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 ALMIR VILGOT ASKELAND on May 5, 2020 10:59:32 GMT
Almir was looking forward to teaching a mixed class of Hogwarts students and Durmstrang students. For today’s class he had something special to show. Unfortunately he couldn’t go all the way big but the timing was right for a good glimpse in the world of magical beasts. “Welcome, welcome. Everyone please come with me. Despite the nice weather, I’m afraid today’s class will be held inside due to the condition today’s creature is in.” He went into the classroom which looked like they once were stalls. On the outside it looked rather small but once you entered, it was way bigger than the eye did believe. Inside of it were various harmless creatures, living in a natural habitat. Bats were hanging in a corner on the ceiling, Horklumps were growing here and there, some flobberworms were feasting on lettuce, bowtuckles peeked from their tree to the visitors and various more. It was a miniature self sustaining ecological atmosphere.
Almir took place at the center of the building and waited for the students to come in. There weren’t really tables like in usual classrooms. Instead there were several couches, making it look more like a theater than a classroom. “Everyone in? Check.” With a snap of his big fingers, the doors closed behind them. “Welcome to the classroom, this one is often used during bad weather as I prefer to give my students some fresh air. As we’re being joined by students from the lovely school I once attended, I feel like an introduction is in place. My name is Almir, while I prefer to use first names you can still call me Professor Askeland if you wish to. Now let’s get on to the fun part. Creatures! Before we get started I want to ask you: who of you has a wand containing a phoenix feather? And have you noticed what separates these wands from others?”
Post by LYDIA LLEWELLYN on May 6, 2020 8:49:42 GMT
LYDIA EIRA LLEWELLYN
As Lydia entered the Care of Magical Creatures classroom, one she had seldom seen the inside of during her past few years of taking the class, she had her hands shoved deep in her pockets. She wasn't exactly sure what they were learning today but knowing Almir, it was probably going to be a fun one. It always was, that's why she kept enrolling... and the fact that she had a very big love for animals, big or small, definitely didn't hurt either.
Instead of taking a seat on the couch as she noticed several students do, Lydia chose to stand by herself instead - although, was it really a choice or was in just an unfortunately consequence of being the year's social leper? Before she could think on that too hard and drag herself into the deep throes of depression, Almir began speaking about phoenix feathers and Lydia's eyebrows raised.
Wands with phoenix feathers as their cores were rather rare in comparison to ones with dragon heartstring or unicorn hair cores, so she'd be surprised if anyone had a wand with that core in their possession among the class. Her own wand - 9", chestnut, unicorn hair - definitely didn't fit the bill. But she did know the answer to the question - phoenix feather cores tended to make wands act of their accord, rather than necessarily play nice with their owner.
Post by CATHERINE 'KITTY' DENNISON on May 7, 2020 13:18:07 GMT
K
itty was practically bouncing up and down as she walked out to meet the Care of Magical Creatures class; the lessons were always so much fun, and the professor was great, and who wouldn't want to find out all about the amazing creatures that lived in the magical world? Especially for herself; the blonde was a Muggleborn, after all, and it never ceased to fill her with wonder to find that so many of the animals which she'd heard stories about growing up actually existed in real life! She'd practically squealed when she'd realised that yes, there was such a thing as a unicorn, and although they weren't quite as tame as she would personally have liked them to be, they were still such beautiful creatures, and she felt honoured just to be in the presence of something so graceful and lovely.
It wasn't going to be unicorns today, though, not if they were inside, and she spent the short trip racking her brains to try and work out what it was. Something small, obviously; maybe something that didn't like the British climate? In which case it probably came from somewhere warm, but whatever it was, she was sure that she would love it- and she was right! A phoenix... how awesome! She didn't think her own wand had such a core (though she honestly couldn't remember) and she glanced around the group to see if anyone would raise their hand. Happening to catch Lydia's eye, she reflected that the girl didn't seem very happy, and offered her her brightest smile.
maybe it is all a test/'cause i feel like i'm the worst, so i always act like i'm the best
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Post by MIA-ROSE LINWOOD on May 7, 2020 15:44:52 GMT
light up the sky
The fact that class was being held indoors that day was mildly disappointing, Mia-Rose thought. Half the fun of Care of Magical Creatures was the fact that Almir cared little for the precautions that other professors took, instead bringing all manner of creatures to them--and even, once, taking them into the forest to see the creatures. But if this was something they had to be inside for--well, he hadn't led them wrong yet. She only hoped O'Connor hadn't forced him to turn the lessons into lectures. It was impossible to learn about creatures if you didn't actually see them.
