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!
Leander sat in class quietly. While he typically would have participated in answering questions up to that point, he felt like letting others insert their input instead. The thing was that Leander didn't like talking about dark arts, really. He had to take the class, and there was nothing wrong with learning about it to a certain extent, but he didn't feel as though they really needed to be learning about the Unforgiveable Curses. There was a reason they were unforgiveable, and the fact remained that none of them in that classroom should know the spells to use them. There was never a time in his life that he would use one, even in a life-or-death situation. He would defend himself, but never kill, torture, or control any other human being, so Leander felt the lesson was pointless.
As he looked throughout the room as people gave their answers, Leander couldn't help but notice Cassidy almost writhing in pain from the discussion. She certainly wasn't okay, that much was obvious. He tried to get her attention, just to make eye contact, to let her know she could make it through the lesson okay, but it proved difficult due to her having the company of Casey. He wasn't jealous of it or anything, he just felt like he might have been helpful.
He perked up, though, when Mark asked if the professor could demonstrate any of the curses. Leander immediately turned to the professor and smacked his hand against his desk. He, frankly, didn't care if it seemed aggressive. "I don't think that's necessary," he said after Casey said her peace about it. He didn't like the lesson in general, but he'd be damned if the professor was to perform them in the classroom. Call him a snitch if you want, but Leander was going straight to the headmaster if such a thing occurred.
Post by AGNES CLEARWATER on Oct 11, 2019 10:30:14 GMT
"Now I just have to snog you, Alex, and then our silly little best friendship can blossom into the most romantic of triads. I mean, I just have to close the missing link and then we'd all have shared spit. It's the equivalent of exchanging flowers nowadays, don't you think? I couldn't think of anything more dreamy," Aggy prattled on, her voice drenched with sarcasm as she entered the classroom with Alexander on one side, and Evan on the other. She bee-lined towards a table towards the middle before sitting down, unpacking her stuff.
As the class got started and the bickering commenced after they began talking about the Unforgivable Curses today, Aggy wasn't surprised. There was always someone who showed more than just a vague interest in the Dark Arts topics, and today that person happened to be Grimstone who started off by shouting the incantation for the Killing Curse, then followed up by asking if O'Connor would be able to demonstrate the Curses on a spider. Her eyebrows raised, Aggy asked Evan and Alex, "Do you think it's socially unacceptable to imperio Mark into putting a sock in his gob or will I be lauded as the next Harry Potter?"
These types of classes often caused chaos but Ollie actually believed today would be different. She didn't like it when people started to bicker and fight with one another but as she learned rather quickly it always happened and it always happened to people she loved. The girl was seated in her usual seat and had her parchament out to write notes on. Ollie never liked conflict so the moment conflict happened she tried to shut it out.
She watched some boy ask at some point if the professor could demonstrate the curses on a spider and Ollie felt shivers go down her spine. She was terrified of spiders but even she didn't think spiders desrved to be subjects to that kind of torture or watch the professor actually hurt something like that. Luckily lots of students were against it and she turned to the person next to her.
Post by ALEXANDER GREENAWAY on Oct 12, 2019 2:51:54 GMT
Walking into the DADA classroom with his head very firmly kept down - what else was new? - Alex took a seat beside Mark, splaying his belongings out in front of him as O'Connor at the front started talking about the Unforgivable Curses. Alex knew about them, who didn't with Harry Potter being known as a legend who survived all three? But he'd never had close personal experience with them and he didn't want to either.
Keeping quiet, Alex listened as the other students spoke up and answered the questions posed to him. When Mark provided the spell for Avada Kedavra, he didn't flinch at all. Simply saying a spell aloud wasn't going to make it happen. That was common knowledge. It wasn't like they were going to drop dead. But... uh, Cassidy? Was that her name? Looked upset about it, more upset than any of their classmates which was puzzling. She had that other girl in her year speaking up for her for some reason too.
But before he could think on it anymore, Dio was saying something about was it illegal because his mum... before going completely silent. Oh... Oh shit. He didn't like the guy - actually, he was the equivalent of a Vogon to him - but that was messed up. Like... on the level of when Frodo put on the ring messed up. He didn't say anything though, just cast the boy a look before he could catch himself from doing so. Then he looked over his shoulder at Alexander to try and see if he'd caught it cause he and Dio were friends, right? As weird as that was to him... why would someone as nice as Alexander befriend someone like Dio?
Returning back to his vow of silence, Alex began to tune out after Mark asked if the Unforgivables could be demonstrated on a spider. It was morbid, but Mark wasn't suggesting they should. His friend had no interest in the Dark Arts anyway.
Post by VIOLA ROSALINE on Oct 12, 2019 6:43:52 GMT
"Y
Flouncing into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Vi's eyes skimmed over everyone already seated. Eenie, meenie, miney , mo! she chanted to herself before deciding that yes, the seat next to Leander Laurent today was the one for her. Marvelous. She just hoped he'd be up for a wee chat every now and then when there was a quiet moment - if not, maybe she could sneak over to sit with her dearest darling Flora Glora...ious to bug her instead.
