A common cause
Oct. 13th, 2011 08:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_daphneEver since we of Slytherin House learnt that we shall be hosting the students from Durmstrang, I and a few other girls (Elsie, Samantha) have been discussing ways that we might make our guests feel as welcome and comfortable as possible. Aside from being as polite and as sociable as we already are, I think that a good starting place would be to reassess the comforts of the Slytherin common room.
Though the common room is used for a variety of activities, from studying to sleeping, I'm sure we can all agree that it's best suited for relaxing and socialising. It's the one place where students, regardless of what year they are in, can share some "common" time together. That said, perhaps those of you who are currently using the common room for other reasons might consider more appropriate locations for your pursuits? The group of second years who have been practising levitation charms, for instance. Why not secure an empty classroom for your charms work? There will be more room for all of you, and you won't risk accidentally bopping the heads of our guests with a vase. After all, those NEWT-level students do their work in empty classrooms for good reason! And those of you with heavy-duty reading will assuredly find uninterrupted silence in a dark corner of the library. The same, I suppose, for those of you who would like to indulge in some heavy-duty napping.
As for socialising, the common room is just the place for it. However, those of you who regularly gather round the fireplace might consider that you don't, in fact, actually own it. Other people, our guests in particular, would like to enjoy the flames, too. Those of you who enjoy more boisterous games, such as exploding snap, might mute your play with the appropriate charm. Also, I think it goes without saying that we should avoid setting the tapestries on fireGregory
Now, while our common room is certainly comfortable and roomy, I do think that it might benefit from a little sprucing up. Firstly, whoever is doing it should stop stuffing toffee wrappers beneath the sofa cushions. Secondly, Samantha has volunteered to speak to the elves about that strange stain on the rug by the clock, as well as the chocolate smears on the chesterfield. Once that's taken care of, if everyone else can pitch in and try to keep things tidy, I think we should present very well.
Let's consider a few rearrangements, too. That almost-empty bookcase by the fire would make for the perfect lending library. Would anyone like to donate some books? Particularly books that are about British wizarding history, or that represent most currently popular reading material in the Protectorate? You know, Wand Society and such. I'm sure our guests would enjoy seeing what we read in our free time, and not just for classes.
That little alcove on the south end of the common room - the one that never gets used because the chairs are so straight-backed and uncomfortable? I thought it might be good to move the chairs off to the side and fill the floor space with big, soft cushions and poufs (like the ones you lounged about on at your Birthday, Blaise). We can put the wireless over there, too, and then it's the perfect area for listening to music. And if someone feels like dancing, simply move the cushions aside and viola! - instant dance floor!
Over by the tables we can stock a chest full of all sorts of games: moving picture puzzles, portkey cards, gobstones, chess. In fact, we might go ahead and set out a chess board or two, so that people feel free to just plop down and start playing with someone. And of course, I'll leave out a dish of linguista chocolates, so that people will find speaking German easier.
If anyone else has suggestions for making our common room a more welcoming and cosy spot, please speak with either myself, Elsie, or Samantha!
Though the common room is used for a variety of activities, from studying to sleeping, I'm sure we can all agree that it's best suited for relaxing and socialising. It's the one place where students, regardless of what year they are in, can share some "common" time together. That said, perhaps those of you who are currently using the common room for other reasons might consider more appropriate locations for your pursuits? The group of second years who have been practising levitation charms, for instance. Why not secure an empty classroom for your charms work? There will be more room for all of you, and you won't risk accidentally bopping the heads of our guests with a vase. After all, those NEWT-level students do their work in empty classrooms for good reason! And those of you with heavy-duty reading will assuredly find uninterrupted silence in a dark corner of the library. The same, I suppose, for those of you who would like to indulge in some heavy-duty napping.
As for socialising, the common room is just the place for it. However, those of you who regularly gather round the fireplace might consider that you don't, in fact, actually own it. Other people, our guests in particular, would like to enjoy the flames, too. Those of you who enjoy more boisterous games, such as exploding snap, might mute your play with the appropriate charm. Also, I think it goes without saying that we should avoid setting the tapestries on fire
Now, while our common room is certainly comfortable and roomy, I do think that it might benefit from a little sprucing up. Firstly, whoever is doing it should stop stuffing toffee wrappers beneath the sofa cushions. Secondly, Samantha has volunteered to speak to the elves about that strange stain on the rug by the clock, as well as the chocolate smears on the chesterfield. Once that's taken care of, if everyone else can pitch in and try to keep things tidy, I think we should present very well.
