25 Jun 2018, 03:37
Animal Attraction 3 - Call of the Niffler
The others all left, and Uschi was left holding a pile of books and staring at the unstoppered tubes of potions. Painfully she shunted the books to one arm, then walked over and picked up the test tubes containing the grey-brown sludge – three in her palm and four between her fingers. She whispered a Thank you as she passed the professor, though doubted he had heard her, and exited the room as quietly as possible.
Then Green mentioned testing the ingredients in the field.
“I’ll need to go to my room first, and drop off my books,” she said, her arm burning painfully. “Um… should we go to the lake then?
“Who wants to try one?” she said, holding out the unstoppered test tubes. She let those who wanted to grab one do so, then moved the rest into an easier position. At the base of the steps she stopped and looked up.
Normally, a flight like this would be a source of silent despair. Knowing there were several more all the way to Ravenclaw tower would have driven her to panic. But now she held a glimmer of hope. Slimy, grey-brown hope.
“I’m going to try one of these,” she said to the others, and smiled nervously. “Call a nurse… or something… if something bad happens?”
Shuffling the books once again, Uschi held one of the tubes under her nose. It smelled sweet, which wasn’t a bad start. With a sigh she put the test tube to her lips and tipped it back.
The contents slid out and over her tongue like molasses, thick and sweet, with some sort of tang or sliminess that didn’t make it completely unpleasant. It seemed to take forever to empty the vial, but at last the sloughing slime had slowed to a trickle, so Uschi righted the test tube, and swallowed.
The others all looked at her like she was about to grow hair.
A moment passed, then another, and very gradually she felt it, an upwards pressure on her bones, from the inside. It felt strange, like being picked up from somewhere unexpected, and a little uncomfortable.
But her knees felt better already.
“It’s working,” she said, and smiled to her friends. Bending her legs at the knees produced much less discomfort than she was used to, and she took a step higher, wobbling to adjust to the new sensation. “Ohh… don’t let me fall!”
Then Green mentioned testing the ingredients in the field.
“I’ll need to go to my room first, and drop off my books,” she said, her arm burning painfully. “Um… should we go to the lake then?
“Who wants to try one?” she said, holding out the unstoppered test tubes. She let those who wanted to grab one do so, then moved the rest into an easier position. At the base of the steps she stopped and looked up.
Normally, a flight like this would be a source of silent despair. Knowing there were several more all the way to Ravenclaw tower would have driven her to panic. But now she held a glimmer of hope. Slimy, grey-brown hope.
“I’m going to try one of these,” she said to the others, and smiled nervously. “Call a nurse… or something… if something bad happens?”
Shuffling the books once again, Uschi held one of the tubes under her nose. It smelled sweet, which wasn’t a bad start. With a sigh she put the test tube to her lips and tipped it back.
The contents slid out and over her tongue like molasses, thick and sweet, with some sort of tang or sliminess that didn’t make it completely unpleasant. It seemed to take forever to empty the vial, but at last the sloughing slime had slowed to a trickle, so Uschi righted the test tube, and swallowed.
The others all looked at her like she was about to grow hair.
A moment passed, then another, and very gradually she felt it, an upwards pressure on her bones, from the inside. It felt strange, like being picked up from somewhere unexpected, and a little uncomfortable.
But her knees felt better already.
“It’s working,” she said, and smiled to her friends. Bending her legs at the knees produced much less discomfort than she was used to, and she took a step higher, wobbling to adjust to the new sensation. “Ohh… don’t let me fall!”
Last edited by Amadea Campbell on 25 Jun 2018, 21:55, edited 1 time in total.
6 Jul 2018, 01:11
Animal Attraction 3 - Call of the Niffler
Finally, they were out of the Potions Classroom, and Lorelai found herself by the stairs with the rest of her crew. It seemed like they were going to drop of Uschi’s books to her room, and then go to the Great Lake. Lorelai shrugged, fine with her. Actually, she really liked the Great Lake, so she was glad about that decision.
Uschi held out vials of the potion Professor Valtome had just made, Lorelai took one and stuffed it deep into her pocket. Maybe she would use it now, or maybe she would save it. She wasn’t really sure yet. She’d probably just follow the other’s lead. Uschi suddenly decided to go ahead and drink from one of the vials. Lorelai was ready to go run down to the Hospital Wing if needed. She watched the overweight girl closely, as she gulped down the liquid. So far, so good. Lorelai smiled when Uschi announced that it indeed worked. When she asked the others not to let her fall, Lorelai rushed to one of her sides to help support her.
“So you feel lighter? It’s easier to move around then?”Lorelai asked although she could already see that the girl was moving faster than she had been before. She didn’t bother waiting for a response. “That’s great, I'm really happy for you!”
