We're going to be exploring 4 different Wizarding schools: Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France, Durmstrang Institute in Scandinavia, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in North America, and Castelobruxo Wizarding School in South America. Please note, nothing I post is canon and it's strictly how I envision the schools.

Welcome

Long term best friends and unofficial boyfriend/ girlfriend, Emmett and Millie stood making sure everything was in the right place. They had set up 4 different tables with information from the 4 schools they were able to get information from in time. "It's gut you are so gut to zee house elfes, Mills. I don't zink we vould have gotten everything done in time." Emmett told Millie. "You are a great kook but it vould have been too much for you." He look over the the large platters of different foods from each area, each plate had a charm in order to keep it fresh.

"We are discussing Beauxbatons first, ja?" he asked. "Yes. I figured we could take turns talking about Beauxbatons, you talk about Durmstrang, I talk about Ilvermorny, and we take turns again when we discuss Castelobruxo. Does that work for you?" Emmett nodded.

They had both been disappointed they didn't have time to partake in the other workshops. Between classes and reaching out to the relatives and planning their workshop, they barely had time to sleep. "I hope we get a good turn out. I feel bad we weren't able to go to the other workshops." Millie said. "I'm sure zay understand Mills." They stood close together and smiled at each other while waiting for their friends to arrive

Introduction

Hello everyone. For those who don't know me, I'm Millie, and this is Emmett. Emmett is a visiting student from Durmstrang. We have been best friends since we were young children. This is a cultural workshop and we'll be discussing four different wizarding schools; Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Ilvermorny in the US, and Castelobruxo in South America.

"We will talk about how the schools operate, the classes taught, their extra curricular activities, and most importantly: the some of the foods they eat.

"If you'll notice, we have four tables set up around the room. They each contain a poster with quick facts about the school, hand outs with the same information, and contact information if you are interested in doing an exchange or penpalling with a student. There are also plates of food from each region. The menu was prepared by both Emmett and I and we were assisted by the wonderful house elves. Feel free to help yourself to the platters at any time and please let us know if something needs to be refilled. We will discuss each platter when we talk about the school.

Feel free to ask us any questions. If we do not have the answer, we will reach out to our contacts and will provide you with an answer as quick as we can. Once again, welcome. We hope you enjoy this workshop

It's ready when you are ready to do the group ping

Sauvage wandered into the room and was immediately drawn to a certain table. Without needing to read the name of the region that this table represented, she felt a slight twinge of homesickness thinking about Beauxbatons. As much as she loves Hogwarts, there are some things that she could only receive at Beauxbatons. She looked longingly at the fruit tarts resting beautifully on the table and remembered eating breakfast with some of her old friends. She looked up when she heard feet shuffling behind her. Millie and Emmett, someone whom she did not know, were watching her awkwardly - and of course they were! She came in and without greeting them, without so much as a glance in their direction, went straight to the food! "Oh, I am so sorry! 'ow rude of me. Millie, this all looks so wonderful. You both 'ave truly outdone yourselves."

Millie was chatting with Emmett when Sauvage walked in. She watched her friend's eye light up when she saw the Beauxbatons table. "Hi Sauvage!" Millie greeted her happily. "I'm not sure if you met Emmett yet. Sauvage, this is Emmett, Emmett, Sauvage. She attended Beauxbatons before transferring here to Hogwarts."

"Hallo Sauvage. Zis gut to meet you. I have cousins who attend Beauxbatons." Emmett told her.

"Help yourself to the food. There's eclairs, different flavors of macarons, fruit tarts, and a pot of cheese fondue with different types of bread, cooked vegetables, and meats. There's also pot with chocolate fondue with pound cake, fresh fruit, and brownies. And to drink, there's mineral water with raspberries and lemon. Emmett and I sort of went overboard with each table. We wanted to make sure there was enough food to go around and there was something that would appeal to everyone"

"Oh, merci," Sauvage said as she ripped a piece from a baguette and dipped it generously into the cheese fondue. She popped the whole bread and melted cheese ball into her mouth and smiled guiltily at Millie and Emmett.

"It's good," she managed to say between chewing bites. Once she swallowed the nostalgic taste of home, she turned to Emmett to strike up pleasant chit chat. "I 'ave several friends ooh attend Durmstrang as well, but I 'ave never actually visited the school. I just love this idea of getting to learn more about the other schools." This time she turned to Millie, "What gave you the idea to do this?"

"You're welcome. And thank you! This is the first time I made any sort of fondue. I'm happy it tastes good." She said. "I think everyone is curious about at least one different wizarding school. My aunt teaches charms at Ilvermorny and she has a partner who teaches Care for Magical Creatures at Castelobruxo. They are still friends and they were both happy to help." Millie noticed one of the tarts wasn't cut so she took out her wand and waved it over the tart.

Emmett smiled at Sauvage. "Zis amazing how different but zimilar the schools are. We have zimilar classes but zis always cold there. Zankfully, Melia always gives me zweaters and hats for Khristmas. And everyone here is really nice. Zeres lot's of nice people at Durmstrang but many are.. Um.. zuck up?" Emmett turned to Millie to make sure he got the right term. Millie nodded and Emmett continued. "And zome of the zee girls. Zey don't take no for an answer."

