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!
As Jack waited for his sixth and seventh year students to start arriving, his eyes swept over his classroom, trying to see if there was anything he'd missed. But it looked good so far, the platform he'd conjured into the middle of the room slightly raised, allowing for students to gather either side to spectate and study their peers dueling skills against each other.
Five minutes after the bell had rang, Jack waited for the last of his students to shuffle into the classroom, before shooting them all a smile, clapping his hands together in front of him. "Welcome everyone. As you all know, we've been practicing non-verbal spells over the last few weeks, both inside and hopefully outside of class," Jack started. "Non-verbal spells are particularly helpful if you would like to throw a jinx or a defensive spell to catch another person off-guard, surprise them so to speak."
"Today we'll be using non-verbal and verbal defensive spells on one another again, but instead of breaking off into small groups, you will all take turns dueling one another up on this platform," Jack said, gesturing towards the platform in question. "This is different from last lesson because it is quick-fire. You will not get warned before spells are used, just like in a real life duel. I want everyone to participate in this exercise because if you ever end up dueling another, preparation is key."
"The way this will work is that two people - for example, Miss Creedence and Mr Delgado, will step onto the stage. Whoever wins that duel, will go on to face the next person, and so on. The winner of each duel will receive 5 house points, but the person left standing at the end will receive a very hefty prize of 50 house points," Jack told them, eyes sweeping over them carefully. "Now. Before we begin, I should make it clear that the way to win this duel is by disarming or stunning your opponent. Preferably, nobody will end up in the hospital wing today. We are only using spells within reason, no nasty spells that cause grievous harm or that cannot be reversed easily."
With that said, Jack gestured towards the stage. "I'll let everyone decide who will begin first. Step onto the stage, face each other and bow. Then on my count of three, you can start."
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
Post by MAVICAN JONES on Jun 12, 2019 11:29:41 GMT
THERE IS A THIN LINE
between what is good and what is evil
I will tiptoe down that line but I will feel unstable
Dueling. The worst kind of fighting Mavican ever would get into but she was feeling a sense of having to do something. She knew that people would have their eyes on her but not because they recognize her talents, they only recognize what she made them recognize the past two years. The redhead got up first, the sooner she'd be done with it the better right? The girl frowned a bit and eyed Jack before the others.
"I'll go first." she said and took her wand out of her pocket with a small shrug. She could care less about who she was facing, she'd either win or lose with her dignity still in place.
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Jun 13, 2019 11:56:06 GMT
Duelling.... was not something that Grace wanted to do, not if she had a choice in the matter, and as soon as Professor O'Connor announced that's exactly what they were doing today in class, her stomach instantly sank like a stone in water. She didn't want to accidentally hurt anybody, that was a given, but she didn't want to stand in front of the entire class and embarrass herself either... which seemed to be pretty much a given too. She didn't have the reflexes to defend herself, and spells didn't even work half the time for her. She just knew she was going to be disarmed in 0.0001 seconds, or hit with the very first spell thrown at her. This was a nightmare.
But as Mavican stepped up on the platform and Grace's stomach ached with nerves, she knew that ultimately it was better to get this over with. It was better to face someone earlier than later on, right? She didn't want to face someone who she had to watch win duel after duel, and let the tension inside of her keep growing taut. Without a word, Grace stepped onto the platform opposite Mavican and bowed. Then with her shaking fingers, she pointed her wand, getting ready to say something, a spell... or anything, really, at the count of three. But when Professor O'Connor said '3' loud and clear, nothing came out, fear choking up her throat immediately.
TAG: MAVICAN JONES NOTES: discussed what was gonna happen with ollie! <3
Post by MAVICAN JONES on Jun 13, 2019 12:23:10 GMT
THERE IS A THIN LINE
between what is good and what is evil
I will tiptoe down that line but I will feel unstable
Well let's get this over and done with. She honestly hoped she would just face some weirdo, get her wand dropped rather than her panties for once and just move on. Mavican loved being someone's center of attention but she wasn't into the group thing, too much to share with. Her expression was one of a rather bored person and she rose an eyebrow when it was Grace.
"No worries cupcake, I'll go easy on you." she winked and moved her wand, silently using a simple disarming spell that would make Grace drop her wand and give the girl a break. She wasn't going to hurt the bean. She watched Grace's wand fly from her hand and caught it with her own.
