Marvo strides forward, wand in hand. After a few steps he turns, but dose not stop walking. "Come on, And keep your eyes open"

As he turns to face forward he almost walks straight into a Giant Spider! This isn't just a Giant Spider this is a BIG Giant Spider!

Marvo stops. Drops his wand.... And screams! A scream of PURE TERROR!

He scrambles backward still screaming and falls to the ground. He then curls into a small ball, scream 'no no no no' terror still in his voice. Then, from behind you hear a scuttling noise... And TWO MORE Spiders appear!

"Ah, there we have Marvo panicking as I dreamed it", Morticia mutters to herself and raises her wand. "Hey, you there, spiders! Don't move if you like to keep your legs untangled!" She grins at the others. "Nathan and I used to have a pet tarantula when we were kids," she explains and turns toward the spider in front of them while she gestures to the others to watch the two at their backs. "Uhm... we want to find out what's hiding in here, can you help us? I mean, you can speak, I suppose, can't you?"

Kat looks at Morticia and ignores what she says. She may have been frightened of the plants, but if Marvo was afraid SHE was going to protect him! She strode forward, oozing confidence at everyone, to stand protectively by Marvo. Inside she was desperately trying to remember a spell that would help but she wasn't going to let that show.

She watched as Morticia tried to talk to the Spider. What was that spell she had been reading the other day? Ok these were just the regular spiders that had been in the forest for years, but a spell or potion had changed them. If only she could remember it...

The Spiders, if they did understand Morticia, didn't react, although one of them did step backwards slightly. They seem a little unsteady on their feet, as if drunk, but still look very big and very frightening (unless you like spiders, in which case they are just big)

Achel, still holding Nimue's hand points his wand the lead spider. Amused as he was by Marvo's 'weakness' he still didn't like the idea of any of those things getting closer to him.

'STUPIFY' A Shot of blue comes from his wand and hits the bigger spider... But it only shudders slightly and starts to move forward

'Oh dear' He says.

"Oh, great, I try to make friends with them and you attack them, now that really helps, thanks a lot, stupid!" Morticia shrieks as the spider opposes her and stumbles backwards. "Tarantallegra!" she shouts and points her wand at the spider, hoping that the spell will stop it. "Now, please, just leave us alone, we didn't mean to hurt you!"

Kat saw the Achel try the stunning spell. She had a better idea, how about trying to reverse the magic on the spiders. Still hovering protectively around Marvo she raises her wand to the first spider they had seen. "Aranea Exemplum Adfectium Reverti"

Kat waits to see if it will work. She whispers to Marvo "Ok these spiders aren't wonderfully friendly at the best of times, but at least if this works they won't be drugged. If that doesn't work I've got a few others up my sleeve." She doesn't expect him to reply, but at least he knows she's trying.

Weeds and plants of all kinds seem to spring up for the ground and tangle around the spiders’ legs. The spider struggles to get free, falling as it tries to move forward. But the plants do start to rip, and slowly, very slowly, the spider is breaking free.

One of the other two Spiders starts to move towards Morticia

"They're huge," Niki exclaims. "Unless Morticia can talk to them, and they don't look very friendly, we should try to stop them at the same time." She looks at Morticia. "What do you think?"

Kat replies by saying, "I think that is exactly what we are trying to do. I don't think we should harm them, as they are normally ok. They have been influenced by magic."

The spider has stopped staggering after Kat sent her spell, but she still couldn't tell whether it had worked completely. She thought she'd try it on the others anyway. She turns round, and aiming around the group (you didn't think she'd move anywhere with Marvo in this state did you?) she points at the other two...

"Aranea Exemplum Adfectium Reverti"

They also stop moving towards the group, but they are still not looking best pleased. The Spider, still forcing its way out from the tangled plants shudders once more as Kat's spell hit it. For a moment it goes very quiet.

THEN the spider ROARS (in a very spider like way) Breaks free of its bonds and rushes towards Kat....

But it scuttles straight past her, and into the trees out of view.

Morticia sighs. "Alright, Kat, scare the others away, too, and then let's go on."

Kat is quite surprised by the outcome, but performs the same spell on all the spiders present.

"There is no need to be so disappointed you know," Kat said to Morticia. "I do occasionally get a spell right."

