With the capture of Verandi Farley and several high-ranking Trossach members, the British wizarding world has finally caught a break. The rate of rogue werewolf attacks have started dropping at a steady rate and, hopefully, things will stay that way. The Ministry is starting to loosen some restrictions, like not arresting werewolves standing on the street for loitering, however there’s still an obvious power imbalance between wizardfolk and werewolves.
The Cotswolds pack are continuing to advocate for the rights of werewolves and petitioning to change the legislation that has been set in motion by the current Minister for Magic, whilst the remaining Trossachs members are trying to stay out of the spotlight and keep a low profile… for now.
Whilst the British wizarding world seems to have calmed down, the same cannot be said for over in Northern Europe where a rebellion of magical creatures has risen. The state of things has gotten so bad that the European Ministry has enacted protocols to protect those under eighteen whilst their adult witches and wizards fight to keep control of their countries.
Students from Durmstrang have been sent to Hogwarts to keep them safe and those not old enough to attend school have been sent to live with relatives or designated British Ministry officials outside of Europe for the time being.
Will the low rates of werewolf attacks in Britain continue? How long will Durmstrang students stay at Hogwarts? Will the creatures usurp the wizardfolk in Northern Europe? Only time will tell.
SEPTEMBER 2019 It's been a very long, eventful summer in the wizarding world. A baby was stolen, several high ranking Trossach members were imprisoned, and werewolf attacks have drastically dropped as a result. What will happen now school has returned?
MAY 2019 An attempt to capture the beta of the Trossachs has been launched. Were the Aurors successful in their mission? Go read more here!
Post by RODRIK BELANGER on Sept 18, 2019 7:38:41 GMT
snowball fight
open thread
- come one, come all! -
Winter at Hogwarts wasn't always dark, damp and unkind. Once the snow clouds arrived, the ground was clad in fluffy white feathers that these gargantuan birds shed overnight. And once these birds moved away to seek new feeding places, the sun came out, bright and stunning in the light blue sky.
This was one of those days. A January weekend when nature called out to the inhabitants of the castle -- throw down those dusty tomes! Wrap yourself in a scarf, charm your favorite mittens to stay warm and toasty, and come out! Come out and breathe the crisp winter air, come out and gaze upon the world that's tucked in a warm, white blanket. Don your skates and glide on the icy surface of the lake, admire, how the Forbidden Forest looks like an oil painting when the light hits just right.
Rodrik Belanger was doing exactly that -- wrapped in his old winter coat, Gryffindor scarf covering his neck, the frayed ends sticking out, hands covered in worn out leather gloves -- he trudged through the snow towards the lake, taking deep breaths of the winter air. It was cold, indeed, but he could feel his lungs clearing up with every breath. His only complaint was the blinding reflection of the sun in the ice crystals, but that's what his hands were for.
The snow was wet and firm, creaking underneath his snow boots and getting stuck together in clumps. It was the best weather for building a snowman, or a snow igloo or a fortress. The sixteen-year old couldn't quite decide what he wanted to do. Maybe I should build a chair out of snow so he can sit and gaze upon the lake?
Felix needed a release and what better way to find a release than letting his inner brat out? The boy had been throwing snowballs at people as he made his way along the grounds. He would aim it just so someone else got the blame and Felix snickered as he made his way to where another guy was at. The boy scooped snow up in his hands, forming a nice big ball from it before throwing it at the guy.
"Please hit.." he said almost clasping his hands together in the form of a prayer to see if the guy would get hit. Where was Archie when he needed him? His man wife? Felix grinned a bit and waited.
Post by JUNAID ZALAYAT on Sept 18, 2019 9:15:59 GMT
Junaid had been waiting for this moment. During classes he had seen white stuff falling out of the sky. Last year he wasn't prepared for Britain's harsh winters so remained inside. Today was finally the day he would see the winter wonder himself. The Syriam boy had never experienced this white stuff live before. Without asking if he wanted to come alone, Jun grabbed Greyson's hand as soon as they were allowed to leave. He dragged the grumpy Gryffindor all the way outside. "Wow, it is beautiful. I've never seen anything like this," he gazed upon the beauty of winter. The few rays of sun reflected gorgeously on the white cover making it look like glitter.
