The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #46

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xx	Magical Mythos: Summoning Serendipity by Pericles Dralt	x	─ ❝ ─ ──────────┓ x ─. "O fortune, fortune! All men call thee fickle." - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet [1595] ── x┗────────── x❞	x	Timelessly, efforts have been made to wrangle luck—that slippery, capricious companion who arrives uninvited and vanishes when needed most. We bear charms, whisper mantras, and perform rituals to earn fortune's favour. But fate is an unpredictable thing,
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just as liable to bring ruin or reward. Once one tempts it, they may find spells go awry despite years of training, a formerly faithful broom bucks, or their aim is offset at a critical moment. Some days it feels as though the average witch or wizard has a one-in-twenty chance to either critically succeed or fail at any given attempt in life. We do what we can to curry karma, but become foiled by circumstances beyond our control. Our relationship with luck reveals a multifaceted blend of fear, hope, and creativity. Every culture has its own vocabulary of luck. Some swear by the gleam of a horseshoe, the rarity of a four-leaf clover, or the stray whisker of a cat. Numbers, symbols, and even colours are assigned meanings to resonate with the universe’s hidden order.	x	Ancient Middle-Eastern traditions prescribe spitting three times to shield against misfortune, since the number three was considered mystical. Knocking on wood, a gesture which spans multiple cultures, likely traces back to ancient paganism. Celts believed that spirits lived inside trees, and a knock on the trunk might wake them to offer protection, or serve as a polite “thank you” for a streak of favour. Even in Muggle folklore, offerings to unseen forces were often made to ensure harmony. A saucer of milk or a piece of bread could be left out for “fair folk” as both a gift and a gesture of respect, a means of saying, “We acknowledge your presence, please don’t hex the garden.” From forests to kitchens, people have found creative ways to court the magic of fortune, transforming the unknown into something they could greet with ritual grace. These efforts, scattered across continents, speak the same emotional language: we cope with uncertainty by turning chance into charm.
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Yet what is luck, really? A cosmic happenstance? A divine nudge?

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Philosophers and logicians identify it from opposing angles. To the rationalist, luck is probability, a psychological trick that makes randomness feel personal. To the spiritual, it is a sign of intention in chaos, the quiet hand of fate arranging details behind the scenes. Aristotle was a realist who saw luck as a “coincidental cause”. It may influence events, but could never determine happiness, which depends instead on personal virtue. Modern thinkers echo this, posing that luck is a result of opportunity meeting readiness.

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Fortune springs from effort.

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We magical folk have a unique insight into the subject, given our power to brew liquid luck that works in the inverse. Felix Felicis seemingly grants its drinker fortune, as almost all of their efforts become successful. However, those under its influence describe it as a “sixth sense” about what to do next, which isn't altering reality itself. The potion provides a precognitive clarity, emboldening the affected and sharpening their decision-making choices. It could also be said that, as fate, prophecy, and predicting the future are interwoven in the wizarding world, it's possible (albeit strictly theoretical) that the potion opens one to the same sort of magic which Seers come by naturally, enabling them to subconsciously follow the most optimal thread of fate. They could achieve the same outcome without Felix, which merely makes success more likely. Whether one sees luck as divine choreography or a delightful accident, our rituals persist. We still knock on wood. We cross our fingers and wear lucky socks, looking for meaning in moments that might otherwise feel meaningless.	x	Perhaps that’s the secret charm of luck: it invites us to play with the possibility that the universe might smile back when we smile first. In that small, hopeful gesture, humanity reveals its most enchanting superstition of all: the belief that, somehow, we can coax fortune into friendship. As I knock on trees across the grounds of Hogwarts, I am empowered by memories of the years I've spent here. In leaving out milk the night before a game, I am manifesting abundance while meditating on the play to come. When spitting before kickoff, I eject all fear of potential pain. ─ ❝ ─ xxxxx──────────┓ x ─. Luck is a paradox. It cannot be harnessed like a capricious animal, but we can nevertheless rely on the graceful art of believing it’s on our side. ── x┗────────── x❞
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MAGICAL MYTHOS PG. 02

