[h2][sub][color=#9933FF][b]synopsis[/b][/color].[/sub][/h2][indent][indent]On September 1st, 2017, Hogwarts once again opens its doors. This time however, there are no scaffolds branching crumbling spires. No leaning columns propped up by magic.

For the fist time in almost two decades, as the Hogwarts Express pulls into the station and throngs of aspiring wixen funnel into the waiting boats, Hogwarts Castle stands quietly on the other side of the lake.

The newly erected Quidditch pitch hidden from sight by the glowing Great Hall: 2017 marks the [i]official[/i] end of reconstruction and renovation following the battle of Howgarts, and too as stated by the newly instated Headmistress, Kallistos Ourania, the beginning of a new generation's education. A generation already once removed from the War.

It's in the midst of this "brave new year" that [b] [color=#9933FF]a group of first years form a "study group," and fall face-first into mischief[/color][/b] – as is all but customary of Hogwarts students.[/indent][/indent]

[h2][sub][b][color=#9933FF]setting[/color][/b] [i] & [/i] [b][color=#9933FF]universe info[/color][/b].[/sub][/h2][indent][indent]So beside the obvious, [i]we're a HP RP set 30 seconds in the future[/i], thing? There are a few things to know about the universe as it stands.

Neville Longbottom is now a professor. He teaches Herbology in the wake of Professor Sprout's retirement. Sprout's retirement [i]also[/i] left a gap where Hufflepuff's head of house used to exist; Rubeus Hagrid, Professor of Care of Magical Creatures, volunteered to head the house he'd only recently graduated from. These days, you'll be hard pressed to catch him without some Hufflepuff or another stepping into his hut for tea during your visit.

Kallistos Ourania spent both 2013 and 2014 either on or about the castle grounds, teaching Astronomy alongside Professor Sinistra, and serving as Minerva McGonagall's Deputy Headmistress. After McGonagall's retirement, Ourania championed the role of Headmistress.

Despite being at Hogwarts for half a decade, the student body knows very little about her, save that she's... [i]interesting[/i] to look at. Some of the older students have taken to whispering about her having worked as an Unspeakable, or as a novelist, or as a zookeeper in Taiwan.

While we aren't 100% dedicated to sticking with the novels, Vampire Potter isn't going to show up, and we sure as [i]heck[/i] aren't gonna see him masticate. Enoby is a lovely girl, but she can't stay here. The emphasis isn't on being true to what the books say, but to the feeling of the universe. The wonder of it all, or whatever.

So said, the houses you know & love aren't entirely different. General house overviews, usual traits, & introductions are under the cut.
[hider=THE FOUR HOUSES.][indent]
[indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][hr][center][h2][img]http://i.imgur.com/wn9iGNA.png[/img]GRYFFINDOR[/h2][/center][hider=THE LION.][indent]
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[center][color=#CC0001][b]Gryffindor [/b][/color] is one of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, founded by Godric Gryffindor. The particular characteristics of students sorted into Gryffindor are overwhelmingly courage, chivalry, and determination. The emblematic animal is a lion, and its colours are [color=#CC0001][b] red [/b][/color] and [color=#EEBA30][b] gold[/b][/color]. [h2][sub]Bravery
Nerve
Chivalry
Courage
Daring
Strength of Will
Just
[i]& [/i] Honour[/sub][/h2]

Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington (better known as "Nearly Headless Nick") is the house ghost, and the current Head of Gryffindor is [b][color=#CC0001] Neville Longbottom[/color][/b].[/center]
[indent][hider=GRYFFINDOR PREFECT SARA BISHOP'S HOUSE INTRODUCTION:][indent]
[h2][b][color=#CC0001]C[color=#EEBA30][i]o[/i][/color]ngr[color=#EEBA30][i]a[/i][/color]t[color=#EEBA30][i]u[/i][/color]l[color=#EEBA30][i]a[/i][/color]t[color=#EEBA30][i]io[/i][/color]ns[/color][/b][color=#EEBA30][i]![/i][/color][/h2]"No, really. [i]Seriously[/i]. You won the house lottery. I'm Prefect Sara Bishop, and I’m delighted to be the first to welcome you to [color=#CC0001][b] GRYFFINDOR HOUSE[/b][/color]! I'm sure you guessed from the banner, but our house's emblem is the lion: the bravest of [i]all[/i] creatures. Our house colors are scarlet and gold, and our common room lies up in Gryffindor Tower. It's... well, I've no real need to describe it for you: you'll see it soon enough.

