HOGWARTS TRIATHLON - THE FIRST TASK

[DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY]

Now that he had debriefed the champions on what they were going to do he had escorted them out to the lake where everyone was in stands waiting for them to come out. He let the champions head on up to the edge of the lake, but he had quickly pulled Scorpius aside as the other champions headed to the lake. “Good luck son, I hope to see you do well,” he said lightly as he patted him on the shoulder before letting him go to the lake with the rest of the champions as Draco headed on up to the stage.

Draco took out his Hawthorn wand and pointed it at his throat, “Sonorus” he said softly before putting his wand away and then he looked out to all the students and adults that were in the stand waiting for the task to start. “Ladies and Gentleman, the day has finally arrived for the first task of the Hogwarts Tournament for the year of two thousand twenty two. I know you’ve all been curious as to what the first task is and by the looks of everyone’s faces it seems that it was kept a secret as it should be,” he smirked lightly as he scanned the crowd once more before looking at the champions. “The champions will be doing a triathlon, starting off by swimming across the Black Lake and then they have to run through the forest to where the brooms are located and then fly back to the start while grabbing flags along the way. But not only will they be swimming, running and flying, but they’ll need to look out for the beasts that dwell in lake and in the forest. If they shall come across one it’s up to them to get themselves out of the sticky situation,” he smirked once more before taking his hawthorn wand back out and waved it up in the air.

“And now without further ado, let’s have the first task begin!” he announced as he shot up blue sparks into the air signaling the start of the first task. He watched as the champions did whatever it was they needed to do before jumping on into the lake.

( All champions need to post one time before the first dice roll comes on out. You should be posting of your champions getting into the lake and starting swimming as well as whatever they need to do to help them breath. Make sure to communicate with your partner before posting! )

[JAMES SIRIUS POTTER]

James was just wearing the same thing he was in the champion's tent, obviously prepared for the task now after having a little pow wow with Alaya earlier to discuss their strategies. Not that he had time to properly equip himself, but they had a plan that would be flawless even if it was copied. James really didn't care as he was a rather fast swimmer in the long run. The only team with one other seventh year it seemed was Ravenclaw, and that almost made it easier on James considering he wasn't going to have this be a taxing match at all. If anything, he noticed that this match was going to be easy if they were able to come out on top.

Finally getting out his wand as he heard Draco of all people actually announcing this thing, could you believe that?!? Scorpius's own father not even paying attention to him, but even so he wasn't about to cheat at this. Oh no, he was going to make sure Scorpius got what was coming to him in time. Right now he was focused on one thing, getting to that finish line first, and there was going to be no stopping him at all. Setting off at a dead run, hoping Alaya was following along him, but he didn't hesitate getting into the water after casting a bubble-head charm on himself. Hearing the water splash around him, he soon dived straight forward into the water.

It would only be a matter of time before they hit a creature or something trying to drown them. Luckily, James was prepared for anything they encountered, or at least he'd try his damn best to stay afloat to avoid being dragged down under. James was praying luck was with him today that he didn't run into any strange creatures.

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

[ALAYA SILANE TIAUN]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The first task was finally starting and Alaya felt ready for it. After a quick meeting with James on a basic strategy she felt confidant about the task. There was no way she was going to be over confidant but it was always good to have some. She left her shoes and robe in the tent knowing she was better off without them. She was always able to run faster without them and she was used to the feel of the forest. She held her wand in her hand as she headed to the lake, making sure to tie her hair back so it would stay out of her face.

A quick bubble-head charm was simple yet efficient. She broke into a run after James, casting the charm right before diving into the lake. The water was cool against her skin as she became submerged. She was glad that the charm worked but she was now focused on what creatures the could run into. She hand to be ready for just about anything. She just hoped they didn't have to deal with anything to troublesome right off the bat.

