Hogwarts: Year Six - Baelfire [IC/APPS CLOSED]

[Triassica]

Raphael Raymond

Raph tensed up in agitation at being suddenly hugged by Ricardo, finding such sudden contact with people to be among his most disliked things in the world. Right along with dirt and germs. He gave a deep breath once Ricardo released him and gave him a most annoyed look before returning to collecting his belongings into his bag, cursing under his murmurs. Today was turning into a really rotten day, Raphael determined after all that happened, and now, as he left the classroom, along down the hall, just wanted to be alone.

And yet, as if the muggleborn wasn't angered already, as he stepped down the hallway, Raph was greeted by another most unwelcome voice. He turned and glared hard and cold at Henry. "Piss off." he cursed back, "What was I supposed to do? Just let our dear headmaster make a fool of our own classmate? Go shove those words at the headmaster why don't you?"

Raphael cursed again and walked pass Henry, not bothering to give him any more attention as he made his way to the library. However, as the muggleborn relaxed a little, it occurred to him that he didn't exactly thought of why he did what he did earlier. Usually Raph was a quiet student in class who only spoke out in excitement of a certain subject. Really it was more of something... Alex would do, he thought in his vague collective memory. Maybe not the way Raph did it, but Alex was one who stood up for people.

A sickening feeling took hold of the muggleborn as he stepped into the library of sadness and guilt over his lost memories. Worse still, as he put his things on a table and began searching the shelves for books, Raph once again could swear he saw a burnt up Alexander Markus walk pass him behind the shelves...

[World Anarchic Union]

Anton Valgerth Hurt

Anton’s eyes stared deep into Caitie’s, unable to speak for a moment. She thought her words over, replayed them multiple times in his head. He didn’t expect her to be so direct with this, didn’t expect to be confronted like that. Still after what seemed like an eternity, he removed his gaze from her and looked backwards, turning to his side.

“I can’t do it. Despite all his faults, despite the more extreme side of everything, William is still one of the people I admire the most. Only through William did I find a true purpose in life. He leads, and we follow, towards this brave, new world.” He hesitated, not knowing whether these words were coming from himself or Lord Valgerth, what seemed more and more like a false persona. “And someday I will lead. And I will be the guiding light for the others.” He didn’t know why he was saying all these. He hardly believed in any of it, especially at this point, and he could feel all he needed was a small push and he’d go back on everything. “Why don’t you join us? You’re the strongest, bravest and most intelligent witch around, you’d be a great ally. William’s ideas make sense. And if they don’t, we together can change them, we can change the whole group around.” He felt a deep pain in his heart as he uttered these sentences. He was presenting a lie and wanted the girl to leave him. At the same time, he wanted nothing more than for the witch to be always by his side. “At least, I would certainly want you around more, Caitie. You’re nothing short of extraordinary, in every single way.”

---

William Darkenstone

The wizard was picking up his third book from the shelf, swiftly removing the dust from the spine to look at the title when, with the corner of his eyes, he saw Derek approach him. He looked strange, stranger than usual at least. As William began to turn towards him, he felt as if he had lost the ground beneath his feet. Drops of blood started dripping from the side of his mouth, where Derek’s fist had landed. The tomes the raven-haired boy was carrying fell from his hands and landed all around him, as he fell to his feet. He looked up in shock at the boy, wondering where that strength had come from.

For a second. Quickly, he erased all such thoughts from his mind, becoming focused on one single thing; defeating the dog. He launched forward, moving swiftly with his shoulder, as he aimed his fist towards Derek’s left eye.
“You stupid mutt!”

[Skylus]

Derek's vision went white as Will hit him.
He blindly stumbled backwards for a moment, then got his bearings.
Half of his vision wasn't exactly....right. Derek could still see, it was just that his left eye was now very blurry.

