April 8th, 1894 — Forbidden Forest

Nell was glad that there had not been a repeat of February's freak snowstorm—indeed, the forest floor was altogether devoid of snow, but the trees had not quite begun to bud. It was an ideal time of year for this particular lesson, for the small guardians of the trees in this particular copse would be awake, but unable to hide within the foliage.

"Trees are home to all sorts of creatures, great and small," the professor began. Each of the students had been provided with a lap easel, but it had been on them to dress for the weather. "Many of these creatures can also be found elsewhere, but not the one which we will be studying today. Who can tell me about the bowtruckle?" the professor asked, before gesturing to the first raised hand she saw.

Invitational to James Fletcher Greta Gillenwater Anne Moony Hesper Gamp Eros Mohr and any other OWL-level Creatures students!

  

The son of a pet shop owner always found himself at ease around beasts, whether they be mundane or magical and it was always a pleasant treat to adventure into the forbidden forest for classes. He pulled out his lap easal and began to doodle, he want the best artist but he quickly drew a sketch of what he felt was the correct answer to the query by the professor, while he doodled he placed his hand up to be called upon by the teacher.

"A bowtruckle is a relatively rare woodlande beast akin to a large stick insect, only smarter.

They are usually very hard to see because of their camouflage and can be a trouble for dog walkers as they can be quite viscous when attacked."

He looked at the slightly smudged charcoal drawing of the creature and turned it towards the Professor. "I think they look a bit like this?" It was certainly rough, but for a quick drawing he felt you could tell what it was.

He smiled and looked around at the other students in the class hoping for validation. "Oh, they like to eat woodlice and will pick them out of crevices in trees." he added quickly before putting down his easel.

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Elenora Brierley

  

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Anne didn't bother to hide her cheer of delight at the location of today's class. Any trip into the Forbidden Forest was a good day, as far as Anne was concerned. Even if the weather may decide to turn homicidal without warning. Given art supplies in the woods, Anne was doubly thrilled. She heard some of the instructions before dropping to the forest floor and sketching.

Reluctantly, Anne paused her drawing when Professor Brierley began her lecture. Anne glowered at the overenthusiastic boy she now recognized, thanks to the potions tournament that she won, thanks. He beat her to the punch, which was wholly unnecessary. Other people, namely Anne, knew things, too. Punching her hand into the air, Anne added, "Bowtruckles prefer wand wood trees. And they'll gouge your eyes out." She added for good measure.

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MJ about made me cry with this one!
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"Very good, Mr. Hunter—take five points for Gryffindor," Nell said, vaguely startled at the fact that the Gryffindor had managed to draw an entire sketch, even a simplistic one, to accompany his response in such a short time. She appreciated the enthusiasm regardless—though was not sure his peers would.

"And five for Slytherin as well, Miss Moony, for that rather... descriptive warning."

Had students been like this when she had been a child? Nell could not recall—it had been so very long ago!

She returned her attentions to the rest of the class as she explained, "Bowtruckles are sometimes called tree guardians. They may not seem, upon first consideration, the most exciting of magical beasts, but but they perform an important role in healthy tree growth—particularly, as Miss Moony noted, in the case of wand trees, without which most of us would be little more gifted than muggles. And there happen to be at least a dozen in the tress around us."

The professor held her hands out to either side, gesturing around them for emphasis.

"Where we have a longer lesson today&madash;" three hours, in fact, owing to some schedule tweaks above her pay grade "—I thought it would be the idea opportunity to have you sight and observe the behaviour of these creatures. You may find it easier to pair off, but may also choose to go it alone. Regardless," she added with a wry smile, "I will expect a report on the species that includes your observations by week's end."

Nell would, of course, remain on hand in an effort to curtail any potential misbehaviour, but also to answer any questions that might arise. Her goal, though, was to see what the students could do on their own, left vaguely to their own devices.

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   Benedict Hunter

Benedict smiled broadly as the professor congratulated his answer and awarded house points to Gryffindor, to which one of his friends patted him playfully on the back. He looked quickly across to Miss Moony as she added her own answer to the professor. "Heavens, I would rather keep my eyes, thank you." he said with a grin as some of the other students winced a little at the thought.

He looked at his own wand as Professor Brierley discussed their importance, he imagined what part the little creatures might have played in the life of the foot long stick of carved dogwood in his hand.

Benedict approached the fourth year "Congratulations on the potions contest, Miss Moony. I'll wager I see a bowtruckle before you though." he said quite playfully before looking out into the forest a little. The forest was vibrant as it returned to life for the spring, even if the weather was unpleasant and the ground was soft underfoot. Benedict reached over and pulled a delicate looking pink twinflower from the top of a fallen log, placing into the pages between his book.

"I know the perfect spot to look, anybody want to partner up?" he asked aloud to Miss Moony or anyone else as he prepared to walk further into the forest.

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Anne Moony Elenora Brierley

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   Anne Moony

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When everyone tells us what we can be
How can we rewrite the stars?

