Paintbrush Duels ((All 1st to 3rd years welcome!))

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis was standing in the duelling classroom, a mug of tea in her hand. The duelling classroom looked rather strange today, the walls just as drab as ever. White and pink covering up rags dotted with paint and some other things adorned the floor and duelling platform. Amaryllis intended to rejeuvanate the duelling platform using magical application of stain and varnish later, but for now she had arranged for the first, second and third years to come and have fun painting the spacious duelling classroom, and possibly each other as well. She had removed her desk and chair, and placed in one part of the room a few old chairs (also swathed in covering up rags) for people to take a rest on and a table which was party to rather a lot of edible goods - tea, coffee, hot chocolate, orange juice, apple juice and some water, as well as mugs for everyone and a good selection of biscuits. Amaryllis knew that although painting could be fun, it was also tiring. She had made sure there were suitable refreshments. Everything was prepared now for the younger years. On the floor were cans of white paint, for an undercoat to freshen up the room, and then colours for accent walls and possibly some other feature as well. Amaryllis hadn't entirely worked out how the room should be decorated yet. She would take suggestions from those doing the decorating.

Amaryllis was clothed in plain overalls today, because she had the intention of joining in the painting. She wasn't exactly just going to stand back and watch other people do the work. No, she would be doing the work herself as well. She sat down in one of the chairs to wait for Miss Coran to turn up. She had asked the fifth year to come a little earlier than she had put in the notices for the first three years to come. Amaryllis just hoped that people came aplenty. She did want them to have fun, but it would be no fun if they were there all day trying to get the classroom done. The more, the merrier in her opinion. Even if it would be a nightmare to supervise. Amaryllis was in a good mood today, and she smiled slightly as she sipped at her tea.

((OK everyone, I'd like Dana to post here first, then everyone else in the first three years feel free to come and post and have fun! )

[dana]

Dana was forced to breath out sharply as a bludger connected with her side rather harshly. Letting out a few carefully chosen swear-words, Dana grabbed hold of the idiotic little golden ball and glared at the beaters while rubbing her side. She was sure to have a bruise now and a big bruise at that. Most probably wouldn’t be worth the trouble of yelling at the beaters though. They did their work well most of the times. “Alright people, let’s wrap it out for today,” Dana called the team as everybody landed – Dana with stumbling and problems as always – and the balls were put away. Taking a quick shower Dana changed into old sweatpants and into just as old T-shirt. She was going to help paint and supervise the painting of the dueling classroom, so Dana figured that older clothes would be much more appropriate.

“See you guys later,” Dana called over her back to the Ravenclaw quidditch team as she was the first to leave the locker rooms. Starting a slow and lazy jog towards the castle Dana was absent-mindedly valuing their chances in the quidditch games coming next year. How much of a chance would they have? It certainly depended on who would stay on the team, the weather, practices and on a lot of things that didn’t depend on her. Shaking her head, Dana banished the thoughts from her head and moved to professor Hardy’s classroom. She had spend a lot of time dueling in here this year. Probably would spend some time dueling here next year also.

Rubbing her bruised ribs Dana opened the door and smiled to professor Hardy who was already there. Dana’s eyes took the now empty classroom – except for a few chairs and a refreshment table. Glancing at her wrist-watch Dana saw that she was about 20 minutes early: “Good day, professor. The younger students should be starting to come by soon as well.” Dana smiled, feeling good mood starting to raise already – this was going to be fun!

[anothrbrcknthewall]

Lark almost ran out of her common room. Professor Amaryllis had asked the third years to help paint her class room Lark had never been to before and she wanted to hurry just it was farther than she thought. Out of her common room she slowed her pace to a jog, not wanting to get in trouble. Arriving at the class room Lark only noticed two people, the professor and a older girl she recognized as the Ravenclaw seeker. Both were dressed similar to her wearing old clothes they didnt mind getting dirty.

" Hey Professor Amaryllis...... I guess I'm on time". Lark walked into the class room and sat on one of the chairs. Looking around the duelling room she noticed it was kind of ugly, and she was glad that it was being repainted.

