Frequently Asked Questions
for


Year Five at Hogwarts
June 21st, 2003
4pm Pacific Daylight Time

1. How do I get to the Hogwarts Grounds?

If you are too young to Apparate to nearby Hogsmeade, and you have no enchanted Ford Anglia at your disposal, I guess you'll have to resort to some sort of Muggle transportation, which for most of you means an unenchanted automobile of some sort. There is no map included with your letter because we all know from "Hogwarts, A History" that Hogwarts is Unplottable - however, MY address from the address label on the back of your Owl Post CAN be plotted easily by the map engine of your choice (Yahoo! Maps, MapQuest.com, etc).



2. Darn! I'd really like to come, but I can't because... :(

Fear not! If you can't attend, or if you just want to show your friends & family what a totally geeky Potterphile you really are while you are attending, the party will be webcast at http://camera.britta.com!



3. Hooray, I can attend! But I have some other Potterphiles I know who would love to come...?

Sure! Bring them along...if you could please let me know how many people you are bringing when you RSVP, I would appreciate it...gotta have enough pumpkin juice & treacle tarts to go around, you know!



4. Are children welcome?

Yes, children are welcome! Along with the many adults, so far I have heard of at least five children planning to attend, ranging in ages from 3 to 6 years old. There will be a children's activity area outside in the side yard, and at 6pm we will have a treasure hunt for the young wizards and their parents. You are of course welcome to bring toys of your own as well if you like. My only other comment is that since I do not have children consistently at my house, even though I will try my best to make everything as safe as possible, my house is not childproofed, so please take responsibility for watching your own children inside as well as outside.



5. What if I'm coming from far away?

My guest room has already been claimed by the longest-distance traveler & her young son, so I can't offer the rest of you privacy, but I do have a couch, a loveseat, and plenty of floorspace with extra pillows and blankets for anyone who would like to stay the night.



6. Do I have to come in costume?

As Professor McGonagall wrote in her letter to everyone, it will be safe to wear wizarding attire BUT dressing in the Muggle manner is not a problem, since she is aware many guests will need to arrive via Muggle transportation and would not want to arouse suspicion.

(Translation: No, you do not _have_ to come in costume.)



7. Will there be a costume contest?

Yes, the categories are Most Authentic, Most Creative, and Best Costume, so start planning your costumes now! I have already heard of some GREAT ideas, so the competition should be fun to see!



8. Should I bring any food or drink?

I leave that decision up to you, since I don't want to squelch anyone's creative expression, but with the butterbeer, pumpkin juice, lemonade, assorted Honeydukes candies and other Hogwarts-style food available, I don't think you'll leave either hungry or thirsty if you just bring yourself and your appetite. Vegetarians should not be concerned about going hungry because the majority of the menu has been magically altered to meet your needs, but you can verify for yourself by checking my Hogwarts & Honeydukes Recipes page.



9. June 21st...why does that date sound familiar...Isn't that the same day that Book 5 is released? Will there be copies for sale at the party?

Yes and yes! The start-of-term celebration for Year Five is June 21st because that is when we can _finally_ read about Harry Potter's own Year Five at Hogwarts...hooray!

Hogwarts Professor Freitas, currently on holiday in California, is going to her local Borders bookstore at midnight on the 21st, where she has already reserved TWENTY copies just for the sake of party guests! Not quite ten copies are already spoken-for by party guests, so there are still copies available to reserve. She will only purchase the copies that are confirmed, then haul them all over to the party in the afternoon. All you need to do is let me know you are committing to purchasing one and then be prepared to pay her $19.38 on the day of the party while thanking her profusely, then you will receive your own pristine copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!



10. Will we be Sorted when we arrive?

Yes, the Sorting Hat will sort you into one of the four Hogwarts Houses when you arrive. We will try to keep characters in their established Houses wherever possible, however we might have to adjust slightly to be sure we have even teams for Quidditch.



11. Did you say "Quidditch?" Will we actually be playing Quidditch?

Yes! We will be playing Nerf Quidditch in my backyard on the grass, but without broomsticks because the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy of 1692 strictly enforces the 1419 Wizard Council decree that "Quidditch should not be played anywhere near any place where there is the slightest chance that a Muggle might be watching or we'll see how well you can play whilst chained to a dungeon wall." Complete adjusted rules will be posted alongside our Quidditch pitch.



12. Where did you get the Hogwarts seal?!? Is this one different than last year?

I made it myself out of Sculpey, then used with the purple sealing wax (actually FauxWax from www.FauxWax.com since it is more flexible and therefore easier to mail without cracking than resin sealing wax). Yes, this new seal is different from the previous Hogwarts Celebration.



13. How did you make the invitations?

I used a combination of my talents and technology, like any good witch! ;)


Any more questions? Just ask! :)