"There are a few things you should know about Gryffindor house, I suppose. Everyone says that we're arrogant and too brave for our own good; they're just jealous. Or maybe they have a point? I admit, we've produced our fair share of Dark Wizards and Witches, but there are many other members you should notice. How about Albus Dumbledore? He was the best headmaster Hogwarts ever had. And our founder, Godric Gryffindor? He was the bravest of all the Hogwarts Founders.

"And, uh... there was more I was supposed to tell you. Oh! Oh, yes. The entrance to the common room is concealed under the portrait of the Fat Lady, on the [i]lavish[/i] Gryffindor Landing. She's kind of the doorman. You've gotta give the Fat Lady the right password to get in to our common room. I mean, I guess [i]you[/i] don't. But if you don't have it, you'll have to wait around the whole day, hoping that another student will to come by and pass you the code. The password changes once a week. 

"You'll hear other houses boast of their security arrangements and concealed ways-- the Hufflepuffs and their barrels, the Slytherins and their [i]concealed[/i] door, and the Ravenclaw questions, but the Fat lady is the best guardian we've ever had. Work smarter, not harder, right? Right.

"Beyond the Fat Lady is the common room, obviously. And beyond that: our dormitories. They're are reached by climbing the winding mahogany staircase, decorated with crimson and gold. There's plenty of gold around the tower, like I said before. [i]Lions[/i]. Our four-posters are covered with thick scarlet blankets. Hmm? Well, yes. We have quite windy nights up in the towers, you understand. I hated it at first, but now I find the sound of the wind rather soothing. Quite hard to get to sleep when I'm home without it now, actually.

"And how could I forget Quidditch? We Gryffindors are [i]famous[/i] for winning the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup four times in a row, back before reconstruction. We're [i]definitely[/i] going to win this year. It's only right that the most daring house win the most exciting game.

"Our house ghost is Nearly Headless Nick. He's the friendliest ghost in Hogwarts, save maybe for the Fat Friar. Nick'll help you whenever you need him, so don't be afraid of asking. He's very funny, for a specter.

"You’ve become a part of the best house in school, ladies and germs. Follow me up to the tower."
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[center][h2][img]http://i.imgur.com/l4UCNtz.png[/img]HUFFLEPUFF[/h2][/center][hider=THE BADGER.][indent]
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[color=#E1B523][b]Hufflepuff [/b][/color] is one of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The founder was Helga Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff is the most inclusive of the four houses, valuing hard work, patience, loyalty and fair play rather than a particular aptitude in its members. It has produced the fewest Dark Wizards of any house. Its animal is the badger, and its colours are [color=#E1B523][b] yellow [/b][/color] and [color=000000][b] black[/b][/color].[h2][sub]Dedication
Hard Work
Fair play
Patience
Kindness
Tolerance 
[i]& [/i] Loyalty[/sub][/h2]

The Fat Friar is the house ghost, and the Head of Hufflepuff is the newly instated [color=#E1B523][b] Rubeus Hagrid[/b][/color].[/center]
[indent][hider=HUFFLEPUFF PREFECT PAGE GILES' HOUSE INTRODUCTION:][indent]
[h2][b][color=#E1B523]C[color=#000000][i]o[/i][/color]ngr[color=#000000][i]a[/i][/color]t[color=#000000][i]u[/i][/color]l[color=#000000][i]a[/i][/color]t[color=#000000][i]io[/i][/color]ns[/color][/b][color=#000000][i]![/i][/color][/h2]"I’m Prefect Page Giles, and I’m honored to welcome you to [color=#E1B523][b] HUFFLEPUFF HOUSE[/b][/color]. Our emblem is the badger. Some of you are giggling. To those tickled, I'd like to point out that a badger will fight to the bitter end. Some species have even been observed fighting whole [i]prides[/i] of [i]Panthera leo[/i]-- lions. Our house colours are yellow and black, and our common room lies one floor below the ground, on the same corridor as the kitchens.

"Being sorted, I'm sure some of you have... concerns. To those anxious about our reputation, about having been sorted into the "least clever house"? You needn't worry. We’ve produced just as many brilliant witches and wizards as any other house. We're just... less boastful. 