She wasn't very optimistic when Almir started talking about wands, but she did have the core in question. "I've got one." Mia-Rose wasted no time in holding up her wand, showing it to the professor. "Hawthorn with phoenix feather." A fair few people in the school had phoenix feather wands, but they were still the least common of the three types Ollivander made, which made her a little proud. Independent, untamable, and capable of the greatest range of magic--yes, she'd researched exactly what the core said about her right when she'd gotten home from shopping for her first year's supplies. She wondered if the professor had managed to locate an actual phoenix for them to study today, or if they would simply talk about feathers for the whole class.
Care of magical creatures was going to be great! The professor was no one more than her big boy Almir! She had been waiting for this class and when it finally happened, Izzy was first in line to get there as fast as possible. She wrapped her arms, for as much as they could, around Almir in a big hug and smiled. "Almir!" she greeted and smiled brightly before standing with the other students and letting him begin his classes like a responsible adult.
Izzy smiled a bit and just pursed her lips as she waited, the words phoenix feathers made her heart skip a beat. "Oh Almir did you bring a phoenix! Can I pet him!" she exclaimed happily and jumped up and down as she couldn't contain her excitement much longer.
Dio sluggishly moved to the grounds. He'd just redosed on the calming draught after lunch because he knew Creature studies could be a bit chaotic. Since the potion didn't have immediate effect, he managed to get to class in time. It didn't even occur to him they were moving inside, he just mindlessly followed his fellow students. When the Slytherin saw the couches, he decided it might be better to stay standing. By this point the potion started kicking in and he felt rather hazy. If he sat down he might fall asleep. He stood by a Hufflepuff who also decided not to sit down. This girl LLLL something was usually quiet so Dio expected to be safe.
A lot of the conversation flew by but didn't register in his brain. It didn't even occur to him his wand contained a Phoenix feather. Slowly Dio noticed he didn't feel his finger tops anymore. Well shit. His legs were having a difficult job holding up the weight of his upper body. If he could just get it through this class, he might nap in the fields just after. -open for interaction-
5'11 | dangerous outside soft inside | single | hetroflexible
Post by ALMIR VILGOT ASKELAND on May 8, 2020 19:49:18 GMT
He spotted several eager faces who probably knew the answer but didn’t have a phoenix feather core wand. Perhaps he should’ve called that anyone could answer. Oh well, perhaps for next time. Mia-Rose spoke up, holding her wand in the air. “Ohh now that’s a cool looking wand, really lovely craftwork. They say people with feathers from the same phoenix share a special bound. Mine comes from the same phoenix as my mother’s wand was. In fact a lot of people from my village do. We have a phoenix watching over us they say,” he chuckled and shaked his head. It was pretty cheesy, usually the elderly said such things. “Hey Izzy. I’m so glad you took up my class,” he waved at the new Hufflepuff he knew on a personal level. She was like a family like her cousins that came from the same village as himself. His eyes shot by Dio who was usually quite loud or at least groaning. Something seemed off, Almir let it got for now but decided to keep an eye out during the class.
“Now the phoenix you’ll be seeing today is not the phoenix from Drakstad. The reason why is why they’re likely rated quadruple X on the creature scale. Does anyone know the exact reason? Oh but while we continue I’ll do the little set up because we are likely in for a show today. Since there is no exact timing, I’ll just let you guys watch it while we continue.” With a wave of his 14” wand, Almir revealed a previous camouflaged elderly phoenix. Although it looked more like a featherless wrinkly turkey by now. The part of the classroom where the phoenix residence was imitating the phoenix’s natural habitat. For this one the high mountains of China. “I’ve created a special rehabilitation room for this beautiful lady. She has become the victim of a rich man trying to get himself a fancy pet without the proper knowledge. We had to rescue her and she was in a pretty bad shape. A lot of feathers were already missing, likely pulled out and sold on the black market.” He wanted this to be a reminder to people if they bought anything that came of an animal to double check the resource. “She is hidden behind special glass and cannot see us. I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you Izzy but we are not going to pet her. Now in relation to the question I asked before, why do you think I’ve made this set up?”
