The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #50

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Muggle Item of the Month - Aeroplanes: Broomless Aviation ───── by Matthew Campbell For quite a while, the Headliner has been missing a once vital part of its core. But look no further folks, for, as of this issue, ‘Muggle Item of The Month’ has officially returned, and I can assure you, dear readers, it's sure to be a doozy. As your resident unapologetic Muggle-born, I strive to lend my expertise to you magical folk in the hope that we can tear down the walls of magic vs Muggle for good. But fret not, for this is not a campaign spiel but rather an exploration into the Muggle world in its very own, unique, magical ways.	x	So, without further ado, let’s take to the skies! Whilst wizards and witches soar the endless blue by broom or carpet, Muggles must look to science to defy gravity, and how far they have flown from their discoveries! Advancements in aviation have not been quick. Practical successes began back in 1783 with the very humble manned hot air balloon, a contraption that uses heat and flame within an envelope of fabric to rise through the cooler, denser air. That is not to say that none before had tried. Famous inventors of history as early as the ninth century had been obsessed with the mimicking of flying creatures, though to no avail. It was Leonardo Da Vinci who concluded that humans would never be strong enough to operate their own mechanical flying machines and turned to sketching a device, one that would not see true success until centuries later. And progress did not stop, as the 1800s saw the development and flight of airships lifted by helium and hydrogen.
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Like with many powerful inventions of the Muggle world, war was a major catalyst for development. Those tough times required new machines, and the aeroplane was one such invention. Back in 1903, two brilliant American men called the Wright brothers managed to channel the many workings of history and current advances of science when they successfully achieved the first sustained, controlled flight of a machine that was heavier than air and still able to fly. It was a marvel of the age, and no wonder that it would quickly be turned into a tool for reconnaissance and combat. A sad plight in the Muggle world has seen many such miracles of science warped in aggressors’ hands, yet such is a topic for another day. Rather, let us focus on some of the more heroic stories these mechanical birds were a part of.	x	After the Muggles’ First World War, commercial flights opened the world to the masses, allowing them to travel hundreds or thousands of miles in a matter of days. Families were reunited, the post, unlike our owls, was sent via aeroplane, and tedious, long voyages became a thing of the past. I would be remiss to not mention one of the most celebrated pilots in history: Amelia Earhart. She was not only the first woman passenger to cross the Atlantic, but also the first female pilot to accomplish the same flight in 1932. She tragically, and most mysteriously, disappeared during her round-the-world flight in 1937. Taking to the skies has provided travel freedom and the power to bring cultures together that to this day allows Muggles to diversify their lives.
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Still, Muggles, not having the resources to defy their limitations that the magical world has overcome, face terrible problems within aviation. Planes crash, go missing entirely, or are used for catastrophic events. While I could easily mortify you with the horrors of history, I instead want to focus on a rather specific item Muggles have invented that I believe to be a true feat of creation.	x	It is known simply as the ‘black box’, despite its orange appearance, and, whilst small, it is a very important machine, for this device is capable of surviving even the most harrowing of wrecks. Wrapped in titanium or steel, it can withstand catastrophic impacts, extreme heat, and even defy the pressures of the deep sea. But what is it for? I hear you ask, metaphorically. Well, the black box’s main purpose is to relay the information of what happened to the aeroplane. From diagnostics to the departed’s dying words, it stores it all and keeps it safe so that the Muggle world may prevent such occurrences from happening again. It acts as a surviving time capsule of those final moments that provides not only crucial data, but often closure in times of great despair.
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So just imagine with me for a moment, readers, if Muggles’ scientific genius could be combined with magical ingenuity, what might the world look like? Perhaps one day we may discover the answer to that very question. For now, I wish you all a very happy return of M.I.O.M!