CINEMA PG. 04

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SCHOOL VISITS PG. 07

POETRY PG. 10

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All the Craze for WORLD MONKEY DAY

by Ruth Fairchild

If you’ve ever had the random wonder of whether there was ever a day to celebrate primates, I will start by saying, yes, such a day exists! Monkey Day is an annual celebration on the 14th of December that honours monkeys and other non-human primates, such as apes, lemurs, and tarsiers. Monkey Day? It may sound ridiculous to have a day like this, and that’s true. The story of its origin was somewhat humorous: in 2000, Casey Sorrow, an art student at Michigan State University (MSU), wrote “Monkey Day” on a friend’s calendar. What had started as a lighthearted university prank evolved into a holiday celebrated with other MSU art students, and then globally through Sorrow and Eric Millikin’s Monkey Day artworks and alternative comics published and exhibited to the online world.

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─ ❝ ─ ──────────┓ x ─. There are more than 260 species of monkeys in the world, found mostly in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. ── x┗────────── x❞

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The day is now dedicated to raising awareness about primate species, their importance in ecosystems, and the threats they face, such as habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. Of course, it’s also a fun occasion to appreciate monkeys’ intelligence, curiosity, and playfulness. While it might have come about as a joke, the day matters, as it encourages people to support wildlife conservation, ethical research, and habitat protection. There are more than 260 species of monkeys in the world, found mostly in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Many of these species are endangered or threatened, due to events such as deforestation, illegal pet trades, hunting, and climate change. Taking the time to educate yourself about the primates of our world truly helps with raising awareness and inspiring action to protect these incredible animals for generations to come. x

Celebrating is pretty simple—originally, Monkey Day was celebrated by creating monkey artworks, wearing monkey costumes, and even imitating monkey behaviour! Muggle American daily newspaper The Washington Post described the event as a day to “act like a monkey”. And, besides, who’s stopping you? If you’re ever in countries such as the United States, Canada, Colombia, Thailand, Italy, India, Pakistan, Turkey, or Estonia, you could even try visiting Muggle zoos and sanctuaries, as they quite often host special monkey exhibits and enrichment sessions where they talk about primate conservation. Muggle films and music about monkeys or nonhuman primates are also popular at Monkey Day events. Movies such as King Kong, Planet of the Apes and songs such as Monkey Man and The Monkey Time are often a part of the festivities. If you ever manage to get your hands on them, spend your winter morning on the 14th of December curled up in front of the television watching them. For those staying at Hogwarts who want to listen to some of the songs on the gramophone, you might want to check out the Muggle section of the school library... with some searching, you might be able to uncover a few records stuffed between books by yours truly. Enjoy!

And for those who would rather not go through all the shenanigans involving monkey callings, dress up as them, or are unfortunate enough not to have access to Muggle items, why not spread the holiday cheer by learning some facts about monkeys?

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• Fact Number One: Monkeys are divided into two main groups—Old World Monkeys (Africa and Asia), like baboons and macaques, and New World Monkeys (Central and South America), like capuchins and howler monkeys. • Fact Number Two: If you have watched the Muggle film “Sing 2”, the monkey dance instructor, Klaus Kickenklober, is a proboscis monkey. They are famous for their large noses. Meanwhile, a tamarin monkey has a moustache that makes it look like an old man. • Fact Number Three: Signs of advanced cognition are seen through how some monkeys use tools, communicate with gestures and facial expressions, and even recognise themselves in mirrors. There was even a gorilla named Koko who knew 1,000 signs from a modified form of American Sign Language (ASL), having been taught by Dr Francine Patterson starting in 1971. In 2015, three years before her death, she appeared as a PSA for the COP21 Climate Conference in Paris with footage of her signing the following: “I am Gorilla. I am flowers, animals. I am nature. Man Koko love. Earth Koko love. But Man stupid. Stupid! Koko sorry. Koko cry. Time hurry! Fix Earth! Help Earth! Hurry! Protect Earth. Nature see you. Thank you.”

