The cloudy gray November afternoon sky is reflected in the ceiling, but the Great Hall itself is kept warm and cozy by an array of floating candles. The four house tables are in their normal places, and there is a red button at each seat. Each table is full of nutritious snacks scientifically proven to boost brain power. There are pots of coffee and tea, as well as water and fruit juices. On the food side, there are fruits and berries, nuts and seeds, and small bars of dark chocolate. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not combine some of everything to create your own trail mix?

The throne-like seat normally reserved for the headmaster is positioned in front of the staff dais, rather than behind it as usual. Professor Carton sits in the chair, casually observing the arriving students. Two curious-looking objects sit on the staff dais behind him. On his right side is a 6x5 gridwith squares marked with various numbers. On his left is a glass cabinet with four shelves. The first shelf holds various school supplies; the second a selection of Honeydukes candies; the third an array of creature plushes; and the fourth several games, such as Wizards Chess, Exploding Snap, and Snitch Snatcher.

“Hello, welcome in!” Profesor Carton greets the students. “Sit at whichever table you like, but please don’t touch the red buttons yet.”

OOC: Welcome to the Quiz Bowl meeting! This rp is open to all Hogwarts students & professors. As this is not a lesson, you may play both of your characters if you wish. We’ll begin in 24-36 HOURS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Game Categories

Spell Ya Later! (spell trivia)
Creature Feature (creatures)
'Facts and Figures (History of Magic)
Now We're Cookin'! (potions & ingredients)
Oh, the Places You'll Go! (magical transportation & locations)
Pop Goes the Weasel (magical & muggle pop culture)

SPOILER!!: Game Rules - PLEASE READ FIRST!

1. Professor Carton will announce the category and point value for each question before reading the clue. Questions will be randomly assigned.

2. Players are to buzz in to answer each question. Teams are allowed, but only one person needs to buzz in to answer. Answers given without buzzing in WILL NOT count!

3. Answers must be phrased in the form of a question (“What is a Golden Snitch?”) to count.

4. Each correct answer within the time allotted earns the points assigned to that question. You DO NOT have to be first to buzz in to receive points! (OOC: there will be 16-24 HOURS for each question. Players are free to join the game at any time but WILL NOT receive points for prior questions once Professor Carton has announced the correct answer and moved on.)

5. Points earned can be redeemed for prizes at the end of the game, so please keep track of your scores! (OOC: Please title each game post with your team (if applicable) and your current score)

6. OOC: Feel free to PM me with any questions!

A quiz bowl activity!

Excellent!

Dhruv loved quizzes, both taking part and observing. Today, however, they aimed to just be an observer. It would not be fair to the students if they took part now, would it? They slid into the Great Hall, removing their shades as they did so. “Hallo, Headmaster Norman,’’ they said softly to the Transfiguration professor, voice heavy jest. “Everything all set?” they continued as the glasses were tucked onto the front of their shirt, against their chest. Oh, look. Dark chocolate! Dhruv will be snagging a bit of that soon-ish.


* * * * * * * * * * * * *


Quiz bowls weren’t bad, even if the questions were sometimes difficult. This was Aryan’s opinion anyway. As he made his way into the Hall, the Slytherin observed the set up, the snack and the two professors that were so far there. There was a finger wiggle-wave for each of them {though a more relaxed, enthusiastic one for Khanna because they happened to be Dad Adi’s friend} as he settled at the Snake table.

His gaze drifted to the food, automatically seeking out the sours followed by the salty. No sweets for him as usual, thanks.

As Regulus arrived at the Great Hall, the first thing that struck him was the need to bite back a joke about Professor Carton usurping the Headmaster, what with claiming his chair and all. Generally speaking, at least in public, Regulus wasn't much of a jokester. He kept them in his head, unless he was around those he was comfortable with.

Which, in a roundabout way, was what had drawn him to the quiz bowl activity. Friends. Associates. Regulus ought to have more of those - he had been repeatedly informed of this, and had started to come around to the idea... somewhat - and the first step to that was actually engaging properly with others.

He let his gaze move between the grid and then the cabinet up on the dais before proceeding into the Great Hall proper.