Derek took out his wand and aimed it at Will, right between his eyes.
"I think it's time I repay you for what you did to me a few years back."
he then said a word
"Incendio.*"

*Incarcerous can be used instead if you want
(Conjures ropes or chains at your opponent)

[Britanania]

Caitie

Caitie bit her lip after Anton's reply. Part of her, of course, expected this response, but she couldn't help but hope that he might have reconsidered.

"You've asked me before, Anton, to join with William but you know I cannot do that," she told him in a soft tone as she looked down. "I've been a puppet before and I don't want to be anyone's puppet again," Caitie explained. "Nor do I want you to be someone's puppet. You talk about changing William's group and the world from within but I don't think it works like that." Caitie shook her head. "If you don't get away from him now, I can tell you it won't end well. If I hadn't--" Caitie stopped short of what she wanted to say.

If I hadn't killed my father, I'd still be his slave, she thought dejectedly.

[Miekzhemy]

Rachel

She had been somewhat hoping Isolde was in the same boat, but she too didn't seem to be in the same position. Sure, the workload of their classes naturally prevents people from spending time with one another. Perhaps her and Adam being in different houses may be a big factor? Rachel took a minute to ponder it further.

"...and what would he be worried about...?" she somewhat mumbled out loud, seemingly addressing both Isolde and her own brain as she did so. Rachel sighed.

"Maybe I should try and talk to him about it. If I can find him, that is," she concluded. "I'm meaning to ask Madi the same thing, but she... Erm...she seems preoccupied. Where'd she run off to, anyway?"

[World Anarchic Union]

Anton Valgerth Hurt

Anton looked down as well, avoiding the piercing gaze of Caitie. He knew she was right, and it wasn’t as deep down as it was half a year ago. But he felt as if he had no choice. He turned his eyes back towards the girl.

“I... I can’t leave, Caitie. It’s far too late for me. I am one of them now. I belong to them.” Subconsciously, he grabbed the part of his arm where the Dark Mark was branded on him and started rubbing it, without looking to do something in particular. “I am one of the chosen few who will lead the world as we turn it away from the darkness and into the light. Or at least I hope so.” He turned his sight away again, trying to hide his true feelings, although he didn’t know from whom.
“I understand your concern, Caitie. And what you’re thinking. But-“ It’s exactly as you’re saying “-it’s not as you’re saying. I am finally a part of something bigger than myself.” Follow her, stupid, walk away and leave the Ravencloaks and Nihilus behind, once and for all. “I am sorry, Caitie. I guess I will disappoint you once again.”

---

William Darkenstone

The fucking brat

The wizard jumped out of the way of the bolt of fire as it lurched towards him, only a part of his cloak touching the flames, which he swiftly removed and threw by the side. Aiming his wand at his opponent, he stood silent, serious, looking at Derek in the eyes and wondering what he could follo his attack with. A smirk appeared on his face. “Your attack was cute, and your rage even more so. But you remain the same old boy, the same, old weakling. And I don’t show mercy to weaklings.” After a few moments, he hissed Expulso as he aimed the curse towards Derek’s chest. “I should have killed you a long time ago, Forester.”

The dark wizard began thinking how to end the fight more swiftly and definitively. Looking down at his wrist, he contemplated using that, but he shook his head in disapproval. It’d be a waste to use it on him, I can beat him with my own power.

[Britanania]

Caitie

Caitie knew he'd refuse her plea, but part of her knew he was far more conflicted about his refusal than last time she asked him to leave William's service. Was there some conflict between him and the rest of William's gang? Had something occurred that made him question his loyalty?

Whatever the case, it isn't enough for him to outright leave.

She turned away from Anton as she almost whispered her reply.

"You don't need to be part of something bigger," she told him as she started to walk away. "Sorry, I should get to work on my paper." Caitie started her way back towards the Slytherin dungeon, her mind full of thoughts.

[Arlye Austros]

Isolde

Isolde looked as Rachel seemed to be even more preoccupied. The prefect thought she could have been more receptive, and forced a smile. That before Rachel asked about Madi.

