The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #39

PAGE 02.

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The Hogwarts Rumour Mill: Facts or Falsehoods?
By Aly Salinger

Gossip can fly through the hallowed halls of Hogwarts faster than a Firebolt, and oftentimes it’s quite difficult to parse out truthful tales from the trumped-up. Fear not, dear reader — for here are some rumours you may or may not have heard whispered by your peers, confirmed or denied by our staff here at the Headliner.

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There’s a curse on the Slytherin broom racing team!

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Considering that the self-titled Brisk Basilisks won their first race this past fall against Ravenclaw, I dare say that any and all rumours of a Slytherin curse have safely been dispelled. Instead, it’s looking like Ravenclaw might have contracted a jinx. The eagle house’s Quidditch team, broom racing team, and two of its duelling teams went against the snakes in the fall and lost every… single… one. Come on, birds, you’re better than this!
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Oliver Armani sleepwalks at night and does ballroom dancing around the dorm!

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xx

Armani, a first-year Slytherin, insisted upon interrogation that this is nothing but a lie, but how would he have known if he was asleep? (Although he did admit to dancing with his cat sometimes…) Others in the snake dormitories, however, have confirmed that whilst some people snore, they haven’t seen anyone ballroom dancing at three a.m. If the source of this rumour saw anyone practicing their waltz in the wee hours, it was likely the Bloody Baron trying to avoid public embarrassment.

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Aly Salinger smashes broomsticks after losing Quidditch matches.

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Utterly false. Libel. Slander. Next question.

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Ulysses Drake is secretly a Lethifold!

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Carnivorous, dark, ugly, and suffocating? Nicknamed the “Living Shroud”? Yeah, that sounds like the second-year Slytherin who doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. Anyone around him who wants to use the Patronus Charm to prove this theory will be greatly rewarded by this author.

xx

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Wyatt Starkey and Haven Bohannon dyed their hair purple together to announce that they’re a couple.

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xx

Unfortunately for any Hyatt shippers out there, this one can very easily be proven false. Bohannon, a sixth-year Hufflepuff, and Starkey, a Slytherin in the same year, were just victims of their own terrible potion-brewing skills prior to the winter holiday. As far as we can tell, both sixth-years are painfully single, with Bohannon joking that her “only love interest” is her Pygmy Puff. For the sake of animal rights, we hope that’s not true, either.

xx

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There’s a skeleton of an old caretaker with a bottle of Felix Felicis somewhere in the basement…

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Though Headliner staff were unable to confirm this after a thorough sweep of the dungeons, Professor Regan seemingly did it for us, saying, “Oh, is that where Finley disappeared to?” She also cautioned future seekers of the skeleton: “Good luck treasure hunting, stay away from my storeroom.” Whether this means the skeleton is actually in the potions storeroom, we’re currently unsure…

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Alyss Gilmour rejected Aodhan Shaw after he sang her a Muggle song she had never heard of.

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xx

Oof. Slytherin-Gryffindor relationships never work, and this author challenges you to prove otherwise. Luckily for first-year lion Shaw’s reputation, this event doesn’t seem to have happened. It’s true that both Shaw and first-year snake Gilmour both spent time at a classmate’s home over the winter holiday, but sans any serenading. We’ll keep an eye on these two, though, because it would be quite ironic if something happened between them in the future…

xx

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Meiyu Xiang stalks sixth-years.

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As a sixth-year, this author certainly hopes that’s untrue. However, this Xiang person — rumoured to be a Gryffindor first-year — was nowhere to be found for comment, leaving us to wonder if perhaps they are a sixth-year stalker and are just very, very good at hiding…

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No doubt about it, the new school nurse is after the headmaster’s job!

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There’s something off about Bessie. Those who have visited the hospital wing since the winter holiday believe that Nurse Barnes resembles a coroner more than a nurse, and despite her warm demeanor, this author is here to report that her cheery smile may be concealing a more sinister intention. Our new Healer-in-residence was overheard complaining about Hogwarts’ “mismanagement” surrounding the recent Hogsmeade attack in which multiple Heads of other schools perished, even going so far as to call our own Headmaster, Solomon Lear, “a paranoid man hiding in his office.” It seems that she thinks she might be able to do a better job… We’ll mark this one as tentatively true for now and hope that the nurse doesn’t read the Headliner. And if you show her this, you’re a snitch, and not the good kind.

xx

xxxx

We hope that you feel more confident in your Hogwarts knowledge now, and that you’ll be able to go out into the halls and tell for yourself in the future what’s true and what’s not. But if you can’t, you’ll always know who to ask!

