Forbidden Forest Exploration Club sign-ups day [open]

[Henry Whitmore]

Henry stood near the fountain in the courtyard, his Gryffindor scarf tucked into his robes as he adjusted the hastily made sign propped up against a bench. In bold, slightly uneven lettering, it read:

"FORBIDDEN FOREST EXPLORATION CLUB – SIGN UP HERE!"

Underneath, he had scribbled:
"For those with a sense of adventure and a love for discovery! Learn about magical creatures, hidden paths, and forgotten stories of the forest. (No professors allowed to know, obviously.)"

He grinned as he stepped back to admire his work, the crisp autumn breeze ruffling his hair. This was it—his first real attempt at making something of his own at Hogwarts. Sure, there were already plenty of clubs, but none quite like this. He had always been drawn to the mystery of the Forbidden Forest, the untold secrets lingering beyond the trees.

Now, he just needed to see if anyone else felt the same way.

"Alright," he muttered to himself, rolling his shoulders, "time to sell it."

He turned to the small group of curious students gathering nearby, some eyeing the sign with interest, others looking skeptical.

"Before you ask—no, we’re not planning on breaking any rules." He paused, then smirked. "Well… not technically. We’re just here to learn. The Forbidden Forest is full of creatures, history, and magic most students never get to see. We’ll explore the edges, document what we find, and maybe—just maybe—see something amazing that no one's ever noticed before."

He spread his arms dramatically. "So, if you're up for a bit of adventure, sign up here! No experience needed, just a keen mind, steady nerves, and a healthy disregard for unnecessary rules."

Henry leaned against the bench, watching as students began stepping forward, murmuring amongst themselves. This was it—the start of something brilliant.

[Sam Turner]

Sam hadn’t planned on stopping in the courtyard. She had only been passing through on her way back from the greenhouses, the crisp autumn air a welcome change after the warmth of the glass-enclosed space. The scent of damp earth and fallen leaves filled the air, while the steady trickle of the fountain mixed with the low hum of distant chatter from students lingering outside, enjoying the last bits of outdoor weather before winter arrived.

She’d paused for just a moment, tugging her scarf tighter against the chill, when she noticed a hastily made sign propped up beside the fountain. Forbidden Forest Exploration Club. The idea immediately caught her interest—this was exactly the kind of thing she’d been hoping for. The forest had always fascinated her, and the chance to get out there, see more of its creatures, and learn things they couldn’t possibly cover in class was exciting. She loved Care of Magical Creatures, but there was so much more to discover, so many hidden corners of the forest that no one ever seemed to talk about.

But then she saw who was leading it—a first year.

Sam studied Henry for a moment, her arms folding instinctively across her chest. He was enthusiastic, and she could see why—he was excited about the idea, just like she was. But he was also young, and she couldn’t help but think about how little experience he had. First years weren’t exactly known for being skilled at magic yet, and while Sam wasn’t worried about the forest itself, she was cautious about being part of a group that might not know enough to handle any surprises the forest might throw at them. She didn’t mind going on adventures, but she also didn’t want to be the one expected to make sure everyone stayed safe if things went wrong. She was good at magic, sure, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a few more experienced students in the group, just in case.

Still, she wasn’t ready to walk away just yet. Her fingers tapped absently on her arm as she looked around the group. She wasn’t sure about jumping in, not until she saw who else was interested. If a few older students signed up, it might be worth it—maybe Henry had a better plan than she gave him credit for. For now, she lingered, watching quietly to see who would step forward.

[Henry Whitmore]

Henry scanned the growing crowd, his excitement building as more students hovered near the sign-up sheet. Some looked intrigued, others skeptical, but that was part of the fun—convincing them that this wasn’t just some reckless idea. A few lingered, a few walked away scoffing. He didn't care though.

Then, his gaze landed on a familiar face. Sam Turner—sixth-year Gryffindor. He didn’t know her well, but he’d seen her around the common room enough times to know she was smart, capable, and, more importantly, not the type to back down from a challenge. She was watching, arms folded, weighing the idea carefully.

Bingo.

Henry smirked and stepped toward her, tilting his head slightly. “You thinking about signing up, or just waiting to see if I trip over myself trying to explain this?” His tone was light, teasing, but he meant it—he could see the hesitation in her stance. She was interested, just not quite convinced.

He glanced at the sign-up sheet, then back at her. “Look, I get it—you’re probably wondering if a first-year can actually pull this off.” He grinned, completely unbothered by the doubt. “And fair enough, I am a first-year. But that’s exactly why I need people like you in this club.”

