The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #32

PAGE 02.

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While there’s still a good few months before the weather really starts to warm up and become truly habitable for those of us who prefer the outdoors to the warmth and (debatable) safety of the castle, the snow is finally starting to melt here in Scotland, and with it slowly but surely comes the return of some of the many outdoor activities that have been more difficult to experience in the winter-time. Some of the most exciting, for me personally, are the upcoming meteor showers that will be visiting us in April and May.	xx	I reached out to resident meteor shower expert and newly hired Astronomy professor, Gargamel Starwise, to tell us about what we can expect from these upcoming x ──────────── Spring Stargazing By Rebecca Lark ──────────── astronomical events. ~Hullo, Professor Starwise! Thanks for meeting with me today! Could you tell me – and, uh, the readers, I guess - what exactly a meteor shower is?
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Ah! Meteor showers are, perhaps apart from the approach of a planet-killing asteroid, one of the most spectacular sights the night sky has to offer! Basically, a meteor shower is nothing more than a	xx	veritable "shower" of particles, not unlike sleet or hail! In fact, meteor showers were at one time thought to be atmospheric in nature, like rain, snow or sleet. It wasn't until the 19th century that it was	xx	determined that these "storms" originate in space. And that origin is usually the debris trail of a comet as it orbits around the Sun. .
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	xx	So, meteor showers come from comets, then? What is a comet, Professor? Comets are generally ball-shaped aggregations of dust, rock and various kinds of ice — water, ammonia and the like. As a comet nears the Sun, it heats up and small chunks can break off forming the coma or tail of the comet. The coma is comprised of small bits of comet material, most being no larger than a grain of sand, though they can be quite larger!	xx	If the comets only break up near the Sun, though, how can we see meteor showers here on Earth? When the Earth passes through such debris fields, these tiny bits, or meteors, become trapped in Earth's gravity and they fall towards the surface. As they interact with the denser atmosphere, they heat up. They become so hot that they begin to radiate light! The streaks of light we see are the meteors burning up. Most of them disintegrate high up in the atmosphere.
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Only the largest chunks ever have a hope of striking the surface, and some of these are quite famous! We have two different meteor showers coming our way soon, what would you say the best way to enjoy them is? Hm. I believe the very best way to enjoy a meteor shower is to get several friends together, very early in the morning or late at night when the sky is darkest. If you live in a muggle city, good luck seeing anything! There's too much light and too much noise! Go out into the country, far away from cities and towns.	xx	A little planning — learning what night and time are best viewing for your location and then checking local weather reports will ensure the best time to see a meteor shower. Find a nice field or hilltop to spread out some blankets and enjoy the show! Meteors whiz along far too fast to be seen by a telescope, so lying down and looking up is the only way to go! Bring some hot chocolate, some snacks to share and you and your friends will be sure to enjoy a marvellous phenomenon of Nature! The first meteor shower that lucky stargazers will be able to see is the Lyrid meteor shower, which will be visible for the second half of April, from the 14th to
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the 30th. It will hit its peak, though, on the night of April 22nd to the early hours of April 23rd, so if you’re planning to watch, you’ll first have to suffer the unholy indignity of getting up long before the Sun. If you do manage to wake up for it, though, you’ll get to make so many shooting-star wishes. Our second meteor shower will be taking place from April 19th to May 28th, so you’ll have loads of time to catch a glimpse! The absolute best time to see it though will be on May 6th, between midnight and dawn. It will be low in the sky for us here in Scotland, so make sure that if you’ve got your eyes on the skies, you’re looking in the right place! Whether you decide to view the upcoming meteor showers by yourself, with some friends, or make a proper party out of it, they are sure to be some spectacular nights. Try not to miss them! ──────────────────────────────────────

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Spring Stargazing PG. 02

Meet the Captains PG. 03

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Life After Hogwarts Pt.2 PG. 04

Duelling Dust Bunnies PG. 05

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┏ ┗

Meet the Captains A New Year of Duelling by Alyssea Brown

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With the new school year comes changes and new faces, and not just a fresh set of first years. In addition to changes to administration and staff, new captains are also roaming about. Quidditch remained the same while racing saw two new captains rise to the challenge. In the duelling scene, all the houses have a new captain in their ranks. In this article, we managed to interview two of the new captains: Piérre Marchonné of Gryffindor and Lea Hirsch of Hufflepuff.

