Emerald Wolvenhowl

But then I found a secret book filled with......

The noise made me jump. I could feel my tummy tighten as I stood holding my breath. I couldn't help but feel a sense Déjà Vu; I had begun this journey with my wand poised ready to defend myself and the end of my journey was going that way too only I was still wandless.

Oh well, at least whatever the bush was concealing, it couldn't be any more scary than that huge Bowtruckle I came across earlier on. You know the one - mean, moody and could make Atilla the Hun look cuddly! So I pulled myself together and courageously shouted out, " Whatever you are stop hiding. Show yourself! 

I waited for a moment ....and was about to turn my back when the crouching creature shot up and jumped out at me. I couldn't believe it- it was the very same Bowtruckle again!  I was about to make a run for it when he flung an empty crisp bag at my feet. He was hungry. Was that what all this was about? I didn't even know Bowtruckles liked crisps. He obviously noticed the slight confused look on my face for he frowned at me even more, growled and pointed one of his long twiggy claw fingers at the packet.  

To be honest I didn't know what else to do so I slowly crouched down and picked up the discarded rubbish. He grunted as if he was pleased i had picked it up though he still appeared angry.' I was so surprised to see that it was Pickled onion flavour rings!

" Oh,I love these!",  I said being rather impressed with him. He might not have been a very pleasant Bowtruckle but I got to hand it to him he had good taste in crisps!

That's when I suddenly remembered!

"I had a packet of these when first I came into the forest. I had just finished eating them right before I saw you and put the empty packet down on top of some stones...and..." He growled at me again.

"Oh, your not really hungry are you? You don't really like pickle onion flavour rings?", I asked with a tiny bit of hope in my voice yet feeling a bit disappointed. As he shook his head and crossed his arms, tapping his fingers slowly, I began to see what may have been the issue here.

" Ah, maybe I forgot to take it with it with me? Maybe I should have picked up my rubbish instead of leaving it laying around? His head nodded up and down before he gave another growl as if I was being a bit told off while he pointed to my bag indicating I should use it.

" Ooops! sorry, I won't do it again." I hastily packed it away in my rucksack 

Thankfully, that seem to please him and some of the anger finally left his face. He returned to the bush, and I was about to leg it quick when he suddenly appeared again and grabbed hold of my wrist tight. I looked down and in the palm of my hand was my wand! He let go of me and nodded as to say, " there you are." 

You? You took my wand when I wasn't looking? You  kept it all this time?  "I' spent ages looking for this!" At first I was a bit cross, but then he gave a very cheeky smile. There was even a little twinkle in his eye that seemed to say, "that's what you get if you leave your rubbish laying around forests and woodlands." So that was that. Me me told.  And finally off he went. 

One of the worst parts of being here in the forest is that I am really struggling to cope without my wand. On reflection It is surprising just how much I relied on it but didn't realize it until I lost it. I used to flick my wand for anything and everything, even for really basic stuff. Now all of a sudden I have to use Muggle skills that I haven't used in ages and feels like I am having to learn them all over again. 

The other worst part is trying to find something to eat. I think I've been so upset at losing my wand that every time I try to think back to all we learn in Herbology my mind goes blank. 

Oh well, nevermind.  I've promised myself that as soon as I find my wand I will  magic up a light fluffy forbidden forest of doughnuts. Yum yum, can't wait.

I don't know a lot about foraging for food either but one type of food I know I would have to stay away from would be mushrooms. I like them but for safety reasons it would be unwise for me to forage them. Even though I passed the Poisons class at Hol, I am not very good at remembering what the different types of mushrooms look like, their names and wether they are poisonous or not. It does not help that some mushrooms or fungi sometimes just all look the same to me or that even some of the very dangerous ones seem to look very similar to the non- toxic ones. I might try looking for berries but they would have to be the very obvious ones like strawberries but I don't suppose there are many of them in forests.

I've ain't 'alf got a crick in my neck. I spent ages looking up at the skies  waiting for rain clouds to arrive and fill up my flask. Did it happen though? Nope. So, I've changed my tactics; instead of sky watching I'm scanning the ground inspecting fallen branches. There is one type in particular that I am looking for: a split branch that looks like a letter 'Y'. It's something Muggles use to find water, or to do Water Divining, as they call it. It just has to be small and light enough for me to to hold horizontally without me outstretching my arms or struggling to carry it.