"Ow," he blinked when a fresh drop of white stuff hit his cheek. "There is white stuff on my face. Oh now it turns to water. Brr, it's really cold," he shivered and leaned against the other boy for warmth. "I'm going to try and catch the white stuff with my mouth," he told his friend before he started sticking out his tongue. When he succeeded, the Hufflepuff prefect chuckled proudly. "Oh! Let's go over there!" He pointed at the lake where some other students had gathered. This was the most amazing scenery he had seen so far. His eyes were enchanted like he had seen something otherworldly. His awe was broken by the other students' actions. "Greyson, why are they shooting white stuff towards each other?"
Post by GREYSON AVERY on Sept 18, 2019 12:09:06 GMT
Grey had been lingering in the halls, scuffing his feet along the ground and trying to intimidate every soul that passed him just because it was fun when suddenly, there was a hand wrapped around his. He knew who it was before he even looked 'cause Rosa rarely grabbed his hand, and nobody else in the entirety of Hogwarts liked him except for Jun who was... waxing poetic about the sky like a bloody simpleton. "Not a goddamn dog, Zalayat, don't drag me around like one," he said, ripping his hand from Jun's grip because the dude claimed he wasn't gay and even though Greyson knew better, he didn't want rumours to start flying and catch Jun off-guard.
"Do you... not know what snow is? Merlin's beard, Jun, have you never read a book? Seen a picture? Looked outside?" With an exasperated sigh, Grey shook his head but not before letting out a snort at Jun's words. That's what he said. But then he was being directed towards Belanger and Bianchi, the latter of which who was throwing a snowball. Smirking as he got an idea, Grey scooped up a handful of snow before dumping it down the back of Jun's robes and running forward with his middle finger thrown up in the air. Then loud and clear, he taunted Belanger, "Just gonna sit there like a wimp or you gonna kick Bianchi's arse?"
His slow trudge through the wet snow was interrupted by a hit on the back of his head. He almost lost his balance from the surprise. The back of his head felt cold and wet. It could only mean one thing...
"Hasn't anyone told you," Rodrik started saying, leaning down to scoop a handful of snow, "that it's not polite," he turned around on his heel to spot his target, "to attack from behind?"
With the last word, the snowball flew out of his hand, straight toward Felix. Rodrik didn't linger in one spot, immediately dashing towards the closest tree for cover. They weren't the only two around -- Greyson was treating poor Junaid Zalyat, a Hufflepuff from places much warmer than Scotland, to a rather wet surprise.
"Hey, Avery!" another snowball flew towards Greyson. Rodrik decided that he's going to be on Junaid's team, at least until it all became a chaotic free-for-all.
Post by ELENA COLDWATER on Sept 18, 2019 13:49:13 GMT
The pixie of a girl was out enjoying the snow, just as most of the other students were. And why not?! The sun was out, the bird we're chirping.. It was so ser-- She ducked seeing a snowball come whizzing by, taking a moment to look around with her brows arch a moment before the mischievous smile set in on the tiny blonde's face.
She scooped up a generous amount of snow in her gloved hands packing it down between them to form a perfect little ball. While Elena was certainly small, she had her stealthiness and speed on her side. Maybe she couldn't throw it the hardest out of all of them, but it was more about the accuracy in a snowball fight-- and the fun of course. The competitive little half-veela threw her ball in Rod's direction.
She had no alliances just yet. She was just ready to start! She grinned a bit, dipping down behind a tree as she looked around... Prepared for the barrage of snowballs that were likely to fly between the lot of them.
Post by JUNAID ZALAYAT on Sept 19, 2019 8:30:11 GMT
Junaid blinked up when Greyson jerked his hand back. "Sorry, I forgot how much you hate being touched. I got way too excited for my first time experiencing real winter," he mumbled, feeling bad now. Greyson was his friend but somehow he kept hurting the Gryffindor.
"Ohh so snow is the English word for this. Sorry it isn't really a thing in my country. I've always thought it only happened in fairy tales," he chuckled softly. The Hufflepuff watched his friend against the white contrast. Jun would keep this wonderful image in his memory.
When he was distracted by the other students playing with the snow. Everything was so magical. No matter where he looked things were so different. For a moment he forgot to pay attention to Greyson. Which he would regret a moment later. "Aaaaahh!" Junaid screamed as if he was being stabbed when a cold went unpleasant substance ran down his back. "Greyson, why?!" He cried out with tears in his eyes.
