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!
The day was brilliant and Leander knew it was a great opportunity to take his artistic abilities outside. As soon as his feet hit the floor of the common room, he hastily got dressed in a simple pair of denim jeans and a black v-neck shirt. Leander slipped got into a jacket, his shoes, and then packed up his painting essentials and began trucking it out of the Ravenclaw tower.
He pushed his glasses up on his nose. While he didn't need them except for seeing in class, Leander liked to wear his glasses when he was painting because it helped him really get a clear vision of his work. His regular vision was alright for walking around and things like that, but when it came to his painting he was precise and wanted to make sure he didn't miss anything. He smiled to other students as he passed by them, as was normal behavior for him. Despite his not-so-great homelife, Leander typically didn't let it effect his demeanor. After all, he didn't want to emulate his parents' destructive behaviors, and certainly didn't want to become like them. No, Leander had become his own person, looking out for himself, doing what was best for himself, not letting those negative thoughts that haunted him take over his personality.
As he reached the courtyards, it was evident that despite the sun shining in the sky above, the February air was still threatening chills down his legs. The air was mostly stagnant, though, which made Leander think that if there were any day that was meant for painting outdoors in winter, it was that one. Leander rather hated the winter, and especially snow, just for the sole reason that it meant his creativity had to be locked inside. It was difficult to create paintings and such outdoors in harsh conditions, which is exactly why he was willing to embrace the occasional whip of winter wind if it meant he could absorb the inspiration that was the outside.
Leander unpacked his essentials. He pinned up a long stretch of parchment and began whisking up a new color schematic on his piece of glass. Glass hand-held easels were something his mother had, surprisingly, bought him a few weeks ago for Christmas. Apparently she'd gone into a studio and was recommended them by the featured artist and got a couple for him. It'd been his only presents, but honestly Leander didn't care because he found that they were so much better than a typical easel. They didn't absorb any of the paint and allowed him a seamless transition from paintbrush to whatever medium he was using to create. He was definitely thankful, even if her intentions seemed to simply be getting him something to occupy him while she had men over. Oh well. Leander listened as footprints sounded to the side of him, but he paid them little attention as he began the journey of his painting, taking inspiration from the backdrop of the Forbidden Forest in the distance.
Cassidy had decided that it was a beautiful day for some photos, maybe some sketching. The blonde girl had made her way out of the Ravenclaw tower, her camera firmly in her hands. If there was one item in her life she cherished more than anything it was her camera. It was an older camera, not fancy at all anymore with the latest muggle technology changes but this camera belonged to her father and therefor it was priceless.
Cassidy felt the cold breeze on her cheeks once she stepped foot out of the castle. She eyed her watch for a moment before heading to the courtyard to make some landscaping photos. She still wanted to get better at it and so far she had been getting the short straw from that. Honestly she was so much better at portraits and action photography but landscapes, views from all over the world.. those are the things she really wanted to experience and capture.
The moment she arrived in the courtyard her eyes landed on her friend who was painting what seemed like the forest. Cassidy rose her camera slightly, her hand adjusting her lens and shot a picture of her friend before walking up to him. Her blue eyes scanning the painting with both adoration and her own artistic eye. "It's looking beautiful so far." she told him and took a seat beside him.
Cassidy tried to make a photo of the forest and when she checked it out on the screen she sighed. "Ew.." she then grabbed her sketchbook and pencil and started drawing instead. "It's kind of warm for a winter's day don't you think?" sure Cass, talk about the weather why don't you. "How are you?"
Leander was in his element as he set the glass easel down and put more paint on it. He blended the dark and light greens together to get the perfect color for what he wanted, getting just a smidge of both as well. The colors on the page jumped out at him, making him smile as he continued to create. His lines needed work, but he could always tidy those up at the end. Plus, he still needed to do the sky, anyway.
He heard the quiet click of a camera, but Leander didn't shy away from his painting. The courtyard was a free area, of course, so people were welcome to join him if they so chose. Having someone watch him work didn't bother him, actually. Leander wasn't someone who hid away or was shy of criticism. After all, the opinion of others was subjective, yet if their viewpoints were valid and constructive, they were things he could implement into his art and transform it into something better. That was, of course, nothing to be shy about, but instead something to use in personal growth. At least, that's how he felt.
When a familiar voice complimented his work, though, Leander paused to look at Cassidy, smiling. "Oh, thanks!" he said, smiling. He looked back at his parchment, tilting his head to the side as he examined it further. It was looking quite nice, really. Leander set down his easel and turned towards her, then pressed his elbow against his knee. "Can't be that bad," he chuckled as she checked the back of her camera.