He gestured toward the sign. “I don’t just want a bunch of wide-eyed first-years running into the trees without a clue. I want this to work. And yeah, I might not know everything yet, but I know how to find the right people. You know magic, you’re good at what you do, and let’s be honest—you want to do this. I can see it.”

Henry took a step back, crossing his arms. “So, what do you say, Turner? You could hang back, wait to see who else signs up… or you could be one of the ones who makes sure this is actually something worth being a part of.” He grinned, eyes bright with challenge.

“Your call.”

[Missy Dragonov]

Missy strolled into the courtyard, her sharp green eyes scanning the scene with mild amusement as she caught sight of the sign. Forbidden Forest Exploration Club? Oh, this was rich. Who in their right mind was letting a first-year lead anything, let alone a club dedicated to poking around where they clearly weren’t supposed to?

Her gaze flickered to Henry, practically glowing with enthusiasm as he tried to rope in a Gryffindor girl she vaguely recognized—Sam Turner, a few years above her. Well, at least someone with a brain was considering it.

Missy approached lazily, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. “Wow, this is bold. A first-year running a club? What’s next, taking over the school?” She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice like she was sharing a great secret. “You do realize that the forest is full of things that could eat you in, what, two bites?”

She tilted her head toward Sam, giving her a once-over before turning back to Henry. “And you’re trying to rope in actual competent people so you don’t get yourself flattened by a centaur? Smart move, I’ll give you that.”

Missy tapped her fingers against her arm, feigning deep thought. “You know what? I think I will sign up. Not because I actually believe you’ll pull this off, but because I cannot wait to watch this whole thing crash and burn.”

She plucked the quill from the table, signing her name with a flourish before smirking at Henry. “Don’t disappoint me, Baby Gryffindor. I have high expectations for disaster.”

[Henry Whitmore]

Henry met Missy's smirk with a determined grin of his own, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He had expected her skepticism, but it didn’t faze him—if anything, it made him more determined to prove her wrong.

“Oh, I’m not worried about you and your high expectations, Missy,” he shot back, crossing his arms with a challenge in his posture. “I’m more concerned about you trying to sabotage my club from the inside. But I guess if anyone can be the wild card in the group, it’s you.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. “As for the centaurs, don’t worry—I’ll handle them. You, on the other hand, might want to keep your distance. Don’t want you getting flattened by one just because you couldn’t resist poking fun at a first-year.”

With a grin, he added, “But I appreciate you signing up. I’m sure we’ll all have a great time... especially when you’re proven wrong. But, hey, if it does crash and burn, at least you’ll have a front-row seat to the spectacle.” Henry shot Missy a mischievous grin, then glanced over at Sam Turner, mouthing, "It’s not going to crash and burn." He gave a quick reassuring smile before turning back to Missy. "Now, I thank you for joining, it's time for some others to do the same..." He shifted the sheet over away from the Slytherin, and towards his fellow Gryffindor.

“Honestly, Sam, you should definitely join. It’s not all about disasters and proving people wrong—well, mostly not,” he added with a cheeky wink. “But if you’re up for a challenge, there’s plenty to discover. The forest isn’t just full of danger; it’s full of magic—stuff that could make even the biggest skeptics look at things a little differently.”

He gestured toward the signup sheet with enthusiasm. “You’d be doing the group a favour, really. It wouldn’t be the same without someone like you keeping us grounded. Plus, think of all the things we’ll find out there. Who knows, maybe you’ll walk away with a new perspective—on both the forest and, well, me."

[Nuka Murphy]

Nuka had been watching from around the corner, tucked into a shadowy spot. She'd stopped as soon as she'd seen the sign, but she wanted to wait and see just how bold this little 1st year was. Very, from what she could tell. Definitely earned the colors, that was for sure. She remembered back to her younger days as she'd been a student here, glancing up towards where her cousin's class was. What would he say if he heard this? She dug around in her pockets until she produced a bottle she'd been holding onto, "I knew getting you was gonna be worth it," she murmured before she downed the polyjuice she'd crafted not long after coming here- she had a few prepared for moments like this. Looking at the bottle, she saw she'd marked it with a red ribbon- Gryffindor student then.

