kind.'

"My name is Max Avery and I don't plan on hurting anyone during this trip. I hope we can all get along."

Snakes was making friends. Did they steal a Gryff's jacket? Conceivable but irrelevant as 'peace' had been restored. Is this the makings of a hero? No. Of course not, but heroes are not born, they are made.

Eris could talk big. It was a wonder if she could cast big also. She needed to cast the wand lighting charm if she hoped to find her way. She drew her wand.

"Lumos." 

The angriest camper said the magic word and waved her wand about.

Roll: 12 Success

She apparently could cast as big as she could talk. Her cherrywood wand would glow and she would dash down the western tunnel. She would find a straight passageway and a short series of stairs but she would arrive after another party. She would be able to see their silhouettes ahead, behind her she would hear Rosie declare her intent to follow. The sounds of her feet slapping the stone floor would herald the loyal girl's approach.

"A secret!"

Eris and Rosie would hear someone up ahead announce, his voice echoing down the corridor.

Eris and Rosie would arrive at the back of a small crowd that had already gathered in front of a great door. The door was open, they could see inside if they peered over their heads or around their sides. The frame of the door had an inscription that Eris could easily read once she caught her breath: "The Password is a Secret." She would have missed the intellectual debate between the adventurers already there and what they used to enter as they were already inside exploring the space ahead. She. Was. Behind.

Max and Dorian were even further behind still, Dorian's wand would light the way as the common room turned dark and dim as the students absconded with the four torches that illuminated the room and those that could cast lumos had already fled down a tunnel leaving the rare smattering of candles to light the large common area behind them. 

A lost fah vodahmin


A secret shared between Dorian and Max. Hidden words. Another riddle. Another puzzle. Another secret. Nothing was unintentional in a place like this, that was obvious from what happened to the Prefect. The Professor was playing a 'game' with them it would seem. A 'harmless' game.

Whispers would not be overheard unless the listener was directly adjacent but that was not the case here now was it. They were walking as a duo, well behind Rosie who fled in pursuit of Eris. Before Rhea and Dorothy who walked in last. A secret that they perhaps should not keep but of course they likely would. They were not heroes yet. Much like Huffles did not learn their true strength until a near tragedy struck. They would jealously guard their secrets and betray the core tenants of heroism and they would continue to do so until they had something worth caring about -- everyone had something that made life worth living. Those who rise above it all do so to prevent what little remains from being taken away.

In front of Max and Dorian they could see the light from a distant torch that did not belong to the party. As they got closer they would discover that they had come upon a group that had departed not long before they had.

There was not a lot of space left at the bottom of the stair unless max and Dorian wanted to become intimately close with a perfect stranger. So on the stairs they would stand, they could see over the heads of their peers and perhaps that was the better vantage point. Parcel's torch partially illuminated the room beyond that partially opened door. there was something inside, it was somewhat hard to see from their vantage point but there was something in the center of the room. Beyond that was only darkness and shadow. They could see nothing moving. They could only hear the rush of running water that the discordant noise of life that oft came from pre-teens.

Dorothy was the isolated member, following behind even Dorian and Max, their light or rather what little remained of their light hardly enough to illuminate her path. The darkened stair almost caused her to take a tumble as she pursued the group she might possibly later betray. Leaving who but Rhea in the mostly dark common room. 

Rhea had scampered off and tried to be helpful. Tried to reach what the angry midget [Eris] could not but all of the torches had been taken already. Parcel had already taken a torch as had Aurelia, Amadea and Ellory, numbering four torches in total. That left none for her. In her period of distraction her friends had left her. She was not left in complete and utter darkness of course as she pursued from behind, she had a candle and there were some remnants of light that remained on the other side of the room. 

Rhea would not pass by her friends, they had already run off ahead of her. They did not attempt to take anything from the room or search for something from this common space. They would all be ahead of her and she would sadly miss that critical tidbit of gossip between Dorian and Max that was whispered. They were simply too far apart when words were shared.

She would catch up to Dorothy and then the rest of the group. That would make ten of them. 

Rhea would not be able to get an additional torch, all of the torches have been taken.
Dorian and Max would share a secret.
The entire group would met up with another group previously described.

