What is that tall, slightly oblong thing rising behind the Hippogriff riding? Well, from a distance, it looks like something a giant would stick into the earth: half of a volcano, or a mountain. But despite the fairy tale mania going on around school, fee-fie-foe-fum has nothing to do with this chunk of rock. Instead, it is a rock climbing wall, approximately 10 ½ meters tall.

The house leaders have painted the individual hand and foot holds to be the four house colors: red, yellow, green, and blue, each marking a similarly difficult “route” to the top of the wall. This way, if one wants to race someone of a different house, they can race side by side. At the top is a button, charmed to make a dinging sound back at the ground, where prefects are standing and timing the race. The winner will receive a candy from the bucket next to the rock wall.

However, the climbing isn’t just for racing. People who simply want to see everyone from a higher point or try by themselves are welcome to do so, and will have the support from the prefect attendants.

Remember, safety first. No pushing or pulling is allowed on the rock wall, and the surrounding area has been charmed with the charm put on quidditch pitches, so anyone who falls will fall in slow motion.

Have fun with scaling the wall or simply watching.