"I have a few announcements!" Dumbledore boomed, effectively quieting the students. "No one is to use the stairs that lead to the 5th floor on the left wing of the castle- unless they want to fall to their deaths," At this, he looked sternly at the students over his half-moon glasses. "And be careful in the halls- the bathrooms have flooded again."
Dumbledore clapped his hands. "Now, for the exciting news! There will be a Christmas Eve dance and everyone must attend!" Many students started to complain about leaving Hogwarts for winter break.
"Hush!" When all was quiet, he continued. "You will leave Hogwarts at the normal time, but come back two days before the dance. As compensation for the two lost days, there will be no lessons on the two days before the dance and the last two days before break. Instead, there will be Hogsmead trips to gather what you will need for the dance before break and everyone will help to set up the dance the other two days. 1st through 3rd years will go on the first day and 4th through 7th, the second. Your parents have already been contacted. There will be portkeys to send students home first thing Christmas morning, the carriages will take any students to the gates to leave with their parents via disapparition and for those students who are able to disapparate themselves, and there will be a short time span for those students who wish to floo home.
"Now, for the dance. You may wear any color, but everyone must have a mask. You need not buy one. After you get your dresses and robes, a mask that matches your outfit and personality will appear to you and only you until you wear it at the dance. At midnight, everyone's mask will magically disappear and reveal who is underneath. Do not try and take the mask off before then, as it will not. If you have any questions, ask your house head. Thank you." Dumbledore smiled and sat back down in his seat.
The students began talking about the new arrangements immediately.
