(following on from THIS self para by Smith)
A scream is what broke up the party in Hufflepuff house on Valentineâs Day, not long after midnight. The sound tore through the party, over the music, and effectively silenced everyone - frozen, people waited, until the door burst open and a crowd of distressed, crying students came through, all talking over each other. Only the students near the doors could understand, but word quickly spread throughout the party - someone was dead.
Many rushed out of Hufflepuff house to verify this, leaving the distressed third year to slump in an armchair, in shock. Outside, the castle was just beginning to stir from the screams of bloody horror - and students surged forward, their own chattering loud, until they came to the front doors of Hogwarts, which had been thrown open.
There, lying sprawled across the doorstep, was Professor Septima Vector, Head of Slytherin House - or what remained of her. Something violent had attacked her, and her eyes stared back at the students, open and unseeing. In her hand, which lay stretched out between herself and the students, was her own heart.Â
A few students at the front of the crowd who saw it up close began to push the other students back, barring their view - they werenât Prefects, but people began to listen - some already crying, some confused. The students were pushed back, and Prefects who had been drinking at the party began to sober up with the reality of what was happening - and all students were quickly put back into Hufflepuff house. Those who had seen the body left once more to find professors, but when they left the house again, the professors had already arrived. And the looks on the professorâs faces...
All students were called to the Great Hall for an emergency announcement by Headmaster Vauxhall, who confirmed the attack and death of Professor Vector.
âOne of our own was killed in the most brutal of ways,â he said, still clearly shaken himself by the murder. âRight now, we must think of the safety of our students. Itâs what Professor Vector would have wanted. Because of this, weâre sending you all home. Tonight. Those who cannot confirm with their parents by the end of the train ride to London will be given accommodation at the Sleeping Dragon until Hogwarts can be reopened and her death investigated by the Ministry.â
With the announcement over, students were ordered to pack their trunks and head to Hogsmeade train station, which was escorted by professors with their wands drawn. A sense of urgency filled the air as everyone bundled onto the train, many still tipsy, and headed for home, leaving behind a castle now stained in blood.
OOC: All students are now either in one of two locations: the Sleeping Dragon, a wizarding hotel in the heart of London OR at their familyâs house. Students may go between the two after receiving an owl from their parents, calling them home or vice versa, when their parents give consent for the student to go to the hotel to be with their friends. Because all professors are required to be at Hogwarts for questioning and security, students at the Sleeping Dragon are given much free reign in London - Diagon Alley is only two streets away. Their care and protection has been given to Zoe Blackthorn, the young Dragon Rearing teacher, who performs a morning and nightly rollcall to ensure everyone is there.Â
Players with concerns, questions, or wanting clarification on their characterâs specific plot circumstances can contact us as these queries arise! Until further notice, all students are at the hotel or their family home, unsure of when theyâll go back. For roleplayâs sake, you may choose to go to the hotel or London with another character; starters made at the hotel should specify that location so others know. Characters at home may wish to take some time to write interactions with family regarding this plot, or eventually stay at the hotel/have a day out with friends in order to RP fully (or, alternatively, a character could go to your house). Let your imaginations run wild, and if you want to double check if anythingâs okay, donât hesitate to message!
Happy roleplaying - and RIP Professor Vector.