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 GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Apr 25, 2019 13:13:18 GMT
It was a Saturday afternoon, thank Merlin, and this weekend Grace had opted out on visiting Hogsmeade. She wanted to enjoy the day and do some of the things she loved instead, like drawing and reading and at the moment, she’d moved onto running. She’d already gotten one in first thing this morning (as she did most mornings) but there was no harm in a second run, right? After all, there weren’t as many students about which meant it was less likely that people would look at her, something that always made her feel self-conscious.
After a quick stretch, Grace took off on her run, enjoying the freedom of the cool air and the way the breeze flew through her long braid and - all of a sudden, Grace found her foot catching on something and she was in a heap on the ground, utterly bewildered.
“What on earth?” she murmured, glancing around only to see ankle that was attached to a… a boy? Which made sense, she supposed, because ankles had to be attached to somebody. It just so happened that as she glanced up further, this ankle appeared to be attached to Liam’s older brother, Leo, who she shared several classes with. He was cute and immediately, nerves swelled in Grace’s tummy and she started babbling apologetically. “Oh my goodness, I am so so sorry. I didn’t - I wouldn’t - I’m sorry for tripping over your ankle. Are you hurt?”
The Gryffindor was determined. It did not matter how he might feel, especially towards a certain fellow 7th year girl, it would not keep him from acing his NEWT's. He would not give up. Surrender was not an option! So now he was sitting by himself at the foot of the big oak with the nice view over the great lake, books strewn in all directions on the grass. Especially Charms books were lying open left right and center. He had one quill propped behind his ear and another one in his ink smudged hands as he had forgotten about the former. There were more ink stains around his lips and on his neck and some ink had even made it onto the several pieces of parchment he had fanned out. There were different colours on some of them and coloured slips of parchment marked some of the still closed books.
Just when he was unscrewing a new bottle of ink, somone bumped into his outstretched leg and, of course, caused him to spill ink pretty much everywhere. "Oh man," he exclaimed with a sigh of defeat before looking up. The flustered blonde who seemed to have tripped over his foot looked like she was about to drop dead from the shock of it. "I'm fine, don't sweat it. Are you ok though?" he asked before he put his second quill behind his other ear and reached out his hand to help her to her feet. "Longbottom, right" he asked, vaguely remembering the name.
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Apr 25, 2019 21:45:57 GMT
Before Leo spoke, Grace unfortunately had a chance to see the mess she'd made. Ink was every where and instantly, she frowned. If she had her wand, she would have tried to at least help clean it up but she'd left it in the dorms on her bedside table. “Oh… oh dear. Do you… you could always use, um, tergeo. I'm so sorry.”
When Leo's voice cut through her awkward rambling, Grace glanced up at him, slowly nodding. “I'm not hurt… I'm used to tripping over. Probably get it from my dad… though I don't think it's a hereditary thing. Falling. Or being clumsy. Maybe it is?” She was sounding sillier by the minute and taking Leo's hand, Grace was pulled to her feet. “Oh yes… yes Longbottom. Well, Grace. Gracie. Either is fine. You're… Leo, right?” Though she already knew the answer. “Our dad's… I think they were in the same house. Dad always mentions he knows Lee Jordan when he's on the radio.”
Leo waved his hand carelessly at the worry about the spilled ink. It was not the first time today that had happened. And even though he had received tutoring from Ryker, he was decent in many subjects without help as well. Cleaning up his own mess was something he had more than enough practice doing. "Nah, don't worry. It's just ink," he replied kindly.
The tall boy chuckled at the girl's ramblings. If anything, her attitude seemed to match with her clumsiness. He found it adorable, as long as it didn't happen to himself. Especially girls were quite cute like this.
"Jep, Leo's the name and Lee Jordan is my dad," he replied. He didn't find it strange anymore to have his father mentioned by fellow students. He was relatively famous after all. Not as famous as the Weasleys and Harry Potter of course. But many people liked the radio station and Leo was proud of it too. On the other hand, he couldn't say that he knew Gracie's dad well. He hoped it didn't show. "Well, ehm, I hope I didn't stop you from what you were doing," he said awkwardly.
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Apr 27, 2019 14:51:34 GMT
As Leo reassured Grace that it was 'just ink,' the Hufflepuff girl breathed a little bit easier. He didn't appear cranky, that was good. "What were you studying?" Grace asked, biting her lip as she looked down at the books Leo had sitting in front of him.
"Leo. Like... like, um... oh, Leo sounds a lot like Lee," Grace pondered aloud, before quickly she rushed to add, "but it's a lovely name! Strong. Strong name. Like, um... a lion, or something... which is fitting because... cause you're a Gryffindor... whose... whose symbol is a lion." If Grace had her own wand, she'd cast a silencing spell on herself just about now. But knowing her because it was practical magic, she'd probably mess it up and end up stitching her lips together instead. She was just making everything worse, it appeared.