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MAGICAL MYTHOS PG. 02

CINEMA PG. 04

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SCHOOL VISITS PG. 07

POETRY PG. 10

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Cheesy Subsection of Muggle Cinema: The Hallmark Holiday Movie by Tristan Theramin	xx	There are few films in the Muggle world that are liked despite their terrible writing, trope-filled interactions, and intensely saccharine endings. Yet the Hallmark holiday movie is liked exactly because of this extremely cheesy style. Today, I would like to share with you a few aspects of the Hallmark holiday movie that are annoying yet endearing at the same time.
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=┏ Tropes ┓= =┗ ┛=	x	The holiday movies often have common themes of friends becoming lovers, estranged families coming together, or a rich guy giving away all his money to a poor guy that happens to be his long lost brother. The tropes are predictable but are something one can get desperately addicted to. In other movies, most film directors often attempt to subvert tropes and expectations. In Hallmark movies, however, the expectations are set and fulfilled. This simple set-up and fulfilment is somehow still pleasing in a childlike and wondrous way. In Mistletoe Murders, Emily Lane is an owner of a Christmas shop, and she uses her secret skills to solve a murder when a poisoned cookie is used in a crime.	x	─────────────────── In A Princess for Christmas, a young woman goes to a castle in Europe with her niece and nephew for Christmas, and she falls in love with a handsome prince. In The Holiday Sitter, Sam finds himself falling in love with his handsome neighbour when the latter asks for his help while Sam babysits his niece and nephew. As you can see, Hallmark holiday movies take any simple trope one can think of and write so many stories based on it. It can get repetitive, but they do indeed give an answer to the yearnings of humanity. ───────────────────
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Child-Friendly The holiday movies are child-friendly and match the atmosphere of Christmas and the general holidays. The stories are innocent and fun, with none of the inappropriate scenes that one can catch on nighttime Muggle entertainment. Just like how the holidays are a time for family, Hallmark movies are always available for everyone to watch together, sometimes with good lessons to learn. A Dog Named Christmas is about a young boy who helps foster shelter dogs with his community during the holiday season, teaching compassion and selflessness.	x	─────────────────── The Russell Girl is about a young woman who returns to her hometown and learns to forgive those who have hurt her in the past. The Christmas Choir involves an accountant who starts a choir in a local homeless shelter, thus finding purpose for his life and understanding the power of music in connecting people. All of these movies share good lessons for kids to learn about finding purpose, and are an enjoyable story for adults to listen to as well. ───────────────────	x	== ==
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Quantity There are, to say the least, thousands of Hallmark movies, often constantly played during the Christmas season. Without a doubt, one could decide to watch four or five movies a day together as a family for three weeks in a row and still not run out. There are thousands and thousands of different options to choose from, and new ones are released every year! It reminds me quite a bit of our enjoyment of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, though much more innocent. Everyone knows what a Hallmark movie is when you ask them about it. Everyone has watched the film to fill up time when bored or when in want of a cheer-up. There is something pleasing in turning off the brain and enjoying something that everyone knows the concept of. Perhaps it could even be compared to Quidditch, a	x	sport that not everyone is fond of, but everyone knows about. Hallmark movies are quite the phenomenon and if anyone mentions one, everyone will know what a cheesy, trope-filled beauty it is. There is something quite beautiful about it all, truly. Much of the news that everyone knows about in the Muggle world is tragic and deafeningly depressing. Hallmark movies are the one thing that everyone knows about that is truly innocent and fun. Of course, there are films with better writing. Of course, there are films with better actors. There are films with better symbolism and better cinematography. However, Hallmark movies still stay a large part of people’s holiday plans and traditions. I posit that no matter the quality of film, if it brings the family together, it’s better than any other movie, innit?
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MAGICAL MYTHOS PG. 02

