HM Hendrik stands at his podium as he begins explain how the first task is to be run...

"Greetings to all House Champions, I hope you all have rested well and are prepaired for the first task. I would like to go over some of the rules specific for this task.

This task will be played very much like a Quidditch match, questions will be asked and the first House team member to answer the question correctly will recieve credit for the question. However, points will not be assigned to each question. The judging will be determined on how well each House participates.

Once a question has been answered, that question is done. We will not be returning to previous questions at any point during the task. Let's say Ravenclaw answers a question and a few minutes later Slytherin finds a more detailed answer and decides to post it in hopes of gaining more credit for that question. Slytherin's posted answer is void and only Ravenclaws answer is counted. I would suggest that everyone considers each question very carefully and answer it to the best of their ability and with the greatest amount of detail as possible.

To make this task exciting, we will be looking for speed as well. The faster you answer a question, the better (as long as it is the correct answer).

Questions will come from anywhere there is information on the subject, so this should really tax you knowledge of the subject. Questions will NOT only be from one source (OOC: Internet search will be vital to this task, answers will not only come from the HP Universe).

You are free to discuss the answers as a group and post as a group but remember that the first answer is the only one that counts. I would also suggest that you do not discuss your answers here in this task, perhaps sending owls to each other or even a place in your common rooms would suffice. Discussing your answers here could tip the scale for another House by giving them ideas on how to answer the questions.

Finally, if there is any confusion with how this task is to be run, keep your question brief and post them in here or send me an owl. I do not want this task turning into a chat forum.

The judges for this task will be myself, Professor Shrine, Professor Phoenix, and Professor Dainsie. Questions from any one of the judges are valid. Once the task is completed, we will be posting the official scoring of the task.

Good luck to everyone!"