It only took her a moment to catch up to James. She really did hope they had the better skill and luck with this one. Yeah it wouldn't be too bad to be second place or even third since there were ways of making a come back. However she wanted to set an impression on the other teams to not underestimate them. It wasn't her normal attitude but this was a challenge and she never backed down from a challenge.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

notes;; none

[THERESA JAY KELSEY]

theia was thankful she'd chosen something light to wear - at least it shouldn't drag her down in the water, or take too long to dry when they ran or flew. she followed the rest out of the tent, chin held high, a light confident smirk on her face as she looked at scorpius, a familiar mischevious glint to her steely chocolate gaze. "let's win this." she murmered, utterly confident that the two slytherins had this covered. she knew how to swim, and actually she quite enjoyed the sport. running wasn't so much her thing but she was fit enough to be able to deal with it, and though she disliked the flying she was sound enough on a broom. this was going to be a breeze..

theia's muscles tensed as she listened to the minister - scorpius' father - announce the task. any moment now... her mind sorted as fast as it could through possible water resist/under water breathing methods she could think of. gillyweed and transfirguration were out of the question - she didn't have any of the gillyweed and transfiguration of yourself sometimes took weeks to master. this was when people a water animal as an animagus would have been helpful. some how she didn't think transforming into a tigress would help in this situation.. then again it could in the woods.. she'd be smaller, compacter, more powerful.. faster. hmmm..

as soon as the sparks appeared theia took off fast, her lithe, light frame sprinting ahead. she glanced back for scorpius but otherwise gathered the boy would be keeping up with her as she yanked her wand out and casted the bubble head charm - the best one for this situation that she could think of. she saw potter out of the corner of her eye and her lip curled slightly as she noted he'd taken to using the same charm as her. but she shook it off... she'd get him later. as she neared the edge of the water she gathered herself and lept into the water, arms above her head as she arched the air in a swan dive and slipped neatly in the water, wand clutched firmly in her right hand as she began a simple, fast stroke, glancing back for scorpius.. after all they were a team.. they'd need to work together on this.

[DUNSTABLE VERNON DURSLEY]

Dunstable took their little pep time to let Yori know that she’ll be fine on the broomstick as Dunstable would never let her fall anyways. He already had an idea of while they were swimming to make it so they could breathe easier as well as be able to cast spells and talk while they were under water. He walked alongside Yori as the two of them headed to the side of the lake where the rest of the champions were. They waited as the Minister explained to them what they would have to do. For the swimming part, Dunstable figured he would be nice and keep his shirt on because it wasn’t fair to Yori to have to wear all her clothes and there was enough time to summon her bathing suit for her to change into. The two of them would make due, plus they had the awesome shirts that his mother made.

When the minister signaled for them to go, Dunstable pulled out his wand “bullamitras” he said as he swished his wand lightly causing both of their heads to have a bubble around it. It was perhaps the best bubble charm that Dunstable had ever done, but then again Dunstable was always really good at Charms. “Ready to go Yori,” he smiled lightly before jumping on into the lake. He knew that Yori would be by his side as they traveled. “Lumos” he said lightly causing his wand to glow in front of him. He knew that if they ended up getting pulled deeper into the water they would need light to see what was going on. Keeping an eye out in every direction wondering what sort of creature they would cross first. He just hoped that it wasn’t the Giant Squid.

[YORI OSHIRO]

If the flying task wasn't on the last third of the race and Dunstable's pep talk, Yori figured her nerves would be a lot more shot right now than they actually were. Then there was the starting swimming portion. Her parents being Okinawa natives, swimming had been a necessary portion of the hufflepuff's childhood. It didn't seem to matter to them that they were no longer living on a touristy tropical island; it was too weird not to have children that weren't at least knowledgeable in swimming. It was like indirectly asking your kids to please drown every summer. So, she had to admit that she was at least a little thankful that there was something she was at least kinda good at it when it came to the tournament.

Dunstable was welcome company as well considering his relatively calm demeanor. She would have to thank him for it later. She grinned at the start of the race, giving a quick nod over to Dunstable when he asked if she was ready. ”Better to just jump in than think about it!” She quickly joined him as he dived in, slightly annoyed at feeling her clothes get soaked and weigh her down a bit. Yori had considered on taking off her shoes before jumping in, but she didn't think it would be the most intelligent to go running in the woods barefoot. She pulled her wand from her pants pocket, calling out a ”Lumos!” herself as she swam.