Lear and Sebastián

Solomon could not find the lazy Professor, had he snuck off as the children filed their way inside? He had not seen the Head of House since they had arrived, how short was he? Solomon would call out for Professor Cazarez.

"Solomon."

Sebastián's smooth, ultra manly voice called out his name.

"Do not be afraid, I'm right here."

And Solomon would never have to feel afraid again. Being near him was enough for him to know he was secure.

Well, that or...

"Ah, hi!" Solomon exclaimed. Thank Merlin Professor Cazarez shown up, there was no way he was going to be able to manage this many youths on his own. He briefly considered numbering them but a few had already run off. "I was concerned that my manly reputation intimidated you," Solomon joked back. "Find a place to drop your bags, I don't think the students have left us much space." He had no intention of sleeping anyways, he had not had a good night sleep in weeks but his expression hid his exhaustion well even if his sanity was starting to crack along the seams.

Siege made an entrance. The first kid to fall for one of his pranks. There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye as the restrained bo-peep was spat out of some sort of pocket dimension. He was going to have to thank Morgantha for that one later, it was worth the price. He wondered how many other pranks the kids would endure during this adventure.

"When do you think we will hear the first scream?"

Solomon pointed towards the west hall, "already got a bunch of them down there." His mouth cocked to the side as he said that, the kids were likely going to be unrecognizable by the time they returned. "Nobody will be able to here the kids that went south scream, the mists have taken them," he commented with a somewhat dark tone. "As for the last tunnel it looks like my prefect is about to explore that one..." he let out a sigh. "There is going to be more sleepless nights," he lamented.

It was all harmless fun, was it not? A few pranks to lighten the mood?

Of course it was. It was not as if Solomon was a monster looking to terribly murder or disfigure a group of children out of some whim. The good Professor would never do that.

"Hurry up... hurry up," Solomon would attempt to shoo off the troublesome children that remained. "Adventure awaits down darkened tunnel and narrowed path," he continued. He was trying to get them to leave. He needed some alone time with Mister Cazerez.

Solomon is trying to get rid of the students.

Howie smiled as the tip of his wand emitted a warm glow, lighting up his face as if he had held a flashlight under his chin. Turning around he faced the top of the stairs, a brunette swooshed past him. Aurelia plunged down the dark stairwell and  no sooner than he had lost sight of her, the light from her torch was gone. This concerned him greatly, he should have been able to still see the flames, they should be lighting up the stairway, something must have extinguished the torch. Could it just have gone out? It didn’t seem like it. Maybe Howie’s eyes were playing tricks on him, but it was as if it just ceased to exist, was swallowed by the darkness. The skin of his neck crawled as he listened for any sign of her, but there was nothing, no shouts, no screams, maybe she was ok. Holding his wand out high in front of him he silently prayed that the magical light would hold up better than the natural flames. He took a deep breath and prepared to descend the stairs, there was no turning back now. 

It was a bit shocking that Ami and Leslez took off ahead of him, considering he was the only one with a light source. Howie had thought it would be best for him to lead, and was about to call out warning, but they scampered off ahead of him before the words could escape his mouth. They too were engulfed by the dark. At least Rosie Turner had waited for him, he wouldn’t be alone to face whatever waited for him at the bottom of those stairs. Looking back over his shoulder, he gave her a wink, trying to hide the fear in his eyes from her. “Stay close.” He whispered. Letting his glowing wand lead the way, Howie began to descend the stairs.

It was not a long journey down, but even after a few steps, Howie realized that something had changed. An eerie mist had crept up around him, swirling around his ankles, crawling its way up his body and over his head. It was however no ordinary fog, with it came a deafening silence, and a crushing sense of loneliness. His wand was of little use, yes it had held up to the darkness, but the fog obscured any vision beyond a few feet. Howie’s boots crunched on gravel as his feet met the bottom of the stairs. His wand hand trembled slightly as he tried to peer through the mist for his group, there was nothing. Turning on the spot he looked back for Rosie...no flash of red in the blinding grey. Where was she! He swore she had just been right behind him. 

