Setting the Scene: Hogsmeade Trip

[Lucia Dinapoli]

The little wizarding town of Hogsmeade always prepares for this time of year, when the days become shorter and grey, nights become colder and streets become full of excitable students! Whether its high-street shopping, grabbing some pub grub or chatting to the residents that tickles your fancy, whether it's your first time or your last, Hogsmeade village has something for everyone. Whatever you get up to on the first trip of the year will be up to you... 

Welcome to this months role play prompt. You, or your character, are venturing out on a Hogsmeade Trip. RP below to your heart content. There is no word limit, you may write as much or as little as you like, just as long as you stick to the rules. You will earn 5 scales for posting your roleplay below and an additional 5 scales for interacting with someone else. There is no due date, you may jump in and out whenever you wish!

Remember:

•  Only speak for your character, no one else's.
•  Write in third person, past tense, full sentences, proper grammar etc. You are world building remember so no asterisk and the like.
• Keep everything G rated and follow the HOL rules.

Go HERE to read the RPG Guidelines if you need to refresh yourself on the RP rules or if you are new to roleplaying. 

[Prof. Will Lestrange]

Will waited outside the entrance to the castle to help lead the students to Hogsmeade.  He knew that most of them probably already knew their way by now, but it was better to be there in case things happened (and probably more fun than in the castle too!)

5 scales awarded

[Lucia Dinapoli]

Pulling her tattered old hat down as best as she could over her wild curls she braced for the windy weather that was briskly making it’s way over the Scottish highlands. Hogsmeade was no exception and Lucia could already feel the cold nipping away at her reddening cheeks. Spotting Professor Will up ahead calmed her nerves, she of course had to help the first years navigate around the village this year as well as get in all of her shopping, which was no easy feet when you came from a family as big as hers.

”Good morning Professor,” Lucia smiled, “Have any plans to visit anywhere specific during this years trip? I’m very excited to get my hands on some new equipment for my Herbology experiments.”

5 scales awarded

[Emily Spencer]

Pulling the hood up on her emerald cloak, Emily braved the chilly weather and stepped lively over to where Lucia and Professor Lestrange were standing.  With a cheerful, if somewhat forced smile, she greeted the pair.

 

"Hullo, you two!  Nice day for an outing, if I must say.  Although, I must confess that I will be out of sorts until I can get a nice warm mug of butterbeer and a pumpkin pasty. "

She gave a self-depreciating laugh and a shrug of her shoulders.

"What can I say?  I'm not a morning person!"

Like Lucia, Emily fancied a trip to the shops, especially Pippin's Potions.  Of couse, she knew that duty came first, but as soon as the little darlings were corralled, she would definitely be off own her own to explore.  

5 scales awarded

 

[Aurelia West]

Aure wrapped their scarf more securely as they walked briskly to catch up with their peers and Head of House. "Lovely cold day isn't it?" they remarked offhandedly as they peered around at the other students. "I could also use a warm butterbeer just about now," they mentioned to Emily. They were sure the Three Broomsticks would be a popular destination for many today and they could certainly see why.

Though this Hogsmeade trip would be beneficial for them (they were in need of several new supplies around the halfway point of the year), their main objective was to ensure no students got lost on their way or separated from whichever group they might travel with. Already they saw a few students up ahead striding towards the Shrieking Shack and they made a note to keep an eye on them. Nothing bad had come of the Shack in quite some time, but it was always good to keep property from being messed with.

5 scales awarded

[Lucia Dinapoli]

Lucia chucked at Emily, nodding in agreement, "I'd be a morning person if I could still feel my fingers." They were starting to turn pink to match her nose and cheeks. 'Perhaps gloves should be the first thing on my shopping list?' She thought.

Aure had arrived too now..."Maybe after our duties are complete we could all meet in the Three Broomsticks to warm up?" Lucia suggested, noticing the way her stomach flipped at the mention of a Butterbeer. 

5 scales awarded

[Prof. Will Lestrange]

As everyone seemed to be nearly at the village, Will was  relieved (but unsurprised) at the fact that everyone was on track to make it to the village without incident.  But then he realized he hadn't yet had the chance to reply to Lucia's question.  "I don't there's anything I need at the moment, but I can always be surprised by some new items when I arrive.  But I wouldn't be surprised to end up with some dark chocolate from Honeydukes!"  

