Open Forest of Lions

[Edward Elric]

Edward had originally been on his way towards the Quidditch Pitch, however the sight of the forest had an allure about it that he simply couldn't resist. Being early in the school year, he figured everyone would be more interested in all the activities of the start of term to even notice a first year sneaking out of bounds. He had overheard a few older students talking about some of the creatures that lived in the forest and figured it might be interesting to get a first hand account of them.

Some magical creatures appear to have properties that could enhance otherwise normal objects, his own wand was a prime example. If he was lucky he might be able to find a few of these creatures and see if he might gather some samples to experiment with. The radio he brought with him still didn't work and it was supposed to be do to magical interference. It made sense to him that adding some magic to his radio might do something to correct that, however he didn't know any magic so fusing his radio with a magic from a creature would have to be the next best thing for the time being.

"No risk, no reward" Edward muttered to himself as he took a deep breath and began to walk within the forest.

OOC: Open after Jamie Posts

 

[Christina Holmgaard]

Christina had heard of the forbidden forest. And ofcourse it was being said off limits, which ment a no go. But Chrissy was curious and she didn't knew if it would be an good idea to go by herself, but she would find out soon. Since she was on her way to the forbidden forest. She had passed the Quidditch Pitch, a place she really wanted to be a part of next year. This year it was too soon to try out. And Chrissy wanted to feel a bit the same as her sister. Not being the black sheep of the family. Chrissy had no idea if Athena had ever been to the forbidden forest by herself. Evelyn hadn't done those things, and was the perfect student from what she had to believe. Those expectations in her family were high Chrissy felt. Perhaps she had to accept she was different. Chrissy managed to sneak out and believed she wasn't followed by anyone. But than she saw a boy walking in front of her not that far away and he just entered the forest. The brunette looked around her, but he was small so no professor it was gladly. The girl walked towards the boy a bit faster so that she could enter the forest perhaps together, if that was what he was going to do. Because when she got closer and looked at the forest, it seemed pretty big and what if she got lost? Nobody would ever know she was here. '' Hey! Wait up. Are you going in?'' The brunette than said.

 

[Edward Elric]

Edward's heart was about to explode out of his chest when he heard the voice behind him, He was sure nobody had seen him make a detour from the Quidditch Pitch. It appeared however he had been wrong and now would be facing the risk rather than the rewards of entering the Forbidden Forest. He hadn't even had a chance to begin looking for magical creatures and now he probably never would.

"Sorry Prof-" he began as he turned around to face his doom. His plan was to try and convince them that he was a stupid first year that got lost, however upon seeing the blond girl he realized that it wasn't going to be needed. "Oh, your in Gryffindor too" Edward merely replied. He remembered seeing her in a few of his classes so she had to be a 1st year like him.

Edward shrugged his shoulders "I was looking for specimens, the forest has to be filled with them and I'm sure my parents won't let me have any at home. Not just because my birthday was last July but because we live in a muggle neighborhood" Edward had no idea why he just rambled like that in front of girl that he didn't know, perhaps he was just desperate to talk to someone. Who better to talk to than someone from his own house.

 

[Stan Beckett]

He hadn't planned on going into the Forbidden Forest, at least not without Allie by his side, but he couldn't help himself when he noticed Edward entering the forest, and shortly after a rather familiar girl as well. He was sure that they weren't allowed to go into forest, the Headmistress had told them so during the start of year feast, but as always curiosity got the better of him. Stanislaw dropped the ball he was playing with, kicking it to a place where he thought it'd be safe to hide it until he could come back from it, and hastily followed to other two as they vanished out of view. Older students had told them that all sorts of creatures lived in the forest, both dangerous and kind, but of neither of them seemed to be scared to enter, so he wouldn't either. Getting out his wand just to feel a little safer Stanislaw followed the path until he heard voices up ahead. ''Hello,'' the boy said as he approached them. ''Is this not against the rules?''

