Who: All students and staff, plus a few spirits and perhaps an uninvited guest. Please tag your character when you comment.
What: The annual Halloween party
Where: The Ballroom.
When: 7PM to 1 AM. While the party officially ends at 1 AM, celebrations don't have to.

The hallway leading to the ballroom was dark, only dimly lit by floating candles held by ghostly hands, a levitation charm wrapped in conjuration magic. Decorations lined the walls, everything lending a still, ghostly air to the already dark and quiet school. The doors at the end of the hall opened into the decorated ballroom, swathed in tones of red and blacks, again sparsely lit. Light concentrated by the food, so attendees would be able to see what exactly they were eating, though perhaps that wasn't for the best. The food had been carefully made and cleverly charmed to look positively questionable.

Charmed ghosts hung around corners of the room, pale shadows and translucent white images that were meant to unsettle, not terrify. Along one wall lay the carefully crafted image of rows broken dolls, mingled with what looked like skeletons and a few fleshier bodies. The staff had clearly gone all out this year to infuse the room with the creepy air of Halloween. Some things looked a little too real.

The doors opened precisely at seven PM, as smoky fog rolled along the floor and eerie laughter echoed from somewhere in the rooms. Sounds and screams punctuated the halls, setting the stage for what was going to be one hell of a party.

OOC: We will be putting up time stamps for students to arrive when they wish and interact. After a bit, we will post a new thread with plot bits. Anything posted beneath that post will take place chronologically afterward, and students can react accordingly. Everyone is encouraged to attend, mingle, and be prepared.

Who: Matthias Fettkenheuer and OPEN
What: Matthias is lost in thought. Potential for duel or friendship development?
When: Sunday evening, after dinner.
Where: Combative Magic Room.
Rating: PG-13


Matthias sat on a windowsill in the Combative Magic Room, well after dinner was finished. He gazed out the window across the grounds, golden rays streaking across the landscape, night well on its way. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, a light layer of stubble reminding him that he needed to shave. What was attacking the students? Or perhaps it was who... He hadn't paid much attention until the most recent announcement; glowing, white handprints...

Was it a prank? It seemed like something a student might do, but he wasn't familiar with such magic. He'd gone through all of his darkest books in search of an answer only to surface with as much knowledge as he'd had before. If it was a student, it was someone very smart...

Who: Taavi Suullinen & Vincenc Reznik
What: Taavi thinks he's seeing things, but no, Vincenc really is still there.
When: Between classes on Monday.
Where: In the hallways
Rating: Worksafe, maybe.

Taavi thought he was going a bit mad. Twice this morning alone he'd sworn he'd seen a raven. Not just any raven. He swore he saw Stínohra. Where she was, Vincenc was never far behind. But that made no sense. Vincenc had graduated, the was no reason for him to still be at school. At least that's what Taavi had to keep telling himself. Stínohra wasn't there. Simple as that.

Or not, because there she was again, cawing softly, almost as though teasing him. Taavi stopped in his tracks and just stared, feeling a familiar prickling sensation along the back of his neck. He had the sudden distinct feeling, that if he turned around, Vincenc Reznik would be standing right behind him.

Two owls carry a large package to Kirsten Nordlund's room on Sunday the 12th, with a note that reads, "Happy birthday! Love Taavi."

[OOC: Sorry this is late! I suck!]

Who: Taavi and Helio
What: It's Helio's birthday and Taavi has a present for him.
When: July 5th, afternoon
Where: Their room
Rating: Probably just PG

Taavi had managed to pick up a few gifts for his roommate over the course of the past week. He'd had a solid idea of what to get him. Taavi always tried to give useful gifts, And this case was no different. He wrapped the gifts himself, a little clumsily, and set them on Helio's desk, before settling back on his own side of the room to work on his school work. Exams were fast approaching and he needed to focus as much as possibly on Potions so he passed the course.

He was a bit distracted though, so he waited for his friend to return. He couldn't concentrate because he just wanted to see the look on Helio's face when he saw his presents. Sighing quietly, he tried to wait patiently for Helio to return from wherever he'd run off to.

There are two presents left on Helio's desk on Sunday afternoon. One is tied in a bright green ribbon, the other is dark green. They are both rather obviously from Taavi.