"Should you need proof, look up Grogan Stump, one of the most popular Ministers for Magic of all time. He was a Hufflepuff – as were the successful Ministers Artemesia Lufkin and Dugald McPhail. Then there’s the world authority on magical creatures, Newt Scamander; Bridget Wenlock, the famous thirteenth-century Arithmancer who first discovered the magical properties of the number seven, and Hengist of Woodcroft, who founded the all-wizarding village of Hogsmeade, which lies very near Hogwarts School. Hufflepuffs, the lot. If you're inclined to learn more, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm more than happy to prowl the library with any one or all of you.

"There exists a certain... bias, particularly among Ravenclaws, that any outstanding achiever must have come from their house. If one of them gives you trouble, please, come find me. We'll figure something out together. My third year, I had a bit of a spat with a Ravenclaw prefect about the origin of a wizard. It was a silly argument; I wasn't willing to step down. We wound up duelling. I should have got a week of detentions, but our old Head of House let me off with a warning... and a coconut ice.

"Hufflepuffs are trustworthy and loyal. There's nothing wrong with being proud of our house; we don’t tend to be braggarts. Just because we don't shout doesn't mean we can't. You should know: Hufflepuffs can be just as fierece, if not [i]fiercer[/i] than any other house. Like a badger, we will scream and snarl and protect ourselves, our friends and our families against all-comers. [i]Nobody[/i] intimidates our kin.

"What else do you need to know? Oh yes, the entrance to the common room is concealed in a stack of large barrels in a nook on the right hand side of the kitchen corridor. Tap the barrel two from the bottom, middle of the second row, in the rhythm of ‘Helga Hufflepuff’, and the lid will swing open. Repeate it with me: Helga Hufflepuff. Yes. Two from the bottom, middle of the second. Twice more. [i]Hel-ga Huf-fle-puff[/i]. [i]Hel-ga Huf-fle-puff[/i]. Wonderful.

[i]Please[/i] mind that you tap it correctly: we're the only house at Hogwarts that also has a repelling device for would-be intruders. If the wrong lid is tapped, or if the rhythm of the tapping is wrong, the illegal entrant is doused in vinegar. I hate the smell. Do me the kindness of not having to endure it.

"You will hear other houses boast of their security arrangements, but it so happens that in more than a thousand years, the Hufflepuff common room, and indeed our dormitories, have never once been seen by outsiders. Like badgers, we know exactly how to lie low – and how to defend ourselves.

"Once you’ve opened the barrel, crawl inside and along the passageway behind it, and you will emerge into the coziest common room of them all. That's what my speech notes say. I can't tell you on who's authority that information comes, but it doesn't seem disingenuine. Our common room is round and earthy and low-ceilinged; it always feels sunny, and its circular windows have a view of rippling grass and dandelions.

"There is a lot of burnished copper about the place, and many plants, which either hang from the ceiling or sit on the windowsills. Our old Head of house was Professor Pomona Sprout. She was Head of Herbology, during her tenure. She brought back the most interesting specimens to decorate our room. She's since retired – we've kept her plants alive. Well, we've the perennials anyway. I think she'd like that we still think of her.

"Otherwise, our overstuffed sofas and chairs are upholstered in yellow and black, and our dormitories are reached through round doors in the walls of the common room. Copper lamps cast a warm light over our four-posters, all of which are covered in patchwork quilts, and copper bed warmers hang on the walls, should you have cold feet.

"Our house ghost is the friendliest of them all: the Fat Friar. You’ll recognise him easily enough; he’s plump and wears monk’s robes, and he’s very helpful if you get lost or are in any kind of trouble. True to the Hufflepuff spirit, and all that.

"I think that’s nearly everything. You should sleep comfortably: we’re protected from storms and wind down in our dormitories; we never have the disturbed nights those in the towers sometimes experience. I've no idea how they ever get any sleep.