Emmett took a pretzel roll and dipped it in the cheese.

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/4kHj7oR.png[/img] Poppy sidled up to the table where the three students were talking. She filled a glass with the fruity mineral water and put a piece of the tart on a plate. There was a pause in the conversation which Poppy used to greet the hosts (). "Hello! I'm glad I came on an empty stomach because everything smells delicious. Your set up looks great and I'm excited to learn about life at the other schools."

"Hi Poppy. I'm so glad you came and with an appetite! There's lot's of food to choose from. I'm hoping more people join us, otherwise I don't know what to do with it all. We'll give it a little bit longer before we get started"

Sauvage smiled at Poppy as she came up, while still listening to Emmett. "I know what you mean," she said in response. "But, I kind of miss 'ow . . . direct the students are from Durmstrang or Beauxbatons. When it comes to dating people, I am afraid that I am a bit oblivious 'ere. Back 'ome, if someone wants to date you then they ask you on a date. 'ere, they ask you if you want to 'get coffee' or 'ang out. And I am just - 'ow am I supposed to know when someone is being friendly and when they are being flirty?" Sauvage made her point with an exasperated sigh. Then, realizing that she'd basically just confessed to not knowing how to flirt or how to date, she smiled shyly and quickly filled her mouth with more bread/fondue.

"Zis hard. Melia and I have been best friends for a long time und honestly, I never even zought about dating any other girls. We just get each other. Our parent's don't vant us dating until ve finish zhool. We understand and respect zier vishes. So ve ang out vhen we can. Und we write each other a lot.

"But I agree, a lot of people are worried about having their feelings hurt, zo zey rather, 'ang out'. I ave lot's of friends at Durmstrang who vould love to write and makes friends. Zee girls zere kind of intimidate us because zey expect us to be perfect gentlemen but many of us vant to focus on our studies. Zere's some girls I ave to ide from because zey vant me to zake zem out even zough I'm not even interested in being friends. Zey are too demanding. You'll figure it out. You ave a gut heart."

((ooc - trying to type in a German accent is hard LOL. Just as I think I'm getting it, I realize I've messed up on other posts lol"

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/4kHj7oR.png[/img] "That sounds good Millie ()," Poppy answered. She turned her attention to her pastry and took a bite of fruit tart. "Mmm, this crust is so buttery. The cream is perfect too."

"I can never tell the difference between people being friendly or flirty with me either," Poppy giggled reassuringly at .

"Thank you! It's one of my mum's recipes. She serves them in her bakery in London."

Merlin entered the room shyly since he didn't hear noises from the inside and wondered if he was in the right place. He had no intention to go to any of the other schools but knowing about them sounded fun, and who knows if he could change his mind about staying in Hogwarts or not. Once inside he saw two students greeting everyone. "Hello, I'm Merlin." He said to the both of them and smiled shyly. When he saw there was food he quickly asked. "Are there any vegetarian food I can taste? I'm a bit hungry."

Merlin tried not to say anything about their convo but greeted when he saw her. "Hello Poppy, good I'm not alone here." He looked side to side. "I can't stay too long, I have to finish some preparations for a workshop."

"Hello Merlin, it's nice to meet you. Welcome. All the tables have vegetarian options and are labelled. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have before you try something."

((ooc - I just updated the first post the include the foods I'll be talking about. I had some difficulty finding foods to represent Durmstrang because I didn't want to include any fish. If you have any suggestions for foods served in Scandinavia, feel free to let me know before the 15th. I'll be starting the lesson late morning/ early afternoon tomorrow))

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/4kHj7oR.png[/img] Poppy made up her mind to visit the bakery the next time she was home. "Hi Merlin (). Everything at this table is vegetarian except for the meats for the cheese fondue. I'll be sure to be at your workshop; I'm trying to check out all of them."

"Thanks, I always ask, just to make sure." He smiled and grabbed a fruit tart, fried yucca, and acai juice. "Mmm, looks delicious."

"Ah yes, I now read the Menu, didn't saw it before, thanks. I have tried to go to all the workshops, but I totally missed one. I felt really bad for that, but was too busy those weeks." Merlin smiled to Poppy. "I wonder if any more Slytherin would come, last workshop ended up pretty bad." He made a face. "But in the end it all worked out, I think."

Sauvage wandered around the different tables to see what all they had to offer. She sipped her mineral water and reached for something deep-fried at the Castelobruxo table. The conversation seemed to be in a lull, so Sauvage said aloud what she was thinking. "I really 'ope more people show up. This is the first workshop I 'ave actually been able to attend. I 'ave felt so anti-social in my room, trying to keep up with my studies that now I 'ave just fallen behind in all of my social relationships!" She then took a bite of her deep-fried dough ball and vocalized her satisfaction with "mmmm".

((OOC: I totally get what you mean about writing in accents. It can be really difficult! It's definitely a learning process that I've low key given up on))

"You're welcome. The fried yucca are amazing. They are like super starchy chips."