"Oh, no! No, you're not stopping me from anything. I was just running because, well, I like running and nobody else is really about so I guess that means I can go for a run in the middle of the day without worrying. Normally I go first thing in the morning as the sun's coming up," Grace explained, smiling as she spoke about her hobby. "Do you, um... run? Or anything?" He was quite fit, so perhaps he did some sort of sport to maintain his physique.
Leo shrugged, indicating his books in a wide motion. "Pretty much everything, I guess. Need to pass those exams," he commented almost as nonchalantly as he had intended on the question of what he was studying. To be quite honest, the school year had only just begun and he found himself drowning in a sky high pile of work. And at the same time he also wanted to do his best at Quidditch, as, of course, he wanted that to be his future! But these days it did not feel like it. The class work took just such a great toll on him.
The Gryffindor had to admit that he had not often thought of his name any more than compare it to his father's name. Some people sometimes mixed up their first names for some reason, and so did some of the teachers. "Uhm, yeah, I guess," he felt obligated to comment on the girl's musings. He supposed that what she said was true. He decided to rather not comment on the clumsy Grace she was displaying. That would be rude.
It made sense what Grace was saying, it must be quite nice to run when there was nobody to disturb you. "Well, I play Quidditch. You've probably seen me on the pitch. We usually run together to warm up - the whole team. But, you know, if you want, I can join you some time. Sounds fun to run somewhere other than the Quidditch pitch," he offered with a kind smile.
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on May 1, 2019 8:32:45 GMT
"Oh... oh, right. Sorry. Maybe I should have looked better," Grace said, glancing at the books that were spread everywhere and biting her lip. It made sense for him to be studying as much as he could, given that he was a seventh year and he would be facing his NEWTs at the end of the year. He'd have to do well in them if he wanted a higher ranking career. "Do you, um... do you know what you want to do after school? I mean, after you graduate school that is. There's so many different career choices out there."
"Oh! Oh, Quidditch. I think... I think I've watched you play during the games before? You're the... the chaser, right? Or one of them. How long have you been on the team?" Grace asked curiously. She didn't want to play Quidditch and sometimes it got a little bit violent for her tastes, but overall she liked attending the games and cheering her friends on. Grace nodded enthusiastically at Leo's idea. "I'd like that! For you to run with me. I just... I'm a bit of an early bird. So I'm usually up every morning to go for a run. I-I know people don't really like waking up early, but it's really peaceful in the morning."
It might be because his mother had been hesitant at first when he told her about his choice of career, but he sometimes felt a little unsure about himself when someone prim and proper like this prefect asked him. But he decided to say it anyway, since she had already asked him. "I want to play Quidditch professionally," he said with as much bravado as he could. Maybe she would even find him cool for it.
"Yeah, I'm a chaser. I've played keeper a few times though, but being a chaser is much more exciting. It feels much more like you got the game in your hands, you know what I mean? I mean, as a keeper you just wait for things to happen, you know? But as a chaser you're doing stuff. Been on the team since my third year," he explained proudly. If there was anything he was proud of and which he could talk about for hours, it was Quidditch. Once started, it was hard to get him to stop talking about the subject. It was the pay-off for the 5+ magazines he had subscribed to which were all about Quidditch, brooms and plays.
Well, here was a dilemma, Leo thought when Gracie told him about early waking. That was one huge weakness of his. But now he had already agreed... "Yeah, sure, that's no problem for me," he replied convincingly. "When do you want to go? We can meet in the entrance hall." He had an idea that he might come to regret that on the morning of the date, but he would deal with that when it came.
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on May 5, 2019 9:48:07 GMT
When Leo said that he wanted to play Quidditch professionally, Grace's eyes light up because, "My brother wants to be a professional Quidditch player too, I think, or an Auror. I think you'd be really good at it - I mean, not just good. Excellent. I've, um... um, seen you play against Hufflepuff before and it's definitely... you'd be a good player." Merlin, this case of blabbermouth was really getting out of hand and after a moment's pause to catch her breath, Grace found herself blurting out, "Plus Quidditch players are really fit and you look like you're -"Fit. "Um, in shape."
As Leo described the rush of playing Quidditch and the way that it made him feel and the importance of it, Grace nodded along. It was nice to hear someone talk so passionately about what they were into. "I, um... I have a fear of flying. So I - I don't know exactly what it feels like but I'm sure it's marvelous," Grace said sincerely, nodding as she gave him a smile. "But sometimes it looks like the players can be quite rough, I've noticed. Especially the beaters! I bet you end up with a lot of bruises after games sometimes? My, um... I have some bruise removal paste if you ever need it? I've made it a couple of times, usually I get a lot of bruises and stuff just existing."
'That's no problem for me,' instantly had Grace breaking out into a big smile because wonderful. Not many people enjoyed running first thing in the morning! "Make sure you bring a big woolly jumper. You might end up taking it off but sometimes it can get awfully cold first thing in the morning," she told him. "I... well, we can go on a weekend? O-or maybe, er... a weekday? Like... when you don't have Quidditch practice maybe?"
