Prof. Sky Alton

This time we're focusing on a spell commonly called 'The Thief's Friend'. The Unlocking Charm (Alohomora) is pretty useful as it let's you do away with keys and open a lock with a tap of your wand. However, there are locks which are proof against it thanks to a counter-spell, invented when a wizarding thief got a little over ambitious. For this task, we'd like to know the most interesting thing you've wanted to unlock. Alternatively, you could imagine that you've found a way to make alohomora work in spite of the counter-spell: what would you do with that discovery? Either way, explain your answers in a few lines for full credit. Post your responses below by 11:59 PM HOL-time on 29 June and earn 5 rubies.

Let's get colourful. The Colour change Charm (Incantation: colovaria) does exactly what it says on the tin. You can use it to change the colour of something, from an item to your own hair. There are two options for this task. For option 1, you can use the charm to put your own unique spin on this bowl of fruit. Remember: this charm let's you change something to any colour so there's no need to stick to natural colours. Original: https://i.postimg.cc/HLck3KPm/Bowl-of-Fruit-Coloring-Page.jpg Larger Image:https://i.postimg.cc/DfgnQnys/Bowl-of-Fruit-Coloring-Page.jpg Or for option 2, you can write a colourful quatrain (a poem of 4 lines). The only rules are that it must be 4 lines long and mention 4 different colours. The rest is up to you. Post your responses below by 11:59 PM HOL-time on 29 June to earn 5 rubies.

Onto the third spell, the Impervius Charm! Now, this one is very useful if you happen to be encountering some wild weather on the quidditch pitch. It allows you to waterproof the target so that it repels water and mist. It only works on water though - it doesn't protect from heat or solid objects. This task is really simple: just tell us in a few lines what object you would most like to make waterproof, why you chose it and how you'd use it. Post your responses below by 11:59 PM HOL-time on 29 June to earn 5 rubies.

Next up we're focusing on a curious (but rather useful) spell, the Disillusionment Charm. This spell causes the target to take on the colour and texture of its surroundings so that it becomes very difficult to spot. It's the closest many wizards will get to becoming truly invisible. It's a little unpleasant for the person being disillusioned though as it can feel like having an egg cracked over your head. Of course, wizards aren't the only creatures to have mastered camouflage. For this task, you have 2 options: 1. Find an animal that uses camouflage to survive and tell us about it in a few lines. 2. Create a quick camouflage collage from photographs of several animals showing off their camouflage skills. Post your responses below by 11:59 PM HOL-time on 29 June to earn 5 rubies.

And here we are, nearly at the end of the school year! The cup race is a nail-biter this time round. We're only slightly behind Slytherin right now - who knows what we might be able to achieve if everyone pulls together? Even if you can only do a little, every point in our house hourglass helps. Come on, lions, I know you can do it! My first piece of advice is to make sure you know when your last assignments are due. A lot of classes have a final deadline of June 15th but don't bank on it for all classes: some might be earlier and some might be later. Also, make sure you know what you need to do to earn a quill. Some classes will want more points than others and some will want you to complete certain things, like the final exam or project. Read those class websites carefully! Now, if you've finished your homework or need a break, there's plenty of other things going on... As I mentioned last time, the department projects finish up a little earlier in June to make sure there's time for the voting period before the end of term. If you head over to the Art Department, you'll find marvellous muggle inventions and the chance to advertise for your lost property al a Luna. Over in the Library, they're strutting the catwalk with a wizarding fashion review and popping to the shops, exploring new businesses on Diagon Alley. Deadlines: Art: 12 June Library: 14 June June would usually be no time for a nap but this time, you can earn points by heading off to Slumberland. Check out the Activities section over on the HOL Forum for a thrilling adventure beyond your wildest dreams. There are 80 points up for grabs! Deadline: 20 June. Finally, there's still two chances to get in touch with your inner Rita Skeeter (slightly more ethical journalists are available). The SerpenTimes is accepting submissions until the 15th with their theme of 'verdict'. Over in our own Quivering Quill forum, you'll find us hard at work creating a very wild issue of the Gryffindor Paw Print. You have until the 20th to join in on that. Both offer a maximum of 90 points! Deadlines: ST: 15 June PP: 20 June Let's go, Gryffindor, let's go!

The sun is hot on your face as you make your way down the gently sloping lawn. The lake is twinkling in the sunshine and the giant squid curls a languid tentacle above the surface (waving at you?). You can hear happy shrieks and the buzz of conversation: everyone is making the most of the good weather. The Situation Classes are over for the day and most of the school has headed out into the grounds to enjoy the summer sunshine. Will you head down to the lake for a paddle? Read under a tree? Or maybe have a fly in the very blue sky? The world’s your oyster. Location You can roleplay in and around the lake, as well as anywhere on the lawns (or in the sky above them). No straying into the forest though! Remember to have a read of the guidelines before diving in. Have fun!

Let's begin with one of the most handy spells out there. The summoning charm (incantation: accio) can be used to call a particular object to you. The object will fly through the air towards you at close to the speed of light. While you don't have to have eye contact with the object, it does have to be clear in your mind's eye and you do need to have a good idea of its general location. People can also sometimes notice objects whizzing through the air so be very careful you don't breach the Statute of Secrecy! For this task, we'd simply like to know what object you'd summon in this particular moment and why. There's no formal wordcount but you should justify your choice in two to three lines for full credit. You'll earn 5 rubies if you post your response below by 11:59 PM HOL-time on 29 June.

Welcome to Gryffindor’s very first Spell-ing Bee! Gather round, pull up a chair, grab yourself a goblet of iced pumpkin juice and get comfy. Now, before we get started, I should say that this isn’t going to be about correctly spelling words. This is a school of witchcraft and wizardry, after all! This event is all about actual spells. Charms, jinxes, incantations, wand movements - the whole kit and magical caboodle. Every 2 days, we’ll be putting up a small prompt to do with a particular spell. It could be a discussion, an opinion question, a short creative prompt, a colouring page or the like. I know you’re all busy with preparations for the end of term so nothing here will be at all difficult. This is just meant to be a bit of fun and a chance to show off your wand-waving prowess. All of the 14 prompts will be worth 5 rubies each. There’s a 10 ruby bonus if you manage to do them all so that’s 80 in total. Remember that we hand out trophies for the gryff and guest who earn the most rubies in a term! Everything is due on Tuesday 29 June at 11:59 PM HOL-time. If for accessibility reasons you have problems completing a task, just drop me a message and I’m sure we can work out an alternative that suits you. I think that’s everything. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get spellcasting!

Any questions? Ask them here and we'll get back to you ASAP! *If a spell has backfired or otherwise gone awry, I'd advise making a loud and panicked noise to attract my attention instead.

‘How rude!’ Sky shoots Maxim a wounded but dignified look. ‘and entirely accurate,’ she adds in an undertone. she glances regretfully at his list and then the chaos all around them. ‘ can’t help but wonder whether this was the best idea the staff has ever had...‘

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A very happy birthday to Raevia Ward! I hope it's a special one.

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