"Here you go, told you, no pain." she said and smiled a bit. Grace was one of her few actual friends here.
and i'm calling for my mother/as i pull the pillars down
150 posts
5 likes
Post by NADEZHDA KAREVA on Jun 15, 2019 15:50:54 GMT
"I'll go next." Nadya's voice sounded from the back of the class where she usually sat. It would be better to choose who she dueled rather than leave it up to chance, and although she didn't know Mavican all that well, she thought it would be easier to fight a sixth-year than a seventh. Taking her wand off her desk, she made her way down to the platform, footsteps echoing quietly on the floor, taking her place across from the much shorter girl who was already there. Shaking her hair back behind her shoulders so it wouldn't get in the way, she raised her wand, waiting for the professor to count down.
The Russian girl did not have much experience with dueling, though she did have a list of defensive spells stored in her memory just in case she ran into any situations where it was needed--and considering the amount of time she spent in the Forbidden Forest, risking detention and perhaps her limbs, those might be useful. But here she needed offensive spells. Win a few points for Slytherin, make Professor O'Connor be a little more willing to give her a good grade this year...
"One... two... three..."
"Expelliarmus!" Nadya hissed the incantation as fast as possible, hoping to get it out before Mavican was able to shoot off her own spell. She watched the redhead's wand arc out of her hand, falling to the ground about halfway between them.
Post by ALANA VALENTINO on Jun 22, 2019 11:11:33 GMT
Alana’s fingers curled into her palms as the Professor announced that they were going to duel. The blonde loved the thrill of a good, magical fight and as Mavican took the stage Alana was more than ready to step up and deal the bitch a decently wicked curse or two. It was only Aiden’s hand on her arm that stopped the vampire from such action, her dark eyes glaring at her twin brother who shook his head in warning: no. It was probably for the best, as the more excited the hungrier she became and Mavican would bring out the worst, most basic instincts no doubt. When she disarmed the feeble Grace, Alana’s lips began to curl into a sinister smile. Maybe now was her chance?
Another blonde took the stage though and made quick work of the hideously freckled freak of Ravenclaw. Alana glared Mavican down as she had to leave the stage in disgrace; the hunger for blood was beginning to rise as she moved away from Aiden. Now was the girl’s time to shine against a seventh year and the vampire in her be damned. With confidence, the petite girl adjusted her robes as she stepped onto the platform that O’Connor had prepared. ”Are you ready for a proper duel, Nadya? Or are you only interested in playing who can disarm quickest?” the girl askedHer shoulders rolled back and Alana took a moment to get herself into a proper duelling stance, wand ready to cause Nadya as much damage as possible within the confines of their assignment.
The moment that Professor said ’THREE’, Alana was ready. She didn’t want Nadya to have a chance to block her spell and so she sent a non-verbal ’FLIPENDO’ almost the instant the syllable had left the teacher’s mouth. Almost as if she’d begun the non-verbal as Jack was finishing the number two. With the spell hitting Nadya, Alana moved forward eagerly, ready to send another hit. Perhaps she should aim to snip something off the woman?
But then it hit her. The blood lust was propelling Alana forward and she could smell blood somewhere - before she could get a handle of herself Alana threw her wand across the room and took a run at Nadya, her free hands reaching for where the blood was screaming at her. She was so hungry.
TAG: NADEZHDA KAREVA NOTES: discussed what was gonna happen with Kasia <3
As Jack stood to the side, he watched with hawk-like eyes as Mavican climbed up onto the platform first, wondering who would face her. It turned out to be Grace, and he knew that within seconds, the Hufflepuff girl would be disarmed. He'd taught her for sixth years, and Mavican was fairly decent at defensive magic. It didn't surprise him when Grace was disarmed seconds later. "Five points to Ravenclaw. Who's facing Mavican next?" he called out.
Next up was Nadezhda, somebody he knew for a fact had quite good reflexes, and performed decently in his class. He wasn't certain who would get the leg up in this duel, however he didn't have to wait long because Mavican was disarmed a second later... two students, in two duels so far. He just hoped the next duel would be a bit more challenging. "Five points to Slytherin."
Who would be next? It turned out to be Alana Valentino, someone he needed to keep a closer eye on. He wasn't daft, he'd noticed her interest in the dark arts over the last few years, and not to mention... a few changes in her since the start of this year. An aversion to spending too long in the sun, not touching any of the garlic-flavoured dishes at dinner... they were all markers of a particular creature, but it could have also just been a coincidence. He hadn't asked her about it, because he didn't have strong enough evidence yet.
