Janelle smiled at Adi. He understood how she felt and somehow that made her feel better. She wished she was at home with her family right now. Since she couldn't be, she might as well make the best of things here.

Could she bake. Janelle had to laugh at that. "Bake? Oh no, I can't bake at all. Jasmine's the baker in the family..........and my mom. That gene must have skipped me completely." Everything Janelle had tried to bake had ended up a disaster. Adi was suggesting they bake? "Well if you are brave and up for an adventure, I'll give it a try. I will need some serious coaching though." That was an understatement. This was going to be really funny.

As Janelle tried to wrap her mind around the idea of baking, she felt something land on her face. Looking up, she saw that it was snowing? Well that was different.

Bleu knew she was late but looking this cute took time. She was really hoping to see Dylan for more than 5 minutes tonight, so she had to be the cutest she could possibly be for the Christmas Feast.

When she walked into the Great Hall, she gasped in awe. The decorations were beautiful...and it was snowing. She just loved magic. She grinned to herself as she walked towards the tables and found an empty seat. It seemed like this would be a wonderful night!

Kaycee smiled. "Oh yeah. Definitely." she said nodding seriously. "There is no think about it. I was totally doing that."

In fact, maybe she'd do it in her next class. For the lulz.

"From anyone. Love letters are fun." she said with a shrug. He had a lot of questions, didn't he? She kept munching on the roll and nodded in agreement. Yes. Food was important.

She looked up at the ceiling after he did. She couldn't help but smile. BIG. THATWASSOCOOL. She was hypnotized for awhile before the next question.

"I mean, I kind of have to if I come across any." Twas the law or something.

Tia glanced above her as she noticed an owl flapping its wings excessively above her head, before landing in front of her. Mail? Well that was kind of surprising. Mostly because she'd completely forgot about the secret santa letters. Taking the envelope with her name on it, she smiled appreciatively before digging into her pocket to see if there was something for the owl. Not an owl treat per say, but just a granola bar. Unwrapping it, she broke off a piece and held it out for the creature to take. "It's all I got, but thanks."

And fanned herself lightly with the envelope, wanting to open it and see what was written, but not wanting to be rude and seem too eager. She could wait.

Fortunately for her, SNOW started to fall from the ceiling right then. She wouldn't want to dampen her precious secret letter with the snow, so even more of an excuse to wait to see what was inside.

Not to mention a young first year was standing beside her and gesturing to a spot next to her. She was fairly sure she recognized the first year as a girl Sophie had worked with in a lesson before, but for some reason her mind was blanking on a name. Eva, maybe? "Not at all," Tia smiled encouragingly at the girl. But then she asked the question she hoped no one would notice; obvious fail there. "I'm just ... I'm not really in a talking mood, I guess." If she was being honest though, she was rarely in a talking mood. "I guess I'm just savoring the moment of peace, but I should probably get up and mingle soon." Cause apparently people at Hogwarts started to worry if someone was in solitude too long. "Don't know that I've ever properly met you, by the way. I'm Tia."

Or maybe she didn't have to get up and mingle, cause starting a party over by the fire was apparently attractive to not one, but two gryffindors. Turning slightly to see a familiar third year, Sophie because it was her housemates name, who also happened to be a friend and head girl, she smiled at the third year.

"Hey, Sophie." Tia replied, " It's barely begun but the festivities are brilliant! Hogwarts always does quite the wondrous job when it comes to holidays and feasts. I'm kind of looking forward to the break though. Can't believe it's been three months already!" Before she knew it she was going to be in her final year of Hogwarts and then done.

"You enjoying yourself? I wonder if there's some hot cocoa out..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Narrator

As you sit at the feast table, feasting on the food and conversing merrily with the people around you, you feel something glittery and magical land on your forehead. Everywhere the magial glittery flakes touch something wondorous happens. Raising your gaze you see glittering snowflakes silently falling from the ceiling. As you sit there and watch, the snowflakes keeps falling until the entire great hall is shrouded in a white layer of glittering magical snow.

Rejoice in the sight of the snow, even stick your hands in it, Christmas has treated Hogwarts with its very own miracle. Ho Ho Ho!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravenclawjulep

Adelynn had been looking forward to this Feast for quite sometime now. She thought it would probably be pretty cool but she had never attended such a thing so she wasn't sure what to expect. She entered the Great Hall and beamed.

SO MUCH MAGIC.