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Appreciating Academia: What Hogwarts Students Really Think of their Classes

by Aly Salinger

This time of year in the common spaces, it’s not uncommon to overhear grumbles of frustration from one’s peers. “I hate History of Magic” is frequently heard, as is “Why does Transfiguration have to be so hard?” Exam season brings out the worst in us, which made me wonder: if there are classes which are commonly loathed, is there a widespread favourite class, too?
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A random sampling of 42 Hogwarts students, of all years/Houses, has helped me ascertain an answer. Of the twelve subjects taken at Hogwarts (eight core courses and four electives), Astronomy took a solid win for the overall favourite—I cannot complain, seeing how this is my favourite class as well! 21.4% of the sampled students agreed that nighttime stargazing made for their preferred period, with explanations ranging from the blasé “It’s the most tolerable one, no?” (first-year Hufflepuff Erast Yan) to the more poetic “The vast universe seems to contain countless secrets waiting to be discovered” (third-year Ravenclaw Cassie Jiang).

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Of course, Astronomy is not without its enemies, though it only polled 7.1% of the negative responses. Second years Graci Laren (Gryffindor) and Mirada Johnson (Ravenclaw) complained about its late hour. For that, we suppose we cannot blame them. Sleep is important! xxxxx

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For the least loved lessons, we found a tie! Transfiguration and Flying came in joint first place (or last place, depending on your viewpoint) with a stunning 21.4% each of responses for least favourite class, though for very different reasons.
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First-year Slytherin Milica Vranekova called Transfiguration “Too difficult”, adding, “Not that it’s any of your business.” (Pro tip: don’t agree to an interview, then!) Overall, respondents agreed that Transfiguration was mostly disliked due to challenging coursework; however, first-year Gryffindor Pyce Rotanski seemed to hold no hard feelings against the class’s professor. “Love the Transfiguration professor,” said Rotanski, “but I'm even worse at performing the spells than in Charms, so it ranks as my least favorite class.” Not everyone shares these feelings, however, with 9.5% of the participants stating that Transfiguration is their best course. But why? “The intrigue of magical manifestation,” claimed seventh-year Ravenclaw Pericles Dralt, whilst second-year Hufflepuff Mamori Anezaki and fourth-year Slytherin Mahlioz Evethisawe agreed that the subject was the most logical of those offered at Hogwarts. (Anezaki also added that “Professor Kāne is hot”, but we’re not sure that should count towards enjoyment of a class, especially since he recently left Hogwarts.)

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Flying, on the other hand, polled badly—not for its difficulty, but apparently for a schoolwide fear of heights and dislike of sports. Slytherin first-year Angel Dayes and the aforementioned Evethisawe cited acrophobia, and a hatred of sporting classes was shared by first-year Ravenclaws Robin Lockett and Corrine Aelina. Other students had more… vitriolic opinions about Flying. First-year Slytherin and former Headliner Secretary Livia Machavariani quipped, “It is hardly my fault if those who like the class cannot read.” Ouch! The 9.5% of students who listed Flying as their most beloved course might have something to say about that. Vranekova and her fellow first years Dido Bleaklane (Slytherin) and Skylar Blue (Ravenclaw) all agreed upon the freeing sensation of being up in the air as being their reason for the favouritism, and, as a Quidditch player myself, I can’t help but agree.

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Other answers abounded in both the favourite and least favourite categories, so we can hardly claim to have uncovered a Hogwarts-wide conspiracy for or against any one class. Charms came in second place for the most-loved with 14.3% of voters, with second-year Hufflepuff Ellie Randensmith claiming, “The lessons are interactive and the professor always has really great lessons planned.” Other than the tied first-place least favourites, however, History of Magic pulled in a stunning 19% of votes for least liked; Laasya Manjunath (first-year Gryffindor) and the aforementioned Blue both called the subject ‘boring’, while third-year Gryffindor Sere Nade simply shivered and told us, “I hate memorising.”

