Updated August 31, 2004.

Before posting any new questions in this forum, please read through these FAQs, and any posts that have been made by other students as well. The Admin, Mods, and the rest of HPU will thank you for it.


Question: I've sent my sorting quiz to the Admin. But I still can't access the boards. Why?
Answer: It usually takes a while for the Headmistress to sort through your quizzes and place you in a house. It'll usually take about a day or two. Meanwhile, feel free to browse and post in any boards/threads you can. ^_^


Question: Do I have to start as a first year?
Answer: No, you don't have to. You may start at any year you like, but it's best if you identify yourself as a first year if you want the older year students to help you around.


Question: Can I change my house?
Answer: No.

Question: Can I change my classes (-OR- What classes am I allowed to take)?
Answer: Classes are open to anyone and everyone. There's no limit to the number you may take, either. Join as many (or as few) as you like! If it grabs your attention, dive in. ^_~


Question: How can I join a Quidditch Team?
Answer: Teams for each house are selected at the beginning of every term. Feel free to try out for them at the Quidditch Pitch. If tryouts are already over and the players have been selected, you may either try out next term, or keep your eyes and ears open for any vacancies on your house team. When positions are available, an announcement will be added to the Quidditch thread in the Ministry Announcements forum, so be sure to check that thread from time to time.


Question: When are the matches?
Answer: All the answers to your quidditch questions are located here.


Question: What do I put in my signature?
Answer: Anything you want. If you join a club, they may provide you with something to add to your signature; a blinkie or a banner. That's fine. Or you might like to add some lines/quotes. That's alright also. But bear in mind to keep your signatures short-ish, so it won't distract others from the main reason you're posting. You don't want them to read your signature and not reply to your post. ^_~ Also, if you're going to use images, please keep them to 100-150 pix high.

If you're worried that your signature is too much, please fine tune it. Usually, we don't really get problems with it, and you'll be PMed if we find it a problem.


Question: I tried to put an image in my signature, but it won't work. Why?
Answer: Most likely, you're not using the right code. You must use HTML when trying to insert an image into your signature, as seen here:

Question: I tried posting my character description in the designated forum, but it wouldn't let me post. What's up with that?
Answer: You were trying to post it in the archives, which are read-only forums. Not even the Admin can post there. If you have not yet been sorted, you will need to post your sorting application/character description here. A member of the Admin or a moderator will review it, and if everything is okay with it, they will place you into a house and move the application to the designated forum archive for you.


Question: What if I had already posted my Character Description, and I want to change some details on it?
Answer: If you are an old member and wish to update your character description, please post it at this link instead of the main application thread. It will be transferred to the proper archive, and your old one deleted.


Question: I can't see some boards, why?
Answer: Some boards, like other houses' common rooms, are hidden to students.


Question: I can see the board but I can't have access to it, why?
Answer: Protected forums; passwords are needed to enter.


Question: Where do I get passwords (i.e. how do I get into Hogsmeade/Knocturn/Restricted Section)?
Answer: Here.


Question: HELP! I LOST ALL OF MY PASSWORDS!
Answer: Click here and request them again. Common room password requests may be posted there as well, or you may PM a prefect or professor from your house.


Question: What's the time?
Answer: Depends on the thread. It can be anything; morning/noon/night. Usually, the time frame is mentioned in the first post of the thread. However, generally speaking, it's considered present-day.


Question: I've a little... Problem with another HPU member.
Answer: Report it to your Advisor. To find out who your Advisor is, go here. But whatever you do, do not make the situation worse before action is taken.


Question: Why don't my posts show up after I've posted?
Answer: Most likely you're on Mod Queue.


Question: What's a Mod Queue?
Answer: Click here for the answer. Read it carefully.


Question: Why am I on Mod Queue?
Answer: It might be because the admin decides that your posts should be reviewed before they are posted for everyone to see and reply to. This could be due to a number of reasons.


Question: What can I do to get off the Mod Queue?
Answer: When you brush up sufficiently on the factors that you are lacking in, you will be removed from Mod Queue and will be able to post with ease.


Question: Would it be alright if I advertised for HPU?
Answer: Yes. By all means, go. LJ communities, other HP boards... It's fine, as long as the admin of those forums give you the thumbs up, too.


Question: Would it be alright if I advertised for other RPGs/forums/boards on HPU?
Answer: Sure, as long as it's in the right place. For non-HP related boards, go here. If for other sites, go here instead.


Question: Who's my Head of House (HoH)?
Answer: Each common room forum has a HoH subforum with the name of your HoH listed in the forum description (just under the title/link). Access to the HoH subforum is by password, which is also listed in the forum description.


Question: I'm new to RPing, where can I get help?
Answer: You can start by reading our RP tips. We have a set for Beginners and a set for Advanced, though they are both suitable for RPers of all levels. If you still have problems, or need further assistance, contact your HPU Advisor.


Question: Can I start a new club?
Answer: Generally speaking, no. We try to stick to the books as closely as possible, and currently S.P.E.W., Dumbledore's Army, and the Inquistorial Squad are the only student-lead organizations in the series. You will notice that HPU also has a club called L.L.A.M.A. This club was established by HPU's original Headmaster for Prof. Astraea Candidus. It is part of HPU's history, plain and simple.


Question: I have a forum that I think should be added! To whom do I make the suggestion?
Answer: You may PM your suggestion to the Admin (Headmistress or Deputy Headmistress). However, I do believe we've covered all of the basics.


Question: What special requests/abilities is one allowed to have?
Answer: There are various special/magical abilities and items that our members have. See here for a post listing things that have been approved. Some people have even used their request to give a magical power to their pet.


Question: Is there a word count for posts?
Answer: Yep. There is a strictly enforced 100 word minimum for all in-character posts.


Question: I can't view profiles/send PMs/post in certain forums while waiting to be sorted. Why?
Answer: Some of our members have experienced technical difficulties while in the Unsorted First Years user group. Most (if not all) of these problems went away upon being moved into their house user group. Instead of the Admin sending a dozen Support Tickets to Invisionfree, we ask that you please just bear with it until you are moved. It usually doesn't take more than a day or two at the most. As for post permissions, you will not have much of these until you are moved into your house. This is done on purpose.