She stuck her hand out to feel the snowflakes coming down and then ran over to the tables where everyone was sitting. She sat next to the large group and smiled, looking up at the ceiling, still in amazement.

Botros was not late. He'd been stuck in his office doing last-minute paperwork before one of the house-elves popped in to ask whether they should bring him his meal to his office instead of waiting for him at the feast. Only then did he realize that he was sort of late.

When he walked into the Great Hall, he spotted the bright snowflakes landing on a young Ravenclaw's hand. He smiled at her and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'd say the castle is just as happy with the holidays as we are," look at the ceiling and the snow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

It was surprising to see so many children at Hogwarts for Christmas, especially considering the happenings of the previous term, but Cassandra Rae-Branxton was happy to have the opportunity to join them for such a festive meal. She looked a little like Mrs. Claus in her red dress with a Santa hat tipped at a jaunty angle on her coiffed hair, and her eyes drank in all the festive outfits the students were wearing. Tinsel and hats and bells and jangles. Very nice.

"Hello, all. The Board of Governors send their holiday greetings to you." The woman took a seat near the middle of the table, close enough to students and professors and all the lovely food. This was a proper feast! Mo and Doyle would be terribly disappointed to have missed out on such a treat.

He took a seat next to Mrs. Branxton. "Sorry. Good evening, madam," he beamed at her then started filling up his dish. "There should be a way to avoid the toll of paperwork. You'd think magic fixes that." But even magic could be forged and breached. "How're you doing? How are the kids?" He looked at her under the glitter-y snow with a matching bright smile.

Did he miss the big announcement, btw?

Quote:

Spotting his second recipient Barney ungracefully took the air as he flew to the other end of the table. Touching down on the table, knocking over goblets and silverware as he did so he looked expectantly at the girl as he stuck his beak out towards her. Hopefully she wasn't easily spooked. In his beak he had the letter titled 'Hady' which he hoped she'd take be more it was too gooey to read.

In coming!

Hady watched the owl swoop down onto the table knocking over goblets of juice and banging into things as it made it's way closer. Poor thing really wasn't very graceful for an owl. Hopefully he didn't harm himself. As he got nearer to her she noticed the soggy letter held in it's beak with her name smudged and faded written on it.

With a small laugh she reached out her hand and accepted the letter from him. "Well thank you Barney. Would you like this?" she asked him breaking off a small piece of her biscuit and offering it to the owl. All this flying about he was doing odds were that that he'd be hungry.

Wiping some of the wetness from her letter with a napkin Hady carefully opened it and read the semi smudged writing the best that she could. A light smile worked it's way onto her face and she laughed softly. Whoever had wrote this to her thought she was observant. Well alright then that was a good thing, they couldn't rhyme though but that was alright. The not rhyming thing gave the note it's charm but it also made her want to know who had written it.

Sweeping into the Great Hall a second time that day with 3 new letters to give out Barney did his best to avoid the falling snow. He didn't like how it made his wings feel.

Flying towards the giant table with all the treats and smells he searched up and down until he spotted his first recipient, landing rockily next to the girl's plate he stuck his beak out towards her with the letter titled 'Candice'. Maybe she'd treat him to a piece of vegetable. Barney had flown quite a distance.



Next up was a boy sitting further down the table. Hopping, wings flapping as he did so Barney soon stooped in front of the boy. Sticking his left leg out towards him with the letter titled 'Hugo' he waited for the boy to untie it. Would they object to Barney tasting some dessert?



Spotting his next recipient, a boy with big glasses Barney hopped his way across the table towards him. Coming to a stop in front of the boy he stuck his right leg out eagerly with the letter titled 'David'. Nibbling on a bread crumb he saw on the table he waited for the letter to be untied.

Before he continued on with his heart-to-heart conversation with Kaycee, Hugo heard someone calling him. It was York. He smiled "Thanks professor, you too!" she was cool, yeah.

Now back to Kaycee. Hugo laughed "Sure, everyone knew it" obviously. Love letters are fun? Hmm. Not sure if he would agree on that, maybe if it was a prank yes, but that would be mean. Anyways, right now what was cool was the ceiling. Maybe staying at Hogwarts wasn't that bad after all.

Then, without paying attention to what he was saying Hugo said, "So I guess you would kiss me if there was one under us" a few seconds later he realized what he had just said but was interrupted by the owl. At least this time it didn't landed badly.