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There were few votes for the electives: Care of Magical Creatures, Study of Ancient Runes, Divination, and Muggle Studies. Third-year students and above were also polled on chosen electives, and, of the 10 respondents, CoMC and Runes tied for most-taken with 80% each. Muggle Studies was the least favourite with only 40%. Jiang takes all four, stating that her childhood dream is to “get Os in every single one of them”—twelve classes is a heavy workload, so good luck! Others had more practical responses for their reasoning, with Dralt and third-year Slytherin Elisa Wagner referencing their hopeful future careers, and Evethisawe calling Runes “a secret code plus magic”.

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From all this research, one thing is clear: no two Hogwarts students have the same thoughts on their courses, and isn’t that a good thing?

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CAPTAINS PG. 07

MEALS PG. 12

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Which Professors You Should Really Pay Attention To──────
──────────────────────────────────────────by Alyss Gilmour

My dear fellow students of Hogwarts, have you ever wondered why particular professors just strike you as… odd? I certainly have! Why do some have an aura of unease, or even of uncomfortable happiness? Do you feel compelled to pay attention when in their class, or do you fear the worst from them? Well, today I aim to assist you in figuring out which of your professors’ good side it’s best to stay on.

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01. Nancy McLoughlin, school nurse To start off, we have our lovely, talented, and kind nurse. According to an anonymous source, “Elmo told me he kissed a certain nurse at one point during his time here at Hogwarts for good luck, and that if he didn't, she wouldn't have had a good day.” Oh my! It seems Ms Nancy McLoughlin has been getting frisky with our controversial History of Magic professor at the beginning of this school year. ────────────────────────── Perhaps mind your tongue when speaking in the Hospital Wing about anything involving love affairs… you wouldn’t want to upset our dear nurse! Our former Herbology Professor McLoughlin has been a constant, steady figure while at Hogwarts. The news of a possible love affair with Mr Elmo Break is certainly a surprise—it may be wise to keep a close eye on the Hogwarts Nurse the next time you visit, that’s for sure. 03. Kasem Wattana, transfiguration professor

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02. Lesmana Asmaralaya, potions professor Next, although this may surprise many, you need to watch yourself when around our new Potions professor. The former Head of House Slytherin, Professor Lesmana Asmaralaya, has had multiple conversations behind closed doors—one source says “Something weird can be heard inside his office. I believe it's something behind the mysterious door.” You heard that right! If I were a student in one of his classes (yes, that is to say every single student at Hogwarts), I would stay as far away from that mysterious office as possible. It’s said that the professor is constantly scheming, finding something to do. Among the halls of Hogwarts, it’s rumored that “he was kicked out and then rehired to Hogwarts because he had some connections and blackmail to come back, even after his scheming was discovered.” Yes, this means that our former Head of House Slytherin has something dark about him. Watch your step when in the Potions classroom. You never know what he may have up his sleeve. =============================

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The plot thickens as our brand new Transfiguration Professor, the stoic Kasem Wattana, has already found himself a talking point at this teaching job. Students, I warn you: don’t get on his bad side. While many of our staff members are powerful wix, it sounds as though Professor Wattana wouldn’t hesitate to turn his frustration onto his students—or even his own kin! An anonymous source says: “If he doesn’t like you, you’ll get transfigured into a piece of furniture—on purpose! Apparently, he did that to his brother.” Although on further investigation, I cannot find any account of a sibling, perhaps that is the root of this story… One thing is clear, be very careful around your newest Transfiguration professor. After all, we all have certain priorities, and they do not involve becoming a piece of furniture to decorate Professor Wattana’s office.

04. Katherine Townsend, charms professor

Have you ever felt a strange happiness as you enter the Charms classroom in the presence of Professor Katherine Townsend? As if you were having a no good, very bad day prior to entering, and suddenly that feeling dissipates, replaced by a willingness to listen and learn? Well, perhaps you need to look at the professor in order to understand why this is occurring. Professor Townsend was a strong Curse-Breaker before she

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entered Hogwarts. The ongoing theory is this: “The reason you feel happy around her is because she’s constantly casting a Cheering Charm when in the presence of her students.” While this may seem rather convoluted, I highly recommend paying closer attention to your emotions before and after you enter her classroom—are you under a particular spell?

