Daphne Greengrass

Ever 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 fire Gregory

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!