The Hogwarts Headliner
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The Hogwarts Headliner
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #17
Plain text issue below:
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Meet the Hexwiz Champions by Dealla Prince
Ever since its announcement several weeks ago, the Hexwizard Tournament has easily been the hottest topic around school. Which school will win, that is the question in the future, but for the moment, another one was much more urgent: Who will represent the schools?
For the last few weeks, students from each school had the opportunity to put their name into the Goblet of Fire, the magical artefact that traditionally chooses the Champions. How does the Goblet know which name is the most suited to compete? Is the choice in the end a random one? We may never know, but its choices seem to have made sense in the past.
Now, after a choosing ceremony that did not go quite as expected (everyone who was there knows what I mean), we finally have our six champions - five traditionally chosen, and one who somehow slipped into it. In the following, I am happy to present the Hexwizard Champions, starting with a profile (including their Zodiac for those interested in their astrological compatibility with our Champions), a small Q&A, and finally, an assessment of their skills and the threat they present in the tournament. Let’s get started - with Hogwarts’ very own Champion.
THE HUMBLE HEARTTHROB
Representing Hogwarts
PROFILE
Name: Howard White
Age: 15
Year: Fifth
Height: Very tall (Approx. 6’0’’-6’1’’)
Build: Athletic
Zodiac: Cancer
Skills: Quidditch (Chaser), knowledge of plants and creatures, physically strong and fast
Q&A
Q: Did you expect you’d be chosen to represent Hogwarts?
A: No, not really. [...] I thought it would choose one of the older students, like a 6th or 7th year, or someone that wasn't a half-breed. It’s supposed to be a tournament to see who the best witch or wizard is, so I thought it would choose someone that was a full-blood or whatever they call themselves.
Q: Do you already know who you want on your team to help you snatch the trophy?
A: I got a few friends that I know are gonna join me for sure. I wouldn't have anyone else by my side regardless of skill. Maybe have some of my Quidditch teammates join me since we are already used to workin' together, but I dunno. Maybe I'll just have an open audition or something for the remaining spots.
ASSESSMENT
Call me biased, but I do think that Hogwarts is sending a very strong contender into the race Of course, age isn’t everything, but having more experience on your side is not a bad thing, either. Despite Howard’s doubts about being the best man for the job, I do not think that being the best wizard is necessarily the point of the tournament. I expect they will be testing teamwork, and strategy, and he can always choose people who balance his own skills for his team. In my opinion, Howard will do well as the leader of his team.
Threat Level: High
THE TACTICAL THUNDERBIRD
Representing Ilvermorny
PROFILE
Name: Miles Riley Thatcher
Age: 13
Year: Second
Ilvermorny House: Thunderbird
Height: Tall (Approx. 5’6’’-5’10’’)
Build: Slim to normal, presumably strong
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Skills: Quidditch player (Beater), analytic mind, adventurous
Q&A
Q: Did you expect you’d be chosen to represent Ilvermorny?
A: I'm sure the Goblet had a time deciding the champion for Ilvermorny. We're gifted with some of the best of the best in the wizarding world. Did I expect my name? Well, I figured I was a likely candidate with my love of adventure.
Q: Does it worry you at all that in the last tournament, a student died?
A: If it were easy, it wouldn't be much of a challenge now, would it?
ASSESSMENT
Miles seems easy-going but confident, and not afraid of a challenge. He is among the younger champions, although not the youngest, and very much ready to face whatever the tournament will throw at him. He also shows high confidence in his peers, which bodes well for his team. As a Beater, he is physically in shape, and lists logical thinking and a sense for adventure as his own strengths. It may be hard to tell just from a short conversation, but I feel like Miles might be a threat to watch out for.
Threat Level: Medium-high
THE BOISTEROUS BRUTE
Representing Durmstrang
PROFILE
Name: Yefim Rumyantsev
Age: 15
Year: Fourth (Note: Durmstrang students start school at age 10)
Height: Average to tall (Approx. 5’5’’-5’8’’)
Build: Broad, brawny
Zodiac: “Legend” (self-proclaimed)
Skills: Strength, speed, impressive confidence
Q&A*
Q: Do you already know who you want on your team to help you snatch the trophy?
A: Mostly. For this tournament, it is best to have people who trust each other perfectly. My followers would die for me, as I would die for them. We will inherit Earth.**
Q: In the last tournament almost thirty years ago, a student died. Does this worry you at all?
A: It sounds like they were weak. If I die in this tournament, I will return and still win. Death is just another challenge to overcome.
*Answers have been transposed to correct English as accurately as possible.
**Possibly a Russian proverb. I have not been able to find its meaning.
ASSESSMENT
From his claims about being destined to be Durmstrang’s champions to his announcement that he will show no mercy to his competition that their fate is already sealed, Yefim shows nothing but a megalomaniac level of belief that he will win the tournament no matter what, as not even death can stop him. Yet beyond being built like a bulldozer, Yefim has little to back up this claim. Should he find team members able to provide the brain to his brawn, he might prove a threat, but would students like that be willing to follow him?
Threat Level: Medium
THE TALKATIVE TROUBLEMAKER
Representing Mahoutokoro
PROFILE
Name: Aryaan Shamsi
Age: 11
Year: First
Height: Short (Approx. 4’8’’-4’11’’)
Build: Average
Zodiac: Cancer
Skills: Quidditch (Seeker), Ballsports (Football, Volleyball), a tendency to disregard rules
Q&A
Q: What do you think about the unorthodox way you were chosen to represent Mahoutokoro?
A: Goblet this, rules that. I don’t understand this kinda stupid talk. You all think I’m less qualified just because I’m younger! Well, I’ll show you. Just because I’m young doesn’t mean squat! I’ve got good people around me. The best! And we’ll show everyone what Mahoutokoro is capable of!
Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: Hey. Look. This is about showing off what we all can do, and about having fun. If you could all just calm down and enjoy the tasks, instead of making this about honour and breeding and prestige and whatnot, that’d be great.
ASSESSMENT
Far be it from me to dismiss someone due to their age alone, or the fact that their name wasn’t spat out by a magical Goblet. Many different factors will come into play when deciding the winner of the Hexwizard tournament, skill, wit, and choice of team members are only some examples. Aryaan comes across as confident in both his skills and his peers, without resorting to empty boasts. A bit of investigation also brought to light that he does not shy away from bending rules sometimes, which might come in handy - as long as he does not bend them so far as to get disqualified first. Still, his attitude of wanting to simply have fun when others come prepared to die (or kill) does little to convince me he will emerge as the victor of this tournament.
Threat Level: Medium
THE INNOCENT INTELLECTUAL
Representing Koldovstoretz
PROFILE
Name: Rodion Stepanov Makarovich
Age: 13
Year: Second
Height: Average (Approx. 5’2’’-5’4’’)
Build: Average
Zodiac: Aquarius
Skills: Duellist, knitting
Q&A
Q: Did you expect you’d be chosen to represent Koldovstoretz?
A: I actually didn't expect it at all since I am just a regular student and nothing special. But I am really grateful for the opportunity.
Q: Is there any particular type of challenge you’re hoping for during the tournament?
A: Quiz surrounding the wizarding world, perhaps? I'm kidding. But yes, quiz. Or maybe just a general knowledge quiz.
ASSESSMENT
I am fairly certain that I am not the only one who is surprised by a champion who describes himself as nothing special and then goes on about his love for knitting - at length. Then again, Rodion’s innocent demeanour may be a ploy… but I doubt it. He also expresses the simple and naive hope that ‘nothing bad will happen this time’, but perhaps I am just jaded from the long list of disasters that Hogwarts has seen in the years since I have been here. Still, unless he surprises me and starts stabbing competitors with his knitting needles, Rodion does not seem to have the edge that will be required to fight his way to the top of this tournament.
Threat Level: Medium-low
THE ELUSIVE ENIGMA
Representing Beauxbatons
PROFILE
Name: Angélique Colette de Clairmont
Age: 14
Year: Third
Height: Short
Build: Athletic
Zodiac: Unknown
Skills: Broom Racing
(No) Q&A: Angélique was not available for an interview.
ASSESSMENT
Angélique is the only champion I have not been able to snatch for an interview. This makes her a bit of an unknown variable, as my research has not given me much. She is on the Beauxbatons broom racing team, and was the one who decided the inter school race last summer in favour of her team, which suggests that she is a very capable racer. Will this be helpful for the upcoming tournament? It is hard to tell, but it certainly doesn’t speak against her. I get the feeling that she might be a dangerous competitor, despite her short stature.
Threat Level: High
Of course, it is very early to be making predictions for the outcome of the Hexwizard Tournament, but the Champions will be central pieces for the success of their school. The upcoming months will be important, as each Champion has the privilege (and responsibility) to pick their own team, the one they think will give them the best chance at winning… or to have fun with, depending on their priorities. Once there is more to report, you will be able to read about it in future Headliner issues.
History of Hexwizard by Koko Riddle
If you're perhaps new to the wizarding world or in desperate need of a refresher of Hogwarts history, you might be wondering exactly what Hexwizard is. "Hexwizard" is a twist on the wording of the original Triwizard Tournament, which was founded in the late 1200s as a way to encourage friendly competition between students of different nationalities. Back then, the three largest European Schools of Magic gathered together and devised tasks for their school champions. The winner of the tournament received bragging rights and one thousand galleons.
Just like today, champions were picked by the Goblet of Fire, a magical goblet in which students would submit their names. The Goblet was intended to be impartial. It wouldn’t favour Ravenclaw, for instance, and it would pick only one Champion per school. These champions were tested on intelligence, magical ability, and bravery, since often the tasks were fairly dangerous. Some tasks have included dragons, mazes, and deep diving.
The games were suspended in the late 1700s due to the mounting death toll. While it was fine to go out in a blaze of glory, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and of course, our Hogwarts, still required students to teach—not just athletic champions.
In the 1990s, the tournament was revived with new restrictions in place. For instance, all applicants were required to be at least seventeen years old. However, an adult, Barty Crouch Jr., put in an application for a fourth year, the now infamous Harry Potter. As many students likely know, the 1994-1995 Triwizard Tournament ended with the death of Hogwarts' Hufflepuff champion, sixth-year Cedric Diggory, and the revival of Voldemort.
Nowadays, the Hexwizard Tournament is being brought back into play, hopefully with even more safety restrictions. More schools will be involved—Ilvermorny in the US, Mahoutokoro in Japan, and Koldovstoretz in Russia will join the original three schools of Beauxbatons, Durmstrang and Hogwarts in the tournament.
Castelobruxo in Brazil and Uagadou in Uganda have declined to enter the tournament, citing a belief that this may go as badly as the previous 1990s Triwizard Tournament. Compared to the 90s, the world is safer now and many students still yearn for glory. At this time, it is likely that the tournament will proceed as planned in spite of concerns.
A Critical Review of S.C.A.R by Dealla Prince
If you have paid a little attention to recent events, listened to the steadily churning rumour mill with half an ear, or opened a newspaper such as the Daily Prophet within the last two years, it is likely you have heard the name S.C.A.R.
Short for Squib Committee Advocating Rights, S.C.A.R. started out as an organisation of (partially mixed race) Squibs fighting for their right to be included as full members of magical society. Yet, over the years, their name has started to be associated with terrorist attacks and death, a rhetoric spread through the news with often little to no evidence.
How did an organisation with such noble goals end up being seen as the villain? Is this reputation justified? To answer these questions, I tried breaking down a heavily emotional topic to its bare facts and building up from there, starting with a timeline of S.C.A.R. and its activities over the past few years.
Dec 2019 First mentions of S.C.A.R. in the papers as a group of young Squibs organising peaceful sit-ins and demonstrations for Squib rights.
Jan 2020 Self-proclaimed S.C.A.R. members kill twelve wizards in the Leaky Cauldron in London. No official statement from the leaders of S.C.A.R. confirming or denying the organisation’s involvement has been published.
Increasing tensions between pure-blood families and the population of Squibs and other races become visible when the union between the pure-blood Hildebrand Rosier and part-Veela Lala Lagueux is announced. S.C.A.R. members voice their support of the pair.
Mar 2020 S.C.A.R. is blamed for the fire that burned down the Yaxley estate in London, despite their leaders denying involvement. Some pure-blood aristocrats such as Thaddeus Athanatos speak out in support of the organisation.
The Daily Prophet publishes increasingly explicit anti half-breed rhetorics, labelling all dhampirs and werewolves as dangerous, and claiming that part-goblins sully Hogwarts’ reputation.
Jul 2020 A peaceful meeting of S.C.A.R. members in a bookstore in London is interrupted when an angry crowd sets the bookstore on fire. The incident is never reported in the news, and many people still do not know about it.
Jan 2021 The Hogwarts Express is attacked by men claiming to be S.C.A.R. and demanding the students hand over their wands. The incident escalates, leading to an explosion. Badly injured students are rescued by Thaddeus Athanatos. The attackers vanish mysteriously.
Aug 2021 Dervish & Banges in Hogsmeade is the target of a terrorist attack. Seven Koldovstoretz students die. Rumours blame S.C.A.R. without any evidence.
Feb 2022 Tensions between pure-bloods and Squibs escalate. The Daily Prophet reports an altercation between S.C.A.R. members and wizards that allegedly led to vandalism by a part-giant S.C.A.R. member. The article contains blatantly anti-half-breed speech, claiming them untrustworthy of wands and magic.
Mar 2022 S.C.A.R. changes their name to S.C.A.R.A.B., which is short for Stump’s Coalition Advocating Rights for All Beings, named after the Minister of Magic Grogan Stump (in office 1811-1819), who set the definition of being as “any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws.” The coalition now has members from a variety of different races, all of which are represented on their small council, which includes seats for goblins, hags, vampires, giants, werewolves, and squibs.
The Noxwatch is founded as a city watch based in Diagon Alley. It is a result of discussions between the Ministry and S.C.A.R.A.B. representatives, tasked with keeping the city safe for all races. Carnelian Wellbeloved, a well-known member of S.C.A.R.A.B., is appointed Captain.
Portrayed like this, it becomes obvious how heavily distorted the incidents have been by the lense of those reporting them.
Many of the terrors that S.C.A.R. is blamed for do not make sense. For example, if the attackers on the Hogwarts Express were Squibs, how did they vanish without a trace? When asked about their involvement in the explosion in Hogsmeade, a S.C.A.R. member pointed out that the dead were mostly half-blood and Muggle-born students, which was easily confirmed. What benefit would the organisation have from such an attack? Should we not question why those with Muggle family were targeted?
There are those in the organisation that have undoubtedly gone to extremes to prove their point. Still, should all members be condemned for the sins of the few, ignoring the good they are trying to accomplish?
I will dig deeper into S.C.A.R.A.B., their goals, and what they can be blamed for, and hope to report more in our next issue.
New Duellists on the Scene by Willow Anderson
Disclaimer: These interviews were done last September.
I met up and interviewed some of the latest duellists on the scene of Hogwarts! As someone who has been duelling for a while and is a captain, I wanted to get the opinions of some fresh faces to see what they thought! If you think you might like duelling, join your House's duelling team today! Keep reading to hear from Hanako Tone and Piper Clark from Slytherin, Samantha Salwis from Ravenclaw, and Julian Pritchard from Hufflepuff!
What made you interested in duelling?
Piper - Watching the older duellists has inspired me to pave my own way in casting and I want to only improve in the future...though I probably don't have much work to do. Duelling has an exciting air around it, so when I first heard about it it sounded like good practice.
Hanako - Can’t do much with my noodle arms. Can’t study effectively to save my life. I need to protect myself somehow. And duelling just so happens to teach me plenty of things to do just that.
Samantha - Well, last year I watched every duel from Ravenclaw and it seemed lots of fun. I also liked the idea of duelling, because the spells that you learn in class you get to use. Some people start duelling in random places in school, which they shouldn’t do because it is against the rules and it is very dangerous! But in the duelling club it isn’t against the rules and you can practise casting spells in a safe place. Last year Ravenclaw got second in duelling, and I was really proud of that. I also want to make Ravenclaw proud and I thought it would be amazing if I joined the duelling team and together we would get first place this year.
What are your favourite spells to cast? Least favourite to be cast on you?
Julian - I'm not sure I have a favourite yet. I like the Curse of the Bogies because it disables your opponent without really hurting them. I'm really looking forward to trying the Blindfolding Spell for the same reason. I don't like tickling or being set on fire.
Piper - I like casting Flipendo so far - it's easy and does the job alright - but Incendio is a good one if I can aim well. Putting the right amount of focus into it is harder than I thought. From my experience, Incendio has been really nasty because you are literally on fire and that is just painful. But if I can say one I've seen but not felt, Curse of the Bogies looks really miserable.
Hanako - Any spell that helps me win is my favourite spell. (then he winked)
Is there anything you would say to someone thinking about joining their House's duelling team?
Julian - Practice lots before your first duel, and be ready to work with your partner. Also, there's a lot of interesting duelling books in the library. You can read up on useful spells or strategies there.
Samantha - First of all, it is great that you are thinking about joining your House's duelling team. I think joining the duelling team is a great idea, because you learn a lot, you have something fun to do and you can make your house proud. It is also a great way to make friends, even if you normally have a hard time making new friends, because you will have something to talk about. Sporting together creates a bond and that will make it easier to make friends.
Piper - I would say to join if you like spellwork and strategy. And definitely don't if you don't like being unconscious. Especially if you're a first year student and you don't like being knocked out; they really like to target you a lot. But if you're a tough Slytherin and can pull your weight, become a duellist.
If you've participated in a duel, what was it like?
Hanako - The first duel I was ever in was Chess Combat last summer. If your first duel was Chess Combat, then nothing fears you anymore.
Samantha - I have participated in a duel. It was lots of fun, but I would be lying if I said it doesn't hurt sometimes. Being knocked down or set on fire isn't a nice feeling and it can hurt sometimes, but we have a great school nurse, who will help you get better in no time, so you don't need to worry about that.
Julian - It was a little strange. Everyone's spells missed more than I would've expected. It was almost like everyone had confounded the lot of us before we ever stepped on the platform. I suppose aiming correctly while trying to avoid being hit yourself is a lot trickier than I ever thought.
New Broom Racing Captains by Serena Towers
I caught up with our new Broom Racing captains and decided to harass them for an interview! Most of them were happy to share a few words. The complete interviews will be available soon; however, here’s a sneak peek!
Aurora Ranvier, the Ravenclaw Captain, is a second year that seems kind of adorable (albeit mildly violent). She’s not a broom racer herself but I would not want to go against her! She spoke about her cat, Lucifer and seemed rather interested in the Gryffindor captain… Ranvier says that broom racing “is a good time to make your enemies suffer without getting any consequences.” (Kind of terrifying, right?)
Her co-captain, Ari Gwild is a first-year who really opened up in the interview and it was great to talk more openly and honestly. Gwild says that the Ravenclaw team “all have a burning desire to show what we can do, some of us more than others.” I, for one, cannot wait to see what they can do in both the captain position and out there on the track!
Watch out for those against them, as the Ravenclaws say: “don't mess with the nerds!” and “We are eagles, destined to fly.”
Slytherin’s Captain, Opeila Winters, is a third-year who’s an experienced duellist. I interviewed her with her co-captain, Starlee Kennedy – a second-year duellist, and honestly, their synchronisation was great to see! The pair may not have direct broom racing experience, but they both know what teamwork means. Not only do they support their teams from behind the scenes, their duelling backgrounds will likely make them excellent when it comes to spellcasting strategies too. I have no doubt that they’ll do what it takes to get to the top.
Speaking of the Slytherin team, Winters said that she “really admire(s) their courage and team spirit” and Kennedy claimed that she couldn’t “wait to take what we already learned in the last and put it to use for the next match.”
Leading the lions is Nicholas McCowan. This second year is a fan favourite (or, at least, has a very loud fan based on the last game). I haven’t worked out if it’s courageousness or recklessness yet, but I think he might be the biggest fan of broom racing I’ve ever met! He seemed in line with Ranvier, at least, claiming that broom racing is “fast-paced, violent, and absolutely bloody brilliant.”
The banter between him and his co-captain, Hugh Lowe, is pretty amusing to see too. Do they work well as a team? Who knows! It’s just really funny, though. I had to poke Lowe’s knees a million times for a comment but he did say, “we're a tough team, we can take a lot of hits.”
From their fighting spirit, it’s clear that these Gryffindors are ready to roar.
Unfortunately, I was unable to catch Avery Gallows – she’s obviously busy training for the next game, so whoever faces Hufflepuff next, beware! The badger co-captain is Ami Procoppio, who is also Quidditch co-captain! When it comes to broom sports, this girl has a handle over all of it. How does she have time for it all? Who knows! I did not manage to get that secret but I did find out that she strongly believes in her house, going as far as to say that “It's gonna be the year of the badger for sure.” But to her, the team is “really a team, not just a group of racers.”
And there we have it - a quick look into who your new broom racing captains are! Until next time, folks!
Trophies and Tragedies by Alan Vanes
One of the most interesting topics for many is our wizarding sports; and, specifically, which house will claim each of the trophies. This year, another sport has been introduced to our school as an extra-curricular which means that from now on, sport predictions will cover the three different challenges and make sense of them to our readers. By the time this issue is published, we would be starting our third and final stage, which will let us know the victors of each discipline. Until then, predictions are all we can deliver.
Duelling
The Duelling Club’s Leaderboard for the year of 2021/22 leaves a lot of room for speculation. In the first stage, Gryffindor stepped up against Ravenclaw; and Hufflepuff competed against Slytherin. The Pride of Pendrast as well as the Murder of Merlin seemed to be of somewhat equal strength as their duels showed a balanced back and forth of victories and losses. They also broke a record of the longest ongoing duel since the refounding of the club, leading to the implementation of a time limit. The first stage looked a lot better for the Viridian Vipers, who managed to claim victory in all their six duels against the Blazing Badgers, leading in the first stage with a total of 18 points.
The second stage seemed to be going much more in favor of the different houses, though the Blazing Badgers once more seemed to have pulled the short straw, but at least stood up valiantly against the Murder of Merlin. Sadly, this did not seem to be enough. Perhaps they will be able to claim one victory this season? Gryffindor and Slytherin were also opponents in the second stage and their duellists seemed to some degree equal in strength.
All of this means that so far there can be no real prediction made, as three of the teams seem to be in equal reach of the trophy. Of course I am biased in hoping for Gryffindor to take the win, so that would be my guess… What is yours?
Quidditch
Slytherin: 260 | Hufflepuff: 130 | Ravenclaw: 430 | Gryffindor: 210
For Quidditch, the numbers truly speak for themselves. Winning both the first and second stage by catching the snitch and scoring some goals with the quaffle, Ravenclaw has managed to secure the first place with a great distance to Slytherin who is currently in second place. This would be the first game Gryffindor lost in over a year. Personally, I hope they manage to reclaim their spot. However to do so, they would have to beat Slytherin, whereas Ravenclaw would have to lose against Hufflepuff. Overall the house of eagles are clearly far ahead, but there is still a chance for Slytherin or Gryffindor to steal the victory from them. While it is unlikely for Hufflepuff to get a hold of the trophy, they might still manage to rank in the top three!
Broom Racing
As the newest of our school’s sports and by far the most chaotic one, broom racing combines flying, spell slinging and obstacles as the house teams fight for which team reaches the finish line the fastest. Like the other sports, this one will have three stages each year of which the first one has already happened. The victors of the first stage were Gryffindor who had won against Slytherin and Hufflepuff who stole the victory from Ravenclaw. As I mentioned this sport is the most chaotic one, as such Simon Kincaid was knocked unconscious by the Ravenclaw team just after he crossed the finish line, claiming victory for his house. However, even the race between Slytherin and Gryffindor had its fair share of madness. Both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are in the lead now and both teams seem of equal strengths, which makes any prediction difficult. That said, Gryffindor has two students with more experience in broom racing, which is why I would like to think that it will be the house that will win the trophy. I will be able to make a safer prediction after the second stage!
This was it with the predictions for Duelling, Quidditch and Broom Racing. A lot of things are still written in the stars, but a second stage of broom racing and the third stages of both Quidditch and Duelling might let us know more. I personally will be rooting for my own house for the sports, but are there any of you who are rooting for a house that isn’t their own? Feel free to leave our team notes with your own predictions!
Muggle Item of the Month: The Olympics by Willow Anderson
Wizards have a lot of popular sports that have teams all over the world and national tournaments, but would you believe muggles also have sports? I know this may come as a shock. But they do! So many in fact that every four years teams from all over the world come together to compete in a myriad of sports! We just had the Summer Olympics in the summer of 2020 in Japan, and the Winter Olympics recently concluded in Beijing! A different country hosts the Olympics every four years and it’s a major event that usually gets its own construction of an Olympic Village. In the 2020 Summer Olympics the top three were: the United States, China, and Japan. For the Winter Olympics the top three were: Norway, Germany, and China!
The Olympics inspiration can be traced all the way back to the Olympic Games that were held in Olympia, Greece. These were held from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. That’s really old. Over time the games have evolved to create the Winter Olympics, Paralympic Games which is for athletes that have disabilities, Youth Olympic Games for athletes 14-18 years of age, the five Continental Games (Pan American, African, Asian, European, and Pacific), as well as the World Games for sports not in the Olympic Games. Which is A LOT! While not created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), they endorse the Deaflympics and the Special Olympics. Basically, there are a lot of sports, a lot of games, and a lot of fun to be had.
Now, you might be asking yourself: Willow, just how many sports are even involved in the Olympics? Which is a great question! Give yourself a minute to guess before continuing to read… Think of a number? In the Olympic Games (Summer and Winter) there are a total of 35 different sports, which doesn’t even compare to the bonkers number of 400 events between those sports. There really is something for everyone to watch at the Olympic Games. Personally, my family really loves watching gymnastics, figure skating, volleyball, and synchronized swimming. I’m not a strong swimmer, but I feel like in another life I could’ve been part of a synchronized swimming team.
These sports are a big deal and only feature athletes that are the best of the best in their sport. More often than not, people that compete in the Olympics have numerous competition titles already under their belt. Getting to the Olympics is hard, and sometimes people train since they are able to walk. Gymnastics is a big one where the competitors are fairly young. It’s a beautiful achievement and lots of Olympic Athletes have taken to social media, such as TikTok, to showcase exactly what it’s like to be an Olympic Athlete. They take you to their food halls, their housing, what they get as swag, and the relationships they develop between different countries. Honestly, it’s really cool to see how many athletes know each other from previous competitions or even previous Olympics. I’m sure it’s a unique bond.
Paris, France is set to hold the next Summer Olympics in 2024. Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy is set to hold the next Winter Olympics in 2026. I know that seems really far away, but trust me, they sneak up on you faster than you can believe!
P.S. Can you imagine wizard sports at the Olympic Games? I would be a shoe in for a duelling position.
The Pom-Pom Pet by Alan Vanes
There are many wonderful creatures in both the magical and non-magical world. Today’s article will be covering the Puffskein and its subspecies. They are known as an XX Beast, which means that they are harmless and possible to domesticate.
The Puffskein is a well-known creature—a pet to many people and especially popular among younger children. They require no special considerations and are less high-maintenance than other pets. They are also quite robust, which is why they would not suffer from being cuddled tightly or even thrown around or dropped; instead they might find such actions enjoyable. When they are happy and content, the Puffskein utter a low humming sound.
The Puffskein is covered in long, fluffy fur and shaped like a small sphere. The Puffskein is easy to carry and hold comfortably. Their hair is soft to the touch and custard coloured. They have a pair of beady black eyes with which they like to observe their surroundings. The normal Puffskein does not have any fangs, which makes them easy to handle. Their long and thin pink tongue allows them to scavenge their surroundings for food, such as leftovers, spiders, and also bogeys.The latter seems to be their favourite!
The hair of the Puffskein is known for its magical properties, as it can be used in the Laughing Potion. Their fur can be gathered by carefully clipping the strands of hair or shaving. Otherwise, its main purpose remains that of a pet. The more commonly known Pygmy Puff—which stands out more due to its colourful hues—is actually closely descended from the Puffskein and seems to inherit their scavenger instincts.
There are a few sub species of Puffskein, such as the Appaloosa Puffskein and the Fanged Puffskein. The Appaloosa Puffskein was a kind of Puffskein only native to New York in the United States of America, where they were illegally bred until 1925. Only one breeder knew the secret on how to breed this species of Puffskein. It is unknown what made them stand out from the other species of Puffskein, however.
The Fanged Puffskein is a species of Puffskein that is known for their protruding fangs. Their fur is black in colour and their eyes appear yellow. This species of Puffskein was bred by wizards, but has since been made illegal due to the Ban on Experimental Breeding issued by the Wizengamot in 1965. It is unknown whether this type of Puffskein has a different temper or is considered more dangerous due to their fangs, because of how little there is known about their species. That means their actual Ministry of Magic Classification can only be specified.
Fun Fact: A group of Puffskein are known as a poffle.
If there are any specific creatures you would like to learn more about (whether they are magical or not) please send me an owl and let me know!
Everything You Want to Know About Unicorns by Willow Anderson
I had the opportunity to interview one of the newest professors of Hogwarts, Professor Proulx! As a muggle born I have had a lot of exposure to what muggles believe about unicorns’ looks and properties. But what is the truth about these magical creatures? Professor Proulx helped me separate muggle fiction from wizard fact in this tell-all about unicorns!
1. Can you give the younger years a quick explanation on what exactly a unicorn is?
“Well, it’s quite like what you imagine as an iconic incarnation of magic. They’re pure white horses with a white horn protruding from their head, and just welling with magical properties that differ depending on what part of them we’re looking at. A distant relative of other beasts such as winged horses and centaurs, as they all are a species of equine. Still, their elements are unique outside of the lineaments of their anatomy.”
2. What do you think makes a unicorn unique from other magical creatures?
“These are sacred creatures. We see magical creatures used for all sorts of purposes— in potions, as transport— but not typically unicorns, not beyond harvested parts from those that were at their life’s end or that could be taken without even minute damage to the equine itself. And unicorns have powers that change the face of life, properties of immortality, albeit miserable, in their blood. Things so potent and rare, and I think it’s beautiful that we, as a Wizarding society, can stick together in respecting a creature of such high esteem and seeing harm as the immoral act it is, even if it did benefit Wizardkind. That’s unique.”
3. What do you think is the biggest misconception that muggles have created about unicorns?
“Their appearance. It’s debated heavily of course, unicorns are a horribly kept secret of our world but nonetheless too fleet of foot to have a solid, indisputable image in the minds of those unfit to study them. You’ll see anything from rainbow manes to pairs of wings, which, I think, bleed over from the myth of the pegasus. In reality, these are pure white creatures, only a dash of colour is golden hooves, remnants of their gold stage. See, for the first two years of their life, they’re solid gold. Later silver, and become white at seven years.”
4. Do you believe that narwhals are the unicorns of the sea?
“No, I wouldn’t say so. None of the properties are the same except the horn versus the tusk. You may find this interesting. In mediaeval days, European Muggle tradesmen used to harvest the tusk of a narwhal to take advantage of the swelling belief that unicorn horns were anti-poison and sell them for much more gold than they’re worth.”
5. Have you ever seen a unicorn, and how pretty are they actually?
“They quite are. They have a preference for witches, but I’ve gained trust, especially of younger ones which are far less sceptical, and the closer you get, the more apparent it is that they are pure beyond our comprehension. The white of their coats would make snow look grey, and even in the gold and silver stages, their appearance is ethereal. They don’t develop horns until four years of age, so the foals are just these clumsy golden bébés. Frankly, they’re adorable.”
6. Have you ever watched My Little Pony?
“No, is that a documentary?”
There you have it! For any first or second years this is a sneak peek into what you could learn in Care of Magical Creatures in third year! Definitely a class, and a Professor, to look forward to.
Amato Amino Animato Animagus by Koko Riddle
Among witches and wizards, there is a ritual granting an ambitious wix the ability to become an animal. This ritual is called the animagus ritual, and some students at Hogwarts have begun to become animagi.
I sent out a letter asking for any kind animagi to answer the questions I printed on it, and I received an anonymous response. Animagi deserve their right to privacy, same as the rest of us, so I did not try to learn their name.
Some of the questions were more tailored towards helping aspirant animagi achieve their goal—I do hope this is helpful.
Question 1: ‘How would you describe the animagus ritual? Is it worth it?’
Answer 1: ‘It was extensive, to say the least. I never would have thought I'd be dying in anticipation just for a pour of rain and thunder. The weather has a mind of its own, and I'd waited a few months just for a huge thunderstorm rather than the many moments of disappointment where the skies merely produced a short drizzle. I would say it was worth it, I can't imagine not having my form now. My animagus form is sort of a family legacy passed on to the women born into my family, generation after generation.’
This answer details how long the ritual takes - one has to wait for a thunderstorm before they can complete the ritual, which can be rare during the calmer months. Unmentioned is the fact that an aspirant animagus needs to keep a mandrake leaf underneath their tongue for an entire moon cycle—and if the moon is obscured when the cycle is over, they will need to begin anew. The ritual is incredibly complicated, but according to my respondent, it was worth it.
Question 2: ‘Is it very different being an animal compared to being a human? Are you still you, or do you feel more like an animal?’
Answer 2: ‘My senses are altered with my form and to be honest, I feel more like an animal. Powerful and there is also a sense of justified majesticness that comes with my form. I'm rid of the general... presence I carry as a human, often described as terrible and very unsettling. Oddly, I feel more at ease in my animagus form than human and it is a very comforting escape.’
My respondent details how an animal form can be liberating. For anyone with a bad reputation, becoming an animagus might be a good idea.
Question 3: ‘How did you prepare for the ritual?’
Answer 3: ‘I read the book, gathered the ingredients. A professor, and a close family member guided me along the process as well.’
Apparently, preparation is the most straightforward part of the animagus ritual. This may be comforting to any aspiring animagi.
Question 4: ‘Do you have any words of advice for students who aspire to become animagi in the future?’
Answer 4: ‘Be patient and expect some disappointment. You can always try again later on if you do not succeed.’
While being told to expect disappointment may not be comforting, it is certainly truthful, and that might be better than any comforting words. Patience seems as if it would definitely be very important—so if you are very bad at waiting in a queue, you may want to reconsider becoming an animagus, or at the very least, train yourself to learn how to wait for things. As for trying again later - that is a useful life lesson for anything, not just the animagus ritual. If you are not easily deterred, this ritual may be the one for you.
Ultimately, the animagus ritual is one that is very complex and extensive, but once completed, it can grant the animagus a power unknown to anyone else—and it can be very rewarding.
Who are the New Prefects? by Liana Kerr
Being chosen as a prefect marks a student as a competent, trustworthy individual. The role also grants a certain degree of authority over one’s peers and adds extra duties to the already busy schedule of the model student. Two new prefects have been appointed this school year - Cain Corvus (first-year, Slytherin) and Jake Morris (third-year, Hufflepuff). They have agreed to answer a few questions about their new responsibilities and the difficulties that may arise from them.
Did you have to reprimand an older student yet? Would you feel anxious about doing it?
Cain: I haven't had the honour yet. I will do what must be done if and when that time should come.
Jake: Um yeah… I had to. I guess I always feel anxious doing it. I mean, it's pretty hard 'cause I don't really know if anyone's actually gonna listen to me. ...Um… wait… are you writing that down? I mean… um… no?
What do you like the most about your new position?
Cain: I would have to say the best part would be the prefects’ bathroom. It's pretty fancy there. I like the badge too.
Jake: I think what I like most is that I can help the professors and the school and all of the other kids.
How would you feel if you had to give detention to a friend who broke school rules?
Cain: I would feel pretty bad about it, but I think I've made the sort of friends who don't cause trouble. I think...
Jake: Well, I wouldn't wanna do it but everybody has to follow the rules. I mean, the rules are only there to keep everybody safe in the first place. I would hate doing that more than anything. But I also hate when my friends don't listen even when they know I'm right there.
What do you think about your fellow prefects?
Cain: Each and every one of them is capable and kind. I hope to be just as useful and not become a burden on any of them.
Jake: All the ones I know are really great! Some of my best friends are prefects. I think that students of the school can feel safe knowing that they're there. I think everybody wants to do a good job and I know not everybody's perfect but if you ever need help the prefects will always be there.
Do you intend to be strict towards misbehaving students?
Cain: I intend to be fair. I want this school to be a fun place to attend. It doesn't give me any kind of pleasure when I have to reprimand someone.
Jake: Well… not strict just… I mean I don't want to get anybody in trouble. But it's like I said… the rules are there for a reason. I wish nobody would ever get in trouble, but if I let everybody misbehave, then who knows what's going to happen? Sometimes people don't realise that there's a good reason and I don't want anybody to get hurt.
Evelynn’s Advice by Evelynn Decipio
If I slap myself in the face and it hurts... am I too strong or too weak? - Juniper
Dear Juniper,
Why would you want to slap yourself at all? That is entirely undignified and a horrid test of personal strength. If you slap yourself and it hurts, it is because the force was enough to signal pain—nothing more. Strength is the ability to stand up and keep pursuing your goals despite setbacks and disappointment. Keep moving forward and none will ever consider you weak.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
Hello!
Perhaps you can help me with this: I don't know much about how I should act when developing romantic feelings. My last relationship started because my crush walked in on me talking to myself.
I believe that I have caught feelings for my best friend since first year and he probably has no idea. What should I do?
Dear Caught,
Your position is certainly not one to be envied. On one hand, to do anything at all risks the integrity of your current relationship if the feelings aren't shared. But, to say nothing might leave you wondering "what if" for too long. I think you're the only one who can really answer for certain. However, if they really are as good a friend as you're suggesting and don't share those same feelings, they should be kind enough to work with you to talk it through, establish boundaries, and help you through your disappointment while keeping the friendship flourishing.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
Dear Evelynn
How to deal with a family that doesn't accept who you are as a wizard. Like muggle family and maybe more?
From Anon
Dear Anon,
That is a difficult situation—change is not easy. Imagine how shocked you were to learn of the wizarding world. Your family, older and more established, would be even more-so. They might feel foolish, or tricked, or in disbelief that something so fantastical has existed without their realisation for so long. They may also fear it, and the unknown it brings. Your family has always been the one responsible for protecting you, and now the roles may be reversed and they may not know how to fulfil their positions in this new dynamic. Be sympathetic, understanding. Invite them to learn and ask questions. Let them grow comfortable at their own pace. As silly as it may sound, they are grieving the loss of the familiar and we all grieve at our own pace.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
What do I do if one of my best friends wrote me a love letter and I don't know how I feel about it and what to say to him but I don't want to lose him?
-Anonymous student
Dear Anonymous,
The most important thing right now is to reflect on your own feelings and decide where you stand with them. Don’t feel pressured to change the nature of your current friendship if an intimate relationship with them is not what you want. It is okay to remain friends. Keep communication open, however. Tell them that you don't know how you feel right now and need time to think about it. Thank them for their interest, and understand that they took the risk of being vulnerable to tell you that. They are likely just as scared to lose the friendship. If they are a good friend, however, they will respect your decision, whatever it is.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
I'm ending my relationship with my long-term girlfriend to pursue someone who has captivated my attention. It doesn't seem right to have feelings for another when you're with someone else. But tell me - am I a horrible person?
Dear Captivated,
You aren’t a horrible person. I am by no means an expert when it comes to matters of the heart, but at our age, it’s unlikely we would know what qualities in a person might be good for us in the long term. We are still developing, and so are our values, preferences, and those aspects that attract us. I think it normal that you might find yourself drawn to another if your experiences and growth have changed you from where you were at the start of your current relationship. But you shouldn’t pursue another while you are currently tied. Evaluate your current priorities, give your current partner the respect of a dialogue, then make a choice.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
How does one successfully sneak into Hogsmeade?
Dear Sneak,
One does not. As tempting as it may be, one waits until third year when one obtains permission from a guardian. Sneaking in is dangerous and can leave you unaccounted for if something happens, and in a position where you could be hurt. Have some respect for those Koldovstoretz students and keep your toes in line.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
What Books are Students Reading? by Liana Kerr
Curious to know what sort of relationship my peers have with literature, I interviewed some of them. Here are their answers:
Is it difficult to find the time to read for pleasure while studying at Hogwarts?
Clair Fernandez: Yes - with studying and classes, reading is often put on the back burner.
Della Barfield: Yes! Especially as a muggle-born, I feel like I'm at a disadvantage when it comes to homework and lessons and knowing what everything is. I do a lot of reading in the library, but it's usually to get my bearings on what a house elf is or who Dumbledore was. I do love learning about magical creatures so that might count as reading for pleasure, but I'm usually able to sneak some time in on the weekends, but I'm not reading nearly as much as I did over the summer. I probably brought too many muggle books with me to school--I'm not going to finish them all!
Maggie Hawkins: Yes, and I didn’t really read beforehand much.
Aurelius Leeds: Yes, very. Due to the amount of dedicated study time I elect to have, my personal reading time - for fun or interest - is limited. It's unfortunate, as I enjoy reading as a hobby, but lately that past-time has been chewed up by reading textbooks for classes.
What literary genre do you enjoy the most?
Clair: The best genre is Fiction, no doubt.
Della: I love mysteries!
Maggie: I like horror books!
Aurelius: I don't waste time with useless genre-specifics. My personal reading is wholly focused on furthering my knowledge, education and awareness of the wizarding world. I've heard mention of genres like fiction, drama or fantasy, but I have no use for those. I read documented wizard-specific books, tomes and scrolls, while also indulging in some casual encyclopaedia topic pursuits.
What book are you currently reading?
Clair: Wings of Fire, I would definitely recommend it to others, it's a great book, it's really well written and it is always changing in each book.
Della: I'm reading Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and love it so far.
Maggie: Uh… my Potions textbook. Wouldn’t recommend it. It’s super boring. And useless.
Aurelius: Currently I am reading Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. It provides an acceptably detailed account of wizarding history throughout the 20th century, though personally I feel the 852 page length could be increased two-fold. Details are important, no matter the page count. I would recommend any wizard or witch worth attending a reputable magic school to read it, at least twice, to understand where our kind has come from, what our kind has done, and where our kind can go under our future leadership.
Do you have a favourite book?
Clair: The Seven Sisters is the best book ever, I really like it because it's really well written, with very few plot holes.
Della: My favourite book of all time is the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. If you like mysteries, these are some of the originals. They basically started the whole detective genre! Each chapter is a standalone case. A Scandal in Bohemia is my favourite because it has Irene Adler. And when I read it I guessed the correct solution, but it was one of the only times Sherlock didn't get it right!
Maggie: The Shining by Stephen King, because it’s creepy and awesome!
Aurelius: I do not. Books are sources of information, little more. I have no feelings or inclinations of positivity toward one or another. They are to a wizard or witch what a hammer is to a carpenter, they are tools to be used, to further personal knowledge and understanding - not things to be loved or cherished or held in any regard beyond what expertise they might impart from reading them.
Fashion Forward: SPRING by Evelynn Decipio
Shall we say: out with the cold, in with the bloom? Winter is finally relinquishing its icy grip, which means—of course—that it is finally time to spring fully forward into Spring with this year’s fashion! Rising temperatures have been accompanied by new inspiration hot off the runway. Fashion designers around the muggle world bring their ingenuity to full bare, promising a flavourful and bold selection of trends to add to your closets.
Skirting the Classics
Preppy chic has always been a classic go-to, and this year is no different. Skirt suits common to traditional schools around the globe are still making an appearance on the runway with one small twist: shorter skirts. Of course, the professors won’t take kindly to scandal, and propriety must always be upheld above fleeting trends. Still, do not shy away from showing a little knee when you wear your favourite skirt (or shorts) and blazer pair.
Colour Us Impressed
Bold is beautiful and this spring, less is certainly more. Spare yourself the fussiness of complex accessories and instead select outfits with vibrant and attention-grabbing dyes. Outrageous orange, glaring green, bright blue… And while tye-dye and patterns aren’t entirely out of the question, the more sophisticated will stick to monochromatic palettes. The rainbow is your pot of gold and ROY G. BIV is your guide to statement dressing.
Psyched for Spring
Of course, where would we be without our more psychedelic patterns. The busyness of energetic textiles may not be to everyone’s taste, but none shall think you tasteless with perennial florals or playful prints. Grasp unapologetically for inspiration from the 1970s to build a staple retro outfit. To balance a previous penchant for mini skirts, the bigger the pants, the better.
No Folk Pas
White is the new black in this year’s trend towards folk-inspired garb. Lace has always been a go-to for those seeking a more refined and classic look, and this year, even the more rebellious can flash their feminine sides with the demure and delicate adornment. Whether featured as a simple embellishment to finish a piece, or serving as its centrepiece, the school will know you are up-to-date with your trends. Try trimming your robes, or cutting a lace window into the back of a shirt. With lace, you really cannot go wrong.
All Aboard
The Hogwarts Express isn’t the only powerhouse in the station. Runways across the world featured a variety of trains to offer head-turning drama to an outfit. Fashionistas won’t want to miss this opportunity to display their savvy at this year’s Blossom Ball with flowing tails and trailing gowns. What’s more, this trend doesn’t have to be limited to muggle attire. Add a bit of je-ne-sais-pas to your dress robes and take a nod to our Beauxbatons friends with dropped hems and French-inspired fishtail trains.
Spun ‘Round
The more crafty among us may appreciate the comfortable textiles and techniques in many of this season’s praised trends. From quilting to embroidery, knits of all varieties to hand-painted floral patterning, heritage techniques lost to time are being dusted off to find the spotlight on these free-spirited fashion favourites. Take the comforts of home with you wherever you wander with eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics and a boho chic aesthetic.
Wizard Fashion by Pericles Dralt
It isn't unusual to see magical folk in Muggle media depicted with star-spangled robes, comically tall hats, or the Halloween custom of a corseted dress. Silly as they seem, some truth rings in these outrageous designs. Robes are traditional wizarding attire, therefore expected to be worn during formal events, especially funerals or weddings. A pointed hat is considered customary. From colourful cloaks to absurd headwear, it isn't uncommon for our kind to dress dazzlingly, though there are limits. The International Statute of Secrecy insists that wixes must attempt conforming to Muggle fashion when visiting non-magical communities, adapting to the occasion, region, and weather. No clothing with self-altering enchantments may be worn in their presence. However, over the years, we've adopted ways of revealing ourselves to one another. An unwritten code among witches and wizards is the wearing of purple or green, typically in combination. Many magical types, well-to-do families in particular, seek to set themselves apart by donning the dated garb of gentry or nobility. Canes, frills, suits and dresses of a twentieth-century cut are Pureblood family favourites. Much of our fashion staples are tied to when we went into hiding in the seventeenth century. While some could call robes and pointed hats "antiquated", for others, wearing them is a matter of cultural pride. Yet even a majority of anti-Muggles are prone to wear Muggle clothing, as trousers are generally more practical than robes.
Why then, one might wonder, are clothing misdemeanours the most common violations of the Statute of Secrecy? Why do so many adults dress oddly enough to draw attention, let alone receive a fine from the Ministry? The trouble lies in lack of exposure. Here in Hogwarts, we are fortunate enough to mingle with Muggleborns and Half-bloods, thereby gaining a vicarious grasp of Muggle culture. Upon graduation, most wixes pursue careers in either a magical field or the wizarding community. Our exposure to the culture drops, and as many Muggle electronics do not work properly in a home with high magical concentration, we don't absorb as much of their media. It is easy for adult wixes to lose touch with the fashions required to maintain a suitable disguise. In some cases, the wearing of wizardly ensembles has resulted in fines, for Muggles mistakenly report them as "cultists". On the opposite end of this conundrum, wixes make the mistake of wearing whatever disguises they bought decades in advance, being too careless to upgrade their wardrobes. They arouse suspicion with pleather trousers and disco shoes, then if confronted, exacerbate doubt with their un-Muggle-like behaviour.
Wixes need not fear the literal crime of being a fashion disaster. Even if one lacks the advice of well-dressed friends, we can turn to books, magazines, or mannequins. Display mannequins (as well as people-watching) can be an excellent point of reference when putting together an outfit. In many cases when disguised as a Muggle, the simpler you dress, the safer! When preparing for an average day in magical society, in which one needn't disguise their true selves, one should dress to express their unique nature, even if that involves emerald robes or hats topped with stuffed vultures.
Club Reports: The Mysteries of Alchemy by Dealla Prince
“We do not crave riches, we do not crave power, we do not crave eternal life, nor do we crave the philosopher's stone. We open our doors to those that wish to know the rules of magic.”
This is the motto of a mysterious club that opened its metaphorical doors in our school just a few months ago: the Alchemy Club. Its leader is as mysterious as the club’s interests, and a hard one to track down. Letters to members are simply signed “Head Alchemist”, and they only agreed to this interview under the promise of anonymity – thus my sources shall remain secret.
Our Head Alchemist seems enthusiastic when speaking about the club, its purpose, and its meetings, which consist of discussions and study sessions to better the club members’ understanding of potions and transfiguration, and the intricacies created from their combination in Alchemy. They also proudly state that the meetings have helped some members better their grades in these subjects – a study group with a twist and a pinch of mystery. Not only that, but the club also offers activities such as harvesting magical plants for further study.
Doing them further credit, they answer the rest of my questions patiently.
What inspired you to found the Alchemy Club?
Head Alchemist: “I founded the club because Alchemy is very interesting. It doesn't seem to have much popularity here at Hogwarts and I wanted to reignite that interest in the subject. It has a mixture of both transfiguration and potion brewing and some other factors, but just those two alone prove how difficult Alchemy is. [...] I believe Alchemy is a key to the unknown of magic due to its complexity, and figuring out how to unlock its secrets is what may lead us to a better understanding of what I like to call 'true magic'.”
Are your goals the same as the ones of traditional alchemy? Turning lead into gold, or creating an elixir that grants immortality? Another Philosopher's Stone, basically?
Head Alchemist: “Turning something into gold, being immortal, or creating the Philosopher's stone are not our goals. [...] Magic itself seems to have rules that everyone has to follow, such as Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. Turning things into valuable material such as gold is not allowed because of this law; however, this law has been broken once by the Philosopher's stone, which was made through alchemy. We may attempt to create the stone, or turn things into gold, but our goal is to know why these rules can be bent or broken. Then we build off with our own theories, practices, and methods.”
Finally, is there anything you'd like to say to potential new members who might be reading this right now?
Head Alchemist: “We are all scholars in the making who are bound for greatness. We all advance at a remarkable pace that I don't think any would believe. Our magical potential is limitless, and here at the Alchemy Club, we wish to unlock your potential and free your minds. Magic has freed us from rules, and Alchemy can further bend the rules that confine magic. None of us are caged; we are all free to do that of our own making.”
I send them off with thanks and a smile, and a seed of curiosity in my own stomach. Knowing what potions and transfigurations can do separately, how do we discover the limits of what the two can do together? Maybe I’ll join the Alchemy Club myself to find an answer to that question.
Ever since its announcement several weeks ago, the Hexwizard Tournament has easily been the hottest topic around school. Which school will win, that is the question in the future, but for the moment, another one was much more urgent: Who will represent the schools?
For the last few weeks, students from each school had the opportunity to put their name into the Goblet of Fire, the magical artefact that traditionally chooses the Champions. How does the Goblet know which name is the most suited to compete? Is the choice in the end a random one? We may never know, but its choices seem to have made sense in the past.
Now, after a choosing ceremony that did not go quite as expected (everyone who was there knows what I mean), we finally have our six champions - five traditionally chosen, and one who somehow slipped into it. In the following, I am happy to present the Hexwizard Champions, starting with a profile (including their Zodiac for those interested in their astrological compatibility with our Champions), a small Q&A, and finally, an assessment of their skills and the threat they present in the tournament. Let’s get started - with Hogwarts’ very own Champion.
THE HUMBLE HEARTTHROB
Representing Hogwarts
PROFILE
Name: Howard White
Age: 15
Year: Fifth
Height: Very tall (Approx. 6’0’’-6’1’’)
Build: Athletic
Zodiac: Cancer
Skills: Quidditch (Chaser), knowledge of plants and creatures, physically strong and fast
Q&A
Q: Did you expect you’d be chosen to represent Hogwarts?
A: No, not really. [...] I thought it would choose one of the older students, like a 6th or 7th year, or someone that wasn't a half-breed. It’s supposed to be a tournament to see who the best witch or wizard is, so I thought it would choose someone that was a full-blood or whatever they call themselves.
Q: Do you already know who you want on your team to help you snatch the trophy?
A: I got a few friends that I know are gonna join me for sure. I wouldn't have anyone else by my side regardless of skill. Maybe have some of my Quidditch teammates join me since we are already used to workin' together, but I dunno. Maybe I'll just have an open audition or something for the remaining spots.
ASSESSMENT
Call me biased, but I do think that Hogwarts is sending a very strong contender into the race Of course, age isn’t everything, but having more experience on your side is not a bad thing, either. Despite Howard’s doubts about being the best man for the job, I do not think that being the best wizard is necessarily the point of the tournament. I expect they will be testing teamwork, and strategy, and he can always choose people who balance his own skills for his team. In my opinion, Howard will do well as the leader of his team.
Threat Level: High
THE TACTICAL THUNDERBIRD
Representing Ilvermorny
PROFILE
Name: Miles Riley Thatcher
Age: 13
Year: Second
Ilvermorny House: Thunderbird
Height: Tall (Approx. 5’6’’-5’10’’)
Build: Slim to normal, presumably strong
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Skills: Quidditch player (Beater), analytic mind, adventurous
Q&A
Q: Did you expect you’d be chosen to represent Ilvermorny?
A: I'm sure the Goblet had a time deciding the champion for Ilvermorny. We're gifted with some of the best of the best in the wizarding world. Did I expect my name? Well, I figured I was a likely candidate with my love of adventure.
Q: Does it worry you at all that in the last tournament, a student died?
A: If it were easy, it wouldn't be much of a challenge now, would it?
ASSESSMENT
Miles seems easy-going but confident, and not afraid of a challenge. He is among the younger champions, although not the youngest, and very much ready to face whatever the tournament will throw at him. He also shows high confidence in his peers, which bodes well for his team. As a Beater, he is physically in shape, and lists logical thinking and a sense for adventure as his own strengths. It may be hard to tell just from a short conversation, but I feel like Miles might be a threat to watch out for.
Threat Level: Medium-high
THE BOISTEROUS BRUTE
Representing Durmstrang
PROFILE
Name: Yefim Rumyantsev
Age: 15
Year: Fourth (Note: Durmstrang students start school at age 10)
Height: Average to tall (Approx. 5’5’’-5’8’’)
Build: Broad, brawny
Zodiac: “Legend” (self-proclaimed)
Skills: Strength, speed, impressive confidence
Q&A*
Q: Do you already know who you want on your team to help you snatch the trophy?
A: Mostly. For this tournament, it is best to have people who trust each other perfectly. My followers would die for me, as I would die for them. We will inherit Earth.**
Q: In the last tournament almost thirty years ago, a student died. Does this worry you at all?
A: It sounds like they were weak. If I die in this tournament, I will return and still win. Death is just another challenge to overcome.
*Answers have been transposed to correct English as accurately as possible.
**Possibly a Russian proverb. I have not been able to find its meaning.
ASSESSMENT
From his claims about being destined to be Durmstrang’s champions to his announcement that he will show no mercy to his competition that their fate is already sealed, Yefim shows nothing but a megalomaniac level of belief that he will win the tournament no matter what, as not even death can stop him. Yet beyond being built like a bulldozer, Yefim has little to back up this claim. Should he find team members able to provide the brain to his brawn, he might prove a threat, but would students like that be willing to follow him?
Threat Level: Medium
THE TALKATIVE TROUBLEMAKER
Representing Mahoutokoro
PROFILE
Name: Aryaan Shamsi
Age: 11
Year: First
Height: Short (Approx. 4’8’’-4’11’’)
Build: Average
Zodiac: Cancer
Skills: Quidditch (Seeker), Ballsports (Football, Volleyball), a tendency to disregard rules
Q&A
Q: What do you think about the unorthodox way you were chosen to represent Mahoutokoro?
A: Goblet this, rules that. I don’t understand this kinda stupid talk. You all think I’m less qualified just because I’m younger! Well, I’ll show you. Just because I’m young doesn’t mean squat! I’ve got good people around me. The best! And we’ll show everyone what Mahoutokoro is capable of!
Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: Hey. Look. This is about showing off what we all can do, and about having fun. If you could all just calm down and enjoy the tasks, instead of making this about honour and breeding and prestige and whatnot, that’d be great.
ASSESSMENT
Far be it from me to dismiss someone due to their age alone, or the fact that their name wasn’t spat out by a magical Goblet. Many different factors will come into play when deciding the winner of the Hexwizard tournament, skill, wit, and choice of team members are only some examples. Aryaan comes across as confident in both his skills and his peers, without resorting to empty boasts. A bit of investigation also brought to light that he does not shy away from bending rules sometimes, which might come in handy - as long as he does not bend them so far as to get disqualified first. Still, his attitude of wanting to simply have fun when others come prepared to die (or kill) does little to convince me he will emerge as the victor of this tournament.
Threat Level: Medium
THE INNOCENT INTELLECTUAL
Representing Koldovstoretz
PROFILE
Name: Rodion Stepanov Makarovich
Age: 13
Year: Second
Height: Average (Approx. 5’2’’-5’4’’)
Build: Average
Zodiac: Aquarius
Skills: Duellist, knitting
Q&A
Q: Did you expect you’d be chosen to represent Koldovstoretz?
A: I actually didn't expect it at all since I am just a regular student and nothing special. But I am really grateful for the opportunity.
Q: Is there any particular type of challenge you’re hoping for during the tournament?
A: Quiz surrounding the wizarding world, perhaps? I'm kidding. But yes, quiz. Or maybe just a general knowledge quiz.
ASSESSMENT
I am fairly certain that I am not the only one who is surprised by a champion who describes himself as nothing special and then goes on about his love for knitting - at length. Then again, Rodion’s innocent demeanour may be a ploy… but I doubt it. He also expresses the simple and naive hope that ‘nothing bad will happen this time’, but perhaps I am just jaded from the long list of disasters that Hogwarts has seen in the years since I have been here. Still, unless he surprises me and starts stabbing competitors with his knitting needles, Rodion does not seem to have the edge that will be required to fight his way to the top of this tournament.
Threat Level: Medium-low
THE ELUSIVE ENIGMA
Representing Beauxbatons
PROFILE
Name: Angélique Colette de Clairmont
Age: 14
Year: Third
Height: Short
Build: Athletic
Zodiac: Unknown
Skills: Broom Racing
(No) Q&A: Angélique was not available for an interview.
ASSESSMENT
Angélique is the only champion I have not been able to snatch for an interview. This makes her a bit of an unknown variable, as my research has not given me much. She is on the Beauxbatons broom racing team, and was the one who decided the inter school race last summer in favour of her team, which suggests that she is a very capable racer. Will this be helpful for the upcoming tournament? It is hard to tell, but it certainly doesn’t speak against her. I get the feeling that she might be a dangerous competitor, despite her short stature.
Threat Level: High
Of course, it is very early to be making predictions for the outcome of the Hexwizard Tournament, but the Champions will be central pieces for the success of their school. The upcoming months will be important, as each Champion has the privilege (and responsibility) to pick their own team, the one they think will give them the best chance at winning… or to have fun with, depending on their priorities. Once there is more to report, you will be able to read about it in future Headliner issues.
History of Hexwizard by Koko Riddle
If you're perhaps new to the wizarding world or in desperate need of a refresher of Hogwarts history, you might be wondering exactly what Hexwizard is. "Hexwizard" is a twist on the wording of the original Triwizard Tournament, which was founded in the late 1200s as a way to encourage friendly competition between students of different nationalities. Back then, the three largest European Schools of Magic gathered together and devised tasks for their school champions. The winner of the tournament received bragging rights and one thousand galleons.
Just like today, champions were picked by the Goblet of Fire, a magical goblet in which students would submit their names. The Goblet was intended to be impartial. It wouldn’t favour Ravenclaw, for instance, and it would pick only one Champion per school. These champions were tested on intelligence, magical ability, and bravery, since often the tasks were fairly dangerous. Some tasks have included dragons, mazes, and deep diving.
The games were suspended in the late 1700s due to the mounting death toll. While it was fine to go out in a blaze of glory, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and of course, our Hogwarts, still required students to teach—not just athletic champions.
In the 1990s, the tournament was revived with new restrictions in place. For instance, all applicants were required to be at least seventeen years old. However, an adult, Barty Crouch Jr., put in an application for a fourth year, the now infamous Harry Potter. As many students likely know, the 1994-1995 Triwizard Tournament ended with the death of Hogwarts' Hufflepuff champion, sixth-year Cedric Diggory, and the revival of Voldemort.
Nowadays, the Hexwizard Tournament is being brought back into play, hopefully with even more safety restrictions. More schools will be involved—Ilvermorny in the US, Mahoutokoro in Japan, and Koldovstoretz in Russia will join the original three schools of Beauxbatons, Durmstrang and Hogwarts in the tournament.
Castelobruxo in Brazil and Uagadou in Uganda have declined to enter the tournament, citing a belief that this may go as badly as the previous 1990s Triwizard Tournament. Compared to the 90s, the world is safer now and many students still yearn for glory. At this time, it is likely that the tournament will proceed as planned in spite of concerns.
A Critical Review of S.C.A.R by Dealla Prince
If you have paid a little attention to recent events, listened to the steadily churning rumour mill with half an ear, or opened a newspaper such as the Daily Prophet within the last two years, it is likely you have heard the name S.C.A.R.
Short for Squib Committee Advocating Rights, S.C.A.R. started out as an organisation of (partially mixed race) Squibs fighting for their right to be included as full members of magical society. Yet, over the years, their name has started to be associated with terrorist attacks and death, a rhetoric spread through the news with often little to no evidence.
How did an organisation with such noble goals end up being seen as the villain? Is this reputation justified? To answer these questions, I tried breaking down a heavily emotional topic to its bare facts and building up from there, starting with a timeline of S.C.A.R. and its activities over the past few years.
Dec 2019 First mentions of S.C.A.R. in the papers as a group of young Squibs organising peaceful sit-ins and demonstrations for Squib rights.
Jan 2020 Self-proclaimed S.C.A.R. members kill twelve wizards in the Leaky Cauldron in London. No official statement from the leaders of S.C.A.R. confirming or denying the organisation’s involvement has been published.
Increasing tensions between pure-blood families and the population of Squibs and other races become visible when the union between the pure-blood Hildebrand Rosier and part-Veela Lala Lagueux is announced. S.C.A.R. members voice their support of the pair.
Mar 2020 S.C.A.R. is blamed for the fire that burned down the Yaxley estate in London, despite their leaders denying involvement. Some pure-blood aristocrats such as Thaddeus Athanatos speak out in support of the organisation.
The Daily Prophet publishes increasingly explicit anti half-breed rhetorics, labelling all dhampirs and werewolves as dangerous, and claiming that part-goblins sully Hogwarts’ reputation.
Jul 2020 A peaceful meeting of S.C.A.R. members in a bookstore in London is interrupted when an angry crowd sets the bookstore on fire. The incident is never reported in the news, and many people still do not know about it.
Jan 2021 The Hogwarts Express is attacked by men claiming to be S.C.A.R. and demanding the students hand over their wands. The incident escalates, leading to an explosion. Badly injured students are rescued by Thaddeus Athanatos. The attackers vanish mysteriously.
Aug 2021 Dervish & Banges in Hogsmeade is the target of a terrorist attack. Seven Koldovstoretz students die. Rumours blame S.C.A.R. without any evidence.
Feb 2022 Tensions between pure-bloods and Squibs escalate. The Daily Prophet reports an altercation between S.C.A.R. members and wizards that allegedly led to vandalism by a part-giant S.C.A.R. member. The article contains blatantly anti-half-breed speech, claiming them untrustworthy of wands and magic.
Mar 2022 S.C.A.R. changes their name to S.C.A.R.A.B., which is short for Stump’s Coalition Advocating Rights for All Beings, named after the Minister of Magic Grogan Stump (in office 1811-1819), who set the definition of being as “any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws.” The coalition now has members from a variety of different races, all of which are represented on their small council, which includes seats for goblins, hags, vampires, giants, werewolves, and squibs.
The Noxwatch is founded as a city watch based in Diagon Alley. It is a result of discussions between the Ministry and S.C.A.R.A.B. representatives, tasked with keeping the city safe for all races. Carnelian Wellbeloved, a well-known member of S.C.A.R.A.B., is appointed Captain.
Portrayed like this, it becomes obvious how heavily distorted the incidents have been by the lense of those reporting them.
Many of the terrors that S.C.A.R. is blamed for do not make sense. For example, if the attackers on the Hogwarts Express were Squibs, how did they vanish without a trace? When asked about their involvement in the explosion in Hogsmeade, a S.C.A.R. member pointed out that the dead were mostly half-blood and Muggle-born students, which was easily confirmed. What benefit would the organisation have from such an attack? Should we not question why those with Muggle family were targeted?
There are those in the organisation that have undoubtedly gone to extremes to prove their point. Still, should all members be condemned for the sins of the few, ignoring the good they are trying to accomplish?
I will dig deeper into S.C.A.R.A.B., their goals, and what they can be blamed for, and hope to report more in our next issue.
New Duellists on the Scene by Willow Anderson
Disclaimer: These interviews were done last September.
I met up and interviewed some of the latest duellists on the scene of Hogwarts! As someone who has been duelling for a while and is a captain, I wanted to get the opinions of some fresh faces to see what they thought! If you think you might like duelling, join your House's duelling team today! Keep reading to hear from Hanako Tone and Piper Clark from Slytherin, Samantha Salwis from Ravenclaw, and Julian Pritchard from Hufflepuff!
What made you interested in duelling?
Piper - Watching the older duellists has inspired me to pave my own way in casting and I want to only improve in the future...though I probably don't have much work to do. Duelling has an exciting air around it, so when I first heard about it it sounded like good practice.
Hanako - Can’t do much with my noodle arms. Can’t study effectively to save my life. I need to protect myself somehow. And duelling just so happens to teach me plenty of things to do just that.
Samantha - Well, last year I watched every duel from Ravenclaw and it seemed lots of fun. I also liked the idea of duelling, because the spells that you learn in class you get to use. Some people start duelling in random places in school, which they shouldn’t do because it is against the rules and it is very dangerous! But in the duelling club it isn’t against the rules and you can practise casting spells in a safe place. Last year Ravenclaw got second in duelling, and I was really proud of that. I also want to make Ravenclaw proud and I thought it would be amazing if I joined the duelling team and together we would get first place this year.
What are your favourite spells to cast? Least favourite to be cast on you?
Julian - I'm not sure I have a favourite yet. I like the Curse of the Bogies because it disables your opponent without really hurting them. I'm really looking forward to trying the Blindfolding Spell for the same reason. I don't like tickling or being set on fire.
Piper - I like casting Flipendo so far - it's easy and does the job alright - but Incendio is a good one if I can aim well. Putting the right amount of focus into it is harder than I thought. From my experience, Incendio has been really nasty because you are literally on fire and that is just painful. But if I can say one I've seen but not felt, Curse of the Bogies looks really miserable.
Hanako - Any spell that helps me win is my favourite spell. (then he winked)
Is there anything you would say to someone thinking about joining their House's duelling team?
Julian - Practice lots before your first duel, and be ready to work with your partner. Also, there's a lot of interesting duelling books in the library. You can read up on useful spells or strategies there.
Samantha - First of all, it is great that you are thinking about joining your House's duelling team. I think joining the duelling team is a great idea, because you learn a lot, you have something fun to do and you can make your house proud. It is also a great way to make friends, even if you normally have a hard time making new friends, because you will have something to talk about. Sporting together creates a bond and that will make it easier to make friends.
Piper - I would say to join if you like spellwork and strategy. And definitely don't if you don't like being unconscious. Especially if you're a first year student and you don't like being knocked out; they really like to target you a lot. But if you're a tough Slytherin and can pull your weight, become a duellist.
If you've participated in a duel, what was it like?
Hanako - The first duel I was ever in was Chess Combat last summer. If your first duel was Chess Combat, then nothing fears you anymore.
Samantha - I have participated in a duel. It was lots of fun, but I would be lying if I said it doesn't hurt sometimes. Being knocked down or set on fire isn't a nice feeling and it can hurt sometimes, but we have a great school nurse, who will help you get better in no time, so you don't need to worry about that.
Julian - It was a little strange. Everyone's spells missed more than I would've expected. It was almost like everyone had confounded the lot of us before we ever stepped on the platform. I suppose aiming correctly while trying to avoid being hit yourself is a lot trickier than I ever thought.
New Broom Racing Captains by Serena Towers
I caught up with our new Broom Racing captains and decided to harass them for an interview! Most of them were happy to share a few words. The complete interviews will be available soon; however, here’s a sneak peek!
Aurora Ranvier, the Ravenclaw Captain, is a second year that seems kind of adorable (albeit mildly violent). She’s not a broom racer herself but I would not want to go against her! She spoke about her cat, Lucifer and seemed rather interested in the Gryffindor captain… Ranvier says that broom racing “is a good time to make your enemies suffer without getting any consequences.” (Kind of terrifying, right?)
Her co-captain, Ari Gwild is a first-year who really opened up in the interview and it was great to talk more openly and honestly. Gwild says that the Ravenclaw team “all have a burning desire to show what we can do, some of us more than others.” I, for one, cannot wait to see what they can do in both the captain position and out there on the track!
Watch out for those against them, as the Ravenclaws say: “don't mess with the nerds!” and “We are eagles, destined to fly.”