"Afternoon," Regulus said to Carton, Khanna, and the younger Slytherin boy, Atreyu-Rehman when he was close enough for his voice to easily reach all three without shouting. He parked himself at the Slytherin table, more out of habit than anything, and made sure to snag himself some coffee and a few of those little bars of dark chocolate to dip into it.

Entering the Great Hall for the Quiz bowl activity Emmie was immediatly struck by all the various supplies on the tables near the Staff Dias. There was everything from food and drink to creatures plushies to games like exploding snap. Then she noticed the big red buttions that were pretty curious, were they supposed to press on those when they knew the answer to a quiz question? Waving to Professors Carton and Khanna she greeted "Good afternoon Professors!" Then she moved to take a seat, grabbing a bar of chocolate and some fruit juice before going over to the snake table. "Hi Ary, can I sit with you? Also can we team up for the quiz bowl too? Or do you think we have to sit at our different house tables?" Emmie really hoped not because she so far was the only eagle present.

Aurora had absolutely no business in being here other than that she was bored by herself in the common room and had seen the poster on the noticeboard. Quizzes usually meant lots of people joining in and lots of people equalled more to talk to. Whether she was going to be any helpful contribution to the actual quizzing part of the activity was up to debate.

Unfortunately the fourteen year old was not one of those intellectual Ravenclaw’s who knew everything. It wasn’t that she was stupid but rather she found so many subjects that interested her it was hard to focus on one to become an expert in. Ask her to recite all the fairytale characters or the names of each of the winged horses housed in the school stables and she was your girl but anything involving dates or famous people and she was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Still she was here with her hair tied into a high ponytail swishing from side to side as she bounced her way into the Great Hall sending a grin (albeit a slightly confused one because she was sure that chair belonged to Winterbottom) towards Professor Carton and Professor Khanna before plopping down in the space to the right of Regulus at the Slytherin table. “Woah, it looks different from over here..” Not that the Ravenclaw table was far from there considering it was the next table along but those extra few feet of difference were clearly enough to make a comment over.

The Quiz Bowl was not an extracurricular she had participated in last year, but this year Florence thought she would give it a chance. The competitive nature was appealing, and it provided both an opportunity to flaunt her knowledge as well as acquire more. So, in short, it seemed promising.

And so the second year strode into the Great Hall, noting the variety of treats and activities as well as the two professors up in front of the staff dias - with Professor Carton in the Headmaster's chair? - and a group of students all seated at the Slytherin table. Even ones who were not in her house.

Interesting. She wasn't sure it was a requirement to be at that table, considering there were red buttons on all the tables - but, really, who wouldn't want to sit at the best house's table?

"Hello, Professors," she said politely, before she took a seat across from Regulus and an older Ravenclaw (Aurora), offering a polite smile to them and to her yearmates, Aryan and Emmeline, if they happened to look her way.

"I suppose we won't be going hungry," she commented, eyeing the snacks and drinks. She wasn't hungry herself at the moment, but she was inclined to pour herself some tea.

"I'm not late...I'm not late!"

Out of habit and nary a stray thought, Anna rushed over to the Hufflepuffle table (and down towards the front) to grab a seat for another Quiz Bowl meeting. She was ON TIME (...ish...) this time and had even tried to review some of the questions and answers she had taken note of from previous meetings. Despite her earnest efforts, Anna was truly a terrible member of any team and all but a lost cause when it came to individual competition. Of course it never stopped her from trying and each meeting she did leave with at least one new nugget of information that she carried with her at LEAST until arriving back at her own common room. "Heya, hiya, professors!"

It wasn't until she glanced over that she realized that maaaaaybe she had not needed to sit at the Hufflepuffle table, but she had already plopped herself down and sitting comfortable in criss-cross-applesauce pose whereas everyone else was congregated over at the Slytherin table. She would have thought that maybe the theme of today was 'out of your comfort zone' or 'try a new perspective' since Aurora (big wave to you, bestie) was over at the Slytherin table AND Professor Carton was in the headmaster's seat which had ALSO been moved...but then the majority of the people at the Slytherin table were Slytherins so...that broke her ideas about the theme entirely. See? This is what happens, Anna Walles, when you arrive a tiny bit late to things!

