Post by Professor Dragomir Ghica on Jun 21, 2023 2:11:46 GMT -8
As students enter the Great Hall, they are greeted by a brief snow flurry that gives way to a cozy Christmas scene for those students choosing to stay for the Holidays. Snow falls from the frozen, icicle filled ceiling, but other than in the few feet of the entrance, does not reach the occupants of the hall. Christmas trees with bright white lights line the walls, each decorated in a different style ranging from traditional ornate glass Christmas ornaments, to house colored bulbs and icicles, to miniature wizards on brooms chasing each other and a snitch around the tree.
Flaming sconces on the walls along with artificial sunlight filtered through the icicle ceiling provide the light for the hall. Giant wreaths decorated for each of the houses hang over the fireplaces in the room. The fires in each provide more ambience than heat, although the room itself is kept at a comfortable temperature.
A twenty-foot-tall Christmas tree dominates the hall where the professor’s table typically stands. The tree is empty apart from bright white lights and a star hovering above the top. A sign at the base invites students to hang an ornament of their own on the tree. The tree is surrounded by presents. Looking closer, one will notice that each is addressed to a student remaining at the school for the holidays. The area to each side of the tree at the head of the room is arranged with velvet lined chairs and couches to provide a place for people to sit and talk, to exchange gifts with friends as they see fit, or to open their gift from under the tree. The sky over this end of the great hall shines with the northern lights. The swirling waves cast this end of the Great Hall in a greenish-blue light.
Place settings are adorned with Christmas crackers and a small box filled with candy. As students choose a seat, their house crest appears on the Christmas cracker and the white box colors to reflect their house, encouraging students to sit with friends rather than sticking to their house.
The tables are set with an elaborate Christmas feast complete with ham, roast turkey stuffed with cranberry and sausage, peas, glazed carrots, brussels sprouts, potatoes, gravy, toasted walnuts, and salad. Deserts of Christmas pudding, bread pudding with brandy crem, and black forest trifle with cherry shortbread are interspersed along the table with the main meal.
Flaming sconces on the walls along with artificial sunlight filtered through the icicle ceiling provide the light for the hall. Giant wreaths decorated for each of the houses hang over the fireplaces in the room. The fires in each provide more ambience than heat, although the room itself is kept at a comfortable temperature.
A twenty-foot-tall Christmas tree dominates the hall where the professor’s table typically stands. The tree is empty apart from bright white lights and a star hovering above the top. A sign at the base invites students to hang an ornament of their own on the tree. The tree is surrounded by presents. Looking closer, one will notice that each is addressed to a student remaining at the school for the holidays. The area to each side of the tree at the head of the room is arranged with velvet lined chairs and couches to provide a place for people to sit and talk, to exchange gifts with friends as they see fit, or to open their gift from under the tree. The sky over this end of the great hall shines with the northern lights. The swirling waves cast this end of the Great Hall in a greenish-blue light.
Place settings are adorned with Christmas crackers and a small box filled with candy. As students choose a seat, their house crest appears on the Christmas cracker and the white box colors to reflect their house, encouraging students to sit with friends rather than sticking to their house.
The tables are set with an elaborate Christmas feast complete with ham, roast turkey stuffed with cranberry and sausage, peas, glazed carrots, brussels sprouts, potatoes, gravy, toasted walnuts, and salad. Deserts of Christmas pudding, bread pudding with brandy crem, and black forest trifle with cherry shortbread are interspersed along the table with the main meal.