Hugo coughed slightly and took the letter out from the owl's leg, "Thanks" and gave him a little treat. You never know when they were going to bite you so better be safe than sorry. He read it and smiled. Short but nice. He liked it.

Angel had been sat in silent for most of the time, she was trying to figure out what had happened and how it had got to Christmas so fast, in half a years time she would be getting on with her OWL exams and she would be going into her final two years at school... seriously everything was going to so fast and all this was swirling around in her brain at the minute. She was always wishing that she could spend more time with her sisters she hadn't spoken to Abby for what felt like forever even though it was just at the start of the term, well saying that... that was in September and now it was Christmas... at least she had got some amazing presents from a couple of friends.

Oh.

Paulina had only just noticed Austin when he answered her question. He must have been keeping rather quiet and to himself. She smiled at him. "Merry Christmas! I rather miss my feathers." Flying had been pretty fun when she got the hang of it. She wondered if he missed being a wolf.

It seemed that a a lot of people had done the Secret Santa thing judging by the responses she was getting and the owls that were constantly swooping in. "It's kinda sad that this will be my only Christmas at Hogwarts," she told Adi, Benny, and Hady. "Though I'm glad to spend it with you guys." It was nice to hear that Benny was glad to see her but then why wouldn't he be? He was her friend.

"I'm looking forward to my crackers, Adi. Don't forget them." Hehe. "I think everyone took part in Secret Santa. I hope my person likes their gift." That would be nice.

"Yeah, Merlin... You'd think they'd be good at this delivery stuff by now," he laughed as he held the corner of his soggy envelope up in the air. "The letters were kinda smudged together... But nothing I couldn't figure out," he nodded. "'Cause whoever wrote this had nice handwriting, looks even better than my potions essays even though it's all soggy." TRUTH. Though, in his defense... His essays always started out neat. They just er... Never really ended that way. Aheeeem. "But anyways, I really wanna figure out who wrote it!!" It'd bother him all day, probably.

As for her move, "Woah... America to London?" he repeated. "That is far." He tilted his head, hoping he didn't come off too rude for the many questions. "Why are you moving to London?
It be closer to Hogwarts, surely. But still.


Ahem. "Maybe," heh. He smirked a little. What? Zander could say those kind of things too, okay? "I can't just ask them why they're--" OI! "Okay, okay be patient!!" He shook his head, before turning towards those adult people. Why were they here?

So per Yoongi's request he raised his voice a little addressing those Board of Governors people. "Merry Christmas!" How did he say this next part gracefully? Er. "What brings you all to Hogwarts?" Y'know... Other than Christmas? Was there another reason? Also..... Truebridge hadn't pinned the Board against one Zander Adair, had she? Y'know... On account of that mess of a Fifth Year? They didn't know who Zander was... Right?


Well, he supposed that was a good reason to wear the reindeer antlers. So he nodded. "Errr... Because practicality isn't ever really the first thing I think about?" Was that a good enough answer? Because clearly it was the truth. Zander wasn't one of them logical thinkers. To be quite honest, he wasn't a thinker in general. It's just not something he really did. "Plus, now I know never to grow a beard when I grow old." He was going to shave for the rest of his life, thank you very much.


SNOW??? SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!

Ahem. Zander was SUPER pumped about the snow. But he was also not trying to look like a 12 year old here, so he kept semicomposed. Except that was hard to do when it was CHRISTMAS!!!! Ahem. Double ahem. He smiled at Ava, though his smile did falter at the mention of his last year. Oh. "Er... Yeah, I uh, I guess it is." Man. That sure put a bummer on things. "I'm trying not to think about it though 'cause I don't ever want to leave this place." Bad news, Adair. The year was almost up. S i g h.

Did anyone have a time turner? Or nah?

"And uh, it's your first Christmas at Hogwarts," he smiled again. "What do you think so far?" Was it up to par with what she had wanted?

Kaycee laughed. Yes. Everyone. Yes. Fun and hilarious.

She glanced at him and nodded. "Over us, yeah. I just said that." she said. "It's like, tradition." Or law. Or something.

She looked around. "Why? Do you want to try and find one?" Because it was Christmas. There had to be some around somewhere.

"I definitely am! I think this is the first time I have ever seen it snow here though, I love snow! Speaking of hot cocoa, I have these taffys. They're hot chocolate flavored and when you bite into them, it's just like hot cocoa pouring out, you can even taste the soft marshmallow! My brother sent me them, would you like to try a piece?" Sophie offered her bag of sweets out to Tia.