Let's consider a few rearrangements, too. That almost-empty bookcase by the fire would make for the perfect lending library. Would anyone like to donate some books? Particularly books that are about British wizarding history, or that represent most currently popular reading material in the Protectorate? You know, Wand Society and such. I'm sure our guests would enjoy seeing what we read in our free time, and not just for classes.
That little alcove on the south end of the common room - the one that never gets used because the chairs are so straight-backed and uncomfortable? I thought it might be good to move the chairs off to the side and fill the floor space with big, soft cushions and poufs (like the ones you lounged about on at your Birthday, Blaise). We can put the wireless over there, too, and then it's the perfect area for listening to music. And if someone feels like dancing, simply move the cushions aside and viola! - instant dance floor!
Over by the tables we can stock a chest full of all sorts of games: moving picture puzzles, portkey cards, gobstones, chess. In fact, we might go ahead and set out a chess board or two, so that people feel free to just plop down and start playing with someone. And of course, I'll leave out a dish of linguista chocolates, so that people will find speaking German easier.
If anyone else has suggestions for making our common room a more welcoming and cosy spot, please speak with either myself, Elsie, or Samantha!
Private Message to Daphne
Date: 2011-10-14 03:58 am (UTC)(Oh, and don't pay any attention to Clearwater saying our common room's perfect as-is. She's had the prefects telling us all to tidy up after ourselves all evening!)
Have they put up the notice about when in the day the students are arriving? Only I think we might not all have time to clean up after our girls' workout if they're coming before supper. I think we might want to move it a bit earlier. What about you?
Re: Private Message to Daphne
Date: 2011-10-14 04:15 am (UTC)I don't know when they're arriving but we should probably move it up to be safe. I want to make sure to look presentable for everyone.
Re: Private Message to Daphne
Date: 2011-10-14 04:18 am (UTC)And yes, exactly. I want to make sure that we've enough time that the only glistening we'll be doing is from the glitter on our eyelashes. Parvati and I have new hair ornaments, too, we've been saving since they announced the tournament.
Oh, and Mum's written to say she's got a new accessory planned for this Christmas. It's going to be utterly nift!
Re: Private Message to Daphne
Date: 2011-10-14 04:30 am (UTC)Do you think the boys have even noticed that we're busy running and sprinting and doing push-ups while they're off in some tucked away corner, looking at dirty playing cards? Blaise said my arms looked "sculpted" when he put the bracelet on me at my birthday party, but other than that I really don't know. Have the boys said anything to you?
Oh, good on your Mum! I remember when robe pets were such a hit. I'm not sure that they'd really be suitable for us at this age, but they were so dear when we were twelve.
Re: Private Message to Daphne
Date: 2011-10-14 04:39 am (UTC)Can you believe Ronald - and Bundy? - coming up with some orienteering suggestion and getting all the credit like that? Oh, I know the scavenger hunt can't possibly have been all their own idea, really, it's far too creative and thoughtful. But Finnigan and I had a suggestion too, only Professor S thinks it'll have to be during the summer when it's just CCF. Still, I suppose that's better, anyway, since what we want to do I guess we shouldn't teach just anyone.
I know what you mean about robe pets! She still does sell them to the younger kids. I saw Maege Featherstone with a little unicorn on her robes earlier this week. But Mum certainly has a way of keeping up with us as we get older. This is something that older people will like, too, though. I think. It should be very popular, actually.
Re: Private Message to Daphne
Date: 2011-10-14 04:53 am (UTC)Well, now you have me curious about yours and Finnigan's idea. The hunt should be a diverting way to get to know newcomers, at least, but you're giving he and Bundy far too much credit for being creative! We did scavenger-hunt type activities in CCF, after all, so it's not as if they had to think very far back.
Good - if it's something older people will like, then I can get one for my Father. He's so hard to buy gifts for. All he ever asks for is gloves, socks, and peppermint humbugs. Dull!
Re: Private Message to Daphne
Date: 2011-10-14 05:09 am (UTC)Finch-Fletchley. Yeah, he's quite friendly. Even when he doesn't need to be, I think. I get that he doesn't want to offend anyone, especially when he was coming for so short a time, but - well, I suppose we'll find out when he's here longer. I'm just not sure. There's a line between being polite to everyone and just not having any discerning sort of taste in friends.
And yes! This will be good for men as well as women. Mum's trying to come up with something universal and I really think she's hit the hex perfectly this time. I think she's sending some samples up next week. They might even have an early production shipment in time for our Hogsmeade trip.