Charms Lesson 1 || A Night On The Bog

Friday, September 16, 1921
Northern region of Caithness, Scotland
8:30 PM

One might think that by now the man had learnt his lesson.

It only made sense for Maddox to make more informed choices about his classes, his students and taking them outside of the castle. Apparently, it was a lesson he'd already forgotten. The students had been given a free period during their usual hour and a half of charms on the prior day and allowed to spend the time as they wished so long as they didn't prove a distraction to anyone or find themselves in trouble he would have to address.

That freedom came at a cost.

Naturally.

The students had been told to report to the charms classroom at 8:20 sharp. Long after dinner, the professor expected no complaints about hunger or petty whining about being unable to have some free time. They'd already gratefully eaten it up the day before, and he hadn't heard any of them complain while doing it.

A portkey later, they all found themselves beneath a starless sky. Overhead, the clouds rolled in thick, obscuring the heavens and the natural light of the half-moon. Without any prominent landmarks, it was difficult to say where they were, but it was clearly far away from civilisation and its many comforts. The only sounds to be heard were those of nature. Frogs, crickets, the low thrumming of water that swirled beneath silent pools, these were the sounds that greeted them when they arrived.

It was more than they could say for the professor. The man was nowhere to be seen. They were alone out in the open bog that spanned for miles in all directions. Land blended into pools of water, all nothing more than a never-ending sea of blackness. It would be wise to watch their step or they would risk falling in without warning.

Above the students came the unmistakable and ominous roll of thunder. The rain was moving in, its scent proliferating with each second that passed.

Without clear instructions, it would be difficult to decipher what the professor intended for them to achieve, and without the man present, any chance of asking was out of the question. By all indication, they were well and truly alone.

...

Except for the blinking light in the distance.

With time, it steadied. Occasionally, it swayed closer before drifting off again, almost as if it meant to lead you somewhere. At such a distance, any hope of making out the figure was out of the question, but, friend or foe, it was clear it had places it wanted to take you.

Absent the professor to offer suggestions, the choice was left up to the students on how they chose to proceed.

---

Welcome to the first charms class of the term! The students have been dropped off with a metaphoric "good luck!" and little else, coming to the end of another topic they'd been covering for the previous week. Maddox has full faith in their competence, sort of, kind of and has decided to allow them the opportunity to prove themselves, but he's not truly gone should an emergency crop up. For now, you can have the students reacting to their surroundings and the sudden abandonment. They can wander off, remain frozen, or try to navigate their way – it's all up to you and their personality! There are no wrong reactions, and no one is required to stick together. I'll be moving this lesson along again on January 10. Have fun!

If nothing else, Rae was pleased to discover that Barlowe moving to Charms didn't crush their chances of field trips. She supposed she should've known better than to harbour such fears in the first place. The former creatures professor, for as lethargic as he often was, had never struck her as the sort to want all his lessons to be sitting down in a classroom copying notes. It had never been his style. There was always someone who needed a favour, always a favour he was calling in. Some creature needing containment or rescue. There weren't any fantastic beasts to look forward to anymore – not with him, at least – but the Slytherin remained hopeful there would still be something to keep her awake.

So far so good.

Free period during the school day just the day before? Check. A portkey and no instructions? Typical. An eerie night and a dark expanse that stretched before them? Now they were cooking.

Rae heard a few first years whimpering somewhere behind her, wondering and worrying about this unorthodox approach to learning they'd suddenly been thrust into. Sweet things, they couldn't have known. It took time to get used to the man's brand of hands-on teaching, but there was always a tell. The now fifth-year had learnt to pay attention to whatever the professor asked them to read and whatever was reviewed during lessons. More often than not, they ended up making all the difference when he did take them to more exciting places.

She kept the week's lessons in mind now as her eyes adjusted to the lower light. Not far off, she could hear the sound of water. Not...running water necessarily, but liquid and disturbed by the creatures that moved through it.

The smell of rain in the air caught her attention, forcing her gaze toward the dark heavens. The clouds opened up in the distance to reveal the real sky, allowing threads of moonlight to filter in.

"I know he's never been much of a talker, but...he could've at least told us what direction to head in," she said to the others, squinting as she scanned the horizon. Something told her standing around wasn't the answer, but wandering into the dark seemed like an equally terrible idea.

Then she saw it.

There, pointing in the direction that could reasonably have been east...or west – could've been north; they really did need a better view of the sky than this. Whichever direction it happened to be, there was a glowing light. It reminded her of her own ability to produce such a thing, and with a silent 'lumos',the girl's own wand was now lit.

Much better; now she could see the faces of those who doubted and those who, like her, were ready for this nighttime adventure.

She knew which ones she would be sticking with.

"Right then, that thing over there," she said, pointing toward the light, "Is either trying to kill us, or show us where the professor means for us to be. Either way, it beats sticking around here. Anyone coming?"

The answer would make itself clear soon enough, she supposed.

Another class. Another “friend” dragging Ever along. This time, her cousin.

This was really getting old. All she wanted to do was sit in a cupboard and draw. Preferably one that was quiet, removed from all society and possibly filled with pillows.

Was that really too much to ask?

“Come on Ever, I’ll stay with you, I promise.” Tilly’s hand was warm in hers. Reassuring. Loving. Ever loved her cousin, but on this day, late at night, It wasn’t going to happen.

