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  All through the castle, students are settling into the term.  Slytherin and Ravenclaw girls alike are gossiping with friends in their dorms while first year Slytherins return to their dormroom to find an important artifact missing.  Hufflepuffs are out on the grounds, enjoying the last breaths of fall before winter sets in.  Noriko Wakahisa tries to understand Casey O'Doherty's cynical view of house pride while Figaro Sellaphix and Obderedria Pienas try to blend drinks like muggles.  Blossom Rose explains the family curse to Rico Posado that his family believes has written their destiny.  Professor Trishna comes to the Ravenclaw tower in the wee hours of the morning to find Noah Archer and Philo Falkin practicing charms, confirming Ravenclaw's reputation for keeping strange study hours. 
  
  The Gryffindors are also keeping odd hours but in the name of mischief rather than studying.  The silencing effects of his previous punishment hadn't yet been lifted when Figaro finds himself caught by Professor Sandusky wrecking new havoc in the girl's loo.  Early in the morning on November 6th, troublemakers owl vials of potion to unsuspecting students eating breakfast in the Great Hall.  As the potion spreads around the Great Hall, students find they've swapped bodies with other random victims.  Students spend the day learning to adjust to their temporary appearances. 
  
  The Hogwarts Quidditch Season has started and in the first game of the season, an early catch of the snitch seals a Gryffindor 160-10 victory over Ravenclaw.  Hufflepuff Head of House meets with his house to try and recruit Hufflepuffs for the house team just in time for their first game against Slytherin to get underway. 
  
  Classes also continue through the term.  Transfiguration classes for the fourth and first years have taken on a seasonal flare. Students can be found out on the grounds trailing nifflers and other critters by the lake.  Neville Longbottom returns to Hogwarts to take up the position of Herbology Professor. 
  
  The annual Hogwarts Halloween Ball is underway and fists are already being thrown.  Revelers arrive in a variety of costumes, some cleverly enhanced with charms.
  
  The term is keeping staff as busy as the students.  After a brief interaction in the staff room, a librarian and a charms professor venture out into shadows of the forbidden forest where Gale questions the librarian's anti-muggle perceptions.  Hogwarts counselor, Maiko Biladeau-Yukawa finds herself with plenty of work on her plate, from checking in on the Head Boy, Slytherins and harassing staff alike.  Just before Halloween, she has the unfortunate task of telling Katy Bevans, of her mother's tragic death. The new History of Magic profesor gets a visit from the Auror Office regarding an investigation and Professor Storm discovers an unexpected family member.
  
  It's the season of Reid birthdays.  A surprise party for Professor Reid turns awkward when Professor Trishna gives Professor Reid an abnormally significant gift, seemingly confirming Sasha and Abby's suspicions about hidden feelings between the professors.
  
  
  
  Tags Worth Following
  
  

  Gryffindor House Hufflepuff House Ravenclaw House Slytherin House

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  First Year Class Second Year Class Fourth Year Class NEWT Class

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  Rose Family Curse Body Swap Silent Figaro Horned Serpent of Hogwarts

  
  
  

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  Hogwarts, Dumstrang, Salem and Beauxbatons are all gearing up for the second Tetrawizard Tournament Task.  During dinner on October 25, the champions for the Second Task were announced.  Louise Parker and Milton Steinbeck were chosen to represent Salem.  Madame Bisclavret announced Cécile and Élodie Fontaine as the Beauxbatons Champions.  Fyetka Strelnikov and Heinrich Faust will compete for Durmstrang.  Ravenclaw Alexandra Carstairs and Hufflepuff Figaro Sellaphix were chosen as the Hogwarts Champions. 
  
  Following the second weighing of the wands each school has settled in to prepare for the upcoming task.  Durmstrang staff meet with their champions to remind them the pressure their female counterparts had left them with.  Sasha meets with Figaro and, later, Alexandria to work on preparing for the second task
  
  All around the castle, students from the different schools continue to get to know each other.  School staff take a break from the competition to play cards and discuss school differences in the staff room. The Durmstrang Professor of Runic Magic confronts Amara Báthory about her lack of effort in class and Professor Maras agrees to offer the fourth year additional study opportunities.
  
  But, international diplomacy has hit a snag.  A seasonal rash of sniffly noses has led some to question the the health standards of the visiting Americans.  Salem students learn of the growing rumors at breakfast.
  
  
  Tags Worth Following
  
  

  Beauxbatons Dumstrang Salem

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  Tetrawizard Tournament TWT Task 2 A Pox on Salem

  
  
  
  Open Hogwarts Threads Seeking Partners
  
  
  • Early on a Saturday morning, Addison Rockwell is sketching in a window near the Great Hall, waiting for another early riser.
  • On a quiet Sunday, a new first year Ravenclaw has an unpleasant surprise while settling in the Ravenclaw common room. 
  • Beauxbatons Professor Gerard Gries has started the next Occlumency and Legilimency class in the seminar series.
  
  
  

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  The honeymoon period certainly didn't last long for new Minister of Magic Persepolis Zephyr.  First the Gringotts goblins  threatened to bankrupt the Ministry if they weren't allowed to inspect the Goblet of Fire to see if it was goblin-made.  Before the Minister and her aides could catch their breaths, they were left scrambling to save Salem's participation in the Tetrawizard Tournament.  The Aurors are busy dealing with a mess of their own, when a woman turns up dead, strangled by one of the cursed necklaces that have been circulating.
  
  Elsewhere, Mark Hunter gets into more trouble than he can handle when he runs into Darius Gabor.  It's lucky he has friends like James and Julie to set him straight again.   Raizel and Dreogan come to an understanding about possible rough times ahead, and Raizel and Adon take time out to go shopping for baby clothes and new shoes.  New Charms Professor Nightingale Kesali is out and about throughout England, marveling at Darian Morgan, matching hair (and wits) with Arcturus Hollingbury, and commissioning Dietrich Eisenberg for a new tattoo.  And romance is blossoming just in time for chilly winter evenings!  Dominik Wiedman and Niobe Thursby make the best of Halloween, Vivian Callen and Michael Styx enjoy  getting to know each other, and Dietrich and Bai talk business after a close encounter of the sluggy kind.
  
  

Sport of the Least Noble Kind - AO's criminal contingent looks to start up a werewolf fighting league.
Goblin Trouble! - Ministry politics get more complicated when Gringotts gets involved.
Sleepover Party - Flynn Hughes hosts an impromptu celebration

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  TetraWizard Tournament Update
  
  As October ended, the Goblet of Fire selected eight new Champions to compete in the Second Task!  As they prepare for their upcoming feat, they have been forced to work together with the Champions from the First Task to understand the secret messages that are their only hint to what is coming!
  
  The Second Task is due to take place on November 21.  Will Durmstrang stay in the lead?  Will Hogwarts or Salem catch up?  Can Beauxbatons manage to come from behind?  Only time will tell!
  
  Want to catch up on the TetraWizard Tournament plot?  Check out the wiki!
  
  
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