If Lorelai remembered correctly they were going to the Ravenclaw dorms first, which were at the West Tower. So, they would need to go up quite a bit of stairs to get there. It was a good thing they had this potion, especially considering the number of books they all had with them.
Uschi held out vials of the potion Professor Valtome had just made, Lorelai took one and stuffed it deep into her pocket. Maybe she would use it now, or maybe she would save it. She wasn’t really sure yet. She’d probably just follow the other’s lead. Uschi suddenly decided to go ahead and drink from one of the vials. Lorelai was ready to go run down to the Hospital Wing if needed. She watched the overweight girl closely, as she gulped down the liquid. So far, so good. Lorelai smiled when Uschi announced that it indeed worked. When she asked the others not to let her fall, Lorelai rushed to one of her sides to help support her.
“So you feel lighter? It’s easier to move around then?”Lorelai asked although she could already see that the girl was moving faster than she had been before. She didn’t bother waiting for a response. “That’s great, I'm really happy for you!”
If Lorelai remembered correctly they were going to the Ravenclaw dorms first, which were at the West Tower. So, they would need to go up quite a bit of stairs to get there. It was a good thing they had this potion, especially considering the number of books they all had with them.
♥ Le plus grand faible des hommes, c'est l'amour qu'ils ont de la vie ♥
27 Aug 2018, 13:13
Animal Attraction 3 - Call of the Niffler
"Stairs certainly do sound as good an initial testing ground as any," Green nodded briskly, following along beside. His eyes slowly moved to the test-tubes as Uschi offered, and his steps slowed somewhat as he considered it. He didn't like to admit it, but he wasn't the most muscular fellow, and his joints often ached besides; by the end of the stairs up to the Gryffindor dorm, his knees were often shaky. Green didn't mind trembling like an awkward fawn when journeying alone, but the thought of looking like a weak old man in front of the others made his stomach turn even more than it usually did.
The thought of avoiding that was tempting.
Nevertheless, his health problems weren't the same as Uschi's. He already weighed too little - it was his muscles that needed to be built up, and that wasn't going to be accomplished by reducing his weight further. Besides, I might blow away in a strong draft... Green's nose wrinkled for a second as he thought it.
He smoothed his expression away quickly, forcing his eyes from the vial. Swallowed. "Quite kind of you, but my stomach isn't feeling terribly well. Besides, they're for you - and who knows how much more we'll be able to make," he offered honestly. He was genuinely concerned about that. He grinned as Uschi related her fears, nodded at her. "Wise to fear that. But don't worry. We've got you." It occured to him that a higher dosage might increase the weight loss effect, making her easier to carry; the thought of carrying Uschi to the hospital wing with one arm sent an unfamiliar thrill through Green's spine, and disquieted by his own giddiness, he quickly stopped smiling.
He stared at Uschi with a sharp, almost dissective gaze as she drank, studying, one eyebrow quirking with interest as he watched her test her knees. He nodded along with Lorelai's encouragement silently, grunting brief acknowledgement; his mind was elsewhere, As she began wobbling, however, he hissed in a breath, stepping forward with hands outstretched to catch her. "Slowly," he hissed, voice low, teeth gritted. If not for the look of fear in his eyes, it might have sounded chiding. He carefully smoothed away his expression, took in a deep breath. "Take your time," he offered in a more even, gentler tone.
The thought of avoiding that was tempting.
Nevertheless, his health problems weren't the same as Uschi's. He already weighed too little - it was his muscles that needed to be built up, and that wasn't going to be accomplished by reducing his weight further. Besides, I might blow away in a strong draft... Green's nose wrinkled for a second as he thought it.
He smoothed his expression away quickly, forcing his eyes from the vial. Swallowed. "Quite kind of you, but my stomach isn't feeling terribly well. Besides, they're for you - and who knows how much more we'll be able to make," he offered honestly. He was genuinely concerned about that. He grinned as Uschi related her fears, nodded at her. "Wise to fear that. But don't worry. We've got you." It occured to him that a higher dosage might increase the weight loss effect, making her easier to carry; the thought of carrying Uschi to the hospital wing with one arm sent an unfamiliar thrill through Green's spine, and disquieted by his own giddiness, he quickly stopped smiling.
He stared at Uschi with a sharp, almost dissective gaze as she drank, studying, one eyebrow quirking with interest as he watched her test her knees. He nodded along with Lorelai's encouragement silently, grunting brief acknowledgement; his mind was elsewhere, As she began wobbling, however, he hissed in a breath, stepping forward with hands outstretched to catch her. "Slowly," he hissed, voice low, teeth gritted. If not for the look of fear in his eyes, it might have sounded chiding. He carefully smoothed away his expression, took in a deep breath. "Take your time," he offered in a more even, gentler tone.
