Round Three - The Magic Box, Collaborative Fan Fiction Options

[cherabela]

Got_Your_Konk!



Riddler
Colourful Floo Ferret


Feline Curiosity

The doors of the castle opened a bit, and a low puke-orange cat came out. It looked like it had hit at wall. You could have never seen an uglier cat, although Mrs. Norris is very ugly and sneaky too...but you can lift her up in a chandelier and play "Hit the Cat", throwing dungbombs at her. That is a lot of fun!

But this one is smarter. It can sense danger. It is a very tricksy cat. Crookshanks walked up to the box and sniffed it, wondering if it contained any mice without lice. The box suddenly leaped, hitting it hard in the nose. The cat hissed at it; the mice inside were very naughty. Crookshanks moved closer again, being very careful not to make a sound. A whizzing firecracker would have been better.

It pranced onto the box hoping that might catch the mice inside in surprise and the lid would open, but the cat was thrown off onto its back, and the box jumped on top of it. Crookshanks rolled over, but the box landed on its tail and it mewed loudly like an angry Filch when he found a yucky Grindylow in one of spotty, moaning, moping Myrtle's toilets.

Crookshanks ran back up to its master in Gryffindor Tower, the Badger-Granger girl. Those mice must have a very bad temper, they have.


Name's Poltergeist. Don't-bug-me Poltergeist

[zymurgy]

EnCRYPTion


Secretive Employee
Floo Ferret


A Snapshot of Perplexity

Collin Creevey immerged from his hiding place as soon as the cat was well out of the way. He picked the box up and shook it slightly, wondering what had so compelled the Dementor to it.

There was no sound from within the box to determine the contents. Confused, the boy set it back on the ground, and took a quick photograph of it, hoping to send it to somebody who might know what it was. His photography club was a quite knowledgeable lot, after all.

He got out his Swiss Army Knife and tried to insert it between the lid to pry it open, as he could see no locks or hinges. Amazingly, the knife blade melted as soon as it entered the slit. Colin stared at his knife in shock, as he watched half the blade simply drip out of existence.

“Must be a right powerful object,” he muttered. “Crazy wizards… make a box you can’t open, with nothing in it.”

Deciding it wasn’t safe for a highly powerful box that the Dementors seemed interested in to be left out on the lawn, he picked it up, and brought it back inside the castle. He would turn it over to the first teacher he saw, perhaps even show them the picture of the Dementor he’d taken.

Entering the castle, holding the box gingerly in his non-dominant hand, he set off to find a teacher. Unfortunately, the first teacher he met up with was Professor Snape, since McGonnagal and Flitwick were moderating the Hogsmead trip, and the others were cloistered up in their offices, marking tests. Snape himself had only immerged for a quick visit to the greenhouse for some ingredients to the Caputmiserere potion, since he had a splitting headache.

Collin gulped, and quickly explained what had happened, leaving out the part about the wonderful picture since he knew Snape had no appreciation for photography. With a preoccupied air, his professor snatched the box, took a few points from Gryffindor, and continued on his way.


It's not impossible... just very difficult and potentially deadly.

[cherabela]

Got_Your_Konk!



Riddler
Colourful Floo Ferret


The Ape's Box

Snape the ape walked down into the sticky dungeons, holding the box. He entered his office, dropping it on his desk, like an angry Filch. His head was aching like a ferret sraping in a hole.

He looked at the box, wondering what it contained. Perhaps it contained a potion for his yucky greasy hair. He looked like a hag. Maybe it contained a potion to make him less ugly and smugly.

Snape who was as sour as a grape, looked at the box, and closed his eyes. Perhaps he wanted to sleep. His eyebrow twitched. Haha! He was very funny when he did that! After a while he shook his head. No he couldn’t open it with his mind.

His head was like a horse’s shed. A face popped into his fireplace. It was his Headmanship.

“Severus! I need to speak to you.”

“Yes Sir,” said Snape looking more like an ugly ape than duct tape.

His head was aching more and more; the ferret was scraping harder. He left the office, leaving the box alone and silent. It twitched.


Name's Poltergeist. Don't-bug-me Poltergeist

[evlpez]

evlpez

Philosopher's Stone
PF Administrator


A submission was removed from this location due to ineligibility. A Floo-Between user posted an ineligible story which violated the mission:

Please do not end your submission in such a way that it is impossible for another writer to find the Magic Box and continue the story.