"I think, perhaps, honored was the wrong word. I'm [i]thrilled[/i] to meet all of you, and [i]estatic[/i] to welcome you to Hufflepuff. That's better. Now, please, come along. I've a pattern to teach all of you, for our noses' sakes."
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[center][h2][img]http://i.imgur.com/zP0ylBV.png[/img]RAVENCLAW[/h2][/center][hider=THE EAGLE.][indent]
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[b][color=#3465A4]Ravenclaw [/color][/b] is one of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, founded by Rowena Ravenclaw. Members of this house are characterised by their wit, intelligence, creativity and wisdom. Many great wizards and witches have come from this house, including Garrick Ollivander and Luna Lovegood. Ravenclaw's symbol is the eagle, and its colours are [b][color=#3465A4] blue [/color][/b] and [b][color=#885B44] bronze[/color][/b].[h2][sub]Intelligence
Wisdom
Creativity
Originality
Wit
Individuality
[i]& [/i] Acceptance[/sub][/h2]

The house ghost is the Grey Lady, and the current Head of Ravenclaw is [color=#3465A4][b] Filius Flitwick[/b][/color]. 
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[indent][hider=RAVENCLAW PREFECT RORY BIRD'S HOUSE INTRODUCTION:][indent]
[h2][b][color=#3465A4]C[color=#885B44][i]o[/i][/color]ngr[color=#885B44][i]a[/i][/color]t[color=#885B44][i]u[/i][/color]l[color=#885B44][i]a[/i][/color]t[color=#885B44][i]io[/i][/color]ns[/color][/b][color=#885B44][i]![/i][/color][/h2]"And [i]good evening![/i] I’m Prefect Rory Bird, and I couldn't be [i]more[/i] excited to be the one that gets to welcome [i]you[/i] to [b][color=#3465A4] RAVENCLAW HOUSE[/color][/b]. Well [i]done[/i] on becoming a member of the cleverest, quirkiest and most interesting house at Hogwarts.

"First thing's first! Our emblem. It's an eagle. It's a whole symbolism thing: eagles soar where others cannot climb, just like us. Second thing's second: our house colors. They're blue and bronze. Very pretty. Third thing's whatever comes after second:  our common room. I'm dropping the thing's thing's bit now. Don't know what comes after third. Anyway! [i]Common room[/i]. It's at the top of Ravenclaw Tower, doy. It's named after our founder, where else would we live? The common room's behind a door with an enchanted knocker. The arched windows set into the walls of our circular common room look down at the school grounds: the lake, the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch pitch and the Herbology gardens. Ravenclaw to Ravenclaw, I had my doubts about the Quidditch field's reconstruction, but they wound up being rather unfounded. It's [i]stunning[/i]. You're gonna love it.

"We're  the house where [i]all[/i] the cleverest witches and wizards live. Lucky you. Our founder, Rowena Ravenclaw, prized learning above all else – and so do we. Unlike the other houses, who all have concealed entrances to their common rooms, we don’t need one. The door to our common room lies at the top of a tall, winding staircase. It has no handle, but an enchanted bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. When you rap on the door, this knocker will ask you a question, and if you can answer it correctly, you are allowed in. This simple barrier has kept out everyone but Ravenclaws for nearly a thousand years.

"Back when I was a first year, I remember other kids being scared about having to answer the eagle’s questions. After the first few weeks of school, it wasn't a problem. Ravenclaws learn quickly! Before you know it, you’ll enjoy the challenges the door sets. It’s not unusual to find twenty people standing outside the common room door, all trying to work out the answer to the day’s question together. What? Yes. New question, every day. Like I [i]said[/i]: you don't need to worry. It's [i]fun[/i]. Loosen up, kid.

"This is a great way to meet fellow Ravenclaws from other years, and to learn from them. Sure it can be a bit annoying if you’ve forgotten your Quidditch robes and need to get in and out in a hurry; consider it a lesson in being prepared before you leave. Triple-check your bag for everything you need before leaving Ravenclaw Tower. It's the simplest way there is.

"Another cool thing about Ravenclaw is that our people are the most individual – some might even call us eccentrics. Merlin knows I've had [i]that word[/i] tossed at me, once or twice. But it's like they say: geniuses are often out of step with ordinary folk. And unlike some [i]other[/i] houses I [i]could[/i] mention, we think you’ve got the right to wear what you like, believe what you want, and say what you feel. We aren’t put off by people who march to a different tune! They're [i]valuable[/i]! 

"Speaking of eccentrics, you’ll like our Head of house, Professor Filius Flitwick. People often underestimate him, because he’s really tiny (we think he’s part elf, but every time I try to ask, someone drags me off) and he’s got a squeaky voice, but he’s the best and most knowledgeable Charms master alive in the world today. He fought in the war, did you know that. His office door is always open to any Ravenclaw with a problem, and if you’re in a real state he’ll get out these delicious little cupcakes he keeps in a tin in his desk drawer and make them do a little dance for you. Between us, again, Ravenclaw to Ravenclaw? It’s worth pretending you’re in a real state just to see them jive.