The term really was flying by. Luckily break would be upon them soon, and she would be able to get caught up with her homework. Sophie really wanted to help earn more points for Gryffindor. At least she didn't have OWL's yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnacle the Barn Owl

Spotting his next recipient, a boy with big glasses Barney hopped his way across the table towards him. Coming to a stop in front of the boy he stuck his right leg out eagerly with the letter titled 'David'. Nibbling on a bread crumb he saw on the table he waited for the letter to be untied.

SPOILER!!: Secret Santa Letter

Yo Truebridge,

You are as cool as tacos and baby unicorns. Your face makes me think of sunshine and baseball parks. David, you are a rockin' firstie, and I hope you know how very cool you are. The other firsties don't have nuthin' on you. I can't even imagine the level of cool you will reach as seventh year... probably off the charts if I had to guess. You are R-O-C-K-I-N-G Ravenclaw. I'm not good with math, but on a scale of 1-10, you are a 15. Keep being awesome, man. Show those other firsties how it's done. You're going to be a legend.... I am calling it right now.

P.S. You have nice hair.

- Secret Santa

Aww, look at the barn owl delivering Christmas letters! "Hi little fellow!" Davie greeted the hopping owl. He stretched a hand out to the owl, who HAD something for him, and untied it gently, then rewarded the bird with a few pat-pats and the rest of his biscuit.

Dusting off the crumbs from his hands, he read his Secret Santa letter, and proceeded to turn pink the longer he read. On a scale of 1-10, you are a 15. Oh, Merlin. This wasn't even a romantic letter, but it was so FRIENDLY. So POSITIVE. He'd never had anyone ever say such complimentary things about him! The letter said he was cool, and that was the last way he'd ever describe himself before now.

Blushing furiously, but beaming at the same time, Davie looked up and around to see if he could figure out the author of the letter. Or, you know what, maybe he didn't want to know who wrote his letter. It wouldn't be a secret anymore if he knew who wrote it, and then he might start to wonder if everything his Santa had said was true. So instead, the firstie folded up his letter very carefully and tucked it into the inside pocket of his robes where no one would find it.

He was keeping this. Best Christmas present, easily.

Hugo nodded. Didn't know why he had just said that as if it was not enough how Kaycee had explained it, seemed he had the need to make it more...detailed. Oh well. "A very weird tradition" if you ask him. The next question took him off guard. What?

He was not sure on how to react. It made him question lots of things like did he liked Kaycee? Sure she was pretty but...Alright he was thinking too much, it was only a kiss not a marriage proposal so, chill Hugo. Okay, good.

"I think there's one in the entrance" or so he thought "Or maybe the ceiling will surprise us with mistletoes falling from it"

Flying into the Great Hall with the satchel around his neck full off new letters Barney shook his feathers. It had been cold out.

Spotting his first recipient Barney flew towards the big feast table with tantalizing smells. Landing on the girls' platter ungracefully he thrust the satchel around his next toward her with a letter titled 'Ellery B' in it. Snatching a piece of bread Barney started to munch on it as he waited for the letter to be taken.



With his bread crumbs eaten up Barney hopped down the table towards his next recipient. Stopping in front of her, pushing her plate out of the way he thrust his right leg out towards her with the letter titled 'Janelle'. Hopefully she'd untie it. Would she be affronted if he took a sip of the water in her goblet?



Flying over to the other end of the table Barney spotted his last recipient. Landing on the table, claws slipping he was in a moments doing, flat on his back in front of the girl. Akwardly getting up on his feet, Barney thrust his left leg out with the letter titled 'Angel'. Waiting for the letter to be untied it he looked around for treats.

SPOILER!!: Paulina

It seemed that a a lot of people had done the Secret Santa thing judging by the responses she was getting and the owls that were constantly swooping in. "It's kinda sad that this will be my only Christmas at Hogwarts," she told Adi, Benny, and Hady. "Though I'm glad to spend it with you guys." It was nice to hear that Benny was glad to see her but then why wouldn't he be? He was her friend.

"I'm looking forward to my crackers, Adi. Don't forget them." Hehe. "I think everyone took part in Secret Santa. I hope my person likes their gift." That would be nice.

Hady gave the older girl a small smile. She was really nice and it was kinda sad to know that this was the girls only year here. At least she got the experience though! "Yeah but it's nice that you're here and that you're getting to see how the holiday is here." And it was nice that she had some friends to spend the holiday with as well.