Revenge isn't the answer . Echoed in his mind. But Junaid bit down his lip and grabbed his wand. With it he levitated a big pile of snow and let it drop on Greyson's head. "Eek," he gasped, feeling a rush of tension. Had he really just done that? He rushed towards Rodrik who also targeted Greyson and hid behind him. "It's so cold," he shiffered. "Teach me how to knead balls," he asked his ally. The only time he felt this cold was the time he had spend on the refugee boat which sank.
Slytherin girl joined the fight, Jun was curious which side she'd pick.
Reginald took the opportunity of the current weather to make art. He had a great vision of a swan standing on a frozen lake with its wings spread. The Gryffindor had set up a little spot for himself. Summoned a velvet red with golden chair. Above him was an enchanted umbrella so no snow would reach him. It was cold but this only complimented the feeling he wanted the painting to give. He started sketching on his canvas. Using the surroundings as a background. Yes this was great. He could already feel the art come to life. Every stroke with the pencil felt like the ice queen spread her magic.
Then his peace was disturbed by some children starting a snow war. Immediately he put a line wrong. The annoyance! His eyes turned to narrow lines as he glared at them. How dare they? Filthy peasants. Regi put on a sound barrier so he could continue in peace.
Note: please someone hit this dude with a snowball
There were no manners in war. Felix watched the snowball hit the guy and grinned a bit. Did he care that his ex's pet was near telling Rodrik to kick his ass? No he didn't. In fact he didn't care about anything these days but to enjoy his life now he still could. He wasn't going to let it be ruined by girls or anyone in particular. The boy made a new snowball and grinned a bit more as he did so.
For the first time he was having fun. Felix caught the snowball with his chest that he puffed up so it didn't hit his face and laughed as he tossed it at Rodrik again. "Oh come on! You like it!" he called out back and noticed a girl joining the club of four dudes so far. He smirked and looked around like a predator looking for a prey.
That's when he spotted Jones. The biggest girl he knew. He pressed his fingers against his lips and winked at Elena before sneaking up to the "throne" that the boy was sitting on and smirked as he threw the snowball from up close right in the direction of his head.
Post by SALLY JORDAN on Sept 28, 2019 11:53:10 GMT
Her beanie shoved firmly on her head and her dark braids framing her face, Sally was practically buzzing with excitement as she ran full speed ahead to join the snowball fight that was happening because she was a bad. arse. at making snowballs to start with, but she was even better at throwing the lil' suckers at unsuspecting victims. She had a great aim which was totally part of the reason why Hufflepuff won their first game, and the reason why the snakey boys were so salty at her. They hated having their butts kicked by a second year, no doubt about it.
Ducking behind a tree for cover, Sally was about to start molding her snow into a ball when she noticed who was next to her. "Elena! How's it going? Been sticking your tongue down my bro's throat lately? Wait, no. Don't tell me. I don't wanna throw up!" The great big grin that graced Sally's face spoke volumes, that she was only teasing of course, but... real talk, she didn't want to know a thing about who either of her big bros were snogging.
Finishing her snowball and eternally grateful for the gloves that protected her hands, Sally looked for a victim before her eyes fell on the tall dude who was hiding behind a tree nearby. Army crawling over, the elbows of her jumper getting soaked in the process, she grinned up at him cheekily and decided to ask, "Who are our targets, Captain O'Captain? I'm a great shot!"
Post by GREYSON AVERY on Sept 29, 2019 3:22:17 GMT
Greyson steadily ignored the sad puppy look that Jun's face adopted, as well as the apology because it was fine. He didn't really give two shits about being touched - well, no, he did when he was being dragged along - but it was more so that Jun actually cared about his reputation for being straight, and Greyson didn't want to tarnish it for him. He did good things sometimes, alright?
"Whatever, man. You'll get used to the snow. It's gonna be here for months on end. Hope you brought warm gear," Greyson said with a shrug before laughing loud at the whine that Jun let out over his snowy shower. But then the little sucker proved he wasn't as much of a wimp as Greyson thought he was, and the snow shower Jun gave him? It was worse. Much worse. "Just you wait, Zalayat. I'm gonna kick your arse."
Hey, Avery! Belanger, the wuss, had thrown a snowball directly at Greyson before he had a chance to duck and with a loud OOF! the ball made direct impact with his chest. But if Belanger thought that was enough to take him out, he was dead wrong. Greyson lived for pain, and a puny little snowball? Not the worse things he'd been hit with, not by a long shot.