The polyjuice was always miserable, but she'd done it enough times to be discreet, and, with a little bit of glamouring and charms, when she emerged from the shadow, she looked like a regular old Gryffindor student- one she knew was on the other side of the school at the moment (She may seem inattentive, but she practically knew the students' schedules by now). She crossed over to the group of students, making sure to seem plenty curious. She leaned up onto her toes to pretend to try and be reading the sign over everyone's heads before looking towards Henry as he spoke to Missy, "You're going to handle centaurs?" she raised a brow at him, "You look like a snack for a griffin, what are you going to do against a centaur?" she goaded, "Plus, there's some much crazier things out there than centaurs, ones that won't stop to talk to you first," she snorted.

She sounded like a flippant student, but she'd watched the duel between Rhysln and what looked like Rhysln but called herself Storm. She hadn't seen them anywhere since, so they'd either left, or Storm was in the forest as well. She couldn't let these kids go in without some kind of back up- though she should probably let others know what was going on.

"Oh man, I bet I have some notes on it," she said, pulling out her notebook meant to communicate between the Aurors, Got my eyes on some kiddos trying to make a club to explore the forest, apparently. I'll keep'em out of trouble, but perhaps we finally consider putting some kind of barriers around it? Calling it "forbidden" kind of just invites stuff like this she wrote down between pretending to flip, "Dang it, I can't find it, but I remember one of the professors definitely saying giant spiders and bigger things out there. Think you can handle it, pipsqueak?" she smirked at him as she put the notebook away.

[Kyle Winters]

Crowds weren’t Kyle’s favourite thing.

By force of habit, the lanky Seventh Year decided to take the corridor around the courtyard to avoid the modest group that had gathered near the fountain, but the sight of the young student beside a signboard caught his eye. Was that the boy he had shared a cabin with on the Hogwarts Express?

As he approached, he soon realised that he had been mistaken, but now that he was much closer he could see what the sign said. “FORBIDDEN FOREST EXPLORATION CLUB – SIGN UP HERE!” it announced in bold, uneven lettering.

There was a fine line between bravery and foolhardiness, and to Kyle, it was clear on which side this endeavour sat. His brow creased with concern: it was clearly dangerous, but reason was all too often swept aside by the promise of adventure egged on by overconfidence. He wasn’t a stranger to this either: not too long ago he almost got himself killed – or at the very least, very seriously injured – when he attempted a crazy flying stunt on his broom. Somehow or another he had pulled it off, but that incident probably cost him all of his luck for the whole year.

The response from the gathered students were mixed, although it seemed to Kyle that quite a number of enthusiastic ones were willing to follow along the First Year’s reckless plan – including Missy Dragonov, his fellow chaser on the Quidditch team. Given what she was like when she set her mind to something, there probably wasn’t a good chance he could talk the young Gryffindor or any of his willing followers out of the plan.

He sighed inwardly. Guess this expedition’s happening after all.

Right then, a familiar face on the other side of the group caught his eye: Sam Turner. Maybe she could back him up and be the second voice of reason. Musing absently over how fate had ultimately led him to a Gryffindor student he bumped into on the Hogwarts express (albeit a different one from his initial expectations), Kyle made his way around the crowd to join her. “Hey Turner! How’s it going?” he greeted her with a bright smile. “You thinking of joining this expedition? I don’t think it’s a wise idea, but it’s probably a done deal by now.”

[Henry Whitmore]

Henry turned at the sound of a new voice, an unfamiliar Gryffindor with an easy smirk and a teasing remark about his size. "Snack for a griffin?" he repeated, eyebrows raised. "Centaurs don’t eat people, y’know. And we’re not just charging in there like a bunch of headless chickens."

Then came pipsqueak.

His eyes narrowed in a glare. He might be small, but he wasn’t some fragile little mouse. He was a Gryffindor for a reason. Size didn’t matter—determination did.

"The first meeting’s going to be about planning," he said, standing firm, his eyes scanning the Gryffindor who was mocking him. "We’re going to learn everything we can, make sure we know what we’re up against before we even think about stepping foot in the forest. I’m not stupid." His tone wasn’t defensive—just matter-of-fact. "There’s a reason it’s called an exploration club and not a ‘run blindly into danger’ club."

His gaze flicked towards the taller Slytherin nearby—Kyle Winters, he thought, recognizing him as one of the Quidditch players. He hadn’t signed up but was talking to Sam Turner, and from the look on his face, he clearly wasn’t on board with the idea. Henry had expected skepticism. He welcomed it, actually. If people thought he was reckless, he had something to prove.

Looking back at the unknown Gryffindor, Henry tilted his head. "You seem interested," he said with a knowing grin. "So, you signing up, or just here to poke holes in the plan?"