SPOILER!!: Zander

"Yeah, Merlin... You'd think they'd be good at this delivery stuff by now," he laughed as he held the corner of his soggy envelope up in the air. "The letters were kinda smudged together... But nothing I couldn't figure out," he nodded. "'Cause whoever wrote this had nice handwriting, looks even better than my potions essays even though it's all soggy." TRUTH. Though, in his defense... His essays always started out neat. They just er... Never really ended that way. Aheeeem. "But anyways, I really wanna figure out who wrote it!!" It'd bother him all day, probably.

As for her move, "Woah... America to London?" he repeated. "That is far." He tilted his head, hoping he didn't come off too rude for the many questions. "Why are you moving to London?
It be closer to Hogwarts, surely. But still.

Hady gave a quiet laugh and somewhat managed to hide a small grin. "I know right? Look at this!" She picked up her own Secret Santa letter holding it up to show the older boy. It also was a soggy smudged mess from when Barny had knocked over the goblets and cultrey to get to her. "I have no clue who wrote this either but it was nice as well. Do you think there's a way we can find out who sent them without the actually person telling us?" Cause that would be cool.

The question about the move made her nod her head. "It is really far but my father wanted a change. A completely new start I guess you could say." And if this move wasn't a BIG change then the girl snake didn't know what was.

Janelle was pondering the snow and baking cookies with Adi when the special delivery owl landed on the table in front of her. He knocked her plate out of the way and then stuck out his leg. A Secret Santa letter, for her? Janelle reached out and removed the letter. Giving the owl a pat, she smiled when he took a sip of her water. "Thank you Mr. Owl." She reached for a plate of cookies, broke off a piece and gave it to the owl. "Here you go. Thanks again."

Then Janelle turned her attention to the letter. She opened it excitedly and began to read. As her eyes moved over the words, Janelle was touched. How did they know? How did they know how she was feeling today and who could have possibly written the letter? It was obviously someone older, a fellow Ravenclaw and she supposed, a girl. When she finished the letter, Janelle folded it carefully. Holding it to her chest, she began to smile. She missed her family, but she was not alone. She had her school family, just like Headmaster Botros had tried to tell the class. One day she would find out who wrote her Secret Santa letter and thank them. She would let them know how much their words had meant to her.

Poor Barney was starting to get very fatigued by all of this flying in and out of windows and delivering letters. But it was his job, and this was his last batch of letters. He knew the first one on his pile was for the Slytherin Prefect, and her hair made it very easy for him to spot her.

Barny flew down towards her and somewhere along the way lost his energy, and ended up falling down the last metre with a thud, landing in front of her. Okay, well, perhaps he could just have a 5 minute rest here. So, not even bothering to get up, he lifted his leg towards the human girl with an envelope marked 'Dot' on the front.



After a few moments of chest burning to catch his breath and pull himself together, Barney managed to hop right side up and did an odd half flying half walking to get to Austin; his next human. It was a boy this time, easily distinguishable by hair length. Barney stopped in front of him, eyeing his dinner. Well, Barney WAS very hungry and needed a bit of energy. He was thinking about pecking a pea from the boy's plate, surely he wouldn't mind? But there were a few around the table, the humans must have put them there just for Barney. So, Barney pecked up the peas on the table and stopped in front of the boy, holding his leg out where there was an envelope marked 'Austin'.



And finally, his FINAL recipient. This letter was very special because it meant if Barney delivered it, he had accomplished his task. To deliver ALL of the letters. With new energy from the peas, Barney flew up, but not too high, and landed in front of the girl. He put a bit too much energy into the landing, and found himself horizontal once more. Not worrying about it, he hopped up and walked over to the girl, holding out the LAST envelope marked 'Adelynn' and waited for her to take the letter



And with that letter delivered, Barney flapped his wings, hopefully not hitting any more cutlery, water goblets, or getting feathers into anyone's food, and flew away into the window...

Ouch.

He landed on the floor with a painful thud but recovered quickly - because he had OWL TREATS back in the owlery. Second attempt was successful, and he flew THROUGH the open window.

The only thing more upsetting than having an owl land in your pudding was... well, no. There was nothing more upsetting, and Dot cooed and petted the poor exhausted thing as she waited for it to recover. Was it going to be okay? Was it... oh, hello! Mail for her Yippee!

Dot drank in the words, reveling in the fact that she was called a 'lady' and the 'best'. Plus there was artwork, which was so thoughtful. She gave the letter a little hug before tucking it into her pocket and digging back into her meal.


