[The Hogwarts Times] Winter Solstice Dance & Hogsmeade Weekends

[Sam Turner]

This article appeared on the front page of the Friday, 2 December 2005 edition of the Hogwarts Times.


Winter Solstice Dance & December Hogsmeade Trips
By Sam Turner, school journalist

Since Tuesday’s edition of the Hogwarts Times, more details on the Winter Solstice Dance have been confirmed by the Headteacher, Professor Julian Rossi.

Afternoon classes on the day of the dance, Tuesday 21 December, will be cancelled to allow participants ample time to get ready.

The doors to the Great Hall will open at 6:30 pm and the dance will begin at 7 pm sharp with a joint performance by the school orchestra and Frog Choir. A feast will be served from 8:30 to 9:30. Dancing and musical performances will resume at 10 pm and wrap up at midnight. Students are expected to be in their common rooms no later than 1 am.


December Hogsmeade Trips
To give students plenty of opportunities to find suitable attire, two Hogsmeade weekends have been announced for December: Saturday, 10 December and Saturday, 17 December. Both trips will be chaperoned by Professors Forrester and Silverberg and will be departing from the Clocktower at 9:30 am.

Even those who aren’t attending the dance will not want to miss out on these trips to Hogsmeade as it’s the perfect opportunity to shop for presents for the Christmas holiday. The Three Broomsticks also has two new seasonal beverages you’ll want to try: Spiced Apple Cider and Pumpkin Egg Nog.


Preparing for the Dance
Gladrag's Wizardwear in Hogsmeade has been informed of the dance and has ordered extra stock from their Paris location. They will also be providing rentals for those who do not wish to buy.

Second-Hand Robes in Hogsmeade has also stocked an assortment of lightly used formal wear.

Representatives from Madam Malkin's and Twilfitt and Tattings, both from Diagon Alley will be doing business in the Great Hall on Sunday, 4 December and Sunday, 11 December from 10 am - 3 pm. Madam Malkin’s offers formal attire for both purchase and for rent, but Twilfitt and Tattings will only be taking measurements for custom tailoring purchases.

Madam Primpernelle's Beautifying Potions in Diagon Alley has sent a mail order form that will be posted in the common rooms. Orders placed before 16 December have a guaranteed owl delivery date by 21 December.

On the day of the dance, stylists from the Hairdressing Salon in Hogsmeade will be arriving after morning classes for those who made appointments in advance. Appointments must be made prior to 16 December.