[CLAIRE LINDY GABLE]

So Claire was excited about this right? She was pumped and ready to kick some Champion butt?! Not exactly... see, when Claire was younger, she was a good swimmer, she liked being in the water, but a few years ago, someone pushed her in the lake and since then, she developed a fear of large pools of water and the creatures living under the lake's surface. So no, Claire was so not excited!

It had been, let's say... ten to fifteen minutes since the Minister had briefed them on what they were doing for the first task, and Claire had not stopped shaking since. She looked at Jaycen and hoped her didn't notice, she didn't want to ruin his chances, she was determined to do this. However, when they went out of the tent, she caught a glimpse of the lake and bit down on her lower lip, grabbing Jayce and pulling him towards her while they walked. "Jaycen... I... I'm kind of... afraid of the lake." She was whispering, making sure no one else heard her. She didn't need the competition knowing that she was crying inside.

Even as she said this, she was pulling her wand out. Naturally, Claire didn't trust the Bubble Head Charm to keep her save under water, no, she needed to be able to swim without worrying about anything and just focus. With a little flick of her wand, she whispered, "Accio Gillyweed." Her wand was pointing at the shore of the lake, a spot between some trees. The small strands of plant flew straight into her other hand. She took a deep breath, holding some up for Jaycen. "Listen, I know I'm crazy for being afraid of the lake, and yeah I'm about ready to faint, but I'm not letting this ruin our chances."

Claire was still hesitant about going in the lake, but as soon as Jaycen was ready and the Minister gave them the signal, she would run and just jump into it.

[SCORPIUS HYPERION MALFOY]

The slytherin stayed behind in the tent with his father. Nodding to Draco, he couldn't help but smile.
"thanks, of course I'll do well. Slytherin's going to win, we've got the best team," he replied although grateful that his father took the time to wish him good luck.

He soon found himself next to Theia again, listening once more the his father as he told the rest of the school about the tasks. His mind already going through all the possible spells and ingredients he could use to breath. The shark head charm sounded tempting, especially the thought of biting James but he would be able to talk and so he settled on the bubble head charm. He nodded to Theia, yes they would win this at all costs.

The sparks flew as his father announced the start of the task. Immediately Scorpius shrugged out of his robes, throwing them on the ground before sprinting after Theia. Drawing his wand out he preformed the bubble head charm on himself just as Theia dived into the water, not a moment later he was in the air before breaking the surface of the water.
"Go, I'm right behind you," he spoke as he begun swimming long confident strokes, making sure Theia was constantly in his sight. He hoped that whatever creatures decided to jump out at them, that they would be easy to defeat. Maybe the giant squid would go after Potter, oh how joyous that would be.

[JAYCEN NATHANIEL TATE]

So, his thoughts about dragons had been just a little bit far fetched. It wasn't as though Jayce was disappointed. He was elated, actually. Obvious to most, Jaycen was athletic. He had absolutely no troubles swimming or running, and flying came easily to him seeing as he was on the Quidditch team and spent time each weak up in the air in practices and games. Sure, there would be difficult obstacles, but as far as physical ability for this task Jayce thought he was set. Claire should be good too, right? She was fit, a quidditch player... thsi should be a piece of cake for the each of them.

But glancing at his partner told that that may not necessarily be the case. She looked jittery, nervous, terrified even. Jayce moved nearer to her, knowing that the rest of the champions were absorbed in their own preparations for the task. Wonderful... she was scared of the water. Jayce bit his lip as they walked, shaking his head slightly. "We're doing this as a team, Claire. I'll be there with you to make sure you're fine. Just focus n getting across the lake, and then it's smooth sailing."