Slytherin’s Captain, Opeila Winters, is a third-year who’s an experienced duellist. I interviewed her with her co-captain, Starlee Kennedy – a second-year duellist, and honestly, their synchronisation was great to see! The pair may not have direct broom racing experience, but they both know what teamwork means. Not only do they support their teams from behind the scenes, their duelling backgrounds will likely make them excellent when it comes to spellcasting strategies too. I have no doubt that they’ll do what it takes to get to the top.
Speaking of the Slytherin team, Winters said that she “really admire(s) their courage and team spirit” and Kennedy claimed that she couldn’t “wait to take what we already learned in the last and put it to use for the next match.”
Leading the lions is Nicholas McCowan. This second year is a fan favourite (or, at least, has a very loud fan based on the last game). I haven’t worked out if it’s courageousness or recklessness yet, but I think he might be the biggest fan of broom racing I’ve ever met! He seemed in line with Ranvier, at least, claiming that broom racing is “fast-paced, violent, and absolutely bloody brilliant.”
The banter between him and his co-captain, Hugh Lowe, is pretty amusing to see too. Do they work well as a team? Who knows! It’s just really funny, though. I had to poke Lowe’s knees a million times for a comment but he did say, “we're a tough team, we can take a lot of hits.”
From their fighting spirit, it’s clear that these Gryffindors are ready to roar.
Unfortunately, I was unable to catch Avery Gallows – she’s obviously busy training for the next game, so whoever faces Hufflepuff next, beware! The badger co-captain is Ami Procoppio, who is also Quidditch co-captain! When it comes to broom sports, this girl has a handle over all of it. How does she have time for it all? Who knows! I did not manage to get that secret but I did find out that she strongly believes in her house, going as far as to say that “It's gonna be the year of the badger for sure.” But to her, the team is “really a team, not just a group of racers.”
And there we have it - a quick look into who your new broom racing captains are! Until next time, folks!
Trophies and Tragedies by Alan Vanes
One of the most interesting topics for many is our wizarding sports; and, specifically, which house will claim each of the trophies. This year, another sport has been introduced to our school as an extra-curricular which means that from now on, sport predictions will cover the three different challenges and make sense of them to our readers. By the time this issue is published, we would be starting our third and final stage, which will let us know the victors of each discipline. Until then, predictions are all we can deliver.
Duelling
The Duelling Club’s Leaderboard for the year of 2021/22 leaves a lot of room for speculation. In the first stage, Gryffindor stepped up against Ravenclaw; and Hufflepuff competed against Slytherin. The Pride of Pendrast as well as the Murder of Merlin seemed to be of somewhat equal strength as their duels showed a balanced back and forth of victories and losses. They also broke a record of the longest ongoing duel since the refounding of the club, leading to the implementation of a time limit. The first stage looked a lot better for the Viridian Vipers, who managed to claim victory in all their six duels against the Blazing Badgers, leading in the first stage with a total of 18 points.
The second stage seemed to be going much more in favor of the different houses, though the Blazing Badgers once more seemed to have pulled the short straw, but at least stood up valiantly against the Murder of Merlin. Sadly, this did not seem to be enough. Perhaps they will be able to claim one victory this season? Gryffindor and Slytherin were also opponents in the second stage and their duellists seemed to some degree equal in strength.
All of this means that so far there can be no real prediction made, as three of the teams seem to be in equal reach of the trophy. Of course I am biased in hoping for Gryffindor to take the win, so that would be my guess… What is yours?
Quidditch
Slytherin: 260 | Hufflepuff: 130 | Ravenclaw: 430 | Gryffindor: 210
For Quidditch, the numbers truly speak for themselves. Winning both the first and second stage by catching the snitch and scoring some goals with the quaffle, Ravenclaw has managed to secure the first place with a great distance to Slytherin who is currently in second place. This would be the first game Gryffindor lost in over a year. Personally, I hope they manage to reclaim their spot. However to do so, they would have to beat Slytherin, whereas Ravenclaw would have to lose against Hufflepuff. Overall the house of eagles are clearly far ahead, but there is still a chance for Slytherin or Gryffindor to steal the victory from them. While it is unlikely for Hufflepuff to get a hold of the trophy, they might still manage to rank in the top three!
Broom Racing
As the newest of our school’s sports and by far the most chaotic one, broom racing combines flying, spell slinging and obstacles as the house teams fight for which team reaches the finish line the fastest. Like the other sports, this one will have three stages each year of which the first one has already happened. The victors of the first stage were Gryffindor who had won against Slytherin and Hufflepuff who stole the victory from Ravenclaw. As I mentioned this sport is the most chaotic one, as such Simon Kincaid was knocked unconscious by the Ravenclaw team just after he crossed the finish line, claiming victory for his house. However, even the race between Slytherin and Gryffindor had its fair share of madness. Both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are in the lead now and both teams seem of equal strengths, which makes any prediction difficult. That said, Gryffindor has two students with more experience in broom racing, which is why I would like to think that it will be the house that will win the trophy. I will be able to make a safer prediction after the second stage!
This was it with the predictions for Duelling, Quidditch and Broom Racing. A lot of things are still written in the stars, but a second stage of broom racing and the third stages of both Quidditch and Duelling might let us know more. I personally will be rooting for my own house for the sports, but are there any of you who are rooting for a house that isn’t their own? Feel free to leave our team notes with your own predictions!
Muggle Item of the Month: The Olympics by Willow Anderson
Wizards have a lot of popular sports that have teams all over the world and national tournaments, but would you believe muggles also have sports? I know this may come as a shock. But they do! So many in fact that every four years teams from all over the world come together to compete in a myriad of sports! We just had the Summer Olympics in the summer of 2020 in Japan, and the Winter Olympics recently concluded in Beijing! A different country hosts the Olympics every four years and it’s a major event that usually gets its own construction of an Olympic Village. In the 2020 Summer Olympics the top three were: the United States, China, and Japan. For the Winter Olympics the top three were: Norway, Germany, and China!
The Olympics inspiration can be traced all the way back to the Olympic Games that were held in Olympia, Greece. These were held from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. That’s really old. Over time the games have evolved to create the Winter Olympics, Paralympic Games which is for athletes that have disabilities, Youth Olympic Games for athletes 14-18 years of age, the five Continental Games (Pan American, African, Asian, European, and Pacific), as well as the World Games for sports not in the Olympic Games. Which is A LOT! While not created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), they endorse the Deaflympics and the Special Olympics. Basically, there are a lot of sports, a lot of games, and a lot of fun to be had.
Now, you might be asking yourself: Willow, just how many sports are even involved in the Olympics? Which is a great question! Give yourself a minute to guess before continuing to read… Think of a number? In the Olympic Games (Summer and Winter) there are a total of 35 different sports, which doesn’t even compare to the bonkers number of 400 events between those sports. There really is something for everyone to watch at the Olympic Games. Personally, my family really loves watching gymnastics, figure skating, volleyball, and synchronized swimming. I’m not a strong swimmer, but I feel like in another life I could’ve been part of a synchronized swimming team.
These sports are a big deal and only feature athletes that are the best of the best in their sport. More often than not, people that compete in the Olympics have numerous competition titles already under their belt. Getting to the Olympics is hard, and sometimes people train since they are able to walk. Gymnastics is a big one where the competitors are fairly young. It’s a beautiful achievement and lots of Olympic Athletes have taken to social media, such as TikTok, to showcase exactly what it’s like to be an Olympic Athlete. They take you to their food halls, their housing, what they get as swag, and the relationships they develop between different countries. Honestly, it’s really cool to see how many athletes know each other from previous competitions or even previous Olympics. I’m sure it’s a unique bond.
Paris, France is set to hold the next Summer Olympics in 2024. Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy is set to hold the next Winter Olympics in 2026. I know that seems really far away, but trust me, they sneak up on you faster than you can believe!
P.S. Can you imagine wizard sports at the Olympic Games? I would be a shoe in for a duelling position.
The Pom-Pom Pet by Alan Vanes
There are many wonderful creatures in both the magical and non-magical world. Today’s article will be covering the Puffskein and its subspecies. They are known as an XX Beast, which means that they are harmless and possible to domesticate.
The Puffskein is a well-known creature—a pet to many people and especially popular among younger children. They require no special considerations and are less high-maintenance than other pets. They are also quite robust, which is why they would not suffer from being cuddled tightly or even thrown around or dropped; instead they might find such actions enjoyable. When they are happy and content, the Puffskein utter a low humming sound.
The Puffskein is covered in long, fluffy fur and shaped like a small sphere. The Puffskein is easy to carry and hold comfortably. Their hair is soft to the touch and custard coloured. They have a pair of beady black eyes with which they like to observe their surroundings. The normal Puffskein does not have any fangs, which makes them easy to handle. Their long and thin pink tongue allows them to scavenge their surroundings for food, such as leftovers, spiders, and also bogeys.The latter seems to be their favourite!
The hair of the Puffskein is known for its magical properties, as it can be used in the Laughing Potion. Their fur can be gathered by carefully clipping the strands of hair or shaving. Otherwise, its main purpose remains that of a pet. The more commonly known Pygmy Puff—which stands out more due to its colourful hues—is actually closely descended from the Puffskein and seems to inherit their scavenger instincts.
There are a few sub species of Puffskein, such as the Appaloosa Puffskein and the Fanged Puffskein. The Appaloosa Puffskein was a kind of Puffskein only native to New York in the United States of America, where they were illegally bred until 1925. Only one breeder knew the secret on how to breed this species of Puffskein. It is unknown what made them stand out from the other species of Puffskein, however.
The Fanged Puffskein is a species of Puffskein that is known for their protruding fangs. Their fur is black in colour and their eyes appear yellow. This species of Puffskein was bred by wizards, but has since been made illegal due to the Ban on Experimental Breeding issued by the Wizengamot in 1965. It is unknown whether this type of Puffskein has a different temper or is considered more dangerous due to their fangs, because of how little there is known about their species. That means their actual Ministry of Magic Classification can only be specified.
Fun Fact: A group of Puffskein are known as a poffle.
If there are any specific creatures you would like to learn more about (whether they are magical or not) please send me an owl and let me know!
Everything You Want to Know About Unicorns by Willow Anderson
I had the opportunity to interview one of the newest professors of Hogwarts, Professor Proulx! As a muggle born I have had a lot of exposure to what muggles believe about unicorns’ looks and properties. But what is the truth about these magical creatures? Professor Proulx helped me separate muggle fiction from wizard fact in this tell-all about unicorns!
1. Can you give the younger years a quick explanation on what exactly a unicorn is?
“Well, it’s quite like what you imagine as an iconic incarnation of magic. They’re pure white horses with a white horn protruding from their head, and just welling with magical properties that differ depending on what part of them we’re looking at. A distant relative of other beasts such as winged horses and centaurs, as they all are a species of equine. Still, their elements are unique outside of the lineaments of their anatomy.”
2. What do you think makes a unicorn unique from other magical creatures?
“These are sacred creatures. We see magical creatures used for all sorts of purposes— in potions, as transport— but not typically unicorns, not beyond harvested parts from those that were at their life’s end or that could be taken without even minute damage to the equine itself. And unicorns have powers that change the face of life, properties of immortality, albeit miserable, in their blood. Things so potent and rare, and I think it’s beautiful that we, as a Wizarding society, can stick together in respecting a creature of such high esteem and seeing harm as the immoral act it is, even if it did benefit Wizardkind. That’s unique.”
3. What do you think is the biggest misconception that muggles have created about unicorns?
“Their appearance. It’s debated heavily of course, unicorns are a horribly kept secret of our world but nonetheless too fleet of foot to have a solid, indisputable image in the minds of those unfit to study them. You’ll see anything from rainbow manes to pairs of wings, which, I think, bleed over from the myth of the pegasus. In reality, these are pure white creatures, only a dash of colour is golden hooves, remnants of their gold stage. See, for the first two years of their life, they’re solid gold. Later silver, and become white at seven years.”
4. Do you believe that narwhals are the unicorns of the sea?
“No, I wouldn’t say so. None of the properties are the same except the horn versus the tusk. You may find this interesting. In mediaeval days, European Muggle tradesmen used to harvest the tusk of a narwhal to take advantage of the swelling belief that unicorn horns were anti-poison and sell them for much more gold than they’re worth.”
5. Have you ever seen a unicorn, and how pretty are they actually?
“They quite are. They have a preference for witches, but I’ve gained trust, especially of younger ones which are far less sceptical, and the closer you get, the more apparent it is that they are pure beyond our comprehension. The white of their coats would make snow look grey, and even in the gold and silver stages, their appearance is ethereal. They don’t develop horns until four years of age, so the foals are just these clumsy golden bébés. Frankly, they’re adorable.”
6. Have you ever watched My Little Pony?
“No, is that a documentary?”
There you have it! For any first or second years this is a sneak peek into what you could learn in Care of Magical Creatures in third year! Definitely a class, and a Professor, to look forward to.
Amato Amino Animato Animagus by Koko Riddle
Among witches and wizards, there is a ritual granting an ambitious wix the ability to become an animal. This ritual is called the animagus ritual, and some students at Hogwarts have begun to become animagi.
I sent out a letter asking for any kind animagi to answer the questions I printed on it, and I received an anonymous response. Animagi deserve their right to privacy, same as the rest of us, so I did not try to learn their name.
Some of the questions were more tailored towards helping aspirant animagi achieve their goal—I do hope this is helpful.
Question 1: ‘How would you describe the animagus ritual? Is it worth it?’
Answer 1: ‘It was extensive, to say the least. I never would have thought I'd be dying in anticipation just for a pour of rain and thunder. The weather has a mind of its own, and I'd waited a few months just for a huge thunderstorm rather than the many moments of disappointment where the skies merely produced a short drizzle. I would say it was worth it, I can't imagine not having my form now. My animagus form is sort of a family legacy passed on to the women born into my family, generation after generation.’
This answer details how long the ritual takes - one has to wait for a thunderstorm before they can complete the ritual, which can be rare during the calmer months. Unmentioned is the fact that an aspirant animagus needs to keep a mandrake leaf underneath their tongue for an entire moon cycle—and if the moon is obscured when the cycle is over, they will need to begin anew. The ritual is incredibly complicated, but according to my respondent, it was worth it.
Question 2: ‘Is it very different being an animal compared to being a human? Are you still you, or do you feel more like an animal?’
Answer 2: ‘My senses are altered with my form and to be honest, I feel more like an animal. Powerful and there is also a sense of justified majesticness that comes with my form. I'm rid of the general... presence I carry as a human, often described as terrible and very unsettling. Oddly, I feel more at ease in my animagus form than human and it is a very comforting escape.’
My respondent details how an animal form can be liberating. For anyone with a bad reputation, becoming an animagus might be a good idea.
Question 3: ‘How did you prepare for the ritual?’
Answer 3: ‘I read the book, gathered the ingredients. A professor, and a close family member guided me along the process as well.’
Apparently, preparation is the most straightforward part of the animagus ritual. This may be comforting to any aspiring animagi.
Question 4: ‘Do you have any words of advice for students who aspire to become animagi in the future?’
Answer 4: ‘Be patient and expect some disappointment. You can always try again later on if you do not succeed.’
While being told to expect disappointment may not be comforting, it is certainly truthful, and that might be better than any comforting words. Patience seems as if it would definitely be very important—so if you are very bad at waiting in a queue, you may want to reconsider becoming an animagus, or at the very least, train yourself to learn how to wait for things. As for trying again later - that is a useful life lesson for anything, not just the animagus ritual. If you are not easily deterred, this ritual may be the one for you.
Ultimately, the animagus ritual is one that is very complex and extensive, but once completed, it can grant the animagus a power unknown to anyone else—and it can be very rewarding.
Who are the New Prefects? by Liana Kerr
Being chosen as a prefect marks a student as a competent, trustworthy individual. The role also grants a certain degree of authority over one’s peers and adds extra duties to the already busy schedule of the model student. Two new prefects have been appointed this school year - Cain Corvus (first-year, Slytherin) and Jake Morris (third-year, Hufflepuff). They have agreed to answer a few questions about their new responsibilities and the difficulties that may arise from them.
Did you have to reprimand an older student yet? Would you feel anxious about doing it?
Cain: I haven't had the honour yet. I will do what must be done if and when that time should come.
Jake: Um yeah… I had to. I guess I always feel anxious doing it. I mean, it's pretty hard 'cause I don't really know if anyone's actually gonna listen to me. ...Um… wait… are you writing that down? I mean… um… no?
What do you like the most about your new position?
Cain: I would have to say the best part would be the prefects’ bathroom. It's pretty fancy there. I like the badge too.
Jake: I think what I like most is that I can help the professors and the school and all of the other kids.
How would you feel if you had to give detention to a friend who broke school rules?
Cain: I would feel pretty bad about it, but I think I've made the sort of friends who don't cause trouble. I think...
Jake: Well, I wouldn't wanna do it but everybody has to follow the rules. I mean, the rules are only there to keep everybody safe in the first place. I would hate doing that more than anything. But I also hate when my friends don't listen even when they know I'm right there.
What do you think about your fellow prefects?
Cain: Each and every one of them is capable and kind. I hope to be just as useful and not become a burden on any of them.
Jake: All the ones I know are really great! Some of my best friends are prefects. I think that students of the school can feel safe knowing that they're there. I think everybody wants to do a good job and I know not everybody's perfect but if you ever need help the prefects will always be there.
Do you intend to be strict towards misbehaving students?
Cain: I intend to be fair. I want this school to be a fun place to attend. It doesn't give me any kind of pleasure when I have to reprimand someone.
Jake: Well… not strict just… I mean I don't want to get anybody in trouble. But it's like I said… the rules are there for a reason. I wish nobody would ever get in trouble, but if I let everybody misbehave, then who knows what's going to happen? Sometimes people don't realise that there's a good reason and I don't want anybody to get hurt.
Evelynn’s Advice by Evelynn Decipio
If I slap myself in the face and it hurts... am I too strong or too weak? - Juniper
Dear Juniper,
Why would you want to slap yourself at all? That is entirely undignified and a horrid test of personal strength. If you slap yourself and it hurts, it is because the force was enough to signal pain—nothing more. Strength is the ability to stand up and keep pursuing your goals despite setbacks and disappointment. Keep moving forward and none will ever consider you weak.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
Hello!
Perhaps you can help me with this: I don't know much about how I should act when developing romantic feelings. My last relationship started because my crush walked in on me talking to myself.
I believe that I have caught feelings for my best friend since first year and he probably has no idea. What should I do?
Dear Caught,
Your position is certainly not one to be envied. On one hand, to do anything at all risks the integrity of your current relationship if the feelings aren't shared. But, to say nothing might leave you wondering "what if" for too long. I think you're the only one who can really answer for certain. However, if they really are as good a friend as you're suggesting and don't share those same feelings, they should be kind enough to work with you to talk it through, establish boundaries, and help you through your disappointment while keeping the friendship flourishing.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
Dear Evelynn
How to deal with a family that doesn't accept who you are as a wizard. Like muggle family and maybe more?
From Anon
Dear Anon,
That is a difficult situation—change is not easy. Imagine how shocked you were to learn of the wizarding world. Your family, older and more established, would be even more-so. They might feel foolish, or tricked, or in disbelief that something so fantastical has existed without their realisation for so long. They may also fear it, and the unknown it brings. Your family has always been the one responsible for protecting you, and now the roles may be reversed and they may not know how to fulfil their positions in this new dynamic. Be sympathetic, understanding. Invite them to learn and ask questions. Let them grow comfortable at their own pace. As silly as it may sound, they are grieving the loss of the familiar and we all grieve at our own pace.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
What do I do if one of my best friends wrote me a love letter and I don't know how I feel about it and what to say to him but I don't want to lose him?
-Anonymous student
Dear Anonymous,
The most important thing right now is to reflect on your own feelings and decide where you stand with them. Don’t feel pressured to change the nature of your current friendship if an intimate relationship with them is not what you want. It is okay to remain friends. Keep communication open, however. Tell them that you don't know how you feel right now and need time to think about it. Thank them for their interest, and understand that they took the risk of being vulnerable to tell you that. They are likely just as scared to lose the friendship. If they are a good friend, however, they will respect your decision, whatever it is.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
I'm ending my relationship with my long-term girlfriend to pursue someone who has captivated my attention. It doesn't seem right to have feelings for another when you're with someone else. But tell me - am I a horrible person?
Dear Captivated,
You aren’t a horrible person. I am by no means an expert when it comes to matters of the heart, but at our age, it’s unlikely we would know what qualities in a person might be good for us in the long term. We are still developing, and so are our values, preferences, and those aspects that attract us. I think it normal that you might find yourself drawn to another if your experiences and growth have changed you from where you were at the start of your current relationship. But you shouldn’t pursue another while you are currently tied. Evaluate your current priorities, give your current partner the respect of a dialogue, then make a choice.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
How does one successfully sneak into Hogsmeade?
Dear Sneak,
One does not. As tempting as it may be, one waits until third year when one obtains permission from a guardian. Sneaking in is dangerous and can leave you unaccounted for if something happens, and in a position where you could be hurt. Have some respect for those Koldovstoretz students and keep your toes in line.
Sincerely, E. Decipio
What Books are Students Reading? by Liana Kerr
Curious to know what sort of relationship my peers have with literature, I interviewed some of them. Here are their answers:
Is it difficult to find the time to read for pleasure while studying at Hogwarts?
Clair Fernandez: Yes - with studying and classes, reading is often put on the back burner.
Della Barfield: Yes! Especially as a muggle-born, I feel like I'm at a disadvantage when it comes to homework and lessons and knowing what everything is. I do a lot of reading in the library, but it's usually to get my bearings on what a house elf is or who Dumbledore was. I do love learning about magical creatures so that might count as reading for pleasure, but I'm usually able to sneak some time in on the weekends, but I'm not reading nearly as much as I did over the summer. I probably brought too many muggle books with me to school--I'm not going to finish them all!
Maggie Hawkins: Yes, and I didn’t really read beforehand much.
Aurelius Leeds: Yes, very. Due to the amount of dedicated study time I elect to have, my personal reading time - for fun or interest - is limited. It's unfortunate, as I enjoy reading as a hobby, but lately that past-time has been chewed up by reading textbooks for classes.
What literary genre do you enjoy the most?
Clair: The best genre is Fiction, no doubt.
Della: I love mysteries!
Maggie: I like horror books!
Aurelius: I don't waste time with useless genre-specifics. My personal reading is wholly focused on furthering my knowledge, education and awareness of the wizarding world. I've heard mention of genres like fiction, drama or fantasy, but I have no use for those. I read documented wizard-specific books, tomes and scrolls, while also indulging in some casual encyclopaedia topic pursuits.
What book are you currently reading?
Clair: Wings of Fire, I would definitely recommend it to others, it's a great book, it's really well written and it is always changing in each book.
Della: I'm reading Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and love it so far.
Maggie: Uh… my Potions textbook. Wouldn’t recommend it. It’s super boring. And useless.
Aurelius: Currently I am reading Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. It provides an acceptably detailed account of wizarding history throughout the 20th century, though personally I feel the 852 page length could be increased two-fold. Details are important, no matter the page count. I would recommend any wizard or witch worth attending a reputable magic school to read it, at least twice, to understand where our kind has come from, what our kind has done, and where our kind can go under our future leadership.
Do you have a favourite book?
Clair: The Seven Sisters is the best book ever, I really like it because it's really well written, with very few plot holes.
Della: My favourite book of all time is the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. If you like mysteries, these are some of the originals. They basically started the whole detective genre! Each chapter is a standalone case. A Scandal in Bohemia is my favourite because it has Irene Adler. And when I read it I guessed the correct solution, but it was one of the only times Sherlock didn't get it right!
Maggie: The Shining by Stephen King, because it’s creepy and awesome!
Aurelius: I do not. Books are sources of information, little more. I have no feelings or inclinations of positivity toward one or another. They are to a wizard or witch what a hammer is to a carpenter, they are tools to be used, to further personal knowledge and understanding - not things to be loved or cherished or held in any regard beyond what expertise they might impart from reading them.
Fashion Forward: SPRING by Evelynn Decipio
Shall we say: out with the cold, in with the bloom? Winter is finally relinquishing its icy grip, which means—of course—that it is finally time to spring fully forward into Spring with this year’s fashion! Rising temperatures have been accompanied by new inspiration hot off the runway. Fashion designers around the muggle world bring their ingenuity to full bare, promising a flavourful and bold selection of trends to add to your closets.
Skirting the Classics
Preppy chic has always been a classic go-to, and this year is no different. Skirt suits common to traditional schools around the globe are still making an appearance on the runway with one small twist: shorter skirts. Of course, the professors won’t take kindly to scandal, and propriety must always be upheld above fleeting trends. Still, do not shy away from showing a little knee when you wear your favourite skirt (or shorts) and blazer pair.
Colour Us Impressed
Bold is beautiful and this spring, less is certainly more. Spare yourself the fussiness of complex accessories and instead select outfits with vibrant and attention-grabbing dyes. Outrageous orange, glaring green, bright blue… And while tye-dye and patterns aren’t entirely out of the question, the more sophisticated will stick to monochromatic palettes. The rainbow is your pot of gold and ROY G. BIV is your guide to statement dressing.
Psyched for Spring
Of course, where would we be without our more psychedelic patterns. The busyness of energetic textiles may not be to everyone’s taste, but none shall think you tasteless with perennial florals or playful prints. Grasp unapologetically for inspiration from the 1970s to build a staple retro outfit. To balance a previous penchant for mini skirts, the bigger the pants, the better.
No Folk Pas
White is the new black in this year’s trend towards folk-inspired garb. Lace has always been a go-to for those seeking a more refined and classic look, and this year, even the more rebellious can flash their feminine sides with the demure and delicate adornment. Whether featured as a simple embellishment to finish a piece, or serving as its centrepiece, the school will know you are up-to-date with your trends. Try trimming your robes, or cutting a lace window into the back of a shirt. With lace, you really cannot go wrong.
All Aboard
The Hogwarts Express isn’t the only powerhouse in the station. Runways across the world featured a variety of trains to offer head-turning drama to an outfit. Fashionistas won’t want to miss this opportunity to display their savvy at this year’s Blossom Ball with flowing tails and trailing gowns. What’s more, this trend doesn’t have to be limited to muggle attire. Add a bit of je-ne-sais-pas to your dress robes and take a nod to our Beauxbatons friends with dropped hems and French-inspired fishtail trains.
Spun ‘Round
The more crafty among us may appreciate the comfortable textiles and techniques in many of this season’s praised trends. From quilting to embroidery, knits of all varieties to hand-painted floral patterning, heritage techniques lost to time are being dusted off to find the spotlight on these free-spirited fashion favourites. Take the comforts of home with you wherever you wander with eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics and a boho chic aesthetic.
Wizard Fashion by Pericles Dralt
It isn't unusual to see magical folk in Muggle media depicted with star-spangled robes, comically tall hats, or the Halloween custom of a corseted dress. Silly as they seem, some truth rings in these outrageous designs. Robes are traditional wizarding attire, therefore expected to be worn during formal events, especially funerals or weddings. A pointed hat is considered customary. From colourful cloaks to absurd headwear, it isn't uncommon for our kind to dress dazzlingly, though there are limits. The International Statute of Secrecy insists that wixes must attempt conforming to Muggle fashion when visiting non-magical communities, adapting to the occasion, region, and weather. No clothing with self-altering enchantments may be worn in their presence. However, over the years, we've adopted ways of revealing ourselves to one another. An unwritten code among witches and wizards is the wearing of purple or green, typically in combination. Many magical types, well-to-do families in particular, seek to set themselves apart by donning the dated garb of gentry or nobility. Canes, frills, suits and dresses of a twentieth-century cut are Pureblood family favourites. Much of our fashion staples are tied to when we went into hiding in the seventeenth century. While some could call robes and pointed hats "antiquated", for others, wearing them is a matter of cultural pride. Yet even a majority of anti-Muggles are prone to wear Muggle clothing, as trousers are generally more practical than robes.
Why then, one might wonder, are clothing misdemeanours the most common violations of the Statute of Secrecy? Why do so many adults dress oddly enough to draw attention, let alone receive a fine from the Ministry? The trouble lies in lack of exposure. Here in Hogwarts, we are fortunate enough to mingle with Muggleborns and Half-bloods, thereby gaining a vicarious grasp of Muggle culture. Upon graduation, most wixes pursue careers in either a magical field or the wizarding community. Our exposure to the culture drops, and as many Muggle electronics do not work properly in a home with high magical concentration, we don't absorb as much of their media. It is easy for adult wixes to lose touch with the fashions required to maintain a suitable disguise. In some cases, the wearing of wizardly ensembles has resulted in fines, for Muggles mistakenly report them as "cultists". On the opposite end of this conundrum, wixes make the mistake of wearing whatever disguises they bought decades in advance, being too careless to upgrade their wardrobes. They arouse suspicion with pleather trousers and disco shoes, then if confronted, exacerbate doubt with their un-Muggle-like behaviour.
Wixes need not fear the literal crime of being a fashion disaster. Even if one lacks the advice of well-dressed friends, we can turn to books, magazines, or mannequins. Display mannequins (as well as people-watching) can be an excellent point of reference when putting together an outfit. In many cases when disguised as a Muggle, the simpler you dress, the safer! When preparing for an average day in magical society, in which one needn't disguise their true selves, one should dress to express their unique nature, even if that involves emerald robes or hats topped with stuffed vultures.
Club Reports: The Mysteries of Alchemy by Dealla Prince
“We do not crave riches, we do not crave power, we do not crave eternal life, nor do we crave the philosopher's stone. We open our doors to those that wish to know the rules of magic.”
This is the motto of a mysterious club that opened its metaphorical doors in our school just a few months ago: the Alchemy Club. Its leader is as mysterious as the club’s interests, and a hard one to track down. Letters to members are simply signed “Head Alchemist”, and they only agreed to this interview under the promise of anonymity – thus my sources shall remain secret.
Our Head Alchemist seems enthusiastic when speaking about the club, its purpose, and its meetings, which consist of discussions and study sessions to better the club members’ understanding of potions and transfiguration, and the intricacies created from their combination in Alchemy. They also proudly state that the meetings have helped some members better their grades in these subjects – a study group with a twist and a pinch of mystery. Not only that, but the club also offers activities such as harvesting magical plants for further study.
Doing them further credit, they answer the rest of my questions patiently.
What inspired you to found the Alchemy Club?
Head Alchemist: “I founded the club because Alchemy is very interesting. It doesn't seem to have much popularity here at Hogwarts and I wanted to reignite that interest in the subject. It has a mixture of both transfiguration and potion brewing and some other factors, but just those two alone prove how difficult Alchemy is. [...] I believe Alchemy is a key to the unknown of magic due to its complexity, and figuring out how to unlock its secrets is what may lead us to a better understanding of what I like to call 'true magic'.”
Are your goals the same as the ones of traditional alchemy? Turning lead into gold, or creating an elixir that grants immortality? Another Philosopher's Stone, basically?
Head Alchemist: “Turning something into gold, being immortal, or creating the Philosopher's stone are not our goals. [...] Magic itself seems to have rules that everyone has to follow, such as Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. Turning things into valuable material such as gold is not allowed because of this law; however, this law has been broken once by the Philosopher's stone, which was made through alchemy. We may attempt to create the stone, or turn things into gold, but our goal is to know why these rules can be bent or broken. Then we build off with our own theories, practices, and methods.”
Finally, is there anything you'd like to say to potential new members who might be reading this right now?
Head Alchemist: “We are all scholars in the making who are bound for greatness. We all advance at a remarkable pace that I don't think any would believe. Our magical potential is limitless, and here at the Alchemy Club, we wish to unlock your potential and free your minds. Magic has freed us from rules, and Alchemy can further bend the rules that confine magic. None of us are caged; we are all free to do that of our own making.”
I send them off with thanks and a smile, and a seed of curiosity in my own stomach. Knowing what potions and transfigurations can do separately, how do we discover the limits of what the two can do together? Maybe I’ll join the Alchemy Club myself to find an answer to that question.
Bbcode issue below:
Reducio
Ever since its announcement, the Hexwizard Tournament has easily been the hottest topic around school. Which school will win—that is a question for the future. For now, another is much more pressing: Who will represent each school?
For the last few weeks, students from each school had the opportunity to submit their name into the Goblet of Fire, the magical artefact that traditionally chooses the Champions. How does the Goblet know which name is the most suited to compete? Is the choice in the end a random one? We may never know, but its choices seem to have made sense in the past.
Now, after a choosing ceremony that did not go quite as expected (everyone who was there knows what I mean), we finally have our six champions—five traditionally chosen, and one who somehow slipped into it. I am happy to present the Hexwizard Champions, starting with a profile (including their Zodiac for those interested in their astrological compatibility), a small Q&A, and finally, an assessment of their skills and the threat they present in the tournament. Let’s get started with Hogwarts’ very own Champion.────────────────────────────--
———————————————————————x──────────────────────────────────────
Representing Hogwarts-- -- Q: Does it worry you at all that in the last tournament, a student died? ----------------------------
Name. @Howard White
Age. 15
Year. Fifth
Height. 6’0’’-6’1’’
Build. Athletic
Zodiac. Cancer
Skills. Quidditch (Chaser), knowledge of plants and creatures, physically strong and fast
Q: Did you expect you’d be chosen to represent Hogwarts?
A: No, not really. [...] I thought it would choose one of the older students, like a 6th or 7th year, or someone that wasn't a half-breed. It’s supposed to be a tournament to see who the best witch or wizard is, so I thought it would choose someone that was a full-blood or whatever they call themselves.
Q: Do you already know who you want on your team to help you snatch the trophy?
A: I got a few friends that I know are gonna join me for sure. I wouldn't have anyone else by my side regardless of skill. Maybe have some of my Quidditch teammates join me since we are already used to workin' together, but I dunno. Maybe I'll just have an open audition or something for the remaining spots.
Call me biased, but I do think that
--
Threat Level: High
Representing Ilvermorny
---------------------------
Name. Miles Riley Thatcher
[@Simon Kincaid]
Age. 13
Year. Second
Height. 5’6’’-5’10’
Build. Slim to normal
Zodiac. Sagittarius
Skills. Quidditch (Beater), analytic mind, adventurous
Q: Did you expect you’d be chosen to represent Ilvermorny?
A: I'm sure the Goblet had a time deciding the champion for Ilvermorny. We're gifted with some of the best of the best in the wizarding world. Did I expect my name? Well, I figured I was a likely candidate with my love of adventure.
--
Miles seems easy-going but confident, and not afraid of a challenge. He is among the younger champions, although not the youngest, and very much ready to face whatever the tournament will throw at him. He also shows high confidence in his peers, which bodes well for his team. As a Beater, he is physically in shape, and lists logical thinking and a sense for adventure as his own strengths. It may be hard to tell just from a short conversation, but I feel like Miles might be a threat to watch out for.
Threat Level: Medium-high
Representing Durmstrang
--------------------------
Name. Yefim Rumyantsev
[@Flash Holmwood]
Age. 15
Year. Fourth
Height. 5’5’’-5’8’’
Build. Broad, brawny
Zodiac. “Legend” (self-proclaimed)
Skills. Strength, speed, impressive confidence
Q: Do you already know who you want on your team to help you snatch the trophy?
A: Mostly. For this tournament, it is best to have people who trust each other perfectly. My followers would die for me, as I would die for them. We will inherit Earth.**
Q: In the last tournament almost thirty years ago, a student died. Does this worry you at all?
Representing Mahoutokoro-- -- ---------------------------- Name. Aryaan Shamsi
[@Hui Ming]
Age. 11
Year. First
Height. 4’8’’-4’11’’
Build. Average
Zodiac. Cancer
Skills. Quidditch (Seeker), Ballsports (Football, Volleyball), a tendency to disregard rules
Q: What do you think about the unorthodox way you were chosen to represent Mahoutokoro?
A: Goblet this, rules that. I don’t understand this kinda stupid talk. You all think I’m less qualified just because I’m younger! Well, I’ll show you. Just because I’m young doesn’t mean squat! I’ve got good people around me. The best! And we’ll show everyone what Mahoutokoro is capable of!
Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: Hey. Look. This is about showing off what we all can do, and about having fun. If you could all just calm down and enjoy the tasks, instead of making this about honour and breeding and prestige and whatnot, that’d be great.
Far be it from me to dismiss someone due to their age alone, or because of the fact that their name wasn’t spat out by a magical Goblet. Many different factors will come into play when deciding the winner of the Hexwizard tournament, such as skill, wit, and an excellent choice of team members just as a few examples. Aryaan comes across as confident in both his skills and those of his
──────────────────
Of course, it is still very early to make predictions for the outcome of the Hexwizard Tournament, but the Champions will be central pieces for the success of their school. The upcoming months will be exceedingly important as each--
Threat Level: Medium
Representing Koldovstoretz
--------------------------------
Name. Rodion Stepanov Makarovich
[@Aurora Ranvier]
Age. 13
Year. Second
Height. 5’2’’-5’4’’
Build. Average
Zodiac. Aquarius
Skills. Duelling, knitting
Q: Did you expect you’d be chosen to represent Koldovstoretz?
A: I actually didn't expect it at all since I am just a regular student and nothing special. But I am really grateful for the opportunity.
Q: Is there any particular type of challenge you’re hoping for during the tournament?
A: Quiz surrounding the wizarding world, perhaps? I'm kidding. But yes, quiz. Or maybe just a general knowledge quiz.
I am fairly certain that I am not the only one who is surprised by a champion who describes himself as nothing special and then goes on about his love for knitting - at length. Then again, Rodion’s innocent demeanour may be a ploy… but I doubt it. He also expresses the simple and naive hope that ‘nothing bad will happen this time’, but perhaps I am just jaded from the long list of disasters that Hogwarts has seen in the years since I have been here. Still, unless he surprises me and starts stabbing competitors with his knitting needles, Rodion does not seem to have the edge that will be required to fight his way to the top of this tournament.
Threat Level: Medium-low
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Champion has the privilege (and responsibility) to pick a team that will give them the best chance at winning… or to merely have fun with, depending on their priorities. Once there is more to report, you can read about it in future Headliner issues.BY DEALLA PRINCE.--
*Answers have been transposed to correct English as accurately as possible.
**Possibly a Russian proverb. I have not been able to find its meaning.
From his claims about being destined to be Durmstrang’s champions to his announcement that he will show no mercy to his competition and that their fate is already sealed, Yefim shows nothing but a megalomaniac level of belief that he will win the tournament no matter what, as not even death can stop him. Yet beyond being built like a bulldozer, Yefim has little to back up this claim. Should he find team members able to provide the brain to his brawn, he might prove a threat, but would students like that be willing to follow him?
Threat Level: Medium
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Representing Beauxbatons
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Name. Angélique Colette de Clairmont
[@Santario Martin]
Age. 14
Year. Third
Height. Short, unspecified
Build. Athletic
Zodiac. Unknown
Skills. Broom Racing
Q&A: Angélique was not available for an interview.
Angélique is the only champion I have not been able to snatch for an interview. This makes her a bit of an unknown variable, as my research has not given me much. We know that she is on the Beauxbatons broom racing team, and was the one who decided the inter-school race last summer in favour of her team, which suggests that she is a very capable athlete.
Will this information be helpful for the upcoming tournament? It is hard to tell, but it certainly doesn’t speak against her. I get the feeling that she might be a dangerous and fierce competitor, despite her short stature.
Threat Level: High
Clairmont, pictured below (left)
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Just like today, champions were picked by the Goblet of Fire, a magical goblet in which students would submit their names. The Goblet was intended to be impartial. It wouldn’t favour Ravenclaw, for instance, and it would pick only one Champion per school. These champions were tested on intelligence, magical ability, and bravery, since often the tasks were fairly dangerous. Some tasks have included dragons, mazes, and deep diving.
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In the 1990s, the tournament was revived with new restrictions in place. For instance, all applicants were required to be at least seventeen years old. However, an adult, Barty Crouch Jr., put in an application for a fourth year, the now infamous Harry Potter. As many students likely know, the 1994-1995 Triwizard Tournament ended with the death of Hogwarts' Hufflepuff champion, sixth-year Cedric Diggory, and the revival of Voldemort.
Nowadays, the Hexwizard Tournament is being brought back into play, hopefully with even more safety restrictions. More schools will be involved—Ilvermorny in the US, Mahoutokoro in Japan, and Koldovstoretz in Russia will join the original three schools of Beauxbatons, Durmstrang and Hogwarts in the tournament.
Castelobruxo in Brazil and Uagadou in Uganda have declined to enter the tournament, citing a belief that this may go as badly as the previous 1990s Triwizard Tournament. Compared to the 90s, the world is safer now and many students still yearn for glory. At this time, it is likely that the tournament will proceed as planned in spite of concerns.
BY KOKO RIDDLE
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Short for Squib Committee Advocating Rights, S.C.A.R. started out as an organisation of (partially mixed race) Squibs fighting for their right to be included as full members of magical society. Yet, over the years, their name has started to be associated with terrorist attacks and death, a rhetoric spread through the news with often little to no evidence.
How did an organisation with such noble goals end up being seen as the villain? Is this reputation justified? To answer these questions, I tried breaking down a heavily emotional topic to its bare facts and building up from there, starting with a timeline of S.C.A.R. and its activities over the years.──────────────────
First mentions of S.C.A.R. in the papers as a group of young Squibs organising peaceful sit-ins and demonstrations for Squib rights.
Self-proclaimed S.C.A.R. members kill twelve wizards in the Leaky Cauldron in London. No official statement from the leaders of S.C.A.R. confirming or denying the organisation’s involvement has been published.
Increasing tensions between pure-blood families and the population of Squibs and other races become visible when the union between the pure-blood Hildebrand Rosier and part-Veela Lala Lagueux is announced. S.C.A.R. members voice their support of the pair.
S.C.A.R. is blamed for the fire that burned down the Yaxley estate in London, despite their leaders denying involvement. Some pure-blood aristocrats such as Thaddeus Athanatos speak out in support of the organisation.──────────────────--
A peaceful meeting of S.C.A.R. members in a bookstore in London is interrupted when an angry crowd sets the bookstore on fire. The incident is never reported in the news, and many people still do not know about it.
The Hogwarts Express is attacked by men claiming to be S.C.A.R. and demanding the students hand over their wands. The incident escalates, leading to an explosion. Badly injured students are rescued by Thaddeus Athanatos. The attackers vanish mysteriously.
Dervish & Banges in Hogsmeade is the target of a terrorist attack. Seven Koldovstoretz students die. Rumours blame S.C.A.R. without any evidence.
Tensions between pure-bloods and Squibs escalate. The Daily Prophet reports an altercation between S.C.A.R. members and wizards that allegedly led to vandalism by a part-giant S.C.A.R. member. The article contains blatantly anti-half-breed speech, claiming them untrustworthy of wands and magic.
S.C.A.R. changes their name to S.C.A.R.A.B., which is short for Stump’s Coalition Advocating Rights for All Beings, named after the Minister of Magic Grogan Stump (in office 1811-1819), who set the definition of being as “any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws.” The coalition now has members from a variety of different races, all of which are represented on their small council, which includes seats for goblins, hags, vampires and dhampirs, giants, werewolves, and squibs.──────────────────--
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Portrayed like this, it becomes obvious how heavily distorted the incidents have been by the lense of those reporting them.
Many of the terrors that S.C.A.R. is blamed for do not make sense. For example, if the attackers on the Hogwarts Express were Squibs, how did they vanish without a trace? When asked about their involvement in the explosion in Hogsmeade, a S.C.A.R. member pointed out that the dead were mostly half-blood and Muggle-born students, which was easily confirmed. What benefit would the organisation have from such an attack? Should we not question why those with Muggle family were targeted?
There are those in the organisation that have undoubtedly gone to extremes to prove their point. Still, should all members be condemned for the sins of the few, ignoring the good they are trying to accomplish?
I will dig deeper into S.C.A.R.A.B., their goals, and what they can be blamed for, and hope to report more in our next issue.
BY DEALLA PRINCE
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Disclaimer: These interviews were done last September.
I met up and interviewed some of the latest duellists on the scene of Hogwarts! As someone who has been duelling for a while and is a captain, I wanted to get the opinions of some fresh faces to see what they thought! If you think you might like duelling, join your House's duelling team today! Keep reading to hear from @Hanako Tone and @Piper Clark from Slytherin, @Samantha Salwis from Ravenclaw, and @Julian Pritchard from Hufflepuff!────────────────────────────────────
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What made you interested in duelling?
x--
What's your favourite spell? Least favourite to endure?
x
Hanako: Can’t do much with my noodle arms. Can’t study effectively to save my life. I need to protect myself somehow. And duelling just so happens to teach me plenty of things to do just that.
Samantha: Well, last year I watched every duel from Ravenclaw and it seemed like lots of fun. I also liked the idea of duelling, because the spells that you learn in class you get to use. Some people start duelling in random places in school, which they shouldn’t do because it is against the rules and it is very dangerous! But in the duelling club it isn’t against the rules and you can practise casting spells in a safe place. Last year Ravenclaw got second in duelling, and I was really proud of that. I also want to make Ravenclaw proud and I thought it would be amazing if I joined the duelling team and together we would get first place this year.
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Piper: I like casting Flipendo so far - it's easy and does the job alright - but Incendio is a good one if I can aim well. Putting the right amount of focus into it is harder than I thought. From my experience, Incendio has been really nasty because you are literally on fire and that is just painful. But if I can say one I've seen but not felt, Curse of the Bogies looks really miserable.
Hanako: Any spell that helps me win is my favourite spell. (then he winked)
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Is there anything you would say to someone thinking about joining their House's duelling team?
x--
What was your first duel like?
x
x
Samantha: First of all, it is great that you are thinking about joining your House's duelling team. I think joining the duelling team is a great idea, because you learn a lot, you have something fun to do and you can make your house proud. It is also a great way to make friends, even if you normally have a hard time making new friends, because you will have something to talk about. Sporting together creates a bond and that will make it easier to make friends.
Piper: I would say to join if you like spellwork and strategy. And definitely don't if you don't like being unconscious. Especially if you're a first year student and you don't like being knocked out; they really like to target you a lot. But if you're a tough Slytherin and can pull your weight, become a duellist.────────────────────────────--
Samantha: I have participated in a duel. It was lots of fun, but I would be lying if I said it doesn't hurt sometimes. Being knocked down or set on fire isn't a nice feeling and it can hurt sometimes, but we have a great school nurse, who will help you get better in no time, so you don't need to worry about that.
Julian: It was a little strange. Everyone's spells missed more than I would've expected. It was almost like everyone had confounded the lot of us before we ever stepped on the platform. I suppose aiming correctly while trying to avoid being hit yourself is a lot trickier than I ever thought.
x
x
BY WILLOW ANDERSON
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@Aurora Ranvier, the Ravenclaw Captain, is a second year that seems kind of adorable (albeit mildly violent). She’s not a broom racer herself but I would not want to go against her! She spoke about her cat, Lucifer and seemed rather interested in the Gryffindor captain… Ranvier says that broom racing “is a good time to make your enemies suffer without getting any consequences.” (Kind of terrifying, right?)
Her co-captain, @Ari Gwild is a first-year who really opened up in the interview and it was great to talk more openly and honestly. Gwild says that the Ravenclaw team “all have a burning desire to show what we can do, some of us more than others.” I, for one, cannot wait to see what they can do in both the captain position and out there on the track!
Watch out for those against them, as the Ravenclaws say: “Don't mess with the nerds!” and “We are eagles, destined to fly.”
--
Speaking of the Slytherin team, Winters said that she “really admires their courage and team spirit” and Kennedy claimed that she couldn’t “wait to take what we already learned in the last and put it to use for the next match.”
Leading the lions is @Nicholas McCowan. This second year is a fan favourite (or, at least, has a very loud fan based on the last game). I haven’t worked out if it’s courageousness or recklessness yet, but I think he might be the biggest fan of broom racing I’ve ever met! He seemed in line with Ranvier, at least, claiming that broom racing is “fast-paced, violent, and absolutely bloody brilliant.”
The banter between him and his co-captain, @Hugh Lowe, is pretty amusing to see too. Do they work well as a team? Who knows! It’s just really funny, though. I had to poke Lowe’s knees a million times for a comment but he did say, “we're a tough team, we can take a lot of hits.”
From their fighting spirit, it’s clear that Gryffindor is ready to roar.──────────────────--
And there we have it - a quick look into the new broom racing captains. Until next time, folks!
BY SERENA TOWERS
──────────────────One peculiar fact regarding broom sports is how widely common cheating is. Many players believe that the risk of cheating is well worth the upperhand. Rarely a round goes by in which a student is not completing a penalty lap. If everyone is Blatching and the practice is accepted as a valid action, is it truly still a foul? Games and their rules often evolve, so perhaps it is time to embrace Blatching into the actual playbook. Intentionally knocking someone off their broom is quite dangerous, and yet, there seems to be little indication that we’ll see a shortage of this play anytime soon.
BY ALAN VANES──────────────────
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The Duelling Club’s Leaderboard for the year of 2021/22 leaves a lot of room for speculation. In stage one, Gryffindor stepped up against Ravenclaw; and Hufflepuff competed against Slytherin. The Pride of Pendrast as well as the Murder of Merlin seemed to be of somewhat equal strength as their duels showed a balanced back and forth of victories and losses. They also broke a record of the longest ongoing duel since the refounding of the club, leading to the implementation of a time limit. The first stage looked a lot better for the Viridian Vipers, who managed to claim victory in all their six duels against the Blazing Badgers, leading in the first stage with a total of 18 points.
The second stage seemed to be going much more in favor of the different houses, though the Blazing Badgers once more seemed to have pulled the short straw, but--
All of this means that so far there can be no real prediction made, as three of the teams seem to be in equal reach of the trophy. Of course I am biased in hoping for Gryffindor to take the win, so that would be my guess… What is yours?
For Quidditch, the numbers truly speak for themselves. Winning both the first and second stage by catching the snitch and scoring some goals with the quaffle, Ravenclaw has managed to secure the first place with a great distance to Slytherin who is currently in second place. This would be the first game Gryffindor lost in over a year. Personally, I hope they manage to reclaim their spot. However to do so, they would have to beat Slytherin, whereas Ravenclaw would have to lose against Hufflepuff. Overall the house of eagles are clearly far ahead, but there is still a chance for Slytherin or Gryffindor to steal the victory from them. While it is unlikely for Hufflepuff to get a hold of the trophy, they might still manage to rank in the top three!
Slytherin: 260 | Hufflepuff: 130 | Ravenclaw: 430 | Gryffindor: 210──────────────────--
And that's all for predictions. A lot of things are still written in the stars, but a second stage of broom racing and the third stages of both Quidditch and Duelling might let us know more. I personally will be rooting for my own house for the sports, but are there any of you who are rooting for a house that isn’t your own? Feel free to send your own predictions.
BY ALAN VANES
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The Olympics inspiration can be traced all the way back to the Olympic Games that were held in Olympia, Greece. These were held from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. That’s really old. Over time the games have evolved to create the Winter Olympics, Paralympic Games which is for athletes that have disabilities, Youth Olympic Games for athletes 14-18 years of age, the five Continental Games (Pan American, African, Asian, European, and Pacific), as well as the World Games for sports not in the Olympic Games. Which is A LOT! While not created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), they endorse the Deaflympics and the Special Olympics. Basically, there are a lot of sports, a lot of games, and a lot of fun to be had.
--
These sports are a big deal and only feature athletes that are the best of the best in their sport. More often than not, people that compete in the Olympics have numerous competition titles already under their belt. Getting to the Olympics is hard, and sometimes people train since they are able to walk. Gymnastics is a big one where the competitors are fairly young. It’s a beautiful achievement and lots of Olympic Athletes have taken to social media, such as TikTok, to showcase exactly what it’s like to be an Olympic Athlete. They take you to their food halls, their housing, what they get as swag, and the relationships they develop between different countries. Honestly, it’s really cool to see how many athletes know each other from previous competitions or even previous Olympics. I’m sure it’s a unique bond.
Paris, France is set to hold the next Summer Olympics in 2024. Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy is set to hold the next Winter Olympics in 2026. I know that seems really far away, but trust me, they sneak up on you faster than you can believe!
P.S. Can you imagine wizard sports at the Olympic Games? I would be a shoe in for a duelling position.
BY WILLOW ANDERSON
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The Puffskein is a well-known creature—a pet to many people and especially popular among younger children. They require no special considerations and are less high-maintenance than other pets. They are also quite robust, which is why they would not suffer from being cuddled tightly or even thrown around or dropped; instead they might find such actions enjoyable. When they are happy and content, the Puffskein utter a low humming sound.
The Puffskein is covered in long, fluffy fur and shaped like a small
--
The hair of the Puffskein is known for its magical properties, as it can be used in the Laughing Potion. Their fur can be gathered by carefully clipping the strands of hair or shaving. Otherwise, its main purpose remains that of a pet. The more commonly known Pygmy Puff—which stands out more due to its colourful hues—is actually closely descended from the Puffskein and seems to inherit their scavenger instincts.
There are a few sub species of Puffskein, such as the Appaloosa Puffskein and the Fanged Puffskein.--
The Fanged Puffskein is a species of Puffskein that is known for their protruding fangs. Their fur is black in colour and their eyes appear yellow. This species of Puffskein was bred by wizards, but has since been made illegal due to the Ban on Experimental Breeding issued by the Wizengamot in 1965. It is unknown whether this type of Puffskein has a different temper or is considered more dangerous due to their fangs, because of how little there is known about their species. That means their actual Ministry of Magic Classification cannot be specified.
Fun Fact: A group of Puffskein are known as a poffle.
If there are any specific creatures you would like to learn more about (whether they are magical or not) please send me an owl and let me know!
x
x
BY ALAN VANES-- --
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1. Can you give the younger years a quick explanation on what exactly a unicorn is?
“Well, it’s quite like what you imagine as an iconic incarnation of magic. They’re pure white horses with a white horn protruding from their head, and just welling with magical properties that differ depending on what part of them we’re looking at. A distant relative of other beasts such as winged horses and centaurs, as they all are a species of equine. Still, their elements are unique outside of the lineaments of their anatomy.”
2. What do you think makes a unicorn unique from other magical creatures?
“These are sacred creatures. We see magical creatures used for all sorts of purposes— in potions, as transport— but not typically unicorns, not beyond harvested parts from those that were at their life’s end or that could be taken──────────────────--
3. What do you think is the biggest misconception that muggles have created about unicorns?
“Their appearance. It’s debated heavily of course, unicorns are a horribly kept secret of our world but nonetheless too fleet of foot to have a solid, indisputable image in the minds of those unfit to study them. You’ll see anything from rainbow manes to pairs of wings, which, I think, bleed over from the myth of the pegasus. In reality, these are pure white creatures, only a dash of──────────────────--
“No, I wouldn’t say so. None of the properties are the same except the horn versus the tusk. [...] But in mediaeval days, European Muggle tradesmen used to harvest the tusk of a narwhal to take advantage of the swelling belief that unicorn horns were anti-poison and sell them for much more gold than they’re worth.”
5. Have you ever seen a unicorn, and how pretty are they actually?
“They quite are. They have a preference for witches, but I’ve gained trust, especially of younger ones [...], and the closer you get, the more apparent it is that they are beyond our comprehension. The white of their coats would make snow look grey, and even in the gold and silver stages, their appearance is ethereal. They don’t develop horns until four years, so the foals are just these clumsy golden bébés. Frankly, they’re adorable.”
6. Have you ever watched My Little Pony?
“No, is that a documentary?”
There you have it! CoMC is definitely a class to look forward to.
BY WILLOW ANDERSON
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I sent out a letter asking for any kind animagi to answer the questions I printed on it, and I received an anonymous response. Animagi deserve their right to privacy, same as the rest of us, so I did not try to learn their name.
Some of the questions were more tailored towards helping aspirant animagi achieve their goal—I do hope this is helpful.──────────────────1. How would you describe the animagus ritual? Is it worth it?
“It was extensive, to say the least. I never would have thought I'd be dying in anticipation just for a pour of rain and thunder. The weather has a mind of its own, and I'd waited a few months just for a huge thunderstorm rather than the many moments of disappointment where the skies merely produced a short drizzle. I would say it was worth it, I can't imagine not having my form now. My animagus form is sort of a family legacy passed on to the women born into my family, generation after generation.”
This answer details how long the ritual takes - one has to wait for a thunderstorm before they can complete the ritual, which can be rare during the calmer months. Unmentioned is the fact that an aspirant animagus needs to keep a mandrake leaf underneath their--
2. Is it very different being an animal compared to being a human? Are you still you, or do you feel more like an animal?
“My senses are altered with my form and to be honest, I feel more like an animal. Powerful and there is also a sense of justified majesticness that comes with my form. I'm rid of the general... presence I carry as a human, often described as terrible and very unsettling. Oddly, I feel more at ease in my animagus form than human and it is a very comforting escape.”
My respondent details how an animal form can be liberating. For anyone with a bad reputation, becoming an animagus might be a good idea.
3. How did you prepare for the ritual?
“I read the book, gathered the ingredients. A professor and a close family member guided me along the process as well.”
Apparently, preparation is the most straightforward part of the animagus ritual. This may be comforting to any aspiring animagi.
4. Do you have any words of advice for students who aspire to become animagi in the future?
“Be patient and expect some-- ──────────────────
disappointment. You can always try again later on if you do not succeed.”
While being told to expect disappointment may not be comforting, it is certainly truthful, and that might be better than any comforting words. Patience seems as if it would definitely be very important—so if you are very bad at waiting in a queue, you may want to reconsider becoming an animagus, or at the very least, train yourself to learn how to wait for things. As for trying again later - that is a useful life lesson for anything, not just the animagus ritual. If you are not easily deterred, this ritual may be the one for you.──────────────────Ultimately, the animagus ritual is one that is very complex and extensive, but once completed, it can grant the animagus a power unknown to anyone else—and it can be very rewarding.
x
x
BY KOKO RIDDLE-- --
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Cain: I haven't had the honour yet. I will do what must be done if and when that time should come.
Jake: Um yeah… I had to. I guess I always feel anxious doing it. I mean, it's pretty hard 'cause I don't really know if anyone's actually gonna listen to me. ...Um… wait… are you writing that down? I mean… um… no?
2. What do you like the most about your new position?
Cain: I would have to say the best part would be the prefects’ bathroom. It's pretty fancy there. I like the badge too.
Jake: I think what I like most is that I can help the professors and the school and all of the other kids.
--
Cain: I would feel pretty bad about it, but I think I've made the sort of friends who don't cause trouble. I think...
Jake: Well, I wouldn't wanna do it but everybody has to follow the rules. I mean, the rules are only there to keep everybody safe in the first place. I would hate doing that more than anything. But I also hate when my friends don't listen even when they know I'm right there.
4. What do you think about your fellow prefects?
Cain: Each and every one of them is capable and kind. I hope to be just as useful and not become a burden on any of them.
Jake: All the ones I know are really great! Some of my best friends are prefects. I think that students of the school can feel safe knowing that they're there. I think everybody wants to do a good job and I know not everybody's perfect but if you ever need help the prefects will always be there.
5. Do you intend to be strict towards misbehaving students?
Cain: I intend to be fair. I want this school to be a fun place to attend. It doesn't give me any kind of pleasure when I have to reprimand someone.
Jake: Well… not strict just… I mean I don't want to get anybody in trouble. But it's like I said… the rules are there for a reason. I wish nobody would ever get in trouble, but if I let everybody misbehave, then who knows what's going to happen? Sometimes people don't realise that there's a good reason and I don't want anybody to get hurt.
BY LIANA KERR
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“Dear Juniper,
Why would you want to slap yourself at all? That is entirely undignified and a horrid test of personal strength. If you slap yourself and it hurts, it is because the force was enough to signal pain—nothing more. Strength is the ability to stand up and keep pursuing your goals despite setbacks and disappointment. Keep moving forward and none will ever consider you weak.Sincerely, E. Decipio”────────────────────────────2. How does one successfully sneak into Hogsmeade?
“Dear Sneak,
One does not. As tempting as it may be, one waits until third year when one obtains permission from a guardian. Sneaking in is dangerous and can leave you unaccounted for if something happens, and in a position where you could be hurt. Have some respect for those Koldovstoretz students and keep your toes in line.Sincerely, E. Decipio”────────────────────────────3. How to deal with a family that doesn't accept who you are as a wizard. Like muggle family and maybe more?
From Anon
“Dear Anon,
That is a difficult situation—change is not easy. Imagine how shocked you were to learn of the wizarding world. Your family, older and more established, would be even more-so. They might feel foolish, or tricked, or in disbelief that something so fantastical has existed without their realisation for so long. They may also fear it, and the unknown it brings. Your family has always been the one responsible for protecting you, and now the roles may be reversed and they may not know how to fulfil their positions in this new dynamic. Be sympathetic, understanding. Invite them to learn and ask questions. Let them grow comfortable at their own pace. As silly as it may sound, they are grieving the loss of the familiar and we all grieve at our own pace.Sincerely, E. Decipio”────────────────────────────--
“Dear Caught,
Your position is certainly not one to be envied. On one hand, to do anything at all risks the integrity of your current relationship if the feelings aren't shared. But, to say nothing might leave you wondering "what if" for too long. I think you're the only one who can really answer for certain. However, if they really are as good a friend as you're suggesting and don't share those same feelings, they should be kind enough to work with you to talk it through, establish boundaries, and help you through your disappointment while keeping the friendship flourishing.Sincerely, E. Decipio”────────────────────────────
5. I'm ending my relationship with my long-term girlfriend to pursue someone who has captivated my attention. It doesn't seem right to have feelings for another when you're with someone else. But tell me, am I a horrible person?
“Dear Captivated,
You aren’t a horrible person. I am by no means an expert when it comes to matters of the heart, but at our age, it’s unlikely we would know what qualities in a person might be good for us in the long term. We are still developing, and so are our values, preferences, and those aspects that attract us. I think it normal that you might find yourself drawn to another if your experiences and growth have changed you from where you were at the start of your current relationship. But you shouldn’t pursue another while you are currently tied. Evaluate your current priorities, give your current partner the respect of a dialogue, then make a choice.Sincerely, E. Decipio”
x
x
────────────────────────────6. What do I do if one of my best friends wrote me a love letter and I don't know how I feel about it and what to say to him but I don't want to lose him?
-From Anon
“Dear Anon,
The most important thing right now is to reflect on your own feelings and decide where you stand with them. Don’t feel pressured to change the nature of your current friendship if an intimate relationship with them is not what you want. It is okay to remain friends. Keep communication open, however. Tell them that you don't know how you feel right now and need time to think about it. Thank them for their interest, and understand that they took the risk of being vulnerable to tell you that. They are likely just as scared to lose the friendship. If they are a good friend, however, they will respect your decision, whatever it is.Sincerely, E. Decipio”
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Is it difficult to find the time to read for pleasure while studying at Hogwarts?
@Clair Fernandez: Yes - with studying and classes, reading is often put on the back burner.
@Della Barfield: Yes! Especially as a muggle-born, I feel like I'm at a disadvantage when it comes to homework and lessons and knowing what everything is. I do a lot of reading in the library, but it's usually to get my bearings on what a house elf is or who Dumbledore was. I do love learning about magical creatures so that might count as reading for pleasure, but I'm usually able to sneak some time in on the weekends, but I'm not reading nearly as much as I did over the summer. I probably brought too many muggle books with me to school--I'm not going to finish them all!
@Maggie Hawkins: Yes, and I didn’t really read beforehand much.
@Aurelius Leeds: Yes, very. Due to the amount of dedicated study time I elect to have, my personal reading time - for fun or interest - is limited. It's unfortunate, as I enjoy reading as a hobby, but lately that past-time has been chewed up by reading textbooks for classes.
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What book are you currently reading?
Clair: Wings of Fire, I would definitely recommend it to others, it's a great book, it's really well written and it is always changing in each book.
Della: I'm reading Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and love it so far.
Maggie: Uh… my Potions textbook. Wouldn’t recommend it. It’s super boring. And useless.
Aurelius: Currently I am reading Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. It provides an acceptably detailed account of wizarding history throughout the 20th century, though personally I feel the 852 page length could be increased two-fold. Details are important, no matter the page count. I would recommend any wizard or witch worth attending a reputable magic school to read it, at least twice, to understand where our kind has come from, what our kind has done, and where our kind can go under our future leadership.
Do you have a favourite book?
Clair: The Seven Sisters is the best book ever, I really like it because it's really well written, with very few plot holes.
Della: My favourite book of all time is the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. If you like mysteries, these--
Maggie: The Shining by Stephen King, because it’s creepy and awesome!
Aurelius: I do not. Books are sources of information, little more. I have no feelings or inclinations of positivity toward one or another. They are to a wizard or witch what a hammer is to a carpenter, they are tools to be used, to further personal knowledge and understanding - not things to be loved or cherished or held in any regard beyond what expertise they might impart from reading them.
What literary genre do you enjoy the most?
Clair: The best genre is Fiction, no doubt.
Della: I love mysteries!
Maggie: I like horror books!
Aurelius: I don't waste time with useless genre-specifics. My personal reading is wholly focused on furthering my knowledge, education and awareness of the wizarding world. I've heard mention of genres like fiction, drama or fantasy, but I have no use for those. I read documented wizard-specific books, tomes and scrolls, while also indulging in some casual encyclopaedia topic pursuits.
BY LIANA KERR
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Preppy chic has always been a classic, and this year is no different. Skirt suits common to schools around the globe are still making an appearance on the runway with one small twist: shorter skirts. Of course, the professors won’t take kindly to scandal, and propriety must always be upheld above fleeting trends. Still, do not shy away from showing a little knee when you wear your favourite skirt (or shorts) and blazer pair.
Bold is beautiful and this spring, less is certainly more. Spare yourself the fussiness of complex accessories and instead select outfits with vibrant and attention-grabbing dyes. Outrageous orange, glaring green, bright blue… And while tye-dye and patterns aren’t entirely out of the question, the more sophisticated will stick to monochromatic palettes. The rainbow is your pot of gold and ROY G. BIV is your guide to statement dressing.--
White is the new black in this year’s trend towards folk-inspired garb. Lace has always been a go-to for those seeking a more refined look, and this year, even the more rebellious can flash their feminine sides with the demure and delicate adornment. Whether featured as a simple embellishment to finish a piece, or serving as its centrepiece, the school will know you are up-to-date with your trends. Try trimming your robes, or cutting a lace window into the back of a shirt. With lace,--
you really cannot go wrong.
The Hogwarts Express isn’t the only powerhouse in the station. Runways across the world featured a variety of trains to offer head-turning drama to an outfit. Fashionistas won’t want to miss this opportunity to display their savvy at this year’s Blossom Ball with flowing tails and trailing gowns. What’s more, this trend doesn’t have to be limited to muggle attire. Add a bit of je-ne-sais-pas to your dress robes and take a nod to our Beauxbatons friends with dropped hems and French-inspired fishtail trains.
The more crafty among us may appreciate the comfortable textiles and techniques in many of this season’s praised trends. From quilting to embroidery, knits of all varieties to hand-painted floral patterning, heritage techniques lost to time are being dusted off to find the spotlight on these free-spirited fashion favourites. Take the comforts of home with you wherever you wander with eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics and a boho chic aesthetic.
BY EVELYNN DECIPIO-- --
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magical concentration, we don't absorb as much of their media. It is easy for adult wixes to lose touch with the fashions required to maintain a suitable disguise. In some cases, the wearing of wizardly ensembles has resulted in fines, for Muggles mistakenly report them as "cultists". On the opposite end of this conundrum, wixes make the mistake of wearing whatever──────────────────--
disguises they bought decades in advance, being too careless to upgrade their wardrobes. They arouse suspicion with pleather trousers and disco shoes, then if confronted, exacerbate doubt with their un-Muggle-like behaviour.
Wixes need not fear the literal crime of being a fashion disaster. Even if one lacks the advice of well-dressed friends, we can turn to books, magazines, or mannequins. Display mannequins (as well as people-watching) can be an excellent point of reference when putting together an outfit. In many cases when disguised as a Muggle, the simpler you dress, the safer! When preparing for an average day in magical society, in which one needn't disguise their true selves, one should dress to express their unique nature, even if that involves emerald robes or hats topped with stuffed vultures.
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BY PERICLES DRALT
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This is the motto of a mysterious club that opened its metaphorical doors in our school just a few months ago: the Alchemy Club. Its leader is as mysterious as the club’s interests, and a hard one to track down. Letters to members are simply signed “Head Alchemist”, and they only agreed to this interview under the promise of anonymity – thus my sources shall remain secret.
Our Head Alchemist seems enthusiastic when speaking about the club, its purpose, and its meetings, which consist of discussions and study sessions to better the club members’ understanding of potions and transfiguration, and the intricacies created from their combination in Alchemy. They also proudly state that the meetings have helped some members better their grades in these subjects – a study group with a twist and a pinch of mystery. Not only that, but the club also offers activities such as harvesting magical plants for further study.──────────────────--
1. What inspired you to found the Alchemy Club?
Head Alchemist: “I founded the club because Alchemy is very interesting. It doesn't seem to have much popularity here at Hogwarts and I wanted to reignite that interest in the subject. It has a mixture of both transfiguration and potion brewing and some other factors, but just those two alone prove how difficult Alchemy is. [...] I believe Alchemy is a key to the unknown of magic due to its complexity, and figuring out how to unlock its secrets is what may lead us to a better understanding of what I like to call 'true magic'.”
