» Group #20

The blonde was sure she could easily steal that egg. She knew plenty of spells to protect herself and she was sure that at least Alice would agree with the suggestion she just came up with. " I think we could take that egg. I bet it costs are least fifty galleons."

With a raised eyebrow, Alice looked at Corinne. "Yeah, like any of us actually need any money," Alice asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Yes, she liked adventure but she also liked her life. Alice wasn't a Macfausty and didn't know how to wrangle dragons; as far as she was aware, no one in their group did. It could be a messy, messy disaster if something went wrong, and even though Cris was a healer, there was only so much she could do.

"We don't, but a lot of people do." Chrissy said. "Look, I'm a creature-induced injuries healer. I can deal with what the dragon has prepared for us. So, I will go with Corinne for that egg."

EVENT ANNOUNCER — ROUND 9
An an extremely lucky instance, Corinne manages to steal the dragon's egg and get past her without harm. Fortunately, with some well placed spells, the women are able to fend the mother dragon off. The dragon egg seems like it could be worth quite a bit of money - at least 70 galleons - and it would definitely be something to write the Ministry about. Do you want to hand the egg over to them or keep it for yourselves? You could keep it and continue on, or inform them and hopefully be sent back home.

Round 10 begins June 16th

Corinne honestly did not want to inform the Ministry about the egg. They wanted them to find land, not find dragon eggs, after all. Besides, what if they took the egg away from them and didn't allow them to return home until they found something? Their risk would go to the wind. " Let's continue. The Ministry wanted us to find land, not the egg. Besides, we could use it for something more useful... We could give the money to a school or an orphanage when we return home." Corinne suggested. She honestly did not trust the kid they put as a Minister after this whole draft thing. She kind of suspected that if they gave him the egg, he would most likely use it for himself.

" Then again, if you want inform the Ministry, go ahead." she finally said, looking at her team-mates.

Lionel had been working hard on not saying much. How often he had bit his tongue and refrained from comment he couldn't say but what he could say was that these girls were NUTS. They did everything risky and dangerous and even though Lionel wasn't the bravest man on the planet, he surely wasn't some cowardly mouse either. Still, he DID have common sense which these girls seemed to have none of!

So Lionel stayed, watchful and protecting as best he could. Though he never seemed enthused about their ideas, he DID help in the egg stealing if only because he wanted to keep Oxford's sister alive and safe - nothing else. So he'd cast his own spell and helped distract and evade the dragons attention so each of the little gaggle of twisted sisters could get away safely.

Now though, there was an entirely different matter to worry about. "Of course we should report it to the Ministry. Do you know how dangerous those things are? I may or may not necessarily always agree with the Ministry but better the devil you know than the devil you don't."

Pausing here, Lionel's face softened a little and then he opened his mouth to speak again - Alice had opposed him on every scale so far. No matter what he said, she said opposite so having taking a moment to consider - Lionel Crabbe decided to offer out two suggestions, if only to see what she would do with each of them...

"Or....." He began. "There's a family of Scottish Dragon trainers and Hunters in Hogsmeade. Not sure if any of you are familiar with them but if anyone can give good advise about what to do with a dragon egg, maybe they can. Who knows, maybe they'd buy it to protect and raise? At least that way we know the people getting the egg would know what they're doing and not be a potential threat to the community as a whole. I know one of the lads, Ninian - he's good and he can talk to us, maybe take us to his mother - Grizzly MacFausty and see what she has to say on the matter?"

EVENT ANNOUNCER — ROUND 10
You continue onward with the dragon egg in tow. Large amounts of snow have piled up, blocking your path in what appears to have been an avalanche that you were lucky enough to avoid, but you're forced to head southeast into a much thinner and valley-like mountainous region. There is still quite a bit of snow, but it isn't as cold - especially in the valleys. After three days, you come upon a small clearing. There is a stream with several rocks scattered around it, perfect for sitting. It seems to be as good of a place to rest as any, and your group is able to refill your water canteens. You're also responsible for keeping the egg warm, else the dragon inside will die.

Round 11 begins June 19th

As soon as they reached the stream, Corinne started taking care of the egg. She was not a MacFusty, but she knew that in order to keep the dragon inside the egg alive, she had to keep the egg warm.