[maddiemalfoy]

Maddie walked out of the Common Room, and started to make her way, up, out of the Dungeons. The first, second, and third years were all invited to come and paint the the Dueling Classroom. It wasn't on Maddie's number one priority list, but, hey, it was something that could be pretty fun, and could pass time quite easily.

When she arrived at in the Entrance Hall, she squinted her eyes at the given light in the Hall, that had come upon her so suddenly, and without warning. Once she had ajusted to the lighting, she started making her way to the Dueling Classroom. She didn't really have anything special on for the occasion. She knew that she was just destined to get paint all over herself, because things like that always happened to her, and she really sucked at painting. She had simply a dark green teashirt, and blue jeans on. When she arrived at her destination, she noticed that she was only the fourth person to arrive. She recoinized Professor Hardy, and the Ravencalw prefect, however she couldn't recall the girl's name. She also noticed another girl, that looked about her age, but she had absolutly no idea who she was.

"Hi." she said awkwardly to the professor with a semi-smile. "Well, I'm here."

[anothrbrcknthewall]

"Hi..........Well, I'm here." Lark looked up from her cup of apple juice at the sound of a girls voice. She didnt recognize her but smiled any way. The girl looked nice enough and maybe she was nice you never know.

"Hello" Lark said just wanting to say something.

[laurap]

Once again Laura was spending time as she always was. Drawing. Sketching. And humming softly to herself. It was Laura’s favorite past-time. It was practically the only way she relaxed and thought about life. Today Laura kept a close eye on a watch too. She was going to go and help paint professor Hardy’s classroom. Laura had never been in the classroom nor did she know the professor really, but it was the painting part that had made her decide to go.

Finally it got close to the time when Laura had to get going. Gathering up her things Laura took them to the Hufflepuff common room and pulled on a pair of old sweat-pants that had colour spots on them and an old T-shirt. Being finally ready Laura moved to the classroom and looked in slowly. The professor, some older girl and two other third years – not from Laura’s house – were there, so Laura stepped in.
“Good morning,” Laura told everyone at once and smiled brightly upon seeing the paintbrushes. Rushing over tot hem Laura looked at several of them before finally deciding on one. Looking up, Laura chew on her lower lip nervously, hoping no one would take offence of her running over to the brushes firstly.

Deciding it would be wisest to just wait and see what would happen, Laura walked to the window and watched the room quietly, being ready to start painting, once the professor handed them the paints.

[Thomas Lightfellow G7]

Thomas had nothing better to do today luck he had anything ever planed. Thomas never planned anything he liked then time decided what to do and today it told him to paint the dueling classroom. Thomas had been hearing from some students from all over the school talk about painting the dueling classroom. Thomas thought he might as well join the party and maybe see some friends. Thomas had never be to the dueling classroom so he started off early and walked around the class till he found something that looked like it.

Thomas stood at the door looking at the teacher and the other students. He then realized he knew no one here but he didn't mind. Thomas walked thought the door he waved at the teacher. "Hello professor." He said smiling then looked at some of the people in the classroom. He toke a seat a few people Thomas saw the paintbrushes then wished they would use magic but he guessed it would be better this way.

[Ivy Tunstall]

On consideration Ivy had decided to take Laura's suggestion to heart and come and help paint Professor Hardy's classroom. It wasn't something she would usually spend her time doing, but Laura had suggested it and Laura was going to be there, so Ivy might as well spend her time there as alone in her dormitory or with nothing to do. And Nokomis might even be going. Ivy was managing to make herself quite happy about the prospect of spending an afternoon painting a classroom. It ought to be fun if her friends were there, after all. Ivy was just leaving the third year Hufflepuff girls' dormitory now, having pulled on some old jeans she used for housework that had worn through at the left knee and an old white T-shirt that was getting far too small for her.

