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 Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:06 pm
 Liviana trembled with uneasiness from the top of her strawberry blonde head, to her small toes. She was always nervous before a task, and tonight was no different. She was (as always) afraid most of disappointing those who believed in her. Taking a deep, mildly-calming breath, she stepped forward, ready to challenge the future. Her wand raised, she entered the ominous maze.
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:07 pm
Leaving the warm confines of the castle I headed down toward the valley where the third task was to be held. The cold December air nipped at my face and ears, glad that I had the forethought to wear a few extra layers under my tournament outfit. I could see the towering hedges in the distance that signified the start of the maze that we were about to enter. The previous task’s where to test our skills, this third task would test not our knowledge but the resolve of our soul, it was said that people change inside the maze. I considered that talk superstition, something to put the champions on edge before they entered the maze and comforted whatever secrets the maze might hide.
Walking into the starting area I waved up at my parents and the other student who had come down to watch the task take place. Seeing that the other’s had already arrived I went over and joined them, and waited for Professor Sing to signal the start of the task. I knew that in third place I would be entering the maze last, I just hopped that I wouldn’t have to wait too long to join the others in the maze.
Kenneth Reynolds
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:08 pm
After listening to Professor Sing in instructions I walked over to the girls and said,”Look I want to wish both good luck, and that I want the both of you to watch yourselves while in the maze, and may the best person win.” I gave Liv a brief hug, before turning to Aludra. I pulled her into me so I could give her a warm embrace and a short kiss on the lips. Whispering into her ear so no one else could hear I said, “Do be careful in there I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Stepping back from her I gave her a lingering look before heading over to my starting spot. Looking down the mist covered path into semi-darkness I wanted for the sound of the cannon and the start of the task.
Kenneth Reynolds
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:11 pm
At the sound of the cannon, I dashed into the maze eager to catch up with the girls and to test my meddle while inside the maze. Pulling out my wand I muttered “Lumos” the tip of my wand light up, but the light barely cut though the mist that the maze seemed to be producing on its own. My starting tunnel seemed to go on forever my pulse was starting to quicken, I was getting nowhere. Placing my wand in my palm I said, “Point Me.” My wand spun in my hand and the stopped pointing to the right, into a solid hedge. That way was north, and I knew that I needed to go northwest for the end of the maze. Now that I had some since of where I needed to head I started to jog down my tunnel, my best bet was to take the first right I could find.
Kenneth Reynolds
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:11 pm
Aludra Yvette... It was only a few moments before the third task and Aludra’s nerves were as mounted as ever. Though she was scared in the first and second tasks, none of those moments of terror compared to how she felt now. If she failed to find her way out of the maze it would be the most a mark of shame a dishonor. She felt as though she had an obligation to her house mates and to her family, that were up in the stands, to get through this whether she wins or not. Getting through the task and finishing it completely was her goal, winning was just a perk for her if it did happen. The whole reason she entered the competition in the first place was to put what she had learned in her years at Hogwarts to the test and show how much she had grown from an ignorant little girl to a strong independent woman. At this moment it was all too clear to her that she had done her purpose in the competition, she had proven she had the skills to make it all the way and absolutely nothing was going to stop her from completing this last task. In a way the beginning of the Third Task was almost a relief to her. No matter what would happen inside of the Maze, the Tournament would be over and it would be a load lifted off of her shoulders.
That morning Aludra had spent her time in the library studying a few extra charm books and practicing some necessary spell work in an empty classroom in preparation for the task that was only moments away. Even now as she stood in front of the magnificent maze and waited for the stands to fill, Aludra reran the spells and curses that she had read over in her mind. ’Everte Statum, Expecto Patronum, Flagrate, Immobulus…’ The knowledge that she could remember the spells put her at ease and made her confident that she could get through the maze without trouble… if her knack for mistakes and trouble would let her.