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RUMOURS PG. 02

WISHING PG. 07

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GIFT GUIDE PG. 08

QUIDDITCH PG. 12

PAGE 03.

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Hogwarts House Love ──────────────── by Simon Kincaid

xx

Do you feel the love, Hogwarts? Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and, as your resident cupid (having a shared birthday with the day of love), I hope it’s a magical one! All houses are amazing in their own ways, but it might make a difference whether you are Gryffindor-able, Ravenclaw-some, Slytherin-credible, or Hufflepuff-alicious and what your potential sweetheart’s house is. Read on to learn about some compatibility within the houses to see if you can accio your valentine!

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Are you a courageous Gryffindor? Your best matches are:

┏───────────────┓ ───── Hufflepuff ───── Gryffindor ───── Ravenclaw ───── Slytherin ┗───────────────┛

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─ ✁ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

A Hufflepuff will provide you with a balanced relationship where you can both push each other to improve. Your sometimes emotional and reckless behaviour can pair perfectly with a laid back Hufflepuff who is fiercely loyal. When those peaceful Hufflepuffs want to avoid confrontation, you can push them to stand up for themselves.

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Gryffindors will make a good match for each other - challenging one another and keeping life interesting with adventures.

│ │ │

Pairing with a Ravenclaw can be a balanced relationship, but watch to not put Ravenclaw at risk or take them out of their comfort-zone.

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The most friction a Gryffindor could have in a partner might be Slytherin, not because of the house rivalry but because both seek glory in their own right. If done the right way, the two could be a power couple. If not, tempers and insatiable ambition could cause a clash.

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Are you a wise Ravenclaw? Your best matches are:

┏───────────────┓ ───── Hufflepuff ───── Slytherin ───── Ravenclaw ───── Gryffindor ┗───────────────┛

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Hufflepuff will be your perfect match, eagle. They will encourage you to build friendships and find acceptance in things — not over-analysing the world around you. They’ll help you to feel comfortable to open up about your feelings and you’ll know exactly how to express them with all your knowledge. Ravenclaws will help Hufflepuffs be their best selves by encouraging them to stand up for themselves and to achieve their best.

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High independence and pursuit of greatness are traits that Slytherins and Ravenclaws share. Together, they will not allow the other to fall short. Where there might rest a problem is that Ravenclaws are more open minded to new ideas whereas Slytherin can be focused on tradition.

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Two Ravenclaws can have stimulating conversations and challenge one another. There is, however, a risk that they could come into competition or over analyze everything within their relationship.

│ │ │ │

Pairing with a Gryffindor could result in one bringing out the brains and the bravery, but could also lead to a Ravenclaw growing tired of their mate’s rash decisions and fiery nature.

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Are you a cunning Slytherin? Your best matches are:

┏───────────────┓ ───── Slytherin ───── Ravenclaw ───── Hufflepuff ───── Gryffindor ┗───────────────┛

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─ ✁ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

Who better to fully understand another Slytherin than a Slytherin? Both of you will hold a preference for the finer things in life, keeping a relationship competitive and ambitious. Their relationship needs self-preservation to hold strong. ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ✁ ─ A Ravenclaw could offer an intellectual opponent and keep life interesting for a Slytherin, challenging you when needed.

│ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │

Past Slytherins seem to have held a soft spot for the Hufflepuff house. It’s difficult to resist our loveable nature; we get it. A Hufflepuff can help encourage you to be your best, all while keeping the morals behind your ambitions in check. ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ✁ ─ Opposites don’t always attract, and a Slytherin-Gryffindor pairing could lead to fights of power and endless arguments.

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Are you a loyal Hufflepuff? Your best matches are:

┏───────────────┓ ───── Hufflepuff ───── Gryffindor ───── Ravenclaw ───── Slytherin ┗───────────────┛

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There’s perhaps nothing cuter than a Hufflepuff combo (myself and AngelFyre). Their loyalty and dedication make a match for always. Each Puff will put their partner ahead of themselves, creating a strong and solid relationship to last.

