Nifty Nifflers on Care of Magical Creatures

Professor Kijewski

September 15, 2011 6:29 PM

Beginner Lesson (1st through 3rd years) by Professor Kijewski

The last time Kiva had done this lesson, she had help with preparing for it from Simon Tellermen. The then Groundskeeper. She hadn’t seen him since they both left Sonora for various reasons. Well, that was a bit of a lie; she had gone to see him in Vegas once on a trip with some coworkers. She never spoke to him, didn’t even let him know she had gone, but she was glad that he was happy doing what he loved. Or, at least, presumably what he loved. She missed his friendship though. He had always been a good companion to have around when she needed someone. And after spending most of her morning preparing for this lesson, she wished he was still around to give her a hand. She could have asked the current Groundskeeper, Seth, for help, but he was already helping her with her trip to the Ranch that she didn’t want to overbear him with little things that would make him change his mind. Oh well, hard work never hurt anyone.

By the time she began to hear the arrival of her Beginner level class, Kiva had everything all set and ready for them. When she was sure that everyone had arrived, Kiva greeted them all with a cheerful smile. "Good day everyone, I'm glad to see all of you are well." Kiva said. She was standing in front of a large crate, the contents unknown to the students in front of her. “We’re going to have a bit of a competition and some fun.” Kiva paused and moved around to a crate that was positioned on the table she had transfigured early in the day. "I suggest anyone wearing jewelry or a watch to take them off and hide them in your pockets or bags." Kiva warned before pulling out a creature.

The creature was black and fluffy, sporting a long snout. Kiva thought they were the most adorable creatures, but she was sure some might find them to be rather ugly. "This is called a niffler." Kiva said, raising the one in her arms out a bit, though the niffler snuggled closer to her, causing her smile affectionately at it. "Nifflers are originally from the UK, but are exported around the world. They are sweet creatures and love attention. Their main purpose in the wizarding society is to find treasure. You see, they are attracted to glittery things such as gold or diamonds. Their snout allows them to burrow deep beneath the Earth's surface to find these so called treaures." Kiva explained.

"Most nifflers are owned by Goblins, since they run the banking systems, however, some people do have them as their own. I want to warn you all though, that nifflers should never be considered for a house pet. They destroy homes. They seek everything glittery, and will do what it takes to get them." Kiva said, trying to get them to understand just how destructive these creatures could truly be.

"Now, for this lesson, you will need a partner and one niffler between the both of you." Kiva said, waiting for the groans she was sure to come. She figured that by now these students ought to be used to working in pairs. "This morning I went ahead and buried gold coins – it is leprechaun gold, so it’s not real, throughout the gardens. The group who finds the most coins will get a treat of their choosing, so long as it's agreeable and appropriate. Remember, a niffler will be more active when you give them attention and appreciation for their finds." Kiva announced to them all. "Alright, find your partners, grab a niffler, and have some fun."

OOC: Okay everyone, I'm looking for how well you write your responses (make sure the post is at least 200 words), grammar, and how well you develop your character. Take your time and have fun!

Subthreads:

Nifty Nifflers by Sullivan Quincy with Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren

Animals > Humans by David Kim [Aladren] with Jessica Applerose - Teppenpaw, David Kim

Aaaargh, Mateys!! by Regina Parker (Teppenaw) with Josephine Owen, Josephine

Do Not Like by James Owen

0 Professor Kijewski Beginner Lesson (1st through 3rd years) 0 Professor Kijewski 1 5

Sullivan Quincy

September 15, 2011 9:40 PM

Nifty Nifflers by Sullivan Quincy

Sullivan was fairly indifferent to Care of Magical Creatures. He was one of the rare people who had no strong feelings one way or the other about going outside to spend time with animals. He found it a nice change of pace, but he was not an animal lover. Neither was he an animal hater. Animals just were. As far as he was concerned animals were like the hedges in the Gardens; part of day-to-day life and nothing to get all bent out of shape over unless they had really big teeth.