[Missy Dragonov]

Missy licked her lips and folded her arms across her chest as Henry swiftly moved on from thanking her, directing his attention to Sam Turner instead. With a small shrug, she took a step back while others pressed in closer to the table, content to watch how this whole thing unfolded. She wasn’t not interested—she just wanted to see who else was bold (or reckless) enough to sign up. To see who her other Exploration buddies would likely be.

A Gryffindor student seemed to suddenly pop up beside her, making a quip about handling centaurs and calling Henry a snack AND a pipsqueak. Missy’s eyebrows shot up, her expression immediately shifting into a look that screamed 'she ain't wrong'. That was a solid point, really. Not just that the firstie was tiny, but that there were more 'unknowns' in the forest than she thought Henry understood. Then she paused, suddenly realizing she’d just instinctively sided with a Gryffindor.

What am I even doing with my life?

Shaking it off, her attention flickered to the notebook in the Gryffindor’s hands. There was some writing in it, but she didn’t pay much attention—her focus had already shifted to someone far more familiar. Kyle Winters had arrived. Kyle was a nice guy, he helped her study which was a welcome distraction and inspiration when she wasn't enthralled with study.

Shuffling through the sea of students around the table, she moved to stand beside him, instinctively gravitating toward the comfort of a fellow Slytherin. Safety in numbers and all that. Missy could sense that Kyle wasn’t exactly sold on the idea, and for a moment, she questioned her decision in signing up. Still, her curiosity and desire to see where this "club" would go kept her rooted in place. She wasn’t about to let someone else’s doubts change her mind—especially when she had her own interests to explore. Would Kyle try to talk her out of it? Maybe. But she wasn’t sure it would matter much.

She gave him a small wave, a silent hello, but his attention had already shifted to Turner. With a quiet sigh, Missy stood nearby, content to watch for now and see how things unfolded.

[Sam Turner]

Between Sam’s heavy workload and the growing list of extracurriculars she was already juggling, finding time for herself had become increasingly difficult. Still, Henry’s enthusiasm about the club made her wonder if adding another commitment might be worth it. While she could explore the Forbidden Forest on her own, there was something undeniably appealing about the safety in numbers—especially if it meant uncovering something truly cool.

As Sam quietly mulled it over, Missy Draganov, the Slytherin Chaser, appeared, and Sam’s attention shifted to the exchange between her and Henry. Missy might have had a point, but the sharpness of her delivery made it come across as unnecessarily rude. Sam frowned, irritation prickling at the back of her mind. Moments later, a Gryffindor student nearby added her own insult, piling onto the uncalled-for remarks. Though Sam didn’t like the way they were speaking to him, Henry was holding his own, seemingly unfazed, and she held back, unsure if stepping in was necessary.

The mention of centaurs caught Sam’s attention immediately and she couldn’t help but speak up. “Er, handle the centaurs?” she asked, her concern evident. “What exactly do you mean by ‘handle’ them?” With her experience around magical creatures, Sam knew centaurs were not to be underestimated. Proud and fiercely independent, they weren’t creatures you could overpower with magic alone. Sam couldn’t shake the feeling that Henry might be out of his depth—dealing with centaurs required more than raw power. It was about understanding their pride and navigating their culture, something a first-year would likely struggle with.

When Kyle arrived and addressed her, Sam felt a flush rise to her cheeks. She quickly adjusted her scarf, hoping to play it off as the cold. “Hi,” she said, her voice a little higher than usual. “I’m not sure if I’ll have the time, but… maybe.” She glanced at Henry before adding, “How often would we meet?”

[Kyle Winters]

Sam’s voice sounded a bit off, and the way she adjusted her scarf gave Kyle the impression that she wasn’t feeling too well or something. “Cold?” he asked, before realising a moment later that he didn’t know what to do if she was. The weather didn’t bother him much so he didn’t even have his scarf on, so he motioned to his robes instead, ready to offer it to her in case she needed it.

“I’m not sure if I can spare the time either,” he echoed Sam’s sentiment. Like her, he was keen to learn more about how often the meetings and expeditions were. A trip into the forest was not to be taken lightly, especially an unsanctioned one. “I don’t know, I mean, it’s not just the creatures in the Forbidden Forest we’d have to keep an eye out for.” He glanced around him, checking if the coast was clear – completely oblivious to the disguised Auror in their midst – before bending down a little and lowering his voice. “I’m more worried about getting caught by the Aurors or professors. I don’t think this is a good idea, but I can’t walk on and pretend that I didn’t see nothing.”

