Guests were sent an invitation on official Hogwarts letterhead, sealed with the Hogwarts wax seal. They were invited to Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for special mid-term classes in honour of the Head Girls 12th birthday.
The class schedule included Orientation and Matriculation, Divination, Potions, Herbology, Quidditch and Care of Magical Creatures. A special birthday feast was held in the Great Hall featuring treats from “The Three Broomsticks”. Mid term classes concluded with a visit to Honeyduke’s Sweet Shop in Hogsmeade.
Students were asked to take the Hogwarts Express train to Hogwarts Academy currently disquised as a muggle home. They were advised that they would find the magical door which was visible only to Hogwarts students, family and friends. The password “flibbertigibblet” was given with the invitation as this was required to gain entry into Hogwarts castle. Students were also told that the surrounding area was well protected by Memory Charms, so it was safe to practice magic indoors and outdoors.
Students were asked to respond by Owl or muggle telephone. This lead to some wonderful creative rsvps showing that everyone was really getting into the spirit of the party. The invitations were signed by the Deputy Headmistress of Frolics and Feasts, Hogwarts Academy.
On arrival students entered through the brickwall at Platform 9 3/4 where they were met by Luna Lovegood and directed to Hogwarts Castle.
Privet Drive Street Sign with an owl that hooted when you walked past made the students jump.
Using the password, students were greeted at the entrance of Hogwarts by Bellatrix. Once you entered Hogwarts, Hermione and Crookshanks were there to show you the way.
Lanterns and dragon candles set the mood.
Broomsticks were lined up along the fireplace, with none other than Sirius Black making an appearance in the fire place via the floo network.
Owls in cages, chests and initialed suitcases belonging to Harry, Ron and Hermione, lined the entrance way, with a wall of bricks covered in framed portraits.
Flying mail addressed to Harry Potter, The Cupboard Under the Stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey.
Tables were joined together to create the Great Hall, complete with floating candles.
The dining tables in the Great Hall were set with silver goblets and plates.
The hooting owl also made an appearance in the Great Hall.
Dragon candelabras and silver serving plates finished the scene.
Potions class was amazing. Professor Snape instructed this class. Students were given their own Potions Class Handbook which contained ingredients and instructions for making Amortenia (the strongest love potion in the entire world!), Dancing Unicorn Milk, Mandrake Restorative Draught, Exploding Flixir, Fleeing Spiders, Magic Mud and Liquid Enemies.
All bottles were named with the ingredients required for all the spells.
Each student was given their own cauldron and measuring tools and set about following instructions from Professor Snape.
Professor Snape’s classroom contained all kinds of weird and mysterious bottles.
Professor Sprout lead the Herbology class which involved making some special soil in preparation for planting Mandrakes. Crushed oreos made the first layer of soil followed by chocolate custard and then another layer of soil with sour worms on top to finish off. Yum!
Best of all was Quidditch. Everyone had an absolute blast. I cannot even begin to describe how much fun it was to play a game of Quidditch. This was played for quite a long time, when the party was nearly over all the students asked if we could please fit in another game of Quidditch, so we did.
The clouds even turned dark at one point while playing Quidditch. How I managed to organise that I will never know, but the atmosphere was just fabulous, the dementors were making an appearance!
A trip to ‘The Three Broomsticks’ for drinks, allowed the students to try Pumpkin Juice and Butter Beer.
Divination Class was taught by Professor Trelawney. Students put one hand on the plasma ball and Professor Trelawney read their future. Students also had to pop a white balloon without using their hands to reveal more about their future such as “Oh no! Due to a Transfiguration error, you will spend several weeks as a pumpkin”, “Way to go! During Astronomy class, you will discover a new planet which will be named after you”, “Watch out! You will be stampeded by a herd of raging Hippogriffs” etc. Students also read their tea leaves, and were given an “Unfogging the Future” booklet describing what each shape meant.
Care of Magical Creatures class involved finding hippogriff eggs that were hidden throughout the garden.
The mid term classes concluded with a trip to Hogsmeade and the Honeydukes Sweet shop. Head Girls birthday cake and treats were eaten before the students filled their Honeydukes bag with goodies to take home. All sweets were re-branded with the Honeydukes logo. Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans were a favourite.
Luna Lovegood “Quibbler anyone, anyone for the Quibbler?”
Even the family pets were in on the festivities, with their own cloaks made especially for them.
Props by Party Prop Hire