18 Dec 2024, 19:40
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
IC publish date: Late December
.DECEMBER ISSUE No. 38 THE OFFICIAL HOGWARTS NEWSPAPER .........PAGE 01.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════HOGWARTS HEADLINER
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North | Overcast
Hogsmeade | Cloudy South | Overcast
Central | Drizzle
THE FULL MOON | Dec 15 / Jan 13
your source for all things magical and mysterious within hogwarts═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
┏
┗ INTERNATIONAL INCLUSION
by Xiomara Torres ┓
┛For centuries past, Hogwarts has been one of the few schools to truly be inclusive. Despite the disagreements that the founders may have had about who was worthy to be in ‘their’ house, Hogwarts has openly welcomed students regardless of their blood status or race. This academic year, many other schools followed suit and opened their doors. This includes the following schools of Ilvermorny, Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, Uagadou, Castelobruxo, Koldovstoretz, Mahoutokoro and Tenūsa.xx
For the first time in the history of these eight schools, each of them now allows purebloods, half-bloods, half-breeds, wizard-borns and Muggle-borns alike. For some schools, this is a huge change from their norm. For others, there isn’t much of a difference, but it might allow a handful more students than before. Whilst the change may not be immediate, it paves the way for a better future over the coming years for the next generation of students across the magical community all over the globe.
.xx It is unknown how this change will affect things in the future, but the inclusion will allow affected students to get access to an educational system that they could not attain before. Some of these students might have been homeschooled; others might have gone to smaller or local schools in their towns. They now have access to a school with international recognition that potentially provides better education. x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────xxx x───────────────x
I would also argue that this change helps other students too. It allows them to meet new people and understand that we are all, ultimately, just beings in this magical world. It brings hope that through exposure, we can – perhaps – reduce the discrimination that some of these students may have faced. Sometimes, racism and discrimination are caused by ignorance. People may have heard stories of an aggressive part-giant but never met one to know that they might be very friendly. The BFG, a
─
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x
─. We are all, ultimately, just beings in this magical world.──
x┗─────────────── x❞famous book by Muggle author Roald Dahl, is, after all, about a Big Friendly Giant. Negative and biased stories can be combated by experience. Meeting a very kind goblin, realising that someone growing up as a Muggle is not a bad thing, going on a date with a cute dhampir.xx These experiences can only be made through inclusion, and I have great hope that this new acceptance will help the entire population of budding magical beings. I, for one, am super excited about this new change – though I did not realise that international schools had this limitation in the first place until recently – as I think it is always great to meet new people and learn about their experiences, knowledge and culture. Did you know that goblins have their own language? I learned that on one of my first visits to Diagon Alley, and I thought that was super cool. And did you know that some people have visions of the future? Others can change the shape of their nose!
Our world is full of so many interesting people, and we get to meet more of them through this amazing new inclusion initiative that the international world seems to have taken. I, for one, am thrilled to see this initiative coming to fruition. x───────────────────────────xxx x───────────────────────────x═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky
18 Dec 2024, 19:40
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
PAGE 02.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────Meet Your Four New Prefects
by Dorion Anderson
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It is truly amazing that we recently had four new prefects, one for each house. It is not abnormal that prefects come and go; we’ve recently had some seventh year graduates replaced by incoming first years. For all the houses to need a prefect around the same time is truly a miraculous event to witness. Gryffindor held their positions strong: the last time they put out a call for a new prefect was in December 2022. Hufflepuff had the second longest waitxx since June 2023, and both Ravenclaw and Slytherin held a search earlier this year.
