The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #33

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The tables in the Great Hall are littered with as many textbooks as food, and professors’ office hours seem much busier than usual. An empty table in the Study Hall is currently an impossible sight, and good luck trying to find a copy of whatever book you want on the library’s emptying shelves. You may also notice your favourite upperclassman looking distinctly more haunted than usual. That’s right, it’s almost exam time – which, for fifth- and seventh-years, means O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s.	xx	══════════════════ The Upper-Year’s Guide to Studying for Examinations by Aly Salinger ══════════════════	xx	Fifth-years take their Ordinary Wizarding Levels, and seventh-years their Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests, beginning in the second-to-last week of the term. These examinations, which instil greater fear than regular finals, are usually held over the last fortnight of school and encompass all that students have learned thus far. Naturally, Hogwarts turns into a whirlwind of studying, reading, quizzing and barely eating or sleeping when exams are just around the corner.
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“The dungeons are a great space to study in, so long as you don’t mind the occasional ghost or spider!”

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Examinations come hand-in-hand with various challenges: reviewing years’ worth of education, finding time to study and knowing that the results will dictate your future career are all common pressures, according to a recent survey of elder students. That’s a lot to balance, so how do the upperclassmen do it? Speaking as a fifth-year, we all have our different tried-and-true techniques for revision – the places we go and methods we use. Whether you’re cramming for the end-of-year examinations that could potentially dictate the rest of your life, or you’re younger and won’t have such examinations for a while, it’s important to share these tips and tricks; you never know what might work someday!	xx	Before you can even begin to crack open books or spread out your notes, the first step of studying is finding the perfect location. While the library, your House commons, and the Study Hall are all great spots, they can sometimes feel overcrowded and loud. If you’re looking for a quieter, more peaceful place to pull out your primers, search no further – some kind Headliner upperclassmen have shared their favoured study spots. (If you take advantage of any of these, we just ask that you don’t bother the upperclassmen who shared them! Let them study in peace!)	xx	Pericles Dralt, fifth-year: “Believe it or not, the dungeons are a great space to study in, so long as you don’t mind the occasional ghost or spider!” Evelynn Decipio, fifth-year: “At the risk of compromising my peace, my preference is the spot beneath my favourite tree at the lakeside... does wonders for enhancing focus.” Delilah Stewart, seventh-year: “Sometimes the owlery is nice, you just have to watch you don’t get owl poop on your parchment...” Alan Vanes, seventh-year: “There is this hill near the paddocks of the Care of Magical Creatures classroom that I really love… [and] the Great Lake is pretty neat.”
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“Teaching is the best way to learn.”

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Once you’ve found your place, you can study! Do you prefer solitary scrutiny or memorisation with the masses? Though I’m personally a fan of the latter, finding studying alone to be boring, fifth-year Cassius Eden identifies more with the former, saying, “Studying alone allows me to be free of distractions which others often bring whether intentionally or unintentionally.” Don’t forget to address both the practical and the theoretical when it comes to studying! “For practical studying I enjoy duelling or just visiting the stables and watching the creatures,” said Vanes. “For theoretical aspects I do review the notes I take in class or when observing creatures.” Other theory-based methodologies include flashcard review, textbook-reading, rewriting notes, sipping Memory Potion before studying (according to Dralt), or even teaching. “My mother always emphasised that teaching is the best way to learn,” explained Decipio. “So I deliver lectures in the theatre of the mind, rereading any content of which I was uncertain.”	xx	How much time you should devote to cramming varies from person to person and should honestly just be “as much as you can take without wanting to practise DADA spells on yourself”. Some upperclassmen err on the lower side, such as Dralt, who puts aside just one hour a day for O.W.L.-specific studying (and always just before dinner, so that hunger will assist with his concentration), or Eden, who reviews “at least two hours per day of classes. Time must be allowed for current homework and personal study, of course.” And then there are people like Stewart, our editor-in-chief. “I probably spend more than most people [studying]... maybe 2-3 hours a day per subject?” Stewart said, adding, “I spend a lot of time in the library.” Again, to each their own! The important takeaway here is that studying should be different for everyone – and no matter what you do, don’t resort to cheap tricks like buying powdered dragon claw from shifty upperclassmen in the toilets. Hard work is the best path to outstanding Outstandings!
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┏ ┓ A Rose By Any Other Name Rebecca Lark ┗ ─────────────────────────────────────── ┛