[OOC: If you have the time I can turn this into a thread for them, if you'd like! I'd love to see them in an actual thread. If not this is fine! Let us know how the house stuff is going.]

Who: All Grey Path students and any invited guests.
What: Grey Path party, yo.
Where: The Ballroom.
When: 11PM to 4 AM, Friday June 19th/Saturday June 20th.

The Durmstrang ballroom had once again been magically transformed into a stunningly decorated hall. Headmistress Eberhardt cast a spell on its doors and on every entrance. No student or staff member who was not invited could enter the room. It didn't matter what spell a clever student tried to cast, by what method they tried to circumvent the spell, there would be no way in without an invitation.

The dance floor was open and clear, and there was food set up for students who would undoubtedly grow hungry before the party's end. Any dish student wanted would appear, just like in the dining hall. The doors opened precisely at eleven PM, but would only admitted those who belonged there. As the party began to get under way, music filled the room as the night's guests showed up.

[OOC: Okay, so again the people who can attend are: Headmistress Eberhardt, Nastasiya Kostenko, Dorottya Kováts, Kirsten Nordlund, Kazimeras Seraichyk, Sasha Vladimirovich, Theonia Lekkas, Taavi Suullinen, Misha Vladimirovich, and Ion Laieshi. If you play a Grey Path, you may invite whoever you choose. If anyone else wants to attend, feel free to come up with a way they got invited (NPC, sibling, friend, etc) and join in. Also, please tag your characters as they enter!]

EDIT: And the punch may or may not will be spiked with alcohol. Drinker beware.

Who: Taavi Suullinen & Vincenc Reznik
What: Taavi does a bit of independent studying, documenting a link between healing and transfiguration.
When: After dinner, Tuesday
Where: The library
Rating: PG-13ish

Taavi knew, especially since there was precedence for it, that there was a strong link between healing and transfiguration. He knew he still had plenty of time before he got to eighth year [if he did], but he had the idle thought that a link between the two - and not necessarily in the same vein as the book he owned - could be documented, and explored. If anything it can be used to develop new way of healing injured people. Maybe even healing mental illness.

The idle thought grew stronger until Taavi decided he needed to write down everything he was thinking, and possibly seek out some research. It was with this in mind that he settled himself in the library with three books, deeply engrossed in his work and oblivious to those around him. Blond hair formed a curtain around his face, hiding it from view and making him look, at quick glance, like a girl.

After a long moment, Taavi took a break, sliding his most recent letter from his penpal Anabella out to continue writing to her. It had been a while, and he felt bad for taking so long to respond. She was incredibly flirty, which he wasn't really sure how to handle, but he decided to just relax and write back. No harm no foul, right?

Who: Matthias Fettkenheuer and OPEN
What: Matthias is leaving Quidditch practice.
When: Thursday, April 23rd, around 9:30 pm.
Where: Durmstrang grounds
Rating: PG-13

Matthias was sore in the best of ways as he headed out of the main Quidditch pitch change-rooms. The Dark Path Quidditch team had just finished a long and grueling hour-and-a-half practice, but Matthias was sure they were ready for their game on Saturday. They would be taking on the Light Path, who were doing considerably better than the Dark Path. Currently, Matthias' team was in last place - a frown creased his forehead as he thought about it. Matthias was not a fan of failure, and he was determined to win Saturday's game at all costs. His frown turned into a smirk as he thought about Taavi Suullinen; he'll get his, he thought.

Matthias began to stroll across the Durmstrang grounds, in the direction of the castle, his broom slung over his shoulder. It was late, and the sun had long since set. His team's Captain had refused to end practice until it had been pointed out that nobody could see anymore, and no matter how many times they dropped the quaffle or got smashed with bludgers in the dark, their game would not improve. Ti was sure that he would be feeling the effects of the bludger that had smoked him in the back for weeks to come. Some of his teammates were going to the Infirmary to get patched up, but he'd refused to join them; he'd have to be dead, he told them.

Being mindful of the attacks that had been occurring on the grounds, Matthias kept his fingers wrapped around his wand, going over a few spells in his mind that might come in handy should he be the creature's next victim.