"Ah, yeah, and I'm really glad for it," Leander answered. He looked up to where the sun's rays hit the edges of the courtyard's conrete wall, spraying light throughout their surroundings. It was a gorgeous day, one that he planned to take advantage of. While he wasn't particularly sporty, he was adventurous, and Leander thought that on that day, other than painting, he should find other activities to do outdoors. Who knew when the next time would be that he could do such things? He turned back towards her and said, "Actually really good! Things are...good. Can't complain." Leander picked up another paintbrush, dabbed it into some of the pale blue, then began splotting it onto the upper part of his page. "How've you been, Cass? Any big plans coming up?" he asked, looking back at her and smiling.
Of all the things she could've done today she decided on spending time with her camera because it just felt so comfortable to do. There were many artistic students here, many of them artistic in their own ways. She knew a girl in her class was really sweet and did painting as well and Leander also always seemed to enjoy painting whenever he could. Truth be told it felt nice to be among other creative souls they ended up having so many similar points of view.
"You're very welcome." there was a brightness in her voice as she clicked another picture of the forest. This one was a little better but not what she was looking for. Truth be told she was very critical of her work, every single time she would find a way to judge herself. She hated being such a perfectionist but it was the only way she knew how to deal with her own things.
"Oh trust me I can do better." she showed him the photo of him painting. "Like this.." she chuckled. She loved photographing people, they were more special in her opinion. Then again there were lots of people who didn't like to be photographed. Her cousin for example, she knew if she'd make a photo of him he'd smash her camera to bits and make sure she can't do that ever again. She loved Greyson but he was getting so dark it was a little scary at times.
"I love the sun, don't get me wrong snow is fun and all but spring.. spring is the best season." she told him and couldn't wait for the official spring to start. "I'm glad! The past defense against the dark arts class was quite uncomfortable." she said and bit her lip for a moment, shooting another photo. "Well not really. I am trying to convince my mother to take a roadtrip with me. I think she is worried about finances but if we plan well it might not even be as expensive." she said and bit her lip.
As she clicked another picture with her camera, Leander grinned and looked off into the distance where she was pointing. There really was nothing more brilliant than two creatives embracing the scenery and discussing each other's art. No one really could understand like a fellow artist, honestly. There lied a passion for the arts that if you lacked it, you couldn't completely fathom what it was like when you pressed a brush to paper, or a pencil, or took a great picture, or anything of the sort. While he was studious, he wasn't stoic, unlike some.
Leander's eyebrows raised slightly when she said she could do better. He leaned over to look at the back of her camera and chuckled at himself painting. It was a good shot, at least. "Oh but see now you have to print it and frame it above your bed to remember me always," he said dramatically, winking her way before busting into laughter. He wasn't someone who hated pictures or documentation of his existence; in fact, he was quite philosophical about the whole thing. Wasn't everyone's intentions of life to make sure they were remembered after they were gone? Given the current climate of things, Leander felt even more strongly about it. He wanted his life known, should anything happen to him. "It's really good, honestly," he added, making sure she knew he took her art seriously.
He listened to her and nodded. "Spring and fall are my favorites. I absolutely hate the winter and snow," Leander remarked, his nose scrunching up at the thought of snow. It was wet, dirty, and didn't people realize before playing in it that there was all kinds of poop and pee from creatures left on the ground caught up in it? It disgusted him. \
When she mentioned the past Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Leander hesitated. Of course he had noticed her in class acting timid about the subjects they'd talked about, but he didn't want to bring more attention to her than necessary and embarass her. He had, of course, tried to share a brief eye contact to let her know he was there for her, to at least try to make her feel alright, but Leander could understand how those types of subjects would evoke feelings in people who might have experienced...things. Leander of course wasn't super familiar with Cassidy's past, but he could only imagine what made her respond that way. "It certainly was...um, if you don't mind me asking, or well...okay so I won't ask. But, just know if you need to talk to somebody, you can definitely talk to me," he said, reaching out to grab her forearm and giving it a soft squeeze before picking up his paintbrush once more.
"Oh roadtrips are fun! You could probably convince her - I mean yea funds are important and stuff, but you definitely can do something inexpensive. I mean, apparition is a thing, right? Then you'd just need a little bit of money for food and stuff," he said, grinning. It excited him to talk about adventures, especially family ones. He never had those. Of course, Leander could have offered her some money given that he had plenty of it, but he didn't like to go around doing that for everyone. He felt it made him look like he was trying to buy friendships, which he certainly was not. But, still, he'd help anyone if they needed it. He gulped hard when she asked if he was ready for the summer. His answer was always the same. "I don't like going home," he said plainly, looking back at his painting. Leander never really discussed his home life with people because Hogwarts was his escape from that - plus, who actually cared?