"Ravenclaw house has an illustrious history. Most all of the greatest wizarding inventors and innovators were in our house, including Perpetua Fancourt, the inventor of the lunascope, Laverne de Montmorency, a great pioneer of love potions, and Ignatia Wildsmith, the inventor of Floo powder. Famous Ravenclaw Ministers for Magic include Millicent Bagnold who defended the wizarding celebrations all over Britain with the words, ‘I assert our inalienable right to party.' There was also Minister Lorcan McLaird, who was a quite brilliant wizard, but preferred to communicate by puffing smoke out of the end of his wand. I did say we produce eccentrics. It's a good thing.

"As for our relationship with the other three houses..? I'm not a gossip... Oh, [i]hush[/i]. You don't know me well enough to tell if I'm [i]lying[/i]. You’ve probably heard about Slytherins. They’re not [i]all[/i] bad, but you’d do well to be on your guard about them. [i]At least[/i] until you know them well. As well as you can ever know a Slytherin, anyway. They’ve got a long house tradition of doing whatever it takes to win – so watch out, especially in Quidditch matches and exams.

"The Gryffindors are show-offs. They’re more than just a little intolerant than we are of people who are different; they’ve been known to make jokes about Ravenclaws who have developed an interest in levitation, or the possible magical uses of troll bogies, or ovomancy, which (as you probably know) is a method of divination using eggs. Gryffindors haven’t got our [i]curiosity[/i], whereas we’ve got no problem if you want to spend your days and nights cracking eggs in a corner of the common room and writing down your predictions according to the way the yolks fall. While [i]they[/i] might mock you, among [i]us[/i] you’ll probably find a few people eager to help.

"As for the Hufflepuffs, well... nobody could say they’re not nice people. They’re some of the nicest people in the school. That's a good word. [i]Nice[/i]. Heh. Let’s just say you needn’t worry [i]too[/i] much about them when it comes to competition at exam time.

"What else, what else. I should've made notes for this, shouldn't I of? Too late to worry now. Hmm. Ah! There's something. Our house ghost. She's the Grey Lady. The rest of the school thinks she never speaks, but she’ll talk to Ravenclaws. She’s particularly useful if you’re lost, or you’ve mislaid something. Just don't try to talk to her around anyone from another house. She's not a fan of that.

"I’m sure you’ll have a good night. Our dormitories are in turrets off the main tower; our four-poster beds are covered in sky blue silk eiderdowns and the sound of the wind whistling around the windows is very relaxing, according to some. I find it annoying; that's the price of being a member of the best house, I suppose.

"Follow me, now. We don't want the rest of the house to crack the riddle before we've even heard it, do we? Of [i]course[/i] we don't! Watch your step. Falling down the tower stairs is [i]awful[/i]."
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[hr][center][h2][img]http://i.imgur.com/ArZtLfi.png[/img]SLYTHERIN[/h2][/center][hider=THE SNAKE.][indent]
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[center][color=#2A753D][b]Slytherin [/b][/color] is one of the four Houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, founded by Salazar Slytherin. Due to its founder's distrust of Muggle-born individuals, the house has traditionally been composed of mostly pure-blood students. Slytherin students posses such traits as cunning, resourcefulness, and ambition. Its emblematic animal is the snake, and its colours are [color=#2A753D][b] green [/b][/color] and [color=#8D8E8E] [b]silver[/b][/color].[h2][sub]Resourcefulness
Cunning
Ambition
Self-Preservation
Cleverness
Fraternity
[i]& [/i] Determination[/sub][/h2]

