All's Not Well

I have received a lot of complaints about the cancellation of Hogsmeade trips. I understand that you all are upset about it and you have every right to be. However, each and everyone of you are my responsibility while you are here at this school. Hogsmeade is no longer a safe place for the students to be, which means I cannot allow you to be there.

I know there are some of you that are having trouble understanding the meaning of the Dark Mark and having trouble understanding why Madame Rosmerta and the many others have been killed. The Heads of House and I have decided that you all need a proper answer. We've had plans for a while to bring the Aurors in to teach us a few more things about safety, but instead, I think we'll let them explain exactly what is going on and exactly what these terrible things mean.

Sincerely
Professor M. McGonagall.

Students of Hogwarts,

If you haven't already figured out, most of you are under the influence of an aging potion. It seems to have had a different toll on each of you, some even having older memories and not realizing you're a student still. I can assure you all that this is not permanent and will wear off eventually. More than likely before you wake up tomorrow. PLEASE try to help your fellow students out during this time.

- Headmistress McGonagall

Thank you all who tried out for the play. Everyone did really well! I am pleased to give you this cast:

Main Cast
Gnomeretta - Mairead Finnigan
Prince Gnomgar - Apollo Chambers
Gnomeregan - Random 2nd year (unless someone wants it)
Gernumble - Mallory Little
Griffon - Random 1st year (unless someone wants it)
Gretalus - Serena Greene
Gnoo - Alice Longbottom
King Nu - Leroy Jenkins
Queen Nana - Camilla Dust
Princess Gnomevere - Kayley Summerby
Granny Gan - Harmonia Thruston
Merlinus - Quincy Cadwallader

Extras
Random Tree #1 - Evangeline Yaxley
Elf #1 - Piper Knightly
Elf #2 - Rose Weasley

If you did not receive a part in the play and you are still interested, please contact myself or Professor Longbottom about volunteering to help with the set.

Good afternoon students,

As some of you may have heard already... Professor Sinistra and myself, along with the Drama Club are going to be putting together a Christmas play that will be held just before we dismiss you all for the Winter Holidays, the 19th of December.

The play we have chosen to do is the A Garden Gnomes Christmas which was written by Oliver S. Bubblebabble in the year 1815. This is the sign-up post for if you're interested. Auditions are tomorrow and the cast list will go up on Monday. From then on, rehearsals will be every night from 8pm-9pm until the performance on the 19th, which will be held at 2pm in the Great Hall.

Here's a little information about the play:
It starts off with a family of gnomes whom are living in the backyard of a very wealthy wizard, who absolutely hates gnomes. The gnome family, which consists of the father, his four sons and his one daughter are very poor and have little food and water. The gnome men go off and do dirty work for the richer gnome families in the area, while the daughter stays at home and cleans and cooks. One day (Christmas Eve), the Gnome Royal family is looking for a bride for their son, so they visit all of the gnome families in the area. The royal family allows for the son to give his opinion, but it's only moderately valued. They want to set him up with a very obnoxious, bratty princess from the next town over, but he is really in love with the poor daughter. The Royal family locks him in his bedroom for Christmas Day and demands he marry the bratty princess. The Prince escapes through a secret passage in his bedroom, with help from his grandmother, and runs off and elopes with the poor girl. The play ends with the Royal Family and bratty princess comiserating about the loss of the son and feeling ashamed, because now their people will have no heir and no ruler, while the Prince and the poor gnome are off living happily ever after and celebrate their own Christmas.

Parts:
Gnomeretta (poor gnome)
Prince Gnomgar (prince of the royal gnome family)
Gnomeregan (father of Gnomeretta)
Gernumble (brother of Gnomeretta)
Griffon (brother of Gnomeretta)
Gretalus (brother of Gnomeretta)
Gnoo (brother of Gnomeretta)
King Nu (father of prince)
Queen Nana (mother of prince)
Princess Gnomevere (bratty princess)
Granny Gan (grandmother of the prince)
Merlinus (evil wizard who has the gnomes in his backyard)
Extras (trees, bushes, guards, etc.)

[OOC note: just post here with the characters you'd want to be in the play and their most ideal parts and we'll wing it from there! :D]

Afternoon boys and girls!

The Hogwarts talent show will be held on the 17th of December! I'll be coordinating it! The talent show will begin at 8:00pm in the Great Hall! We will be allowing any type of performance that keeps to school rules (IE: Dress code and language rules!)

If you'd like to participate in this years Talent Show, please reply here with your name and a brief summary of your performance!

Thank you,
Professor Flitwick.

It has recently been brought to my attention that we might have a missing student. If you happen to know the whereabouts of Miss Mallory Little, I urge you to let your head of house know. Thank you.

Dear Students,

The Ministry of Magic has just sent me an important message to relay to all of you.

Apparently, this last Hogsmeade, a drug dealer selling the illegal Gillyweed Hash was seen selling to some of our students. I need not remind you that this substance is illegal and is not allowed on school campus. The Ministry is looking for this dealer and will be arresting them once they are found.

