Prof. Sky Alton

Curtain

Neighbour

8535

8522

8520

I slap Emerald because dang she earned so many points last term. Amazing work.

8518

Glass

Strange tendrils of steam curl through the air. The dungeon is alive with the sounds of chopping, pouring and grinding as everyone gets to work. You crowd a little closer to the fire under the nearest cauldron, aware of just how chilly it is down here tonight. The situation: An all-school potion challenge is underway. Everyone who wants to enter has been tasked with making a particular potion, chosen at random for each person. Are you here to show off your brewing prowess? Or just to watch the action? Location: You can only roleplay in the dungeon being used for the challenge. Take a look at the guidelines before diving in. Have fun!

We’re bidding farewell to one term and welcoming in the next, so it must be time to hand out some shiny awards! Before I do though, I’d like to take a moment to appreciate each and every lion who earned points, explored the castle or joined in here in The Den. It’s been a great term, full of individual achievements of all different kinds and you’ve all contributed massively to Gryffindor. Whatever you got up to, I hope you had a magical time! First up is the award for the person who earned the most house points in a term, the Platinum Quill. I’m delighted to award it to first year @Luna Lemongrass who has earned an incredible 1252 points in her first term at HOL! Tremendous work, Luna. Next up are those awards we hand out to the people (one Gryff, one guest) who have managed to collect the most rubies here in The Den during the term. The Phoenix award goes to the fabulous @Raevia Ward who has boldly leapt into the activities on offer this term and netted a very respectable haul of 264. Scooping himself yet another well-deserved Lionheart award is @Maxim Trevelyan of Ravenclaw with an astonishing 900. Well done, both! Then there are the awards decided by the Gryffindor staff: The Studious Simba is presented to someone for exemplary hard work in their classes. @Avery Hill is an exceedingly worthy winner for the autumn term with admirable efforts in all of the subjects they took on. The Curious Kitten is awarded to someone who has been a positive and uplifting presence around The Den. @Luna Lemongrass earns a second award for her irresistible cheeriness and eagerness to try things out (all while finding the time to earn all those points!) The Consistent Cub is awarded to someone who has been all over the castle, doing everything. @Kelly Hickory has truly demonstrated the adventurous spirit of Gryffindor this term by trying her hand at everything from department projects to HOL-wide activities. Now, let’s crack open the butterbeer!

Which are you taking? Class signups have just opened! Which did you pick? Are you struggling to narrow it down? Any you're particularly looking forward to taking? We'd love to know.

And the 10th and final question: In Sirius's note on the back of the enchanted mirror that he gifted to Harry, what did he say he and James used them for? Remember you have until tomorrow (30th January) at 11:59 PM HOL-time to get your answers in!

Question 9: What spell did Harry focus on for the first D.A session?

"I'm afraid you might have to leave it for another few hours," Sky says to Ailee, "I'm not sure any owl could manage it at the moment." She frowns up at the windows which are still being pelted with hailstones and then smiles at the first year sympathetically. "Is it a very important letter?"

Question 8: Name 2 varieties of Skiving Snackbox sweet.

Question 7: Ron was delighted when Hermione confiscated a joke item from a student because he'd always wanted one. What item was it? A. Fanged Frisbee B. Ever-Bashing Boomerang C. Nose-biting Tea Cup.

Question 6: What happened to someone who ate one of the custard cream biscuits enchanted by Fred and George in their 6th year?

Question 5: When Harry snuck into Hogsmeade for the first time, which shop did he arrive in first?

"You won't be interested in helping me get it all off again when the sun comes back out, then?" Sky asks with a smirk, accidentally on purpose smacking Sindor with the sodden end of her scarf as she takes it off. She bundles her gloves and scarf into her cloak pocket and peers around at the crowd. "This is surprisingly mellow, I have to say. I was expecting at least one duel and one spitball battle to have broken out by now."

Question 4: What did Lee Jordan levitate through the window of Professor Umbridge's office?

Happiest of birthdays to our very own prefect in charge. Ivey, Have a sensational day! I'll just go get the chocolate fountain going.

Question 3: Which hex did Professor Slughorn witness Ginny casting on the Hogwarts Express?

Aww, Luna, what a lovely gift! And all the more lovely for being such a surprise. I don't have any of the official wands either - I so wanted to get one when I was at King's Cross but I was trying to save up for something else at the time. I did make one in Prof Tarma's class though: it's silver birch, long and very slender with a slight bend in it. As for the characters, I second Sin that Luna's and Hermione's would be lovely to have but I think the one I really would want is Professor McGonagall's. When I did the photo booth at King's Cross, I used Sirius's which is very fun (so tactile!).

Question 2: When Harry was in his 5th year and entered Snape's memory of the marauders hanging out by the lake, what item was James playing with that he said he'd nicked?