5 scales awarded

[Lucia Dinapoli]

Lucia was glad she wasn't the only one thinking about sweets during her duties. The closer they neared Honeydukes the more her mind and stomach raced

"Oh, have you tried the salted caramel chocolates? They're my all time favourites!" 

Soft snow had begun to fall again. It crunched crisply under each step and settled gently against the thatched roofs of building's that lined the lanes of Hogsmeade. Excitement was in the air, first years successfully grouped off and ready to begin their own adventures. 

[Emelio Black]

Intrigued and nervous, Emelio walked out the castle doors. She had heard from her dad the best place in Hogsmeade was Honeydukes, so she walked toward the sweet shop, her black hair flying everywhere. "I really need a hat. A ponytail would suffice as well though." She scowled as a bunch of hair whacked her in the face. Walking toward the village, she noticed several girls from her class chatting in a group. Jealousy welled up in her, though she knew it was more her fault than anyone else's that she didn't have friends. As she was taller than every girl in her year, she tried not to talk to anyone, knowing from experience other people thought 12-year-old girls who were 5'7 were someone fun to tease. The only person she really knew and felt comfortable talking to was Professor Lestrange; he felt like family to her. She couldn't describe it, but he felt like an uncle. She knew she could always go to Professor Lestrange's office for a conversation. Her mother's death was something she "skipped over", but she had a strange feeling he had figured it out.

Still, she couldn't help sorely missing her pet snake and only friend Archimedes as the girls passed by. One noticed her and waved, but then turned back to her chatter about presents. Christmas time used to be Emelio's favorite holiday, exchanging presents and watching as her dad brought in steaming cups of cocoa with his goofy grin...but that all changed after her mum died. Holidays were never the same after that. The only good thing that came from December was her birthday on the 17th. She silently prayed her dad wouldn't make a huge deal of it like he did last year.  After entering the store, she looked around a noticed a stand marked; Acid Pops. Heading straight to the stands, she picked one up and twirled it around her long fingers. "These look interesting." She muttered more to herself than anyone. As she placed the lollipop back on its stand, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

5 scales awarded

[Lucia Dinapoli]

“Hi there Emilio!” Lucia managed to catch up with the first year. “You ever tried one of those? I’m too nervous in case I get heartburn. Maybe I’m just dramatic.” She laughed, “You got any plans for the day? If you get a chance you should check out the Shrieking Shack. There’s a wonderful little spot up top of the village you can get a good view from. Great for any History of Magic essays you have coming up.”

Lucia smiled, hoping she wasn’t rambling too much. The festive positivity always hit when she visited Hogsmeade she couldn’t help it. She had so much energy!

[Emelio Black]

"Hey Lucia!" Emelio was glad to see a familiar face. "I haven't tried one before, though my dad said it's really good. As for plans, I don't really have any friends to keep me busy." She let out a light laugh, though she regretted saying it instantly. "I'll be sure to check out the shrieking shack though. Thanks for the recommendation."

5 scales awarded

[Lucia Dinapoli]

Lucia felt her heart sink, put it picked up as her words left her mouth, "Well why don't we go together then?" 

Lucia looked after for the slithery friend she saw so often with Emilio, "Is Archimedes not with you today?"

[Emelio Black]

Emelio felt a fluttery feeling with Lucia's words. "Sure! That would be really nice. Thank you." When she saw Lucia's smile, she wondered if she had really made a friend. As she paid for the Acid Pop, she turned back to Lucia upon hearing her question about her snake. "Oh yeah, Arc hates the cold weather. In fact, he's probably curled up in front of the fire right now! Either that or he's stealing treats from by bag." She laughed and was pleased to hear Lucia chuckle. "So," she asked as they walked into the cold weather, "what's your favorite place so far? I'd have to say mines the Potion store. Favorite store for my favorite subject!" She was surprised by how quickly the words rolled off her tongue, and how easy it was to talk to Lucia. Unwrapping the lollipop, she listened intently to Lucia's response, after all, this was the closest she'd ever been to making friends, and she was determined not to mess anything up.