 

[Christina Holmgaard]

Chrissy grinned as the boy in front of her first thought she was a professor. The face of the boy was priceless. She didn't even tried to be funny or act like a professor. Still she looked around her to see if no professor came close. He knew she was in gryffindor and she nodded. That ment he was as well and when she saw his face she figured she had seen him at sorting and after. '' That's right.'' The brunette than said. And it did made sense, she was sure other students from different houses came to the forbidden forest as well, but Gryffindor was the brave house. And she figured she was. More brave than Athena for sure, she didn't dared to come here. The boy than explained why he was here looking for stuff. Chrissy was impressed. He knew where he was talking about it seemed. '' Which specimens than? I can help you look. I wanted to go into the forest. But it's more fun together.'' The brunette than said. '' I'm Christina but you can call me Chrissy.'' The girl than said with a smile. She didn't mentioned that alone would be more scary.

Than another voice was there and now Chrissy figured this would be an professor. But when she turned around she was glad to see a younger boy and one familliar it was Stan. '' Stan!? Omg you scared me. '' The brunette than said with a grin. He than asked if this was not against the rules. And Chrissy looked at the boy, who she didn't knew the name of yet. '' They said it was forbidden so.. But It seems really cool so?'' The girl said. '' But we have to go in otherwise we will actually get caught before we ever were in the forest.'' Chrissy looked around her and took some steps more into the forest.

 

[Edward Elric]

Christina seemed nice enough and interested in helping him look around for specimens. "Anything that you wouldn't find in a muggle forest would be awesome for now" Edward explained as he noticed another Gryffindor 1st year approaching. He remembered him from his dorm as a boy named Stan. He had thought about approaching Stan in the past however noticed that he was always with another girl that Edward couldn't quite remember.

He didn't say anything to Christina since it was only fair that she be sneaked up on as he was. He was surprised when Stan brought up that they were currently going against the rules by being in the forest. "I know you heard by now that all the best students come into the forest, if so many come here than it must be more of a request rather than an actual rule" Edward explained.

Edward was glad he had listened in on several of the questions the other students had asked at the start of term feast to the older students. He had learned quite a bit about some of the more interesting parts of the castle. He only wished he had been given more of a chance to talk with one of the ghosts. "I don't fancy getting caught merely near the entrance and without finding at least one specimen" Edward said excitedly as he began walking backwards towards the forest. "So you coming or do you need your girlfriend around first?" Edward said with a chuckle as he immediately stumbled and fell on his butt. "yeah, I probably deserve that" he said with a grimace.

 

[Stan Beckett]

He grinned when Chrissy said that he had scared her. He hadn't meant to do so but it was funny nonetheless. ''I am sorry, Chrissy,'' the boy said. He agreed with her that they would have to move into the forest soon if they didn't want to get caught by a professor or prefect right away. In the off chance that they would get caught by someone with authority, the Gryffindor could always just talk Polish in the hope that it would fool them into thinking that he did not know that such a place was forbidden for students to enter. He titled his head, not really making much sense of Edwards explanation. If other students wandered into the forest like it was nothing then perhaps the punishment they'd receive wasn't all that bad. Stanislaw furrowed his brow at the other boy's remark. What girlfriend was he talking about? He chuckled when Edward stumbled and fell to the ground, moving forward and reaching out to him to pull him back up. ''That is called karma, is it not?'' he said, hoping that he had remembered the word correctly.

 

[Christina Holmgaard]

Chrissy smiled at the two boys. It was nice if Stan would join them, the more the better right? At least she wasn't alone. But she smiled at Stan as he apologized it was a bit funny as well. Edward talked about a girlfriend of Stan and Chrissy had no idea where he talked about but perhaps Stan had more friends ofcourse he would. Chrissy waited if the boys would join her. But than Edward wanted and fell she had to grin about the karma thingy she heard of it. '' I guess it is.'' The brunette than said with agrin. But than looked at Stan. '' So are you going along? It will sure be fun, and you are not alone.'' Chrissy than asked. But she was already a bit more in the forest than Stan was. '' Come on!! Perhaps we will discover cool things.'' The brunette than said to both boys. Edward would come along for sure. He wanted to find some stuff or something.

 

[Edward Elric]

Edward took Stan's hand and immediately shot back up to his feet and turned around. He began looking around at the ground trying to see if maybe some creature left behind some tracks. He had been camping a few times in his life and had been part of the boy scouts so he had some ability to track things. Unfortunately, it didn't guarantee that the trio was actually going to find anything. He continued walking and continued looking around for any signs of life. "Do you guys see anything?" Edward asked, not quite sure what they were looking for.