“She did seem quite upset, I must tell. She ran off, but I can’t be sure where to.” She sighed, recalling the class that had just ended early. “And with the paper Avery asked for, everyone seems too worried about it, it’s like she was erased from everybody’s mind.” A small taste flared from within her gut. Something that made her recall anger.
“Tell you what. I will help you with Adam, see if I can get to talk to him at the Common.” She smiled once more. “When I see him I will tell him to look for you.”

Ricardo

<<The nature of the young witch or wizard once they build the barrier that would later become the Obscurus itself is changed following the start of the process. Their psychology, if ancient texts are to be trusted, diverts into an opposite manifestation of their former, more infantile version. They may become extremely aggressive if they were passive and submissive, or defensive and irritable if they were extrovert and easy-going up to that point. This disruption is, in time, destructive, and manifests in their own physical manifestation, once the Obscurus begins its appearance.>>

Ricardo felt a faint giggle trying to escape his chest, and sighed to calm it as he put aside On the Nature of Ancient Societies, keeping the page open, and picked up the already-scouted De Natura Australis.

<<Native American tribes usually recognize, as basic elements of the dark forces their society struggles against, the submission of the person through abusive or manipulative ways. Unfortunate characters would often find themselves forced into servitude in order to calm a dark wizard, to earn a favour that eventually reveals to be a lie, or simply to stay alive. Often, warring factions within the natives would prey on the young wizards, as their nature was useful, easy to subvert and change, and profitable once their power could be harnessed and unleashed. Of course, this kind of practices could take various forms, some even including gruesome sacrifices or the desecration of familial tombs. But those unfortunate enough to be still alive would often be constrained by both magical and psychological barriers.>>

Ricardo smiled. It was almost entirely certain. The Invunche was simply a forced manifestation of the Obscurial, which allowed the Kalku to use its power as a weapon or as a source of additional power. Could it be healed?
He wrote this last question in his DADA notes, on the margin, underlining “it”. He had to start the essay. Perhaps he could use the Obscurial as a subject.

The Hufflepuff walked down the alley containing books about the history of magic during the late 19th century, when he sniffed something. Was there a fire nearby?

[Skylus]

Derek/Will
Library

Derek cast Protego and ended up sending the spell ricocheting into a bookcase. Books flew everywhere among the two duelers and the bookcase slowly fell over away from the two.
After a second, Derek sent Everte Statum at Will.

William’s eyes narrowed as his curse was deflected, throwing numerous books flying off the shelves around the duelists. Distracted at first, soon he focused back on the matter at hand. Derek responded by an incantation, aimed at William’s chest. The shield he had conjured using Protego shattered by the spell, causing the young wizard to be lifted for a moment off his feet.

“Impressive display, mutt, but is that all you can offer?”

Turning his wand back towards Derek, the words Reducto echoed in the library hallways

Derek's eyes widened as Wil cast Reducto at him. He threw himself backwards, but ended up falling to the tiled floor, just as the curse hit the ground in front of him.
The tiles exploded into millions of pieces, flying in every direction.
Derek could only sit there, half stunned for a moment, then he brought his wand up at aimed it towards Will.
"This duel isn't finished yet, Darkenstone. It's far from over."
He then cast Expelliarmus in Will's direction.

“William stepped to the side as the spell whistled past him, burning a part of his arm as it flew into a nearby table which was blown to smithereens, splinters spreading across the room. He twitched from the pain but turned his eyes towards the boy that was now lying on the floor.

“Oh I agree, Forester. But here’s where you’re wrong;I can end it anytime I want.”

Pointing his wand towards the nearby shelves and then towards Derek, he uttered Ventus Tria, a strong gust of wind sending great numbers of books towards the boy on the floor. This wasn’t meant to be an attack, however, but a diversion.

It’s time to do this and end this pathetic squabble at once.