2. Are your goals the same as the ones of traditional alchemy? Turning lead into gold, or creating an elixir that grants immortality? Another Philosopher's Stone, basically?
“Turning something into gold, being immortal, or creating the Philosopher's stone are not our goals. [...] Magic itself seems to have rules that everyone has to follow, such as Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. Turning things into valuable material such as gold is not──────────────────--
3. Finally, is there anything you'd like to say to potential new members who might be reading this right now?
“We are all scholars in the making who are bound for greatness. We all advance at a remarkable pace that I don't think any would believe. [...] Here at the Alchemy Club, we wish to unlock your potential and free your minds. Magic has freed us from rules, and Alchemy can further bend those that confine magic. None of us are caged; we are all free to do that of our own making.”
I send them off with thanks and a smile, and a seed of curiosity in my own stomach. Knowing what potions and transfigurations can do separately, how do we discover the limits of what the two can do together? Maybe I’ll join the Alchemy Club myself to find an answer to that question.
BY DEALLA PRINCE
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The Hogwarts Headliner
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #18
Plain text issue below:
Reducio
S.C.A.R.A.B.: More than they appear to be?
By Dealla Prince
I want to start by telling two stories.
The first takes place on the Hogwarts Express. A girl is sitting with her friends when someone she knows passes through in a hurry, telling them to get out. A moment later, unknown men board the running train. They demand the students to hand over their wands, then take the girl hostage. When her friend demands her release, they beat him down. The students escape, but not without trauma or injury.
The second story begins in London. Three girls are led into a bookstore where they meet a group of people seemingly preparing for a protest, and when asked, they share their stories and their goal: justice. Then, something smashes through the windows, interrupting the conversation. A fire breaks out, spreading quickly. Angry shouts come from outside the bookstore. While one of the present men goes out front to distract the crowd, the others and the girls escape through the back.
There are parallels in both stories: a peaceful, unsuspecting group is attacked with seemingly no provocation, and children are endangered. If told that S.C.A.R., a group well-known for their ruthless methods in achieving their goals, was involved in both, most people would assume them to be the aggressors. They would only be half right.
The first story is a well-known one at our school. It happened in January 2021, when students were returning from winter break. The girl was Opeila Winters, who recounted her experience with visible distress. Her protector was Vladimir Athanatos, who seemed to know the attackers. The men claimed to be part of S.C.A.R.
The second story was my own encounter with the group, not knowing at the time who they were. They were simply a peaceful group of people I met in a bookstore; educated, well-spoken, people with moving stories. They were Squibs, with no magical abilities passed down from their wizard parents. One was a half-goblin without any magic, human or goblin. They talked about how they were pushed to the fringes of society, about how their lack of magic seemed to be their only defining trait according to wizardkind, about their fight for their rights.
I have not shared this story with many. In the beginning, I didn't know better, didn’t realise the significance. They never introduced themselves as S.C.A.R. In fact, it was only earlier this year that I realised my mistake, when I recognised the name of one of the men in a newspaper article. The man I had met did not seem to be the same man that was described in the article, which made me wonder: should we believe everything we’re told about S.C.A.R.?
When I encouraged students to reach out with more information, I was approached independently by two Koldovstoretz students. Both of them claimed to know that the organisation was responsible for the terrible attack in Hogsmeade last summer, which had caused the death of seventeen Koldovstoretz students. One of the students, Irina Afanasyeva, lost someone close to her that day, and her anger at the murderers is understandable and justified.
Yet, when looking closer, holes in those stories open up that no one seems to be able to fill. When asked how they knew who caused the explosion, both students answered with a universal “everyone said so”. Although they were present at the scene, they saw no incriminating evidence before or after. Additionally, the students killed were exclusively Muggleborn or halfblood, while the prominent issue of S.C.A.R.A.B. is with pureblood society.
The attack on the train raises even more questions. In an attempt to get Winters released, Athanatos claimed that she was a pureblood. Why would this encourage them to let her go? How did these men - allegedly Squibs with no magical abilities - manage to board the Hogwarts Express and later disappear without a trace? Try as I might, all I have been able to discover are more questions.
After their recent renaming to S.C.A.R.A.B., the group started working with the Ministry of Magic, instituting organisations such as the Noxwatch to better protect Squibs and mixed race citizens in and around Diagon Alley. Would the Ministry really work with a terrorist group?
I cannot say what the truth is. Perhaps the narrative about the ruthless terrorist group is correct. Perhaps the inconsistencies in the story point to a different truth. I encourage you to think critically about what you are told. There might be more behind this than any of us can guess.
If you have information about S.C.A.R.A.B., please reach out to Dealla Prince at the Headliner office.
From S.C.A.R. to S.C.A.R.A.B.: How those affected feel about the change
By Dealla Prince and Quinn Healy
S.C.A.R.A.B. – Stump’s Coalition Advocating Rights for All Beings – is the new name for the organisation previously known as S.C.A.R. Under their former name they fought for Squib rights, and they acquired a reputation for being ruthless and willing to kill to make their point.
With their renaming, S.C.A.R.A.B. has widened their scope to represent not just Squibs, but also all mixed race members of our society. It was a sudden change, although perhaps not an entirely unexpected one. Many of their members have been of mixed blood since the beginning, and the two groups certainly have difficulties in common, such as finding a place in a society that judges them by something out of their control.
However, this means that S.C.A.R.A.B. is now also speaking for people who have never asked or agreed to this, made worse by the fact that the organisation is controversial at best.
My co-author for this article, Quinn Healy, is one of these people. A part-giant in a world where he is identified as different on first glance, he knows first-hand what society is like for those who do not seem to fit. His feelings about S.C.A.R.A.B. are mixed.
“If you ask me, S.C.A.R. has good ideas on what they're fighting for and about, but personally I don't like their methods. Obviously, I don't know if that attack in Hogsmeade was their doing or some other group. Regardless, if it is them, then it's just going to make things harder on the rest of us, those they are trying to protect. I face discrimination and challenges every day for something I didn't choose. I was born the way I was, and because of this, I'm treated with fear. Take a look at those of us who are different next time you pass them in the hall and think about why some of us may agree with S.C.A.R. or want to possibly join. I say if S.C.A.R. proves to move things in the right direction then let them. Why should we be treated any differently than a normal person? The articles painting us in a bad light are bad enough. The last thing I, or anyone for that matter, wants is to be labelled as dangerous or worse. [...] I think S.C.A.R. is necessary, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything they do or have done.”
- Quinn Healy
Howard White is Hogwarts’ Champion for the Hexwizard tournament. He is also a Dhampir, who suddenly sees himself represented by an organisation he is not part of. When asked, he seemed unsure whether S.C.A.R.A.B. and S.C.A.R. are the same group, but his sentiments are similar to Healy’s.
“S.C.A.R. always seemed like a bunch of fanatics, but it's hard to tell just from news reports. [...] I mean, it seemed alright to have a group standing up for the mistreated. Squibs should have an equal spot here too, but if they were behind those attacks, they're just a bunch of lowlife terrorists. [...] It's nice to see them include mixed races in their cause. It’s not easy, being a half breed. I mean, we all have a lot to learn, and this new group seems to want to go about it peacefully. Hopefully it'll show that we can all be a good addition to society. If we can't live in the Muggle world and if we can't live in the magical world, what's left?”
- Howard White
Hearing this bears the question of whether or not S.C.A.R.A.B. is aware that their history makes it difficult for those they claim to be fighting for to support them, and it makes me wonder whether their reputation really tells the entire story, or if it is not entirely justified. No decent person would proclaim to support a terrorist group, even if they agree with said group’s goals. S.C.A.R.A.B. has to be aware that committing and threatening murder would hurt their cause, driving off those that might otherwise agree with them. So why would they? Even with their name change, their reputation will not easily be left behind.
Regardless, it is past time that someone should speak out for mixed race citizen’s rights. Perhaps S.C.A.R.A.B. are not the perfect organisation to do this, but they do draw attention, and their recent collaborations with the Ministry of Magic give hope that more peaceful changes lie in the future.
Cheater, Cheater... Chaser, Chaser?
By Koko Riddle
Quidditch: A game for strong people who are very much capable of evading things. If one has ever played dodgeball, they might understand the stress of dodging various balls flying through the air, but in Quidditch, one must also dodge the people flying through the air.
Usually, Quidditch players are fairly passive – well, at least the Seekers and Keepers are. Beaters are often on the offensive, but what about Chasers? Aren’t they meant to score points?
That is where people commonly make mistakes when making assumptions about Quidditch. Chasers are by no means innocent when it comes to knocking players off their brooms. Chasers just do it differently, with more conventional means than iron balls: Chasers use their own bodies in a technique called blatching, where they try to push their target off of their broom using accuracy and force.
One Chaser who does such a thing is Ravenclaw’s own Lavinia Cloven, who has made a legacy for herself in both scoring Quaffle points and blatching, although more recently, she has done the latter. She has blatched many people from every team – aside from her own – and is truly a formidable player. However, she helps to shed light on another thing: the rampant usage of cheat moves in Quidditch.
Any game would be incomplete without a player making a foul or two, but in Quidditch, blatches are almost as – and sometimes more – common than bludgers. It is as if blatching is a strategy that is almost unanimously dedicated to Chasers, with Keepers and Beaters only occasionally doing such a thing and Seekers being more suited for tasks such as finding the snitch.
Are Quidditch players really that prone to violence, or is this just part of the game? After all, bludgers knock students off of their brooms – why shouldn't other players be able to do the same?
Preaching pacifism would be useless. Besides, the rather violent aspect of the game can teach players skills that are applicable in other areas of their life, like duelling or the off chance they ever get stranded on a deserted island. While some Quidditch players might be dreadful at spells, dodging is an incredibly useful spell that they learn through Quidditch, although the question does remain – is dodging on a broom different from dodging using one's own body?
The violent aspect of Quidditch can also teach students about the importance of strategy. While games like Wizard Chess also promote strategy, Quidditch has more detrimental consequences when a strategy goes wrong, such as a student falling through the sky.
Since the task of blatching is most often delegated to Chasers, Chasers like Lavinia Cloven might end up being better at many athletic endeavours, and since the task involves thought and aim, they might become better at exercising their mind, too. After all, Lavinia is a Ravenclaw, and Ravenclaws are meant to be smart... Perhaps that's why their cheating Chasers seem to do so well.
It's In The Core
By Willow Anderson
As a duellist my wand is really important to me, and as a witch in general it’s like an extension of myself. I’ve learned a lot about wands and their cores and wanted to highlight my own and two other wands of good friends of mine: Dealla Prince and Pericles Dralt. They’re both co-captains of the Ravenclaw Duelling Team, and they also happened to be in the Headliner Office when I started writing this article.
I have a 31,2 Alder Wood and Dragon Heartstring, flexible wand! So, mine is actually quite long. I think it suits me. The first time I ever held my wand it felt like something clicked into place with me, especially with my first cast in the shop. I was really worried about becoming a witch, but holding the wand calmed me. Alder wood tends to favor people like me, I think. Helpful, considerate, likable. Which I think is saying very high things about me, but I think that they’re true. This wood actually prefers wizards who aren’t like it, which is interesting. Perhaps an opposites attract situation? I don’t know which dragon I have specifically, which can change the characteristics, but there are general qualities to a dragon heartstring core. They make wands that learn quicker, produce spells that have a flourish to them, but are also temperamental. Every wand has its downfalls, but I think as you grow with it you learn how to mitigate those issues and create a really strong relationship.
Dealla Prince has a 27,0 Cherry Wood and Phoenix Feather wand! Cherry wood wands are actually pretty rare, and important to students that attend Mahoutokoro. It is an incredibly powerful wood, making for equally powerful spells. If you’ve ever seen Dee on the duelling piste you would find this to be accurate. Phoenix feather is also incredibly rare, making Dee’s combination extra special. The feather is really picky and hard to find an owner for. They can also sometimes cast on their own, which I think is kind of funny. It’s a really hard core to bond with, but worth it because of the power it comes with. As someone who has witnessed Dee as a caster, this makes perfect sense for her. It is really amazing how our wands can match who we are, how powerful we have the potential to be. This is what Dee had to say in regards to holding her wand for the first time: “Magical. [pauses, then starts giggling] No, but... well, it was. I don't know how to describe it. I had touched my mum's wand before but my own just kind of feels... different? And then magic flowing through it when casting... It felt warm and familiar although I'd never done it before.”
Pericles Dralt has a 20,5 Aspen Wood and Phoenix Feather Wand. Something that’s interesting about Pericles’ wand is that he has a shorter than average length to his wand. Most wands start at 22,86 centimeters and go to about 35,56 centimeters. With Pericles as a person, this makes sense to me. He’s incredibly studious and dedicated to his craft. Having a wand that is conducive to precise, powerful, refined casting makes complete sense. It’s the best conduit to his type of casting, which is… scary on the piste if you’re his opponent. He’s a really good duellist, guys. Pericles has a gorgeous color of wand, aspen wood being a brilliant white. What’s funny about this wood is that it usually goes to people who are either already really impressive duellists or people that are supposed to become really accomplished duellists. I don’t know what Pericles has planned for the future, but duellist should be on the list somewhere. This is what Pericles had to say about holding his wand for the first time: “It's quite the memory, actually. My father had taken me to Ollivander's. Before I could test the wands, he tried to pass down his blackthorn and dragon heartstring to me, seeing as he can't use it any longer. It made me more anxious than anything. The moment I gave it a wave, it shot out of my hand like a wizard cracker and smashed a lamp! But when I was handed my aspen and phoenix feather wand, I felt complete, as though I'd been reunited with a part of myself that I hadn't realized was missing. I left that shop a proper wizard... after we paid for the lamp.”
If you’re interested in your own wand, from flexibility to core, I really recommend checking it out! It can say a lot about you as a wizard and the types of magic you could lean towards in the future. Maybe it would reveal something you don’t know about yourself!
A Hexwizard Poll
By Dealla Prince
At the Midspring Celebration in early April, the Goblet of Fire spit out a bunch of names in a dramatic display. These were not just any names either, although what exactly makes them uniquely qualified to represent their schools remains a mystery. Still, for better or worse, the Hexwizard Champions have been chosen by everyone’s favourite oversized cup.
For anyone who has managed to defy all odds and completely avoid contact with the outside world since the announcement, I encourage you to look at the previous issue of the Headliner, which includes information on each champion, a Q&A, and my personal prediction of how much of a threat they will present in the tournament.
After writing that article, I began to wonder; what do other students think? With what little knowledge we have, which champion has the confidence of the crowd? Hence, on April 6th, I made my rounds through the corridors of Hogwarts, asking students from all six schools for their predictions.
The results show an overwhelming majority for Howard White, who is the champion representing our own school; out of 80 students asked, a total of 37, or 46.25%, announced that they see the Hogwarts Champion as the most likely winner of the Hexwizard tournament. This is not surprising; as the poll was conducted at Hogwarts with only a small number of students visiting from the other schools, the sample group was likely distorted in favour of Hogwarts students. Hence, this result should be taken with a grain of salt. Still, many students cited Howard’s age as the deciding factor, which gives him the advantage of advanced spell knowledge and a variety of accumulated life experience, which indicates more objective judgement than simply voting for their own school.
The other results are more representative. Disregarding Howard’s popularity, Yefim Rumyantsev of Durmstrang, Angélique de Clairmont of Beauxbatons, and surprisingly Rodion Makarovich of Koldovstoretz inspired the most confidence in other students, with 15% of the votes going to Yefim, attributing him a win by pure stubbornness, or perhaps his willingness to literally walk through fire. 13.75% of the students give their votes to Angélique, often based on gender solidarity; as the only girl in the race, she seems to have the support of many female students. In a close next place, a solid 12.5% vote for Rodion. The reasons are not quite clear to me, there was the mention of cousins and rotten pasta when I asked for comments.
Ilvermorny’s Miles Thatcher trails slightly behind with 8.75% of the student votes, most of those coming from his fellow Ilvermorny students. While they would know him best and be able to judge what he is capable of, there is likely at least some school bias in play here. Finally, Aryaan Shamsi from the Japanese school Mahoutokoro brings up the rear with some distance, only 3.75% of the students voting for him.
Despite also listing Howard and Angélique as strong contenders, these results differ from my own, which placed Rodion at the rear. Perhaps I have been too quick to judge - but quite possibly, the fault lies with students disregarding Aryaan for his age instead. Only time will tell.
The predictions may also change once there is more information on who the champions intend to include in their teams. Keep your eyes on future issues of the Headliner for more information on the Hexwizard Tournament and its Champions.
Summer Solstice
By Willow Anderson
Your local Wiccan is back with the latest holiday in the Wheel of the Year! June 21st is the Summer Solstice! This holiday has many names and you may know it as Litha, Midsummer, Midsummer’s Eve, or a few other names. It marks the longest day and the shortest night of the year, which is really exciting for me personally. I love basking in sunlight and I try to soak in as much as I can during the summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Summer Equinox actually happens in December! Seasons are kind of bonkers— how they flip like that never ceases to amaze me.
This is a really powerful time for the element of fire, given the hot season of Summer. It is a time of abundance when crops usually start to flourish, forests are now filled with greenery, and grasses are the greenest of the year. On the horizon the harvest sits, but for now we relish in the long days. Bonfires are usually lit to actually help strengthen the sun. But there are some cultures that will light wheels on fire then roll them into lakes or rivers to make sure there is balance between water and fire. The reason I enjoy celebrating this holiday is because most if not all of the celebrations happen outdoors, mostly around noon.
But Willow, you may ask, how does one celebrate Litha/Midsummer/Insert Other Name Here? I’m here with a list of five ways you can celebrate this year!
You can’t have a bonfire? That’s fine! Just keep a candle lit throughout the day to honour the sun.
Have a picnic! This is a great time to visit your local farmer’s market if you can and see what’s in season. Celebrating the harvests that are ready now is a great way to celebrate. It’s also just a feel-good activity with your friends and family.
After your picnic, go for a hike! Or a walk near a beach, just hang out in nature wherever you can. My family and I try and participate in a park clean up around this time of year, whether on the solstice ourselves or with an organised group.
If you can, harvest herbs! Not everyone has wild herbs growing around them. But you could also start an herb garden with your family. If you have the opportunity to harvest, make sure you’re harvesting from healthy and lively plants so they can continue growing! Only take what you can reasonably use so other people have the opportunity to harvest.
Decorate your room, door, kitchen, anywhere really with flowers! Dandelions are everywhere and are a great way to decorate. Bring the liveliness of the world into your home!
This is really just the beginning. For other practising Wiccans or Pagans this is a great time to set intentions, cast spells with more masculine energies or deal in the fire element. Take time to decorate your altar for the season! At home my altar this time of year has fresh flowers, a tiny jar of honey, and a fallen oak branch. Among other things, these are my main three for the season! Do you have any plans to celebrate? Owl me what you’re doing if you are!
Fashion Forward: Summer
By Evelynn Decipio
Unfortunately for the halls of Hogwarts, fashion fiends seem to have lost the largest portions of their humility and sensibilities. Many catwalks are boasting what they are calling “iconic trends.” Low-rise pants to bare the midriff, micro-mini skirts that leave eyes wandering, sheer fabrics that expose what ought to be covered, and undergarments that feature as a centre-piece… They ought to be burned, the lot of them. If students attempt to wear any of these here at school, detention shall be served faster than can be spoken: “modest McGonagall.” Fortunately, not all of this summer’s styles are better forgotten. Make the following a staple in your closet and be the envy of all those who consider themselves fashion forward.
Pleats, sir, we want more
Whether full or partial length, skirts with pleats are sure to make their mark this summer. Classic and versatile, colour and pattern matter little. Choose your favourite and pair it with a contrasting top for a sophisticated feel.
Shine bright
While sequins may have had their temporary moment in the spring, metallic spangle is far from out of the light. If you seek a more eye-catching ensemble, pick a fabric with a liquid metallic sheen. Select golds and silvers for a particularly luxurious look, and live your most divine molten moment.
White is the new Black
At least when it comes to suits. And the more white, the better. Regardless of your gender expression and identity, suits are in, and what better way to reflect the heat of the sun and let your own brilliance shine than with a white on white ensemble. Contrast it with black hardware in shoe, button and accessory for a bold statement.
Leg up on accessorising
Bare is basic when it comes to legs this summer. While the heat might make that a typical go-to, spend time this year thinking of how to dress that surface area to impress. Thigh-high boots might be a little overbearing, but don’t discard the notion entirely. Tall gladiator sandals, straps with feather trims, sheer lace leggings, and custom embroidered hosiery would not be out of place. Your imagination is the limit here.
Netted knits
Keen for the coziness of a knit top or dress, but wary of the hot weather? Fret not. All articles are fair game for this warm weather trend, from tops and vests to trousers and skirts, from dresses even to bags. Enjoy the draft and keep cool in loose knitwear to pair practicality of comfort with the illusion of your favourite silhouette.
Cut it out
No novice to the fashion scene, wardrobe windows and clever cut-outs continue to dominate the closets. Featured on everything from bodycon dresses to asymmetric tops, to patterned pants and leggings, keep the cutouts modest for a perfect balance of tease and taste, and enjoy the benefit of a reprieve from the summer heat.
Hyper-femininity
In a world where androgyny has earned a strong foothold, it has been some time since a more feminine silhouette has caught the eye. However, that is an option this summer. Those of you with a passion for pink will find your fill. Pastels and candy palettes, florals and frills, lace and layers – girly is glamorous, and everyone is encouraged to tap into their more sensitive side this summer with feminine fashion.
Space for all the baggage
Oversized has been a common theme throughout the seasons. From purses to pants to coats, we have now come full circle. Large bags are back in fashion just in time for storing everything you might possibly need on your summery excursions. Take advantage of the space and make a bold statement to accessorise your outfit.
Muggle Item of the Month: Water Parks
By Willow Anderson
Hello my friends! The heat is ramping up and as we look forward to going home, I know I’m looking forward to visiting a water park! These are great ways to beat the heat and have fun, especially if you don’t live by the coast! My family will make the expedition all the way to Alton Towers Waterpark a couple of times in the summer! It’s about a two-hour drive, but it is completely worth it. There’s so much to do there and it’s indoors which is nice to kind of help beat the heat and sun exposure.
Now, I want to take you back to the beginnings of waterparks. Which– actually isn’t that long ago. They weren’t introduced until the late 1940s, early ‘50s ish. America seems to dominate the water park industry because they have over 1,000 water parks. Can you imagine how many water slides there are? It wasn’t until the 1980s that indoor water parks got their start in The Netherlands, France, and Switzerland. Currently, Germany holds the record for the largest indoor water park in the world. So, if you’re from Germany, I can’t recommend going enough.
Water parks have plenty of attractions, one of my favorites being the wave pool. Basically, you get into this huge, well, pool, but they have some kind of secret magic wave maker hidden somewhere. (Spoiler Alert: It’s not actually magic). So you get the fun bounciness of waves without the fear of them crashing over your head and drowning you, but maybe that’s just a fear that I have. They also have lazy rivers, which are exactly what they sounds like. Just a huge winding river that isn’t that deep because you’re meant to sit in inflatable tubes and rest while you float along. Usually there are multiple getting off and on points so you can leave whenever you’d like.
Often the water parks have separate sections. One for little kids that is mostly shallow with some structures to climb and small slides. They also get fun water guns attached to the structures and jets of water that come out everywhere. Occasionally, mostly if they’re outdoors, they have a huge bucket that fills up over time and once it’s full it’ll tip over and dump a whole bucket load (hah) of water onto the kids standing below. This is not recommended for very small children because they will fall over and probably be overwhelmed.
A really popular attraction at a water park is the artificial surfing or bodyboarding experiences! These are too scary for me because whenever I try them I wipe out IMMEDIATELY and it’s not fun at all. Maybe if I used the gluing charm on my feet it would be a better time. But it’s basically a very small slope with water coming out from the bottom. The goal is to stay on the bodyboard as long as possible. Unless you’re an adult you start from laying down on your belly position, work up to sitting, then standing. But honestly? I’ve never seen someone succeed in standing up.
I’m looking forward to my yearly trek to Alton Towers! It’s a great time with my parents and usually we stay the weekend and get as many hours in as we can. If you’ve never gone to one, I highly recommend it to beat the heat of summer!
Pureblood Palate VS Muggle Munchies
By Pericles Dralt
Punny as it may sound, we must admit there is a magic to wizard foods, especially our confectionaries. Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans are advertised as “encompassing every flavour imaginable,” while the lead producer of No-Maj jellybeans features a meagre fifty flavours. Drooble's Best Blowing Gum never loses its flavour, but Muggle gum tends to taste like a bike tyre after approximately two minutes. Acid Pops from Honeydukes have the delightful capacity to burn a hole right through the consumer’s tongue, whereas mundane sour candies merely induce a toothache. In that same vein, Pepper Imps cause the eater to spit smoke and fire, but their No-Maj counterpart scorches the mouth with pointless pain. Muggle sweets simply fail to match the entertaining appeal of Wizarding confectionaries, as they hardly inflict bodily harm or attempt to escape whatsoever. Where’s the fun in that?
This is not to say that all aspects of casual Muggle snacking lack intrigue. While researching the subject, I came across a device which sounds strikingly similar to magical food preparation: the microwave oven. These extraordinary mechanical boxes use science to reheat cold food or cook frozen meals with the mere push of a button! In the spirit of journalism, I managed to track one down at a convenience store in London. I assumed it to be an expensive product considering its advanced mechanisms, but to my surprise, the cashier assured me there was no fee for utilising it. I submitted a box of snacks called "pizza bagels" and set the cooking timer to ten minutes, not knowing that microwaves do not cook in accordance with non-electric ovens. Instead, they work quite quickly, and the cashier showed me most microwavable meals come with a series of instructions on the back of the box. As magical as this seemed, the end result was disenchanting: some of the snacks were still frozen, while others were a mess of molten cheese, hot enough to scald the roof of one's mouth. The snack also failed to taste anything like bagels or pizza. This piece of go-to technology for snacking Muggles has some way to go, considering its inconsistent heating and the peculiar alteration in flavour, possibly due to the machine rearranging a meal's molecules incorrectly.
Among the hit-and-miss conveniences cooked up by our No-Maj neighbours is the ingenuity of canned foods. Stored in air-tight containers and often floating in preservatives, these containers were designed in an attempt to make food last longer. An unnatural take on meat, Spam is a non-perishable food that lasts nearly three years, and tastes like pork and gelatin pulverised into a fine paste, then shaped into a quadrilateral. I cannot recommend any cooking methods to make it bearable. If meat in a can came as unbelievable, it was followed by canned cheese. At least, the label claimed it was cheese. On sampling a mouthful, I was alarmed in realising it was, essentially, a mouthful of grease and food colouring, with distant implications of cheddar. They were stomach-turning enough to end my investigation.
The verdict: non-magical munchies cause concern and dismay through tame sweets, fickle machines, and dubious methods of preservation. Frankly, this culinary adventure was nearly as disturbing as my tenure at Hogwarts.
Evelynn’s Advice
By Evelynn Decipio
I seem to have found a lot of literature on wand grip, movement and stances. But all of this is for right-handed casters. Is there not a "proper" wand stance/grip for southpaws?
Dear Southpaw,
Fortunately for you, wands are not designed in any specifically right-handed way. Hold the grip in whatever way is comfortable for you. Your stance will simply be reversed compared to that of a right-handed caster. As for movement, it will be exactly as you have been taught in class. In these, common sense is your ally.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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Dear Evelynn,
Been dating a boy since June. He suddenly disappeared in December. Months of ghosting and he finally sent me an owl. Moved schools. Said what we had was fantastic but fleeting and he'd see me soon? Did he break up with me? I have no idea what to do.
Signed,
A Sad Romantic [Winnie]
Dear Sad Romantic,
While I am by no means an expert in the field, it does indeed sound as though he has chosen to conclude the relationship. However, if there is ever any doubt, as with any relationship, communication and honesty are the best policy. It may be difficult to voice your uncertainties, but that is exactly what you ought to do. It is better to know the truth, however difficult it may be to hear, than to wallow in the dark.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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I have many scars on visible places like my neck, legs and arms. Some hold a lot of trauma so I don't like people asking about them. Makeup is not the most accessible in Hogwarts. I need some advice.
Dear Scarred,
I think you underestimate the ease of obtaining make-up. Whether by owl-in catalogue, a trip to Hogsmeade, or just asking to borrow that of a peer, it really is quite a simple matter to obtain some foundation and setting power. Better yet, if you can get your hands on a MAGIC MAKE-UP ITEM, it will do the work for you.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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I have trouble sleeping at night due to the things I've seen and paranoia. I'm afraid of the dark but don't wish to disturb my roommates. I can't afford potion ingredients. I need some advice.
Dear Sleepless,
Curtains around your bed—whether freestanding on posts, secured from the wall with a sticking charm, or suspended from a hanging support—would allow you privacy to fend off the dark with a nightlight. I might also recommend talking with a trusted adult or counsellor about your troubles. Meditation and breathing exercises, with practice, can also help relax your body and mind enough for sleep.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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I have an irrational fear of Durmstrang, Ilvermorny and Castelobruxo students. I get anxious whenever I'm around them. They're just so different. How do I overcome this fear?
Dear Irrational,
It may be helpful to reflect on why you have this fear. What is it about those students that makes them different? How are they different from foreign students that attend Hogwarts or Beauxbatons? While many of us speak different languages or come from different cultural backgrounds, we're all just students trying to learn magic. My recommendation to you would be to ask them lots of questions. It's the unknown, the lack of understanding of the "different", that usually causes fear. Seek to understand it, and you might not actually fear it as much as you thought you did.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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Dear Evelynn, I've seen that a lot of the old blood prefer the old religion and pagan beliefs over that of modern christian or agnostic values held by the non-magic populations. And it got me wondering: Are there religious rituals, either pagan or christian, that are actually magical in nature or origin? How big a role does perception and belief play on casting and experiencing magic (after all, spells are essentially 'mini rituals': do this exactly this way, say exactly this at this time. Believe it will work because it works for others). Would participating in the old religions make someone better understand magic or magical society? What are your thoughts? Hui Ming
Dear Mister Hui,
I think you misunderstand the point of this column. I could not even begin to express such thoughts in so limited a space. What are you are asking is not for advice on a personal situation, but to engage in philosophical discussion.
I invite you to talk,
E. Decipio
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Thank you once again for your submissions. Per usual, if you do not see your question in this issue, watch for it in the next.
Famous First-Years
By Koko Riddle
Hogwarts’s corridors have swarmed with people of all ages – people nearly a hundred years old as well as those just into their double digits. Usually, it is the higher years that are remembered, probably because they’ve had more time to build a legacy, but there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, first years begin building their legacy early, and they are remembered long after they graduate from their seventh year.
Such first years include Gryffindor’s Kim Sato and Slytherin’s Maggie Hawkins. Both have been incredibly involved around the school, with Mr. Sato joining more clubs than can be counted on both hands and both feet, and Miss Hawkins being one of Slytherin’s Chasers.
Mr. Sato has founded three clubs – the Tri-Cook Club, the Blindfold Club and the Fashion Club. He is a recruiter for the Goosebumps Club, and he is a member of many, many others. He must be exceptionally good at time management in order to do all of this, and it’s certainly something many higher years can aspire to. Such a level of social interaction may seem daunting for some, but for Mr. Sato, this seems to be a normal pastime. Perhaps he is a major extrovert, but even introverts can enjoy social interaction in certain doses. Any introverts reading this should follow in Mr. Sato’s footsteps and join some clubs – they might look good for future jobs, help you expand your horizons or even just allow you to make new friends. Even if Mr. Sato is only a first year, the fact that he has founded three clubs means that his name will be remembered at Hogwarts for many years to come.
Miss Hawkins is a player in one of the most-watched games at Hogwarts: Quidditch. More specifically, she is a Chaser. Chasers aim to score points with the Quaffle, although they sometimes catch falling players or make their opponents fall. Miss Hawkins is rather good at all of these – a triple threat, if you will – and is one of four first years to be on the Slytherin Quidditch team, although only she and Miss Lisa Alistair are first-strings. This is an achievement for both girls, but Miss Hawkins in particular is a tenured player, which is even more remarkable. Any athlete at Hogwarts will be remembered, but one who has a notable presence even in their first year will only have that legacy grow as their time at Hogwarts progresses.
Ultimately, Kim Sato’s and Maggie Hawkins’s success at Hogwarts has shown that anyone can make a name for themselves – a professor, a fifth year, a first year… Even your cat, if you want. All it takes is effort and genuine enthusiasm, and then you’ll be a famous first – or maybe fifth – year, too.
Del's Divination: Arithmancy
By Delilah Stewart
Arithmancy is an interesting form of Divination. It is said to be the study of numbers in your life. There are multiple forms of Arithmancy, also known as Numerology, but in this article I am going to be focusing on the Pythagorean method.
The history of Arithmancy dates all the way back to ancient Egypt, but it was also seen in ancient Greece and Rome and a variety of other places. But the currently most used method is the Pythagorean method, said to be theorised by the Greek philosopher, Pythagoras.
Numerology readings are quite complex, despite the numbers and calculations being relatively simple. There are 5 main “numbers” to a numerology reading. The Life Path number, Birth Day Number, Soul Urge number, Expression number and Personality Number.
The Life Path number is seen as the most important, many people just use this as the one simple number. It is done by adding up all of the numbers in your birthday. You keep adding them together until you get to a 1 digit number. So mine, for example, 24th December 2005. 2+4 = 6, 1+2 = 3, 2+5=7, 6+3+7 = 16, 1+6 = 7. My Life Path number is 7. The number 7 is said to be related to truths and somebody who is analytical, I would say that is pretty accurate.
The Birth Day Number is simply just the date you were born, no need for the month or the year, so for me it is just 24, a birth day number of 24 is all about loyalty and a heart of gold. You would think I’m meant to be a Hufflepuff with that one.
The Soul Urge number, also known as the Hearts Desire number, is said to symbolise your inner self. To calculate this, we use the vowels in your name, as consonants are seen as your public persona and are not included. A = 1, E = 5, I =9, O = 6, and U = 3. Sometimes Y is seen as a vowel, depending on the usage in your name. If it is in a context where it would be seen as a vowel then it is assigned a 7. These are added up just like the life path number. So for my name, Delilah Stewart. I have EIAEA. 5+9+1+5+1 = 21. 2+1=3. A soul urge number of 3 says about writing and teamwork. Ironic considering my place on the Headliner.
The Expression number, also known as the Destiny number. This uses your full name and adds them up based on the Pythagorean chart. This method would also include any middle names you have, I just don’t have any. So my name, Delilah Stewart, is 4+5+3+9+3+1+8+1+2+5+5+1+9+2= 58. 5+8= 13. 1+3 = 4. An expression number of 4 talks about being well prepared for the future and being a dependable person.
Finally the Personality number, it is done by adding up the consonants in your name, so for me. DLLHSTWRT. 4+3+3+8+1+2+5+9+2 = 37. 3+7 = 10. 1+0 = 1. For a personality number of 1, the key traits are loyalty, creativity and leadership skills. And the thing to work on is mainly stubbornness.
Overall, those five calculations are how you get your total Arithmancy reading. The hardest part is adding it all up so for now I am going to skip that, but I hope you guys learned some more about Divination!
Club Reports: A Piece of Peace
By Dealla Prince
It’s exam season! Instead of being outside during this time, enjoying the nice spring weather, we sit in the library or study room, cramming spells, numbers, and facts into our heads as professors pile on more homework. But, as many smart people and their studies can attest, stress and a lack of self-care actually have negative impacts on productivity and efficiency. They degrade your sleep quality, leaving you exhausted and unable to focus. In short: breaks are important.
Thus, in this issue of my club feature articles, I decided to highlight a club that focuses on the mental health of its members. The Peaceful Minds Club has the goal of teaching tips and tricks to participants for relieving stress and fostering a healthy and calm state of mind, such as meditation techniques. They also regularly meet up to do yoga together, play teamwork games, and simply talk about their life and the problems they are facing! (Snacks are also included.)
At this time of the year, this seems especially important. So, I sought out Bailey Glade, the leader of the Peaceful Minds Club, for a short interview.
Dee: I heard the Peaceful Minds Club has monthly meetings. That’s quite frequent, compared to other clubs! Can you describe what a typical club meeting looks like?
Bailey: During the meetings, we discuss life in general, and I teach them a new exercise to help them relax or enjoy things that are normally overlooked. My Vice President, Kim Sato, and I usually bring snacks or a treat; something edible for a conversation starter. We also play games, to help us bond as a group and work on being better humans.
Dee: Do you also provide help for stressed members between meetings?
Bailey: I do! At every meeting I teach exercises that I know that will help–not physical ones but more mental based. They help with breathing and controlling what you can control. During the time between meetings, members are welcome and encouraged to send me an owl or approach me in the corridor if they need help or just someone to listen or talk to. Being present is one of the things that I find makes the Peaceful Minds Club different and unique.
Dee: What made you come up with the idea?
Bailey: I was with a friend, and they actually are the one who started the club originally. When they had to leave Hogwarts, I took it over. Not much has changed since they left, but there are some changes in positions and such. I have started having meetings more often, and I added the element of team building exercises to it.
To anyone who is struggling with exam pressure or other difficulties, I encourage you to reach out to Bailey Glade; maybe this unique club will be able to provide some help to you. If not, find other small ways to take care of yourself. Take regular breaks, keep yourself hydrated. Make time for things you enjoy. Good luck with your exams, everyone!
Newsflash
By Alan Vanes
House Cup Shenanigans
Everyone knows about the house cups. They allow professors to give out points to students who exceed beyond expectations and do their very best to keep the school a safe and good learning environment. For that exact reason, it is astounding that Ravenclaw has managed to receive this award not once, but five months in a row and therefore breaking the current record of four months in a row by Slytherin. However their streak has now been broken by Gryffindor, who had kept quiet the entire year; go lions!
End of Year Exams
With summer approaching quickly, so is the time for end of year exams. For most students, this means that they spend a lot of their free time studying. Colette Simons must have also noticed the increased numbers of students being in the library from dusk ‘till dawn. Especially for this year's fifth and seventh years a stressful time has started, as it is up to them to prove themselves worthy in their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s. Those exams will decide many things about their future which is why their reason to worry and study this much is valid. Good luck to every student for their exams!
New Badges
Recently there have been a lot of changes in prefects. There have been changes in the three houses of Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff. To keep you informed, the newest prefects are: Simon Kincaid, Logan Baird, Emma Wynn, Samantha Salwis, Aurora Ranvier, Cassandra Ironwoods and Opeila Winters. So be careful in whose presence you break rules, because the prefect team has more back-up now.
By Dealla Prince
I want to start by telling two stories.
The first takes place on the Hogwarts Express. A girl is sitting with her friends when someone she knows passes through in a hurry, telling them to get out. A moment later, unknown men board the running train. They demand the students to hand over their wands, then take the girl hostage. When her friend demands her release, they beat him down. The students escape, but not without trauma or injury.
The second story begins in London. Three girls are led into a bookstore where they meet a group of people seemingly preparing for a protest, and when asked, they share their stories and their goal: justice. Then, something smashes through the windows, interrupting the conversation. A fire breaks out, spreading quickly. Angry shouts come from outside the bookstore. While one of the present men goes out front to distract the crowd, the others and the girls escape through the back.
There are parallels in both stories: a peaceful, unsuspecting group is attacked with seemingly no provocation, and children are endangered. If told that S.C.A.R., a group well-known for their ruthless methods in achieving their goals, was involved in both, most people would assume them to be the aggressors. They would only be half right.
The first story is a well-known one at our school. It happened in January 2021, when students were returning from winter break. The girl was Opeila Winters, who recounted her experience with visible distress. Her protector was Vladimir Athanatos, who seemed to know the attackers. The men claimed to be part of S.C.A.R.
The second story was my own encounter with the group, not knowing at the time who they were. They were simply a peaceful group of people I met in a bookstore; educated, well-spoken, people with moving stories. They were Squibs, with no magical abilities passed down from their wizard parents. One was a half-goblin without any magic, human or goblin. They talked about how they were pushed to the fringes of society, about how their lack of magic seemed to be their only defining trait according to wizardkind, about their fight for their rights.
I have not shared this story with many. In the beginning, I didn't know better, didn’t realise the significance. They never introduced themselves as S.C.A.R. In fact, it was only earlier this year that I realised my mistake, when I recognised the name of one of the men in a newspaper article. The man I had met did not seem to be the same man that was described in the article, which made me wonder: should we believe everything we’re told about S.C.A.R.?
When I encouraged students to reach out with more information, I was approached independently by two Koldovstoretz students. Both of them claimed to know that the organisation was responsible for the terrible attack in Hogsmeade last summer, which had caused the death of seventeen Koldovstoretz students. One of the students, Irina Afanasyeva, lost someone close to her that day, and her anger at the murderers is understandable and justified.
Yet, when looking closer, holes in those stories open up that no one seems to be able to fill. When asked how they knew who caused the explosion, both students answered with a universal “everyone said so”. Although they were present at the scene, they saw no incriminating evidence before or after. Additionally, the students killed were exclusively Muggleborn or halfblood, while the prominent issue of S.C.A.R.A.B. is with pureblood society.
The attack on the train raises even more questions. In an attempt to get Winters released, Athanatos claimed that she was a pureblood. Why would this encourage them to let her go? How did these men - allegedly Squibs with no magical abilities - manage to board the Hogwarts Express and later disappear without a trace? Try as I might, all I have been able to discover are more questions.
After their recent renaming to S.C.A.R.A.B., the group started working with the Ministry of Magic, instituting organisations such as the Noxwatch to better protect Squibs and mixed race citizens in and around Diagon Alley. Would the Ministry really work with a terrorist group?
I cannot say what the truth is. Perhaps the narrative about the ruthless terrorist group is correct. Perhaps the inconsistencies in the story point to a different truth. I encourage you to think critically about what you are told. There might be more behind this than any of us can guess.
If you have information about S.C.A.R.A.B., please reach out to Dealla Prince at the Headliner office.
From S.C.A.R. to S.C.A.R.A.B.: How those affected feel about the change
By Dealla Prince and Quinn Healy
S.C.A.R.A.B. – Stump’s Coalition Advocating Rights for All Beings – is the new name for the organisation previously known as S.C.A.R. Under their former name they fought for Squib rights, and they acquired a reputation for being ruthless and willing to kill to make their point.
With their renaming, S.C.A.R.A.B. has widened their scope to represent not just Squibs, but also all mixed race members of our society. It was a sudden change, although perhaps not an entirely unexpected one. Many of their members have been of mixed blood since the beginning, and the two groups certainly have difficulties in common, such as finding a place in a society that judges them by something out of their control.
However, this means that S.C.A.R.A.B. is now also speaking for people who have never asked or agreed to this, made worse by the fact that the organisation is controversial at best.
My co-author for this article, Quinn Healy, is one of these people. A part-giant in a world where he is identified as different on first glance, he knows first-hand what society is like for those who do not seem to fit. His feelings about S.C.A.R.A.B. are mixed.
“If you ask me, S.C.A.R. has good ideas on what they're fighting for and about, but personally I don't like their methods. Obviously, I don't know if that attack in Hogsmeade was their doing or some other group. Regardless, if it is them, then it's just going to make things harder on the rest of us, those they are trying to protect. I face discrimination and challenges every day for something I didn't choose. I was born the way I was, and because of this, I'm treated with fear. Take a look at those of us who are different next time you pass them in the hall and think about why some of us may agree with S.C.A.R. or want to possibly join. I say if S.C.A.R. proves to move things in the right direction then let them. Why should we be treated any differently than a normal person? The articles painting us in a bad light are bad enough. The last thing I, or anyone for that matter, wants is to be labelled as dangerous or worse. [...] I think S.C.A.R. is necessary, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything they do or have done.”
- Quinn Healy
Howard White is Hogwarts’ Champion for the Hexwizard tournament. He is also a Dhampir, who suddenly sees himself represented by an organisation he is not part of. When asked, he seemed unsure whether S.C.A.R.A.B. and S.C.A.R. are the same group, but his sentiments are similar to Healy’s.
“S.C.A.R. always seemed like a bunch of fanatics, but it's hard to tell just from news reports. [...] I mean, it seemed alright to have a group standing up for the mistreated. Squibs should have an equal spot here too, but if they were behind those attacks, they're just a bunch of lowlife terrorists. [...] It's nice to see them include mixed races in their cause. It’s not easy, being a half breed. I mean, we all have a lot to learn, and this new group seems to want to go about it peacefully. Hopefully it'll show that we can all be a good addition to society. If we can't live in the Muggle world and if we can't live in the magical world, what's left?”
- Howard White
Hearing this bears the question of whether or not S.C.A.R.A.B. is aware that their history makes it difficult for those they claim to be fighting for to support them, and it makes me wonder whether their reputation really tells the entire story, or if it is not entirely justified. No decent person would proclaim to support a terrorist group, even if they agree with said group’s goals. S.C.A.R.A.B. has to be aware that committing and threatening murder would hurt their cause, driving off those that might otherwise agree with them. So why would they? Even with their name change, their reputation will not easily be left behind.
Regardless, it is past time that someone should speak out for mixed race citizen’s rights. Perhaps S.C.A.R.A.B. are not the perfect organisation to do this, but they do draw attention, and their recent collaborations with the Ministry of Magic give hope that more peaceful changes lie in the future.
Cheater, Cheater... Chaser, Chaser?
By Koko Riddle
Quidditch: A game for strong people who are very much capable of evading things. If one has ever played dodgeball, they might understand the stress of dodging various balls flying through the air, but in Quidditch, one must also dodge the people flying through the air.
Usually, Quidditch players are fairly passive – well, at least the Seekers and Keepers are. Beaters are often on the offensive, but what about Chasers? Aren’t they meant to score points?
That is where people commonly make mistakes when making assumptions about Quidditch. Chasers are by no means innocent when it comes to knocking players off their brooms. Chasers just do it differently, with more conventional means than iron balls: Chasers use their own bodies in a technique called blatching, where they try to push their target off of their broom using accuracy and force.
One Chaser who does such a thing is Ravenclaw’s own Lavinia Cloven, who has made a legacy for herself in both scoring Quaffle points and blatching, although more recently, she has done the latter. She has blatched many people from every team – aside from her own – and is truly a formidable player. However, she helps to shed light on another thing: the rampant usage of cheat moves in Quidditch.
Any game would be incomplete without a player making a foul or two, but in Quidditch, blatches are almost as – and sometimes more – common than bludgers. It is as if blatching is a strategy that is almost unanimously dedicated to Chasers, with Keepers and Beaters only occasionally doing such a thing and Seekers being more suited for tasks such as finding the snitch.
Are Quidditch players really that prone to violence, or is this just part of the game? After all, bludgers knock students off of their brooms – why shouldn't other players be able to do the same?
Preaching pacifism would be useless. Besides, the rather violent aspect of the game can teach players skills that are applicable in other areas of their life, like duelling or the off chance they ever get stranded on a deserted island. While some Quidditch players might be dreadful at spells, dodging is an incredibly useful spell that they learn through Quidditch, although the question does remain – is dodging on a broom different from dodging using one's own body?
The violent aspect of Quidditch can also teach students about the importance of strategy. While games like Wizard Chess also promote strategy, Quidditch has more detrimental consequences when a strategy goes wrong, such as a student falling through the sky.
Since the task of blatching is most often delegated to Chasers, Chasers like Lavinia Cloven might end up being better at many athletic endeavours, and since the task involves thought and aim, they might become better at exercising their mind, too. After all, Lavinia is a Ravenclaw, and Ravenclaws are meant to be smart... Perhaps that's why their cheating Chasers seem to do so well.
It's In The Core
By Willow Anderson
As a duellist my wand is really important to me, and as a witch in general it’s like an extension of myself. I’ve learned a lot about wands and their cores and wanted to highlight my own and two other wands of good friends of mine: Dealla Prince and Pericles Dralt. They’re both co-captains of the Ravenclaw Duelling Team, and they also happened to be in the Headliner Office when I started writing this article.
I have a 31,2 Alder Wood and Dragon Heartstring, flexible wand! So, mine is actually quite long. I think it suits me. The first time I ever held my wand it felt like something clicked into place with me, especially with my first cast in the shop. I was really worried about becoming a witch, but holding the wand calmed me. Alder wood tends to favor people like me, I think. Helpful, considerate, likable. Which I think is saying very high things about me, but I think that they’re true. This wood actually prefers wizards who aren’t like it, which is interesting. Perhaps an opposites attract situation? I don’t know which dragon I have specifically, which can change the characteristics, but there are general qualities to a dragon heartstring core. They make wands that learn quicker, produce spells that have a flourish to them, but are also temperamental. Every wand has its downfalls, but I think as you grow with it you learn how to mitigate those issues and create a really strong relationship.
Dealla Prince has a 27,0 Cherry Wood and Phoenix Feather wand! Cherry wood wands are actually pretty rare, and important to students that attend Mahoutokoro. It is an incredibly powerful wood, making for equally powerful spells. If you’ve ever seen Dee on the duelling piste you would find this to be accurate. Phoenix feather is also incredibly rare, making Dee’s combination extra special. The feather is really picky and hard to find an owner for. They can also sometimes cast on their own, which I think is kind of funny. It’s a really hard core to bond with, but worth it because of the power it comes with. As someone who has witnessed Dee as a caster, this makes perfect sense for her. It is really amazing how our wands can match who we are, how powerful we have the potential to be. This is what Dee had to say in regards to holding her wand for the first time: “Magical. [pauses, then starts giggling] No, but... well, it was. I don't know how to describe it. I had touched my mum's wand before but my own just kind of feels... different? And then magic flowing through it when casting... It felt warm and familiar although I'd never done it before.”
Pericles Dralt has a 20,5 Aspen Wood and Phoenix Feather Wand. Something that’s interesting about Pericles’ wand is that he has a shorter than average length to his wand. Most wands start at 22,86 centimeters and go to about 35,56 centimeters. With Pericles as a person, this makes sense to me. He’s incredibly studious and dedicated to his craft. Having a wand that is conducive to precise, powerful, refined casting makes complete sense. It’s the best conduit to his type of casting, which is… scary on the piste if you’re his opponent. He’s a really good duellist, guys. Pericles has a gorgeous color of wand, aspen wood being a brilliant white. What’s funny about this wood is that it usually goes to people who are either already really impressive duellists or people that are supposed to become really accomplished duellists. I don’t know what Pericles has planned for the future, but duellist should be on the list somewhere. This is what Pericles had to say about holding his wand for the first time: “It's quite the memory, actually. My father had taken me to Ollivander's. Before I could test the wands, he tried to pass down his blackthorn and dragon heartstring to me, seeing as he can't use it any longer. It made me more anxious than anything. The moment I gave it a wave, it shot out of my hand like a wizard cracker and smashed a lamp! But when I was handed my aspen and phoenix feather wand, I felt complete, as though I'd been reunited with a part of myself that I hadn't realized was missing. I left that shop a proper wizard... after we paid for the lamp.”
If you’re interested in your own wand, from flexibility to core, I really recommend checking it out! It can say a lot about you as a wizard and the types of magic you could lean towards in the future. Maybe it would reveal something you don’t know about yourself!
A Hexwizard Poll
By Dealla Prince
At the Midspring Celebration in early April, the Goblet of Fire spit out a bunch of names in a dramatic display. These were not just any names either, although what exactly makes them uniquely qualified to represent their schools remains a mystery. Still, for better or worse, the Hexwizard Champions have been chosen by everyone’s favourite oversized cup.
For anyone who has managed to defy all odds and completely avoid contact with the outside world since the announcement, I encourage you to look at the previous issue of the Headliner, which includes information on each champion, a Q&A, and my personal prediction of how much of a threat they will present in the tournament.
After writing that article, I began to wonder; what do other students think? With what little knowledge we have, which champion has the confidence of the crowd? Hence, on April 6th, I made my rounds through the corridors of Hogwarts, asking students from all six schools for their predictions.
The results show an overwhelming majority for Howard White, who is the champion representing our own school; out of 80 students asked, a total of 37, or 46.25%, announced that they see the Hogwarts Champion as the most likely winner of the Hexwizard tournament. This is not surprising; as the poll was conducted at Hogwarts with only a small number of students visiting from the other schools, the sample group was likely distorted in favour of Hogwarts students. Hence, this result should be taken with a grain of salt. Still, many students cited Howard’s age as the deciding factor, which gives him the advantage of advanced spell knowledge and a variety of accumulated life experience, which indicates more objective judgement than simply voting for their own school.
The other results are more representative. Disregarding Howard’s popularity, Yefim Rumyantsev of Durmstrang, Angélique de Clairmont of Beauxbatons, and surprisingly Rodion Makarovich of Koldovstoretz inspired the most confidence in other students, with 15% of the votes going to Yefim, attributing him a win by pure stubbornness, or perhaps his willingness to literally walk through fire. 13.75% of the students give their votes to Angélique, often based on gender solidarity; as the only girl in the race, she seems to have the support of many female students. In a close next place, a solid 12.5% vote for Rodion. The reasons are not quite clear to me, there was the mention of cousins and rotten pasta when I asked for comments.
Ilvermorny’s Miles Thatcher trails slightly behind with 8.75% of the student votes, most of those coming from his fellow Ilvermorny students. While they would know him best and be able to judge what he is capable of, there is likely at least some school bias in play here. Finally, Aryaan Shamsi from the Japanese school Mahoutokoro brings up the rear with some distance, only 3.75% of the students voting for him.
Despite also listing Howard and Angélique as strong contenders, these results differ from my own, which placed Rodion at the rear. Perhaps I have been too quick to judge - but quite possibly, the fault lies with students disregarding Aryaan for his age instead. Only time will tell.
The predictions may also change once there is more information on who the champions intend to include in their teams. Keep your eyes on future issues of the Headliner for more information on the Hexwizard Tournament and its Champions.
Summer Solstice
By Willow Anderson
Your local Wiccan is back with the latest holiday in the Wheel of the Year! June 21st is the Summer Solstice! This holiday has many names and you may know it as Litha, Midsummer, Midsummer’s Eve, or a few other names. It marks the longest day and the shortest night of the year, which is really exciting for me personally. I love basking in sunlight and I try to soak in as much as I can during the summer. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Summer Equinox actually happens in December! Seasons are kind of bonkers— how they flip like that never ceases to amaze me.
This is a really powerful time for the element of fire, given the hot season of Summer. It is a time of abundance when crops usually start to flourish, forests are now filled with greenery, and grasses are the greenest of the year. On the horizon the harvest sits, but for now we relish in the long days. Bonfires are usually lit to actually help strengthen the sun. But there are some cultures that will light wheels on fire then roll them into lakes or rivers to make sure there is balance between water and fire. The reason I enjoy celebrating this holiday is because most if not all of the celebrations happen outdoors, mostly around noon.
But Willow, you may ask, how does one celebrate Litha/Midsummer/Insert Other Name Here? I’m here with a list of five ways you can celebrate this year!
You can’t have a bonfire? That’s fine! Just keep a candle lit throughout the day to honour the sun.
Have a picnic! This is a great time to visit your local farmer’s market if you can and see what’s in season. Celebrating the harvests that are ready now is a great way to celebrate. It’s also just a feel-good activity with your friends and family.
After your picnic, go for a hike! Or a walk near a beach, just hang out in nature wherever you can. My family and I try and participate in a park clean up around this time of year, whether on the solstice ourselves or with an organised group.
If you can, harvest herbs! Not everyone has wild herbs growing around them. But you could also start an herb garden with your family. If you have the opportunity to harvest, make sure you’re harvesting from healthy and lively plants so they can continue growing! Only take what you can reasonably use so other people have the opportunity to harvest.
Decorate your room, door, kitchen, anywhere really with flowers! Dandelions are everywhere and are a great way to decorate. Bring the liveliness of the world into your home!
This is really just the beginning. For other practising Wiccans or Pagans this is a great time to set intentions, cast spells with more masculine energies or deal in the fire element. Take time to decorate your altar for the season! At home my altar this time of year has fresh flowers, a tiny jar of honey, and a fallen oak branch. Among other things, these are my main three for the season! Do you have any plans to celebrate? Owl me what you’re doing if you are!
Fashion Forward: Summer
By Evelynn Decipio
Unfortunately for the halls of Hogwarts, fashion fiends seem to have lost the largest portions of their humility and sensibilities. Many catwalks are boasting what they are calling “iconic trends.” Low-rise pants to bare the midriff, micro-mini skirts that leave eyes wandering, sheer fabrics that expose what ought to be covered, and undergarments that feature as a centre-piece… They ought to be burned, the lot of them. If students attempt to wear any of these here at school, detention shall be served faster than can be spoken: “modest McGonagall.” Fortunately, not all of this summer’s styles are better forgotten. Make the following a staple in your closet and be the envy of all those who consider themselves fashion forward.
Pleats, sir, we want more
Whether full or partial length, skirts with pleats are sure to make their mark this summer. Classic and versatile, colour and pattern matter little. Choose your favourite and pair it with a contrasting top for a sophisticated feel.
Shine bright
While sequins may have had their temporary moment in the spring, metallic spangle is far from out of the light. If you seek a more eye-catching ensemble, pick a fabric with a liquid metallic sheen. Select golds and silvers for a particularly luxurious look, and live your most divine molten moment.
White is the new Black
At least when it comes to suits. And the more white, the better. Regardless of your gender expression and identity, suits are in, and what better way to reflect the heat of the sun and let your own brilliance shine than with a white on white ensemble. Contrast it with black hardware in shoe, button and accessory for a bold statement.
Leg up on accessorising
Bare is basic when it comes to legs this summer. While the heat might make that a typical go-to, spend time this year thinking of how to dress that surface area to impress. Thigh-high boots might be a little overbearing, but don’t discard the notion entirely. Tall gladiator sandals, straps with feather trims, sheer lace leggings, and custom embroidered hosiery would not be out of place. Your imagination is the limit here.
Netted knits
Keen for the coziness of a knit top or dress, but wary of the hot weather? Fret not. All articles are fair game for this warm weather trend, from tops and vests to trousers and skirts, from dresses even to bags. Enjoy the draft and keep cool in loose knitwear to pair practicality of comfort with the illusion of your favourite silhouette.
Cut it out
No novice to the fashion scene, wardrobe windows and clever cut-outs continue to dominate the closets. Featured on everything from bodycon dresses to asymmetric tops, to patterned pants and leggings, keep the cutouts modest for a perfect balance of tease and taste, and enjoy the benefit of a reprieve from the summer heat.
Hyper-femininity
In a world where androgyny has earned a strong foothold, it has been some time since a more feminine silhouette has caught the eye. However, that is an option this summer. Those of you with a passion for pink will find your fill. Pastels and candy palettes, florals and frills, lace and layers – girly is glamorous, and everyone is encouraged to tap into their more sensitive side this summer with feminine fashion.
Space for all the baggage
Oversized has been a common theme throughout the seasons. From purses to pants to coats, we have now come full circle. Large bags are back in fashion just in time for storing everything you might possibly need on your summery excursions. Take advantage of the space and make a bold statement to accessorise your outfit.
Muggle Item of the Month: Water Parks
By Willow Anderson
Hello my friends! The heat is ramping up and as we look forward to going home, I know I’m looking forward to visiting a water park! These are great ways to beat the heat and have fun, especially if you don’t live by the coast! My family will make the expedition all the way to Alton Towers Waterpark a couple of times in the summer! It’s about a two-hour drive, but it is completely worth it. There’s so much to do there and it’s indoors which is nice to kind of help beat the heat and sun exposure.
Now, I want to take you back to the beginnings of waterparks. Which– actually isn’t that long ago. They weren’t introduced until the late 1940s, early ‘50s ish. America seems to dominate the water park industry because they have over 1,000 water parks. Can you imagine how many water slides there are? It wasn’t until the 1980s that indoor water parks got their start in The Netherlands, France, and Switzerland. Currently, Germany holds the record for the largest indoor water park in the world. So, if you’re from Germany, I can’t recommend going enough.
Water parks have plenty of attractions, one of my favorites being the wave pool. Basically, you get into this huge, well, pool, but they have some kind of secret magic wave maker hidden somewhere. (Spoiler Alert: It’s not actually magic). So you get the fun bounciness of waves without the fear of them crashing over your head and drowning you, but maybe that’s just a fear that I have. They also have lazy rivers, which are exactly what they sounds like. Just a huge winding river that isn’t that deep because you’re meant to sit in inflatable tubes and rest while you float along. Usually there are multiple getting off and on points so you can leave whenever you’d like.
Often the water parks have separate sections. One for little kids that is mostly shallow with some structures to climb and small slides. They also get fun water guns attached to the structures and jets of water that come out everywhere. Occasionally, mostly if they’re outdoors, they have a huge bucket that fills up over time and once it’s full it’ll tip over and dump a whole bucket load (hah) of water onto the kids standing below. This is not recommended for very small children because they will fall over and probably be overwhelmed.
A really popular attraction at a water park is the artificial surfing or bodyboarding experiences! These are too scary for me because whenever I try them I wipe out IMMEDIATELY and it’s not fun at all. Maybe if I used the gluing charm on my feet it would be a better time. But it’s basically a very small slope with water coming out from the bottom. The goal is to stay on the bodyboard as long as possible. Unless you’re an adult you start from laying down on your belly position, work up to sitting, then standing. But honestly? I’ve never seen someone succeed in standing up.
I’m looking forward to my yearly trek to Alton Towers! It’s a great time with my parents and usually we stay the weekend and get as many hours in as we can. If you’ve never gone to one, I highly recommend it to beat the heat of summer!
Pureblood Palate VS Muggle Munchies
By Pericles Dralt
Punny as it may sound, we must admit there is a magic to wizard foods, especially our confectionaries. Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans are advertised as “encompassing every flavour imaginable,” while the lead producer of No-Maj jellybeans features a meagre fifty flavours. Drooble's Best Blowing Gum never loses its flavour, but Muggle gum tends to taste like a bike tyre after approximately two minutes. Acid Pops from Honeydukes have the delightful capacity to burn a hole right through the consumer’s tongue, whereas mundane sour candies merely induce a toothache. In that same vein, Pepper Imps cause the eater to spit smoke and fire, but their No-Maj counterpart scorches the mouth with pointless pain. Muggle sweets simply fail to match the entertaining appeal of Wizarding confectionaries, as they hardly inflict bodily harm or attempt to escape whatsoever. Where’s the fun in that?
This is not to say that all aspects of casual Muggle snacking lack intrigue. While researching the subject, I came across a device which sounds strikingly similar to magical food preparation: the microwave oven. These extraordinary mechanical boxes use science to reheat cold food or cook frozen meals with the mere push of a button! In the spirit of journalism, I managed to track one down at a convenience store in London. I assumed it to be an expensive product considering its advanced mechanisms, but to my surprise, the cashier assured me there was no fee for utilising it. I submitted a box of snacks called "pizza bagels" and set the cooking timer to ten minutes, not knowing that microwaves do not cook in accordance with non-electric ovens. Instead, they work quite quickly, and the cashier showed me most microwavable meals come with a series of instructions on the back of the box. As magical as this seemed, the end result was disenchanting: some of the snacks were still frozen, while others were a mess of molten cheese, hot enough to scald the roof of one's mouth. The snack also failed to taste anything like bagels or pizza. This piece of go-to technology for snacking Muggles has some way to go, considering its inconsistent heating and the peculiar alteration in flavour, possibly due to the machine rearranging a meal's molecules incorrectly.
Among the hit-and-miss conveniences cooked up by our No-Maj neighbours is the ingenuity of canned foods. Stored in air-tight containers and often floating in preservatives, these containers were designed in an attempt to make food last longer. An unnatural take on meat, Spam is a non-perishable food that lasts nearly three years, and tastes like pork and gelatin pulverised into a fine paste, then shaped into a quadrilateral. I cannot recommend any cooking methods to make it bearable. If meat in a can came as unbelievable, it was followed by canned cheese. At least, the label claimed it was cheese. On sampling a mouthful, I was alarmed in realising it was, essentially, a mouthful of grease and food colouring, with distant implications of cheddar. They were stomach-turning enough to end my investigation.
The verdict: non-magical munchies cause concern and dismay through tame sweets, fickle machines, and dubious methods of preservation. Frankly, this culinary adventure was nearly as disturbing as my tenure at Hogwarts.
Evelynn’s Advice
By Evelynn Decipio
I seem to have found a lot of literature on wand grip, movement and stances. But all of this is for right-handed casters. Is there not a "proper" wand stance/grip for southpaws?
Dear Southpaw,
Fortunately for you, wands are not designed in any specifically right-handed way. Hold the grip in whatever way is comfortable for you. Your stance will simply be reversed compared to that of a right-handed caster. As for movement, it will be exactly as you have been taught in class. In these, common sense is your ally.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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Dear Evelynn,
Been dating a boy since June. He suddenly disappeared in December. Months of ghosting and he finally sent me an owl. Moved schools. Said what we had was fantastic but fleeting and he'd see me soon? Did he break up with me? I have no idea what to do.
Signed,
A Sad Romantic [Winnie]
Dear Sad Romantic,
While I am by no means an expert in the field, it does indeed sound as though he has chosen to conclude the relationship. However, if there is ever any doubt, as with any relationship, communication and honesty are the best policy. It may be difficult to voice your uncertainties, but that is exactly what you ought to do. It is better to know the truth, however difficult it may be to hear, than to wallow in the dark.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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I have many scars on visible places like my neck, legs and arms. Some hold a lot of trauma so I don't like people asking about them. Makeup is not the most accessible in Hogwarts. I need some advice.
Dear Scarred,
I think you underestimate the ease of obtaining make-up. Whether by owl-in catalogue, a trip to Hogsmeade, or just asking to borrow that of a peer, it really is quite a simple matter to obtain some foundation and setting power. Better yet, if you can get your hands on a MAGIC MAKE-UP ITEM, it will do the work for you.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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I have trouble sleeping at night due to the things I've seen and paranoia. I'm afraid of the dark but don't wish to disturb my roommates. I can't afford potion ingredients. I need some advice.
Dear Sleepless,
Curtains around your bed—whether freestanding on posts, secured from the wall with a sticking charm, or suspended from a hanging support—would allow you privacy to fend off the dark with a nightlight. I might also recommend talking with a trusted adult or counsellor about your troubles. Meditation and breathing exercises, with practice, can also help relax your body and mind enough for sleep.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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I have an irrational fear of Durmstrang, Ilvermorny and Castelobruxo students. I get anxious whenever I'm around them. They're just so different. How do I overcome this fear?
Dear Irrational,
It may be helpful to reflect on why you have this fear. What is it about those students that makes them different? How are they different from foreign students that attend Hogwarts or Beauxbatons? While many of us speak different languages or come from different cultural backgrounds, we're all just students trying to learn magic. My recommendation to you would be to ask them lots of questions. It's the unknown, the lack of understanding of the "different", that usually causes fear. Seek to understand it, and you might not actually fear it as much as you thought you did.
Regards,
E. Decipio
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Dear Evelynn, I've seen that a lot of the old blood prefer the old religion and pagan beliefs over that of modern christian or agnostic values held by the non-magic populations. And it got me wondering: Are there religious rituals, either pagan or christian, that are actually magical in nature or origin? How big a role does perception and belief play on casting and experiencing magic (after all, spells are essentially 'mini rituals': do this exactly this way, say exactly this at this time. Believe it will work because it works for others). Would participating in the old religions make someone better understand magic or magical society? What are your thoughts? Hui Ming
Dear Mister Hui,
I think you misunderstand the point of this column. I could not even begin to express such thoughts in so limited a space. What are you are asking is not for advice on a personal situation, but to engage in philosophical discussion.
I invite you to talk,
E. Decipio
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Thank you once again for your submissions. Per usual, if you do not see your question in this issue, watch for it in the next.
Famous First-Years
By Koko Riddle
Hogwarts’s corridors have swarmed with people of all ages – people nearly a hundred years old as well as those just into their double digits. Usually, it is the higher years that are remembered, probably because they’ve had more time to build a legacy, but there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, first years begin building their legacy early, and they are remembered long after they graduate from their seventh year.
Such first years include Gryffindor’s Kim Sato and Slytherin’s Maggie Hawkins. Both have been incredibly involved around the school, with Mr. Sato joining more clubs than can be counted on both hands and both feet, and Miss Hawkins being one of Slytherin’s Chasers.
Mr. Sato has founded three clubs – the Tri-Cook Club, the Blindfold Club and the Fashion Club. He is a recruiter for the Goosebumps Club, and he is a member of many, many others. He must be exceptionally good at time management in order to do all of this, and it’s certainly something many higher years can aspire to. Such a level of social interaction may seem daunting for some, but for Mr. Sato, this seems to be a normal pastime. Perhaps he is a major extrovert, but even introverts can enjoy social interaction in certain doses. Any introverts reading this should follow in Mr. Sato’s footsteps and join some clubs – they might look good for future jobs, help you expand your horizons or even just allow you to make new friends. Even if Mr. Sato is only a first year, the fact that he has founded three clubs means that his name will be remembered at Hogwarts for many years to come.
Miss Hawkins is a player in one of the most-watched games at Hogwarts: Quidditch. More specifically, she is a Chaser. Chasers aim to score points with the Quaffle, although they sometimes catch falling players or make their opponents fall. Miss Hawkins is rather good at all of these – a triple threat, if you will – and is one of four first years to be on the Slytherin Quidditch team, although only she and Miss Lisa Alistair are first-strings. This is an achievement for both girls, but Miss Hawkins in particular is a tenured player, which is even more remarkable. Any athlete at Hogwarts will be remembered, but one who has a notable presence even in their first year will only have that legacy grow as their time at Hogwarts progresses.