Cassandra was pleased as other members of the Board began to appear, and they each earned a tiny knowing smile and nod before she returned to the feast in front of her. Just doing her part in the Christmas spirit. She was forced to put down a spoonful of mushy peas when one of the professors spoke to her.

"Thank you, my dear, and a Merry Christmas to you as well. I'm sorry we haven't been formerly introduced before. What is it you teach?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magical Soul

He took a seat next to Mrs. Branxton. "Sorry. Good evening, madam," he beamed at her then started filling up his dish. "There should be a way to avoid the toll of paperwork. You'd think magic fixes that." But even magic could be forged and breached. "How're you doing? How are the kids?" He looked at her under the glitter-y snow with a matching bright smile.

Did he miss the big announcement, btw?

"Wouldn't that be lovely? You didn't miss much... the food and merriment, and the snowing began just before you came in, but the feel is really quite festive." Cassandra was very fond of the current Headmaster, and she was pleased he'd seated himself beside her. He was kind and very wise, both of which had made all their dealings thus far pleasant.

She should get on with things while she had a captive audience, right? Cassandra gave Botros one last smile before rising and raising a hand to quiet the table of students. "Please don't stop eating on my account, but I would very much appreciate your attention. The Board of Governors is very pleased to join with you on this festive occasion, not only to celebrate the holiday, but also to announce something quite exciting. As you probably witnessed at your first camp, there was a winner selected from among the participants. At the end of the term, you will have selected five very lucky winners, and these winner will have the opportunity to either participate in a Ministry internship or a Quidditch stadium tour and game, depending on the age of the winner. You'll also have the opportunity to have dinner with the Minister for Magic. Headmaster Botros will have more information to share with you about how the winners are selected, but I wanted to be the very first to tell you all about our exciting news!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

"Glad to hear," Beatrice said, letting out a laugh. "Oh dear... she stole it? Needed a costume did she?" Beatrice just could NOT have someone missing out on a Christmas hat. Nope. Removing her hat and placing it in front of her, she pulled her wand out and pointed it at the hat. "Geminio," she said, flicking her wand. Ahh, now there were two. "Would you like a hat, Colt?" she asked, holding the other one up.

Bon bon? Perhaps other people didn't call them bon bons. Beatrice held it up, "What do you call it? Christmas cracker?"

Ahh Beatrice hadn't known he had gone to Durmstrang. "That's very interesting," she said. "What was Christmas like at Durmstrang?" Nowhere did Christmas quite like Hogwarts, though. She returned his grin at hearing about his card and gifts from his mother. At least he had a holiday greeting from back home.

Colt stared in awe when the Professor made a hat in front of him. He will never get over the magical aspect of Hogwarts. He was still sitting there with his eyes wide and nodded in response. "Yeah huh..." he said still staring in awe. He shook his head and grabbed the hat and put it on. "How does it look?" he asked and tilted his head. "Oh yeah I would love a Christmas cracker." he grinned and understood the term and accepted the nice gesture. He ate it and thought it was pretty good.

What was christmas like in durmstrang? He chewed his food and thought about it for a minute. He took a swig of his pumpkin juice and answered, "Well it was this decorated. I mean these goblets are really fancy..." he gestured towards his own cup. "The headmaster would make us cook our own food for the feast. We didn't have elves making the food for us.." he shrugged but he appreciated it all the same. "I like it here much better of course." he smiled and took more bites into his delicious food. "Did you get everything you wished for this holiday?" he asked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poolicious

"Yeah. But they should probably ease down the sugary dishes." Because everywhere she looked she only saw sugary things. Everyone favorite theme? Well, not this girl. She prefer Autumn and Halloween than Christmas but its nice. OH! Right. She forgot that its Colt first Christmas here in Hogwarts. She already knew what Christmas looked like in Hogwarts during her fist year. "So did you receive your Secret Santa letter yet?" She asked while filling her plate with vegetables.

"Hey I am not complaining about the sugary dishes. I love them.." he grinned and took some more cookies, a slice of pie and some cake. "Oh no I didn't receive my secret santa letter yet.." he shrugged like it was no big deal. "I mean I probably won't get one anyway. It is no big deal.."

Candice was eating her Christmas foods, which consisted of vegetables when she heard a familiar voice. "Hi, Ava! Happy Christmas!" She said after she made sure that she already swallowed the foods on her mouth. "Nope. I'm staying. No one home so I decided to stay." She could always go back to Denmark to her father but he probably working anyway. "What about you? Is your family on vacation too and didn't let you go with them?"



