Merlin’s Beard! The College of William and Mary has been embroiled in a contract dispute with a wizarding school for years over unpaid lease fees. Unable to show either a binding magical contract or an unbreakable vow, William & Mary decided to settle for a portion of the alleged outstanding claims against Learn Larp LLC for $70,000. That’s dollars, not galleons.
The College signed an agreement with the school in 2017 for a retreat of budding wizards and witches — part of “New World Magischola . . . all-inclusive weekend wizard school vacation,” according to its website. The pitch ominously includes the ability to “crush rivals [and] scowl at frenemies.” Tickets cost roughly $700.
Given the ghosts previously spotted on the Williamsburg campus (including its own version of Moaning Myrtle in Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall), William & Mary was wise to try to resolve this dispute informally rather than risk the wrath of a local Red Baron or Nearly Headless Nick.
The college ultimately sued after receiving only $46,900 of the $110,396.20 billing. The College clearly was dealing with a Slytherin trained lawyer.
Presumably, there was a provision for legal fees and costs. What was missing was something a tad more binding like a good old Goblet of Fire.
Alternatively, there is always the unbreakable vow where you would actually die if you broke it.
Absent those options, a settlement is about as good as a muggle will get.
P.S.: A comment from the College President was sought but she is reportedly coughing up slugs and experiencing other curious symptoms.