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portusnovus_ooc2020-11-11 05:41 am
portusmod) wrote in portusnovus_ooc2020-11-11 05:41 am
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ℋ The Knight Bus
Two weeks to the start of term, everyone is gathered up for a trip to Diagon Alley, a magical shopping district somewhere in London. Professor McGonagall is chaperoning the trip and she makes sure everyone is all grouped up and accounted for before she proceeds.
"Right, right, gather 'round," she says shortly, rolling up the parchment she'd been using to tic names off. "You might find this next part startling, but please refrain from screaming."
Professor McGonagall sticks out her wand arm, much like she's trying to hail an unseen taxi. What happens next is a blink-and-you-miss-it moment as a large, purple, triple decker bus seems to squeeze itself out of thin air at an incredible speed, screeching to a halt in front of the gathered group. "The Knight Bus," McGonagall says coolly, putting her wand away.
"Take it away, Ern!" booms a jovial voice, once everyone is seated. Upon further investigation, the voice belongs to a small, shrunken head hanging from the rear-view mirror, much like a macabre car decoration.
With a loud bang, the Knight Bus is off. It moves at impossible speeds, already seemingly hundreds of miles away from Hogwarts in the blink of an eye as it speeds down lone country roads, swerving to and fro to avoid obstacles.
"Hold on tight, it's about to get real bumpy, eh!" the shrunken head booms out, cackling as the bus speeds to a halt to avoid muggle traffic that seemingly appeared out of nowhere as you realize you're already in a city.
The force of the stop is jarring, if you aren't holding onto something it's quite possible you'll go flying out of your seat. No sooner than the bus stops does it start again, the interior of the bus shrinking as it starts to squeeze through a narrow opening in the city traffic. It expands again as the bus finally finishes squeezing through, and all of a sudden you're thrown back against your seat as the bus takes off with another bang.
"The bus usually be much more crowded dan dis," the shrunken head says to no one in particular as the bus zooms along. "But da headmaster be reserving the whole bus for dis trip!"
Another hard stop, a sharp turn, a badly timed school crossing and several agonizing minutes later, the bus slams to a stop for the final time. "Leaky Cauldron!" the shrunken head calls out.
Professor McGonagall leads everyone off of the bus, to the door of an old, dingy looking pub on the corner. "This way, if you please."
"Right, right, gather 'round," she says shortly, rolling up the parchment she'd been using to tic names off. "You might find this next part startling, but please refrain from screaming."
Professor McGonagall sticks out her wand arm, much like she's trying to hail an unseen taxi. What happens next is a blink-and-you-miss-it moment as a large, purple, triple decker bus seems to squeeze itself out of thin air at an incredible speed, screeching to a halt in front of the gathered group. "The Knight Bus," McGonagall says coolly, putting her wand away.
"Take it away, Ern!" booms a jovial voice, once everyone is seated. Upon further investigation, the voice belongs to a small, shrunken head hanging from the rear-view mirror, much like a macabre car decoration.
With a loud bang, the Knight Bus is off. It moves at impossible speeds, already seemingly hundreds of miles away from Hogwarts in the blink of an eye as it speeds down lone country roads, swerving to and fro to avoid obstacles.
"Hold on tight, it's about to get real bumpy, eh!" the shrunken head booms out, cackling as the bus speeds to a halt to avoid muggle traffic that seemingly appeared out of nowhere as you realize you're already in a city.
The force of the stop is jarring, if you aren't holding onto something it's quite possible you'll go flying out of your seat. No sooner than the bus stops does it start again, the interior of the bus shrinking as it starts to squeeze through a narrow opening in the city traffic. It expands again as the bus finally finishes squeezing through, and all of a sudden you're thrown back against your seat as the bus takes off with another bang.
"The bus usually be much more crowded dan dis," the shrunken head says to no one in particular as the bus zooms along. "But da headmaster be reserving the whole bus for dis trip!"
Another hard stop, a sharp turn, a badly timed school crossing and several agonizing minutes later, the bus slams to a stop for the final time. "Leaky Cauldron!" the shrunken head calls out.
Professor McGonagall leads everyone off of the bus, to the door of an old, dingy looking pub on the corner. "This way, if you please."