He would grant, though, that some animals were much more interesting than others, and Professor Kijewski did reasonably well in finding such examples. Watching her hold and describe the Niffler, he thought this might be one of the good ones. He thought a breathing treasure detector might be a cool thing to have one day. After he moved out of Vegas, that was. He might not always be the brightest bulb in the class, but even he could see one of those guys in the glitz capital of the world would be Bad News, capitalized and in neon lights.

He wasn't too surprised when they were instructed to find partners. Sonora was really into the whole partner thing. The eleven year old wasted no time, asking the first person he came to in between where he'd been sitting and where the Professor was handing out Nifflers, "Want to be partners?"

1 Sullivan Quincy Nifty Nifflers 207 Sullivan Quincy 0 5

David Kim [Aladren]

September 17, 2011 11:10 PM

Animals > Humans by David Kim [Aladren]

David shuffled into the Gardens a few minutes before class was due to begin, his collar unbuttoned and hair ruffled. The entire day had seemed to conspire to get away from him, his mind unable to focus and his thoughts continually returning to unncessary things. It had started that morning when he woke up; he was used to his empty room-- he had always had an empty room, but for whatever reason, that morning, its emptiness felt overwhelming. He had dashed through his shower and ablutions and found momentary relief in the Cascade Hall.

But after a half hour of the noise and bustle there, the same feeling from his dorm room had crept up on him. No one spoke to him, nor he to anyone else. His classmates had long since formed their normal meal time groups and even though Aladren as a whole seemed more solitary than the other houses, even within themselves, friendships-- or at least companionship prospered. David, too, then found himself needing to escape.

But the forced groupwork and conversation that his classes gave didn't help. Yes, he spoke then, and his partner or group would reply in return, and by most the exchanges might be described as cordial, there was no warmth or invitation to go deeper. Once the task was complete, desks were returned to their normal rows, and David would have his parchment and quills to keep himself company. This was no different from what he was used to growing up, no different at all!

So why then, he continued to ask himself all day, was it so bothering him now? Why should he suddenly wake up that morning desiring something or someone other than himself and a book for consolation? It annoyed him, and David hoped dearly that his favorite class, Care of Magical Creatures, would offer him a most wanted distraction from himself and these thoughts.

"This is called a niffler." David's dark eyes caught onto the small, black creature with immediate relief. He had read about nifflers, intrigued by how they sensed and hunted valuable items. He had wondered at the time how the creatures managed to hunt out the objects; did they have a special, magical kind of sonar? Like a living, breathing metal detector but for treasure? He dug through his pack for a bit of parchment to scribble down the thought so he might ask Professor K after her lecture.

"Now, for this lesson, you will need a partner--" David did not groan with the rest of his class, but instead began to edge toward the crate that held the nifflers. He'd rather be the one approached than have to corner someone who was unlucky enough to not get away. He rather hoped that whoever it was that the competitive nature of the assignment wouldn't be the highlight. David preferred to sit with the creatures they observed in class, watch them and coax them into momentary friendships. Animals were so much simpler to understand and get along with than his classmates.

He was the second one to reach the crate and mindful not to touch any of those still approaching, he bent to carefully take one of the fluffy, black nifflers into his hands. Despite his best intentions, he brushed hands with one of his classmates also reaching into the crate, and spun back, as if burned.

"Sorry," he sputtered, embarrassed and not making eye contact. "Go ahead, I'll get another."

0 David Kim [Aladren] Animals > Humans 0 David Kim [Aladren] 0 5

Jessica Applerose - Teppenpaw

September 19, 2011 3:36 PM

Eh, I think they're pretty even by Jessica Applerose - Teppenpaw

Jess had finished a terribly tiring DADA where she was stunned more than a couple times and blacked out. The process of being brought back was quite draining, but she was finally done with that class. She hadn't enjoyed it as much as her other DADA classes, but oh well. Next was COMC! She hadn't exactly been good in going to COMC lessons because the creatures scared her, but she decided she'd suck it up for once and be more aggressive. Unless they were studying live hippogriffs or something, which would just be absurd.

