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Gryffindor Common Room

Amy Darvill

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Everything posted by Amy Darvill

  1. Rosemary is a perennial evergreen herb, characterized by woody stalks and needle pointed leaves, though it also blooms small flowers that can be any variety of colors. It's native to the Mediterranean region. It's name means 'dew of the sea', which is quite lovely and a bit odd considering it tends to prefer more arid conditions. While the first mentions of Rosemary are found on stone tablets dating back to 5000 BCE, it's usage started to really grow during the Greek/Roman era. Greek botanist Pedanius Dioscorides even mentioned it in his De Materia Medica, one of the most influential herbal medical books ever written. From them, it went to China during the Han dynasty, and to England, where it would later become of their premier herbs, dominating medical texts in the 1300s and 1400s. And now today, it has an almost global superstar reputation, particularly in the kitchen. As mentioned, Rosemary, particularly the leaves, are widely used in cooking, particularly of Mediterranean dishes and with lamb and meat dishes. The leaves can be crushed or cut, or even left whole. Some chefs even use the a whole stalk to impart the flavor. It's also been used to make teas and perfumes. In fact, one of the oldest perfumes known as Hungary water, was made from distilled rosemary. Rosemary has also been widely used in medicinal ways, from sharpening the mind to curing the heart and many other cures through out history. Rosemary also carries a lot of symbolic messages. Not only was it considered sacred to Venus and Aphrodite, it's had a long tie to remembering death and those we have lost to it. From the ancient Egyptians, who used it in their burial rites, to Shakespheare's Hamlet, to even today where it's used in war commemorations and funerals. In Australia, they often wear a sprig of it for Anzac Day and even Remembrance Day. I would dare say Rosemary has earned the title of King Herb.
  2. My first wrapping paper would be plain white on the outside until you started to rip it open. It would then start to have ribbons of various colors throughout until the item was fully unwrapped and then it would burst into confetti and shower the person. This would be especially great for birthdays or graduation presents since it's quite celebratory. My other wrapping paper would be solely for the winter holidays. A simple blue and white stripe design, but while you're holding/unwrapping it, it makes a snow globe effect around you, complete with falling snow. And unlike my last design, as soon as you crumple the paper up, the effect ends without any snow on the ground. Completely tidy, so you can have your fun without the house-elves having a fit!
  3. I decided that post office nests are nice, but they are a bit...standardizied. And just like we customize our own dorm rooms, so should the owls get to customize their own space! So to that end I've provided colored twine and ribbons, fresh pine needles, and even some flowers (both fake and real) for each owl to customize to their heart's content. I've also brought a few wreaths to help festoon the post office for the humans coming in the space as well.
  4. Oooh, so many lovely gifts! It's so hard to choose but I think I shall choose Wil Lestrange. Right now it's fall and there are so many lovely leaves I would wish to preserve. And part of me wants to test the limits of what the box can save or preserve for me. So Wil is our king now. *takes the gift and curtseys, passing the crown to Wil*
  5. I would like to trade my red shield for something yellow, please.
  6. Fluffy the Fractious What about Buckbeak?
  7. It is now 'improvised weapon jousting' and points are awarded for creativity in finding a new weapon out of common supplies. Oh dear, some of the house elves have gotten into the butterbeer and are making a ruckus while the King is trying to make a speech. How can we calm them down?
  8. Peeves the Puckish What about the Bloody Baron?
  9. I chose to go a different route. This is Gryffindor's festival, after all, perhaps the dancers should reflect more of that. So I went for a warrior/ranger inspired look since the first thing I think of when I think of bravery is warriors. Obviously, true metal armor would be a bit heavy, so instead the jacket reflects those lines, especially with how it buttons up like an officer's coat. There's a little shoulder capelet, again tying into a warrior (duelist in this case), but also adding a bit of flounce for when they do their spins and skips. I raised the skirts to be knee-high so there's less of a tripping hazard with them but kept it full for again flounce reasons. Flounces are very important. I also added leather boots that are flat for comfort and ease of movement. Finally, I added in bracers on the wrist, again tying into the warrior vibe as well as adding shine. There's also a circlet for them to wear, which is really there for shine. I also suggest a braid to wear their hair in, as I used to find them comfortable and convenient and they have a bit more flair than just a ponytail. Plus, even modern-day warrior women tend to wear their hair closer to their head.
  10. Vincent Crabbe the Conflagrant. What about Gregory Goyle?
  11. Squirrels happen to be very easily distracted. So using an enchanted pipe to call them away, we can essentially "Pied Piper' back into the forest. And maybe make sure to throw some acorns or other food in their direction as well. It is autumn after all, so they're trying to store up for winter! However, I noticed there's an awful lot of the flags being turned green and silver. Are the Slytherins trying to prank us?
  12. I aim for the Gryfftoberfest Flag
  13. I would like one scarf, please.
  14. I aim for the pair of slippers this time.
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