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===== ┏ ┗ ┓ ┛ ===== Piérre Marchonné is a fifth-year student known for being unpredictable, both on and off the piste, and is quite the showman in whatever situation he finds himself in. He also wears different house colours depending on the day.	xx	===== ┏ ┗ ┓ ┛ ===== Lea Hirsch, a fourth year, is a quick-witted and dependable leader among the Hufflepuffs, having been on the Blazing Badgers since the sport's establishment. Even outside of Hufflepuff, she is known for her duelling passion and prowess.
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Unfortunately, Ravenclaw captain Cassius Eden was unable to be interviewed, but the new captain taking over for Robin Monroe will, hopefully, be able to spare some time at a later date to chat with us. As for Slytherin captain Opeila Winters, she is also a prefect and is quite busy. She will also be joining the new Ravenclaw captain in the next issue.

For now, here is some insight into these new captains.

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x─────────────────x What do you love about being a duelling captain? x─────────────────x Piérre: (flourishes jazz hands) Commentatingggg! Showmanship is half the sport; we are the entertainers here, after all. I want to sell you the match just as much as you want to watch six teenagers beat each other into a bloody pulp for the sake of "House Pride"! (sarcasm air-quotes included) Lea: There's quite the list: strategizing, helping out my teammates, being able to see both their progress and my own, the new perspective of overlooking other duels, and collaborating with both my fellow Hufflepuff captains and other houses' captains. Even the paperwork isn't so bad─ Wonder what paperwork goes down in the captains’ office… Probably hospital wing reports, considering Piérre is right about watching six teenagers throwing spells at each other until three (or more) of them drop. x─────────────────x Here's a question that can be considered controversial: why is duelling the best sport? x─────────────────x Piérre: It's quite practical. We practise spells that we will use in life after school, especially those of us who are aspiring towards more

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combative lifestyles. Looking at you, Aurors and Hitwizards. It also forces you to heighten your pain threshold and to invent ways to handle and mend your injuries: you'll get burnt, shocked, bludgeoned, and frozen... all in a matter of seconds to minutes! Lea: It's not even a competition that duelling is the best. It has strategy and teamwork while also allowing you to individually test your skills both in spellwork and coordination. Plus, you generally get to keep both of your feet on land ─ quite the plus. For those that do broom sports, you might disagree, but there is no doubt that all the sports have their own high level of risk. x─────────────────x Classic duellist question: what is your favourite spell and why? x─────────────────x Piérre: Probably either Nec Crepitus Divinos or Protego. I like the Cracker Jinx because it's quite pretty and has a mean damage splashzone, and I like the Shield Charm because it's always fun to turn an opponent's spells right back at them. Time it right, and it'll teach anyone to think twice before a concentrated attack! Lea: The Blasting Curse currently. While I enjoy the spells I have learned and grasped in class, teaching a spell to yourself has a greater pride and connection to it. I'm sure, though, that my answer

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will change as I learn more spells and see them in action. All exciting spells and ones you don't generally see in the junior leagues. The senior leagues are more exciting with their wider repertoire of spells. It can also be the most confusing set of matches if you don't pay attention. x─────────────────x If you were faced by a younger you right now, what would you like to tell them? x─────────────────x Piérre: Cunning over might. Every time. And the bigger they are... the harder they will always fall. Keep your wits about you, on and off the stage. An interesting closing statement from Gryffindor's captain. One might have to reconsider their strategy against this jester. Lea: Wow, that's... I think, "It might seem strange now, but you will find your place ─ and be open to new ideas or opportunities." Also, studies are important, don't forget that. Studies are definitely important, and not just as a duellist. If you're considering trying out for your house's duelling team, take Lea's advice and try it out! It might end up being your sport. x─────────────────x

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Spring Stargazing PG. 02

Meet the Captains PG. 03

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Life After Hogwarts Pt.2 PG. 04