Tugging her hand out of Tilly’s, Ever shook her head. Eyes downcast, words mumbled incoherently tumbling out of her mouth. Nothing she said made sense. There was no use arguing, Tilly would just pull her along in normal situations, but not tonight.

The minute Ever saw the portkey she knew it was over. During the day was one thing, but at night, Ever wouldn’t be leaving the castle. Shaking her head once again, Ever said one simple word, “No.” Then walked away. Tilly watching her leave, a sigh of concern left in her wake.

Instead, Ever retreated to the Ravenclaw commonroom.

Tilly watched as Ever left. Head hanging low, not paying attention to the other students in the hall. Some giving her strange looks. As much as Tilly wanted to fight her battles, today was not the day.

Taking the portkey, like so many classes before, Tilly landed with a thud in the marshy bog. Well this was different. No Professor to be found. Lovely. Tilly, muttering curses under her breath, took a second to put her long curly hair up in a tight ponytail. Anything could pop out to attack, she needed to be on her game, and hair in her face was a real bitch.

Walking over to Rae, Tilly sighed. “Well this looks as cozy as a tea party. Ever had the right idea, I should have stayed back.”

"I know he's never been much of a talker, but...he could've at least told us what direction to head in," Rae said. Tilly couldn’t agree more. Thunder crackled in the sky, the air feeling heavier with each passing second. “Just freaking great. Because a storm is exactly what we need.”

As the rest of the students arrived, taking stock of the situation, Rae spoke up, pointing in the distance. "Right then, that thing over there," she said, pointing toward the light, "Is either trying to kill us, or show us where the professor means for us to be. Either way, it beats sticking around here. Anyone coming?"

Tilly rolled her eyes. Not that she disagreed with Rae, but the girl needed to learn how to sell a situation. “Maybe don’t lead with it ‘trying to kill us’ in the future. Unless you’re trying to freak people out. If so, mission accomplished. I think I just saw a 1st year student lose his dinner. Either way, strength in numbers. I’m with you as always.”

Well, if anything, Professor Barlowe was consistent, and for that, Benji was eternally grateful.

In a summer that had seen nothing but unpredictability pop up time and again, the fifteen-year-old found a sense of comfort in the foreboding dark clouds that rolled over them. The former CoMC-turned-Charms professor had decided they already deserved a field trip, and regardless of what mishaps may come, the boy knew he'd be fine in the end.

Professor Barlowe hated paperwork too much to let him die.

"I know he's never been much of a talker, but...he could've at least told us what direction to head in."

"And make any part of this easy for us?" Benji grinned as he threw a lazy arm over his girlfriend's shoulder. "He enjoys watching us squirm, I'm sure of it." Like one of those ant farm things. He'd asked his dad for one for his sixth birthday, and instead he'd sent him out into the yard to pull weeds. Said there were plenty ants out in the dirt if he wanted to farm them.

There was no part of Benji that missed Harry Cuddrun.

The free period the day before had been nice. He'd spent the time out on the roof, doing Benji things and thinking about how much life had changed - again - in such a short amount of time. Now he was here, with his best girl, an angry Matilda and a storm brewing overhead.

There were no essays. Life couldn't get any better, probably.

"Right then, that thing over there, is either trying to kill us, or show us where the professor means for us to be. Either way, it beats sticking around here. Anyone coming?"

Matilda was yammering on, being everyone's mum and talking about some first year barfing behind them. Not Benji's problem. "C'mon Ging," he said, nodding her on before giving her nutter cousin the longest side-eye. Was Everleigh tagging along? He wasn't going to be responsible for her if she started muttering and doing nutjob things again.

Oh, no. There she went. Wandering off somewhere. Into the abyss.

He tightened his arm a little around Rae, as they headed in the direction of the blinking light. "Off to Neverland."

A Friday night excursion sounded absolutely fantastic to Maevie's ears, the ever persistent urge for adventure bobbing excitedly all the way to the Charms classroom. Even better was the fact they'd be doing this with Professor Barlowe who had already proven to Maevie to be a man that knew how to have a good time.

Last year he had taken them to fight some nasty Lestifold ready to eat a muggle boy and that needed capturing. Although that had gone a bit astray in the end with a vase accidentally knocking out a classmate instead of the creature it had been aimed at. No big deal of course, everyone had survived the trip more or less unmarred. And most importantly anyhow, was the fact they all had had a ton of fun!

Maevie was sure tonight would be another great trip, didn't matter where.

After a quick yank through space, head spinning violently, she landed on unsteady feet, arms windmilling. The soft, wobbly ground underneath did little to stable her and she fought for balance but in the end she landed firmly on her butt anyway.

At least the landing was cushy, she supposed. Bit wet though.

As more students plopped into existence around her, Maevie pushed to her feet, eyes wide as they adjusted to the darkness. Trying to orient herself she turned on the spot wiping her hands on her cloak but--

Nothing as far as the eye could see.

Except for one tiny light, blinking in the distance like a beckoning lure.

Boots already soaked through, Maevie squelched her way over to the cluster of older students, Rae at its centre. "I'm coming!", she announced brightly, rummaging for her wand. "The scared losers can stay behind if they want." Even without Professor Barlowe in sight they'd be fine -- she was almost sure he wouldn't let them die. Probably.