Ivy arrived at the duelling classroom under ten minutes later, having had to take a little detour because she wasn't entirely sure which one the duelling classroom was, having never been there before. She pushed open the door tentatively, which she found surprisingly heavy. She supposed it must be quite strong and soundproof, since it turned out the duelling classroom was on a relatively busy corridor. Ivy smiled as she saw that Laura was already there. She was rather relieved, if truth be told. Ivy looked around the rest of the assembled company, giving Thomas Lightfellow, a Hufflepuff in her year who she seemed to know surprisingly little about a small smile of recognition and the same for the Ravenclaw third year Lark who she also knew but a little. "Hello Professor Hardy," she greeted the duelling professor, who had never taught her anything but Ivy had heard was usually quite strict, before moving over quietly to stand by Laura by the window, with a small "Heya," for her friend.

[pug]

Alyson ran down the hall. Her robes were flying behind her. She was exited as she entered the dull and nasty classroom. It was dull and she was exited to know that they were goinng to paint it.


Flipping her hair over her shoulder she smiled and waved. " Hi So Iguess this is the right place." She said with a laugh.

[anothrbrcknthewall]

The apple juice in Lark's cup was now consumed and she was to nervous to get up to get more. Two more people entered, knowing niether boy or girl it made her more nervous, both of them were around Lark's age. The girl went to stand by a window and the boy took a seat nearer to Lark. After them entered two more girls, Lark knew them both but not very well. Ivy, the older of the two girls, walked over to stand by the girl by the window. Lark wanted some one to enter the class room that she did know but was out of luck because she only knew one person well.

[maddiemalfoy]

Maddie was a bit surprised that the girl had greeted her. The girl was defiantly not one of Maddie's house-mates. Oh well, Maddie didn't have her robe on, so the girl probably didn't know that she was a Slytherin. Maddie decided to let that tiny fact go and replied, with her eyebrows raised, "Excuse me? Are you talking to me? Well, anyway, the only reason that I came here, is because I at least thought some of my house-mates would come. I guess I was wrong though, or maybe not... Anyway, I still don't hope you expect to frolic around and be cheery and nice to you other houses." She walked away from the girl, not really paying attention if she said anything else or not.

She sat down on one of the tables, and took a small glass of hot chocolate. Maddie sat at one of the tables, taking a small sip of hot chocolate every now and then. Staring down at her nails, she hoped that at least one of her house-mates would show up, so she didn't look stupid.

[Charles Driscoll H7]

Young Charles Driscoll could hardly contain his excitement as he rushed to the Duelling classroom for a day of fun. Charles had never been in there before as he wasn't interested in Duelling at all, but today they would be something of a very different nature inside the classroom. They were going to paint! Now Charles was no painter, but he certainly loved trying! Playing around with paint certainly had to be fun for anyone if you asked him, so he expected the class to be filled with a lot of students, even the Slytherins whose only form of entertainment seemed to be giving people out of their house a hard time. Well, maybe not all of them, but most of them anyway.

Charles pulled out some really old jeans he had and put them on, rather surprised they still fit him, but then he ate very little and hardly ever put on weight. He put on a yellow rather threadbare shirt on top and he was ready to go, smiling to himself as he thought of the expression on his parents' faces if they had seen him now. He wasn't going to think about them though. He had his friends, school was almost over, money was no more a problem now Professor Foxcroft was sending him on errands and giving him money in return.

Charles looked around once he reached the classroom in search of a familiar face, and his eyes fell on Ivy Tunstall, his fellow Hufflepuff third year, and someone he was beginning to get much closer to this year. Charles gave Ivy a quick excited poke and then a smile. "Good Morning Professor," he said when he saw the professor and then waited for her to tell them they could get started.

[Sadie Rivers H6]

Sadie was sitting in her common room wondering what she would do that day. She didn't have anything planned with any of her friends, but she had over heard Ivy talking to someone about painting the duelling classroom. Sadie had never been in the classroom before, but had walked past it while wandering around the castle one day.

She got up and ran up the stairs to her dorm and changed into some old jeans that had holes in both knees, and a sleeveless bright yellow shirt, that had paint spots already on it. Sadie remembered the spots well, they had been put on the shirt the day that she and her muggle friend had repainted both of their bedrooms, and the tree house that Sadie had when she was younger. The spots were that of a bright blue, and they made the shirt look somewhat unusual.