Ultimately, Kim Sato’s and Maggie Hawkins’s success at Hogwarts has shown that anyone can make a name for themselves – a professor, a fifth year, a first year… Even your cat, if you want. All it takes is effort and genuine enthusiasm, and then you’ll be a famous first – or maybe fifth – year, too.
Del's Divination: Arithmancy
By Delilah Stewart
Arithmancy is an interesting form of Divination. It is said to be the study of numbers in your life. There are multiple forms of Arithmancy, also known as Numerology, but in this article I am going to be focusing on the Pythagorean method.
The history of Arithmancy dates all the way back to ancient Egypt, but it was also seen in ancient Greece and Rome and a variety of other places. But the currently most used method is the Pythagorean method, said to be theorised by the Greek philosopher, Pythagoras.
Numerology readings are quite complex, despite the numbers and calculations being relatively simple. There are 5 main “numbers” to a numerology reading. The Life Path number, Birth Day Number, Soul Urge number, Expression number and Personality Number.
The Life Path number is seen as the most important, many people just use this as the one simple number. It is done by adding up all of the numbers in your birthday. You keep adding them together until you get to a 1 digit number. So mine, for example, 24th December 2005. 2+4 = 6, 1+2 = 3, 2+5=7, 6+3+7 = 16, 1+6 = 7. My Life Path number is 7. The number 7 is said to be related to truths and somebody who is analytical, I would say that is pretty accurate.
The Birth Day Number is simply just the date you were born, no need for the month or the year, so for me it is just 24, a birth day number of 24 is all about loyalty and a heart of gold. You would think I’m meant to be a Hufflepuff with that one.
The Soul Urge number, also known as the Hearts Desire number, is said to symbolise your inner self. To calculate this, we use the vowels in your name, as consonants are seen as your public persona and are not included. A = 1, E = 5, I =9, O = 6, and U = 3. Sometimes Y is seen as a vowel, depending on the usage in your name. If it is in a context where it would be seen as a vowel then it is assigned a 7. These are added up just like the life path number. So for my name, Delilah Stewart. I have EIAEA. 5+9+1+5+1 = 21. 2+1=3. A soul urge number of 3 says about writing and teamwork. Ironic considering my place on the Headliner.
The Expression number, also known as the Destiny number. This uses your full name and adds them up based on the Pythagorean chart. This method would also include any middle names you have, I just don’t have any. So my name, Delilah Stewart, is 4+5+3+9+3+1+8+1+2+5+5+1+9+2= 58. 5+8= 13. 1+3 = 4. An expression number of 4 talks about being well prepared for the future and being a dependable person.
Finally the Personality number, it is done by adding up the consonants in your name, so for me. DLLHSTWRT. 4+3+3+8+1+2+5+9+2 = 37. 3+7 = 10. 1+0 = 1. For a personality number of 1, the key traits are loyalty, creativity and leadership skills. And the thing to work on is mainly stubbornness.
Overall, those five calculations are how you get your total Arithmancy reading. The hardest part is adding it all up so for now I am going to skip that, but I hope you guys learned some more about Divination!
Club Reports: A Piece of Peace
By Dealla Prince
It’s exam season! Instead of being outside during this time, enjoying the nice spring weather, we sit in the library or study room, cramming spells, numbers, and facts into our heads as professors pile on more homework. But, as many smart people and their studies can attest, stress and a lack of self-care actually have negative impacts on productivity and efficiency. They degrade your sleep quality, leaving you exhausted and unable to focus. In short: breaks are important.
Thus, in this issue of my club feature articles, I decided to highlight a club that focuses on the mental health of its members. The Peaceful Minds Club has the goal of teaching tips and tricks to participants for relieving stress and fostering a healthy and calm state of mind, such as meditation techniques. They also regularly meet up to do yoga together, play teamwork games, and simply talk about their life and the problems they are facing! (Snacks are also included.)
At this time of the year, this seems especially important. So, I sought out Bailey Glade, the leader of the Peaceful Minds Club, for a short interview.
Dee: I heard the Peaceful Minds Club has monthly meetings. That’s quite frequent, compared to other clubs! Can you describe what a typical club meeting looks like?
Bailey: During the meetings, we discuss life in general, and I teach them a new exercise to help them relax or enjoy things that are normally overlooked. My Vice President, Kim Sato, and I usually bring snacks or a treat; something edible for a conversation starter. We also play games, to help us bond as a group and work on being better humans.
Dee: Do you also provide help for stressed members between meetings?
Bailey: I do! At every meeting I teach exercises that I know that will help–not physical ones but more mental based. They help with breathing and controlling what you can control. During the time between meetings, members are welcome and encouraged to send me an owl or approach me in the corridor if they need help or just someone to listen or talk to. Being present is one of the things that I find makes the Peaceful Minds Club different and unique.
Dee: What made you come up with the idea?
Bailey: I was with a friend, and they actually are the one who started the club originally. When they had to leave Hogwarts, I took it over. Not much has changed since they left, but there are some changes in positions and such. I have started having meetings more often, and I added the element of team building exercises to it.
To anyone who is struggling with exam pressure or other difficulties, I encourage you to reach out to Bailey Glade; maybe this unique club will be able to provide some help to you. If not, find other small ways to take care of yourself. Take regular breaks, keep yourself hydrated. Make time for things you enjoy. Good luck with your exams, everyone!
Newsflash
By Alan Vanes
House Cup Shenanigans
Everyone knows about the house cups. They allow professors to give out points to students who exceed beyond expectations and do their very best to keep the school a safe and good learning environment. For that exact reason, it is astounding that Ravenclaw has managed to receive this award not once, but five months in a row and therefore breaking the current record of four months in a row by Slytherin. However their streak has now been broken by Gryffindor, who had kept quiet the entire year; go lions!
End of Year Exams
With summer approaching quickly, so is the time for end of year exams. For most students, this means that they spend a lot of their free time studying. Colette Simons must have also noticed the increased numbers of students being in the library from dusk ‘till dawn. Especially for this year's fifth and seventh years a stressful time has started, as it is up to them to prove themselves worthy in their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s. Those exams will decide many things about their future which is why their reason to worry and study this much is valid. Good luck to every student for their exams!
New Badges
Recently there have been a lot of changes in prefects. There have been changes in the three houses of Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff. To keep you informed, the newest prefects are: Simon Kincaid, Logan Baird, Emma Wynn, Samantha Salwis, Aurora Ranvier, Cassandra Ironwoods and Opeila Winters. So be careful in whose presence you break rules, because the prefect team has more back-up now.
The Hogwarts Headliner
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #19
Plain text issue below:
Reducio
Back-to-School Survival
By Koko Riddle
It’s that time of year again.
I could say that with an exclamation point, and it would have a very different meaning. Either it could mean, Yay, school has started again! or it could mean Oh… School has started again.
We all have different feelings about school, and like it or not, there is nothing we can do about the passage of time. However, we can control how we deal with the situations that change brings us.
School is an environment most children know well. Children know what classes are like; they know which teachers are their favourite (and which ones are not). Children understand they shouldn’t be tardy (but they know how to get away with it if they are). This school year, it is important to understand everything we can. After all, isn't school about understanding things?
Without further ado, here are five things to understand before school begins.
1. You are not your grades.
Your grades are meant to be a measure of what knowledge you have retained, but that is not always the case. Whether you are all Os or a mix of Ps and Es, your value is not assessed by the letters on your report card. If you learn something during the school year, that’s wonderful, and that’s what’s meant to happen. If your grades don’t reflect that, they don’t reflect you as a person. Sometimes the lessons we learn are less academic than practical, and that’s not a bad thing.
2. You don’t need to be popular to be happy.
If you are popular, that’s usually fun. People know who you are, and generally they like you. However, popularity has its downsides, and it’s definitely not everything about the school experience. The Hogwarts experience is one full of terrifying creatures and delicious dinners – and, of course, friends and classes. Just remember that everyone has their own favourite things, and you might be happier because of one thing over another.
3. Your professors are here to help.
…Usually. Staff and upperclassmen at Hogwarts are absolutely here for you. If you ever need help or want to spend time with someone, other people will be glad you reached out. It’s better to ask questions than be confused. People want you to feel comfortable.
4. There are many ways to have fun.
Even if schoolwork feels like it’s taking up all of your time, you can still find ways to practise self-care. Taking a walk around the grounds between classes or playing a sport can help release endorphins in your brain, which will make you happier and healthier. Plus, you might be able to forget about everything worrying you, even if only for the duration of the exercise. There are also fun clubs at Hogwarts, and these are great ways to expand your social circle and have fun.
5. Your experience is what you make of it.
There are ups and downs to any situation in life, and school is one of those. If a day doesn’t go well, it might make you feel better to think about one good thing that happened. Focusing on the positive can help the workload seem lighter, and it might make you happier, too.
Ultimately, school is a part of life just like any other, and although the point of school is for students to learn, students also gain useful life experiences from it. The school experience is different for every person, but remembering the five points above can make it far more enjoyable than it might be otherwise.
What Does It Mean to Be Safe at Hogwarts?
By Anonymous
Summer has come around again, and once again that means inviting many of the other schools around the world to join us at Hogwarts. This summer it includes Ilvermorny, Koldovstoretz, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Mahoutokoro, and Castelobruxo. Castelobruxo is the latest addition to the ever-growing summer camp and events throughout the year. No doubt the group will continue to grow, especially with the Hexwizard Tournament peeking over the horizon of our next year. With everything that has happened, it makes me wonder: are we ever really safe?
Think about it. Every year these schools come from far and wide, apparently representing the best of the best, but have you seen some of what they do? A certain incident with the Hufflepuff vs Durmstrang game sticks out in my mind. The captain, Quinn Healy, was attacked by one of the Durmstrang students for no reason except for the fact that the Hufflepuffs had won. Rightfully so, the Hufflepuffs are fearsome on the Quidditch pitch. What do the other schools bring? What violence are they best prepared to commit? The students aren’t the only ones to worry about. The staff that comes along are just about as unsupervised as our own Hogwarts staff. During the school year, they’re left to wander the castle outside of the structured time their students should be in class or asleep. One Lazarus Plott comes to mind, sneaking into the Hufflepuff dormitory a couple of years ago.
Why invite more danger into our halls? We have enough on our hands protecting our half-breed students from discrimination. To invite essentially six schools of wild cards seems like a questionable decision. We were just able to rid ourselves of hags, and honestly I’m not completely sure that we’ll ever be fully rid of them or the sentient darkness that swirls within the darkest tunnels of the castle.
I’m not writing this to send the school into a frenzy. I’m not asking you to throw all of your friends from other schools to the side. This is a cautionary tale. My fellow students, we should be vigilant now more than ever. Our guards down, games abound, a historically banned competition laid ahead of us, anything can happen. These students and staff will be wandering the halls more than ever. I urge you now more than ever to keep open communication with those in and outside of your house. We are our only allies as staff seem to turn a blind eye. There is a part of me that trusts our professors implicitly. I’ve been saved by them more than one time. But I wonder… do they not know what the student body faces? Do they not know the fears that plague our dreams, edging into nightmares? The innocent skitter of a leaf across the courtyard sending a panic of spiders coming back. A campfire turned into a terrifying idea.
Our curse was just recently rid, and students that were affected with scars and memories are still among us. This isn’t an old issue, people! Read our newspaper, read the Daily Prophet. Please, I’m begging you to stay informed. To talk to people and form opinions. We’re being lulled into a sense of false safety. This Hexwizard tournament is supposed to cheer us up and fill us with more school spirit than ever (I believe in you Howard!). May I remind you that this is the first time the tournament has happened since 1994? Not only that, but it had been previously banned in the 1700s. There’s a reason, students died. May I remind everyone of the champion Cedric Diggory? Are we sending another Hufflepuff to his end? Another child to their end?
This has become a ramble. But heed my words. When things begin to go south, you’re going to think back to this article. Think of the signs you should have seen. Watch for mysterious happenings, don’t trust any of the schools fully. Protect yourself at all costs, because someone else might not be there to do it. I care about my fellow Hogwarts students. In the wise words of a muggle movie: “We’re all in this together.”
To any other schools that may be reading this: I’m watching you. Closely. I know I’m not the only one worried about your presence here either. So, if you’re thinking of causing any shenanigans within the hallowed halls of Hogwarts, this is your last chance to stop. Please. I can’t take any more nightmares.
Signed,
A Student Who Wants Peace
Most Common Holiday Destinations
By Delilah Stewart
With the summer holidays being underway, we at Headliner are sure many of you are wondering what kind of places people tend to go on holiday - maybe any of them would be a good idea to bring up to your parents for your holiday? (No, please don’t tell them we suggested this.) There are, of course, so many brilliant places to visit all across the UK, but here are some classics!
First up: Blackpool. This town is based on the northwest coast of England, roughly 30 miles north of Liverpool with an estimated population of roughly 150,000. A seaside town, Blackpool has been a classic holiday destination for over a century with many of its main attractions opening before 1900. The two most infamous attractions of this popular holiday destination are Blackpool Pleasure and Blackpool Tower.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is an amusement park with many rides that has been breaking records all through the history. Its primary ride, The Big One, won the silver medal for the world’s fastest, tallest, and steepest roller coaster when it opened in 1994. It still holds the record for being the tallest in the UK, but unfortunately the other titles have been won over by other coasters elsewhere.
Blackpool Tower, when it was built in the 1890s, was planned to be an Eiffel Tower replica. However, it didn’t quite work out the same. The background behind the tower is quite fascinating, so we recommend you find a book about it. Visitors are able to go up the inside of the tower and look down. There is a lot to do just within the tower, but perhaps its most sought-after feature is the Tower Ballroom, where multiple episodes of Muggle television shows such as Come Dancing and Strictly Come Dancing have been hosted.
The second destination on our list is, interestingly, scattered all over the UK and even has one branch located in Ireland. Center Parcs (not Centre Parcs), first established in the Netherlands, offers an extremely wide variety of activities to enjoy at various locations. Activities offered include archery, aerial adventures, pedalos for hire, and even falconry at selected locations. A family-friendly destination, there are always things to do for all ages. It also provides accommodation on site, with choices range from single classic hotel rooms to Woodland lodges that can host up to 12 people. That sounds like a great thing to do with a group of friends!
Another spot to visit is Devon, a county in the southwest of England near Cornwall. In Devon, one can never run out of sights to see or activities to do. There are two national parks in this county, Dartmoor and Exmoor. There is also the fascinating Jurassic Coast that is coated in interesting rock formations and small fossils that you can find yourself! Fun fact: Devon sees more sunlight than any other place in the entire UK. It is just generally a very beautiful place fit for a relaxing holiday.
Finally, may we present you the most common tourist attraction in the whole of the UK… London! The capital city and home to the British monarchy, a tour of the Buckingham Palace is a must. While it is only available between July and October when the Queen stays elsewhere and visitors may only visit certain rooms, it is still a wonderful tour to enjoy. There is also the London Eye, a ferris wheel with a twist - rather than small seats that raise up, they are large observation pods; on a clear day, one can see up to 25 miles fully around. The London skyline is something to behold.
But one of our personal favourites, simply as it is intriguing to look at, is Madame Tussauds, an interactive wax museum with almost 200 figures on display. There is a variety of statues, from celebrities to beloved fictional characters, each extremely lifelike and can easily be mistaken for the real person! There are also plenty of bus tours all around the city that will give tourists loads of information about London and what to see in each area.
The UK is full of brilliant things to see and do, and we highly recommend visiting some of these places. Not up to the most popular destinations? Not to worry, any spot in this lovely country will do! But of course, after your visit to the new place, don’t forget to write a review and send it to the Headliner to share with the whole Hogwarts population!
Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
As a new month rolls in, so do new experiences – and new horoscopes. Although they are revered by some and shunned by others, people still read them, either for proper information or for a laugh… or sometimes for both. This month of September, I wish you laughter and information, as well as whatever else your horoscope entails.
ARIES
September is the month to open yourself up to others. Talk to them and let yourself be vulnerable. This doesn’t mean making friends with a stranger; rather, it means to let those who care help. Your friends and family care about you, so it’s perfectly fine to open up to them. It may be difficult, but it will be rewarding: once people know more about you, they will be able to help you achieve your goals.
TAURUS
September will be a good month for you – everything is in the right place to support your endeavours, but it is up to you to pursue them. Hard work and perseverance will go a long way this month, and every bit of effort you use will help your endurance. Do not assume things will come easily, but nothing will be exceedingly difficult.
GEMINI
The month of September, for Gemini, is a month to think deeply about relationships. This month will be tumultuous, but with change comes room for new growth. Even though you might lose a friend or two, you may gain more than you lose. Try not to care what others think of you, but ask yourself what you think of yourself – self-improvement is key.
CANCER
This September, you will find yourself surrounded by friends. Your friends and family will be more than willing to help you with anything you need. It will be a good time to think about your priorities and sort out your thoughts.
LEO
This month, you will find a sense of relaxation surrounding you. Do not let anything faze you; even if life throws obstacles at you, you will overcome them. You may find distance between you and your loved ones, but this will be resolved.
VIRGO
Happy birthday to most Virgos. This month will give you a huge boost in whatever department needs it most. If you find yourself needing friends, you will find them; if you need money, opportunities will present themselves. Nothing comes without effort, but this month, less work will be needed in order to reap rewards.
LIBRA
Another happy birthday, this time to early Libras. This month may be full of ups and downs, but ultimately, the good will seem to outweigh the bad. Some things might bring you tears, and on those days, it will be beneficial to remember that there will be more good things for you to see. On the good days, do not forget the bad; remain mindful, and you will get through September with your head held high.
SCORPIO
Even if you’ve been feeling at rest, things will become more difficult as September rolls in. Things will not make as much sense as they used to, and you might feel tired. Professionally, projects will seem to take longer, and you might argue with coworkers. In your personal life, though, things will be very quiet, and you will have time to think.
SAGITTARIUS
September will be a month full of little irritations. For a while, you might feel downtrodden and angry. Nevertheless, opportunities for you to talk to others will present themselves. Communication is key in all relationships; remembering this will be incredibly useful.
CAPRICORN
September will bring restlessness and a multitude of ideas – but perhaps not as many places to use them. There will be openings and opportunities if you choose to look for them, but you will want more. If you use the restlessness and ideas you gain, you might find unparalleled productivity.
AQUARIUS
Although you likely value your independence, this month is not the time to prioritise that. You will be faced with choices, and ultimately, working with others will make this month much more bearable. Look at working towards self-care and prosperity; given enough time and effort, your efforts will come to fruition.
PISCES
For Pisces, September brings confidence and immense energy. It will be easier for you to make decisions, and better things will come. You won’t have to worry if you are doing enough – this month, things will be easy for you, and you will be able to channel your energy however you wish.
Evelynn's Advice
By Evelynn Decipio
How can I tell if my bunkmate is a Dhampir or a Werewolf? My friend says I shouldn't worry about them but I don't want to get bitten and I hear weird noises in my dorm sometimes.
Dear Bunked,
First of all, lessen your fear. Even if your bunkmate is a dhampir or werewolf, there is little to worry about. Hogwarts ensures proper tending. Dhampir receive blood-pops twice daily to curb their cravings; werewolves are supervised to imbibe wolfsbane and escorted to a safe location on full moons. But if it is identifying characteristics that you seek, I might suggest the library. Or, if you are so daring, peruse past editions of the Headliner. Contentious as they may have been, T. Ruth was succinct with such summaries.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
Prefect Decipio, if memory viewing and truth potions work properly, how has crime in the magical world not been solved? With sincere concern, Hui Ming.
Dear Mister Hui,
You seem to be under several misconceptions: first, that the perpetrator will always be successfully or easily caught. It matters not if you have the ability to discern the truth if you cannot capture the individual to bring them to justice. Second, that there is not magic available to tamper or eliminate a memory, or veil a truth—there does exist a counter to Veritaserum, and memories are simple enough to erase. Third, that consequence is something that all criminals care to consider before acting upon their whims. And that fourth, this is either the place or medium by which to ask your philosophical questions. This is an advice column, Mister Hui, not a library of contemplation.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
I had a midnight date once, after curfew. Is it okay for a prefect to break rules? I'm not a prefect of course, asking for a friend. -Just a regular student
Dear Regular Student,
As a rule, if one must ask if something is wrong, the answer is generally “yes”. This is no exception. Prefects enforce the rules, thus those prefects should model them as well. We are not above the regulations. How can we expect others to take those rules seriously, or for us to discipline infractions, if we bear no consequence ourselves?
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
How do I bunk with someone I don't like? -Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Fortunately, yours is quite a simple answer. To begin, you place your trunk upon your bed. Then you unpack in whatever way you deem fit in order to reside comfortably in your space. Then you go about your day, and return to slumber in the evenings. There is really nothing more to it. Just because you dislike somebody does not mean you ought to expend your valuable energy to feed into that negativity. Ignore them, and mind your own. It is for this reason that curtains and the Muffliato Charm were invented.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
I think my best friend is drifting away. How do I know for sure? Love, anonymous.
Dear anonymous,
Perhaps it might be worthwhile to examine what makes you think so. Have they less time to spend with you? Are they initiating fewer conversations? Do they surround themselves with new friends? Is it actually a matter of them drifting away? Or do you find yourself jealous, or fearful that you are losing them, and so are guarding your heart and pushing them away in order to protect yourself from a hurt you believe is coming? As much as I am sure this is not the answer you are hoping for, the only way to know for certain is to ask—to bring up your concern and observations and identify what would allow you to feel more secure in your friendship.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
Dear Evelynn,
My friend might have confessed her love to me, but I wasn't expecting it, and ever since, I’ve been avoiding her. It's been several months now. I think I should talk with her to make things up, but I don’t know how to approach her. What should I do?
Dear Unexpected,
If her friendship is one you still value, talk to her. “Hello”, “Hi”, or even “Good morning” are tried and true methods of approach. Although really… have you considered writing a letter? I find it to be less anxiety-inducing, and provides you time to carefully and clearly express yourself. Acknowledge the time that has passed and admit your avoidance, share your regret, and explain why you did it. Invite her to talk and hold no expectation. She has every right to be upset, and while you may be ready to address the situation, she may not yet have reached that point. Wounds will not mend unless efforts to heal are made.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
Book Review: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
By Delilah Stewart
I would like to preface this book review by stating that I would not recommend this book for people under the age of 13. However, rest assured that no inappropriate point occurs in this review; rather, my recommendation comes from the opinion that its theme is a bit too serious for younger readers.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata is truly a fascinating read for me. Originally written in Japanese, it was translated into english by Ginny Tapley Takemori. It is quite an interesting book although it doesn’t capture me in a way a fantasy or an adventure story would, but it reminds me of Naughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. Most of all, it interests me because of how it views the world.
This plot focuses on the slice of life story of a 36-year-old woman named Keiko, whom I personally presume to be somewhere on the neurodiverse spectrum - the main theme of this book. She has been working in a convenience store for about 18 years and is perfectly comfortable in her predictable and routined life; however, societal pressures tell her she is wrong for that.
She knows how her family worries as she has no interest in marrying or having a family, and she doesn’t like it. On the other hand, she cannot shake her love for the comfort net of the convenience store. She knows what she does, she has her routine, and that is all Keiko cares for - at least, at the beginning.
It is a book about navigating the society in a world where you feel like you don’t fit in. It has themes of ableism, misogyny, and more milder tones of other concerning topics, but I feel they were incorporated well and reflects how society views people like Keiko. It may not be a relaxing form of entertaining, but it certainly is fascinating.
There are definitely some mixed reviews, likely because of its serious topics and higher focus on being informative. However, it also has plenty of comedic moments. While some of the characters are significantly unlikeable, I find Keiko herself extremely relatable, and I’m sure many others who see peer pressures in a similar light would easily think so.
Overall, I think Convenience Store Woman is worth a read if you are interested in reflective pieces or simply pretty curious. It isn’t a very long book and it is pretty fast paced, sitting at 176 pages. I really enjoy reading this story and, after turning the last page, look forward to having a peek at other works by Sayaka Murata.
Fall Fashion
By Evelynn Decipio
Fall is fast upon us, which means another season of style must step aside for the next best thing. As bright turns to beautiful with the turning of the colours, this year is sure to resurrect a few timeless treasures with their own modern twist.
Hem to the Way
Spring and summer may have held the monopoly on mini-skirts, but long is luxe this fall as hemlines kiss the floor. A flash of ankle will be the tease of the time as imagations are left to run wild as they chase after floor-flowing wakes. Pair it with a platform shoe for a deceptive gain in height.
Game, Corset, Match
Whether under or over, accessory or statement, form-shaping bodices have tread the times and come out on top. This season, they take a turn to the more practical with metal and padded infusions of a present-day paladin. The belle of the ball certainly does not have to be a damsel in distress. Strap into a corset this fall and fuse fashion with function.
Shouldering On
Defined silhouettes have always been a fashion staple, and this season is reviving the oversized shoulder. Claim your space and refuse to be underestimated with a bold blazer of mass proportions. Tailor it at the waist for a particularly dramatic look.
Hocus Floccus
Knotty and knitted, woolen wear has made its way around the park season to season. This fall, brushed knitwear makes a particularly tempting tactile entrance. Fluffy wools, angoras and mohairs have come to command attention. The sort of texture you can’t help but stroke, your targets just won’t be able to keep their hands off you.
Bougie Bougée
Some clothing is just meant to move. Many dresses this season have been decked to the nines with tantalizing tassels and festive fringe, playful paillettes and twirling trains. Devotion is in the motion. Turn up the volume and claim the spotlight with one of these high-energy, dynamic pieces.
Tank You Very Much
Whoever said the turn of the weather and drop in temperature had to be met with coats has clearly never encountered the teen ready to bear the chill and bare the shoulder. Tank tops and singlets are all the rage. Whether whimsically white or catchy in colour, layered or lone, tanks are here for the short-term. Try a body-hugging floor-length sporty tank dress for a particularly daring look.
Bow the Roof Off
When it comes to ribbon, there is no rhyme or reason. While the scandalous outfits made entirely of ribbon would hardly pass in class at Hogwarts, little graphic bows are a go. Whether to serve as accents on a sleeve, or hang as rows of knotty trim, there is no real right or wrong approach. What better present is there this Yule than yourself? If it’s a bow, it’s a go.
Back to Basics
As casual and pedestrian as it might be, there is hardly a more timeless combination than the white shirt and jeans. Clean and crisp, it can be dressed up or down to suit the situation. The runway hosted such adaptations as the denim mini over a white dress; and the chic white leather jacket paired with distressed jeans. This year, let the fashionista within remodel this quintessential look.
Muggle Item of the Month: Writing Utensils
By Dorian Anderson
It’s back-to-school time, and that used to be one of my favorite times of the year! Not that it’s not anymore. But what the wizard-borns are missing out on is SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Now listen, I know we still get quills, animals, and a whole bunch of cool potion supplies and whatnot. But have you heard of a mechanical pencil? Buckle up, my wizard friends, let’s walk through my top 5 favorite muggle writing utensils!
Gel Pens
Willow, you might say, you just started off with mechanical pencils but gel pens are at the top of your list? YES! Gel pens are my absolutely favorite. They come in EVERY colour under the sun. For my craft friends, they even have glitter varieties. Some people don’t enjoy them because of their smear quality, but honestly, I’m not left-handed so that’s not a problem for me. I prefer a smaller tip as the ink doesn’t pool as badly. So, if you’re curious I recommend starting off with a 0.3mm tip rather than a 0.5mm or even 0.7mm.
Mechanical Pencils
Onto mechanical pencils! I don’t know if wizards know about the #2 pencil, but basically it's wood that encases some lead. You have to sharpen it everytime it gets dull to give you a fresh point to write with. Let me just say, my friendish writers, it is ANNOYING. So this is where the beautiful invention of mechanical pencils comes in handy! They’re plastic tubes— kind of— that have a mechanism that, when you press a button, pushes out more lead. You can even buy little containers of lead so you never run out! It’s perfect for the feverish writer that doesn’t want to interrupt their flow.
Highlighters
Have you ever been reading something and an underline for emphasis doesn’t cut it? Stars interrupting your flow? Flow is very important in this article, can you tell? Well! Here’s a fun invention for you: highlighters. These little markers give a perfectly translucent window onto your very important sentence. This draws your eye to important information with fun colours. The classic colour is yellow, but honestly I prefer pink. I just think it spices up my notes.
Colouring Utensils
As an artist, I’m a big, big fan of colouring supplies. Especially for its implications for the activities I’ll be doing in school if they’re required. Coloured pencils are the basics, felt markers if you feel a little spicy, and Crayons if you’re getting really funky. They come in packs ranging from 6 all the way to 128 with a sharpener in the back of the container if it’s for pencils. Which is absolutely crazy! The sharpener gets clogged really easy and it is hard to replace, so honestly skip it and get a regular sharpener for your coloured pencils.
Pencil Pouches
Now- I know this isn’t exactly a writing utensil but you need something to hold all of these utensils. This was one of my favorite things to get. While there is limited personality that can be acquired through pencils and pens, pencil pouches are really where you get to shine. Are you someone that wants a cohesive theme between backpack, pouch, and lunch box? Do you like to express yourself with your favorite shows? Or are you someone that wants something no one has ever seen before? This is a big decision, and can honestly make you a lot of friendships if you go for something wacky.
With my top five, you are ready to conquer muggle school! Go out and express yourselves, my wizard friends!
By Koko Riddle
It’s that time of year again.
I could say that with an exclamation point, and it would have a very different meaning. Either it could mean, Yay, school has started again! or it could mean Oh… School has started again.
We all have different feelings about school, and like it or not, there is nothing we can do about the passage of time. However, we can control how we deal with the situations that change brings us.
School is an environment most children know well. Children know what classes are like; they know which teachers are their favourite (and which ones are not). Children understand they shouldn’t be tardy (but they know how to get away with it if they are). This school year, it is important to understand everything we can. After all, isn't school about understanding things?
Without further ado, here are five things to understand before school begins.
1. You are not your grades.
Your grades are meant to be a measure of what knowledge you have retained, but that is not always the case. Whether you are all Os or a mix of Ps and Es, your value is not assessed by the letters on your report card. If you learn something during the school year, that’s wonderful, and that’s what’s meant to happen. If your grades don’t reflect that, they don’t reflect you as a person. Sometimes the lessons we learn are less academic than practical, and that’s not a bad thing.
2. You don’t need to be popular to be happy.
If you are popular, that’s usually fun. People know who you are, and generally they like you. However, popularity has its downsides, and it’s definitely not everything about the school experience. The Hogwarts experience is one full of terrifying creatures and delicious dinners – and, of course, friends and classes. Just remember that everyone has their own favourite things, and you might be happier because of one thing over another.
3. Your professors are here to help.
…Usually. Staff and upperclassmen at Hogwarts are absolutely here for you. If you ever need help or want to spend time with someone, other people will be glad you reached out. It’s better to ask questions than be confused. People want you to feel comfortable.
4. There are many ways to have fun.
Even if schoolwork feels like it’s taking up all of your time, you can still find ways to practise self-care. Taking a walk around the grounds between classes or playing a sport can help release endorphins in your brain, which will make you happier and healthier. Plus, you might be able to forget about everything worrying you, even if only for the duration of the exercise. There are also fun clubs at Hogwarts, and these are great ways to expand your social circle and have fun.
5. Your experience is what you make of it.
There are ups and downs to any situation in life, and school is one of those. If a day doesn’t go well, it might make you feel better to think about one good thing that happened. Focusing on the positive can help the workload seem lighter, and it might make you happier, too.
Ultimately, school is a part of life just like any other, and although the point of school is for students to learn, students also gain useful life experiences from it. The school experience is different for every person, but remembering the five points above can make it far more enjoyable than it might be otherwise.
What Does It Mean to Be Safe at Hogwarts?
By Anonymous
Summer has come around again, and once again that means inviting many of the other schools around the world to join us at Hogwarts. This summer it includes Ilvermorny, Koldovstoretz, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Mahoutokoro, and Castelobruxo. Castelobruxo is the latest addition to the ever-growing summer camp and events throughout the year. No doubt the group will continue to grow, especially with the Hexwizard Tournament peeking over the horizon of our next year. With everything that has happened, it makes me wonder: are we ever really safe?
Think about it. Every year these schools come from far and wide, apparently representing the best of the best, but have you seen some of what they do? A certain incident with the Hufflepuff vs Durmstrang game sticks out in my mind. The captain, Quinn Healy, was attacked by one of the Durmstrang students for no reason except for the fact that the Hufflepuffs had won. Rightfully so, the Hufflepuffs are fearsome on the Quidditch pitch. What do the other schools bring? What violence are they best prepared to commit? The students aren’t the only ones to worry about. The staff that comes along are just about as unsupervised as our own Hogwarts staff. During the school year, they’re left to wander the castle outside of the structured time their students should be in class or asleep. One Lazarus Plott comes to mind, sneaking into the Hufflepuff dormitory a couple of years ago.
Why invite more danger into our halls? We have enough on our hands protecting our half-breed students from discrimination. To invite essentially six schools of wild cards seems like a questionable decision. We were just able to rid ourselves of hags, and honestly I’m not completely sure that we’ll ever be fully rid of them or the sentient darkness that swirls within the darkest tunnels of the castle.
I’m not writing this to send the school into a frenzy. I’m not asking you to throw all of your friends from other schools to the side. This is a cautionary tale. My fellow students, we should be vigilant now more than ever. Our guards down, games abound, a historically banned competition laid ahead of us, anything can happen. These students and staff will be wandering the halls more than ever. I urge you now more than ever to keep open communication with those in and outside of your house. We are our only allies as staff seem to turn a blind eye. There is a part of me that trusts our professors implicitly. I’ve been saved by them more than one time. But I wonder… do they not know what the student body faces? Do they not know the fears that plague our dreams, edging into nightmares? The innocent skitter of a leaf across the courtyard sending a panic of spiders coming back. A campfire turned into a terrifying idea.
Our curse was just recently rid, and students that were affected with scars and memories are still among us. This isn’t an old issue, people! Read our newspaper, read the Daily Prophet. Please, I’m begging you to stay informed. To talk to people and form opinions. We’re being lulled into a sense of false safety. This Hexwizard tournament is supposed to cheer us up and fill us with more school spirit than ever (I believe in you Howard!). May I remind you that this is the first time the tournament has happened since 1994? Not only that, but it had been previously banned in the 1700s. There’s a reason, students died. May I remind everyone of the champion Cedric Diggory? Are we sending another Hufflepuff to his end? Another child to their end?
This has become a ramble. But heed my words. When things begin to go south, you’re going to think back to this article. Think of the signs you should have seen. Watch for mysterious happenings, don’t trust any of the schools fully. Protect yourself at all costs, because someone else might not be there to do it. I care about my fellow Hogwarts students. In the wise words of a muggle movie: “We’re all in this together.”
To any other schools that may be reading this: I’m watching you. Closely. I know I’m not the only one worried about your presence here either. So, if you’re thinking of causing any shenanigans within the hallowed halls of Hogwarts, this is your last chance to stop. Please. I can’t take any more nightmares.
Signed,
A Student Who Wants Peace
Most Common Holiday Destinations
By Delilah Stewart
With the summer holidays being underway, we at Headliner are sure many of you are wondering what kind of places people tend to go on holiday - maybe any of them would be a good idea to bring up to your parents for your holiday? (No, please don’t tell them we suggested this.) There are, of course, so many brilliant places to visit all across the UK, but here are some classics!
First up: Blackpool. This town is based on the northwest coast of England, roughly 30 miles north of Liverpool with an estimated population of roughly 150,000. A seaside town, Blackpool has been a classic holiday destination for over a century with many of its main attractions opening before 1900. The two most infamous attractions of this popular holiday destination are Blackpool Pleasure and Blackpool Tower.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is an amusement park with many rides that has been breaking records all through the history. Its primary ride, The Big One, won the silver medal for the world’s fastest, tallest, and steepest roller coaster when it opened in 1994. It still holds the record for being the tallest in the UK, but unfortunately the other titles have been won over by other coasters elsewhere.
Blackpool Tower, when it was built in the 1890s, was planned to be an Eiffel Tower replica. However, it didn’t quite work out the same. The background behind the tower is quite fascinating, so we recommend you find a book about it. Visitors are able to go up the inside of the tower and look down. There is a lot to do just within the tower, but perhaps its most sought-after feature is the Tower Ballroom, where multiple episodes of Muggle television shows such as Come Dancing and Strictly Come Dancing have been hosted.
The second destination on our list is, interestingly, scattered all over the UK and even has one branch located in Ireland. Center Parcs (not Centre Parcs), first established in the Netherlands, offers an extremely wide variety of activities to enjoy at various locations. Activities offered include archery, aerial adventures, pedalos for hire, and even falconry at selected locations. A family-friendly destination, there are always things to do for all ages. It also provides accommodation on site, with choices range from single classic hotel rooms to Woodland lodges that can host up to 12 people. That sounds like a great thing to do with a group of friends!
Another spot to visit is Devon, a county in the southwest of England near Cornwall. In Devon, one can never run out of sights to see or activities to do. There are two national parks in this county, Dartmoor and Exmoor. There is also the fascinating Jurassic Coast that is coated in interesting rock formations and small fossils that you can find yourself! Fun fact: Devon sees more sunlight than any other place in the entire UK. It is just generally a very beautiful place fit for a relaxing holiday.
Finally, may we present you the most common tourist attraction in the whole of the UK… London! The capital city and home to the British monarchy, a tour of the Buckingham Palace is a must. While it is only available between July and October when the Queen stays elsewhere and visitors may only visit certain rooms, it is still a wonderful tour to enjoy. There is also the London Eye, a ferris wheel with a twist - rather than small seats that raise up, they are large observation pods; on a clear day, one can see up to 25 miles fully around. The London skyline is something to behold.
But one of our personal favourites, simply as it is intriguing to look at, is Madame Tussauds, an interactive wax museum with almost 200 figures on display. There is a variety of statues, from celebrities to beloved fictional characters, each extremely lifelike and can easily be mistaken for the real person! There are also plenty of bus tours all around the city that will give tourists loads of information about London and what to see in each area.
The UK is full of brilliant things to see and do, and we highly recommend visiting some of these places. Not up to the most popular destinations? Not to worry, any spot in this lovely country will do! But of course, after your visit to the new place, don’t forget to write a review and send it to the Headliner to share with the whole Hogwarts population!
Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
As a new month rolls in, so do new experiences – and new horoscopes. Although they are revered by some and shunned by others, people still read them, either for proper information or for a laugh… or sometimes for both. This month of September, I wish you laughter and information, as well as whatever else your horoscope entails.
ARIES
September is the month to open yourself up to others. Talk to them and let yourself be vulnerable. This doesn’t mean making friends with a stranger; rather, it means to let those who care help. Your friends and family care about you, so it’s perfectly fine to open up to them. It may be difficult, but it will be rewarding: once people know more about you, they will be able to help you achieve your goals.
TAURUS
September will be a good month for you – everything is in the right place to support your endeavours, but it is up to you to pursue them. Hard work and perseverance will go a long way this month, and every bit of effort you use will help your endurance. Do not assume things will come easily, but nothing will be exceedingly difficult.
GEMINI
The month of September, for Gemini, is a month to think deeply about relationships. This month will be tumultuous, but with change comes room for new growth. Even though you might lose a friend or two, you may gain more than you lose. Try not to care what others think of you, but ask yourself what you think of yourself – self-improvement is key.
CANCER
This September, you will find yourself surrounded by friends. Your friends and family will be more than willing to help you with anything you need. It will be a good time to think about your priorities and sort out your thoughts.
LEO
This month, you will find a sense of relaxation surrounding you. Do not let anything faze you; even if life throws obstacles at you, you will overcome them. You may find distance between you and your loved ones, but this will be resolved.
VIRGO
Happy birthday to most Virgos. This month will give you a huge boost in whatever department needs it most. If you find yourself needing friends, you will find them; if you need money, opportunities will present themselves. Nothing comes without effort, but this month, less work will be needed in order to reap rewards.
LIBRA
Another happy birthday, this time to early Libras. This month may be full of ups and downs, but ultimately, the good will seem to outweigh the bad. Some things might bring you tears, and on those days, it will be beneficial to remember that there will be more good things for you to see. On the good days, do not forget the bad; remain mindful, and you will get through September with your head held high.
SCORPIO
Even if you’ve been feeling at rest, things will become more difficult as September rolls in. Things will not make as much sense as they used to, and you might feel tired. Professionally, projects will seem to take longer, and you might argue with coworkers. In your personal life, though, things will be very quiet, and you will have time to think.
SAGITTARIUS
September will be a month full of little irritations. For a while, you might feel downtrodden and angry. Nevertheless, opportunities for you to talk to others will present themselves. Communication is key in all relationships; remembering this will be incredibly useful.
CAPRICORN
September will bring restlessness and a multitude of ideas – but perhaps not as many places to use them. There will be openings and opportunities if you choose to look for them, but you will want more. If you use the restlessness and ideas you gain, you might find unparalleled productivity.
AQUARIUS
Although you likely value your independence, this month is not the time to prioritise that. You will be faced with choices, and ultimately, working with others will make this month much more bearable. Look at working towards self-care and prosperity; given enough time and effort, your efforts will come to fruition.
PISCES
For Pisces, September brings confidence and immense energy. It will be easier for you to make decisions, and better things will come. You won’t have to worry if you are doing enough – this month, things will be easy for you, and you will be able to channel your energy however you wish.
Evelynn's Advice
By Evelynn Decipio
How can I tell if my bunkmate is a Dhampir or a Werewolf? My friend says I shouldn't worry about them but I don't want to get bitten and I hear weird noises in my dorm sometimes.
Dear Bunked,
First of all, lessen your fear. Even if your bunkmate is a dhampir or werewolf, there is little to worry about. Hogwarts ensures proper tending. Dhampir receive blood-pops twice daily to curb their cravings; werewolves are supervised to imbibe wolfsbane and escorted to a safe location on full moons. But if it is identifying characteristics that you seek, I might suggest the library. Or, if you are so daring, peruse past editions of the Headliner. Contentious as they may have been, T. Ruth was succinct with such summaries.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
Prefect Decipio, if memory viewing and truth potions work properly, how has crime in the magical world not been solved? With sincere concern, Hui Ming.
Dear Mister Hui,
You seem to be under several misconceptions: first, that the perpetrator will always be successfully or easily caught. It matters not if you have the ability to discern the truth if you cannot capture the individual to bring them to justice. Second, that there is not magic available to tamper or eliminate a memory, or veil a truth—there does exist a counter to Veritaserum, and memories are simple enough to erase. Third, that consequence is something that all criminals care to consider before acting upon their whims. And that fourth, this is either the place or medium by which to ask your philosophical questions. This is an advice column, Mister Hui, not a library of contemplation.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
I had a midnight date once, after curfew. Is it okay for a prefect to break rules? I'm not a prefect of course, asking for a friend. -Just a regular student
Dear Regular Student,
As a rule, if one must ask if something is wrong, the answer is generally “yes”. This is no exception. Prefects enforce the rules, thus those prefects should model them as well. We are not above the regulations. How can we expect others to take those rules seriously, or for us to discipline infractions, if we bear no consequence ourselves?
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
How do I bunk with someone I don't like? -Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Fortunately, yours is quite a simple answer. To begin, you place your trunk upon your bed. Then you unpack in whatever way you deem fit in order to reside comfortably in your space. Then you go about your day, and return to slumber in the evenings. There is really nothing more to it. Just because you dislike somebody does not mean you ought to expend your valuable energy to feed into that negativity. Ignore them, and mind your own. It is for this reason that curtains and the Muffliato Charm were invented.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
I think my best friend is drifting away. How do I know for sure? Love, anonymous.
Dear anonymous,
Perhaps it might be worthwhile to examine what makes you think so. Have they less time to spend with you? Are they initiating fewer conversations? Do they surround themselves with new friends? Is it actually a matter of them drifting away? Or do you find yourself jealous, or fearful that you are losing them, and so are guarding your heart and pushing them away in order to protect yourself from a hurt you believe is coming? As much as I am sure this is not the answer you are hoping for, the only way to know for certain is to ask—to bring up your concern and observations and identify what would allow you to feel more secure in your friendship.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
—
Dear Evelynn,
My friend might have confessed her love to me, but I wasn't expecting it, and ever since, I’ve been avoiding her. It's been several months now. I think I should talk with her to make things up, but I don’t know how to approach her. What should I do?
Dear Unexpected,
If her friendship is one you still value, talk to her. “Hello”, “Hi”, or even “Good morning” are tried and true methods of approach. Although really… have you considered writing a letter? I find it to be less anxiety-inducing, and provides you time to carefully and clearly express yourself. Acknowledge the time that has passed and admit your avoidance, share your regret, and explain why you did it. Invite her to talk and hold no expectation. She has every right to be upset, and while you may be ready to address the situation, she may not yet have reached that point. Wounds will not mend unless efforts to heal are made.
Kind regards,
E. Decipio
Book Review: Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
By Delilah Stewart
I would like to preface this book review by stating that I would not recommend this book for people under the age of 13. However, rest assured that no inappropriate point occurs in this review; rather, my recommendation comes from the opinion that its theme is a bit too serious for younger readers.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata is truly a fascinating read for me. Originally written in Japanese, it was translated into english by Ginny Tapley Takemori. It is quite an interesting book although it doesn’t capture me in a way a fantasy or an adventure story would, but it reminds me of Naughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. Most of all, it interests me because of how it views the world.
This plot focuses on the slice of life story of a 36-year-old woman named Keiko, whom I personally presume to be somewhere on the neurodiverse spectrum - the main theme of this book. She has been working in a convenience store for about 18 years and is perfectly comfortable in her predictable and routined life; however, societal pressures tell her she is wrong for that.
She knows how her family worries as she has no interest in marrying or having a family, and she doesn’t like it. On the other hand, she cannot shake her love for the comfort net of the convenience store. She knows what she does, she has her routine, and that is all Keiko cares for - at least, at the beginning.
It is a book about navigating the society in a world where you feel like you don’t fit in. It has themes of ableism, misogyny, and more milder tones of other concerning topics, but I feel they were incorporated well and reflects how society views people like Keiko. It may not be a relaxing form of entertaining, but it certainly is fascinating.
There are definitely some mixed reviews, likely because of its serious topics and higher focus on being informative. However, it also has plenty of comedic moments. While some of the characters are significantly unlikeable, I find Keiko herself extremely relatable, and I’m sure many others who see peer pressures in a similar light would easily think so.
Overall, I think Convenience Store Woman is worth a read if you are interested in reflective pieces or simply pretty curious. It isn’t a very long book and it is pretty fast paced, sitting at 176 pages. I really enjoy reading this story and, after turning the last page, look forward to having a peek at other works by Sayaka Murata.
Fall Fashion
By Evelynn Decipio
Fall is fast upon us, which means another season of style must step aside for the next best thing. As bright turns to beautiful with the turning of the colours, this year is sure to resurrect a few timeless treasures with their own modern twist.
Hem to the Way
Spring and summer may have held the monopoly on mini-skirts, but long is luxe this fall as hemlines kiss the floor. A flash of ankle will be the tease of the time as imagations are left to run wild as they chase after floor-flowing wakes. Pair it with a platform shoe for a deceptive gain in height.
Game, Corset, Match
Whether under or over, accessory or statement, form-shaping bodices have tread the times and come out on top. This season, they take a turn to the more practical with metal and padded infusions of a present-day paladin. The belle of the ball certainly does not have to be a damsel in distress. Strap into a corset this fall and fuse fashion with function.
Shouldering On
Defined silhouettes have always been a fashion staple, and this season is reviving the oversized shoulder. Claim your space and refuse to be underestimated with a bold blazer of mass proportions. Tailor it at the waist for a particularly dramatic look.
Hocus Floccus
Knotty and knitted, woolen wear has made its way around the park season to season. This fall, brushed knitwear makes a particularly tempting tactile entrance. Fluffy wools, angoras and mohairs have come to command attention. The sort of texture you can’t help but stroke, your targets just won’t be able to keep their hands off you.
Bougie Bougée
Some clothing is just meant to move. Many dresses this season have been decked to the nines with tantalizing tassels and festive fringe, playful paillettes and twirling trains. Devotion is in the motion. Turn up the volume and claim the spotlight with one of these high-energy, dynamic pieces.
Tank You Very Much
Whoever said the turn of the weather and drop in temperature had to be met with coats has clearly never encountered the teen ready to bear the chill and bare the shoulder. Tank tops and singlets are all the rage. Whether whimsically white or catchy in colour, layered or lone, tanks are here for the short-term. Try a body-hugging floor-length sporty tank dress for a particularly daring look.
Bow the Roof Off
When it comes to ribbon, there is no rhyme or reason. While the scandalous outfits made entirely of ribbon would hardly pass in class at Hogwarts, little graphic bows are a go. Whether to serve as accents on a sleeve, or hang as rows of knotty trim, there is no real right or wrong approach. What better present is there this Yule than yourself? If it’s a bow, it’s a go.
Back to Basics
As casual and pedestrian as it might be, there is hardly a more timeless combination than the white shirt and jeans. Clean and crisp, it can be dressed up or down to suit the situation. The runway hosted such adaptations as the denim mini over a white dress; and the chic white leather jacket paired with distressed jeans. This year, let the fashionista within remodel this quintessential look.
Muggle Item of the Month: Writing Utensils
By Dorian Anderson
It’s back-to-school time, and that used to be one of my favorite times of the year! Not that it’s not anymore. But what the wizard-borns are missing out on is SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Now listen, I know we still get quills, animals, and a whole bunch of cool potion supplies and whatnot. But have you heard of a mechanical pencil? Buckle up, my wizard friends, let’s walk through my top 5 favorite muggle writing utensils!
Gel Pens
Willow, you might say, you just started off with mechanical pencils but gel pens are at the top of your list? YES! Gel pens are my absolutely favorite. They come in EVERY colour under the sun. For my craft friends, they even have glitter varieties. Some people don’t enjoy them because of their smear quality, but honestly, I’m not left-handed so that’s not a problem for me. I prefer a smaller tip as the ink doesn’t pool as badly. So, if you’re curious I recommend starting off with a 0.3mm tip rather than a 0.5mm or even 0.7mm.
Mechanical Pencils
Onto mechanical pencils! I don’t know if wizards know about the #2 pencil, but basically it's wood that encases some lead. You have to sharpen it everytime it gets dull to give you a fresh point to write with. Let me just say, my friendish writers, it is ANNOYING. So this is where the beautiful invention of mechanical pencils comes in handy! They’re plastic tubes— kind of— that have a mechanism that, when you press a button, pushes out more lead. You can even buy little containers of lead so you never run out! It’s perfect for the feverish writer that doesn’t want to interrupt their flow.
Highlighters
Have you ever been reading something and an underline for emphasis doesn’t cut it? Stars interrupting your flow? Flow is very important in this article, can you tell? Well! Here’s a fun invention for you: highlighters. These little markers give a perfectly translucent window onto your very important sentence. This draws your eye to important information with fun colours. The classic colour is yellow, but honestly I prefer pink. I just think it spices up my notes.
Colouring Utensils
As an artist, I’m a big, big fan of colouring supplies. Especially for its implications for the activities I’ll be doing in school if they’re required. Coloured pencils are the basics, felt markers if you feel a little spicy, and Crayons if you’re getting really funky. They come in packs ranging from 6 all the way to 128 with a sharpener in the back of the container if it’s for pencils. Which is absolutely crazy! The sharpener gets clogged really easy and it is hard to replace, so honestly skip it and get a regular sharpener for your coloured pencils.
Pencil Pouches
Now- I know this isn’t exactly a writing utensil but you need something to hold all of these utensils. This was one of my favorite things to get. While there is limited personality that can be acquired through pencils and pens, pencil pouches are really where you get to shine. Are you someone that wants a cohesive theme between backpack, pouch, and lunch box? Do you like to express yourself with your favorite shows? Or are you someone that wants something no one has ever seen before? This is a big decision, and can honestly make you a lot of friendships if you go for something wacky.
With my top five, you are ready to conquer muggle school! Go out and express yourselves, my wizard friends!
The Hogwarts Headliner
Plain text issue below:
Reducio
Beauxbatons Changes Their Champion
By Serena J. Towers
Breaking news! Angélique Colette de Clairmontt—the Beauxbatons Champion—has, unfortunately, come down with a case of dragonpox, which has forced her to step down from her role. Angélique was announced as the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic representative in the upcoming Hexwizard tournament at the Spring Blossom Ball back in April, and since then, we have seen her demonstrate her broom racing in a match in London over the summer. We are pleased to hear that she is currently receiving treatment, which she is responding well to. Hopefully, she will be back on her feet soon. On behalf of the Hogwarts Hexwizard team and the Headliner, we would like to wish her a swift recovery.
In her stead, Beauxbatons has announced a new champion from within the existing team: Cassanora Browne. You may notice that Cassanora sports a surname that second years or above, especially the Hufflepuffs, may recognise. Daughter of the former Head of Hufflepuff, I, for one, am excited to see how she takes up this mantle. I managed to get in touch with Cassanora, who had nothing but good words and wishes to share about the former champion.
“When we received the news that Angélique was getting pulled from the tournament due to dragonpox, we were all devastated to hear it. She's always been one of the strongest people I know, her leadership skills come natural to her. I know they must have had to pull her away kicking and screaming in resistance. She was definitely looking forward to winning this, to see Beauxbatons winning this. It is tremendously disappointing for both her and us to lose her at a time like this, so close to the actual event.”
Cassanora has also told us that she plans to keep the Beauxbatons team the same—and they even share a special person, which does make it feel like Angélique is watching over the team!
“In the spirit of knowing Angel very well myself, I do not plan to defy her in her choices for members of the team, no. Aside from adding Cassie to our roster of course, since Angélique left a vacant seat. Though even she was meant as a reserve from the start, so I am practically just following an instruction made by a leader that planned ahead. Which is very fortunate for me, of course. Even our special person is the same. Madeleine should not have made herself so popular!”
I also could not help but ask her to share what her father—or family—thought on the matter.
“As for my family... Er... my father, who was a Head of House at your school not so long ago, was not too keen on hearing the news. I've been pushing the line already just being part of the team. Being champion just puts a bigger target on my back in his eyes. But don't worry! My father always comes around to support me in the end. He just needs a little time to be stubborn about it, is all."
Ha! I never quite expected our former head of house to be described that way but there we go! The more you know! When asked to describe herself and her best qualities, Cassanora was far too humble. However, I managed to get in touch with her special person. Her special person, Madeleine, raved about her good qualities. Madeleine told us that Cassanora is very skilled when it comes to potions, she’s “extreeeeeeemely” smart, gives great advice and is multilingual!
“My best qualities? Hm... I'm much more of a reader than I am a woman of action to be truthful. I was supposed to play support. I joined Angelique to help her in earning glory and respect for our school. And I guess it wouldn't hurt to add 'Hexwizard Teammember' to my CV when I am done with my studies. Keep your options open after all. Aside from that, I am not the fastest or the strongest, it is really my mind I am depending on to get me out of tricky situations.”
Angélique also said that the rest of the schools better watch out, claiming Beauxbatons are more trouble now with Cassanora in the lead! It is absolutely beautiful seeing the duo supporting each other. As the Hexwizard Tournament starts, good luck to the entire Beauxbatons team and we cannot wait to see how well you do in the first trial.
Serena J. Towers, over and out.
Meet The Hexwizard Teams
By Dealla Prince
With the first task of the Hexwizard Tournament right around the corner, it’s high time to scoop out the competition some more… I mean, inform our dear readers about what they can expect to see from the different schools.
As a short recap for those who have been asleep for the past six months: for reasons not well explained and yet somehow not questioned, the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, in cooperation with several other wizard governments and schools around the world, has decided to bring back the infamous Triwizard Tournament… with slight alterations. The first major change is that rather than involving just the three European magic schools, we now have guests from even further away; joining Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang we have Ilvermorny, Koldovstoretz, and Mahoutokoro, to make up a total of six contestants, as the observant reader might have guessed from the name.
The second big difference to how things used to be done is that rather than just focusing on one champion representing each school, these champions now get to choose a team to support them. Seven peers of their choice, to balance out their weaknesses and support their strengths. The tournament will be a contest not just of individuals, but to see who managed to gather the best team around them.
Hence, while my previous article on the matter introduced us all to the six Champions, this one will give us a short insight into those students the champions chose, and why they chose them.
Hogwarts
The Hogwarts Hexwizard team sports one of the highest year averages of all schools - discounting Durmstrang, of course, who start their education a year earlier than everyone else. With three Broomracers, four Duellists, and a Champion who is a Quidditch player, they mostly seem to favour speed and wit over brawn. How well this will play out in tasks that may well require physical strength will remain to be seen. We’ve seen Howard’s profile, now let’s meet his team.
Serena Towers
Sixth Year, Hufflepuff
Age: 16
Stature: Short, petite
Extracurriculars: Former Seeker for the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team, now flying for the Hufflepuff Broomracing Team
Strengths: Quick, durable, consistent
Weaknesses: Physical strength, not too powerful magic
What Howard has to say about her: She has been good to me since my first year! I consider her one of my best friends and look to her as a role model. Through all my ups and downs she has been there for me. I would do almost anything for her.
Bloom Silverton
Sixth Year, Ravenclaw
Age: 16
Stature: Slim, pretty
Extracurriculars: Former Keeper for the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team, now flying for the Ravenclaw Broomracing Team
Strengths: Well-rounded, no glaring weaknesses. Pretty.
Weaknesses: Not the worst at anything but also not the best at anything
What Howard has to say about her: I’ve fallen quite hard for her, but beyond that she is a dear friend as well. I trust her above all and know that I can count on her no matter what. I can't imagine a day without her by my side.
Alan Vanes
Sixth Year, Gryffindor
Age: 16
Stature: Tall, athletic
Extracurriculars: Former Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, now Gryffindor Duelling Captain
Strengths: Incredibly nimble, powerful spells
Weaknesses: Physical strength, inconsistent casting
What Howard has to say about him: He’s my best friend in the whole wide world. Alan has always accepted me and made me feel like I have a place in the world no matter what!
Dealla Prince
Fourth Year, Ravenclaw
Age: 14
Stature: Medium build, slim
Extracurriculars: Former Ravenclaw Duelling Captain
Strengths: Quick and nimble, likes to strategise
Weaknesses: Physical strength, durability
What Howard has to say about her: We hit it off right away. I was drawn to her as we shared many political and societal views. She is the one of the few people I enjoy delving deep into these issues with and respect her intelligence, writing skills and the tenacity in which she approaches her works with.
Percival Gray
Fourth Year, Slytherin
Age: 15
Stature: Medium-tall
Extracurriculars: Slytherin Broomracer
Strengths: Athletic, hard to shake
Weaknesses: Durability
What Howard has to say about him: We may not know each other as well as the others, but there is no denying the bond formed when trying to save someone we both cared for. Like brothers in arms, the shared experience left us with a lasting respect for each other.
Opeila Winters
Fourth Year, Slytherin
Age: 14
Stature: Short, skinny
Extracurriculars: Slytherin Broomracing Captain, Slytherin Duellist
Strengths: Seer, skillful caster
Weaknesses: Physical strength
What Howard has to say about her: Our relationship had a very rocky start, but with time we have found a way to respect each other. I am impressed by her healing talents and her skill with a wand and a broom.
Pericles Dralt
Fourth Year, Ravenclaw
Age: 14
Stature: Medium height, lean
Extracurriculars: Ravenclaw Duelling Co-Captain
Strengths: Skillful caster, smart and analytic
Weaknesses: Physical strength, better on offence than defence
What Howard has to say about him: I will always have a soft spot in his heart for Pericles. As a writer he was willing to hear my truth and to empathise with him in troubling times. His willingness to listen and accept left a lasting impression with me. His skill with a wand is pretty handy too!
Ilvermorny
Ilvermorny Champion Miles Thatcher’s chosen team has students from a variety of years, but they share a very obvious common factor: Miles has mostly chosen from among his sports team. Out of seven members, five play Quidditch, although at least all positions are represented which might bode better for the balance of this team than it might seem at first glance. The remaining two members are Broomracers; not a single Duellist is present on this team. It makes for an athletic group, but not the most magically powerful.
Everett Brooks
Fourth Year, Horned Serpent
Age: 13
Stature: Lanky, tall
Extracurriculars: Beater for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Poised, charming, well-rounded
Weaknesses: Not the worst at anything, but also not the best
What Miles has to say about him: Every good team needs some intelligence and Rett is ours! He's a pretty smart kid; gets remarkable grades and reads all the time.
Phyllis Stanwood
Fifth year, Thunderbird
Age: 14
Stature: Tall, athletic
Extracurriculars: Keeper for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Strong, durable, steady hand
Weaknesses: Weak magic
What Miles has to say about her: She's on the Thunderbird House Quidditch team with me and makes an excellent Keeper; never lets much get past her.
Amelie Fontaine
Fourth Year, Wampus
Age: 14
Stature: Average
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Ilvermorny Racing Team
Strengths: Flying, seems intimidating to those around her?
Weaknesses: Physical Strength
What Miles has to say about her: She's got the speed; that girl sure knows how to broom race.
Iris Fields
Fifth year, Thunderbird
Age: 15
Stature: Average height, athletic
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Ilvermorny Racing Team
Strengths: Agile, observant
Weaknesses: Not the best caster
What Miles has to say about her: One of the friendliest people I know; she could probably make a dragon her friend.
Louca Dufort
Second Year, Thunderbird
Age: 12
Stature: Tall, lanky
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Determined, adventurous
Weaknesses: Inconsistent, sub-average aim
What Miles has to say about him: A fellow adventurer; he's always ready for the next great thing.
Jamie Ziegler
Second Year, Thunderbird
Age: 12
Stature: Average height
Extracurriculars: Seeker for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Energetic, well-balanced
Weaknesses: Not the brightest?
What Miles has to say about him: Shared a tent with this guy at Summer Camp; he's both crazy and fun to be around - will help raise morale if it should ever fall.
Elowen Fernsby
Second Year, Pukwudgie
Age: 12
Stature: Average
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Durable, charismatic
Weaknesses: Weak magic
What Miles has to say about him: A fellow lover of nature; an easy-going guy.
Durmstrang
Durmstrang’s champion is a loud one, who likes to threaten and impose, often relying on physical presence to make his point. His team is mostly made up of Quidditch players, although he also sports two Broomracers and a Duellist. They mostly seem to be around Yefim’s own age, which suggests he might simply have chosen friends rather than pick those that best complement his skills - but perhaps both are true, and existing friendships might boost their team dynamics. Between age and skills, this team is not to be underestimated.
Mikael Halldorsen
Fifth Year
Age: 15
Stature: Tall, stocky
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Durmstrang Racing Team
Strengths: Pretty, hard to shake, physical strength
Weaknesses: Not the best caster
What Yefim has to say about him: Mik has been my friend since I was little, and at one time my only friend. We are bound together in the infinite loop.
Valentin Schnell
Fifth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Tall, thin
Extracurriculars: Seeker for the Durmstrang Quidditch Team
Strengths: Very nimble, great aim, keen eye
Weaknesses: Physical strength, weak magic
What Yefim has to say about him: We used to play Quidditch together, he is the loyal type who never gives up, no matter the tide against him. I couldn't let someone like that pass by without making him mine.
Greta Fransson
Fifth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Very short, thin
Extracurriculars: Former Duellist, now on the Durmstrang Quidditch Team
Strengths: Very powerful spellcaster, very nimble
Weaknesses: Physically weak, might get knocked out by a powerful gust of wind
What Yefim has to say about her: She is our little Valkyrie, a powerful warrior in her own right. She is like a sister to me, and she makes everyone happy just by being herself.
Johannes Sauer
Sixth Year
Age: About 15
Stature: Athletic
Extracurriculars: Former Broomracer, now Keeper for the Durmstrang Quidditch Team
Strengths: Charismatic (if he wants to be), well-rounded
Weaknesses: Not the best caster
What Yefim has to say about him: He is like me, I respect him greatly. In our school, you have to fight for relevance, and he fights for those without voices.
Cielle Johansen
Fifth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Slightly short, fit
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Durmstrang Racing Team
Strengths: Strong, fast
Weaknesses: Bad caster
What Yefim has to say about her: I'm going to be honest... I let her join because she is Hanya's friend. A friend of his is a friend of mine, as long as she's willing to use her strength for me!
Felix Kolbeck
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Tall
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Well-rounded, hard to shake
Weaknesses: No stand-out skills
What Yefim has to say about him: Felix kind of just started hanging out with us, he makes enemies but doesn't have the muscles to back it up. His mom is so nice and funny, Lin, are you reading this?
Lysander Stavrou
Seventh Year
Age: 16
Stature: Tall, lean
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Durmstrang Quidditch Team
Strengths: Extremely nimble, good shot
Weaknesses: Terrible caster
What Yefim has to say about him: This guy is a bootlicker, he asked to join for his reputation. I respect his strength, but the dude needs to prove himself and not just talk a big game.
Beauxbatons
Beauxbatons has recently seen a small shake-up, with former champion Angélique de Clairmont handing off the post to Cassanora Browne. The two girls are the same age, and it’s quite possible that some of the team has been selected before Cassanora took the reins. Either way, with two Broomracers, two Duellists, and three Quidditch players, it seems to be one of the more diverse teams in the tournament. It also sports a variety of ages, and on first glance, the members seem to complement each other well. Their strength might not be as obvious, but they might make a strong contestant.
Amaury Favreau
Sixth Year
Age: 16
Stature: Tall, gangly
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Very good shot, powerful caster, charming
Weaknesses: Physical strength, not very durable
What Cassanora has to say about him: Amaury is perhaps a bit of a 'posh prick' in the eyes of some. But he's quick on his feet and what he clearly lacks in muscle, he more than makes up in his magical prowess and a deadly accuracy to wield it. You do not wish to be hit by his spell twice... or once for that matter!
Roberta Martin
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Lean, athletic
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Nimble, tenacious
Weaknesses: Physical strength
What Cassanora has to say about her: Watch out for this one. Roberta is one of the most driven people I've ever met. When she sets a goal for herself, you'll soon see her meet it. Don't try and diminish her talents, for she will set the record straight in the blink of an eye. She's lightning fast, you'll never see her coming.
Florian LeRoy
Third Year
Age: 12
Stature: Tall, strong
Extracurriculars: Seeker for the Beauxbatons Quidditch Team
Strengths: Determined, charismatic
Weaknesses: Physical and magical strength
What Cassanora has to say about him: Florian's a bit of an all-around guy. But he's trickier than you'd expect. Don't put it past him to do just about anything to get what he wants... and I mean, anything. Don't let that smug face of his distract you from what's really going on, you might be too late already...
Maximilien de Fostoncy
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Average height, athletic
Extracurriculars: Broomracer
Strengths: Skilled and very consistent caster, good shot
Weaknesses: Physical strength, not the most powerful
What Cassanora has to say about him: Maxi is likely the kindest out of all of us. He has a gentle soul and will generally be quiet. But he has a good head resting on his shoulders, though he is a bit prone to daydreaming…. Nevertheless, he is a decent shot and a fine broomracer on top of that. Always good to have those on your team!
André Alarie
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Slim, tall
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Beauxbatons Quidditch team
Strengths: Powerful caster, charismatic
Weaknesses: Not the best aim or strength
What Cassanora has to say about him: Ah yes, mysterious André. You know, I actually feel I don't know much about him. Genuinely know anything about him. I get the sense he is someone else to each of us. He blends in with a crowd, and is a very proficient socialite and conversationalist. If talking were a chess game, I feel like you'd be playing six different boards with him.
Milo Durand
Sixth Year
Age: 16
Stature: Medium height
Extracurriculars: Beater for the Beauxbatons Quidditch Team
Strengths: Charming, strong and accurate
Weaknesses: Inconsistent caster
What Cassanora has to say about him: Our resident strongman! Milo has both strength and speed to his advantage. What he isn't able to dodge, he'll just absorb and press on. I'm glad I never have to face him in a Quidditch match. Aside from all that, he's not a bad shot either. He's good all-around.
Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Short, athletic
Extracurriculars: Broomracer
Strengths: Well-balanced racer, direct
Weaknesses: Temper, weak caster
What Cassanora has to say about him: Cassie's our most recent addition to the team, of course. She's honest and headstrong. She'll give it to you straight, with no detail spared, for better or for worse. In that sense she can be a bit crude. But she's nice, I hear! Just... don't get her name wrong... or mention her height... maybe let someone else do the talking...
Mahoutokoro
Mahoutokoro’s champion, Aryaan Shamsi, is the youngest contestant, and that trend extends to his team. While there are two members that are a little older, the rest of the team is Aryaan’s own age. Strategic choice or simply his friends remains to be seen. The team is a little biased towards Quidditch players, but also sports Duellists and a Broomracer, and, intriguingly, one member I could not find anything about. The champion kept their name to themselves - a secret weapon, perhaps?
Chikao Narumi
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Tall, muscular
Extracurriculars: Beater for the Mahoutokoro Quidditch Team
Strengths: Strong, durable, good shot
Weaknesses: As nimble as a brick wall, weak magic
What Aryaan has to say about him: Narumi is a chill guy, and always up to some shenanigans -- he's a monster on a broom, but he's always a lot of fun to be around. I think he's the best of both sides of Mahoutokoro, and I really respect him for choosing to love the way he does.