CINEMA PG. 04

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SCHOOL VISITS PG. 07

POETRY PG. 10

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A Student Who Delivers Dear Hogwarts:	x	by Alphonse Toussaint It appears that I owe my esteemed and clearly perceptive Headliner colleague and Gryffindor Quidditch teammate an apology. You see, during my Headliner interview with Miss Oonagh Brown last October, she had the audacity to wrap up her article by	x	commenting on my potential. Specifically speaking, Oonagh suggested I was a “troublemaker in the making”, but had yet to prove it. The final remark of “unless he is all bark and no bite” was truly cruel on my interviewer's part. Yet it opened my eyes like a real call to action, if you will.
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So, here goes this: my apologies, Oogie. I wasn't familiar with your game. If this was your intention to get a rise out of me, it worked.

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I'm not one to allow an insult like yours to go unanswered, Oogie. Consider this the answer you and the students of Hogwarts have all been waiting so desperately for. To respond with a simple and messy explosion is better left for the amateurs; no, the challenge you presented demanded more strategic planning and finesse. And since I believe in taking accountability for one's own actions (with the added theatrical flair—blame Piérre Marchonné),	x	I’m using the Headliner to confess my recent and highly successful exploits. For starters, some of you nerds who enjoy opening up books for pleasure will have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of laying eyes on the original art of Alphonse Toussaint. I even signed it just so you can have the opportunity to sell it once I'm rich and famous. You're welcome.
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Also, the abrupt disappearance of History of Magic's protective gargoyle, Asdrúbal, was my doing.

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	x	For those unfamiliar, Asdrúbal was the guardian gargoyle perched outside of the History of Magic classroom. I was told that a beautiful woman, former Professor Melisande Lennox, collected this gargoyle to guard her classroom after receiving approval from the Ministry of Magic, but it ultimately fell into now-former Professor Octavius Baird's hands upon Ms Lennox's decision to leave. Professor Octavius Baird was undeserving of such a handsome creature, so I assembled a team to help me steal rehome the beloved gargoyle. In the exhaustive and brutal process, some bones were broken and lives were lost, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make. Rest assured, Asdrúbal now serves a better purpose and even knows a few neat tricks. Ask him to tell you a joke or toss him a football—Asdrúbal doesn't disappoint! With Octavius gone and the arrival of the current History of Magic Professor, Elmo Break, I believe I did everyone a courtesy in stealing rehoming Asdrúbal. If you wish to visit the handsome gargoyle, stop by my mum's office and bring me three galleons.
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Oonagh, if you think that's all I've got, you're sorely mistaken. There are plots and ploys coming up soon that I cannot yet reveal. Since I’m feeling generous, I'll give you a hint: now you see more, now you don't.

Your move, Oogie.

Sincerely yours,
Alphonse Toussaint, a student who delivers

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MAGICAL MYTHOS PG. 02

CINEMA PG. 04

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SCHOOL VISITS PG. 07

POETRY PG. 10

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Spilling Hogwarts’s Secrets: Vol. 3

─────────by Lady Audentia

Hello again, my lovely seekers of truth!

I come again with yet another rush of intriguing information about Hogwarts’s most horrific. Some of this is not for the light of heart, so take care as you read.