Using the time he had available from the distraction he had generated, he raised his left sleeve and passed his hand above his wrist, revealing a Dark Mark. After a few moments of concentration, he had connected with the other Ravencloaks that shared the Mark. Let me borrow your power for a short while, my Ravencloaks. ”
“Suddenly, he pressed hard on the Mark, which started glowing an eerie shade of silver. At that point, the Ravencloaks felt weakened, close to a state of fainting, for a very brief period of a few seconds that seemed like an eternity to them. However, such a short period was enough for William.

He could feel the difference. His magical prowess had increased by a lot through “borrowing” his followers’ and now he stood almost a different man. He looked down on Derek and smiled, a wicked smile that turned into a harrowing laugh.
“I hope by now you are starting to realize how much of a fool you are for starting a fight with me. And even if you weren’t before, well, this will make you reconsider." Aiming towards Derek’s chest, he slowly spoke. "Stupefy."

A massive ray of a grey light filled the atmosphere, as it smashed the boy through a series of bookshelves, sending him flying backwards. This was uncharacteristic for that curse, but William soon realized the effect of the Mark on his spells. For a short while, he forgot of the existence of Derek and was busy admiring his work, but soon he snapped out of it.

Derek was sent flying backwards through several bookshelves, to the very back of the library, into the Restricted Section. Surprisingly, the spell that Will had shot had him hadn't knocked him out, like it was supposed to, but Derek acted like it had.
Will was standing at the far end of the library, looking down at his left arm.
What the hell was that?! The gray beam of light...It was unnatural....Wait a minute.

Derek threw himself behind a bookshelf, hidden from Will's view.
I'm in the Forbidden section! No wonder these books, tomes, and scrolls aren't allowed to be seen by anyone - I can feel the magic resonating from them.
Derek slowly got to this feet, and then went wolf.

A blur of fur raced across the library towards Will, claws outstretched, eyes blazing with anger, mouth open in a snarl.

Raising his wand for any sudden attacks, William approached carefully the hole he had created in the library. He knew well that Derek had crawled somewhere into the Restricted Section and the dark wizard, in a drunk-like state due to the Mark, moved forward. As soon as he heard the first growl, he took a step back and pointed the wand towards the shape that had formed in front of him and that was moving fast and aggressively in his direction. He could feel the sweat gathering in his forehead and a sense of fear started swelling inside him. However, the burning on his wrist reminded him of what he had accomplished, compared to the animal rushing towards him and his confidence swiftly returned. I won’t die to it. I can’t die.

With Derek a mere breath away from lunging at his throat, William uttered clearly and steadily Expulso. The wolf was blasted into the ground, and before he could rise to attack again, William muttered Incarcerous. Thick pieces of rope were tied around the animal’s feet, chest and neck, binding him into a defenseless position. The dark wizard couldn’t hide the smile from his face.

“What a pretty sight.” With a twitch of his wand, the rope became tighter, crushing slowly the wolf’s chest and neck. “An animal being tamed.”
Arriving above the Animagus, he kicked the wolf in the stomach, continuing with a swift kick in the jaw. As the animal was whimpering, William moved the wand forward again, increasing the pressure of the ropes around Derek’s body.
“How pathetic.” He kicked the wolf in the face again, as he started stepping on his front paw. “You aren’t worthy of anything that life has given you, Forester. You don’t even deserve dying on the field of battle. At least, meeting your girlfriend on the other side soon will be my ultimate gift to you.” he whispered in the wolf’s ear, as his wand’s tip glowed bright green for a split second and his good eye darkened. At an instant, it stopped glowing and the ropes around Derek’s neck, chest and feet were loosened considerably, allowing much breathing room for the animal. William turned around and stooped on his knee. “Headmaster.”

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

Henry

Henry spat as Raphael past by, before gesturing for his gang to follow him. He trailed Raphael into the library, hanging back between the shelves while waiting for Raph to venture deeper into the maze of shelves. Grabbing a random book of the shelf, he read the title The Wolven Storm, A Biography of Bran Black, before spitting on the ground again at it's title, and putting it back on the shelf. Cracking his neck a bit, he walked deeper into the library, and upon finding Raph standing in between the bookshelves, gestured to the goons to guard either exit, and stepped through. Burke followed Henry closely behind, the second in command was shorter than Henry himself, but cut a much larger figure due to large amounts of muscle on him from his years of being a beater.

