The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #50

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The Delicate Art of Crafting Beetle Earrings and Gift Giving by Archer Duncan

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One man’s trash is another one’s treasure. One creature’s death is another creature’s life.

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An avid collector of beetles and an erudite observer of their behaviour, I have the confidence to deem myself a Coleoptera connoisseur, and while most of my specimens remain in my case, proudly on display as the centrepiece of my dormitory, a rare few—and the especially beautiful ones—serve a different purpose. I select the ones with the most vivid of colours, and a size just perfect enough to become wearable atop someone's ears. Someone, dear to your heart, to wear the body of another.

===================== NOTE: If you wish to lay your hands on some quality supplies for your beetle earring-making endeavours, I am always willing to sell duplicates from my collection at a reasonable price.

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Practically, the steps are simple to follow. First, one must prepare one’s beetle. Ensure your beetle is dried. Some may enjoy their beetles intact, but the legs are brittle, and the head interrupts the dome shape of the body, so some may opt to remove these parts. One can replace them with gold, or jewels. I personally enjoy the former for the legs and the latter for the head; other adornments, though, are also welcome. Second, glue one’s beetle, now prepared, to the bezel cup—any standard jewellery glue will do for this step. Third, connect the bezel to the earring’s hook. A jump ring can be used, as long as it is securely closed. Finally, brush clear resin or varnish over the beetle. This is meant to serve as protection and to prevent the skin from chipping. It is highly important that resin or varnish is applied thoroughly and cleanly. ──────────────────────────────────

Of much greater importance, however, is the heart behind the action. Beetle earrings are not just the product of pouring out effort through crafting, but the exchange of the energy that flows through lifeforms. I have never been much of a gift-giver, solely because I thought the transaction of material objects was trivial and meaningless. Yet when I first came across the idea of beetle earrings, it immediately followed me throughout my day—not only because I can make something with my hands to show my appreciation, but because it meant the transcendence of one being’s life into another, fuelling another’s day even after their death. It is why I always source my beetles ethically, and give them meaning after their natural passing. ====================== Do not give gifts rashly; this goes both ways. Do not choose a recipient without thought, and do not choose a present without meaning. There is a sacred ritual in the act of gift-giving, one that cannot be replaced by calculations of material wealth.

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─ ❝ ─ ──────────┓ ─. Beetle earrings are not just the product of pouring out effort through crafting, but the exchange of the energy that flows through lifeform. x x┗────────── x❞ While it may be commonplace to offer trinkets upon meeting, farewell, birthdays, or events, there is no point outside of socially imposed norms we are forced to accept to deliver to people who do not deserve them. While presents small in scale—earrings, keychains, and the like—do not make them any less important, mass-produced, or gifts that do not carry stories and heart behind them, are worse than no gifts at all. They are an excuse. Pin down your choices wisely—an action too widespread among people, and an action too devoid of personal significance will lose meaning.

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So, to whoever receives my next creation, know that you occupy a special place in my heart.

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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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Magical & Muggle Meals: Cauldron Cakes
by Aly Salinger

Anyone in their third year or older remembers fondly the experience of walking into Honeydukes for the first time. From the brilliantly painted pastel green exterior and displays of dancing candyfloss in the windows, to the brightly coloured boxes lining each wall all the way to the ceiling, the gentle smell of sugar in the air, and the mechanical face of Caractacus the Candy Conjurer just inside the ──────────────── xx door to greet you, it’s a wonderful experience from the moment you step indoors. xxGetting further into the shop you’ll find a tasty display of Fizzing Whizzbees that’ll have you floating on air, a magical Doxy Floss maker spinning a humongous spiral of candy-floss, and the bowl of Elephant-on-a-Bicycle candies that… well, I’ll let you taste those yourselves and find out! Whether it’s your first ────────────────

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time at Honeydukes or your thirty-seventh, this place never gets old, with its sweet delicacies and rainbow posters. xxThe poster for Mrs. Qizilbash’s Cauldron Cakes boasting ‘Quality Confectionery’, found near the counter, has always fascinated me. As the plump Mrs. Qizilbash stares down her competition—the redheaded siren on the poster selling Alihotsy Fudge—she uses her wand to conjure, from a bubbling cauldron, a vanilla delicacy. I’ve always loved this poster and how delectable the cauldron cake looks even on paper, although I must admit I’m partial to the chocolate ones. Though Cauldron Cakes are found at any magical bakery or sweets-shoppe worldwide, you can also make them yourself! ────────────────

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Cauldron Cakes
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Serves: 12
Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients (Cake): ▫ 12 miniature cauldrons (*cupcake tin) ▫ 1 ½ cups Wizarding Wheat Self-Charmed Flour (*all-purpose flour) ▫ 1 cup sugar from a Sugar Shrub (*granulated white sugar) ▫ 1 cup dragon buttermilk (*cow buttermilk) ▫ ⅓ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder ▫ ½ teaspoon salt ▫ 1 teaspoon baking soda ▫ 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar ▫ ⅓ cup vegetable oil ▫ 1 occamy egg (*chicken egg) ▫ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Ingredients (Icing): ▫ 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix ▫ 2 cups cold dragon milk (*cow milk) ▫ Green food colouring ▫ Edible pearls

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* Muggle alternative.

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Directions
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𝟭| Set your oven to pre-heat at regulo 3 (175°C / 350°F) and, if you are utilising a Muggle cupcake tin, line your dozen holes with parchment cupcake linings. 𝟮| In a larger mixing cauldron, whisk together your flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Ensure that the mixture is properly homogenous and that there are no clumps. 𝟯| In a second mixing cauldron, thoroughly whisk together your buttermilk, oil, egg, vanilla extract, and vinegar. 𝟰| Whisk together the contents of the two cauldrons until thin and loose, without any dry clumps. Divide the newly-mixed batter into twelve portions amongst your miniature cauldrons (*lined cupcake tin). 𝟱| Bake for around 20 minutes until your wandtip, when inserted into the centre of one cake, comes out ──────────────────────────

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clean, perhaps with a few small crumbs. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. 𝟲| Meanwhile, in a third mixing cauldron, whisk together instant pudding mix, milk, and a few drops of your food colouring. Continue whisking for about 2 minutes, then allow to set in a cold place (icebox recommended) for at least 5 minutes. 𝟳| When your cakes have cooled, carve out a well in the centre of each cake with a small spoon, allowing for a ridge surrounding the well. Spoon cooled green pudding mixture into each well. You can overfill these a little to achieve that perfect green Cauldron Cake look with their messy tops! Top with edible pearls. 𝟴| Serve chilled and, as always, try to eat neatly—though we all know that getting a bit of green on your clothes is part of the fun with Cauldron Cakes! ──────────────────────────

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MUGGLE ITEM PG. 02

PROFESSORS PG. 04

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CAPTAINS PG. 07

MEALS PG. 12