The task began, and Jayce was rather stuck on what to do. He should have expected some sort of water related task, but... he had been an idiot. He had been focused on spells to battle creatures, not spells related to water. First thing first. He didn't need clothes weighing him down in the water. Muttering quick spells under his breath, his sweats turned into a pair of swim shorts. He debated pulling off his shirt, but figured he'd need the protection when they were in the forest, so another quick spell made his shirt morph into a fighter fitting shirt, exactly the same pattern as before, but it clung to his body so that it wouldn't drag in the water. Then he kicked off his shoes, placing them on the ground by the shore. He'd have to accio them, probably, at the other end to go through the forest. As smart as he felt his clothing options were, they didn't help actually getting across the lake... He could try to transfigure himself... a dolphin, perhaps? But self-transfiguration was difficult, and even for a Ravenclaw Seventh year as himself things could easily go wrong. He looked around and noticed the other champions all using the bubble-head charm, the obvious choice. Wasn't that original. He supposed that they were just worried about getting into the lake, though, and getting through the task. He couldn't blame them. He looked to Claire to suggest that they do the same, only to see her holding out a familiar plant. Gillyweed. Smart move. He gratefully took some, offering her a smile. "I know you won't. Now, let's go out there and kick some ass."

He saw the other champions getting into the water, and wasted no time in putting the slimy, rubbery plant in his mouth and beginning to chew. Its texture was... weird, to say the least, but spitting it out was farthest away on his thoughts. He chewed as quickly as possible, and swallowed. It only took a few seconds for the expected effects to begin. The suffocating feeling, the sharp pains in his neck... lifting his hands to those pains confirmed that he now had gills, so after grinning at Claire, not wanting to suffocate, he dove into the shallow water of the lake and swam out. His now webbed feet helped him glide easily through the water, where he surfaced a little way out and waited for Claire to join him before he continued, hoping that any creatures they might encounter wouldn't give them too much trouble.

[NO MORE SORROW]

( DICE ROLL )

[/font][/center]

( GRYFFINDOR )

[/font][/center]

ROLL TO SEE WHAT CREATURE THEY ENCOUNTER
Dice Roll = 6
RESULTS: the Gryffindor champions get the giant squid taking them into its tentacles down under the water.
NOTES: your posts should be about your attempt to get free from it's grip. please don't do anything that will completely damage the giant squid.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

( SLYTHERIN )

[/font][/center]

ROLL TO SEE WHAT CREATURE THEY ENCOUNTER
Dice Roll = 1
RESULTS: the Slytherin champions run into a plimpy.
NOTES: posts should be about getting the plimpy away from you. Your attempt that is. as well as how you came upon the plimpy.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

( RAVENCLAW )

[/font][/center]

ROLL TO SEE WHAT CREATURE THEY ENCOUNTER
Dice Roll = 6
RESULTS: the Ravenclaw champions get the giant squid taking them into its tentacles down under the water.
NOTES: your posts should be about your attempt to get free from it's grip. please don't do anything that will completely damage the giant squid.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

(HUFFLEPUFF )

[/font][/center]

ROLL TO SEE WHAT CREATURE THEY ENCOUNTER
Dice Roll = 1
RESULTS: the Hufflepuff champions run into a plimpy.
NOTES: posts should be about getting the plimpy away from you. Your attempt that is. as well as how you came upon the plimpy.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[YORI OSHIRO]

Despite the added weight of the clothes, the swimming portion of the triathlon was going pretty smoothly. Swimming is something she knows and knows well, a piece of luck Yori wasn't about to take for granted. It allowed her to ease into the role of a competitor in what seemed to be a comfort zone. She allowed her thoughts to momentarily drift to the spectators, knowing that Ichigo was likely there cheering her on. The hufflepuff briefly wondered if Jos might be as well, or just allowing worry to silence her. She liked to think that she managed to convince the girl that this was okay, but she knew it was better hearing it than actually watching it. She hoped that doing well on this task would convince the older hufflepuff that she was serious.

However, her thoughts were quickly cut short when she felt something trying to nip at her shoes. Well, it was a little too good to be true to think it would just be a straightforward swimming. At the second nibble, she whirled her body around, forcing herself to face the creature with a noticeable nervous expression on her face. It could be most anything, taking deep breaths to keep herself calm. She was more than a little relieved to see that it was merely a plimpy. It could be a lot worse.

”Dunstable!” she called out to her partner in order to grab his attention. She brought her wand forward, trying to remember the proper gestures. ”Locomotor Mortis!”