I suppose we ought to begin with a professor, and I have the most pulchritudinous piece of speculation regarding ex-Professor Elmo Break! It’s no secret that he’s a devilish drunkard, or even that he has a penchant for Unforgivable Curses, or even that he’s been terrorising the female professors… what a scoundrel! But, of course, there’s more to the story than just that. It has been mentioned that Break often sleeps in his office underneath giant blanket forts, whispering platitudes to himself in order to fall asleep. Talk about mortifying! If I were him, I would be loath to show my face in the halls…	x
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	x	Which, of course, brings me to someone who hasn’t been seen in the halls in quite some time. “Althea Valeden” (if it’s really her) has since returned from a strange hiatus, one that leads individuals to wonder whether she has been replaced by a siren. You might ask, “What motive do you have to suggest a siren!?” to which I will reply… the evidence. Like a siren, she has been flirting every which way, and she speaks Mermish. Coincidence? I think not. Furthermore, sources say her loved ones are dropping like flies. Horrible? Sure. Juicy? Absolutely.

If you’re a male student, all I can say is beware. Don’t let this siren lead you to your death!

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The next student we shall shine a light on is one Nova Astron, a young Hufflepuff. I would call her a good student, but that’s just not true anymore, is it? She’s had a simply disastrous run-in with failing marks after failing marks. The most unfortunate part is that she appears to be trying. I suppose one might say the mighty have fallen.

Speaking of the mighty that have fallen, I must mention one Livia Machavariani. It’s difficult to say you haven’t heard of this first year, not when she captained the Slytherin Quidditch team and was our very own Headliner’s Secretary. Suffice to say, she is Secretary no longer, and under mysterious circumstances, as well. I performed more research,	x	and I happened to learn that Miss Machavariani might have been a prefect for just a few days! That ought to be the shortest tenure yet. I couldn’t ascertain what, exactly, made Miss Machavariani lose all of her positions so quickly, given that she seems rather responsible, but perhaps something dark is lurking underneath the surface, something only Hogwarts’s staff have been able to realise.
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	x	I must, of course, mention Percival Rocier, too. He seems to be growing into an example of a boy who just can’t do anything right. Harsh? I think not. He is a student without a bookbag or competent casting, so he is always carrying around Brobdingnagian bundles of books. My arms ache just thinking of it! Furthermore, although this is a bit belated, I was made aware that, at the Fall Ball, he attempted to dance with Cecilia Merrick and simply stumbled over her toes the entire night. I would most certainly denominate that as “failure”. If you’ve befriended him, do be aware that your social standing might plummet.

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Perhaps you think I am too harsh. I must opine that candour is my most unrivalled virtue.

XOXO,
Lady Audentia

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MAGICAL MYTHOS PG. 02

CINEMA PG. 04

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SCHOOL VISITS PG. 07

POETRY PG. 10

PAGE 07.