Everyone might think that Morgan had some insight into her father’s plans for this excursion. They would be seriously disappointed to know that no matter how much she prodded him for information, he remained tight lipped. She was stubborn, but had learned that once he had his mind made up about something, there was no changing it.

Morgan was ecstatic about being outside after dinner for class. She usually wandered around anyways, but it was nice having a brand new environment to explore.

She landed firmly on her feet; she was used to portkeys by now. She laughed when Maevie landed on her bottom. “It’ll get easier, promise,” she offered. Finally, she took a moment to look around.

Her father was nowhere to be seen. Morgan rolled her eyes, knowing that even if they couldn’t see him – he was definitely here somewhere. If they got off course, he’d correct them.

She made her way closer to Ruth, Tilly, Benji, and Maevie – they were a lot more confident. One thing she had learned quickly was that in her father’s class, she could be reckless and take chances because he’d always be there to help her out. He wouldn’t let anyone truly get hurt on his watch.

“Where do you think dad is hiding?” Morgan asked her friends, walking after the light, but letting her hazel eyes scan the area around them. He was, no doubt, stalking them as a cat somewhere.

Professor Maddox sure was making things interesting for this little First Year, Mia Star.

20:20 Sharp. Ready and wide-eyed. Wand already out as the portkey made Mia’s head spin, only a little.

The sweet noises of night with the moon settling in? Gorgeous.

Sitting in the dark waiting for rain with no direction? Other than a strange ominous blinking light? Terrifying.

“Anyone coming?” a girl Rae Elliot, Fifth Year said.

Didn’t have to ask her twice! She tagged along. Safety in numbers she told herself.

“Lumos.” She whispered, having seen Rae do it; hoping the light would appear in this haze. Suspecting it may not be as bright as her usual.

Mia was scared. Mostly of the unknown. Partly of the dark.

Without fear how could she be brave?

Ready, wide-eye, with wand out - Mia’s head spun, just a little.

He didn’t want to be in charms class. It was a registered objection he made with Professor Laurence. The catch was, like with Battersea, he already knew when his house head told him he had to go to class - he had to go to class. This was his worst subject. Seriously, he could hardly cast a charm meaning this whole exercise would be embarrassing for everyone involved.

Hopefully, Professor Laurence didn’t take pride in her students doing well. As he was going to be an embarrassment to Ravenclaw today and every other time he walked into charms. As he reached for the portkey and landed smoothly on the ground he looked around and realized it would be an embarrassment outside the castle. Today would be a day for public embarrassment in the charms department.

He shrugged. As he oddly didn't personally care if he was an embarrassment when it came to charms as he wasted way too much time in the past trying to get good he knew it was hopeless. So he had little desire to waste more than any time he was required to be in class on the subject further.

Naturally as he took stock of the dark surroundings he realized the professor was gone which made him chuckle. Naturally, Rae was talking charge of the situation and he was inclined to follow her. Especially as that meant that others would be casting the light spells go guide them and he wouldn’t need to be embarrassed if his was dim.

Yes, even Mia’s lumos was probably better than his when it worked for either of them.

Though as he followed he said “ If this turns to a fools errand I could conjure us a simple structure if we find some trees. I’m sure someone could get a fire going too. They can’t just leave us out here right? “

Yes, he followed. However, he also was uncertain if actually going towards something was a good idea all things considering when it came to recent Hogwarts professor happenings.

Without the many wondrous stars of the heavens to guide the students, the more cautious among them may have thought it better to remain put. Surely, the professor wouldn't abandon them forever. If nothing else, the man might grow impatient at watching the group doing absolutely nothing and step in to finally instruct them.

To his invisible relief, no one harboured such lacklustre and unnecessarily cautious thoughts.

Elliot was already leading the charge, her wand light illuminating the way forward while the others gathered. They had adventurous spirits, each displaying a readiness to step forward into the unknown without the first idea about what they may face. Even those less certain it was the right move were willing to go on anyway, and that provided a source of pride for the professor.

Not everyone would be a Gryffindor, and thank Merlin for that fact. He didn't need them all to be; he only needed them to try.

And try they did.

Heading toward the light, it would soon become brighter. It was an illusion of perspective, more than anything else. The light wasn't getting brighter; they were getting closer to discovering what sort of thing would be so helpful as to attempt guiding them on their near moonless path. A second light appeared to the right and a third toward the left. All three burned brightly, wavering and flickering with purpose.

"Come," they seemed to say, without possessing the ability to speak.

Which way was the right one? Which way led to the sort of complications that would force the man into action?

Any paying enough attention would notice a 4th and 5th set of lights in the direction from which they'd come, fully encircling them so that no matter which direction they choose, they would end up along a path and be forced to see where it led.

Before any decisions could be made, a curious sight appeared in the heavens. It was another light, and with each passing second, it seemed to grow. Heat filled the chilly bog as fire descended upon them.

It fell with a loud hiss, landing in a pool of water by where Golding, Laurence and Barlowe stood, opposite where Elliot and Nordstrom were.

There was no time to recover or to consider what had happened before another ball of fire came raining down. This one fell between Star and Ó Coigligh, forcing the first year away from the safety she'd found within the group and sparking a small fire that quickly fizzled in the damp grass by the older Ravenclaw's feet.