[THERESA JAY KELSEY]

theia swam along smoothly, cutting into the water with neat strokes. she was lucky her parents had forced her into learning during her younger years, and that she often enjoyed going for a swim in the lake nearby to her house during summer. it felt odd with the bubble around her head - after all, she never used it normally whilst swimming - but it was providing her with oxygen so she could hardly complain. she kept her wand gripped in her wand, not wishing to loose it in the water, and as it got darker she murmered 'lumos' and was rewarded with a burst of light from the tip of her wand. much better.

"Go, I'm right behind you," she heard scorp and glanced back once, nodding before continuing on. she made sure to keep an ear out to ensure he was right there - it wouldn't do to loose him behind now would it - but mainly she kept a lookout for creatures. there could be anything - alongside that giant squid - taking residence within the dark, murky waters, and theia almost shuddered to think of what could be lurking close-by. but they;d deal with it if they came to it.

suddenly she felt something nipping at her clothes, pulling at her and, caught unawears, her stroke faltered and she tried to spin around in the water to see what was getting at her. from the creatures position at her back she couldn't quite see it, or get a decent aim at it and she made a noise of frustration as it continued to grab at her clothes. "scorp!" she called, not sure if it had come to his attention yet that, but eager to get rid of the damn thing so they could hurry on to the forest part. at least that bit would be more of a breeze.

[JAMES SIRIUS POTTER]

James was just fine going at the pace he was swimming at, even as the water around them was rather dark, he pointed his wand forward. 'Lumos!" as he was moving forward, a tentacle of some form wrapped around his leg leaving him utterly helpless as he looked down to see a squid's leg. Sadly this wasn't going to be a great way to find his way to the finish line. Thinking that Alaya would have a better chance on the broom, but then realized he wasn't a seeker for nothing. It would be easier for him to fly and she could keep on swimming. Luckily he'd be able to take out anything while flying in the air. This obstacle so wasn't going to be fun at all.

Suddenly he was clutching for the air as he was pulled down trying to free himself from it's grasp, and then looked to Alaya as he shouted at her, giving her a signal to use the charm they had discussed prior to this event. Even if they had just been in the champion's tent a while back, and the task itself was testing their nerves. James knew this was a last resort type situation but it really didn't matter anymore. It was either he drowned or let the bubble-head charm wear off. Suddenly the lumos died out from the tip of his wand, and pointed it down at the squid. "Confundus!" he shouted towards the squid in hopes this would help it let go. Surely, if it got confused, he'd also hoped it would at least attack the other four champions as well.

James is attempting to confuse the squid into making it let go and perhaps find a different target like a fishie or mermen, or a plimpy.

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

[ALAYA SILANE TIAUN]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

She did not mind the swimming. It was a nice refresher and simple. She was glad that the first task wasn't too extreme. There were obstacles but she knew that they were prepared to take on just about anything. She found it easy to just focus on the swimming and on nothing else. She made sure that she could see the light from James' wand to that she knew where he was in correlation to where the edge of the lake was. The only thing she did not like about being in the lake was that her senses were not as strong. And that irritated her.

She felt something wrap around her leg. By the time she realized what was happening she was being dragged down further under the water. She was tankful that the bubble charm had not worn out but she did not want to take any chances. They needed to get free of the Giant Squid and fast without hurting the usually gentile creature. After hearing James' single, Alaya casted her own Confundus charm on the squid, Hopefully that would give them the advantage of getting away, however the Squid's grip was still tight and she was struggling to get free of it.

She calmed herself down long enough to think of a spell that could work. She took a deep breath and whispered "Relashio". She was not sure if the spell was going to be overly effective since she did not know if it worked on living creatures.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

notes;; none

[SCORPIUS HYPERION MALFOY]

Scorpius could have sworn he had seen something swimming beside him but when he cast the Lumos charm and looked there was nothing. He checked the other side, again nothing. Maybe it was his imagination and the darkness below that had played a trick on his mind. He flicked the light back to his other side and this time caught a glimpse of the giant squid. Oh hell no, he was about to say out loud when it went past him and towards Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Hell yes, he thought a moment later, wanting to cheer on the squid, it served James bloody Potter right for trying to mess with him.
"Drag him under," he muttered to himself as he watched the squid with half of the champions.

