Strange Place for Inspiration.

[Yerik Rhys Price]

As much fun as it was to explore Hogwarts castle, there was a certain degree of fun that was hard to find about it with the sun streaming in blindingly through the windows. Things were more hidden at night. Shadows turned recesses into gaping holes and hallways into endless inky wells. The suits of armour seemed somehow more alive with the silvery moonlight playing off of them, and the most innocent of noises became something so much more sinister.That was what Yerik Rhys thought, anyway. Though he would never sneak out at night, he didn't wanted to be caught and most especially do things. So the young boy shook his head and decided to wander the castle as the day was still young and the fact that he was free to do so. Yerik Rhys found that his usual strolls through the castle were no longer enough to get his creative juices going. He decided to go and try to find some new experience that he could spawn some of his idea on.

He made his way down one more corridor and pushed through the door that led into the antiquated bathroom. As soon as he walked in, he stepped into a puddle of water, that seemed to cover the entire floor of the bathroom. Pretty much everything in the bathroom was wet, and nothing was in order. "well... That's sanitary." he muttered , stepping deeper in the to bathroom. As he did, he heard the echos of some sort of scoffing noise between one of the stalls. Yerik knit is eye brows in wonder, and made his way towards the sources of the sound. Only to find out it was rat, a big one too. He was probably a residence inside the old lavatory perhaps. It was a bit odd for the third year to be inside the old place, filled with dust and rust of metal. Still he find it quite amusing to see the place, which made him wonder if his idea was good or bad.

Yerik Rhys wadded through the wet floor, towards the stalls cautiously. Seeing if there were any more rats to come, not that he hated rats or anything in fact he finds it interesting. The stalls made an old squeaky sound that was rather painful for anyone to hear. He then slowly circled the room, trying to think of something to do alone. Until he thought, there wasn't any as he was well basically alone. A beam of sunlight came through the window, making an illusion so beautiful that Yerik Rhys just had to see. He stared at it for minutes still unsure of what was he going to do next after gazing at the light. He was after all a loner and no one likes loner from what he have heard. Then again it wasn't his fault for being one, as people see him quite strict and studious which means boring. Was it wrong to be academically fit and all, only the brotherhood was left for him to see during his free time. The dark haired boy stood there wondering if anyone could join him, though that case would be rare as no one goes to the ancient lavatory anymore.

As the light was gone, he thought to check if there was still any water from the old faucet. He then turned the faucet only surprised to see that the water was quite clean, the fact that no one uses it seems to be quite surprising for him. A chill rolled down Yerik's spine from his neck as cold water was splashed onto it and his face by hands that had been cupped beneath the running faucet of the sink in the empty lavatory. He needed something to cool off; he needed a quick moment to clean his face and collect himself after facing the beam of light before. His hands rested on the sides of the sink as the water continued to run into it and drain into the pipes. He listened to the running water as it passed, letting the cool liquid wash away his warmth like it washed away the sweat that had beaded on his brow. It was quite relaxing to hear the running water, as it was therapy to his ears.

Time slowed, and moments lasted a little longer, which was much appreciated. However long he could get out of just standing there he would take, even if it was only a figment of his imagination. He turned the water off and placed a free hand on his forehead, which then proceeded to drag the remaining moisture on his forehead into his hair, dampening it at the roots and, though not noticeably so. His dark brown hair moved however he wanted it to because it was manageable. Simple as that. It would seem that's all he needed to truly relax. Having composed himself, he let his face air dry and in the mean time looked himself over in the mirror. He fixed his hair, not that he meant to make it neat, drew an index finger beneath his nose and sniffed at the air a few times to make sure his nostrils were clear of any...nastiness. With a deep breath he turned around and leaned at the sink.

Out of Character:

I was quite inspired, don't worry about my next post/s...wouldn't be that long like this.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

After an exhausting quidditch practice with the gryffindor prefect, Minoas decided to stay away from the quidditch pitch and the grounds for that day. Although he was used to explore with the cover of night's darkness, this time he was going to enjoy his favourite activity with the blinding light of the morning sunlight. It was still the beginning of his second year and he wanted to stay away from detentions a little bit longer. There was no reason to be caught during the day, it wasn't banned for students to wander around that time of the day. In case he was caught again by professor Kingsley, sneaking around suspiciously, he was going to find a pretty convincing excuse to tell.

The young gryffindor used to explore the upper levels of the castle recently. He had already discovered the most secret areas of the rest of the castle and he was determined to find a sort of special place that the older students called the room of requirements. It was only then when he decided to open for once the History of Hogwarts book and have a look there for any kind of clues. It seemed that in the original school the room was somewhere in the seventh floor. Minoas had spent countless hours of his free time, searching the seventh and sixth floor last semester. His long patrols and efforts were completely fruitless. Just before the holidays, he was convinced that the room was only in the wild imagination of students. But today as he woke up he filled somewhat inspired and something inside him was suggesting to search the other floors as well.