Soon, fire rained down from all directions, requiring a solid plan or quick feet.

In the chaos, the professor slipped in, waiting to see how much intervention would become necessary. It wouldn't do to have any of them truly lost on the bogs. The land stretched for miles and his bones ached at the thought of such exertion.

---

OOC: Class has officially begun, and we're starting off hot! If you haven't already posted but would like to join in, feel free to write your character as if they've been here all along. Balls of fire are being rained down on the students from several directions. The bog makes it a little difficult to find cover, but they can certainly try. Alternatively, they may try to fight back and hope for the best or try to shield themselves – however they would go about it! The lesson will be moving again on or around January 14.

Note: Those who participate in this lesson will be allowed to claim the spell 'Lumos Duo' for your willow so long as you post after it has been introduced with your character at least attempting it. (They do not have to succeed.)

Ah, that was better. A little light to guide them while they tried to determined exactly what it was that was trying to play guardian angel at this hour of the night. It allowed her a better view of the group, too, including the first year that was losing his dinner not far away.

Bad luck that.

Rae leaned into Benji when he wrapped his arm around her, wrinkling her nose at Matilda's rebuke. "Better to be prepared than to have them think we're walking into a late night ice cream parlour." The first years may not have been able to cast much, but the Slytherin supposed it was better to know of danger ahead of time than to walk in blind. Something about constant vigilance, or something like that. If it made the kid throw up, good. That meant he'd have a lighter stomach should they need to make a run for it.

"Off to Neverland."

"It's almost enough to sound like an adventure" she quipped, taking the boy along with her when she began walking.

"I'm coming!"

Oh, more company to join the trio. Rae grinned at Maevie as she hurried to catch up with them, pleased she wasn't like some of the others who preferred to cower in place and wait for the answers to come. Gryffindor she was not, but it didn't take a lion to walk through a bog, just someone curious to see what lay on the other side. "Welcome abroad. I think that makes you an honorary Lost Boy."

Not long after, Morgan, then the little first, Mia, hurried to catch up to the departing group, the former enquiring about her father. "Knowing him, probably standing next to the light, waiting for us to get there." Who knew? It was just as likely that the man was back at the castle, feet kicked up at his desk or curled up on Julia's. He didn't strike her as the sort to enjoy night-time strolls, even if he was the one who arranged this whole thing.

“ If this turns to a fools errand I could conjure us a simple structure if we find some trees. I’m sure someone could get a fire going too. They can’t just leave us out here right? “

Bear was coming along, too! Excellent. There was safety in numbers.

"They wouldn't dare. Merlin knows they've already got enough charges to send them away without risking more." Rae didn't know much about the trials, outside of what she sometimes heard her housemates talking about, but it sounded like the ministry was prepared to make a whole lot out of nothing. It was hardly the time to add abandonment charges to the mix.

Rae continued in the direction of the light for some distance, grateful she had her friends to chat with. On her own, it would've been a much lonelier journey and she didn't think she'd be quite so relaxed walking into the unknown.

One light became two...then three, complicating things.

"Hey..." the girl said, slowing to a stop in a shallow pool. Soggy socks weren't her idea of a good night but here she was. Craning her neck backward, she set her gaze toward the sky. "Do you guys...see that?"

It was another source of light, this one coming toward them at much faster speed. Her eyes widened when the light drew closer and she realised it was a blazing ball of fire. "Look out!" She wanted to pull Benji with her, but the fire made quick work of separating them before landing with a sizzling sound. "...What in Merlin's bea—"

Another ball descended, causing the girl to jump from the suddenness of the second assault. "The hell is this?!"

Thinking fast, she raised her wand. "Protego!" she cast, shielding her and anyone who may have been standing close enough. Unfortunately, it meant her light was lost. The fire was coming from all directions, dissolving into her shield whenever any hit but...she didn't know how long it would hold up.

---

OOC: If you'd like, you can be shielded by Rae's spell if you wanna say you were standing close enough.

Their group grew steadily bigger and together they began their march through the bog. Maevie finally managed to free her wand from the inside of her cloak, lighting it for some extra visibility. Not that there was much to see, it all looked the same. If Maevie wasn't sure she was walking in a straight line towards the light in the distance, she might as well have been going in circles for all the variety the landscape provided.

“Where do you think dad is hiding?”

Morgan walked close by, scanning their surroundings for the professor. "Maybe he's made himself invisible and is right next to you!", Maevie suggested, grin wide. Her eyes automatically pulled towards the empty space next to Morgan.

Bear was already making plans should Professor Barlowe truly leave them for longer than a lesson's time, seeming apprehensive but to Maevie the prospect of a survival adventure sounded like a fantastic twist to their weekend plans. "Maybe it's a lesson to teach us how to survive together in the wild!", she quipped excitedly. They couldn't charge someone for something that was supposed to teach them skills, right?

But as they walked, more lights appeared suddenly, making the whole thing more complicated. Maevie slowed. "Erm...does this mean we should separate?", she asked the group at large, eyes moving from light to light, discovering there were two more behind them as well.