As soon as the word 'three' left Jack's mouth, Alana had the upper hand perhaps a bit too early, Nadezhda knocked back with a certain amount of force. He didn't step in though, because the aim of the game was to disarm or stun your opponent. Nadezhda still had a chance to recover, or... so he thought, but then Alana wand hit the floor with a clatter and she was launching forward, her teeth bared, the two front canines sharp as a shard of glass.
"MOVE BACK," Jack bellowed at his other students, deep voice filling the room as he leapt onto the stage. Wordlessly and wandlessly, he threw an stupefy towards Alana, rendering her unconscious. Immediately, guilt gathered in his stomach over the fact that he'd just stupefied a student, but... it was for the greater good, for all of them. It meant Nadya had not been attacked, that the rest of his students weren't traumatised.
Clearing his throat, Jack addressed Aiden next, "Mr. Valentino, take Miss Kareva to the hospital wing please. Drop her there, then come straight back." He needed to get the twins separated, or else who knew what chaos could erupt next. "Now, for the rest of you... class is dismissed for the day. I need to have a word with Miss Valentino. We'll resume this class again tomorrow, do you understand?" There was no way that they could continue after a near attack on another student.
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
Post by AIDEN VALENTINO on Jun 23, 2019 8:17:56 GMT
No one could accuse Aiden of not trying to avoid this entire situation. It was Professor O'Connor that should be blamed for what unfolded because if he had just given Aiden fair enough warning of what was happening this particular lesson then the human twin would have insisted that the vampire feed this morning. He would have some how held Alana back from competing... really anything would be preferable to what transpired on that damned stage as Alana prepared herself to win the duel against a very competent seventh year. His ocean eyes darted between his sister, the teacher, and the rest of the class. Honestly, if Aiden had any ability to stop this covertly then he would have.
Instead, Aiden rocked nervously on the ball of his feet, his fingers curled around his wand and hidden by his robes. This was not good. Not. Good. The moment O'Connor spoke and Nadya was taken out, Aiden knew that Alana was out of control. Aiden moved forward almost as if he was pulled by the same strings as his twin, but quickly the teacher had the vampire knocked out. "Alana!" the brother squeaked out as he attempted to catch the blonde sister before she crashed onto the stage. His arms only just managed to catch the very edges of her robes; it didn't do anything to stop her fall. Aiden's cheeks flushed with anger and he glared up at the professor as his hands held some of Alana's torn robes.
Aiden wanted to curse the Professor out with all the terrible words under the sun, but even more importantly he wanted to curse the teacher for putting his sister down like a dog. "Get someone else to be your errand boy, O'Connor," Aiden growled as he knelt down to his sister to pick her up from her crumpled little pile on the ground. He was tender as he tucked her golden locks out of her face and checked her over for damage. She had a cracked lip - he believed it was probably where her sharp canines had pierced her lips on contact with stage. "Where's her wand? Accio Alana's wand," he summoned it, completely ignoring the teacher in favour of his twin.
Post by KAYLIE ROUSSEAU on Jun 23, 2019 9:02:38 GMT
And while you are sitting indoors waiting for the storm to pass I will be outside dancing in the rain
❧
Something fun turned into something gruesome rather soon. Kaylie was no stranger to her girlfriend's vampirism but this was well.. not what she expected to see. She watched the scene like it happened in slow motion but her hands turned into fists when the professor bloody petrified her girlfriend. There were other means surely! The blonde just like Aiden rushed to Alana's side and sighed.
She watched Aiden take care of her and knew she had not much in her that wasn't anger. She knew Alana was in good hands and just got up giving Aiden a nod and then turned to the other girl. "Girl get your ass up and move. Don't think I will carry you for being a dumb idiot." she grumbled. She was trying very hard not to lose her patience.
"I'll make sure you don't fall down the bloody stairs."
I will tiptoe down that line but I will feel unstable
Ryker judged and she judged hard as people got their asses handed to them in this class. It was then that Alana was supposed to duel and instead went cannibal. That was one of the last drops in Ryker's mind that made the bucket flow over. It was her sister's sixteenth birthday and she should've been here right next to her but instead Alana was there, a monster in her own way and free to walk the halls.