Raising himself back to his full height, he scanned the courtyard to see who he could recognise amidst the crowd. No prefects, as far as he could tell. The Gryffindor girl talking to the self-appointed club leader looked familiar, though he couldn’t put a name to the face. There were a few other students whom he had seen before. And of course, there was Missy.

He waved to his fellow Slytherin in an attempt to catch her attention. “Missy! Didn’t think you’d be keen on this,” he began, his lips widening into an amused grin. “Or are you more interested to find out how this will go down?”

[Missy Dragonov]

Missy’s eyes flickered back to Sam as her voice sharpens with concern. The question about "handling" the centaurs had caught her attention. There was an undeniable note of urgency in Sam’s voice that piqued Missy’s curiosity. Was Sam about to lay into Henry for his bold, but reckless, ideas in front of everyone? Missy felt a stir of excitement. If Sam really did go off on Henry, it would be entertaining to watch, especially with the crowd gathering around. She shifted slightly, angling herself so she could get a better view of the exchange, anticipating the potential drama.

But before the scene could unfold, Missy was recognised by Kyle as he greeted her. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she turned to face him, her amusement growing. She hadn’t been expecting Kyle to engage, but his amused grin and casual tone made her feel like the situation just got even more interesting.

“Oh, you know me, Winters,” she replied with a laugh, leaning back slightly as she considered his question. “Bit of both, really. A little adventure never hurt, but I’m not exactly the type to stick around and commit. I’m more of a… see how it plays out type. I like exploring, and if it all goes up in flames? Well, that’s just as fun to watch.”

Her arms folded comfortably across her chest as she glanced over at Henry and Sam again, the whole scene unfolding with increasing intrigue. She was genuinely curious to see how the club would shape up. Sure, the idea of venturing into the Forbidden Forest was enticing, but watching everything around it unravel was just as appealing. There was no doubt in her mind that something interesting was bound to happen. Whether the club succeeded or fell apart, Missy was definitely sticking around for the show.

[Henry Whitmore]

Henry stood tall, his hands confidently placed on his hips as he addressed the concerns raised by Kyle and Sam. He had expected some hesitation, and he was more than prepared to explain himself.

"Okay, Okay," he began, his voice calm but firm, "I get it. There are dangers in the Forbidden Forest. We all know that. But I'm not talking about rushing in headfirst like some reckless idiot. We're going to start slow. We’re going to stick to the clearings, get comfortable with the area and each other first, before we even think about going deeper into the more dangerous parts. The goal is to build up to it, not to be running blindly into trouble."

He paused for a moment, his eyes shifting to Sam, who had questioned him about 'handling' the centaurs. Henry’s face softened, trying to convey sincerity. "And as for the centaurs—look, I wasn’t suggesting we trespass on their territory, or provoke them. That’s not the point. What I meant is that we’ll approach all creatures with respect, and make sure we understand where their boundaries are. I’ve no interest in getting on the wrong side of a centaur or any other creature. This is about observing and learning, not tampering with their world.”

Turning to Sam again, he added, "As for the meetings, here's the plan. We’ll meet every Friday evening after dinner. That’ll be our planning session—talking about the next exploration, the creatures we want to study, the routes we want to take. The actual Exploration? That’s going to happen every other Saturday night, or whenever there’s a solid opportunity. We can meet anywhere—courtyard, library, even the Room of Requirement if it feels right. I'm not locking us into one space; we need the flexibility.”

Henry’s gaze briefly flicked to Missy, who, despite her usual sarcasm and doubts, had still signed up. It wasn’t the enthusiastic support he had been hoping for, but it was enough to show she was curious, even if she continued to poke fun at the idea.

A small, genuine smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “I’m glad at least one person’s up for it,” he said, nodding toward her, though he didn’t let the teasing get to him. “Even if you’re only here to watch it all fall apart, Missy, you’re still here. And that counts.”

He turned his attention to the group, his voice picking up a bit of energy as he continued, “If we get more people involved, this could be something special. But I’m not gonna force anyone. For those who are in? It’s gonna be an adventure worth remembering.”

Henry's tone was earnest, full of the excitement and potential he saw in this club. Despite Missy’s skepticism, he wasn’t about to back down from the dream of making it work.

[Nuka Murphy]

When Nuka heard Kyle's concerns, her lip twitched to a smirk for half a second before she resumed her "plain" face, then glanced around at the other conversations, "I'll definitely be joining in, but if you speak to me outside of this, I'll pretend I have no idea who you are or what you're talking about," she said, establishing why the girl she'd taken on the look of wouldn't know who he was or what he was talking about. Except she wouldn't be faking. If they figured it out, well. Maybe it'd teach them to be a bit more discreet.

