[Dungeons] An old map and a wand

[Dax Simmons]

Dax waited by the lowest door in the dungeon, tapping his foot nervously. Every time a student walked past he would feel his heart jump, if it was a first year he would pretend he was a prefect and order them to move along. Many looked at him strangely and some even gave him attitude. After threatening 15 people to take away house points and was scared twice by the same rat scurrying on the floor Dax heard some footsteps.

Dax was waiting for Will ready for one of their random adventures. In his pocket he had map he found in a library book. It seemed pretty old and they both wondered if it was from the time of the Weasley twins. With a small smile Dax tapped is foot at an even faster pace hoping for Will to arrive soon.

[William Harris]

Will was having a lovely dream, and of course it involved his favorite topic; girls, in particular one girl he loved above all the rest Sophie, he hadn't really realised this fact at the time of their going out, but for the last two weeks, she was all he had dreamed of. Their dream dates always begin so well, with amazing promise until, as was happening with this very one now, they turned into nightmares. Tossing and turning upon his bed oblivious to the quack of his wand acting as an alarm which presently began prodding him violently in the chest, he dreamed that in the midst of their date at his usual haunt of the Three Broomsticks, he and Sophie had been chatting amiably, getting famously as was their norm, not only in the dream world. Until suddenly he had said entirely the wrong thing, mentioning Dax of all people, she had flared up instantly and began prodding him violently. Finally Will awoke in a cold sweat thankful the dream had only been a dream, glaring at his wand as it readied itself for another attack he plucked it from the air. Crawling out of bed he wondered why his wand/alarm had woken him, then he remembered with a jolt, looking startled at his watch he said aloud to the sleeping occupants in his dorm
"I shud a met Dax half an hour ago!" Grabbing his clothes he scrambled into them enroute to the bathroom passing a startled throng of people, some who let off a hail of wolf whistles to his retreating back. Forgoing his usual tidying of hair and brushing of teeth, Will only relieved himself hurriedly then sped down the corridor to his and Dax's meeting place. Only then did he remember that his dream had in fact been all too real the night before, although it hadn't been an actual date per say, he never knew with Soph whether she might have classed it as such. He hoped and secretly knew she would forgive him his bringing up the forbidden topic of Dax in time, but she wouild never really trust Will, not for a relationship anyway.
Speeding round the corner his footsteps souding loud to his ears, Will lurched to a halt in front of Dax trying to catch his breath and gasping out an apology.
"So...sorry...mate," He grinned half-heartedly still focused upon his circumstances with Sophie. Clutching his stomach where a stitch throbbed painfully, Will shook his head trying to regain his breath.

[Dax Simmons]

As Will appeared in front of him out of breath Dax noticed that his hair did not have its normal ‘puff’ too it. With a sigh Dax reached out his hand and ruffled up Will’s hair trying to give it some volume.
“Ok so I’m guessing you have just got out of bed so please…please tell me you remembered your wand.”

Dax looked at Will with sharp eyes knowing all to well that his friend had a habit of forgetting things in a hurry. Before even Will could answer Dax spun around and faced the old wooden door. He placed his hand on the rusty handle and pushed it with as much force as he could. The door did not budge. With a frown his hand went in his pocket and pulled out his wand. Pointing it straight at the lock he cleared his throat.
“Alohomora”

Sparks came out the end of his wand but nothing happened. Dax leaned his head against he door and let out a groan. He should have been doing this when waiting for Will.

[William Harris]

Will laughed as Dax helpfully ruffled up his hair,
"cheers," he thanked with a wry grin, he had been quite mortified that he hadn't had the time to smarten himself up. Trying to check his image in the eyes of Dax, who presently span round to open the great oaken door before them, Will muttered
"O' course," he had only happened to remember it because he had clucthed it in his hand whilst dressing nearly pocking himself in the eye several times but still determindly holding it, his wand now lay safely deposited in his sleek robe pockets. He laughed at Dax struggling with the door then stepped forwards grinning from ear to ear, happy to get one over on the usually wiser lad before him. He pulled the door open saying
"It's pull mate, not push," he chuckled "easy mistake to make though, the hinges are cleverly concealed, your spell might have unlocked though," he said trying to be optimistic towards Dax who had turned beetroot.
"Cause I know you're afraid I'll let ya foller me," he teased stepping through the doorway muttering "lumos" to give more light to the dimly lit area. He squinted and waited patiently for Dax to join him, closing the door firmly behind his friend. The ominious clunk did nothing to help their spirits though both would obviously fain they were brave in front of the other.

[Dax Simmons]

As Will pushed open the door Dax felt worse then when he had once was caught wearing a pair of pink boxer shorts. Wit a small chuckle Dax stepped into the darkness, lighting his wand trying to see where they were going. As the door swung to a close his stomach lurched. There was no tuning back now, they had to commence into the darkness.

Holding the wand close to the paper Dax looked at the fading drawing on it and moved closer to where the silhouette of Will was.
“Ok we are here. There should be some steps leading downward and then…well it is either a lot of water or the table they were leaning on got rather ruff.”

Trying to put a smile on Dax spun patted will on the back and started off, holding his wand far in front of him.
“First we need to find the stai......”

Dax suddenly felt the ground disappear form him and his whole body fall forward. He then felt the hard of the ground, over and over again. Then suddenly he felt the cold, sting of ice cold water.