xxThis is my official welcome to all of the new prefects, via tracking them down for an interview (I promise I was really nice about it)! Congratulations to Galton Lansdale, 7th year of Gryffindor; Sage Willows, 2nd year of Hufflepuff; Mylo Atkins, 2nd year of Ravenclaw; and Cass Ito, 2nd year of Slytherin! Let’s get into it! x───────────────────────────xxx x───────────────────────────xWhat made you want to be a prefect?──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
xx ”Our prefects are really cool! When they aren’t giving you detention, that is. But some of them are really cool even when they are giving you detention. Also, my father suggested it. But I just like helping out!” - Cass Itoxx ”I’m not sure I remember. I’ve wanted to be a prefect for so long that I can’t recall not wanting to be one.” - Galton Lansdalexx ”Professor Iwasaki reached out to me and asked if it was something I’d be interested in, and I’d been wanting to branch out a bit and help myself get more confident which this would be perfect for, so I accepted.” - Mylo Atkinsxx “Long story short, my time before I came to Hogwarts was awful. I didn’t have a community of wizards and witches to support me. If someone enters these halls not knowing what to do, or is a brat in need of a good detention to whip them into shape, they can come to me. I want to be a community for people. Being a prefect is helping me do that.” - Sage Willows──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Do you have a favourite memory of your time at Hogwarts?──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
xx “For me, it’s really figuring out who I am as a person, which, in one way or another, includes most things from my time at Hogwarts.” - Sage Willowsxx ”I think one of my favourite memories is either just walking around the grounds, sometimes talking with friends or summer camp in its entirety. I’d never really been on such a long camp and it was amazing to do all these activities and walk around the pitch.” - Mylo Atkinsxx ”Oh, lots! I had a massive food fight in the great hall once! That was really fun.” - Cass Ito (who immediately denied involvement in that food fight)xx ”Maybe the first time I duelled? I may have immediately lit myself on fire and was then KO’ed, but I will never forget the rush standing there.” - Galton Lansdale──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
What’s something you’d want the students to know about you?──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
xx ”I know I look really scary and great and things, but I’m just a normal person really! I’m always here to help with things, and I promise I do stop talking and listen to people sometimes.” - Cass Itoxx “I might look intimidating, but I swear I’m a nice and genuine person at heart. If you ever need anything or just need someone in your corner, you can come talk to me. Unless you’re a jerk. Then I want nothing to do with you.” - Sage Willowsxx ”That I’m always happy to help if I can! If I don’t know how to help, I can find someone who does!” - Mylo Atkinsxx ”I grew this moustache on my own and definitely did not use any magic. Toad is a naturally hairless cat that I, in no way-shape-or-form, have a hand in influencing her fur status. I have only committed once before a duel - and it was because I had eaten too much for lunch, not the nerves. All other rumours are false.” - Galton Lansdale───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
And on that very weird note… good luck to Gryffindor specifically! All of the new prefects are absolute sweeties (and aren’t actually intimidating despite people apparently thinking they are). Prefects are your fellow students and a wealth of knowledge for help or comfort. Wizard boarding school can be really scary! But, Ixx promise, they’re here to help you. Lean on your leaders when you can, or prank them just for fun. But don’t tell them I said to do that!
xxA last congratulations to you four! I can’t wait to see how you contribute to the school and to your house. x───────────────────────────xxx x───────────────────────────x═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky
18 Dec 2024, 19:41
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
PAGE 03.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────Winter's Wisdom: December Horoscopes───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
by The North Star
Fellow witches, wizards, and curious majority,
A newfangled epoch dawns upon the Hogwarts Headliner, and in the arrival of this new era emerges a fresh author for your hungry gaze and grubby fingertips. I am your newest celestial correspondent; please call me the North Star. From this day forward, I shall unveil the cosmic patterns and petty, earthly dramas of our downtrodden Hogwarts and wizarding society. Whether you seek otherworldly guidance to feed your soul that yearns for enlightenment, or the latest tea spilled from the Great Hall, the North Star promises to illuminate the pages of the Hogwarts Headliner with the juiciest of gossip and the tools to tether yourself to the divine.
As we transition from the bewitching allure of All Hallows’ Eve to the delightful, wintry season of Yuletide, you might notice fruition in your long-term endeavours moving to a slower beat courtesy of the Mercury retrograde. Yet, fate waits for no one as the stars prepare the wix for the welcoming of a new year with nought but hurdles along the way.