As we all prepare to graduate into the next year – and some of us prepare to graduate out of Hogwarts entirely – the world around us too continues its cycle of growth and change, with the full bounty of spring out around us in full bloom. Now is the time to rekindle old friendships before the chance slips away from us again, maybe for the last time. This is the perfect season ────────────────	xx	for it, after all: what has frozen can always thaw again, can always grow into something even more beautiful and vibrant than that which came before it. For those of you looking to rebuild burned bridges, I commend you; I will most definitely not be doing that. Those who are dead to me are welcome to stay dead. But if you are considering making the unenviable leap to ────────────────	xx	reconnect with a love lost, romantic or platonic, that first tentative contact can be awkward, uncomfortable, and more than a little terrifying. There are many ways to send a message to someone important to you that effectively communicates exactly how you feel about them and what they mean to you, but none quite as seasonally appropriate as ────────────────	xx	floriography – or, as you’ve probably most commonly heard it called, the language of flowers. Flower language has existed in various forms and in various different cultures for centuries but started to gain prominence here in the U.K. and other parts of Europe in the early 18th century, though books compiling various flowers and their meanings didn’t start to emerge until the 19th century.
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	xx	Flowers were used to send messages and share secrets, and while it was often associated with clandestine communications between lovers, floriography was commonly utilised amongst friends and family as well. Everything from what hand the flowers were delivered with to how the ribbon was tied played a part in their meaning. Colour also played an important role: while receiving red carnations, for example, would imply feelings of love and passion from the sender, receiving yellow carnations on the other hand would convey feelings of rejection and disappointment. As such, confusing	xx	the two would likely lead to one very broken heart and a rather embarrassing outcome for both parties involved. Many of us recently got up close and personal with over a dozen different kinds of flowers at the Spring Ball back in April. While not all flowers were gifted commonly enough to have any symbolism attached to them, quite a few of the flowers chosen by the planning committee serve as more than just lovely dance decorations – or, in our case, as clever hiding spots for the various clues left for attendees to discover.
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While Honking Daffodils don’t have any special meaning attached to them by nature of their honking (though, if I may suggest one of my own, perhaps the Honking Daffodil should symbolise that someone is standing in your way, and you are very loudly requesting that they move out of it quickly, should they enjoy getting to do so of their own free will), daffodils have rather disputed meanings. Some say that the flower represents new beginnings, rebirth, and unequalled love; others believe that it symbolises unrequited love. So, if you’re planning to give someone a daffodil, maybe consider sending it with a note.	xx	Red roses, on the other hand, have some of the most well-known symbolism of any flower. Even if you don’t know a single other thing about floriography, you likely implicitly understand what it means to be gifted a red rose. Red roses symbolise romantic love and are the most unequivocal love declaration a person can receive. Lilies have a variety of different meanings depending on their colour. White lilies can mean innocence and purity (lame) and can also be used as well wishes for weddings. Yellow lilies, meanwhile, can symbolise gratitude and friendship, while orange lilies often are used to convey hatred. Mad that your ex is marrying someone else? Spice up the wedding by sending orange lilies instead of white!
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While my own dreams of sending spy missives via flowers might be unrealistic – no flower possesses the meaning of “meet me at the Astronomy Tower at midnight, bring Hiccoughing Potion and come unarmed”, for example – you can	xx	absolutely use floriography to rekindle snuffed out friendships and old flames long gone cold. Perhaps pink camellias and chrysanthemums to express longing for a dear friend, or a bouquet of snapdragons and hyacinth to convey “I’m sorry for my	xx	mistakes.” However you choose to say it, just make sure that you do. Summer is fast approaching, and time has a way of slipping away from us; if you want someone in your life again, consider this your sign to tell them so.
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─────────────────────────────── May Day Around the World ─ Alyssea Brown ─ ───────────────────────────────

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	xx	When you hear the words ‘May’ and ‘day’ together, what comes to mind first? The distress callout used by ships and aircraft? The workers’ day to celebrate the labour movement? The spring festivals? Fortunately (or unfortunately), there is no emergency to be covered in this article, but rather a celebration of a brand new year. With the winter cold melting away and spring upon us, we can also look	xx	forward to warmer days as May Day (the festival) rolls around. May Day is a celebration occurring between the spring equinox (20 March) and the summer solstice (21 June). Depending on your sources, it is a celebration for the return of spring or the beginning of summer. The origins of May Day lie in both Roman and Celtic festivals, better known as Floralia and Beltane, respectively.	xx
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May day is a celebration for the return of spring or the beginning of summer.