Kat watches as the spiders disappear, making sure they have all gone. She then turns her attention to Marvo who is still cowering.

She bends down and talks gently to him, "Marvo, it is ok. They have gone." Marvo remains on the ground, now whimpering and sobbing.

Niki looks on sympathetically, all to familiar with fear... "I know chocolate helps with Dementors," she says, "how 'bout with other scary things too?" She notices that Marvo still has the chocolate she gave him in the common room.

"Good idea, but I think we need to get his attention first." Replied Kat. She had to get his attention, but how. She could think of one thing but that would be too harsh. She didn't know what to do. She needed some ideas. She looked for Nimue as she would know Marvo as well as she did, but she was out of sight. She looked at the others for help, but thinking of nothing else she tried to comfort him.

She sat next to him, drew him closer and cuddled him letting him sob. "Shhh. It's ok. They have gone. You are safe now. Marvo, I'm here it's ok. Shhhh. Come on let it go. We need you."

Even Morticia doesn't try to mock Marvo. "Are you alright?" She even looks a bit worried. "I didn't know you had such a - thing with spiders. They're fascinating creatures, you know? I mean, most of them. If they don't want to eat you."

She rummages in her pockets and produces an apple. "Here, eat it, it's always good to taste something fresh when you feel bad."

"C'est étrange," Niki mutters. "Est-il ça va?"

Madison sent Niki a confused look, then turned her attention back to Marvo. "He'll be okay...right?" she asked, worried.

"Je ne sais pas." Morticia shrugs. "We'll see. I hope so, we shouldn't stay at one spot for too long, I think..."

Vera is trying to stay close to the group, her face really pale from the scene with the spiders. She doesn't look a lot better than Marvo but tries to remain as calm as possible. "Yeah I think he'll be fine," she says softly "Should we leave this place? You know in case they come back?"

"Yes, he will be ok, won't you!" It was a statement from Kat that had a little force behind it and possibly a little hope. "And yes we do need to move on. We need to break this spell so that the teachers can clear it up and we can get out of danger. Marvo, please calm down, we need you to lead us, we can't do it on our own."

Marvo looks up at Kat, His left eye wet with tears, his right eye a deep red. But when he hears Mortica say the word 'spider' he whimpers and when Vera mentions they might come back he curls up in a ball again and starts to shake!

Nimue looks very concerned and rushes over to his side. She strokes his hard and says 'Don't worry Malcolm, They won't come back, I'll keep them lost.'

But Marvo continues to shake. Very scared little boy.

"Marvo, come on, please! We need to get on!" Morticia kneels down next to him. "Please, Marvo, you know we need you to find out what's going on here. Please. Think about something nice... It's dangerous for all of us to stay here." She looks at him and obviously doesn't know what to do to comfort him.

"They won't come back," Niki promises, though she's not sure if it's true. At least, she tells herself, Kat can scare them away if they do. "Please, it'll be okay."

Kat looks surprised at Morticia, but let's it pass, for now. Then she gives everyone a look that says 'DON'T MENTION THEM AGAIN!'

"Marvo, Nimue will keep us safe. You know that. Now please. I remember you once telling me how much everyone meant to you. How you couldn't bear to loose everyone close to you again, even Morticia. If you meant that then you need to help us now. You cannot protect us or save us like this, no matter what your training." She says this softly, whilst cuddling him and stroking him hair, although the words that she is saying is not far short of slapping him in the face. Although very few people gathered would understand what she was really referring to.

"Please. *I* need you."

"Try giving him this." Ember knelt beside Kat, but not too close to Marvo since she was a stranger, and pressed a tiny peppermint broomstick into Kat's hand. "Chocolate's more for the energy drain that Dementors cause, I think."

She stood up and looked around, a slight scowl of concentration on her face. "Everyone stay put. I'll have a quick look around to make sure there aren't any more unpleasant surprises waiting to sneak up on us in the immediate area." She cast a wry grin at Morticia and Niki. "I reckon at the moment I'm the least popular person, and therefore the most expendable, of the group. If I'm not back in five minutes..." She paused at the edge of the clearing. "Wait a little longer. If you hear me scream, run for it."

Kat looked at the peppermint in her hand. "Marvo?" She tried to pass him the peppermint. After all the sugar was useful.