Chiaki Hiroi
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Short
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Mahoutokoro Racing Team
Strengths: Energetic, durable
Weaknesses: Physical strength
Ayako Yamamura
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Average height
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Mahoutokoro Quidditch Team
Strengths: Nimble, good shot
Weaknesses: Very serious, not a great caster
What Aryaan has to say about them: Chi-san and Ayako-san are both really talented girls that I know through broom sports. They're not as fun as Narumi, but they're still like dope as anything, and I like them a lot!
Sara Kohana
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Tall, muscular
Extracurriculars: Beater for the Mahoutokoro Quidditch Team
Strengths: Seems intimidating, nimble, powerful caster
Weaknesses: Inconsistent caster, surprisingly not that durable
What Aryaan has to say about him: He's my cute upperclassman; a completely adorable teddy bear! I don't know why everyone calls him yakuza and shady. He's the most genuine and amazing person on the team, and he kinda makes me feel safe, even with all the seniors up in my face.
Akira Shimizu
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Average build
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Very consistent caster, good aim
Weaknesses: Physical strength, not too powerful spells
What Aryaan has to say about him: Shimizu-kun is a duellist, but he's super competitive. And every team needs a different perspective and a little bit of friendly competition to make it tick. I know he'll be one of my biggest motivators in the challenges ahead.
Hadashi Hitoshi
Fifth Year
Age: 15
Stature: Slender, average height
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Skillful caster, well-rounded duellist, determined
Weaknesses: Physical strength
What Aryaan has to say about him: And finally we have Big Blue himself. Hadashi-senpai is the strict older brother who keeps us from causing TOO much trouble. Saving it for the big matches up ahead, you know?
Mystery Weapon
Aryaan would not say who their last team member is. We’ll have to wait and see.
Koldovstoretz
Koldovstoretz’s champion Rodion Makarovich is also on the younger side, which shows in his team. With three second years and the oldest member attending her fifth year at the school, Rodion’s team is the second youngest in the tournament. It features a rather even mix of all sports teams, with two representatives of each of the three official sports, and one as-of-yet unannounced mystery member, although in this case not due to a conscious choice from the champion, but rather an unforeseen interruption of the interview. Whether their balance and skill variety will enable them to hold their own against other teams will remain to be seen.
Rosella Sokolov
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Tall, sporty
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Koldovstoretz Quidditch Team
Strengths: Great flyer, perfectionistic, well-balanced
Weaknesses: Perfectionistic, impulsive
What Rodion has to say about her: Rosella is older than me, so I trust her ability and wisdom. I believe she has more experience than I am, she will be a good addition to the team. She’s also in the Quidditch team, so I know how ruthless she can be when she needs to.
Irina Afanasyeva
Fifth Year
Age: 15
Stature: Athletic
Extracurriculars: Broomracer
Strengths: Social butterfly, durable, intuitive
Weaknesses: Extremely competitive, not too powerful magic
What Rodion has to say about her: Irina is the most ancient one. She may look harmless, but she’s definitely the type of person people should watch out for.
Artyom Kryzhansovskaia
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Medium build
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Very nimble, very powerful spells
Weaknesses: Can’t hit a wall with a bat, lazy, reckless
What Rodion has to say about them: Artyom is a really good duellist, I do admire his ability to dodge spells. With someone that fast, definitely will be a good addition to the team.
Fedya Sapozhnik
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Tall, sporty
Extracurriculars: Broomracer
Strengths: Durable, rather powerful magic
Weaknesses: Physical strength
Maksim Levin
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Average height, slender
Extracurriculars: Flies for the Koldovstoretz Quidditch Team
Strengths: Likeable, rather powerful spells
Weaknesses: Not too good at aiming
What Rodion has to say about them: Now these are people who are in my year. Fedya and Maksim. I think it’d be beneficial for the other teams if I spit out their greatness. But definitely [the] type of people they should be scared of.
Kamila Yavlinsky
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Slim
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Perfectionistic, durable
Weaknesses: Rather weak magic, physical strength
What Rodion has to say about her: And the youngest would be Kamila. She’s also a duellist, like I am. But her ability is definitely top notch.
Mystery Person
Rodion deserted me before telling me about his last team member. Again, we'll have to wait and see.
This is Halloween
By Koko Riddle
Halloween, celebrated on October 31, is a holiday that originated in the Gaelic festival of Samhain and Celtic harvest celebrations. Samhain is a festival that celebrates the harvest but also marks the beginning of winter. It was widely celebrated in the British Isles until, after the Christian Church grew in Europe, it syncretised with All Saints Day and All Souls Day to become Halloween. It is still celebrated now, but Halloween is more widely known.
Halloween is traditionally celebrated during the evening, when children dress up as ghouls (or perhaps just a fun costume) and ‘trick or treat’ at their neighbours’ homes. Generally, kids are now given treats rather than tricks, but the occasional trick still takes place. Often, sweets are the ‘treats’ children receive, although on occasion they are given cider or toys.
Another common Halloween tradition is the haunted house, where actors dress up as scary creatures and scare people who wander through the building, usually paying to do so. While haunted houses aren’t for the faint of heart, they bring a bit of thrill to Halloween and are popular among teenagers and adults. Some look like normal houses, some are in huge buildings, and others might be in trailers or buses.
Horror films – moving pictures that have sound, used as Muggle entertainment – are also a common Halloween tradition. Some prolific ones include Friday the 13th, Scream, It and Nightmare on Elm Street. These films are generally scary and filled with gore, and sometimes they end well (but often, they don’t). Some are scarier psychologically while others are more disgusting. Nonetheless, people watch these mostly for the thrill or for the tradition.
Often, teenagers set up Halloween parties, which might have a spooky theme or might just be an opportunity to have a good time. They might hand out sweets to children in the neighbourhood, or they might watch scary movies all night. Adults might get in on the fun and watch a film or two, or they might have snacks. Parties are usually fun, and the spooky theme of Halloween parties usually adds to the enjoyment.
There are many things people do on Halloween, and it’s a holiday that is absolutely wonderful to celebrate. Not only is its celebration fun, but it can also be an excuse for consuming an unholy amount of sweets or staying up all night. It’s coming up very soon, at the end of the month, and with it should come cooler weather and the crisp breezes of autumn.
October Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
It’s October, and this means a few things. First, and most importantly, it’s now officially autumn. Second, it’s time for pumpkins galore. Third… It's time for a new round of horoscopes.
ARIES
While September had social influences, October will have physical ones. These should be good, provided you do nothing drastic. Your health will remain good, and it might improve. You’ll learn new things, as with any month, although you might notice these new things have more of an impact this month.
TAURUS
For a Taurus, it might seem like Valentine’s Day has been transferred to October. Love will seem to be in the air, although you might not meet a new partner this month – rather, your pre-existing relationships will flourish.
GEMINI
Rather than plainly good or plainly bad, October will bring a mixture of energies for the Gemini. Although you might face more physical or mental challenges, career-wise, you’ll find growth and fulfilment.
CANCER
Cancers’ family life will remain steady or even improve, but other aspects of life may become both positive and negative throughout the month. You may find challenges regarding your love life, but with sustained effort, you can strive to overcome whatever issues you find.
LEO
Economically, October will be a month of good fortune for Leos. However, other aspects might not be as positive, such as physical health and family life. Keep an eye out for anything and try to be prepared, but don’t be afraid to take new opportunities.
VIRGO
October might not be the greatest month for finances, love or education, but regarding health, Virgos will find prosperity. Even though there might not be many breakthroughs in other things, October will bring great weather for taking advantage of any improved health – running is a great option in autumn!
LIBRA
October will be mostly positive. Regarding love, planetary influences will be helpful and might help you grow closer to your loved ones. Your health should remain good, although autumnal allergies might affect you if pre-existing. Financially, October will bring great opportunities – keep your head up and your eyes open.
SCORPIO
For Scorpios, October should be a great month full of improvements. Those focusing on their education or their careers will find themselves moving up the ranks. Families and lovers might find they have better communication and therefore stronger bonds. However, you might have minor concerns regarding health or finances, although these shouldn’t be too severe.
SAGITTARIUS
Sagittarians will likely find October to be a month of great joy and minimal effort. Finance, family, romance, career and health – all should work out fine and perhaps even improve. Although educationally, Sagittarians might find some problems, everything else should make up for any minor setbacks.
CAPRICORN
Capricorns will find a positive familial situation with minimal economic setbacks during the month of October. Your relationships should improve, and you might trust your friends and family more. Advancement in your career might require more effort, but that shouldn’t set you back; you’ll still be able to advance, but might need to work harder.
AQUARIUS
Aquarians should find benefits in October. You should have a huge opportunity for advancement in your career, although whether or not you will take that opportunity is up to you. You should feel closer to your family, and your love life should improve, too. Monetarily, you’ll find opportunities to either increase your income or to better arrange your assets.
PISCES
October might not be the best month for a Pisces. While your career should prove fruitful, your relationships might feel tumultuous, and you might find unwanted expenses for the economic side of things. You may face a lot of stress, so it’s good to remember to take breaks when you need them.
Self-care with Serena
By Serena Towers
There comes a time in every young witch or wizard’s life when they question their ability to survive Hogwarts. The days of the Dark Lord and his band of Death Eaters that our parents may have faced may be long gone, but it is a truth universally acknowledged by any second-year or above that we are not truly safe. Danger appears to be crawling around every corner. And yet, this may truly be the safest place in the country for us. Isn't that rather ironic?
A visit to Hogsmeade can easily turn sour when you think about the incidents that have occurred there in the not-so-recent past. Adults are not much safer, nor are the muggle cities. In truth, we may be in the safest place physically, but what about mentally?
If there is anything that I have learned over the last five years at Hogwarts, it is that self-care is incredibly important. Self-care is, quite literally, the act of taking care of oneself. In truth, it is also quite hard to do sometimes. I, at the very least, sometimes feel selfish for putting myself first or feel like I do not have the time to do this. However, there are many quotes that muggles have used about self-care. “Self-care is not selfish”, for example. I have first-hand experience of struggling to take care of myself and my mental health.
Hogwarts is not just about the big events – the fire, the shadows, the hags. There are so many tiny things that might affect us on a daily basis: issues with friends, keeping up with the homework, failing to cast a spell that you should know, losing a game of duelling/quidditch/broom racing/gobstones/chess or whatever you are into, being owled with family drama, or even just trying to find your way around the castle. Small acts of self-care could be the difference between feeling overwhelmed constantly and being able to deal with the day-to-day stress that we face, whatever that might look like for you.
To help you cope, I have come up with a list of 25 self-care ideas to inspire you to look after yourself!
Self-Care Ideas:
1. Spend time crafting something
2. Draw a picture, paint something, make some art
3. Read a book, for fun (aka, not a textbook!)
4. Go for a nice fly around the castle (with permission from a professor)
5. Walk outside, get some fresh air and appreciate nature
6. Hang out with your pet – or if you don’t have one, check out the owls in the owlery!
7. Learn to knit or crochet or embroider
8. Help out with the gardening or tend to your own plant
9. Dance like no one’s watching
10. Have a day of relaxation with face masks and bath soaks
11. Paint your nails or give yourself a manicure/pedicure
12. Do some colouring in
13. Talk to a friend
14. Keep a journal and write in it
15. Try a new hobby or activity – try a new club!
16. Take photos of nature – you can even get a nifty magical camera in Hogsmeade!
17. Perform random acts of kindness on strangers
18. Go stargazing with people (with permission!)
19. Have an evening of laugh yoga
20. Snuggle under a cosy blanket, next to a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa.
21. Play a musical instrument
22. Talk to a portrait and see how their day is
23. Write letters to loved ones
24. Brew a fun potion (with permission)
25. Go for a swim in the lake (with permission)
These are just a few of the many ideas that you could do. Of course, some require permission – from professors, for instance, if you decide to try them during term time. However, there are plenty of ideas here and if this inspires something else that you enjoy, that is completely fine too. The whole idea is to relax and take care of your mental health. Taking some time for yourself is not selfish at all and you deserve it. You need to put yourself as a priority. Sometimes that means keeping away from the toxic people in your life, but other times, it means just taking a few moments to do something relaxing or fun for yourself.
If you are interested in more ideas or require details of any of these ideas, let me know and I’ll be sure to provide them! For now, look after yourself and treat yourself with kindness, kiddos. If you don’t, who will? You are responsible for yourself, after all – but, if you prefer to do any of these with friends, I am sure that would help them out too.
Serena J. Towers, over and out.
Club Reports
By Dealla Prince
Most of the clubs I have reviewed so far, different as they were, had one thing in common: magic, in some form. It makes sense; we attend a school of wizards, one with a horde of eleven year olds equipped with wands and the knowledge to set each other on fire.
Yet three students at this school decided to take a conscious step away from this common denominator, founding a club to ask an interesting question: What if we’re in a situation where we have to manage without magic?
Flash Holmwood and Xailah Alptraum were the ones who came up with this idea, with Alan Vanes joining them to provide help and advice. Their goal: prepare students for danger, expected or unexpected, and give them the tools to defend themselves when their wands might be out of reach. Make magic just another weapon at their disposal, rather than the only way to stand their ground. The three were kind enough to answer a few of my questions.
Dee: Who of you will be teaching those self-defence techniques, and how did you learn them?
Flash: I'll admit, we aren't exactly experts. Most of what I know I've learned from books and then tried myself. The idea is that it’s mostly basics and fundamentals, along with practice.
Xailah: Yes, we are still learning proper techniques ourselves. The teaching is a shared effort between Flash and I. Alan is here to help oversee, and make sure nothing goes too far. As for my knowledge of the subject, I've had tutors before and I've read a few books. I've also learnt a bit from watching our peers brawl. However, I'm afraid most of my knowledge of self-defence techniques– if you would like to call them that– has come from my time here at Hogwarts; due to several experiences with unfortunate events.
Alan: As Xailah said, I am mostly here to oversee the activities and rules, as I am concerned about proper technique and things not getting out of hand. Personally I don't have much experience in self-defence, but I am curious to learn some of it, and I think that is the main goal of this club.
Dee: Do you think non-magical defence techniques will really stand a chance against magic-wielding opponents – human or otherwise?
Alan:I don't think it would hurt to know some basic self-defence techniques. Not all foes we'll face will make use of magic and we won't always be in a position where magic will be an option for us. You can take someone's wand but not their knowledge on self-defence. This club will teach things that can help you feel safer in everyday life and tricky situations.
Flash: It's not about whether you can fight a magic user, it's about having more tools at your disposal. Versatility will make you more unpredictable, and more able to adapt to unique situations. In that way, I think it will give people an advantage.
Xailah: Think? I know they will and do stand a chance. Trust me. More often than not they are far more effective than a magical attack. I invite you to come join one of our meetings if you have doubts.
Perhaps they’re right, perhaps we rely a bit too much on magic. There are advantages to knowing how to handle yourself, especially if you tend to choose fight over flight. After all, disarm a duellist, and they might well be helpless. Disarm someone from the Self-Defense Club… they might punch you in the face. Even if you don’t expect a fight, as Xailah so eloquently put it, “a little extra knowledge never hurt anyone... too badly.”
The club is open to sign-ups.
Muggle Item of The Month: Modern Ways of Communication
By Cassandra Ironwoods
In this month's issue, I want to discuss Muggles' ways of communication. But before we dive into it, I want to say a massive thank you to Dorion (Willow) Anderson, who was a big part of the Headliner staff, for bringing Muggle Items of the Month to life and being a massive hit on every issue of the Headliner we had ever published.
Did you wonder what a pureblood kid knows about Muggle pop culture and society? Well, to be honest, I only had a bit of knowledge about it, but fret not! Since I’m planning to take over Dorion’s mantle, I spent hours and hours researching so I can deliver it as accurately as possible.
Now, Muggle-borns and Muggles have their own ways of communication that are different from us who are in the Wizarding world. Some say they are more modern than us since they have their cellphones and social media. What is a cellphone? Well, I think we can return back to that topic sometime in the future. But now I want to talk to you all about what they call social media.
A little info on what social media is. Social medias are "interactive technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks." Now, imagine if you want to send an owl to your long-distance best friend/boyfriend/girlfriend. If you have social media at your fingertips, all you have to do is just call them and in an instant, you can see their face in real-time.
That's what I mean by another kind of magic. For this issue, I interviewed a lot of Muggle-borns so I can deliver this piece as authentically as I possibly can. I asked them about what social media is trending right now. Some say it is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the most famous and recent one is TikTok.
Let’s discover it one by one, and hopefully I won't run out of space to write all of it. We start with Facebook. If you are thinking, is it a book that has a face? Well, at first I thought it was like that too, but upon deeper research, Facebook is some kind of social media that was started by a young lad (at that time) named Mark Zuckerberg with his other four fellow Harvard College mates.
Founded in 2004, membership was limited to Harvard students, gradually expanding to other North American universities. And since 2006, anyone over 13 years old can make an account there. To put it simply, Facebook is like a digital yearbook where you can post your picture of whatever your heart contains and the memories that entail.
We now move to the next example: Instagram. When I asked whether Instagram had any shortened names or perhaps an abbreviation for it, some of your fellow Muggle-borns told me Instagram can be shortened into Insta or IG. What is Instagram? Instagram is an American photo and video sharing social networking service founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger and later acquired by American company Facebook Inc., now known as Meta Platforms.
The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. Posts can be shared publicly or with preapproved followers. Users can browse other users' content by tag and location, view trending content, like photos, and follow other users to add their content to a personal feed.
If you are confused about this thing, don’t come knocking on the Headliner’s door. Just ask your Muggle-borns best friends/boyfriend/girlfriend or perhaps someone who is secretly savvy when it comes down to all the things related to social media.
Third on the list is Twitter. Twitter was created by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams in March 2006 and launched in July of that year. Twitter, Inc. is an American communications company based in San Francisco, California. The company operates the microblogging and social networking service Twitter.
For those of you who like to keep your journal safe and out of prying eyes, perhaps this is the solution you have been looking for. Twitter provides us the ability to write 140 characters in every single tweet. Twitter is like your trusted journal but the twist is, it is a digital one. Now, I want to bore you a bit with the statistics that I found.
According to the research that I managed to get my hands on, Twitter, by 2012, had more than 100 million users posting 340 million tweets a day, and the service handled an average of 1.6 billion search queries per day. The company went public in November 2013. By the start of 2019, Twitter had more than 330 million monthly active users.
I am not much of a numbers or statistics kind of person but from that number, I can say that was pretty impressive to me! Last but not least, TikTok. I don’t know why that social media name reminds me of what a clock sounds like. TikTok has nothing to do with the clock, though they have some seconds or even minutes in it.
When I ask what TikTok is all about some of your peers said it is about daily life and/or dance challenges. TikTok, known in China as Douyin (Chinese: 抖音; pinyin: Dǒuyīn), is a short-form video hosting service owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. It hosts a variety of short-form user videos, from genres like pranks, stunts, tricks, jokes, dance, and entertainment with durations from 15 seconds to ten minutes.
TikTok is an international version of Douyin, which was originally released in the Chinese market in September 2016. TikTok was launched in 2017 for iOS and Android (some muggle phone operating systems) in most markets outside of mainland China; however, it became available worldwide only after merging with another Chinese social media service, Musical.ly, on 2 August 2018.
Writing this article helped to teach me a lot about Muggle-borns, Muggles, their ways of communicating, and how various their social media are. After reading this, which one do you want to try or perhaps this piques your interest even more? Whatever it is, I hope I can do Dorion’s Muggle of The Month justice. Until next time, lovely readers!
By Serena J. Towers
Breaking news! Angélique Colette de Clairmontt—the Beauxbatons Champion—has, unfortunately, come down with a case of dragonpox, which has forced her to step down from her role. Angélique was announced as the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic representative in the upcoming Hexwizard tournament at the Spring Blossom Ball back in April, and since then, we have seen her demonstrate her broom racing in a match in London over the summer. We are pleased to hear that she is currently receiving treatment, which she is responding well to. Hopefully, she will be back on her feet soon. On behalf of the Hogwarts Hexwizard team and the Headliner, we would like to wish her a swift recovery.
In her stead, Beauxbatons has announced a new champion from within the existing team: Cassanora Browne. You may notice that Cassanora sports a surname that second years or above, especially the Hufflepuffs, may recognise. Daughter of the former Head of Hufflepuff, I, for one, am excited to see how she takes up this mantle. I managed to get in touch with Cassanora, who had nothing but good words and wishes to share about the former champion.
“When we received the news that Angélique was getting pulled from the tournament due to dragonpox, we were all devastated to hear it. She's always been one of the strongest people I know, her leadership skills come natural to her. I know they must have had to pull her away kicking and screaming in resistance. She was definitely looking forward to winning this, to see Beauxbatons winning this. It is tremendously disappointing for both her and us to lose her at a time like this, so close to the actual event.”
Cassanora has also told us that she plans to keep the Beauxbatons team the same—and they even share a special person, which does make it feel like Angélique is watching over the team!
“In the spirit of knowing Angel very well myself, I do not plan to defy her in her choices for members of the team, no. Aside from adding Cassie to our roster of course, since Angélique left a vacant seat. Though even she was meant as a reserve from the start, so I am practically just following an instruction made by a leader that planned ahead. Which is very fortunate for me, of course. Even our special person is the same. Madeleine should not have made herself so popular!”
I also could not help but ask her to share what her father—or family—thought on the matter.
“As for my family... Er... my father, who was a Head of House at your school not so long ago, was not too keen on hearing the news. I've been pushing the line already just being part of the team. Being champion just puts a bigger target on my back in his eyes. But don't worry! My father always comes around to support me in the end. He just needs a little time to be stubborn about it, is all."
Ha! I never quite expected our former head of house to be described that way but there we go! The more you know! When asked to describe herself and her best qualities, Cassanora was far too humble. However, I managed to get in touch with her special person. Her special person, Madeleine, raved about her good qualities. Madeleine told us that Cassanora is very skilled when it comes to potions, she’s “extreeeeeeemely” smart, gives great advice and is multilingual!
“My best qualities? Hm... I'm much more of a reader than I am a woman of action to be truthful. I was supposed to play support. I joined Angelique to help her in earning glory and respect for our school. And I guess it wouldn't hurt to add 'Hexwizard Teammember' to my CV when I am done with my studies. Keep your options open after all. Aside from that, I am not the fastest or the strongest, it is really my mind I am depending on to get me out of tricky situations.”
Angélique also said that the rest of the schools better watch out, claiming Beauxbatons are more trouble now with Cassanora in the lead! It is absolutely beautiful seeing the duo supporting each other. As the Hexwizard Tournament starts, good luck to the entire Beauxbatons team and we cannot wait to see how well you do in the first trial.
Serena J. Towers, over and out.
Meet The Hexwizard Teams
By Dealla Prince
With the first task of the Hexwizard Tournament right around the corner, it’s high time to scoop out the competition some more… I mean, inform our dear readers about what they can expect to see from the different schools.
As a short recap for those who have been asleep for the past six months: for reasons not well explained and yet somehow not questioned, the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, in cooperation with several other wizard governments and schools around the world, has decided to bring back the infamous Triwizard Tournament… with slight alterations. The first major change is that rather than involving just the three European magic schools, we now have guests from even further away; joining Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang we have Ilvermorny, Koldovstoretz, and Mahoutokoro, to make up a total of six contestants, as the observant reader might have guessed from the name.
The second big difference to how things used to be done is that rather than just focusing on one champion representing each school, these champions now get to choose a team to support them. Seven peers of their choice, to balance out their weaknesses and support their strengths. The tournament will be a contest not just of individuals, but to see who managed to gather the best team around them.
Hence, while my previous article on the matter introduced us all to the six Champions, this one will give us a short insight into those students the champions chose, and why they chose them.
Hogwarts
The Hogwarts Hexwizard team sports one of the highest year averages of all schools - discounting Durmstrang, of course, who start their education a year earlier than everyone else. With three Broomracers, four Duellists, and a Champion who is a Quidditch player, they mostly seem to favour speed and wit over brawn. How well this will play out in tasks that may well require physical strength will remain to be seen. We’ve seen Howard’s profile, now let’s meet his team.
Serena Towers
Sixth Year, Hufflepuff
Age: 16
Stature: Short, petite
Extracurriculars: Former Seeker for the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team, now flying for the Hufflepuff Broomracing Team
Strengths: Quick, durable, consistent
Weaknesses: Physical strength, not too powerful magic
What Howard has to say about her: She has been good to me since my first year! I consider her one of my best friends and look to her as a role model. Through all my ups and downs she has been there for me. I would do almost anything for her.
Bloom Silverton
Sixth Year, Ravenclaw
Age: 16
Stature: Slim, pretty
Extracurriculars: Former Keeper for the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team, now flying for the Ravenclaw Broomracing Team
Strengths: Well-rounded, no glaring weaknesses. Pretty.
Weaknesses: Not the worst at anything but also not the best at anything
What Howard has to say about her: I’ve fallen quite hard for her, but beyond that she is a dear friend as well. I trust her above all and know that I can count on her no matter what. I can't imagine a day without her by my side.
Alan Vanes
Sixth Year, Gryffindor
Age: 16
Stature: Tall, athletic
Extracurriculars: Former Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, now Gryffindor Duelling Captain
Strengths: Incredibly nimble, powerful spells
Weaknesses: Physical strength, inconsistent casting
What Howard has to say about him: He’s my best friend in the whole wide world. Alan has always accepted me and made me feel like I have a place in the world no matter what!
Dealla Prince
Fourth Year, Ravenclaw
Age: 14
Stature: Medium build, slim
Extracurriculars: Former Ravenclaw Duelling Captain
Strengths: Quick and nimble, likes to strategise
Weaknesses: Physical strength, durability
What Howard has to say about her: We hit it off right away. I was drawn to her as we shared many political and societal views. She is the one of the few people I enjoy delving deep into these issues with and respect her intelligence, writing skills and the tenacity in which she approaches her works with.
Percival Gray
Fourth Year, Slytherin
Age: 15
Stature: Medium-tall
Extracurriculars: Slytherin Broomracer
Strengths: Athletic, hard to shake
Weaknesses: Durability
What Howard has to say about him: We may not know each other as well as the others, but there is no denying the bond formed when trying to save someone we both cared for. Like brothers in arms, the shared experience left us with a lasting respect for each other.
Opeila Winters
Fourth Year, Slytherin
Age: 14
Stature: Short, skinny
Extracurriculars: Slytherin Broomracing Captain, Slytherin Duellist
Strengths: Seer, skillful caster
Weaknesses: Physical strength
What Howard has to say about her: Our relationship had a very rocky start, but with time we have found a way to respect each other. I am impressed by her healing talents and her skill with a wand and a broom.
Pericles Dralt
Fourth Year, Ravenclaw
Age: 14
Stature: Medium height, lean
Extracurriculars: Ravenclaw Duelling Co-Captain
Strengths: Skillful caster, smart and analytic
Weaknesses: Physical strength, better on offence than defence
What Howard has to say about him: I will always have a soft spot in his heart for Pericles. As a writer he was willing to hear my truth and to empathise with him in troubling times. His willingness to listen and accept left a lasting impression with me. His skill with a wand is pretty handy too!
Ilvermorny
Ilvermorny Champion Miles Thatcher’s chosen team has students from a variety of years, but they share a very obvious common factor: Miles has mostly chosen from among his sports team. Out of seven members, five play Quidditch, although at least all positions are represented which might bode better for the balance of this team than it might seem at first glance. The remaining two members are Broomracers; not a single Duellist is present on this team. It makes for an athletic group, but not the most magically powerful.
Everett Brooks
Fourth Year, Horned Serpent
Age: 13
Stature: Lanky, tall
Extracurriculars: Beater for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Poised, charming, well-rounded
Weaknesses: Not the worst at anything, but also not the best
What Miles has to say about him: Every good team needs some intelligence and Rett is ours! He's a pretty smart kid; gets remarkable grades and reads all the time.
Phyllis Stanwood
Fifth year, Thunderbird
Age: 14
Stature: Tall, athletic
Extracurriculars: Keeper for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Strong, durable, steady hand
Weaknesses: Weak magic
What Miles has to say about her: She's on the Thunderbird House Quidditch team with me and makes an excellent Keeper; never lets much get past her.
Amelie Fontaine
Fourth Year, Wampus
Age: 14
Stature: Average
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Ilvermorny Racing Team
Strengths: Flying, seems intimidating to those around her?
Weaknesses: Physical Strength
What Miles has to say about her: She's got the speed; that girl sure knows how to broom race.
Iris Fields
Fifth year, Thunderbird
Age: 15
Stature: Average height, athletic
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Ilvermorny Racing Team
Strengths: Agile, observant
Weaknesses: Not the best caster
What Miles has to say about her: One of the friendliest people I know; she could probably make a dragon her friend.
Louca Dufort
Second Year, Thunderbird
Age: 12
Stature: Tall, lanky
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Determined, adventurous
Weaknesses: Inconsistent, sub-average aim
What Miles has to say about him: A fellow adventurer; he's always ready for the next great thing.
Jamie Ziegler
Second Year, Thunderbird
Age: 12
Stature: Average height
Extracurriculars: Seeker for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Energetic, well-balanced
Weaknesses: Not the brightest?
What Miles has to say about him: Shared a tent with this guy at Summer Camp; he's both crazy and fun to be around - will help raise morale if it should ever fall.
Elowen Fernsby
Second Year, Pukwudgie
Age: 12
Stature: Average
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Ilvermorny Quidditch Team
Strengths: Durable, charismatic
Weaknesses: Weak magic
What Miles has to say about him: A fellow lover of nature; an easy-going guy.
Durmstrang
Durmstrang’s champion is a loud one, who likes to threaten and impose, often relying on physical presence to make his point. His team is mostly made up of Quidditch players, although he also sports two Broomracers and a Duellist. They mostly seem to be around Yefim’s own age, which suggests he might simply have chosen friends rather than pick those that best complement his skills - but perhaps both are true, and existing friendships might boost their team dynamics. Between age and skills, this team is not to be underestimated.
Mikael Halldorsen
Fifth Year
Age: 15
Stature: Tall, stocky
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Durmstrang Racing Team
Strengths: Pretty, hard to shake, physical strength
Weaknesses: Not the best caster
What Yefim has to say about him: Mik has been my friend since I was little, and at one time my only friend. We are bound together in the infinite loop.
Valentin Schnell
Fifth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Tall, thin
Extracurriculars: Seeker for the Durmstrang Quidditch Team
Strengths: Very nimble, great aim, keen eye
Weaknesses: Physical strength, weak magic
What Yefim has to say about him: We used to play Quidditch together, he is the loyal type who never gives up, no matter the tide against him. I couldn't let someone like that pass by without making him mine.
Greta Fransson
Fifth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Very short, thin
Extracurriculars: Former Duellist, now on the Durmstrang Quidditch Team
Strengths: Very powerful spellcaster, very nimble
Weaknesses: Physically weak, might get knocked out by a powerful gust of wind
What Yefim has to say about her: She is our little Valkyrie, a powerful warrior in her own right. She is like a sister to me, and she makes everyone happy just by being herself.
Johannes Sauer
Sixth Year
Age: About 15
Stature: Athletic
Extracurriculars: Former Broomracer, now Keeper for the Durmstrang Quidditch Team
Strengths: Charismatic (if he wants to be), well-rounded
Weaknesses: Not the best caster
What Yefim has to say about him: He is like me, I respect him greatly. In our school, you have to fight for relevance, and he fights for those without voices.
Cielle Johansen
Fifth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Slightly short, fit
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Durmstrang Racing Team
Strengths: Strong, fast
Weaknesses: Bad caster
What Yefim has to say about her: I'm going to be honest... I let her join because she is Hanya's friend. A friend of his is a friend of mine, as long as she's willing to use her strength for me!
Felix Kolbeck
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Tall
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Well-rounded, hard to shake
Weaknesses: No stand-out skills
What Yefim has to say about him: Felix kind of just started hanging out with us, he makes enemies but doesn't have the muscles to back it up. His mom is so nice and funny, Lin, are you reading this?
Lysander Stavrou
Seventh Year
Age: 16
Stature: Tall, lean
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Durmstrang Quidditch Team
Strengths: Extremely nimble, good shot
Weaknesses: Terrible caster
What Yefim has to say about him: This guy is a bootlicker, he asked to join for his reputation. I respect his strength, but the dude needs to prove himself and not just talk a big game.
Beauxbatons
Beauxbatons has recently seen a small shake-up, with former champion Angélique de Clairmont handing off the post to Cassanora Browne. The two girls are the same age, and it’s quite possible that some of the team has been selected before Cassanora took the reins. Either way, with two Broomracers, two Duellists, and three Quidditch players, it seems to be one of the more diverse teams in the tournament. It also sports a variety of ages, and on first glance, the members seem to complement each other well. Their strength might not be as obvious, but they might make a strong contestant.
Amaury Favreau
Sixth Year
Age: 16
Stature: Tall, gangly
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Very good shot, powerful caster, charming
Weaknesses: Physical strength, not very durable
What Cassanora has to say about him: Amaury is perhaps a bit of a 'posh prick' in the eyes of some. But he's quick on his feet and what he clearly lacks in muscle, he more than makes up in his magical prowess and a deadly accuracy to wield it. You do not wish to be hit by his spell twice... or once for that matter!
Roberta Martin
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Lean, athletic
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Nimble, tenacious
Weaknesses: Physical strength
What Cassanora has to say about her: Watch out for this one. Roberta is one of the most driven people I've ever met. When she sets a goal for herself, you'll soon see her meet it. Don't try and diminish her talents, for she will set the record straight in the blink of an eye. She's lightning fast, you'll never see her coming.
Florian LeRoy
Third Year
Age: 12
Stature: Tall, strong
Extracurriculars: Seeker for the Beauxbatons Quidditch Team
Strengths: Determined, charismatic
Weaknesses: Physical and magical strength
What Cassanora has to say about him: Florian's a bit of an all-around guy. But he's trickier than you'd expect. Don't put it past him to do just about anything to get what he wants... and I mean, anything. Don't let that smug face of his distract you from what's really going on, you might be too late already...
Maximilien de Fostoncy
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Average height, athletic
Extracurriculars: Broomracer
Strengths: Skilled and very consistent caster, good shot
Weaknesses: Physical strength, not the most powerful
What Cassanora has to say about him: Maxi is likely the kindest out of all of us. He has a gentle soul and will generally be quiet. But he has a good head resting on his shoulders, though he is a bit prone to daydreaming…. Nevertheless, he is a decent shot and a fine broomracer on top of that. Always good to have those on your team!
André Alarie
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Slim, tall
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Beauxbatons Quidditch team
Strengths: Powerful caster, charismatic
Weaknesses: Not the best aim or strength
What Cassanora has to say about him: Ah yes, mysterious André. You know, I actually feel I don't know much about him. Genuinely know anything about him. I get the sense he is someone else to each of us. He blends in with a crowd, and is a very proficient socialite and conversationalist. If talking were a chess game, I feel like you'd be playing six different boards with him.
Milo Durand
Sixth Year
Age: 16
Stature: Medium height
Extracurriculars: Beater for the Beauxbatons Quidditch Team
Strengths: Charming, strong and accurate
Weaknesses: Inconsistent caster
What Cassanora has to say about him: Our resident strongman! Milo has both strength and speed to his advantage. What he isn't able to dodge, he'll just absorb and press on. I'm glad I never have to face him in a Quidditch match. Aside from all that, he's not a bad shot either. He's good all-around.
Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Short, athletic
Extracurriculars: Broomracer
Strengths: Well-balanced racer, direct
Weaknesses: Temper, weak caster
What Cassanora has to say about him: Cassie's our most recent addition to the team, of course. She's honest and headstrong. She'll give it to you straight, with no detail spared, for better or for worse. In that sense she can be a bit crude. But she's nice, I hear! Just... don't get her name wrong... or mention her height... maybe let someone else do the talking...
Mahoutokoro
Mahoutokoro’s champion, Aryaan Shamsi, is the youngest contestant, and that trend extends to his team. While there are two members that are a little older, the rest of the team is Aryaan’s own age. Strategic choice or simply his friends remains to be seen. The team is a little biased towards Quidditch players, but also sports Duellists and a Broomracer, and, intriguingly, one member I could not find anything about. The champion kept their name to themselves - a secret weapon, perhaps?
Chikao Narumi
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Tall, muscular
Extracurriculars: Beater for the Mahoutokoro Quidditch Team
Strengths: Strong, durable, good shot
Weaknesses: As nimble as a brick wall, weak magic
What Aryaan has to say about him: Narumi is a chill guy, and always up to some shenanigans -- he's a monster on a broom, but he's always a lot of fun to be around. I think he's the best of both sides of Mahoutokoro, and I really respect him for choosing to love the way he does.
Chiaki Hiroi
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Short
Extracurriculars: Broomracer for the Mahoutokoro Racing Team
Strengths: Energetic, durable
Weaknesses: Physical strength
Ayako Yamamura
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Average height
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Mahoutokoro Quidditch Team
Strengths: Nimble, good shot
Weaknesses: Very serious, not a great caster
What Aryaan has to say about them: Chi-san and Ayako-san are both really talented girls that I know through broom sports. They're not as fun as Narumi, but they're still like dope as anything, and I like them a lot!
Sara Kohana
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Tall, muscular
Extracurriculars: Beater for the Mahoutokoro Quidditch Team
Strengths: Seems intimidating, nimble, powerful caster
Weaknesses: Inconsistent caster, surprisingly not that durable
What Aryaan has to say about him: He's my cute upperclassman; a completely adorable teddy bear! I don't know why everyone calls him yakuza and shady. He's the most genuine and amazing person on the team, and he kinda makes me feel safe, even with all the seniors up in my face.
Akira Shimizu
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Average build
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Very consistent caster, good aim
Weaknesses: Physical strength, not too powerful spells
What Aryaan has to say about him: Shimizu-kun is a duellist, but he's super competitive. And every team needs a different perspective and a little bit of friendly competition to make it tick. I know he'll be one of my biggest motivators in the challenges ahead.
Hadashi Hitoshi
Fifth Year
Age: 15
Stature: Slender, average height
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Skillful caster, well-rounded duellist, determined
Weaknesses: Physical strength
What Aryaan has to say about him: And finally we have Big Blue himself. Hadashi-senpai is the strict older brother who keeps us from causing TOO much trouble. Saving it for the big matches up ahead, you know?
Mystery Weapon
Aryaan would not say who their last team member is. We’ll have to wait and see.
Koldovstoretz
Koldovstoretz’s champion Rodion Makarovich is also on the younger side, which shows in his team. With three second years and the oldest member attending her fifth year at the school, Rodion’s team is the second youngest in the tournament. It features a rather even mix of all sports teams, with two representatives of each of the three official sports, and one as-of-yet unannounced mystery member, although in this case not due to a conscious choice from the champion, but rather an unforeseen interruption of the interview. Whether their balance and skill variety will enable them to hold their own against other teams will remain to be seen.
Rosella Sokolov
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Tall, sporty
Extracurriculars: Chaser for the Koldovstoretz Quidditch Team
Strengths: Great flyer, perfectionistic, well-balanced
Weaknesses: Perfectionistic, impulsive
What Rodion has to say about her: Rosella is older than me, so I trust her ability and wisdom. I believe she has more experience than I am, she will be a good addition to the team. She’s also in the Quidditch team, so I know how ruthless she can be when she needs to.
Irina Afanasyeva
Fifth Year
Age: 15
Stature: Athletic
Extracurriculars: Broomracer
Strengths: Social butterfly, durable, intuitive
Weaknesses: Extremely competitive, not too powerful magic
What Rodion has to say about her: Irina is the most ancient one. She may look harmless, but she’s definitely the type of person people should watch out for.
Artyom Kryzhansovskaia
Fourth Year
Age: 14
Stature: Medium build
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Very nimble, very powerful spells
Weaknesses: Can’t hit a wall with a bat, lazy, reckless
What Rodion has to say about them: Artyom is a really good duellist, I do admire his ability to dodge spells. With someone that fast, definitely will be a good addition to the team.
Fedya Sapozhnik
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Tall, sporty
Extracurriculars: Broomracer
Strengths: Durable, rather powerful magic
Weaknesses: Physical strength
Maksim Levin
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Average height, slender
Extracurriculars: Flies for the Koldovstoretz Quidditch Team
Strengths: Likeable, rather powerful spells
Weaknesses: Not too good at aiming
What Rodion has to say about them: Now these are people who are in my year. Fedya and Maksim. I think it’d be beneficial for the other teams if I spit out their greatness. But definitely [the] type of people they should be scared of.
Kamila Yavlinsky
Second Year
Age: 12
Stature: Slim
Extracurriculars: Duellist
Strengths: Perfectionistic, durable
Weaknesses: Rather weak magic, physical strength
What Rodion has to say about her: And the youngest would be Kamila. She’s also a duellist, like I am. But her ability is definitely top notch.
Mystery Person
Rodion deserted me before telling me about his last team member. Again, we'll have to wait and see.
This is Halloween
By Koko Riddle
Halloween, celebrated on October 31, is a holiday that originated in the Gaelic festival of Samhain and Celtic harvest celebrations. Samhain is a festival that celebrates the harvest but also marks the beginning of winter. It was widely celebrated in the British Isles until, after the Christian Church grew in Europe, it syncretised with All Saints Day and All Souls Day to become Halloween. It is still celebrated now, but Halloween is more widely known.
Halloween is traditionally celebrated during the evening, when children dress up as ghouls (or perhaps just a fun costume) and ‘trick or treat’ at their neighbours’ homes. Generally, kids are now given treats rather than tricks, but the occasional trick still takes place. Often, sweets are the ‘treats’ children receive, although on occasion they are given cider or toys.
Another common Halloween tradition is the haunted house, where actors dress up as scary creatures and scare people who wander through the building, usually paying to do so. While haunted houses aren’t for the faint of heart, they bring a bit of thrill to Halloween and are popular among teenagers and adults. Some look like normal houses, some are in huge buildings, and others might be in trailers or buses.
Horror films – moving pictures that have sound, used as Muggle entertainment – are also a common Halloween tradition. Some prolific ones include Friday the 13th, Scream, It and Nightmare on Elm Street. These films are generally scary and filled with gore, and sometimes they end well (but often, they don’t). Some are scarier psychologically while others are more disgusting. Nonetheless, people watch these mostly for the thrill or for the tradition.
Often, teenagers set up Halloween parties, which might have a spooky theme or might just be an opportunity to have a good time. They might hand out sweets to children in the neighbourhood, or they might watch scary movies all night. Adults might get in on the fun and watch a film or two, or they might have snacks. Parties are usually fun, and the spooky theme of Halloween parties usually adds to the enjoyment.
There are many things people do on Halloween, and it’s a holiday that is absolutely wonderful to celebrate. Not only is its celebration fun, but it can also be an excuse for consuming an unholy amount of sweets or staying up all night. It’s coming up very soon, at the end of the month, and with it should come cooler weather and the crisp breezes of autumn.
October Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
It’s October, and this means a few things. First, and most importantly, it’s now officially autumn. Second, it’s time for pumpkins galore. Third… It's time for a new round of horoscopes.
ARIES
While September had social influences, October will have physical ones. These should be good, provided you do nothing drastic. Your health will remain good, and it might improve. You’ll learn new things, as with any month, although you might notice these new things have more of an impact this month.
TAURUS
For a Taurus, it might seem like Valentine’s Day has been transferred to October. Love will seem to be in the air, although you might not meet a new partner this month – rather, your pre-existing relationships will flourish.
GEMINI
Rather than plainly good or plainly bad, October will bring a mixture of energies for the Gemini. Although you might face more physical or mental challenges, career-wise, you’ll find growth and fulfilment.
CANCER
Cancers’ family life will remain steady or even improve, but other aspects of life may become both positive and negative throughout the month. You may find challenges regarding your love life, but with sustained effort, you can strive to overcome whatever issues you find.
LEO
Economically, October will be a month of good fortune for Leos. However, other aspects might not be as positive, such as physical health and family life. Keep an eye out for anything and try to be prepared, but don’t be afraid to take new opportunities.
VIRGO
October might not be the greatest month for finances, love or education, but regarding health, Virgos will find prosperity. Even though there might not be many breakthroughs in other things, October will bring great weather for taking advantage of any improved health – running is a great option in autumn!
LIBRA
October will be mostly positive. Regarding love, planetary influences will be helpful and might help you grow closer to your loved ones. Your health should remain good, although autumnal allergies might affect you if pre-existing. Financially, October will bring great opportunities – keep your head up and your eyes open.
SCORPIO
For Scorpios, October should be a great month full of improvements. Those focusing on their education or their careers will find themselves moving up the ranks. Families and lovers might find they have better communication and therefore stronger bonds. However, you might have minor concerns regarding health or finances, although these shouldn’t be too severe.
SAGITTARIUS
Sagittarians will likely find October to be a month of great joy and minimal effort. Finance, family, romance, career and health – all should work out fine and perhaps even improve. Although educationally, Sagittarians might find some problems, everything else should make up for any minor setbacks.
CAPRICORN
Capricorns will find a positive familial situation with minimal economic setbacks during the month of October. Your relationships should improve, and you might trust your friends and family more. Advancement in your career might require more effort, but that shouldn’t set you back; you’ll still be able to advance, but might need to work harder.
AQUARIUS
Aquarians should find benefits in October. You should have a huge opportunity for advancement in your career, although whether or not you will take that opportunity is up to you. You should feel closer to your family, and your love life should improve, too. Monetarily, you’ll find opportunities to either increase your income or to better arrange your assets.
PISCES
October might not be the best month for a Pisces. While your career should prove fruitful, your relationships might feel tumultuous, and you might find unwanted expenses for the economic side of things. You may face a lot of stress, so it’s good to remember to take breaks when you need them.
Self-care with Serena
By Serena Towers
There comes a time in every young witch or wizard’s life when they question their ability to survive Hogwarts. The days of the Dark Lord and his band of Death Eaters that our parents may have faced may be long gone, but it is a truth universally acknowledged by any second-year or above that we are not truly safe. Danger appears to be crawling around every corner. And yet, this may truly be the safest place in the country for us. Isn't that rather ironic?
A visit to Hogsmeade can easily turn sour when you think about the incidents that have occurred there in the not-so-recent past. Adults are not much safer, nor are the muggle cities. In truth, we may be in the safest place physically, but what about mentally?
If there is anything that I have learned over the last five years at Hogwarts, it is that self-care is incredibly important. Self-care is, quite literally, the act of taking care of oneself. In truth, it is also quite hard to do sometimes. I, at the very least, sometimes feel selfish for putting myself first or feel like I do not have the time to do this. However, there are many quotes that muggles have used about self-care. “Self-care is not selfish”, for example. I have first-hand experience of struggling to take care of myself and my mental health.
Hogwarts is not just about the big events – the fire, the shadows, the hags. There are so many tiny things that might affect us on a daily basis: issues with friends, keeping up with the homework, failing to cast a spell that you should know, losing a game of duelling/quidditch/broom racing/gobstones/chess or whatever you are into, being owled with family drama, or even just trying to find your way around the castle. Small acts of self-care could be the difference between feeling overwhelmed constantly and being able to deal with the day-to-day stress that we face, whatever that might look like for you.
To help you cope, I have come up with a list of 25 self-care ideas to inspire you to look after yourself!
Self-Care Ideas:
1. Spend time crafting something
2. Draw a picture, paint something, make some art
3. Read a book, for fun (aka, not a textbook!)
4. Go for a nice fly around the castle (with permission from a professor)
5. Walk outside, get some fresh air and appreciate nature
6. Hang out with your pet – or if you don’t have one, check out the owls in the owlery!
7. Learn to knit or crochet or embroider
8. Help out with the gardening or tend to your own plant
9. Dance like no one’s watching
10. Have a day of relaxation with face masks and bath soaks
11. Paint your nails or give yourself a manicure/pedicure
12. Do some colouring in
13. Talk to a friend
14. Keep a journal and write in it
15. Try a new hobby or activity – try a new club!
16. Take photos of nature – you can even get a nifty magical camera in Hogsmeade!
17. Perform random acts of kindness on strangers
18. Go stargazing with people (with permission!)
19. Have an evening of laugh yoga
20. Snuggle under a cosy blanket, next to a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa.
21. Play a musical instrument
22. Talk to a portrait and see how their day is
23. Write letters to loved ones
24. Brew a fun potion (with permission)
25. Go for a swim in the lake (with permission)
These are just a few of the many ideas that you could do. Of course, some require permission – from professors, for instance, if you decide to try them during term time. However, there are plenty of ideas here and if this inspires something else that you enjoy, that is completely fine too. The whole idea is to relax and take care of your mental health. Taking some time for yourself is not selfish at all and you deserve it. You need to put yourself as a priority. Sometimes that means keeping away from the toxic people in your life, but other times, it means just taking a few moments to do something relaxing or fun for yourself.
If you are interested in more ideas or require details of any of these ideas, let me know and I’ll be sure to provide them! For now, look after yourself and treat yourself with kindness, kiddos. If you don’t, who will? You are responsible for yourself, after all – but, if you prefer to do any of these with friends, I am sure that would help them out too.
Serena J. Towers, over and out.
Club Reports
By Dealla Prince
Most of the clubs I have reviewed so far, different as they were, had one thing in common: magic, in some form. It makes sense; we attend a school of wizards, one with a horde of eleven year olds equipped with wands and the knowledge to set each other on fire.
Yet three students at this school decided to take a conscious step away from this common denominator, founding a club to ask an interesting question: What if we’re in a situation where we have to manage without magic?
Flash Holmwood and Xailah Alptraum were the ones who came up with this idea, with Alan Vanes joining them to provide help and advice. Their goal: prepare students for danger, expected or unexpected, and give them the tools to defend themselves when their wands might be out of reach. Make magic just another weapon at their disposal, rather than the only way to stand their ground. The three were kind enough to answer a few of my questions.
Dee: Who of you will be teaching those self-defence techniques, and how did you learn them?
Flash: I'll admit, we aren't exactly experts. Most of what I know I've learned from books and then tried myself. The idea is that it’s mostly basics and fundamentals, along with practice.
Xailah: Yes, we are still learning proper techniques ourselves. The teaching is a shared effort between Flash and I. Alan is here to help oversee, and make sure nothing goes too far. As for my knowledge of the subject, I've had tutors before and I've read a few books. I've also learnt a bit from watching our peers brawl. However, I'm afraid most of my knowledge of self-defence techniques– if you would like to call them that– has come from my time here at Hogwarts; due to several experiences with unfortunate events.
Alan: As Xailah said, I am mostly here to oversee the activities and rules, as I am concerned about proper technique and things not getting out of hand. Personally I don't have much experience in self-defence, but I am curious to learn some of it, and I think that is the main goal of this club.
Dee: Do you think non-magical defence techniques will really stand a chance against magic-wielding opponents – human or otherwise?
Alan:I don't think it would hurt to know some basic self-defence techniques. Not all foes we'll face will make use of magic and we won't always be in a position where magic will be an option for us. You can take someone's wand but not their knowledge on self-defence. This club will teach things that can help you feel safer in everyday life and tricky situations.
Flash: It's not about whether you can fight a magic user, it's about having more tools at your disposal. Versatility will make you more unpredictable, and more able to adapt to unique situations. In that way, I think it will give people an advantage.
Xailah: Think? I know they will and do stand a chance. Trust me. More often than not they are far more effective than a magical attack. I invite you to come join one of our meetings if you have doubts.
Perhaps they’re right, perhaps we rely a bit too much on magic. There are advantages to knowing how to handle yourself, especially if you tend to choose fight over flight. After all, disarm a duellist, and they might well be helpless. Disarm someone from the Self-Defense Club… they might punch you in the face. Even if you don’t expect a fight, as Xailah so eloquently put it, “a little extra knowledge never hurt anyone... too badly.”
The club is open to sign-ups.
Muggle Item of The Month: Modern Ways of Communication
By Cassandra Ironwoods
In this month's issue, I want to discuss Muggles' ways of communication. But before we dive into it, I want to say a massive thank you to Dorion (Willow) Anderson, who was a big part of the Headliner staff, for bringing Muggle Items of the Month to life and being a massive hit on every issue of the Headliner we had ever published.
Did you wonder what a pureblood kid knows about Muggle pop culture and society? Well, to be honest, I only had a bit of knowledge about it, but fret not! Since I’m planning to take over Dorion’s mantle, I spent hours and hours researching so I can deliver it as accurately as possible.
Now, Muggle-borns and Muggles have their own ways of communication that are different from us who are in the Wizarding world. Some say they are more modern than us since they have their cellphones and social media. What is a cellphone? Well, I think we can return back to that topic sometime in the future. But now I want to talk to you all about what they call social media.
A little info on what social media is. Social medias are "interactive technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks." Now, imagine if you want to send an owl to your long-distance best friend/boyfriend/girlfriend. If you have social media at your fingertips, all you have to do is just call them and in an instant, you can see their face in real-time.
That's what I mean by another kind of magic. For this issue, I interviewed a lot of Muggle-borns so I can deliver this piece as authentically as I possibly can. I asked them about what social media is trending right now. Some say it is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the most famous and recent one is TikTok.
Let’s discover it one by one, and hopefully I won't run out of space to write all of it. We start with Facebook. If you are thinking, is it a book that has a face? Well, at first I thought it was like that too, but upon deeper research, Facebook is some kind of social media that was started by a young lad (at that time) named Mark Zuckerberg with his other four fellow Harvard College mates.
Founded in 2004, membership was limited to Harvard students, gradually expanding to other North American universities. And since 2006, anyone over 13 years old can make an account there. To put it simply, Facebook is like a digital yearbook where you can post your picture of whatever your heart contains and the memories that entail.
We now move to the next example: Instagram. When I asked whether Instagram had any shortened names or perhaps an abbreviation for it, some of your fellow Muggle-borns told me Instagram can be shortened into Insta or IG. What is Instagram? Instagram is an American photo and video sharing social networking service founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger and later acquired by American company Facebook Inc., now known as Meta Platforms.
The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. Posts can be shared publicly or with preapproved followers. Users can browse other users' content by tag and location, view trending content, like photos, and follow other users to add their content to a personal feed.
If you are confused about this thing, don’t come knocking on the Headliner’s door. Just ask your Muggle-borns best friends/boyfriend/girlfriend or perhaps someone who is secretly savvy when it comes down to all the things related to social media.
Third on the list is Twitter. Twitter was created by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams in March 2006 and launched in July of that year. Twitter, Inc. is an American communications company based in San Francisco, California. The company operates the microblogging and social networking service Twitter.
For those of you who like to keep your journal safe and out of prying eyes, perhaps this is the solution you have been looking for. Twitter provides us the ability to write 140 characters in every single tweet. Twitter is like your trusted journal but the twist is, it is a digital one. Now, I want to bore you a bit with the statistics that I found.
According to the research that I managed to get my hands on, Twitter, by 2012, had more than 100 million users posting 340 million tweets a day, and the service handled an average of 1.6 billion search queries per day. The company went public in November 2013. By the start of 2019, Twitter had more than 330 million monthly active users.
I am not much of a numbers or statistics kind of person but from that number, I can say that was pretty impressive to me! Last but not least, TikTok. I don’t know why that social media name reminds me of what a clock sounds like. TikTok has nothing to do with the clock, though they have some seconds or even minutes in it.
When I ask what TikTok is all about some of your peers said it is about daily life and/or dance challenges. TikTok, known in China as Douyin (Chinese: 抖音; pinyin: Dǒuyīn), is a short-form video hosting service owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. It hosts a variety of short-form user videos, from genres like pranks, stunts, tricks, jokes, dance, and entertainment with durations from 15 seconds to ten minutes.
TikTok is an international version of Douyin, which was originally released in the Chinese market in September 2016. TikTok was launched in 2017 for iOS and Android (some muggle phone operating systems) in most markets outside of mainland China; however, it became available worldwide only after merging with another Chinese social media service, Musical.ly, on 2 August 2018.
Writing this article helped to teach me a lot about Muggle-borns, Muggles, their ways of communicating, and how various their social media are. After reading this, which one do you want to try or perhaps this piques your interest even more? Whatever it is, I hope I can do Dorion’s Muggle of The Month justice. Until next time, lovely readers!
The Hogwarts Headliner
Plain text issue below:
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Shining a Light on Opeila Winters
By Cassandra Ironwoods
If you are a loyal reader of the Headliner, then you’ll notice that one thing all of us at Headliner like to do is to add something new to the already well-oiled machine, That’s right! You heard it, well, you see it first, in this case. With this new issue, I want to introduce you to a new article series called Shine a Light on Basically, it is a piece article that I will try to bring every month to highlight your favourite anything.
For this issue’s article, I had a tough time deciding whom I should chase down and have a bit interview with between their busy class and life schedule. There are so many star students at our beloved school that I want to interview but alas, I it seemed that I have to start it easy. By “easy”, I mean it is hard to chase down this one lucky student to be interviewed, but she manage to squeeze her time and the Headliner greatly appreciates her time.
Who is the lucky student? It’s none other than one of our friendly prefects of Slytherin. Not only that, but she also managed to hold the role of Broom Racing Captain and one of the infamous Viridian Vipers duellists. If the name Opeila Winters popped into your head, you guess it right!
Cash: As an accomplished Viridian Viper's duellist, what is the most memorable duel you ever had? Who is the toughest opponent(s)?
Opeila: Both of those were in my first year of duelling when I was still paired with Adonis Thorn. The most memorable duel was probably the one against Callie Jensen and Thomas Baines, fully expecting to lose the moment I entered. It was right after we had duelled against Gryffindor’s Meenauh Silmataurea and Galton Lansdaler, who were probably the most difficult opponents I had so far.
Cash: It said that you are also a Broom Racer Captain, what is your take on that and how is it different from duelling?
Opeila: Duelling has always been and will always be my sport. All of my Basilisks know that I am a true menace on a broom, but I've always had a thing for bringing people together to accomplish something.
Feeling more safely on the ground myself doesn't stop me from observing Basilisk's individual strengths and weaknesses to come up with strategies. The flying part is something they do well on their own and I actually get to learn a lot from that too!
Cash: Being a prefect surely had its own perks. Do your friends treat you differently because you have that role?
Opeila: What I love about being a prefect is the privilege of being able to stay outside for longer and also that amazing bathroom. Should I ever step down before graduating, I will dearly miss both of these.
And no, I haven’t been treated differently, but what I find difficult is finding a balance between acting on what the rules dictate and my own morality. The right thing doesn't always cover the rules and the position of prefect sometimes makes me feel obligated to put the rules over my own moral compass.
Cash: Navigating the school can be a challenge for first years. Is there any helpful tips and/or tricks that you can share with us?
Opeila: I will always recommend communicating questions with prefects or seniors. There will always be someone willing to help you! And remember, everyone entered this castle for the first time once and managed to find our way around. That being said, restricted places are restricted for a reason - don't take that as a challenge for adventure.
Cash: Anything else you’d like to add?
Opeila: Between school and pressure for grades, as well as the insecurities that automatically seem to come up when being together with others are more experienced with magic, don't forget to enjoy yourselves. Magic is a gift many would kill for, embrace it!
If you have any suggestion on who I should interview for the next issue of Headliner, please don’t hesitate to drop it in Headliner’s suggestion box outside the office or send it via owl straight my way!
Homemade Holidays
By Serena Towers
For many of us, Hogwarts is our home and we often end up staying here during the winter break. After spending numerous holidays here, I find that sometimes, it can be a little lonely. There is so much time in the day when we don’t have classes to attend, and it suddenly gets a little boring, if I’m honest. Don’t get me wrong – I am not a fan of classes. However, when friends go home for the holidays, it can sometimes be a question of what to do with all of the spare time. Going home sometimes can feel that way too. You miss your friends if you can’t see them all. So today, I wanted to share some ideas with you about sprucing up the holiday season in a way that will use your time but also produce some fantastic results afterwards.
Introducing: Holiday Crafts! I am a huge fan of making things by hand. It is incredibly satisfying seeing a finished product that you have worked so hard on. These could easily become gifts or decorations, so here’s some ideas to get you started.
Knit, crochet, embroider, sew or quilt – did I miss any of those? There are probably more fabric or wool related crafts that fit here, but these are hobbies that can be really fun to do whilst also making great gifts. Why not knit a scarf for a loved one for the winter or crochet one of those adorable animals? You could also crochet a bauble and hang it from a Christmas tree, or embroider a seasonal greeting for any holiday that you celebrate and stick it to your dorm room’s door!
Personalise something for a loved one and it instantly becomes a great gift. Paint or draw something! Paint something and frame it for them or draw directly onto a plain mug! Have you considered jewellery making with some beads and wire? You could personalise a photo frame for them by adding buttons around the edges or painting directly onto it.
Make them an Advent calendar by giving them a note to tell them how much you love them each day. Handwritten notes go a long way!
Baubles are really fun to make and can be quite simple to do. If you can’t knit or crochet one, you could make one out of paper mache or turn something into baubles. Got a little quaffle replica? Throw some glue on it, add a ribbon and stick it up on your tree once it has dried! Add some string to a pinecone or cinnamon sticks and you have a pretty nice ornament right there (and they might even smell nice)! They don’t have to be Christmassy at all – you could make them in any shape for any celebration and just hang them from your ceiling or against the wall.
Wreaths could be a fun item to make and stick up in your dorm room. There’s plenty of twigs around that you could turn into one – or you can even make them out of paper, if you fancied.
If you want to add a bit of decoration to your walls, consider adding some banners and garlands to them! The fairy lights idea gives everything a festive look and can be used all year around, but you could also throw up a garland or banner. This could be as simple as saying ‘Happy Holidays’ on it, or it could be a bunch of little paper snowflakes or reindeers strung up together.
Make a little tree to either use as decoration or to give to someone as a gift for their bedside. This could be done out of paper or wood, if you’re creative enough.
Here’s a hint when crafting – glitter makes everything more festive and magical.
If you’re genuinely stuck for ideas then don’t forget that a handmade card can also brighten up someone’s season. It may be simple but it is usually much appreciated.
Look around and use what you have – there’s probably more around you just waiting to be upcycled than you realise! If you find a space that could use some sprucing, decorate it. If you find a person that might need a smile, give them a handmade gift – it means a lot more sometimes, because it really is the thought that counts!
Getting creative is great for both you and them, so in my book, it counts as an incredible win-win situation that you just have to try out.
Serena J. Towers, over and out.
‘Tis the (Festival) Season!
By Marius Brown
The term “festival season” (or “festive season”) is most commonly identified with December, but it actually starts at the end of October, with Halloween. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving, a couple of other holidays are also celebrated in November, but arguably they are not as popular as the two aforementioned festivals or the holidays taking place in December. But of course, just because they are less observed, does not mean that they are not interesting. Curious? Let’s check this article out!
Hallowmas
Hallowmas originated back in the fourth century with commemoration of Christian martyrs. It was celebrated worldwide but with no exact date, with the only similarity being either near Pentecost or near Easter. The ninth century saw the tradition being expanded by some churches in the British Isles to commemorate not only martyrs but all saints as well, and the date was moved to 1 November. Thanks to Pope Gregory IV, the celebration was extended to the whole Roman Catholic Church; today, together with many Protestant churches, practising Catholics celebrate the holiday on the first day of November. It is considered a national holiday in some countries, too!
Different cultures see that Hallowmas is celebrated differently in different areas. In Austria and Bavaria, it is customary for godparents to present their godchildren with a pastry called Allerheiligenstriezel. In Poland, where the festival is celebrated more than in any other places in the West, families try their best to have a gathering. Meanwhile, Portuguese kids go door-to-door to receive sweets, cakes, nuts, and pomegranates. The play Don Juan Tenorio is traditionally enjoyed on Hallowmas in Spain. Arguably, though, the most fun celebration occurs in the Philippines, where even adults go from house to house and sing. Should the owner of the house fail to give them rice cakes, they would play tricks such as hiding slippers or other things that are left outside the house.
All Souls’ Day
Even though there are several variations, most observers celebrate All Souls’ Day on the second day of November. Just like Hallowmas, All Souls’ Day is often considered a solemn holiday, with some people even thinking that the festival bears a “sadder” tone compared to Hallowmas.
Many All Souls’ Day traditions are derived from purgatory or the cleansing of souls before they ascend to Paradise. Symbols associated with this festival include bell tolling (symbolises comfort for those being cleansed) and candle lighting (as a symbol of the hope of light for souls who are currently in the dark). Christians use this holiday to pray for all souls in purgatory. Naturally, in many cultures, All Souls’ Day is observed by visiting the graves of one’s ancestors and loved ones. Many come not only to clean the tombs, but also decorate them, especially with candles, photographs, or food.
Not all traditions related to this festival are solemn, though. In the Philippines, for instance, a lot of observers hold reunions at cemeteries with their living loved ones and spend the day and night with merriment and feasts. Similarly, in Sicily and other southern Italian regions, children are gifted special baskets filled with chocolates, sugary sweets, and other presents from their ancestors, and decorations of sugar puppets are so common that locals are inspired to host an event known as Notte de Zucchero or “Night of Sugar”.
Day of the Dead
Although associated with both Hallowmas and All Souls’ Day, Día de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) has a much less solemn tone and is mostly a joyful, or even humorous, festival. Traditionally, the celebration lasts for two days and is observed on 1 and 2 November, with some using the first day to commemorate the souls of children and the second adults. It is mostly celebrated in Mexico, but also in other regions (in particular, Latin American countries) and especially by people of Mexican descent.
Some traditions related to Day of the Dead are making ofrenda or a home altar, decorating it with the ancestors’ pictures and favourite items including foods and drinks, and visiting graves to offer gifts for the deceased loved ones. Interestingly, not all traditions related to this holiday are associated with the deceased, though. It is customary for one to exchange gifts, share food, and write light-hearted or even silly verses for living loved ones!
For many, Day of the Dead is all about family, and they use this holiday to have a family gathering and meals with relatives. Most observers also believe that the evening of the second celebration day is the one night their ancestors can come to visit the living, and thus spread Aztec marigold petals in lines from the cemetery to the house in order to guide the ancestors’ souls to their home on Earth.
The Motorcycle Diaries
By Marius Brown
Big Questions, Big Answers
I remember that a couple of years ago, as a student in a Muggle school, my dearest teacher Ms Xie reminded us time and again to always start with, and build a strong foundation on, definition. Taking her good advice, let us then answer the most basic, but highly important, question in our first The Motorcycle Diaries article - “What is a motorcycle?”
A motorcycle (or motorbike, or simply bike) is a method of transportation popular among Muggles worldwide. Similar to us wizards with our brooms, Floo Powder, and apparation, Muggles have more than one way to transport themselves, and a motorcycle is one of these ways. Compared to our methods of travel, motorcycles could be considered closest to brooms. However, a motorcycle cannot fly and it is more comfortable than a broom thanks to its bigger, plushier seat.
Anatomy of a motorcycle and some types of motorbikes, generated from English for Beginners blog.
As seen in the picture above, motorcycle design may vary greatly to cater to different purposes. Some motorcycles are designed to carry one person, whereas some others carry two. These motorbikes are equipped with two wheels and two tyres, but motorcycles with a sidecar attached (to carry even more passengers and/or stuff) have three. Most Muggles use motorbikes to travel long-distance or to commute to school or workplace, but utilising them for sports (similar to our broom racing), hobbies, and cruising are also popular. Some people even use expensive motorbikes to show off their monetary status.
Another big question - so, how does a motorcycle work? Muggles most definitely do not use magic to operate it, so there must be another way. The secret lies in a Muggle artefact named engine, which is an item that can transform power into motion. An engine gains its power from fuel, a burnt material, that a Muggle “feeds” it with. To turn the engine on, a motorcycle rider (also known as motorcyclist or biker) uses a key. Once the engine is on and ready, the rider uses controls to drive the motorbike.
How the engine works, however, is such a complicated process to the point that, to be honest, this Muggle-born finds it difficult to understand in detail, let alone to explain for others. But to satisfy the kind and curious readers, please let me just quote the words of Kyle Cannon, an engineer or engine specialist: “When the engine is running, the crankshaft inside the engine spins a sprocket. As this front sprocket spins, it turns a chain that is connected to a rear sprocket. The rear sprocket spins the rear wheel, which propels the motorcycle forward.”
Phew, that was quite a lot to take in. Perhaps the most complicated three sentences we have ever heard as Hogwarts pupils, no?
And since it is not nice to leave one in confusion, let us discuss one light question before parting ways: “How does it feel to ride a bike?” Learning to ride a motorcycle can be hard; it will take several practices for one to keep the engine on and running. But like learning to control a broom, once you master the basics, the rest comes with ease. And similar to flying on a broom, safety in riding a motorbike requires competence, maturity, and constant attention to the traffic. Despite all these, I dare to say there is no denying that riding is fun; or, to borrow the words of the infamous motor-racing living legend Valentino Rossi, “Riding a bike is like an art, something you do because you feel something inside.”
Muggle Item of the Month - Text Messaging: Better than Owls?
By Cassandra Ironwoods
Hello, and welcome back to another interesting thing to talk about for Muggle Items of the Month! In the previous issue, we’ve read about what social media was all about. Now, for this month’s issue, let’s discuss text messaging. But before we get into the article itself, let me tell you a bit about what a smartphone is.
I asked around and the majority of your peers said that a smartphone is a mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded applications. In short, smartphones and applications always go hand in hand.
An interesting point is that some of you, when I said I wanted to talk about text messaging apps, told me that Muggle ways are better than the wizarding ones that we all know and love. The reason? Text message apps help them get faster interference when it comes down to communication with one another.