The stands filled within a matter of moments. The air filling with the sounds of rumbling foot steps and the sound of excited voices carried over the grounds. In the middle section in the very first few rows of seats Aludra saw her father jumping up and down in his seat wearing the most peculiar get up. Her mother was beside him with her face in her hands, apparently as embarrassed as her daughter was. His shirt was an emerald green color, a little off from the Slytherin color, and had a stationary snake forming the letter ‘A’ on the front. His hair was standing up in all ends and looked to be spray painted a crude shade of green as he waved a cardboard sign that had her name printed on it. Even as loud as the crowd was, she could clearly hear him shouting, “Go my little Chameleon! Win this one for Papa!” Aludra blushed a deep red and waved meekly at her father. It was embarrassing to see him shouting her pet name so public, but it was a sweet way to show his support for his daughter all the same.
With the stands full and all three champions standing at the front of the maze, ready to face the last of their challenges and prove themselves worthy of the Hogwarts history book, all that was left to do was wait for Headmaster Sing to announce their entry into the blackness of the hedges. Aludra had a firm grip on her wand and an unbreaking gaze as she looked into the dark, this was the moment she had been waiting for since had awoken. ‘I’m ready for this.’ she thought confidently to herself. ‘I’m going to get through this and show how much I’ve grown.’
When Kenneth hugged her she wanted to push him away, and forget that ever happened but the warmth of his hug was something to truely bask in. It made her feel so safe and warm. "You be careful too. Dont sneak up on me or you might get hit in the face." she whispered, trying to break the tension. ...6th Year Slytherin (I know this is after you blew ur whistle, but I wanted to do it anyway ^^ It shows how I really feel and gives my dad a little character haha. Now, -puts on serious face- Lets do this.)
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:14 pm
Liviana was surprised when Kenneth pulled her in for a hug. She never thought they were particularly close. Off-guard, she stood awkwardly in his embrace. When he released her, her face was a brilliant crimson, enough to put to shame the bright Gryffindor colors. Quietly, she said, "Good luck to you too. And be safe."
A rush of emotions hit Liviana in one cold, hard sting. They could die out there, all of them tonight. But they were all fighting for the same thing. She took in another soothing breath, and walked more boldly to the maze. This was what Hogwarts was about; knowing disaster could be coming, but still cherishing what you have. Liviana felt more ready to handle the task.
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singlikenoonecanhearyou Captain
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:16 pm
The maze then began to react to the people it now held prisoner. The leaves began to rustle and close. The light and entrance they now left behind had vanished, along with the warmth it held. The people's faces behind them dissapeared and were lost.
Then, something stirred within the maze, also having to do with the people that had now entered. It had stirred from underneath the bushes, making a faint rustling noise. It didn't just seem to be coming from one spot though...the sound was emanating from all over this area of the maze...it stopped for a faint moment, then a loud crunching and booming noise rung out and hung in the air. Gnomes. Though not harmful and deadly creatures, gnomes could still be aggressive. These gnomes were particularly angry about being used and plugged into a ground that wasn't at all like the one they were used to. They hung onto the champion's robes, ankles, legs, arms, hands, grabbing and biting at every piece of flesh they could. Though they weren't large wounds, they were deep.
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:16 pm
Aludra Yvette... When the Headmaster blew her whistle to signal that they were allowed to enter forth into the maze was a fearful moment indeed. Aludra had dreamed and pictured her self entering the maze, but those thoughts did no justice to the real thing. The 20 foot hedges of the maze were tall and thick, thicker then normal shrubbery. The joyful and jubilant cheers from the crowd were silenced as she entered the maze as dark consumed her once clear vision. It took her eyes a few minutes to adjust to the sudden shrewd of darkness that was around, and that was going to stay around her for her time in the maze. The very air inside of this prison was different then just outside the brush walls. The air was damp and cool almost like that of a dementor, feeding off of her strength and will. Aludra swallowed her new fears that the walls seemed to be producing and lifted her wand straight ahead of her. There was no going back now. “Lumos.” she said promptly. At the tip of her wand a glowing ball of light emitted, lighting up the pathway in front of her a few feet. With a better view of where she was headed and a shaky breath to calm her nerves, Aludra began her way into the depths of the maze where her fears would come alive.