As he was descending the grand staircase from the ground floor, he decided to pay a visit first on the fifth floor and go to the rest floors in a countdown way. By entering the light showered corridor and walking further inside he heard the relaxing and hypnotizing sound of running water. For a moment he looked outside the bright windows to make sure that it wasn't raining. The weather was absolutely clear, no clouds in the vast blue of the sky.
He followed the distant sound, it seemed to be coming out of a room he hadn't visit yet. As he approached the door, he realized that the source of the water sound was definataly in that room. Without knocking the door, he shrugged his shoulders and opened it before he stepped inside. His grey eyes turned immidiately on his feet as a splasing noise distracted his attention. The whole room was covered with water. He took him one moment to realize that he had entered inside a bathroom. That should be the antiquated lavatory. No one was using it and Minoas could understand now the reason why.

Another boy was inside ther room, leaning his body against the sink. They looked each other during a rather awkward moment until Minoas decided to break the ice. "Hey. This place is a total mess, isn't it?" he stated pointing at the flooded floor. As much as he loved water, he didn't liked it in his shoes. Then an idea struck his mind like a ray of sun. What if the room was somewhere hidden in this old bathroom? What if this place was in such bad condition to reserve students from exploring? He looked around to study the place and then his eyes focused on the boy. He might was there for the same reason. Maybe they could team up and search together.
"So what are you doing here, in such an inviting place?" he asked the boy curiously.

Out of Character:

I love big posts!

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Yerik Rhys ran his hand through his now wet hair, he liked the way it was now. The Ravenclaw scanned the room with his eyes and wondered if he did something wrong, as the place was flooded with water. He looked down on his feet only to see his shoes wet, Yerik Rhys ignored his shoes and stretched his arms. The boy actually felt relief, this was not on his list do and he loved the unexpectedness of the situation. He fidgeted from his position and turned around to see if the faucet was tightly closed, and it was. Yerik stood there enjoying the coldness of the place which the water caused. That was until he heard footsteps approaching and from the sound of it that wasn't any rat, big or small.

The boys lips curled and was now smirking, he was happy to share the lavatory with someone else. Though how he wish it wasn't any nutty professors parading the whole castle. He remained his position and gasp for air while waiting for the stranger to show himself. The two locked eyes, it was really awkward to do that especially with a boy. The stranger seems to be younger than him, and was obviously new to his face. Yerik Rhys changed his poker face to a smile to stop the awkwardness. He wanted to gain friends after all, lots of friends. It was time for him to do so, as the only friend he had was books, some Professors and his family that is. He felt he needed to be interesting and to be interested with other people as well to reach for his goal that year, and that was to gain friends.

"Yeah, it is. Though it's quite interesting." he told the boy while nodding. It was obvious that the boy didn't like the idea of a flooded place, maybe he wasn't used to being flooded or anything like that. He stood there at ease waiting for the boy to talk more, as he wasn't the type to blabber to much like some students. "Like I said, I find it interesting ..really interesting. How about you mate?" he replied then asked him what he was doing there too. The ancient lavatory was indeed inviting, there was something that made him want to stay longer. Though his legs were quite tired of standing, so the boy decided it was time to sit down but how can he when the whole place was flooded with water. He noticed an elevated place nearby and went there and then took his sit, though it was more like a squat really.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Minoas was glad that the guy wasn't some sort of prefect. If he happened to be he would have already told him to leave the place immidiately. But he seemed quite iviting as he wanted some kind of company. As he watched choosing an elevated place away from the water, Minoas noticed the elevated platform that the circular sinks were forming. He climbed up, by stepping inside one of them and sut on the platform. The other guy was opposite to him, on the other platform. They looked like shipwrecked, trying to survive on their rafts.

"Exactly my thoughts!" said the gryffindor with a smile. "I find quite interesting the fact that this place is in this state while any adult wizard could just flip their wands and get rid of this mess." he pointed out a really logical statement. He have seen his mom evaporating whole puddles of water before and as she was saying she wasn't the best one in charms. "By the way I'm Minoas. I'm from Gryffindor." he introduced himself. He wanted to shook hands with the guy but there was distance between them and he wasn't really in the mood to go down in the flooded ground. "What about you?" he asked back and leaned his elbows on his crossed legs.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Luckily the water didn't rise up once more, it remained it height and was quite stable. Still his shoes were wet and that didn't bothered him all. Yerik was about to ask the boy to join him but the boy already took a sit inches away from him. Though it was quite far to reach his hand or anything. He sat there twisting his neck, trying to enjoy the flooded place. It was really refreshing to crowded with water, he remembered when he was younger. He and his sibling would go out of their mansion and just play with the rain, though they never got sick or had a flu. It was because they were stepping on the grass, it had been said that if a person was playing on the rain and stepping on the grass they will not get sick or anything.