Leander was a sweet friend that Cassidy cherished very much. She never thought she'd get many friends but she had Leander and Casey who were the best buddies she could ask for. They were like super friends and maybe for Halloween they can dress up like superheroes sometime. That would be fun right? Cassidy definitely would go as supergirl, she loved those comics.
"I totally am!" she chuckled at his joke and grinned a bit more. "Are you sure?" she knew he was serious about art but she was always feeling low on confidence about her own. The blonde ran a hand through her hair and nodded as Leander told her his favorite seasons, she definitely had some too but the thing she loved about winter was how the snow could make everything look like it's made out of silver.
"I love spring the most, autumn is beautiful too. Winter can be pretty when you see the trees.. the snow make it look silver." The defense against the dark arts subject was just tough. Cassidy wasn't going to hide what happened but she didn't really ask for sympathy either, it was something that happened and made her have nightmares of many times.
"I ehm, watched my dad get killed by the killing curse when I was little." she said softly and clicked another picture. "My uncle did it... Greyson was also there." she sighed and frowned. "He had to watch his dad kill mine and I... it's been me and my mum ever since." she said softly.
"Of course apparation is a thing but that's only half the fun right? Driving is so much more fun." she told him and frowned when Leander mentioned not wanting to go home. "Come with me and my mum then, it will be fun!"
Leander smiled and nodded when she asked if he was sure. "Of course! Your work is brilliant," he said cheerfully. He gently nudged her with his elbow, as if to say 'you're so much better than you think.' He knew that Cassidy didn't have a ton of confidence in her work and honestly he could relate sometimes. When you put your soul into something creative, it was difficult to process the fact that not everyone would like it. But, that was life. Not everyone liked everything, but so long as it spoke to you in a way that was meaningful, Leander considered it successful.
Leander agreed with her. "So like...the aesthetic of winter is awesome, no doubt. Looking at the tree-covered grounds is beautiful...but being in it honestly kills my soul," he said, chuckling. "I just can't deal with the cold," Leander added. Snow was beautiful - and really, it was almost, if not more than, as breathtaking as autumn. But Leander did not do well in the cold, which was why winter was his most hated season. It wasn't the appearance of the snow that he hated, but the feel of it.
He stopped what he was doing and gave her his full attention, watching her click the camera once more in between words. Leander felt his throat closing in and tears welling his eyes. It wouldn't do well to cry now, of course, so he choked back his emotions as best as possible. He was known for being emotional, though. Leander wasa sympathetic soul, someone who really felt for those he cared about. Cassidy's trauma certainly affected him. How could he not have known all this time, that it was something so awful that had happened to her? He bit his lower lip and fought back his urge to hug her, but he couldn't. He dropped his brush to the side and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, giving her a soft squeeze before letting her go. "I'm sorry," he said weakly. There were no words that could convey how sorry he truly was for her, and while sorry was a pathetic excuse of them, Leander felt it conveyed what he wanted to say in the most simplest of ways.
"Okay so...admittedly," he started, pulling away from her. "I've never actually been in a car," Leander said, chuckling. He wasn't used to Muggle things, but he wasn't opposed either. "You know - I just might take you up on that," he said, smiling. Cassidy's kindness meant more to him than she might have known, but because she opened up, he knew he'd have to do the same. Maybe it was time someone knew the trouble his home life trapped him up in.
Art was an expression from the soul. It was a way for your soul to scream out to the world who you are, how you see what you see. The blonde girl cocked her head to the side when she felt Leander bump her and nodded, he was right and she knew it. She knew that there was a point he made in telling her her work was good enough. Cassidy just had to believe it as much as Leander did.
"The cold isn't my favorite part either." she admitted and thought about the beautiful flowers during spring. The colors of every single one of them being special among the others, every single plant in bloom, the trees proudly showing their new leaves. It was beautiful to experience spring. The blonde girl smiled a bit and looked at Leander who seemed so peaceful right here.
It was then that he hugged her and she just returned the hug, a bit surprised but understandable. It's not usual to tell people how you watched your dad get murdered right there. "Thank you but really, I'm okay." she said softly. Okay she wasn't totally honest but honest enough to deal with her own issues. She could handle it so far and she would for a long time.
"You should totally come along, I think mum would love to have you there too." She said and smiled a bit. "Have you ever traveled? Seen a car?"