The participant changed his submission to comply with the mission, however the Mission also states that:

  Do not edit your submissions for this challenge once they are posted in the Forum.

Though the writer re-posted, the same submission was altered, which we cannot allow.

We ask that any writers in the process of writing a submission for this challenge make sure that they pick the box up from the ending of The Ape's Box by Got_Your_Konk!.


The Floo-Between F.A.Q.


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[Amunet]

LoonyRavenclaw

Nargle Believer
Floo Ferret



A Doxy Venom Reunion

Ronald Weasley hated having detention with Snape. He had to dissect Doxies and then mix the insides of the Pixies with very foul smelling ingredients such as bat spleens and essence of Flobberworm. Detention Ronald could handle, but the odor was absolutely horrid.

When the Professor quickly exited his office, leaving young Ronald in the Potions classroom all by himself, Ronald was slightly puzzled.

“He’s probably going to a meeting with Dumbledore,” Ronald sighed, then added grimly, ”or had a sudden urge to take points away from Gryffindor.”

Bored and disgusted with his task before him, Ronald began to wonder what interesting things Snape hid in the secret drawers of his desk. Quickly and quietly he snuck inside the Professor’s “lair”. Immediately, he spotted a small metal-looking box atop the desk. Cautiously, the attractive-looking redhead rushed over and picked up the unusual object.

“Wizard’s Box,” he read out loud, “This again? Maybe I can get it open this time."

Startled by his own voice, Ronald looked up and figured that he’d be in more trouble if Snape found him snooping around his office than if he found him inspecting something at the cauldron in the classroom. Back at his cauldron young Ronald began puzzling over this oddly intriguing box.

First, Ronald tried simply opening it … with no luck. He scratched his head with his wand, then remembered the spell Hermione tried to use on a locked door in the Ministry of Magic last year.

“Alohomora,” he whispered as he pointed his wand at the box. This also had no effect on the metallic box.

Still puzzling, Ronald had a stroke of genius. He figured it was a powerful box, so he decided to do the most powerful thing he could think of to open it: Picking up a dissected Doxy’s head, he opened the mouth and ran the open mouth along the crease of the box. Ronald figured the Doxy venom would open anything, but not even Doxy venom had any effect. Getting frustrated with not being able to see what was inside, Ronald threw the box. It clattered against the stone floor.

Soon the freckled face boy realized that the box would not open no matter how many times he threw it down. He sat the box on his table and pointed his wand at it in frustration.

“Bloody hell, open!” Not surprisingly, the box did not respond.

Just as Ronald was about to hit the box with his wand he heard footsteps outside the dungeon door. With no time to put the box back in Snape's office and not knowing what else to do, he dropped it into a nearby cauldron.

“Weasley, you’re dismissed,” Snape ordered sharply, then swooped into his office, slamming the door behind him.

Ronald may be immature at times, but he’s no idiot. He ran quickly out of the Potions classroom before Snape could figure out his odd box was gone. He sure did feel sorry for whoever found the box in that cauldron.



Order Unique jewelry at my Scroll: http://www.freewebs.com/narglesjewelry/

[timeturner]

WestHamFan

Sixth Year
Floo Ferret



DUNG DUNG…DUNG

Neville Longbottom carefully checked the potion recipe on the blackboard. He thought he had simmered the dragonfly wings for the right amount of time, but now he was not so sure. The mixture cooling within his cauldron was of a strange consistency, the liquid clinging to his stirring apparatus like thick honey. The colour was also off. Rather than the cool shade of blue that Professor Snape had described, the potion was a violent red.

Neville prodded the tiny flames below his cauldron with his wand. Perhaps, if he simmered the strange brew for awhile longer, it would improve. He hoped Professor Snape would not be around to belittle him for at least a few more minutes. Unfortunately, those hopes were immediately dashed.

“What is that supposed to be, Longbottom?” Snape asked, his tone as sour as an Acid Pop. “Surely that is not your potion assignment. A simple-minded Mountain Troll could have brewed a shrinking solution. Could it be that even a Troll has one up on you?”

The Slytherin students all began to laugh, familiar with the routine humiliation of Neville Longbottom. Neville hung his head in shame. No matter how he tried, it was never good enough for Snape. Neville knew he could take the abuse, as had many times in the past, as long as points weren’t taken from Gryffindor.