Sadie ran back out of the dorm, and out of the common room. She had a few minutes to get to the classroom, so she slowed herself from a run to a slow jog. The jog would do her some good as well as the painting would. She slowed down a little more, as she got closer to the door of the classroom. She pushed the heavy door open, and noticed that several people were there. Ivy was the only person she had previously met. Maybe someone else that she knew would show up soon as well.

" Hello everyone, I hope I'm not late." Sadie said with a big smile. She had gotten out of her shy stage lately, and that meant that maybe she would be able to make a new friend before the summer.

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

She was trying to gather up her quidditch things, and when she was thinking about quidditch, she forgot everything else. She was finishing packing her uniform and her broom into her trunk when she realized that she was alone. Normally there was at least a few younger years in the dorms, but today, they were gone. No Ivy...No Sadie....then she remembered. They were suppose to paint the dueling classroom today! She jumped to her feet and ran down the stairs and out of the Hufflepuff common room. She didn't want to be late!

She finally entered the dueling class room completely out of breath. She leaned forward, her hands on her knees as she tried to catch it. Being out of breath always made her mind all woozy. When she looked up again, she spotted a small cluster of Hufflepuffs. Ivy was here, and Laura. They were on the Quidditch team. Charlie was here too, but she didn't know him very well, and it seemed that Sadie had come just before she had. She walked over tot he group of Huffles and smiled at them. She knew them all, if only just a little, and that made it easier to say hi.
"Hi everyone."

[Melody Bang-Bala G6]

Melody hummed a tune from a Disney film to herself as she bounced around the Gryffindor dormitory pulling on some old clothes. Her bunches were coming out again. Melody pulled them out and put them back in again, using her red brush to make sure she got all the hair to the right sides of her parting. That done, she skipped to the door of the dormitory and standing triple jumped the way down the corridor to the stairs to the Gryffindor Common Room, which having reached she jumped down two at a time, her newly reinvigorated bunches flying in the air beside her, still humming various Disney tunes, which were slightly fragmented and disjointed by all the movement. Melody beamed at everyone in the Common Room who looked up at her, jumping out of the portrait hole and scampering off, much to the Fat Lady's disapproval, who coughed none too subtly.

The reason for this good mood was that Melody was going to get to do something fun for once! The dueling Professor, Professor Hardy, had invited them in to help paint the dueling classroom, which apparently was in need of a makeover. Melody was all too keen to go and help. She wasn't exactly a great artist, but she would always try her hand at everything - with mixed success. And she could certainly try her hand at this. The notice hadn't said that skilled painters were wanted. Just people prepared to give it a go. Melody was prepared to give it a go! She gave a lot of things a go. Melody realised that she had been jogging and stopped as she realised what she thought was the dueling classroom. Wait. It wasn't. Melody merely shrugged this off, and continued on, eventually locating the classroom. She entered the classroom with a wide smile, greeting everyone with a broad "'allo!" Slightly disappointed by seeing a poor show of fellow Gryffindors, Melody gave Dana an excited smile and bounced on the balls of her feet, waiting for Professor Hardy to tell them they could begin.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cassie walked down to the dueling classroom in a good mood. She was really excited about getting to paint the drab classroom. Slipping on a pair of jeans that were elegantly ripped at the news and a an old ACDC tshirt, she headed out of the common room. As her black converse tennis shoes padded against the cobblestone floor, she couldn't wait to see what colors that Professor Hardy had chosen to grace her walls. Seeing a younger Gryff looking lost, she grabbed them by the hand and told them to come with her. They chatted merrily down the hallway until they came to the classroom. The younger student hesitate, but Cass just giggled. " Don't worry. Prof Hardy is cool!"

Students had already congregated, and she ran up and gave her friend Dana a hug. Talking rapidly, she began to put her hair up in short pigtails. " You know, I'm really excited about this summer, and so is Caiest. I've never been to France. Will we get to do some shopping there? I really want to got to some of those ritzy places they talk about in all the fashion magazines. Oh, what a Louis Vouittan store! That would be so cool!" Cass picked up a paintbrush from the bin that lay near Hardy's desk and dipped into a nearby paint can. Running over to Melody, she gave the young Gryffindor and pat on the back. " Ya'll ready to start yet?"