He admired the excitement of the boy, "True, though I really like this place the way it is. Ancient and Original." he answered back. The place was beautiful as it is, and hopefully it would remain as that. He decided to tap his foot and watched the splashing of the water, he felt he was six again. Yerik Rhys smiled upon doing so and turned to the boy when he spoke words."Pleasure to meet you Minoas, The name's Yerik." he replied smiling brightly. It was the first time he smiled like that, coming from his heart. Guess that what it feels to be happy to gain a new friend. He originally going to shake the hand of the boy but obviously he was too far away from him.

Yerik Rhys wandered his eyes, wondering what time was it already. Though he didn't felt he needed to see his watch, he wanted to just enjoy the moment of being in this interesting yet flooded place. "What year are you in? It's like my first time to see you around here." he asked out of curiosity. Then remained to sit down though he could feel his legs starting to numb. The boy then fidgeted once more and tried to stretch his legs even though his pants were about to get wet.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

What the other boy had said was true. The place was better that way. Minoas liked things of some ancestry like ancient civilizations and their stories. He had even that 'mode' that he was going crazy when he was coming across ancient relics and artifacts. This place was not that ancient but it was definately old. And the reflection of the troubled water on the stone walls, was creating a really mysterious yet welcoming environment.
"Pleasure to meet you too Yerik." he said back wondering which was the boy's house. Probably he wasn't a gryffindor as he would have seen him at least once in the common room.

"I'm a second year. Still I can't realize how fast my first year gone." he said with a longing tone in his voice. He really enjoyed his time in this school and he wanted to enjoy every single moment of it. "True! I haven't see you either. So I guess you are not a second year? Nor a gryffindor." he asked him as well. Minoas used to hang around with older students. There were more fascinating things to learn and share with them rather than with people of his age who were content with the safety of the common room. "So have you checked around? Is there anything interesting?" he asked Yerik, guessing that the guy opposite would have already checked the place.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Scratching his head, he wondered what classes will he attend to. He already got his electives but wasn't sure if he should take some more subject, still he felt confused yet excited to start his lessons. Though he was sure to take Divination and Muggle Studies, the Ravenclaw was just really excited to learn new things. Yerik Rhys then shook his head and concentrate on what was happening now, he could deal his problems later on but now was the time for him to just chill. The place was really an awkward place to meet new friends and it was rather astonishing that someone approached him, not worrying about getting wet. He smiled once more at Minoas, thinking his name was strange yet it was indeed unique which a good thing.

"I totally agree with you mate." he replied slightly nodding. It was really true, who knew he would be here and most especially a third year. All was going well and how he hoped it would continue on, only a few more years then he'll be graduating. "Apparently not, I'm in third year and proudly a Ravenclaw." he told the boy smiling brightly. Yerik Rhys forgot to tell the what year and house was he in, still he managed to recover. He even thought the boy was in Hufflepuff, then him a Gryffindor made sense. He was bright, friendly and bold for him to join Yerik Rhys in the flooded place, he really admired him.

He knew instantly that Minoas would be a great friend to have, he then circled his eyes once more to check out the place. It was really intriguing to be there, if only there would be a secret passage or something to make it more interesting. There was also a feeling of relief when he Minoas told him he wasn't a first year, it was just first years were too much to handle for a boy like Yerik. Still he would loved to befriend some and would probably help them to get over the whole Hogwarts thing. For a pureblood, Yerik Rhys was really nice unlike his other cousins. "No, not yet really. I just got here a few minutes ago. Though I'm sure there's something interesting hidden in here." he said in response then glanced at him to give him a joking wink.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Minoas nodded as Yerik was revealing more about himself. Now he could understand why he had never met him before. He knew absolutely no one from Rowena's Ravenclaw house as well as he hadn't met anyone from the third year. "Ravenclaw huh? Never met anyone from your house before. I'm glad that I'm going to make a friend from the house of the wise." he said honestly. When he first arrived at Hogwarts, he knew nothing about the differences among the houses. Now he knew more about that but still he didn't really believed in them. A gryffindor could be as smart as a ravenclaw and a ravenclaw as brave as a gryffindor.