“Have you ever considered actually following the directions, Longbottom?” Snape continued, clearly enjoying making someone else feel as miserable as he was. “Rules were meant to be followed. Keep ignoring them and you’ll be in the same league as Potter.”

Neville searched the room for Harry and found him standing next to Hermione and Ron. The tips of Ron’s ears were red, a sure sign that he was very angry. Hermione appeared to be the same colour as she normally was, but looked ready to snap. Neville didn’t realise how ready, until a clump of dragon dung sailed through the air and hit Snape directly in the back of the head. Neville’s mouth dropped open in shock. Hermione would never dream of talking back to a teacher; she certainly wouldn’t throw something at one.

The voice of Neville’s grandmother rang in his ear “Never say never” just as a Hermione chucked a second clump of dung, hitting Snape again in the back of the head.

“Leave him alone!” Hermione yelled, enunciating every syllable.

But, Snape never heard her. When the second round of dung hit him, he pitched forward face first into Neville’s potion. Screams rang through the dungeon and even Hermione looked horrified at what she had done.

Snape stood up, pulling his head from the cauldron. The screaming intensified and Neville felt like he was going to faint when he saw what the potion had done. At first it appeared as if Snape’s head had disappeared. And then Neville realised, Snape’s head was still attached, it was simply, very tiny.

“It worked. My potion actually worked!” Neville said, shocked.

Professor Snape wobbled on his feet, his hands feeling the air in search of his shrunken head. Finally locating it, he screamed in horror when he felt just how small it was and ran from the classroom in a swish of robes.

Shortly after, Professor Dumbledore entered the dungeons. He walked with his usual regal air and stopped directly in front of Neville’s cauldron. Taking a second to wink at Neville, Professor Dumbledore eyed the contents of the pot. Aiming his wand, Dumbledore whispered an incantation familiar to everyone in the room- Wingardium Leviosa.

Something arose from the cauldron, covered with the thickened shrinking solution. Some of the students gasped when they saw what was hidden under the red syrup. It was the Wizard’s Box.

“How did that get in there?” Neville asked Professor Dumbledore, wondering who would have slipped the strange box into his cauldron.

“You have never seen the box before, Neville?” Professor Dumbledore asked him quietly.

“No Professor. What is it?” Neville questioned.

“It is a Wizard’s Box, Neville.” Dumbledore replied, swishing his wand over the box until it was clean and free of goo. “Seeing as it has found it’s way to you, I suggest you keep it. Perhaps, try to open it.”

Neville looked trustingly into Dumbledore’s twinkling blue eyes and nodded slowly, taking the box into his hands.

********************************************************************

Later that evening, alone in the common room, Neville tried every spell he knew to get the box open. Though he was not sure what a Wizard’s Box was, he hoped it may be something that could help his parents. Maybe that was why Professor Dumbledore had encouraged him to open it. There must be something useful inside.

Neville decided the box must be made of something really strong. It withstood every test he had put it through, including the shrinking solution. Staring into the fire burning cheerfully in the fireplace, Neville pondered the one thing he hadn’t tried. Was it worth the risk?

Feeling brave, Neville stood before the fireplace and threw the box into the flames. It didn’t appear anything was happening to it. The flames had no effect at all. Feeling foolish, Neville suddenly realised he had no idea how to retrieve the box from the hot fire. If he left it and came back early in the morning, the flames would probably be gone. The Metal box would then be cool and safe to touch. Deciding that was the best option, Neville headed wearily up the stairs to his bed.

[cherabela]

Veritaserum_Boy

Greasy Haired
Floo Ferret


An Elf In The Night

In his irreversible foolishness, Longbottom failed to realise, that his attempt was useless. Unfortunately it is true. He does act like that all the time, causing most of his teachers, like the witty and favoured Potionsmaster, to reduce points from his house.

As the Gryffindors clambered clumsily to their respective dormitories, the Hogwarts house elves, who always pursue in doing their duties, like the highly intelligent Slytherin students, came out, and started putting everything in order. It was incredible how dirty the room was. The Gryffindor students aren't even capable of taking care of their own tower!

Dobby the house elf, who is also a close friend of Potter's, spotted the box in the fireplace. He went to remove it from the flames, which had started to abate slightly, and scorched his fingers in the process. Longbottom had better have that on his conscience. With his incredulous ideas, he managed to hurt an innocent house elf, who was only doing his duty.

