The schools arrive at Hogwarts iNPC arrival thread Closed

Thursday, October 5th, 2023

As per tradition by now, Hogwarts would play host to some of the most esteemed magical schools that were scattered across the world. Though as of this time, there would be seven visitors, rather than the previous six. From the continent of Africa, Uagadou had graciously accepted Hogwarts' invitation. A decision that came as a bit of a welcome surprise to the outside world. By now, each school had set foot on Scottish soil, and would slowly make their approach into the great hall for a warm welcome. Students would not get the chance to meet their international peers before then, though there would be plenty of time to catch up with old comrades or meet new people as soon as everyone had settled down for tonight's festivities.

As usual, the elves downstairs toiled long and hard to include as many foreign tastes within tonight's menu. Trying to pay extra attention to the newest school's pallet in particular. The kitchens were at war against time. With the number of their customers doubled (at least), four extra tables had been added to the usual setup. The extra dishes had been scrubbed clean in advance and a multitude of used pots and pans were already piling up, with the dishwashers struggling to keep up with the chefs. Beds and other accommodations had been made on the camp grounds. Be assured that none of the guests would be left wanting for anything (except maybe home). Some may find their lodgings a downgrade of what they are used to, while others may instead feel like they were visiting a luxury resort. This was all done to give the new arrivals a proper celebration for their visit. Though the real party, the ball, would not be until Friday, the 6th of October.

Uagadou would continue to surprise everyone by showing up in the early hours of the day, while the moon was still making her exit for that night. Under the last rays of moonlight, Ugadou's visitors would appear via portkey in the boathouse. Where they, to their own surprise this time, were actually met with the Deputy Headmistress herself, Nora Jensen. Perhaps one of only two people within Hogwarts that would know Uagadou's spiritual connection to the moon, and thus did not expect them to arrive without its guidance still lingering in the sky. After a short and formal greeting, professor Jensen would escort them to their cabins.

Beauxbatons was thus no longer Hogwarts' usual first arrival. Though they were still as punctual as ever. The enormous, yet beautiful, carriage came crashing down on the castle with the rising sun in their back, leaving the silhouette of a horrifying multi-winged, bulky monster imprinted on the muggleborn early-birds' eyes that were not used to seeing a carriage of this size, drawn by a dozen winged horses. Beauxbatons would be greeted with open arms by the Head of Hufflepuff, Caradoc Browne. Who may have taken this task upon himself for a particular someone that was being brought by the magical carriage. Without much ado (which was unusual for professor Browne), he would escort them to their lodgings for the duration of their stay. Some fine cabins on the camp grounds.

Durmstrang's ship would break the lake's surface later that morning. Its three masts, like thin blades, would stab straight upwards into the sky, before it finally docked where Uagadou had arrived earlier that day: the boathouse. With their wet boots and furry coats, the intimidating lot would be met with the equally intimidating figure of the Head of Slytherin, Magdalena Wickham-Deakin. Prompt, professional, and without any lolly-gagging, Durmstrang would be escorted from their cabins on the ship, to their new cabins on the camp grounds.

Koldovstoretz was another school that preferred (or was forced due to no other option) to use a portkey to enter Hogwarts' premises. There would always be a sense of unease in welcoming the Headmistress and her students back after they suffered an immensely tragic loss the very first time they accepted Hogwarts' invitation. A truly black mark on Hogwarts' history as host to the other magical schools, though there was little they could have done to avoid it. So it was with deep gratitude towards Koldovstoretz that Hogwarts welcomed them again and again, hoping every time that time would heal, if not all, at least some wounds. With great care, the students and their Headmistress would be greeted by none other than the Headmaster himself: Solomon Lear. Professor Lear took his time to make sure the Russian school was transported safely to their cabins, and even lingered around a little while longer to be certain that they settled in alright. Until finally he took off to keep an eye on the preparations within the castle.

Ilvermorny always arrived via portkey for only two reasons. One being that the distance between the two schools is simply too great. The second is that it meant, their headmaster, Lazarus Plott, could show up with whatever extravagance he could come up with this time. Arriving at noon, he proved this point by appearing from the portkey, skateboarding upon a broom as a handful of puckwudgies dressed as angelic beings seemed to hunt him down with bow and arrow. The entire first half of a play seemed to be acted out in front of the Head of Gryffindor, Galahad Browne, who seemed to physically age a year for every five seconds he checked his watch, silently pleading for the new arrivals to announce break-time. When his release finally came in the voice of the Ilvermorny students that wished to unpack, they were promptly escorted to their assigned cabins.

Castelobruxo arrived in the late afternoon. Having accompanied Beauxbatons earlier this morning, the Head of Hufflepuff, Caradoc Browne had found the time to welcome another school on Hogwarts' grounds. He did not speak any of their languages, so as a counteroffer, he had brought his guitar along and promised them a ballad or two for on the road towards their cabins. Maybe by the end of it, some students would have a catchy tune of "Hoggy Warty Hogwarts" stuck in their heads.

Mahoutokoro would be last, but never least, to arrive in the evening. As per tradition, the Head of Ravenclaw, Marcus Iwasaki would welcome his former school with open arms and great respect. His fluency in Japanese offered him an edge in making sure the Headmistress and her students were assured of their safety and well-being during their stay on Hogwarts' grounds. After a slow walk around the camp grounds, they would eventually be shown to the cabins that had been prepared especially for them.

While meals for the early arrivals were provided on the camp grounds for those that desired as much, all schools were formally invited to finally join the students and staff of Hogwarts over dinner. A warm and celebratory welcome feast that would kick off this next adventure at Hogwarts. Upon arrival at the doors that led into the great hall, people would be greeted by an animated scarecrow. A jack-o'-lantern for a head and a golden cup in their hand, they would propose a toast to the health of any that cheerfully wished the same for them.

As all seven schools would gather in the Great Hall, older students would know that there were no assigned seats during this event. A symbolic gesture to push for the children to get to mix and mingle with one another. After everyone eventually took a seat, Several speeches would follow by Headmaster Lear as well as some of the other heads of the other schools. All grateful for this opportunity. When all was said and done, Headmaster Lear would clap his hands, and with a loud clang of his metal gauntlets, the food would finally appear upon the tables. Leaving everyone to dive in to their heart's desire.

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 do not start unnecessary drama or fights that require a professor or prefect to step in. Their hands are already quite full. We are aware your characters may have a personality that can clash with those of others, but keep it within limits in here. This thread is mainly meant as a gateway for your character to get to know other people. We are trusting you all to get this right again.
• iNPCs will be at Hogwarts from Thursday, the 5th of October until Friday, the 20th of October (a reminder that the Fall Ball is on Friday, the 6th of 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.