Running for a tree, Greyson ducked behind it and started to make a pile of snowballs. He wasn't an idiot, and he knew having a bunch pre-made was better than making them one by one. Watching as Bianchi dumped a heap of snow onto Jones' head, he saw an opportunity to start recruiting. "OI! Regi, get your prat arse over here and help, dickwit," he said because the saying that honey got more flies? Bullshit. An aggressive tactic always worked best.
With that, Greyson launched his attacked, pelting a snowball at Belanger, Jun and Bianchi one after the other. Take that, suckers!
It was chaos. The kind of chaos that left you breathless and elated, head spinning as you gasp for air between bouts of laughter. More and more people were joining in the snowball fight, even though mere minutes before it had only been Rodrik and the vast expanses of snow. The magic of Hogwarts!
A rogue snowball hit him right in the back of his head, soaking his hair. He spun around, trying to spot the marksman -- but there was no one there! They had a stealthy assassin in their midst!
He didn't have time to look around though, as a wet and rattled Junaid ran over to Rodrik's tree, asking him to show how to make snowballs. He scooped up some snow in his hands and packed it down, showing him the vaguely ball-shaped clump of snow. "That'll do. Just press it together and throw!"
Felix taunted him and threw another ball at the older Gryffindor, and this time Rodrik managed to evade it -- with the help of a very static tree -- and before he could retaliate, a young girl crawled next to him, all soaked.
"Jordan! What are you doing down there!" he laughed. A large grin appeared on his face when the girl called him "Captain" - a real battle!
"Avery!" he pointed at his housemate who was throwing snowballs one after another like a bloody muggle machine gun, "Jones, and Bianchi! And... I think there is someone else here too! Charge!"
With a yell, he left his hideout and ran towards Greyson, taking all his snowballs right to his chest. He wanted to get close enough to stick a handful down Greyson's shirt, just like he'd done to poor ol' Jun.
Reginald was just minding his own business, yet some morons found the need to get him involved into their little game. It could be said that the Gryffindor red head was anything but amused when someone baptized him in snow. “Felix, you absolute tosser!” The boy screamed at the younger Gryff, gasping in shock. He took out a mirror and checked his hair. It was messed up. This was war. “Henry! Load the cannons!” Out of nowhere a house elf apparated, bless the elves for not being affected by the border. Reginald transfigured some snow into a cannon and crossed his arms. Henry created a cannon ball from snow and loaded the cannon with it. “Three, two, one FIRE!” On command the elf activated the snow weapon and launched it towards Felix and his crew.
Post by ELENA COLDWATER on Oct 8, 2019 3:32:34 GMT
Elena chuckled, shaking her head as Liam's sister, Sally, seemingly ended up next to her, " Heya Sally, " She replied, cheerful enough until she mentioning her kissing her brother... Her cheeks reddened a bit as she laughed, " That's fair-- because I definitely wouldn't want to talk to you about kissin your bruv, love, " She laughed off the awkwardness of the girl's remark, choosing instead to focus on the snowball war at hand. She heard another student yell down to Sally, figuring since sally was on his side. She figured, she was on Sally's side, though she was more free-for-all at the moment.
The half-veela scooped up a hand full of snow, packing it. She ran fairly quickly, making her way close to the 'enemy.' She giggled a bit as she hid behind the tree, aiming for Felix. She liked Felix, but this was war. Friendships would need to be tested-- even the casual friendships.
She grinned a bit as she blew a taunting kiss at the 'enemy' as she ran back to Sally, literally sliding back behind the tree at the last second in the hopes she'd avoid the impending attack. "Alright, mate. I'm with you!" She chuckled a bit.
Felix had prepared himself for a lot but he did NOT see this coming. The boy had tossed snow into Reginald's hair and his grin faded a bit when the boy decided a canon would do the trick for revenge. "Are you fuc---." he couldn't finish his sentence as he dodged a snowball from Elena and gave the girl a charming wink before turning back to Reginald's canon.
"Cheater!" he called out to the ginger wanker and ran for Rodrik. "Dude halp!" he then reached to grab him so he could hide behind the guy. No way he was taking a canon snowball to the gut.
Felix had prepared himself for a lot but he did NOT see this coming. The boy had tossed snow into Reginald's hair and his grin faded a bit when the boy decided a canon would do the trick for revenge. "Are you fuc---." he couldn't finish his sentence as he dodged a snowball from Elena and gave the girl a charming wink before turning back to Reginald's canon.