Let us gaze to the heavens and explore the cosmic forecast for December.───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ARIESAs aforementioned, December's tidings call for a slow season fraught with unexpected challenges. You'll see your patience tested as your ruling planet, Mars, goes into retrograde on the 6th of December. If you can navigate this tumultuous period with grace while under pressure, you’ll reap the rewards of your work.xx xx SAGITTARIUSDecember is for you if you crave motivation and change. Your annual fresh beginning of healing awaits you, and preparation is critical to unlocking this season's full potential. Establish habits that will calm the mind, exercise, and be mindful of how you treat yourself. x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────x
TAURUSHaving some grace for yourself will be your ally this season. Mars’s retrograde may present challenges in interpersonal relationships that may leave you feeling drained; therefore, communicate your boundaries and take time to do your favourite activities to rejuvenate your spirit.xx xx LIBRAThis season is about seizing the abundance you've worked so hard towards, and fresh opportunities and peace will reveal themselves to you as a reward. Your willpower will be boosted like never before in your pursuits; therefore, continue to release energy, situations, or people that do not serve you. x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────x
GEMINIIt will be especially wise to exercise caution in word choice this season, dear reader, as this season bestows fresh opportunities and people to be acquainted with. Utilise discernment and avoid unnecessary risks as Mars emphasises the need for your patience, so allow these new opportunities and relationships to flow naturally.xx xx SCORPIOThis is the month of new beginnings, and the effort you put in will follow you into the new year slowly and steadily but will skyrocket. With this newfound energy, things will transform into what will serve your higher self. x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────x
CANCERYou’re about to launch a creative streak that will illuminate your journey into the new year. This final streak of 2024 should motivate you to take your endeavours seriously, but keep a tight rein on how you spend your energy. While it’s lovely to have your closest kin by your side during the holidays, you may need to set a few boundaries and have a few “me” days to help you remain grounded.xx xx CAPRICORNThe final chapter of the season will be very social for you, dear reader, and your ambitions will come to fruition if you maintain a healthy mindset and set goals and intentions. The 11th house is about the future, so ask yourself this: where do you see yourself in six months? x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────x
LEOThis is a life-changing era for you, and you might find that people and opportunities are attracted to your radiant energy. You've likely felt like a caterpillar in a cocoon for some time; however, my dear reader, it is your time to break free and spread your beautiful wings.xx xx AQUARIUSThis season will offer a renewed sense of purpose and steer you on a path of creative freedom that will yield results. Your network will expand with like-minded individuals who will fuel your motivation in your ambitions and academic pursuits. x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────x
VIRGODecember begins with tension for you, but this will allow you to gain a new perspective on effective communication within existing and new connections. This final month of the year will also help you break free from destructive cycles, draining individuals, and a lack of progress within your ambitions.xx xx PISCESMy sweet Pisces, you may have noticed over the previous year that you've been feeling stuck in some regards, but this will soon come to change. The end of the season will raise your energy, boost your optimism, and coax you into forming a healthy routine. x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────xYours truly,
The North Star───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky
18 Dec 2024, 19:42
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
PAGE 04.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Wizarding Product Reviews The Hufflepuff Way
by Simon Kincaid
Hello, and welcome to Wizarding Product Reviews: The Hufflepuff Way! With each edition, I’ll find a friend, and together, we’ll review a product from the wizarding world.
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This month’s product:───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Product: Majesto Tent 500
Description: An enchanted wizard tent. It is bigger on the inside! There are five separate areas, including a living room, kitchen, and three bedrooms.