“Rosie!!” He cried out, turning around once more, grasping out with his free hand through the fog. They found nothing. “Ami...Leslez!” The panic was setting in, he had lost his sense of direction. His breath was coming in gasps. It was as if he was plunged into water blindfolded, which way was up, which was down, he was dizzy. He allowed himself to fall to his hands and knees, clenching his eyes shut. The effect was immediate as his equilibrium stabilized. Alright...deep breaths. Calm down. Howie took a deep breath, holding it in as he let his nerves calm, rising to a kneeling position. He opened his eyes and  reached into his pocket, withdrawing his compass. Holding both wand and compass close to his face, Howie was just able to see the tiny red arrow. Ok, he was facing north back to the way in which he came. The idea of running back up the stairs to safety was tempting, but somehow he knew that this mystical fog would not let him return. He spun around on his knees to face south once more. 

“Rosie...Ami...Leslez.” He tried calling out again, but knew as soon as the words left his mouth that it was all futile. Howie could hear his own voice, but it did not carry past him, as if it were trapped in the fog as well. He rose to his feet, the gravel crunching underneath him as he moved around. He took a step forward, another crunch of gravel. Looking down to where his feet should be, Howie kicked his foot backwards like a bull preparing for a charge. The sound seemed to resonate around him. Could the floor be unaffected by the mist? Maybe it hung just over the ground, leaving a small gap for sound to travel. He stood in place, alternating his left and right foot, kicking gravel around hoping anyone else might hear where he was. 

Howie’s eyes shot up, he thrust his wand back out in front up him. A voice had reached him through the mist. His hopes soared, it must be one of his fellow students. Taking another step forward, the voice became more clear, causing him to stop on the spot, the voice wasn’t right...it was singing. Certainly none of the others would have found  any reason to sing. Squinting into the mist, a form was approaching him, it appeared human, but Howie held his wand at the ready regardless. The shape of a small girl came to stand before him, she was sporting a cute scarlet dress and her brown hair hung free. He aimed his wand directly at her chest, surely no normal girl would reside down here. This must all be an illusion, the key to moving on from this dreaded fog. She sang again.

"Silly dancer turn around...
Silly dancer touch the ground...
Silly dancer do the kicks...
Silly dancer do the splits...
Silly dancer lay down...
Silly dancer get out of town."

He watched her closely as she sang. With every lyric she performed the action of which she sang, disappearing for a few moments after the last one.  This process repeated itself over and over. She sang her song, performed her dance, and then disappeared after the last line, only to reappear a moment later. It did not seem to be any kind of riddle, the image of the young girl made no requests, had no demands. Howie dared not approach her, as he was sure these damn catacombs were only trying to coax him into a false sense of security by presenting him with an image of something apparently harmless. What could the answer be? Why the same action over and over? The idea came to him suddenly. Maybe this damned thing just wanted to dance and sing with him. He watched the routine a few more times, memorizing the moves and lyrics.

When she disappeared again, Howie readied himself, he sang and danced the routine as she reappeared. “Silly dancer turn around.” He spun around in a circle, as they sang in unison. “Silly dancer touch the ground.” Howie leaned down, placing his palm on the ground. “Silly dancer do the kick.” He stood straight, kicking his foot up into the air. “Silly dancer do the split.” He spread his legs, doing his best attempt at a split. Ouch! “Silly dancer lay down.” Howie flung himself down on his side, curling his hands under his head like a pillow. “Silly dancer get out of town.” At this point, he had no idea what to expect, he laid there waiting to see if it had any effect.

Action: 
Spell- Howie try’s to maintain Lumos.

Movement- Howie proceeds down the stairs. He withdraws his compass, kicks gravel around and performs the dance while singing along with the image of the little girl.

Speech- Howie yells out for Rosie, Ami and Leslez.

The light at the end of Lucy's wand illuminated, adding a steadier light source to the flickering torch. She smiled at Parcel, grateful that he had also stepped forward to share an embarrassing secret. His wasn't nearly as embarrassing as hers, but she felt less ashamed and alone all the same.  She looked expectantly at the door now that they had given both forms of the password. It didn't move. No reaction. She frowned in annoyance.