Before she could think further on the matter, Rae's voice redirected her gaze again, up this time. Eyes squinting, she tried to make out what it was that barrelled down towards them, brightly lit. A loud whoosh and a biting heat quickly solved that mystery as a ball of fire landed in their midst, hissing angrily as it hit the water near her feat.

Maevie screamed, throwing up an arm, blindly stumbling backwards as she squeezed her eyes shut against the sudden brightness. She hit the ground again, her heel catching on some bump. Immediate panic set in, flashes of flame licking against skin flaring behind her eyes, gone as quickly as it appeared. She scrambled back, away from the ball of fire, breaths rasping in her chest.

Her gaze shot upward, eyes widening at the sight of a sky speckled in growing orbs of fire. All thoughts of fun fled her mind as real fear crept in. Never again helpless, she had told herself.

But she felt helpless now, couldn't move suddenly as she sat frozen in a shallow pool of water, as the air around her grew hotter, the kind of hot only fire could conjure. The kind of hot that she dreamed of at night sometimes. She couldn't move then either, forced to watch as her skin melted away and the phantom pain echoed in her head in endless loops. Until she finally startled awake, sweat-drenched and a dull throb in her hand but this right now was real.

She scrambled to her feet, adrenaline quick in her veins. Another ball of fire landed close by, sending her even further back from her friends, the wand in her hand utterly useless.

Tilly was glad to see most of the group decided to stay together. It wouldn’t do any good to split up in a situation like this.

While Matilda was a Gryffindor and loved adventure, she also knew where her strengths could be used best. And in this situation, her strengths could best be served by following the pack. "Better to be prepared than to have them think we're walking into a late night ice cream parlour."

Rolling her eyes, Tilly put her hair up in a pony tail, getting the long hair out of her face for the adventure ahead.

"Off to Neverland." Benji slipped in, to lighten the mood, she guessed. Waiting for Rae to chastise him for his playful take on the lesson she sighed when that never came. "It's almost enough to sound like an adventure. Welcome abroad. I think that makes you an honorary Lost Boy.”

“I see, just because you snog him all the time his suggestion of levity is welcomed. Whatever. Let's get this shit over with.” She hated being the third wheel, no one was ever on her side. Anger and determination lighting her up, Tilly cinched her bag and wiped her hands on her skirt to dry off the sweat.

Moving towards the light, the group continued on, chatting about the lesson and lost boys and pirates for all she knew, she wasn’t really paying attention. Until Rae called “Look out!”

On high alert, Tilly started looking left and right for the danger ahead. Kicking herself for losing concentration to wallow in self pity. But the danger wasn’t left or right, it was up. Falling from the sky was hot balls of fire. One fell far to close for comfort, singing the arm of her jacket. “Holy Shit! Protego!” Tilly yelled, wand raised to the sky.

“Move together, if those able to cast a shield all cast them together, it will hold the fire out longer right? Make the shield stronger?”

"I'm coming! The scared losers can stay behind if they want."

"Hell yeah," Benji answered with a wide grin when Maevie ran up next to them. Benji loved that kid. She was fearless and always up for an adventure. Had they all been second years at the same time as Maevie, he knew she and Rae would have been best friends.

Their group was growing by the second. The little first year Mia was here, along with Morgan and Bear. He was quiet as Rae leaned in closer, letting her and the others go back and forth, but he perked an eyebrow up at Matilda at her snogging comment. "Oi, what's got your knickers in a bunch?" he asked, nudging her gently with his elbow. "Someone I need to beat up for you? You know I'll do it." He grinned widely at his friend, resisting asking her if she needed a snog too (considering he didn't fancy getting punched by both his girlfriend and his best friend) as the group moved onward, apparently determined to all stick together.

That probably wouldn't go well. Professor Barlowe loved to complicate things. Benji still remembered that stupid basilisk and how it had forced him to drop the hand of his would-have-been wife. If he'd just been able to hold onto her a little longer, Benji was certain Mamacita would have been his.

But Rae was great too.

"Hey...Do you guys...see that?"

Hmm? Benji squinted, noticing the way the single light had now split into three. That could be foreboding or nothing at all...but knowing Barlowe...

The air suddenly grew warm, and all at once balls of fire were crashing down around them. In front, to his left, right and -

Maevie hit the ground, scrambling backwards as more fireballs rained down upon them. Tills and Rae were already moving into action, casting shields, but as he moved quickly, he found himself only near Maevie and Morgan. "Shit!" he shouted, grabbing Morgan's arm and yanking her roughly with him, "C'mon Sneaks, move!" The boy dodged left and right, stopping hard when one fireball landed directly in front of him and Morgan and then zipped forward again, closing the distance towards Maevie.

"You're alright Marge!" he shouted, tugging Morgan in front of him, and slashing his wand over the two girls. "Protego Maxima!" He jumped back again as another fireball landed into the bog, sending sprays of muddy water and plant matter all over him.

"Glacius Duo!" It was a long shot, he knew it, but if he could stop some of the fireballs in their tracks, it'd give him time to think of something better.

---

**Permission to powerplay Morgan ok'd by Jaxie

Well, at least they'd learned not to panic...for the most part.

Maddox watched the students spring into action, opting for shield charms instead of running about the dark bog like headless chickens. Were he a betting man, he'd have lost a few galleons, but the charms professor was pleasantly surprised to see that they were finally learning to expect the unexpected with...relatively level heads and action rather than doubt and uncertainty.