Under a different vein, it’s said that Professor Townsend has also been cursed. Not in the traditional way—no bad luck or Unforgivable Curses. Rather, it is something you may notice by studying her wardrobe. She only ever wears bright colors! A rumor floating the halls says that “she was cursed to only wear bright colors by [NAME REDACTED].” Fashion sense may explain it, but only to a certain extent. Have you ever seen our beloved Charms professor without a piece of brightly colored clothing to back up her enthusiastic smile? Think it over… the person who cursed her may curse again.

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I hope this was helpful to the students of Hogwarts. Now that you know which of our professors may be scheming against us, certainly keep this information in mind during your next lesson.

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The Department of Temporarily Misplaced Things

by Simon Kincaid

Go halfway down the secondary corridor near the Great Hall, and you’ll find a broom cupboard that sits between two identical doors. Students often pass it by without realising; the space has been long forgotten, just like the items held inside. This is the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s Lost and Found. Upon passing, experienced students will often offer similar advice: “Don’t go too far in. If you find your things, then take them and leave. If you don’t see them quickly, they’re not near the front anymore.” It is said with a seriousness that suggests danger, as if Hogwarts would have a dangerous cupboard next to a corridor students use every day. That would be ridiculous. Inside, behind plain wooden doors that smell faintly of polish, sconces flicker to life along shelves that extend far deeper than the cupboard should reasonably allow. The front shelves hold all the items you might find in an educational setting, magical or not: broken quills, battered quills, normal and perfectly usable quills, house scarves, school robes, dried ink pots, and some water bottles and snack tins. ─────────────────

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❝ ─ ───────────┓ x ─. Nothing at Hogwarts is ever truly lost, only deferred. ── x┗─────────── x❞

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Going further, the ordinary becomes overlooked. Books begin to appear in stacks, seeming deliberate, not accidental, occasionally interrupted by stray copies of Witch Weekly, Enchanted Enchantments magazine, or Transfiguration Today. They seem to accumulate rather than collect, as though drawn together by habit. Deeper still, the objects stop behaving like lost property. An incomplete deck of tarot cards lies scattered in a spread, slightly warm to the touch. Several teapots sit side-by-side, charmed to serve tea into neatly colour-coded cups. Haircare potions and pins shine in the small available light, and a few cloaks shift as if adjusting their own hems. These items feel paused mid-use rather than abandoned. At the very back of the cupboard, where the shelves meet the wall and the light from the sconces barely reaches, the sense of ownership disappears entirely. This is where things go when they are no longer waiting to be reclaimed. From here, I retrieved several items and placed them into my satchel for closer inspection. ─────────────────