 

[Stan Beckett]

Stanislaw nodded when Chrissy asked if he was coming with them. He had heard more than enough about it to know that he definitely wanted to explore the forest, and if he would have people to do so with, well that would just make it all the more fun for him. ''Of course I am coming with you,'' he told the girl excitedly, and walked together with the other two into the forest. He simply shook whilst he too was looking around for any signs of life between the tall trees and bushes. It got harder to do so the further they followed the back into the forest, so Stanislaw decided to get out his and wand use Lumos the make it a little easier for them to see things. It helped to some extent but it was hardly enough to see properly. Perhaps if the other two would join in. ''They were not lying to us, right? There is something in this forest?'' he asked.

 

[Zennon Baros]

Being tipped off was not something Zennon was used to, but after Rowan had expressed concerns, about the group of first years, he had to admit he was a little curious, especially since Rowan would have been doing this herself if she weren't afraid Elio would catch her and be forced to turn her in. As he got closer to the Forbidden Forest though he noted that they really weren't being terribly quiet. This was broad daylight. Zennon sighed and pulled his wand out of his pocket making sure both his prefect badge and parselmouth badge were on full display. He came in at the tail end of a conversation and rolled his eyes. "There's definitely something in the forest, kiddo, centaurs, spiders, creatures you can't see or hear, magical creatures that can kill you just by looking at you." He said, hoping to frighten the kids enough that they wouldn't keep moving. "Are you three deaf or just stupid?"​

 

[Edward Elric]

Edward continued looking around and saw that Stan had lit his wand up, he thought about lighting up his own wand but didn't want to scare away any creatures that might be nearby. Stan made a comment about being lied too and was met with an answer from a voice Edward didn't recognize.

He turned around and his eyes were instantly fixed upon the two badges on the older boy's clothes. He was the boy some of the older students were talking about. A Prefect that was also able to talk to snakes something that was made clear to him was a 'dark wizard' trait. Edward figured the Prefect was out here trying to find new friends or he had simply seen the small group enter the forest.

"Definitely stupid" Edward said as he took a step back and lost his footing. He fell into a large pile of brushes and roots and quickly got back to his feet. He didn't want anyone to have to help him up as he looked back at the older boy. "But that's why we are here, the forest is home to magical creatures and is it really wrong to want to increase our knowledge of them?" Edward said as he patted his clothes and placed his hands in his pockets. He had a habit of trying to wipe dirt from his hands on the inside of his pockets when he started to get nervous.

 

[Christina Holmgaard]

Chrissy was glad that Stan would join them and more people more fun she figured. She walked along and had no idea where to go. They could go anywhere. What was on the other side of this forest? Could you leave Hogwarts there? Chrissy was suddenly very curious. She had to laugh about Stan. '' Ofcourse there is something in the forest. It would be stupid if it was empty, why would it be forbidden otherwise?'' Chrissy than said with a grin and than thought for a moment but than another voice joined them and now this time Chrissy turned around quickly to see who it was. It was an older and more taller boy it seemed. She put her arms across eachother as the boy tried to scare them. She didn't knew if it was true but she hoped not. And she frowned as he asked if they were stupid or deaf. '' Did you never came to the forest when you were younger?'' Chrissy than asked the boy. But than noticed the badge on his robes. A prefect.... Why!! What if he judged them and he came himself when he was their age. Chrissy saw Edward falling again. What did that boy had? He fell for the second time. Chrissy frowned at Edward. She was not stupid. Chrissy could do two things. Run into the forest, but she would be alone. This was stupid. And she was less scared of a prefect than a professor. But she went standing, since the boy had scared her a bit though. She didn't wanted to die. And looked at Stan for a moment with his light in his hand.

Sorry I'm late

 

[Stan Beckett]

It would indeed be kind of stupid if the forest turned out to be empty. What would have been the point on making it off-limits to students if it was? Stanislaw was about to ask the two something when another voice joined those of his friend. It made him jump and turn around on the spot. He sighed upon seeing the Prefect's badge and closes his eyes for a brief moment. He was caught doing something he wasn't allowed to do by a Prefect. Again. Surely they had cursed him somehow. Lowering his wand, Stanislaw listened to what the others were saying and nodded along. It had been stupid of them but was there really something wrong with being curious? No, he thought. ''Please, Mr Prefect, we were only curious to see if the stories about the forest were true... Do you know if they are true? If so, we don't have to go looking for creatures, we could just ask you!'' he said with the hope that the older boy would go soft on them.