First, she picked up some rocks and warmed them using her wand. Then, she carefully placed the egg on them and warmed it by sending small flames on it every fifteen minutes.

" Where are we going from here?" Corinne asked the others, as she took out her crackers and started eating.

While Corinne mustered up a way to keep the egg warm, Lionel took up the simple task of refilling the water canteens. His mind had been a mess since he'd left Oxford's house the night he'd last seen his lover and having the cruel reminded of Oxford's sister present every moment of the day seemed only to further his mental distress. He had not heard from Oxford in so long, he worried for his lover and his heart quietly ached just to simply know that Oxford was still alive...uninjured...safe even.

Capping off one canteen for the next, Lionel took no time at all filling the canteens before he made his way back across the short distance it was to their little encircled camp and piled the canteens a safe distance away from the fire. Filled with water as they were, he didn't want to chance them catching fire or even warming the water within. Warm water was drinkable but it was also hardly enjoyable.

Taking a sip from his canteen, Lionel sat across the fire place directly from Alice. Dark, whiskey brown eyes starring blankly ahead at her, with a silent sort of observation that was neither comfortable nor directly uncomfortable either. A simple gaze, his eyes showing no signs of his thoughts as he took another sip from his canteen before pulling his jacket tighter around him. He half wondered if Alice had realized it was one of her brothers old jackets but mostly he didn't care. The warmth of it reflected of Oxford's own amazing heat and between the chill of their surroundings and the icy gaze of Alice's eyes - he needed what warmth he could find.

"Not so sure. We've strayed from our original direction and into the Southeast - if nothing else this valley promises fresh water and sanctuary from the worst of the wind. If we trek through it, we could see where it leads or I suppose we could try going over the mountains again?"

Chrissy nodded her head: "Alright then, let's go as Lionel suggested. Stay in the valley. I have no other idea." The woman said, looking closely after the egg. She dealt with creature-induced injuries everyday, so she knew a lot about the creatures and that one, though still unhatched, was very interesting to her.

EVENT ANNOUNCER — ROUND 11
After a much needed day of rest, your group sets off again in a southeast direction. The area begins to level out, the trees continue to grow more sparse, and in the distance you're able to just barely make out the shimmer of what could be a lake on the horizon. It will take several days to reach it, but it might be worth taking a look at. Otherwise, you could write to the Ministry and see if the level area of land you have found would be something that they're interested in.

Round 12 begins June 22

"Most wonderful companions of mine," Alice said, looking at Crissy and Corinne, having nearly forgotten Lionel's existence, "I vote we send the ministry a letter! This seems as good a place as any. I am all for this adventure, clear as it can be, but we are here for a reason. We can always remember the spot, come back and continue our journey on our own at a later date if the ministry calls us home." Alice beamed at her group. She really enjoyed being with them, and being crazy and adventurous with them. Except Lionel. She still hadn't quite ironed out how she felt about him.

This expedition was not as terrible as she expected it to be, but she agreed with Alice. " Yes, we should write the Ministry a letter." she agreed with the woman and nodded. It was time for her to return home, besides she was not sure if she would be able to take care of this dragon egg any longer.

EVENT ANNOUNCER — ROUND 12
Your group chooses to write to the Ministry about the land that you found. It takes a few days, but you finally hear back from them. They tell you that you have done a great job and after placing a marker for them to later send scouts to, you can apparate yourselves back to the Ministry to collect your reward money. The land will be handed out at a later date.

After you collect your funds at the Ministry, you head to the Hog's Head. It takes a few hours, but after some haggling, you're able to sell the egg for 80 galleons. Divided amongst the four of you, that's a handsome 20 galleons a piece, not to mention the other 10 galleons you just received from the Ministry. You're noticeably better off than you were when you began the trail.

This thread will be closed June 25th

Corinne was pleased. Thirty galleons plus the piece of land she would receive soon. She did not need land nor money, but she could surely use that money somehow. She didn't want to to use all of her father's money for her needs, after all.

She couldn't wait to return home, with her sisters and her father. That bitch her father married would be there soon, but Corinne did not care. After facing a dragon, she doubted that some woman would be a challenge for her. She was definitelly looking forward to tell Artemis, Roxie, Valie and the others about her adventures.