Correct. It won't lock you into anything, though you'll be referred to as they/them for the time being. A vote to determine whether or not you'll stick with that will happen, probably at the prologue's end.
Unlicensed Driver (Hogwarts Headmaster Quest)
- Thread starter TimelessThing
- Start date
- Fantasy Modern
victor janus
logic used by the illogical
[X] (Gender) Yes
[] (Gender) Yes 1
[X] (Gender) No 4
So, Sarah Sykes the muggleborn dark witch of Hufflepuff. Controversial.
It's worth mentioning that her wand is proportionally too small for you to use with the deftness wandwork often demands, so if you want for it to remain your primary casting implement in the future you'll need to get a housing for it. There'll be free actions both for doing that and for getting another wand during the admin turns.
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
I dig it. Feels fresh.
Prologue 6
"In practice, spells are exercises. Every time you cast one successfully, the paths your magic takes to accomplish its effects are made more familiar, engraved more deeply into your being, and this renders the spell progressively easier to cast. With enough experience, it is even possible to simplify the casting process while retaining the effect."
You swish your wand in a tight curlicue, and with a clear "Lumos!" it briefly flickers with anemic light, eliciting a frown from Flitwick.
"Unfortunately, it seems you lack any such channels. You'll need to develop them from scratch, as things are."
He smiles and claps his hands.
"Luckily, I'm quite experienced in teaching from first principles!"
Quite some time later, you've become able to produce a thin light reliably. It's dim and so quick to fade that you can hardly manage to cast the spell again before its glow vanishes entirely, but it's a start.
A loud yet sonorous CROAK startles you from your diligent practice and Flitwick from his examination of the room.
"Oh! We'd better be going, then. Wouldn't want to waste his time," Flitwick says, shuffling towards you.
"What -- that signaled Ollivander's arrival, then? Where will we be meeting the fellow?" you ask, off-kilter.
"Mm, in my experience it's better to leave the passenger thoroughly unprepared for their first side-along. Apologies in advance."
Before you can respond, he places his palm against your leg and the world becomes a blur of confusion and noise. It feels as though your inexistent stomach is distended, stretching infinitely along a narrow course for all of a few seconds before reality snaps back into place, forcing you to your knees.
By the time you tame your humors and rise, Flitwick has begun chattering rapidly to an older man in simple robes, who looks to you at your ascent.
He blinks slowly. "...It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Garrick Ollivander, owner of Ollivanders and purveyor of Britain's finest wands. If you have any need for a wand, or services regarding wands, I will be able to provide them -- whether myself or by referral."
"Ah! Yes! Our friend here has the wand I asked you to examine," Flitwick exclaims.
With vague reluctance, you hand Ollivander your wand. He receives it carefully before turning it slowly in his hand.
"Hmm... while I would normally be reluctant to inform you as to its former user, this wand has already chosen you to wield it. It is only right that you're appraised of its history."
Ollivander returns your wand to you and closes his eyes for a few, long, moments.
"...Vine and unicorn hair, an unusual combination. Eleven-and-three-quarters inches, rather springy....
"This wand belonged to a witch named Sarah Sykes," he states, eyes open and voice certain. "She purchased it from me in 1978."
Flitwick tilts his head pensively, a hand to his chin. "...I don't believe I recall teaching a Sarah Sykes, not on the spot. Still, thank you greatly for your help, Mr. Ollivander. I am sorry to have disrupted your morning, but it is critical that we secure as much information as possible regarding last night."
Ollivander shakes his head. "It was no trouble at all, Filius. If anything, I'm glad to have your trust."
Ollivander departs with little fanfare save a harsh POP. With that, Flitwick turns to you.
"As you seem to have recovered from our sudden arrival, I'd like to offer a belated welcome."
He spreads his arms, gesturing hither and thither with gusto. "This is my primary office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am employed here as Head of both Ravenclaw House and the Charms Department... though as things stand, I constitute the entirety of the latter."
You smile and begin to speak when a sudden sense of vertigo strikes. Stumbling, you steady yourself on a nearby table. Flitwick watches with concern, arm half-raised to help.
"A-as much as I appreciate your welcome, and the aid you've provided me thus far, I'm afraid the rigors of the day are catching up with me," you say.
"Oh, right, this has doubtless been an exceedingly trying morning for you. I'll take you to the guest quarters, if you'll permit."
With an accepting nod on your part, the two of you set off. Your passage through the castle's halls is disorienting and its strange geometries would've baffled you even at your best, but Flitwick seems at home. In short order, he leads you to a well-furnished bedchamber, and you unceremoniously collapse into sleep.
What do you dream of?
[X] Guidance
[] Peace
[] Tension
[] Dust
Why is it called Ollivanders and not Ollivander's? Are Ollivanders for sale? Are they the star attraction?
The anti-apparition/disapparition enchantments normally present on the Hogwarts grounds were lifted for the summer so that faculty could go about their business more easily.
There are a few things I should probably update in the info pages, but writing this was rough and I'm tired, so it may be a bit. The current plan is to have one or two more sections to the prologue, then a sidestory post.
You swish your wand in a tight curlicue, and with a clear "Lumos!" it briefly flickers with anemic light, eliciting a frown from Flitwick.
"Unfortunately, it seems you lack any such channels. You'll need to develop them from scratch, as things are."
He smiles and claps his hands.
"Luckily, I'm quite experienced in teaching from first principles!"
Quite some time later, you've become able to produce a thin light reliably. It's dim and so quick to fade that you can hardly manage to cast the spell again before its glow vanishes entirely, but it's a start.
A loud yet sonorous CROAK startles you from your diligent practice and Flitwick from his examination of the room.
