Sufficiently lint-rolled and marginally exhausted, Thornton walked into the room, hard-earned permission slip in hand. It had been.. a challenge trying to explain via owl that this was an academic excursion for class.

Stepping up to the front of the room, Thornton held up the piece of parchment granting Father's begrudging permission to leave the grounds. "I'm looking forward to our trip, Professor," he said, turning it over.

Grabbing his envelope and a pamphlet, Thornton moved away from the front to leave room for others to arrive. He looked at the board again, then down at the envelope in his hand, wondering if they were permitted to open it.

Unsure, he did nothing, and instead stood near the edge of the room, waiting for the portkey time to come.