"Okay everyone, I guess we're going to get started. If everyone want to take a seat..." Millie said. Emmett looked around the room and thought to himself, "Vhat are ve going to do vith all zis food? I guess ve can give it to zee people who showed up and let zem take it to zier common rooms..."

"We're going to start with Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. It is located in Pyrenees, France, within the Pyrenees Mountains that separates the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe. The schools accepts students from France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain and they are willing to accept international students as well."

Millie paused and continued. "The school was founded around the year 1300 CE. err Common Era. Beauxbatons has had many noteworthy students over the years. One of the most well known are Nicolas Flamel, the alchemist famed for discovering the Philosopher's Stone, and his wife Perenelle. A more recent popular student is Tri-Wizard Champion, Fleur Delacour Wesley who was also a member of the Second Order of the Phoenix."

Millie stopped and allowed Emmett to talk. He turned to her and asked, "Vhy do I ave to talk about zee uniform. Vine." He paused and winked at Millie and she tried to keep her composure. "Okay, so zee male und vemale uniforms are light blue and black. Zee girls normally vear a blouse und skirts with um... Leggings? Tights? Is zat right?" Millie giggled and said, "either or is fine." "Okay, zo zee girls vear leggings or tights with black dress shoes. Zee boys vear a black vest vith a blue dress shirt and black trousers. Zey also wear black dress shoes. Both girls and boy vear a little blue cape like jacket."

"Zee zhool is also held in a chateau zurrounded by majestic gardens und fountains magically created out of the zurrounding mountains. In zee Dining Chamber, Wood Nymphs entertain zee students while zey eat, and at Christmas, the hall is adorned with great, glittering, non-melting ice sculptures."

"The classes are similar to the ones here at Hogwarts. Each class is an hour and a half long and runs from 8:30-3:30 with an hour and half lunch break and rest period starting at 11:30am. They usually have a light breakfast. They usually serve coffee or tea or hot chocolate, toast with jam, and pastries. Lunch is usually served with type of soup or salad, the main course typically consists of a meat or fish, along with vegetables, potatoes, rice, or pasta. Following the main course, there is sometimes a cheese plate, and dessert usually is something sweet and light, like a fruit tart or ice cream.

"After classes, there is a 4 hour break to allow the students to do homework or participate in extra curricular activities. Like us, they have many different clubs to choose one. A popular one is Care for Magical Creatures in which every student is taught about magical creatures and more specially, the care for their winged-horses that drawl their carriages for any form of travel."

"After the four hour break, the students report back to the Dining Hall where they eat dinner, their largest meal of the day. An appetizer starts the meals and is usually a bowl of soup or salad, cheese soufflé, or a terrine. Their main course consists of a meat or fish, with rice, salad, or pasta on the side. A cheese board is prepared alongside baguette, fruits, and nuts. They end their meal with dessert, usually a fruit tart, chocolate mousse, eclairs. Wine is also served with the written permission of the parents. After dinner, the students retire to the dorms where they are given the chance to work on more homework or socialize before lights out at 11:00pm."

"The menu we prepared for today consists of: eclairs; fruit tarts; cheese fondue with different types of bread, cooked vegetables, and meats; chocolate fondue with pound cake, fresh fruit, and brownies; and mineral water with raspberries and lemon. We'll go a head and pause anyone can ask questions and add comments or want to get more food."

- ((ooc I didn't want to ping you twice in the same post))

Private Outfit Drew Wilder, a new student at Hogwarts and proud member of Slytherin house, made his way to the room that had been specified for the current workshop. He hoped he wasn't late, but being new and not knowing anyone, he'd puzzled over what to wear. Should he wear his school uniform or something more relaxed? He'd finally decided that since it wasn't an actual class maybe it didn't matter. Pulling on one of his many black shirts and sticking with his comfortable jeans, Drew left his dorm. And promptly got lost. Now as he reached the correct room at last, he sighed at hearing voices inside. He was late. Great. That was so not the first impression he'd wanted make. Leaning against the wall, Drew waited until there was a lull in the voices. Well there were two choices here, Drew thought to himself, go back to his dorm and miss out on possible fun or go in with confidence and style. He took a deep breath and opened the door, forcing himself not to slip in but to enter at a semi-normal walk. And then froze at seeing not just one, but both the Slytherin prefects in attendance and now staring at him, along with several other students he didn't know.

Merlin heard talking to herself and giggled. Then replied to her. "I have only missed one and still suck at socializing, but studying comes first to me. Enjoy your food."

"OHHH" Merlin was looking at the school uniforms with glittery eyes. "I love their uniforms! I want a little cape too." He pouts and noticed people were looking at him weird. "It's cute!" He was now blushing. "And I want to take care of the winged horses too!" He sighs. "We don't have nymphs that are willing to entertain us..we only have ghosts and Peeves!" Merlin felt like he was complaining. "But I must say our food is way better, can't go to classes with just a coffee and a tart." Merlin laughed a bit. "I wonder if we could wear cute little capes instead of long robes sometimes."

Suddenly Merlin heard the door opening and turned to see who arrived, it was that new kid he hardly has seen around. "Come on in..err...Lue? Hugh? Oh, sorry I forgot your name." Merlin sheepishly smiled at the Slytherin boy. "It just started."