[Forest] Don’t Panic! (Invite only)

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Yep, they were all thinking it; they were giving the same reaction that Girty gave when he told her. The blank looks followed by ones of confusion and the belief that Dan had actually lost it, and in all honestly he most likely had. The only problem was that he had fixated himself so long on this idea, doing all the research common sense no long applied and in his mind it was set in stone that this pool existed and it would be the solution to all their problems. So despite the fact he should have really been able to guess their reaction he was till taken slightly by surprise when Bree stepped forward and made her thoughts clear.

So snatched the parchment out of his hands and with a very mild attempt to get them back Dan just stood back, holding onto Dia waiting for the barrage to start. He had expected the whole ‘I have never seen anything like this’ one which Bree very kindly put forward straight away so the Headmaster knew he needed to squash these negative thoughts immediately, or at least he hoped it would.

“When was the last time you were in that section of the forest at night?” He raised his eyebrows as the tiniest bit of cockiness seemed to be slipping into his words. “If you read what I put it is only when Jupiter is about to set and mars appears early that the pool is noticeable…that is this month!”

Dan had looked at every clause in the tale so that if the moment was to arise he could argue the point and prove himself right…the only fact he over looked was that it was only a story and there being any truth in it would be extremely slim. Alana was then the next person to speak up but she was commenting on the one thing that had been worrying Dan, they were going into the forest. It seemed they were not the only ones with concern Emilie and Dia both gave their two cents on the matter and although begrudgingly Dan agreed with them…seeing as the only reason he had called them all out was to be his own personal bodyguard before he wondered into the forest. ‘While Hogwarts is left leaderless’ Oh how those words haunted him, but he knew he could not endanger his staff.

“I do not want to make you do stuff you do not want to do. Bree, myself and Dia shall enter the forest it is up to you if you want to follow.” Dan turned to look at Dia, a small comforting smile on his face, he would always look back on this moment and wonder how he could be so oblivious to his wife’s fear of the forest. At the time he only saw it as concern, but concern for his safety not her own…strange how selfish people can get when they are not thinking straight.

[Professor William Vaid]

As soon as the rest of the staff began turning up the more time went by and the more Will became slightly agitated and alarmed at why they were here. Will kept flicking his eyes over to Dan every once in a while, hoping that he would somehow let him in on the secret just by looking at him but Dan must of known that Will would want to know and his eyes didn’t meet Will’s once until everyone else was there.

Will stood there, hands in pockets rocking slightly back and forth on his heels simply listening to Dan reel off his concerns and all his research into this pool. His face did not show any judgement until the headmaster had totally finished his story. Will then looked upon the other professors faces in the moments silence before a few professors spoke up.

His eyebrows were raised when Bree spoke and she had some good points but he couldn’t help but still feel slightly anxious. He was unsure what he was scared possibly for what the whole idea that Dan was hinting at or the fact that just a handful of Professors were going to attempt to walk through the forest in search of something that may not be there while all these strange things were happening.

“Dan are you sure?” he said rather quietly.
“I am willing to come with you but are you sure this isn’t all for nothing?” he questioned. He didn’t like the feeling of this, and as he looked at the mouth of the abyss, he had a churning feeling in his stomach that would not settle and it felt like a black hole was eroding away as his insides. This was not a good sign.

Sighing, he began walking towards the forest, rubbing Dia’s arm on the way and giving her a comforting smile. He could sense her distress and both Dan and Dia were his friends, he didn’t want anybody hurt.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Hannah stood outside watching the sky darken slowly. The air was ripe with a sudden chill, making Hannah wish she was inside her room where a roaring fire would be waiting to greet her. She was starting to think Dan was loosing it, her prophecy had addled his brain somehow. He hadn't looked right since she was told she had an episode. Those episodes were horrible because she was always left in the dark about what she had said and those who witnessed it first hand could never get it exactly right.

Every night since she tried to remember but it just wouldn't come to her. The bits and pieces that were repeated just never sounded quite right. Sometimes this gift was a blessing and a curse. Wrapping her arms about her she watched as more and more professors made their way on to the grounds. Hannah watch a bit uninterested at first then she realized how many people were arriving. Whatever was going on was going to be big. She just wished they could get on with it.

Being out here was hard enough because Will didn't even seem to acknowledge her existence and it was annoying her. She still had no idea what was going on with him. After the last few professors arrived including Dan's wife Dia they finally learned what they were doing out there. Hannah listened and listened good but it all sounded so far-fetched. They were all about to just troop into the forest in search of something Dan read about in a story, something that may or may not really exist.