Then she realised what Ember had just said. "No! Don't go on your own. You are not expendable. You weren't to know. By you argument Marvo is the most useless, and we know that isn't true. If you must go see take someone with you. Nimue or Andy for example."

'Don't you DARE wander off...Ember isn't it?'

Marvo seems to have come around somewhat and is rubbing his eye as he sits up. 'Thank you. All of you... Sorry about that... Guess you know why I didn't want to come to the forest now?'

Marvo stands, wobbling slightly and pulls his robe (Picard Manoeuvre) and smiles very weakly. He looks very pale. 'Come on... we must get on.' He starts to walk forward, but seems reluctant.

Niki grins weakly. "Let's go, then," she says, glancing at Ember with what might, possibly, have been a look of intense dislike.

Kat looks most relieved, and smiles at Marvo. "Lead on maestro." She pulled out her wand and moved in the direction they were going.

"Elle est folle!" Morticia whispers and grimaces. "Oh, please don't let her be a Slytherin!"

Andy puts his hand on Marvo's back. "Are you alright?" he asks. "You looked pretty shook up."

He walked beside Marvo looking in both directions in case he saw anything. He let go of Marvo's back and gripped his wand. After all...you never know.

Marvo pats Andy's hand. 'Sure I'm fine. Just got a little... erm... distracted there. Let's go'

Marvo picks up his wand and we start forward. Marvo is looking side to side as he walks on, and of course in front of him too.

The group reaches a clearing and Marvo raises a hand for everyone to stop and puts his finger to his lip for quiet. He slowly edges his way forward, shaking slightly and makes his way to the centre of the clearing....

Then you all hear a deep, almost unearthly growl and from the other side of the clearing comes a thing...

It looks like a dog, a thin whippet type dog, but larger, the size of a wolf! And looking closer you see it appears skinless! Instead of skin it is covered in a transparent 'goo' which is slowly dripping from it

Its teeth are bared in a viscous snarl and saliva drips from its mouth.

Fast as lighting Marvo points his wand 'TRI-AMBUS-PIRO'

Three small 'pea' size balls of light fly from Marvo's wand and quickly expand to the size of a large pumpkin. They fly erratically forwards, then around the creature and slam into it, hissing as they do, for they seem to be made of flame!

But every time they hit they get smaller, until finally they are gone, and the creature stand there. Not only unhurt, but looking stronger, and meaner than before!

'By the Source! It's a Magic Eater!' Cries Marvo 'Don't use Magic!' he screams to everyone.

Niki looks extremely scared, and inches behind the nearest person. "What can we do, if not magic?" she whispers. Suddenly, her eyes light up. "What about potions...? Would those not work either?" She glances at Marvo.

All the while, Ayumi and Shinjiku had been bringing up the rear. Although not necessarily too scared to step forward, being brought up in Japan had taught Ayumi to get involved as least as possible, so as not to appear imprudent or rude. Shinjiku, on the other hand, was enjoying himself immensely.

After being introduced as Ayumi's pet fox, and momentarily displaying a small sample of him immense transformation abilities by suddenly becoming a human, Shinjiku idly followed along, reverting between forms as often it suited him. He found the spiders not to be frightening, but immensely amusing. Now, however, with the appearance of this...this...thing...he was quick to simply disappear into mid air.

"Harumph...always running away when real danger comes...." Ayumi muttered to herself, but switched her attention to the massive dog in the clearing. It looked strangely familiar, like something she had seen in a book once. Ayumi tried to rack her memory, but under such immense stress, the name of the creature eluded her. So instead, Ayumi began thinking of ways to overpower the creature.

Suddenly she had an idea. "Ah! Ch-chotto matte, min-na! Aaa.... I mean, wait a second!" Ayumi shouted. All eyes turned to her, and she blushed from embarrassment. "Aaa-...well, that is.... I-I...I know of a potion to make teeth fall out...I just thought maybe we could disable somewhat using that, since it's not exactly the same as direct magic or anything..."

She was gradually backing toward a tree, but at the same time, pulled her backpack from off her back. From inside, Ayumi pulled put several day-old hamburgers. "Maybe...maybe.... We could pour the potion on these and use them as bait?" By now she was on the far side of the nearest tree trunk, out of view from the creature.