The first was a cast iron chess piece wrapped in cloth and secured with a note that read: “for everyone’s safety”. It was a rook who refuses to behave as any reasonable chess piece should. It does not consistently obey the rules, nor does it accept loss. In play, it shifts unpredictably as if the concept of turns is optional, insults its opponents under its breath, and reacts to a check as though personally offended. It is unsuited for any standard game of wizard’s chess. A small music box sat beside it. At first glance, it appeared broken—silent even when wound. I attempted to repair it, adjusting its mechanism and testing its internal springs, but nothing happened. Only when I turned away did faint music begin. The effect repeated after many trials: it plays only when unobserved.	x	There was a handheld clock, its face shifting into phrases instead of hours and minutes. It offered phrases like “already late”, “very late”, and “why are you like this?”, and was reminiscent of the Muggle children’s toy called the Magic 8 Ball. One object nearly overlooked was an old metal spoon. It looked entirely ordinary, but being at the back of the Lost and Found was reason enough to be suspicious of it. I used it at supper in the Great Hall after cleaning it thoroughly. The spoon seemed to taste the food before I did. It reacted with unmistakable enthusiasm to roast chicken and Yorkshire pudding and nearly sang at the treacle tart, but sighed miserably at the pickled eel.	x	The last item was a golden compass. Unlike ordinary compasses, it does not point north. It points to desire. When first tested, it led me directly to my pet Rascal who had wandered off that morning. Later, it indicated my missing History of Magic essay. After that, the needle settled in a consistent direction throughout the day: toward AngelFyre McCubbin. This, I suspect, is not accidental. If the compass truly responds to desire, then there was never much mystery in it at all; of course it would point there. I debated whether or not I should return this item back to the Lost and Found, and it seems to have no reservations in staying with me. Perhaps it too just wants to claim what it desires: to be found.
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The Lost and Found is not simply a storage place for lost items. The deeper one goes, the less the objects resemble misplacements and seem to be waiting—either for the right person, the right moment, or the right excuse to become meaningful again. Nothing at Hogwarts is ever truly lost, only deferred.

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The Room of Requirement Has Been Required
by Archer Duncan

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On the fifth floor is a location not known to every eye, a secret not present in every passersby’s mental catalogue, a door that only opens for one who truly needs it. I, for one, have needed it more than I care to admit, for reasons from the most trivial to the most profound. There are instances, from my personal experience, in this space lovingly called the ‘Room of Requirement’ that have been particularly charming, others almost harrowing.

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x───────────x 1. A room of pillows: I do not jest. After an exhausting afternoon spent more on the duelling piste than in the comforts of my dormitory like a crazed maniac, I was embracing lunacy enough to head upstairs rather than down, and it was then that I came across a calling from an unassuming oak door.	x	x───────────x In curiosity, I opened it ajar, and as I saw a room cushioned floor-to-ceiling, with a giant teddy bear for good measure, I could not help but feed my indulgent side. Eventually, I found myself falling asleep in a corner, waking the next morning to grogginess, yet weekend contentment.	x	x───────────x 2. A mirror: Any more and they would rival the halls of Versailles. I find that teenagers fall on not a spectrum but two polar opposites, as it is with most things teenagers do. Either they are beauty-obsessed or body-dysmorphic. I say this as if I do not fall into one of the two categories, but secretly, I teeter between	x	x───────────x these two lanes, treading on a fine line of a tightrope. I had grown to trust the contents of the room, so one would imagine the jumpscare I received when I opened the door to find my own eyes staring back at me. I think later that day, someone told me I had a piece of broccoli between my teeth. Rude.
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3. Maps, and a plethora of other things she liked: I pondered for a long time about whether or not to include this entry, but I am half-hoping that my editor will remove it. Cartography was her passion, and it is especially the maps with carved-in ridges for mountains and grooves for rivers that will remind me of her. Golden apples on the tabletop. Cullen skink in the bowls. I did not eat any of it, only admired them from a distance, before closing the door hard and leaving. Some things may be too painful for the time being, yet they are still things that I needed to see.

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4. Blackness: Pure, complete blackness. Oftentimes, the world proves itself to be too much for my mind—from the hollering of voices to the bedazzling of lights. Even when none are directed at me, overstimulation tends to occur post-prolonged exposure. Sheer darkness and noiselessness, therefore, it is not a curse of loneliness but a blessing. After a day battered by the elements of the world, there is nothing more I wish to do than stand solely with my own company.

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5. Cat food for Zeno. A staple in this house, but I ran out again and forgot to buy some.

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Be on the lookout for a plain, old door the next time you happen to be on the fifth floor. If you actually need it, you will find yourself pushing it open, and inside will be a whole new world that awaits you.