Where to Purchase: Hogsmeade, Main Square
Price: 50 galleons ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Current Review Committee Members: Simon Kincaid & AngelFyre McCubbin
xxxxx
Take glamping to the next level with this wizarding tent that is deceptively large on the inside, no matter how small it may appear. Looking mostly like fabric draped or attached over a framework of poles (looking as Muggle-like as possible), inside, the charmed wizard tents resemble a multiple-room flat, equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and several bedrooms. They also come furnished with beds, chairs, tables, and other items – some showing off magical details on the inside.xx
xx Magic is all abound in this item! The user will set up the portable lodging with the use of the charm Erecto. The contents, while extremely large, are made smaller, like when using an enchanted satchel or backpack, and an Undetectable Extension Charm, Capacius Extremis, is what allows the tent to be more expansive on the inside.───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
As for the name, Majesto could be a play on the word “majestic”, which means having or displaying great dignity, nobility, or grandeur. It is often a word used to describe things that are superior to everyday things.xx
❝ ─ ───────────┓
x
─. The perfect place for snogging.──
x┗─────────── x❞─ I found myself using this tent at last year’s summer camp as a sort of cabin-like getaway. My girlfriend and I were not placed into the same lodging, and therefore, we needed a place to hang out together. Needless to say, that cosy brown sofa in the living room area of my Majesto Tent 500 was the perfect place for snogging.
It was easy to carry, easy to set up, and offered comfort and privacy. While it has somewhat of a high price tag, I believe it was very much worth every one of its fifty galleons. I would give it a superior rating of five.x ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
My fellow reviewer, the beautiful fourth year Hufflepuff AngelFyre McCubbin, spent many afternoons in the Majesto Tent 500 as part of Camp SimFyre that same summer. Her thoughts were as follow: “On a five scale, with five being the good end of the rating, ...I'd give it a ten.” She liked that it was comfortable and spacious. She thought it offered privacy, but also could be inviting to others despite that.─
❝ ─ ───────────┓
x
─. I'd give it a ten.──
x┗─────────── x❞
Related products include the enchanted trunk, enchanted satchel, and enchanted backpack for also making use of the Undetectable Extension Charm. Related products, more aligned with the general use of the Majesto Tent 500, would be a room at an inn – a temporary staying place that isn’t your home but offers some of the commodity of home, a makeshift shelter, or a Muggle camping tent.
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Simon’s review: 5/5───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
AngelFyre’s review: 5/5
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Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky
18 Dec 2024, 19:42
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
PAGE 05.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
MAGICAL MYTHOS
Stribog, Durmstrang's Spirit
by Pericles DraltYou may have heard the name Stribog woven into the colourful exclamations of our friends from Durmstrang: "by Stribog", "Stribog's breath", a term utilised in blessings and curses alike. Stribog was heralded as a god by the ancient Slavic people, yet Durmstrang's interpretation leads us to wonder whether he may be of a more magical origin. All manner of creatures and apparitions are said to stalk the inhospitable wilds surrounding the school. Before its construction, the land was rumoured to be the dwelling grounds of the nature spirit. This─
❝ ─ ───────────┓
x
─. Now the winds, sons of Stribog, blow from the sea like arrows.
