Prof. Maxim Trevelyan

Approved Nina johnson - First Year

Approved Clara Raye - First Year Note: I have capitalized the first letter of your surname as well, so keep that in mind when signing in.

People who caught all the fish are... River Fenwick Luna Ravenlong

Approved Sita Raan - Hufflepuff Visitor

Thank you to all who participated in the activity! Below you can find the rubies that will be added to your profile soon! Adeline Morior - 80 Emerald Wolvenhowl - 10 Galena May - 180 Ivy Grey - 70 River Fenwick - 180

People who turned in a correct solution are: River Fenwick Galena May

People who turned in a correct solution are: River Fenwick Galena May

The golden afternoon sun dips low over Trope Village, casting long, cinematic shadows across the cobblestone streets. Tourists bustle about, stuffing last-minute souvenirs into over packed bags. You join them, overburdened suitcase dragging behind you, trudging toward the departure station. You pause, as so many times, at the Shopping Area, your gaze lingering on a window display labeled 'Limited Edition Trinkets'. A gaudy, glittering snow globe sits prominently in the center, its tiny glass orb swirling with a miniature recreation of the Trope Village. But as you turn to leave, the shopkeeper, a sprightly old woman in an intricate shawl catches your arm with an unnervingly knowing smile. “Funny thing about those snow globes,” the shopkeeper says in a voice too casual to be actually casual. “Sometimes they show more than just memories. Sometimes... they hint at what’s yet to come.” You try to pull away, but your gaze darts back to the swirling snow globe. Is that... a figure? No, two figures, faintly visible in the whirl. And isn’t that the Waterfront? And a glowing light that looked suspiciously like... “Careful, dear,” the shopkeeper says, her grin widening. “Wouldn’t want to stumble into a prologue without proper notice.” You blink and want to ask what she means, but the shopkeeper is already retreating into the shadows of her shop. Shaking your head, you hurry on, trying to ignore the faint tug of curiosity. But as you reach the edge of the village, the snow globe's faint glow follows you, tucked into your bag despite no memory of buying it. The train’s whistle blows, and as it pulls away from Trope Village, a curious shimmer hovers on the horizon, a shape barely discernible, yet filled with the undeniable promise of... something. Something that, no matter how hard you will try to resist, will definitely lure you back. Find the sequel books in the word search below. Click here for a bigger picture. Send your solution to me by 11:59 pm HOL-time on 31st December to earn 10 rubies.

The sun is setting over Trope Village, casting its golden rays over the waterfront and painting the Culinary Zone’s glimmering rooftops with the perfect photo-worthy glow. In the middle of the bustling Entertainment Space, you sit at a table strewn with half-eaten fries and a mocktail that had long since melted into sugary sludge. “I should really write a book about this,” you mutter, scribbling furiously into a spiral notebook. Your pen darts across the page as you attempt to capture the chaos of the whole vacation. “Or at least a blog.” “This place is bananas,” you say to yourself, smiling despite the madness. “But who wouldn’t want to relax where you are the main character?” You tap the pen on the page. “Right. Chapter One: There and back again...” Make a book cover for a book based on your vacation in Trope Village. You can do that either as a graphic (in which case, make it 600x600 pixels maximum please!) or by describing it in at least 100 words. Post your book covers below by 11:59 pm HOL-time on 31st December to earn 10 rubies.

It started innocently enough. You had joined a guided stroll along Trope Village’s scenic Nature Trail, charmed by the perfectly misted leaves and improbably photogenic, and unafraid, wildlife. The group, a mix of families, solo adventurers, and that one guy who definitely wasn’t dressed for hiking, ambles through the woods, led by Mary Sue. “Ah, and here we are,” she chirps as the trail opened into a clearing with an impossibly picturesque view of the valley below. “The Heart of Harmony Glade!” You pause. Something about the name sounds...suspicious. “Everyone take a deep breath,” the Mary Sue continues. “Doesn’t this spot just move you? Doesn’t it inspire you to, oh, I don’t know, sing?” Your heart sinks. This is it. You all walked straight into a musical trap. Sure enough, a man with a guitar appears seemingly out of thin air, strumming an overly cheerful chord progression. You exchange wary glances with a fellow hiker who looks just as trapped. Around you, the other tourists are already swaying as if hypnotized by the opening notes. Mary Sue claps her hands, her smile as wide as the sky. “Let’s make some music, folks! Everyone, join in! The words will come to you... like magic!” And they do. Against all reason or personal dignity, you feel your lips moving. Write at least ten lines of a song, continuing from the post before you. Follow the general story woven through the posts and keep it HOL appropriate. Post your songs below by 11:59 pm HOL-time on 31st December to earn 10 rubies. Start: We came to walk, but we found the beat, Hearts in rhythm, moving our feet, The trees are swaying, they feel it too, Under this sky, it’s me and you, In the glade, we’ll sing it through!

