"Okay everyone, we're going to go head and get started again, so if you would please take your seats." Millie said. "I'm going to lead the discussion on Ilvermorny. My aunt is the Charms professor there, her wife is the Transfiguration profressor, and all three of their adopted daughters attend the school."

"Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Ilvermorny Castle is located on top of the highest peak of Mount Greylock in the Berkshires of Westrepresent the body of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Massachusetts, in New England. They accept students from all over North America, including Canada.

"The school has four houses, Horned Serpent, which represents the mind of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Horned Serpent favors scholars. Wampus, which represents the body of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Wampus favors warriors. Thunderbird, which represents the soul of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Thunderbird favors adventurers. And Pukwudgie, which represents the heart of a witch or wizard. It is also said that Pukwudgie favours healers. When a first year student is sorted, they step onto a Gordian Knot on the floor in the center of the entrance hall with large wooden statues of the mascots for the four houses facing them. The carved statues react if they want the student in their house. sometimes more than one carving will try to select the same student and so the student is then able to choose the house they prefer. This does not happen often and sometimes, once a decade or even a generation a student will be selected by every house. Seraphina Picquery, who was President of MACUSA 1920 - 1928 is known to have had this honor. She chose Horned Serpent house.

"Ilvermorny was founded in 1620, 630 years after Hogwarts. Ilvermorny was originally a stone cottage constructed by Irish immigrant Isolt Sayre, and her Muggle, known as No-Maj husband James Steward. It became a school when their adoptive children, Chadwick and Webster Boot were unable to attend Hogwarts. Isolt promised they could build their own school at Ilvermorny.

"The school enrolled more students, and the couple were able to provide wands not just for their children but for the other students too. These students were Native Americans of the Wampanoag and the Narragansett tribes who shared their knowledge of magic in return for being taught the technique involved with wandwork. Therefore, Native American magic became involved in the foundations of Ilvermorny. Over the next few years, the school grew even more and by 1634, there were enough children for inter-house competitions.

"By the 18th century, Ilvermorny became a granite castle and more teachers were added to cope with the growing number of students. By this point, the school had become a boarding school. Ilvermorny reached the same reputation other schools of magic had and the founders had concealed their school by clever enchantments, some of which made it look like a misty cloud to No-Majs.

"I'm not sure if you can see the picture of their robes very well, so I'll describe them. The girls wear a dark blue and red plaid skirt with knee high socks and black dress shoes. The boys wear dark blue and red trousers and black dress shoes. Both wear a button down dark blue and red sweater vest with a white dress shirt and red tie. Their house badge is sewn onto their left breast. Both girls and boys are given the option of wearing a short or long cloak.

"New England is known for their fresh seafood, so is served regularly there for both lunch and dinner. For breakfast, students usually eat their choice of cold or hot cereal, toast with butter or jam, bacon, eggs, and sausage. Another popular choice of bread are Jonnycakes, which is a cornmeal flatbread. On weekends, they are offered pancakes, french toast, or waffles. They either drink coffee, tea, water, types of fruit juices. Cranberries are very popular in New England because they are grown in bogs there.

"Lunch is served around 12:00 and varies by the day. Many students choose to eat soup and sandwiches. A very popular kind of soup is New England Clam Chowder, a hearty soup made with cream, clams, potatoes, and sometimes bacon.

"Dinner is served around 5:30 and almost always is fresh seafood, a type of potato, and vegetable. Sometimes other meat is served, such as beef, chicken, and pork. A popular side dish is baked beans. A favorite dessert are Whoopie pies. It is made of two round mound-shaped pieces of chocolate cake, or sometimes pumpkin or gingerbread cake, with a sweet, creamy filling or frosting sandwiched between them. They can also be made with cookies rather than cake. Maple syrup candy is also very popular because of the maple syrup that is produced in New England."

Millie took a deep breath, trying to think if she covered everyone. "I think that covers Ilvermorny. Does anyone have any questions?"

I think that's everyone...

Merlin listened with awe, he was very curious about this school since he didn't knew much about it. "I like the uniforms, but must say I prefer the long cape here." He smiled. "And food sounds good, cept there is no cheesecake." He made a disappointed face. "How can they just give those whoopie pies? That is very sad."

"My aunt said there are many different kinds of dessert. Whoppie pies are just a favorite. My family went to visit her before I got accepted at Hogwarts and they have lot's of different types of cheesecakes because dairy is a big thing in New England. I thought about make some but I think I made too much food as it is. Cookies and cakes are also very popular as well as ice cream."

Merlin smiled. "Alright! Then I think their school seems very cool then. Because cheesecake is the most important food group, yes it is a food group for me." He laughed lightly. "I could have brought cheesecake. I can even make one without real cheese and taste almost the same." Merlin suddenly realized he have mentioned his baking abilities more than once, previously on the house elves workshop and now again. "I enjoy baking, back home I helped mom prepare desserts all the time. Unfortunately I can't use magic at home yet so I did it all like a muggle, unlike mother." Merlin felt like he was talking too much, but then added. "I would like to visit this school in a mountain peak."

Magnus was distracted, so lost in his thoughts about his friend that he missed the entire presentation of Ilvermorny. Then Merlin was talking about cooking and that got a smile from Magnus. "I 'aven't done much cooking though I suppose its probly a lot like potion making."

((ooc sorry for the late reply everyone. Working on the weekends plus other real life stuff doesn't leave as much time for fun as I'd like. And then with a prefect like Merlin nagging us to do homework... 😉 I had to finish some of the challenges instead of rp-ing. Points matter! We have to stay ahead!))