[Lucia Dinapoli]

Emilio, Lucia found, was very easy to talk to despite their obvious shyness. She hoped her efforts to make friends would bring her out of her shell - so far Lucia thought she was doing a great job as she listened to Emilio chat about Arc. "He sounds like Murdoc, always causing a scene I swear." Lucia chuckled, thinking of her cheeky black cat causing mayhem across the castle.

"I've always loved The Magic Keep," Lucia fawned, "It's so pretty in there, so cosy...much cheaper than Dogweed and Deathcap to get all my herbs and plants. Herbology is one of my favourites, Potions too actually. How's the acid pop treating you?"

[Emelio Black]

Emelio remembered the black cat she often saw by Lucia. "It sounds like Murdoc and Archimedes would be great friends. Great mischief makers too, I should add." She took the Acid Pop out of her mouth and rubbed her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "Well, other than melting a small hole in my tongue, I'd say it's treating me pretty well." She laughed and popped it back in her mouth. "I like herbology as well, though I think I'd rather have an Aloe Vera plant instead of a venomous tentacula. I actually have a small collection of cacti. Though I'm surprised I've kept it alive this long." They reached the end of the shops and started walking up a small hill. "To be honest, I'm glad that electronics work at Hogwarts now. I don't know what I'd do without my music! What's your favorite song?" Emelio flushed as she realized how much and how fast she was talking. Don't ramble. She scolded herself. It might get on Lucia's nerves.

[Lucia Dinapoli]

"Oh yeah, I think I might have seen those cacti! They're great starter plants since succulents practically look after themselves," Lucia nodded as they made their way towards the Shrieking Shack viewpoint. Lucia silently hoped her boot grips didn't give out on her and send her slipping and sliding all the way back down the hill in front of company. 

"It's hard to pick an all time favourite there are so many. I guess Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls is probably my favourite. I like lots of different bands and artists though. Do you have a favourite?" Lucia asked, "You're right about the electronics too. I bet it was such a nightmare trying to listen to records if not many people had the right equipment. Imagine the chaos!"

[Emelio Black]

"Iris is a good song. It all honesty, romantic songs like that aren't really my style, though there are a few that are good. I go through favorite songs really quickly," Emelio let out a small chuckle, "but currently my favorite is either Burning Pile by Mother Mother or Laughing On The Outside by Bernadette Carol. I'm a suckered for oldies though. Queen is a big one." Emelio put the lollipop stick back in the wrapper. "With records, the chaos would be immense. I bet there was a ton of fighting on what songs to play as well." She let out a huff as they reached the top of the hill. "Steep. Very. Steep." She looked at the Shrieking Shack as it swayed in the wind. There was a moment of silence, broken only when Emelio said, "Its pretty, isn't it? A little sad too. It really shows the way time wares things down. I wonder what it looked like when it was just built."

[Lucia Dinapoli]

"Oh you're a person of great taste!" Lucia complimented as they reached the top, out of breathe and a little sweaty under all of her wooly clothes.

"How poetic," Lucia smiled, Emelio's words ringing very true. The Shrieking Shack was one of those historical landmarks that consistently fascinated her, "I love it, in all of its rotting falling apart glory. I bet every busted floorboard in that place could tell a story. If dust could whisper I'm sure it would have a thousand words about what happened in there. I think theres some pictures of it when it was first built in Hogmeade Station. There's loads of cool old pictures in there..."

Lucia leant against the wooden gate that stood between them and the Shack, her fluffy gloves catching on the worn planks.  "I wish I was my cat, he's always going in there. I'd love to see it on the inside. It's a shame it's so unsafe, TerrorTours could probably make a fortune from running Tours through the place."

[Emelio Black]

Emelio laughed. "Yeah they probably could. They'd also have a hard time convincing the Ministry of Magic to allow a bunch of muggles to ride a roller coaster through one of the grounds oldest sites." The snow, which once came in small flurries, now started to fall down fast and heavy. "We should probably get back." Emelio said. As they started to walk down the hill, Emelio slipped and slid down the hill, toppling face first in the snow. "Oh my gosh it's c-cold! But a-also fun. Try it L-Lucia!" Reluctantly, Lucia slid down, landing far more gracefully than Emelio as she lacked a mouthful of snow. "E-Exhilarating. That's the word I-I'd use. Also wet." Emelio got up and, after brushing snow out of her hair, started towards Hogwarts with Lucia.