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ORIGINS - ROMANS AND CELTICS Floralia was an ancient Roman festival held for five to six days, beginning in late April and ending in early May, which celebrated the goddess Flora, who represented flowers, vegetation and fertility. The length of the festival was not because of the many offerings the Romans believed would appeal to her for an abundant harvest, but because of the Ludi Florae, games of Flora. Beltane is a Celtic fire festival that marks the beginning of summer and is also believed to be the best time for cattle to pasture. It is one of four Celtic fire festivals. During this time, people perform rituals to protect their livestock, crops, and wish for a plentiful summer. In addition, the fires of Beltane were once known to have protective magics.	xx	ENGLAND In England, May Day celebrations involve crowning a May Queen, the Maypole dance and a May Fair. The May Queen is the first to enter at the May Fair. She is dressed in white to symbolise purity and bears a flower crown for the season. She is also the first to address the people before dancing begins. In some places, a May King may be appointed to accompany the May Queen, and he is dressed in green to symbolise springtime. The Maypole dance originally happened in the woods, where a tree would be picked and adorned with ribbons and streamers. Nowadays, the tree is brought to the village and children dance around it, holding onto the ribbons and streamers as they circle the pole.
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Wherever you are in the world, the 1st of May is certainly a time for community and blessings for the new year.

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USA A lesser known tradition that was practised in the United States was the gifting of May baskets. These baskets were usually handmade or sometimes made from empty milk cartons gifted anonymously by friends and family by simply leaving them on each other’s doorsteps. Inside, the recipients would find wildflowers, sweets, and other treats. If a person was caught giving a May basket, they would have to kiss the cheek of the person who caught them. Other variations of May Day you may have heard include: CENTRAL AND NORTHERN EUROPE Saint Walpurgis Night, or simply Walpurgis Night, celebrates Saint Walpurga, who was known for her healing powers and for protecting people from evil spirits.	xx	Bonfires are lit as a symbol of protection. There are even more regional variations of Walpurgis Night depending on which part of Europe you visit. In some regions, it is more akin to Halloween and is less about the saint or the bonfires. There is one common feature: as long as you are down to have fun, you can head down to a bonfire and dance the night away. In Finland, Walpurgis Night is known as Vappu. Finnish traditions usually involve lots of drinking, namely of sima (a low-alcoholic and soft drink), sparkling wine and other alcoholic drinks. Sima is also consumed with funnel cakes and donuts. SOUTHEAST EUROPE Known as Irminden, Bulgarians lean more towards the protection of people from snakes and lizards.	xx	People light fires and dance over them while making noises, believing it will scare the snakes. Pregnant women are more likely to observe the May Day celebration so as to ward off evil. Not to be confused with Bulgarian Irmenden, the armindeni (beginning of summer) is a Romanian celebration. Other names include ziua pelinului (mugwort day) and ziua bețivilor (drunkard’s day). Aside from sowing the seeds for a rich summer, it is a time for Romanians to prepare good wine for autumn and ask for protection from harsh weather. The reason it is also called mugwort day is because men often walk away from these festivals with mugworts on their hats. Wherever you are in the world, the 1st of May is certainly a time for community and blessings for the new year. However, if you are lighting bonfires, make sure it follows the open air fire rules and does not cause a disaster.
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═══════════════════════════ A Brief History of Taylor Swift - Part 1 by Dorion Anderson ═══════════════════════════ Taylor Alison Swift was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, United States on December 13th, 1989. She is a powerhouse at age 34 that does not seem to be stopping after releasing her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, on April 19th, 2024 with a total tracklist of 31 songs. She has broken a multitude of records including the highest-grossing tour, which she is still on, called The Eras Tour! Sadly, I am at stupid wizard school and can’t go see it, but it’s whatever.	xx	Her awards include: 14 Grammys, 40 American Music Awards, 39 Billboard Music Awards, Primetime Emmy Award, 23 MTV Video Music Awards, and 3 separate Artist or Album of the Year awards four times each. She notably cites her grandmother, Marjorie Finlay (who has a song dedicated to her on Evermore), as one of her earliest influences to pursue music. Marjorie was an opera singer who performed in the church that the family attended. Her family was incredibly supportive of music, bringing her to NYC for voice and acting lessons throughout her early childhood and helping her perform a lot early on. While she was rejected by a myriad of labels, she focused on her skills, including guitar and songwriting, and eventually was able to secure something called an “Artist Development Deal” with RCA records. Her family moved to Nashville when she was 14 years old.
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Through her career she broke a lot of “firsts”