ℋ The Leaky Cauldron
Before heading off to Diagon Alley proper, your little field trip includes a stop at the infamous Leaky Cauldron. On the outside, it looks a bit worse for wear, you're not really sure if Professor McGonagall is fooling you as she leads you inside. It just seems so... ordinary. Perhaps it's because it's sitting right on the corner of what's clearly a very ordinary street.
Muggles- non-magic folk- are going about their business, seemingly oblivious to the fact you and your group all just got out of a triple decker bus moving at the speed of light.
Nevertheless, Professor McGonagall leads you into the shabby tavern, where a tired looking wizard stands behind the bar. All around him, dishes wipe themselves clean, chairs push themselves into place at their tables and trays of drinks float around lazily, dispensing themselves to various tables around the bar.
"We might as well have a spot of breakfast while we're here," Professor McGonagall says, situation herself at the bar as she begins to make small talk with the barkeeper, Tom.
She leaves everyone to go about their business for the time being. The bar is pretty quiet, a few witches and wizards sitting about reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet, the wizarding newspaper.
Along with a menu of assorted wizarding treats such as cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties and butterbeer, the Leaky Cauldron also has a smaller menu of normal foods such as meat pies, stews and the like.
Professor McGonagall doesn't appear to be in much of a hurry, so feel free to enjoy the calm, quiet atmosphere of the quaint street-side pub.
A chair pulls itself out for you, as a rag floats over and begins tidying up the table and Tom the barkeeper calls over, "Oi, what'll it be?"" as Professor McGonagall assures you the school will cover the expense.
Muggles- non-magic folk- are going about their business, seemingly oblivious to the fact you and your group all just got out of a triple decker bus moving at the speed of light.
Nevertheless, Professor McGonagall leads you into the shabby tavern, where a tired looking wizard stands behind the bar. All around him, dishes wipe themselves clean, chairs push themselves into place at their tables and trays of drinks float around lazily, dispensing themselves to various tables around the bar.
"We might as well have a spot of breakfast while we're here," Professor McGonagall says, situation herself at the bar as she begins to make small talk with the barkeeper, Tom.
She leaves everyone to go about their business for the time being. The bar is pretty quiet, a few witches and wizards sitting about reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet, the wizarding newspaper.
Along with a menu of assorted wizarding treats such as cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties and butterbeer, the Leaky Cauldron also has a smaller menu of normal foods such as meat pies, stews and the like.
Professor McGonagall doesn't appear to be in much of a hurry, so feel free to enjoy the calm, quiet atmosphere of the quaint street-side pub.
A chair pulls itself out for you, as a rag floats over and begins tidying up the table and Tom the barkeeper calls over, "Oi, what'll it be?"" as Professor McGonagall assures you the school will cover the expense.
ℋ Diagon Alley
Professor McGonagall leads everyone to a stone wall in the back of the Leaky Cauldron, before she proceeds to whip out her wand. She raps pointedly on a few specific stones and before you know it, the wall in front of you begins to rearrange itself, stone by stone, as it forms an opening.
Before you stretches a long, crowded street packed with wizards and witches and magical folk of all kind. On either side of you, shops and stalls of all kinds stretch along the cobblestone streets that lead along this wondrous settlement, seemingly tucked away in the middle of London.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor McGonagall says shortly, stepping through the opening in the wall and onto the cobblestone street. "You'll be able to find all the supplies you need for school. Do go on, I haven't got the time to babysit all of you. If you have any questions, I shall be around. Stay out of trouble, or I'll have you out of here faster than you can say 'transfiguration'."
And with that, Professor McGonagall wanders off, though she's sure to keep an eye in case anyone runs into trouble.
A few places catch your eye immediately, Flourish and Blotts, a wizarding bookstore where you're sure to find all of the books you'll need for school. The Magical Menagerie has been alerted to the fact new students are visiting, so they've made sure to display the finest cats, rats, toads and owls to tempt anyone looking for a companion to accompany them to school.
Diagon Alley is also home to the famous wandmaker, Mr. Ollivander, whom you've had the pleasure of meeting already. His shop can be found here, where you may be lucky enough to witness new students going through the process of getting their own first wands, which is often time consuming and difficult, depending on the person. The shop itself is old and dusty, stacked high with boxes of wands and in a seemingly permanent state of dishevelment, though Mr. Ollivander navigates the space with decisive expertise.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor is also a popular destination for the younger crowd, offering an assortment of flavors, both magical and mundane to suit your sweet tooth. Today's special? Strawberry-Peanut butter! Have a seat outdoors and enjoy a nice cool treat while folk bustle about around you, shopping and chatting it up jovially.