 

[Aspen]

aspen had been watching a group of young two-hoofs entered the forest listening to their conversations. looking for specimens. finding creatures. well, of course, there were creatures in here. she was classed as a creature. she listened to their conversation sticking to the shadows and waiting for a good moment to reveal herself. she watched as another boy joined them this one older almost a man maybe a similar age to her 'daughters' willow and chante and decided that this was as good a time as any. "I would rather not be listed right next to acromantula" she said stapping into the open. she wasn't unarmed but her boy was slung accross her back both her sword and dagger were sheathed as she knew these children would not be a threat and she didn't want to scare them. "but they do live here but couldn't you have at least said unicorns, thestrals or bowtruckles in-between" she said. the acromantular had a section of the forest as their territory and well she really tried to avoid it they were scary ferocious things. but she had to go to the edge some times to make sure they were not moving in on her lands. "I'm aspen." she said. before turning to the boy who had asked if the stories about the forest were true. "that would depend on what stories you have heard" she said. wondering if he would tell her.

 

[Zennon Baros]

Zennon raised an eyebrow at the young boy who said they were indeed stupid, well, at least he wasn't denying it. He fell then, and Zennon was about to move to help him up when he got up on his own and Zennon stepped back again. This far into the forest, or really, any length of steps into the forest, there was certainly no doubt they were being watched by something in deeper within. He could almost feel it. He looked at the young girl if she asked him if he'd ever been to the forest as a kid. Well, that hardly mattered, he'd been smart enough to do it under the cover of darkness, not like these idiots. First years. "The Forest is out of bounds for good reason, especially for first years who barely know how to hold their wands let alone protect themselves should something come slithering out of the dark," he said, looking pointedly over at the last boy, who had asked if it was true about the creatures. He was about to answer them, when his worst fears were realised and they were approached by a large centaur, armour and weapons in a non-threatening position, but still very obvious. "F*ck." He'd so been hoping to avoid attention, though he wasn't surprised to see her. They were on Centaur lands he was pretty sure, or near enough for them to send someone to investigate. He kept his awareness focused on his wand as she seemed to greet them and whilst he didn't want to get into a fight with a Centaur, there was every chance he might have to. He knew enough to know that insulting them was easy, so he just had to be careful. "I'm sorry if we've disturbed your land in anyway," he said, bowing his head slightly to show his acceptance of her authority. "These three first years have wandered in and I'm trying to get them to leave, the dangers of the forest, as you must know, are far too much for them to handle, myself included." He added, staring at the three of them and willing them to get the hint and get behind him so he could escort them back to the castle.​

 

[Edward Elric]

Edward's hands fumbled out of his pockets as looked over at the freaking centaur that had just appeared before them. This was probably the luckiest day of his life as his attention immediately turned away from the Snake Prefect and on the magnificent creature in front of them. "You definately should have been listed with the Unicorns and not the Acromatuwhatever" Edward said with excitement as he began walking closer towards the centaurs. Edward wished he knew more about the creatures before entering the forest but he didn't think one would actually show up.

"How long has your.... clan lived in this forest? Do you use any other creatures within your society? Do you consider yourself magical?" Edward asked with even greater excitement as he found himself on his toes bouncing slightly closer towards the centaur. The wind suddenly began to stir and Edward wondered if a storm might be approaching as he quickly placed his hands back in his pockets. Edward didn't know what the Snake Prefect was afraid of, despite the weapons and armor that fascinated Edward even more, she seemed rather nice.

 

[Wendall Layton]

Wendall isn’t here I promise!