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MUGGLE ITEM PG. 02

PROFESSORS PG. 04

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CAPTAINS PG. 07

MEALS PG. 12

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Quidditch Captains: The Next Generation
by Aly Salinger

Within the last year, fans of Hogwarts’s best sport (no competition) have seen five young captains rise to the top. While Gryffindor’s Pax Zhang (Y5) and Ethan Smith (Y4) have stayed steady, and you can’t rip my Ravenclaw captaincy from me until I graduate, the other leadership positions have changed since last summer. Let’s meet these new captains, shall we?

Aston Beckett(Y3)

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Beckett joined me in Ravenclaw leadership after Lavinia Cloven graduated. Calling his age (13) a weakness and stating he “lacked the experience most others already have”, Aston immediately made his mark as a capable strategist and strong leader. Beckett might feel behind but he’s got incentive. “I've been interested in becoming a pro Quidditch player for a while now,” he told us, “and this feels like a natural step to take.” He called strategising his favourite part of the job: “Quidditch can be such a complicated game, so it's very fun talking about options in a match.”

Slytherin’s double-C dream team took their positions following the resignations of Livia Machavariani and Prat Pass in the late autumn. Winfield and Merrick shared similarities in their interviews, such as passion backing their captaincies. They disagreed on how to view their youth, with Winfield classifying it as a weakness (“There are years of experience that I do not have due to my age”) and Merrick as a strength (“I expect to be underestimated because of my age. However, such prejudices from my opponents will only make them lax… and when they do, we shall strike”). Merrick told us her favourite part of being captain: “watching my team's efforts pay off on the pitch!” She is still waitlisted for Chaser, whilst first-string Keeper Winfield preferred strategising, calling it “an interesting change of pace”.

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Charlotte Winfield(Y3) Cecilia Merrick(Y1)

Mamori Anezaki(Y2)

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Anezaki took Hufflepuff’s second captain spot in February, but quickly moved up to senior with the retirement of Lea Hirsch. A Chaser since March 2025, Anezaki may be new, but he doesn’t see it as a weakness, quipping, “There are first years captaining teams right now, by any metric I am something of a middle act.” Hufflepuff’s senior captain seems something of a jokester! He was dead serious, however, describing his motivation for captaincy: “The pay!” Anezaki treated his favourite part of being a captain with equal gravity: “Calling a play live and watching the other team eat dirt.” Ouch!

Named Hufflepuff’s newest captain in early May, Everdane gave us her hopes for what will make her a good captain. “I want to listen to my team and accept their ideas,” she said. “Captaincy is about being a good leader more than anything.” Wise words for one so young! Everdane declared her intentions as: “proving myself to the team, as well as helping Hufflepuff win, obviously!” Though this young lass is still waitlisted, we hope to see her on the pitch soon.

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Harumi Everdane(Y1)

Excluding Everdane, the new captains outlined (somewhat secretive) plans for their teams:

─ ❝ ─ ──────────┓ x ─. Beckett: More than anything, I want this to be a successful year for Ravenclaw; it's the final year for my fellow captain before her graduation... ── x┗────────── x❞	─ ❝ ─ ──────────┓ x ─. Winfield: Mine and Cecilia's understanding of the game will be paramount in developing our strategic strength. ── x┗────────── x❞
─ ❝ ─ ──────────┓ x ─. Merrick: I will ensure the Cloud Cobras never suffer a similar fate as last season, bolster the team's confidence and ensure we triumph over our opponents. ── x┗────────── x❞	─ ❝ ─ ──────────┓ x ─. Anezaki: The plan is to be less polite about eliminations. We're aiming for three players down per round. ── x┗────────── x❞