- The Tale of Igor's Campaign (~1188 CE)──
x┗─────────── x❞legend lives on with the student population. Some say he appears as a man, a ghost, or even takes the guise of animals. However, none can claim to have seen him outright. There are those who speculate this rumour was cultivated as one of Durmstrang's protective measures, meant to frighten students from straying out into the no-man's-land. The apparition may even be tied to the many potent anti-Muggle wards within its barbed-wire fence-lined premises.───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Whether a fabricated vision or actual entity, Stribog's mythos stretches deep into the annals of Slavic history. He is commonly interpreted as a wind deity who distributes wealth, due in part to the most widely accepted etymology of his name. This combines the stem "stri-" (from the Proto-Slavic verb "sterti", meaning "to spread or scatter") and the word bog, which translates to "god". Through this, Stribog is considered the "Disperserxx of Riches". His origin describes the spirit as forming from the sparks and wind of a heavenly smith's swinging hammer. He is a neutral deity presiding over both fair and foul weather, from the clear wind, which brings health, to tempestuous squalls. Stribog's human form is said to be that of an elderly man with white hair, a long beard, a golden bow, and a hunter's horn with which he conjures the breeze. x───────────────────────────xxx x───────────────────────────x
❝ ─ ───────────┓
x
─. Stribog is more of a feeling.──
x┗─────────── x❞─ Described as stern, swift, short-tempered and fearless, he moves rapidly across battlefields to secure a vantage. His spectral form can slip through the smallest of cracks or roar across great open spaces. As a practically inevitable warrior, his symbolism has been heavily popular amongst military leaders. It is no wonder why militant Durmstrang has chosen to idolise him. Stribog seems to be especially popular among the school's Quidditch players. When asked if they believed its existence in a literal sense, one of their Chasers explained: "Yes, and no. Stribog is more of a feeling. When you are flyinghigh and a cold wind pushes you forward to victory, it is nice to think there is a Force that wants you to win. There are banshee ghost ladies that scream you to death, and Castelobruxo has Caipora, the little nature spirits protecting their grounds. Why not believe in a windy man who likes broom sports?" A student named Hans stated simply, “I believe in Stribog the way I believe in Santa: you want it to be real because it’s cool, but deep down, you don’t actually think it’s real.”───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky
18 Dec 2024, 19:43
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
PAGE 06.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────Muggle Christmas Music───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
by Violeta Roux
December is a month of many traditions, both magical and Muggle. The month is especially marked by one special holiday that many across the world celebrate: Christmas. Christmas has a bunch of different traditions, which include throwing Christmas balls, mainly to show off, but also to celebrate the magic of Christmas. It is axx rather magical holiday, after all.
xxRecently, I learned that Muggles and Muggle-borns have been creating their own Christmas music for many, many years. I was quite curious, so I started listening to some Christmas songs made by Muggle artists, and most of them are surprisingly good. x───────────────────────────xxx x───────────────────────────xBut first, where does Christmas music come from exactly?──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Well, Christmas music has a rather long history, meaning there are many classic Muggle Christmas songs over 100 years old. It all started in 4th-century Rome. Back then, people in Rome spoke Latin, so the songs were in the dead language. Later, in the 13th century, Muggles translated popular Christmas music into regional native languages, and English Christmas songs first appeared in 1426.
xxThey appeared when a Muggle man named John Awdlay wrote a work of his, listing 25 carols in English. Soon after, wassailers started going house to house singing these songs, and this became a tradition that we now call 'carolling'.xx You probably know of it.
xx'Carolling' is a verb, and it simply means to go from door to door singing with a group, usually in a street or neighbourhood. Some folks like to spend the entire night circling the town and singing. However, this usually happens in smaller towns, and less so in big cities.
xxThere are a few Muggle Christmas songs created in the 16th century that are still rather popular nowadays. Many artists have made covers of these songs, includingxx "The Twelve Days Of Christmas", a popular song that I find pretty annoying. It's had several variations, but in every version, it's the same idea: a series of gifts is given to the singer by their "true love".
xxMany more Muggle Christmas songs were created between the 16th century and the 21st century. Most songs written before the 1900s were more religious, since Christmas is a Christian holiday, after all. "The Twelve Days Of Christmas", for example, has a religious meaning. However, when the Great Depression came, Muggles started creating Christmas songs about less religious topics. These songs were aimed at children. x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────xxx x─────────────────x
What about the more modern Muggle Christmas songs? Well, one of the most famous Christmas songs known to Muggles isn't too old. If you're a Muggle-born or a half-blood, or if you even know anything about the Muggle world in December, you have probably heard of the song "All I Want For Christmas Is You", by Muggle artist Mariah Carey. The love song came out in 1994, and it's always playing near Christmas, or so I've heard.