"Oh! We'd better be going, then. Wouldn't want to waste his time," Flitwick says, shuffling towards you.
"What -- that signaled Ollivander's arrival, then? Where will we be meeting the fellow?" you ask, off-kilter.
"Mm, in my experience it's better to leave the passenger thoroughly unprepared for their first side-along. Apologies in advance."
Before you can respond, he places his palm against your leg and the world becomes a blur of confusion and noise. It feels as though your inexistent stomach is distended, stretching infinitely along a narrow course for all of a few seconds before reality snaps back into place, forcing you to your knees.
By the time you tame your humors and rise, Flitwick has begun chattering rapidly to an older man in simple robes, who looks to you at your ascent.
He blinks slowly. "...It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Garrick Ollivander, owner of Ollivanders and purveyor of Britain's finest wands. If you have any need for a wand, or services regarding wands, I will be able to provide them -- whether myself or by referral."
"Ah! Yes! Our friend here has the wand I asked you to examine," Flitwick exclaims.
With vague reluctance, you hand Ollivander your wand. He receives it carefully before turning it slowly in his hand.
"Hmm... while I would normally be reluctant to inform you as to its former user, this wand has already chosen you to wield it. It is only right that you're appraised of its history."
Ollivander returns your wand to you and closes his eyes for a few, long, moments.
"...Vine and unicorn hair, an unusual combination. Eleven-and-three-quarters inches, rather springy....
"This wand belonged to a witch named Sarah Sykes," he states, eyes open and voice certain. "She purchased it from me in 1978."
Flitwick tilts his head pensively, a hand to his chin. "...I don't believe I recall teaching a Sarah Sykes, not on the spot. Still, thank you greatly for your help, Mr. Ollivander. I am sorry to have disrupted your morning, but it is critical that we secure as much information as possible regarding last night."
Ollivander shakes his head. "It was no trouble at all, Filius. If anything, I'm glad to have your trust."
Ollivander departs with little fanfare save a harsh POP. With that, Flitwick turns to you.
"As you seem to have recovered from our sudden arrival, I'd like to offer a belated welcome."
He spreads his arms, gesturing hither and thither with gusto. "This is my primary office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am employed here as Head of both Ravenclaw House and the Charms Department... though as things stand, I constitute the entirety of the latter."
You smile and begin to speak when a sudden sense of vertigo strikes. Stumbling, you steady yourself on a nearby table. Flitwick watches with concern, arm half-raised to help.
"A-as much as I appreciate your welcome, and the aid you've provided me thus far, I'm afraid the rigors of the day are catching up with me," you say.
"Oh, right, this has doubtless been an exceedingly trying morning for you. I'll take you to the guest quarters, if you'll permit."
With an accepting nod on your part, the two of you set off. Your passage through the castle's halls is disorienting and its strange geometries would've baffled you even at your best, but Flitwick seems at home. In short order, he leads you to a well-furnished bedchamber, and you unceremoniously collapse into sleep.
What do you dream of?
[X] Guidance
[] Peace
[] Tension
[] Dust
Why is it called Ollivanders and not Ollivander's? Are Ollivanders for sale? Are they the star attraction?
The anti-apparition/disapparition enchantments normally present on the Hogwarts grounds were lifted for the summer so that faculty could go about their business more easily.
There are a few things I should probably update in the info pages, but writing this was rough and I'm tired, so it may be a bit. The current plan is to have one or two more sections to the prologue, then a sidestory post.
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CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Guidance
I'd imagine they feel ridiculously lost right now
I'd imagine they feel ridiculously lost right now
Who needs guidance when you have
[X] Peace
[X] Peace
- Location
- California
[X] Dust
- Pronouns
- It/Its
[X] Tension
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Peace
WhoTheHeckity
But no one ever asks HowTheHeckity
- Location
- Murica 🦅
[X] Guidance
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
The current tally is weirdly satisfying. A nice little countdown.
victor janus
logic used by the illogical
[X] Peace
- Location
- US
[X] Dust
Maybe they can't decide if it would be Ollivander's (the current Ollivander that owns the shop) or Ollivanders' (the Ollivander family as a whole).
Or (and this is my favorite option by far) perhaps the shop name predates the invention of the apostrophe in the 15th century.
Hmmm...Maybe you refer to an Ollivander wand like a Fender guitar—a single wand is an Ollivander, and multiple are Ollivanders.
Maybe they can't decide if it would be Ollivander's (the current Ollivander that owns the shop) or Ollivanders' (the Ollivander family as a whole).
Or (and this is my favorite option by far) perhaps the shop name predates the invention of the apostrophe in the 15th century.
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
The shop was established in 382 BC. It's even in the sign board.
Runoff vote
Three-way tie at the last minute. I'll roll to remove one... looks like Peace is out of the running.
[] Guidance
[] Dust
If you've voted for Guidance or Dust already, you don't have to cast another ballot now unless you're switching it up. If there's another tie, it'll be resolved by coinflip.
To elaborate on these options, Guidance would provide the most concrete outcome, but also the least informative. It'd help you contextualize things more easily, but not give much to contextualize. Dust is more abstract and concerns the greatest threats to Hogwarts's continued functionality, but those aren't really an immediate concern for you and it would be very challenging to do much about them any time soon. There won't be another dream vote until the end of the first school year at the absolute earliest, and your options will be different. The dream's not prophetic and won't have any mechanical effect, it's just a rare event that'll give you some idea of your circumstances.
Peace would've been about the more conventional problems you're going to have in the next couple of months, and Tension would've focused on the quiet conflicts currently plaguing British wizardry.
Also, the Encyclopedia now has a couple sentences each on Ollivander and Sykes. Nothing significant, but it'll be there as a reference if anyone needs it later.
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Dust
[X] Guidance