"Where's the first meeting? Also, did you get this approved? Like, usually there's a professor who's technically in charge of the club, isn't there? Or at least knows about the club's existence in some form or fashion. How exact you with your explanation is up to you, I suppose," she said in a way that basically told him he needed to get it approved, but maybe lie about it. Would she get in trouble for telling a student to lie? No, she'd give these kids enough rope to explore, but she wouldn't let them get themselves hurt.

[Sam Turner]

Sam’s cheeks flushed, a mix of being touched and embarrassed that Kyle had noticed. It was exactly what she’d wanted—to play off a blush and have him think she was simply cold—but now she felt caught in a lie. She shook her head and forced a small smile. “Thanks, but I’m okay,” she said. Still, the idea of wearing something of his lingered at the back of her mind, making her heart race a little faster.

Sam quickly pushed the thoughts of Kyle’s offer aside, redirecting her focus to Henry as a way to shake the strange fluttering in her stomach. She was relieved by Henry’s answer about the centaurs and nodded approvingly, but his explanation of the meet-up schedule didn’t fully reassure her. Quidditch practice could be unpredictable, the Hogwarts Times was often chaotic, and the Frog Choir also met on weekends. Still, Sam could see how it might be worth the effort.

But when Kyle and the Gryffindor student brought up the risk of getting caught by Aurors or professors, Sam’s doubts resurfaced. “Wait, this isn’t approved?” she asked, her voice more skeptical than before. She wasn’t averse to bending the rules—she’d snuck around the grounds to visit the paddocks or wandered a little too close to the Forbidden Forest—but this felt different. It wasn’t just one person pushing the boundaries on their own; it was a group deliberately organizing something that, if caught, could have real consequences. She’d already had reservations about the club, and now it sounded even riskier than she’d thought. The whole idea was becoming harder to justify by the second.

[Kyle Winters]

Unconvinced by Sam’s words, Kyle motioned to his robes a second time in case she might change her mind, before dropping the matter with a shrug.

The other Gryffindor girl – the one he didn’t recognise – spoke up, indicating her interest despite having the same concern as Kyle. He chuckled when she said that she’d feign ignorance about the whole endeavour outside of the club’s activities. “So, the first rule of the Forbidden Forest Exploration Club is: you do not talk about the Forbidden Forest Exploration Club?” he surmised with a cheeky grin. Though most of the other students probably wouldn’t fully understand his words, it was such a perfect opportunity that he simply couldn’t resist.

When Missy revealed the reasons behind her interest in this seemingly-ill thought out venture, he half-nodded, understanding her point of view even if he didn’t fully agree. “I’m just as curious as to what will happen too,” he revealed, “but as fun as it might be to watch, I’d rather it not crash and burn, especially if I get myself involved.”

Turning his attention to the young boy – Henry Whitmore was his name, he gathered based on what he overheard from the other students – he listened intently as the Gryffindor presented his case. What he said seemed sound… start slow, make solid plans, don’t do stupid things like provoke the centaurs. But what was omitted was just as crucial, and the Gryffindor girl was quick to point out that the club probably didn’t have the backing from the school. “Probably not yet,” Kyle said after Sam voiced her concern, before addressing Henry. “Do you have any professors in mind to approach? Or is that not part of the plan?”

[Henry Whitmore]

Henry listened to the concerns with his usual level-headed patience, though he could already tell who was leaning in and who was pulling back. He expected hesitation—getting caught, dangerous creatures, the whole “bad idea” speech. But he wasn’t planning on running blind into the trees, and he wasn’t about to let them think that either. He was just enthusiastic to do something different, something 'real'.

He scanned around the crowd and took on board what they were saying. No true leader was great without the feedback.

"Alright, first off—no, the club isn’t approved, yet," he admitted, glancing at Kyle and Sam. "But I’ve got a meeting lined up with my Head of House, later today. I’m pitching it as an adventuring club—exploring the grounds, taking walks, getting people outside. All above board. If they sign off on it, perfect. If not… we’ll cross that bridge when we get there." His smirk hinted that he wasn’t too worried about that particular roadblock.

He exhaled, then let a small, knowing grin creep across his face. "I know some of you are still skeptical. That’s fair. But if you’re not at least a little curious—if you don’t feel even a little pull to see what’s out there—then this club probably isn’t for you." He let his gaze settle on the group.