Who: Taavi and Ivan
What: Catching up on some studying
When: Sunday March 1st, before dinner
Where: The library

Taavi knew he should be focusing on his schoolwork. But his mind kept drifting to all the things going on with him, his friends, personally. He'd just recently signed up for the dueling club for one, and was already wondering if that was a bad idea. He didn't like dueling much, not from anything but a spectator's point of view. His only real desire to be around a duel was to help the injured. It's not like he ever challenged anyone, and he did his best to avoid being challenged himself.

He wondered if joining the club was a good idea - to keep himself safe, or a bad one - drawing attention to himself. He nibbled the edge of his quill as his Potions essay went unwritten, and his thoughts continued to stray. He idly wondered what everyone else was doing right now. Vincenc, Kristof, Katarina, Kirsten, Lidia... Sighing, he shook his head clear and tried to turn his attention to his essay.

Who: Everyone who wants to attend
What: Annual Valentine's Day Ball
Where: The Ballroom.
When: 7PM-12 AM, Friday February 13th

The ballroom of the Durmstrang Institute was lit with perfectly achieved mood lighting. Tables were set up, but the dance floor was clear. There was a spread of food and drink, mostly leaning towards snacks and light refreshment. Dinner had only been an hour before, and the students would likely be well fed already.

Most staff members were already in attendance, setting up or otherwise making sure everything was set to go. Several students had already started trickling in, the habitual early-birds who could never arrive at any kind of event late. Some were too eager to wait after dinner, and, instead of finding ways to kill time, showed up just as the doors opened. The party would last several hours of music, dancing and food, for every student and staff member at Durmstrang to enjoy.

[OOC: Attire is semi-formal. Professors keep a watchful eye out for mischievous students. The punch will not be spiked, and any student who tries will be ejected from the party. There are children as young as eleven theoretically attending [doubtful, but possible]. Mischief is acceptable so long as it's something that won't get someone in too much trouble. I will tag this as people show up, since I'm not sure who's going. Feel free to add a tag if you get to it first].

Taavi shut his Transfiguration book and left it on his desk. He made sure his birthday gift from Vincenc was carefully hidden away from his room-mater before leaving and heading down to the dining hall. He was craving something sweet - when wasn't he? - and he'd agreed to meet Kirsten to talk for a bit.

He was nervous about what he had to say. They'd been friends for a while, though this year they hadn't seen much of each other, except in Transfiguration class. It left them less time to talk, less time for Taavi to tell her something about himself he didn't share with others. He stepped inside the dining hall and headed automatically to the sixth years table to wait for Kirsten.

When Taavi wakes in the morning, he will find a small black box with a gold ribbon resting on his pillow. A brief note resting on top simply reads, "Happy Birthday, pet."

Who: Taavi Suullinen and Vincenc Reznik
What: Vincenc corners Taavi because Taavi's been avoiding him. Again.
When: After Healing Charms class on Wednesday the 15th.
Where: Starting out in the corridors.

Avoiding Vincenc Reznik was not an easy thing when the eighth year was assisting in Taavi's clases twice a week. Thursdays Taavi could slip out and head quickly for his next class, but Wednesdays, Taavi's only escape was a hastily crafted plan. He'd gather his belongings and hurry from the room, ducking down a corridor to don his Invisibility Cloak in hopes Vincenc wouldn't loose Stínohra after him. The last time he had, the bird had found Taavi, cawing at him as she did to follow her to where Vincenc waited. The last time, Taavi hadn't gone.

It was foolish, he knew, but he couldn't help himself. Since the announcement at the Reznik New Year's party, he'd felt torn. Upon returning to school, he'd done his best to avoid Vincenc. After all, the eighth year was engaged to Liesl Kronenberg now. Things were different, and Taavi was trying to accept it. Though why it should be such a hard thing to accept ate at Taavi to the point where he was distracted, even in his best class.

This Wednesday he enacted his plan with haste, darting from the room in the first swell of students leaving. He avoided eye contact with Vincenc, as he'd done all class, and turned down a corridor. When he was sure no one was watching, he donned his cloak, slipping back out into the hallway. He just needed to get to the dining hall, get dinner, and vanish again.