She noticed another familiar face sitting not far away from where she was sitting. "Angel." She greeted her fellow Gryffindor with a nod. "Happy Christmas" The girl looked more happy compared to the Angel she saw during the opening feast. "Where's AJ? Is she going home?" Because usually Angel and AJ always come together but she didn't see her roommate anywhere.



Isn't ever really the first thing he think about? "Okaaaayy..." She never understand Zander Adair. "Yes, don't." She couldn't agreed more with him. "It look super weird on you." But Santa wise he looked okay. He just need the fat belly. "So how's your last Christmas in Hogwarts goes so far?" Good? Bad? A little bit of both perhaps?



Candice saw the owl came to her way and it landed next to her, not very gracefully if she might add. OH! A letter for her. "Thank you." The Gryffindor took the letter with her name on it from the owl's beak. She offered the owl some vegetables. She hoped the owl eat veggie because she only have those on her plate. She read her secret Santa letter and reread it some more. Nope. She had no idea who's her secret Santa. One thing she knew that her Santa was not someone she know. Probably someone from another houses. She put her secret Santa letter to her pocket as soon as she finished reading it. She didn't want to ruin it.

She bet he didn't but she's. She HATED sugary things. Didn't like. Hate was such a strong word. "I'm not a big fans of sugary foods." Never was and never will. She noticed that the Slytherin grabbed another cookies and cake. Didn't he know they're bad or his health? Probably not. "You haven't? Maybe yours coming late?" Because it looked like other students just got their secret Santa letters. "Did your parents send you the Christmas present?"

The she heard the BOG making some announcement. OH! So the Breakfast thingy was the first camp? And five winners? They already have two winners so that mean three more winners. And the prizes. A Ministry internship or a Quidditch stadium tour and game. WOW! The second prize sound fun.

Laughing lightly Leo said "It sounds like the book is a real treat. I'd love to hear your views on it when you have finished reading it. Take your time. Reading for enjoyment doesn't need to be rushed." And it was just a little amusing that Adi was more as it seemed fascinated with the pictures of the book then the actual story. He'd ask him about that when the seventh year came to the library to return the book.



Helping himself to the food Leo was just about to stick his fork into a piece of ham when Penelope took a seat at the feast table near him. Smiling merrily at her he said "Happy Christmas Penelope! I really like the santa hat and tinsel boa choices." Tasting the ham with some mustard on it he asked curiously with a gesture to the food feast. "Do you have any favourite christmas food?"



Turning to Yoongi as the boy covered his mouth and nose to sneeze again Leo said "You may want to go let Healer Tillstorm have a look at you since that cold sounds uglier than a normal cold." But that was just his observation. A pepperup potion could help but only briefly. If you were sick you needed to be tended to by a healer. "Did you help decorate some christmas trees?" He had thought he had seen Yoongi help with the tinsel and such but then he had more focused on baking.



"Ah surprises in lessons are good. They keep you on your toes." Leo responded with a small smirk. "What was notable about the surprises?" He asked curiously. It was a long time since he had been taught something so he wasn't aware what the professors surprised the students with these days.



Thinking about the gifts he had back in his office for Cassie he said as he glanced around the hall. "Yes, it turned out great. The trees, the food, the decorations and the merry companionship of sitting at one big table I hope has given all the student the special christmas feel everyone deserves to feel at this time of the year." And there were santa letters too. "I'm glad we stayed too." he mumbled as he took a sip from his glass of pumpkin. He was saving the eggnog for the dessert.

"Is there an christmas food that your family makes on christmas that you don't see here?" Even though Leo had visited Cassies family on christmas he had never taken time to ask what she liked best.



Leo wasn't sure when either the BoG president Cassandra Branxton or Abraham arrived but he quieted down in respect as Mrs Branxton gave her speech to the whole assembly of students and staff. When she finished he marveled in the news. Internships at the ministry, dinner with the Minister of Magic and a Quidditch stadium tour and game. If he had been a student Leo would have wanted to do his best in the events to come to get a chance to experience the prizes. It could have impact on especially the graduating seventh years career choices. Lifting his goblet to drink some more juice he waited and wondered if Abraham was going to give a speech too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Not to mention a young first year was standing beside her and gesturing to a spot next to her. She was fairly sure she recognized the first year as a girl Sophie had worked with in a lesson before, but for some reason her mind was blanking on a name. Eva, maybe? "Not at all," Tia smiled encouragingly at the girl. But then she asked the question she hoped no one would notice; obvious fail there. "I'm just ... I'm not really in a talking mood, I guess." If she was being honest though, she was rarely in a talking mood. "I guess I'm just savoring the moment of peace, but I should probably get up and mingle soon." Cause apparently people at Hogwarts started to worry if someone was in solitude too long. "Don't know that I've ever properly met you, by the way. I'm Tia."