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Gryffindors pair well with Hufflepuffs, so long as the Gryffindor is ready to take on the Hufflepuff’s social causes. If they’re too busy with their own adventures, a Hufflepuff could be unfortunately overlooked. ─ ✁ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ Ravenclaws can help Hufflepuffs be a little less social and realize that sometimes it’s important to dedicate some time to

│ │ │ │ │ │ │

school work — especially right before the end of term examinations! ─ ✁ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ A Slytherin can be a risky match for a Hufflepuff. Their ethics might not align well with badgers and their strong moral code, causing a clash.

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But truly, love is out there. Love is all around. I can’t tell you if a relationship is going to work out — that’s for you to discover. Take a deep breath and get out there. Accio love!

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RUMOURS PG. 02

WISHING PG. 07

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GIFT GUIDE PG. 08

QUIDDITCH PG. 12

PAGE 04.

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───────────── Treatise on Love and Mortality by Tristan Theramin ─────────────	xx	It is the time of love and hearts, and perhaps you were awaiting a lighthearted article about first loves. However, I write to you today about the intersection of love and mortality. I have experienced the grief of a loved one’s death twice: once when my best friend passed away, and once when my beloved tutor departed from this life three years ago. There is something heart-wrenching in seeing the light in someone’s eyes disappear.
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Yet I believe that this struggle with death that envelopes us all can be the catalyst for the most human emotion, a deeper love that would not exist without it. It is often said that the greatest love is the one where a person lays down their life for another. I argue thus that the beauty of love is in the fight against mortality, because the tenacity of dedication and commitment, despite the possibility of death, is the meaning of life. Love is something that lasts even after death, and thus is not stopped by death. It can have meaning and power that goes farther than the loss of a loved one. Something that I was taught from a young age is that grief is love beyond the grave. I have always expressed that I cannot give unnecessary platitudes when someone’s loved one dies, but I can give the assurance that if grief is felt, it only	─		means that there was love, and that love will continue, albeit in a different form. I have a friend whom I trust has thought about these things deeply. When asked what he believed about this interaction of love and mortality, he remarked: ❝ ─────── ───────────┓ x ─. To love, truly love, is to transcend death. Love destroys the ego, the separation between you and me. In becoming more than 'me' through love, I unify with what even death cannot end. ── x┗─────────── x❞
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Perhaps it is quite poetic and melodramatic language, but I believe that in its essence, this is a true statement. Death cannot end the love that people have for each other, only change its form. Thus, love is deepened by death and mortality, but it is also greater than death, a force that cannot be stopped. Humanity itself has remnants of the search for love that has gone on for eons. The ancient Muggles, Achilles and Patrocles, died for each other, for example. In my time in the Muggle world, I have also become aware of the trends in Muggle fiction, and they always include love in the face of death, whether romantic or platonic.	xx	Morpheus and Calliope, Sherlock and John, Achilles and Patrocles, Cinderella and the Prince, or perhaps even the legend of a true love’s kiss are all clear proof of this trend (although we know the latter originates from the Draught of Living Death). All of humanity seeks for a love that fights against death, whether we are Muggle or wizard. Love and death are irrevocably tied together in the psyche of humanity, by sacrifice or by commitment until death. There was a great tragedy in Hogsmeade this past year. I hope we can honour those who have died as we live on, by seeking this love and seeing this power more	xx	formidable than death. Our love for the people who have lost their lives during their arrival at Hogwarts, as well as the love that we have for those in our personal lives who have passed away, keep their memories alive and defeat death itself. It is not a cloak, wand, or ring that defeats death, as the fairy tale goes, but love. Death foments love and love echoes through the eons, even beyond the death of humanity. ═════════════════════
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RUMOURS PG. 02

WISHING PG. 07

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GIFT GUIDE PG. 08

QUIDDITCH PG. 12

PAGE 05.

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┏──────────────────────────────┓ Amortentia: Just Wine in a Trench Coat ┗────────────────────────────── ┛

xx

by Koko Riddle ──────────────────

Amortentia.	xx	Most of you have at least heard of amortentia by now. Toted as ‘the most potent love potion on the market’, it is in rather high demand for those who lack charisma and amours. The potion is reputed to cause infatuation or obsession in the drinker, something plenty of school-age children would like the objects of their affection to feel towards them. With its mother-of-pearl sheen and distinct aroma, the potion is expensive to brew as well as to buy, resulting in the fact that some might stoop to low levels in order to acquire it, emptying their pockets and perhaps their moral standards as well.
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You should save your galleons and your trouble.