xxAnother song that has become quite popular with Muggles is "Last Christmas", another love song. It was written and produced by a man named George Michael and released in 1984. The singers themselves are a duo who call themselves "Wham!".xx Many more Christmas songs have launched over the years, but I wanted to talk about these two—"All I Want For Christmas" seems to be extremely popular, and I must admit, "Last Christmas" is my favourite Muggle Christmas song from the ones I've heard, even if it's a love song. I usually don't enjoy those, but this one was quite good, so definitely listen to it if you can! x───────────────────────────xxx x───────────────────────────x═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky
18 Dec 2024, 19:43
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
PAGE 07.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Hogwarts, A Holiday
by Xiomara Torres
Ideas for the Festive Season:
The most magical time of the year is upon us. Whether you celebrate Yule, Eid, Hanukkah, Christmas or something else, there are festivals and special occasions throughout the season! At Hogwarts, we have a two-week winter break around Christmas, and whilst most students will go back home to their families, some of us will stay. For those staying, here is a selection of fun activities you can do around the castle this festive season to get into the holiday spirit!
Show your gratitude by thanking a fellow student or professor. You could write a letter to express this if you feel too awkward doing it in person! Make some holiday cards (or thank-you cards) for someone. Handmade cards are great fun. Give your loved ones some thoughtful gifts that will mean something to them. Instead of buying gifts, try making something this holiday season. You could use the materials you already have or use things you find around the castle. Easy ideas could be affirmation rocks (literally paint on the rocks you find on the grounds), friendship bracelets, a drawing, an embroidered bookmark and so on! Play Gobstones with someone that you’ve not hung out with before – you might make a new friend. Gather a group and go around the castle carol singing! Who doesn’t enjoy songs? They don’t even have to be Christmas carols, you could just go around singing fun songs and cheering people up! Spend time practicing your dance skills in the ballroom to get ready for the next ball. The holiday period is not necessarily happy for everyone – try reaching out to a friend who might be lonely. Decorate your dorm room or common room to spread some holiday cheer. Bonus points if you make these yourself! Why not consider getting a group of friends together and crafting some nice decorations for everyone to enjoy? You will get a fun time out of it on top of being able to make the common room a beautiful place for all. Appreciate a professor who has inspired you! Learn a new instrument or practice your skills in the rehearsal room. Consider joining a band or club for this purpose! Why not perform a random act of kindness? Spend the holidays or your down time reading as many non-academic books as you can in the library. The library isn’t just for studying, after all. There are so many storybooks, why not take advantage of the two-week break? Go above and beyond helping a friend or even a stranger in need with something. Challenge a friend to a game of wizard chess! Make an ornament – you could try painting one, making it out of fabric or even using materials such as wire and beads. Play a sports game with those staying behind this break – it could be a Muggle sport game, like a nice game of football or netball, instead of Quidditch! Grab a friend and go on an adventure with them. Try exploring a new part of the castle that you haven’t seen before! Maybe you could go down a different corridor or discover a new route to a classroom. Send a classmate you haven’t spoken to a kind note. Go outdoors and play in the snow, if the weather allows it!xx
There are so many more things you could do but hopefully, this inspires you a little. Drink some hot chocolate, bake a Christmas pudding or other seasonal food, and take the time to socialise with your friends and family if you’re spending the holidays with them!
Whatever you do, happy holidays!
XOXO, XIO
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Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky
18 Dec 2024, 19:43
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
PAGE 08.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════┌✁ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─
What I Do At School for Yule
by Dorion Anderson
─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ✁┘
It’s your favourite Wiccan witch at Hogwarts back with some hot tips for how to celebrate Yule at school! I know wizards have their own celebrations for this, but I wanted to share what I do to replicate what me and my family do when I’m home. Over my six years at Hogwarts, there have been a couple times where I’ve stayed at Hogwarts over the winter break. I never wanted that to stop me from feeling that I’m celebrating the holiday with my family, just a bit further apart.
❝__───────────┓
I celebrate what I call Muggle Magic.┗───────────__❞For those that don’t know, I celebrate what I call Muggle Magic. A form of paganism, and that could be a whole article by itself. But essentially, I do magic with nature. Whether or not you believe it works, that’s up to you! But for me it was a strong base of what I grew up around, and it will always be a part of me. My Muggle magic is no less important to me than my wizard magic is, and both of them hold halves of my heart equally. ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This year Yule is on 21 December, and I plan on being home to celebrate this year! But if you’d like to celebrate the return of the sun and warmth at school, here are some things I’ve done in the past to try and bring that holiday spirit to my own dorm!