Plopping her bottom into the seat beside Leander, she propped her chin up on the desk and grinned up at the boy. "Looking particularly stunning today. That shade of Ravenclaw blue? Does wonders for your eyes," she chattered. Most people would mistake that for Vi flirting, but... that's how she spoke to just about everyone. Including Marky Mark who sat a few seats nearby, looking particularly cute today. Of course, if Leander flirted in response to her words, she'd amp up the compliments times ten.
As soon as Professor O'Connor started talking about the Unforgivables, Vi grew silent and visibly shuddered because Merlin's saggy knickers, what an awful subject. She didn't like to think about those curses too often because it made her heart grow sad as she thought on just how many people would have had to go through them during the Wizarding Wars.
TAG: @leander NOTES: Hope it's okay I sat Vi with him!
When another student piped up, answering the question about the last curse, Jack turned his attention to them with a nod. "That's correct, Frankie. 10 points to Gryffindor. Once the Imperius Curse is successfully cast, it gives the caster full control over their victim. They can make them do anything," Jack said, before Cassidy spoke up. "That's right, yes. 5 points to Ravenclaw, Cassidy. If the person it's cast on has exceptional strength of will... then the spell can be resisted. That's what makes it unique - it is the only one of the three Unforgivables that has a direct manner of defense."
At the sound of somebody saying Professor, Jack turned to see that Mark Grimstone's hand was raised in the air. After calling on the Slytherin boy and hearing his question, Jack wasn't surprised as the class broke out into murmurs. "That wouldn't be humane, Mark. I'd never subject any living creature to those sort of curses," he responded calmly. Having lived through crucio himself and having seen some of the people in the Battle of Hogwarts get hit by it, their bodies crumpling on the spot, he had absolutely no desire to use the spells himself. "It's not hard to envision these spells being used either. They're quite straight forward and the textbooks sum up what they're like quite aptly."
Clearing his throat once more, Jack redirected the class. "Now, we spoke about Imperius being the only curse that has a direct way of defending it. Does anybody know if there are ways to defend against the Killing Curse or the Cruciatus Curse?
6'0". IRISH. BIG HEART. LOYAL. BRAVE. WORKAHOLIC. BISEXUAL. SINGLE. distinguishing features: a big scar runs across jack's left cheek credit for award goes to ollie! <3
Mark did not understand how demonstrating the curses on a spider was more morbid than using insects in potions, or throwing garden gnomes out of your yard. However, the boy did not try to argue with the rest of the class, because he has clearly said enough already. He had been so focused on the subject that he had become oblivious to Cassidy’s reaction. He glanced sideways at her, seeing that she seemed extremely uneasy. Leander and Casey formed an invisible protective wall around her, saying that this needed to stop.
“What?” He whispered so that only Alex could hear him.
Seeing Cassidy was what made him silent, but it was when Leander hammered his hand against the table Mark quickly looked away again with a flush spreading on his cheeks. He has never gotten so much attention in class as he had now. And it did not feel good. In his defense, Mark was just interested in the subject, and he had tried to be a good student. He did not want to upset anyone. Although, it made him curious about why Cassidy reacted the way she did.
“Yes sir.” He simply replied to the professor and picked up the book again, hiding his face behind it.
Secretively, he peeked in the direction of Dio. Mark had, just like Alex, caught his housemate saying something about his mother using the curse, and he made a mental note to ask Greyback what it was about. He actually liked Dio. He seemed like a fellow who was very straight forward and sharp around the edges.
Dio hadn’t been fully paying attention to the class after the brain fuck. He completely missed out on the quibble between the other students.
There must be a reason for his mom to use that curse on him. That was it! She was only preparing him for the real world. After graduating he’ll join his brother’s pack. Then there will be many enemies along the way. He’d have to fight the evil ministry without being a burden. If the curses didn’t have much effect on him, he’ll be fight on despite them. If the school and ministry found out, they’d take his mother away. And with it his training. They were clever. Dio won’t let them win.
The Slytherin rose a hand to the Professor. “Sir, can you do the imperius one on me? I want to learn how to resist it,” he asked as if it were the most normal thing to ask a teacher. “You’ve got my permission so that’ll be okay right?”
Friends protect each other and in one class Cassidy hasn't felt that kind of protection as bad as she did now. She was very much uncomfortable with this situation, it was no secret and she wasn't denying it. The blonde looked at Casey and nodded slowly. It was a horrible idea to experiment like that, even on animals or bugs. It wasn't human and Cassidy was glad that the professor thought the same thing and that she managed to get some housepoints.
"Thank god.." she whispered and gave Leander a sweet smile and a small wave, mouthing thank you. The blonde ran a hand through her hair and was getting slightly less uncomfortable but then Dio asked to experiment on him and her eyes grew. "It's not legal... right?" she turned to Jack, then Casey and then Leander.