 

[Robert Kain]

Patrols were both the most exciting and most tedious part of Professor Kains duties. On the one hand he did enjoy getting to know his students outside of the classroom, but that wasn’t always reciprocated. Today he was patrolling the grounds, inching his way down the tree line of the forest. There were always first years near the forest. Even as one himself he’d been in there many times, and it was as though they enjoyed being proved correct that they would get into trouble. There wasn’t one time the former Gryffindor had patrolled near the forest and not found students mingling around. Upon hearing voices, the Charms professor headed towards them, and lighting the way with his wand he was wary of who they were talking to. As he got a little closer he spotted a handful of students that had met a centaur, and the man cleared his throat loudly in greeting. One of the younger boys, Edward, was in the middle of asking her a number of questions which in any other situation, Professor Kain would have been quite pleased about, but since there was also a prefect in the vicinity, who was likely trying to get them out of the forest instead, he couldn’t help but show his disappointment at the younger students for trying to buy their time. “Guys, what have we said about the forest?” He asked the younger ones. While he was making many assumptions about the older boy, he trusted Kalif’s judgement of character enough to consider he wouldn’t have chosen someone who was going to make a dangerous circumstance any worse. He looked over the student to the centaur, “I hope they haven’t caused trouble?” He asked seriously. He didn’t want to interfere with the centaurs habitats but he was never sure whether the creatures of the forest were as curious about them as they were of the creatures.​

 

[Edward Elric]

Before the Centaur could answer a single one of Edward's questions something worse than the Snake Prefect appeared, a Professor. "Fizzlepops" Edward said out loud as he pulled his hand from his pockets. One might have thought this was in response to the Professor showing up, however it was actually due to the small twig like creature Edward had grabbed when he'd 'fallen' the second time.

Edward had been trying to keep it in his pocket in the hopes of sneaking the small creature back up to the castle. The creature however did not agree as it had proceeded to bite Edward's fingers. Shaking his hand the small creature released it's bite and ran back into the unknown. Edward's plan to collect specimens had failed miserable so far. He quickly assessed the situation he and the other first years was in and decided he'd simply have to go for broke. Ignoring what had just taken place, he turned his head back and forth so that he was speaking to both Professor Kain and to the Centaur.

"We came here to learn Professor not cause trouble. Care of Magical Creatures doesn't even begin until third or fourth year! We know it was dangerous and stupid but isn't the quest for knowledge worth the risk? I have never seen a centaur before and might never have, had I not taken the chance. She's amazing as you can see! I know it was wrong to lead these two deeper into the forest but I'm sure the Centaur had no intention of hurting us otherwise she would have. We have a chance to actually learn from a Centaur and perhaps she might want to learn something from us" Edward said very fast and in a pleading tone to both of the adult creatures.

 

[Stan Beckett]

He stood frozen when a creature emerged from the shadows and stared at it for a long time. What? How? What? It was when Edward spoke again that Stanislaw was brought back to reality. Looking around he was surprised that Professor Kain had also joined them. He smiled at the professor, though looked down at the ground immediately. It had been stupid of them to enter the forest, he knew, but they weren't here to cause any trouble and bother the creatures living in the forest. He nodded his head to what Edward said, only furrowing his brow a little when the other boy said that he led Chrissy and him into the forest. Why would he take the blame? All three of them were here so all three of them would probably be punished for it, not just one of them. He looked back up at Charms Professor when his friend was done talking. ''We are sorry to have broken this rule, professor. It is as Edward said, we were just eager to learn more, not to cause any trouble.'' Stanislaw added to it himself.

 

[Zennon Baros]

Zennon sighed as Professor Kaia showed up. Perfect. "I didn't want to leave them here alone, Professor. Thank you for coming," he said, turning to look at the man. It was true. He didn't want to leave them, and he was worried that any spells would attract the attention of something not as reasonable as a centaur. He didn't want to over step here, so he decided to remain quiet as the students tried to defend themselves. He had no authority now that the Professor had showed up.​

 