The scent of sesame and soy sauce wafts through the Culinary Zone of Trope Village, as tourists shuffle into Mystic Morsels, a dimly lit eatery renowned for its over-the-top fortune cookies. You sit at the center of the bustling dining room, your plate now clear except for a single golden cookie. The waiter, clad in robes that give off mysterious sage vibes, raises a knowing eyebrow. “Your fortune awaits,” he intones dramatically, as though the fate of the entire village hinges on the crack of that cookie. You hesitate, smirking at the absurdity. “Let me guess,” you pick up the cookie. “Something about an unexpected journey or finding inner strength?” The waiter only tilts his head cryptically, and you break the cookie in two. The paper slides out easily, the words inked in bold: "Beware the stranger who knows your name." Your smirk falters as you flips it over. “That’s... oddly specific.” You glance nervously at the waiter, who is now staring with a bit too much intensity. “Fortunes don’t lie,” he says with a slow smile before turning and vanishing into the crowd. Solve the cryptogram below and read yourself a fortune. Click here for a bigger picture. Send your solution to me by 11:59 pm HOL-time on 31st December to earn 10 rubies.

People who turned in a correct solution are: River Fenwick Galena May Adeline Morior Ivy Grey

People who turned in a correct solution are: River Fenwick Galena May Adeline Morior

The air in Trope Village’s Culinary Zone is alive with mouthwatering scents and the soft clinking of glasses. Tourists, you among them, flock to the cobblestone streets, sampling delicacies from charming food stalls and elegant cafes. You find yourself drawn to the glowing marquee of Eccentric Eats Emporium. Inside, the place is buzzing with chatter and clinking silverware. Your stomach growls. A waiter with an impressively twirled mustache approaches. He raises an eyebrow. “Ah, a newcomer! Welcome. May I tempt you with today’s specials?” You hesitate, but nod, curious. “Excellent choice. Today, we have our signature Choco-Chili Mac and Cheese, where sweet meets spicy in a battle for your taste buds.” He leans in conspiratorially. “Or perhaps you’d prefer the Peanut Butter Sushi Rolls, a union of creamy and savory and a personal favorite of mine.” You blink, unsure if this is all some elaborate joke. You finally manage to speak. “Are these… edible?” The waiter smirks. “Not just edible, my friend, memorable. Here at Eccentric Eats Emporium, we believe in challenging the boundaries of what food should be. Sometimes, the strangest combinations unlock the most extraordinary flavors.” Taking a deep breath, you pick up the menu. “Alright, I’ll try…” Provide a recipe for a dish you (or someone you know) love to make. Write up the recipe in your own words (so do not just copy-paste it from the internet) and tell us what substitution or addition you make to the dish that is uncommon, but you love nonetheless. The whole post needs to be at least 100 words. Post your recipes below by 11:59 pm HOL-time on 31st December to earn 10 rubies.

You take a break from all the shopping in a lovely picturesque cafe. You are sitting at a table sipping on a latte, blissfully unaware of the weirdness unfolding around you. Across from you, two somethings sit nervously, exchanging cryptic whispers. One of them was wearing what could only be described as a clumsy disguise of oversized sunglasses, a too-tight blazer, and a clearly too-human wig. The other was wearing a sequined jumpsuit. In broad daylight. Bold choice. Before you can ask the usual v question, “Hey, are you lost?”, the sequined jumpsuit alien leaned in conspiratorially. “We need your help,” they say, voice dripping with an accent that definitely wasn't from around here. “We are planning... the takeover.” They gesture vaguely at the sky. “We are totally not alien overlords, trust us, no extra eyes or ray guns... well, maybe one ray gun, but that's just for defense!” After some minutes of conversation, they tell you that they are looking for some real, but relatively harmless semi-known non-exotic location to launch an invasion from. They forewent cities like New York, London, Tokyo, and Paris since it is easier to secretly invade somewhere out of the way than trying to blow up The Buckingham Palace, which the whole world will notice. You are trying to weasel out of the conversation so that you will not be the sole cause of Earth being taken over by aliens. You do that by talking about one of the most lauded Earth's captains who will surely lead the fight against any invading alien forces. Solve the fallen letters puzzle below. Click here for a bigger picture. Send your solution to me by 11:59 pm HOL-time on 31st December for 10 rubies.