Monsieur Feirgrund was in as well as he joined Professors Carton & Khanna. From a Healer's standpoint, it was important to always be on hand if needed. Even though the most the challengers would require is a nice Calming Draught in the heat of competition. "Good day," E said as he joined to observe sitting by Dhruv, giving his usual shoulder grip greetings. "Nothing like a fun way to stimulate the young minds," He commented. Trying not to smirk at Carton being addressed as the Headmaster of the event, "Got any good jokes?"

By the time to students joined in, he was there to smile and say "Good day," to those acknowledging his direction. This was looking to be an exciting event.

Some might ask why Bryony Paton would attend a quiz bowl. These things really weren't at all her slice of bacon. She wasn't typically the best when it came to games such as these but it was all about having fun. And what better way to have fun then to join her friends and peers in a game she probably was going to do terribly at. There was nothing wrong with having a good laugh at herself if she didn't do as well as some of the other students might.

The second year skipped into the Great Hall, her long blonde hair somewhat a mess about her face and her cheeks flushed from the cold. "Hello, Professor Carton.. Professor Khanna, Professor Feirgrund! My mama said she'll try to be here soon she's tending to something in the barn." Clearly she meant Professor Paton as everyone knew by now. This wasn't a lesson or anything so it was okay for her to call Hady her mama, yes? It was just so difficult for her to call her anything other than that!

Oooooh, look there was food! No one pay her any mind while she took a bit of the fruits, berries, nuts and seeds and a little chocolate to make her own mix. This was perfect brain food! Good idea, professor! As for a drink.. she couldn't quite decide which one she wanted right now so she was going to skip that for a bit and see which she felt like having in a little while.

Friendly finger wiggles were given to EVERYONE when Bry turned around towards the house tables. The choice was easy, her house table was calling her name! Bouncing along, she greeted both Ary and Emmie. "Hi, hi! Wants some? This was directed mainly at Ary cause they always shared food but Emmie was welcome to some of her snack too if she liked. "Do we get to work together in this game or no?" Teams would be sooooo much easier!

From the throne, Norman eyed the doors for incoming people. This was a much better vantage point than his usual seat at the far end of the dais! He almost didn’t want to put the throne back at the end of the game… almost, but not quite. Dhruv’s greeting got a soft chuckle. While he knew he wasn’t cut out for the job, Headmaster Norman did have a nice ring to it. “Hello, Dhruv,” he replied. “All set for now, though I might need a hand with the prizes later.” He gestured toward the glass cabinet.

Norman noticed Ean trying not to smirk but pretended not to. “Good day, Ean,” he greeted with a slight smirk of his own. Jokes? Him? The man must have him confused with his mirror image from last term! He didn’t know any good jokes, at least none he could repeat in front of the students. Still, he supposed he should try to play the part if he was going to sit in the headmaster’s chair. “What’s the difference between a kneazle and a comma?”

The students started arriving not long after. Atreyu-Rehman’s finger wiggle got a polite nod of acknowledgement. “Hello, Mr. Atreyu-Rehman,” Norman greeted. Prince’s arrival likewise received a nod. “Good afternoon, Mr. Prince.”

Oh good, some of his Ravenclaws had turned up! “Hello, Miss Vance, Miss Ackerly.” Norman overheard Vance’s questions, replying to both with a nod. “I’ll explain the rules in a bit, but teams are allowed. And you may sit anywhere.” He couldn’t help but smile at Ackerly’s observation about the different view from the Slytherin table. He knew the feeling!

“Good afternoon, Miss Schultz,” Norman returned the next arrival’s greeting with a slight smile. He had barely spoken when Walles’s voice distracted him, and his smile nearly grew into a laugh. “Hello, Miss Walles. No, you’re right on time.” Not that it would’ve mattered had she actually been late. This wasn’t a lesson; students were free to come and go as they please.

“Hello, Miss Paton,” Norman greeted the young Slytherin with a smile and a nod. He understood work obligations. Hopefully Hady would turn up later. Blink, blink. Again with the teams question? “Yes, you may work in teams for this game.”

**************************************

Norman kept his eyes on the double doors until the flow of arrivals ebbed. After allowing a few more moments for stragglers, he addressed the group, “Welcome to the Quiz Bowl! Today we’ll be playing a variation of the muggle game Jeopardy. For those unfamiliar with the game, the board is a 6x5 grid like this.” He gestured to the grid at his right. “The game consists of trivia questions in six categories. Each category has five questions, valued at 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 points respectively.”