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Hesper found Care of Magical Creatures considerably less enjoyable now that her friends had moved up into the NEWT group. There were only a couple more months until she was out for summer and then (if she chose to continue with the class) she'd be back with them but that didn't change things now. It was one of many classes she was now without her friends in, but she had admittedly chosen Care of Magical Creatures at the end of second year because she knew Sirius liked it and some silly part of her had thought it'd be like the gnomes.

She daren't consider her last year of schooling when she'd be utterly alone. Next year would be last good year and then everyone would leave her for good. She'd come out into society and they'd all be miles ahead of her, perhaps Flora would even be married...

Hesper withdrew from her gloomy thoughts and refocused on bowtruckles. Right. She had to draw a bowtruckle. She kind of wanted a partner to draw with but while she'd been courting the attention of the year above, the others had found their close friends. She'd loiter for a minute or so and then go off on her own if no one approached her, she felt too proud to approach someone else.

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Outfit | Tag: COMC Class| Notes:

  

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Anne liked that description - tree guardian. It spoke to the bigger feelings she didn't have words for, the fierce heat in her chest when she thought of her family and closest friends. It was a solid thing, but still flowed, like earth, like metal. The thought was a calming one for Anne.

Anne was comfortably ignoring the older Gryffindor now that she had her deserved house points. She raised an eyebrow at his praise. She'd earned it and quite liked people remembering her victory, but she was waiting for the boy to get to the point. When he turned away from her after falsely claiming that he would find a bowtruckle before she would, Anne was perplexed. He was being friendly without an anterior motive? Highly suspect.

Anne had intended to strike off on her own, but Hunter had challenged her and Anne fancied the idea of beating him at something a second time. "I'll go with you. You can draw, but I bet you won't get near a creature." Striding purposefully a few paces into the forest, Anne threw a glance over her shoulder to the older Gryffindor. "Well? Come on then, while there's daylight." Anne was fine with friendly, but he needed to do so at an efficient pace.

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Benedict Hunter

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MJ about made me cry with this one!
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Eros listened as the professor spoke before deciding to go it on his own rather than find a partner. Besides, the forest was a great place to be alone with thoughts. And since the summer, his mind often retreated into itself. He didn't want to accidentally offend someone if he happened to tune them out while they were supposed to be working together. So far though, he had yet to find a bowtruckle but from the sounds of it, he was hardly the only one.

  

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eros is half-veela which means females tend to feel drawn to him with older ladies feeling protective of him

Benedict laughed as Anne Moony agreed to join him then marched on past demanding he keep up. "Right away miss moony. But don't race ahead too quickly, you might step on one and you know what they'll do?" he made a brief clawed gesture towards Anne before walking onwards. They wouldn't go far into the woods, it wasn't safe, far enough that the noises of the school were absent, but not so far you might run into the more hostile monsters.

"This is the spot, I remember seeing it when we were learning about centaur hunting trails." it was an ancient tree that had collapsed, ripping it's roots out of the ground and leaving what looked like a natural cave with a myriad of peep holes and spiders that the children could use to hide. Beyond that was a clearing of younger trees where the great oak had cleared the canopy, Benedict was certain he might spot their quarry there. Ben stepped over a root and down into the hollow, holding his hand out to Anne to help her balance.

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For a brief moment, Anne was afraid she was now paired with an idiot. "I am not going to step on a bowtruckle." Ready to explain, in small words, that bowtruckles stayed in trees, Anne realized that Hunter was joking with her. Anne wasn't sure what to do with that discovery.

The mention of centaur trails caught her ear, bringing Anne back to her accidental class partner. Apparently, Hunter paid attention in class. Anne took notice. It took energy not to make a face when he offered her his hand. Anne didn't know what to do with it for a brief second. She didn't need his hand. She didn't need him one bit, but he was trying to be nice, friendly. Maybe Gryffindors weren't obnoxious all the time.

Taking his offered hand, Anne made a show of stepping up and oooooooover the exposed tree root. As soon as she cleared the tree, she gave his hand a brief shake before taking it back. "All right then, Mr. Hunter, may the best hunter win." Hearing the double meaning, Anne quickly clarified, "The best seeker win." With that, she turned on her heel, intent on finding the first bowtruckle.

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MJ about made me cry with this one!
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Benedict grinned knowingly when Anne caught herself essentially declaring that he, Mr Hunter should be the one to win. He let go of her small hand and watched the seeker walk to her own spot. "Of course, then we can compare your notes to the two that I spotted." he pointed into the bushes ahead of him, there was nothing there at the moment but Benedict was feeling good about his vantage point.