The elf stuffed his hand into one of his absurdly colourful socks, to try and ease the pain. He looked curiously at the mysterious object, and wondered what it contained, and moreover, why somebody had put it there. Still nursing his hand, which he should have cured with some Murtlap essence, he thought of the many things, which might be inside.

‘Maybe it contains some cure for my poor hand,’ he thought, wincing with the pain. ‘Or maybe it contains something useful for Harry Potter!’ he thought, his eyes gleaming. Clearly, he is one of those, who are blinded by Potter’s so-called heroic acts.

He looked around the common room, trying to think of a way to retrieve the box from the flames. He spotted a vase nearby, containing fresh flowers, which changed the colour of their petals occasionally. On it, was a label marked “Neville”. It is laughable to see a boy’s belongings labelled, for fear he might lose them. The elf took the vase and threw the water over the fire, which hissed and spat. The fire burnt out slightly, but the attempt was not enough to quench all the flames.

He decided to use his own branch of magic to open it. He tried, but to no avail. The box was just as stubborn as Potter. The only way for him to open the box was to put out the fire first. Not far from him, a very busy house elf was scrubbing the wall with a soaked cloth to remove the slimy remains of a dungbomb. The curious elf ran up to him, took the bucket containing the water, and threw it all into the fireplace. That put the fire out in the end.

He shuffled close to the box, his eyes bulging. The box seemed to have a hole where a particular key could fit.

‘That is no problem!’ he thought happily, brandishing a mouldy looking key. All the house elves had one, hung to a chain round their necks. It could open all the doors and locks in Hogwarts, so the elves could do their job without any hindrances. Thus, the elf could think of no reason why it wouldn’t work on this lock. He fit the key in the lock, but the key wouldn’t turn.

‘Tis very odd,’ he wondered, looking at the key in amazement.

“Dobby what is you doing?” an angry elf hissed.

“Dobby is only bringing out this box from the fireplace,” the elf replied, blushing slightly.

“Well, get on with your work then!”

“Yes!” Dobby said hurriedly, fearing he might be in trouble, if he remained idle for a moment longer. He lifted the box with a hovering charm, and started making his way to the boys’ dormitory, as the other elves seemed all very busy and didn’t notice what he was up to. Potter has influenced him so much, that he is turning away from his main duties. ‘Harry Potter Sir, will know what to do!” he thought, satisfied.

He reached the dormitory and entered silently, leaving the box by Potter’s bed.

“Thank you Harry Potter Sir,” the elf whispered squeakily.

Potter turned in his sleep, not noticing that someone had entered in his dormitory, and indeed, left something by his bedside. He had probably asked the elf to place the box there when he found it, to take all the credit for finding it, and show that he was a celebrity. He probably never learned the true meaning of the phrase, “bottle fame, brew glory”.


I like to sing "Double Double Boil and Trouble...." while playing with my chemistry set.

[evlpez]

IncrediblyHandsome

Patient
Floo Ferret




Seamus the Hero

Seamus Finnigan woke to the sound of whispering. He'd fallen asleep reading Gilderoy Lockhart's autobiography, Magical Me and had been having the most wonderful dream about performing all the daring spells Gilderoy had mastered. In his dream, he'd taken on the roll of Hero, as Lockhart so often did. He'd travelled and defeated all manner of dangerous dark creatures and did so with flourish and ease. Now that he was awake however, he remembered that his wandwork would never match that of the daring adventurer and author. Just the day before he'd managed to transfigure a cup of tea into a blast of fireworks rather than a pot of ink, showering soot and sparks on those nearest to him.

He swung his legs out of bed and planted his feet on the floor, checking the clock. Too early for breakfast, but too awake to try and go back to sleep, he got out of bed and dressed for the day. As he searched the floor for a pair of socks, he noticed a box on the floor beside Harry's bed, and vaguely recalled the whispered words that woke him.

Harry Potter Sir, will know what to do!

Seamus pondered the box. What was it? Any why should Harry have to deal with it? Was something wrong with it? Was it dangerous? He put his socks on, eyes still on the box, and crept silently to it. Picking it up, he saw the words Wizards' Box on it and wondered what it was for.

Harry won't wake up for a while, thought Seamus. I'll have a look at this box and see if I can find out what's in it.