He glanced around the room for any signs of confusion before continuing, “I’ll read the clues to each question. If you think you know the answer, hit the red button in front of you with your hand or your wand. The buttons will make a noise like this - “ He picked up the nearest buzzer and pressed the button; it made a loud BUZZZZZ! “After you’ve hit the buzzer, you’ll give your answer, which - and this part is very important - must be given in the form of a question. For example, if the clue was ‘this fast-flying golden ball is worth 150 points in a game of quidditch, your answer would be ,‘what is a Golden Snitch?’”


Norman paused for a minute to allow time for the players to absorb that information. Was that clear so far? Okay, good! Moving on… “In a regular game of Jeopardy, the first person to buzz in with the correct answer earns the points and picks the question based on category and point value. Since there’s a big group today, we’re changing the rules a bit. For this game, everyone who buzzes in with a correct answer in the time allotted gets the points for that question. Incorrect answers, answers not worded in the form of a question, or answers given without buzzing in first will not receive points!”

“Questions will be randomly assigned. You may work in teams of 2-3 people if you wish, but only one person per team needs to buzz in to answer a question. Be sure to keep track of your scores because you’ll be redeeming your points for these prizes at the end!” He gestured to the glass cabinet to his left. “I’ll give you a few minutes to pick teams. Are there any questions about the rules before we start the game?”

OOC: Thanks for coming! We’ll officially kick off the game in ABOUT 18 HOURS. For now, here’s a recap of the game rules:

1. Professor Carton will announce the category and point value for each question before reading the clue. Questions will be randomly assigned.

2. Players are to buzz in to answer each question. Teams are allowed, but only one person needs to buzz in to answer. Answers given without buzzing in WILL NOT count!

3. Answers must be phrased in the form of a question (“What is a Golden Snitch?”) to count.

4. Each correct answer within the time allotted earns the points assigned to that question. You DO NOT have to be first to buzz in to receive points! (OOC: there will be 16-24 HOURS for each question. Players are free to join the game at any time but WILL NOT receive points for prior questions once Professor Carton has announced the correct answer and moved on.)

5. Points earned can be redeemed for prizes at the end of the game, so please keep track of your scores! (OOC: Please title each game post with your team (if applicable) and your current score)

6. OOC: Feel free to PM me with any questions!

“I can help with that,’’ Dhruv assured Norman. That and whatever else that needed to be done. And there were the students arriving now. By the looks of it so far, the activity was going to have a fairly decent turnout. “Good afternoon,’’ Dhruv called to Aryan, Regulus, Emmeline, Aurora, Florence and Bryony. Did they mind calling individual greetings to the students as they filed into the Great Hall? Not at all.

Dhruv had become so used to those shoulder grips that Ean gave, as much as they had become accustomed to returning them in the form of a couple of light pats to their friend’s knuckles. They could not help but to shake their head vigorously at Norman in a firm ‘absolutely not’ manner in response to Ean’s question. “You two know that I never get those jokes right off the bat, or usually slow at figuring out the answers.”


* * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the end, Aryan settled for a handful of cashew nuts which he had carefully placed in a tiny bowl. He had already dived into the nuts when Regulus had come along. So, the fourth year received a wave with slightly salted fingers. Woops! Excuse his manners, Regulus! Ary then turned his attention to Emmeline, pleased that she had opted to sit with him rather than at the Ravenclaw table. The boy patted the seat beside him. Yes, she could sit with him. “Hi, Emmie. If teams are required, then sure. I’d like that. And I thinks its okay if we sit at different tables.” Ary had chosen the Slytherin one because he was not willing to come out of his comfort zone at the moment. He did happen to catch Florence’s smile so he returned it with one of his own. “No one’s going to be hungry,” he agreed with her. And of course he wouldn’t refuse Bry’s offer of food so the second year accepted a few berries. “The three of us can definitely be a team then.” Ary was quite looking forward to this!

He had to focus on all the information given by Carton because it was so much! Aryan was vaguely familiar with the came, having come across reruns when he was channel surfing at home so that helped.

