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Post by Thom Moen on Oct 8, 2006 15:59:20 GMT
It was around six in the evening, and not for the first time Thom was traipsing around the edge of the Forbidden Forest, lugging along fallen branches and dead logs to a small patch of cleared ground just between the lake shore and the trees. His younger brother had recently sent him a letter informing him about a special night that British muggles celebrated.
On the fifth of November every year, muggles all over the country built huge fires made out of anything and everything, and just before it was lit a large rag doll called Guy Fawkes was mounted on a stake in the middle in memory of it's living counterpart, who had failed to do something or other. Thom personally had found it an immensely strange tradition, especially for the fact that the muggles would cheer when the flames consumed the doll.
The sky was completely dark now, and to Thom's relief there was no snow or rain to dampen the wood.
He at last threw on the last branch and took a few steps back to admire his work. It was broad and dense, towering about a foot over his head. The only thing he did not have was the dummy, but he was more than certain Zachary Daniels would arrive to intrude on his fun - then he would have his Guy Fawkes.
Thom had pinned up a notice informing anyone who read it to come down to the lake at six thirty, but he was unsure if anyone would come. Deciding that if no one had read the notice, a roaring leaping fire by the lake would probably attract their attention anyway. Thom withdrew his wand, muttering a brief spell and watched as blazing fire was thrown out onto the lake and the surrounding trees. His eyes lit up as the warmth spread through his body, the crackling flames a wonderful sound.
It was then that he heard someone approaching from the direction of the castle, their feet crunching on the frozen ground...
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Post by freya on Oct 8, 2006 16:30:19 GMT
Freya hadn't been to a Bonfire Night event in years. Her mum always insisted on keeping up the muggle holidays that her side of the family celebrated and before Hogwarts, she had gone every year. Her dad had always gone as well, and every time was reduced to tears of laughter at the, as he described it: "sheer muggleness of it all". Even after many explanations from her muggle grandmother, Freya had never really understood the significance of the day and in fact considered it to be pretty stupid. After a lot of inner debate however, she figured it was a good excuse as any to get out and about, and with the Forbidden Forest as a venue - she couldn't miss out.
It was chilly night and Freya pulled her cloak tighter around herself to insulate her body heat. The idea of a bonfire was sounding more and more inviting the longer she walked in the cold. Peering over to the lakeside she could see a large glow just up ahead and a lone figure lugging branch upon branch into the flames. Freya quickened her pace at the sight of the fire, loud crunching resounding from her steps on the frozen ground as she finally reached its warmth. 'Nice fire.' She said with an impressed smile, recognising the guy attending to it as an older Hufflepuff.
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Post by Girty Hubbles on Oct 10, 2006 19:48:18 GMT
Girty had read Thom's message on the notice board and had thought very hard about going. After sitting around in the common room she thought it best. She tighten her scarf round her neck and put on her gloves. In her bag she put in tones of different types of food she could toast on the fire.
As she left the castle the smell of burring wood reached her nose. She gave a little squall and broke into a run toward the forest. As she got closer the glow of a fire could be seen.
"Thom!!" She shouted as she ran down the gravel path but as she got closer she saw another girl there. She skidded to a halt and gave a small smile to the Ravenclaw girl.
"Hi there. I'm Girty Hubbles"
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Post by freya on Oct 12, 2006 16:00:23 GMT
Freya rubbed her hands together and held them towards the flames warmth again. It wasn't long before she could hear the approaching footsteps of another person, and she greeted them with a smile as they came into sight. 'Hey, I'm Freya.' She said in reply, vaguely recognising the girl from the lower year.
'Cold night huh?' The Ravenclaw continued conversationally. It seemed that she had stepped in on a group of friend's bonfire night, though she figured the night was young and there was bound to be more people looking for an excuse to have a nightly gathering. She returned her gaze to the blazing fire before her, watching the flame almost dance about and listening to the quiet crackling of the burning logs.
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Russell Parkhurst
Dept. International Magical Cooperation
Ravenclaw Graduate
Posts: 298
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Post by Russell Parkhurst on Oct 13, 2006 23:26:40 GMT
Russell strolled out of the castle doors and headed for the long column of smoke, his guitar on his back. He had been wandering the corridor, playing random songs to himself then noticed a note on the wall. Agreeing with himself, it did sound like a plan.
He strolled onto the soft grass, ignoring the path, and made a straight line to where the bonfire was. As he approached the fire, he noticed people standing, ready to go. When he got in ear shot of them he say:
"Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot... "
When he had finished speaking, he was standing next to a hufflepuff girl. He looked at the pretty girl, then at the fellow ravenclaw and the hufflepuff boy. She grinned his lobsided grin at them and scratched his head. "I love Guy Fawkes Day!" he told them, "how about you?"
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Post by Thom Moen on Oct 14, 2006 10:25:33 GMT
A nasty plume of smoke spluttered from the edge of the fire as the bonfire really began to burn and roar. It caught Thom off guard for a moment, causing him to close his eyes and stumble back a little, slapping the air with his hands in an attempt to ward off the black fumes. In his flurry he had not noticed several people appear all at once, and he was silent for a moment as he turned around to see a pretty Ravenclaw girl, who had obviously been who he had heard approaching a moment ago, standing next to Girty - who had also not been there before - and a Ravenclaw boy that had just appeared from the direction of the castle.
'Hello... and who might you be?' Thom said curiously, moving away from the fire to move closer to Freya. He also gave Girty a somewhat sheepish smile. He hadn't expected her of all people to show up. At least she was excited to see him...
He frowned a little as the Ravenclaw boy stopped next to them and appeared to be mumbling some sort of little song. 'Erm, what's that you're singing?' he asked with a wrinkled nose. The smoke was still stinging his eyes.