Of all the ludicrous, far-fetched, asinine ideas this one had to take the cake. Dan must have bumped his head on the desk in his office. That would explain well everything about the man. Luckily she didn't seem to be the only one thinking these thoughts others were voicing their concern, for all the good it would do. If Hannah knew anything it was that once someone had their mind set on something nothing could be done to change it and right now Dan's mind was set on this. Since she had nothing better going on that night she figured she'd be a follower this time around. If they were heading into the forest Hannah was heading into the forest.

[bethany]

"So What the problem Danny-boy!!" Beth said as she walked in on the group. She had entered in the middle of Dan's explanation of what was going on. Bethany immediatly realized that there was no plant problem and her face's happy expression faded into that of confused worry.

Some of the Professor were hesitant. Bethany was intrigued. It was just the thing that she wanted, some action. Being a Herbology teacher was just as exciting as, well, Herbology. It wasn't her forte, and now when something exciting was going to happen, the young woman needed to get involved.

"Really, where's your sense of adventure?" She replied to Emilie with a soft face, but fire in her eyes. "A walk through the woods couldn't hurt anyone?"

Dan was a true leader. Bethany admired him for his cool head. She looked around to to the faces of the worried group of teachers. She stepped forward. "I'm in." She said without any explanation needed. Most of the staff knew that Bethany was a hot headed adventure crazy person. She needed an outlet, and her constant complaining about Herbology was probably enough to drive them mad.

Bethany saw Hannah, unsure, but ready to follow. She stood next to her, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Dan knows what he's talking about. When has he ever lead us astray?" She said with a smile as they began to follow the Hubble's into the forest.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan should have expected the other Professors to be unsure of joining in, it was dangerous and they were such a mix of people they would not all be willing to dive head first into the darkness with a wide grin on their face. The only reason Dan was so willing was that in his paranoia about his possible death and the want to end this dark magic that was filling the castle and its grounds he would do anything! He was so determined that for once the other Professor, even his wife’s safety was not his top priority.

Slowly and for many begrudgingly a few of the Professors agreed to come along, he was getting a nice amount of personal bodyguards and as he turned to give Dia a wide grin he finally noticed her less then enthusiastic expression. She was gripping onto his hand rather tightly, funny how he had not noticed that before, in fact she was clinging onto him almost as if using him as a barrier to the forest. A small stab of guilt shot through Dan’s heart as he knew what he was doing was defiantly not what Dia wanted, but he needed her.

“Illy please.” He dropt his voice into a low whisper so that only she could hear him. “Please do this with me I…” He faltered; the honest relationship he shared with Dia was something he cherished but this was hard for him to say, it meant doubting himself and dashing his own pride. “…I am scared.”

Dan looked at Dia directly in the eyes, the two of them had been through so much together that he hoped that she would give him the benefit of the doubt and agree to come along. Slipping his hand out of hers Dan knew he needed to become the confident leader once again and the wide grin filled his face once more. “Come on then guys. Those of you are coming along lets go!”

He spun on the spot; his long coat was caught in the draft and fluttered around behind him, as he turned to face the Forbidden Forest. Clicking his fingers and pointing forwards he took the first steps into the forest, his head held high as he tried to hide the fact he wanted to throw up due to nerves.

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

[[two birds with one stone here ]]

Bree couldn't understand what everyone was so worried about and as soon as Bethany spoke she sighed. At least someone agreed with her. Bree gave an encouraging smile to everyone before stepping forward, putting her hand on Dia's shoulder as she saw the look in her eyes. The look that shouted 'I don't want to do this!' but Bree knew she would. For Dan.

"Bethany's right," Bree said, looking around at the group while Dan spoke with Dia, "the likelihood of something happening with so many of us on guard is slim. We'll be watchful, quiet as we can be and we'll be fine!" Bree waved her hand as though they were discussing a walk in the park on a Sunday afternoon. "I'm often in the forest, it's no big!"

Just then she heard someone behind her move and turning slightly Bree saw Dan turn and walk into the forest. Grinning widely, Bree looked at Dia who looked more petrified then ever. Grabbing her friend's hand, Bree pulled her to her side and linked arms with her. Patting her hand as she dragged her along, Bree said sweetly, "don't worry. I'll keep you safe, E." She then began walking towards the forest, pulling Dia with her. As she walked past Bethany she grabbed her hand and began pulling her along too.

"Come on guys," Bree said happily. The instant they entered into the forest the air changed, becoming damp and heavy and cold. She let go of Bethany's hand and pulled her long coat tighter around herself, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck. Dia walked where she was led, the two woman side by side just behind Dan. He seemed to know where he was going and that worried Bree in all honesty. Everyone knew that men were useless at direction. No matter, Bree knew more or less where they were going and she should be able to take over if it was called for.

