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 Jul 21, 2019 2:35:52 GMT
Grace's eyes dropped to her arm that was caked in dry blood, covered in cuts, trying her best not to sniffle. It was over, done with, and so why didn't she feel happy? Why wasn't she relieved that she made it out alive, rushed to the hospital wing to wait for the matron to tend to her injuries? She should feel grateful that she was safe, but instead she was just... sad, for a myriad of reasons.
She was upset that somebody would take it upon themselves to attack a room full of students, many of whom were only attending the dance for the first time. It was meant to be a happy night, full of love and laughter and fun, but instead it had become a night full of tragedy, of students having their safe haven violated by people like... like Theo Nottingham, and why? She didn't know. She had no clue what had driven him and the others to do such a dreadful thing.
As she stared at her arm, it wasn't until hot drips fell onto the dried up blood that she realised she was crying. This time, she did sniffle as she reached up quickly wipe her tears away. She wasn't the most injured in the hospital wing, she didn't have a right to cry.
The sound of another student sitting on the bed next to hers made Grace's eyes shoot in that direction, and instantly she inhaled shakily because, "Emil? What... what happened to... to you?"
lived like you told me how, look at me now/the whole world's bringing me down
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Post by EMIL ZALEWSKI on Jul 25, 2019 1:49:04 GMT
"It's nothing. Just my leg. Are you alright, though? You're still bleeding."
It wasn't nothing. After being thrown into the air by one of the attacking students, Emil had hit his knee hard against the floor, The adrenaline of the moment had prevented him from realizing just how bad it was in the darkness, but when the hall had finally calmed down, he had found that putting any amount of weight on his leg was practically unbearable. He'd had to lean on a fourth-year girl just to make it up to the hospital wing, feeling terrible that he considered casting a lightening charm on himself only too late. He sat heavily on the bed next to Grace's, trying not to think about the pain that was still radiating through him.
The events of the night seemed to add an additional weight to him, as well. It had been impossible for them all to defend themselves against their own classmates. If even the seventh-years were struggling, how much more had it frightened all the younger students? And, furthermore, Emil knew that if his parents were ever to hear about what had happened, they would bar him from returning to school after Christmas in a heartbeat. When the werewolf attack had happened, he hadn't been able to keep that knowledge from them, but then there had been the importance of finishing his O.W.L.s to remind them of. He wasn't obligated to finish school now, just as it would be in the Muggle world, and his parents knew it.
When he saw Grace begin to cry, he wanted to reach out to hug his fellow prefect, but standing up was simply not going to happen until the hospital wing matron made it all the way to their beds. It was more important for the most injured to be treated first, anyway. Instead, he waited to see if Grace wanted to talk about it more.
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Jul 25, 2019 5:58:35 GMT
It's nothing, was Emil's reply to Grace but having an injured leg wasn't nothing. In fact, it was a lot worse than having an arm scratched up and caked in old blood, although going off what Emil had said, there was fresh blood too. Probably a result of it rubbing the wrong way and with a quick glance down, Grace saw the bloody stains on the coarse, stark white hospital blanket covering her lap. That would do it... "I... I didn't realise I was still - if I swore, I... gosh, I think I'd be saying some pretty choice words right now," she told Emil, grimacing. "I... if I had my wand... I'd... I'd try to tergeo the blood... but I didn't bring it. I didn't have anywhere to put it - I..."
It had been foolish, leaving it behind in the dorms, but the dress she was wearing... there were no hidden pockets, and the front of her dress dipped down too far to hide it in the bodice, and... and she wasn't wearing stockings, so she couldn't hide it in the waistband of them either. "Did you... how did hurt your leg? Can you walk on it? Is anything broken?" Grace asked, question after question pouring from her mouth, brows furrowing with concern. "If it's broken, we should tell the matron... I think that's a priority injury, a broken limb."