She walked into class tiredly and sat down and put her book bag down beside her with a thump. She saw ugly black creatures in a cage and wrinkled her nose. At least they weren't horrendously big. Otherwise she would've sprung right out of class. She watched their professor pick one of them up and, at the sight of it cuddling, Jess immediately fell in love with it. It reminded her of her stuffed bear when her mother enchanted it and it cuddled with her at night. Except that thing, a niffler, was much more dangerous. Still, Jess wanted to get her hands on one. They looked so cute now!

She swiped her brown curls behind her shoulder and watched with increased interest as she explained the niffler's origins. Jess smiled brightly as the fuzzy cuddly things in the cage stared back at them with what she thought were soulful eyes. So cute! She could hardly stop herself from getting up and scooping one of them up in her arms. When their professor finally finished her spiel, she got up quickly and rushed to get one of those creatures. She never had trouble finding a partner, being such an outgoing girl as herself.

Jessica was so intent on reaching one of those creatures, unaware of her surroundings, that she almost jumped out of her skin when a human hand brushed hers instead of a furry one. The boy sputtered out an apology and Jessica smiled. Partner! She picked up the fluffy niffler that snuggled into her arms. She fell in love with it. But she also needed a partner too for this class.

"Wanna be partners?" she asked the boy. "I'm Jessica Applerose, by the way." Prestigious pureblood in England, England-born but bred in California, parents a disgrace to the Applerose name, yada yada. She never had been interested in those kinds of politics. Jessica held out the niffler for the boy to take. "It's cute, isn't it?" Jess cooed, petting the creature. "What should we name it?"

0 Jessica Applerose - Teppenpaw Eh, I think they're pretty even 0 Jessica Applerose - Teppenpaw 0 5

Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren

September 20, 2011 9:21 PM

Need New Nickels by Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren

Another secret box. Kitty grinned, but still felt a hint of disappointment. There probably wasn’t a dragon in the box, well maybe a really little one? But, probably not. I know we have to wait until we’re older for the bigger animals but really! Can’t we have just one little dragon? Kitty thought with a pout as she stared at the box.

Then the Professor reached in and plucked a black furred little creature that bore some resemblance to a rat, but had a longer snout. Cute!!! Kitty thought, her cornflower eyes glittered with curiosity at the small fuzzy creature. Most girls hated rodents, but Kitty thought that rats were the best when it came to small fuzzies as pets. They were way nicer and easier to handle than gerbils or hamsters. Then the Professor explained what they were for and Kitty gave a small laugh imagining old men in swim trunks not walking the beach with a metal detector, but a flock of nifflers all attached to leashes like dogs scouring the beaches for coins, and rings, and other shiny things.

Yay a treasure hunt! Kitty thought as she took a step towards the niffler packed box. A voice behind her asked to be partners and Kitty turned with a grin. “Sure! Come on lets go get the best one.” Kitty exclaimed as she lead the way towards the box, not sure what characteristics would equate to the best niffler, but certain all the same that she’d know the right one when she saw it. Looking down into the box Kitty saw one of the nifflers running busily from corner to corner and with an easy grin reached down and scooped the small creature into her hands careful not to hurt it. The fur was remarkably soft, much softer than a rat’s, maybe closer to a Chinchilla. “Awwww he’s so cute! We should give him a name first don’t you think?” Kitty said smiling up at Sullivan.

0 Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren Need New Nickels 0 Katrina (Kitty) McLevy - Aladren 0 5

David Kim

September 22, 2011 3:17 PM

Nifflers are pretty great, though. by David Kim

David resisted the urge to further wipe his hand as Jessica continued to speak. Part of his thoughts lingered on the knowledge that his bookbag held a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and he wondered whether he had time enough to surreptitiously dig it out. But the deposit of a squirming niffler into his arms closed that option; the creature was just as soft and fluffy as it had looked, with bright black eyes that had already zeroed in on the silver-edged quill he had poking out of his back pocket. He tucked the niffler more cozily into his side and knelt to return the quill to his bookbag.