Post by LYDIA LLEWELLYN on May 10, 2020 5:15:45 GMT
LYDIA EIRA LLEWELLYN
Lydia didn't usually pay attention to people like Dio Greyback but as the blonde-haired boy moved beside her and started wobbling on the spot, she frowned because that wasn't normal. Glancing around as if to see anybody else had noticed, Lydia realised that apparently... checking up on his well-being fell onto her, even though she'd barely spoken to him over the last few years. "You look like you're about to keel over and die," she said quietly, frowning. "Maybe you should go sit down."
Turning her attention back to the class itself, Lydia's frown deepened as she caught sight of the old phoenix who looked like a plucked chicken. Usually, Lydia didn't succumb to sadness in front of other people but animals had a special place in her heart, and wetness prickled her eyes until she blinked several times, willing the tears away. It was just - the poor phoenix sounded like he'd lived an unfair life, no thanks to some arrogant rich man trying to control him.
Clearing her throat quietly to make sure she definitely wasn't going to get choked up, Lydia then answered Almir's first question. "Phoenixes are notoriously difficult to domesticate - that's why they have an XXXX rating. It's not because they're typically aggressive or dangerous towards people," she answered. She left the second question for another person, but quietly, she wondered to herself if the reason they weren't allowed near the phoenix was because his Burning Day was approaching.
Dio had been standing there since he entered, spaced out. Yep he definitely had taken a too high of a doze. Usually he kept these for going to bed. Falling asleep seemed a very likely outcome. It didn't even occur to him that the Hufflepuff next to him was talking. The registration came a couple of seconds after. Oh. Dio blinked and squinted his eyes moving his head closer and back because his eyes didn't feel like getting a clear picture.
"Is that so?" He arched an eyebrow at the girl whose face he could barely recognize. "Maybe you should mind your own business," he quietly replied in the same tone as her. After saying that, Dio looked away and crossed his arms. Sitting down? Yeah right. He'd definitely straight go to sleep if he did that.
The big red turkey was revealed and the Slytherin made a quick reminder to himself to look up these creatures after class. No way he would be able to register much right now. LYDIA LLEWELLYN,
5'11 | dangerous outside soft inside | single | hetroflexible
Post by LYDIA LLEWELLYN on May 27, 2020 2:13:38 GMT
LYDIA EIRA LLEWELLYN
The response Lydia got in return was snippy and to be completely honest, Lydia thought to herself darkly, 'When you keel over, I'm going to say I told you so, tosser.' Maybe it was mean, actually... no, it definitely was, but she didn't particularly feel like playing 'nice 'Puff' when that was what she got in return. Instead of telling him as such though, Lydia just cast him a look that he probably wouldn't even notice in his hazy state. "Good idea. I'll mind my business," she responded with a shrug.
Glancing across the classroom at the seats, a small, friendly smile appeared on her face as she caught sight of Arthur. She'd been talking to him ever since she sent that stupid blasted letter originally intended for Thomas at the end of last school year, and she'd found she quite liked talking to him. It was a wee bit twisted of her, but she'd been a little happier returning to school when she'd found out he was repeating - it meant she got to see him in person, rather than just via letters, and... seeing him definitely wasn't hard on the eyes. "Hi," she mouthed, giving him a small wave before turning her attention back to Almir.
Care of magical creatures was going to be great! The professor was no one more than her big boy Almir! She had been waiting for this class and when it finally happened, Izzy was first in line to get there as fast as possible. She wrapped her arms, for as much as they could, around Almir in a big hug and smiled. "Almir!" she greeted and smiled brightly before standing with the other students and letting him begin his classes like a responsible adult. 