Elliot was the first to spot the impending danger, and the girl's quick action shielded her and a few students standing within range.

Nordstrom and Laurence weren't far behind with their own shields, the former urging everyone closer – a good idea to get under some shelter – while the latter played small-town hero. He moved Mo from harm's way before hurrying to the younger Hufflepuff's side. For a brief moment, the man's expression softened at the way Golding seemed to lose herself. The events of the dark tower still weighed heavily on the school, no more so than on the girls who'd been subjected to the cruelties of Thayer before he'd been dispatched. He was glad to see them looking out for each other where they could. No one survived such large-scale tragedies alone.

It hadn't escaped his notice that the younger Ravenstone had excused herself from the lesson, but it was a matter he'd let her head of house handle. Julia had a far more delicate touch when it came to such matters.

He wouldn't know where to begin.

One of the fireballs hissed and fizzled under Laurence's enhanced freezing charm, but it was one of many, and the others continued raining down.

"Alright," he said, announcing his presence to the scrambling students. "Gather 'round and we'll have a bit of an intermission."

Maddox cast his own 'protego maxima', joining and expanding the shields so that there now existed a dome-like structure they could more comfortably stand under. "As beautiful a night as it is for a stroll, we've got real business out on the bogs tonight; a variation of a spell you already know, one that would benefit from more...practical application."

Another fireball hissed as it hit the newly formed, shared shield.

"Some of you may be wondering what's got us under such heavy fire. As your charms professor, it's no longer my duty to inform you. For the sake of sating any lingering curiosity amid the chaos, however, those things are hinkypunks – but I'll leave it to either your Defense Against the Dark Arts or Care of Magical Creatures professor to fill you in on the finer details. Our concern for the night is testing out our new charm in a manner that can make it clear just how effective you've been."

There was no better litmus test in his opinion.

"Should you approach one of those creatures with thoughts of a sharp cast, you'll no doubt draw for some light," he expected they already knew this part was necessary. "You may give it some small pause with a well cast 'lumos', but the real power comes with a variant of the charm. 'Lumos Duo'." The actual reason for them taking their late-night trip.

"Sometimes, you'll find that only the brightest light can dispel the problems lurking in the shadows. This is one such time. Finite Incantatem, he cast, freeing everyone of their spells so their wands could be free to cast again. In the same breath, he cast a new shield charm over the group, further keeping the fireballs at bay.

"When you've settled, I'd like you to choose one of the lights." There were five positioned evenly around them. 'Go together, go alone, just don't get dragged off into the bogs. They do eat children." A warning he hoped he wouldn't have to give more than once.

"Now, then, before we begin, a bit of information. For this spell, you'll want to slide your wand along the ground and then point while uttering the incantation "Lumos Duo". Let's be careful where we're pointing these. It'll produce a strong – intense – some may even say blindingly bright beam of light." Would anyone actually go blind? Only if they tried hard enough. "For that reason, we'll practice here before wandering off to face the night's demons. Aim only out toward the darkness; do not point the wand at either your classmates or your own faces. Anyone unable to produce an adequate 'Lumos Duo' will not be allowed to go face a hinkypunk."

Non-negotiable. "Unless you pair with someone who can."

None of them would be flooding his desk with paperwork in their permanent absence.

"Let's see what you've got." And light up the bog while they were at it.

---

OOC: The danger has been revealed, but it's not time to 'face it' yet! Before Maddox will allow the students to gauge the effectiveness of their spells against the hinkypunks, he'll need to know their wands won't suddenly sputter before they find themselves drawn away to become the creature's dinner. For this post, you won't be heading off just yet. Take your time to have your character familiarise themselves with the new spell. Do they struggle? Does it just happen naturally? Is it too strong for their own good? The outcomes are entirely up to you, and there's no need to actually succeed to earn the spell (it would be assumed that in later lessons they were given further practice with it should you choose to not succeed now). Play it however you'd like! I'll be moving things along again around January 18~

The fire rain was endless, dropping down all around, hissing steam into a night that had started off quiet, unassuming. Now it was filled with screaming students, errand spells and splattering mud, crescendoing into a cacophony of panic and confusion that rattled Maevie's skull.

All she had left was to move, jumping out of the way when a fireball dropped down close by, cringing against the passing heat and trying to keep her head straight, to not let the panic eat her alive although she felt herself teetering there, right on the edge.

From a little way over she heard Benji's call and she released a gasp of relief when she spotted his face through the haze, Morgan by his side. His wand slashed through the air above their heads, forming a shield that finally allowed Maevie to feel a brief sense of safety, easing the helplessness that had overcome her the moment that first ball had hit the ground.

There was nothing for her to do but watch as Benji shot another spell from his wand, hoping it'd be enough. Her eyes stayed attached to the sky above, every muscle rigid and ready to jump should the shield fail but a voice broke through the chaos then, announcing Professor Barlowe was here.

The scattered magical shields fused to one, doming them in with the addition of the man's spell, balls of fire hitting with dull thumps, hissing before they rolled off and hit the muddy waters around.

Maevie released a breath, sagging as the tension left her shoulders, eyes closing for a moment. Her heart thudded painfully, the adrenaline still rushing fast and leaving little tremors in its wake even as the sheer panic that had taken over her slowly passed.