Realising that Emil had asked her a question about her arm, before she started worrying over him, Grace glanced down at it once more and winced. "I... the sculptures, when they exploded... Sam, he jumped in front of me, but I still... when I went to cover my face, they got my arm. But... but that's not what - there were first years there, Emil. I don't... I don't care about my arm, not that much, but they... gosh, their faces. They looked so... so terrified, like they'd seen a monster. They didn't deserve that, nobody deserved having to go through that, but... the rest of their school years, whenever they go into the great hall, that's what they'll think of."
lived like you told me how, look at me now/the whole world's bringing me down
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Post by EMIL ZALEWSKI on Jul 28, 2019 2:31:12 GMT
The hospital wing was starting to fill with noise, both injured students and those who were simply shaken up all arriving to be checked on. Where Emil was sitting with Grace, he could see a group of younger students--must be first or second-years--carrying up a friend who seemed to be unconscious, worried looks on all their faces. If he could walk, he would go over there in an instant to see what could be done, but as it was--he would have to wait. He wouldn't ask Grace to try to help them while she was still crying.
"It might be broken," he said, trying to examine his leg despite the fact that he could barely move it. "I wasn't really able to walk on it, coming up here. But if it is, it's not like it will become more broken while I'm sitting here. I'll wait with you." His wand was still in his right hand where he had been gripping it throughout the entire incident, and while he had forgotten about it while trying to make it over to the bed, he raised it again when Grace mentioned she didn't have hers. "Tergeo," he said, pointing it at the blood on the girl's arm. "That should help with some of it." He smiled as much as he could, even through all the worry.
Looking back at the students gathering around the room, though, it was hard to keep smiling. "You're right, they shouldn't have had their night ruined like that. To know they didn't know enough to defend themselves..." He pressed his lips together, thinking. "Do you think we should do something about it? Organize a new event that wouldn't go so wrong?"
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Aug 1, 2019 5:51:09 GMT
With the back of her bare hand, Grace swiped at her eyes, wiping away the tears before they started to fall even faster, heavier. She didn't like crying in front of other people, it made her feel... gosh, it just made her feel so silly, even if she knew that Emil wouldn't tease her for it. He was too kind to do that, and she knew with a degree of certainty that he wouldn't go around and tell others she'd been a bit of an emotional wreck after what had happened at the ball.
When Emil shared with her that his leg may be broken, Grace swallowed hard, glancing over. She wondered if maybe the matron had some Skele-Gro laying around, although she very much doubted that even if she did, she'd let Grace administer it. "I suppose that's the... the good thing about the wizarding world, isn't it? Not that you have a broken leg, but the fact that the healer can mend it with one potion. I've heard that in the muggle world that it takes much longer, that you have to wear it in a... a... erm, sling, is it called?" she said, before suddenly Emil was pulling out his wand and saying 'tergeo.'In a matter of seconds, the blood on Grace's arm disappeared. "I wish I could help you, somehow... are you, um... sorry, I don't mean to pry too much, but are you okay? Besides the broken leg, like... like... emotionally? You don't have to - if it makes you uncomfortable, we don't have to talk about it, but it'd just be really... really nice to..." She was welling up again, tears prickling in her eyes, and letting out an almighty sniffle, Grace glanced down at her now clean dress. "I don't... I wish my mum or dad or even Arthur were here. I could... I could really do with a hug." She didn't know what had happened to Arthur at the ball, she'd tried to found out, but she'd been ushered to the hospital wing without answers. That was lingering on her mind too, worries of what had happened to him.