- A sort of arts and crafts way to get around having a bonfire would be building one out of craft supplies! While there is a beautiful hearth in the Hufflepuff common room, I’ve made a paper mache sun to hang up on my wall during the time of Yule. Even just a drawing of a sun would be great!
- Decorate an altar! I have a small altar in one of my bedside table drawers. It’s not ideal, but it gets the job done. However, make sure that no one touches it. You can decorate it with a lot of different things such as seasonal plants, candles, crystals, bells, and winter fruit. But be careful about letting the fruit rot and attracting animals. While there are typical colours such as red, green, white, and gold, it’s really the intention that matters. So whatever you feel like Yule is, decorate accordingly!
- The Yule log is a bit of a harder tradition to replicate at school, and please don't tell the groundskeeper about what I do… but I usually steal branches from the trees out in the courtyard and contribute to my house hearth, as I mentioned before. It’s what I can get away with, and again, it’s intention that matters the most.
- As Yule represents a turning of seasons and the returning of light, and the new year begins a week later (not pagan-celebrated, but I celebrate it in my family), I take time to write and reflect on the year that just happened. I also like to set intentions about the year to come: what would I like to manifest? What would I like to achieve? Sometimes I write a page of things I’d like to let go and burn it afterwards. Symbology and all that!
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These are just a few suggestions, and Yule is really what you make it! Even just eating with friends can be a celebration if you’d like it to be. I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday season, no matter what you celebrate!═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky
18 Dec 2024, 19:44
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
PAGE 09.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Magical & Muggle Meals: Meringues
by Aly Salinger
Winter at Hogwarts is truly a magical experience, and no, I don’t just mean because of the spell one can use to conjure up Christmas decorations with just the flick of one’s wand. Of course the best part of a Hogwarts holiday is the holiday feast, with turkeys and potatoes and vegetables, oh my! Great gravy boats and clusters of cranberries! Palatable puddings and charming confections! Wizard crackers to explode, with plenty of prizes to win! Of course, we can’t teach you how to make your own wizard crackers, but we can do the next best thing: introduce you to a classic sweet treat that will stay a staple at your holiday table long after you’ve graduated Hogwarts. I’m speaking, of course, about meringues.
Sometimes called breads, other times biscuits, a meringue is a light, sweet, and crispy delicacy made of whipped egg and sugar. Meringues can be flavoured in many different ways, but you can’t go wrong with the classic vanilla.─────────────────────────────────────────────xx
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Meringues
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Serves: Many, many, many, many people (about 75 meringues)
Time: 2-3 hours
Ingredients:
▫ 1 Occamy egg white (*4 chicken egg whites)
▫ ⅛ teaspoon salt
▫ ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
▫ 1 cup sugar from a Sugar Shrub (*white/granulated sugar)
▫ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract**xx ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────*Muggle alternative
**Do not attempt to extract your own vanilla extract from Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans. This has been tried in the past with disastrous consequences.
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Directions
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𝟭| If storing your Occamy egg white (*whites) in a cold place, remove from the cold and allow to adjust to room temperature before continuing.
𝟮| Preheat oven to 105°C, or 225°F, for our Ilvermorny readers.
𝟯| Take some large trays and double-check them for Permanent Sticking Charms (*line tray with parchment paper).
𝟰| In a completely clean mixing bowl that has not been contaminated with any oil, grease, or Kneazle hair, combine your egg white(s), salt, and cream of tartar.
𝟱| With your wand (*electric mixer), stir slowly until you begin to see foam in the mixture, then increase your speed of stirring to high.