Just as she was about to speak, she was aware of movement behind her. She turned and saw a massive group of students approaching. "What! No, they're going to steal our treasure," she whispered quietly in almost a hiss, hoping that only her original group of four could hear. "Quick, let's try to get in so we can get the stuff first." Lucy smiled at the newcomers - but it was forced. She obviously wasn't happy about sharing her treasure with six more people. 

She turned back to the door. Well, there was only one way to find out if their passwords worked. Since she was now in front of the door, she turned and tried to squeeze through the gap. She didn't want to open the door any more than necessary so that the group behind her would not see what was inside. Perhaps it was a bit rude, but Lucy had already found her team and she wanted her team to be successful. If she would have stopped and thought, she would have easily recognized the idea that there is strength and safety in numbers, especially if there is an angry mother-like creature on the other side of the door like her group had discussed earlier.

However, a strange competitive urge had taken over Lucy. She could only think of winning, which was unusual for her. Usually, she welcomed big crowds. Perhaps this change had something to do with the fact that she now had a new ambition to stand out academically. Could that desire for academic success transfer to just a silly treasure hunt? Maybe she felt as if she had something to prove. She didn't know why she felt this extreme mood swing possessed her; all she knew was that she had to act fast. But that didn't mean she wanted to be completely alone. She reached back with her left hand while her right hand held her wand high out in front of her, leading the rest of her body through the door. She looked behind her as she reached back and attempted to grab Parcel, her closest teammate, by the wrist and attempted to pull him after her through the door. "Let's get the treasure first."

Lucy knew what she would do if - no, when - she got into the room. The possibility of a savage beast had not left her mind. It could be sleeping, which would give them time to plan. Since there was rushing water somewhere on the other side of the door, she knew that she hadn't seen all that the room had to offer. She would get off to one side of the door and quietly observe. As much as she wanted to find the treasure first, something felt very strange about this whole puzzle. She would let the Gryffindors jump first if they wanted while she hung back and observed the room. 

ACTION: 
Spell: Maintain Lumos
Movement: Lucy attempts to go through the door. She tries to squeeze through the gap, and if that doesn't work, she tries to open the door just enough to fit through. She has stuck her wand-hand through the door first. She attempts to grab Parcel by the wrist and drag him through after her.

IF LUCY SUCCEEDS: Lucy would feel a prickle of uncertainty. Rather than rush the nest, she would tiptoe to the right side of the door, keeping her back against the wall, and take time to observe and scan the room without rushing toward anything. Perception check.

Alan just was insecure, he knew no one in this group except those he had seen in the common room of his house. Some of them were Gryffindor, while he did not really knew about the others. They were not supposed to wear their school uniforms in here, so it was hard to judge their respected houses. He simply was bad at judging personalities at first glance. But he knew that this trip, this adventure would be a good time to gain some friends and if this group would accept him, he would gladly be their friend.

He looked around and even though he was bad at it, tried judging the others on their possible strengths and weaknesses. They had a few one that looked like they would not bat an eyelash while beating someone up, which made him slightly nervous. Though if they should find themselves attacked they were probably strong or bold enough to do something. Others looked smart, he saw how they excelled in classes sometimes. He just sighed and bit his lip. What could he offer the group? His Locksmith’s Knife and the Paperplanes. It took some seconds for him to think about, how he was small and that his agility was rather good too, which made him smile.

Hearing the other Gryffindor’s words, that were directed towards him and another girl he didn’t knew, he smiled slightly. ”I hope so too” he replied with a small smile. He really hoped they would get along, the other seemed nice. There was something cunning about him, maybe even smart? He did not know yet, but he wanted to get to know him.

When the group started to move he kept close to the boy who just spoke to him and peeked a glance at the other boy right next to this Max guy. He wondered who he was and noticed them whispering about something, though he did not understand what it had been about. Taking a glance around the left passage they just had walked in, he looked at the walls curiously, or their surrounding in general. But as they were in a passage there could not be much to see besides walls.

Sighing he turned his heads towards Max again. ”Do you think something will happen?” He asked the boy nervously. He did not know why he exactly asked him, probably because that was the only person he knew the name of.