Minoas had the same impression with his new friend. Indeed something interesting could have been residing in that lavatory. The flood was just a clever diversion that couldn't fool the young boy's curiosity. He jumped off his dry sanctuary, above the sinks and landed with a splash on the ground. Now his shoes were sopping as well as the lower part of his jeans but he didn't care anymore. "Let's search around." he said as his exploring mode turned on.
"So where are you from?" he asked as he pushed softly the wooden, rotted from the humidity, door of one of the closest toilet. Investigation was on!

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Obviously, it was Yerik Rhys first time to meet a student younger than him. Though it wasn't his first time to meet a Gryffindor, he knew very well that there kind and generous so that wasn't a big deal to him. On the other hand he find them quite interesting too, still he loved being in Ravenclaw. "Likewise." he replied smiling. He wasn't that superficial, well maybe at times but Yerik Rhys never thought about the whole difference thing with houses. All he ever knew was that all of them are different from another and that what makes everyone interesting as well. The Raveclaw looked down at his shoes that seems to be soaking with water, good thing it didn't reached their waste or anything.

He wondered what will the two be doing or going to talk about, there wasn't much to say really. Yerik Rhys was more on a hands on type for this day, he would risk his ironed shirt for anything adventurous. He then noticed the boy jumping off and decided to search for something. The splash almost reached Yerik Rhys, gladly he moved a few inches for him to not get wet. Yerik Rhys stroked his chin with the boy's idea and decided to do the same. He slowly went down the elevated area, then down to the flooded floor. "Lead the way" he agreed smirking at Minoas. Yerik Rhys was sure there was something hidden in the place, at the same time it was a great opportunity to explore it.

"I'm from Scotland, but we just moved here in New Zealand." he answered while following the boy. "..and How about you?" he continued while checking his wand if it was still in his pocket, which was still there. As Minoas pushed the door near the sink, it slightly opened. It was an old toilet bowl, a rusty one. He slightly bend his head, wondering if they could find something there.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

"Scotland, nice! I bet is cold there most part of the year." he commented, judging from the geographical position of the country. It seemed that he wasn't the only one that came to New Zealand from far away. "I'm coming from Greece but I live here the past three years or so." he replied back as Yerik was having a look, inside the old toilet bowl. Minoas had a peek from above him and there was nothing in there. Whatever was hidden in tha lavatory wouldn't be floating in a toilet bowl, waiting to be found. Minoas reached blindly for the rusty chain above the toilet and pulled as hard as he could. The toilet flushed, a small whirlpool formed and after a few seconds the water inside the bowl returned to its stillness. "Hmm, I guess there's nothing here." he said slightly disappointing still looking at the toilet bowl like he was expecting a beast to sprang up from there.

His attention was then drawn by a squealing noise coming from the opposite toilet, that brought chills down his spines. "Did you heard that?" he said as he went closer to the door of the other toilet, making sure that it wasn't a figment of his own imagination.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

"Yeah it it." he replied nodding at him. "Ive been to Greece thrice, my dad is thinking to buy a house there in Santorini." he told him. Greece was indeed a beautiful place, the ancient building and it's history made Yerik Rhys wanted to visit the place once more. Now, Yerik wasn't the type of guy who loved being in dirty places at all. He even has OCD, he would never go to nasty places like this only if he thought it would be adventurous to do so. He stood there watching Minoas pull the rusty chain that only made the toilet flush itself. It remained as it is and there was no sight of any clue from there, "I guess so." he spoke then turned around and left the cubicle to find more passages or somewhat near to that.

As he turned his back he heard a noise coming from a nearer place, it was like a squealing tone. "Yeah, possible their just rats. After all this is old and no one seems to be here from times." he concluded then went on searching the place. There were many rats in the castle after all, some are pets some remained as rodents. Still the Ravenclaw ignored the sound and went on wandering, the end of his pants were wet but he didn't mind at all. As long the journey was worth it and if not then at least he met a new friend.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Minoas smiled when the ravenclaw mentioned that he had been to Greece several time. "Ah Santorini! I've been there during holidays. Great sunset, great view, your father has a good taste." he said remembering the beauty of that island. For Minoas just the idea that he was walking on an island that it was the remains of a huge ancient volcano that wiped out a whole civilization, was more that intriguing.