Professor Barlowe was speaking to them, explaining what had happened but it was hard to take any of it in when exhaustion began to pull heavily on her body. Hot embarrassment bloomed into her chest, heating her cheeks as the realization settled in, how the fear had taken control of her so easily.

Maevie lowered her head, trying to hide the cheeks that turned a shade of bright red.

She'd had her moments before, little hiccups and startles, but never anything like this. Absentmindedly, her foot splashed around the puddle she stood in.

Too soon they were instructed to practice a new spell, a variation of something she already felt quite confident with but the wand felt heavy where it lay in her hand, the weight on her chest discouraging.

Nonetheless, Maevie tried, finding a spot where she couldn't blind anyone but the possibilities were low anyway.

Swallowing thickly, she levelled her wand to point at the ground before her, sliding it the way Professor Barlowe had instructed and muttered, "Lumos Duo."

A light appeared, a little brighter than usual maybe but nothing like the intense beams some of her peers were conjuring around the bog. She released another quiet sigh before trying again, but it ended the same way as before.

Uncharacteristically, Maevie gave up then, crouching to her haunches instead to poke around a puddle with her wand, aimlessly, hoping they'd go back home soon so she could crawl into her bed, cuddle her stuffy, and go to sleep.

Hopefully.

"Alright. Gather 'round and we'll have a bit of an intermission." Tilly turned when she heard the professor’s voice. So nice of him to join us as FIRE FALLS FROM THE SKY.

The questions were being answered, which was always appreciated. It seemed they were hunting down Hinkypunks, how very Care of Magical Creatures of Professor Barlowe. Seemed it was hard to let go of his old subject. Not that she minded, she enjoyed learning about creatures, so why not combine the two.

With a quick spell and a new shield in place, Tilly was able to lower her wand and shake out her hand, no longer holding the shield meant the blood could return to her fingers. She hated the pins and needles feeling.

"When you've settled, I'd like you to choose one of the lights." She looked around the bog, counting five lights to choose from. “Go together, go alone, just don't get dragged off into the bogs. They do eat children."

Remembering Rae’s earlier comment about the light potentially trying to kill us, her lips turned up into a smile. “Well, Rae, you weren’t wrong about the killing part. Just glad he stepped in before we found that out the hard way.”

"Lumos Duo" Tilly said, practicing the spell under the Professor’s shield. She made sure to keep the light down and away from eyes. It was definitely stronger than her usually Lumos, but not as strong as the Professors. She practiced a few more times, getting the hang of the wand motion and the incantation, happy with her results.

“Anyone want to go with me when we venture out?” She asked. Together or alone, she was fine with either.

Well, he tried. His ice spell made contact with one fireball, turning it into little more than a hissing puff of smoke, but it did nothing to stop the rest that continued raining down upon them. "Fuck," the boy muttered, backing closer towards the shield he'd made for the girls as another crashed down just to his left, sending another spray of mud and plant matter all over him.

"Alright. Gather 'round and we'll have a bit of an intermission."

Ah, the man of the hour. Benji dropped his arm to his side, letting his wand dangle loosely between his fingers as his chest heaved, his lungs fighting for a clear breath that wasn't laced with swamp smoke. Muddy water dripped down his face and off his chin as he picked a bit of moss off the front of his shirt. He grinned, catching Rae's eye and flicked it at her when the group came back together.

Hinkypunks. Well, Barlowe certainly hadn't given up his love of teen-eating creatures.

"Go together, go alone, just don't get dragged off into the bogs. They do eat children."

As Benji said...

He'd love to be the sort of naive, giggling first year who found the professor's warnings humorous and surely full of jest, but this was going into Benji's fourth year with Barlowe, and he knew good and well if the man said they'd die, they probably would.

It wasn't that Benji was afraid of death - he just preferred it wasn't fiery or while ankle-deep in bog mud.

Pointing his wand at the ground, only slightly tempted to flick it briefly at Matilda (he resisted!), Benji muttered the incantation. "Lumos Duo."

A bright beam pulsed from the tip of his wand before growing into a solid ray of bright light. He raised his wand, ensuring no one was in his line of sight, in an attempt to luminate the darkness in front of him.

"Wicked," he grinned, always excited to learn something cool. He vaguely heard Matilda asking for a partner, but he was too busy waving his wand gently back and forth, watching the powerful beam penetrate the darkness.

"Alright," he said, announcing his presence to the scrambling students. "Gather 'round and we'll have a bit of an intermission."

Not a moment too soon.

To say the class had descended into utter chaos would have been an understatement considering there was literally fire falling from the sky.

How? How did the professor keep finding them in such situations? How did he manage to make a class as uneventful and mundane as charms turn into a near-death experience with enough adrenaline passing between all the students to power a legion of warhorses? Maybe Benji was right. Maybe he really did enjoy watching them panic—well, not her. She wasn't panicked, but she was certainly more alert than she'd been before.

It was just as well. Rae moved in close with the others at the man's beckoning. Suddenly, something smacked against her cheek. Sloshy and cold. Benji Laurence, the realest menace in the entire bog. Rae pulled a face at him, doing everything she could to ignore his stupid grin that she loved so much. One would think that listening to the professor would make that easy enough, but the boy was distraction on legs.