At around 10 PM Sunday night, an owl drops off a package for Lidia Gorski. The note reads, "I couldn't wait till tomorrow. Enjoy your present! --Taavi Suullinen"

Who: Aila Kuuluvainan, OPEN
What: Aila is bored, and in need of friends
When: Early evening
Where: Library
Rating: PG-13

Aila felt like such a loser. The holiday break was over and here she was, studying once more. To be perfectly honest, she hadn't actually stopped. It was in her bones, and she wanted to excel in all that she did. However, finding herself in the library yet again on a beautiful day was making her feel a bit... lonely. Sure, she had a few acquaintances. But she was no Sirja... it was quite depressing to realize her sister was better at something than she was.

Taking a deep breath, she shut her Arithmancy book (which she really didn't need to study) and looked about the room. Tired of dallying about in the library, she stood and slung her pack onto her back. As it was not shut, and she was paying little attention, a book flew out and smacked into someone. Damn!

Who: All invited guests and some unexpected, those of whom can be found here.
What: The Reznik New Year's Eve Party.
Where: The Reznik Estate.
When: 7 PM to 4 AM - Wednesday, December 31st through Thursday, January 1st.


The Reznik New Year's Party was one of the social events of the season. Almost anyone who was anyone, the best and brightest of the wizarding families, would be attending and the grand ballroom was decorated accordingly. All the wreaths and boughs were freshened up and strung with fairy lights - made with only the best and brightest fairies, of course - to give the large room a soft, whimsical glow and clean winter scent. Tables were set about around the perimeter of the room to allow guests to sit and eat if they wished, while trays of hors d'oeuvres floated unobtrusively around the room to serve mingling guests.

Dalibor and Hedvika Reznik had been making the rounds through the growing crowd for about an hour, chatting with guests and greeting others as they arrived. Vincenc, dressed in staid but formal black, had been doing much of the same, while keeping an eye out for the arrival of anyone interesting. Considering who was supposed to be attending, he didn't expect to be disappointed.

Who: All Light Path students and staff who wish to attend, plus any invited guests.
What: Light Path party, yo.
Where: The Ballroom.
When: 11PM to 4 AM, Friday December 12th/Saturday December 13th.

The Durmstrang ballroom had once again been magically transformed into a stunningly decorated hall. Headmistress Eberhardt cast a spell on its doors and on every entrance in. No student or staff member who wasn't invited could enter the room. It didn't matter what spell a clever student tried to cast, by what method they tried to circumvent the spell, there would be no way in without an invitation.

The dance floor was open and clear, and there was food set up for students who would undoubtedly grow hungry before the party's end. Any dish student wanted would appear, just like in the dining hall. The doors opened precisely at eleven PM, but would only admitted those who belonged there. As the party got under way, music filled the rooms as the night's guests showed up.

[OOC: Okay, so again the people who can attend are: Headmistress Eberhardt, Mykhailo Bohdan, Wolfric Faust, Roffe Nordlund, Ivan Baikov, Antigone Kaligaris, Misha Vladimirovich, Taavi Suullinen, Katarina Yurkovic, Kristof Yurkovic, Szabina Varga, Hryhoriy Oleksienko, Vasili Boriesnko, Sasha Vladimirovich, Dahlia Kiesl. If anyone else wants to attend, feel free to come up with a way they got invited (NPC, sibling, friend, etc) and join in].

EDIT: And the punch may or may not will be spiked with alcohol. Drinker beware.

Three school owls drop as many boxes off for Mykhailo Bohdan in the staff common room.

The biggest box had a note attached to it.

Who: Judita Radomira and Taavi Suullinen
What: Gift giving.
When: Evening; Just after dinner.
Where: Dining Hall.
Rating: Safe.

Judita watched as her Secret Santa giftee ate and talked with those Slovak twins. She couldn't help glaring specifically at one of them, though she forced her features to calm once the twins got up and walked away from the table. It was the perfect moment to deliver the gifts to him.

She didn't bother with pretending like she was doing anything other than giving him his gifts. "Herr Suullinen?" A slight smile curled the corners of her mouth pleasantly as she set the gift boxes down before sitting beside him. "I am your Secret Santa," she gave a soft laugh. "Obviously? Any way... I wanted to see your face when you opened the gifts, so here they are."