All of the Hogwarts Professor's have been notified and will be looking out for those who may be under the influence of Gillyweed Hash. If you see someone in your classes eating or smoking this illegal substance, you're to report it immediately to your Head of House. Also, if you see anyone you think may be under the influence, you may report that to you Heads as well.

The effects/symptoms are as follows:

+ Spacy/Dazed/Confused -- the user gives the impression that they are completely out of it, sometimes not even remembering where they are.
+ The enjoyment of being touched. Feelings are exaggerated when you use Gillyweed Hash, users tend to like being hugged, among other things.
+ Glazed over eyes.
+ Hyperactivity.
+ Balance Problems, Forgetfulness, and acting as if drunk.

This is illegal and will not be tolerated here at Hogwarts. I need not remind you that too much Gillyweed Hash can, indeed, be deadly. Students found using the substance may be subject to expulsion or suspension.

Thank you for your time

I would like to just remind you all to treat our guests with the utmost respect. Show them how good Hogwarts can be and keep our good name.

Anyone who treats our guests badly maybe be subject to detentions and the loss of House points.

Due to the Hinkypunk invasion of the Gryffindor dormitories, we are asking all Gryffindors to come to the Great Hall after supper for the night. Professor Pucey will take care of the problem as soon as possible.

I must remind you all that this type of behavior is not welcomed and the cages in the Defence classroom are supposed to remain locked.

HOGWARTS HALLOWEEN DANCE

On October 30th, we'll be hosting a Halloween dance! ALL STUDENTS ARE INVITED!

It will run from approximately 9pm to 12:30am! There will be Refreshments and snacks for all! We've asked the band Babbling Banshee's to play at our dance! They've accepted and agreed and will be playing during the 10-11pm slot!

COSTUMES are not mandatory, but are encouraged! There might even be extra points given out to those that dress up! So, please coordinate with your friends and dress up in creative outfits! However, we ask that all costumes be safe for everyone's eyes. Regular dress code rules do apply. You must wear shoes and you must be covering most of your body.

The Headmistress wants me to remind you of a few rules:

- ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED AT THE SCHOOL DANCE! If anyone is caught under the influence or spiking the punch, they will receive a suspension.
- NO PDA PLEASE! A little kissing here and there is okay, but hands MUST remain above the waist!
- DATES are NOT required! Single boys and girls are welcome to come solo!
- You must be on your best behaviour. We will not hesitate to throw you out if you misbehave!

Remember, all of the Professor's, as well as your Prefect's and Head's will be watching and will not hesitate to take points from your House!


ALSO, THIS IS A PERSONAL REQUEST FROM YOURS TRULY.
I need a few volunteers to help me set up for the dance! They would need to come down right after supper and help me get started. Please and thank you!

As most of you know and have already speculated, Hogwarts will be instituting a Sex-Education course for next week. The teachers and I are growing worried with all of the talk over the journals about sex and pregnancy. We have mailed all of your parents and most of them have filled out the permission slip and expressed their own concerns.

Next week, any student in the fourth year or above that has had a permission slip signed will be attending a sex-education class between the hours of noon and 1pm. Your classes will return to normal the next week after and no homework assignments will be given in the missing classes next week.

See the below chart for where you need to be for your Sexual Education.

FOURTH YEARS
Gryffindor + Slytherin = Professor Baggins, in his Defense classroom.
Hufflepuff + Ravenclaw = Madame Pomfrey, in the Great Hall.

FIFTH YEARS
Gryffindor + Ravenclaw = Professor Sinistra, up in the Astronomy tower.
Hufflepuff + Slytherin = Professor Pucey, in a spare classroom on the 4th floor.

SIXTH YEARS
Gryffindor + Slytherin = Professor Arrowby, in the Muggle Studies classroom.
Hufflepuff + Ravenclaw = Professor Vector, in the Arithmancy classroom.

SEVENTH YEARS
Gryffindor + Hufflepuff = Professor Longbottom, in a spare classroom on the 6th floor.
Ravenclaw + Slytherin = Professor Slughorn, in the Potions classroom.

THIS IS MANDATORY. All students fourth year and above must attend these classes. Younger students will still attend their normal classes, substitutes will fill any class where a teacher is missing to teach Sex-Ed.

Hello Students!

The staff and I have been discussing ways to promote School Spirit and House Unity! Your Headmistress has put me, Professor Filius Flitwick, in charge of coming up with a few ways to get the ball rolling! Throughout the school year, you can be sure to expect random days dedicated to Hogwarts School Spirit.

The first day of this is TOMORROW! We're having a Pyjama Day! Wear your PJ's out and about and get House points!

RULES:
You will only get ONE point per person. Don't try to fool any of us Professors by saying your House did not get your point, because we'll be keeping track.

You MUST follow school dress code even in night clothes. Shirts and bottoms must be worn at all times. Anyone whom does not follow these rules will be sent back to their dormitory to change and will lose House points.

please participate and get your house some extra points!