"It probably already has a name, don't you think?" David said after a moment more, Jessica's words-- and questions-- finally catching up to him. "And all right, I'll work with you. I'm David." He was pleased to realize that Jessica hadn't added any of those typical addendums the Pureblooded students like to tack on: the I'm so-and-so of the Horribly Important so-and-so's rubbish. It made him warm up, just a smidgeon, enough so that he amended with:

"We can always give him a nickname, if you want. Pirates like treasure, so maybe--" The niffler gave a slight jump in David's arms, the wiggling morphing into a full-on desire for escape. David peered into the direction the niffler seemed intent on heading and caught a faint glint of gold caught in one of the hedges. The niffler tugged more ferociously, and David gave warning.

"I think he's ready to start hunting, yeah? Setting him free now--" And David lowered the creature to the ground, the niffler's legs already in full run upon release. It made an immediate bee-line for the hedge row and mindful to not lose track of it, David grabbed his bookbag and followed after. He paused long enough to ensure Jessica was with him and asked, hoping his tone remained casually indifferent, "You interested in winning?"

0 David Kim Nifflers are pretty great, though. 0 David Kim 0 5

Jess

September 22, 2011 10:58 PM

I have to agree with that. How can I not? by Jess

Jessica was a little miffed by his quick shut down of her idea of naming the niffler. She hoped he wasn't one of those people who didn't know what "fun" was. She really hoped he didn't care about not winning either. If Jess had anything, she had a competitive streak in her. He introduced himself and she smiled anyway. "Nice to meet you David." Might as well make friends with him since she was working with him in this class. She watched him with the niffler as she thought of a nickname for the creature.

The shine of gold was suddenly apparent to Jess. She wondered if she could spot the gold since she'd been trained as a Seeker. Not the way a niffler could, of course. They had much keener eyes than she. They'd make great Seekers if they were humans.

She followed it and brushed her curls out of her face as she grabbed her book bag and pulled it around her torso. She gave a little laugh. "Heck, winning should be my middle name." She smiled at him. "I've got a pretty competitive streak in me." She really hoped he was up for winning. If she had to drag her partner along she might die. Jess didn't always know why she was so competitive. Probably came from being the youngest and having to clash with her siblings at a young age. It was bred into her. She found the niffler digging its snout into the hedge row and pulled it away by a little.

"Well what do you know. The niffler works," she teased, and pulled out the gold coin. The niffler looked at her for approval. "I think I want to name, er, nickname him Nick. Nick the niffler. Also, he nicks the shiny things that he sees. Double meaning." She smiled and bent down. "Good job, Nick! You're doing a great job!" She enveloped it in a hug and squeezed it lightly, rubbing its back as she went. "Good boy!" She turned to David and handed Nick over slightly reluctantly; he probably wanted to reward Nick with his affection too.

"I'll keep this coin safe for now," she told David. Jess waited till David had put the niffler down again and she quickly followed Nick as he scrambled off again. She tried to spot the glint of gold with her eye but she couldn't see what Nick could. "Where do you think the next one's hidden?" she asked David. "Our Nick sure is fast!" She smiled brightly.

0 Jess I have to agree with that. How can I not? 0 Jess 0 5

Regina Parker (Teppenaw)

September 25, 2011 3:33 PM

Aaaargh, Mateys!! by Regina Parker (Teppenaw)

Reggie was fairly certain that for the most part, she had kept her fear of the dark pretty low key, especially since they didn’t have any classes that were held at night. With the exception of the random lesson last year taught on the moon-calves, Reggie seriously enjoyed Care of Magical Creatures. Not so much because of the creatures, but because it was outside.

She loved being outside. After being stuck in a really old school that sometimes had a musty smell to it (or Reggie imagined it as she often did with old things), Reggie liked the fresh air. She liked the breeze and the sun on her face. Arizona was nothing like Nebraska and Reggie wanted to know more about it. Of course, her only way of doing that is by exploring the school and she was currently doing that in the form of her Care of Magical Creatures class.

