The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #23

.FEBRUARY ISSUE No. 23
THE OFFICIAL HOGWARTS NEWSPAPER
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THE FULL MOON | Mar 07 / Apr 06
HOGWARTS HEADLINER
your source for all things magical and mysterious within hogwarts
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ShineaLighton
Valentine'sDay:

Bloom Silvertonx&xHoward 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...
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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─
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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*.
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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 may-
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-be 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. Alwaysxkeepsxthingsxexcitingxxand
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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.
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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.
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P.S.xx𓆩*𓆪xxL.S.
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #23
PAGE 02.
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Cupid's Poll
by Koko Riddle
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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


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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
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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.


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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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:

(Answers shown to the right >>>)

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.
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1. ‘Are they attracted to your gender?’

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2. ‘Do they converse with you frequently?’

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3. ‘Are you close friends?’

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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!
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P.S.xx𓆩*𓆪xxL.S.
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #23
PAGE 03.
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Say it With Stuff
by Marius Brown
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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.





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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!


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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!
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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!
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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.





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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!
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Extra! Extra!
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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!)
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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!
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P.S.xx𓆩*𓆪xxL.S.
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #23
PAGE 04.
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▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ C L U B R E P O R T ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

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 installment 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!
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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.
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Dee:
How did you come up with the idea for this club? It seems like a lot of fun.
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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.
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.
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Dee:
How do your meetings usually go? Are there themes to what the participants cook, or can everyone just make what they want?
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Dee:
What's your favourite food? Have you made it during any of the meetings?
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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.
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.
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Dee:
Any word to aspiring chefs out there?
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Sounds pretty tasty in my opinion! I wonder if I could apply to be one of the judges?
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P.S.xx𓆩*𓆪xxL.S.
The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #23
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FEBRUARY HOROSCOPES

Koko Riddle
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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P.S.xx𓆩*𓆪xxL.S.