Duelling Dust Bunnies PG. 05

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┏ ┗ Life After Hogwarts #3: Athletics by Serena J. Towers ┓ ┛ For all of you sports players out there, there is another very obvious path that might be of interest to you. However, this path is actually for anyone who may be even remotely interested in sports. You do not have to be good at sports to have a career in it – you simply need to be passionate and care about it.	xx	If you are a duellist, broom racer or Quidditch player then you can make a career by going into the sport. This would be determined by your talent, skill and the amount of experience you have. However, it is certainly possible to go from simply aspiring to be a player to becoming a national superstar. This path is not easy, of course, and requires real talent in the sport to get picked. Most sports have leagues. The lower leagues are easier to get into, but through practice, hard work and skill, you can move up the ranks. Not everyone will become a national player, but if you stick to it, you could get the physical skill required to be something great in your chosen field.
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Did you know that it is possible to succeed in the muggle world too? Whilst they don’t have magical duels, Quidditch games or broom races, they do have a huge variety of muggle sports. If you enjoy one of those sports then why not look to become an athlete in the muggle world? You could gain fame and money through that method just as easily as you could through the wizarding world! At Hogwarts, we have several clubs related to muggle sports and if there isn’t one of interest already, you could make your own! Why not try your hand at archery, gymnastics, martial arts, football, swimming or any other muggle sport that takes your fancy?	xx	If fame and glory don’t motivate you or you choose to take a break or simply change your mind, you could change your path to become a referee or personal trainer. Referees are vital in every game, and usually, their word is the law. Becoming a referee is not easy – if you make a wrong call, you will face the wrath of many. Sometimes you will face that wrath even if you make the right call, as people will always see what they want to see (fans can be biased!). If you’re good under pressure though, know the rules of the game well and put your bias aside to judge fairly, then this could be the career path for you!	xx	The sports world is competitive but people can make a career for themselves even if they don’t play any sports. For those interested in radio, you could consider becoming a commentator in the sports world! All you have to do is be willing to watch a lot of sports games and talk about them. If you like sports and talking then this might be the role for you! It may even lead to hosting your own radio show one day.
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Instead of becoming a player, perhaps aspire to coach your own team? Managers are responsible for the entire team and gain fame through the collective team’s wins.	xx	Becoming an athlete is not easy by any means, though. It requires literal sweat – and possibly tears and blood. Through hard work, you may become incredibly successful. The risk of injury or not getting a role on your favourite team is possible but even if you stop playing, you can quickly make a name for yourself through coaching or managing a team. I may be biased, but one of the greatest moments of my life was hearing my name being called out by the commentator at the London Quidditch Stadium as we brought home yet another trophy. For a sports player, there is no greater feeling than that. But if you aren’t into sports, I’ll be back next time with research on another career path for you! For now, this is Serena J. Towers – over and out.
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Spring Stargazing PG. 02

Meet the Captains PG. 03

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Life After Hogwarts Pt.2 PG. 04

Duelling Dust Bunnies PG. 05

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	xx	Duelling Dust Bunnies by Rebecca Lark Spring is here, and we all know what that means! After many long months of winter, it’s time to sort through all the rubbish you accumulated when there wasn’t much to do except collect more rubbish. It’s a beautiful cycle, really.	xx	Some of us have more useless knick-knacks and long-hoarded junk than others – not me, of course, and it’s proper rude of you to accuse me of this – and it can be difficult to know where to start. Taking on the long and arduous task of cleaning and organising can seem daunting, but the fruits of this labour are often especially sweet. If you’re looking to get your life in order, it can help to start with your belongings and living space.
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The fruits of this labour are often especially sweet.

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If you’re struggling to find an entry point when it comes to your spring cleaning goals, worry not! I’ve sought out the experts and assembled the following tips and tricks for you: Step 1: Go in with a plan. You probably have an “ultimate goal” when it comes to your spring-cleaning aspirations. If you don’t, now’s the perfect time to set one! Keeping your eyes on the prize can help you see it through to the end, and can also assist you in setting small, achievable goals along the way. A checklist is helpful for this, as it allows you to keep track of your future cleaning goals whilst also allowing you to visibly see all of the progress you’ve made!	xx	Step 2: Come prepared. It’s so easy to find fun new reasons to procrastinate. Certainly more fun than actually cleaning! One easy distraction that can get in our way is lacking important supplies and having to break your concentration flow to go out and retrieve the necessary materials. Cleaning with magic definitely makes this easier as it eliminates the need for most cleaning supplies, but it’s still a good idea to ready in advance anything you might need, whether that means having clean sheets ready to go, or just having shelves prepared to hold your newly organised trinkets.	xx	Step 3: De-stress and declutter. Deciding what to keep and what to bin can be very difficult and emotionally draining. Sometimes the things we own can have more sentimental value to us than actual functionality, and the emotions we invest in said objects can serve as a debilitating obstacle when it comes to the decluttering process. Sometimes traditional decluttering methods instruct us to throw out items of sentimental value if we’re not using them, but this can be counterproductive. If our goal with spring cleaning is to make a happier, more livable space, then the things we love should absolutely have a place in this process. My thirteen different coloured moonballs are actually integral to my health and well-being, and I refuse to throw them away.
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"Does this spark joy?"