"Touch me, Midas; make me part of your design."
Encyclopedia Entry (and further history.)
Strength: 1; Agility: 12; Control: 10; Stamina: 7
2 Sep 2018, 11:47
Animal Attraction 3 - Call of the Niffler
With a friend on either side Uschi was able to steady herself, and took a few breaths before taking another step. "This feels good," she said, breathless from a combination of nervousness and excitement. Her heart was thumping in her chest like a caged animal. Was that normal? Could the potion give her a heart attack?
Nevertheless she took Green's advice and took one step at a time, then another, and another. The usual pain in her knees was absent. Her belly still got in the way of course, but she was able to walk like a normal person for once - one foot on each stair, rather than leading with her left and bringing the right up the rear.
"I think I'm ok," she said on the first landing, then took the next row herself, much faster.
She was still breathless, being quite unfit, but nothing compared to how she usually felt. She knew she could keep going. The books were still heavy and didn't help with the balance at all, but she made it to Ravenclaw tower in record time regardless, strode inside and dumped her books on her bed.
The others still whispered as she walked past, shooting her glances as if she was a spy from the Parallel World of Fatties. But she smiled at them this time, far too pleased with the results of her potion and the ease of her trouble to worry about what others thought. At least for the time being.
She strode out of Ravenclaw tower, then followed the others down to the Gryffindor commons. She couldn't go inside but waited at the door instead, with a huge grin on her face, smiling at everyone who walked past.
When they finally emerged without their books she almost jumped out of the bench she was sitting on.
"Hey! Ready to go exploring around the lake?" and with that she started down the stairs before them.
Nevertheless she took Green's advice and took one step at a time, then another, and another. The usual pain in her knees was absent. Her belly still got in the way of course, but she was able to walk like a normal person for once - one foot on each stair, rather than leading with her left and bringing the right up the rear.
"I think I'm ok," she said on the first landing, then took the next row herself, much faster.
She was still breathless, being quite unfit, but nothing compared to how she usually felt. She knew she could keep going. The books were still heavy and didn't help with the balance at all, but she made it to Ravenclaw tower in record time regardless, strode inside and dumped her books on her bed.
The others still whispered as she walked past, shooting her glances as if she was a spy from the Parallel World of Fatties. But she smiled at them this time, far too pleased with the results of her potion and the ease of her trouble to worry about what others thought. At least for the time being.
She strode out of Ravenclaw tower, then followed the others down to the Gryffindor commons. She couldn't go inside but waited at the door instead, with a huge grin on her face, smiling at everyone who walked past.
When they finally emerged without their books she almost jumped out of the bench she was sitting on.
"Hey! Ready to go exploring around the lake?" and with that she started down the stairs before them.
12 Sep 2018, 19:32
Animal Attraction 3 - Call of the Niffler
The boy moved beside Uschi with the same slow pace she took, breath streaming in and out of his lungs with deliberate moderation. "Good," he said, and if he was beginning to get a little breathless himself, he didn't give any sign of it. There was little hiding it by the top of the tower, however, and he comforted himself by sneering imperiously at the dirty glances they passed, lips curling cruelly. There was no way to make this look good, but he'd be damned before he admitted his shame. Sneer at us, will you? I'll show you. Didn't you know that being breathlessly out of shape is in fashion? His thin, sour face beside Uschi's round, cheerful one looked like something out of Jack Sprat.
He let out a breath of relief once they were at the bottom of the stairs again, shouldering and re-shouldering his bag, rubbing at his shoulderblades. "An excellent idea, I think," he said, smoothing his hair back. "I've got some sketchbooks to take notes, a few empty flasks to keep samples in, and some oiled paper for wrapping up whatever doesn't fit in those. I'm just hoping we don't encounter anything we'll have to run from," he murmured, peering out the window. "I've always wondered why the forest denizens stay in that forest..."
He let out a breath of relief once they were at the bottom of the stairs again, shouldering and re-shouldering his bag, rubbing at his shoulderblades. "An excellent idea, I think," he said, smoothing his hair back. "I've got some sketchbooks to take notes, a few empty flasks to keep samples in, and some oiled paper for wrapping up whatever doesn't fit in those. I'm just hoping we don't encounter anything we'll have to run from," he murmured, peering out the window. "I've always wondered why the forest denizens stay in that forest..."
"Touch me, Midas; make me part of your design."
Encyclopedia Entry (and further history.)
Strength: 1; Agility: 12; Control: 10; Stamina: 7
24 Sep 2018, 04:54
Animal Attraction 3 - Call of the Niffler
"Going down the stairs is even easier still! I love this!" Uschi exclaimed as they were in some random stairwell, heedless of the students around them. She would run to the next landing and then wait for Green to catch up, then run on again, her stomach bobbing merrily with each step.