Anyway…

“Looks like we’re good to go,’’ he told Bry and Emmie. This trio was going to do exceptionally in this Quiz Bowl!

She was a running a little bit behind schedule, which was not uncommon for the Gryffindor brunette. But she was also unphased by her lateness as she strode into the Great Hall just in time to hear Professor Carton's instructions. Quiz Bowl was not a usual Vera Thanatos type of event, but it was also something she hadn't ever really checked out before. And as this was the year of freedom, she planned on taking full advantage of it to experience every bit of Hogwarts that she possibly could. Which meant different clubs - though she was really only sitting in and shadowing meetings as opposed to officially joining. Being an official member would mean giving up the things she loved and already participated in and she was not looking to do that, thank you.

Glancing over the tables while she listened to Carton, all the Professor's got a wave over hello from her, as well as the students at the varying tables (though perhaps her smile might have been a bit brighter at the familiarity of Ary, Bryony and Aurora). From what she could tell, she did not see anyone at Gryffindor or Ravenclaw which was the places she would have preferred to sit (familiarity and all) but there was a solitary Anna over at Hufflepuff so Ve made her way that direction and slide into a seat by her younger friend. The directions sounded fairly simple, though she was already certain she'd get half of the questions wrong (probably by forgetting to press the button, honestly) but it should be fun all of the same. Plus, was that prizes she saw???

With no questions here, hazel eyes once more scanned the faces currently gathered before her attention shifted to the Hufflepuff. "Annaaaaa bo banana fi fy fo fannaaaa." She sang, smiling at the girl. "Want to start a group?" Vera wouldn't be offended if she did not - she was perhaps not the ideal teammate if someone was really aiming to y'know... win.

Professor Ameliorating Teddy Bear really was so dreamy and she appreciated his nonchalant response to her out-of-breath entrance. She had thought about maybe going to bombard him with some musing about some medicinal herbs and flowers she had just so happened to stumble upon while flipping through a magazine she had found in the library and maybe she would get around to actually following through with the intention today. Tomorrow? Eventually!

Aaaaaaaaand she especially appreciated Professor Carton acknowledging that she was on time! It was true that as a fifth year she really ought to have a handle on the castle and know her timetable and be much better at time management that Anna reflected and she was growing more and more embarrassed and frustrated by these truths, but she was really trying her best and it felt very reassuring and encouraging to have those efforts noticed. And speaking of noticing, Anna hardly faulted Professor Khanna for not noticing her - they had, after all, been in conversation with someone else and she was a petite fun-sized Hufflepuffle. Not to mention the anticipation of today's Quiz Bowl meeting surely would have anyone delightfully distracted!

And speaking of...she had never heard of Jeopardy but she was rather smitten by this whole button pushing situation. She was bound to forget to answer like she was answering a question though...or maybe she wouldn't because it was such a funny way of speaking that it was kind of like memorizing lines for a play as a character entirely different from yourself. That, somehow, tended to make things easier for her and why Drama Club had been so good for her and to her. Sincerely, if she could manage to answer just ONE of the categories correctly - meaning correct answer and correct form of answering - then she would be overjoyed. And...maybe...if she left with a lollipop too. Not even her optimism was irrational enough to believe she could come out with something BIG - and she would not simply copy correct answers from her peers without having known that same answer first!

So, basically, no further questions here! Other than wondering if Aurora would come over here or if she should go over there or....

"Vera!" she chirped gleefully while she kept the older Gryffindor's infamous title quiet...at least for now. It seemed like it was Vera's turn to give out a nickname and not just a nickname but it came with a little jingle as well! It all caused her cheeks to blossom like the roses on her favorite tea rose bush in the greenhouse. "Sure! It would be an honor! We'll give it our all!"

Norman smiled slightly, nodding in reply to Dhruv. His smile turned to a soft chuckle at the mention of jokes. He could relate; he never got the jokes right away either! As such, he saw no reason to keep everyone waiting for the punchline. “A kneazle has claws at the end of its paws. A comma is a pause at the end of a clause.” Corny joke, right?

His bluish-green eyes scanned the hall. He noticed Thanatos arrive while he was explaining the game rules and gave the girl a nod in greeting. He could already see a few teams beginning to form. Thanatos and Walles had partnered up, and it looked like Atreyu-Rehman, Paton, and Vance were forming a group.

