Image by Jetta
It was late afternoon, closing in on early evening when the dance was planned. The Great Hall had been greatly transformed. Three of the four house tables removed, and replaced with small round, and larger square tables. Better to accommodate couples or small groups respectively. The tablecloths on each table were white with a smaller, yellow layer on top. The chairs kept up the color theme with alternating white and yellow chairs set at each table.
The Great Hall itself is decorated with a variety of spring flowers. Wreaths and garland made up of hyacinths, tulips, peonies, pansies, snowdrops, and crocuses in various shades of pinks and purples. Butterflies of various sizes and colors, and yellow canaries had been conjured to flitter around the various spring flowers decorating the room.
Instead of having everybody sit and have their meals appear before them, the remaining house table was pushed up against the side wall to serve as a place for the buffet where students and teachers alike could serve themselves whatever they pleased. As it was too early for supper, and too late for a full lunch, the table was covered with foods easy to carry on a small plate. A variety of meats and cheeses, alons side rolls and crackers. Followed by small pastries, cupcakes, small scones, miniature pies, among other sweets. The pair of constantly filling drink bowls at each end and the center of the table butterbeer, and pumpkin juice. A small cart with plates and napkins sat at one end of the table, indicating the start of the buffet line.
With suggestions from students, The Weird Sisters were recruited to make a special appearance, but first, a string quartet at the front of the Great Hall played La Primavera from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. The headmaster, in cornflower colored robes, as if to commemorate the Spring Fling, stood at the lectern behind the string quartet and watched as the students entered, some oohing and aahing at the very pastel and Spring-like transformation.
Arthur raised his voice over the entering students, “Come in, and take a seat wherever you please.” As everybody got settled, the Headmaster continued, “Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's very first, and hopefully, annual, Spring Fling.” The quartet finished their music and quietly gathered their instruments and chairs and made their way out of a side door. Arthur continued, “This isn’t meant to be a gathering for couples only. I want you to get better acquainted with each other, socially. Talk to each other, dance with each other. Meet and get to know somebody you’ve always seen, but never talked to before.
“And with that, here are the Weird Sisters! Have fun!” The band, despite their age, burst into the Great Hall with the same enthusiasm and energy they had ten or fifteen years ago. And of course, they were loud. Arthur stepped back to let the party get started, and hoped the students mingled with more than just their own little group of friends.