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Eventually she switched to Big Machine Records and wrote her debut album with them, which was released in October of 2006. It spent 157 weeks on the Billboard 200 list which was an insane record for the early 2000s! She was only 17 in 2006! Can you believe it? Through her career she broke a lot of “firsts” – not only spending that long on the Billboard list, but she was also the first female country artist to write or co-write every. single. track. on her US platinum album. Her breakthrough song came in with “Teardrops on My Guitar”, though I really think “Our Song” was the breakthrough song. Alas, I was not alive yet, so I don’t have much of an opinion.	xx	That is how she got her start; since then she has released countless albums and we are going to really quickly run through them because oh boy she has had a career and I have a word limit! Fearless was released in November of 2008 and spent 11 weeks on the Billboard 200 at the number one spot. This album also broke a lot of firsts for women in the industry! In October of 2010 she released Speak Now which was only written by her! She also released Red in October of 2012.	xx	What do you know, in October of 2014 she released 1989, an album she called her first “pop album” and that was deeply influenced by her new residence in New York City. This was followed shortly in November of 2014 by her pulling all of her music from free streaming platforms and advocating for these platforms to actually pay the artists they were making money off of. Apple Music announced changes that satiated her enough to keep her albums on there, and it wasn’t until June 2017 that her music returned to other streaming platforms. This was also the year in which she was named as Billboard’s Woman of the Year, the second time she had won the award.
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This time we have a November album! In November of 2017 she released one of her most controversial albums: Reputation. This came as a response to so many years of being in the spotlight and the criticisms that she had received from media and the public alike. In November of 2018, Taylor Swift switched to the Universal Music Group with a contract that allowed her to keep the masters of all her albums. Lover is released in August 2019; in July of 2020 we get Folklore, and then Evermore in December. During this, however, there was a huge dispute with her manager Scooter Braun, as she tried to buy her old masters, but Big Machine would only let her under a contract that agreed that she would have to exchange new masters for her old ones. So she decided, why don’t I just re-record all of them?	xx	Here’s the thing pals – there’s so much more, including 2 more albums and a whole bunch of new records. Stay tuned for next Headliner, where I get into my own personal Swiftie opinions, as well as her finished history and discussing her newest album, The Tortured Poets Department, which I was lucky enough to receive unharmed as a record via owl transport and then I lay in the rehearsal room to listen to it. An Article from Your Favorite Swiftie, Dorion Anderson
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	May Horoscopes Pericles Dralt
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With Spring arriving in full force, bringing the seasonal shift, May is a month of change. Taurus season is typically grounding, though the new moon will bring unfamiliar experiences. Gemini season will strike later in the month, overwhelming some with its creativity-boosting energies. ─────────────────────────────	xx	Not to mention, O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s are on the horizon for us upper-years, so there’s plenty of surplus stress to go around. Utilise Taurus’s strength to stay firm on your path. Don’t allow change to intimidate you: this is one of the most significant turning points of the year. ───────────────────────────
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ARIES Now isn’t a time to take shortcuts. Focus on strengthening your foundation, especially by gaining control over your routine. Self-control will be vital this month for reaching your goal, but so will self-confidence.	xx		xx	TAURUS Honesty will be your guide this month, both when establishing new friendships and admitting when you’re at your limit. Be kind to yourself: you’re doing better than you realise, and that deserves credit.
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GEMINI Embrace solitude this month in order to gain clarity, and when you’re ready, reach out. A change in connections will provide transparency in your goals. As Jupiter shifts into Gemini, your inspiration will rekindle.	xx		xx	CANCER You enjoy supporting your friends. Don’t struggle in silence and deny them the chance to return the favour. Communication is on your side, both with them and yourself, so choose what you say with care.
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LEO Be fearless when introducing yourself. If you present yourself authentically, you’re bound to attract similar minds. Take this time to prove your innate potential by being brave and genuine, especially in the face of risk.	xx		xx	VIRGO Be open to learning and receiving this month. Hang back and observe, and your future may become clearer. A wealth of wisdom lies just outside of your perception; it is obtainable if you let the information come to you for a change.
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LIBRA If you don’t let your walls down, you won’t see the world beyond them. Perhaps go somewhere new or read an unusual book – they’re often as good as travel. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.	xx		xx	SCORPIO You’re self-reliant, but the month of May is a good time to lean on others for a change. Don’t let preconceived notions cloud your ability to form new judgments. Let go of the old, and celebrate your hard-earned wins.
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SAGITTARIUS Work on communicating your needs or risk hitting a wall. Jupiter and Venus are poised to expand your connections if you open your heart to them. Remember: there are opportunities to learn about yourself in every interaction.	xx		xx	CAPRICORN Work hard, but don’t forget to play hard, too. Not everything you do should be a matter of success versus failure. Make a point to treat yourself, find an excuse to be grateful and acknowledge your inherent value.
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AQUARIUS Inspiration will strike if you allow yourself to rest. Recover your energy because the breakthrough will happen when you least expect it. Strangers may become friends, and friends may further prove themselves.	xx		xx	PISCES This isn’t a month for forming new methods. Keep true to your routine to avoid needless frustration, both socially and academically. Rest, or else you won’t be prepared for the arrival of the stimulating Gemini season.
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Room for Change By Alan Vanes