Seamus carried the box downstairs to the common room and sat it on the table. He pulled out his wand and attempted the usual opening charms to no avail. He wasn't surprised, really. These were the basic simple charms that everyone could perform and even he had managed on occasion without disastrous results. This was going to take some work, and rather than risk damage to Gryffindor Tower, he decided he'd better take it somewhere safe.

He carried it through the castle and up towards the Room of Requirement, thinking of the box and of books that might be helpful. The room would surely provide him with enough information to learn what it was for and how to open it. He realized that he should have brought all of his Gilderoy Lockhart books with him, as one of them would certainly have all the information he needed. As he paced the hallway slowly, waiting for the door to appear, he wondered what was inside the box.

Maybe it's a powerful spell or potion, he thought. Maybe it's something to make a wizard stronger and more powerful than before. Something like that would be really useful to Harry, who's always finding himself facing You-Know-Who, he thought. He paused.

Something like that might be really useful to a muggleborn wizard like me who can't seem to get anything magical right. I could be just like Gilderoy Lockhart, with knowledge like that.

Seamus looked up to see the door to the Room of Requirement appear in front of him. He tucked the box under one arm and reached for the door knob when he heard a hiss. Startled, he looked down the hall to find Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris. She'd caught him. He wasn't sure if being out of the tower at this time of the morning was considered breaking curfew, but he'd run into Filch enough times to know he wasn't ready to take that chance. He slowly bent over and placed the box on the floor, turned and ran back to Gryffindor tower.


I'd like to thank my assistant, Gwen. She helped me put this little thing together, assuring me that I'm a fabulous writer as well as remarkably handsome. If not for Grace, this masterpiece would have been possible. - G.L.

[chad13]

num1chudleyfan

wizard in training
Floo Ferret


RON, HERO AT HOGWARTS

Neville bolted down the corridor, as usual he was late for something, in this case a meeting of the DA. Quite out of breath he slowed as he reached the door, or where a door should be. Neville groaned as, much like the passwords to Gryffindor tower, he'd forgotten exactly how to enter the room of requirements. "Oh," Neville said miserably. With a look of forced concentration on his face Neville stood for a moment before remembering, "I have to walk!" So pleased with his sudden and uncharacteristic genius Neville began an almost mini sprint. It took less than a second however, for Neville to find himself sprawled face first on the floor and not understand exactly why.

Turning over and staring directly at his over sized shoes Neville caught sight of a box, or chest of some sort. He reached forward to pick it up before quickly pulling back his hands. It was never wise to pick up, touch, eat, or in any other way disturb a strange object. Neville knew this from experience, although it had taken quite a bit of experience to tell you the truth. The box looked harmless on the floor and Neville blinked at it.

Pulling out his wand, and standing quite a few steps away Neville aimed at the bow, "Alohamora!" he squeaked. The box thudded, but did not open. Neville jumped, not sure exactly what he was doing, as he really was quite afraid of the box. Something about it
made him uneasy, but Neville was really quite a bit of a scardy cat by nature. Neville quickly began to try and think of some more spells that could pop the lid but none came to him. Putting his wand back into his pocket Neville decided his lack of knowledge was for the best. At the very least the box must contain some sort of trick for him, everyone found it quite easy to trick Neville, and that's because it was.

A sudden pounding reached Neville's ears as a head of fiery red hair came into view. "Neville!"

"Ron?" Neville mumbled with surprise.

"Move Neville!"

"What?" At that moment Ron was upon him, and grabbing him by the collar swung him around a corner just as a few more pairs of feet sounded.

"Where is that no good Weasel king! I'll get him for this! Embarrassing me and my father in front of the entire school, wait till I get my hands on him!" The pounding faded after a moment and Ron let out a breath and a snort of laughter.

"You should have been there Neville! Malfoy's never been so red in his entire life! You could see steam coming right out of his ears!" Ron continued to laugh as Neville stared at him with admiration. Not only had Ron embarrassed Malfoy, the slime of humanity, in front of the entire school, he'd saved Neville's hide from an almost certain beat down. Neville, like so many other non Slytherins at the moment, was so proud of Ron he forgot all about the strange box; and it was probably for the best since it had now disappeared.