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Off to Tenūsa or Koldovstoretz? Here’s How to be Best Prepared! Matthew Campbell and Aly Salinger	x	Dear readers, here at the Headliner, we have been lucky enough to gain an exclusive glimpse into the future inspired by some admired Seers. Headmasters Aulis Vorozheykin and Lawrence Maynard, respectively of Koldovstoretz and Tenūsa, are leading a new charge on international cooperation by hosting students from across the globe at their schools this winter. It’s sure to be a year to remember, and we’ve secured all the tips and	x	tricks to get you prepared. Bringing in the new year, Tenusa will be hosting an open day, guiding the school into a new era of transparency. One of the most mysterious and elusive magical academies is opening its shores and inviting us all to experience if the grass really is greener on the other side. After writing to Grand Seer Lawrence Maynard, we have acquired the exclusive scoop on just what he’s got planned.
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Then, in February, it’s off to snowy Siberia for the International Magical Olympic Games, otherwise known as IMOG. Koldovstoretz will be hosting the event—an excellent location, given the amount of snow the Russian school must get—and so we also reached out to its director, Aulis Vorozheykin, for more information about the history of the Games and to find out what to bring when we descend upon his conservatory. Below are some of the questions we asked to the headmasters, as well as their answers, copied exactly from their owls back to us:	x	Lawrence Maynard	x	Aulis Vorozheykin
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“What fun activities can students look forward to when they visit your school?”	x	We hope to offer our guests a glance into the bright array of culture we have here at Tenūsa, and for those interested in water sports you're in for quite the treat.	x	Many fun activities here! Are banyas (saunas) for to relax, big feast for opening with ice skate on Lake Bear, and of course the sports with medal ceremony at end.
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“Has your event ever happened before? What is the history of your event?”	x	This is a chance to be part of living history, as never before has the Isle of Divination offered the chance for outsiders to visit. I hope that it is the start of a new age for Tenūsa and for international cooperation.	x	These Games were conducted in past, but not held for many years. At Koldovstoretz, we revive tradition and make healthy the competitive atmosphere as the Muggles with same international activities in their world.
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“How is your school different from Hogwarts? Should students prepare for anything in particular?”	x	Don’t be fooled by the time of year; the Isle remains warm all year round. Also, a quick tip for our hayfever sufferers: bring some antihistamines.	x	Is cold here. Our yurts have heat but is very cold out of yurts. Students should prepare for cold. Also, for sport! Practice ice skate, bobsled, curl, and hockey.
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“What do you recommend packing for the trip?”	x	Bring a dish; we want to experience your own culture as much as you explore ours. Other than that, prep for the beach and to sleep under the stars!	x	Again, is very cold. Pack clothings that is warm. Also, bathing suit. Banyas are warm and comfortable, and must have clothes for sport of course!
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So get your packing spell ready and start preparing for some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to visit rarely seen international schools. Rest assured that we will be following this story the whole way through and hope to see all of you there! Plus, at the very least, these events surely cannot have a worse track record than our own balls here at Hogwarts…

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MAGICAL MYTHOS PG. 02

CINEMA PG. 04

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SCHOOL VISITS PG. 07

POETRY PG. 10

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Muggles and Their Obsession with Christmas “Magic”

by Tristan Theramin

The twinkling decorations made with electric lights connected by wires upon a tree of pine is an iconic image in the eyes of Muggles. There is nothing more fascinating than the Muggle holiday season of Christmas. Though the word Christmas is derived from the mass used to celebrate Christ’s birth on this special day, the 25th of December, the celebration no longer captures the magic of their religion’s belief of a miraculous birth, but rather the spirit of joy, family, friends, and generosity.

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Christmas magic, according to Muggles, is not actual magic, of course, but rather the atmosphere of childhood that seems to return for some people when they celebrate the Christmas season. It is the fantastical ability to be giddy again and to be as whimsical as you want to be, even as an adult. Many people are encouraged to be altruistic and volunteer. Giving and serving are often the themes of this season. The magic of Christmas, for Muggles, is a reminder to serve others! Though many people are altruistic throughout the year, this time of year seems to always remind people that there are many people in need around the world. The magic of Christmas also involves spending time with family. Many Muggles travel back to their parents, along with their own families, or to their partner’s parents. They spend time together and look for love and peace.

Many Muggle films that are published during this season are hopeful and romantic. They teach a good family moral or to fight for the outcast. This season’s magic is humanity attempting to be more humane and loyal in a way that lasts beyond the season. Many of the movies purposefully end happily and with plans for the future. Imagination runs wild and children are encouraged to write letters to fictional characters such as Santa Claus—or the Three Wise Kings in other countries.

If any of you have Muggle-born friends, you may have heard of the tradition of Santa Claus. Many believe that the story of Santa Claus originates from a real man named Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a Catholic saint known for his kindness, generosity, and piety. In fact, there’s a legend that he gave away gold anonymously to a father of three children who were running out of food. He also gave toys away to children in his town, and, eventually, legends of reindeers and magic coalesced into the idea of Saint Nicholas. These legends, in combination with an advertisement from a famous Muggle drink company, Coca-Cola, have created the common idea in the minds of Muggles of an older man with a big white beard, a red fluffy coat, and a sleigh of reindeers who fly to give toys to children all around the world.