...6th Year Slytherin
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:17 pm
Liviana pulled her cloak closer as she entered the dark and frosty innards of the maze. The large walls of frost-bitten greenery choked out much of the little available sunlight.
The Ravenclaw whispered, "Lumos," and watched as the tip of her wand illuminated a pathway. "That's better," she said in a small voice.
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:21 pm
Liviana shrieked as the hallway of frozen branches she had just been walking in sealed off. She took a second to calm herself, and leaned again another frosty partition.
Suddenly, a sharp pain emanated from her ankle. Looking down in horror, she saw a creature- short and stubby biting at her leg. She detected movement from around the scope of her wand, and saw several more of the creatures appear.
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:24 pm
Aludra Yvette... Aludra wailed as she felt little teeth tearing and biting into her bare flesh. She could feel fresh blood flowing down her legs and staining her socks a crimson red that would do the Gryffindors proud. It was so soon into the maze that she didnt expect an attack this early! "Get off me!" she yelled, kicking and shaking her body to get them off. Their teeth were tiny but razor sharp, leaving painful bites and gashes wherever they touched. There was nothing she could do, they just clung onto her! "You little boo... wait, I'm a witch." Aludra realized stupidly. She didnt have to shake the little boogers off, she could blast them. She grabbed out her wand and pointed it at one of the ugly gnomes. "Stupify!" she shouted, the gnome was knocked unconcious and fell from her robe and landed on the ground with a hard thud.
"Stupify! Stupify!" she continued to shout. Slowly the painful bites and jabs that were on her skin started to fade as she blasted each one with the spell. ...6th Year Slytherin
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:26 pm
It didn't take long for the maze to throw its first challenge at me. The ground in front of me started to churn like something was trying to dig its way up. I stopped in my tracks wand at the ready hopefully prepared for whatever creature was about to come bursting out of the cold hard soil. The answer soon revealed it self as gnomes came bursting out of the ground showing me in dirt and bites of root. Stunned momentarily by all the dirt and other debris I couldn't react in time to stop them from leaping up on my arms and legs, where they started to take bite out of my flesh. Agh that blood hurts, I tried to shake the bloody things off me but they were stuck tighter than a tick on a dog.
Kenneth Reynolds
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:28 pm
Liviana's dark blue eyes widened, and she could do nothing more but kick the creature attacking her ankle away, and try to fight the others off.
"Oh! What was that spell!?" she cried, trying to defend herself. Her legs were bleeding now, and she wracked her brain trying to find a way to stop the little beasts.
"Stupefy!" she yelped, in a sudden fit of exasperation. "Stupefy, Stupefy, Stupefy!"
Each of the creatures dropped silently to the ground, apparently no longer hungry for Liviana's ankle bones.
"Not much meat anyways," she said, bemusedly.
Liviana conjured up some bandages using Ferula, hoping to stop the bleeding, and the advances of any other bloodthirsty beasties. She hurried on her way, anxious to leave the scene before the gnomes woke up.
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:28 pm
The gnomes were curious and kept popping out of the ground to see what had happened to their group, but knowing they had been beaten, buried themselves once more in the cool earth. They dug their deep tunnels and hurled their disgusting brown, wrinkly selves into them.
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singlikenoonecanhearyou Captain
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 7:31 pm
Seeing that trying to shack the little buggers off wasn't going to work I lashed out with my wand arm and smacked the gnome into the hard hedge to my right. With the bloody thing stunned I managed to throw him off. Pointing my wand at myself I caused a jock of electricity to flow though my body. The feisty little fellas got a right jolt and dropped off my limbs. Take a few steps back I pointed my wand at the gnomes and shouted over and over "Stupify! Stupify!" A jet of red light crashed into each gnome knocking them out.
Kenneth Reynolds
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