As he leaned up against the fallen tree he felt the damp and moisture nature of the bark and fiddled with it within his hands, dislodging a sheet of half rotting wood and exposing all manner of bugs and nightcrawlers. "I've an idea!" he exclaimed to his friend, pulling off a piece of paper and folding it into some kind of shallow bowl shape that he might collect insects into. "Help me gather the woodlice Miss Moony and we can lay them out in front of our hide as an offering." he started carefulling picking up the bugs, making care not to squash them. The creases in the paper seemed mostly enough to keep them contained but one or two did try to make a break for it. If they could find the right bush to put these little morsels under then surel the residents would descend for a free buffet and the pair would have their quarry. "I brought snacks too if we have to wait for them to show up, you can share if you like."

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Anne Moony

  

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"You did not see two from there! What are you, part eagle?" Anne challenged, her hands on her hips. It was clear he was playing with her, and Anne was wary. She knew how to banter, but too many people seemed to get their feelings hurt by frankness. She was curious to see if Hunter was grown up enough to keep up with her or if he needed coddling. If it was coddling he needed, Anne was the worst possible partner.

Her eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hairline at her partner's idea. It was actually a good idea, Anne wished she thought of it first, but he wanted her to touch bugs. She loved this class. With a smirk, Anne dropped her satchel and joined Hunter by the tree where he started working. She used a stick to pick bugs from bark, scraping the creatures into the makeshift container. Seeing an excuse to use her wand, Anne drew it quickly, pointing at the crawly creatures. "Arresto momentum!" Anne beamed as the bugs came to a standstill in their dish. "Now the bowtruckles don't have to fight for food." Dish in place, Anne dropped down next to a tree, her back against the trunk. "And now we wait." She looked sideways at her companion. He just carried around enough food to share? Who was this boy and why was he so nice? As if making the choice for her, Anne's stomach growled. "Snacks it is, then. Thank you."

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   Benedict Hunter

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MJ about made me cry with this one!
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"Well, you try building a gryphon with out at least a little eagle." he laughed, it was a bad joke but we was very much enjoying the girl's own repartee.

The pair began rummaging around with half rotten wood gathering up the small creatures and placing them onto the makeshift trough ready to put out as an offering to the secretive creatures. He didn't say anything but made an impressed noise as Miss Moony cast a spell to make the bugs more compliant with the plan, Ben thought smart girls were much more interesting than the beauty and marriage obsessed types. Not that he would ever dare dismiss someone else's priorities, you were allowed to disagree, but rudeness was never acceptable.

Benedict leaned against the tree next to the girl and handed her a small wrap of the sweetened treats that were offered to accompany breakfast while they waited. He placed a little honey candy in his own mouth to suck. Ben waited patiently listening to the birds and the odd shout that carried the distance from the school grounds and across the forbidden forest, it was wonderfully quiet and it made him feel like he might be in a forest hundreds of miles away rather than a short walk back to the school. "This is the most relaxing part of creature studies  don't you think?" It was nice to feel a moment of peace and time with nothing to do but wait, albeit with his study partner.

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Anne Moony

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   Anne Moony

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Anne stuck out her tongue, having no better response to the silly attempted joke. Hunter thought he was funny. How Gryffindorky of him. Anne thought the boy must have some angle, this pointless friendliness seeming so odd to Anne. She didn't trust it but had no reason to be rude to him. Anne supposed they were friendly now until he gave her reason not to be. Most of the lads on the quidditch team were fine by Anne, but she found most boys to be a whole lot of bluster and little substance. At least this one brought candies.

Giving a little cheer at the discovery of peppermints in the treats and popping one in her mouth, Anne lasted about two minutes before the silence had her reaching for her sketch pad. Anne couldn't handle idle well. She gave her partner a look like she might be concerned for his health. "You can't tell me you joined this class to relax."

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   Benedict Hunter

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MJ about made me cry with this one!
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Ben sucked on his sweet and pondered Anne's question. "Sure, why not? Animals have always calmed me since I was a kid." he chuckled, thinking what Miss Moony might be implying. "I guess some of these animals are a little more stress inducing than your average dog. But as long as you remember which end has the teeth and how not to upset them, they're no different really." Benedict could not be more excited about going into his NEWTS for creatures, getting to see bigger and even more exciting beasts.

He looked through the bushes as he heard a little noise, it almost sounded like singing but alas he had no luck. He glanced across at Anne as she watched as well, he wouldn't be in her classes next year for COMC when he finished his OWLs, that would be a shame, the girl seemed pretty cool.

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Anne Moony

  

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Anne perked up, the explanation making sense, even if 'relax' wasn't the word she would have used. "One of my aunts works with creatures; once, she let me pet her thunderbird. It was brilliant. I wish I could work with creatures, too, but I don't know if I can after my OWLs." Anne confided, uncertain why. "I'm going to be an auror like my dad and brother or work at the Ministry like my mum. What about you? What are you doing after your OWLs?"

Noting the changing of the light around them, Anne started to pack up her satchel when motion caught her eye. Stifling her squeak, she probably hit Mr. Hunter's arm harder than necessary. "Right there! Hush and start drawing!" And Anne's focus was firmly on her twiggy subject.

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   Benedict Hunter

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MJ about made me cry with this one!
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