Outside of Number four Privet Drive, the lawn is green and tidy. Inside, it's even tidier. The once extravagant fireplace is now boarded up, and the once numerous fine china have been reduced in numbers. There is a cupboard under the stairs, where you might find a lonely, ugly, small sock. The kitchen is clean and spotless, and everything is put away neatly. Upstairs you will find four rooms, the smallest being bizarrely messy and inhabited by a snowy owl, a growing wizard, and the bodies of a few deceased mice. In one room, are many broken toys, and what looks like the bed of a severely obese teenager. In another room, are unknown items, though it would probably contain a bed and a bedside table. In the master bedroom sleep the master and mistress of the house, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. Undoubtedly, the room is unbearably clean.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
All Hogwarts students are never allowed access to the Forbidden Forest, though some rule-breaking ones always find their way in. The Forbidden Forest takes up a good part of the Hogwarts' grounds, and it's filled with all sorts of horribly shaped trees that are large in size. Among the numerous magical creatures in the forest are centaurs, giant spiders, and even werewolves! Occasionally, you might come across something that resembles an oversized troll, but it's only a runty giant. However, there are also gentle and pure creatures such as the unicorn. As tempted as you might be to go and see the wonderfully white unicorns, it's best to stay out of the Forbidden Forest.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
The Slytherin Common Room is underground, quite different from Gryffindor Tower. Lamps hang by chains from the rough ceiling, and add a greenish tinge to the room. Though the place is undoubtedly dark and rather gloomy, an elaborately carved mantelpiece hangs above a noisy but splendidly warm fire. And don't forget the stylish chairs that have oversized backs, to hide the Slytherin's cunning head.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Almost every Hogwarts student dreads the dank, smelly classroom of Professor Severus Snape, but potions are required of every Hogwarts student below sixth year. So it is obviously very important to try and ignore the pickled animals floating in glass jars around you. It is very cold, and all around the classroom, in the various cabinets and jars are stored precious ingredients to make the most difficult potions, and various magical substances are also found here. The floor, which is made of stone, often falls victim to a cauldron spilling, and occasionally, a student can even escape the watchful eyes of the professor when this happens. Perhaps even long enough to make a quick dash to the cabinet to grab some shredded skin of boomslang.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
The Headmaster's office is truly a safe and marvelous place to be. There you can find portraits of the former headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts, all probably snoozing away as soon as your muggle feet step inside the large, circular room. A number of amazing silver wizard instruments stand on long, narrow tables, and all work to perfection. Fawkes, the headmaster's pet Phoenix should be there staring at you curiously, and the Sorting Hat might even say, 'Hello!' If you really want to be daring, you might want to find the Pensieve in a drawer, but it would suit you well to stay put, and wait for the headmaster to return from his duties, and to sit in his high chair as the supreme learned one of Hogwarts.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Moaning Myrtle's bathroom is deserted, and gloomy. There is one large, cracked mirror above a row of chipped sinks. The floor is usually wet, due to the fact that Myrtle likes to flood her toilet, of which she rarely comes out of. There are stubby candles which burn faintly; probably the only source of light. The doors to the stalls are torn and flaky, and Myrtle's constant moping keeps almost everybody away from this haunted, depressing bathroom.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
The jolly half-giant, gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures Teacher, lives in a small hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Inside is only one room, with a large bed in the corner. Game and fowl hang from the ceiling, and there is no stove, just an open fire. Undoubtedly, there are many cabinets that contain kettles, cooking pots and large tea mugs, some of which have held a rat in the past.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
The Great Hall of Hogwarts is where Hogwart's hungry students come to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many great feasts are also held here, like the Halloween feast, the Christmas feast, and the end of the year feast. For each feast, the decorations are changed, but remain extravagant. Still, the five long tables remain, for placed vertically, one placed horizontally. And don't forget, the ceiling depicts the weather outside.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
This is where every student at Hogwarts wants to be. Some are just happy to be sitting in the raised seats, but some dream of flying around on the field, playing the glorious game of Quidditch. On either edge of the field are three fifty feet high hoops.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Here, is Hogwarts most renowned class. The job, rumored to be jinxed, has head a new teacher every school year. The first year, when Professor Quirrel taught this class, you might have come out smelling strongly of garlic. When Gilderoy Lockhart took up the job, you would have learned about how he banished a banshee, or some equally heroic feat. The walls were covered with his pictures. When Professor Lupin taught, the classroom was filled with excitement, possibly about the fact that they were actually going to learn something, or because there was a terrifying monster at the front of the room. And 'Alastor Moody' also taught, and then, the room was filled with dark arts detectors. But, the room got the biggest makeover when Dolores Jane Umbdrige came to Hogwarts. The room was astonishingly pretty in pink.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Under the magnificent sweet shop of the all wizarding city of Hogsmeade runs a secret passageway. When you go through it, you will be extremely relieved to find yourself at the trapdoor that leads into the cellar of Honeydukes. Eager as your stomach may be to consume all the delicious sweets inside Honeydukes, you need to be careful because a rather rotund man often comes up to get more crates of various candies. Or, you can be like a normal witch or wizard and come through the front door.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
The Three Broomsticks is a magical saloon where almost any kind of drink is served. Students and Professors of Howgarts love to come in on chilly days for a wonderfully warm drink. It's usually quite crowded, and is generally not a good place to hold secret meetings (for students, that is). But the professors can get a nice private chat what with all the hubbub between students over chocolate frog cards.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
The Leaky Cauldron is a dark but cheery wizard pub and inn. Wizards can find refuge from curious muggle eyes in this comfy place. The Leaky Cauldron?s owner and innkeeper, known as 'Tom,' will be happy to assist you. In the back area, if a wizard takes out his or her wand, and taps the third brick from the left above the trash bin the wall turns into an archway that leads into Diagon Alley. So, the Leaky Cauldron is the haven for wizards and witches. Muggles can walk right by without even noticing.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Here is where students go to fill their pockets with little toys to cause havoc. Dungbombs, Hiccup Sweets, Frog-spawn Soap, Nose biting teacups, and other hoodlum accessories are sold here. Fred and George Weasley, along with Lee Jordan, practically pick the store clean. Though I'm sure they aren't the first. The Marauders were the first of their kind.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Outside the haven of Gryffindor students is the portrait of the beloved Fat Lady. Give her the password and she will allow you entrance. Inside the Gryffindor Common Room are many comfy, cozy, squishy and squashy armchairs. Scattered are some tables that hold the spell books of tired and stressed students. Two staircases go separate ways, one to the girls' dormitory, and one to the boys'. But they all unite every once in a while for a good party hosted with snacks from Fred and George Weasley.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
06-25-2004 02:57 AM