********************************

After a few minutes, he addressed the group as a whole, “Let’s play Jeopardy! Our categories are…” He tapped the grid with his wand, and six category titles appeared in the top square of each column. “Spell Ya Later! for spell trivia; Creature Feature for - you guessed it - creatures; ‘Facts and Figures for history; Now We’re Cookin’! for potions and ingredients; Oh, the Places You’ll Go! For magical transportation and locations; and Pop Goes the Weasel for pop culture, magical and muggle.”

Norman paused a moment to allow the students time to give him their full attention. He tapped the gird with his wand again; the second square in the fourth column lit up. “Here’s the first clue. The category is Now We’re Cookin’! Worth 400 points: ‘Not only an antidote to most sleeping potions, this versatile potion heals injuries and replenishes stamina.’”

OOC: The game has begun! You may continue picking teams if you need to, but don’t forget to indicate which team your character is on in the title of your post. The game rules are in this post; I’ll also put the rules & categories in the top post for easy reference. You have 16-24 HOURS to answer this question!

Spotting Vera’s radiant smile, Ary gave her a cheeky grin, just for his own amusement {and perhaps Vera’s too}. He also could not help but wonder why her smile was that bright. But it didn’t matter; as long as she was happy, right?

Professor Carton was finally starting off and the Slytherin was suddenly paying rapt attention. The categories were rather interesting, he was going to right off the bat admit that. Truthfully, he could not wait for CoMC, Charms and Herbology related questions.

Oh!

He knew the answer to this!

Ary pressed a slightly salt- crusted hand down on the buzzer.

“What is the Wiggenweld Potion?”

Emma wasn't really the quiz type. She actually had come to the Great Hall because she was hungry (duh! why else would one go to the great hall?) and somehow ended up hearing Professor Carton explaining some sort of game that was going on and apparently just started? Oh ... one could team up if they wanted?

She frowned when saw Emmie, Ary, Bry already had formed a group and she supposed she could have asked to join them but somehow it just didn't feel right. Besides, she wasn't even sure how long she was going to stay if there wasn't going to be food served anytime soon. She'd have to wander off to the kitchens to ask the house elves nicely for something.

Hearing the first question, she looked around a moment before buzzing in. "What is the pepperup potion?" she countered to Ary's suggested answer. She wasn't sure if it healed, but it did revitalize one's stamina.

When Hope entered the Hall, she noticed a lot of people already sitting at the Slytherin table. Hmm...were they supposed to sit at their own tables, then? But Professor Carton had said any table, or so she thought she heard. She had a great desire to sit at another table than Ravenclaw, just because she could. Anna and Vera were already paired off at the Hufflepuff table (the House Hope had secretly thought she would be place in). Hope wasn't sure she had enough courage (or gall) to sit alone at the Gryffindor table. Then she saw Emma sitting apart and looking like she might need a partner, so Hope went to join her. And, hearing Professor Carton start the game, Hope thought that she knew the right answer, too!

Before Hope could get settled, Emma had buzzed in with her own answer. Hmmm...Hope didn't think that was the right one, either, but she'd already joined up with Emma and didn't feel it would be right to bail out now. And who knows...maybe she was right...

OH OH OH OH OH they were starting!

Anna linked arms with Vera (clueless solidarity represent!) and gazed upon their professor without blinking. It was actually kind of hard to do since her eyes started to sting a couple of second in and her lashes were twitching to catch the tears that now gave her eyes a glassy glaze. To say she was mislead by the category would be entirely correct, but she wasn't disappointed. She actually found it rather clever...even if some memory buried deep in the depths of her thoughts was bleating about it being a disservice to the divine art that was potion making to compare it to cooking. Not knowing where the thought (the memory?) was coming from made it easy enough for her to dismiss and focus instead on the words Professor Carton was bestowing upon them.

Potions was not her best subject...nor even a middle subject...and really more basement level and a basement whose walls were splattered and splashed with failed explosions. HOWEVER, the more she got to thinking...the more she wondered if the potions was the misdirect and not the title of the category. They WERE playing a muggle based game right now so maybe all the answers had a non-magical spin to them?!