Leo found himself beaming at the compliment. It meant a lot to him that she had seen him play and noticed him. Especially if her brother also wanted to go and play Quidditch after school, she must know a bit about the sport. And, quite honestly, he would take a compliment about his flying skills from anyone. He knew that he was quite good at it and he had put in the work for it too. He was glad that it was finally paying off. And not too soon, for it was not long anymore until he had to participate in try-outs with the big guys. However, never before had a girl complimented him on his looks in such a way. Or maybe he had missed because he was usually too busy thinking about Ryker. "Thanks," he said honestly with a smile. It was just one of the things he did for his future Quidditch career.
The Gryffindor chuckled at the mentioning of bruise removal paste. "If you get hit, you didn't pay attention. I know it might sound weird, but it's like a lesson, so I'd rather keep the bruises so I don't make the same mistake again, you know? But thanks for the offer," he added, noticing that he might sound rude for declining her kind offer. "But about flying, I can take you to the pitch some time. There's actually nothing to be afraid of. Especially if you're the only one in the air and you're not playing a game. I'm sure I can show you how to like flying," he offered enthusiastically. There was no such thing as fear of brooms in his world. She had just not had the right experiences yet. But he was sure that he could make her like it by showing her the right way.
To be quite honest, Leo felt a tiny bit guilty when the girl started smiling as he agreed to go with her. And that while it had been a lie that he reeeeally wanted. But it was good that it made her happy. However, at the thought of having to dress warm and getting cold first thing int he morning, Leo had to surpress a shiver. "A weekday, I guess. The captain usually gets us out first thing in the morning in the weekend," he explained and it felt like he was signing up for his personal version of hell. This better be worth it, he thought.
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on May 14, 2019 9:12:34 GMT
When Leo thanked her for the compliment, relief rushed over Grace because okay... okay, he was okay with that, definitely not angry and what a relief that was. "You're welcome," she said, offering him a small smile.
The explanation of bruises being like a lesson had Grace nodding slowly because she'd never really thought about it that way, but it made sense. "Well... if you ever, um... if you ever need any, you know where to find me, I'm sure," Grace said, nodding slowly. Until he offered to take her on the pitch and she blanched. "No... no, I, um... I'd probably end up crashing. That's what happened when I was little. I ended up all banged up and I actually still have a scar on my tummy from landed on a bunch of brushes. I don't trust myself flying all by myself." If someone else was on the broom, someone experienced, she'd trust them... just not herself. She had a profound lack of faith in her own ability.
"Wonderful! That's... okay, awesome. Well... maybe we could, um... we could meet up on Thursday and go for a run then?" she suggested, tucking some of her blonde strands behind her ear. This was so exciting, the idea of having somebody want to go running with her. Most people usually hated the early mornings, after all. "It's getting close to dinner, don't you think? Did you wanna walk to the great hall together or - I mean, if you don't want to then that's fine but... I just thought if you were heading that way already..." She'd understand if he said no though. Not everyone wanted to be seen with a sixth year especially when they were older, cooler seventh year.
Leo nodded at the offer of the bruise removal paste. However, he had the feeling that the moment he needed that, he'd be in the hospital wing already with a broken bone or so, he would not be surprised. That was when he'd need it.
When Leo heard that Gracie didn't trust herself to fly he decided not to believe one bit of it. The broom did all the flying for you! Instead he grinned. "I'm sure you can fly just fine," he reassured her. "But if you're that scared of crashing, you can fly with me. You know I don't crash, right? You'll see, you'll love flying when a pro shows you how to do it!" The chaser might be a bit too enthusiastic, but this was what always happened when someone expressed doubts about flying or quidditch. He would not rest until he had them convinced. Because to him it was his everything. And he could not see how anyone could have a different opinion. "Let's make a deal: I go for a run with you but you have to come to the pitch with me in exchange. I promise on my honour as a Gryffindor that I'll look after you and that you'll be safe, ok?" He hoped that his pompous oath might persuade the timid girl to trust him, even though he was still smiling with enthusiasm and happiness at the prospect.
"Uhm, yeah, sure," he agreed to the date suggestion, doing his best to hide that his smile was not 100 percent honest. He hoped his face would not give him away.
He was still dreading the idea of the early morning run when Gracie reminded him of food. They could head inside for dinner! About time too! "Oh yeah!" he agreed distractedly, wondering how he could have forgotten about dinner. "Let me just pack my stuff, it'll just be a second," he assured her before he dove for his books, pushing them all hurriedly into his school bag. Some parchment still peaking out of his bad and a broken quill lying in the grass, he straightened up. "Ready when you are."
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on May 18, 2019 5:48:39 GMT
Despite Leo's reassurances, Grace still wasn't certain that she could, in fact, fly a broom and instead her tummy started fluttering with nerves at even the thought. "I don't know... I... maybe," she said softly. She really wanted to go running with him and he seemed extremely confident, so maybe... maybe this was possible. If they flew together, it sounded like she'd be safe with no crashes in sight.
Once Leo had gathered up all of his things, Grace smiled as she walked with him back to the castle. Talking to him had been a lot of fun, and she was excited to hang out with him a little bit more on Thursday. Perhaps they'd continue to get along, maybe even become friends as well in the process. She'd just have to wait and see.
