What in Merlin's Beard? Term 26 (2072-2073)

[demented_death_eater]

A bit confused about the plot? Housemates talking about a mysterious something going bump in the night? Here's where you can catch up on happenings around the Castle, Diagon Alley, and Hogsmeade -- out of character, of course.

This means that unless your student character heard this stuff from other students or witnessed the actual event, your student character doesn't know about it.

Also, this is a reminder to everyone to only post updates on the school plot here. Please do not post the happenings of your student character in here - that kind of chat goes in the school chat thread.

Have fun!

[demented_death_eater]

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster - Prof. Gaellen L. Tate (Cassirin)
Deputy Headmaster - Prof. Maximus O. Vindictus (demented_death_eater)

School Staff
Ancient Runes – Prof. Davina Markovic (Maxilocks)
Arithmancy - Prof. Josephina F. Hadley (Orchideae)
Astronomy - Prof. Risu Antares (Antarctica!)
CoMC - Prof. Maya Saylen (Luna Laufghudd)
Charms - Prof. Alexia A. Carlton (Anna Banana)
DADA - Prof. Gaellen L. Tate (Cassirin)
Divination - Prof. Nolan M. Reynolds (Miss Lissy Lou)
Flying - Prof. Maximus O. Vindictus (demented_death_eater)
Herbology - Prof. Sage A. Dodson (Waterloo)
History of Magic – Prof. Sylvie-Renée Welton (DH Vixen)
Muggle Studies – Prof. Jeremy Zookara (Lislchen)
Potions - Prof. Hecate S. Lefay (Droo)
Transfiguration - Prof. Preston A. Kingsley (AmbiguouslyMe)

Groundskeeper - Mr. Constantine Masterson (Tailzerr)
School Healer (Nurse) – Ms. Lilyan C. Moretti (Colley ♥)
Librarian – Ms. Kimber L. Donovan (Liisa)
School Poltergeist - Peeves
School Ghost - Moaning Myrtle

Head Boy – Oliver Greenwood (noodles)
Head Girl – Sarah R. Griffin (MeredithRodneyMcKay)

Durmstrang Headmaster - Jozef Žitnik
Durmstrang Students - Vladimir Petrov, Nikolai Ognian, Danika Malik, Aleksandra Miroslav

Beauxbatons Headmistress - Maximillienne Enzo
Beauxbatons Students - Jermaine Rousseau, Noel Laurent, Monique Bernard, Brielle Lambert


Gryffindor
House Ghost - Sir "Nearly Headless" Nick
Head of House - Prof. Alexia A. Carlton (Anna Banana)
House Moderator - Mrs. Kimber L. Donovan (Liisa)
House Prefects - Brant DeVaice (☆Grrr..Meow☆), Cameron Caddock (Lexers)

Hufflepuff
House Ghost - The Fat Friar
Head of House - Mr. Constantine Masterson (Tailzerr)
House Moderator - Ms. Lilyan C. Moretti (Colley ♥)
House Prefects – Lorelai Bristol (Shanners), Cedric Leone (Wenzlebug)

Ravenclaw
House Ghost - The Grey Lady
Head of House - Prof. Maximus O. Vindictus (demented_death_eater)
House Moderator - Prof. Preston A. Kingsley (AmbiguouslyMe)
House Prefects - Miles Vorkosigan (Cinn-O-Bun), Nia Newtington (hermygirl)

Slytherin
House Ghost - The Bloody Baron
Head of House - Prof. Prof. Hecate S. Lefay (Droo)
House Moderator - Prof. Sage A. Dodson (Waterloo)
House Prefects - Raiden Kururugi (Ameh), Iris Beaumont (Nixy!)

Gobstones - Prof. Risu Antares (Antarctica!), Ms. Kimber L. Donovan (Liisa)

[BanaBatGirl]

The traditional Start of Term Feast got off to an interesting beginning with some foreign arrivals in the Entrance Hall.

Then, Headmaster Tate explained the reason for their presence and made an exciting announcement at the feast: Hogwarts will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament this term!

Quote:

Tate waited for the other Heads to have a seat before he raised his hands to get the attention of the students. "I have just a few words for you... we're starting later than usual due to the magnificent entrances of our guests. Obviously, this term is going to be busy and quite exciting. I hope you'll make our guests welcome, and I hope you will take an opportunity to get to know them and to learn more about their cultures. Headmaster Zitnik and Headmistress Enzo have traveled a great distance with their four champions, and we are pleased to have them."

He waited a moment before continuing. "Our own champions will be selected very soon. Sometime in the next few days, the Goblet of Fire will be set up in the Entrance Hall. Any student who will be turning 17 during this school year is eligible to put their name into the Goblet, which will select four Hogwarts candidates from that pool. By putting your name in the Goblet, you acknowledge the understanding that you are putting yourself into peril. I don't intend anyone to die... but it happens. An age line will be set up around the Goblet, as per usual, to repel anyone not old enough."

Another pause. "I regret to inform the students that Quidditch will be suspended for the term, but we hope to resume it next term. On that cheery note, I welcome all our new students and staff members, bid you eat and drink while the food is abundant, and then... to bed!" He clapped and the tables were suddenly laden with food. The feasting could begin.

Students whose birthdays fall before June 30, 2056 can place their names in the Goblet of Fire.

Students who are too young should be prevented from entering by the Age Line around the Goblet.


Looks to be a good term, eh? Now let's show the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students what Hogwarts is made of!

[Zellanna]

The Champions have been picked! Congratulations!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

"Attention!" Tate approached the Goblet, stepping easily over the Age Line. He was over 17 for reals. "The time has come for the Goblet to share all of it's secrets with us."