Regina listened excitedly while Professor Kijewski pulled out the Niffler and explained what their lesson would be about. Reggie had never seen a Niffler before, but she had heard of them. In one of her many fantasy games she had played with her dad (and her mom, if she was around), treasure hunting had been one of them. In the magical world, Nifflers were the pirate’s best friend instead of a Parrot. They always found their bounty. As a little girl, Reggie didn’t usually play a pretty princess, instead she played Pirate, Mad Scientist, and Mud Chef. She only played the princess when she was with her muggle friends and apparently that’s what normal girls did. Reggie liked not being normal.

Reggie rolled on her heels excitedly as she waited to be told they could grab a niffler and be off on an adventure. She didn’t flinch at the need for a partner because having someone along the ride would be more fun than having an adventure on her own.

When they were finally released, Reggie went to the crate where the other Niffler’s were being held and picked out the small little one who was looking rather confused and somewhat scared. She didn’t really care about the whole ‘winning’ thing, she just wanted to run around and pretend to be a pirate. The reason she chose the oddball Niffler was because she was an oddball herself. Walking away from the crate, Reggie stood off to the side until she spotted someone without a partner. Walking towards the person, Reggie grinned widely as she approached. “Hey, want to be a Pirate with me?” She asked.

6 Regina Parker (Teppenaw) Aaaargh, Mateys!! 187 Regina Parker (Teppenaw) 0 5

David Kim

September 27, 2011 9:04 AM

Yeah, only jerks hate nifflers. by David Kim

David's already lackluster smile fell into its more typical frown of distraction. Great. Of course he'd get saddled with some award-crazed girl who, if her choice in nicknames was anything to go by, seemed lacking in creativity. Nick? Really? Who named their pets-- or, he mentally amended, classroom creatures-- after real names? Wasn't it some rule out there in animal land that animals should have non-human names? David absolutely was not going to call the niffler Nick.

"You do that," he said without enthusiasm, watching as she tucked the coin away. The niffler most definitely not named something as ridiculous as Nick gave a little half turn in his arms, a squirm that David translated into Please let me go now. I see treasure. He obliged directly and the niffler-not-named-Nick made a beeline for a misshapen tree with twisting branches and a towering canopy a good thirty feet away. David sincerely hoped the coin was not hidden up in the branches; he had no desire to risk his life by climbing up a tree.

"I'm going to hazard a guess and vote on that tree there." David paused briefly as the niffler began to clamp its surprisingly robust little claws into the trunk base. "And apparently it's in the branches somewhere. Fan-tas-tic."

With a nimble agility its soft, round shape hid rather well, the niffler-not-named-Nick managed to reach the second rung of branches easily. Its narrow snout sniffed the air for a brief half second and then dove for the far end of its branch. Caught there in the furthest recesses of the outermost sprigs was a distinctive gold coin. The niffler made a short spin to celebrate its discovery, the tree limb shaking dangerously with even that brief movement.

"So I hope you can climb, because there's no way I'm going up there." If winning was so important to Jessica, she could be the one to risk her life. David didn't care if the branch was only a paltry six feet off the ground. That was a good foot and two inches taller than him which meant injury was a likely possibility. David sincerely hoped that some other team would hurry up and win so that he could spend the rest of the class seated on the ground with the niffler-not-named-Nick on his lap.

0 David Kim Yeah, only jerks hate nifflers. 0 David Kim 0 5

James Owen

September 27, 2011 9:56 AM

Do Not Like by James Owen

Despite the fact that he liked to believe studying dumb creatures was a waste of his valuable time, james couldn't deny that he enjoyed attending the class - merely the stroll through the grounds to reach the teaching area was sufficient to ease his temper. James liked animals - he had to, really, considering their continual presence as he'd been growing up - but that didn't necessarily mean he wanted to know all there was to know about them. Puffskeins, for example, were pointless balls of fluff, and gnomes were a garden pest, and that was plenty said about both. He had been lead to believe that in their older years students could study far more exotic and dangerous magical creatures, and they would hold a greater interest for the Aladren, but to achieve that aim, he first had to suffer through the more mundane beginner's classes. Resigned to yet another session of insignificant facts that would never play a lead role in his life outside the classrooom, James settled himself on the grass.