[Aspen]

aspen rolled her eyes as the older boy told the boys that they shouldn't come into the forest as it was dangerous. "Don't be such a, what do you say "spoils sport"? tt I have seen you in here many times serpenstongue looking for a place to be unhidden" she said the times she had seen him he had been accompanied by snakes and had been deep in a conversation with them. she hadn't interrupted even among centaurs there were legends about those with snake tongues and they were never shown as good people. not that she always trusted the myths as wolfskins also had the same story but she would trust her sister more than anyone.
one of the bys started talking and she had to smile. "you can stay. what is your name?" she said as he said she certainly should have been listed with the unicorns and then asked about her family. "My tribe doesn't live in the forest. i left them many many years ago when i was still only just older than a foal to come here to be with sister-mine. she has gone but I have more family now. another sister, datter-mine and son-mine who I have yet to meet" she said.
it was then that the sound of movement announced the arrival of another two hoof this one far older than a foal. the centaur's expression changed to one of distrust and her hand subconsciously went to the handle of her dagger though she kept it in its hilt. as he spoke she could tell that he was more respectful than many of the adults she had seen at the school he even apologised to her for the students intruding on her lands not that she minded. "They have caused no trouble. and they are safe when they are with me" she said stressing the word they at the start. "I like seeing students in the forest and making new friends seeing as they are already here and you are here to prove that I am right that they are safe you can let them get the information they want, isn't it best that they hear it from the horses mouth" she said using a phrase she had heard two hooves used before that she had thought was funny so she had asked another student what it had meant. she then turned to the boy who had asked her about the stories in the forrest the arrival of the professor had seemed to make him forget his question "What stories have you heard about the forest?" she asked.

 

[Robert Kain]

The students were quick to defend their actions, and while Professor Kain admired those who tried to extend their knowledge, he wasn’t having it. “Mr Elric, while you are correct that you won’t be studying Care of Magical Creatures until your third year, I for one would like to see you make it to your third year in one piece. You cause trouble when those care you’re placed under have their trust threatened,” he added with a glance to Stanislaw. Both boys worked hard in his class but he was disappointed that they tried to take things into their own hands. The girl was quiet but that didn’t mean she was excluded from this. He looked at the prefect with a nod, knowing how hard it was even as a professor sometimes to round up excitable children. “And while I, appreciate you enlighting these young minds, I’m going to have to ask you to refrain. I feel that encouraging them with your stories are only going to entice them out into the forest more often, and I’m sure you can agree with me here, neither of us want to see any student come to harm,” he smiled politely at the centaur, hoping that she understood that the more she invited the students onto her land, the more danger they were in. “Perhaps it can be arranged for you to come to the grounds in the future, then everyone will be able to learn from one another,” he suggested, wondering if it have been a good idea to speak to Professor Alicastell. If the centaur came to the school then the students would learn without the other threats around them, and right now Professor Kain did not feel reassured by the small daggers the creature had on her person. While they could be used as defence, it wouldn’t take much for the tables to turn. “Thank you for your time, but we will be going now,” he finished, gesturing to the students to move past him back towards the great lawn, “After you,”.​

 

[Christina Holmgaard]

Chrissy was watching Stan and Edward talk to the prefect. But than a huge creature joined them and how tough Chrissy tried to be she went standing a bit to the back. Perhaps this was something scary but when she saw it closer and the creature started to talk she saw it,. The creature had a name Aspen. And Chrissy looked at Stan for a moment. She wanted to respond to the prefect, she knew how she had to hold her wand. He was being stupid and looking down on them or something and she frowned. Edward seemed so brave he went to talk to Aspen and Chrissy just watched the thing happening. Chrissy smiled to the creature now it didn't seemed that scared so much. '' Hello Aspen. I'm Christina, but Chrissy people call me.'' She than said with a grin. But than another voice joined them and Chrissy sighted. Really!? How many people joined them. They didn't even got far and now there was a profesor as well. That did more to her than a prefect. The brunette looked to the professor and realised they were done now. Unless she would run away. She nodded at what Edward said and let him do the talking.
'' What they said indeed.'' But Edward seemed to be taking the blame. They decided on their own that they would come here.

Chrissy grinned loud as the centaur said that the prefect came here often as well. '' See. '' Chrissy than said stubborn and put her arms over eachother. And than listened to the professor. The centaur said they could stay and this would not be the last time Chrissy came here she knew. She wanted to look further, because they were too slow. Next time they had to go directly in the forest for her taste. But she did want to die, so she would have to learn more spells to protect herself in case needed. '' The centaur seems to have no issue with it. And she can protect us?'' Chrissy than tried to say to let them stay. Not that she felt it would change. But she could try and smiled sweet as her sister would do.