R.A.T.S Ron against tap dancing spiders

[StarWalker]

Rohan Darshan

Dreamer
Floo Ferret


Box of the All Gifted

Bane trotted along the north/south pathway through the heart of the Forbidden Forest, snorting at the thought of the forest being ‘forbidden’. He had received word this morning of a disturbing find behind the lake, lying just outside the tangle of yew and heather that bordered the small stream that provided water to the herd. A wizard object, abandoned, no doubt, in the careless haste of humankind, ignoring the danger imposed on the world of others.

As he approached the lake, he could see the object clearly; a small metallic chest ornately marked and worked with the precision of the ancients. He stopped just short of where it lay, and examined what he could see. The markings were a combination of cabalistic ritual, and ancient words of power, that much was readily visible, but their exact meaning remained concealed. Tossing his head angrily, he bent to pick it up, and then paused without touching it as he felt it radiating warmth. aindrajAla piTaka, he read, then snorted again, growing even more testy. ’Wizard Box’, indeed!

Straightening, he considered his find again. What wizard would write ‘Wizard Box’ in the language before language, he mused. Perhaps this is something worthy of our attention.

Bending again, he picked up the box, felt its warmth in his hand, and tested its weight and construction. Despite the heat emanating from the chest, pitiless biting cold chilled his veins, and raced up his arms through his blood. A feeling of dread overcame him; the crushing weight of all the evil of the world rested on him. He was the only barrier between it and its consumption of the world.

Foolish humans! Bane noted the scratches, dents, and nicks that showed the many attempts to open the box. Only the foolish do not remember the old ones, those that came before. Already they have forgotten, or ignore dhanayauvanazAlin, Pandora, the all gifted. She too, opened a box meant to be kept closed.

Aaiiieeee! He brought the box back as far as he could, then snapped it forward, and watched it sail out over the lake, arcing smoothly downward, splashing, and sinking out of sight. Turning he dismissed the chest from his thoughts. The stars are all that are necessary. The stars and time to read and understand them.

Behind him, the surface of the lake roiled and foamed; as a score of mermen swam near the surface, surrounding one who clutched a small metal chest, and headed towards the distant shore, on the castle side of the lake.


I have found power in the mysteries of thought,
exaltation in the changing of the Muses;
I have been versed in the reasonings of men;
but Fate is stronger than anything I have known. - Euripides, Alcestis

[zymurgy]

Buzzin'Beetle

Surveillance Expert
Floo Ferret




Gogafranchian Smurglefraz

A Merman caught the box as it sailed from the centaur’s hoofs in an impossible parabolic arc over the water.

“Golgafranchian Smurglefraz,” he read. “Stupid Humans. Can’t even write “Wizard’s Box,” in their own language. I’ll bring it back to shore for them.”

Quickly, he evaded his fellow Mermen, swimming towards the far shore, but as usual with non-humans, his Dark side won out over his Light, and greed’s gnarly fingers curled about his soul.

“I shall open it myself, I will,” muttered the Merman. “Why should the Humans have the treasure?”

Quickly, he changed direction and swam towards the grindilow-infested part of the lake. Tossing the box among them, he knew they would tear it open within minutes, sparing him the trouble. He would return later, and retrieve what was his.





Quick Quotes Quills Forever!

[zymurgy]

Tattered Robe



Registered XXXXX
Floo Ferret


Cleverest Witch of Her Age

Hermione Granger had heard the commotion and splashing from her window, and saw the box flying towards the lake. She watched in confusion as the Merman first swam towards shore, and then dived into the depths of the lake.

She knew at once that she had to find and rescue the box. Whatever was in it could possibly be damaged by the lake water. Quickly, she hurried down the stairs, out of the common room, through the halls, out the door and to the lake.

Drawing her wand, she cast a quick Bubble head Charm, took of her shoes, and dived into the frigid waters. Swimming as fast as she could towards the point she had last seen the Merman disappear, she caught up with him in good time. She watched as he tossed it among the Grindylows and swam off, presumably to wait until they had broken into it.

Clutching her wand, she swam strait into the mess of Gryndilows. Breaking the grip of those who clutched at her with well-learned spells, she retrieved the box, and shot to the surface.

Swimming quickly, she reached shore and scrambled out of the lake. She cancelled the Bubble-head Charm with a sigh of relief, thankful that she had not had to interact with any of the Merpeople, having learned how testy they could be.

