The Seven Schools Open Closed

Forward dated to Wednesday, 5th October 2022

Looking into the newly decorated Great Hall or seeing the staff even busier than usual made it very clear what day it was. Today was the day that the international schools were reuniting, with Hogwarts hosting their international counterparts once again. This was not just another visit though. It was a momentous occasion that marked a very important upcoming event. In April, the champions of the tournament had been announced. Now, the first trial of the Hexwizard Tournament was to take part and everyone knew how important such a moment was. The last time this tournament had taken part, Hogwarts had lost one of their own and the dark lord had been reborn; an event that marked the start of the second wizarding war. Decades had passed since but it was not an occasion anyone could easily forget. The many concerns that had been voiced had fallen on deaf ears.

Students from the six visiting schools started to arrive in the late afternoon, a few hours prior to dinnertime. They had arrived by port key, regardless of their usual unique choices of transport. It deprived them of their flying trees, horse-driven carriages or the large boats that some of the schools chose to travel by. However, the Ministry of Magic had decided that port keys were the most logical choice due to the frequency of visits and the burden each of them would have to endure over the coming year if they chose alternative methods of travel. It was also far more convenient and faster for them.

Each school had prearranged a time and location to arrive, where a Head of House would greet them before taking them to the campgrounds, where they were given accommodation. They would, of course, be informed of the school rules and any upcoming events that they would need to know. Whilst they had already received information about the ball a few weeks prior, the invites would be formally handed to them in case they missed it. Each school was assigned a large cabin. The cabins were identical to each other, housing the entire school in one - both the students and the professors alike.

Their arrival was not incredibly spectacular; they lacked the usual large crowds of other students greeting them or the marching band that some of them might have had. The greeting was rather formal, in fact. After they were shown to the cabin, they were given some time to settle down and unpack as they would be there for the next few weeks. However, the schools were invited to a large welcome feast that was held in their honour. A feast had been set up in the Great Hall, which they were all given directions to - in case they required them.

Opening the door of the Great Hall caused some small fireworks to light up by the entrance. This happened each time someone entered, as though it was prompted by their arrival. The beautiful light display would appear in a variety of colours, seemingly random. The sparks were high up above the entrance, too far for most people to touch as they were several feet above the entrance door. However, if someone tried to touch the fireworks, they would find it would simply go through them like a light rather than a hot spark.

Today, the Great Hall looked even larger than usual. The four 'house' tables seemed longer - each housing far more students than they had just the day prior - and extra seats were placed up near the professors' table. It was clear that the school was anticipating far more students for each meal. In the centre of the hall, behind the Headmaster's seat, a large flag with the Hogwarts logo hovered in the air. It was visible on entry but that was not the only change. On the left side, three flags floated amongst the candles; Beauxbatons, Koldovstoretz and Durmstrang. On the right side, exactly opposite those flags, there were three others - the Ilvermorny, Mahoutokoro and Castelobruxo flags.

Students were ushered in and asked to quickly take a seat anywhere in the room. The tables were set but there was no food yet. A staff member from Hogwarts and Beauxbatons stood by the entrance, chatting whilst they ushered students in and asked them to quickly take a seat anywhere in the room. Schools and houses were to be put aside for the meal, and they were encouraged to mingle. Today, they were not competitors.

The Ilvermorny Headmaster made his way over to the Durmstrang Headmistress as he brushed some glitter off his shoulder. Where it came from, who knew with this man? The Heads of Mahoutokoro and Castelobruxo were chatting near the professors' table.

With the first task of the Hexwizard Tournament in a few weeks, all of the schools were here and ready. Castelobruxo was not participating this time around but they would be able to spectate, with the hope that they would join in the future if the tournament was a success. Fingers crossed for such a thing. The last few trips had been better for Koldovstoretz and hopefully, this would continue this time. What happened in the past could not repeat itself.

Once everyone had settled into their seats, the professors quickly followed suit and settled down. Some sat amongst the students, others stayed at the professors' table. The sound of a fork clanking against a metal goblet could be heard emitting from the professors' table to gather everyone's attention. Some short speeches were given by various staff members welcoming everyone to the school, about the upcoming tournament, and repeating the school rules for the visitors.

During one of the speeches, the following students were each called out by name and asked to stand up:

Miles Thatcher (@Simon Kincaid) of Ilvermorny
Aryaan Shamsi (@Hui Ming) of Mahoutokoro,
Rodion Makarovich (@Aurora Ranvier) of Koldovstoretz
Cassanora Browne (@Hugh Lowe) of Beauxbatons,
Yefim Rumyantsev (@Flash Holmwood) of Durmstrang
and @Howard White of Hogwarts

These were the champions of their respective schools. Two of the names had not originally come out of the goblet. Aryaan Shamsi had acquired the role back in April after the original champion declined it and had been featured in interviews since, so his name was likely of no surprise to anyone. Cassanora Browne was a slightly newer name but she had recently taken over the role after the former Beauxbatons champion stepped down, after contracting an illness and being unable to continue. It had been announced recently but may have been a surprise to some.

Whether the champions chose to stand or not, a large round of applause would go out across the room after each name - either out of politeness or as their friends (or school) loudly cheered for them. As 'Howard White' was called, there were a few 'boos' and grumbles around the room but they were quickly drowned out by the sheer volume of the supporters.

With that speech over, Headmaster Lear clapped his hands and announced that dinner was served. As he did, dishes started to appear on the tables. There was a huge range of food, including the usual British food served and a few international dishes from each of the school's regions to celebrate this international reunion. With Autumn now in full swing, there were also a few seasonal dishes to celebrate this - from pumpkin spiced hot chocolate to berry pie. The food and the mixed seating were all to encourage a community spirit. Whilst they might be competitors in a few weeks, it was hoped that the Hexwizard Tournament would be a friendly competition. At least, that was a hope that some had. Many outside of Hogwarts did not share that same hope.

OOC Notes:

• This is the arrival thread for the iNPCs visiting Hogwarts for the Fall Ball. You may post with your PC and/or your approved iNPC.
• Please don't interact with the NPC Headmasters/anyone named in this post, unless they post separately and are open for interactions.
• iNPCs will be at Hogwarts from Wednesday 5th October until Monday 24th October (a reminder that the Autumn Ball is on Saturday 8th October and Hexwizard Task 1 is on Sunday 23rd October).
• A reminder to brush up on the rules surrounding NPCs, including:
  
  Reducio

  1. Only approved iNPCs can be roleplayed. Don't RP things that aren't approved... (If you have unapproved/pending abilities or stats etc, don't RP them).
  
  2. You MUST post a picture of your iNPC in every post with them. This picture or avatar is what you use when you are posting as them to clearly indicate that you are posting as your iNPC and not your PC. (This can be a fancy banner or just an image but something must accompany it).
  
  3. Ideally, please link to your iNPC's encyclopedia in every post with them.
  
  For instance:

  Roleplaying as [Name of iNPC] from [School] - Link to Encyclopedia
  [IMAGE OF THEM]

  4. Honestly make it clear that they are different. If your posts aren't clear at first glance (i.e. without reading the post itself) then it's not clear enough.
  
  5. If you decide to post your PC and your iNPC in one post, there needs to be two separate 200+ word sections written individually of each other. Frankly, it is easier for you and us if you keep their posts separate.