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As many of you readers are aware, this castle offers dozens, if not thousands of secrets and mysteries. Not all of them have been or will ever be uncovered, but it does not hurt to try, right? As someone who has been a student in this castle for almost seven years now, I have seen my fair share of secret passages, short cuts and little secrets. And these range from small and trivial to mind-blowing. The likes of the secret I wish to share with you today is more of the latter category, at least if you ask me.

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Because unknown to many students, there lies a room in this very castle that is unlike any other. Not everyone will find it and many make it through their seven years of Hogwarts without even being aware of this room’s existence. Which, truth to be told, is quite a shame as it has many uses. That might be an understatement as the room will have limitless possibilities of what it can offer, as it seemingly warps to the occupant’s will. If you, like many others, feel like Hogwarts in its available rooms and areas has room for improvement, you might embrace some room for change and you should seek it, literally. In the room of change!

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Those who are aware of the room might skip ahead to the next article, but the many readers who are unaware should keep on reading to discover more about the Room of Many Names and how to find it. The name I have heard most is the Room of Requirement, the Room of Wishing and also the Room of Many Things. Funnily enough, lost things often seem to make their way into said room! I am personally unaware of the room’s limits, but perhaps you can be the first to find out? For those who are curious and wish to see the room for themselves, you should head to the seventh floor of this castle, and walk along the corridor.

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The journey will be worth it! Pace it back and forth, three times to be precise and keep in mind what kind of place you would desire and if your desire is strong enough the room will deliver as you require! So, for all the students that desire and require, keep an eye out for the painting of Barnabas the Barmy... good luck!

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Opinion: Why You Should Join Your House's Quidditch Team by Koko Riddle We’ve all been there. The feeling of the sturdy, calming wood of a broom in your hand is an experience that every Hogwarts student shares. If you’ve taken a Flying class, you’ve felt the wind in your hair, felt the weight of a broom against you or under you, and you’ve flown. x─────────────────x xx Some of us don’t like flying. That is, of course, entirely understandable. However, for those of us who do, joining our house’s Quidditch team is an exceptional way to exercise, to make new friends and to enjoy the freeing feeling of flying on a broom.x x ─────────────────x Without further ado, here are seven reasons you should join your house’s Quidditch team. ─────────────────────────────────────