Don't forget to swing by Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where she'll see to it that you're fitted with school robes in your size, and of course you can't leave until you've tried on a pointed hat or two. After that, why not head over to Gringott's Bank at the very end of the street and open up an account? You still have some money leftover from what the Ministry of Magic gave you and you have no idea how long you'll be here. It would be a wise decision to ensure any money acquire is safely guarded- no place safer than Gringott's for that!
After a few hours of exploring and shopping, Professor McGonagall rounds everyone up for another quick trip through the Leaky Cauldron, outside where she once again summons the Knight Bus to take everyone back to Hogwarts.
Before you stretches a long, crowded street packed with wizards and witches and magical folk of all kind. On either side of you, shops and stalls of all kinds stretch along the cobblestone streets that lead along this wondrous settlement, seemingly tucked away in the middle of London.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor McGonagall says shortly, stepping through the opening in the wall and onto the cobblestone street. "You'll be able to find all the supplies you need for school. Do go on, I haven't got the time to babysit all of you. If you have any questions, I shall be around. Stay out of trouble, or I'll have you out of here faster than you can say 'transfiguration'."
And with that, Professor McGonagall wanders off, though she's sure to keep an eye in case anyone runs into trouble.
A few places catch your eye immediately, Flourish and Blotts, a wizarding bookstore where you're sure to find all of the books you'll need for school. The Magical Menagerie has been alerted to the fact new students are visiting, so they've made sure to display the finest cats, rats, toads and owls to tempt anyone looking for a companion to accompany them to school.
Diagon Alley is also home to the famous wandmaker, Mr. Ollivander, whom you've had the pleasure of meeting already. His shop can be found here, where you may be lucky enough to witness new students going through the process of getting their own first wands, which is often time consuming and difficult, depending on the person. The shop itself is old and dusty, stacked high with boxes of wands and in a seemingly permanent state of dishevelment, though Mr. Ollivander navigates the space with decisive expertise.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor is also a popular destination for the younger crowd, offering an assortment of flavors, both magical and mundane to suit your sweet tooth. Today's special? Strawberry-Peanut butter! Have a seat outdoors and enjoy a nice cool treat while folk bustle about around you, shopping and chatting it up jovially.
Don't forget to swing by Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where she'll see to it that you're fitted with school robes in your size, and of course you can't leave until you've tried on a pointed hat or two. After that, why not head over to Gringott's Bank at the very end of the street and open up an account? You still have some money leftover from what the Ministry of Magic gave you and you have no idea how long you'll be here. It would be a wise decision to ensure any money acquire is safely guarded- no place safer than Gringott's for that!
After a few hours of exploring and shopping, Professor McGonagall rounds everyone up for another quick trip through the Leaky Cauldron, outside where she once again summons the Knight Bus to take everyone back to Hogwarts.
ℋ Flying 101
With only a week to the start of term, there's a tense atmosphere looming over the school and Hogsmeade village. No one is sure how the year is going to go, but the Ministry of Magic is breathing down everyone's neck as the date approaches.
Professor Dumbledore doesn't want to start off the year on any sort of negative note, so he's decided to throw together an unofficial first lesson on the grounds of Hogwarts, where attendance is optional but highly encouraged and advertised. He sends out notices to everyone, though just what this lesson will be is kept secret.
On the day of the lesson, you're lead onto and across the Hogwarts grounds, until you reach a large, oval shaped structure with towers built around it, all decorated with different house banners. You're lead through the structure, out onto a large field with three large hoops at both ends, rising high into the sky much like flag poles.
All across the field, broomsticks are lined up ground.
"Welcome!" Dumbledore's voice booms from a podium set up to the side, his wand pressed to his throat, which you realize he's using to amplify his voice so that it can be heard clearly, "to your first flying lesson!"
A witch with close-cropped gray hair and a whistle in her mouth steps forward. "My name is Madam Hooch and I will be your flying instructor. Everyone, find a broom and position yourself next to it!"
Each broom appears to be old and well-used, their twigs bent askew and their wood worn by years of handling, some even have initials carved into them by students gone by. It's clear that these haven't been new for some time.