"A talk, all she is getting is a bloody talk and my sister is homeless. Screw you." she said and bumped into Kaylie who heard what Ryker said and responded with a swift fist in her face. Ryker grumbled and hit her back before giving Morgan an apologizing look and headed out of the classroom.
This was bullshit and everyone knew it. She was going to put an end to it, one way or another.
Defense Against the Dark Arts, if you asked Vinda, was a decent subject, taught by a Professor who was a disgrace. A vocal werewolf supporter, one who believe that they had a place in their society. Like they belonged. They didn't. None of them did. They were monsters, and she didn't want to share the world with them. They disgusted her down to her very core, and that's why she was so diligently helping her brother solve the problem. If the Ministry wouldn't, then they would. Rules be damned.
Today's lesson was dueling and with a satisfied twist of her lip, Vinda stood back and watched, arms folded over her petite chest. Dueling wasn't her strongest form of magic, but she could hold her own in a fight. Especially against some of these simpering idiots, like Grace Longbottom and Mavican Jones, who got disarmed within seconds. Pathetic. As was the blonde girl on stage, that... veela, that didn't belong in their world either. She deserved to be taken out and when Alana stepped onto the stage, Vinda knew that she had it covered. The Valentinos were good stock, the both of them, and made the pureblood reputation proud.
Tossing her blonde locks back, Vinda took on the role of onlooker, eyes tracking Alana carefully who within seconds of hearing the 'THREE' flipped Nadezhda and then suddenly, discarded her wand, launching towards the incapacitated soul... immediately, disgust curdled in Vinda's stomach because what the fuck. She was meant to be one of the good ones, a pureblood like herself, and she was sporting fangs. Fangs. It was an abomination, and Vinda couldn't bear to look at her any longer.
So as soon as O'Connor told them to leave, that's what she did, pushing coolly past her classmates and into the hall. She needed to write to Pierre, tell him another one of them was corrupted. Another pureblood family needed to be scrubbed out of their contact list. They couldn't be trusted.
and i'm calling for my mother/as i pull the pillars down
150 posts
5 likes
Post by NADEZHDA KAREVA on Jun 23, 2019 16:37:56 GMT
There had not even been time for Nadya to begin a spell before she felt the Knockback Jinx hit her like a punch in the chest, sending her flying across the stage to its very edge, one long leg catching the edge at an awkward angle, and she was unable to catch herself as she tumbled to the ground, a sharp pain rocketing through her head as she hit what must have been the corner of the stage. Still gripping her wand, she forced her eyes back open to continue the duel despite the wound, only to see Alana flying at her with no wand to be seen, and she had to blink rapidly, wondering if the pain was making her see things. Everything seemed rather like a blur in the next few seconds, the professor leaping between them, her opponent crumpling to the floor, some of the other students rushing down to surround her.
Nadya put a hand to the side of her head where the pain was worst, feeling sticky wetness in her hair and pulling her fingers back to see bright red. So that was what hurt so much... She lowered her hand back to the ground, starting to push herself gingerly to her feet, when she saw Kaylie Rousseau standing above her, snarking. Her eyes narrowed even as they watered.
"I think I can walk on my own, thanks," Nadya said, though her voice came out weaker than she intended. She could already feel anger rising behind the pain, and she clenched her fists, willing herself not to sprout any feathers in front of them all. Slowly, she got her legs under herself, and though she thought she might be swaying a bit, she took a few steps toward the door.
As the second duel of the class period commenced Melinda blinked in confusion at what had just occurred. Unless her eyes were playing tricks on her, Melinda was certain she saw Alana with fangs much like her own once she launched herself towards Nadya.
In some ways it was kind of like looking in a mirror even though Melinda didn't like Alana. She was a vampire and Melinda didn't want to be responsible for hurting another student if her own bloodlust ever took over at the wrong moment. That was why Melinda mostly tried to stay away from other people when classes were done. As Professor O'Connor called for an abrupt end to today's class Melinda left the room immediately before the scent of blood from Nadya's head wound could get to her.
'Get someone else to be your errand boy,' immediately had Jack pinching the bridge of his nose for a minute before he crouched down next to Aiden, his knees cracking with the effort. He understood the boy's concern, it was only natural given his close relationship with his sister. He would be angry if someone were to stupefy Maggie, but he knew that in the long run that if Maggie was to attack people and land herself in Azkaban, he would be furious that nobody stopped this from happening.