One: Exercise. It’s easy for students to get so involved in their studies that they forget to go outside and breathe. It’s not unheard of for Hogwarts students to spend all day in their dormitories, neglecting the vast expanse of the grounds and the health benefits that exercising can give them. Quidditch solves that. You have to practise, which ensures you are taking steps to exercise and keep your body healthy. Two: Teamwork and socialisation. Joining the Quidditch team teaches you the importance of teamwork. It is a bit less individualistic than duelling and broom racing, and it is also easy to get to meet people in different years and of different skill levels. For those who find it difficult to socialise with others, Quidditch can give you things to bond over and also open avenues for making new friends. Three: Mental health. Quidditch is, first and foremost, a game. It helps you talk to people and exercise,	xx	which are both beneficial for your mental health. The fun aspect of the game helps students enjoy themselves, offering a break from rigorous studying. Four: Competition. House rivalries are fine and well, but there’s just something special about getting to act on your grudges. Have you ever been upset that your house has lost the house cup for months in a row? Well, Quidditch is a perfect outlet for that frustration. At least you can win at something. Five: Mental stimulation. I think Quidditch makes you smarter. You have to come up with all sorts of strategies, and you have to learn to react in the moment. It might not be academic smartness, but it is common sense, which might even be more important. You learn how to deal with stressful situations as well as people you might not like, which are both things you will need to be able to deal with as an adult.	xx	Six: Winning. Isn’t that the most important part of Quidditch? Winning? No? Well, it is to some. If you join your house’s Quidditch team and do well in it, you’ll be able to win. Maybe you won’t win every game, but that’s part of life. What truly matters is that you feel good about the game and yourself – and trust me, after winning a difficult game of Quidditch, you most certainly will. Seven: Fun. Despite the inherent danger in getting whacked with a bludger, Quidditch is still a game. The goal is to have fun… although some might argue that the goal is to win. However, it’s most important to have fun while you’re winning. The points total in Quidditch makes it easier to keep track of who is winning, and since you’re part of a team, everyone can share in the happiness. That’s not to mention the exhilaration that comes from flying!
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Quidditch teams need you. Maybe you need a Quidditch team.
Whatever the case, you should join your house’s team today.

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──────────────────────────── Why Duelling is the Best Sport Alyssea Brown ─────────────────────────────	xx	Between the three sports at Hogwarts, it’s hard to know which one you should sign up for. Quidditch, duelling, and broom racing all offer their pros and cons, as well as their own level of risk. Because the school only allows you to participate in one, which one should you choose?	xx	If you have a legacy to continue, the answer may come easily. If not, it is a daunting question to answer. As someone who has spent all of her second year trying out every single sport (and without losing any bones along the way), I will be presenting a mini-series to go through every sport.

Hopefully, by the end of this mini-series, you will have a better idea of which sport you want to do. This article also includes opinions from current and former duellists, so it’s not just my opinion you’re getting. Duelling at Hogwarts is not about settling grudges or determining quarrels; instead it’s a team effort to bring pride to one’s house. All you need is a wand, some spells in your arsenal and maybe some extra studying to get an advantage over your opponent. In the past, duels were between pairs but are now in a three-versus-three format. ─────────────────────────────	xx	So, what is so cool about this spell-flinging sport that requires little to no physical exertion? For one, duelling is actually quite physical unless you’re able to avoid all your opponents’ spells. While duellists don’t have to throw rocks or hit Bludgers to knock out opponents, the mental toll to cast so many spells in a short period of time is draining. Not only are you casting and dodging spells, but you may also have to break out of binds like Fulgari to avoid making yourself an easy target.
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Duelling is a very practical sport. For those looking to go into the Auror or Hit Wizard industries, this can give you a massive boost in the long run. Former Gryffindor duellist Raizel Voltrouz backed this up, saying, “It gives fighting experience, especially for those who want to become Aurors in the future. And who wouldn’t want to be in a sport that doesn’t just teach you how to defend yourself but kind of simulates a real fight between wizards and witches?” Miss Voltrouz added, “It’s also the best way to test out spells against other people and that’s fun for those who love spells. Sure, it hurts, but no pain no gain” – a pretty bold statement from the lioness. ─────────────────

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❝ ─ ───────────┓ x ─. It’s also the best way to test out spells against other people and that’s fun for those who love spells. Sure, it hurts, but no pain no gain. ── x┗─────────── x❞ ❝ ─ ───────────┓ x ─. Duelling is completely about strategy. Even a weak duellist can win with a good strategy. ── x┗─────────── x❞

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Former duelling partner of mine and a duellist for Hufflepuff, EmmaLee LeDames, said, “Duelling is completely about strategy. Even a weak duellist can win with a good strategy… and I would rather not be on a broom,” which are all completely good points! If you have a fear of heights, like Zach Zaphiere, who we talked to in Issue #29, but still want to do something physical, duelling might be a good pick. Ravenclaw duellist Cassian Clarke is quite passionate about the sport, saying, “I love the duelling team. I don’t know, there’s something really cool about being able to test your abilities, to find out how good you really are. The adrenaline is such a rush and it takes not just magical willpower, but also insight and quick thinking.” ─────────────────

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❝ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ──────────┓ x ─. The adrenaline is such a rush and it takes not just magical willpower, but also insight and quick thinking. ── x┗────────── xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx❞

Ultimately, sign up for your house’s duelling team! And if you find it’s not your cup of tea, at least you gave it a shot. As some person somewhere once said, “better an oops than a what if”.