Theia voice made him snap back into the here and now. Crap he thought as he turned to see her with a plimpy. He should have been watching out for her, not watching the squid. Was this the creature that had played tricks on him? Well no matter if it was, he was determined for him and Theia to be the first out of the lake. Raising his Lumos lit wand, he aimed it at the creature.
"Stupefy," he spoke, thankful for the bubble head charm. He hoped Theia had the sense to stop moving for him to cast the spell. Come on, he thought as he hoped his spell would be enough to free Theia from the pesky creature.

[JAYCEN NATHANIEL TATE]

Jaycen was currently thinking that Ravenclaw was the smartest house, and he meant that in the least stereotypical way possible. The other houses had their bubble charms, sure, but with Gillyweed team 'Claicen' had webbed hands and feet that aided the head boy in gliding easily through the water, covering far more distance than he would have been able to in normal form in a single stroke. It took him a surprisingly small amount of time to adjust to the fact that he didn't need to breath in any air or consciously breath at all, really. Water filtered through the gils on the side of his throat, providing him with what he needed to not pass out without air. With his speed and the fairly smooth start the Ravenclaw team had had, he was feeling pretty confident about their chances of success in this task.

Every few seconds he would glance behind him to make sure his teammate had not been lost among the depths some twenty metres back. If she were too far behind he would slow to allow her to speed up, or if she were right beside him he'd speed up to hopefully increase their pace a bit. After a little while he felt confident that she was keeping up, though, so he forgot to check back behind him often. That was when, when he felt something touch his leg, he assumed it was Claire accidentally brushing up too close, meaning that he could lead them a little bit faster. He kicked his leg against what he assumed to be her arm to set himself off faster, and to his surprise whatever his leg had brushed up against tightened around his ankle like a rope. Shit. That was the single thought that ran through the head boy's brain before he was tugged back in an instant, dragged backwards and deeper into the lake.

He whirled around in the water once the dragging ended to stare right at the infamous giant squid. Twisting his head he tried to spot Claire, praying that she hadn't been caught by it, too. It wouldn't exaclty help her fear of water to be dragged down so deep by a 'sea monster'. He was disoriented, though, and whether she were near him or not he could not seem to spot his partner among the near inky blackness of the lake. So he focused his attentions on their tormentor, the squid.

This was where Gillyweed failed them. Had he known nonverbal magic things might have been fine, but with no air around his mouth to enable him to speak spells might fail him... he had to try, though. He noticed the Squid's head neaby, one giant eye staring at him, and whipped his wand out from his pocket to point it at the weak point. "Conjunctivitis!" was the intended word to come out from his lips, though it only came as a flood of bubbles under the waves. Still, his wand responded, shooting bubbles (whether they were pointless bubbles or the spell itself underwater Jayce was not certain) out of the end of his wand on a direct course to the squid's eye.

[DUNSTABLE VERNON DURSLEY]

Dunstable was starting to think twice about wearing his clothes underwater, it seemed to add on a lot of extra weight. But really, all he would’ve taken off was his shirt and how much would that do for him? Not a whole lot seeing as that was probably one of the ones that weight the lightest. He was also sure that he was going to hate running through the woods with wet shoes, but then he remembered that he knew a charm that would dry them off pretty quick, so he had nothing to worry about there.

He was actually hoping that they would get lucky and not run into any creatures, nice and smooth sailing would be great. He wouldn’t mind running into some while they were on land, because it was much easier to deal with creatures on land. He knew how much slower spells were when you were in water. But of course that would never happen because the next thing he knew he heard Sari calling his name.

Quickly he turned around, his heart skipped a beat hoping that the squid hadn’t gotten a hold of her, but then he relaxed when he saw that it was just a Plimpy. “Locomotor Mortis!” he heard Sari cast a spell in hopes to leg lock the little Plimpy. They weren’t harmful creatures, just very annoying at the way they nip at your toes. “Incarcerous” he called out as he pulled his wand out and pointed at the plimpy. Small ropes exited his wand, but they didn’t move very fast in the water. He just hoped that the ropes as well as Sari’s spell would get to the Plimpy in time before it moved out of the way.

