Repello Muggletum: a Hogwarts Roleplay discussion

The Astronomy Tower is the tallest in the castle, used for an unobstructed view of the night sky. Astronomy classes are taught here by Professor Calliope for students to learn the positions of planets, comets, constellations, and other celestial bodies.

Daniel carried his telescope in his cloak pocket with his hand wrapped around it. It hadn't seen the outside of his suitcase since the end of fifth year.

Stargazing. What a pathetic excuse, and yet so easily bought that it made him want to gag. Perhaps it was because Daniel had scored the highest on his O.W.L. for Astronomy that Calliope thought he had an interest in the subject, though he'd dropped the class as soon as he could.

"Thank you again, Professor, for letting me come up on such short notice. I know how busy you can get over the weekend."

"Oh, anytime, dear. It's always nice to have someone who cares about subject. Shame you're not in my class anymore." There was a hint of disapproval in her tone; clearly Calliope was unhappy with his choice in classes, though Daniel couldn't care less.

"I would have loved to continue, Professor, but you know how difficult classes get. Less time for me to do things that I like." The excuse seemed to satisfy her.

"I understand," she said, and smiled. "Right then. I'll be in my office if you need anything."

He nodded, returning the smile with one of his own that felt unbearably fake. It disappeared as soon as her back was turned. He fiddled with his telescope as he made his way towards the edge of the battlement until he heard the heavy, wooden door close behind her, then took a glance back to be sure she was gone and that he was alone.

The telescope returned to his pocket, though he shed his cloak, sweater, and tie, tossing them aside, leaving only a white shirt and black trousers. He didn't want that affiliation. The wind was frigid, but he hardly felt it, and he stepped onto the crenel.

This wasn't anything stupid, he reasoned; he wasn't breaking his promise. It was perfectly rational. No one cared about him at Hogwarts, and he hated the lot of them. He wouldn't be missed, and he didn't have anyone to miss anyways. There was no reason to be there. No reason at all, what with everyone who mattered dead. No point in studying or making a living when there was no one to do it for.

He pulled out his wand and scowled. Again, he looked back. Then he let out a quiet noise somewhere in between a sob and a laugh. Daniel took either end into his hands, so ready to break it into two with a satisfying snap.

The cart slowed as it approached the tower, wheels squeaking in the deserted corridor as it came to a stop. Rosaline clambered off of it, clutching the side for support. She knew it wasn't the ride that had thrown off her equilibrium.

Night fell, the lanterns in the spiral staircase brightening, long shadows cast across the stone. As the daylight fled, Rosaline's anxiety grew until she caught herself breathing faster. She quickened her pace, footsteps echoing and mingling with the rapid beat of her heart. It was no surprise, then, when Professor Calliope stopped her and her companions.

"Miss Kelly," she sounded more puzzled than anything, although she did not ignore Beckett and Kipling. What could the trio possibly be doing at this hour in the Astronomy Tower? It was luck that Rosaline was able to convince Calliope of the urgency of the situation.

"Please, professor, it's important."

"Is there some reason everyone is suddenly interested in stargazing on this particular night?"

"What do you mean 'everyone'?"

"Mister Summers is there now. He had my permission. . ."

Then the group of three, joined by professor Calliope, stood just before the door that led outside. Dread settled inside her stomach like a layer of frost as she pushed it open.

There, exactly like in her dream, a lone silhouette stood outlined against the sky on the parapet's edge.

"Daniel!"

"This isn't good," Kip muttered to himself, watching Rosaline ascend the staircase with rapidly increasing speed. As he expected, Calliope rounded the hallway that lead to the entrance of the parapet and Rosaline, a few steps ahead of Kip and Beckett, halted.

"Evening, Professor," he said cheerfully despite the tension in the air; Caliope shot him a rather disdainful look and turned to Rosaline. No surprise there. Kip found astronomy incredibly tedious and pointless and was prone to being very late indeed, only ever showing up because Professor Caliope was unexpectedly pretty, for a teacher.

"Is there some reason everyone is suddenly interested in stargazing," she said with a delicate sniff, "on this particular night?"

There was a small beat in which Kip felt apprehension prickling along his skin, raising goosebumps.

"What do you mean 'everyone'?" Rosaline breathed, almond-shaped eyes wide.