"Pssssst...Vera!" she stage whispered to her teammate. "I think it's soup! Warm soup that your mum or dad makes you when you are sick! Get Well Chicken Noodle Soup! The smell sure wakes me from my deepest fever induced sleeps AND it invigorates and heals...and also soup is really versatile as well!" But, seeing as they were a team, she did not want to speak for the pair of them without proper counsel!

Was there a more adorable Hufflepuff than sweet Anna?? Vera was certain she'd be hard pressed to find one, though perhaps adorable wasn't the right term anymore either with the slightly younger girl now being a FIFTH year. Which was wild if you asked her. Perhaps as wild as Vera herself being in sixth. Weren't they still first and second years?? Perhaps in spirit only.

And maybe level of knowledge, at least in the case of Ve.

At the agreement to partner, Vera beamed back and gave a pat of appreciation to Anna's hand that had looped arms with her own. If all else failed, she was certain the pair of them and anyone else of they gained a third would at the very least have fun!

With the official start of the game, her attention turned to Professor Carton, before then Aryan and Emma in turn of their answers. So cooking was for potions was it? She would have agreed with Anna that it was a very clever change in title, but also the false advertisement had the brunette mentally pouting just a wee bit. Thanks to intensive training she'd managed to scrape together a passing potions grade, but it was by far her worst subject. This was ... Probably not a strong start for the enthusiastic pairing. Cooking though? Well,, that she knew some on. So when her partner was offering up answers for more mundane solutions, she was happy to follow the thread.

"Ooh, that IS a good one! Tea is another option. It can have caffeine which keeps one awake or replenish energy. And um... Well it's certainly good for soothing sore throats isn't it?" Could these be considered more holistic approaches? Who said you had to throw a potion at every illness. Even if this was specifically a potions category which kind of suggested as such. "I like soup though. Let's go with that one!" She said decidedly, wanting to ensure they got an answer in before Professor Carton moved on to the next thing.

Reaching out with her free arm, she smacked the buzzer before offering their answer. "What is Chicken Noodle soup?" With the answer offered, Ve beamed again at Anna. They answered the question in the correct form AND hit the buzzer. A proud moment indeed!

From the moment her bottom settled into the seat beside Ary and Emmie, a lot was going on. One of her favorite older Gryffindors walked in and right away her attention was swayed that with wiggled fingers. Hi Vera, hi! A berry was plucked from her bowl when Ary was finished taking what he liked and dropped into her own mouth to munch on.

A big smile graced her lips that they could be a team. Surely between the three of them they would get loads of correct answers. "Great! We'll make a really good team." Bry nodded her head enthusiastically. It was right around this time that Professor Carton began to explain all the rules. And there was lots. Thankfully the game didn't seem very difficult though despite all the rules and she thought she understood it all.. mostly. Casting a quick glance at her teammates, she smiled."Only one of us has to gives the correct answers, right?" It wouldn't make sense for them all to be buzzing in giving answers. Hopefully whichever one of them hit the buzzer first and supplied the answer was right... but if they weren't, that was okay. This was only for fun anyhow.

The very first question right off the bat had Bryony taking a moments pause. This was a little tough. She hadn't even put all her thoughts together before a buzzer was sounding at their table. Her head snapped to the side and blue eyes landed on Ary, she should've guessed he knew this one. "I think that's it," she whispered, reaching over to pat his hand.

Norman saw excellent teamwork as he watched the students from the headmaster chair… Walles and Thanatos conferring on the answer, Archer and Montmorency teaming up, and Paton encouraging Atreyu-Rehman. He showed no sign of emotion as the teams buzzed in with her answers, so as not to give anything away. Some were correct, others not so much, but that didn't matter. The important thing was that the students were following the rules and showing good sportsmanship!

”The correct answer is, ’What is the Wiggenweld Potion?’” he said after a minute or two. He tapped the grid again with his wand. The X square in the 2nd column lit up. ”Next clue: Creature Feature for 200 points. This proud flying creature is born from a single fragile egg usually hatched in twenty-four hours.:

OOC: Sorry for the delay… had a huge work project due yesterday! Clue 2 is up. Players will have 18-24 HOURS for this one Remember, no catching up on previous questions!