[CLAIRE LINDY GABLE]

Claire's shoes were off right after she swallowed the gillyweed. She had less than a minute to be underwater before the gills would appear, so she ran as fast as her legs could go and jumped in, just a second after Jaycen. Right underneath the surface, the effects began to take place, the gills appeared, her hands and feet were webbed and Claire closed her eyes for a minute. She hated this, she hated transforming into something she was afraid of. However, this didn't stop her from opening her eyes and swimming towards Jaycen's direction.

She was near him, she had to be. She swam and swam, praying all the while that they were indeed going the right direction, the last thing they needed was to go the wrong way. Deeper and deeper they swam, as Claire got chills up and down her spine. Her biggest fear was being surrounded by only water, anything could show up at any second and Claire would surely faint, but she couldn't because she knew her parents and brother were watching her. As she pushed herself forward, she felt some part of Jaycen touch her. Then she realized that, in fact, he had been in front of her a second before, that couldn't be him.

Right at that second, Claire felt the tentacle wrap around her right leg and pulled her down under. She tried to scream, but no sound was heard. Quickly, her mind instructed her to use the wand in her hand. List after list of spell came to her mind, trying to figure out which on to use. With a flick of her wand she opened her mouth as if to say, "Deprimo!" but nothing but a jet of bubbles came out. Yeah, Claicen was most likely screwed.

[NO MORE SORROW]

( DICE ROLL )

[/font][/center]

( GRYFFINDOR )

[/font][/center]

GIANT SQUID DICE ROLL: 5 + 6 = 11
JAMES DR + ALAYA DR: 4 + 6 = 10
RESULTS: they are still battling the giant squid
NOTES: your posts should be about your attempt to get free from it's grip. please don't do anything that will completely damage the giant squid.

0/3 - water creatures
0/3 - land creatures
0/3 - flying posts

( SLYTHERIN )

[/font][/center]

PLIMP DICE ROLL: 4 + 2 = 6
SCORPIUS'S DR + THERESA'S DR: 2 + 5 = 7
RESULTS: they defeat the plimpy.
NOTES: posts should be about how you defeated the plimpy and then swimming on.

[/size]

1/3 - water creatures
0/3 - land creatures
0/3 - flying posts[/blockquote][/blockquote]

( RAVENCLAW )

[/font][/center]

GAINT SQUID DR: 7 + 3 = 10
JAYCEN'S DR + CLAIRES DR: 2 + 6 = 8
RESULTS: they continue to battle the giant squid
NOTES: your posts should be about your attempt to get free from it's grip. please don't do anything that will completely damage the giant squid.

[/size]

0/3 - water creatures
0/3 - land creatures
0/3 - flying posts[/blockquote][/blockquote]

(HUFFLEPUFF )

[/font][/center]

PLIMP DICE ROLL: 1 + 1 = 2
DUNSTABLE'S DR + YORI'S DR: 6 + 6 = 12
RESULTS: they defeat the plimpy.
NOTES: posts should be about how you defeated the plimpy and then swimming on.

[/size]

1/3 - water creatures
0/3 - land creatures
0/3 - flying posts[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[THERESA JAY KELSEY]

as theia glanced toward scorp and called out to him she saw him turn. good she'd gotten his attention - she still couldn't get a decent aim on the damn pesky thing. she glanced back to her team mate and saw him raise his wand. knowing it'd be best if she didn't move she stopped still, hoping that his aim was good enough that he got the creature and not her .. damn if he got her she would be pissed.

she heard his "Stupefy," and suddenly there was stillness from behind her, no more pecking at her clothes and she turned, finally able to see it struck motionless by the spell now. smirking, theia only glanced at it before moving on - there was no time to waste and she nodded a 'thanks' at scorp. they didn't have time to exchange great elongated sentances about this, they needed to get on and win this thing. glancing about she noted with pleasure that gryffindor were still struggling..wondering if it'd be too much to ask for that giant squid to wrap a tentacle around damn potter's throat... then her pleasure fell away as she saw they weren't the only team past their first creature.

she surged on, glad that she'd actually allowed her parents to force her into a swimming pool over the years, and that she'd come to enjoy the sport - however lesurely she usually swam rather than this. she kept her wand in her hand this time, vigilant on the look out for anything else that may head their way and try to drag her or scorp into the lake's water depths..