𝟲| Whilst still stirring quickly, gradually add your sugar a little bit at a time. Allow the sugar to fully incorporate (roughly 15-20 seconds, or one rendition of “Hoggy Warty Hogwarts” at a jazzy pace) before adding more — Sugar Shrubs can be temperamental that way.
𝟳| Continue to stir very fast. Eventually, you will see a gradual change to what is known as “stiff peaks”, which is
────────────────────────────xx when the egg mixture is very thick, white, and as shiny as a freshly polished Sickle. You should be able to pull up a peak of fluff with the tip of your wand and have it stay there without it drooping back down!
𝟴| Very gently and very slowly, stir in vanilla extract.
𝟵| With your wand, levitate small amounts of the mix onto the prepared tray(s) (*use a piping bag, preferably with a tip, though a plain plastic bag with a corner cut out works too) in even rows. You want each meringue to be about 2.5cm in diameter.
𝟭𝟬| When you have prepared all of the trays, pop them in the oven all together. Allow to bake for one hour, then turn the oven off and do not remove the trays.
𝟭𝟭| Let both the oven and the meringues cool completely, usually about 1-2 hours (aka one very long, slow rendition of “Hoggy Warty Hogwarts”), before removing the trays from the oven.
𝟭𝟮| Eat your meringues! But if you don’t eat them immediately, store them in something airtight, or else they will lose that trademark crisp. Still, it shouldn’t be a problem to just have one… or two… or twenty-five…
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Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky
18 Dec 2024, 19:44
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #38
PAGE 10.═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Dream Big Dreams
by Simon Kincaid
To the dreamers, to the planners, to the sceptics, and to the believers:
Another year has passed, another year has come. I wish for you that, with every year, you achieve all your dreams. May God pour love and care on you.
I asked some of the students at Hogwarts about their hopes and dreams for 2025. Here’s what they had to say! There were the popular New Year's resolutions that were echoed by many classmates. Some were academically inclined such as study more, improve grades, yield more respect to professors, and attempt a conversation with the headmaster. Other resolutions focused on relationship-building such as cultivating new friendships, finding more time for friends, and joining a club. Many students, perhaps sarcastically, wish that they make it through the remainder of this school year alive and with all limbs still rightfully attached.───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Fourth year Hufflepuff, the breathtakingly beautiful AngelFyre McCubbin, says that she wants a deeper connection with her boyfriend (I hear he’s amazing), her family, and her friends. She also hopes to start focusing on her interests with Potioneering.
Second year Hufflepuff Emiline Hunter is really excited because she’s looking forward to learning more complicated spells and broadening her friendships. She hopes to get lots more friends and have a fun time in the coming year. Second year Slytherin and duelling captain, Prat Pass, says he’s going to try and relax mostly, but there's a lot of stuff to be done. He wants to keep his grades up and still have downtime with friends while making more friends. He hopes to get on the Vipers and have Slytherin win in the competitive sports, and wishes there were no more problems during school events like the balls. He also would like to get a pet and a brand new broom.
First year Ravenclaw Avis Marlong wishes to learn a new language. She’d like to be in communication more with her best friend from home, but most of all wishes that her little sister would show underage accidental magic so she could come to Hogwarts and experience it.───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
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Happy New Year, Hogwarts!┗───────────__❞ Such resolutions might call within your own hopes and dreams. This is a reflective time a year to wonder what we can improve on, what we can strive for, what it is that we are optimistic and hopeful for.
For me, personally, I hope to gain knowledge and understanding. I hope to strengthen my faith, to solidify my grounding, further find myself in my interests and ambitions, dedicate myself to my beloved, my friends, and my family, and be the best individual I can be to make this world a better place.
Happy New Year, Hogwarts, and as we enter 2025, remember to be kind to one another!═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Stamina: 10 | Evasion: 14 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 17 | ArcPower: 12 | Accuracy: 17
Perfectionist I & II, Fearless, Spell Spread, Nonverbal Magic
iNPC Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky


