The house ghost is the Bloody Baron, and the current Head of Slytherin is [color=#2A753D][b] Horace Slughorn[/b][/color].[/center]
[indent][hider=SLYTHERIN PREFECT HANI AL-AREF'S HOUSE INTRODUCTION:][indent]
[h2][b][color=#2A753D]C[color=#8D8E8E][i]o[/i][/color]ngr[color=#8D8E8E][i]a[/i][/color]t[color=#8D8E8E][i]u[/i][/color]l[color=#8D8E8E][i]a[/i][/color]t[color=#8D8E8E][i]io[/i][/color]ns[/color][/b][color=#8D8E8E][i]![/i][/color][/h2]"I’m Prefect Hani al-Aref, and I'm happy to meet you, and moreover to welcome you to [b][color=#2A753D]SLYTHERIN HOUSE[/color][/b]. Our emblem is the serpent. I'm not sure what kind. People call the serpent deceptive, but really? They're wise. Our house colours are emerald green and silver, and our common room lies behind a concealed entrance down in the dungeons. As you’ll soon see, its windows look out into the depths of the Hogwarts lake. We often see the giant squid swooshing by – and sometimes more interesting creatures. Some of us pretend that our common room is a mysterious, underwater shipwreck. The squid isn't so scary, once you get used to him. Or her? I haven't thought to ask. A bit of humor: lighten up.

"Forget your preconceptions about Slytherins. We're as good as any other house – if a bit smaller.

"You look like you want to ask something, but first let me dispel a few [i]myths[/i], yeah? I'm sure you've heard people talk about Slytherin house – say that we’re all into the Dark Arts, and will only talk to you if your great-grandfather was a famous wizard, and rubbish like that. Don't listen to that rot. You can't hardly believe everything you hear from the competing houses.

"I’m not about to deny that we’ve produced our share of Dark wizards. We have. And so have the other three houses – they just don’t like [i]admitting it[/i]. Swept under the rug, like dust. Like something to be ashamed of. But it's not a house that makes the wizard, you know?

"And it's true: we have traditionally tended to take students who come from long lines of witches and wizards, but nowadays? You’ll find plenty of people in Slytherin house who have at least one Muggle parent. For instance? My father is a Muggle, and all the same? I'm a Prefect. 

"And hey, here’s a little-known fact that that's only so little-known because the other three houses don’t bring up it much: Merlin was a Slytherin. Merlin himself, the most famous wizard in history! He's even transcended the wizarding world, yeah? All the way into Muggle myth. He learned all he knew in this very house! Do you want to follow in the footsteps of Merlin? Or would you rather sit at the old desk of that illustrious ex-Hufflepuff, Eglantine Puffett, inventor of the Self-Soaping Dishcloth?

"I didn’t think so.

"But that’s enough about what we’re not. You'll see for yourself, given time. Let’s talk about what we are. Which –and this is what Timothy wrote into my notes– is the "coolest and edgiest house in this school". Timothy, if you meet him? He's a big kid. Sixth year, our house. He goes by Timmy. Plays tough and mean, but is actually a teddy bear. Do with that information what you will; you didn't hear it from me. 

"I don't even know what you're talking about. 

"But? I suppose we [i]are[/i] cool. Not all of us, of course. But the feeling in the Common Room? It's relaxed. We're... confident, mostly. We play to win, but not because we get some kind of sadistic thrill out of stomping the competition. We play to win because we care about the honour and tradition of it all. If you're good at something, there shouldn't be shame in [i]being good[/i] at it. Slytherin is the last place you'll be looked down on for pursuing your "highest hights". 

"Ravenclaws like to talk about soaring above the rest, but raw talent can only take you so far without the [i]ambition[/i] to do something with it. And we have that in spades. You understand? It's okay if you don't. It'll probably come to you in time.

"There's a certain respect we get, as Slytherins, from other students. It's tinged with fear, because of our Dark reputation, but you know what? It can be fun, having a reputation for walking on the wild side. We can't exactly [i]fight[/i] the whole world's opinion, can we? No point in it. So use it. Chuck out a few hints that you’ve got access to a whole library of curses, and see whether anyone feels like nicking your pencil case. They won't. I promise.

"We’re like our emblem, the snake: sleek, powerful, and frequently misunderstood.

"We Slytherins? We look after our own. [i]Rather a lot[/i] more than you can say for Ravenclaws. Apart from being the biggest bunch of swots you ever met, Ravenclaws all but clamber over each other to get good marks. And, come exam season? Trust not a [i]word[/i] out of their mouths. Whereas we Slytherins are... family? That's a close word. Kin, maybe. 

"The corridors of Hogwarts can throw up surprises for the unwary, and you’ll be glad you’ve got the Serpents on your side as you move around the school. As far as we’re concerned, once you’ve become a snake, you’re one of ours – one of [i]the brood[/i], Timmy likes to say. Someone with the potential to be great.