Hermione pulled her shoes back on, and made her way back to the castle. The library, she decided, would be a safe place to leave it. Somewhere in the restricted section where nobody but a teacher would be able to go. She was sure this was where Dumbledore had hidden the Philosopher's Stone. After all, they wouldn't just have destroyed so powerful a Magical object, would they? And a teacher would know what to do with it.

She carried out her plan, tossing the dripping wet box into the center of the Restricted Section, and leaving as fast as she could to avoid Madam Pince disciplining her for dripping water everywhere.



Judge not, lest ye be judged.

[zymurgy]

WalksInDarkness

Dark Ferret


A Librarian's Meager Attempt

The box lay in the Restricted Section, a puddle of dark lake water seeping from it onto the floor. The puddle widened until it lapped at the edges of several Dark Arts texts. This set off the Wards protecting these most valuable books; they all began to screech, emit sparks, and otherwise announce their displeasure.

The librarian, Madam Pince heard the disturbance from her office, and immediately came to investigate the trouble. Seeing the damage, she let out a cry of anger, horror and dismay. The books on her shelves were priceless, and some student had carelessly vandalized, probably irreparably damaged them all.

She cast a quick drying charm on the puddle, and attended to the wounded tomes. Once she had fixed the most of the damage, she turned to the cause: the little box, lying between the shelves.

She took it up, hoping for a clue pointing to the miscreant. “Wizard’s Box,” she said to herself. “Must have been what Severus is missing.”

Curious, she tried to open the box, hoping that it contained the missing card for "Flobberworms who Made History," by Nicholas Flammel. First she tried manually, and gradually with Spells of greater and greater power. Eventually, the woman had to give up her struggle; she was weak, of only half-blood, and therefore no match for this box of the ancients.

With a sigh of frustration, she decided to return it to Severus Snape. He was not in his office, and it was Warded too cleverly for the weak Witch to open, so she left it outside his door, and went on her way.


Signature: Pure Goals. Pure Hearts. Pure War.

[zymurgy]

Apothecary's~Bane



Master Ferret


A Potions Master, a Box, and an Enigmatic Old Codger

Professor Snape found the box outside his office on his way back from class. He picked it up and examined it for what must have been the tenth time that day. “Why does it keep coming back to me?” he muttered to himself, entering his office. “For that matter, why does it keep running into Potter, Weasley, and Longbottom?”

Shutting the door behind him, he placed the box on his desk. Rummaging about in his stores, he quickly found a bottle of relatively week acid he’d brewed. Carefully, he poured out drop after sizzling drop onto the box.

They began to burn into the surface, but just when he thought he had accomplished the task, the acid disappeared altogether, with a violent explosive noise and a cloud of orange vapor.

“Sweet Mother of Circe,” muttered the Professor, dispelling the smoke with a wave of his wand. “It’s warded better than Gringotts. Whatever's inside had better be worth it. At least some Nundu's breath, or an ounce or two of Lethifold skin...”

With a sigh, the professor contemplated the box. It could almost be said to look smug, or as smug as box can look. He didn’t bother trying any of the unlocking, opening, or revealing spells he knew, since he had already tried them the last time the box had been in his procession, and he was sure that the others who had had it had also tried them with equally little luck.

“Perhaps,” he muttered, “calling in an expert would not be to our disadvantage.”

Grabbing some Floo Powder, he Called the Headmaster. Moment’s later, Albus head was in the fireplace, eyes all atwinkle as usual. “Hello, my boy,” he said. “What can I do for you?”

“The box has returned,” said Severus. “I’m frankly tired of running around chasing the thing. We need a cursebreaker.”

“Yes, yes,” said Dumbledore. “I know just the person.”

A gnarled hand joined the head, and Severus handed the box over to it. It promptly receded into the flames.

“See you at lunch,” said the Headmaster.

“Wait,” called Severus. “Where are you taking it?”
But the Headmaster had already left.


Even a broken watch manages to be right twice a day. Why can't you do the same and spare us all the trouble?

[agrippa]

Comments on the story DEVIANTS & DUNGBOMBS

Azkabella commented:
Love the Quikspell reference

cherabela commented:
Very good characterization for Filch. I really liked the idea of mentioning the Kwikspell course.

StarWalker commented:
Very Filchy, Hope does indeed spring eternal. Beautifully written.

zymurgy commented:
Great oppening!