Ah, I have finally found just the thing! Perfect! All I need to do now is to walk slowly in any direction I choose and keep walking until the branch begins to shake . Oh,hang on..... it's doing that now. It's shaking more and more with each step I take, getting stronger...and stronger. It's hard not to drop it. I don't believe! .... I can see a lake ahead of me! Thank goodness I found it and don't have to keep walking, I'm shattered. Hurray! Now I can finally fill my flask... My flask...What did I do with it? I had it with me when I found the branch and I put on the ground and ....and.......Oh, no!..... 

It wasn't my fault. Honest. I saw something moving in the corner of my eye. Right by the trees. It was ever so quick. I could have sworn something peekabooed from behind the ancient Oak tree.

I stood as still as a statue to see if it would peekaboo again and I was so busy staring at that tree that I didn't notice everyone else had moved on until I realised that all of a sudden everything was extremely quiet. Far too quiet. I was about to scan the area in hope of seeing one of our group but that idea went straight out of my head when I heard the sound of a twig snapping. 

It had from that tree again. Instinctively my hand tightened around my wand, arm raised and poised at the ready. I waited…and waited….then… something leapt. There was no time to look behind me. I scuffled backwards. Fast. Too fast. My feet were off the ground and I just caught sight of a Bowtruckle. Don't laugh. I swear on the Gamekeepers life it was HUGE and ANGRY. Then I lost sight of it as I tumbled, bumped and thudded all the way down a muddy bank. 

Thankfully I had missed a patch of quicksand but if only my wand had missed it too. There was no way I was going to be able to retrieve it but that was the least of my worries- Bowtruckle was growling, peering over the edge of the bank, watching my every move. Now what was I going to do?....

I need silence If I am studying. I tend to be more productive and focussed when all is quiet. If I have music on in the background I find it harder to concentrate and I get distracted but that only happens when I'm studying or reading. Listening to music when I am drawing doesn't distract me so I listen to all sorts from pop music to film/TV themes to Jazz to radio comedies. As to Ambience music, Harry potter and coffee shop are my ' go to' when I'm working on my creative writing. 

Hamper

Window

8524

I slap Sky because she never stops doing such an amazing job around here at Hol. She's awesome... she's fabulous.... she's Superwoman! :)

Many congratulations to you all, they are so well deserved:)

Sky, and thank you to you too, Aurelia <3

Happy New Year to you all. I'm raising a large Butterbeer as I wish you and all Hollers a safe and happy 2022. I hope it is filled with all of your wishes coming true . <3

Option 3:

Butterbeer Bargain hour 5-6pm Daily

The Three Broomstick Players perform Wicked on 1st December 2021 at 8 pm. Tickets: Only 2 Galleons! Ask Madam Rosmerta for details.

Yule Quiz Night-21st December 2021. Free Entry!

Award winning winter warmers and speciality brews made specially for you!

Flat TV screen here. Watch the Quidditch World Cup with us.

I got locked in a Library ( heaven) and had to wait for it to open up.

Coins

8484

I slap Sky but only very softly because she is so welcoming and let me have a chair by the fireplace.

As any pirate or sailor will tell you, one phrase they always bear in mind is: Sailor Beware- a Mermaid is there! when traveling the high seas should anyone hear the sounds of beautiful singing in the distance, and especially at night, then take heed, as a Mermaid could be nearby. Sounds strange that someone should need to be careful when near one, after all, to see a real Mermaid is a rare and magical sight. Their beauty and elegance is breathtaking, and their scales scintillate a kaleidoscope of rainbow colours as the a ship's lantern lights draw near. However, it is believed that a Mermaid only sings when they see humans, and they don't sing to entertain the travellers or to lift up their morale. Instead, the Mermaid sings to enchant, mesmerise and lure the weary sailor towards her. The closer he gets to her the more strongly her spell takes over him and he becomes besotted with her. So besotted, in fact, that he suddenly jumps ship and gets pulled underwater to the bottom of the sea. Exactly what happens to the sailor then is not really known because very few men live to tell the Mermaids tale.

Singing their way through trouble

While rowing at the double