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Victoria stood by and listened as Dan explained his reason for summoning them all out there. At first the whole thing sounded like a very funny joke. At one point the urger to laugh came over her, but when she noticed no one else was laughing it finally occurred to her that this was a serious situation. Daniel had read up on this myth or whatever you wanted to call it and now expected them all to follow him into the forest. A forest Vicky had always been afraid of even when she was younger she hated it.

When she returned to the school as game keeper one of her duties had been to venture in and make sure there was nothing hurt and that no students were taking a little field trip. This was a duty she might have been remiss in performing. She did try to get over her fear had gone in a few times, she thought that perhaps the fear was gone but now the idea of going in had her shivering.

Telling Dan to bugger off sounded like a good plan right about now. This was a fools mission they had no idea what they were going to find in there, and Dan himself didn't look too sure. Surely someone else would voice this concern (Vicky didn't have the heart to tell Dan what she really thought) but no matter what anyone else was saying it seemed like they were going into the forest. She had been out of school for years and now she felt as if she was back in being a follower.

Dan turned and walked in the forest and was soon swallowed up by the darkness. At this point no one was going to allow him to do this alone. Time to face facts they were headed into the forest. Summoning her courage, hoping beyond hope that nothing went wrong, Vicky followed.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan looked through the darkness, the trees felt like they were closing in as he walked deeper and deeper and the density of the air grew thicker. The trees were looming over as they fought for the precious sunlight that would only occasionally break through the canopy of leaves that covered the forest. Of course with it being night there was no light to be fought for and it was this absence of any natural light that made the hairs on Dan’s arm stand on end. With a glance over his shoulder he could see a few of the Professors were following him, seemingly quite willing to go along with Dan’s crazy idea…some most likely simply wanted to laugh at him when it all went pear shaped. But in his present state of mind Dan was determined that was not going to happen, he had to be right!

He held his wand out in front of him, the beam of light that protruded from the end moved slowly from side to side highlighting the forest floor so that Dan knew where he was stepping. Occasionally, at the sound of a twig snapping, leaves rustling or even the distant howls of the creatures in the forest, he would stop where he was and just stare into the darkness almost waiting for a creature to leap out and rip him to shreds.

“Happy thought.” He mumbled to himself as he got his feet moving once again. “Think happy thoughts.” Problem was the Forbidden Forest was not really a place to think ’happy thoughts’ seeing as the very air you breathed chocked you and the darkness played tricks on your eyes as you strained them to see. Almost to back this point up there was a strong gust of bitter November wind and as the fallen leaves danced around in the breeze he was convinced that in the blackness ahead he had seen something. Quickly he moved the light from his wand around trying to ignore the creepy shadows that where being projected from the trees.

“D-did a-anyone else see that?” Dan could not keep the stutter out of his voice, he hoped it would pass off as him being cold seeing as he was trying to act tough in front of everyone. Slowly Dan began to step backwards feeling slightly venerable leading the way. “Bree!” Dan said, possibly a little bit to happily for their current situation…in fact he did not think he had ever said her name with as much delight. “The forest is your domain…you lead the way!”

[alanaduncan]

The other professors audible peptalks to themselves were certainly not enough for the girl who was Ravenclaw by nature and she couldn't fathom the idea of all of them going into the forest in a big group. Sure, they were all powerful wizards and she doubted that there would be much danger... but the mentality of the student still clinged to the outskirts of her brain and told her that going into the forest was a big no-no.

While the discussion and debating was going on that eventually led into them deciding to go in, Alana was lightly chewing on her lip with a clearly worried look in her face and she slowly tried to comprehend the thoughts of Dia, Jackson, and Em as Ravenclaw minds seemed to be the ones she trust to keep their wits about them in the situation. Dia seemed to be dragged into the forest and Em's look was far too calculating to understand, but since she knew her well enough she could tell that the girl wouldn't let one hair into the forest. 'Is no one going to challenge him anymore? They're just going to frolic through the forest looking for an imaginary pool?' She thought, her brows knitting together as she finally convinced herself of what she would do.

As everyone else shuffled slowly towards the trees, she made her way over to Em and placed her hand lightly on her shoulder. "Shall we walk back together? We can get a brew from the kitchens to warm up," She said, putting a warm smile on her face while her head tilted slightly with the inquiry. "If we're still worried, we could probably go to the Astronomy tower, even though that would be pointless as we wouldn't be able to see much of anything." Alana said as her eyes drifted toward the edge of the forest as the professors that we actually going to go into the forest disappeared from view.

[/blockquote]