When Professor Kijewski told them to take off any jewelry, James stiffened. He knew by that instruction what would be coming. Almost as a reflex, he sought out Niffler Girl amongst his peers and levelled at her his most fierce glare. He was already acquainted with these annoying animals, thanks to her, and was not keen to spend yet more time in the presence. Unfortunately, that was not an option. Still, at least the positive side of all this was that the class was almost like a teasure hunt, if an exceptionally easy one, and James did enjoy competetive games. So he rallied his spirits as best he could and approached someone who already had a Niffler in hand. "Would you mind if I worked as your partner for this class?" he asked.

0 James Owen Do Not Like 168 James Owen 0 5

Josephine Owen

September 27, 2011 10:08 AM

Pieces of Eight! by Josephine Owen

Josephine couldn't hold back a squeal of delight as she learned they would be studying Nifflers that class. She hadn't ever seen one of the fury creatures up close, but she had read about them in books, and she thought they were adorable. Seeing them today didn't change her opinion of them at all. They were so very cute, with their big black eyes and long fuzzy snouts. Plus their ability to seek out shiny objects was ocmmendable. Despite what Professor K had said about them not making good house pets, Josephine was sure a Niffler would do just fine in her own household. It wasn't as if her family owned anything shiny it could seek out... but then again, maybe the niffler wouldn't know that, and would go on the search, anyway? Either way, Josephine thought they could be seriously helpful to have around for a family as poor as hers was. It could seek out shiny things for them to keep or sell, a bit like they did for the unlikely hero in some of Josephine's childhood story books... the possibilities were endless.

Scrambling to her feet, Josephine wasn't sure whether she should find a Niffler first or a partner first, and while she was still trying to decide her eyes landed on Reggie, who had a niffler already in tow. Hoping that her yearmate didn't already have a partner, Jospehine smiled brightly, and Reggie made her way over, saying, "Hey, want to be a Pirate with me?"

Josephine laughed, assuming Reggie was referncing some of the same childhood stories that she'd been thinking about only moment ago. "Sure thing, matey," Josephine happily replied. She still didn't know much about the other girl except that she was scared of the dark, but she seemed really nice, and that's all Josephine was looking for in a partner.

0 Josephine Owen Pieces of Eight! 196 Josephine Owen 0 5

Jess

September 28, 2011 12:48 AM

Jerks hate a lot of things, apparently. by Jess

Jess watched Nick scamper up a tree like it was no big deal and she finally saw the gold the niffler saw. "Oh Nick," she sighed. Maybe she felt a stronger attachment to Nick now that she'd named it and because she had never had a pet of her own. Her father was a potions master. Pets meant future potions ingredients and her mum really had not wanted that.

Jessica wasn't surprised by his sissy-ness; boys were pretty big sissies, especially the ones her age. Well, her brother worked with dragons, so she supposed that was pretty manly. Jess wasn't too keen on climbing the tree herself. If neither of them wanted to do it, they'd have to think of another way to get up there. Darn Nick! Trying to think of a way to get up there, she thought about calling her broom. It probably would take too long for the broom to get here though. She sighed and suddenly gasped with an idea.

"I've got it. I can levitate you!" She had practiced that charm an awful lot lately and was quite good at it now. "If you're scared, then you can levitate me instead." Jess didn't enjoy climbing trees or getting scratches, but she did like charms and she could do that. "So you'll levitate me up and I'll get the coin and Nick, or I can levitate you. Whichever you want." She pulled out her wand and waved it around a couple times, waiting for his answer.

0 Jess Jerks hate a lot of things, apparently. 0 Jess 0 5

David

September 30, 2011 9:42 AM

Probably why they're jerks. by David

David stared with thinly veiled skepticism, eyebrows raised. Levitate each other? Who was she kidding? The likelihood that either of them had the skill or control to manage levitating the other to that height long enough to retrieve both the gold and the niffler was statistically slim in his opinion. He knew for a fact that if he were to try, there would be problems. He'd levitated rocks and books and other similarly weighted objects, but an eleven-year-old kid? That was all sorts of different.