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Post by Jerred Boneman on Oct 14, 2006 11:25:07 GMT
'What in the sweet merciful hells is this about?' Jerred asked looking around as he decided to step out from the shadows, quickly growing bored the sight of students just introducing themselves. 'This has to be a muggle thing because it makes no sense to me... stupid muggles.'
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Post by Girty Hubbles on Oct 14, 2006 12:21:56 GMT
Girty stood by the fire and gave the Girl and smile and a nod of the head, she waved at Thom and stepped backward in shock of the Ravenclaw boy standing next to her. She mouthed a small hello at him and looked around to see if anyone else was around. Then she heard a voice of a Slytherin. Girty spun around on the spot and looked at him as he complained about muggle’s. She was really not in the mood for anyone to go on about how stupid muggle celebrations are. She moved over toward Jerred and looked right into his face.
“You can either shut up and bugger off to the castle or sit down like a good little boy with you mouth closed and watch the pretty explosions.” She took a deep breath and started to walk away half expecting a comeback.
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Post by Thom Moen on Oct 14, 2006 13:13:39 GMT
Thom too had been about to retort with something along the lines of Boneman's presence not being necessary when Girty beat him to it. He grinned at her appreciatively before turning to Boneman and saying, 'Where are all your nasty friends, eh? I'd think Daniels would be slinking around somewhere, being a prat as usual...'
Thom glared into the surrounding darkness accusingly, waiting for a band of Slytherins to appear and put out his fire. He jumped slightly as a branch came loose and fell from the top of the wood pile, cracking loudly as it hit the ground. Annoyed, he stormed over and kicked it back onto the flames with his boot, swearing under his breath as the end of the lace caught fire.
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Post by Girty Hubbles on Oct 14, 2006 17:05:54 GMT
Girty smiled at Thom as he finished of insulting the Slytherin and found it hard not to laugh when he got scared at the fire. She walked closer to him and whispered into his ear.
“Careful Thom someone may think your scared.” She patted him on the back and walked closer to the fire. Looking on the ground she found and small stick, she picked it up and pulled out a bag of marshmallows form her bag. Rather quickly marshmallows appeared on the end and where starting to turn black from the heat of the fire.
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Post by Thom Moen on Oct 14, 2006 17:13:53 GMT
Thom huffed gruffly as Girty whispered to him and passed toward the fire, where she had placed several marshmallows onto a twig and was roasting them carefully. 'I'm not scared.' he said deeply, stuffing his hands in his pockets and shrugging up his shoulders defensively.
Looking up into the sky, he watched as the roaring fire ended in a flickering point, disheveled embers and sparks shooting up into the cold air to be extinguished abruptly. They looked nice against the pearly crescent moon and the brightly scattered stars. November the fifth was obviously a good night.
There was the smallest of sweet smells suddenly, and Thom looked at Girty to see that the burnt surface of her marshmallows had split open to reveal thick shinning pink sugar inside. He was surprised that their aroma had not been whipped away on the wind. 'Save us a few, eh, Girt?' he said eagerly.
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Post by Girty Hubbles on Oct 14, 2006 17:19:28 GMT
Girty spun around and looked at Thom. She had the stick halfway I her mouth fitting in 3 marshmallows. She pulled them off the stick and chewed them slowly. After the worst of the marshmallow was out of her mouth she smiled at Thom.
“Erm…here.” She pulled a couple more off the stick and threw them at him. “Careful there hot.” She laughed and put some more on the stick.
“Does anyone not want to join me?” She questioned looking around the small group of people. She patted the grass by her. “I do not bite…well not under this moon.” She giggled and looked to the sky and saw it was clear.
Perfect for fireworks she though. Thom best have some.
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Post by Zachary Daniels on Oct 14, 2006 21:25:35 GMT
Zachary, adorned in a fur hat that drooped over his eyes and a heavy cloak, had seen the notices posted around the castle and had tried his absolute best to ignore them. They were hosted by Thom Moen, after all, and he wasn't going to take part in any Hufflepuff festivities if he could help it.
So he trudged toward the castle, reassuring himself that he was outside earlier to do some last minute homework, not because he was at all curious, when a huge fire roared upwards near the forest. Pushing his hat up, Zachary peered over to the trees and scowled, walking slowly toward the flames.
When the bonfire came into view, his scowl deepend and he turned to Thom. "Keep it down, some of us planning on sleeping tonight."[/color]
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Post by Thom Moen on Oct 14, 2006 22:52:57 GMT
'I knew it! I knew you'd come!' Thom bellowed a little too triumphantly, quickly recomposing himself to look displeased rather than ecstatic. 'You just don't have any friends, do you Daniels? Constantly trailing after Hufflepuffs because they're better than you...' he tutted knowingly, an expression of mock pity on his face.
He popped three of the black and pink marshmallows Girty had thrown him into his mouth and proceeded to glare at Daniels accordingly. 'Fancy being the center piece?' he said darkly, jabbing a thumb toward the fire.
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Post by Zachary Daniels on Oct 15, 2006 7:23:23 GMT
Zachary spluttered indignantly as his cheeks flushing brightly, illuminated by the flickering fire. Pushing his hat from his eyes once more, he stepped up toward Thom and drew himself up to full height. "I have loads of friends, I'll have you know!" He said arrogantly, glancing at Boneman. "And there's not only Hufflepuffs here--" He paused as Thom popped a few odd, sticky-looking things into his mouth.
"You know, combined with you losing our Salamander and me having to save your life on multiple occasions, I think you owe me one of those." His gaze trailed down to the bunch of marshmallows gathered in Thom's fist. [/color]
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