[William Harris]

Will laughed happily as the two miscreants, slipped into the corridor, strangely there was a faint smell of fish. Curious that he didn't think there was water hereabouts, that was until Dax promptly fell slap bang into it. Laughing good naturedly, he jumped in after Dax he hoped to land with a nice sounding and dramatic splash, unfortunately it was more of a squelch as his body quickly sank into the marsh up to his knees. Thankfully the bog didn't rise too high up, though indeed they wouldn't dry off quickly in this dark, damp place. Muttering "Lumos" he held his wand aloft and gazed around, the sights that met his eyes bewildered him to say the least. The two young strapping lads stood up to their knees in a bog filled corridor, perhaps some ancient magic had placed it here, or else stinking water from the lake had been seeping in for centuries. Whatever the case was, nobody had been here for many, many years.
"Cor it ruddy stinks," exclaimed Will loudly as he peered around into the perpetual gloom that permeated the place. It really was a miniature swamp in here with long vines entwined around and stinking marsh plants belching toxic fumes into the air. Some looked incredibly dubious and bore wicked spikes and claws designed specifically to tear their prey apart. Gulping audibly Will chuckled more nervously now
"those plants look deadly, kinda wished I'd paid the slightest bit of attention in Herbo now, sheesh!" he yelped as a strnage creature emerged travelling quickly between the two lads who squelched over for cover along the corridors grimy sides. The swimming creature fled before them zipping between the two and away it had gone.
"That didn't look pretty," remarked Will with a laugh, though he was clearly trembling with nervousness inside and wondering why the hell they were there, he loved the adrenaline pumping through his body, which gave him renewed strength and vigour, if not just enough to survive longer than Dax. Seeing Dax looked incredibly pale he said comfortingly
"we'll be alright Dax me ole mucker, just have your wand at the ready, come on your with the King of Duels as you well know!" He said not meaning nor comforting himself with the words of bravado.

[Dax Simmons]

Dax felt something move passed his leg, with a scream and a little shout of pure fear Dax fumbled around in his pocket for his wand. Shaking as he held it Dax shone it around the underground of Hogwarts, keeping a close eyes on what was moving below him. With a quick glance over at Will, Dax was soon looking ahead of him for any sign that this Bog might end.

“I say we make a move. The longer we stand here the longer these over grown fish have a chance of eating us whole.”

Dax voice quivered with fear as he tired to lift his leg up to start to walk. It was hard work, the swamp seemed to keep sucking them back down and was slowly getting deeper. He could feel the gung getting inside his shoes, and the coldness spreading thought his body.
“Will…..any ideas?”

[William Harris]

Stifling a laugh at Dax's girly scream of fear, Will could of course sympathise with him, but just having somebody more scared than he was, actually became quite a comfort to him.
"I don't think they're that big, fingers crossed," he replied promptly crossing his fingers firmly around his wand. Pumping his legs hard he managed to force his way bodily through the marsh, every so often grinding to an unfortunate halt and summoning up his energy to carry on once more.
"Cor this is hard going," he muttered "and no, I'm fresh out of ideas I'm afraid, wait a sec, hows about brooms?" He asked, grinning as he'd found a way out of this sticky mess, until he thought more about it, being very unlikely that their brooms could actually get here.
"You never know though," he muttered "accio broom" He grinned sheepishly at Dax and continued "well you never know really."

[Dax Simmons]

Dax slowly walked through the marsh, finding every step more tiring. When Will summoned his broom Dax could not help put slap his forehead.
“Yeah great idea Will, I’m sure my broom can open a locked door!” Dax rolled his eyes and was about to state another witty comment when something else went past his legs.

Letting out an even louder cry this time Dax jumped into the air taking hold of Will’s robes. However Dax did not sink down as low as he had done before. In fact he was now almost a foot taller then Will. Looking down at his feet, Dax’s face was one of pure confusion. Rising his right leg he put it one in front of him and found that did not sink at all. With a glee full smile Dax soon was standing on a grassy surface, which had a little spring to it.

“Will…Will…Will. Poor silly Will. You did not look for the steps.!” Dax gave a rather evil chuckle and took another step forward only to find himself waste deep in swamp again.

[William Harris]

Smacking his head for being so stupid he muttered "well my broom's pretty smart though," he knew the retort had been rather lame, but he was preoccupied by the sudden swish of a God awful creature passing once more. Though of course being a Gryffindor he wasn't afraid, he tried extremely hard not to show himself up at least. A slight paleness to his skin was all that showed and a small intake of breath when the creature passed, was all he'd allow.

Will couldn't help but hoot with laughter as Dax made a fool of himself, though he would rather Dax had been right and that steps had led the way out for them, but of course they wouldn't have such luck. Struggling onwards Will ducked overhanging branches and moved steadily onwards with Dax at his side.

[Dax Simmons]

Spitting out a mouthful of marsh water Dax chased after Will. It took a while and he stumbled quite a few times almost landing face first in the water again. When he final reached the Gryffindor’s side Dax was puffing and panting.
“This is tuff going mate, how much further of this marsh do you think there is.”

Dax waved his wand around in front of him hoping that some light would be cast over into the distance, however it only revealed a pair of big yellow eyes staring at them. It took Dax a few seconds to realise what he had seen, but as soon as it registered I his mind that they were slowly walking towards a huge creature he could not help but panic.

He stopped dead in the marsh reaching out trying to take hold of Will. Dax managed to take hold of Will’s left arm and pulled on it tightly trying to stop him form moving forward.