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Opinion: Racing is the Best Sport by Alyss Gilmour Throughout Hogwarts, there seems to be a love for sports. Whether for house spirit or a hunger for winning itself, Quidditch, duelling, and broom racing always have a full roster and packed stands for every match. But a question that many have debated and that I will happily answer is the following: which is the best sport? The answer: broom racing.	x	As a broom racing captain, I can admit I may be biased. However, this is an opinion piece. Racing is, therefore, the best sport within Hogwarts for three reasons: The use of potions! The use of both spells and brooms! The community!
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I’ll start with number one—the use of potions while on the track. Broom racing is the only sport at Hogwarts that allows potions to be used. The option of over 25 potions for the racers during the match can play a pivotal role in the outcome of a race. This also means that if you’re a student that has an ‘O’ in Potions, you would be welcomed onto a broom racing roster. These skills cannot be utilized in either Quidditch nor duelling. So if you want to spend some time competing for your house but you find your potioneering skills to be a talent tossed to the side, talk to your house’s	x	captains! I’m sure they would be happy to have you. ─────── Number two—the spells and brooms! As I’m sure you’re all aware, duelling is incredibly spell-focused. The entire match revolves around your ability to cast a spell quickly, accurately, and brutally. You have to become a master at using your wand reliably while being a target for spells yourself! In Quidditch, brooms are the heavy hitter, the determining factor being how well you can do your job on your broom.	x	x───────────x x───────────x	x	Racing combines both of these concepts into one brilliant sport. Not only can you use your broom while racing, but you can also cast spells! If you’re an incredible caster, you could be an asset to your broom racing team—but that’s only if you can manage them while flying quickly on a broom, with both your opposition and the very environment around you trying to knock you off of said broom. If you’re talented on a broom, believe me, racing is perfect for you. Fitting a wide variety of people, the biggest requirement is simply being able to ride a broom reliably.
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Last but not least—the community! While I have only been part of broom racing for about a year, I have never been happier. The team is full of well-rounded, trustworthy people that you have to look in the .──────────────────	x	.────────────────── eyes and entrust with the fate of your team as you alley-oop them closer to the finish. Although you certainly end up sopping wet and muddy after falling through a waterfall or dancing uncontrollably	x	whilst frantically clutching your broom, the people that not only have lived through the very same experiences, but have thrived through those very same experiences, make everything worth it.
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To Be A Fly On The Wall
by Matthew Campbell

From as young as I can remember, people have called me an observer. From some, it was an insult, an insinuation that I would rather sit back and watch than get involved; from others, the word was draped in pity, a sorrow regarding me for not fitting in. Still, I have taken neither the word nor the act to indicate such. Perhaps the world sometimes moves too fast, but to my mind, at least, that gives me all the more reason to sit every once in a while and watch it. To perceive the most miniscule details that others miss and immerse myself in what the world truly is meant to be; an experience. So if this article inspires you to take a step back, do not hesitate or writhe in self-doubt, but embrace those small moments. The ones overlooked, for you never know what you might discover.
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After all, when I chose to observe, I never would have believed I’d discover one of Hogwarts’s most wholesome communities. Stumbling upon an act of selflessness was the true factor that reminded me of the breadth of good we are capable of. Speaking with the founder of ‘Hogwarts Volunteer Club’, Cassie Jiang, was not a planned event. I did not originally intend to write on it. But when presented with such dedication and passion for something so small it felt only right. If you’re anything like myself, my main question for the members was what drove them to volunteer, and Cassie herself gave a most beautiful response:

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❝ ─ ───────────┓ x ─. “These are all tiny acts, but we love lending a hand in those unnoticed corners of the castle… We do this not for attention or praise, but just out of love for our school”. ── x┗─────────── x❞

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xxxxxxxx The hedonistic approach would have had me questioning had I not seen the great depth of work this group performed. Meeting once a month, they selflessly perform many tasks that, while small, cause large ripples, and when things get tedious, Jiang herself prepares games to liven up the chore like hiding keys to a treasure when they cleaned up the owlery. The part goblin has even admitted to making badges for herself in her efforts, a kindness to herself most assuredly.

