From the Ashes

Who: All staff and teaching assistants are invited
When: The night of Thursday the 24th, after the great caroling expedition
Where The ballroom
What: Staff Christmas Party

The swimming pool has been frozen for skating and other icy ventures. There is a small ski ramp that the headmaster had installed for the occasion after seeing a Muggle moving photograph depicting the joys of sliding down a mountain on enormous wooden shoes. He's dubious, but the Muggles seemed to be having a good time, and he thought it might lead to further bonding.

There is light, fluffy snow falling over the newly-made ice rink, and over the holiday tree from the Forbidden Forest also enjoying the party in one corner of the room. The decor is red-and-white striped peppermint, with Chilly Icicles and other delicious candy treats scattered throughout the ballroom. Among the refreshments provided are egg nog, hot cocoa, cookies baked with love and inexperience by the younger students, and enthusiastically flaming plum puddings. Beware the fruit cake; the trasgu cooks mixed up a few of the ingredients when collecting the necessary assortment of candied fruits.

There is a green shadow on the ceiling in the far corner that looks suspiciously like mistletoe. Schechter has given up on trying to control the stuff. It's a harmless tradition, after all, and everyone here is an adult.

Stockings are on the wall and the kids are in bed. Have an awesome time.

Who: Frank, Patrick & Mikey
Where: A corridor somewhere
When: Tuesday evening, December 22nd
What: Innocent strolling and mistletoe investigation

Mikey rubbed at a chocolate stain on his wrist and sighed. That was absolutely the last time he was taking part in a cooking lesson. He was pretty sure he still had flour in his hair, there were definitely icing stains on his elbows, and his robe cuffs were singed thanks to one of the makeshift-ovens malfunctioning.

Still, the weird spell on the blackboard hadn't blown up in their faces, which was definitely something to be grateful for. In fact it had been exactly as they'd left it when he checked in on the room after the lesson had ended.

Which was why he was on a quest for Patrick. He needed someone to talk it over with, maybe someone to drag back down with him, even, and he didn't think Patrick would mind him tagging along.

The only problem was, Patrick wasn't in his quarters. But that wasn't too big a deal. Mikey hadn't checked the staff room yet and honestly, anyone with any sense would probably be hiding in there lest Schechter appeared to hand out more 'holiday spirit' tasks.

That being said, the Staff Room was still a little snowy these days and maybe rather an obvious hideout place, all things considered, so that might throw a spanner in things. Nevermind.

Who: William and Victoria
Where: The castle library
When: Afternoon of Tuesday, 22 December
What: Library inspection, er, orientation

It was Tuesday afternoon by the time that Victoria forced herself to visit the library. It wasn't that she was afraid of the library; there was no reason to be. It was more that she'd spent many (relatively) happy hours in the library as a student, especially in her final years at Hogwarts. Having heard about how things had gone at Hogwarts during the last war, and having seen the state of other parts of the school, Victoria was reluctant to see what the war had done to her old sanctuary.

Victoria made her way up to the fourth floor from the dungeons, slowly walking down the corridor and past the long landscape painting. In her hand was a list of tasks she had to complete: books she had to review and check out, journals to request, and a reminder to file her signature so her students could read books in the Restricted Section. She pushed the library door open with the other hand, and peered briefly inside before stepping all the way into the chamber.

Who: Everyone is invited to attend
When: December 20th - December 21st
Where: The Great Hall, Entrance Hall, and Courtyard
What: Yule Vigil

On the longest night of the year, all lights in the castle will be doused with the exception of one main bonfire in the Great Hall, which will burn throughout the night. The vigil is a time for reflection on the past year, preparing to face the new year to come. Those who keep it will not sleep until after they watch the sunrise.

Since this is an all-night event, feel free to start multiple threads and jump around as you wish. It's a good time for telling stories, remembering lost friends, making amends, setting new goals, and resolving to change for the better. No one is required to attend or to stay for the entire night if they do not wish to do so.

The bonfire is in the Great Hall, but the doors are open to the Entrance Hall, which will spill enough light outside that people can mingle there. The Entrance Hall is an easier place to have more animated conversations without disturbing the solemnity of those gathered in the Great Hall to reflect in the firelight. The Courtyard is lit by the moon and stars, and is a good place to go for those who feel the desire to commune with nature, or who need a breath of fresh air.

Who: Frank and William
When: Sunday, December 20th
Where: The kitchen fireplace, from thence to other parts of the castle
What: Greeting the new professor

When Headmaster Schechter had asked him to stop by the kitchen to greet the newest member of their staff, Professor Iero, William had experienced a brief moment of 'Frank? Frank Iero? Teaching?'

It had passed, though, quickly because he'd become aware of the half-smirk on the headmaster's face watching him stumble, and William had agreed that yes, of course he would, it was no trouble at all. It wasn't, really, although he did have to pick his way through the trasgu, a select few of which were in high temper and breaking crockery all over the kitchen floor. William carefully negotiated the slick puddles of spilled water, picked up a trasgu-pilfered bronze relic from the History of Magic classroom to return as soon as possible, and waited just to the side of the fireplace for Frank to appear.