Certain that she wouldn't start crying again, Grace looked up at Emil, sending him a weak smile. "I... I think that's a very lovely idea, I just don't know how many people would show up, and how many would be worried of something like that happening again," she said softly. "But I think... I do think it's a good idea, I just... did you have anything in mind?"
lived like you told me how, look at me now/the whole world's bringing me down
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Post by EMIL ZALEWSKI on Aug 15, 2019 8:54:58 GMT
The sharp pain in Emil's leg was reminding him of being nine years old with his arm in a cast after a football match with friends--that and how many weeks he had been wearing it just to heal it. At Hogwarts, it was nothing to wait a few minutes for the hospital matron to come help and set him on the track to healing much quicker. He'd broken limbs in Quidditch matches before, and it hadn't been nearly as bad as healing the Muggle way. As long as nobody tried to make him walk anywhere right now, he would be fine.
"Yeah, I've broken bones before I came to Hogwarts. Takes around six weeks. You've got to put a cast on, which is a hard plaster thing, and sometimes a sling too. Much faster here, which is why I'm not too worried." Emil gave Grace a smile, hoping it might help her stop crying. He didn't begrudge the girl for crying--being attacked would freak anyone out--but he worried she was about to panic just when everything was finally calming down. He set his wand down on the bed next to him, giving her a sympathetic look instead. "I'd give you a hug, but I don't think I can get up. I'll tell you if I see Arthur, though. I'm sure he couldn't have gotten beaten up too bad." Arthur was Emil's classmate, and after knowing him for that long, Emil was sure the other boy could have handled the situation well.
Grace's question made him wonder about his own emotions, though. He hadn't been thinking about that. There had been too much concern with his injuries and making sure everyone else was alright that he hadn't really considered how the attack would affect him. "I'm not sure yet. I feel alright now, so maybe it hasn't hit me yet." He shrugged. "I'm just thinking about the rest of the students now. I don't have any ideas yet, for a new event, but I like the thought of doing it. Maybe not another dance. Some sort of festival that the younger ones would like, maybe?"
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Aug 16, 2019 2:01:02 GMT
"My gosh, six weeks. You'd think that... wow. I guess there are a lot upsides with living in a magical castle," Grace said with a soft smile, though it didn't quite meet her eyes. There were a lot of downsides too... and tonight proved that. They weren't as safe as they thought they were because of how easily they were attacked - but then again, who thought it'd be their fellow students attacking them? "I... I haven't really spent a lot of time in the muggle world, really. My, um... my dad's a pureblood and my mum's a half-blood but... her mum - she was a muggleborn - died in the war, and they didn't... we just don't really go venture there often, but I love a lot of muggle things. I really... I really like a lot of the muggle books, especially the ones they have in the library here."
Emil said if he could hug her, he would, and Grace didn't expect him to get up on his broken leg just to give her a hug. That would... she didn't want him to hurt himself even more. Sniffling a little at the mention of Arthur not being 'beaten up too bad', Grace's mind raced. Arthur was silly at times, what if he'd been one of those who tried to attack the attackers? Oh Merlin's beard... Grace's glanced around the hospital wing worriedly. "Do... do... do you think... gosh, he wasn't - he can be so bullheaded at times. Maybe he... he tried to... oh dear. He better not have, or I'll... I'll yell at him. Really bad, or maybe not because I don't want to upset him for trying to save the rest of Hogwarts and... maybe I'll just give him a... a hug." Grace was back to nibbling on her bottom lip, the skin turning a lighter white at the pressure.
"If... if you ever feel not 'alright,' you can always come and talk to me," Grace told Emil, eyes sincere because she meant it. She was always willing to give a listening ear, especially so for somebody who would do the same for her. "A... a festival. I like that. Maybe... maybe we could do a present party or something? Where people exchange gifts for Christmas. It doesn't have to be something new, either, just something they'd think someone else would like. Like... like a book they love, or a drawing, or even baked goods. I... and maybe they could draw names out of hat, so nobody misses out on getting a present?"
lived like you told me how, look at me now/the whole world's bringing me down
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Post by EMIL ZALEWSKI on Aug 26, 2019 6:52:44 GMT
"Yeah, there are plenty of upsides, aren't there? That's why I'm less worried here then I'd be at a Muggle school." Even if they didn't have the same issues in the Muggle world--no werewolf controversy, no spell damage--there were still plenty of bad things Emil could think of that could happen back home. And without magic to help out the healing process, he didn't even want to think how catastrophic that might be to a whole bunch of Muggle students. "My parents probably don't share the same opinion, but, well, what can you do?" he said, shrugging. "I wish I could bring them here sometimes and show them how Hogwarts really is." The Zalewskis were perpetually doubtful that their son was safe at school, let alone learning anything useful, and Emil wished he could do something to convince them otherwise.
