28 February, 2026 x • x Open x • x Dialogue: X
Saturdays at Penwick were always lively. It was the day where the school felt less like a school and more like a city of teenagers, all in casual clothes and filling their time with as much leisure as they could.
And today was an extra special Saturday, anticipated by many students (and dreaded by others). Though announcements were hardly ever made on weekends, Rhiannon stood in the middle of dinner and clapped her hands twice.
It took a good while for the student body to quiet down. A few chairs scraped back in anticipation.
“Yes,” she said, a knowing smile on her face, “tonight is the lock-in.”
That did it. The hall erupted into chatter, conversations overlapping as excitement rippled outward.
“As tradition allows," Rhiannon raised her voice, and a few prudent "shh"s quieted the hall once again, "curfew is suspended for the night of February 28th. You are welcome to remain awake and wander the approved locations."
She waved her wand, and a ghostly projection of the castle appeared in the center of the Dining Hall for all to see. Portions of the illusion would illuminate as Rhiannon mentioned them.
“The Assembly Hall will remain open, as well as the Aetherium, weather permitting. The Library will be open all night, with the exception of the Librarium Gerardi, which will remain restricted no matter how persuasive some of you believe yourselves to be." Rhiannon winked. A few students groaned."The Dining Hall will have snacks available all night if you'd like to partake, I'm being told there will also be a hot cocoa bar? And, as ever, the corridors and your common rooms are yours to roam."
A pause, then flatly...
“One adjustment from previous years. The Trophy Hall will not be available tonight. There was an incident, and until we're able to resolve it on Monday, it is strictly off limits to students.”
She said it the same way one might mention a corridor being repainted, but already a few students had a glint in their eye, betraying their intent to disregard the warning.
“Last bit, then you're released, just hang tight. Before breakfast concludes tomorrow morning, all students must check in with their Head of House or designated prefect in their common room. They will be keeping track. No check-in will earn you two weeks in detention, as well as an indefinite loss of lock-in privileges.”
A few unruly students nodded solemnly. Even they knew that the lock-in was something to be enjoyed, and to not be able to participate was embarrassing more than anything. Apparently, in some years past, those who had been barred from the lock-in had an assigned staff member outside their door at all times to ensure they stayed in their room.
“That’s all. Enjoy the night. Make it a good one.”
Before Rhiannon sat down again to finish her supper, the Trophy Hall was already the talk of nearly every table in the room.
Someone insisted the House Cup had been stolen. Again. Another swore they’d heard raised voices echoing from the hall earlier that afternoon, followed by a loud crash. Another group said that a colony of sentient rats had moved in.
By midnight, at least ten versions of the story involved a missing award that reappeared in the wrong display, and five involved scorch marks that people swore they saw in the first-floor corridor.
Most people didn't care, though. Lock-in night had plenty more to offer without a few trophies to look at, after all.
And today was an extra special Saturday, anticipated by many students (and dreaded by others). Though announcements were hardly ever made on weekends, Rhiannon stood in the middle of dinner and clapped her hands twice.
It took a good while for the student body to quiet down. A few chairs scraped back in anticipation.
“Yes,” she said, a knowing smile on her face, “tonight is the lock-in.”
That did it. The hall erupted into chatter, conversations overlapping as excitement rippled outward.
“As tradition allows," Rhiannon raised her voice, and a few prudent "shh"s quieted the hall once again, "curfew is suspended for the night of February 28th. You are welcome to remain awake and wander the approved locations."
She waved her wand, and a ghostly projection of the castle appeared in the center of the Dining Hall for all to see. Portions of the illusion would illuminate as Rhiannon mentioned them.
“The Assembly Hall will remain open, as well as the Aetherium, weather permitting. The Library will be open all night, with the exception of the Librarium Gerardi, which will remain restricted no matter how persuasive some of you believe yourselves to be." Rhiannon winked. A few students groaned."The Dining Hall will have snacks available all night if you'd like to partake, I'm being told there will also be a hot cocoa bar? And, as ever, the corridors and your common rooms are yours to roam."
A pause, then flatly...
“One adjustment from previous years. The Trophy Hall will not be available tonight. There was an incident, and until we're able to resolve it on Monday, it is strictly off limits to students.”
She said it the same way one might mention a corridor being repainted, but already a few students had a glint in their eye, betraying their intent to disregard the warning.
“Last bit, then you're released, just hang tight. Before breakfast concludes tomorrow morning, all students must check in with their Head of House or designated prefect in their common room. They will be keeping track. No check-in will earn you two weeks in detention, as well as an indefinite loss of lock-in privileges.”
A few unruly students nodded solemnly. Even they knew that the lock-in was something to be enjoyed, and to not be able to participate was embarrassing more than anything. Apparently, in some years past, those who had been barred from the lock-in had an assigned staff member outside their door at all times to ensure they stayed in their room.
“That’s all. Enjoy the night. Make it a good one.”
Before Rhiannon sat down again to finish her supper, the Trophy Hall was already the talk of nearly every table in the room.
Someone insisted the House Cup had been stolen. Again. Another swore they’d heard raised voices echoing from the hall earlier that afternoon, followed by a loud crash. Another group said that a colony of sentient rats had moved in.
By midnight, at least ten versions of the story involved a missing award that reappeared in the wrong display, and five involved scorch marks that people swore they saw in the first-floor corridor.
Most people didn't care, though. Lock-in night had plenty more to offer without a few trophies to look at, after all.
Welcome to Lock-In Night!
The annual lock-in has begun! You are welcome to respond to this thread to start your evening, or you can skip right to making your own threads.There is an optional Official Moderated thread with a cap of 2 students that can be found in the Trophy Hall. First-come, first-served for this opportunity. Please review the OM Rules before electing to participate.