The moment his answer left his mouth, Ary felt a slight competitiveness flame spring up in his chest. He knew immediately where it came from: he might not be dad Aditya’s biological son but the man’s integral role in his life no doubt rubbed off on him. After all, how many times had he watched his dad get competitive as a pro Gobstones player? What about the tales he had heard about his dad’s determination to outdo himself in Gobstones and Dueling Club at Hogwarts?

So, for a minute when Emma mentioned the Pepperup Potion, he wondered if he had been on the right track with his own answer. He was certain Chicken Soup was not the answer even if logically, soup definitely was helpful in making one feel better. “Only one person,’’ Ary whispered in response to Bry’s answer. He grinned when she patted his arm and he lightly bumped her shoulder in response. “I hope so.” He wanted to do his best for his team.

And he was rewarded with Carton confirming his answer was correct. Ary was thrilled, but he was already preparing for the next question…

Which happened to be an easy one!

“I know this!’’ the Slytherin told Emmie and Bry, excitement written all over his face. Bry got a knowing look because how often had the two of them witnessed this particular creature emerging from an egg at the Atreyu-Rehman Hippogriff/Dragon Reserve? “I promise the two of you will have a go at the next question.” He couldn't resist a creature one! Creatures were his love! With that, his left hand slapped at the buzzer. “What is a Hippogriff?”

Oh. There was food here. Of course it was just nuts and berries and chocolates. What she REALLY wanted was a great big sandwich! With meat. Or some fried chicken. She wasn't feeling just snack food, but she wanted a meal!! Maybe sitting at the Ravenclaw table (by happenstance) would give the small blond some brainpower. She smiled welcomingly when an older girl joined her, hoping maybe she was decent at this quiz stuff?

Chicken soup ... that was a good answer, but it wasn't a potion. Wasn't the answer supposed to be a potion. Oh, Ary's team got it ... It was Wiggen-whatever. Note to self: study with Ary.

Next question was up and it was about an egg that hatched within twenty-four hours. She glanced over to Hope, shrugging and thinking maybe she ought to buzz in for this one. "Is it Ashwinder?" she whispered to the older girl, hearing Ary's answer. Wait, were hippogriffs born within twenty-four hours??? That wasn't right, was it?

“Ooooooh I love soup” Came a voice to Anna’s side as Aurora slipped into the seat next to her, beaming at the two as she did so. No she didn’t ask permission from the pair to join the group but considering they were two of her favourite people she was sure they wouldn’t mind the interjection.

Although unfortunately the Ravenclaw didn’t add any further brain cells to the occasion, she was just sort of there as a cheerleader to her best friend’s incredible (and likely incorrect but that never changed her opinion) brain. That and the young ones over at the Slytherin table seemed to know everything and it was making her feel a little dumb. Oh and Vera was older and therefore it was natural that she would have the knowledge that Aurora severely lacked or even if she didn’t, she looked cool and confident and therefore she was greatly admired.

Shoving some berries into her mouth which were unexpectedly sharp and made her nose do that wrinkled bunny scrunch thing, she half-listened to the next question somewhat perking up because at least creatures were something she was passionate about. To her teammates only did she replicate Anna’s theatrical stage whisper. “Lots of creatures are born in eggs like.. Basilisks and Chimaera and.. Oh. Did he say winged?” That was probably vital information she should’ve taken note of. “An Occamy or a Dragon or an Ashwinder or a Hippogriff or a Phoenix..” They could stop her at any time before the blonde reeled off every single bird-like creature. In fact she could start on the animal kingdom too if they’d like? She was particularly fond of penguins.

Jeopardy was too fast! Emmie hadn't managed to settle in and be happy that Bry welcomed her to join her, and Ary's team for the game before it started. "We'll do great!" Emmie said enthusiastically to her teammates. This was intense. Before Emmie got the chance to think for two seconds Ary had hit the red buzzer, answered the first potion question correctly scoring points for their team. "Way to go Ary!" Emmie chimed with a broad smile. Only one of them could answer for their team on each question so she held her tongue, and waited for the next question. The next question was a creature question that gave her pause. A hippogriff that Ary slapped the buzzer and answered quick as a snitch was one possibility, but didn't ashwinder fit in too snce they were pretty fragile birds?