"You know what Salazar Slytherin looked for in his chosen students? The seeds of greatness. You’ve been chosen by this house because you’ve got not only potential, in the true sense of the word, but the desire, [i]somewhere[/i], to do something with it. 

"All right, you might see a couple of people hanging around the common room whom you might not think are destined for anything special. Just... keep that to yourself, yeah? You can't know what's going on inside them, for sure. If the Sorting Hat put them in here, there’s something great about them, and don’t you forget it.

"There is a kind of... would you call it a rivalry? I suppose you could. I wouldn't, but you could. Between Slytherin and Gryffindor. We're more similar than we aren't. Neither of us likes losing. My advice to you? Steer clear of house politics, if you can. Nothing good ever comes of them.

"Anyway. Our house ghost is the Bloody Baron. If you get on the right side of him? He might agree to frighten people for you. Don’t ask him how he got bloodstained, though; he doesn’t like it.

"The password to the common room changes every fortnight. Keep an eye on the noticeboard, whoever knows the new one will leave it there. It should go without saying, but never bring anyone from another house into our common room or tell them our password. That's the whole point of a password. No outsider has entered it for more than seven centuries, and certainly? Nobody's planning on inviting any of [i]us[/i] into [i]their[/i] tower. Why would we do differently?

"I’m sure you’ll like our dormitories. We sleep in ancient four-posters with green silk hangings, and bedspreads embroidered with silver thread. Medieval tapestries depicting the adventures of famous Slytherins cover the walls. We've silver lanterns hanging from the ceilings. It's... [i]majestic[/i], I suppose. A bit much for my tastes, to be totally honest. But at the very least, you’ll sleep well; it’s very soothing, listening to the lake water lapping against our windows at night.

"Come on then. Follow me; watch your step on our way down into the dungeon. It's not as scary as you might think. Oh, and welcome, again, to Slytherin. Always nice to see new faces."
[b] [/b][/indent][/hider]
[b] [/b][/indent][/indent][/hider]
[b] [/b]
[hr][indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent]
[/indent][/hider]

[/indent][/indent]

[h2][sub][color=#9933FF][b]rules[/b][/color].[/sub][/h2][indent][indent]1. Don't be a dick.
2. [abbr=drop us a line in the ooc if something happens; we'll assume you've dropped otherwise.]Post at least once a week, per character[/abbr]
3. Don't post your character sheets in the character section until they've been mod-approved.
4. Your character [i]can[/i] die; be careful.
5. [i] Don't be a dick.[/i]
6. Double or more-ing is allowed; [i]mind rule #2[/i].
7. [i][b] Don't be a dick.[/b][/i]

If you have any questions, shoot one of the GMs a PM. The GMs are:
[@DeadbeatWalking] [@dead anime dad] [i] & [/i] [@dead anime mom].[/indent][/indent]

[h2][sub][color=#9933FF][b]character[/b][/color][i] & [/i] [color=#9933FF][b]npc creation[/b][/color].[/sub][/h2][indent][indent]
Here's the [i]good stuff[/i]. We'll be starting around the sorting ceremony, so remember: [i]first years[/i].[h3][sub][i]character skeleton[/i][/sub][/h3][pre][center][img]optional image (real person face claim only; teenagers preferred)[/img][sup][h1][sub][i]oc "name" here[/i][/sub][/h1][/sup][/center]

[indent][sup][sup][h2][i][b][color=CHARACOLOR]blood status[/color][/b]:[/i][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Pureblood, Halfblood, or Muggle-Born. [/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][i][b][color=CHARACOLOR]age[/color][/b]:[/i][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]11-12.[/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][i][b][color=CHARACOLOR]gender[/color][/b]:[/i][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Identity, not bits.[/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][i][b][color=CHARACOLOR]personality[/color][/b]:[/i][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Think of this as a place to put whatever's informed your character's personality, rather than just a place to list traits.[/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][i][b][color=CHARACOLOR]appearance[/color][/b]:[/i][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Although the picture is optional, this isn't.[/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][i][b][color=CHARACOLOR]wand material[/color][/b]:[/i][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Wood, Core, Length, Flexability.[/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][i][b][color=CHARACOLOR]boggart[/color][/b]:[/i][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Your character's worst fear./indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][i][b][color=CHARACOLOR]other[/color][/b]:[/i][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Anything else[/indent][/indent][/indent][/pre][hider=SKELETON EXAMPLE]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/tQZztS5.png[/img][sup][h1][sub][i][color=#9933FF]oc "name" here[/color][/i][/sub][/h1][/sup][/center]