But I want you to discuss this amongst your peers, dear lovely Headliner’s reader. Is the Muggle way really better and more modern than our way to send our letters via owls? Or is our way more reliable than theirs? (And while you had this discussion, please do it civilly, people! I do not need to hear or see any of you end up in Hospital Wings because some of you sling some spells towards your discussion partner just because you disagree with their answers.)
For now, though, let us come back to get to know text messaging apps. There’s a lot to choose from, but when I dug deep using studies and surveys, the majority said the most well-used and popular text messaging app these days is one called Whatsapp. One of your peers has kindly explained to me what Whatsapp is all about. It is a text message app with which you can send your text or voice note over the screen, and you’ll most likely get a reply faster than you can say Howler in real-time. Not only that, it seems you can make a group chat and share anything that you fancy. Be it your favorite animated emojis, gifs (moving pictures), stickers, videos and most of them, text messaging apps give you the feature of having a voice or video chat. But does the purpose of text messages beat the good old and functional owls?
It can be hard to understand the tone behind the text we read and see. And sometimes, it may lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding. Although it is more practical using text messaging apps since you can receive your answer at a lightning speed rather than waiting for days (or even weeks) to receive one if you send letters through owl, not all of us have the same luxury, particularly if we are born in a Pureblood family.
Back to the question I proposed above. Is their way better than ours, or is it the other way round? I’ll leave this up for discussion; and perhaps you can suggest this to your Muggle Studies Professor for one of the subjects you can address in class. Until then, thank you for being loyal readers, Headliners!
November Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
Holidays are coming up, and with them come new horoscopes, this time with a little bit of holiday cheer (hopefully) sprinkled in. November in particular brings spices, cold air and perhaps a light dusting of snow. However, the stars might bring different things…
ARIES
Due to Mars being in retrograde, you – and many others, in fact – might suffer from decreased energy. However, since Mars rules Aries, you will likely feel this more. Perhaps it will manifest as a way to calm down and take life at a slower pace, but it might lower your mood. Despite this, your relationships should improve throughout the months to come.
TAURUS
This month will make you feel restless, but it is best to not take immediate action until you are absolutely certain a choice is best. You might feel more impulsive than usual, so it might be a good idea to relax as best as you can. Ultimately, remember to take care of yourself. It’s okay if you can’t do everything you want to.
GEMINI
November brings luck for those under the sign of Gemini. Although things might not be going perfectly, you’ll find that optimism seems to like you this month. Things will get better, and you might feel rather adventurous. Eventually, your situation will improve, and you might not even have to do much for that to happen.
CANCER
Although your relationships may seem tense this month, it is best to talk about your problems. The results will be beneficial if you are open with your feelings, and, due to the second in a pair of eclipses close arriving, if you want to change things, the time to do so is now.
LEO
Your life might become rather hectic in November, be it due to the holidays, work or other events. You might feel as if you are being pulled from all angles on all sides, but luckily, this won’t last much longer than a month. While your life is busy, it might be good to find a new playlist to enjoy and take your mind off some of your troubles.
VIRGO
Although you might feel the urge to travel, travelling outside of the holidays and other mandatory trips is unadvised. Like those in the sign of Leo, your life will become hectic, with energies from all sorts of things – friendship, romance, finance, work and even education – mingling to create an agglomeration of difficulties. Nevertheless, you will prosper if you take enough time for yourself to sort things out.
LIBRA
November will bring interesting and unexpected finances for Libras. This may be small, like finding a coin on a street, or it may be a bit larger, like getting a promotion or losing money. The other aspects of life may not seem as important, and you might seem aloof this month; nevertheless, it would be beneficial to make sure you receive the social stimulation you need for life to be enjoyable.
SCORPIO
Recently – on 25 October – there was an eclipse in the House of Scorpio! This means that for you in particular (and to a lesser extent, the rest of the signs), change will be imminent. Specifically, this change should resemble closure – something occurring in earlier months will likely be finalised.
SAGITTARIUS
For Sagittarius, the month of November will be about self-care and self-improvement. You should find many opportunities to improve yourself, and your health might even improve if you capitalise on these opportunities. November has the potential to become, for you, one of the best months of the year. It would be wise to take advantage of that.
CAPRICORN
So long as you continue to showcase your work ethic and refuse to give up, November will be full of blessings for you. Your social life will be filled with friends, new and old, and the energies that will generally disrupt the rest of the signs will provide you with a sense of stability amidst chaos.
AQUARIUS
While things might have been going well for you so far, especially with regard to your career, the month of November might bring family troubles to Aquarians. It is best to remain vigilant and observe situations before responding. By responding thoughtfully, you should come out of any troubles unscathed.
PISCES
Your relationships will likely be tumultuous this November. Take care to not be too hard on yourself if anyone hurts your feelings; this will only make things worse. However, it is important to express how things make you feel. This November, honesty is the best policy with regard to your relationships. So long as you are true to yourself and your friends, things will turn out well.
Self-Care Advent Calendar
By Serena Towers
With December around the corner, you may be getting out a chocolate-filled Advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas. Since we’re a newspaper and I can’t give everyone chocolate – much to my own dismay – I wanted to offer you an alternative that might make your season slightly better.
The holiday season is not always easy for everyone. It can quickly become overwhelming or stressful, as it does end up as a rather busy period. It is hard to always be joyous or merry, and it can be really lonely feeling like no one else understands that. No matter how busy things get, there is always time for a little bit of self-care. Looking after yourself is not selfish, it’s smart. Take some time for yourself this season – or check in on your loved ones if you think they might be having a rough time.
Whatever holiday you celebrate – and even if you don’t celebrate any – we at the Headliner truly hope that you have a wonderful season. To get you started, here’s a little self-care Advent calendar for you! Hover over the right day to find a task that we encourage you to try and do on that day. If you need to, feel free to switch up the order. If you want to skip something or replace it with another idea then go ahead! There is no right or wrong way to do this – self-care is all about putting yourself and your needs first, so do whatever feels right to you.
To cover the entire month, this Advent calendar includes thirty-one prompts for you. If you wanted, you could repeat most of these in other months or even start at a different time, rather than on 1st December. Do whatever works best for you.
Write a list of three things you’re looking forward to.
Treat yourself to a nice gift!
Give yourself a nice compliment today.
Light a scented candle.
Plan a fun or calming activity – and make time to do it.
Write a love letter to yourself that you can look back on.
Get crafty and make something with whatever you have.
Write a list of things you’re grateful for.
Make time to do something you love today.
Pick some fresh flowers and put them in your dorm!
Dance like no one is watching!
Go for a walk outside – or a quick fly around!
Spend some time reading a non-educational book.
Journal your thoughts today – do it regularly if you like it.
Hang out with a friend, make time to talk to them.
Have a nice bubble bath today.
Wear something that makes you feel good.
Write a letter to a loved one (friend or family!)
Drink a nice hot drink and cuddle up under a blanket.
Make a holiday card and send it to a loved one.
Sing like no one’s listening.
Hang out with your pet – or with a friend’s pet.
Write a list of five things that make you happy.
Make your own tree or room decoration.
Go to bed early and get plenty of sleep.
Do a random act of kindness for someone.
Invite someone to play gobstones or chess with you.
Help someone with something today.
Paint something – whether that’s your nails or art.
Get a colouring book and start colouring!
Try meditating or a mindfulness practice.
I hope you have a great month practicing self-care. If you have any other ideas or if you end up doing this and really enjoy it, I would love to hear from you, so do write in!
Serena J. Towers, over and out.
By Cassandra Ironwoods
If you are a loyal reader of the Headliner, then you’ll notice that one thing all of us at Headliner like to do is to add something new to the already well-oiled machine, That’s right! You heard it, well, you see it first, in this case. With this new issue, I want to introduce you to a new article series called Shine a Light on Basically, it is a piece article that I will try to bring every month to highlight your favourite anything.
For this issue’s article, I had a tough time deciding whom I should chase down and have a bit interview with between their busy class and life schedule. There are so many star students at our beloved school that I want to interview but alas, I it seemed that I have to start it easy. By “easy”, I mean it is hard to chase down this one lucky student to be interviewed, but she manage to squeeze her time and the Headliner greatly appreciates her time.
Who is the lucky student? It’s none other than one of our friendly prefects of Slytherin. Not only that, but she also managed to hold the role of Broom Racing Captain and one of the infamous Viridian Vipers duellists. If the name Opeila Winters popped into your head, you guess it right!
Cash: As an accomplished Viridian Viper's duellist, what is the most memorable duel you ever had? Who is the toughest opponent(s)?
Opeila: Both of those were in my first year of duelling when I was still paired with Adonis Thorn. The most memorable duel was probably the one against Callie Jensen and Thomas Baines, fully expecting to lose the moment I entered. It was right after we had duelled against Gryffindor’s Meenauh Silmataurea and Galton Lansdaler, who were probably the most difficult opponents I had so far.
Cash: It said that you are also a Broom Racer Captain, what is your take on that and how is it different from duelling?
Opeila: Duelling has always been and will always be my sport. All of my Basilisks know that I am a true menace on a broom, but I've always had a thing for bringing people together to accomplish something.
Feeling more safely on the ground myself doesn't stop me from observing Basilisk's individual strengths and weaknesses to come up with strategies. The flying part is something they do well on their own and I actually get to learn a lot from that too!
Cash: Being a prefect surely had its own perks. Do your friends treat you differently because you have that role?
Opeila: What I love about being a prefect is the privilege of being able to stay outside for longer and also that amazing bathroom. Should I ever step down before graduating, I will dearly miss both of these.
And no, I haven’t been treated differently, but what I find difficult is finding a balance between acting on what the rules dictate and my own morality. The right thing doesn't always cover the rules and the position of prefect sometimes makes me feel obligated to put the rules over my own moral compass.
Cash: Navigating the school can be a challenge for first years. Is there any helpful tips and/or tricks that you can share with us?
Opeila: I will always recommend communicating questions with prefects or seniors. There will always be someone willing to help you! And remember, everyone entered this castle for the first time once and managed to find our way around. That being said, restricted places are restricted for a reason - don't take that as a challenge for adventure.
Cash: Anything else you’d like to add?
Opeila: Between school and pressure for grades, as well as the insecurities that automatically seem to come up when being together with others are more experienced with magic, don't forget to enjoy yourselves. Magic is a gift many would kill for, embrace it!
If you have any suggestion on who I should interview for the next issue of Headliner, please don’t hesitate to drop it in Headliner’s suggestion box outside the office or send it via owl straight my way!
Homemade Holidays
By Serena Towers
For many of us, Hogwarts is our home and we often end up staying here during the winter break. After spending numerous holidays here, I find that sometimes, it can be a little lonely. There is so much time in the day when we don’t have classes to attend, and it suddenly gets a little boring, if I’m honest. Don’t get me wrong – I am not a fan of classes. However, when friends go home for the holidays, it can sometimes be a question of what to do with all of the spare time. Going home sometimes can feel that way too. You miss your friends if you can’t see them all. So today, I wanted to share some ideas with you about sprucing up the holiday season in a way that will use your time but also produce some fantastic results afterwards.
Introducing: Holiday Crafts! I am a huge fan of making things by hand. It is incredibly satisfying seeing a finished product that you have worked so hard on. These could easily become gifts or decorations, so here’s some ideas to get you started.
Knit, crochet, embroider, sew or quilt – did I miss any of those? There are probably more fabric or wool related crafts that fit here, but these are hobbies that can be really fun to do whilst also making great gifts. Why not knit a scarf for a loved one for the winter or crochet one of those adorable animals? You could also crochet a bauble and hang it from a Christmas tree, or embroider a seasonal greeting for any holiday that you celebrate and stick it to your dorm room’s door!
Personalise something for a loved one and it instantly becomes a great gift. Paint or draw something! Paint something and frame it for them or draw directly onto a plain mug! Have you considered jewellery making with some beads and wire? You could personalise a photo frame for them by adding buttons around the edges or painting directly onto it.
Make them an Advent calendar by giving them a note to tell them how much you love them each day. Handwritten notes go a long way!
Baubles are really fun to make and can be quite simple to do. If you can’t knit or crochet one, you could make one out of paper mache or turn something into baubles. Got a little quaffle replica? Throw some glue on it, add a ribbon and stick it up on your tree once it has dried! Add some string to a pinecone or cinnamon sticks and you have a pretty nice ornament right there (and they might even smell nice)! They don’t have to be Christmassy at all – you could make them in any shape for any celebration and just hang them from your ceiling or against the wall.
Wreaths could be a fun item to make and stick up in your dorm room. There’s plenty of twigs around that you could turn into one – or you can even make them out of paper, if you fancied.
If you want to add a bit of decoration to your walls, consider adding some banners and garlands to them! The fairy lights idea gives everything a festive look and can be used all year around, but you could also throw up a garland or banner. This could be as simple as saying ‘Happy Holidays’ on it, or it could be a bunch of little paper snowflakes or reindeers strung up together.
Make a little tree to either use as decoration or to give to someone as a gift for their bedside. This could be done out of paper or wood, if you’re creative enough.
Here’s a hint when crafting – glitter makes everything more festive and magical.
If you’re genuinely stuck for ideas then don’t forget that a handmade card can also brighten up someone’s season. It may be simple but it is usually much appreciated.
Look around and use what you have – there’s probably more around you just waiting to be upcycled than you realise! If you find a space that could use some sprucing, decorate it. If you find a person that might need a smile, give them a handmade gift – it means a lot more sometimes, because it really is the thought that counts!
Getting creative is great for both you and them, so in my book, it counts as an incredible win-win situation that you just have to try out.
Serena J. Towers, over and out.
‘Tis the (Festival) Season!
By Marius Brown
The term “festival season” (or “festive season”) is most commonly identified with December, but it actually starts at the end of October, with Halloween. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving, a couple of other holidays are also celebrated in November, but arguably they are not as popular as the two aforementioned festivals or the holidays taking place in December. But of course, just because they are less observed, does not mean that they are not interesting. Curious? Let’s check this article out!
Hallowmas
Hallowmas originated back in the fourth century with commemoration of Christian martyrs. It was celebrated worldwide but with no exact date, with the only similarity being either near Pentecost or near Easter. The ninth century saw the tradition being expanded by some churches in the British Isles to commemorate not only martyrs but all saints as well, and the date was moved to 1 November. Thanks to Pope Gregory IV, the celebration was extended to the whole Roman Catholic Church; today, together with many Protestant churches, practising Catholics celebrate the holiday on the first day of November. It is considered a national holiday in some countries, too!
Different cultures see that Hallowmas is celebrated differently in different areas. In Austria and Bavaria, it is customary for godparents to present their godchildren with a pastry called Allerheiligenstriezel. In Poland, where the festival is celebrated more than in any other places in the West, families try their best to have a gathering. Meanwhile, Portuguese kids go door-to-door to receive sweets, cakes, nuts, and pomegranates. The play Don Juan Tenorio is traditionally enjoyed on Hallowmas in Spain. Arguably, though, the most fun celebration occurs in the Philippines, where even adults go from house to house and sing. Should the owner of the house fail to give them rice cakes, they would play tricks such as hiding slippers or other things that are left outside the house.
All Souls’ Day
Even though there are several variations, most observers celebrate All Souls’ Day on the second day of November. Just like Hallowmas, All Souls’ Day is often considered a solemn holiday, with some people even thinking that the festival bears a “sadder” tone compared to Hallowmas.
Many All Souls’ Day traditions are derived from purgatory or the cleansing of souls before they ascend to Paradise. Symbols associated with this festival include bell tolling (symbolises comfort for those being cleansed) and candle lighting (as a symbol of the hope of light for souls who are currently in the dark). Christians use this holiday to pray for all souls in purgatory. Naturally, in many cultures, All Souls’ Day is observed by visiting the graves of one’s ancestors and loved ones. Many come not only to clean the tombs, but also decorate them, especially with candles, photographs, or food.
Not all traditions related to this festival are solemn, though. In the Philippines, for instance, a lot of observers hold reunions at cemeteries with their living loved ones and spend the day and night with merriment and feasts. Similarly, in Sicily and other southern Italian regions, children are gifted special baskets filled with chocolates, sugary sweets, and other presents from their ancestors, and decorations of sugar puppets are so common that locals are inspired to host an event known as Notte de Zucchero or “Night of Sugar”.
Day of the Dead
Although associated with both Hallowmas and All Souls’ Day, Día de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) has a much less solemn tone and is mostly a joyful, or even humorous, festival. Traditionally, the celebration lasts for two days and is observed on 1 and 2 November, with some using the first day to commemorate the souls of children and the second adults. It is mostly celebrated in Mexico, but also in other regions (in particular, Latin American countries) and especially by people of Mexican descent.
Some traditions related to Day of the Dead are making ofrenda or a home altar, decorating it with the ancestors’ pictures and favourite items including foods and drinks, and visiting graves to offer gifts for the deceased loved ones. Interestingly, not all traditions related to this holiday are associated with the deceased, though. It is customary for one to exchange gifts, share food, and write light-hearted or even silly verses for living loved ones!
For many, Day of the Dead is all about family, and they use this holiday to have a family gathering and meals with relatives. Most observers also believe that the evening of the second celebration day is the one night their ancestors can come to visit the living, and thus spread Aztec marigold petals in lines from the cemetery to the house in order to guide the ancestors’ souls to their home on Earth.
The Motorcycle Diaries
By Marius Brown
Big Questions, Big Answers
I remember that a couple of years ago, as a student in a Muggle school, my dearest teacher Ms Xie reminded us time and again to always start with, and build a strong foundation on, definition. Taking her good advice, let us then answer the most basic, but highly important, question in our first The Motorcycle Diaries article - “What is a motorcycle?”
A motorcycle (or motorbike, or simply bike) is a method of transportation popular among Muggles worldwide. Similar to us wizards with our brooms, Floo Powder, and apparation, Muggles have more than one way to transport themselves, and a motorcycle is one of these ways. Compared to our methods of travel, motorcycles could be considered closest to brooms. However, a motorcycle cannot fly and it is more comfortable than a broom thanks to its bigger, plushier seat.
Anatomy of a motorcycle and some types of motorbikes, generated from English for Beginners blog.
As seen in the picture above, motorcycle design may vary greatly to cater to different purposes. Some motorcycles are designed to carry one person, whereas some others carry two. These motorbikes are equipped with two wheels and two tyres, but motorcycles with a sidecar attached (to carry even more passengers and/or stuff) have three. Most Muggles use motorbikes to travel long-distance or to commute to school or workplace, but utilising them for sports (similar to our broom racing), hobbies, and cruising are also popular. Some people even use expensive motorbikes to show off their monetary status.
Another big question - so, how does a motorcycle work? Muggles most definitely do not use magic to operate it, so there must be another way. The secret lies in a Muggle artefact named engine, which is an item that can transform power into motion. An engine gains its power from fuel, a burnt material, that a Muggle “feeds” it with. To turn the engine on, a motorcycle rider (also known as motorcyclist or biker) uses a key. Once the engine is on and ready, the rider uses controls to drive the motorbike.
How the engine works, however, is such a complicated process to the point that, to be honest, this Muggle-born finds it difficult to understand in detail, let alone to explain for others. But to satisfy the kind and curious readers, please let me just quote the words of Kyle Cannon, an engineer or engine specialist: “When the engine is running, the crankshaft inside the engine spins a sprocket. As this front sprocket spins, it turns a chain that is connected to a rear sprocket. The rear sprocket spins the rear wheel, which propels the motorcycle forward.”
Phew, that was quite a lot to take in. Perhaps the most complicated three sentences we have ever heard as Hogwarts pupils, no?
And since it is not nice to leave one in confusion, let us discuss one light question before parting ways: “How does it feel to ride a bike?” Learning to ride a motorcycle can be hard; it will take several practices for one to keep the engine on and running. But like learning to control a broom, once you master the basics, the rest comes with ease. And similar to flying on a broom, safety in riding a motorbike requires competence, maturity, and constant attention to the traffic. Despite all these, I dare to say there is no denying that riding is fun; or, to borrow the words of the infamous motor-racing living legend Valentino Rossi, “Riding a bike is like an art, something you do because you feel something inside.”
Muggle Item of the Month - Text Messaging: Better than Owls?
By Cassandra Ironwoods
Hello, and welcome back to another interesting thing to talk about for Muggle Items of the Month! In the previous issue, we’ve read about what social media was all about. Now, for this month’s issue, let’s discuss text messaging. But before we get into the article itself, let me tell you a bit about what a smartphone is.
I asked around and the majority of your peers said that a smartphone is a mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded applications. In short, smartphones and applications always go hand in hand.
An interesting point is that some of you, when I said I wanted to talk about text messaging apps, told me that Muggle ways are better than the wizarding ones that we all know and love. The reason? Text message apps help them get faster interference when it comes down to communication with one another.
But I want you to discuss this amongst your peers, dear lovely Headliner’s reader. Is the Muggle way really better and more modern than our way to send our letters via owls? Or is our way more reliable than theirs? (And while you had this discussion, please do it civilly, people! I do not need to hear or see any of you end up in Hospital Wings because some of you sling some spells towards your discussion partner just because you disagree with their answers.)
For now, though, let us come back to get to know text messaging apps. There’s a lot to choose from, but when I dug deep using studies and surveys, the majority said the most well-used and popular text messaging app these days is one called Whatsapp. One of your peers has kindly explained to me what Whatsapp is all about. It is a text message app with which you can send your text or voice note over the screen, and you’ll most likely get a reply faster than you can say Howler in real-time. Not only that, it seems you can make a group chat and share anything that you fancy. Be it your favorite animated emojis, gifs (moving pictures), stickers, videos and most of them, text messaging apps give you the feature of having a voice or video chat. But does the purpose of text messages beat the good old and functional owls?
It can be hard to understand the tone behind the text we read and see. And sometimes, it may lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding. Although it is more practical using text messaging apps since you can receive your answer at a lightning speed rather than waiting for days (or even weeks) to receive one if you send letters through owl, not all of us have the same luxury, particularly if we are born in a Pureblood family.
Back to the question I proposed above. Is their way better than ours, or is it the other way round? I’ll leave this up for discussion; and perhaps you can suggest this to your Muggle Studies Professor for one of the subjects you can address in class. Until then, thank you for being loyal readers, Headliners!
November Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
Holidays are coming up, and with them come new horoscopes, this time with a little bit of holiday cheer (hopefully) sprinkled in. November in particular brings spices, cold air and perhaps a light dusting of snow. However, the stars might bring different things…
ARIES
Due to Mars being in retrograde, you – and many others, in fact – might suffer from decreased energy. However, since Mars rules Aries, you will likely feel this more. Perhaps it will manifest as a way to calm down and take life at a slower pace, but it might lower your mood. Despite this, your relationships should improve throughout the months to come.
TAURUS
This month will make you feel restless, but it is best to not take immediate action until you are absolutely certain a choice is best. You might feel more impulsive than usual, so it might be a good idea to relax as best as you can. Ultimately, remember to take care of yourself. It’s okay if you can’t do everything you want to.
GEMINI
November brings luck for those under the sign of Gemini. Although things might not be going perfectly, you’ll find that optimism seems to like you this month. Things will get better, and you might feel rather adventurous. Eventually, your situation will improve, and you might not even have to do much for that to happen.
CANCER
Although your relationships may seem tense this month, it is best to talk about your problems. The results will be beneficial if you are open with your feelings, and, due to the second in a pair of eclipses close arriving, if you want to change things, the time to do so is now.
LEO
Your life might become rather hectic in November, be it due to the holidays, work or other events. You might feel as if you are being pulled from all angles on all sides, but luckily, this won’t last much longer than a month. While your life is busy, it might be good to find a new playlist to enjoy and take your mind off some of your troubles.
VIRGO
Although you might feel the urge to travel, travelling outside of the holidays and other mandatory trips is unadvised. Like those in the sign of Leo, your life will become hectic, with energies from all sorts of things – friendship, romance, finance, work and even education – mingling to create an agglomeration of difficulties. Nevertheless, you will prosper if you take enough time for yourself to sort things out.
LIBRA
November will bring interesting and unexpected finances for Libras. This may be small, like finding a coin on a street, or it may be a bit larger, like getting a promotion or losing money. The other aspects of life may not seem as important, and you might seem aloof this month; nevertheless, it would be beneficial to make sure you receive the social stimulation you need for life to be enjoyable.
SCORPIO
Recently – on 25 October – there was an eclipse in the House of Scorpio! This means that for you in particular (and to a lesser extent, the rest of the signs), change will be imminent. Specifically, this change should resemble closure – something occurring in earlier months will likely be finalised.
SAGITTARIUS
For Sagittarius, the month of November will be about self-care and self-improvement. You should find many opportunities to improve yourself, and your health might even improve if you capitalise on these opportunities. November has the potential to become, for you, one of the best months of the year. It would be wise to take advantage of that.
CAPRICORN
So long as you continue to showcase your work ethic and refuse to give up, November will be full of blessings for you. Your social life will be filled with friends, new and old, and the energies that will generally disrupt the rest of the signs will provide you with a sense of stability amidst chaos.
AQUARIUS
While things might have been going well for you so far, especially with regard to your career, the month of November might bring family troubles to Aquarians. It is best to remain vigilant and observe situations before responding. By responding thoughtfully, you should come out of any troubles unscathed.
PISCES
Your relationships will likely be tumultuous this November. Take care to not be too hard on yourself if anyone hurts your feelings; this will only make things worse. However, it is important to express how things make you feel. This November, honesty is the best policy with regard to your relationships. So long as you are true to yourself and your friends, things will turn out well.
Self-Care Advent Calendar
By Serena Towers
With December around the corner, you may be getting out a chocolate-filled Advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas. Since we’re a newspaper and I can’t give everyone chocolate – much to my own dismay – I wanted to offer you an alternative that might make your season slightly better.
The holiday season is not always easy for everyone. It can quickly become overwhelming or stressful, as it does end up as a rather busy period. It is hard to always be joyous or merry, and it can be really lonely feeling like no one else understands that. No matter how busy things get, there is always time for a little bit of self-care. Looking after yourself is not selfish, it’s smart. Take some time for yourself this season – or check in on your loved ones if you think they might be having a rough time.
Whatever holiday you celebrate – and even if you don’t celebrate any – we at the Headliner truly hope that you have a wonderful season. To get you started, here’s a little self-care Advent calendar for you! Hover over the right day to find a task that we encourage you to try and do on that day. If you need to, feel free to switch up the order. If you want to skip something or replace it with another idea then go ahead! There is no right or wrong way to do this – self-care is all about putting yourself and your needs first, so do whatever feels right to you.
To cover the entire month, this Advent calendar includes thirty-one prompts for you. If you wanted, you could repeat most of these in other months or even start at a different time, rather than on 1st December. Do whatever works best for you.
Write a list of three things you’re looking forward to.
Treat yourself to a nice gift!
Give yourself a nice compliment today.
Light a scented candle.
Plan a fun or calming activity – and make time to do it.
Write a love letter to yourself that you can look back on.
Get crafty and make something with whatever you have.
Write a list of things you’re grateful for.
Make time to do something you love today.
Pick some fresh flowers and put them in your dorm!
Dance like no one is watching!
Go for a walk outside – or a quick fly around!
Spend some time reading a non-educational book.
Journal your thoughts today – do it regularly if you like it.
Hang out with a friend, make time to talk to them.
Have a nice bubble bath today.
Wear something that makes you feel good.
Write a letter to a loved one (friend or family!)
Drink a nice hot drink and cuddle up under a blanket.
Make a holiday card and send it to a loved one.
Sing like no one’s listening.
Hang out with your pet – or with a friend’s pet.
Write a list of five things that make you happy.
Make your own tree or room decoration.
Go to bed early and get plenty of sleep.
Do a random act of kindness for someone.
Invite someone to play gobstones or chess with you.
Help someone with something today.
Paint something – whether that’s your nails or art.
Get a colouring book and start colouring!
Try meditating or a mindfulness practice.
I hope you have a great month practicing self-care. If you have any other ideas or if you end up doing this and really enjoy it, I would love to hear from you, so do write in!
Serena J. Towers, over and out.
The Hogwarts Headliner
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Christmas In the Castle: A Hogwarts Holiday Guide
By Lucinia Thawin
So, it’s winter break again and you’re staying at Hogwarts. Oh no! You’re in a vast land of beautiful snow and ice, ‘stuck’ inside a huge castle with no daily structure. To cap it off, you’re surrounded by a few professors, ghosts, and corridors you can roam at your leisure. “Christmas? At school? What a bore.” Except? That doesn’t exactly sound boring. That’s right! It doesn’t have to be a lifeless, time consuming drain on your day. I’m going to teach you to make the most of your winter break… without getting detention. No promises though.
Spend an evening in the Owlery. It’s not exactly the Astronomy Tower with its fluffy blankets and interesting books, but you do get one amazing view. Take it from someone who’s spent hours on the fourth floor, watching the sunset while flakes of snow tumbled from the sky – even surrounded by owls, it was magical. Just… watch where you step.
Visit the Room of Requirement. You’ll have to be lucky and truly in need to get inside. There’s no map or spell (I know of) that can get you there. But once you are, you’ll find whatever space you want or need. Maybe you want a nice place to host a friendly holiday dinner with your pals. Whatever the desire, the Room of Requirement can handle it. Just keep your eyes peeled on the seventh floor.
Have a snowball fight at the Great Lake. Personally, my friends and I have a standing appointment at the Great Lake on the last day of winter break to pelt one another with snow. If you want to pick up the tradition, I promise it’ll be fun. Just don’t get too close to the water’s edge!
Enjoy an afternoon in the Library. Hear me out. Books are fun, and the library is cool. You can spend plenty of hours flipping through books and magazines in the quiet warmth of the library. A midday nap after reading a good book is pure heaven. Gotta recharge that energy somehow, yeah?
Visit Honeydukes. I know, I know. Only third years and above can get into Hogsmeade. And they need a note of some sort. But it’s worth all those hoops. Spending an afternoon eating candy and wandering around the nearby village is a dream. You can even pop into Zonko’s Joke Shop to pick up a little something with pizzazz for you and your housemates to have fun with.
If my lovingly prepared holiday guide still doesn’t give you any inspiration, how about testimony from someone who has spent the break within Hogwarts? Cash Ironwoods, Slytherin’s very own ace Beater – and my favorite prefect – was cool enough to answer a few rapid fire questions about her own winter break.
What special traditions do you like to do?
When I was little, my parents and I always spent the holidays either baking or cooking something in the kitchen. It was our way to treat the people that helped us around the house. Since Mother is so busy with her work that tradition died down. I think I will do that this year in our school kitchen. You’re also welcome to help me, of course!
What do the holidays mean to you?
Do you want the bad one or the good one? The bad one is loneliness but the good one is well snow and gorgeous company such as yourself.
What advice would you give to someone spending their first holiday season at Hogwarts?
First, pick up some good books. The holiday can be lonely at Hogwarts but if you have good books around you, you feel less alone. Second, good company or friends. And third, drink lots and lots of your favorite beverages. For me, it's Chamomile tea. I can make it for you if you like!
If you could describe staying at Hogwarts during the holidays in one word, what word would it be and why?
Peace and quiet. Oh, wait! That’s three words, But yes, peace and quiet. I love the noise like the next person but it can be deafening sometimes, so peace and quiet is good from time to time. Besides, if you stay at Hogwarts, we can yell around the corridor as loud as we want and no one will be angry at us.
Snowball fight or snow angels?
Snowballs, hands down. I am a Beater after all. I'm about that hard force of snowball throwing but if the snow angel is as charming as you are, I don't mind the cold.
A holiday in Hogwarts can be what you make it. It doesn’t have to be about anything at all besides food and napping, but you can also embrace the opportunity of discovering new things. Not just about the castle, but about yourself as well.
A Christmas History
By Marius Brown
Christmas is a Christian holiday that is loved and celebrated by many worldwide. Just imagine the chance to spend time with your family, decorate a Christmas tree, eat a delicious feast, and experience the excitement of opening presents you’ve longed for all year round! Really, what’s not to like about the holiday? But have you ever found yourself wondering about the origins of Christmas? Where did its traditions come from, and why do we celebrate it? You may be thinking the answer to the latter question is because Jesus was born on Christmas, but did you know that that is not entirely correct? If you find yourself curious about the answers to these questions, I suggest you continue reading!
The celebration of Christmas stems all the way back to two millennia ago (that’s two thousand years ago, or a really, really long time ago in simple terms), and it’s celebrated by Christians as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Despite Christians celebrating Christmas as the birth of Jesus, the tradition of the holiday itself has actually been around for centuries before Jesus was born! The middle of winter has always been a period of celebration worldwide, and many people rejoiced during the winter solstice because they could look forward to longer, more warmer days after surviving the bitter chill of winter. There have been many different celebrations throughout history that have played a part in creating what we today know of as Christmas.
Firstly, let’s focus on the celebration of Yule. Yule is the name of a winter festival that lasted from the 21st December until January on the German lunar calendar. It was mainly celebrated in Scandinavia and some of the celebrations included fathers and sons bringing home large logs to their families, which would then be set on fire to celebrate the return of the sun. People would feast around this log until it burned out, and the Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the new year. People honoured the pagan god Oden during Yule, and they were surprisingly terrified of him because they believed he made flights through the sky at night to observe his people and decide who would perish or live. Now, Yule is a part of Christmas tradition because in the fourth century, the Church decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus with a 12 day feast (Epiphany) and planned to celebrate it alongside the pagan holiday, so over time these emerged to become what we now know today as Christmas. Kind of cool, right? 2nd years and above may also remember the Christmas errands last year celebrating Yule and Epiphany!
Next up we have Saturnalia, which is an ancient Roman pagan festival that is held in the middle of December and it is one of the main sources from which we get our Christmas traditions from, such as present giving, feasting and wreaths! As winters were not as harsh in Rome this holiday was honouring the god of agriculture, Saturn, and it was a time when food and drink were plentiful and businesses were closed so everyone could participate in the holiday. Some of the more upper-class Romans also celebrated the birthday of Mirtha, an infant god who was born from a rock, on the 25th December, and they believed it to be the most sacred day of the year.
We can already see that Christmas pulls many of its traditions and celebrations from other festivals celebrated during the winter solstice, but why do Christians today celebrate it as the birth of Jesus Christ? Well, believe it or not, the Bible actually never states when Jesus was born and it is believed that he actually wasn’t born on Christmas (which makes sense when you think about it, because why would shepherds be out with their sheep on a chilly winter night?), and instead was born sometime during spring. The reason we celebrate his birth on 25th December is because Pope Julius I chose it as the date, and it’s believed the Church chose this date to adopt the traditions of the Saturnalia festival; by doing so, they hoped that Christmas would be properly embraced since it was set during the time traditional winter solstice festivals would’ve taken place. They certainly got that right, as it is now one of the most celebrated holidays worldwide!
Believe it or not, there is a lot more history to Christmas that I haven’t mentioned because we would be here for a very long time if I have written everything down, so if you want to know even more about the holiday then I suggest doing your own research! I hope you learnt something new today, and happy holidays, everyone!
Gifts For Your Loved Ones
By Adelaide Barlowe
Are you stuck on what to get someone for Christmas? Do you simply run out of amazing present ideas for your loved ones? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us, and there is still enough time to throw together a lovely, high-quality present for your family or friends! Today I’ll be giving you some present ideas that will hopefully spark some inspiration for your presents and will blow your loved ones away when they receive them on Christmas.
I think we can all agree that most of us at Hogwarts are major sweet tooths. So, if someone you love loves sweets, why not head down to Honeydukes and buy them a basket of their favourite sweets for Christmas? It’s very quick, simple, and definitely won’t cost you an insane amount of Galleons. Now, obviously if you aren’t a third year or above you can’t go to Hogsmeade, and I definitely am not recommending breaking the rules, so I’m afraid this certain present idea may be limited to only third years and above, unless you can find someone to go and buy a bunch of sweets for you.
This may be quite obvious, but books are always a great present idea, especially if the recipient’s a bookworm or loves to learn new things! Flourish and Blotts has a wide collection of books available, fiction and non-fiction alike, so I would suggest heading down to Diagon Alley and picking out a few books for them. If you’re not entirely sure what books they would like, here are a few of my recommendations: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander (non-fiction), The Tales of Beedle the Bard by Beedle the Bard (fiction), Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (fiction), and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (fiction). Unfortunately, if you’re looking for some books for a Muggle friend then I can’t help you there, but I’m sure there are lots of great Muggle books available in Muggle London if you search for them.
Not up for spending a lot of money on a present, or you simply don’t have that much money to spend? That’s alright! There’s still quite a lot of gift ideas you can do that are very meaningful and will surely bring a smile to the receiver's face. If you’re feeling quite sentimental this holiday season, a photo album of photographs together is always an adorable gift idea! Whether it’s for your best friend, sweetheart, or even a close family member, they’ll love it. Choose some of your favourite photos you have together and take some time out of your day to put together a cute little photo album that they will surely treasure for the rest of their life.
Some other simple ideas that you could always get include: Quidditch merch of their favourite team, a rock friend, new clothes, a cool new quill or different coloured ink, or some pranking items for your jokester friend from Zonko’s. I’m sure if you do some wandering around Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, you’ll eventually find a gift that you think would work wonderfully. That is, if none of these ideas sparkes any motivation (which I, on the contrary, hope they do!).
Well, that’s all the ideas I have for today! Hopefully they have helped and inspired you in deciding what to get someone this Christmas.
A Holiday Season Through Latin America
By Lucinia Thawin
Oh, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Beautiful scarves, bright leaves falling and eventually progressing into snow, families all together. Everything seems light, airy, and beautiful. It’s bound to be the favorite time of year for at least half the people in the world (yours truly included). And it’s understandable. The gifts, the lights, and the food. Oh, the food.
In my family, food makes the world go round. My dad experiments in the kitchen, but my mom made magic. She was the daughter of immigrants who left the States when she was a kid. In our flat, my brother and I visited some of the most amazing places on Earth…all through my mom’s cooking. Dinner was the best, but the desserts were perfection. Without further ado, I present to you five of the best desserts for this holiday season.
Rosca de Reyes: A sweet treat typically enjoyed after Christmas, Rosca de Reyes is a ring-shaped cake decorated with caramelized fruits and sugar paste. Translated to mean ‘Wreath of Kings,’ whoever finds the hidden token inside becomes responsible for the next family celebration. Like most breads, the Rosca starts with a few simple ingredients: flour, eggs, yeast, water, and salt, and a hint of sugar…but it delivers a subtle, sweet taste. Quite unlike regular bread, its exterior is high on the decorative factor: the signature oval shape and perfectly lush candy toppings. Rosca de Reyes – also known as ‘Three Kings Day’ – is typically enjoyed after Christmas, on January 6th. But don’t let that stop you from getting a big mug of champurrado and digging into a slice this season.
Buñuelos: This one is my absolute favorite. Buñuelos originated in Spain, but its remastered versions quickly found their place in countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. It’s a delicious, fried dough treat, easily adjustable to fit any tastes. They can be lightly dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar, drizzled in honey, or topped with delicious whipped cream for a snack or dessert. Roll them into snackable spheres or flatten them for a crispy treat. Create a batch and watch them evaporate at the speed of light!
Budin: Budin is a dish that can and often is enjoyed at any time of the year, but there’s something about baking bread during Christmas that makes any heart sing. The dish is a simple bread pudding, but the remixed take on the dish includes extra hints of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s preferably served cold, (way better than room temp to be honest,) trust me on that. Grab a loaf of bread, tear it into pieces, and get ready to dip and bake your way to greatness.
Dulce de Lechosa: Dulce de Lechosa is a year round dessert which mostly hits the spot during Christmastime, like Budin. Sweet, candied, and way better served warm – Dulce de lechoza is made from papaya. It’s a great treat, made by slow-cooking papaya strips with sweet syrup. The papaya is surrounded in sweet cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar for a quick and easy dessert which leaves an impression. A simple but durable item which can last quite a while if preserved correctly.
Now, there’s no one way to create these dessert dishes. You can take ingredients out, add things in, create your own flair of taste. The way people live their lives and feed their families comes from the heart. It’s my great pleasure to have not only experienced the love and joy from making food with loved ones – but also to be able to share them with my peers. Happy Holidays!
The Motorcycle Diaries
By Marius Brown
Where Do I Begin?
American pop singer Andy Williams and I share a similarity: we both ask exactly the same question. However, whereas Williams wonders where he should start to tell “the story of how great a love can be” in his 1970 hit “Love Story”, I’m trying to decide which historical version I ought to retell as I attempt to present you, my loyal readers, the history of motorcycles.
For many Muggles, the story began in 1885 when German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach introduced their brainchild Einspur, also known as Reitwagen. Their baby was the very first petroleum-fueled motorbike on Earth, but it may not be very accurate to dub it the first motorcycle ever invented. Just a year before Einspur was born, English inventor Edward Butler conceived a three-wheeled, self-propelled motorcycle design that he named the Butler Petrol Cycle and displayed it in London; for some reasons, though, the vehicle was completed not in the same year, but in 1888 in Greenwich by the Merryweather Fire Engine company.
Same old story – before Butler proudly shared his idea, American Lucius Copeland had actually successfully created a steam-operated bike with a relatively small steam boiler. Copeland’s invention could run at only 0.12 kilometre per hour (km/h) (try to compare it with today’s motorcycle that can reach 350 km/h), but it was considered a great achievement back in 1881.
As with many other inventors and researchers, Copeland’s brainchild was a development of a previous invention: his compatriot Sylvester Roper’s 1868 coal-fired, two-cylinder motorbike (also considered an advanced technology in its time). Coal-fired steam was not the only power utilised to operate early bikes. In 1871, Louis-Guillaume Perreaux used an alcohol burner chamber for his motorcycle.
Is it still possible to look back in our attempt to determine the world’s first motorbike? The answer is yes. In 1867, France’s Ernest Michaux was perhaps the first person to fit a small steam engine to a manual bike his father produced. However, it seems that Michaux didn’t commercialise his work. It is thus difficult to prove or disprove the claim that Pierre Lallement, an employee of his father’s, had against him. According to Lallement, he was the one who designed the prototype in 1863. Later, he brought the design to the USA. With the disagreement between Michaux and Lallement, our attempt to discover whether or not someone before them had tried to create a machine-propelled bike ended – for now.
If so far the history of motorcycles can be traced back to 1863, or maybe 1867, then why do most Muggles consider Einspur the first motorcycle in the world? The answer lies in the authorities’ modern definition of a motorbike. Many of them had decided to exclude steam-powered, electronic motorcycles and diesel-powered two-wheelers from the definition of a motorbike. Moreover, Einspur was the first petroleum-fueled, internal-combustion motorcycle, thus becoming the world’s first practical motorbike.
While there might be disagreement regarding which brainchild should be considered the first motorcycle, it’s clear that German’s Hildebrand & Wolfmüller was the first series production motorbike, and it was the first to be dubbed a “motorcycle” (in German: Motorrad) in 1894. Its birth also marked the booming of mass-production firms in the early 20th century, including Triumph Motorcycle, Royal Enfield, and Harley-Davidson.
The development and popularity of motorcycles continued throughout the First World War, post-Second World War, and even in the 21st century. Today, motorcycles are used not only as a method to transport, but also for hobbies, sports, and even showing off monetary status.
Activities In the Snow
By Cassandra Ironwoods
Ah, yes! With winter around the corner, many wonder what kind of activities are available during the season. Well, you’re in luck, lovely readers! Although usually winter is basically cold and snowy, there are a surprising number of things you can do.
In this month's article, instead of mentioning what kind of activities you can do, I will divide them into three categories. One category for you outdoorsy lot, one for those who prefer to stay warm indoors, and lastly, one for those of you who are up for a challenge.
Now, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Outdoor Activities:
1. Snowball Fight! - Up for a challenge? Turn it up a notch by changing it into dodgeball. Draw a small pitch with a line in the middle. Then divide the players into two groups and make snowballs in advance. The team whose players have all been hit loses the game.
2. Build a snowman.
3. Go sledding.
4. Spray paint snow with food colouring and water — simply mix it up in a spray bottle. Maybe try spray painting the snowman too.
5. Make snow angels.
6. Play a giant game of tic-tac-toe in the snow. Draw the board and use twigs and acorns as Xs and Os.
7. Have a sled-pulling contest.
8. Have a scavenger hunt in the snow.
9. Have a contest to see who can roll the biggest snowball.
10. Make and warm up around a winter campfire.
11. Make different tracks in the snow. For example, point your feet out and stagger them to create tractor tire marks.
12. Go out searching for animal tracks after a fresh snowfall.
Not fond of the cold and wet weather? Don’t worry, I got you covered! This is for you lot who prefer to stay indoor and warm.
Indoor Activities:
1. Bake a Batch of Cookies
2. Baking cookies fills your kitchen with a tastier aroma than any candle ever could, and it will keep little hands busy on long snow days. Not to mention, you get to eat cookies at the end. Even if Christmas has long since passed, holiday cookies taste great any time of year.
3. Drink Hot Cocoa
4. Nothing warms you up quite like a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Turn it into an activity by setting up a hot cocoa bar with mini marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate shavings and your favorite candies for topping.
5. Go Bowling
When was the last time you went bowling? It's retro chic, relatively inexpensive, you get to wear silly shoes and striking out is actually a good thing. We call that a win!
6. Go See a Show
Hit up the cinema, a local theater company or musical performance to get out of the cold and get into some culture.
7. Make a New Recipe
Dedicate the whole day (or night!) to crafting a complex, multi-course meal for a fun activity that also tastes great. If you aren't usually much of a cook, here's your chance to learn. Culinary savants, challenge yourself to a new recipe or different cuisine.
8. Play a Game
Turn off your devices and gather around a game board for some old-school fun: No electricity required.
9. Read a Good Book
Make yourself a cup of tea, grab a comfy blanket and cozy up with a good book. Escaping into another world feels especially great when there's a snowstorm roaring outside.
10. Light a Soothing Candle
Aromatherapy has great benefits for your mood, and makes your house smell wonderful. Many candles come at an affordable price point, so you don't have to shell out much for comfort. It'll make your house feel super homey, too.
11. Try Knitting or Crocheting
It's already scarf, hat and sweater weather, so you might as well learn to make them yourself. Even if you don't consider yourself crafty, knitting can be a fun activity to keep your hands busy.
12. Watch a Movie Marathon
Some days just call for TV or a hand-crank one. Turn it into an event by popping a big bowl of popcorn or gathering a slew of snacks, putting on your pjs (even in the daytime!), and really leaning into a movie marathon. Pick a theme, watch your favorite actor's whole repertoire or let each family member take a turn choosing the next flick.
If my suggestion above still makes you bored or perhaps not in your alley. Perhaps this next selection of sports-related activities can make that heart pumping.
Go Out and Work Those Sweat:
1. Go skating at an indoor and/or outdoor rink or on a pond.
2. Play football or soccer in the snow.
3. Go on a hike.
4. Go skiing.
5. Play a game of hockey.
6. If skiing not challenging enough for you, go snowboarding.
7. Go snowshoeing.
8. Play a game of bowling using snowballs.
9. For older kids, try a game of icicle javelin and see who can throw the farthest without their icicle breaking.
10. Play a game of snow golf — bury tin cans in the snow to be your holes.
There you have it, dear lovely Headliner readers. Being in the snow does not have to mean you need to play outside the whole day. Whether you are the indoor or outdoor type or a sports enthusiast, there are plenty of activities you can choose from the above.
For me, if I had the time, I want to try my hands at learning how to snowboard.
Which one do you want try?
The Sound of "Silent"
By Marius Brown
It was a day before Christmas Eve of 1818, and snow never ceased falling in the village of Oberndorf, near Salzburg, Austria. 26-year-old Josef Mohr, a Roman Catholic priest in Saint Nicholas church, watched the snow falling, thoughts filled with sadness. The church organ was broken, and thus there would not be any organ-accompanied song in the Christmas Mass. Christmas carol without organ… he couldn’t imagine this likely probability.
Still watching the falling snow, Father Mohr remembered a poem he wrote two years ago. Inspired, he took the poetry, which painted the cold night when Saints Joseph and Mary travelled to Bethlehem and baby Jesus was born, and headed for Mr Gruber’s house. Frans Xaver Gruber was Father Mohr’s friend and a choir conductor in the same church.
The priest requested for the conductor to compose a melody for his poem and asked if it was possible to have it ready for the next day’s Christmas Eve Mass. Against all odds, Mr Gruber was deeply impressed by the words. Grabbing a paper and a pencil, the 31-year-old sat in front of a piano and started composing. It didn’t take long for the song to finish!
Father Mohr was very pleased with Mr Gruber’s melody, and immediately the two started practising. The lyric writer played guitar and sang in tenor, whereas the melody composer sang in bass. They also decided that during the Mass, the choir would join in to sing the final two lines of each verse.
Finally, there was joy on 24 December 1818. The parishioners felt both touched and peaceful as the song Silent Night was sung in a Holy Mass for the very first time. There may not be an organ, but Father Mohr’s guitar made a perfect replacement.
Interestingly, how the carol became famous throughout the world began with another incident of a broken organ in Saint Nicholas Church. When Carl Mauracher came to repair the instrument in 1824, he had a chance to listen to Silent Night and requested permission to take home a copy of the partiture. Not long after that, Mr Mauracher and his choir performed the song in their concerts around Europe. The song had started to gain international love and admiration, and its positive recognition rocketed even more when John Freeman Young, a priest in New York, USA, translated the lyrics from German to English in 1854.
And what about Father Mohr and Mr Gruber? Sadly, it turned out that Father Mohr had passed away in 1848 from a respiratory illness. He never had the slightest clue that his poetry had become very well-loved throughout time and space. Similarly, the first time Mr Gruber realised that his melody had been recognised as a masterpiece was in the year of 1854, when a messenger of King Frederick William IV of Prussia came and enquired about the originality of the Christmas carol.
As time went by, though, rumour has it that the broken organ origin was nothing but a fiction written by a journalist for the sake of dramatisation. People who believe this version claim that the most plausible possible backstory of Silent Night is that Father Mohr had wanted to play his latest work on his favourite musical instrument during a special Mass.
But whether it originated from a broken organ or from a guitar dream, most everyone agrees on one thing: the carol possesses a special ability to spread peacefulness and friendliness among its listeners.
Let us too, then, spread the spirit of friendliness and peacefulness every day of our lives. Happy holidays!
Do You Really Need A New Year’s Resolution?
By Lucinia Thawin
“This year, I’ll…” And here’s where we insert some idea that may or may not take a year to accomplish. On New Year’s Day, we make these huge promises to ourselves, or set impossible standards to reach throughout the length of a year. But what if we didn’t do that? Maybe we should free ourselves of the pressure and expectations that come along with these resolutions.
People use resolutions as motivation or reminders for themselves. But sometimes, those very same resolutions we strive for may hold us back from the things which we want to achieve. You spent months saying ‘Oh well, I have more time to get it done. I’ll do it tomorrow!’ but tomorrow never. Sometimes, you don’t need a New Year’s resolution to start the year in the best way possible for yourself. Instead of doing so, here are a few alternatives:
Making a Bucket List: I know, I know. What’s the difference between this and a New Year’s resolution? Well, I’ll tell you. A bucket list is not something you have to achieve before the year is out to be considered a success. It’s a lifelong goal process that can always be adjusted or eliminated entirely. There’s no time limit imposed.
Create Monthly Challenges: If a bucket list seems like too much of a long-term commitment for you, try monthly challenges! Short term goals that can be achieved. If you are going to devote your time to something every month, make sure it’s fairly important to you.
Change Your Everyday Mindset: Rather than being driven to achieve a goal, maybe analyze your reasons for wanting to make the change. For example, say your resolution is to fall in love. Analyze why you need to find love in a single year. Are you lonely? If so, what about making friends? That doesn’t take a year to accomplish and can help solve the issues of loneliness.
Be Realistic: If you simply have to have a New Year’s resolution, please consider realistic options. No way you’re going to become the next Gwenog Jones with one year of quidditch practice. (That’s a note to self.) Consider your ambition and limitations, then plan accordingly.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a resolution, but I think we should question whether they’re necessary. Especially when they can lead to pressure or even disappointment if not achieved. Our flaws and our mistakes make us who we are. We evolve because of them. Maybe our personal developments can come in time, and not because we force them to as a clock strikes midnight.
By Lucinia Thawin
So, it’s winter break again and you’re staying at Hogwarts. Oh no! You’re in a vast land of beautiful snow and ice, ‘stuck’ inside a huge castle with no daily structure. To cap it off, you’re surrounded by a few professors, ghosts, and corridors you can roam at your leisure. “Christmas? At school? What a bore.” Except? That doesn’t exactly sound boring. That’s right! It doesn’t have to be a lifeless, time consuming drain on your day. I’m going to teach you to make the most of your winter break… without getting detention. No promises though.
Spend an evening in the Owlery. It’s not exactly the Astronomy Tower with its fluffy blankets and interesting books, but you do get one amazing view. Take it from someone who’s spent hours on the fourth floor, watching the sunset while flakes of snow tumbled from the sky – even surrounded by owls, it was magical. Just… watch where you step.
Visit the Room of Requirement. You’ll have to be lucky and truly in need to get inside. There’s no map or spell (I know of) that can get you there. But once you are, you’ll find whatever space you want or need. Maybe you want a nice place to host a friendly holiday dinner with your pals. Whatever the desire, the Room of Requirement can handle it. Just keep your eyes peeled on the seventh floor.
Have a snowball fight at the Great Lake. Personally, my friends and I have a standing appointment at the Great Lake on the last day of winter break to pelt one another with snow. If you want to pick up the tradition, I promise it’ll be fun. Just don’t get too close to the water’s edge!
Enjoy an afternoon in the Library. Hear me out. Books are fun, and the library is cool. You can spend plenty of hours flipping through books and magazines in the quiet warmth of the library. A midday nap after reading a good book is pure heaven. Gotta recharge that energy somehow, yeah?
Visit Honeydukes. I know, I know. Only third years and above can get into Hogsmeade. And they need a note of some sort. But it’s worth all those hoops. Spending an afternoon eating candy and wandering around the nearby village is a dream. You can even pop into Zonko’s Joke Shop to pick up a little something with pizzazz for you and your housemates to have fun with.
If my lovingly prepared holiday guide still doesn’t give you any inspiration, how about testimony from someone who has spent the break within Hogwarts? Cash Ironwoods, Slytherin’s very own ace Beater – and my favorite prefect – was cool enough to answer a few rapid fire questions about her own winter break.
What special traditions do you like to do?
When I was little, my parents and I always spent the holidays either baking or cooking something in the kitchen. It was our way to treat the people that helped us around the house. Since Mother is so busy with her work that tradition died down. I think I will do that this year in our school kitchen. You’re also welcome to help me, of course!
What do the holidays mean to you?
Do you want the bad one or the good one? The bad one is loneliness but the good one is well snow and gorgeous company such as yourself.
What advice would you give to someone spending their first holiday season at Hogwarts?
First, pick up some good books. The holiday can be lonely at Hogwarts but if you have good books around you, you feel less alone. Second, good company or friends. And third, drink lots and lots of your favorite beverages. For me, it's Chamomile tea. I can make it for you if you like!
If you could describe staying at Hogwarts during the holidays in one word, what word would it be and why?
Peace and quiet. Oh, wait! That’s three words, But yes, peace and quiet. I love the noise like the next person but it can be deafening sometimes, so peace and quiet is good from time to time. Besides, if you stay at Hogwarts, we can yell around the corridor as loud as we want and no one will be angry at us.
Snowball fight or snow angels?
Snowballs, hands down. I am a Beater after all. I'm about that hard force of snowball throwing but if the snow angel is as charming as you are, I don't mind the cold.
A holiday in Hogwarts can be what you make it. It doesn’t have to be about anything at all besides food and napping, but you can also embrace the opportunity of discovering new things. Not just about the castle, but about yourself as well.
A Christmas History
By Marius Brown
Christmas is a Christian holiday that is loved and celebrated by many worldwide. Just imagine the chance to spend time with your family, decorate a Christmas tree, eat a delicious feast, and experience the excitement of opening presents you’ve longed for all year round! Really, what’s not to like about the holiday? But have you ever found yourself wondering about the origins of Christmas? Where did its traditions come from, and why do we celebrate it? You may be thinking the answer to the latter question is because Jesus was born on Christmas, but did you know that that is not entirely correct? If you find yourself curious about the answers to these questions, I suggest you continue reading!
The celebration of Christmas stems all the way back to two millennia ago (that’s two thousand years ago, or a really, really long time ago in simple terms), and it’s celebrated by Christians as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Despite Christians celebrating Christmas as the birth of Jesus, the tradition of the holiday itself has actually been around for centuries before Jesus was born! The middle of winter has always been a period of celebration worldwide, and many people rejoiced during the winter solstice because they could look forward to longer, more warmer days after surviving the bitter chill of winter. There have been many different celebrations throughout history that have played a part in creating what we today know of as Christmas.
Firstly, let’s focus on the celebration of Yule. Yule is the name of a winter festival that lasted from the 21st December until January on the German lunar calendar. It was mainly celebrated in Scandinavia and some of the celebrations included fathers and sons bringing home large logs to their families, which would then be set on fire to celebrate the return of the sun. People would feast around this log until it burned out, and the Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the new year. People honoured the pagan god Oden during Yule, and they were surprisingly terrified of him because they believed he made flights through the sky at night to observe his people and decide who would perish or live. Now, Yule is a part of Christmas tradition because in the fourth century, the Church decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus with a 12 day feast (Epiphany) and planned to celebrate it alongside the pagan holiday, so over time these emerged to become what we now know today as Christmas. Kind of cool, right? 2nd years and above may also remember the Christmas errands last year celebrating Yule and Epiphany!
Next up we have Saturnalia, which is an ancient Roman pagan festival that is held in the middle of December and it is one of the main sources from which we get our Christmas traditions from, such as present giving, feasting and wreaths! As winters were not as harsh in Rome this holiday was honouring the god of agriculture, Saturn, and it was a time when food and drink were plentiful and businesses were closed so everyone could participate in the holiday. Some of the more upper-class Romans also celebrated the birthday of Mirtha, an infant god who was born from a rock, on the 25th December, and they believed it to be the most sacred day of the year.
We can already see that Christmas pulls many of its traditions and celebrations from other festivals celebrated during the winter solstice, but why do Christians today celebrate it as the birth of Jesus Christ? Well, believe it or not, the Bible actually never states when Jesus was born and it is believed that he actually wasn’t born on Christmas (which makes sense when you think about it, because why would shepherds be out with their sheep on a chilly winter night?), and instead was born sometime during spring. The reason we celebrate his birth on 25th December is because Pope Julius I chose it as the date, and it’s believed the Church chose this date to adopt the traditions of the Saturnalia festival; by doing so, they hoped that Christmas would be properly embraced since it was set during the time traditional winter solstice festivals would’ve taken place. They certainly got that right, as it is now one of the most celebrated holidays worldwide!
Believe it or not, there is a lot more history to Christmas that I haven’t mentioned because we would be here for a very long time if I have written everything down, so if you want to know even more about the holiday then I suggest doing your own research! I hope you learnt something new today, and happy holidays, everyone!
Gifts For Your Loved Ones
By Adelaide Barlowe
Are you stuck on what to get someone for Christmas? Do you simply run out of amazing present ideas for your loved ones? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us, and there is still enough time to throw together a lovely, high-quality present for your family or friends! Today I’ll be giving you some present ideas that will hopefully spark some inspiration for your presents and will blow your loved ones away when they receive them on Christmas.
I think we can all agree that most of us at Hogwarts are major sweet tooths. So, if someone you love loves sweets, why not head down to Honeydukes and buy them a basket of their favourite sweets for Christmas? It’s very quick, simple, and definitely won’t cost you an insane amount of Galleons. Now, obviously if you aren’t a third year or above you can’t go to Hogsmeade, and I definitely am not recommending breaking the rules, so I’m afraid this certain present idea may be limited to only third years and above, unless you can find someone to go and buy a bunch of sweets for you.
This may be quite obvious, but books are always a great present idea, especially if the recipient’s a bookworm or loves to learn new things! Flourish and Blotts has a wide collection of books available, fiction and non-fiction alike, so I would suggest heading down to Diagon Alley and picking out a few books for them. If you’re not entirely sure what books they would like, here are a few of my recommendations: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander (non-fiction), The Tales of Beedle the Bard by Beedle the Bard (fiction), Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (fiction), and Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (fiction). Unfortunately, if you’re looking for some books for a Muggle friend then I can’t help you there, but I’m sure there are lots of great Muggle books available in Muggle London if you search for them.
Not up for spending a lot of money on a present, or you simply don’t have that much money to spend? That’s alright! There’s still quite a lot of gift ideas you can do that are very meaningful and will surely bring a smile to the receiver's face. If you’re feeling quite sentimental this holiday season, a photo album of photographs together is always an adorable gift idea! Whether it’s for your best friend, sweetheart, or even a close family member, they’ll love it. Choose some of your favourite photos you have together and take some time out of your day to put together a cute little photo album that they will surely treasure for the rest of their life.
Some other simple ideas that you could always get include: Quidditch merch of their favourite team, a rock friend, new clothes, a cool new quill or different coloured ink, or some pranking items for your jokester friend from Zonko’s. I’m sure if you do some wandering around Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, you’ll eventually find a gift that you think would work wonderfully. That is, if none of these ideas sparkes any motivation (which I, on the contrary, hope they do!).
Well, that’s all the ideas I have for today! Hopefully they have helped and inspired you in deciding what to get someone this Christmas.
A Holiday Season Through Latin America
By Lucinia Thawin
Oh, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Beautiful scarves, bright leaves falling and eventually progressing into snow, families all together. Everything seems light, airy, and beautiful. It’s bound to be the favorite time of year for at least half the people in the world (yours truly included). And it’s understandable. The gifts, the lights, and the food. Oh, the food.
In my family, food makes the world go round. My dad experiments in the kitchen, but my mom made magic. She was the daughter of immigrants who left the States when she was a kid. In our flat, my brother and I visited some of the most amazing places on Earth…all through my mom’s cooking. Dinner was the best, but the desserts were perfection. Without further ado, I present to you five of the best desserts for this holiday season.
Rosca de Reyes: A sweet treat typically enjoyed after Christmas, Rosca de Reyes is a ring-shaped cake decorated with caramelized fruits and sugar paste. Translated to mean ‘Wreath of Kings,’ whoever finds the hidden token inside becomes responsible for the next family celebration. Like most breads, the Rosca starts with a few simple ingredients: flour, eggs, yeast, water, and salt, and a hint of sugar…but it delivers a subtle, sweet taste. Quite unlike regular bread, its exterior is high on the decorative factor: the signature oval shape and perfectly lush candy toppings. Rosca de Reyes – also known as ‘Three Kings Day’ – is typically enjoyed after Christmas, on January 6th. But don’t let that stop you from getting a big mug of champurrado and digging into a slice this season.
Buñuelos: This one is my absolute favorite. Buñuelos originated in Spain, but its remastered versions quickly found their place in countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. It’s a delicious, fried dough treat, easily adjustable to fit any tastes. They can be lightly dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar, drizzled in honey, or topped with delicious whipped cream for a snack or dessert. Roll them into snackable spheres or flatten them for a crispy treat. Create a batch and watch them evaporate at the speed of light!
Budin: Budin is a dish that can and often is enjoyed at any time of the year, but there’s something about baking bread during Christmas that makes any heart sing. The dish is a simple bread pudding, but the remixed take on the dish includes extra hints of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s preferably served cold, (way better than room temp to be honest,) trust me on that. Grab a loaf of bread, tear it into pieces, and get ready to dip and bake your way to greatness.
Dulce de Lechosa: Dulce de Lechosa is a year round dessert which mostly hits the spot during Christmastime, like Budin. Sweet, candied, and way better served warm – Dulce de lechoza is made from papaya. It’s a great treat, made by slow-cooking papaya strips with sweet syrup. The papaya is surrounded in sweet cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar for a quick and easy dessert which leaves an impression. A simple but durable item which can last quite a while if preserved correctly.
Now, there’s no one way to create these dessert dishes. You can take ingredients out, add things in, create your own flair of taste. The way people live their lives and feed their families comes from the heart. It’s my great pleasure to have not only experienced the love and joy from making food with loved ones – but also to be able to share them with my peers. Happy Holidays!
The Motorcycle Diaries
By Marius Brown
Where Do I Begin?
American pop singer Andy Williams and I share a similarity: we both ask exactly the same question. However, whereas Williams wonders where he should start to tell “the story of how great a love can be” in his 1970 hit “Love Story”, I’m trying to decide which historical version I ought to retell as I attempt to present you, my loyal readers, the history of motorcycles.
For many Muggles, the story began in 1885 when German inventors Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach introduced their brainchild Einspur, also known as Reitwagen. Their baby was the very first petroleum-fueled motorbike on Earth, but it may not be very accurate to dub it the first motorcycle ever invented. Just a year before Einspur was born, English inventor Edward Butler conceived a three-wheeled, self-propelled motorcycle design that he named the Butler Petrol Cycle and displayed it in London; for some reasons, though, the vehicle was completed not in the same year, but in 1888 in Greenwich by the Merryweather Fire Engine company.
Same old story – before Butler proudly shared his idea, American Lucius Copeland had actually successfully created a steam-operated bike with a relatively small steam boiler. Copeland’s invention could run at only 0.12 kilometre per hour (km/h) (try to compare it with today’s motorcycle that can reach 350 km/h), but it was considered a great achievement back in 1881.
As with many other inventors and researchers, Copeland’s brainchild was a development of a previous invention: his compatriot Sylvester Roper’s 1868 coal-fired, two-cylinder motorbike (also considered an advanced technology in its time). Coal-fired steam was not the only power utilised to operate early bikes. In 1871, Louis-Guillaume Perreaux used an alcohol burner chamber for his motorcycle.
Is it still possible to look back in our attempt to determine the world’s first motorbike? The answer is yes. In 1867, France’s Ernest Michaux was perhaps the first person to fit a small steam engine to a manual bike his father produced. However, it seems that Michaux didn’t commercialise his work. It is thus difficult to prove or disprove the claim that Pierre Lallement, an employee of his father’s, had against him. According to Lallement, he was the one who designed the prototype in 1863. Later, he brought the design to the USA. With the disagreement between Michaux and Lallement, our attempt to discover whether or not someone before them had tried to create a machine-propelled bike ended – for now.
If so far the history of motorcycles can be traced back to 1863, or maybe 1867, then why do most Muggles consider Einspur the first motorcycle in the world? The answer lies in the authorities’ modern definition of a motorbike. Many of them had decided to exclude steam-powered, electronic motorcycles and diesel-powered two-wheelers from the definition of a motorbike. Moreover, Einspur was the first petroleum-fueled, internal-combustion motorcycle, thus becoming the world’s first practical motorbike.
While there might be disagreement regarding which brainchild should be considered the first motorcycle, it’s clear that German’s Hildebrand & Wolfmüller was the first series production motorbike, and it was the first to be dubbed a “motorcycle” (in German: Motorrad) in 1894. Its birth also marked the booming of mass-production firms in the early 20th century, including Triumph Motorcycle, Royal Enfield, and Harley-Davidson.
The development and popularity of motorcycles continued throughout the First World War, post-Second World War, and even in the 21st century. Today, motorcycles are used not only as a method to transport, but also for hobbies, sports, and even showing off monetary status.
Activities In the Snow
By Cassandra Ironwoods
Ah, yes! With winter around the corner, many wonder what kind of activities are available during the season. Well, you’re in luck, lovely readers! Although usually winter is basically cold and snowy, there are a surprising number of things you can do.
In this month's article, instead of mentioning what kind of activities you can do, I will divide them into three categories. One category for you outdoorsy lot, one for those who prefer to stay warm indoors, and lastly, one for those of you who are up for a challenge.
Now, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Outdoor Activities:
1. Snowball Fight! - Up for a challenge? Turn it up a notch by changing it into dodgeball. Draw a small pitch with a line in the middle. Then divide the players into two groups and make snowballs in advance. The team whose players have all been hit loses the game.
2. Build a snowman.
3. Go sledding.
4. Spray paint snow with food colouring and water — simply mix it up in a spray bottle. Maybe try spray painting the snowman too.
5. Make snow angels.
6. Play a giant game of tic-tac-toe in the snow. Draw the board and use twigs and acorns as Xs and Os.
7. Have a sled-pulling contest.
8. Have a scavenger hunt in the snow.
9. Have a contest to see who can roll the biggest snowball.
10. Make and warm up around a winter campfire.
11. Make different tracks in the snow. For example, point your feet out and stagger them to create tractor tire marks.
12. Go out searching for animal tracks after a fresh snowfall.
Not fond of the cold and wet weather? Don’t worry, I got you covered! This is for you lot who prefer to stay indoor and warm.
Indoor Activities:
1. Bake a Batch of Cookies
2. Baking cookies fills your kitchen with a tastier aroma than any candle ever could, and it will keep little hands busy on long snow days. Not to mention, you get to eat cookies at the end. Even if Christmas has long since passed, holiday cookies taste great any time of year.
3. Drink Hot Cocoa
4. Nothing warms you up quite like a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Turn it into an activity by setting up a hot cocoa bar with mini marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate shavings and your favorite candies for topping.
5. Go Bowling
When was the last time you went bowling? It's retro chic, relatively inexpensive, you get to wear silly shoes and striking out is actually a good thing. We call that a win!
6. Go See a Show
Hit up the cinema, a local theater company or musical performance to get out of the cold and get into some culture.