Listening to Yerik, explaining from what might have come those squeals, Minoas decided not to check out that toilet. He liked animals but not really filthy rats, carrying around illnesses. "Let's not look at this one then. What abou-." he didn't managed to finish his sentence and he felt losing his balance. He connected with floor hard as he stepped on something slippery. Combined with the wet floor, he slipped all the way down, crashing on the wall opposite to them.
The collision was hard. He even felt the wall swaying a bit as well as catching the sound of something dropping into the water. He went numb with all the pain for a second and laid down on the ground for a second, trying to catch his breath. "Mate could you give me a hand?" he asked for Yerik's help to stood up. He was feeling dizzy but he could see next to him a piece of stone brick that must have fallen from somewhere with his fall and a wet piece of toilet paper, stuck out of his shoe sole. This had caused his slippery fall.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Santorini, was indeed a beautiful place to be. "Indeed." he replied blankly then smiled lightly at Minoas' direction. It is said that the volcano was still active, which makes the place more interesting. He noticed that Minoas wasn't fond of any rats which probably explained the whole stay away from the rat thing. For a boy he was quite klutz, Yerik Rhys was surprised to see the boy on the floor. Though that was quite funny, he still pushed back his laughter. A splash of water reached Yerik's sleeves, which made him quite annoyed yet he remained calm and cool. "Sure." he replied as he reached out his hand to him, pulling him up with his strength.Minoas fall was indeed hard and obviously quite painful, that was until he checked if he was doing fine. "Are you alright?" he asked him, assuring there were no open wounds or broken bones or what so ever.

He then saw the flow of the water change as if there was a hole capturing it, he then decided to see if it was related to Minoas fall and the wall that he slammed a couple of minutes ago. Yerik Rhys approached the wall and saw a crack on it, there was no way that Minoas made the crack. Unless if the wall wasn't really a wall, it was a hole covered with concrete or something. "Hey take a look at this." he said to Minoas still staring at the wall. He knew that it would be against the rules to break any property of the school still there was something behind the wall.

The Pureblood then saw a brick broken, and decided to pull it making the flow of the water rapid. It went to the whole and from the sound of it the hole was somewhat deep. He then kicked the brick trying to break it apart, making a 12 inches hole just so he could peek in. But before that could happen he let the water ease and flow out of the room. "I wonder where this hole goes, hopefully it's not the sewers." he mumbled and water for the water to lessen.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

"Thanks!" he replied to Yerik's help. Only when he stood up he realised how funny his fall was and that he had slided along way to the wall. His clothes were completely soaked now, with the end of his sleeves dripping water.
"I'm alright. I think I haven't broke anything." he said as he was checking his ribs with which he fell on the wall.
They were hurting but that was all. He was sure that after a while the pain would fade away. He just needed something to distract his mind and Yerik managed to do so by telling him to have a closer look at the wall.

Minoas noticed the small crack on the wall he just fell on few minutes ago. It looked like there was some kind of space behind it. There was no concrete, it seemed to be hollow and as he lowered his body, so that his face was facing the crack, he felt a soft draft of air kissing his face. The draft was bringing a mixture smell of moisture and mold from whatever was behind the wall, not the unbearable smell that a sewer would have. "I can't see a thing but I reckon it's not a sewer, judging just from the smell." he expressed his opinion and stood up again. He touched the cold, stone wall and with his palms he pushed it lightly. Behind his fingers he felt another stone-brick collapsing, this time, behind the wall, creating another small crack. It made a distracting noise that echoed behind the cracks.
"It seems to be quite a space behind it!" he exclaimed as he could hear clearly the echo which was soon followed by a haunting silence, interfered only by drip drops.

"I think that if we push this wall it will collapse." it was more a suggestion than a statement from Minoas. Destroying school's walls was a good reason for detention but they could fix it back after they were done exploring with a repairing charm.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Yerik Rhys smile upon hearing the boy was fine, he then went back to the wall to see what he can do more. There was nothing to see and so he decided to bring out his wand, "Lumos." he stated and pointed out to the whole. It looked deep and really old, Minoas then began to push the brick as others came falling as well. Nodding at his reaction, and at the same time his suggestion. "Let's do it together, Ready?" he asked him. It would be easier if the two of them would push the brick together. Yerik positioned his hands, waiting for Minoas agreement.

It was the only thing in his mind and how he wondered what was in stored beneath the wall. After all his sleeves and his pants began to be wet, still he didn't mind. It would be such an amazing adventure if the two would find something on the secret place. He watched the flood of water lessen and lessen as all the water went to the whole that was now getting bigger as the two students were after all opening the whole. Yerik held his wand pointing at the hole, hoping to get a better few though still the hole was really deep.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Minoas imitated Yerik and upon taking out of his jeans' pocket his wand, he casted as well a lumos charm. The light emmiting from his wand tip, wasn't enough to reveal what was hidden behind the cracks the two boys had caused. Minoas was glad that the ravenclaw was up to find out what was hidden behind that wall. Even though that meant that they would have to demolish the whole wall.