"Once you've found a broom, at the sound of my whistle I want you to hold your hand out above it and, with feeling, command it up. Nice and loud. Never mind if they're a little stubborn at first, just show the broom that you're boss."
Not every broom responds the same, some are tired and simply appear to want to lay there. Others shoot up with enthusiasm into your hand, while others roll about tiredly. For most, it depends on your fervor. If you really want and mean it, the broom responds in kind.
"Next, you'll mount it and then you'll kick off from the ground. Hover a moment, then touch back down. From there, we'll see how you feel and then perhaps you can try the obstacle course." she gives a wave of her wand and additional hoops and various obstacles appear around the field.
"Three, two, one..."
After practicing the basics for a while, Madam Hooch allows everyone time to free fly and to go through the obstacle course. After a while, when all the initial buzz dies down, she'll wander off and supervise from the side while everyone goes about flying.
Aside from flying, those who are more ground oriented are free to simply watch, or sit in the shade and take a moment to enjoy the scenery. Perhaps they'll wander away from the flying lesson and over to the great lake surrounding Hogwarts castle, where the tentacle of a giant squid can be seen occasionally poking out from below the surface, trying to swipe at any bird that makes the mistake of flying too low.
Professor Dumbledore doesn't want to start off the year on any sort of negative note, so he's decided to throw together an unofficial first lesson on the grounds of Hogwarts, where attendance is optional but highly encouraged and advertised. He sends out notices to everyone, though just what this lesson will be is kept secret.
On the day of the lesson, you're lead onto and across the Hogwarts grounds, until you reach a large, oval shaped structure with towers built around it, all decorated with different house banners. You're lead through the structure, out onto a large field with three large hoops at both ends, rising high into the sky much like flag poles.
All across the field, broomsticks are lined up ground.
"Welcome!" Dumbledore's voice booms from a podium set up to the side, his wand pressed to his throat, which you realize he's using to amplify his voice so that it can be heard clearly, "to your first flying lesson!"
A witch with close-cropped gray hair and a whistle in her mouth steps forward. "My name is Madam Hooch and I will be your flying instructor. Everyone, find a broom and position yourself next to it!"
Each broom appears to be old and well-used, their twigs bent askew and their wood worn by years of handling, some even have initials carved into them by students gone by. It's clear that these haven't been new for some time.
"Once you've found a broom, at the sound of my whistle I want you to hold your hand out above it and, with feeling, command it up. Nice and loud. Never mind if they're a little stubborn at first, just show the broom that you're boss."
Not every broom responds the same, some are tired and simply appear to want to lay there. Others shoot up with enthusiasm into your hand, while others roll about tiredly. For most, it depends on your fervor. If you really want and mean it, the broom responds in kind.
"Next, you'll mount it and then you'll kick off from the ground. Hover a moment, then touch back down. From there, we'll see how you feel and then perhaps you can try the obstacle course." she gives a wave of her wand and additional hoops and various obstacles appear around the field.
"Three, two, one..."
After practicing the basics for a while, Madam Hooch allows everyone time to free fly and to go through the obstacle course. After a while, when all the initial buzz dies down, she'll wander off and supervise from the side while everyone goes about flying.
Aside from flying, those who are more ground oriented are free to simply watch, or sit in the shade and take a moment to enjoy the scenery. Perhaps they'll wander away from the flying lesson and over to the great lake surrounding Hogwarts castle, where the tentacle of a giant squid can be seen occasionally poking out from below the surface, trying to swipe at any bird that makes the mistake of flying too low.
Mrs. Hardbroom | The Worst Witch (2017) | OTA
Mrs. Hardbroom made her way out of the wall a touch wobbly, as if she had been sailing on rough seas and hadn't yet regained her land legs. The older teacher, the one in charge of this expedition... a Professor McGonagall she recalled the name, was given a cool hard stare.
"A most... unconventional means of travel."
Her every word dripped of disapproval but she didn't linger for long on the Professor. As one of the few other chaperones on this trip she wasn't about to let the kids think they could get away with anything.
"I suggest all of you heed your Professor's words very... carefully. Stay out of trouble. I will be watching."
With that she gestured with her hands, a move that in her world's magic would have had her disappearing in a small cloud of black smoke, but here she remained where she was... awkwardly looking at the kids before lowering herself reluctantly to walking away.