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The professional muggle organising consultant Marie Kondo has a really lovely method for deciding what to keep and what to toss. For each object that you’re struggling to decide the fate of, ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” If it makes you happier to have it than not, keep it. But if it isn’t bringing you joy in your day-to-day life, then into the bin it goes. Good luck in all of your spring-cleaning ventures! Was I using the writing of this article to avoid doing my own spring cleaning? Maybe so! But that’s none of your business, so stay on your own broom. Regardless, you’ve got this! Go out there and get cleaning, and if you find anything cool when you’re cleaning out your trunk, consider sending it my way. Sources: https://konmari.com/marie-kondo-rules-o ... parks-joy/ https://www.thespruce.com/spring-cleani ... st-1900106	xx
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Spring Stargazing PG. 02

Meet the Captains PG. 03

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Life After Hogwarts Pt.2 PG. 04

Duelling Dust Bunnies PG. 05

PAGE 06.

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How to Know When Someone is Lying
By Hannah Blossom

Knowing when someone is lying is very simple, you just have to be observant and calm. It might take a while to suspect when someone is lying, but once you do, you need to watch out for a few things.

Consider these things before coming to any conclusions:

The Body. The first thing you have to observe is their face; are they smiling or laughing? That might be a clue. Now look at their eyes; are they looking directly at your eyes or are they looking at something besides you? That might be another clue. Is the person sweating a lot? More than usual? That’s a sign as well, because usually when someone is lying, their heartbeat isn’t normal, it’s faster than usual. The Story. Next, you must observe if their story makes sense, or do they seem like they’re adding too many details? Most liars make up a story and add so many details and often, people believe them. They could even take a real story and add many details to it which makes them not lie, but bend the truth.	xxx
	xxx	Behaviour. Their body language is key. Are they fidgeting or is their voice different from normal? Is there a shift from their usual behaviour? Were they all quiet and then suddenly they started talking about something? Those could be signs that someone is lying. But, pay attention, sometimes they aren’t lying and are just nervous. Changes to the Story. Are they correcting or changing the story or adding more and more details to their story? Are they saying words like “I mean…” “Actually…” “Oh and I also…”? Are they responding quickly? Too quickly? For example, are they not even thinking about their replies? Are they leaving out a very important detail? Like, for example, if they told you they wanted to tell you a story about them colouring their hair, they forgot to include what colour they painted it. The might seem kind of confusing, but it’ll also kind of make sense. Observe if they are repeating the same words or, even better, the same story. Most liars forget the words they said previously and don’t hesitate to say the same thing.
Finding the Truth! Those are a few things which you have to take notice of while trying to catch a liar in the act of trying to know if someone said something that is not necessarily true. But, you can also do a few things to help find out if the person is lying or not! Questions? Things as simple as asking questions can help you find out the truth. However, don’t ask too many questions, or else the person will think that your conversation is a police investigation, which is obviously not true. They might not show it, but they are surely thinking about this.	xxx

Also, you must be careful, as the person might end up getting suspicious as to why you are asking so many questions and they could stop talking to you and come up with an excuse to stop speaking to you. Imagine if they were saying the truth, would they say it the same way as they are speaking, or would they say something different? Ask yourself this. Would they use different wording? Would they add less details? More details? Think about this for a second.

Next, if they mention someone you know who was involved, don’t be shy, go ahead and ask that person! They might be able to help you find out the actual truth. Even if you’ve never talked to the person, ask them anyway, if you aren’t too shy.

Keep Calm! If you figure out if the person is lying, do not confront them! They might get extremely mad or upset. What you should do is, the next time you guys talk, leave hints that you know what they said isn’t the truth. Also, you shouldn’t confront them because what they told you could be the truth too, but you don’t know.

The truth to figuring out if someone is actually lying or if they are actually speaking the truth is observing their behaviour, their posture and asking not too many questions. You must be careful, and just go with the flow. Remember to always trust your gut.

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Spring Stargazing PG. 02

Meet the Captains PG. 03

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Life After Hogwarts Pt.2 PG. 04

Duelling Dust Bunnies PG. 05