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I hate to break it to you, but as someone who has brewed amortentia, I think someone’s got to speak the truth, and it might as well be me. So, here it is: the potion is nearly just flowers and wine. Sure, there’s some granian hair, a peacock feather, some pearl dust and belladonna berries too, but, I assure you, you can make someone fall in love with you without any of that. All you need is a bottle of decent wine — if you’re of age — and their favourite, preferably pungent, flowers.	xx	In fact, despite the number of ingredients in amortentia, I would wager that the proportionally largest part of the potion is the wine. You need an entire bottle for just two doses! This makes me ask, are you really giving them a love potion, or are you just getting the apple of your eye tipsy enough to think they like you? xx xx	xx	The other ingredients might exacerbate the effects, sure, but amortentia is truly just overhyped floral wine. This Valentine’s season, it would be far easier to find a long-lasting way to charm someone into your affections. Think sweet-talk, gifts, flowers, even wine — you don’t need all of the other ingredients to pack a punch, so to say. Besides, amortentia wears off. If you brew or buy one expensive batch of the potion, you’ll need to acquire more and more to keep the intended effect. Why not find a more efficient way to do this?
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If you are woefully underskilled in the charisma department, I suppose amortentia is a decent option for you, but I doubt it’ll help you find romantic love, if that’s what you’re looking for. They say amortentia induces infatuation, and again, you will have to use it again and again to keep yourself happy. Sure, use it, but be warned. ─────────────────────────────────── For everyone else, those who have even a bit of charisma in their veins, let me remind you: amortentia is not worth your money. Just go buy a nice bottle of wine and some flowers, and go have a good time. I’m sure you’ll thank me later.

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❝ ──────── ───────────┓xx ─. Just go buy a nice bottle of wine and some flowers, and go have a good time. ── x┗─────────── x❞

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RUMOURS PG. 02

WISHING PG. 07

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GIFT GUIDE PG. 08

QUIDDITCH PG. 12

PAGE 06.

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The Poet's Choice
By Alyssea Brown

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Please note that this article will have spoilers of Hadestown, The Great Gatsby, and The Notebook. Please turn the page if you do not wish to be spoiled.

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I love musicals and I’ve been in my fair share of them since I could walk. A good plot paired with unforgettable music stays with you longer than a book because of the music. We hear it when we turn on the radio; we hum to fill the silence; we tap surfaces to an imaginary beat in our minds. Music is everywhere, whether we realise it or not. While I can’t possibly write about every musical I’ve seen, I will discuss three musical couples that had me either dancing with joy or sobbing on the floor. Most of these were tragedies, or had tragic elements. Apologies in advance.

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The Great Gatsby is a literary classic that recently turned into a Broadway spectacle. It’s a musical about post-war America and the differences between social classes. Gatsby, a lower-class man that rose to wealth through crime, has loved Daisy since they first met before the war.

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❝ ─ ───────────┓ x ─. Heart-wrenching power ballad 'My Green Light'. ── x┗─────────── x❞

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The only problem is that she comes from ‘old money’. For a minute, their romance really makes you think “they could have a chance”, with their heart-wrenching power ballad ‘My Green Light’. But the green light — which symbolises both the American dream and Daisy herself — remains unattainable for Gatsby as he’s too engrossed in making more money, thinking it will make Daisy love him.

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Gatsby chooses the memory of Daisy from before the war.

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Another couple that could’ve had it all are Orpheus and Eurydice in Hadestown, if only their story wasn’t already set in stone. Everyone knows how it goes: Eurydice dies, Orpheus follows her to the Underworld, Hades lets him bring her back as long as he doesn’t turn around. But no matter what version of the story you hear, it always ends the same; Orpheus looks back. This musical is no different. Tragedy aside, this musical is basically filled with the most beautiful vows of love I’ve ever seen. Take a look at this verse in ‘Promises’:

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris consequat arcu vitae felis tempus, sed rutrum justo hendrerit. Nulla facilisi. Nam suscipit est vitae nulla finibus, non facilisis ligula aliquet. Ut commodo aliquet vulputate. Praesent eget elit eu neque.