Upon reaching Raph, Henry said "What you aren't doing, is walking away. You don't just nail the class with a punishment like that and get away with something as minor as detention. This is a matter of what wizards call "honor", though it was to my knowledge that Muggles had lost that concept a little while ago. You're going to have to defend yours right now, but I'm going to make this as close to a fair fight as I can." Henry handed his wand to Burke before turning back to Raph.

Rolling up his sleeves, Henry cracked his knuckles while saying "We're going to settle this like animals, mano e mano. I promise nothings going to happen to your wand, but far worse injuries than what we can do with out fists are going to happen if you use it. So I suggestion you remove the temptation all together and just give it to Burke here now."

[Triassica]

Raphael Raymond

Raph already found another number of books on Grindlward and stacked them together in his arms. Grumbling and cursing about the absurdity and cruelty of the headmaster's behavior, the muggleborn turned around to get ready for his essay. However, he blinked upon unexpectingly finding a bunch of muscular goons I his way, blocking his path, for no doubt malicious purposes.

Raphael sighed upon hearing Henry's voice and turned around with a look of utter annoyance and frustration, clearly wanting to be left alone for the rest of the day. His eyes narrowed further when Henry began challenging him to a fight with nothing but bare fists, which was clearly unfair. His teeth clenched as he looked around, finding that he doesn't have much choice, before glaring at Burke.

"Gah! Fine! I did nothing wrong, only standing up for a friend, but why the fuck not?" Raph asked in agreement as he begrudgingly gave his wand to the brute that was clearly more brawn than brain, "Must we fight here, though? I don't think being cramped between bookshelves is appropriate."

[Britanania]

The Headmaster

Avery looked down at the two quarrelsome students with the cold look only an English headmaster can give students. He tapped his wand in one hand in a controlled, calculated rhymic beat as he said nothing for some time. Avery pointed his wand at Derek and turned the animagus back into his human form. With the snap of his fingers, the library rearranged itself and through magic, he restored the destroyed and broken tables, shelves, and floors.

"I will see both of you in my office," he said calmly before he turned around and returned to wait for the pair to join him.

[Skylus]

For a moment, Derek didn't know where he was, or what had happened.
But then it all came back to him.

He had basically lost everything, and, seeing that there was nothing left to do at that point in time, had fought Will, went wolf as an act of desperation and he had lost. Avery had shown up, and had forced him to become human again - Had he passed out from that?
How long ago that was, he didn't know.

The Animagus laid there, trying to figure out the extent of his injuries. Thankfully, nothing seemed to be broken, just very bruised. Although there was the chance that Will would hurt him again....
That thought alone made him get to his feet move away from Will, towards the door, stopping to pick up his wand as he did so.
Derek then turned around and waited for Will's response.

[World Anarchic Union]

William Darkenstone

William looked at the Headmaster with an emotionless look,which was very hard for anyone to decipher. Still, inside of him, he was boiling with anger at how things had turned out. He couldn’t help but be weary about the punishment Avery would throw at the both of them and how this could impact his plans as a whole. And all because of the dog.

He stood up and gave a sigh of frustration at the whole situation. With slow, steady steps, he followed the Headmaster, passing by books floating back into place and tables and shelves being rearranged behind him. As he walked past Derek, he gave him a cold, hard look, with a grave and serious expression on his face, but didn’t say anything, turning his sight back towards Avery, walking with him to what he could only perceive as a major obstacle to fulfilling his goals.

[Skylus]

Derek Forester

Thankfully, all Will did was give him a look of sorts, then followed Avery.
Derek did the same, following Will and the HM through the castle, until they reached Avery's office.