[Flying 101]
Her broom was one of the more unruly ones. It's bristles were more broken than the rest and its wooden staff sat at a crooked angle. It flopped about on the ground like a bronco, daring anyone to try and tame it. This was why she had picked the broom out of all the others. No student should have to try to ride something so potentially dangerous. Naturally she said nothing of this, merely looked at the broom like it's protests were silly.
"Do try to behave yourself. You may be the most disgraceful broom in the field but you can still attempt mediocrity..."
She held out her hand and glared at the broom, boding no more of this chaos, and it wisely flew up into her hand. Mrs. Hardbroom had dealt with her share of headstrong brooms in her time as Deputy Headmistress and Potions Teacher at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches and while the magic of this world might have been some what different there were similarities when it came to flying.
Diagon Alley
Apparently, but even with the unexpected, she didn't appear to have lost her cool- and he could appreciate anyone with that kind of keen social grace. (Look, there were only a small handful of adults on this trip, he was committed to making An Effort of Some Kind.)
"Not your first rodeo? The kids-" he clarified, gesturing at them as they fanned out over the cobbles in various stages of nervous-to-excited.
Re: Diagon Alley
Her cool gaze shifted to look over the man who had spoken to her. The gentleman did not seem to be from this world as he didn't go in for any of the robes or pointed hats the witches and warlocks tended to wear in these parts. American. She noted due to the accent.
"The magic of this world is similar to what I'm used to but different enough to require practice. Have you been finding the same to be true?"
Her eyes then shifted to focus on a young boy as he snatched an apple from a cart before noticing he had been seen and very wisely and very quickly putting it back.
"Children are the same everywhere. They require a firm hand."
no subject
His harrowing interrogation at the MoM rose to the forefront of his thoughts, an unsettling reminder of how quickly those in charge leaped to the threat of physical harm- or worse, in light of everything he's seen these wands to be capable of -to get what they wanted, terrified of something he had no name, no concept of. It reminded him of another interrogation from his own world, far from here and only a year ago. He learned plenty from that, too.
The boy looked aside at him, but if he was after approval or a reprieve from Hardbroom's stern gaze, he received only the vague flutter of Tony's fingers: Shoo.
"If magic does exist in my world," he began evenly, sliding his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, "I haven't seen it. My education consisted of boarding schools and MIT. Magic for us is, is tarot cards and sleight of hand, nothing like-"
Like this, his gesture took in all of Diagon Alley.
no subject
"I see. You are from a non-witching family..."
Being of the old school Miss Hardbroom couldn't say she approved of that at all. So much could go wrong when one was a stranger to magic. It held a powerful allure to those new to magic and could be exceedingly dangerous.
"This is no fit place for non-magical people or even those with... new talents... There is a great deal you will find difficult to comprehend."
no subject
"Is that so," Tony offered readily, sensing a challenge and smiling for it, polite but direct as he countered, "Maybe if I were an impressionable twelve year old. What difficulties do you anticipate, exactly?"
no subject
"Magic can be unpredictable... Those with no experience with it really shouldn't be dabbling."
As if proving her point the door of a shop blew open and several kids tumbled out into the street. One of the magical pranks being sold had been a little overly energetic but then one wasn't meant to use ten of them at a time. The kids were dizzied and unharmed but she looked to Tony as if this proved her point.
no subject
"And yet, neither of us have a choice," he countered calmly, but seriously, "Neither of us asked to have our lives uprooted but, here we are, making the best of an unideal situation."
That might be the end of it for him, while he pushed his frames up his nose and seemed ready to disengage, but Tony continued instead, rapidly changing the subject:
"...How much would you say you know about magic?"
Flying
A tall, pale woman with brilliant blond hair and colorful tips was grinning cheekily at Mrs. Hardbroom looking somewhere between impressed and amused at the reaction.
"I bet you can make your socks fold themselves and hop into the drawer too with a voice like that."
Harley looked down at her own broom which had rolled over limply when she called to it the first time.
"Alright lemme try this again. Gotta use my Brooklyn voice." She cleared her throat dramatically before barking so loudly that it was distracting to some students "UP!"
The broom sprang to life flipping up so fast it cracked her clean on the nose and between the eyes knocking her on her rump, leaving her giggling wildly.
"THAT got his attention."