Stay tuned for the next instalment of this mini-series!

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STUDYING PG. 02

MAY DAY PG. 04

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HOROSCOPES PG. 06

MUGGLE ITEM PG. 11

PAGE 10.

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Magical & Muggle Meals: Giant Squid Calamari by Aly Salinger Many Hogwarts students believe that one of the best parts of attending our esteemed academy is the food – not just the holiday feasts, our tables positively dripping with delectable delights themed to the occasion, but the everyday meals, too. Each time we sit down to dine together, we leave satisfied, our bellies full of the most flavourful fare this side of Scotland. ──────────── xx ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎ After graduating, we are going to face a grim truth: there won’t be an army of house-elves in our kitchens whipping up rich recipes. Learning to cook for yourself is essential, whether you’re magical or Muggle! As such, welcome to “Magical & Muggle Meals”, which shall provide you with recipes so that you don’t leave Hogwarts completely unprepared to ──────────── xx tackle cooking. ‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎ Let’s start off with something you may have tried if you’ve recently visited Jakarta: fried Giant Squid tentacles. These squid arms are wonderfully chewy without being overly so, crispy on the outside for a satisfying crunch upon first bite, and carry with them all of the salt and savouriness of the sea. What’s not to love? ──────────── (Side note before the recipe itself: since hunting Giant Squids is not technically legal in large parts of the magical world, you may have to settle for a regular-sized squid, unless you travel all the way to Indonesia to get some of the larger version.) ────────────────────────────────────────────

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Giant Squid Calamari
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Serves: Hogwarts, if you use giant squid; if you use regular squid, 6 people
Time: one hour, not including squid-butchering

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Ingredients: ▫ 1 giant squid (*one pound of squid) ▫ Skrewt oil (*olive oil) ▫ ½ cup dragon milk (*2% milk) ▫ 1 ½ cups Wizarding Wheat Self-Charmed Flour (*all-purpose flour) ▫ ¾ teaspoon dried oregano ▫ ½ teaspoon pepper ▫ ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ▫ ⅓ cup cornstarch ▫ ½ teaspoon baking powder ▫ 1 lemon ▫ Salt, as needed *Muggle alternative

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Directions
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𝟭| Butcher your squid – discard all but the tentacles, then slice tentacles into rings that are ¾ inch thick. *Note: Some Muggle stores will sell squid pre-sliced, though you may be hard-pressed to find a pre-butchered Giant Squid. 𝟮| In a medium-sized cauldron, add one teaspoon of salt to the milk and stir. Add the squid rings; chill for thirty minutes with a Freezing Spell or Muggle refrigerator. 𝟯| Add the flour, spices, cornstarch, and baking powder to a separate medium-sized cauldron. Mix well. 𝟰| Take half of the squid and shake off excess milk. Add to flour mixture and toss to coat, then place to the side. Repeat with the remaining squid. 𝟱| Turn your oven to a low heat – 150 degrees Fahrenheit or 65 degrees Celsius. Place a wire rack atop a large sheet pan, top with paper towels, and place inside the oven. ────────────────────────────

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𝟲| In a small cauldron over a different fire (Muggle alternative: stove), heat ten centimetres of oil to a high heat (around 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 Celsius). *Note: This may spit whether you are using skrewt oil or not. If it spits, turn the temperature down – your oil is too hot! 𝟳| Use your wand (or tongs) to add several pieces of squid into the oil; allow to fry for three minutes or until crispy and golden-brown. Remove finished squid from the oil with your wand (or tongs) and carefully add to the preheated sheet pan with wire rack and towels. Season with salt, then repeat the step until all the squid has been fried. 𝟴| Levitate squid out of the oven (or use oven mitts to safely remove it). Slice the lemon carefully with a Severing Charm (or knife) and squeeze the lemon juice onto the squid. Serve! ────────────────────────────

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STUDYING PG. 02

MAY DAY PG. 04

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HOROSCOPES PG. 06

MUGGLE ITEM PG. 11