Yet, as she pulled the food out, Shinjiku suddenly appeared sitting on top of her head. "Aaaaah!" he wailed. "Dame! Daaa-ME!" Watashi no hanbaga dessuu!" The fox was practically in tears. Ayumi grimace and brushed him off. "I KNOW they're your hamburgers...but sometimes sacrifices must be made...And besides! These hamburgers are from...what, Florida? Judging by most muggle food, this is probably was past inedible."

Shinjiku just joined the others in the trees, sulking.

"Don't use magic?" Morticia shrieks. "What then? I can't do anything else! Quick, on the trees! Climb!" She heads towards the nearest tree and jumps to grab the lowest branches to pull herself up.

"She's right!" Ember called back, moving forward and scooping up a fallen tree-branch. "Everyone, get up as high and as quickly as you can. I'll try to hold it off--I've had dealings with vicious dogs before. Don't worry--I'll be right up after you once you're all safe."

Hoping she sounded as confident as she *didn't* feel, Ember planted herself foursquare in her boots in front of the monstrosity and brandished the limb crosswise in front of her as though it were a baseball bat and she was gearing up to hit one out of the park. "Come on, nice doggie...come get the nice stick..."

Even if it tore her to pieces, she'd give it a good fight, and the others would at least be safe.

"God, you idiot!" Niki yells. "We're not going to be able to do anything unless we all work together. Are you *trying* to get yourself killed?" She grabs Ember's arm, and tries to pull her away. Since Niki is at least a year younger, and a foot shorter, she doesn't have much luck.

"You're right, we *do* have to work together, but somebody has to cover everybody else's backs, don't they!" Ember snapped. "You saw yourself that magic's no good. Believe me, I have no intention of playing a hero. As soon as everybody else is hugging branches I'm going to be one jump behind you. I don't pretend that I can beat this thing with brute force, but magic won't work, and maybe I *can* hold it off till everybody's safe in the trees--and *then* we can work together to come up with a way to put paid to the beast for good and all! With the proper motivation and a good head start I can run pretty damn fast and jump pretty damn high."

Niki drops Ember's arm, and scrambles up into a tree, then starts rummaging into her pockets.

"There's a girl." Ember faced the horrendous beast again, which hadn't yet moved towards them. "Is everybody off the ground? I'd really like to join you; facing off with Fido here is not my idea of a pleasant morning romp."

At this point Marvo seems to agree with everyone else! He leaps back to the others, grabs Kat and Nimue and, muttering some words jumps extremely high, a girl under each arm to a strong branch in a nearby Tree.

Achel seems none to pleased by this 'show' and scrabbles up after him. Egreen is already sitting in a Tree, trying to think what to do.

Kat looks surprised and a little disgruntled at being lifted in to the tree in this manner, but lets it pass. She asks Marvo, "Do we need to kill it? I think Ayumi is right about a stick to distract it. All we need is a collar and a rope and we can tie it up out of our way...."

Niki pulls a short length of braided leather- a collar, for a small animal like a cat- out of her pocket. Taking a deep breath, she points her wand at it, and mutters, "Engorgio." Looking up, she says, "Will this work? It belongs- belonged, I mean- to my cat, but it's not much use to her now..." The collar looks about the right size to fit around the thing's neck now.

Marvo looks serious. 'It is an abomination... I should not live!' But he sounds more like he is quoting someone rather than speaking his mind.

Suddenly a small shape appears in front of the dog, hissing and screeching at it.

"Glueclaws!" Morticia shrieks. "Get away from it, stupid cat, you're going to get yourself killed!"

The big cat jumps right and left in front of the dog, then turns on its heels and scrambles away into the depth of the forest.

As Glueclaws runs the 'thing' leaps and bats the cat to one side. It seems uninjured, but stunned. Then the Thing sees the hamburgers that Ayumi had thrown to the floor.

The thing sniffs at them, growls and turns away. Perhaps it could smell the potion, or maybe even it would not it old Hamburgers!

Then it sees Ember and Nikki struggling and makes a deep low growl that almost could be a laugh....

It LUNGES towards them crouches and them LEAPS, Its teeth glistening, it's razor sharp claws ready to dig deep....