Minoas nodded and took a place next to Yerik, placing his palm on the rest of the wall, his illuminating wand as well pressing on the cold stone. "On the count of three. One...two...THREE." he said and pushed with all his power within him. The stones behind his palms, at first moved slightly but then started falling one by one, creating a really distractive noise and a cloud of dust. He backed up as the top stones of the wall were falling and waited until the dusty cloud dissolved. He went closer, sidetracking the pieces of the wall and the stones, now covering the entrance of the new, bigger hole. His charm casted some light in the darkness of the hole. There were some rats' skeletons, the floor was as well flooded and the water was flowing down on what seemed to be a spiral stairway that was leading downwards.

Minoas stepped inside the blackness. Few drops of cold water dropped on his cheeks from the ceiling. "I think we found something pretty interesting here. Shall we check it out?" he asked his companion. He would feel much confident if he was going to descent that stairway with some one else rather than alone.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Even with their wands lighting the hole, it was still dark and they couldn't see anything at all. Upon hearing Minoas signal he pushed the wall along with him, he was used to anything that needed strength as he and his brothers would mess around back in home. The bricks started to move one by one, falling on the ground as some were easily broken. A cloud of dust began to appear covering his sleeves, he shook his arm while blowing the particles of dust away. Good thing, his shirt wasn't that special. though it was given by his aunt Muriel, still it wasn't a big thing as she disliked her after all. As the bricks began to fall once more he took three steps backward, letting them fall on the ground and not on his shoes.

As it was now done, a big hole began to appear. A person can now fit into the whole, though he wasn't sure if he was going to be the first one to enter. But then he is after all older, so Yerik Rhys though it would be much better for him to enter first. He held out his wand, as the light tracing the pathway. Yerik smirked when he saw a stairway going down, it was much easier than sliding to the hole. He was quite surprised when the second year began to step inside the darkness. "Yeah" he replied blankly. Yerik Rhys then entered the dark, with his wand pointed at the steps of the stairs. He was never afraid of the dark, he felt it was the same just like the day.

Before his grandfather dies, he began to be blind like any old man. He would tell Yerik that there is no difference with the dark or light. It is how you think of darkness, as there is no reason to fear it. You should rather blend with it to understand it further, his grandfather was deep and all his word of wisdom were indeed meaningful. Yerik Rhys learned many things, and he hoped to apply it in his daily life.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Minoas stepped on the first step reluctantly, the sound from his shoes against the humid, stone floor, echoed down the spiral staircase. He started walking down slowly the steps, making sure that he wasn't going to slip again, sliding down the whole staircase. He was casting enough light down on his feet, to see where exactly he was stepping on. Even a small rat bone could be proved fatal. "Careful, it seems that the steps here are covered in moss." he warned Yerik as he stepped on something extremely slippery. Judging from its green color and the sound it was emitting as he was stepping carefully on it, it should be moss grown on the stairs because of the extreme humidity.

"What exactly might be doing a staircase here? Where it might be leading?" he asked not really expecting a logical answer from Yerik. He would be probably as clueless as Minoas was. As he was moving further down the stairs, he placed his free hand on the wet, stone wall next to him. He was feeling much safer that way in case he was going to lose his balance, although the slippery wall wouldn't provide much of a help. It was then that his hand met something different strange on the wall. He turned his wand towards the wall to see his free hand placed on a torch which was not lit. "Hmm, it seems that this place was using some visitors in the past. If it wasn't why it would have a-" he had to stop his phrase once more because as soon as he took off the torch from the wall, he felt the steps underneath his feet disappearing. His half finished phrase was followed by a yell as he landed on the slippery floor. There were no steps anymore. They seemed they were flattened, turned into a long slide, going downward into the darkness. Minoas squeezed his wand in his palm. Losing it would be the worst thing to happen. He kept sliding, feeling different drafts of air, coming from different directions. It could be over a minute of sliding when he finally landed on non slippery ground. It was flooded but if he was going to make an attempt, he could stood up. Still facing the floor full of water, he used his lit wand to check his surrounding, looking around him for any signs of Yerik.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Step by step, Yerik Rhys made his way through the staircase, it was a little slippery but he managed to not slip at all. He wasn't born as a klutz after all, he was composed and can deliver himself no matter what. While pointing his wand to his shoes for him too see something, it was still dark but still he could feel that he was doing great. When he heard Minoas warn him, he secretly smirked to himself. He could sense that the boy was quite afraid and hope not slip again. The moss didn't bothered Yerik, as he managed to pass down the stairways without eve slipping.

He raised his eyebrows upon hearing the Minoas questions, it was obvious that his question were quite useless at the moment as they just arrived the secretive place. The Ravenclaw sighed and ignore him, still he managed to keep his composure and answer his questions into his mind. Uh, It's a passage, what do you think a stairs purpose is? Where here so let's see, duh." he thought. Slightly irritated he shook his head and ignored his feeling, it was really..that. He then heard a yell, it was obviously Minoas as he was the only one accompanying him. Yerik Rhys then was that he probably sliding on a hole or something, he wanted to be careful and guessed that was the reason why he came second.