[indent][sup][sup][h2][color=#9933FF][i][b]blood status[/b]:[/i][/color][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Pureblood, Halfblood, or Muggle-Born. [/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][color=#9933FF][i][b]age[/b]:[/i][/color][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]11-12. They're first years, remember.[/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][color=#9933FF][i][b]gender[/b]:[/i][/color][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Identity, not bits.[/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][color=#9933FF][i][b]personality[/b]:[/i][/color][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Think of this as a place to put whatever's informed your character's personality, rather than just a place to list traits. Some things to consider including, if you're stumped:

[list]
[*] desires/wishes/aspirations
[*] family information[list]
[*] siblings, family's opinions on magic, parental status, etc. etc. etc.[/list]
[*] likes/dislikes, especially those with significant reasons behind them
[*] basically just anything that might have given your character their sense of self, and informed their personality.
[/list][/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][color=#9933FF][i][b]appearance[/b]:[/i][/color][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Although the picture is optional, this isn't. Some things to consider including, for those of us with no idea where to start:

[list]
[*] hair color, eye color, skin color, skin type, general facial description, etc.
[*] usual style of dress (besides robes, smartass)
[*] distinguishing features
[*] prized articles of clothing
[*] reason behind any of the former[/list][/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][color=#9933FF][i][b]wand material[/b]:[/i][/color][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Wood, Core, Length, Flexability-- th questions for pottermore wand selection are [url=http://pottermore.wikia.com/wiki/Ollivanders_Bespoke_Wand_Selector]here[/url]. Match your character's answers to the rather extensive spreadsheet [url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UAZ59lsiqap1pQAAjr1ncy589LLHtHfoxyfFCrYqPGY/edit?hl=de#gid=9]right here[/url] and you'll have their "canon" wand. Otherwise? Just make something up, dude.[/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][color=#9933FF][i][b]boggart[/b]:[/i][/color][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]Your character's worst fear, given form? Let's just call it particularly informative.[/indent][/indent]
[sup][sup][h2][color=#9933FF][i][b]other[/b]:[/i][/color][/h2][/sup][/sup][indent][indent]fight me helen[/indent][/indent]
[b] [/b][/indent][/hider]

You might notice there's no house section up there. [b]The mods will sort your character[/b]. If there's a piece of information you think would drastically effect your character's sorting, but don't want to give away a twist, PM [@DeadbeatWalking], [@dead anime dad], or [@dead anime mom]. We promise not to tell.[h3][sub][i]NPC skeletons[/i][/sub][/h3][pre]
STUDENT SKELETON
>
[h1][sub][sub][sup][color=NPC color]Name [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Age [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] School-Year [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] [color=House color]House[/color] [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Blood-Status [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Traits [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] #hex [/color][/sup][/sub][/sub][/h1][indent][indent][indent]Brief character shit here, if so desired.
[/indent][/indent][/indent]


PROFESSOR SKELETON
>
[h1][sub][sub][sup][color=NPC color]Name [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Age [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Subject Taught [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] [color=House color]House[/color] [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Blood-Status [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Traits [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] #hex [/color][/sup][/sub][/sub][/h1][indent][indent][indent]Brief character shit here, if so desired.
[/indent][/indent][/indent]
[/pre][hider=NPC SKELETON EXAMPLES][h1][sub][sub][sup][color=#BE9057]Student [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Age [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] School-Year [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] [color=gray]House[/color] [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Blood-Status [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Traits [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] #be9057 [/color][/sup][/sub][/sub][/h1][indent][indent][indent]god is dead and it's all our fault. all our fault.[/indent][/indent][/indent][h1][sub][sub][sup][color=#9933FF]Professor [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Age [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Subject Taught [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] [color=gray]House[/color] [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Blood-Status [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] Traits [b][color=white] ✫ [/color][/b] #9933FF [/color][/sup][/sub][/sub][/h1][indent][indent][indent] god is so, so dead.
[/indent][/indent][/indent]
[b] [/b]
[/hider]


[/indent][/indent]