x

Surely a group as kindhearted as this couldn’t all be so generous, one might declare. Well, I would, in fact, be proven wrong in such an assumption. Group deputy Zephyr Deakin states, “It gives me purpose. I don’t think helping has to be something big to matter. I have learned that even doing simple work can make a huge difference”. A sentiment reinforced by Sabrina Lyons and Ezra Calloway who say, “It shows that people care, that they are willing to do the right thing without reward”, and “Even if you don't get appreciated, it's still a nice thing to do. I feel like we need more good in the world, you know?”

x

In fact each and every member has their own reasons for joining, whether it be Mikaela Hendricks who joined to “leave her mark on Hogwarts”, or Laverne Taylor who views the club as a rewarding social activity, embracing the anonymity. Marcella di Angelo even states that she hopes “to reduce, if not a lot, at least a little portion of the elves' work.” A most noble SPEW cause indeed. xxxxxxxx

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A club with a foundation no greater, no less, than support. These students prove that when you take the time to notice, there are everyday miracles happening all around. So consider joining them by speaking with Cassie and make our world that little bit brighter.

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MUGGLE ITEM PG. 02

PROFESSORS PG. 04

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CAPTAINS PG. 07

MEALS PG. 12

PAGE 10.

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───────────── A Guide in the Dark: Light by Harumi Everdane ─────────────	x	Have you ever tried to find something, but couldn't because it was too dark? A basic problem with a basic solution: turn on the light! The International Day of Light occurs on May 16th of every year, on the anniversary of the first successful laser operation that occurred in 1960.
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x

So, what's a laser? Well, they don't cover that in Hogwarts’ curriculum, do they? It’s highly concentrated light that can reach far distances. One could compare it to Lumos Duo, although it's not exactly the same. However, this article isn't about lasers. So, why are we discussing Muggle technology, then? Well, the International Day of Light aims to appreciate all the amazing things we can do because of the existence of light, and while it focuses primarily on light’s relation to Muggle science, in this article we're going to discuss it from our very own magical perspective! Obviously, you can't see without light (hope that's not new information). That's why we, as wizards, developed the wand lighting charm, “Lumos!” This spell is used daily to guide us through the dark. Obviously, that's not the only thing light is important for.

What's light, anyway, but a tool to ward off darkness, and dark creatures by extension? It's our guide through a world where darkness rules, and without it we'll lose our way. What would you have done without Lumos Duo to solidify that annoying little Hinkypunk? Or normal Lumos, to chase away that scary Gytrash? Those are all variations of light, right? Even the Red Sparks and Green Sparks charms are light-based! What would we do without those, when they’re how we call for help and even attack? Still not convinced of light's importance?	x	I've got more! Plants can't survive without sunlight for photosynthesis, and no plants means no potions, which means you can't brew Pompion Potion! How are you going to find a neat costume for Halloween? What a shame. Well, Pompion Potion isn't exactly the most important potion we'd be unable to make. Wolfsbane, Pepperup Potion, Herbicide, Dreamless Sleep Potion, Wound-Cleaning Potion, and many more would be lost. All potions need plants and herbs one way or another, and without the light of the sun, we wouldn’t have them! Imagine the chaos when a heavily depended-on potion,	x	like Wolfsbane or Pepperup Potion, is no longer an option! Muggles have come to this conclusion as well. Believe it or not, they're just as smart as us. A lot of Muggle science depends on light. They consider its speed. Yeah, light has speed! A constant that you can build physics laws around. Don't ask how that works; just be glad you don't have to study physics instead of astronomy. Believe me, even Muggles barely know how physics works. ─ ❝ ─ ────────┓ x ─. Appreciate having light. ── x┗──────── x❞
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Now are you convinced? If not, just wear a blindfold and walk around. That ought to make you appreciate having light. Maybe I should have made this argument from the beginning, instead of telling you about Muggle science.

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MUGGLE ITEM PG. 02

PROFESSORS PG. 04

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CAPTAINS PG. 07

MEALS PG. 12