7. Make a New Recipe
Dedicate the whole day (or night!) to crafting a complex, multi-course meal for a fun activity that also tastes great. If you aren't usually much of a cook, here's your chance to learn. Culinary savants, challenge yourself to a new recipe or different cuisine.
8. Play a Game
Turn off your devices and gather around a game board for some old-school fun: No electricity required.
9. Read a Good Book
Make yourself a cup of tea, grab a comfy blanket and cozy up with a good book. Escaping into another world feels especially great when there's a snowstorm roaring outside.
10. Light a Soothing Candle
Aromatherapy has great benefits for your mood, and makes your house smell wonderful. Many candles come at an affordable price point, so you don't have to shell out much for comfort. It'll make your house feel super homey, too.
11. Try Knitting or Crocheting
It's already scarf, hat and sweater weather, so you might as well learn to make them yourself. Even if you don't consider yourself crafty, knitting can be a fun activity to keep your hands busy.
12. Watch a Movie Marathon
Some days just call for TV or a hand-crank one. Turn it into an event by popping a big bowl of popcorn or gathering a slew of snacks, putting on your pjs (even in the daytime!), and really leaning into a movie marathon. Pick a theme, watch your favorite actor's whole repertoire or let each family member take a turn choosing the next flick.
If my suggestion above still makes you bored or perhaps not in your alley. Perhaps this next selection of sports-related activities can make that heart pumping.
Go Out and Work Those Sweat:
1. Go skating at an indoor and/or outdoor rink or on a pond.
2. Play football or soccer in the snow.
3. Go on a hike.
4. Go skiing.
5. Play a game of hockey.
6. If skiing not challenging enough for you, go snowboarding.
7. Go snowshoeing.
8. Play a game of bowling using snowballs.
9. For older kids, try a game of icicle javelin and see who can throw the farthest without their icicle breaking.
10. Play a game of snow golf — bury tin cans in the snow to be your holes.
There you have it, dear lovely Headliner readers. Being in the snow does not have to mean you need to play outside the whole day. Whether you are the indoor or outdoor type or a sports enthusiast, there are plenty of activities you can choose from the above.
For me, if I had the time, I want to try my hands at learning how to snowboard.
Which one do you want try?
The Sound of "Silent"
By Marius Brown
It was a day before Christmas Eve of 1818, and snow never ceased falling in the village of Oberndorf, near Salzburg, Austria. 26-year-old Josef Mohr, a Roman Catholic priest in Saint Nicholas church, watched the snow falling, thoughts filled with sadness. The church organ was broken, and thus there would not be any organ-accompanied song in the Christmas Mass. Christmas carol without organ… he couldn’t imagine this likely probability.
Still watching the falling snow, Father Mohr remembered a poem he wrote two years ago. Inspired, he took the poetry, which painted the cold night when Saints Joseph and Mary travelled to Bethlehem and baby Jesus was born, and headed for Mr Gruber’s house. Frans Xaver Gruber was Father Mohr’s friend and a choir conductor in the same church.
The priest requested for the conductor to compose a melody for his poem and asked if it was possible to have it ready for the next day’s Christmas Eve Mass. Against all odds, Mr Gruber was deeply impressed by the words. Grabbing a paper and a pencil, the 31-year-old sat in front of a piano and started composing. It didn’t take long for the song to finish!
Father Mohr was very pleased with Mr Gruber’s melody, and immediately the two started practising. The lyric writer played guitar and sang in tenor, whereas the melody composer sang in bass. They also decided that during the Mass, the choir would join in to sing the final two lines of each verse.
Finally, there was joy on 24 December 1818. The parishioners felt both touched and peaceful as the song Silent Night was sung in a Holy Mass for the very first time. There may not be an organ, but Father Mohr’s guitar made a perfect replacement.
Interestingly, how the carol became famous throughout the world began with another incident of a broken organ in Saint Nicholas Church. When Carl Mauracher came to repair the instrument in 1824, he had a chance to listen to Silent Night and requested permission to take home a copy of the partiture. Not long after that, Mr Mauracher and his choir performed the song in their concerts around Europe. The song had started to gain international love and admiration, and its positive recognition rocketed even more when John Freeman Young, a priest in New York, USA, translated the lyrics from German to English in 1854.
And what about Father Mohr and Mr Gruber? Sadly, it turned out that Father Mohr had passed away in 1848 from a respiratory illness. He never had the slightest clue that his poetry had become very well-loved throughout time and space. Similarly, the first time Mr Gruber realised that his melody had been recognised as a masterpiece was in the year of 1854, when a messenger of King Frederick William IV of Prussia came and enquired about the originality of the Christmas carol.
As time went by, though, rumour has it that the broken organ origin was nothing but a fiction written by a journalist for the sake of dramatisation. People who believe this version claim that the most plausible possible backstory of Silent Night is that Father Mohr had wanted to play his latest work on his favourite musical instrument during a special Mass.
But whether it originated from a broken organ or from a guitar dream, most everyone agrees on one thing: the carol possesses a special ability to spread peacefulness and friendliness among its listeners.
Let us too, then, spread the spirit of friendliness and peacefulness every day of our lives. Happy holidays!
Do You Really Need A New Year’s Resolution?
By Lucinia Thawin
“This year, I’ll…” And here’s where we insert some idea that may or may not take a year to accomplish. On New Year’s Day, we make these huge promises to ourselves, or set impossible standards to reach throughout the length of a year. But what if we didn’t do that? Maybe we should free ourselves of the pressure and expectations that come along with these resolutions.
People use resolutions as motivation or reminders for themselves. But sometimes, those very same resolutions we strive for may hold us back from the things which we want to achieve. You spent months saying ‘Oh well, I have more time to get it done. I’ll do it tomorrow!’ but tomorrow never. Sometimes, you don’t need a New Year’s resolution to start the year in the best way possible for yourself. Instead of doing so, here are a few alternatives:
Making a Bucket List: I know, I know. What’s the difference between this and a New Year’s resolution? Well, I’ll tell you. A bucket list is not something you have to achieve before the year is out to be considered a success. It’s a lifelong goal process that can always be adjusted or eliminated entirely. There’s no time limit imposed.
Create Monthly Challenges: If a bucket list seems like too much of a long-term commitment for you, try monthly challenges! Short term goals that can be achieved. If you are going to devote your time to something every month, make sure it’s fairly important to you.
Change Your Everyday Mindset: Rather than being driven to achieve a goal, maybe analyze your reasons for wanting to make the change. For example, say your resolution is to fall in love. Analyze why you need to find love in a single year. Are you lonely? If so, what about making friends? That doesn’t take a year to accomplish and can help solve the issues of loneliness.
Be Realistic: If you simply have to have a New Year’s resolution, please consider realistic options. No way you’re going to become the next Gwenog Jones with one year of quidditch practice. (That’s a note to self.) Consider your ambition and limitations, then plan accordingly.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a resolution, but I think we should question whether they’re necessary. Especially when they can lead to pressure or even disappointment if not achieved. Our flaws and our mistakes make us who we are. We evolve because of them. Maybe our personal developments can come in time, and not because we force them to as a clock strikes midnight.
The Hogwarts Headliner
Plain text issue below:
Reducio
Shine a Light on Valentine's Day: Bloom Silverton and Howard White
By Cassandra Ironwoods
Question #1: Before we deep dive into your relationship, I want to know, since both of you sixth year now, how is your N.E.W.Ts preparation? Any special ritual you do/take before studying for your N.E.W.Ts?
Bloom: Yup, we definitely have N.E.W.Ts next year. It's at the end of the year. Where we have to pass classes so... we can have a future. Preparing for it is definitely happening... Special ritual? Oh, um... Howard... You can answer this one better than I can.
Howard: Don't remind me! I mean, not about the ritual, just the NEWTs themselves. I have some courses I know I'll ace, but its the end of me for some of the others. I'm rubbish with complicated spell work, so I think charms and transfiguration is out, but who knows. I'll try, but it doesn't look good.
Oh right, the rituals. Well, uh, we have this one. We like to use flash cards. Kind of a Muggle thing maybe? Dunno, maybe not, but we like to take bets on who gets the most right. Adds some competition to keep it interesting. Mostly we bet using treats or who carries who's stuff. Sometimes, something a little sweeter... (Howard winks at Bloom).
Question #2: The public wants to know who crushing on how and who asked who first to go steady with them?
Bloom: I think it was mutual. We met at the end of our fourth year and it was instant that we wanted to hang out more. And we did. The more we hung out together, the more I started to fall for him. I think my crushing on him started winter break of fifth year. As for being official, it was Howard.
Howard: We just clicked right away. Everything with Bloom was just so easy and natural and I couldn't help but to fall for her. I probably waited too long to ask, but eventually I did, yeah. I was a little afraid we could mess up a good friendship, but maybe that's why things are so good now? (Howard shrugs) I don't question it really. It works and I love it.
Question #3: What is the best feature(s) of each other you like the most and why?
Bloom: The best feature of Howard White is how caring and loving he is. He always knows what to say and makes me feel safe and loved. He also doesn't know this, well until now, but I love his drive for life. His competitiveness in sports, his helpfulness to his friends... He's special.
Howard: Yeah, I didn't know that. I know some don't like it, but I do like how competitive we are. Always keeps things exciting and we chose to bond over it instead of letting it divide us. Anyways, the one thing about Bloom Silverton is that you can always count on her. I trust her more than anyone in the world and I didn't have that for a long time. That to me is the most important thing and I couldn't love her more for it.
Question #4: Since both of you are sports players, how do you navigate those aspects with your love life?
Bloom: During the game season, it does get difficult. Our schedules are filled with practice and game time, but we make it work. It's nice that we don't play the same sport because I don't know how Howard would take my being better than him.
Howard: Yeah right! You broom racers couldn't handle a chaser like me. (another chuckle and a playful nudge) But yeah, it gets hard to find time during the season, but it is nice that we play different sports. We can compare strategies and discuss the matches without giving team secrets away. And it keeps us free to watch each others matches. So far it hasn't been a problem. We both love to compete and I think we love that about each other.
Question #5: Any advice for young couples out there to be the best and powerful couple like you?
Bloom: We've had our ups and downs and we learned down the road that honesty and forgiveness is extremely important. We share everything with each other and it really helps us grow strong.
Howard: Totally agree. It's going to be hard sometimes, so I think that the most important thing to do is to be open and honest. You also have to decide to commit to each other and promise to stick it out through hard times. Makes all of the good ones that much sweeter.
Cupid’s Poll
By Koko Riddle
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the Headliner released a poll for students to answer with regard to their plans for the holiday. Although we did not receive too many responses, those who did respond have answered crucial questions, such as whether or not they intend to spend time with a romantic interest, and they have also provided advice for those wondering how to confess to their certain special someone.
The majority of the poll’s respondents (36.8%) weren’t sure if they would celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2023. Equal minorities of 26.3% stated either yes or no, and two people’s answers hinged on whether or not someone would ask them out.
When asked how they planned to celebrate, the majority of the poll’s respondents mentioned chocolate in their answers. That might be something nice to share with a loved one, a friend or perhaps yourself. Respondents were split among whether they would celebrate with a date, friends or alone, but some outliers included ‘reading’, ‘plant[ing] flowers’ and ‘rehearsing’.
The next question in the poll asked respondents if they planned to confess to their crush, if they had one. A split majority of 26.3% each chose either that they planned to confess to their crush or that they didn’t have one. About 10% of respondents had already confessed, while another 10% stated that they hadn’t.
When asked why they planned to celebrate or not, respondents had mixed reviews. Some planned to celebrate just for the sake of celebration and happiness, while others didn’t plan to celebrate because they didn’t feel like Valentine’s Day was worth celebrating—which is completely understandable and valid. Some people mentioned how expensive things for Valentine’s Day can be, while others mentioned tasty food as a motivator for celebration.
All but two of the poll’s respondents thought Valentine’s Day should be celebrated with any loved one, be that a platonic or familial loved one alongside any possible romantic loved ones. The two other respondents said they thought that Valentine’s Day should just be for romance.
Respondents gave quite a few songs that reminded them of Valentine’s Day. These included ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran, ‘Just the Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars, ‘Somebody to Love’ by Queen, ‘Smooth’ by Santana, ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra and ‘Your Song’ by Elton John. If anyone is interested in making a playlist for Valentine’s Day, or even playing a few songs on an instrument to get in the romantic mood, these might be a few to play.
As for advice on how to confess to one’s crush, respondents had varied answers. Some included telling anyone wondering when to confess to just do it, since trying is better than not trying. One respondent said, ‘Don’t mess up’ while another said to not go through with confessing if uncomfortable. Another offered a formula of sorts and advised prospective confessors to answer three questions:
1. ‘Are they attracted to your gender?’
2. ‘Do they converse with you frequently?’
3. ‘Are you close friends?’
After providing those questions, the respondent said, ‘If you answered yes to 2/3 of them, then it is possible they might like you/would be okay with being friends if they don’t like you in the same way’, which is something to keep in mind when confessing to a potential crush.
All in all, Hogwarts’s residents had many ideas about Valentine’s Day, and while not all of these thoughts were the same, they are all valid and important to acknowledge. No matter who you celebrate with and no matter whether or not you celebrate at all, have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Say it With Stuff
By Marius Brown
Who doesn’t like receiving gifts? Almost everyone does! A reporter named Pipit once composed a simple but beautiful acrostic explaining that what makes a gift special is not the amount of money it costs, but rather because a gift is “the feeling of love that is expressed through a tangible object”, “a hope and prayer for its receiver”, and “a cure for a sad friend”.
That means a gift doesn’t have to be expensive. Our sincerity in giving it counts much more. But sometimes it can be difficult to choose what to present for our loved ones. We understand, and that’s why this Valentine’s Day, we on the Headliner decided to lend a hand through this list! Check it out…
Good Health, Grandparents!
Many senior citizens enjoy healthy and tasty food and drinks. Therefore, a beautiful basket full of fresh fruit can do no wrong! For the beverage, a herbal tea may be the best bet. Don’t forget to choose decaf, because quite a lot of grandparents find trouble falling asleep at night. To make your gift of teas look more elegant, you can put them into a paper bag and decorate it with a ribbon.
Busy Parents
Most parents are the backbone of the family. They sacrifice both time and energy to work, be it to earn money, to support our lives, or to ensure the house and everything in it is clean. A planner would be a very appropriate gift to show your support for them. Or, if your parents work from home, live flowers can be a good choice to present a touch of nature in the house. If you’d like to spend extra for a vase, some wooden vases cost less than their porcelain counterparts and are just as pretty!
The Young Ones
Ah, finding gift ideas for someone our age shouldn’t be too hard. But if you want to get your siblings, cousins, and friends something more personalised, it’s better to keep their hobbies in mind! For instance, if your brother is interested in cooking, present him with an affordable cooking set. If your sister is passionate about the Muggle sport of baseball, it’ll be a nice surprise if you buy her a baseball cap bearing the logo of her favourite team. What if your friend is an aspiring gardener? Then you can pick a nice watering can of their favourite colour!
Oh, Babies!
It can be tricky choosing gifts for babies and toddlers. Some toys aren’t designed for very young children and thus can be dangerous for them to play with. Soft dolls are usually safe, though, and most kids love cuddling with them. We also recommend presenting them with toys which can support their imagination and logical thinking, such as wooden blocks or jigsaw puzzles. But remember, it is always best to consult with your parents or other responsible adults before you really purchase something for a little one!
Pat, Pat, Pet
Of course we remembered to include gift ideas for your beloved pets also! They’re always our loyal companions, whether we’re happy or sad. They don’t even ask much, so a new toy, a new fluffy blanket, or an extra scoop of their favourite treat will do great.
Extra! Extra!
Do you think the gifts you have prepared aren’t enough? Or perhaps you’re not fully satisfied with the ideas above? Fret not, because we’ve prepared an extra list! The gifts mentioned in this list should fit, well, most of the categories, although babies and animals may not be able to enjoy them. What are they?
Chocolates. The classy pick that most everybody enjoys! There are many variants of chocolates, so you can choose depending on the receiver’s preference. Super sweet or slightly bitter? White, milk, or dark chocolate? And what’s even better, chocolatiers are getting more and more creative, so finding chocolates in different colours and shapes is no longer a problem!
Muggle mugs. Many Muggles vote for mugs as their favourite drinking vessel. They’re not only convenient but also nice-looking. A lot of mugs are decorated in colours and lovely pictures, so you can get everyone a mug, but each will still receive a different design! How cool is that?
Photos. Whether it’s one photo that comes in a fancy frame or a couple of photos inside an album, this choice of gift would undoubtedly remind your recipient of the magic moments you two have shared!
Greeting cards. No gift is complete without a greeting card, so choose the design your recipient will love, and start writing your message! (Shh, if you’re not into composing words, some cards come with printed messages!)
Well, what do you think about our list? Does it help you choose gifts for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day? Have fun spreading love!
Club Report: Sugar Spice and Everything Nice
By Dealla Prince
After a short break in our last issue, I’m excited to welcome you into the new year with a new instalment of my reports on the various clubs at our school. The club this time is an especially sweet one… or maybe salty, perhaps even spicy!
I am, of course, talking about Kim Aoki’s Tri-Cook-Club, which is perfect for anyone interested in Potions class without the worry about a small mistake leading to the accidental creation of a poison. In simpler words, if you like cooking or baking, this is the place for you. I managed to snag Kim for a short interview.
Dee: How did you come up with the idea for this club? It seems like a lot of fun.
Kim: I've enjoyed cooking and baking for as long as I can remember. Delicious food can bring a smile to anyone's face, and I aim to please! I thought others might share the same feelings as me, so I decided to start a club.
Dee: How do your meetings usually go? Are there themes to what the participants cook, or can everyone just make what they want?
Kim: We meet once a month, and each month we focus on a certain theme which is decided beforehand. There are skill challenges, mystery box challenges and team challenges. Each of these help the members grow in their cooking/baking. We also engage in an eating game at the end of the meeting, which is rather fun. The club culminates near the end of the school year in a competition to show off how the chosen competitors have grown over the year. A prize is given by a random judge for the best dish, and the judge and prizes can change all the time.
Dee: What's your favourite food? Have you made it during any of the meetings?
Kim: That's a difficult question, there are so many delicious dishes out there! But I have to say, I'm kind of partial to shepherd's pie and its various versions. I also think the custard tarts here are quite tasty, and the house elves should be applauded for their efforts. But as of now, I haven't made either one at any of our meetings so far; perhaps that will change in the future.
Dee: Any word to aspiring chefs out there?
Kim: For those who haven't cooked or baked anything before, there's always a first time for everything! If you're not confident in your skills, join the club and I guarantee that within a year, you will become much better than when you first joined. The main thing is to never give up, even if you get knocked down or are confronted with many failures. Failures are natural and are what make it possible for you to eventually succeed! We all started at the bottom. Let's work our way to the top, however long it may take to get there.
Sounds pretty tasty in my opinion! I wonder if I could apply to be one of the judges?
February Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
After quite a break comes the next round of the Hogwarts Headliner’s horoscopes! As always, suggestions are simply that, suggestions, but it is my sincerest hope that anyone reading this takes away something beneficial from the readings of the stars.
ARIES
February 2023 seems, so far, to be ready to be a good month to those born under Aries. Your interpersonal relations will flourish, so long as you continue to put care and effort into them, and your work and school-related activities will continue as fluidly as they can. Try to keep taking care of yourself, and this month should be wonderful.
TAURUS
Financially, February will be your best friend. Your family will give you advice, which you can choose to listen to or ignore. However, there will be ups and downs, as always, so it is important to remain motivated and positive—things will improve.
GEMINI
Gemini, in the month of February, your most pressing issue will be your natural impulsivity. This month will turn out well for you, especially with regard to new opportunities, so long as you decide to think about your decisions before you act.
CANCER
Your relationships with friends and family should improve this February, but know that it is your goals and abilities that will direct you the most this month. Although things might go well, it is what you choose to do that will keep things going well or make them change for the worse.
LEO
With regard to your work or school life, February will bring improvements. As long as you continue to put forth your best self, very few things should hold you back. It might be a good idea to remember to save money, however, as you might encounter a few unexpected financial problems.
VIRGO
February will be what you make it. Everything hinges on your choices this month, so be sure to think things through before you finalise a decision. Once you make your move, there is no turning back, so, if needed, create a ‘strategy’ of sorts to get you through the month.
LIBRA
Take advantage of new opportunities this February. You might find yourself feeling luckier than usual, and if you feel the urge to do something, it may be best to do it. However, remember to keep in mind how the things you do could affect those you care about. Things might be amazing for you, but for others, the reality of life might be very different.
SCORPIO
Although the beginning of February might seem rather droll, things should pick up later in the month. However, while you wait for things to look up, remember that you can take things into your own hands: myriad opportunities await, dear Scorpio, and you should not be afraid to look into them. Your interpersonal relationships in particular could blossom if you make the right decisions.
SAGITTARIUS
For you, Sagittarius, February will bring you financial upticks, but be warned, since this may come at the expense of your health. Try not to overwork yourself, and remember to take breaks when you need them. You will find what you need so long as you remember to be kind to yourself this month.
CAPRICORN
You might find yourself focusing more on work than on anything else this month. While not inherently a bad thing, this might put some of your interpersonal relationships in jeopardy, so remember to take time for everything and everyone—but only when you can. It is up to you to keep your life positive this month.
AQUARIUS
This February will bring Aquarians joy in their interpersonal relationships. You might feel self-conscious, but others won’t be likely to pick up on any lapse in confidence you might have. Things are in your favour, so all you need to do is, metaphorically, take your hand of cards and play it well.
PISCES
You might find this month to be a bit troubling, especially with regard to work and your interpersonal relationships, so it might be a better month for introspection. What is it that you want out of 2023? Have you followed through with any of your New Year’s Resolutions? These are questions you might wish to ask yourself to make the most of your February.
No matter what the stars tell you this month, it is largely up to you—the individual—to make the right choices for yourself. Take any and all factors into consideration when making decisions this month, but also—and this goes for everyone—remember to respect yourself and your limits. No matter what happens, you’ll make it through. Happy February, everyone.
By Cassandra Ironwoods
Question #1: Before we deep dive into your relationship, I want to know, since both of you sixth year now, how is your N.E.W.Ts preparation? Any special ritual you do/take before studying for your N.E.W.Ts?
Bloom: Yup, we definitely have N.E.W.Ts next year. It's at the end of the year. Where we have to pass classes so... we can have a future. Preparing for it is definitely happening... Special ritual? Oh, um... Howard... You can answer this one better than I can.
Howard: Don't remind me! I mean, not about the ritual, just the NEWTs themselves. I have some courses I know I'll ace, but its the end of me for some of the others. I'm rubbish with complicated spell work, so I think charms and transfiguration is out, but who knows. I'll try, but it doesn't look good.
Oh right, the rituals. Well, uh, we have this one. We like to use flash cards. Kind of a Muggle thing maybe? Dunno, maybe not, but we like to take bets on who gets the most right. Adds some competition to keep it interesting. Mostly we bet using treats or who carries who's stuff. Sometimes, something a little sweeter... (Howard winks at Bloom).
Question #2: The public wants to know who crushing on how and who asked who first to go steady with them?
Bloom: I think it was mutual. We met at the end of our fourth year and it was instant that we wanted to hang out more. And we did. The more we hung out together, the more I started to fall for him. I think my crushing on him started winter break of fifth year. As for being official, it was Howard.
Howard: We just clicked right away. Everything with Bloom was just so easy and natural and I couldn't help but to fall for her. I probably waited too long to ask, but eventually I did, yeah. I was a little afraid we could mess up a good friendship, but maybe that's why things are so good now? (Howard shrugs) I don't question it really. It works and I love it.
Question #3: What is the best feature(s) of each other you like the most and why?
Bloom: The best feature of Howard White is how caring and loving he is. He always knows what to say and makes me feel safe and loved. He also doesn't know this, well until now, but I love his drive for life. His competitiveness in sports, his helpfulness to his friends... He's special.
Howard: Yeah, I didn't know that. I know some don't like it, but I do like how competitive we are. Always keeps things exciting and we chose to bond over it instead of letting it divide us. Anyways, the one thing about Bloom Silverton is that you can always count on her. I trust her more than anyone in the world and I didn't have that for a long time. That to me is the most important thing and I couldn't love her more for it.
Question #4: Since both of you are sports players, how do you navigate those aspects with your love life?
Bloom: During the game season, it does get difficult. Our schedules are filled with practice and game time, but we make it work. It's nice that we don't play the same sport because I don't know how Howard would take my being better than him.
Howard: Yeah right! You broom racers couldn't handle a chaser like me. (another chuckle and a playful nudge) But yeah, it gets hard to find time during the season, but it is nice that we play different sports. We can compare strategies and discuss the matches without giving team secrets away. And it keeps us free to watch each others matches. So far it hasn't been a problem. We both love to compete and I think we love that about each other.
Question #5: Any advice for young couples out there to be the best and powerful couple like you?
Bloom: We've had our ups and downs and we learned down the road that honesty and forgiveness is extremely important. We share everything with each other and it really helps us grow strong.
Howard: Totally agree. It's going to be hard sometimes, so I think that the most important thing to do is to be open and honest. You also have to decide to commit to each other and promise to stick it out through hard times. Makes all of the good ones that much sweeter.
Cupid’s Poll
By Koko Riddle
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the Headliner released a poll for students to answer with regard to their plans for the holiday. Although we did not receive too many responses, those who did respond have answered crucial questions, such as whether or not they intend to spend time with a romantic interest, and they have also provided advice for those wondering how to confess to their certain special someone.
The majority of the poll’s respondents (36.8%) weren’t sure if they would celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2023. Equal minorities of 26.3% stated either yes or no, and two people’s answers hinged on whether or not someone would ask them out.
When asked how they planned to celebrate, the majority of the poll’s respondents mentioned chocolate in their answers. That might be something nice to share with a loved one, a friend or perhaps yourself. Respondents were split among whether they would celebrate with a date, friends or alone, but some outliers included ‘reading’, ‘plant[ing] flowers’ and ‘rehearsing’.
The next question in the poll asked respondents if they planned to confess to their crush, if they had one. A split majority of 26.3% each chose either that they planned to confess to their crush or that they didn’t have one. About 10% of respondents had already confessed, while another 10% stated that they hadn’t.
When asked why they planned to celebrate or not, respondents had mixed reviews. Some planned to celebrate just for the sake of celebration and happiness, while others didn’t plan to celebrate because they didn’t feel like Valentine’s Day was worth celebrating—which is completely understandable and valid. Some people mentioned how expensive things for Valentine’s Day can be, while others mentioned tasty food as a motivator for celebration.
All but two of the poll’s respondents thought Valentine’s Day should be celebrated with any loved one, be that a platonic or familial loved one alongside any possible romantic loved ones. The two other respondents said they thought that Valentine’s Day should just be for romance.
Respondents gave quite a few songs that reminded them of Valentine’s Day. These included ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran, ‘Just the Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars, ‘Somebody to Love’ by Queen, ‘Smooth’ by Santana, ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra and ‘Your Song’ by Elton John. If anyone is interested in making a playlist for Valentine’s Day, or even playing a few songs on an instrument to get in the romantic mood, these might be a few to play.
As for advice on how to confess to one’s crush, respondents had varied answers. Some included telling anyone wondering when to confess to just do it, since trying is better than not trying. One respondent said, ‘Don’t mess up’ while another said to not go through with confessing if uncomfortable. Another offered a formula of sorts and advised prospective confessors to answer three questions:
1. ‘Are they attracted to your gender?’
2. ‘Do they converse with you frequently?’
3. ‘Are you close friends?’
After providing those questions, the respondent said, ‘If you answered yes to 2/3 of them, then it is possible they might like you/would be okay with being friends if they don’t like you in the same way’, which is something to keep in mind when confessing to a potential crush.
All in all, Hogwarts’s residents had many ideas about Valentine’s Day, and while not all of these thoughts were the same, they are all valid and important to acknowledge. No matter who you celebrate with and no matter whether or not you celebrate at all, have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Say it With Stuff
By Marius Brown
Who doesn’t like receiving gifts? Almost everyone does! A reporter named Pipit once composed a simple but beautiful acrostic explaining that what makes a gift special is not the amount of money it costs, but rather because a gift is “the feeling of love that is expressed through a tangible object”, “a hope and prayer for its receiver”, and “a cure for a sad friend”.
That means a gift doesn’t have to be expensive. Our sincerity in giving it counts much more. But sometimes it can be difficult to choose what to present for our loved ones. We understand, and that’s why this Valentine’s Day, we on the Headliner decided to lend a hand through this list! Check it out…
Good Health, Grandparents!
Many senior citizens enjoy healthy and tasty food and drinks. Therefore, a beautiful basket full of fresh fruit can do no wrong! For the beverage, a herbal tea may be the best bet. Don’t forget to choose decaf, because quite a lot of grandparents find trouble falling asleep at night. To make your gift of teas look more elegant, you can put them into a paper bag and decorate it with a ribbon.
Busy Parents
Most parents are the backbone of the family. They sacrifice both time and energy to work, be it to earn money, to support our lives, or to ensure the house and everything in it is clean. A planner would be a very appropriate gift to show your support for them. Or, if your parents work from home, live flowers can be a good choice to present a touch of nature in the house. If you’d like to spend extra for a vase, some wooden vases cost less than their porcelain counterparts and are just as pretty!
The Young Ones
Ah, finding gift ideas for someone our age shouldn’t be too hard. But if you want to get your siblings, cousins, and friends something more personalised, it’s better to keep their hobbies in mind! For instance, if your brother is interested in cooking, present him with an affordable cooking set. If your sister is passionate about the Muggle sport of baseball, it’ll be a nice surprise if you buy her a baseball cap bearing the logo of her favourite team. What if your friend is an aspiring gardener? Then you can pick a nice watering can of their favourite colour!
Oh, Babies!
It can be tricky choosing gifts for babies and toddlers. Some toys aren’t designed for very young children and thus can be dangerous for them to play with. Soft dolls are usually safe, though, and most kids love cuddling with them. We also recommend presenting them with toys which can support their imagination and logical thinking, such as wooden blocks or jigsaw puzzles. But remember, it is always best to consult with your parents or other responsible adults before you really purchase something for a little one!
Pat, Pat, Pet
Of course we remembered to include gift ideas for your beloved pets also! They’re always our loyal companions, whether we’re happy or sad. They don’t even ask much, so a new toy, a new fluffy blanket, or an extra scoop of their favourite treat will do great.
Extra! Extra!
Do you think the gifts you have prepared aren’t enough? Or perhaps you’re not fully satisfied with the ideas above? Fret not, because we’ve prepared an extra list! The gifts mentioned in this list should fit, well, most of the categories, although babies and animals may not be able to enjoy them. What are they?
Chocolates. The classy pick that most everybody enjoys! There are many variants of chocolates, so you can choose depending on the receiver’s preference. Super sweet or slightly bitter? White, milk, or dark chocolate? And what’s even better, chocolatiers are getting more and more creative, so finding chocolates in different colours and shapes is no longer a problem!
Muggle mugs. Many Muggles vote for mugs as their favourite drinking vessel. They’re not only convenient but also nice-looking. A lot of mugs are decorated in colours and lovely pictures, so you can get everyone a mug, but each will still receive a different design! How cool is that?
Photos. Whether it’s one photo that comes in a fancy frame or a couple of photos inside an album, this choice of gift would undoubtedly remind your recipient of the magic moments you two have shared!
Greeting cards. No gift is complete without a greeting card, so choose the design your recipient will love, and start writing your message! (Shh, if you’re not into composing words, some cards come with printed messages!)
Well, what do you think about our list? Does it help you choose gifts for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day? Have fun spreading love!
Club Report: Sugar Spice and Everything Nice
By Dealla Prince
After a short break in our last issue, I’m excited to welcome you into the new year with a new instalment of my reports on the various clubs at our school. The club this time is an especially sweet one… or maybe salty, perhaps even spicy!
I am, of course, talking about Kim Aoki’s Tri-Cook-Club, which is perfect for anyone interested in Potions class without the worry about a small mistake leading to the accidental creation of a poison. In simpler words, if you like cooking or baking, this is the place for you. I managed to snag Kim for a short interview.
Dee: How did you come up with the idea for this club? It seems like a lot of fun.
Kim: I've enjoyed cooking and baking for as long as I can remember. Delicious food can bring a smile to anyone's face, and I aim to please! I thought others might share the same feelings as me, so I decided to start a club.
Dee: How do your meetings usually go? Are there themes to what the participants cook, or can everyone just make what they want?
Kim: We meet once a month, and each month we focus on a certain theme which is decided beforehand. There are skill challenges, mystery box challenges and team challenges. Each of these help the members grow in their cooking/baking. We also engage in an eating game at the end of the meeting, which is rather fun. The club culminates near the end of the school year in a competition to show off how the chosen competitors have grown over the year. A prize is given by a random judge for the best dish, and the judge and prizes can change all the time.
Dee: What's your favourite food? Have you made it during any of the meetings?
Kim: That's a difficult question, there are so many delicious dishes out there! But I have to say, I'm kind of partial to shepherd's pie and its various versions. I also think the custard tarts here are quite tasty, and the house elves should be applauded for their efforts. But as of now, I haven't made either one at any of our meetings so far; perhaps that will change in the future.
Dee: Any word to aspiring chefs out there?
Kim: For those who haven't cooked or baked anything before, there's always a first time for everything! If you're not confident in your skills, join the club and I guarantee that within a year, you will become much better than when you first joined. The main thing is to never give up, even if you get knocked down or are confronted with many failures. Failures are natural and are what make it possible for you to eventually succeed! We all started at the bottom. Let's work our way to the top, however long it may take to get there.
Sounds pretty tasty in my opinion! I wonder if I could apply to be one of the judges?
February Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
After quite a break comes the next round of the Hogwarts Headliner’s horoscopes! As always, suggestions are simply that, suggestions, but it is my sincerest hope that anyone reading this takes away something beneficial from the readings of the stars.
ARIES
February 2023 seems, so far, to be ready to be a good month to those born under Aries. Your interpersonal relations will flourish, so long as you continue to put care and effort into them, and your work and school-related activities will continue as fluidly as they can. Try to keep taking care of yourself, and this month should be wonderful.
TAURUS
Financially, February will be your best friend. Your family will give you advice, which you can choose to listen to or ignore. However, there will be ups and downs, as always, so it is important to remain motivated and positive—things will improve.
GEMINI
Gemini, in the month of February, your most pressing issue will be your natural impulsivity. This month will turn out well for you, especially with regard to new opportunities, so long as you decide to think about your decisions before you act.
CANCER
Your relationships with friends and family should improve this February, but know that it is your goals and abilities that will direct you the most this month. Although things might go well, it is what you choose to do that will keep things going well or make them change for the worse.
LEO
With regard to your work or school life, February will bring improvements. As long as you continue to put forth your best self, very few things should hold you back. It might be a good idea to remember to save money, however, as you might encounter a few unexpected financial problems.
VIRGO
February will be what you make it. Everything hinges on your choices this month, so be sure to think things through before you finalise a decision. Once you make your move, there is no turning back, so, if needed, create a ‘strategy’ of sorts to get you through the month.
LIBRA
Take advantage of new opportunities this February. You might find yourself feeling luckier than usual, and if you feel the urge to do something, it may be best to do it. However, remember to keep in mind how the things you do could affect those you care about. Things might be amazing for you, but for others, the reality of life might be very different.
SCORPIO
Although the beginning of February might seem rather droll, things should pick up later in the month. However, while you wait for things to look up, remember that you can take things into your own hands: myriad opportunities await, dear Scorpio, and you should not be afraid to look into them. Your interpersonal relationships in particular could blossom if you make the right decisions.
SAGITTARIUS
For you, Sagittarius, February will bring you financial upticks, but be warned, since this may come at the expense of your health. Try not to overwork yourself, and remember to take breaks when you need them. You will find what you need so long as you remember to be kind to yourself this month.
CAPRICORN
You might find yourself focusing more on work than on anything else this month. While not inherently a bad thing, this might put some of your interpersonal relationships in jeopardy, so remember to take time for everything and everyone—but only when you can. It is up to you to keep your life positive this month.
AQUARIUS
This February will bring Aquarians joy in their interpersonal relationships. You might feel self-conscious, but others won’t be likely to pick up on any lapse in confidence you might have. Things are in your favour, so all you need to do is, metaphorically, take your hand of cards and play it well.
PISCES
You might find this month to be a bit troubling, especially with regard to work and your interpersonal relationships, so it might be a better month for introspection. What is it that you want out of 2023? Have you followed through with any of your New Year’s Resolutions? These are questions you might wish to ask yourself to make the most of your February.
No matter what the stars tell you this month, it is largely up to you—the individual—to make the right choices for yourself. Take any and all factors into consideration when making decisions this month, but also—and this goes for everyone—remember to respect yourself and your limits. No matter what happens, you’ll make it through. Happy February, everyone.
The Hogwarts Headliner
Plain text issue below:
Reducio
Unity: We’re All In This Together
By Cassandra Ironwoods
One thing that all of the students of Hogwarts agree on is how much fun we can have during one errand. Whether it was the Prefects or the staff team that held it, we - the ones that participate in the said errand - will definitely gain either new experiences or new friends from it.
Last January which was not so far from the new school year, an errand was held by both the Prefects (shout out to Dealla Prince and Howard White) and our lovely Potions Professor, Méabh Regan. I am so blessed and lucky that two out of the three were able to be interviewed and I honestly had fun interviewing them.
Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the question!
Cash: Before we dive deep into why you held the Unity Errand, I want to say congratulation for filling the Potion Professor, Prof. Regan! My question is what makes you interested to fill the position and how was your experience so far teaching the said subject?
Méabh: Ah, thank you! (laughs) It's been half a year, this was unexpected. I've always been interested in Potions, but I also love working with people, and my old job mostly consisted of working alone in my lab. Getting to talk to the students here instead has been lovely, and the colleagues are certainly interesting! I'm always happy to try and infect some more people with my love for potions.
Cash: What is the background, intention, or reason to make such an errand? Did it come out from your own experience or perhaps any other reason we should know?
Dealla: Howard and I came up with the idea ages ago. It's really based on his experience, not mine. I was talking to him because of an article I was writing about S.C.A.R.A.B. and it sort of just happened from there. We were thinking that other mixed-race students might feel isolated, and it can't be easy reading what the Prophet has been writing about them for the past few years. So the intent was both to get them together and show them some positivity about their heritage, and to get others to see that what the Prophet is printing is a bunch of Hippogriff sh- I'm sorry, that what they're saying isn't true at all.
Cash: The errand itself I can say it was a successful one - since I am partaking in one of the groups - and as the title of the errand it was to bring unity within the student bodies. But what if after the errand there were still some students that were being discriminated against or being racist towards one another? How or what is your advice to overcome adversity?
Méabh: I'm glad you think so! It's nice to hear that some people experienced the positivity we were aiming for. I think the sad truth we have to accept is that intolerance and fear can't be extinguished this easily. We need to keep working on it, and we can't let it scare us into silence. I suppose the advice I have to give is to remember that those people are just a small, hateful minority. Be proud of yourself, and find those that support you! You're not alone.
Cash: Is there any new errand in the future that you’re planning that we should look forward to? If yes, could you maybe give Hogwarts Headliner a little sneak peek about it?
Méabh: (winks) Oh, you can count on it. I had a lot of fun hosting this event, despite the small hiccups. For the next one, let's see... I won't be able to resist spreading some more of my love for potions. Maybe I can convince the lovely and knowledgeable Professor Blumenthal to help me out, what do you think?
Once again I want to say thank you to our lovely former Ravenclaw Duelling Captain, Dealla Prince, and Professor Méabh Regan for sparing me their time in the middle of their busy schedule. I myself, for one, cannot wait for what other errands will hold in the future! In the meantime, though, be kind to one another and stay safe, everyone! Until next time, Cash Ironwoods out!
A Call to Reason
By Dealla Prince
Dear readers,
When I started writing this article, I was setting out to give another review of S.C.A.R.A.B.'s activities since my last article on the topic. “S.C.A.R.A.B.: What have they been up to?” was the working title in my notes.
Yet, while I do want to touch on news about the organisation, I feel there is something else I must speak up about, and that is the continuing trend of blatant anti-mixed-race speech present in other newspapers. I will not give names; everyone who has read the articles I mention will know. I have touched on this before: In my previous articles about S.C.A.R.A.B. I called upon you to think twice about what you hear, to question what you are told, and to wonder: Did they really do what they’re accused of? What would they gain? (For those who missed it, I encourage you to take a look at our issues #17 and #18.)
To my own shame, I must admit that I still read these other newspapers. That I consulted them again to research for this article, this time with a wary eye. Dear readers, my wary eye was horrified.
We all know Howard White. He is the champion that represents Hogwarts in the Hexwizard tournament. He’s been interviewed in that role by myself and others. In articles published about him, he was called a “menace”, “possibly full Muggle”, and described as “a thin thread away from snapping and consuming some unfortunate innocent”, with “blood lust in his eyes”. Yes, these are quotes. No, I did not take them out of context to make them appear worse than they are. Dear readers, I know Howard White, and I would not use any of these words to describe him. He’s a friendly young man. A little blunt with his opinions, perhaps, and passionate about his situation, but no more or worse than I would be. Frankly, I appreciate his honesty. More people should be like him.
In other articles, the newspaper-which-shall-not-be-named once again criticises Hogwarts and its inclusion of mixed race students. “Think of the children” they say, and I agree. Think of the children: all the part-giant, part-goblin, part-veela children they would reject and expel from wizard society for no reason other than their heritage. Think of the werewolves and Dhampirs that they would refuse to shelter for something that happened to them, with no fault of their own. Think of all the children who grow up having to read what these newspapers write about them. They deserve better.
The next example is even more striking. “A Call to Old Values”, the headline reads, then suggests that the rise of Voldemort was to blame on Harry Potter. Dear readers, Harry Potter was not even born when Voldemort rose. Perhaps it is a metaphor, but referring to whom? Half-blooded wizard children raised by abusive Muggle relatives? The fault they carry in the crimes committed by one of the darkest wizards of all time is unclear. The article rants against progress, against the advancements Muggles make, and requests a return to what the author seems to think are better times. I am not sure what possessed them to suggest that Voldemort’s regime was a “grace”, that the atrocious crimes that Muggle-born wizards suffered in this time were a “necessity”. It doesn’t stop there. Right after glorifying Voldemort’s reign, they bring up Grindelwald’s ideals, that the “greater good” justifies any crime. A call to old values—which old values? Do they suggest we return to discriminating against our own like Voldemort, to suppress Muggles the way Grindelwald wanted? This is not just a controversial take, it is an insult to those that suffered at the hands of either tyrant, and to anyone with a mind to think for themselves.
I could go on and bring up every example of the hateful propaganda being spread by one of the most influential newspapers of British wizard society, which is now growing from our mixed race peers to include Muggles and anyone who shares their blood. I will not, because it does not deserve being read. I think it is past time that we all stop giving ear to their narrative.
I do not ask you to blindly believe me, I only ask that you don’t blindly believe the hate spread by others. Look around you with open minds and eyes. We know the mixed race students whom they would have us fear. They are our peers, our friends, our team mates. They study for exams, they eat meals, they play Quidditch; just as we do. In a world which curses them for what they are because it wants an enemy it can blame its problems on, I am glad that Hogwarts provides a haven for them. I am proud to call them my friends.
At least while they are at Hogwarts, do not let hateful narratives take away the little peace and safety they have.
Finding Truth: The Dhampir Attack
By Ruby Cazares
Our long-term readers may remember a somewhat recurring topic in past articles – that of the assault of a young girl by a dhampir in our very own halls. This led to an article by T. Ruth about defence against dhampirs, which divided the student body and made a lot of people angry. Years later, after rumors have spread and damage has been done, the victim of the original situation that sparked some of this controversy has chosen to come forward and speak her truth. Here is an interview I had with Aurelia Notresvace disclosing her full encounter with Howard White and the consequences this may have had.
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Ruby: So, Miss Notresvace, we’re here to get clarification on what really happened when you were attacked by a dhampir back in 2019. Could you tell us some basics of the situation, such as the date and who was there?
Aurelia: That would be early October 2019 in the early evening, a short while before the annual ball. It had been pouring all day, I was alone going up to the owlery to send off a letter.
Ruby: How do you feel about the November 2020 article in which T. Ruth talks about your attack and the danger of dhampirs?
Aurelia: While the advice on defence is helpful, to wait for but a year after the incident to write and publish the article did not sit well with me. Additionally, I would have appreciated that T. Ruth had consulted me first and foremost before writing about such an extremely delicate matter that pertains to me – an assault. I was on my own healing journey. For my own story to be merely put up and sensationalized indifferently was upsetting.
Ruby: In March 2021, the Headliner published an article where your attacker confesses to assaulting you, but he also states that he brought you to the Hospital Wing. How does that affect your opinion of what happened – that your attacker was also your rescuer?
Aurelia: I know Howard better than most. We were classmates, perhaps even friends when he was still human. It took a while to figure things out. Despite the fact that I wouldn't be here had he not brought me there, what happened was and still is an assault to this day, regardless of whether it was in his intention. He had acted upon the drive of an inhuman bloodlust.
Ruby: There are rumors that you provoked Mr. White into attacking via bloodbaiting him. I understand this will be hard for you, but would you be willing to tell us what actually happened that day, from your perspective, just to have full clarity on the situation?
Aurelia: While I did not bloodbait Howard, I had fallen and scraped my knee while climbing up the stairs to the owlery. He was waiting in the shadows for me. As soon [as] my owl was sent off, he attacked me from behind. Much of it is a blur, I’m sorry. I remembered... him tugging my hair forcefully to the side before he punctured my neck. I managed to cast Lumos, which made him release me. I was only thirteen, I hadn't experienced such excruciating pain, much less seen so much blood. Howard snapped out of his bloodlust and was trying to calm me down, but I remember being so frightened and in shock. I woke up in the hospital wing after that.
Ruby: Why didn’t you tell anyone about the assault? It seems like a big thing to keep quiet about and to not get further help for, but I understand if you were still processing it.
Aurelia: I was afraid. There is no way else to put it. I was only thirteen then, and I didn't know what to do or how to feel about nearly losing my life to someone I knew then was a good acquaintance. Reflecting upon it now that I am older, I should have gotten help. It took years to heal alone. It wasn't easy but I wouldn't have known any better at such an age.
Ruby: Is there anything else you would like to say about the event, or previous misinformation you’d like to correct?
Aurelia: While Howard and I are on relatively good terms now, it took a while. I encourage anyone who’s been a victim of an assault to speak out on your truth. And for everyone else to simply be kinder. Rumours can be deceptive. You do not know the trauma a classmate, friend, or acquaintance has gone through, but it is their story to tell and whether they choose to or not.
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The interview contains an important message – be mindful of what you’re saying, whether you’re a Headliner reporter or just part of the student body. Remind yourselves that you’re talking about real people and what happened to them. Give them the control.
Chasing, Racing, and the Flick of a Wand
By Edward Foxe
Hogwarts is full of sports, sports, and more sports; Quidditch, Broom Racing and Duelling. We’ve all seen the athletes play, race and fight, but now it’s your chance to meet the athletes themselves! For this issue of the Headliner, I interviewed Dan Palmer, captain of Slytherin’s Quidditch Team, and Hades Schweighöfer, a new member of the Hufflepuff Duelling Team. If you have requests for the future or want to be interviewed, drop me an owl. Now, enjoy the read!
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Part 1: Dan Palmer
Edward: Hi Dan, thanks for taking the time. Quidditch has the longest standing tradition of the sports played at Hogwarts. Why did you choose Quidditch as a sport?
Dan: I dunno I was asked ta try it out, so I did. And I took a likin' to it.
Edward: Cool, so do you still remember your first match? How did you experience it?
Dan: 'Course I remember it. The first time I played it, how could I ferget?....What d'ya mean how? I experienced it fresh in me career, barely knowin' a quaffle from a bludger. The rules... they were a hot mess back then, lad.
Edward: But you seem to have stuck to it. What made you continue?
Dan: I jest bloody- Oh like what made it. Well, I was made Captain, an' I don't take that lightly. An' the more I played, the more I loved it.
Edward: And since your first game, I’m sure a lot has changed. What was the most important rule update in your opinion?
Dan: I dunno... Lettin' the Chasers do more was super important ta me. I could tell the chasers on me team and other teams felt like they weren't important ta the game none. Now, they're way more than just save mules an bludger fodder.
Edward: Oh wow, I didn’t know it was that bad before. I’m glad things have changed for the better! Now to my last question: What was your best and worst Quidditch memory?
Dan: Me best quidditch memory is definitely when I found the snitch in seconds and caught it me first try. Ended the match in two rounds, I did. Worst... Is when that right meat-headed bastard Jorah Moussa broke me Silver Arrow that ma' team'd gotten fer me. I got the best o' the best broomsmiths on that immediately. If he ever wakes up caked in lake mud, he'll know why.
Edward: Wow, only two rounds! I honestly also dream of that. Thank you for the great interview, Dan!
Part 2: Hades Schweighöfer
Edward: Hello Hades, thank you for the opportunity of this interview. You are new to the dueling team and just had your first match. Why did you choose dueling as your sport and what was your experience in your first match?
Hades: I chose the duel because I wanted to test my knowledge and skill when performing spells, but I also want to consider it as a challenge when it comes to dealing with rivals who are my friends. That leads me to have a kind of development because I have to choose between my friends or reputation.
Edward: Ah, I understand. It is certainly a difficult situation to duel against friends. So, who would you like to duel in the future and why?
Hades: With Damion! Him being my boyfriend will make me undecided because my heart will tell me that I should not hurt him. That will make me have a conflict of interest and I have to think about what’s best for me.
Edward: Oh wow, I didn’t expect that. So you directly chose your closest friend. Very interesting indeed. Now to come back to spells. You also said you want to test your knowledge and skill. Now, which is your favourite spell and why?
Hades: My choice is Blasting Curse, despite not having learned it or having the opportunity to perform the spell. Another option is Full Body-Bind Curse, which is an interesting spell that makes the target completely paralyzed. It’s one of my favourites because unlike most, it makes the target completely unable to perform a spell and that would give me an advantage.
Edward: You are really keen to win then, always on the lookout for your advantage. So as my last question, I’d like to know whether you’d say Duelling is a team sport or more an individual sport?
Hades: I think it’s both. Sometimes it can be considered an individual sport because you need to strategize and know what spells are best to fight them, along with other ways to demonstrate your skill and pronunciation. However, it’s also a team sport because it is based on communication and coordination.
Edward: Thank you very much for this interesting interview, Hades.
Club Reports: Caught in 4K
By Dealla Prince
A new year at this school means new and exciting things! Errands, events, the upcoming Blossom Ball… and of course many new clubs to report on. Members of this issue’s highlighted club can likely be found at all of the events I mentioned above, most likely doing exactly what their club is all about. Maybe some of them would even be interested in helping out the Headliner, making our articles a little more… eye-catching?
If you have not caught on yet, I am talking about the LUMOS! Camera Club, founded by none other than Hufflepuff prefect, broomracer, and school sweetheart Simon Kincaid. The name, Lumos, is not only reminiscent of the flash of light produced by a camera, but also an acronym for “Let Us Meet On Saturday”, because the group holds monthly meetings on - you guessed it - Saturdays.
I could, of course, tell you a lot more about this new club, but who would be better to do so than its founder himself? Simon graciously agreed to answer a few questions.
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Dee: What woke your interest in photography?
Simon: I went back home to London for Christmas Holiday and whilst there, spent some time with my Aunt Maggie's boyfriend, a muggle by the name of Mark Prescott. He is very much into photography and explained some things to me about it, and then we went around the city and did a photoshoot to practise some of what I learned. It sparked my interest and I hope to continue learning more about photography itself and photography in the wizarding world.
Dee: What impact do you hope to have with this club?
Simon: Photography is such a great hobby because it preserves memories, makes connections, allows one to express themselves, and so much more. I want members to find what about photography inspires them and to utilise it as a tool to grow and develop.
Dee: I heard you're planning monthly meetings! How do your meetings usually play out?
Simon: We're going to learn the basics first - film photography, film development, printmaking, and from there we might hold some meetings on specialised topics. We'll have photo shares and photo outings as well. I welcome everyone to come check us out!
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Honestly, that sounds pretty interesting, and educational on top. If you want to try it out yourself - you know when they meet. You don’t even need your own equipment to get started. Just stop by!
ASK (Advice from Simon Kincaid)
By Simon Kincaid
Greetings and welcome to ASK (Advice from Simon Kincaid)! I'm Simon Kincaid. Here you can submit your questions regarding life, friendships, student success, relationships, worries, and more! Contact me via owl!
Hello readers! I'd like to begin my segment with a sort of overview of advice. This is all paraphrased from a valuable bit of information I found reprinted in my local paper just before starting my journey at Hogwarts. I thought it would be useful along the pathway of life and hope you'll find it useful as well!
Here's 10 rules for being human:
[1] You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for your entire period here.
[2] You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant, stupid, or too hard.
[3] There are no mistakes, only lessons. You are made to grow, and growth is a process of experimentation – trial and error. The pains of "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the ones that ultimately "work".
[4] A lesson will be repeated until it is learned. The same lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can then go on to the next lesson.
[5] Learning lessons does not end. There is no part of the process of life that does not contain its lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.
[6] "There" is no better than "here", though the best thing always seems to be happening "there". When you do get to a "there" and it becomes a "here", you will yearn for another "there" that will, again, look better than "here". Always appreciate the "here".
[7] Others are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.
[8] What you make of life is up to you. You have all the tools and the resources that you need in your mind, heart, and body. What you do with them and what attitudes you form are up to you. The choice is yours. Nobody "makes" you.
[9] The answers to life's questions lie inside of you. All you need to do is take time to look, listen, and understand.
[10] In the most essential parts of life, you will always get what you asked for. This happens because of your thoughts, choices, and attitudes. You may not get what you wanted, but it will be what you asked for.
Enjoy your month of April, Hogwarts – and be kind to one another.
April Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
With a new month (or, perhaps, a new season) comes new horoscopes, and this month is no different. April offers change for every sign, and this time, most of that change is positive. If there’s any time to work towards one’s goals, it’s definitely now. Without further ado, the horoscopes for April 2023 are as follows:
ARIES
This month, Aries natives will have a bit of extra luck due to favourable positions from Jupiter and Venus. You might find time to spend with a loved one, especially if this involves dinner or a fun film.
TAURUS
Tauruses might find love this month – particularly romantic love, but love nonetheless. Try not to be worried about your interpersonal relationships; instead, focus on being yourself, and your relationships will likely flourish.
GEMINI
Similarly to Tauruses, your interpersonal relationships will flourish, but in contrast to their romantic success, you’re more likely to find growth and success within your family. Consider showing your appreciation for your family members, and you could be surprised by how much closer you and your family might get.
CANCER
For Cancer natives, April will bring help in your career or academic life. Perhaps there’s something you’ve been putting off for far too long – don’t fear too much, since you’ll get the motivation to finish such a thing. Remember that your career isn’t all you are, and don’t be afraid to remain involved in your relationships.
LEO
Although life might have recently been hectic for Leo natives, April should bring a much-needed respite from that. You’ll likely find a bit of financial calm, and that will help you organise other aspects of your life. April looks relatively positive, but do ensure you remember your obligations this month.
VIRGO
For Virgo natives, your career might provide a bit more difficulty than usual, but this negative aspect of April may be countered by increased opportunities for socialisation. Everything works best in moderation, so keep that in mind as you navigate this month.
LIBRA
This month will bring Libra natives countless opportunities for romancing and socialising, but despite these positives, there is a chance you might experience burnout. Remember to take some time to yourself to keep your mental health the best it can be.
SCORPIO
For Scorpios, April brings positivity. You might receive money or find your finances more manageable, and you might find more comfort in your job. You’ll likely find many opportunities for socialisation, and with the advent of spring, you might find your health improving.
SAGITTARIUS
With anything regarding love, April will provide. This can be any form of love – familial, platonic, romantic or another form of love. You’ll likely find yourself feeling happy and perhaps rejuvenated throughout the month of April.
CAPRICORN
You might see some shifting in your finances during April. This could be positive or negative, but no matter how this affects you, you will likely learn from your financial experiences. Keep an eye on the values of any of your assets.
AQUARIUS
Although you might not notice immediately, April will sow the seeds of change. Pluto is moving into Aquarius, albeit only for a short time, but this allows for the beginning of a great change in your life. Changes might seem small, but it may be beneficial to keep an eye out for any effects they could have in the long run.
PISCES
For Pisces natives, the month of April will bring opportunities to spend money, but these likely won’t all be about you. You might buy gifts for your loved ones or pay for an evening out with some friends. Socialisation might come more easily than before, and you might find yourself feeling a bit luckier, especially in terms of motivation.
With the advent of spring comes new beginnings for everyone, no matter which sun sign you fall under. April will bring love and better finances to most signs, but it’s most important to remember to keep an eye on one’s health. For now, at least, enjoy the warmer weather and beginning of spring.
The Motorcycle Diarie
By Marius Brown
In 2013, the United Nations declared that starting the following year, 6 April would be the day to celebrate the power of sport in fostering social change, community development, and peace and understanding. The day was baptised International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
In line with this, today’s Motorcycle Diaries thus put the spotlight on motorsports! The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM, abbreviated from its original Spanish name) classifies the sports in four categories, each of which has several subcategories. What are they?
Road Racing
Road Racing is perhaps one of the most famous forms of motorbike racing. In this category, a race is held on paved road surfaces, be it a purposely-built closed circuit or a closed public street; the latter is currently only utilised in the subcategory of traditional road racing. Supersport racing, composed of the AMA Supersport Championship, British Supersport Championship, and Supersport World Championship, is also a part of this category.
As ‘prestigious’ as the name may suggest, Supersport is arguably less globally well-known than endurance and sidecar racings, particularly the former. Endurance racing, especially popular in Australia, Japan and many European countries, is designed to test the racers’ endurance and their equipments’ durability.
However, the two most sought-after races are probably Superbike racing (particularly World SBK) and Motorcycle Grand Prix, commonly abbreviated as MotoGP. The difference between the two is that Superbike employs mass-produced motorcycles which are modified, whereas the bikes used in MotoGP are prototype machines not based on any production motorbike.
Motocross
Motocross, an off-road equivalent of road racing, is another popular category worldwide. Its circuit is composed of dirt, mud, grass, sand, and similar. Unlike road racing, the combination of the motorcycle technology and the track employed in motocross enable the bikes to get airborne, therefore creating a ‘flying’ effect. On a side note, motocross is a popular form of training among road racers.
The two most well-known subcategories of motocross are Supercross (SX) and Supermoto. SX is interesting as it takes place indoors, in contrast to what most people think when they first get to know motocross. Not very successful in Europe, it’s proved to be popular in North America, leading to its new term ‘the outdoors’. Supermoto may also be considered interesting in the sense that it combines motocross and road racing. Whereas its motorbikes are motocross types, the tyres are similar to that of road racing’s bikes. Similarly, its track is a combination of road and dirt courses.
Enduro and Cross-Country
The term ‘Enduro’ refers to both a category and subcategory, an off-road motorcycle sport that focuses mainly on the racers’ endurance. Other subcategories include Hard Enduro, which features tougher courses than Enduro; Hare Scramble, a name given to a form of off-road motorcycle racing; and cross-country rally, whose arguably most famous example is the Dakar Rally, with its starting line traditionally positioned in West Europe and its finishing line Dakar.
Track Racing
In this category, racers compete around an oval-shaped circuit. Each subcategory is based on the surface type used in the race: Auto Race (asphalt), Board Race (wooden planks), Grassway (grass), Ice Speedway (ice), Indoor Short Track and TT Racing (indoor), and Speedway (dirt or loosely-packed shale).
That’s about it for the four categories! Surprisingly, there are actually a couple of other categories which are not classified by the FIM. However, due to space limitation, it’s a pity that it is not possible for us to discuss them in this issue. If demands are high, though, I’ll cover them some time in the future. For the moment, let’s put this aside and start racing!
By Cassandra Ironwoods
One thing that all of the students of Hogwarts agree on is how much fun we can have during one errand. Whether it was the Prefects or the staff team that held it, we - the ones that participate in the said errand - will definitely gain either new experiences or new friends from it.
Last January which was not so far from the new school year, an errand was held by both the Prefects (shout out to Dealla Prince and Howard White) and our lovely Potions Professor, Méabh Regan. I am so blessed and lucky that two out of the three were able to be interviewed and I honestly had fun interviewing them.
Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the question!
Cash: Before we dive deep into why you held the Unity Errand, I want to say congratulation for filling the Potion Professor, Prof. Regan! My question is what makes you interested to fill the position and how was your experience so far teaching the said subject?
Méabh: Ah, thank you! (laughs) It's been half a year, this was unexpected. I've always been interested in Potions, but I also love working with people, and my old job mostly consisted of working alone in my lab. Getting to talk to the students here instead has been lovely, and the colleagues are certainly interesting! I'm always happy to try and infect some more people with my love for potions.
Cash: What is the background, intention, or reason to make such an errand? Did it come out from your own experience or perhaps any other reason we should know?
Dealla: Howard and I came up with the idea ages ago. It's really based on his experience, not mine. I was talking to him because of an article I was writing about S.C.A.R.A.B. and it sort of just happened from there. We were thinking that other mixed-race students might feel isolated, and it can't be easy reading what the Prophet has been writing about them for the past few years. So the intent was both to get them together and show them some positivity about their heritage, and to get others to see that what the Prophet is printing is a bunch of Hippogriff sh- I'm sorry, that what they're saying isn't true at all.
Cash: The errand itself I can say it was a successful one - since I am partaking in one of the groups - and as the title of the errand it was to bring unity within the student bodies. But what if after the errand there were still some students that were being discriminated against or being racist towards one another? How or what is your advice to overcome adversity?
Méabh: I'm glad you think so! It's nice to hear that some people experienced the positivity we were aiming for. I think the sad truth we have to accept is that intolerance and fear can't be extinguished this easily. We need to keep working on it, and we can't let it scare us into silence. I suppose the advice I have to give is to remember that those people are just a small, hateful minority. Be proud of yourself, and find those that support you! You're not alone.
Cash: Is there any new errand in the future that you’re planning that we should look forward to? If yes, could you maybe give Hogwarts Headliner a little sneak peek about it?
Méabh: (winks) Oh, you can count on it. I had a lot of fun hosting this event, despite the small hiccups. For the next one, let's see... I won't be able to resist spreading some more of my love for potions. Maybe I can convince the lovely and knowledgeable Professor Blumenthal to help me out, what do you think?
Once again I want to say thank you to our lovely former Ravenclaw Duelling Captain, Dealla Prince, and Professor Méabh Regan for sparing me their time in the middle of their busy schedule. I myself, for one, cannot wait for what other errands will hold in the future! In the meantime, though, be kind to one another and stay safe, everyone! Until next time, Cash Ironwoods out!
A Call to Reason
By Dealla Prince
Dear readers,
When I started writing this article, I was setting out to give another review of S.C.A.R.A.B.'s activities since my last article on the topic. “S.C.A.R.A.B.: What have they been up to?” was the working title in my notes.
Yet, while I do want to touch on news about the organisation, I feel there is something else I must speak up about, and that is the continuing trend of blatant anti-mixed-race speech present in other newspapers. I will not give names; everyone who has read the articles I mention will know. I have touched on this before: In my previous articles about S.C.A.R.A.B. I called upon you to think twice about what you hear, to question what you are told, and to wonder: Did they really do what they’re accused of? What would they gain? (For those who missed it, I encourage you to take a look at our issues #17 and #18.)
To my own shame, I must admit that I still read these other newspapers. That I consulted them again to research for this article, this time with a wary eye. Dear readers, my wary eye was horrified.
We all know Howard White. He is the champion that represents Hogwarts in the Hexwizard tournament. He’s been interviewed in that role by myself and others. In articles published about him, he was called a “menace”, “possibly full Muggle”, and described as “a thin thread away from snapping and consuming some unfortunate innocent”, with “blood lust in his eyes”. Yes, these are quotes. No, I did not take them out of context to make them appear worse than they are. Dear readers, I know Howard White, and I would not use any of these words to describe him. He’s a friendly young man. A little blunt with his opinions, perhaps, and passionate about his situation, but no more or worse than I would be. Frankly, I appreciate his honesty. More people should be like him.
In other articles, the newspaper-which-shall-not-be-named once again criticises Hogwarts and its inclusion of mixed race students. “Think of the children” they say, and I agree. Think of the children: all the part-giant, part-goblin, part-veela children they would reject and expel from wizard society for no reason other than their heritage. Think of the werewolves and Dhampirs that they would refuse to shelter for something that happened to them, with no fault of their own. Think of all the children who grow up having to read what these newspapers write about them. They deserve better.
The next example is even more striking. “A Call to Old Values”, the headline reads, then suggests that the rise of Voldemort was to blame on Harry Potter. Dear readers, Harry Potter was not even born when Voldemort rose. Perhaps it is a metaphor, but referring to whom? Half-blooded wizard children raised by abusive Muggle relatives? The fault they carry in the crimes committed by one of the darkest wizards of all time is unclear. The article rants against progress, against the advancements Muggles make, and requests a return to what the author seems to think are better times. I am not sure what possessed them to suggest that Voldemort’s regime was a “grace”, that the atrocious crimes that Muggle-born wizards suffered in this time were a “necessity”. It doesn’t stop there. Right after glorifying Voldemort’s reign, they bring up Grindelwald’s ideals, that the “greater good” justifies any crime. A call to old values—which old values? Do they suggest we return to discriminating against our own like Voldemort, to suppress Muggles the way Grindelwald wanted? This is not just a controversial take, it is an insult to those that suffered at the hands of either tyrant, and to anyone with a mind to think for themselves.
I could go on and bring up every example of the hateful propaganda being spread by one of the most influential newspapers of British wizard society, which is now growing from our mixed race peers to include Muggles and anyone who shares their blood. I will not, because it does not deserve being read. I think it is past time that we all stop giving ear to their narrative.
I do not ask you to blindly believe me, I only ask that you don’t blindly believe the hate spread by others. Look around you with open minds and eyes. We know the mixed race students whom they would have us fear. They are our peers, our friends, our team mates. They study for exams, they eat meals, they play Quidditch; just as we do. In a world which curses them for what they are because it wants an enemy it can blame its problems on, I am glad that Hogwarts provides a haven for them. I am proud to call them my friends.
At least while they are at Hogwarts, do not let hateful narratives take away the little peace and safety they have.
Finding Truth: The Dhampir Attack
By Ruby Cazares
Our long-term readers may remember a somewhat recurring topic in past articles – that of the assault of a young girl by a dhampir in our very own halls. This led to an article by T. Ruth about defence against dhampirs, which divided the student body and made a lot of people angry. Years later, after rumors have spread and damage has been done, the victim of the original situation that sparked some of this controversy has chosen to come forward and speak her truth. Here is an interview I had with Aurelia Notresvace disclosing her full encounter with Howard White and the consequences this may have had.
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Ruby: So, Miss Notresvace, we’re here to get clarification on what really happened when you were attacked by a dhampir back in 2019. Could you tell us some basics of the situation, such as the date and who was there?
Aurelia: That would be early October 2019 in the early evening, a short while before the annual ball. It had been pouring all day, I was alone going up to the owlery to send off a letter.
Ruby: How do you feel about the November 2020 article in which T. Ruth talks about your attack and the danger of dhampirs?
Aurelia: While the advice on defence is helpful, to wait for but a year after the incident to write and publish the article did not sit well with me. Additionally, I would have appreciated that T. Ruth had consulted me first and foremost before writing about such an extremely delicate matter that pertains to me – an assault. I was on my own healing journey. For my own story to be merely put up and sensationalized indifferently was upsetting.
Ruby: In March 2021, the Headliner published an article where your attacker confesses to assaulting you, but he also states that he brought you to the Hospital Wing. How does that affect your opinion of what happened – that your attacker was also your rescuer?
Aurelia: I know Howard better than most. We were classmates, perhaps even friends when he was still human. It took a while to figure things out. Despite the fact that I wouldn't be here had he not brought me there, what happened was and still is an assault to this day, regardless of whether it was in his intention. He had acted upon the drive of an inhuman bloodlust.
Ruby: There are rumors that you provoked Mr. White into attacking via bloodbaiting him. I understand this will be hard for you, but would you be willing to tell us what actually happened that day, from your perspective, just to have full clarity on the situation?
Aurelia: While I did not bloodbait Howard, I had fallen and scraped my knee while climbing up the stairs to the owlery. He was waiting in the shadows for me. As soon [as] my owl was sent off, he attacked me from behind. Much of it is a blur, I’m sorry. I remembered... him tugging my hair forcefully to the side before he punctured my neck. I managed to cast Lumos, which made him release me. I was only thirteen, I hadn't experienced such excruciating pain, much less seen so much blood. Howard snapped out of his bloodlust and was trying to calm me down, but I remember being so frightened and in shock. I woke up in the hospital wing after that.
Ruby: Why didn’t you tell anyone about the assault? It seems like a big thing to keep quiet about and to not get further help for, but I understand if you were still processing it.
Aurelia: I was afraid. There is no way else to put it. I was only thirteen then, and I didn't know what to do or how to feel about nearly losing my life to someone I knew then was a good acquaintance. Reflecting upon it now that I am older, I should have gotten help. It took years to heal alone. It wasn't easy but I wouldn't have known any better at such an age.
Ruby: Is there anything else you would like to say about the event, or previous misinformation you’d like to correct?