Another great tradition Muggles have is Christmas Carolling. Groups of people learn songs to sing for neighbours! They often have great jazz harmonies and multiple layers of musical melodies. Some do get annoyed at random strangers coming to one's house to sing songs, but I definitely support the festivities. There’s such beauty in teamwork and art, after all.

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MAGICAL MYTHOS PG. 02

CINEMA PG. 04

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SCHOOL VISITS PG. 07

POETRY PG. 10

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Magical & Muggle Meals: Enchanted Gingerbread
by Aly Salinger

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The baking and decorating of gingerbread people and houses is a beloved Muggle tradition for the winter holiday. After all, there is nothing quite like piping icing-cicles onto a roof’s edge, giving your gingerbread man a wonderfully smart set of candy buttons, or dreaming up the story behind your gingerbread village (at least, this is what I have heard from my Muggle-born mates). However, what if we told you that you could enchant your gingerbread to actually act out the very story you’ve dreamt up right in front of you? That’s right—here in the Wizarding World, the possibilities are endless! ──────────────────────────────────

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Enchanted Gingerbread
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Makes: 24 biscuits
Time: 4.5 hours

Ingredients: ▫ 3 ½ cups Wizarding Wheat Self-Charmed flour (*all-purpose flour) ▫ ½ teaspoon salt ▫ 1 teaspoon baking soda ▫ 1 tablespoon ground ginger ▫ ½ teaspoon ground cloves ▫ 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon ▫ ½ teaspoon ground allspice ▫ 10 tablespoons dragon milk butter (*cow butter) ▫ ¾ cup brown sugar** ▫ ⅔ cup dark treacle ▫ 1 chicken egg*** ▫ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ▫ Charmed Sentience-brand royal icing (*any royal icing)

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* Muggle alternative.
** Preferably Elfin Sugar Co. brand.
*** Utilising an egg from a magical creature will imbue the gingerbread people with the personalities of the magical creatures. This is HIGHLY discouraged.

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Directions
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𝟭| Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and spices in a large cauldron, then set aside. 𝟮| Using your wand (*handheld or stand mixer), beat butter in a cauldron for 1 minute at medium speed until creamy and smooth. Scrape the sides of the cauldron as needed. 𝟯| Add treacle and sugar, then beat again at medium speed until once again creamy and smooth. Scrape sides as needed. 𝟰| Add vanilla and egg, then beat again at high speed for 2 minutes. Scrape sides as needed. 𝟱| Slowly add flour mixture to the cauldron and beat at low speed until the entire mixture is sticky and thick, but staying together. 𝟲| Scrape dough out of the cauldron, divide in half, and wrap each tightly in plastic wrap. Pat into a round, flat shape, then chill in a cool place (*refrigerator) for a minimum of 3 hours, up to 3 days. 𝟳| When ready to bake, remove dough from plastic wrap and roll out on a floured surface until about ¼-inch thick. House-elves are particularly skilled at this, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help. If ──────────────────────────

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making the magical version, the dough may wiggle about a little bit; a solid thwack with the rolling pin should remind it to stay still for now. 𝟴| Preheat the oven to 177°C (350°F), then cut dough into desired shapes; people are recommended. Place separated on a flat biscuit tray that has been covered in parchment paper (the baking kind, not the schoolwork kind). 𝟵| Bake biscuits for 8-11 minutes, rotating halfway through. Smaller biscuits take less time, larger ones take more. Keep an eye on them! When removed from the oven, allow to cool on a tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. 𝟭𝟬| When biscuits are cool, decorate with Charmed Sentience icing to your preference. It is recommended to whisper ideas about the desired personality to your biscuits as you ice them. Careful—once you have finished icing a biscuit, it will become fully sentient! It is recommended to start up a small pen to hold them in so that you do not lose them in your kitchen (though, beware, they can climb). 𝟭𝟭| Murder your enchanted gingerbread people by eating them. Or don’t. It’s all up to you now. ──────────────────────────

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MAGICAL MYTHOS PG. 02

CINEMA PG. 04

.

