Bulletin Board

Save the Date

When the students woke up on the morning of this particular Wednesday, the 16th of September, they might have already felt that something was in the air. Something different, something exciting, something mysterious.

Maybe it had to do with the rumoured Autumn Ball, which had already been the topic of much discussion and gossip, that had students planning their outfits and looking for dates although there weren't yet any details or official confirmation, except for what the gossip mill spread among the student body - but how much of that was true, really?

A few students only knew more, the ones who had been tasked with planning this ball, but they had been careful not to let out too much information so far, and the anticipation had grown accordingly.

This morning, however, was different. When the students got out of bed, went down to their common rooms, wandered the halls, or made their way to breakfast, they would find cards: Strewn across tables, pinned to bulletin boards, stuck to walls. They were between the toasts on the breakfast tables in the Great Hall, and peeked out behind sofa cushions in the common rooms.

If you picked one up, you would find one of two variants - the first more dark, more mysterious, the pictures on one side showing masks and candles:

And oh, was there something written on the backside?

But there was also another option, one with warmer colours, showing snacks, and evoking the impression of lighthearted fun, costumes, and children's laughter.

And again, on the backside, a message:

No matter which card you picked up, the message was clear.

October 16th
Save the Date.

Save the Date

It had been a week since the mysterious invitations had shown up all over the school, and since then, a lot more information had spread through the school, confirmed by the organizers to anyone who asked. Yes, it was about the Autumn Ball. Yes, there would be two areas, somewhat different in mood.

The Masquerade

The first area, which many had guessed, was a masquerade. It would have music, mystery, and masks. There would be plenty of space for dancing, some food and refreshments, and a dramatic, spooky elegance to the decorations. Guests were encouraged to dress up in pretty dresses, fancy suits, or dressrobes. It would have a more sophisticated feel to it. Maybe this was the place for the more adventurous people to go?

The Costume Party

The second invitation had promised a warmer atmosphere, more fun, more childish maybe, and was intended as a costumed Halloween party. It would be a place to just hang out with your friends, stuff your face with Halloween snacks, drink colourful drinks. Maybe you could play a game, carve a pumpkin or two for the more artistic crowd. There would be fun surprises as well, certainly, but while still Halloween-themed, it was planned to be a more quiet place, for all those who preferred laughing with friends over being spooked. Hopefully someone would show up in a dinosaur costume!

Of course, if you dressed up for one area, that didn't mean you wouldn't be able to go visit the other one. If you wanted to carve a pumpkin in your fancy ballgown, you would be welcome to do so. If you wanted to go dance in your pumpkin costume, that too was an option.

And remember,

October 16th
Save the Date.