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❝ ─ ───────────┓ x ─. I don’t know where this road will end but I’ll walk it with you hand in hand. I can’t promise you fair sky above, can’t promise you kind road below. But I’ll walk beside you, love, any way the wind blows. ── x┗─────────── x❞

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris consequat arcu vitae felis tempus, sed rutrum justo hendrerit. Nulla facilisi. Nam suscipit est vitae nulla finibus, non facilisis ligula aliquet. Ut commodo aliquet vulputate. Praesent eget elit eu neque.

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It gives the same vibes as traditional wedding vows, “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health”, but with more tangible concepts.

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If only Orpheus didn’t choose the memory of her before she died.

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xx

But in the midst of all these tragic romances, there is The Notebook. Allie and Noah are summer flings who were initially driven apart due to class differences. Despite Noah’s low class, he builds Allie’s dream house with blue walls and a wraparound porch and, in the end, that’s where they live happily ever after. It’s still a bittersweet love story since Allie ends up developing Alzheimer’s disease and constantly has to be reminded about her husband, but Noah stays with her all those years and tells her their story every time. They’re a testament to a love that endures, even when the skies are dark and the roads are hard, in sickness and in health, and for better or for worse.

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Let these couples teach you a little something about love. It’s normal for something to go wrong; that’s just an inevitable thing with love. Someday, you will have to make the choice.

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The poet’s choice or the lover’s choice?

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RUMOURS PG. 02

WISHING PG. 07

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GIFT GUIDE PG. 08

QUIDDITCH PG. 12

PAGE 07.

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When You Wish Upon A Star, and Other Wishing Traditions

───────────────────────────────────────==by Dorion Anderson

I have found myself wishing a lot less since I started going to Hogwarts. There’s much less to wish for, as a Muggleborn, when you find out that magic is real and that you can make a lot of your wishes come true with spells. But for this issue, I wanted to explore the different kinds of wishing traditions that exist. I will be giving brief histories, so please feel free to research these and find out even more about them! Here are my top five favourite wishing methods and where they come from.

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❝ ─ ───────────────┓ x ─. When you wish upon a star Makes no difference who you are Anything your heart desires Will come to you —When You Wish Upon a Star, Pinocchio (1940) ── x┗─────────────── x❞

1.) Wishing On a Star==────────────────────────────────────

This has two different versions: you can wish on the first star you see in the sky or on a shooting star. It feels like one of the most natural wishing methods to come to exist, since the stars have always been around.

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It used to be even easier to see them, because of today’s light pollution. It's really hard to say where this tradition started, because there’s a chance its history is so old it wasn’t recorded. The ancient Egyptians had some ideas relating to the stars, believing that when you died you would ascend up to them. Ptolemy, an astronomer, thought that the stars were a sign that the gods were looking down on the earth. To wish on a star was a form of prayer. There are many other cultures and ancient origins who wish upon stars, but those are two popular ones. ──────────────────────────────────

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2.) Wishing Wells

Opposed to the stars, the wishing well is an inherently man-made wish, and one that came later, because… well… wells needed to exist first. These came from Europe, and were invented because water was a precious resource and a source of life. Since springs and wells ended up being associated with gods, ────────────────────

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a sacrifice usually had to go along with a wish, which is how coin tossing came to be. This expanded over time to ponds, fountains, and other large water sources associated with deities. Some famous fountains today will clear out the coins at a certain point of the year and donate them to different causes in their area! ────────────────────

3.) Sky Lanterns==────────────────────────────────────────

As I’m not part of a culture that has lantern festivals, my first exposure to them was through the Muggle movie Tangled! Lantern festivals involve the practice of releasing paper lanterns into the water or the air. One version floats them along waterways while the other has a fire inside that magically floats them into the air (it’s just science, I don’t know). People will write their wishes for good fortune, health, relationships, and studying. China is most often associated with lantern festivals, its most famous one being the Chinese Lantern festival, or yuánxiāo jié.==─────────────────────────────────────────────

4.) Birthday Candles

This is one tradition I’m incredibly familiar with, and I wish on candles every year! However, there are rules to this type of wishing, which many people don’t know: you have to blow out all of the candles with one breath, and you have to keep your wish a secret. This ────────────────────

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dates back to ancient Greece and Germany, who often used candles to honor the deities in their lives. This is kind of similar to sacrificing something for the wishing well, except it’s just like “Hey! I lit a candle for you, please grant my wish after I blow it out with my very impressive breath.” ────────────────────

5.) Wishing Trees==────────────────────────────────────────

Here’s another cultural wishing tradition I haven’t really had any exposure to! It has a few different forms around the world. In 17th century Scotland, they would hammer coins into trunks of hawthorn trees after they had made their wish. In Japan, the most well-known country for this tradition, they tie paper with wishes written on them to bamboo. This happens most often during the Tanabata festival, and Turkey has a similar custom. Hong Kong inhabitants tie wishes to oranges, then throw them into a wishing tree. In the United States, Native American tribes such as the Lakota and the Seminole have a special prayer tie that

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────────(Japan)

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they attach to a tree during the Sun Dance ceremony. The colors of the ties have different meanings based on the theme of the wish.