Drew nodded at Magnus' story, his eyes growing a bit sad at what the younger boy must have gone through. But as he listened to the discussion about gardening, he thought Magnus had great adoptive parents, not to mention they seemed very well off. "2000 plants?" he couldn't help but interject. "How the heck do you even count that many different little green things?" Though Drew loved animals and even nature, he had never been any good at gardening. That was his cousin Flora's forte.

As Eirik left, Drew looked concerned. He hoped everything was okay with his new friend and that the other boy would return.

Than as Millie () called for attention Drew gave her his. He grinned at some of the information, having known the majority of it. He listened as Merlin () began conversing about the food and then when the prefect commented that he wouldn't mind seeing the mountain peak castle, Drew spoke up. "It's something grand to behold. It's not Hogwarts, but it's still really nice. I would have ended up at Ilvermorny if we hadn't moved back here. We visited the school once when I was ten because Mum had to give a talk about history as a guest lecturer." Looking over at Millie, he smiled. "It's neat that part of your family teaches there."

(OOC - I won't stop nagging you all! That's my job. lol))

Merlin smiled. "Oh yes, it is..but potion making is more fun unless you are hungry."

Merlin looked at Drew with excitement. "OH! You've been there! How is the view from the top?" Merlin imagined it would be simply stunning.

Magnus laughed, "That's why we don't know exactly how many 'e 'as." "I agree with you there. I love potions, one of me favourite classes."

Merlin jumped. "Really? I don't know many that love making potions! It is one of my favorite classes, also care for magical creatures, and transfiguration. Can't say the same about flying lessons. ugh"

"It's breathtaking!" Drew said in regard to the view. "You know it appears as nothing but mist to muggles, well there's still a faint hint of mist in the air regardless of who you are. I thought at first that it was just cause I'm half Muggle, but Mum said it's the same for her and she's a pureblood. Anyway, the mist makes it kind of mysterious, but beautiful and you look down the mountain to the valley and see all the different shades of green among all the trees. There are paths everywhere to explore; some are easy to walk and some are rockier and more challenging. It's not that it's not a really great place, it's just that, well, I've always wanted to be here at Hogwarts. I'm glad I got the chance to come here, even if I am late starting."

As the talk turned to potions, Drew said, "I always thought potions would be fun but it's a lot harder than I thought it would be." At Merlin's comment about flying, the dark hair boy said, "You don't like flying either? I thought I'd be the only weird one."

"I 'aven't met many who like potions either, but to me there's nothing better than a brewing cauldron. One and think and stuff whilst they see the potion coming together. You don't like to fly or just not the way its taught?"

"I could 'elp you Drew... if you don't mind 'elp from a younger kid..."

Merlin listened to Drew's description with glittering eyes. "Sounds wonderful, I must visit one day but I still want to study here, so maybe when I am a great wizard I can go for a lecture or something." He laughed at the idea. "Potions are not hard, they just all have their own personality and you must deal with them." He looked at both Drew and Magnus and said. "I love flying, just not in brooms. I prefer other flying methods that doesn't require a cleaning device."

Drew rolled his eyes and playfully nudged Magnus with his shoulder. "I don't mind help from a friend, regardless of age," he said, hoping that Magnus would consider him a friend even if they had just met. He liked the younger boy."Thanks for the offer," he smiled.

[edit]

Drew laughed at comment about not flying on cleaning devices. "Well the different type brooms are pretty neat, it's just that...well...the heights they go," he blushed and looked down, rather embarrassed by his fear of heights.

Magnus snickered at the cleaning device comment. "My auror friend Paul has a lot of contacts, I bet I could get a hold of some winged horses again... if you'd be interested."

Magnus beamed. "I'd love ta 'elp then. I think of it as a craft, which might be why i like it so much." He was clearly pleased to be called a friend.

Merlin giggled. "I'm not afraid of heights, just don't like brooms. I don't feel safe." Magnus had Merls attention. "Winged horses! Now that is a method I surely prefer. Riding a dragon, a horse or a hippogriff sounds fine. Also it is very handy if you can turn into a flying animal." He winked since that was exactly what he prefered, after all he was Merlin.

((00C just wanted to let you all know that Eirik wont be back. I have a new character coming in to Hogwarts and he shouldn't make it in time to get to this workshop, but we are playing around with the actual timeline of events, so he might...but I didnt want you all to wonder why I wasn't responding to your pings. Leafling19-you will see my new character around the common room if you check out that forum -thanks :) ))

"I'll send 'em a letter and see what 'e can arrange. The pegasus' I got last time were on loan from the 'Olly 'Ead 'Arpies. I'd love to be able to 'ave wings. Would sure be nice to be an animagus." He gave a mournful sigh. Anything would beat being a werewolf.

"I love to cook and bake too. That sounds interesting. I've never had it without cream cheese. I'd try it. Actually, my mum runs her own bakery in London. She offers both muggle and magical baked goods. You just have to know the password to order the magical goods."

"It's very much like potion making, Magnus (). You have to follow the recipe or you risk ruining it. Baking more so than cooking."

"It seems like a really nice place but we didn't visit the campus when I was there. It is really nice to have family that works at a different school. They were really happy to help"

((ooc - got it. Thanks for the heads up.))

Sauvage perked up when she heard people talking about winged horses. She turned to Merlin and Magnus ( Raven) and said, "That is my favorite way to travel! I'm not very fond of using brooms, although they are convenient at times. But I weel always prefer to ride a winged 'orse if I am given zee choice."

"Sounds like I'd enjoy it. 'Aven't been able to try cos me parent's don't 'ave any muggle devices."