Though, right after an attack did not seem like the right time at all.
"I could get you some other Muggle books, if you wanted?" he offered. "Over the break, I'm going home. Though--I guess you can just buy them in London, right? But if you do want anything, let me know." He shifted his leg on the bed, trying to find a place where it would hurt the least, though moving it just seemed to add more pain. He winced. At least that gave him a thought of how to reassure Grace. "Hey, if Arthur doesn't turn up here, you'll know he wasn't injured, right?" Emil didn't have any siblings, but he liked to think it was just like having very good friends. "I'm sure he'd love a hug from you."
As Grace began to offer ideas, the wheels in Emil's head started to turn, thinking of more and more possibilities. "What about a Secret Santa? It would be a lot to do for the whole school, but we could probably organize it somehow, like with drawing names, like you said. And we could ask the house-elves if they could cook food, for a holiday meal!" They could probably skip the giant tree this time, he thought, which reminded him that he had to check on Ollie later. They had wanted all the prefects to help, but so many of them had been hurt in the attack. Emil hoped the other Hufflepuff hadn't tried to overexert herself.
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Sept 6, 2019 8:37:05 GMT
Grace had gone to never been to a muggle school but the way that Emil referred to the school like the safety of it was something to be worried about... well, it made her almost grateful that she hadn't gone to one. Grace glanced at Emil curiously as he mentioned that he wanted to show his parents how Hogwarts 'really was.' "Do... do they approve of the whole magic thing or... 'cause I know some muggleborns whose parents don't really understand and think it's all a bit... odd." It was difficult to grasp a world without being full immersed in it, she understood that much. She knew things about the muggle world, but she didn't truly know what it was like because she hadn't really ventured into it before.
Emil suggested that he could get her some muggle books and immediately, Grace's eyes light up because, "Do you know any really good ones that I could borrow? I, um... well, the Leaky is in London but we don't really get out that much and go shopping during the holidays. Usually it's all hands on deck because the Leaky's so busy and Dad's always doing work with his plants and..." It was a long-winded explanation for such a simple point and so Grace ended up just quietening at the end of her sentence. She nodded slowly at Emil's words though, that if Arthur weren't in the hospital ring then he probably wasn't injured. "I just... unless he was injured so badly he ended up in St. Mungos, right? I heard... I heard that's where the attackers were sent, so I hope that's not what happened."
"Oh! A Secret Santa. That's a marvelous idea," Grace said, nodding eagerly. "Perhaps a sign up list, so we only involved those who want to be involved? I don't think everyone will want to be, but... for those who are interested, it's a good idea maybe?" It sounded like a plan, especially with getting the house elves involved.
lived like you told me how, look at me now/the whole world's bringing me down
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Post by EMIL ZALEWSKI on Sept 14, 2019 16:42:31 GMT
No, they didn't approve. The Ministry had really had to pressure Emil's parents for them to allow him to go to Hogwarts, explaining the consequences if he didn't have magical training. They didn't trust magic; they thought it was dark and dangerous, no matter how many times Emil told them that they learned Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was why he wanted to become an Auror when he graduated instead of aiming for the History of Magic professor job--he wanted to show the good side of magic. "They don't really get it, no," he explained, his mouth twisting into a frustrated expression. "I don't think they'll like it when they hear about the attack, but I'm sure somebody will tell them." He sighed. "At least I hope they won't demand I leave school."