Aurelia: While Howard and I are on relatively good terms now, it took a while. I encourage anyone who’s been a victim of an assault to speak out on your truth. And for everyone else to simply be kinder. Rumours can be deceptive. You do not know the trauma a classmate, friend, or acquaintance has gone through, but it is their story to tell and whether they choose to or not.
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The interview contains an important message – be mindful of what you’re saying, whether you’re a Headliner reporter or just part of the student body. Remind yourselves that you’re talking about real people and what happened to them. Give them the control.
Chasing, Racing, and the Flick of a Wand
By Edward Foxe
Hogwarts is full of sports, sports, and more sports; Quidditch, Broom Racing and Duelling. We’ve all seen the athletes play, race and fight, but now it’s your chance to meet the athletes themselves! For this issue of the Headliner, I interviewed Dan Palmer, captain of Slytherin’s Quidditch Team, and Hades Schweighöfer, a new member of the Hufflepuff Duelling Team. If you have requests for the future or want to be interviewed, drop me an owl. Now, enjoy the read!
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Part 1: Dan Palmer
Edward: Hi Dan, thanks for taking the time. Quidditch has the longest standing tradition of the sports played at Hogwarts. Why did you choose Quidditch as a sport?
Dan: I dunno I was asked ta try it out, so I did. And I took a likin' to it.
Edward: Cool, so do you still remember your first match? How did you experience it?
Dan: 'Course I remember it. The first time I played it, how could I ferget?....What d'ya mean how? I experienced it fresh in me career, barely knowin' a quaffle from a bludger. The rules... they were a hot mess back then, lad.
Edward: But you seem to have stuck to it. What made you continue?
Dan: I jest bloody- Oh like what made it. Well, I was made Captain, an' I don't take that lightly. An' the more I played, the more I loved it.
Edward: And since your first game, I’m sure a lot has changed. What was the most important rule update in your opinion?
Dan: I dunno... Lettin' the Chasers do more was super important ta me. I could tell the chasers on me team and other teams felt like they weren't important ta the game none. Now, they're way more than just save mules an bludger fodder.
Edward: Oh wow, I didn’t know it was that bad before. I’m glad things have changed for the better! Now to my last question: What was your best and worst Quidditch memory?
Dan: Me best quidditch memory is definitely when I found the snitch in seconds and caught it me first try. Ended the match in two rounds, I did. Worst... Is when that right meat-headed bastard Jorah Moussa broke me Silver Arrow that ma' team'd gotten fer me. I got the best o' the best broomsmiths on that immediately. If he ever wakes up caked in lake mud, he'll know why.
Edward: Wow, only two rounds! I honestly also dream of that. Thank you for the great interview, Dan!
Part 2: Hades Schweighöfer
Edward: Hello Hades, thank you for the opportunity of this interview. You are new to the dueling team and just had your first match. Why did you choose dueling as your sport and what was your experience in your first match?
Hades: I chose the duel because I wanted to test my knowledge and skill when performing spells, but I also want to consider it as a challenge when it comes to dealing with rivals who are my friends. That leads me to have a kind of development because I have to choose between my friends or reputation.
Edward: Ah, I understand. It is certainly a difficult situation to duel against friends. So, who would you like to duel in the future and why?
Hades: With Damion! Him being my boyfriend will make me undecided because my heart will tell me that I should not hurt him. That will make me have a conflict of interest and I have to think about what’s best for me.
Edward: Oh wow, I didn’t expect that. So you directly chose your closest friend. Very interesting indeed. Now to come back to spells. You also said you want to test your knowledge and skill. Now, which is your favourite spell and why?
Hades: My choice is Blasting Curse, despite not having learned it or having the opportunity to perform the spell. Another option is Full Body-Bind Curse, which is an interesting spell that makes the target completely paralyzed. It’s one of my favourites because unlike most, it makes the target completely unable to perform a spell and that would give me an advantage.
Edward: You are really keen to win then, always on the lookout for your advantage. So as my last question, I’d like to know whether you’d say Duelling is a team sport or more an individual sport?
Hades: I think it’s both. Sometimes it can be considered an individual sport because you need to strategize and know what spells are best to fight them, along with other ways to demonstrate your skill and pronunciation. However, it’s also a team sport because it is based on communication and coordination.
Edward: Thank you very much for this interesting interview, Hades.
Club Reports: Caught in 4K
By Dealla Prince
A new year at this school means new and exciting things! Errands, events, the upcoming Blossom Ball… and of course many new clubs to report on. Members of this issue’s highlighted club can likely be found at all of the events I mentioned above, most likely doing exactly what their club is all about. Maybe some of them would even be interested in helping out the Headliner, making our articles a little more… eye-catching?
If you have not caught on yet, I am talking about the LUMOS! Camera Club, founded by none other than Hufflepuff prefect, broomracer, and school sweetheart Simon Kincaid. The name, Lumos, is not only reminiscent of the flash of light produced by a camera, but also an acronym for “Let Us Meet On Saturday”, because the group holds monthly meetings on - you guessed it - Saturdays.
I could, of course, tell you a lot more about this new club, but who would be better to do so than its founder himself? Simon graciously agreed to answer a few questions.
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Dee: What woke your interest in photography?
Simon: I went back home to London for Christmas Holiday and whilst there, spent some time with my Aunt Maggie's boyfriend, a muggle by the name of Mark Prescott. He is very much into photography and explained some things to me about it, and then we went around the city and did a photoshoot to practise some of what I learned. It sparked my interest and I hope to continue learning more about photography itself and photography in the wizarding world.
Dee: What impact do you hope to have with this club?
Simon: Photography is such a great hobby because it preserves memories, makes connections, allows one to express themselves, and so much more. I want members to find what about photography inspires them and to utilise it as a tool to grow and develop.
Dee: I heard you're planning monthly meetings! How do your meetings usually play out?
Simon: We're going to learn the basics first - film photography, film development, printmaking, and from there we might hold some meetings on specialised topics. We'll have photo shares and photo outings as well. I welcome everyone to come check us out!
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Honestly, that sounds pretty interesting, and educational on top. If you want to try it out yourself - you know when they meet. You don’t even need your own equipment to get started. Just stop by!
ASK (Advice from Simon Kincaid)
By Simon Kincaid
Greetings and welcome to ASK (Advice from Simon Kincaid)! I'm Simon Kincaid. Here you can submit your questions regarding life, friendships, student success, relationships, worries, and more! Contact me via owl!
Hello readers! I'd like to begin my segment with a sort of overview of advice. This is all paraphrased from a valuable bit of information I found reprinted in my local paper just before starting my journey at Hogwarts. I thought it would be useful along the pathway of life and hope you'll find it useful as well!
Here's 10 rules for being human:
[1] You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for your entire period here.
[2] You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant, stupid, or too hard.
[3] There are no mistakes, only lessons. You are made to grow, and growth is a process of experimentation – trial and error. The pains of "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the ones that ultimately "work".
[4] A lesson will be repeated until it is learned. The same lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can then go on to the next lesson.
[5] Learning lessons does not end. There is no part of the process of life that does not contain its lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.
[6] "There" is no better than "here", though the best thing always seems to be happening "there". When you do get to a "there" and it becomes a "here", you will yearn for another "there" that will, again, look better than "here". Always appreciate the "here".
[7] Others are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.
[8] What you make of life is up to you. You have all the tools and the resources that you need in your mind, heart, and body. What you do with them and what attitudes you form are up to you. The choice is yours. Nobody "makes" you.
[9] The answers to life's questions lie inside of you. All you need to do is take time to look, listen, and understand.
[10] In the most essential parts of life, you will always get what you asked for. This happens because of your thoughts, choices, and attitudes. You may not get what you wanted, but it will be what you asked for.
Enjoy your month of April, Hogwarts – and be kind to one another.
April Horoscopes
By Koko Riddle
With a new month (or, perhaps, a new season) comes new horoscopes, and this month is no different. April offers change for every sign, and this time, most of that change is positive. If there’s any time to work towards one’s goals, it’s definitely now. Without further ado, the horoscopes for April 2023 are as follows:
ARIES
This month, Aries natives will have a bit of extra luck due to favourable positions from Jupiter and Venus. You might find time to spend with a loved one, especially if this involves dinner or a fun film.
TAURUS
Tauruses might find love this month – particularly romantic love, but love nonetheless. Try not to be worried about your interpersonal relationships; instead, focus on being yourself, and your relationships will likely flourish.
GEMINI
Similarly to Tauruses, your interpersonal relationships will flourish, but in contrast to their romantic success, you’re more likely to find growth and success within your family. Consider showing your appreciation for your family members, and you could be surprised by how much closer you and your family might get.
CANCER
For Cancer natives, April will bring help in your career or academic life. Perhaps there’s something you’ve been putting off for far too long – don’t fear too much, since you’ll get the motivation to finish such a thing. Remember that your career isn’t all you are, and don’t be afraid to remain involved in your relationships.
LEO
Although life might have recently been hectic for Leo natives, April should bring a much-needed respite from that. You’ll likely find a bit of financial calm, and that will help you organise other aspects of your life. April looks relatively positive, but do ensure you remember your obligations this month.
VIRGO
For Virgo natives, your career might provide a bit more difficulty than usual, but this negative aspect of April may be countered by increased opportunities for socialisation. Everything works best in moderation, so keep that in mind as you navigate this month.
LIBRA
This month will bring Libra natives countless opportunities for romancing and socialising, but despite these positives, there is a chance you might experience burnout. Remember to take some time to yourself to keep your mental health the best it can be.
SCORPIO
For Scorpios, April brings positivity. You might receive money or find your finances more manageable, and you might find more comfort in your job. You’ll likely find many opportunities for socialisation, and with the advent of spring, you might find your health improving.
SAGITTARIUS
With anything regarding love, April will provide. This can be any form of love – familial, platonic, romantic or another form of love. You’ll likely find yourself feeling happy and perhaps rejuvenated throughout the month of April.
CAPRICORN
You might see some shifting in your finances during April. This could be positive or negative, but no matter how this affects you, you will likely learn from your financial experiences. Keep an eye on the values of any of your assets.
AQUARIUS
Although you might not notice immediately, April will sow the seeds of change. Pluto is moving into Aquarius, albeit only for a short time, but this allows for the beginning of a great change in your life. Changes might seem small, but it may be beneficial to keep an eye out for any effects they could have in the long run.
PISCES
For Pisces natives, the month of April will bring opportunities to spend money, but these likely won’t all be about you. You might buy gifts for your loved ones or pay for an evening out with some friends. Socialisation might come more easily than before, and you might find yourself feeling a bit luckier, especially in terms of motivation.
With the advent of spring comes new beginnings for everyone, no matter which sun sign you fall under. April will bring love and better finances to most signs, but it’s most important to remember to keep an eye on one’s health. For now, at least, enjoy the warmer weather and beginning of spring.
The Motorcycle Diarie
By Marius Brown
In 2013, the United Nations declared that starting the following year, 6 April would be the day to celebrate the power of sport in fostering social change, community development, and peace and understanding. The day was baptised International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
In line with this, today’s Motorcycle Diaries thus put the spotlight on motorsports! The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM, abbreviated from its original Spanish name) classifies the sports in four categories, each of which has several subcategories. What are they?
Road Racing
Road Racing is perhaps one of the most famous forms of motorbike racing. In this category, a race is held on paved road surfaces, be it a purposely-built closed circuit or a closed public street; the latter is currently only utilised in the subcategory of traditional road racing. Supersport racing, composed of the AMA Supersport Championship, British Supersport Championship, and Supersport World Championship, is also a part of this category.
As ‘prestigious’ as the name may suggest, Supersport is arguably less globally well-known than endurance and sidecar racings, particularly the former. Endurance racing, especially popular in Australia, Japan and many European countries, is designed to test the racers’ endurance and their equipments’ durability.
However, the two most sought-after races are probably Superbike racing (particularly World SBK) and Motorcycle Grand Prix, commonly abbreviated as MotoGP. The difference between the two is that Superbike employs mass-produced motorcycles which are modified, whereas the bikes used in MotoGP are prototype machines not based on any production motorbike.
Motocross
Motocross, an off-road equivalent of road racing, is another popular category worldwide. Its circuit is composed of dirt, mud, grass, sand, and similar. Unlike road racing, the combination of the motorcycle technology and the track employed in motocross enable the bikes to get airborne, therefore creating a ‘flying’ effect. On a side note, motocross is a popular form of training among road racers.
The two most well-known subcategories of motocross are Supercross (SX) and Supermoto. SX is interesting as it takes place indoors, in contrast to what most people think when they first get to know motocross. Not very successful in Europe, it’s proved to be popular in North America, leading to its new term ‘the outdoors’. Supermoto may also be considered interesting in the sense that it combines motocross and road racing. Whereas its motorbikes are motocross types, the tyres are similar to that of road racing’s bikes. Similarly, its track is a combination of road and dirt courses.
Enduro and Cross-Country
The term ‘Enduro’ refers to both a category and subcategory, an off-road motorcycle sport that focuses mainly on the racers’ endurance. Other subcategories include Hard Enduro, which features tougher courses than Enduro; Hare Scramble, a name given to a form of off-road motorcycle racing; and cross-country rally, whose arguably most famous example is the Dakar Rally, with its starting line traditionally positioned in West Europe and its finishing line Dakar.
Track Racing
In this category, racers compete around an oval-shaped circuit. Each subcategory is based on the surface type used in the race: Auto Race (asphalt), Board Race (wooden planks), Grassway (grass), Ice Speedway (ice), Indoor Short Track and TT Racing (indoor), and Speedway (dirt or loosely-packed shale).
That’s about it for the four categories! Surprisingly, there are actually a couple of other categories which are not classified by the FIM. However, due to space limitation, it’s a pity that it is not possible for us to discuss them in this issue. If demands are high, though, I’ll cover them some time in the future. For the moment, let’s put this aside and start racing!
The Hogwarts Headliner
Plain text issue below:
Reducio
Stabbing in Slytherin
By Koko Riddle
Although many students have a safe and very monotonous time at Hogwarts, there are some who do not. In fact, things sometimes get very dangerous here at Hogwarts, as was the case in the Slytherin dormitories fairly recently. As a certain student – who shall, along with rest of those involved, remain unnamed – sent details of their experience to the Headliner, it is imperative to report on and understand any dangers students may face while at school.
Often, anything detrimental to student health that occurs at Hogwarts is environmental, but in January, some students took it upon themselves to perform a sort of vigilante justice in the Slytherin dormitories. One student – to be called Student A in this article – had been, according to my source, spouting blood-supremacist nonsense. Student B, who was a half-blood, did not like this, and the two began an argument. Things escalated into a physical fight, with another student – to be called Student C – slapping Student A after he tackled Student B. An onlooker, Student D, pulled out a knife and used it on Student C. Luckily, prefects were able to break up the fight.
To make matters worse, that wasn’t all. Within that week in January, there was not one, but two stabbings – or, perhaps, attempted stabbings, because the next one did not quite go as planned. The next night, Student B snuck into Student A’s dormitory, and she would have succeeded in stabbing him had he not woken up. Student A screamed, and his screams caught the attention of Headmaster Lear and Professor Jensen, who assessed the situation and called the nurse. However, students continued to pour out of their dormitories, having been awoken by the screams and commotion.
While it was taken care of, this is the worst knife-related event that has occurred, calling attention to the worrying idea that children – students at our very own school – can procure knives not for the purpose of eating food or self-defence, but for the purpose of attacking their fellow peers. Although this occurred in Slytherin, events like this have never been confined to just one house. There might be no hags this time, but it is imperative to remain aware of who might not be your friend after all.
The victim – Student A – remained physically fine, if not a bit traumatised from the entire ordeal, but the fact that this could happen still remains worrisome. While there was a catalyst, an argument did not have to escalate to a physical fight, and a fight did not have to escalate to an attempted murder. So far, knife attacks at Hogwarts, especially during the 2022-2023 school year, have been rare and nearly unheard of. However, there remains the chance of other students following in these students’ footsteps, and not in a good way.
Safety is important to everyone at Hogwarts, professors and students alike. This is why it’s important to keep an eye on one’s friends and ensure everyone is taking care of their mental health. In addition, everyone – regardless of blood status – should be treated with the same level of respect to avoid any similar events from occurring.
Eat. Pray. Plant.
By Maverick Castle
Tender green leaves sprout, flowers are busy blossoming, and buds tremble in the soft breeze. Cats, turtles, and bears shake themselves and start to wander around merrily. When everything looks shiny, fresh, and lively, of course it’s time for spring and its festivals! Travelling overseas? Then don’t miss these public parties!
Fragrance and Colours
There’s no denying that spring is synonymous with flowers, and thus it isn’t surprising that many areas proudly present their blossoms for tourists to admire! As it turns out, tulips are well-loved in North America, and there are at least two tulip festivals there: the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, Canada and Tulip Time in Holland, USA. If you adore these flowers, don’t miss these May festivals where more than one million tulips are displayed!
Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in late March until early April. However, it isn’t the only flower festival in the East Asian country, with the Spring Rose Festival now also held in several areas, from Tokyo to Fukuoka.
In Australia, Floriade attracts bees, butterflies, and humans alike with its exotic floral display every year. This grand festival of colour, music, and horticulture is so wholeheartedly popular among locals that residents of Brisbane and Sydney travel to Canberra each year just to attend Floriade.
Yummy!
Eggs may be the food most associated with spring, thanks to how they're used to symbolise new life at Easter. It’s undoubtedly the inspiration behind the White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington DC, USA. In this festival taking place on Easter Monday, kids race to roll eggs across the grass on the lawn of the White House using wooden spoons.
A similar festival takes place in Gloucester, UK; except that instead of eggs, wheels of cheese are utilised. Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is far more dangerous than its name may suggest. In this festival, the cheeses are thrown down the very steep hill and soon participants throw themselves after the cheeses. Did you know that broken bones are common side effects of joining?
But foodies’ favourite festival may as well be Cimburijada in Bosnia. Here, both locals and tourists gather in the city park on the banks of the Bosnia River to get free scrambled eggs. The food is made in large quantities so you don’t have to worry about failing to get a portion. Have you marked the 21st March on your calendar to join this festival? We have!
Give Thanks
Who says that religious festivals are boring? Those who claim so must have lived under a rock and never heard about Holi, the late-March festival from India. Here people light bonfires and throw coloured powder at each other, paying tribute to the many colours of springtime and events related to the religion of Hinduism.
Similar to Holi, Thailand’s Songkran invites the public to join a mass water fight. Taking place in April, it welcomes the new year in accordance with the local calendar. In addition to the fun water war, traditions include going to Buddhist monasteries and visiting relatives. The biggest Songkran celebration most often takes place in the city of Chiang Mai.
The Polish festival of Marzanna is named after the Slavic goddess of winter, plague, and death. In this celebration, a straw doll representing the goddess is made and dramatically paraded on the streets before it’s drowned into a river to mark the end of winter. The festival is celebrated on the spring equinox and is especially popular in Warsaw.
In both the Philippines and Spain, the Roman Catholic belief has a deep root. It is therefore unsurprising that their spring festivals are dedicated to Saints Mary and Joseph, the legal parents of Jesus Christ. Flores de Mayo, celebrated in the Southeast Asian country, is a month-long devotion to the Blessed Virgin taking place in May. There are many traditions performed, including but not limited to offering flowers before the image of St Mary, holding village parties, and performing a religio-historical beauty pageant known as Santacruzan.
As for the Spanish festival of Las Fallas, it is mainly celebrated in the Valencia region from 1st-19th March, the last day being the feast of St Joseph according to the liturgical calendar. It’s a festival pioneered by carpenters, with St Joseph being the patron saint of carpenters, and nowadays its most iconic properties include monuments called Fallas, fireworks, mediaeval costumes, and the dish of paella.
Are these all the festivals celebrating the coming of spring around the globe? Oh no, of course not! Due to the limitation of space, that’s all we can discuss today, but one thing to remember: all these festivals are like flowers in springtime, where diversity becomes the main ingredient of beauty as they decorate the Earth.
All About Pride
By Serena Towers
Pride - which is around the corner, as it is celebrated in the month of June - is an global celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a celebration of equality, self-affirmation, diversity and love. UK also celebrates LGBT+ History Month (or Pride History Month) in February, which focuses more on the teaching the history of the community or educating people on the different pride flags.
In years past, students at Hogwarts have celebrated the month in a range of different ways - with the permission of professors, of course.
In 2020, students were encouraged to decorate the corridors, courtyard or even select professors’ offices and classrooms (with permission) with glitter. There was even a paint fight that ensued in the corridors.
In 2021, the wonderful Ami Procoppio (she/her) set up a series of “escape rooms” where students had to work together to complete the room’s puzzle. There was an extravagant walk-in closet, the workroom of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” - featuring Chad Preoccupied (he/him) - and a “village” that taught students about the history.
We checked in with Ami to have a very quick interview with her about what Pride Month means to her.
Ami: “Pride Month is such an exciting time for me, man. Celebrating who I am? Incredible. I mean truly, being attracted to women is the highest honor I could possibly have. And I feel like Pride gives me a really good excuse to bring out Chad, just to josh around with people— it's like having a superhero alter ego, y'know? I just hope that with each and every Pride Month that people experience, they get to explore just a little more of their true self, because that's the best type of self there is.”
Serena: “For those who've never met Chad or heard the name - could you please explain a bit more?”
Ami: “Sure! Chad Preoccupied is my drag persona— oh, drag is cross-dressing to be either extremely masculine or extremely feminine, there's a lot of history behind it. We're still the same person, right, but he's just sort of like the hyper-masculine side of me brought to life. Doesn't mean I'm trans, but I'm just exploring different ways of expressing myself.”
In 2022, students came together to decorate the Great Hall with colourful centrepieces, balloons and streamers. Pride flags were hanging all over, and the Professor’s table was definitely decorated too.
Please note that all of the above events were fully approved - or even hosted - by the school and staff. The Headliner takes no responsibility if students start throwing paint around without permission.
Nonetheless, here are some easy to do activities or ways to celebrate the month that would probably get approved or you could do without permission:
Wear rainbow - or pride colours of your choice - whenever you can (if you’re in uniform, why not add some colour to your jewellery, nails, or hair accessories)
Create pride themed paintings - which you could do as a group or give out to friends
Host a themed craft event - friendship bracelets, jewellery making, cards, posters, clothing, anything!
Decorate biscuits or cookies with colourful icing or words of affirmation
Make handmade pride cards!
Use face or body paint or nail polish to paint on yourself!
Make a pride flag to hang up somewhere. You may be able to hang it up in the common room too!
What does 2023 have in store for us? I, for one, have absolutely no idea but I am keen to see the students’ creativity and the way that The 2023 Hogwarts Cohort celebrate the occasion.
A New Face: Felix Lin
By Ruby Cazares
Professor Lin graduated from Hogwarts many years ago and has now returned to teach Flying. They come from a Quidditch background, playing professionally for Puddlemere United and coaching Pride of Portree. He has built a reputation of being a kind and cheerful professor who seeks to know all his students and has a particular love for baked goods. I had the pleasure of interviewing them and would recommend that any interested students – Quidditch players or otherwise – consider paying him a visit. In their cozy office, they seem prepared to offer tea, biscuits, and some motivational advice even on short notice.
Thank you for giving me your time today. First of all, how would you like to be addressed?
Hello, Miss Cazares! Professor Lin will do just fine. I use he or they pronouns, feel free to use both or either, I truly have no preference.
So, Professor Lin, what are some hopes you have for your time as a professor here?
Of course, I hope to inspire a few students to explore the world of professional Quidditch. There are so many other careers in Quidditch than playing on the pitch: there are coaches, [...] trainers and statisticians and all sorts of other wonderful opportunities. But I hope students can see the beauty and nuance in Flying and broomology. These tools that are just as common as wands are often taken for granted, but flight is a privilege that we often do not appreciate nearly enough. I hope my students... well, it's a tad cliche, but I just hope they have fun in my class. That's all I can ask for, really.
On that topic, do you have any advice for students who want to become professionals in Quidditch?
Being a professional in Quidditch requires persistence. Many people will tell you no. Many people will tell you that you're not good enough. Many people will say many horrible things to your face and behind your back. So through it all, you have to remember why you're doing this. Why do you want to be in Quidditch? Remember your passion and love for the sport, and the joy you feel when you're on your broom. Because when you hang on to that feeling, that passion, you will find that everything is worth it. Hard work trumps natural talent all day, every day, and true, dedicated passion is all we can ask of the people working in Quidditch.
Thank you for sharing that advice. I have a more serious question, now, though – are you aware of the past dangers at this school?
[censored] Yes... I'm aware. You know, Miss Cazares, back when I was a student, the most dangerous thing at this school was Flying class. Can you believe that? As much as I love Hogwarts, I truly cannot believe that it remained open after a war was fought here. There was a damn– sorry, darn basilisk under the school, for Merlin's sake. The headmaster is... well, he's an interesting man, although I'll admit that I don't know much about him. But I'm sure Professor Lécuyer is teaching you all how to defend yourselves properly so we can lower the casualty rate at this school. [quiet expletives whilst sipping tea]
On a hopefully lighter note, if you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?
Oh boy... Well. On a bit of a personal note, I'd love to tell fourteen-year-old me that what he's feeling is not wrong. Wanting to feel pretty is not inherently bad. Not feeling entirely connected to or in touch with your masculinity is not a weakness, but instead, a strength. Those years were very difficult for me as I grappled with what it meant to become a man and what it meant to be strong. But I'm here now, aren't I? And I made a career for myself in professional Quidditch as a nonbinary person... Not to toot my own horn too much, but I've had a life that has been much more satisfying than I could've ever imagined. Some things simply take time, especially with figuring out who you are. I wouldn't change a thing, but I would've liked a little reassurance at that age.
I’m glad you found that satisfaction. Is there anything else you’d like people to know?
My office door is always open, unless it's closed. I mean, metaphorically, it's always open. Whether you have questions about class, real life qualms, or you just want to stop by to chat, I am more than happy to brew us a cuppa and talk. I want every student here at Hogwarts to feel like they are seen and valued, and I want to hear all of their stories and experiences. We are better people when we listen and connect with others.
Shine a Light On: Samantha Salwis
By Cassandra Ironwoods
Ever since I started writing this piece article (the first one out back in the #21 issues if you’re interested in reading that), I’ve always known you and I would get a glimpse and learn about the said person's little snippet of their life. For those who do not know what SALO or known as Shine a Light on, basically, this piece of Hogwarts Headliner will interview those people who stick out like sore thumb. By that I mean I, Cassandra Ironwoods, will interview the ones that put a highlight on their names and more or so with the ones who in the past had academically inclined.
To put it short, Shine a Light On is where I will interview professors and students alike who capture my and your attention; or in other word, your Professor or Student of the Month. Now, talking about the person featured in this issue, this person is the least out of my favourite persons I choose to hang out with. However, I am willing to set aside my personal matter and hear what she has to say.
So, without further introduction, let’s jump to the questions!
Cash: I saw that you are both Duelling Captain and Prefect of Ravenclaw, how do you balance both of that aspects in your life?
Sam: It can be a struggle sometimes, especially because I also care a lot about my grades. Luckily, I have a good working brain so it isn't too hard. I could imagine that other people who are prefects, duelling captains, and maybe in their fourth year who aren’t too smart might struggle a lot with their responsibilities.
Cash: You are a third-year now, what are the fondest/memorable/scariest moments/memories that you ever experienced during your time at our lovely school?
Sam: I really love the sorting ceremony in my first year, it was a very special moment that I will never forget. The balls are also things I adore because it’s always so much fun to hang out with friends. Sometimes crazy stuff happens at the balls, but crazy things always happen at Hogwarts, so nothing is out of the ordinary.
Cash: Have you ever faced bullying because of what or who you are? How do you overcome that?
Sam: (glares at Cash) Yes, I have been bullied. There was a certain student here at Hogwarts that thought it was fun to bully me for being a Muggle-born. But I don't care about them because they are just a small-minded idiot. My parents are amazing and I am not ashamed of that. I am pretty sure the person who bullied me just didn't know what loving parents were and was jealous of me. I gave them a piece of my mind and they know exactly what I think of them. If they ever try to bully me, they will regret it (gives Cash a fake smile).
Cash: Any advice for those who might be victims of bullying out there? What would you say for them to overcome the adversary?
Sam: For anybody else who is getting bullied, remember, it says more about the person that is bullying you than about you. Some people are just idiots. If you ever need any help you can always come to me or an adult. They will know what to do and help you. Bullying is a serious problem and people should be aware of it.
Cash: Anything else you like to add or comment on?
Sam: Being born to two pureblood parents doesn't make you any better than others. Muggle-borns can achieve the same things as others can. Your blood doesn't decide your future.
So there you have it, folks! A little snippet of what our very own Ravenclaw Duelling Captain and Prefect got to say for this edition of Shine a Light on. Thank you so much for your time, Miss Salwis for answering the Headliner’s rapid questions. Hopefully, by reading this you got a little glimpse of Miss Salwis’s life and her perspectives about our beloved Wizarding World. And if you want to get to know her better, go ahead! Though she is a Prefect, she is nice.
As per usual, my message to all of you are be kind to one another, take care, and stay safe, everyone!
How to 'Own It' this Exam Season
By Adelaide Barlowe
Exam season is fast approaching for all of us, and that could be either a time of dread for some of us or a time of elation for others (like me). Hopefully, all of you reading this article have started to prepare for your examinations, especially for the fifth years facing their OWLs soon. But if you haven’t, fear not, there is still time to prepare adequately to achieve Os in all of your exams. There is no reason to stress over these exams, because that will lower your performance during the exams. So, it is better that you stop procrastinating and start studying!
If you’re someone who happens to struggle with procrastination during exam season, it is important you overcome this so you don’t fail your exams. The most important thing to do when trying to overcome procrastination is to figure out why you’re procrastinating. Do you not understand the subject? Do you not like the subject, therefore you have no motivation to study it? Do you simply not have the motivation to study in general?
If it’s the first one, go to the professor of that subject! If you don’t understand the subject, it is their job to help you to understand it. If it’s the second or third one, unfortunately you don’t really have a choice in learning that subject, so you’ll really just have to sit yourself down and force yourself to learn it. Try getting your friends together in the library for a study group; it will make studying a subject you hate a bit more entertaining and will give you more motivation if your friends are also working.
If you’re a procrastinator, you’re likely also a crammer, which can lead to unwanted stress during the exam period. To prevent cramming for your exams, it is always useful to make sure that you are writing notes throughout the school year, but since we’re now in May, I’m going to guess if you’re continuing reading this article, I suppose you have not done that. This isn’t the end of the world, though, as you still have time to make up for it. One of the most important things to do now is to make sure that you are studying effectively and efficiently.
Simply rereading your Charms textbook will be of no help, the words you are reading will quite literally go in one ear and out the other. Instead, you should be writing out notes of the important topics you need to learn for your exams - this way you will be actively engaging in your studying. Start with the topics you find the most troublesome, so you can get them out of the way and become more confident in them quickly. After that, you can finish your studying with the topics you find the easiest, as you won’t need to study them as thoroughly as you would topics that you struggle with.
For some people, especially those who wouldn’t call themselves studious (us Ravenclaws don’t need to worry about that), it’s very hard to gain motivation even when you’re overcome with stress because the exams are fast approaching and you’re worried that you aren’t adequately prepared, so here are a few tips and tricks to help you!
Break your study sessions into manageable chunks. It’s no use cramming for four hours in the library when you’re exhausted, because nothing will go into your brain and it’ll all be a waste! Take a lot of break to refresh your mind, go for a walk in the courtyard for some fresh air, and then come back to tackle your textbooks.
Plan your study sessions and what topic you want to study each day. There’s no use wasting your time wondering what you’re going to study each session when you can plan it out in advance and you know exactly what you’re going to study when.
Create yourself an award system for studying to keep yourself motivated! For example, one hour of studying = one hour of reading a book you enjoy, or one hour of studying = one chocolate frog. Choose whatever works for you!
As previously mentioned, create a study group with your friends or other students! I’m sure if you ask around or look on your common room noticeboard, you’ll find a lot of study groups that students are hosting, especially at this time of the year.
Well, that’s all from me for this article. I hope these tips help you overcome procrastination and how to deal with exam stress, because this is a very stressful time for all of us students! Remember that your wellbeing is highly important, so make sure you’re still getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and eating enough food during this time! Good luck!
The Motorcycle Diaries: Saved by the Bell
By Maverick Castle
Riding is living. Whenever I’m ‘not in the mood’, I ride to feel better. It’s so fun having an adrenaline rush under the sun as the wind plays about my hair! But as exciting as it is, I realise riding can also be dangerous. Muggle’s Department of Transportation in the UK found that motorcyclists are about 16 times more likely to get serious or fatal injuries compared to car drivers. Other studies, too, echo this finding. How, then, can we stay safe while enjoying cruising on our motorcycles?
Before Riding:
Prove your credibility. Get a valid driving licence before tackling the traffic. Actually, many motorcycle accidents are caused by riders who drive around without having a licence and those who ride with a fake driving licence!
Familiarise yourself with the motorcycle. Even motorbikes with the same make and model can feel different to drive. Riding a bike you aren’t familiar with is not only unenjoyable, but it can be dangerous as well.
Check the bike. Regular care and maintenance is one key to a safe ride. Before every ride, give your motorcycle a once-over. Inspect its tyre pressure and tread depth, brakes, headlights and signal indicators, fluid levels and rearview mirrors. Are there any loose bolts or fuel or oil leaks?
Gear up. A motorcyclist’s personal protective equipment (PPE) must always include a national-approved helmet with a visor, a bright-coloured leather or Cordura jacket, Kevlar or ballistic nylon trousers, boots or other rugged-soled shoes, and leather/Cordura/Kevlar gloves.
What’s the weather like? Whenever possible, avoid riding a motorcycle when it rains or snows!
Educate your passenger. If you travel with a passenger, make sure they also wear the recommended PPE. Ask them to sit as forward as possible and hold your waist, not your thighs or shoulders! Moreover, they shouldn’t mount or get off the bike until you tell them it’s safe to do so. Are you carrying cargo instead of a person? Ensure it’s properly strapped to your motorcycle!
On the Road
Are there cops? Oops— obeying signs, traffic lights, speed limits, and lane markings isn’t about ‘being safe’ from the police. It’s about your own safety! There’s no use risking your personal well-being just because no officer is around.
Stay in your comfort zone. Never try riding faster than what you can manage. If being late is your concern, leave earlier! When riding in a group, ride at your speed, not theirs.
Avoid distractions. Don’t listen to music, look at your phone, or converse with your passenger.
Brake! As it turns out, entering a corner too quickly or not leaving enough space (three metres) between your bike and another vehicle often ends up badly.
Humans are self-centred. One of the most common causes of traffic accidents is ‘I didn’t see them coming’. Therefore, never rely on the chance that the driver behind you or the person next to you see that you’re changing lanes or you’ve signalled to turn. Always look twice before moving. If you’re riding next to a parking area or a parked vehicle, try not to be too close to it; someone may drive out to the street or open their door without paying attention.
Health comes first. Never, ever ride when you’re not in your best condition, be it physically or mentally. Riding angrily or sleepily is the perfect recipe for disaster.
No matter how good a suggestion is, it is useless when it isn’t put into action. Thus, we hope that you don’t only find this article helpful, but also apply it in your life. Happy riding!
The Motorcycle Diaries: Three Down… Ten Down?
By Maverick Castle
Last 24th March, MotoGP - one of the most prestigious international motorcycle competitions - started its 2023 season. By the time I’m writing this piece, only three races have been completed; nevertheless, they are witness not only of victories and memorable progresses, but also multiple crashes, injuries, and a controversy.
Round 1: Portuguese GP
This might as well be considered one of the ‘bloodiest’ season openers, with at least six racers being injured during or after the event. In the top class, Pol Espargaro and Enea Bastianini were both ruled out of Sunday’s race (RAC) after both ended up in hospitals following the Friday’s free practice and Saturday’s Sprint (SPR) sessions; Espargaro suffered a broken jaw, a back injury, and lung complications, and Bastianini a broken shoulder blade.
World champion Francesco Bagnaia may have put in a highly impressive performance in this round, claiming victories in both SPR and RAC, but in my honest opinion, this round is best remembered for the three-people incident taking place on Sunday, 26th March. In said incident, Marc Marquez braked too late and made a contact with Jorge Martin, after which the former lost control on his bike and hit home hero Miguel Oliveira at full speed. This resulted in a contusion on Oliveira’s right leg, a hand injury for Marquez, and DNF (Did Not Finish) results for all three.
In Moto2 class, runner-up Ai Ogura and rookie Izan Guevara (Moto3 world champion) missed the race due to training injury on Ogura’s part and an arm surgery for Guevara. The Moto3 race saw Joel Kelso crashing into the back of race winner Dani Holgado after the chequered flag. Holgado was uninjured, whereas Kelso ended up with a broken leg and had to miss the following two rounds.
Round 2: Argentina GP
After mixed conditions of sun and rain graced the practice and qualifying sessions, the races finally were declared wet. The injuries happening the previous week, coupled with the weather and track conditions, made the riders race more carefully this round.
While Joan Mir missed RAC after falling on the SPR, no rider competing failed to see the chequered flag, although Bagnaia and Brad Binder did crash each on his own. Marco Bezzecchi, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, earned his maiden win, whereas all riders who were injured in Portugal missed the round, as did Moto3’s Kelso and Moto2’s Guevara. Ogura attempted the qualification on 1st April, but ultimately withdrew from the next day’s race.
For me personally, there are two stars of this round. The first is David Almansa, a replacement rider for Kelso. On his second race in Moto3, he was fighting for a place on the podium until the last lap, although unfortunately another rider would crash into the Spaniard and cost him the podium dream. The second star is Sergio Garcia, who started 28th and finished fifth in his second-ever race in Moto2.
Round 3: Americas GP
Oliveira, Mir, Ogura, and Guevara were back, but crashes and a controversy once again surrounded the third round of 2023. In the MotoGP class, nine out of 22 racers failed to complete 16th April’s RAC, but only one was a result of a contact between two riders. In fact, there was almost no battle among the riders; and even if there was, none is memorable. (Speaking about memorable battles, Pedro Acosta versus Tony Arbolino in Moto2 didn’t disappoint. Neither did the one involving multiple riders in Moto3, which lasted until its last lap.)
So, why did the nine riders crash while Alex Rins soared to victory?
Martin and Brad Binder admitted their own mistakes, with the minorly-injured Alex Marquez confirming that he had no hard feelings against Martin for wiping him out. Both Aleix Espargaro and Raul Fernandez blamed technical problems on their bikes. Takaaki Nakagami stated he ‘had some issues’, Mir said he lost grip on his front tyre, and Jack Miller claimed that he was ‘on the limit’. Bagnaia, though, was at loss and couldn’t understand the reason behind his crash.
As for the aforementioned controversy, it revolves around Marc Marquez’s Portugal incident with Oliveira. Originally penalised with a double long lap to serve in Argentina, his absence in the second round led the penalty to be modified to serve on the first race he joins post said incident. However, his team has since appealed, and no verdict is taken so far.
What do you think will happen next? Will Marc Marquez receive a well-deserved penalty, or will he get away yet again? Which injured riders will make a comeback soon? Owl me and let’s see together if your predictions are correct!
Magical Feasts
By Simon Kincaid
"Back to witches and wizards and magical beasts; to goblins and ghosts and to magical feasts. It's all that I love and it's all that I need at Hogwarts."
Some may think of Hogwarts as a place to build friendships and make memories, others may look at it as the finest institution for wizardly education – but what else is Hogwarts? Many students who have spent time away for a summer or even a holiday break like our recent Spring Break find Hogwarts is a place for good cuisine. I’ve even heard this from our international visitors.
In my time as prefect, I've gotten to know several of the staff members at Hogwarts, including the ones that don't immediately come to everyone's mind – such as the school’s house elves. They work devotedly and tirelessly to clean our robes and our bed linens, dust the portraits, and a specialized team makes up the kitchen staff. They work hard to create delicious meals for us here at Hogwarts and it certainly shows – at least from what I've heard.
If you know me, my palate for food is quite narrow, so I took to the students of our fine school to ask what some of their favorite meals are. The food looks delicious, but what TASTES delicious? I was particularly interested in the grey stuff I've seen occasionally, reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. Has anyone tried the grey stuff? Is it delicious?
I started with second year Ravenclaw and best friend, Clair Fernandez. What are her favorites? "Pastries, waffles, and meats." It's a varied selection and I expected no less of an answer from one with “wit beyond measure”.
"Pancakes" were the answer of fellow prefect and third year Ravenclaw Samantha Salwis. These eagles really like their breakfast foods; maybe it is the most important meal of the day.
Some like more savory options. First year Slytherin Adya Oakes said that her favorite was the "roast chicken" one night at supper and it did seem popular amongst the other snakes nearby as well. However, that same evening at the Gryffindor table, first year Alana Dibble said hers was "shepherd's pie and kidney pie".
No mention of the grey jelly, but with a lot of meat preferences now popping up, I decided to ask perhaps the most amazing and beautiful person at Hogwarts – not being biased at all – AngelFyre McCubbin, a second year Hufflepuff who doesn't eat meat. She likes the "vegetarian stew, roasted vegetables, and tomato and squash soup," among other things. She had said more, but I sort of zoned out when looking into her ocean blue eyes.
Surely though, what she didn't mention – nor did anyone else – was the grey stuff. After discussing this with one of the kitchen-based house elves, I found out that apparently the grey stuff, at least on the tables at Hogwarts, is a chicken liver pate. She, I swear to Merlin, said exactly, "try the grey stuff, it's delicious!" You muggles will know.
Regardless of whatever food you love best, bon appétit, Hogwarts - and remember, be kind to one another!
By Koko Riddle
Although many students have a safe and very monotonous time at Hogwarts, there are some who do not. In fact, things sometimes get very dangerous here at Hogwarts, as was the case in the Slytherin dormitories fairly recently. As a certain student – who shall, along with rest of those involved, remain unnamed – sent details of their experience to the Headliner, it is imperative to report on and understand any dangers students may face while at school.
Often, anything detrimental to student health that occurs at Hogwarts is environmental, but in January, some students took it upon themselves to perform a sort of vigilante justice in the Slytherin dormitories. One student – to be called Student A in this article – had been, according to my source, spouting blood-supremacist nonsense. Student B, who was a half-blood, did not like this, and the two began an argument. Things escalated into a physical fight, with another student – to be called Student C – slapping Student A after he tackled Student B. An onlooker, Student D, pulled out a knife and used it on Student C. Luckily, prefects were able to break up the fight.
To make matters worse, that wasn’t all. Within that week in January, there was not one, but two stabbings – or, perhaps, attempted stabbings, because the next one did not quite go as planned. The next night, Student B snuck into Student A’s dormitory, and she would have succeeded in stabbing him had he not woken up. Student A screamed, and his screams caught the attention of Headmaster Lear and Professor Jensen, who assessed the situation and called the nurse. However, students continued to pour out of their dormitories, having been awoken by the screams and commotion.
While it was taken care of, this is the worst knife-related event that has occurred, calling attention to the worrying idea that children – students at our very own school – can procure knives not for the purpose of eating food or self-defence, but for the purpose of attacking their fellow peers. Although this occurred in Slytherin, events like this have never been confined to just one house. There might be no hags this time, but it is imperative to remain aware of who might not be your friend after all.
The victim – Student A – remained physically fine, if not a bit traumatised from the entire ordeal, but the fact that this could happen still remains worrisome. While there was a catalyst, an argument did not have to escalate to a physical fight, and a fight did not have to escalate to an attempted murder. So far, knife attacks at Hogwarts, especially during the 2022-2023 school year, have been rare and nearly unheard of. However, there remains the chance of other students following in these students’ footsteps, and not in a good way.
Safety is important to everyone at Hogwarts, professors and students alike. This is why it’s important to keep an eye on one’s friends and ensure everyone is taking care of their mental health. In addition, everyone – regardless of blood status – should be treated with the same level of respect to avoid any similar events from occurring.
Eat. Pray. Plant.
By Maverick Castle
Tender green leaves sprout, flowers are busy blossoming, and buds tremble in the soft breeze. Cats, turtles, and bears shake themselves and start to wander around merrily. When everything looks shiny, fresh, and lively, of course it’s time for spring and its festivals! Travelling overseas? Then don’t miss these public parties!
Fragrance and Colours
There’s no denying that spring is synonymous with flowers, and thus it isn’t surprising that many areas proudly present their blossoms for tourists to admire! As it turns out, tulips are well-loved in North America, and there are at least two tulip festivals there: the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, Canada and Tulip Time in Holland, USA. If you adore these flowers, don’t miss these May festivals where more than one million tulips are displayed!
Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in late March until early April. However, it isn’t the only flower festival in the East Asian country, with the Spring Rose Festival now also held in several areas, from Tokyo to Fukuoka.
In Australia, Floriade attracts bees, butterflies, and humans alike with its exotic floral display every year. This grand festival of colour, music, and horticulture is so wholeheartedly popular among locals that residents of Brisbane and Sydney travel to Canberra each year just to attend Floriade.
Yummy!
Eggs may be the food most associated with spring, thanks to how they're used to symbolise new life at Easter. It’s undoubtedly the inspiration behind the White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington DC, USA. In this festival taking place on Easter Monday, kids race to roll eggs across the grass on the lawn of the White House using wooden spoons.
A similar festival takes place in Gloucester, UK; except that instead of eggs, wheels of cheese are utilised. Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is far more dangerous than its name may suggest. In this festival, the cheeses are thrown down the very steep hill and soon participants throw themselves after the cheeses. Did you know that broken bones are common side effects of joining?
But foodies’ favourite festival may as well be Cimburijada in Bosnia. Here, both locals and tourists gather in the city park on the banks of the Bosnia River to get free scrambled eggs. The food is made in large quantities so you don’t have to worry about failing to get a portion. Have you marked the 21st March on your calendar to join this festival? We have!
Give Thanks
Who says that religious festivals are boring? Those who claim so must have lived under a rock and never heard about Holi, the late-March festival from India. Here people light bonfires and throw coloured powder at each other, paying tribute to the many colours of springtime and events related to the religion of Hinduism.
Similar to Holi, Thailand’s Songkran invites the public to join a mass water fight. Taking place in April, it welcomes the new year in accordance with the local calendar. In addition to the fun water war, traditions include going to Buddhist monasteries and visiting relatives. The biggest Songkran celebration most often takes place in the city of Chiang Mai.
The Polish festival of Marzanna is named after the Slavic goddess of winter, plague, and death. In this celebration, a straw doll representing the goddess is made and dramatically paraded on the streets before it’s drowned into a river to mark the end of winter. The festival is celebrated on the spring equinox and is especially popular in Warsaw.
In both the Philippines and Spain, the Roman Catholic belief has a deep root. It is therefore unsurprising that their spring festivals are dedicated to Saints Mary and Joseph, the legal parents of Jesus Christ. Flores de Mayo, celebrated in the Southeast Asian country, is a month-long devotion to the Blessed Virgin taking place in May. There are many traditions performed, including but not limited to offering flowers before the image of St Mary, holding village parties, and performing a religio-historical beauty pageant known as Santacruzan.
As for the Spanish festival of Las Fallas, it is mainly celebrated in the Valencia region from 1st-19th March, the last day being the feast of St Joseph according to the liturgical calendar. It’s a festival pioneered by carpenters, with St Joseph being the patron saint of carpenters, and nowadays its most iconic properties include monuments called Fallas, fireworks, mediaeval costumes, and the dish of paella.
Are these all the festivals celebrating the coming of spring around the globe? Oh no, of course not! Due to the limitation of space, that’s all we can discuss today, but one thing to remember: all these festivals are like flowers in springtime, where diversity becomes the main ingredient of beauty as they decorate the Earth.
All About Pride
By Serena Towers
Pride - which is around the corner, as it is celebrated in the month of June - is an global celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a celebration of equality, self-affirmation, diversity and love. UK also celebrates LGBT+ History Month (or Pride History Month) in February, which focuses more on the teaching the history of the community or educating people on the different pride flags.
In years past, students at Hogwarts have celebrated the month in a range of different ways - with the permission of professors, of course.
In 2020, students were encouraged to decorate the corridors, courtyard or even select professors’ offices and classrooms (with permission) with glitter. There was even a paint fight that ensued in the corridors.
In 2021, the wonderful Ami Procoppio (she/her) set up a series of “escape rooms” where students had to work together to complete the room’s puzzle. There was an extravagant walk-in closet, the workroom of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” - featuring Chad Preoccupied (he/him) - and a “village” that taught students about the history.
We checked in with Ami to have a very quick interview with her about what Pride Month means to her.
Ami: “Pride Month is such an exciting time for me, man. Celebrating who I am? Incredible. I mean truly, being attracted to women is the highest honor I could possibly have. And I feel like Pride gives me a really good excuse to bring out Chad, just to josh around with people— it's like having a superhero alter ego, y'know? I just hope that with each and every Pride Month that people experience, they get to explore just a little more of their true self, because that's the best type of self there is.”
Serena: “For those who've never met Chad or heard the name - could you please explain a bit more?”
Ami: “Sure! Chad Preoccupied is my drag persona— oh, drag is cross-dressing to be either extremely masculine or extremely feminine, there's a lot of history behind it. We're still the same person, right, but he's just sort of like the hyper-masculine side of me brought to life. Doesn't mean I'm trans, but I'm just exploring different ways of expressing myself.”
In 2022, students came together to decorate the Great Hall with colourful centrepieces, balloons and streamers. Pride flags were hanging all over, and the Professor’s table was definitely decorated too.
Please note that all of the above events were fully approved - or even hosted - by the school and staff. The Headliner takes no responsibility if students start throwing paint around without permission.
Nonetheless, here are some easy to do activities or ways to celebrate the month that would probably get approved or you could do without permission:
Wear rainbow - or pride colours of your choice - whenever you can (if you’re in uniform, why not add some colour to your jewellery, nails, or hair accessories)
Create pride themed paintings - which you could do as a group or give out to friends
Host a themed craft event - friendship bracelets, jewellery making, cards, posters, clothing, anything!
Decorate biscuits or cookies with colourful icing or words of affirmation
Make handmade pride cards!
Use face or body paint or nail polish to paint on yourself!
Make a pride flag to hang up somewhere. You may be able to hang it up in the common room too!
What does 2023 have in store for us? I, for one, have absolutely no idea but I am keen to see the students’ creativity and the way that The 2023 Hogwarts Cohort celebrate the occasion.
A New Face: Felix Lin
By Ruby Cazares
Professor Lin graduated from Hogwarts many years ago and has now returned to teach Flying. They come from a Quidditch background, playing professionally for Puddlemere United and coaching Pride of Portree. He has built a reputation of being a kind and cheerful professor who seeks to know all his students and has a particular love for baked goods. I had the pleasure of interviewing them and would recommend that any interested students – Quidditch players or otherwise – consider paying him a visit. In their cozy office, they seem prepared to offer tea, biscuits, and some motivational advice even on short notice.
Thank you for giving me your time today. First of all, how would you like to be addressed?
Hello, Miss Cazares! Professor Lin will do just fine. I use he or they pronouns, feel free to use both or either, I truly have no preference.
So, Professor Lin, what are some hopes you have for your time as a professor here?
Of course, I hope to inspire a few students to explore the world of professional Quidditch. There are so many other careers in Quidditch than playing on the pitch: there are coaches, [...] trainers and statisticians and all sorts of other wonderful opportunities. But I hope students can see the beauty and nuance in Flying and broomology. These tools that are just as common as wands are often taken for granted, but flight is a privilege that we often do not appreciate nearly enough. I hope my students... well, it's a tad cliche, but I just hope they have fun in my class. That's all I can ask for, really.
On that topic, do you have any advice for students who want to become professionals in Quidditch?
Being a professional in Quidditch requires persistence. Many people will tell you no. Many people will tell you that you're not good enough. Many people will say many horrible things to your face and behind your back. So through it all, you have to remember why you're doing this. Why do you want to be in Quidditch? Remember your passion and love for the sport, and the joy you feel when you're on your broom. Because when you hang on to that feeling, that passion, you will find that everything is worth it. Hard work trumps natural talent all day, every day, and true, dedicated passion is all we can ask of the people working in Quidditch.
Thank you for sharing that advice. I have a more serious question, now, though – are you aware of the past dangers at this school?
[censored] Yes... I'm aware. You know, Miss Cazares, back when I was a student, the most dangerous thing at this school was Flying class. Can you believe that? As much as I love Hogwarts, I truly cannot believe that it remained open after a war was fought here. There was a damn– sorry, darn basilisk under the school, for Merlin's sake. The headmaster is... well, he's an interesting man, although I'll admit that I don't know much about him. But I'm sure Professor Lécuyer is teaching you all how to defend yourselves properly so we can lower the casualty rate at this school. [quiet expletives whilst sipping tea]
On a hopefully lighter note, if you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?
Oh boy... Well. On a bit of a personal note, I'd love to tell fourteen-year-old me that what he's feeling is not wrong. Wanting to feel pretty is not inherently bad. Not feeling entirely connected to or in touch with your masculinity is not a weakness, but instead, a strength. Those years were very difficult for me as I grappled with what it meant to become a man and what it meant to be strong. But I'm here now, aren't I? And I made a career for myself in professional Quidditch as a nonbinary person... Not to toot my own horn too much, but I've had a life that has been much more satisfying than I could've ever imagined. Some things simply take time, especially with figuring out who you are. I wouldn't change a thing, but I would've liked a little reassurance at that age.
I’m glad you found that satisfaction. Is there anything else you’d like people to know?
My office door is always open, unless it's closed. I mean, metaphorically, it's always open. Whether you have questions about class, real life qualms, or you just want to stop by to chat, I am more than happy to brew us a cuppa and talk. I want every student here at Hogwarts to feel like they are seen and valued, and I want to hear all of their stories and experiences. We are better people when we listen and connect with others.
Shine a Light On: Samantha Salwis
By Cassandra Ironwoods
Ever since I started writing this piece article (the first one out back in the #21 issues if you’re interested in reading that), I’ve always known you and I would get a glimpse and learn about the said person's little snippet of their life. For those who do not know what SALO or known as Shine a Light on, basically, this piece of Hogwarts Headliner will interview those people who stick out like sore thumb. By that I mean I, Cassandra Ironwoods, will interview the ones that put a highlight on their names and more or so with the ones who in the past had academically inclined.
To put it short, Shine a Light On is where I will interview professors and students alike who capture my and your attention; or in other word, your Professor or Student of the Month. Now, talking about the person featured in this issue, this person is the least out of my favourite persons I choose to hang out with. However, I am willing to set aside my personal matter and hear what she has to say.
So, without further introduction, let’s jump to the questions!
Cash: I saw that you are both Duelling Captain and Prefect of Ravenclaw, how do you balance both of that aspects in your life?
Sam: It can be a struggle sometimes, especially because I also care a lot about my grades. Luckily, I have a good working brain so it isn't too hard. I could imagine that other people who are prefects, duelling captains, and maybe in their fourth year who aren’t too smart might struggle a lot with their responsibilities.
Cash: You are a third-year now, what are the fondest/memorable/scariest moments/memories that you ever experienced during your time at our lovely school?
Sam: I really love the sorting ceremony in my first year, it was a very special moment that I will never forget. The balls are also things I adore because it’s always so much fun to hang out with friends. Sometimes crazy stuff happens at the balls, but crazy things always happen at Hogwarts, so nothing is out of the ordinary.
Cash: Have you ever faced bullying because of what or who you are? How do you overcome that?
Sam: (glares at Cash) Yes, I have been bullied. There was a certain student here at Hogwarts that thought it was fun to bully me for being a Muggle-born. But I don't care about them because they are just a small-minded idiot. My parents are amazing and I am not ashamed of that. I am pretty sure the person who bullied me just didn't know what loving parents were and was jealous of me. I gave them a piece of my mind and they know exactly what I think of them. If they ever try to bully me, they will regret it (gives Cash a fake smile).
Cash: Any advice for those who might be victims of bullying out there? What would you say for them to overcome the adversary?
Sam: For anybody else who is getting bullied, remember, it says more about the person that is bullying you than about you. Some people are just idiots. If you ever need any help you can always come to me or an adult. They will know what to do and help you. Bullying is a serious problem and people should be aware of it.
Cash: Anything else you like to add or comment on?
Sam: Being born to two pureblood parents doesn't make you any better than others. Muggle-borns can achieve the same things as others can. Your blood doesn't decide your future.
So there you have it, folks! A little snippet of what our very own Ravenclaw Duelling Captain and Prefect got to say for this edition of Shine a Light on. Thank you so much for your time, Miss Salwis for answering the Headliner’s rapid questions. Hopefully, by reading this you got a little glimpse of Miss Salwis’s life and her perspectives about our beloved Wizarding World. And if you want to get to know her better, go ahead! Though she is a Prefect, she is nice.
As per usual, my message to all of you are be kind to one another, take care, and stay safe, everyone!
How to 'Own It' this Exam Season
By Adelaide Barlowe
Exam season is fast approaching for all of us, and that could be either a time of dread for some of us or a time of elation for others (like me). Hopefully, all of you reading this article have started to prepare for your examinations, especially for the fifth years facing their OWLs soon. But if you haven’t, fear not, there is still time to prepare adequately to achieve Os in all of your exams. There is no reason to stress over these exams, because that will lower your performance during the exams. So, it is better that you stop procrastinating and start studying!
If you’re someone who happens to struggle with procrastination during exam season, it is important you overcome this so you don’t fail your exams. The most important thing to do when trying to overcome procrastination is to figure out why you’re procrastinating. Do you not understand the subject? Do you not like the subject, therefore you have no motivation to study it? Do you simply not have the motivation to study in general?
If it’s the first one, go to the professor of that subject! If you don’t understand the subject, it is their job to help you to understand it. If it’s the second or third one, unfortunately you don’t really have a choice in learning that subject, so you’ll really just have to sit yourself down and force yourself to learn it. Try getting your friends together in the library for a study group; it will make studying a subject you hate a bit more entertaining and will give you more motivation if your friends are also working.
If you’re a procrastinator, you’re likely also a crammer, which can lead to unwanted stress during the exam period. To prevent cramming for your exams, it is always useful to make sure that you are writing notes throughout the school year, but since we’re now in May, I’m going to guess if you’re continuing reading this article, I suppose you have not done that. This isn’t the end of the world, though, as you still have time to make up for it. One of the most important things to do now is to make sure that you are studying effectively and efficiently.
Simply rereading your Charms textbook will be of no help, the words you are reading will quite literally go in one ear and out the other. Instead, you should be writing out notes of the important topics you need to learn for your exams - this way you will be actively engaging in your studying. Start with the topics you find the most troublesome, so you can get them out of the way and become more confident in them quickly. After that, you can finish your studying with the topics you find the easiest, as you won’t need to study them as thoroughly as you would topics that you struggle with.
For some people, especially those who wouldn’t call themselves studious (us Ravenclaws don’t need to worry about that), it’s very hard to gain motivation even when you’re overcome with stress because the exams are fast approaching and you’re worried that you aren’t adequately prepared, so here are a few tips and tricks to help you!
Break your study sessions into manageable chunks. It’s no use cramming for four hours in the library when you’re exhausted, because nothing will go into your brain and it’ll all be a waste! Take a lot of break to refresh your mind, go for a walk in the courtyard for some fresh air, and then come back to tackle your textbooks.
Plan your study sessions and what topic you want to study each day. There’s no use wasting your time wondering what you’re going to study each session when you can plan it out in advance and you know exactly what you’re going to study when.
Create yourself an award system for studying to keep yourself motivated! For example, one hour of studying = one hour of reading a book you enjoy, or one hour of studying = one chocolate frog. Choose whatever works for you!
As previously mentioned, create a study group with your friends or other students! I’m sure if you ask around or look on your common room noticeboard, you’ll find a lot of study groups that students are hosting, especially at this time of the year.
Well, that’s all from me for this article. I hope these tips help you overcome procrastination and how to deal with exam stress, because this is a very stressful time for all of us students! Remember that your wellbeing is highly important, so make sure you’re still getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and eating enough food during this time! Good luck!
The Motorcycle Diaries: Saved by the Bell
By Maverick Castle
Riding is living. Whenever I’m ‘not in the mood’, I ride to feel better. It’s so fun having an adrenaline rush under the sun as the wind plays about my hair! But as exciting as it is, I realise riding can also be dangerous. Muggle’s Department of Transportation in the UK found that motorcyclists are about 16 times more likely to get serious or fatal injuries compared to car drivers. Other studies, too, echo this finding. How, then, can we stay safe while enjoying cruising on our motorcycles?
Before Riding:
Prove your credibility. Get a valid driving licence before tackling the traffic. Actually, many motorcycle accidents are caused by riders who drive around without having a licence and those who ride with a fake driving licence!
Familiarise yourself with the motorcycle. Even motorbikes with the same make and model can feel different to drive. Riding a bike you aren’t familiar with is not only unenjoyable, but it can be dangerous as well.
Check the bike. Regular care and maintenance is one key to a safe ride. Before every ride, give your motorcycle a once-over. Inspect its tyre pressure and tread depth, brakes, headlights and signal indicators, fluid levels and rearview mirrors. Are there any loose bolts or fuel or oil leaks?
Gear up. A motorcyclist’s personal protective equipment (PPE) must always include a national-approved helmet with a visor, a bright-coloured leather or Cordura jacket, Kevlar or ballistic nylon trousers, boots or other rugged-soled shoes, and leather/Cordura/Kevlar gloves.
What’s the weather like? Whenever possible, avoid riding a motorcycle when it rains or snows!
Educate your passenger. If you travel with a passenger, make sure they also wear the recommended PPE. Ask them to sit as forward as possible and hold your waist, not your thighs or shoulders! Moreover, they shouldn’t mount or get off the bike until you tell them it’s safe to do so. Are you carrying cargo instead of a person? Ensure it’s properly strapped to your motorcycle!
On the Road
Are there cops? Oops— obeying signs, traffic lights, speed limits, and lane markings isn’t about ‘being safe’ from the police. It’s about your own safety! There’s no use risking your personal well-being just because no officer is around.
Stay in your comfort zone. Never try riding faster than what you can manage. If being late is your concern, leave earlier! When riding in a group, ride at your speed, not theirs.
Avoid distractions. Don’t listen to music, look at your phone, or converse with your passenger.
Brake! As it turns out, entering a corner too quickly or not leaving enough space (three metres) between your bike and another vehicle often ends up badly.
Humans are self-centred. One of the most common causes of traffic accidents is ‘I didn’t see them coming’. Therefore, never rely on the chance that the driver behind you or the person next to you see that you’re changing lanes or you’ve signalled to turn. Always look twice before moving. If you’re riding next to a parking area or a parked vehicle, try not to be too close to it; someone may drive out to the street or open their door without paying attention.
Health comes first. Never, ever ride when you’re not in your best condition, be it physically or mentally. Riding angrily or sleepily is the perfect recipe for disaster.
No matter how good a suggestion is, it is useless when it isn’t put into action. Thus, we hope that you don’t only find this article helpful, but also apply it in your life. Happy riding!
The Motorcycle Diaries: Three Down… Ten Down?
By Maverick Castle
Last 24th March, MotoGP - one of the most prestigious international motorcycle competitions - started its 2023 season. By the time I’m writing this piece, only three races have been completed; nevertheless, they are witness not only of victories and memorable progresses, but also multiple crashes, injuries, and a controversy.
Round 1: Portuguese GP
This might as well be considered one of the ‘bloodiest’ season openers, with at least six racers being injured during or after the event. In the top class, Pol Espargaro and Enea Bastianini were both ruled out of Sunday’s race (RAC) after both ended up in hospitals following the Friday’s free practice and Saturday’s Sprint (SPR) sessions; Espargaro suffered a broken jaw, a back injury, and lung complications, and Bastianini a broken shoulder blade.
World champion Francesco Bagnaia may have put in a highly impressive performance in this round, claiming victories in both SPR and RAC, but in my honest opinion, this round is best remembered for the three-people incident taking place on Sunday, 26th March. In said incident, Marc Marquez braked too late and made a contact with Jorge Martin, after which the former lost control on his bike and hit home hero Miguel Oliveira at full speed. This resulted in a contusion on Oliveira’s right leg, a hand injury for Marquez, and DNF (Did Not Finish) results for all three.
In Moto2 class, runner-up Ai Ogura and rookie Izan Guevara (Moto3 world champion) missed the race due to training injury on Ogura’s part and an arm surgery for Guevara. The Moto3 race saw Joel Kelso crashing into the back of race winner Dani Holgado after the chequered flag. Holgado was uninjured, whereas Kelso ended up with a broken leg and had to miss the following two rounds.
Round 2: Argentina GP
After mixed conditions of sun and rain graced the practice and qualifying sessions, the races finally were declared wet. The injuries happening the previous week, coupled with the weather and track conditions, made the riders race more carefully this round.
While Joan Mir missed RAC after falling on the SPR, no rider competing failed to see the chequered flag, although Bagnaia and Brad Binder did crash each on his own. Marco Bezzecchi, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, earned his maiden win, whereas all riders who were injured in Portugal missed the round, as did Moto3’s Kelso and Moto2’s Guevara. Ogura attempted the qualification on 1st April, but ultimately withdrew from the next day’s race.
For me personally, there are two stars of this round. The first is David Almansa, a replacement rider for Kelso. On his second race in Moto3, he was fighting for a place on the podium until the last lap, although unfortunately another rider would crash into the Spaniard and cost him the podium dream. The second star is Sergio Garcia, who started 28th and finished fifth in his second-ever race in Moto2.
Round 3: Americas GP
Oliveira, Mir, Ogura, and Guevara were back, but crashes and a controversy once again surrounded the third round of 2023. In the MotoGP class, nine out of 22 racers failed to complete 16th April’s RAC, but only one was a result of a contact between two riders. In fact, there was almost no battle among the riders; and even if there was, none is memorable. (Speaking about memorable battles, Pedro Acosta versus Tony Arbolino in Moto2 didn’t disappoint. Neither did the one involving multiple riders in Moto3, which lasted until its last lap.)
So, why did the nine riders crash while Alex Rins soared to victory?
Martin and Brad Binder admitted their own mistakes, with the minorly-injured Alex Marquez confirming that he had no hard feelings against Martin for wiping him out. Both Aleix Espargaro and Raul Fernandez blamed technical problems on their bikes. Takaaki Nakagami stated he ‘had some issues’, Mir said he lost grip on his front tyre, and Jack Miller claimed that he was ‘on the limit’. Bagnaia, though, was at loss and couldn’t understand the reason behind his crash.
As for the aforementioned controversy, it revolves around Marc Marquez’s Portugal incident with Oliveira. Originally penalised with a double long lap to serve in Argentina, his absence in the second round led the penalty to be modified to serve on the first race he joins post said incident. However, his team has since appealed, and no verdict is taken so far.
What do you think will happen next? Will Marc Marquez receive a well-deserved penalty, or will he get away yet again? Which injured riders will make a comeback soon? Owl me and let’s see together if your predictions are correct!
Magical Feasts
By Simon Kincaid
"Back to witches and wizards and magical beasts; to goblins and ghosts and to magical feasts. It's all that I love and it's all that I need at Hogwarts."
Some may think of Hogwarts as a place to build friendships and make memories, others may look at it as the finest institution for wizardly education – but what else is Hogwarts? Many students who have spent time away for a summer or even a holiday break like our recent Spring Break find Hogwarts is a place for good cuisine. I’ve even heard this from our international visitors.
In my time as prefect, I've gotten to know several of the staff members at Hogwarts, including the ones that don't immediately come to everyone's mind – such as the school’s house elves. They work devotedly and tirelessly to clean our robes and our bed linens, dust the portraits, and a specialized team makes up the kitchen staff. They work hard to create delicious meals for us here at Hogwarts and it certainly shows – at least from what I've heard.
If you know me, my palate for food is quite narrow, so I took to the students of our fine school to ask what some of their favorite meals are. The food looks delicious, but what TASTES delicious? I was particularly interested in the grey stuff I've seen occasionally, reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. Has anyone tried the grey stuff? Is it delicious?
I started with second year Ravenclaw and best friend, Clair Fernandez. What are her favorites? "Pastries, waffles, and meats." It's a varied selection and I expected no less of an answer from one with “wit beyond measure”.
"Pancakes" were the answer of fellow prefect and third year Ravenclaw Samantha Salwis. These eagles really like their breakfast foods; maybe it is the most important meal of the day.
Some like more savory options. First year Slytherin Adya Oakes said that her favorite was the "roast chicken" one night at supper and it did seem popular amongst the other snakes nearby as well. However, that same evening at the Gryffindor table, first year Alana Dibble said hers was "shepherd's pie and kidney pie".
No mention of the grey jelly, but with a lot of meat preferences now popping up, I decided to ask perhaps the most amazing and beautiful person at Hogwarts – not being biased at all – AngelFyre McCubbin, a second year Hufflepuff who doesn't eat meat. She likes the "vegetarian stew, roasted vegetables, and tomato and squash soup," among other things. She had said more, but I sort of zoned out when looking into her ocean blue eyes.
Surely though, what she didn't mention – nor did anyone else – was the grey stuff. After discussing this with one of the kitchen-based house elves, I found out that apparently the grey stuff, at least on the tables at Hogwarts, is a chicken liver pate. She, I swear to Merlin, said exactly, "try the grey stuff, it's delicious!" You muggles will know.
Regardless of whatever food you love best, bon appétit, Hogwarts - and remember, be kind to one another!