“Well, Rae, you weren’t wrong about the killing part. Just glad he stepped in before we found that out the hard way.”

"Call it a hunch," she retorted with a wry grin. This was Professor Barlowe. She'd have been more concerned had he left regular lamp posts to guide them. It would've been responsible, and no one was likely to get hurt, but that wouldn't be him at all, even with his subject changed.

Couldn't just have them try their lights in the classroom. No. He still had to introduce stakes.

Not that she was complaining. Rae would take a night on the bogs over an afternoon in the charms classroom any day.

Rae listened to the man as he continued to explain. Enhanced Lumos. She...supposed she could see the logic. How would they know it worked if it was not tried against something that actively reacted to it? Suffice it to say, she was neither surprised nor concerned at the prospect that it could eat them. She certainly had no plans of getting dragged off into the bog because she knew her wand work and was confident it wouldn't fail her, even with a newer spell. All she'd have to do was apply the principles of 'Lumos' but...more.

How hard could it be?

He set them to practice, and Rae found herself an empty spot with her back turned to everyone, and the bog beyond the man's shield now facing her.

She practised the wand movement a few times while muttering the incantation, as she liked to do a few times before attempting brand new spells. It got her into the right headspace for attempting new ground. Alignment was important. Her intent had to be clear. It had taken so long for her and her wand to fall onto the same page, but she never took it for granted outside of spells she'd already practised a million times with success.

Finally, when she felt ready, she slid her wand across the ground and then pointed. The girl was careful to point out into the darkness, not needing a lacklustre lecture on safety after ruining anyone's vision.

"Lumos Duo!"

It started as a flicker, as if her wand wasn't sure what to make of the new command. A second flicker, a sputter, then a brilliant glow that forced her eyes closed with how bright it was.

Too bright, maybe? She didn't know. The man never really gave a measure, other than what it might apparently do to a hinkypunk but those were still scattered at a distance and unable to help her gauge her magic. Either way, there was light and she was ready to move on.

They'd even learned not to complain.

It helped that some of the usual suspects had already graduated or had simply never returned after the blow-up with Halloway, but Maddox thought that those who remained were solid and capable of great things with only a bit of application. Those were the students he could work with, the ones determined to try and to believe in themselves enough not to run screaming over every little inconvenience.

With his wand still at work, keeping the fireballs at bay, the man walked around to see how the students were doing. For the most part, they were getting on with the practice without hesitation.

"A little more power," he said to Nordstrom as he walked by.

Laurence had no issues with his spell, producing a beam bright enough that the man suspected it would serve its purpose. He clapped the boy lightly on the shoulder, offering him a, "Well done" before continuing.

Maddox hesitated as he approached Elliot, about to give her a set of instructions that might stop her wand from flickering and sputtering, but all at once there came a brilliant flash. The thought occurred to him to tell the girl that her spell required more control, but given the stakes and the essence of the spell, he didn't suppose it made too much difference that her light was 'too bright.' Rather than dimming any pride she may have had in her cast, the man nodded. "Good."

It technically was.

It was something to keep a watch on, however. The man had never needed to care too greatly about his students' spell work. That all changed with his new position, and it required attention to new details.

He continued around the circle of the shield, correcting where he needed to and pairing with praise when deserved. Then he saw her, little Maevie Golding, crouched before a puddle.

The man crouched beside her but remained silent a moment, letting the sounds of her classmates practising continue to fill the open bog. "Take a moment if you need it," he told her simply, not wanting to draw unwanted attention. "Take a few deep breaths, focus only on the spell. Not the fire. Not the bog. If you still can't get it, you can hang back with me when the others head off."

Nordstrom had offered her company to anyone who might want it, but the man had a feeling the girl might have been safer remaining behind. If she couldn't cast her own Lumos Duo, Maddox didn't think it came from incompetence but a busy mind. That wasn't the sort you wanted to let another student lead into the dark wetland.

He rose to his feet, ready to address the class again.

"It's time. In a moment, I will lower this shield. Head off in any direction you choose. I'd suggest not using either variation of the spell until you're close enough, only because you wouldn't want to make yourself a sitting duck for the hinkypunks." All the creature would need to do was aim for the light. "So long as you follow the lights, you shouldn't have trouble getting there. Listen closely. "Lumos" won't work. You must cast "Lumos Duo" if you'd like to make it back to the castle. If done correctly, the creature should solidify, but just one cast isn't enough. You must keep casting--however many times your magic requires, and depending on the creature's constitution--until it becomes statue-like. If it doesn't solidify even after a third cast, your spell isn't powerful enough; retreat." No point trying the same thing over and over while the thing got more agitated.

He lowered his wand, opening the air again.

"Go."

Once the lights of their wands were extinguished, the fire should stop.

---

OOC: Time to try out that nifty new spell you've learned. When you post, please select a number between 1 and 5. This won't have an effect on your posts, but is to help identify which light you decided to follow (so others can know if they're standing by the same one). As Maddox said, one cast won't be enough to get the job done, but how many (above one) it takes for your character is up to you. Likewise, you can decide the light is simply not powerful enough and have a scenario of them escaping. It's your call, and I leave the creativity to you. This is the final update. I'll be back with a closing post on or around January 22. Can't wait to see your spells in action!