He leaned against the pillows on the bed, hoping that, even if his leg could never be comfortable right now, his back might be. "Let's talk about better things. I'm sure I can find you some good books--are there any that you want in particular? I don't live in London, so it'll have to wait until I get back to school." Unlike those in wizarding families, Emil didn't have the Floo Network connected to his house, nor did anyone own a broomstick--he himself had to play Quidditch on a school broom. Getting to London from where he lived would be several hours' journey.
"And a sign-up list sounds perfect--should we get all the other prefects to help us plan? So we can divide the work?" Emil wasn't averse to organizing a meeting once he was able to walk normally again. He was fairly sure that being Head Boy gave him the right to at least ask if the others wanted to be involved. It was a chance to bring some cheer to the whole school--much better for their reputations than taking away everyone's house points all the time.
Post by GRACE LONGBOTTOM on Sept 22, 2019 13:23:41 GMT
Grace's lips pulled into a frown as she listened to Emil explain that no, his parents didn't real 'get it.' It must have been difficult for everyone involved in his family, to have a son who's a wizard and who obviously would want to learn how to control their gift by attending a school for magic. She was fortunate in the fact that she had two parents who had both attended Hogwarts themselves, albeit not in the best circumstances. "I hope they're okay with it. I mean... Hogwarts is the safest place for you, and you get to learn how to control your gift," Grace said quietly. "I... surely if they object, a Professor can go speak to them, right?"
Grace was grateful for the continuation of the conversation about books, 'better things' as Emil had called them. "Hmm, I like... I like romance books, and... books about adventures too. Anything in that genre... whereabouts do you live in the UK?" Grace had never thought to ask that question before really. It wasn't that she thought everyone lived in London, not at all, but it just had never come up between the two of them before.
"Oh, definitely. I can ask Aid - um, I can ask them next time I go on rounds with them, and I'm sure you can too," Grace enthused, the name Aiden dying on her tongue just because... well, she didn't want to seem like she was playing favourites with a certain prefect. She was certain though that once word got spread around amongst them, all of the prefects would be eager to join in however.
Glancing up, Grace spied the matron finally heading over towards them, the matron's eyes focused on Emil's leg intently.
lived like you told me how, look at me now/the whole world's bringing me down
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Post by EMIL ZALEWSKI on Sept 26, 2019 3:34:10 GMT
"They're--mostly alright with it, I guess," Emil said, shrugging. "Ministry told them they had to be, seven years ago. And I'm almost eighteen, so that will be easier--then I'm an adult for Muggles." Although that didn't change that he had to live with his parents, and that he cared about their opinion. Even if there was tension, he still didn't want to abandon his family. "If there's a problem, I'll ask the Headmistress what can be done." He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. The Headmistress had a lot to worry about, but she was probably the person with the most influence. Or at least she could recommend a professor who knew how to talk to Muggles.
"I don't have many romance books, but I can find adventure books that have romance in them. How's that?" he asked. "I have a lot of historical fiction. How do you feel about knights? Maybe it's not that exciting anymore, since we go to school in a castle, but maybe you'll like them." Emil had been nervous when he'd first arrived at Hogwarts, but he had definitely been thrilled as soon he saw that he'd be living in a castle. "I live in Sheffield. My parents own a grocery store there. So it's quite the trip to London, even if you have a broomstick." Which he didn't have, though he hoped he'd have the money to buy his own once he got a job.
He looked up as the hospital wing matron was finally making her way over to his bed, asking him what the problem was. "My leg," he said, "I can't walk on it. I landed very hard on my knee, I think it might be broken." While she began to examine the limb, Emil glanced over at Grace. "You should talk to them, and I'll arrange a meeting sometime when I can walk again, alright? Oh, thank you," he said, turning back to the matron and accepting a vial of potion from her. Maybe one of these potions would let him sleep until his leg was less in pain.
