06-24-2022, 01:56 AM
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 The Festival of Lights
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS It was early February, and the cold winter winds still shrilled through the Forest and into the cracks and crevices of the castle. The once pure white snow had been trodden and sleeted on and made dingy with firesmoke. Tapio always felt that this time of year, when the midwinter holidays were firmly in the past and spring seemed still very far away, just cried out for a party. And so he decided to throw one. But what kind of party?
He still remembered the fine time he'd had at the Amsterdam Light Festival, which he had attended with his entire family back in December. The city's buildings and canals, lighted everywhere with all the different light scrulptures and installations, were truly magical (and if a few wizarding art pieces were smuggled into the mix, the Muggles never noticed). There was an idea! Why not have a Festival of Lights right here at Hogwarts? A few simple charms could create something quite festive...
And so, on the appointed evening, any Hogwarts residents who made their way out to the Greenhouses were greeted by buildings and trees outlined with sparkling fairy lights. Shining globes floated through the trees and along the paths, which were outlined with gleaming golden globes. Beams of colored lights shot up into the air to create a rainbow effect over Greenhouse Five, where the refreshment tables were set up, filled with urns of hot cocoa, mulled cider, and a sweet, spiced milk drink called slemp, as well as all sorts of sweets and pastries. In addition to the usual cakes and cookies that the Hogwarts House Elves were famous for, there were also some special treats that Professor DeVries had arranged for--apple fritters, spice cookies and almond cookies, thin pancakes rolled up and sprinkled with powdered sugar, marziepan, and small, round doughnuts. And if you're not too busy stuffing your face, you might notice a number of large, covered baskets up against the greenhouse wall, with a faint glowing coming from inside...
No need to fear the cold--the entire area is covered with warming charms. So come on up, leave your hats and scarves and cloaks on one of the floating branches that serve as coatracks, and help yourself to some treats. Stroll along the lighted paths and enjoy the light show! (But no sneaking off into the Forbidden Forest--Professor DeVries will be watching.) [OOC: So, feel free to rp your character(s) arriving, getting some food, admiring the lights, greeting each other, and walking along the paths. There will be more activities later, so stay tuned. |