He opened his mouth to state just that, convinced that when presented with his logical objections, Jessica would surely move on to other thoughts. But then she spoke again, his jaw clamped shut, stubborn pride rising at the insinuation that his reasons for not wanting to climb a precarious tree had to do with being scared. It had nothing to do with fear, and everything with having a firm grip on reality-- the reality being that climbing a tree that seemed stressed just from the weight of a niffler would only be compounded with probable injury should one of them attempt it.

And he most definitely wasn't scared to be levitated! He wasn't scared in the least. She probably wouldn't be able to lift him more than a foot or two before breaking concentration. David lifted his bookbag over his shoulder and yanked off his school robes, legs parted sturdily. "Okay, fine then, you can levitate me," he bit out, no attempt to curb his angry tone. "Try to do it right."

0 David Probably why they're jerks. 0 David 0 5

Jess

September 30, 2011 1:26 PM

Then are happy people people who like a lot of things? by Jess

Jessica's mouth curled into a smile when he agreed, reluctantly, she knew, to be levitated. She trusted herself. She'd done this so many times and, after all, she was a second year now. She'd mastered the spell last year. And she'd studied without a social life her whole first year. She ought to be good at these first-year spells now, especially since she was good at charms.

"O.K.," she said excitedly, happy that he had agreed. She put down her book bag to concentrate solely on him. He looked ready, but she asked anyway, just to make sure. "Ready?" She didn't care if he was angry or not, she just wanted to get this done and win. If he didn't have a competitive spirit, then she'd have enough spirit for both of them. And for Nick. She began to concentrate and then cleared her throat and raised her wand.

"Wingardium leviosa!" She made sure to pronounce it right. She still had pride and she did not want to drop him and humiliate herself. He rose slowly. It was more difficult than she'd thought, but Jess's determination won out and she lifted him to Nick, though it was a slow process. "Grab him now, quick!" she said, unsure if she would be able to hold him up for very long.

0 Jess Then are happy people people who like a lot of things? 0 Jess 0 5

Reggie

October 03, 2011 9:25 PM

To the plank with the scallywags! by Reggie

Reggie smiled when Josephine replied positively and also following along with the whole ‘pirate’ thing. Although they had worked together in various classes, Reggie still hadn’t nearly covered all of her knowledge on Josephine Owen. She was pretty sure that James Owen was her brother, she remembered him from some of their classes, but she didn’t know if she was right.

There were so many students who had the same name and were some how related or not related at all that Reggie had a hard time distinguishing one from the other. Not that it really mattered in the grand scheme of things. Unless Josephine and Reggie became close friends, which is possible considering Josephine seemed genuinely a nice person. In any case, if they did end up becoming better friends, Reggie will ask if she were related to him, for now, it didn't really matter. All that mattered was that James and everyone else was the 'bad guys' out for their bounty!

“Good.” Reggie said confirming her agreement and not giving her a chance to back out now. “I got this Niffler. I hope you don’t mind, he was sort of the runt of the litter and a bit of an oddball.” Reggie advised the other girl as though she needed to explain her pickings. “I feel a companionship to him. Me being me and all.” Reggie grinned as though that gave her all the information she needed to know. “Don’t worry though, this will totally be the cat’s pajamas.” Reggie was certain of this. It was going to be an adventurous lesson, even if they didn’t gain the most gold, they were outside exploring and in the sun and having a grand old time. That’s what mattered. Besides, they got to cuddle up to a cute (the thing had grown on her since she had picked it up) Niffler.

“Would you like to hold him? Well, I’m assuming it’s a him. I don’t really know and have no way to tell. I don’t have any animals at home, so I guess by nature I just assume they are all boys.” Reggie held out the Niffler for Josephine to take. It wouldn’t be fair to hog him the entire time. “It looks like everyone’s started. Which directions do you want to go in? Some place wicked so that we can score our bounty!”