It was nice to hear that the Ravenclaw girl didn't mind if she was sitting here. "Thank you." Ava smiled and sat next to her. Not really in a good mood? Well, maybe because she couldn't go back home for Christmas. Maybe she was the only students who voluntary stayed here to celebrate the holiday. "Nice to meet you, Tia. I'm Ava." She introduced herself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

SNOW??? SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!

Ahem. Zander was SUPER pumped about the snow. But he was also not trying to look like a 12 year old here, so he kept semicomposed. Except that was hard to do when it was CHRISTMAS!!!! Ahem. Double ahem. He smiled at Ava, though his smile did falter at the mention of his last year. Oh. "Er... Yeah, I uh, I guess it is." Man. That sure put a bummer on things. "I'm trying not to think about it though 'cause I don't ever want to leave this place." Bad news, Adair. The year was almost up. S i g h.

Did anyone have a time turner? Or nah?

"And uh, it's your first Christmas at Hogwarts," he smiled again. "What do you think so far?" Was it up to par with what she had wanted?

It sounded sad to hear that it's gonna be his last time celebrating Christmas here. "Well, you have to enjoy this before you couldn't enjoy it anymore, right?" Ava tried to say something nice and wise but maybe... it didn't sound like that. "My first Christmas in Hogwarts, yes. It has been great and fun..." What? No matter where she was, either she was home or stay at school, Christmas is still Christmas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poolicious

Candice was eating her Christmas foods, which consisted of vegetables when she heard a familiar voice. "Hi, Ava! Happy Christmas!" She said after she made sure that she already swallowed the foods on her mouth. "Nope. I'm staying. No one home so I decided to stay." She could always go back to Denmark to her father but he probably working anyway. "What about you? Is your family on vacation too and didn't let you go with them?"

No one's home?

"Oh, I bet that your family is going for a vacation." Because she looked grumpy and not happy. Sorry to know that, Candice. "I'm... voluntary staying. I thought that this year I'm gonna celebrate Christmas with my sister since she'd never been home, but guess what? She's off to America with our cousin." And yeah, it sounded like a similar story like Candice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

She should get on with things while she had a captive audience, right? Cassandra gave Botros one last smile before rising and raising a hand to quiet the table of students. "Please don't stop eating on my account, but I would very much appreciate your attention. The Board of Governors is very pleased to join with you on this festive occasion, not only to celebrate the holiday, but also to announce something quite exciting. As you probably witnessed at your first camp, there was a winner selected from among the participants. At the end of the term, you will have selected five very lucky winners, and these winner will have the opportunity to either participate in a Ministry internship or a Quidditch stadium tour and game, depending on the age of the winner. You'll also have the opportunity to have dinner with the Minister for Magic. Headmaster Botros will have more information to share with you about how the winners are selected, but I wanted to be the very first to tell you all about our exciting news!"

The young lioness was enjoying the food but then suddenly there's a speech from the Board of Governors.

So, the breakfast event was their first camp? And the prize for the camp winner sounded very good!! Especially the Quidditch stadium tour and game! Okay, she had to work harder for the next camp!

The feeling of respect and liking was definitely mutual. Botros knew of Mrs. Branxton's impressive history with the school as a headmistress and BoG president, he trusted her judgment almost blindly.

He smiled and clapped modestly after she announced the valuable two rewards. "Thank you, Mrs. President," that sounded oddly Muggle-ish. Oh well. "The five winners we're talking about are the students who collect most points on the Camp Tracker in the student bulletin. Those are the ones who show house and school spirit, and participate in the activities held over the term," he explained briefly and added, "It's getting late, so if you haven't yet, I urge you to finish your meal before we turn in for the night. Thanks everyone for sharing this very blessed evening with your schoolmates. Those times are sacred and very dear as you get older. Believe me, I know." With a final beam at the kids, Botros sat back down to continue his meal.