He picked up the cup and held it over his head, as if wielding a sword. "Eyes on me, and we'll begin." Tate set the cup back on the dais, watching as the flame burst high, sparkling dark flames. One by one, slips of paper flew from the Goblet of Fire, and Tate caught each in turn and read it out loud.

"Brielle Lambert, Beauxbatons."

"Danika Malik, Durmstrang."

"Raiden Kururugi, Hogwarts."

"Aleksandra Miroslav, Durmstrang."

"Miles Vorkosigan, Hogwarts."

"Noel Laurent, Beauxbatons."

"Monique Bernard, Beauxbatons."

"Vladimir Petrov, Durmstrang."

"Duncan Fletcher, Hogwarts."

"Nikolai Ognian, Durmstrang."

"Jermaine Rousseau, Beauxbatons."

"Cameron Caddock, Hogwarts."

[BanaBatGirl]

Headmaster Zitnik has been meeting with his champions (in the dungeons and by a statue) and giving them instructions to discover their opponents' weakness.

He has also told them to spend more time in the DADA training room.

[Wenzlebug]

As a perfect indication of the official start of the TWT, the traditional
Wand Weighing Ceremony is taking place at the Second Floor, giving the champions not only the privilege to have their wands checked by a renowned wandmaker but also the chance to mingle with the other champions, judges, professors, headmasters, and the press people.

[MeredithRodneyMckay]

The Press Conference for the TriWizard Champions has started!

Quote:

Another part of the Ceremony is where various journalists and photographers will be conversing with the champions from each of the three schools and getting to know them. This is where the Press will be meeting with the champions and asking them questions, or snapping photos, for use in their respective publications.

OOC: Please note that only the selected representatives from the Quill and DP are authorized to post here. Additionally, judges, staff, wandmaker and champions also can post here.

[Ashwinder]

The votes are in!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

"Attention, please! I am ready to reveal to you which champions will be moving on to the second task, which is slated to begin in the very near future. Those champions who were not selected to move on are encouraged to stay on and continue to cheer for their classmates. We thank you for your participation in this event."

"The points were out of 150, with 50 possible from each Headmaster. A reminder that the points are going to be combined in the next task, so the three who move on to the final task will have the highest point totals from both tasks one and two. If you aren't confused yet... well, I'm frankly shocked. And now... champions moving on to Task 2 are:

Raiden Kururugi with 146 points
Noel Laurent with 146 points
Aleksandra Miroslav with 144 points
Duncan Fletcher with 142 points
Nikolai Ognian with 139 points
Monique Bernard with 139 points."

Congratulations!

[demented_death_eater]

The results of Task 2:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Tate waited while the judges once again conferred. They were getting to a sticky spot in the competition, where it was clear each judge wanted to favor their own champions and were unhappy each time someone fell out of the top selections. This was another round of eliminations with only three continuing onward, and the discussion took even longer this time than last time.

Finally, Tate was able to step forward to make the announcement. "Attention, students. I have the results for this round. After much discussion, we have assigned points to this task. I will announce the top three scores, from task 1 and 2 combined, in just a moment. Those three will continue on to the next and final challenge.

"I'm happy to announce that our top three challengers are:

Raiden Kururugi with 291 points
Noel Laurent with 287 points
Duncan Fletcher with 285 points."

Congratulations!

[demented_death_eater]

The results of Task 3 and the winner of the Triwizard Tournament:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Whew. The debate had been so heated this time, and it took quite a long time for the three judges to come to an understanding. Of sorts. It had been a very tight race.

Finally, Tate moved to the front of the crowd and held up his hands for attention. "The last task was hotly contested, but we have finally come to a decision. First, let me say that all 12 of our champions were amazing, and that our final three have performed admirably all through the tournament. I'm proud of how everyone has behaved and competed, and I hope we will have an equally amazing tournament in a few years."

He waited a moment to be sure everyone was hearing before continuing. "I'm proud to announce that this year's Triwizard Champion, with a total of 382 points, is Duncan Fletcher. The final scores were closely contested, with Raiden Kururugi receiving 373 points and Noel Laurent receiving 366 points. Please join me in a round of applause for all our champions."

Before anyone could really begin to clap, Tate raised his hand one last time. "And in honor of our champion and really... all the champions, we will be holding the awarding of the Triwizard Cup at an End of Term costume ball. Get your costumes ready, and we will be celebrating in style in a few days. And now... our champion."

There was much cheering mixed with sighs of relief as the tournament ended with absolutely no casualties. The costume ball that followed was enjoyed by all of the students, including the champions from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons.

When the fun ended, students went back to their studies and suddenly it was time for the dreaded OWL and NEWT exams.

[demented_death_eater]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Tate heaved to his seat and held up his hands for silence. "Students... as our term once again draws to a close, I would like to congratulate you on yet another term in which no one died. I think we must have some sort of record, don't you? That being said, we must again throw our congratulations to the Triwizard Champion, Mr. Duncan Fletcher, who represented our school with dignity, honor, and courage. A hearty congratulations to him, and to all those privileged to represent their schools this term. Thank you to the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang visitors. We look forward to future tournaments at your schools."

Tate waited for clapping for the champions to subside before continuing. "I believe we must once again congratulate our Slytherin friends for winning the house cup. Their hard work this term, as well as continued drive for excellence, has earned them a significant lead. Great work to you, Slytherin students."

"And now, I must wish you all good night and good term. You will be heading home soon... very soon... and you have a few short months to enjoy the summer weather and being home. To our seventh years, we wish a fond farewell and good luck for the future. And to everyone else, I hope you'll stay safe, and we will see you in the fall."

Headmaster Tate has delivered his speech at the End of Term Feast.