Prof. Sky Alton

2020 is nearly at an end and so is the Autumn term. Most classes will have a final deadline of 15th January but make sure you double check yours so you know for certain when you need to get any last minute assignments sent in by. We're lagging a little behind in that cup race right now so let's start off 2021 right and snag a few extra points if we possibly can. :D If you signed up for Secret Elf, the deadline is drawing near! Remember to get your gift sent off to the organisers at the dedicated activity email before 11:59 PM HOL-time on the 31st of December. Land of the Sweets is also in full swing. Make sure you head over to the main forum to enjoy some of the sweet, festive goodness on offer before January 17th! Go go Gryffindor!

Sky lands lightly beside the gaggle of students. "Great to see you back, Manya," she smiles at the newly arrived first year. She gestures over her shoulder. "Some people are trying to set up a curling match over there if anyone's interested. It's this strange muggle sport."

Happy birthday, Rose! I hope you have a superb day full of magic and that you get many, many books.

Thank you all so much for your help! The staff and owls of the Hogsmeade Postal Service wanted me to pass on their heartfelt appreciation for all your efforts to make their lives easier during this flurry of activity. All rubies should have been awarded now. If you think there have been any miscalculations, just let me know. I hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable rest of the year and a promising start to 2021. Now, I'm off to deliver a few last minute letters....

You have just over 48 hours to turn in things for Owl Winter Long! We'll need everything signed, sealed and delivered by 11:59 PM HOL-time on December 20th.

The last parcel contains a pocket size mirror in a sparkly purple frame, a copy of 'Living and Thriving With Lycanthropy: 101 Ways to Support your Loved One' and a Weird Sisters T-shirt. Remember to get all your guesses in by 11:59 PM HOL-time on the 20th!

The penultimate parcel contains a single toothpick

Happy, happy birthday to Viola Lestrange! I hope you had a gryff-tastic day full of your favourite things.

The next parcel contains a hand knitted jumper with a pattern of flames, a batch of home made mince pies and a large tub of ointment for treating burns.

The 7th parcel contains a peacock feather quill, a packet of Twinkle Tooth's Dental Shimmer (For a Smile that Puts the Zing in Dazzling) and a mug that says 'World's greatest at everything'

The 6th package contains a recipe book and a tea towel celebrating Celestina Warbeck's latest 'Bewitching Ballard's' tour.

Package 5 contains a book entitled 'How to Train a Troublesome Toad' and a packet of very unusual seeds.

The Post Office likes to provide people with ways to make their parcels as special as possible. This is why they have an extensive range of magical wrapping paper available, with enchanting designs to suit all sorts of occasions and personalities. Show us two (2) samples of wrapping paper offered by the post office. You can do this one of two ways: 1. By describing them in at least 80 words. (that’s 80 in total, rather than per design) 2. By creating a graphic. Remember, this is magical wrapping paper so be as OTT as you like. You can also use spells to add some additional flare. It can be for any holiday or occasion that you like or be paper that could be used all year round. To earn 10 rubies, post your designs as a reply below. The deadline is 11:59 PM HOL-time on December 20th.

Tis the season for points opportunities! Over in the Departments, there are projects for the doing. The Art Department are giving you a chance to deck out your Common Room and have some fun in the wintery Hogwarts grounds. Over in the Library the talk has turned to Hogwarts traditions that we never saw in the books as well as those days where everything just seems to go wrong. Deadline: 31st December The HOL forum is hopping with new things to do! Remember you have a few more days to submit stuff for Creature Card Corral too (details above!). First up, we have the annual Secret Elf Present Exchange. You get to make a gift for another HOLer, receive one and earn points into the bargain? Who on earth wouldn’t want that? Head over to the HOL Forum to sign yourself up and quickly, you only have 2 days left! Sign up Deadline: 9th December Gifts Due: 31st December We’re also off on a magical adventure to the Land of the Sweets. Starting next week, all of HOL is invited to traverse a magical kingdom based on the Nutcracker to mark the winter solstice. Points, sweets and fun: this is another no brainer. You can head over there now to read more! Deadline: 17th January The Newspapers are also ready and waiting for submissions! First up, there’s the top secret issue of the SerpenTimes which I briefed you on last time. Sneak over to the Dungeons to see if you can get to the bottom of it! I heard whispers that there are 90 points available. Deadline: 15th January. And now our very own Paw Print has gotten in on the act. We’re going all mythical with an issue themed around Legends and Folklore. Stop by the Quivering Quill to find out more. There are 90 points up for grabs! Deadline: 24th January.

Package number 4 contains a wide range of different pairs of socks in eye-watering patterns.

Welcome to The Den, Remi! :)

Sky lightly kicks off from the ground and her broom rises gently into the icy air. She does a few circuits of the lake, her eyes streaming with cold. It seemed like such a good way to keep an eye on things to make sure nobody got into difficulty when she'd been nice and toasty by her office fire... She notices Maxim skating around with ease and skims low over the frozen surface of the lake to wave to him.

Our third package is a tin patterned with thistles and filled with ginger newt biscuits. Any idea who it's destined for?

Our second package is a very, very large box of Crystallised Pineapple. Know the recipient? Let us know.

You join the crowds streaming down the front steps, bundled up against the bitter north wind that seems determined to throw stinging snow into your face. Nobody seems to care: the whole school is abuzz with the news that the surface of the lake has finally frozen solid. The Situation: The lake has completely frozen over and people are heading down their for the afternoon to skate, throw snowballs and generally make the most of the cold weather. Wrap up warm, grab a flask of hot butterbeer and get going before you lose what’s left of the daylight. Location: You may roleplay anywhere on the lake itself and on the shores/the surrounding parts of the grounds. Make sure you've read the guidelines before jumping in. Have fun!

Draw up a chair and enjoy perusing the latest issue of our house newspaper. Our theme this time is patterns and rhythms. We've got fascinating pieces on music, poetry and astronomy, as well as some tasty recipes and much more besides. http://gryff.net/pawprint/issue/november-2020 Keep an eye on The Quivering Quill as we'll soon be opening submissions for the next issue.