"Mister Summers is there now. He had my permission - "

Kip didn't hear whatever else the professor had to say; his blood was pounding, roaring like a tidal wave in his ears. As Rosaline threw open the heavy doors, the sight of the figure she'd described in her dreams seemed to warp time itself, and Kip had never been so utterly confused in his life - how did she know? Why is he there? What is happening? Is this a prank?

Instinct told him to push forward, stand unconsciously protective in front of Rosaline, staring with incomprehensible shock at the lanky Slytherin who stood at the precipice, almost as if he was going to jump.

He was about to snap that stupid stick like every other twig he'd ever stepped on when the door burst open and his name was called. He didn't recognize the voice--it certainly wasn't Calliope's. His right hand let go of its end of the wand. Daniel turned.

Out of the trio, he recognized Kipling first. How could he not? They were the same year and (unfortunately) had a few of the same classes. Then the girl, who was younger and in his house. They'd spoken maybe twice before. He couldn't remember her name. Then the Hufflepuff, who was a new face altogether. Why was he there? Why were any of them there?

"Daniel," began Calliope, sounding as if she were attempting to control a wild animal--cautious and vaguely condescending. She was starting towards him. "We can talk about this--"

"Stay away from me." He sounded broken--quiet and pathetic.

He pointed his wand at her. What could she possibly do? Write home about his behaviour? But there were four of them ready to stop him. Going one by one would take too long, and it would surely alert the rest of the castle. It couldn't ever be easy. He thought quickly. Something to distract them, at the very least, for just long enough for him to fall.

"Summers, what in Merlin's bloody name do you think you're doing?"

The customary slouch had disappeared; Kipling was standing at his maximum height, tall and imposing, wand at the ready in a defensive stance. Pointing the wand at the teacher? What was he going to do? He'd never been more confused in his life - but the very act of preparing to attack a Hogwarts teacher and three innocent students was loathe to him, and disgust curled his mouth into a snarl.

He turned briefly, looking at the astronomy professor's unbelieving expression; she glanced from his and Daniel's outstretched arms in utter shock, and raised protest in weakly indignant tones. "Kipling, I ask you to put down your wand. The same goes for you, Daniel."

Her use of his first name was what keyed Kip into the broken ferocity of Summers' command - he looked desperate, and he realized that the wand was no empty threat.

"Kelly, Beckett, stay back," he ordered, lowering his arm only a fraction of an inch. "Summers, get down from there."

Was this Hufflepuff really so ignorant to ask that question? Daniel held his tongue; lashing back at him would do no good. Instead, he focused on Kipling, who was clearly the larger threat. Again, he questioned why any of them were there at all. How could they have possibly known?

"And why should I, Kipling?" he questioned, eyes narrowing. He ignored his professor, his arm never wavering. His grip tightened around the handle. "Tell me, why the hell should I?!"

Rosaline recoiled toward Dom, fear momentarily flashing in her eyes. In that moment it seemed she would shelter behind him. However, she could not, not when the sound of Daniel Summers' fractured heart pierced her own. It was not the quiet, dignified, self-assured warlock she knew. It was the ghostly remains of that former person, the very image that had haunted her in dreams.

He isn't a ghost yet.

She wouldn't allow it.

Rosaline pushed away Dom's protective hand, stepping beside Kipling. He stood tall and impressively, although no amount of authority would bring Daniel down from the edge of the parapet. Authority was not a matter of the heart.

"Daniel," she said delicately. "You don't have to do this."

"You think you're putting yourself out of some misery." With this realization, Kipling's scowl abated somewhat and pity moved his wand arm further down from his offensive stance.

His eyes, like sunlight slanting through a shallow ocean, narrowed as he thought of what to say. "You're not," he said flatly - he was unable to understand what could have possibly moved this boy to suddenly abandon a world of miracles and magic, where anything was possible, where Kipling himself had been adopted. "If you take a step back, you're never going to have the chance to be happy again. You won't be able to feel any relief. You're leaving everyone behind and with it you're leaving the chance to fix ... it."

His words fell in silence as the assembled group stared at the wizard, positioned so precariously on the edge. If worst came to worst, he'd simply cushion Daniel's descent. Kip couldn't help but wonder why the boy had chosen this kind of an end - it rang more along the tones of a cry for help than anything else.

Turning to Rosaline, he spoke quietly and firmly. "Kelly, he is not going to hurt himself. There isn't any way." Don't be scared.