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Those are just five examples of wishing traditions, and even within those they differ between cultures. It is obvious that wishing is a universal experience, through writing down hopes and sending them off in an effort to be heard by someone out there.

==

I encourage you to wish, and wish often, my fellow wizards. Wish for your friends, for yourself, for good grades and for better opportunities. But don’t forget that you are your own greatest resource for making those dreams come true.

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RUMOURS PG. 02

WISHING PG. 07

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GIFT GUIDE PG. 08

QUIDDITCH PG. 12

PAGE 08.

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Gift Guide By House
By Simon Kincaid

We were all sorted into our houses based on specific personality traits that were valued by one of Hogwarts’ founders. Therefore, it’s safe to conclude that with this common bond, we can use one’s house as a guide to gift-giving, for Valentine’s Day or any occasion.

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We can use one’s house as a guide to gift-giving.

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Here are some of my personal recommendations for gifts based on our houses:

GRYFFINDOR • Bucket list notebook to keep track of adventures. • Compass to find their way while exploring. • Swiss Army Knife, all adventurers need some safety essentials if they can’t fight. • Experiences to encounter animal or plant life. • Backpack to place items in for their adventures. • Wizarding camera to capture the moments. • Water bottle to remain hydrated through it all. • A map of the world to explore.	xx	RAVENCLAW • Books. Or books. Or books. Or maybe a nice book! • A book would also go well with those books. • Bookmarks, bookends. • A journal or a calendar to keep organized with school assignments and exam dates. • Pens, stationery, or a wax seal set. • Candles or a lantern for reading and studying at night. • A map of the world to read about.	xx	SLYTHERIN • Legos - they’ve got the determination to build them, and if they can’t, they can scatter them on the floor as a weapon. • Inspirational posters with sayings like “You did not wake up to be mediocre”. • Anything snake related. • A luxurious green bathrobe - they will love it, and they all look wonderful in green. • A fancy box of chocolates for sharing with a chosen few. • A venus flytrap. • A map of the world to conquer.	xx	HUFFLEPUFF • Your love and kindness. • A donation to charity. • Feel-good items like warm blankets, cosy socks, and hot chocolate. • “House plants”. • A list of places to volunteer. • A fancy box of chocolates for sharing with everyone. •A map of the world so they can wish for world peace.
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There it is, Hogwarts. Give your peers a great gift this Valentine’s season! Be thoughtful! And, as always, be kind to one another!

- Simon Kincaid

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RUMOURS PG. 02

WISHING PG. 07

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GIFT GUIDE PG. 08

QUIDDITCH PG. 12

PAGE 09.

