Thanks - I honestly did not expect this quick a reply.

I'm glad to hear that you're not finished dealing with things. I didn't think you were - but the post did say to email with questions/concerns/etc - so you did get my epic email. ^_^;

I think there are a lot of hurt feelings between Puff and Claw - over things that have nothing to do with Hogsmeade. I personally lost a friend who was in Puff and would not stop complaining about Claw in her journal - mostly stemming from pxyjuice's leaving. I bring this up as simply an example, not as anything that anyone can do anything about. I think between that, and how well Ravenclaw has been doing this term, there is a lot of animosity going on - but Ravenclaw is working hard for their points. I have heard many of my claw friends express frustration that various Puffs were complaining/saying worse about how well 'Claw is doing (so I'm not the only one) - and my guess is that that whole situation spiraled when daddybear posted the two activities that, in the beginning, he was going to pick winners for himself. Not that this explains anything, but it's more or less how I'm seeing things at the moment. I did mention that I don't quite think we're blameless.

I don't know if this is a situation best described by "Two wrongs don't make a right" or not, but that's about the closest thing I can come up with. Except that it's become three, since now the "They're cheaters!" thing is coming up. Anyway.

I am immensely (gosh I almost could NOT spell that to save my life) glad to hear that you will be looking for actual usage of that nickname outside the common room. I honestly don't think it's there, but like I said - I certainly have not looked at every post made. I offer my sincere sympathies that you might have to do just that, however.

I still disagree with the OPS ruling, and I think you can see the logic in why I disagree. However you and Sas do obviously have the final say on that. However, I would like to propose a bit of a compromise, if I may. Rather than completely invalidating an entry that I obviously made and submitted as per the contest rules, I would appreciate getting the participation points - and that I am still okay for the "Participate in every contest, get extra points" part of Hogsmeade. I spent quite a bit of time making sure I entered every activity this past weekend, and I would be very disappointed to see that time, in a way, wasted. I feel this is an equitable solution since, had I been contacted prior to voting posted and told that the entry was unusable I could have certainly made something else to post.

Finally, I am very happy to hear that you both believe the cheating accusations unfounded. We, as a house, have really been having a lot of fun this term - and it shows. At least, I have. Maybe I'm the only one, but I doubt it. :)  Most of us genuinely get along and have a lot of fun speaking to each other - and the synergy we have had as a house has been amazing. To see that we are being accused in such a manner simply because we are working hard was infuriating - and I doubt that it was just me who thought so. I sincerely appreciate the promise to address this in the main community address.

Reina