Pointing his wand, he instantly stopped when he saw the downward like slide where the boy fell. He bend down his knees and decided to control his slide, the pureblood then went sliding. His hand positioned in front of him to maintain his balance, he was really quiet though only the sound of his feet gliding through slimy ground underneath him. As the ride soon ended he landed perfectly and stood, wondering if Minoas was still there. "Hominem Revelio." he said clearly, he knew this spell would be helpful in finding the second year. A light began to appear revealing Minoas, then the light disappeared once and he saw him. Yerik Rhys managed to memorize where he was and decided to approach the wall he noticed, as he pointed out his wand it reveal a door way. It was locked and without even thinking, he decided to unlock the door. "Alohomora!" he exclaimed and door instantly opened. He entered signaling Minoas to follow him with his bright wand and noticed a big wide space.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Just when he tried to stand up from his fall, a blinding light appeared in front of him. Moments on he realised that it was a spell that Yerik had just casted to find him. "Why always have to be me?" he murmured to himself about his bad luck and he stood up coughing a bit from the bad fall. He didn't make any effort to clear the dust off him that was attached on his wet clothes. He used his bright wand to cast light around him. It was a small room but there was a doorway, already approached by Yerik. Using an alohamora charm the ravenclaw opened the locked door and signaled him to follow. The door revealed a wide space, a high ceiling chamber with stony walls as the light of his wand revealed. He fend off from Yerik and started searching around.

As he was walking in the darkness, the light of his wand, showered what was looking like a primitive wood suspension bridge. Sevral of its beams were quite broken and hanging by thin ropes. The suspension bridge was built over a large gap that it was separating the chamber into two differen areas. Minoas leaned over the edge of the gap and tried to see what was lying at its bottom. Whether the light from his wand wasn't enough or the gap was too deep wasn't clear to him but the only thing he could see was a thick mist coming from its depths.
"Here! I found something!" he shouted in case Yerik was far away to hear him. He swung a bit the one of the ropes that were holding the rotten bridge, testing its durability. "Reparo!" he exclaimed and saw the beam hanging and broken beams, repairing and taking their place back on the bridge. He pointed his wand at the other end of the bridge but it was too far to see anything. "After you." he offered Yerik the pleasure to be the first one to step on the suspension bridge. Minoas wasn't afraid at all, he was more thrilled than ever but he didn't want to be the one causing anything bad again. He was however, absolutely sure and confident that his repairing charm had done its work.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

As he heard Minoas yell, Yerik came to have a closer look at what he had found. It was a bridge, it was a hanging bridge that had been not used for like ages. He knew the cast would work as it was after repaired. It was also obvious that Minoas was feeling scared to go first as he felt he might fall, and wished that Yerik Rhys would be the one who would trip rather than him. Now, that was when he was wrong, Yerik Rhys wasn't afraid of height nor the dark and he was never a klutz. He held his wand on his hand, pointing it to the steps. It was indeed old but it wasn't that dangerous as Yerik Rhys sees it, so he decided to go first. Glancing at Minoas chuckling as he knew what was going on. The bridge was a little shaky but it wasn't that scary, as soon as you know it Yerik Rhys made his way through the bridge without even slipping nor tripping. At the end there was a big cave, it looked like a passage or something. He guessed they were now underground, which means there under the castle.

It was indeed interesting to find out a passage, he then pointed his wand and saw a big cave that somehow shaped into a form of an beast or something. Glancing at his back, he wondered when will Minoas ever gonna cross the hanging bridge. The Ravenclaw decided to tour around as it seems it would be forever to wait for the second year. The pathway was indeed rocky, he also noticed the walls of the cave had some imprints on it but he wasn't sure what it wrote. He soon found himself going deeper and deeper to the cave, it was a long walk that the darkness took over. All he could her were bats on the ceiling waiting for them to get noticed.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Glad that his repairing charm had worked, he waited for the ravenclaw to pass to the other side of the bridge. His charm might was successful but he wasn't sure if the old bridge could keep the weight of two individuals. As soon as Yerik vanished in the darkness distance, Minoas moved on the bridge. He ignored the squeaking coming from the rotten rope, supporting the wooden beams. He casted some light to see what was underneath the bridge but the only he could see was thick fog. He wondered how deep it was and regretted that he didn't took a stone with him from the chamber behind them.