As he stepped inside Avery's office, he noticed McGonagall's portrait looking down at him with anger, but yet there was a look of understanding.
Some of the other portraits in the room were making bets on what the punishments would be, quite a few of them were making bets on "expulsion"

Derek ignored them and walked up to Avery's desk and merely waited for the man to start berating him and Will.

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

Henry

The larger boy smiled and said "Well then, it looks like you do actually have some fight in you. Glad to see it." Henry began to back up and tread a small semi circle around Raph, getting into a fighting stance as he did so. While to an untrained eye it may look like he knew what he was doing, any actual fighter would have seen Henry was more just emulating a bareknuckle stance. Glaring at Raph, Henry paused his breath for a moment...

And threw a jab right at the other boys nose, lashing out before Raph had a chance to. However, just before Henry made contact with the muggleborn's face, he drew back the punch and instead threw a hook at the muggleborn's ribcage, hoping that Raph would bring his arms up to defend his face thus leaving his chest exposed.

[Britanania]

The Headmaster

Avery sat at his desk with the two boys in tow. He looked at them back and forth with his usual cold look as he slowly drummed his fingers on the desk for several minutes in complete silence. The only sound came from the chattering of the past Headmasters and Avery's rhythmic drumming. At times, it looked like Avery was going to speak but kept the suspense to a boiling point before he finally spoke in his calm manner.

"Off the cuff," he started, "I am suspending the two of you of all activities until the Ministry decides your punishment. You are to remain at the castle until then." Avery leaned forward. "Duelling is permitted, of course, given the parameters I established but this goes far and beyond those. You are both dismissed."

[Triassica]

b]Raphael Raymond[/b]

Raph got into a fighting stance and began getting light on his feet, imitating the characters in boxing movies he saw as a kid. He wasn't a fighter at all, not in the same he's a duelist with the wand and dozens of tricks up his sleeves, some that he still had yet to use. Yet Raph knew the basics of fighting and just hoped he could use what wits he had against the brute brawn as he kept his eyes on him.

Thinking out his first move, Raph had his arms up, before in freak reaction bringing them to his face to block an incoming fist, only to cry out in pain at a jab onto his chest. The muggleborn cursed as he quickly had an arm to his side, and just as swiftly recoiled with a punch to Henry's cheek with the other.

[Arlye Austros]

Ricardo

The scent of smoke seemed to fade, and Ricardo continued scouting the pages of When Europe Bent the Knee: A History of the Tyrants and Dark Warlocks From Lisbon to the Volga, by R.C. Queliê. It seemed useful to a degree, considering the amount of sensationalist trash towards the Middle Ages and the Giants. But it would give him a point of comparison between Grindelwald and other characters.

He placed the book under his arm along with Numengard, a Chronicle, by Dryfus C. Marwel, when he heard a soft blast behind the corner of books. Curious, Ricardo left the books over others at the shelf, and headed towards the noise, finding himself face to face with a big student. He recognized him out of Henry’s group.

“What was that?” He asked while looking up, not expecting an answer. The other was at least half a foot taller.

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

The large boy didn't even look at Ricardo, replying with a simple "Raymond's getting what e' deserves for landin us this paper. You can watch if you like, just squeeze in, stay out, and keep it down."

Henry

He brought his fist back after making contact with Raph's side, falling back into his stance. Getting ready for his next punch, Henry saw Raph's fist flying towards his face. Knowing that he did not have the time to raise his own hands, Henry locked his jaw in and took the punch. His head swung to the side for a second before snapping back to attention and staring at Raph with a vengeance. Spitting a bit, Henry dropped and made it look like he was going for a few shots to Raph's gut, but as his right fist flew forward, he caught the ground with his left hand and attempted to sweep Raph's legs out from underneath him with his own.

Freyja

The blonde haired girl had watch her boyfriend storm off with his gang, obviously going to do something dumb. Not in the sense that Henry's motives and plans weren't smart, but more that he was dumb to toe the line with the rules so soon after what had happened with him. Regardless, she had a paper to write, or really, a paper to get written for her.