SCHOOL VISITS PG. 07

POETRY PG. 10

PAGE 10.

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BETWEEN THE LINES: When the Castle Sleeps
by Ruth Fairchild

┏──────────────────────────────┓ ───────────────────────────-Dim. ──As puffs and train tracks mark all absence ──but the presence of the sleeping castle on the hill. ───────────────────────────Quiet. ──Where dust motes once danced, frost crisp in the air ──of the corridors ──────────now ───────────────────────────-Still. ──‘Cept the flickering candlelights that ──bling bling ──────────with fairy lights for Christmas. ┗──────────────────────────────┛

x

x──────────────────────────x	x	x────────────────────────x
To whomever is reading this over what I hope is a hot cuppa chocolate in this freezing December winter, good morning, afternoon, or evening! As this would be the first published article of “Between the Lines”, I’m hoping to lend a proper introduction to the column. Between the Lines is an experiment of sorts—a column where	x	I turn small, overlooked things into poetry. Moments that sit quietly in the corners of our days. Things we miss as we rush between breakfast and class, amidst the chatter during crowded events—or when the castle hums so loudly, it’s impossible to notice the way it breathes. Accompanying each piece would be a short poem that I not only present, but also follow with what it means to me.

❝ ─ ───────────┓ x ─. ...when everything slows down just enough for those minuscule, minute details to surface. ── x┗─────────── x❞

─

This first piece, When the Castle Sleeps, is about stillness—the kind that December brings when everything slows down just enough for those minuscule, minute details to surface. If you, dear reader, have ever stayed at Hogwarts rather than taking the Express home, you’ve probably noticed it: the halls quieter, the mumbles thinner, the fires burning lower. As if the castle itself takes a deep breath to welcome students again the following year, everything seems to pass by on its own leisurely time. Even more so, the warmth of Christmas embracing the silence is truly surreal.

You've maybe noticed the structural play of this poem. Having “Dim”, “Quiet”, and “Still” centre-aligned helps control the pressure, a visual rhythm that has this subtle descent into silence. I love contrast, which I've included with the final stanza’s “bling bling”—a disruption of this stillness to make way for Christmas.	x	One of the poetic rules that I religiously follow is the inclusion of imagery that gives the slightest story. “Puffs and train tracks mark all absence” emphasises the introduction, the departure of the students. This leads to “the sleeping castle on the hill”, the personification giving the castle a dormant sense of life.	x	When I first wrote this poem, I was sitting near the Great Lake, and the water had started freezing near the edges, a layer of frost glazing the grass. The chill had begun to settle in, and as I began to make my way back to the common room, I realised how far I was from the bustle, and how vivid the glow of the castle lights was soon to be replaced by “frost crisp in the air”.
x────────────────x	x	x───────────────x	x	x─────────────────x

There’s something magical, yet lonely, about the stillness. The quiet reminds you of the moments you rushed through and all the laughter you meant to join. The things you meant to say but just… didn’t. I think that’s what December does—it makes you remember. The quietness sparks reflection that makes you pause and think about how much has changed. Sometimes, it feels Hogwarts itself harbours memories between its stones. When the castle sleeps, memories settle like snow. Soft and undisturbed, but always there. So, if you ever find yourself walking through the corridors, try listening to the silence beneath the noise. There’s a strange comfort knowing that when everything seems frozen, life is still quietly breathing.

─

❝ ─ ───────────┓ x ─. When the castle sleeps, memories settle like snow. ── x┗─────────── x❞

───────────────────────────────────────────────────────That’s what Between the Lines is about. The life beneath the surface. The meanings we don’t say out loud yet feel.

Until next time,
Ruth

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MAGICAL MYTHOS PG. 02

CINEMA PG. 04

.

SCHOOL VISITS PG. 07

POETRY PG. 10