It was only once they reached the very bottom that she turned around and saw the pained expression on the small boy's face, and her heart went out to him.
"Do you want me to help you carry some of those?" she said, gesturing to his bag of vials and papers. She almost offered to carry him the rest of the way, but didn't want to embarrass him no matter how capable she was feeling right now. Taking one of the stoppered vials out from under her cloak, she slipped it into a side pocket of his bag. "In case we do need to run, this will make it much easier.
"So... which way to the lake from here?" she said. Obviously it would be downhill, but there would be a path, wouldn't there? She hoped so. The last thing she needed was to go tumbling down a goat's track... though right now, she was willing to try anything.
It was only once they reached the very bottom that she turned around and saw the pained expression on the small boy's face, and her heart went out to him.
"Do you want me to help you carry some of those?" she said, gesturing to his bag of vials and papers. She almost offered to carry him the rest of the way, but didn't want to embarrass him no matter how capable she was feeling right now. Taking one of the stoppered vials out from under her cloak, she slipped it into a side pocket of his bag. "In case we do need to run, this will make it much easier.
"So... which way to the lake from here?" she said. Obviously it would be downhill, but there would be a path, wouldn't there? She hoped so. The last thing she needed was to go tumbling down a goat's track... though right now, she was willing to try anything.
27 Sep 2018, 01:26
Animal Attraction 3 - Call of the Niffler
Green found himself grinning as Uschi exclaimed her joy despite himself. It was so obvious how much she was enjoying being free; he studied her as she bounced down onto the cobblestone landing, thinking of puddles in the park, of places lit by sunlight rather than torches.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd gone outside with someone. Not just for fun, not on purpose.
And that isn't what I'm doing this time, either. Focus, he chided himself as he saw her turn around.
He hissed in a breath at her offer, teeth gritted, as if he had been stung by some invisible insect; however, as he looked at her, his face softened slowly, deliberately. "Kind of you," he murmured, inclining his head towards her in a bow. "However... I do believe I can handle it," he said very softly, tongue clipping his words as he turned his face away from her. Their footsteps echoed against the stone walls in silence for a few paces as they continued down the corridor. He opened his mouth, shoulders tensing, closed it again.
At last, he let out a sigh. "Frankly, I won't get any stronger unless I bear it. I like your thinking with the potion, though," he said, patting the pocket securely, one eyebrow rising. "I wonder if it will allow us to run faster, too... less effort vertically, more latterally, after all," he hummed. "Very Ravenclaw, I suppose. Maybe there is something to these houses," he murmured, half to himself and half to her as he caught his breath at last.
Looking left and right as they approached the landing near the greenhouses, he panted, pointed. "Our best bet is past the greenhouses, I think. That's across from the woods, but not too close to them, and close enough to the vegetable patches that an enterprising herbivore might try their luck," he clicked his tongue, thinking. "What do you know about the local wildlife, anyway? Aside from the owls, I haven't got a working knowledge of them," he hummed, holding the door out into the wide, airy green of the grounds for her.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd gone outside with someone. Not just for fun, not on purpose.
And that isn't what I'm doing this time, either. Focus, he chided himself as he saw her turn around.
He hissed in a breath at her offer, teeth gritted, as if he had been stung by some invisible insect; however, as he looked at her, his face softened slowly, deliberately. "Kind of you," he murmured, inclining his head towards her in a bow. "However... I do believe I can handle it," he said very softly, tongue clipping his words as he turned his face away from her. Their footsteps echoed against the stone walls in silence for a few paces as they continued down the corridor. He opened his mouth, shoulders tensing, closed it again.
At last, he let out a sigh. "Frankly, I won't get any stronger unless I bear it. I like your thinking with the potion, though," he said, patting the pocket securely, one eyebrow rising. "I wonder if it will allow us to run faster, too... less effort vertically, more latterally, after all," he hummed. "Very Ravenclaw, I suppose. Maybe there is something to these houses," he murmured, half to himself and half to her as he caught his breath at last.
Looking left and right as they approached the landing near the greenhouses, he panted, pointed. "Our best bet is past the greenhouses, I think. That's across from the woods, but not too close to them, and close enough to the vegetable patches that an enterprising herbivore might try their luck," he clicked his tongue, thinking. "What do you know about the local wildlife, anyway? Aside from the owls, I haven't got a working knowledge of them," he hummed, holding the door out into the wide, airy green of the grounds for her.
Reducio
Using this map - it seems the closest to Rowling's sketches: http://hdimagelib.com/hogwarts+grounds+ ... =286839375
"Touch me, Midas; make me part of your design."
Encyclopedia Entry (and further history.)
Strength: 1; Agility: 12; Control: 10; Stamina: 7