"Mr. Valentino, you'll do well to heed my advice because once everyone leaves the classroom, I am planning on doing a counter spell, bringing the hospital wing healer down here and offering your sister some blood alternatives I have kept in my fridge. She may be your sister, but it is not safe for anyone without formal training on vampires - including you - to be in this room. She's had a whiff of blood, she will no doubt try to attack anyone in sight. It doesn't matter if you're her twin or not," Jack told him, voice firm and abundantly clear that he wasn't about to listen to any arguments from him. "Now, I understand she's your sister but you need to leave the classroom, or you will be facing the loss of house points and possibly detention which doesn't reflect well on you given that you are a prefect."
Standing back up, Jack shook his head as he caught the words coming from Kaylie Rousseau, aimed straight at Nadezhda. "Miss Rousseau, you can move away from her. She doesn't need you, or anybody else speaking to her like that. That's twenty points from Slytherin," Jack chided, before he watched Nadya get up in what seemed like a Herculean effort. She looked like she was going to faint and at first, Jack almost asked Melinda Price to help, but the girl was leaving as fast as she could. So instead, his eyes settled on Mavican. "Miss Jones, I trust you will be able to assist Miss Kareva to the hospital wing and ensure she gets there safely, yes? Please tell the matron I need to borrow one of her healers as well. Thank you."
Just as Jack was hoping this whole situation was getting under control, he heard the mutterings between Kaylie and Ryker, and looking up to see two punches thrown. If he wasn't more profession, Jack would have been swearing up a blue streak right now. "That's twenty points from each of you and detention for both of you. As much as you dislike one another, coming to physical blows is absolutely unacceptable. I will see you tonight after dinner in my classroom," Jack said, voice tight as he leveled his gaze at his students once more. "Now, class is dismissed. I will see you next lesson."
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
Post by AIDEN VALENTINO on Jun 26, 2019 7:25:58 GMT
Despite focusing on his twin and brushing off the direct order from his teacher - whom he, for the most part, respected even if that halo around his head was a bit to freaking bright sometimes - Aiden was hyper aware of a lot that was going on around him. His sister's food girlfriend nodding uselessly beside him before doing him the courtesy of 'assisting' Nadya. Mannerless mudblood, Aiden thought with the anger that brewed inside him about this entire situation. Both he and Alana had tried their best for so long to avoid this situation, so everyone will need to forgive Aiden for being a little bitch about it.
The teacher was crouching down next to Aiden and Alana; the boy's searing eyes tearing away from Alana as her broken lip was already repairing itself and onto the Prof. He mentally cursed himself as he realised that his fingers were curling cruelly tight in Alana's golden locks - if she was conscious she'd have turned her head to the side and ripped a vicious chunk out of his wrist in retaliation. His jaw was clenched so tight that it was entirely possible his teeth would explode from the pressure as he took in O'Connor's words.
He was perhaps unlucky that Aiden had loose curls at the nape of his neck and that he was talented with charm-work, because Aiden wanted badly to refute the fact that his twin would be of danger to him. Perhaps in the beginning but certainly not any more. Yet he had no physical proof and he wouldn't make a bad situation worse by exposing the pair of them further. "Fine." It was the only word that Aiden could get out. Next thing Aiden knew, Kaylie and Ryker were coming to blows over... over what? had Aiden heard Ryker's ridiculous statement about her sister being homeless, he'd have pointed out that being HOMELESS was a reflection on her own fucked up family and no one else. How embarrassing for the Youngs to have a homeless sibling. Better to pretend they were dead or never born at all.
Getting to his feet, Aiden passed his sister's wand to the Professor wordlessly before he walked towards the unfortunate seventh year. Mavican Jones was trusted to take Nadya to the healer's ward? Yeah good luck not getting even more assaulted on your way down there, Aiden thought bitterly as he straightened his robes and walked over to the half-veela. He didn't like being around her; he didn't like being out of control and veela had a way of making that impossible to avoid.
"Nadezdha, I offer sincere apologies for my sister's behaviour and that of her... of Kaylie. And for myself, for not having assisted you when asked," the words were stiff but his eyes sincere enough. Having been relieved of the duty of guiding her down to the ward, though, Aiden turned on his heel first to address Professor O'Connor, "I will go ahead of Kareva and Jones and send a healer to assist you, so the ladies can go at an easier pace."
With that, Aiden exited swiftly - with one last fleeting glance at his stupefied twin sister.