Post by Headmaster Dumbledore on Oct 25, 2006 2:46:40 GMT
((This post is just a main post to explain a few things. There are a few things that should be explained OOC as well. First, this board [we’ll call it the main board] is for any posts that are just an overview of your characters walking through the maze, and/or hanging out at the party after they have completed the maze. The other boards are the various tasks where you can have your characters post and receive points for completing the tasks correctly. The first group to have completed all the tasks correctly will receive the grand prize. All participating groups will receive an award as well. Groups should be no less than 2 people and no more than 5; if there are mixed houses, each house in that group will receive five points for completing a task. Each student should either be wearing a pair of horns or a halo in yellow, red, green, or blue for their house colors. This will make it easier for the staff to depict which house they are in [in the post please put what colour of horns or halo they are wearing in bold print in the respective house colour].))
It was like magic. Well, that was because it was magic that did it. The dungeons were completely converted into a frightful scene. It was only frightening when the lights were off and the magic and enchantments were being put to use, with the lights fully on and the volunteer students and professors walking around half dressed in their costumes and half in their regular clothing, it wasn’t as scary. Albus walked around with Arisha Macherat, a foreign Halloween specialist, on his arm. She was the daughter of an old friend of his, and when the staff had sat down to discuss this years Halloween bash – her name immediately came to mind. As they walked through the dungeons, Albus smiled merrily at the Professor Sprout as she waddled by in her pumpkin costume. It was amusing seeing all these professors dressed up, and heart warming as well. He was glad to see that the staff at Hogwarts liked to interact with the students. With a nod to one professor, and a pat of Miss Macherat’s hand, Albus led the young woman to the seats in front of the entrance to the maze. They stood in front of a large wall that had a medieval type door in the center of it. There were booths along the adjoining walls; booths that had the glowing horns and halos in the house colours each student would have to wear. Older looking lanterns and candelabras lined the pathway that led into the maze. Jack-o-lanterns with spooky carvings were set atop bales of straw, a muggle touch Arisha had suggested. She really was amazing, that woman.
“Well, Arisha, my dear; I believe you’ve outdone yourself.” Albus spoke warmly, his voice like chimes. He was giving her a sincere compliment and although Arisha Macherat was very modest, Albus could detect a hint of pride and accomplishment in her deeply brown eyes. He admired that in a person, modesty but the ability to know pride when you should. “It all looks marvelous, and I’m positive the children are going to love it. Although, most of them aren’t children anymore, are they? They’ve all grown up in my eye, and it’s all so frightening to see them turning into young adults.” Arisha smiled, her teeth a beautiful pearly white flashing against her olive coloured skin. Albus smiled softly in return and patted her hand again. She felt like a daughter to him, although they hadn’t known each other long. Maybe a few years. It wasn’t as if Albus had raised her, he had met her when she had turned 28, and she was 32 now. But instantly he felt a strong connection to her and thought she was a determined and influential young woman. When he had offered, some years later, a job to decorate the dungeons of Hogwarts he hadn’t thought she would actually agree to it. Much less do a magnificent job at transforming everything. Albus took one more look at the entrance to the maze before turning his gaze on Arisha, “Your father would have been very proud. Now, tell me dear, do you decorate only for Halloween or for Christmas and other occasions as well?” Before Arisha could respond, a student came up with a crisis and the beautiful lady was whisked away on an important mission. Albus chuckled to himself; he loved the feeling of the buzz of last minute preparations.
All this excitement was getting to Albus, and he found himself suddenly very tired. He sat down in a nearby chair, deciding maybe a light snooze would be okay as long as he was awake when the festivities began. Only, that light snooze turned into a deep nap – so the only thing that woke him up was a bucket of iced water over his head. Apparently, he had fallen into such a deep sleep he had started snoring and all the students were crowded around the entrance waiting for his speech to begin. Albus jumped up, sputtering a bit, some rosiness flooding to his cheeks. Students laughed as he smiled sheepishly and took a small bow. He took out his wand and waved it, drying himself off. When he was finished, he glanced over to Arisha who was wearing a smile of amusement, and clapped his hands to get everyone to settle down. Once everyone was settled down, Albus smiled once more, “I believe I’m getting to old for these type of things,” there was laughter and Albus continued, “Welcome to Fright Fest ’98. Inside these doors is a maze with several “frightpoints.” Each “frightpoint” is a puzzle or task of some kind. Each group will have to solve each puzzle or task before they are able to continue on to the next frightpoint. The first group to finish the maze and all frightpoints will win a mystery prize at the end and each group following a smaller mysterious prize. Every student must wear either the glowing horns or halo in their house colour, this way professors and volunteers will make it easier to know which house to award points to. After the maze, enjoy the party. But remember, house points can be deducted and detentions given – so be on your best behaviour. I expect everyone to be back in their common rooms by half past midnight, anyone seen out past then will be sent to me.” He held eye contact with a student before smiling and breaking the gaze, “Each night the maze will shift and new tasks will be given. So, please, do not cheat. There are to be no less than 2 people in a group and no more than 5. Now… begin!” The doors opened and he stepped aside. Letting everyone enter the maze.