6 Reggie To the plank with the scallywags! 187 Reggie 0 5

David

October 09, 2011 3:00 PM

We should do a study to find out! by David

David regretted his hastiness in jumping at the challenge on his pride immediately. Even after he nodded his readiness, the sensation of floating was horribly disconcerting. He had no sense of steadiness, all weight absent from him and nothing underfoot to secure against. Even when he swam, he could feel the weight of the water against his limbs. There was pressure and reassurance, but this was a slightly rolling nothingness. He hated it instantly and his stomach flipped twice in adament protest.

He tried not to vomit and ignored Jessica's calls to hurry. With arms shaking, he stretched out to grab both the niffler-not-named-Nick and the gold coin it continued to sniff excitedly. "Take me down, take me down," he called, the panic in his voice ringing clearly. His concerns over pride and appearance fell to wayside as he was slowly lowered.

Once firm ground was under him again, he fell to a crouch, the niffler tucked tightly against his chest for comfort. It squirmed for release as David's hand ran over its soft fur in agitated repetition, before finally darting free and heading off toward a clump of brambles nearby. David continued to stay near the ground, hands holding his elbows dearly. Oh but that was awful. Never again.

He shuddered, dark eyes closing. "That was horrible. If there's another one in a tree, I say forget it. No way am I doing that ever again."

0 David We should do a study to find out! 0 David 0 5

Jess

October 11, 2011 9:17 PM

If only there was a psychology course here... by Jess

Jess could hear the panic in his voice as she tried not to drop him. She could only imagine being levitated as flying on a broom, only, without the broom. That would be scary, come to think of it. She lowered him slowly and gently to the ground and rushed over to him as he crouched down. She assumed he was regaining his bearings. "All right?" she asked with concern.

Jess was quite proud of herself that she had been able to levitate a human being, but also felt bad that he was feeling so terribly afterwards. She couldn't imagine being levitated herself. It looked fun, but maybe it really wasn't. Hopefully Nick wouldn't do anything that maddening again. He was an adventurous little niffler, not that she'd really had experience with nifflers before.

She smiled at David's remark. "O.K., I won't make you. If Nick's up in another tree, we'll just have to leave 'im there and get another." She held out her hand to help him up. "Come on, he's getting away. We don't want to lose him." Jess looked over at Nick who was sniffing around a clump of brambles and digging around.

0 Jess If only there was a psychology course here... 0 Jess 0 5

Josephine

October 12, 2011 11:30 AM

Aye, avast ye! by Josephine

Reggie explained that she'd picked the runt of the Nifflers, and Josephine's response was to smile. She felt compassion for the underdog, and besides, their Niffler wasn't too shabby-looking. "He's adorable," she affirmed, though she wasn't sure what Reggie meant when she said 'me being me.' Was it that she liked the underdog, too, or did she think of herself in those terms? Josephine didn't think Reggie was an oddball - Ayita, she was an oddball, and Josephine had to share a room with her literally all year, as the girl had spent the previous summer at the Owen's, too. She was quite a sweet oddball, though, so Josephine forgave her.

"Would you like to hold him? Well, I’m assuming it’s a him. I don’t really know and have no way to tell."

"Sure," Jospehine happily replied, and took her turn at holding the Niffler. Unlike her partner, Josephine was used to animals, having grown up with them her whole life. She knew how to tell if some animals were boys (and it had been an enlightening day when she'd made that discovery) but she didn't know for sure about Nifflers. "I'm sure he's a boy," she agreed with Reggie anyway, and lovingly scratched the Niffler under his chin. Then her partner pointed out they should get a move on looking for the treasure, and Josephine had to agree - she was quite competetive.

"Oh yes!" she excalimed excitedly. "Let's go this way." Setting off, Josephine set the creature on the ground to find their gold for them. "Come on, little Niffler," she encouraged it. "Let's go find something shiny!"

0 Josephine Aye, avast ye! 0 Josephine 0 5