On the other side, there was only a small space between the bridge and what seemed to be a cave. Its opening looked like the huge mouth of a beast. To Minoas, looked like a dragon. Yerik had already entered inside the cavern but Minoas wanted to investigate closer first the opening. The bright light from his wand showered the treacherous rocky walls and Minoas caught a glimpse of something strange on them. There were imprints carved on the wall right to him, like someone had hewed them with stone. Minoas went closer and traced with his fingers the relief symbols. By studying them carefully, he realised that they weren't just imprints but they were letters. Something was written on that wall and he brought his wandeven closer, almost touching the wet, rocky wall. Minoas managed to read after a few tries: Nam illa, cave in sanguine triumphum. He instantly recognised the language.

"Latin!" he whispered thrilled, feeling a chill going down his spine. His adrenaline was realesed, pumping now through his veins. "Yerik! Come have a look. It seems someone left some kind of a message here!" he summoned the ravenclaw to have a closer look as well.

Out of Character:

Sorry for taking me so long. I was both really busy and not really inspired so I delayed posting not to spoil it. Now I'm ready for some action.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

It was dark, the place was darker than before. Though all spooky places were like that, he thought. Yerik Rhys then heard Minoas calling him more like summoning him, which obviously wasn't the right thing to do when you're the one oldest among the two of you. Still he shook his head in dismay, theri parent taught them to respectful to people who are older to you even though he's older by a year alone. Perhaps he raised differently, unlike Yerik Rhys who practically knew that showing respect to people who are older than you is much important. And so he went over to the boy who managed to see something imprinted on the stones. Obviously it was Latin, as Yerik Rhys had read many Latin book in his life.

"For that, take care in the blood of triumph." he translated into English. The sentence was deep and meant something. Though something tells him that the cave was meant there for something, something important. Then again for a message it was too short to have such writing, perhaps there were more writings imprinted on the walls. Yerik Rhys then checked the walls and pointed his want up the ceiling, which he was surprised to see more scriptures. Though it was far more different as this time it wasn't any language, it were carvings and drawing of some sort of letters. And obviously they haven't learned anything like that in Ancient Runes nor Arithmancy.

 

[Minoas Stratis]

Minoas listened carefully as Yerik was translating. He knew a couple of things when it came to latin and he tried to read it again carefully, concentrating at each world. "I'm not really good at this, but I have the impression that it tries to say beware for those that triumph in blood." he suggested as he was tracing his index finger from word to word. Minoas was pretty good when it came to clues. He loved puzzles anyway and this riddle was making him think deep. "Do you reckon it may refer to a creature? Maybe vampires!" he murmured excited as he shed more light at the ceiling, to see the symbols covering the stone surface. "Someone had a lot of creativity inspiration I must say the least...or left them as a warning for something." he continued his suggestion as he studied the face figure, carved on the wall next to him. It was quite intimidating but Minoas couldn't figure out what it was depicting. It looked similar to those mayan artworks you could find to their temples.

He moved on leaving Yerik behind him as he was impressed by the amount of symbols carved everywhere. His attention was only distracted when he stepped on something, letting a long crack, echo inside the cavern. He lowered his wand, curious to see what it was. He had stepped on, what now looked like a smashed skull. He lowered his body to examine it and took a piece of it on his hand. "Well, I hope this is not a human skull." he half-joked as Yerik was coming, raising the piece of the skull so that the ravenclaw could have a look as well.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Out of Character:

Somehow got my muse back, Sorry for the delay.

The words weren't that terrifying at all, it made Yerik Rhys more intrigued about the place. Though he wondered how long were the two been staying there, perhaps an hour or more. It didn't bother him really, as he was free for the day to have an adventure like this. "Pehaps a creature, Vampires? I don't think so." he replied. He didn't really believe in vampires nor he showed any interest in them. He thought of the existence of vampires was somehow pathetic, as in the wizardry would they weren't that popular. Have you even heard a half-vampire, preferably a half-vampire student in Hogwarts? He looked up the ceiling once more and saw different signs, of course there were lot of writing and warning but that only means that they should go in further. Nothing could stop them now as they are the only two inside the cave, every castle hid something in hand after all.

As he was done staring at the different writings and carving, Yerik Rhys then followed Minoas and walked further on. He then instantly heard a cracking sound and approached Minoas when he saw him holding something, it was skull and he tried to examined it. "I do hope it's a human skull. he said touching the skull. From the looks of it, the skull's age was preferably ten years ago or so. Though he couldn't barely see and define if it was a skull of a male or a female, as after it was half smashed by Minoas foot. He held his wand pointing at the ground their stepping on and was surprised to see, almost a dozen of skulls covering the floor. "Just as I expected, there are more where that came from." Yerik Rhys spoke as he was looking at the skulls on the ground.