It was like magic. Well, that was because it was magic that did it. The dungeons were completely converted into a frightful scene. It was only frightening when the lights were off and the magic and enchantments were being put to use, with the lights fully on and the volunteer students and professors walking around half dressed in their costumes and half in their regular clothing, it wasn’t as scary. Albus walked around with Arisha Macherat, a foreign Halloween specialist, on his arm. She was the daughter of an old friend of his, and when the staff had sat down to discuss this years Halloween bash – her name immediately came to mind. As they walked through the dungeons, Albus smiled merrily at the Professor Sprout as she waddled by in her pumpkin costume. It was amusing seeing all these professors dressed up, and heart warming as well. He was glad to see that the staff at Hogwarts liked to interact with the students. With a nod to one professor, and a pat of Miss Macherat’s hand, Albus led the young woman to the seats in front of the entrance to the maze. They stood in front of a large wall that had a medieval type door in the center of it. There were booths along the adjoining walls; booths that had the glowing horns and halos in the house colours each student would have to wear. Older looking lanterns and candelabras lined the pathway that led into the maze. Jack-o-lanterns with spooky carvings were set atop bales of straw, a muggle touch Arisha had suggested. She really was amazing, that woman.
“Well, Arisha, my dear; I believe you’ve outdone yourself.” Albus spoke warmly, his voice like chimes. He was giving her a sincere compliment and although Arisha Macherat was very modest, Albus could detect a hint of pride and accomplishment in her deeply brown eyes. He admired that in a person, modesty but the ability to know pride when you should. “It all looks marvelous, and I’m positive the children are going to love it. Although, most of them aren’t children anymore, are they? They’ve all grown up in my eye, and it’s all so frightening to see them turning into young adults.” Arisha smiled, her teeth a beautiful pearly white flashing against her olive coloured skin. Albus smiled softly in return and patted her hand again. She felt like a daughter to him, although they hadn’t known each other long. Maybe a few years. It wasn’t as if Albus had raised her, he had met her when she had turned 28, and she was 32 now. But instantly he felt a strong connection to her and thought she was a determined and influential young woman. When he had offered, some years later, a job to decorate the dungeons of Hogwarts he hadn’t thought she would actually agree to it. Much less do a magnificent job at transforming everything. Albus took one more look at the entrance to the maze before turning his gaze on Arisha, “Your father would have been very proud. Now, tell me dear, do you decorate only for Halloween or for Christmas and other occasions as well?” Before Arisha could respond, a student came up with a crisis and the beautiful lady was whisked away on an important mission. Albus chuckled to himself; he loved the feeling of the buzz of last minute preparations.
All this excitement was getting to Albus, and he found himself suddenly very tired. He sat down in a nearby chair, deciding maybe a light snooze would be okay as long as he was awake when the festivities began. Only, that light snooze turned into a deep nap – so the only thing that woke him up was a bucket of iced water over his head. Apparently, he had fallen into such a deep sleep he had started snoring and all the students were crowded around the entrance waiting for his speech to begin. Albus jumped up, sputtering a bit, some rosiness flooding to his cheeks. Students laughed as he smiled sheepishly and took a small bow. He took out his wand and waved it, drying himself off. When he was finished, he glanced over to Arisha who was wearing a smile of amusement, and clapped his hands to get everyone to settle down. Once everyone was settled down, Albus smiled once more, “I believe I’m getting to old for these type of things,” there was laughter and Albus continued, “Welcome to Fright Fest ’98. Inside these doors is a maze with several “frightpoints.” Each “frightpoint” is a puzzle or task of some kind. Each group will have to solve each puzzle or task before they are able to continue on to the next frightpoint. The first group to finish the maze and all frightpoints will win a mystery prize at the end and each group following a smaller mysterious prize. Every student must wear either the glowing horns or halo in their house colour, this way professors and volunteers will make it easier to know which house to award points to. After the maze, enjoy the party. But remember, house points can be deducted and detentions given – so be on your best behaviour. I expect everyone to be back in their common rooms by half past midnight, anyone seen out past then will be sent to me.” He held eye contact with a student before smiling and breaking the gaze, “Each night the maze will shift and new tasks will be given. So, please, do not cheat. There are to be no less than 2 people in a group and no more than 5. Now… begin!” The doors opened and he stepped aside. Letting everyone enter the maze.