Seeing Astrid walking down the hall with Ed, Freyja grinned, getting an idea. She called out "Astrid, wait up" and quickly rushed up to catch the pair.

[Triassica]

Raphael Raymond

Raph couldn't help but smirk upon making his punch onto Henry, feeling absolutely lucky that he even managed to do so. The muggleborn got light on his feet again, fists up, moving in one place, but his feet shifting from side to side a he waited for Henery's next move. However, just as the bigger boy dropped to the floor, instincts kicked in and urged Raphael to hop backwards, finding it to be yet another trick. Doing so, he managed to miss Henry's sweep and attempted to counter strike with a swift kick to the face, hoping to knock some teeth out.

[Segral]

Ed Wilson

OK, either we have the spirit of a withered Misuse of Muggle Artefacts inside a sixteen-year old, or we have a Muggleborn. Because he had never heard a wizard, not even a half-blood, use such terms as "Oceania", "Magical Ingsoc", and "Louisiana laissez-faire". Heck, he lived with muggle adoptive parents and he barely understood what the hell she was trying to say. Er...it didn't matter! The point was, she agreed and was being...slightly more conservative regarding her insults towards Avery's directorial ability. Although, his brain was still trying to work out what an Ingsoc. He had a slight feeling that Ingsoc had something to do with muggle politics and government somewhere in Oceania, but he couldn't be sure. Better to focus on what he did know versus what he didn't.

"Aye, muggles do have a tendency to care a little bit less about exhuming every inner thought and desire you have." Ed replied with a slight smirk, turning to face her. "He's definitely putting up a magnifying glass on the students, but I don't think it's goodthink. I think he just wants complacency out of students, he wants to instill a sense of fear. And when it comes down to it, I would follow what he wants. Hell, he could be listening in on us right now, trying to hear us. Keep any thoughts to yourself. Even if someone can read your mind, it's better than saying or doing something that can be picked up by god knows what.

"Also...uh...what's Ingsoc?"

[Khasinkonia]

Ed Wilson

OK, either we have the spirit of a withered Misuse of Muggle Artefacts inside a sixteen-year old, or we have a Muggleborn. Because he had never heard a wizard, not even a half-blood, use such terms as "Oceania", "Magical Ingsoc", and "Louisiana laissez-faire". Heck, he lived with muggle adoptive parents and he barely understood what the hell she was trying to say. Er...it didn't matter! The point was, she agreed and was being...slightly more conservative regarding her insults towards Avery's directorial ability. Although, his brain was still trying to work out what an Ingsoc. He had a slight feeling that Ingsoc had something to do with muggle politics and government somewhere in Oceania, but he couldn't be sure. Better to focus on what he did know versus what he didn't.

"Aye, muggles do have a tendency to care a little bit less about exhuming every inner thought and desire you have." Ed replied with a slight smirk, turning to face her. "He's definitely putting up a magnifying glass on the students, but I don't think it's goodthink. I think he just wants complacency out of students, he wants to instill a sense of fear. And when it comes down to it, I would follow what he wants. Hell, he could be listening in on us right now, trying to hear us. Keep any thoughts to yourself. Even if someone can read your mind, it's better than saying or doing something that can be picked up by god knows what.

"Also...uh...what's Ingsoc?"

“Oh, hi Freyja,” I said nodding and acknowledging her for a moment before quickly going back to addressing his question, “Ingsoc is Newspeak for English Socialism. Sort of an acronym. I get the understanding you’ve maybe never really even heard of George Orwell’s 1984, so let me clarify what I mean. In Orwell’s 1984, Ingsoc is ideology of a one-party totalitarian state covering the Americas, Great Britain and Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The country’s lingua franca is Newspeak, which is a weird little language based mostly on English that does all sorts of tricks to suppress free thought and eliminate the idea of dissent by making it literally impossible to properly criticise the government. The whole ideology of Ingsoc is basically that the minds of people must be reconstructed to pure loyalty to the state. Now Avery isn’t completely Orwellian—not at the moment, at least—because we still have linguistic and mental capacity to dissent, rather like the main character of 1984, Winston. Now I don’t really wanna find out if our headmaster’s authoritarianism extends as deep as the total surveillance of Oceania, but it really does feel as if we’re always being watched and listened to. Likewise, I can’t really say whether he has the same intent as the government in 1984, but I can definitely say he’s feeling authoritarian and surveillance-y enough that he’s encroaching on Orwellian territory. At least I feel like it’s coming around there. I mean even for explaining the book I probably just earned myself some sort of punishment, but if you wanna learn more, I have a copy of 1984 in my room. It’s a genuinely good read regardless of whether you’re making comparisons to the school administration or not, in my opinion.”

