As a special welcome back and orientation event, the Ministry of Magic department heads thought up something really magical this year. If you’ve been to Greenhouse One on Level 4 before, you might notice quite a few things looking different tonight as you walk in through the door. While the greenhouse is still lined with a wide selection of plants, the paths leading between them have been cleared. Instead of the usual carts with botany and research supplies, small tables have been set up for people to enjoy their food and drinks and perhaps even a lovely chat with a coworker.

And of course it’s hard to miss the star of the evening, the centerpiece if you will. In case you have a green thumb or are just really into botany in theory, you might have recognized the enormous flower in the middle of the room - one that looks JUST about ready to bloom. A Corpse Flower is being showcased in the middle of the room, surrounded by some minimalistic decorations and a very big, very obnoxious DO NOT TOUCH sign. A small plaque near the flower informs you of just how rarely one gets a chance to see it in bloom. Which is why DERP, along with the rest of the department heads, have invited everyone to bear witness to this very special occasion.

Seeing as DERP are not the most trustworthy bunch (with good reason, remember that expedition to Hogwarts a few years ago? Yeah, they still weren’t fully past that), they have made sure to put up protective spells around each and every plant inside the greenhouse and have furthermore securely locked the doors leading to the other greenhouses. There will be no sneaking off or touching of any of the plants, be that magical or mundane. If you try, you will regret it.

But other than that, have fun! There’s plenty of food and drinks and the ambience is amazing. And let’s not forget the big reveal that is supposed to happen around halfway through the orientation event: watching the large flower spread its petals and thus spread joy amongst everyone lucky enough to be there. So stay, have a drink, talk to some of your coworkers. It will be a while until you’ll be allowed in here again.