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────────────── Dress Like Your Venus! By Meyra Lancaster ────────────── One of the symbols of the upcoming Valentine’s season is the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite, who in Roman times adopted the name Venus. Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, is the goddess linked to all matters of the heart. She was responsible for the perpetuation of life, pleasure and joy. In myths, she is often presented as	xx	vain, seductive, and charming. But when she loved, she did so unconditionally. The planet Venus, after the Earth’s moon, is the most visible point of light in the vast darkness of the universe. Perhaps, like its namesake, it has the need to be noticed, making itself known by its presence and beautiful glow. Therefore, it seems logical to me that by reading our astral chart, we can find out which style represents =	xx	our Venus self. It is said that those who dress according to their Venus are able to reveal their most charismatic side, becoming the most authentic and charming version of themselves. We can discover which sign corresponds to our Venus when, through reading the stars, we discover the position of that planet on our date of birth. We need to cross the path of Venus in the skies with the time, date, year and place of our birth. Sounds like an exercise fit for Valentine's Day! Maybe we can all ask Professor Starwise or Professor Clairmont for help!
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“So,” you may be asking, “how do I dress like my Venus zodiac sign?” Worry not, as I'm going to leave you with a little guide of fashion advice! If your Venus sign is Aries, your style is bold and sophisticated. You were not born to follow fashions, but to create your own trends. For those who have Taurus as their sign in Venus, their style is a romantic, soft, and elegant style. The use of pearls, flowers, silks, velvets, lace and pastel colors is common. Venus in Gemini, is a young, cheerful, and colorful style. The important thing is to adapt your style to your moods and to the occasion. The use of different patterns and fun textures is your biggest fashion secret! If your Venus sign is Cancer, your style is vintage, flowy and soft. There is something mysterious and sultry about you. Leos, as we already know, are the most dramatic. Your style reflects this impeccable! Your looks are extravagant and you love the use of bold colors. If your Venus sign is Virgo, then you are the opposite of Leo! Your style is simple and minimalistic. The use of neutral tones and classic cuts is what makes you so captivating.	xx	Venus in Libra! Just thinking about these two elements together we already know we have found something close to perfection! Your style is classic, feminine, and literally speaks “old money”! Venus in Scorpio brings the darkest and most mysterious looks. Think “vampire” and you’re good to go! From the use of leather, silk, and laces, your style is gothic and bold! If you are a Sagittarius in Venus, then your style reflects your adventurous and fun spirit. You have a relaxed and comfortable style. You dress for the next challenge! Capricorns have a Venus style through and through, a professional and powerful look. You look clean and chic! You’re living the philosophy of “quality over quantity” even in your dress code. Venus in Aquarius is an alternative, eccentric, and androgenic style. You can use and abuse different prints, patterns and fabrics! Be unique with your fashion statements! If your Venus sign is Pisces, then your style is soft, gentle, and ethereal. Imagine a serene mermaid or a water fairy. This is the perfect look for you! Hurry up, Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Get ready to buy your best outfit by following these tips to win the heart of your other half!
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RUMOURS PG. 02

WISHING PG. 07

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GIFT GUIDE PG. 08

QUIDDITCH PG. 12

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Love Beyond Romance: A Modern Muggle Tradition
by Matthew Campbell

	xx	The month of February has for hundreds of years been synonymous with romantic love given the fall of Valentine’s Day on the fourteenth. Yet as the world changes and modern culture adapts to society more and more, people have done away with the antiquated belief that the holiday need only celebrate love in one form. As we all well know, love takes many shapes from familial to platonic to romantic, it is a force that knows no bounds, so why limit ourselves in celebrations?	xx	xAn original celebration created for the television series, Parks and Recreation, Galentine's Day was the first iteration before Palentine’s prevailed on top. The act of celebrating one’s friendships is a universal experience that can transcend all barriers of love. Typically celebrated the day after the traditional Valentine's day, Palentine’s is a time to gather your closest circle of friends and prove to each other that love transcends all, and that while romantic love is special, the bond between friends
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Let's celebrate those who have been by our sides.

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is everlasting. Friendship can often surpass the bounds of regular relationships and even family in certain cases, after all these are the dedicated people you have decided to navigate life with. Therefore taking the time to really appreciate all that you do in each other's lives is a most precious gift. xThis February dear readers I hope to see the halls of Hogwarts not only celebrated with romantic notions but cosy nights in with friends to appreciate the constants in your life. Let's celebrate those who have been by our sides through every relationship and hopefully will be for many more to come. Whether	xx	it’s a butterbeer in Hogsmeade, a firelit book night in your dormitory, or a stargazing picnic under the moon, let's use this time to truly thank those wonderful connections in our lives. xI would also like to take a moment dear readers to remind ourselves of one other celebration we should hold just as dear on this very special month, though it does not yet have a name. That celebration would be the love we	xx	should all have for ourselves. Often in life, we get too busy focusing on those around us that we forget to look inwards and find that special feeling for ourselves. xLove is a complicated emotion full of mystery and misunderstanding but to be truly loved one must first see themselves as capable. I would like to take this moment to remind each of our monthly readers that they are worthy of love and deserve all of the affection they put out to be returned to them. So this February, make space for all types of love and especially make room for yourself. xWhomever you decide to spend this holiday period with, I hope that it is spent with love.xxxxxxxx▐
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RUMOURS PG. 02

WISHING PG. 07

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GIFT GUIDE PG. 08

QUIDDITCH PG. 12