Post by JACK O'CONNOR on Oct 12, 2019 11:48:19 GMT
All of a sudden, before any of the other students could begin to answer his question, Dio's hand was in the air again. Hit with a wave of concern, Jack nodded so the boy could speak... and was hit with yet another pang of concern moments later. Why did Dio want to learn how to resist the spell in the first place? It was really quite troubling, and Jack shook his head immediately. "No, I cannot perform the spell on anybody. Even with their permission. Not only would casting the spell mean I would go to Azkaban for it because, like Cassidy just said, it's not legal... but it would go against everything I stand for," Jack replied, voice turning firm. He definitely needed to pull Dio into his office later. He wasn't going to yell at him, or even be stern with him but... Dio's words earlier and just then had raised alarm bells that were sounding over and over in Jack's head, and he needed to get to the bottom of what was happening that had caused Dio to have such a... warped view towards the Unforgivable Curses.
Once more, Jack turned to his class. "There is to be no casting of these spells. Not by me, not by you. This is a lesson on why we will not be casting these spells and how dark they truly are," he said curtly. "Now. Again, returning to my question... who can tell if there are ways to defend against the Killing Curse or the Cruciatus Curse?"
TAGS:DIO GREYBACK, @cassidy, plus any other 3-5 years yet to sign up NOTES: set during March.
6'0". IRISH. BIG HEART. LOYAL. BRAVE. WORKAHOLIC. BISEXUAL. SINGLE. distinguishing features: a big scar runs across jack's left cheek credit for award goes to ollie! <3
These classes always turned so chaotic, Gemini happily had seated herself next to her girlfriend. As soon as it started, so did the chaos. People spoke about curses that were dark and just flat out mean and Gemini didn't quite like it. She hated to talk about these, her papa always said they were dangerous and she should never ever think about using these spells. So she didn't. Gemini didn't know the answers but there was bickering and arguments all over.
"Do you know the answer? I don't.." she whispered to her girlfriend and bit her lip.
Felix was seated in his usual spot, not really caring about today's class drama. People were fighting back and forth about the curses and whether or not they should be tested on bugs and all Felix cared about was the class to be over. The boredom was visible in his expression but when the professor asked them a question he tried to think for a moment for the right answer.
Felix rose his hand and frowned. "Well the killing curse is instant... there is hardly anything you can do to avoid it unless you hide behind solid objects.." he said and cocked his head. "As for the cruciatus curse... unless the person who hurts you really hates your guts there is not much pain they can inflict?" he wasn't sure of his answers but that was all he could come up with.
Ollie had watched people give answers but the one thing she was waiting for the most was the professor refusing to test out the curses. It was when he did that the girl realized she had been holding her breath for so long, her face was turning in a shade of red because of it. With a sigh she let go of it and bit her bottom lip. It would've been a disaster if he tested out the spells, showing everyone the horrors of it all when all the class had done was show horrors here and there.
Ollie turned to look at her sister who was sitting with Gabriel's brother and Ollie was actually glad he was getting along with her. She felt like Greyson was troubled and she did like him even when he said mean things sometimes. The girl looked back at the professor and wrote down the stuff he said.
She rose her hand for a question and frowned. "Is there a way for people to be unable to perform these spells? Wouldn't that solve everything?"
The girl who sat beside him was none other than Viola Rosaline, and he was perfectly fine with that. Leander grinned as she complimented him, playfully putting his arm around her chair and leaning in towards her before saying, "Thanks," and winking. He leaned back properly in his chair before perking up to the other conversation around the room.
The professor earned points in his book when he shut down Mark's request for a demonstration. Leander looked around the class after the professor asked if there were ways to defend against the curses. A few people spoke up a little bit, but they didn't fully explain. "Professor," he said, raising his voice slightly, "-someone can resist the Imperius Curse if they have a strong enough will. But it's not easy and is pretty hard to do."
Leander hated the subject of the three Unforgiveable Curses, but the one he knew most about - the Imperius Curse - was the most unforgiving. Forcing people to do something beyond their own will was an awful thing to do, especially if they used the person to do horrible, illegal and immoral things. Leander's mother dated a guy when he was a kid that actually used the Imperius Curse on her and ended up in Azkaban for it, along with the other deplorable things he'd done and finally got caught up with. Leander sunk down a little in his chair after his answer, remembering his mom's dream-like facial expression when she'd been cursed.
Reginald was bored as could be. However, some people’s reactions were quite interesting. Reginald knew the three forbidden curses for a while now. Anyone with a decent set of brains would know them. His parents probably used them to get rid of the muggle invasion that threatened their society but alas they lost. And look where it got them now. Had the dark lord won, they wouldn’t have to deal with the angry mutts. Werewolves were possibly even more disgusting than mudbloods. Mudbloods couldn’t help being born but werewolves could decide to give in to their animalistic nature.
He did have some questions to ask so he rose his hand. “Professor, if I recall, there are a lot worse curses to die from. The killing curse is still quite a painless end. Why is that one forbidden where the others are not?”