I sighed, and then hissed more quietly the snide comment: “Assuming Big Brother hasn’t caught wind of a written thoughtcrime and has confiscated it and booked me for Room 101, but y’know...”

[Skylus]

Derek didn't remember how he made it back to the Gryffindor common room. He found himself lying on the couch nearby the fireplace, nearly sick with dread.
After a while, he heard the Fat Lady talking to someone - Madi.
Then, her voice a few seconds later.
"What are you doing?"

Derek merely stared up at the ceiling.
"...Do you want to talk about something?"
Still no response.

Then, after a minute of silence, Derek spoke.
"There's...a letter...."
Madi waited patiently.
"on my bed....Go read it."
Madi disappeared from view without a word, and came back a few minutes later holding the Kneazle kitten.
Ferndal leaped from Madi's arms and onto Derek's chest, where the kitten began to knead his paws, his eyes half closed.
I make you feel better!

Derek couldn't help but smile at the kitten and he hugged the creature as softly as he could before merely holding him in his arms. He then sat up and moved so his back was against the couch seat. Madi sat down besides him.
"So. I heard that you got in a fight with Will? Was it because of what happened?"
Derek nodded.
"I don't have classes right now."
"What?"
"Avery said that neither Will or I can attend classes, nor leave the castle until the ministry decides what to do with us."
Madi drew back a bit.
"Holy shit. I knew that you two had dueled but yet..."
"Wait, how the hell do you know that?"
"Word spreads quickly."
"Was it Peeves?"
"Nope. Not this time, for once, maybe Will told people."

Derek looked up at the ceiling.
"I think I'm going to be expelled."
"Nah."
He moved his gaze to Madi.
"You don't think so?"
"I think Avery would have told you right then and there, no use in making you wait."
Madi got up from the couch.
"Well, unlike you, I have a paper to work on."
"You can copy what I have already if you want, get a head start."

Madi turned to look at Derek, then smiled.
"Alright. Since you can't go to class, I think Avery will never know. I already brought enough books up here to guarantee that I'll have all of the source material that I'll need."
Madi walked over to a table, which had books sitting on top of it, and started to work on her essay.
Derek fell asleep and woke up several hours later with a hand written note by Madi on the coffee table in front of the couch.

Went to Hogsmeade with my younger brother. Bringing you back stuff. - Madi

Derek looked out the window and saw people on the broomsticks flying past the Gryffindor Tower, and suddenly realized that Quidditch was completely off the table.
....I can still go the Army meetings can't I? At least I'll be able to do that...Until the Ministry decides my fate at least.

[Arlye Austros]

Ricardo

So, Raph wasn’t getting away with what happened on Avery’s class. Personally, Ricardo was actually thankful. Without his rambling intervention, he wouldn’t have asked about the Obscurial. He thought about getting help. But given the recent crossing with Avery, it would only get Raph into more trouble, and not even have a chance to spare him the fight.

Ricardo passed by Henry’s goon, giving a quick look to his face and trying to memorize it. Then proceeded towards the place Henry and Raph seemed to be exchanging punches. As soon as he laid eyes on them, Ricardo knew Raph was pretty much doomed, the physical difference between them was absolute. Ricardo slid one hand near his wand. Perhaps the fight would have to be broke off soon.