Grounds

You look East. In the distance, the sun rises over a forest forever forbidden.

You turn South. The Great Lake glimmers in the rare Scottish sun.

You face West. The sun sets over Hogwarts' beloved Quidditch Pitch.

You glance North. A windswept grassy expanse lies in the shadow of misted mountains.

You look around. The Hogwarts grounds stretch out in front of you, peaceful and undisturbed. Narrow paths litter the landscape, splitting like rivers racing to meet the horizon. They gradually weave around trees and patches of wildflowers, each and every one of them wide and well-preened. Many of the large oaks and spruces have fluttering scarfs or scraps of parchment stuck between their leaves; all from a few adrenaline-loving students who like to seek refuge high above the ground. They share the space with crooked bird nests and skittering grey squirrels, some of which are even inquisitive enough to eat the occasional acorn from their bare hands.

More rarely spaced around the grounds, are small copses of close-together trees. Conversations not meant for the ears of others often take place in the clear space under their branches, as do more private rendezvous. The ground is covered in pine needles and there are usually a few names, hearts and other whatnots carved in any fallen tree trunks. In the summer, these spaces are rarely empty, as they provide both welcome shade and a nice dose of privacy. The branches overhead paint atmospheric shadows onto the skin of any students below them.

As winter looms, hoards of red and yellow leaves litter the landscape. Many students like to make towering piles which, when jumped in, swirl up like scarlet snowflakes in the breeze. But when the snowfall itself finally covers the vibrant colours, it forms soft ridges in the wind. They offer the perfect barricade in an onslaught of snowballs, providing an opportunity that every Hogwarts resident should experience at least once: The Wild War of Sabotaging Snowballs.