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis stood up again as Miss Coran entered the classroom and gave the fifth year a small smile. "Good afternoon," she greeted her. "Thanks for coming to help today. I hope both you and the younger year enjoy it." She nodded as Miss Coran commented that younger students should start turning up soon as well. Amaryllis tidied away a piece of sandpaper she had been using to rub down the skirting boards and checked to make sure there were no sharp tools anywhere lying around the classroom.

Soon students did indeed start to turn up. Amaryllis was pleased at the turnout and stood sipping her tea serenely by the drinks table until she thought there were enough people for them to make a start with painting. At that point she clapped her hands to get everyone's attention from the low buzz of chatter. She put down her mug of tea so that she could help point things out. "Thanks for coming everyone. Hopefully you'll all have fun today. Everything's ready to start painting. First of all the walls need a quick undercoat of white and then we can start adding colour." Amaryllis opened up the pots of white paint she had placed at various points around the room. "Everyone needs a big paintbrush," she said, handing out paintbrushes to a few people from the corner she had placed them in as she did so, "and then you can start painting! If paint gets anywhere else than on the walls, please come to me before you leave the classroom so I can remove it. It isn't that easy to get off without magic. So you can start painting whenever you like now." Amaryllis paused and then picked up a brush for herself, gathered paint from the nearest pot and started to paint the walls as a demonstration of the most efficient method.

[Thomas Lightfellow G7]

Thomas got up from his seat with a spot on the wall already picked out if someone didn't take it. Thomas grabbed the smallest of the big brushes and moved to his spot. He thought he would have some fun so he started out with a stick figure of Snape and a caldron falling on his head. Thomas never liked Snape much and he was sure Snape felt the same way. After his badly draw Snape was done he made more stick figures. Other people had started painting also but most were just painted to get it over with not having fun.

Thomas always had a weird thought running in the back of his head and today’s thought was very odd. ” I wonder how paint tastes?" Thomas thought knowing it was poisonous to eat it so he wasn't going to do it. His part of the wall was almost covered in stick figures of people and animals. "Well some would call this art." He said out loud smiling. "But most would call it a sign of going crazy." He laughed then thought to himself. "Isn't talking to yourself a sign of being crazy to?" He just laughed the thought off he always knew he was crazy.

[anothrbrcknthewall]

Lark stood up and walked over to get a paint brush, her and her father painted things by hand at her house all the time and she thought it was great fun. Her paintbrush was pretty large but it didnt roll, she kinda wished it did because that was the eisiest way to paint. Lark looked for an empty spot were she could paint then she saw one next to a boy that was painting stick figures. She could tell that he was having fun but his stick figures werent very see-able. She started to paint in even up and down strokes wanting to finish as much wall as she could.

Thinking about the colors she was going to use she heard the boy next to her start to laugh. He looked a little crazy next to his paintings laughing histerically, no he looked more like a cave man. She wished he would stop he was kinda creeping her out. Then she started to laugh she didnt know why, his laugh was just a tad bit contajious. She didnt know why she did the next part though she reached over to where he was painting and in an empty spot painted a stick figure of a dog then an arrow then a person.

"Try and guess what it is" Lark said with one of her biggest smiles with her mouth full of metal. Her braces were black and so was her old t-shirt, that she had turned inside out not wanting it to get dirty, making her look paler than she was and her dark brown hair didnt exactly help.

[Thomas Lightfellow G7]

Thomas looked around he must have seemed crazy to everyone else to. Seeing as how some of them were looking at him like a mad man. Thomas went back to painting his stick figures till a girl started to laugh with him. Then he saw she was drawing something on the wall. It was a dog an arrow and a person then she asked him what it meant. Thomas looked closely a little confused.

He looked over and tilled his head a little to seem like he was trying really hard. "Dog, arrow and a person" he said trying to figure it out. "Well to tell you the truth I have no idea." he said in a confused voice but still smiling.