The Hogwarts Headliner, Issue #31

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Welcome to 2024. To commemorate the new year, I sent out a survey, which a number of students responded to. In the survey, I asked the students of Hogwarts for their New Year’s Resolutions, if they had any, as well as things they’d like to see at school in the upcoming year. In addition, since Hogwarts students and professors alike often enjoy sports, I asked respondents to predict a winning house for each sport ─ although I should mention that there is likely some bias in self-reporting these predictions. Quite a few students stated they would like to make more friends or be more social, although a number also indicated they would like to exercise more. One student, Emiline Hunter, said she wants ‘to make someone smile twice a week’, which is definitely inspirational.	xx	A few students wanted to improve their grades, and one student said she wanted to start looking for her own dreams instead of those of others. When asked what the most common New Year’s Resolution was, most students responded with either improving grades or working out. A few people, however, mentioned eating healthier. The majority of respondents predicted that Ravenclaw would win the Quidditch and Duelling Championships and that Ravenclaw would tie with Slytherin for winning the Broom Racing Championship. These results, however, may be influenced by the house affiliation of respondents. It seems that a person’s house might just happen to correlate with what house they predict to win a tournament ─ who knew!?
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One student said they would like to see more deodorant around the halls of Hogwarts.

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However, if the new year of 2024 is really supposed to reflect the changes Hogwarts students want, it is imperative to actually listen to what said students want to see in their school. Thus, the respondents to the survey provided a few ideas. One new prefect said he would like to see more troublemakers so he can get experience handing out detentions. A few students requested more large get-togethers ─ one even specified that an inter-house sleepover would be interesting. A fifth year who will be taking OWLs soon suggested career prep get-togethers to help students figure out what to do, which is especially important as some OWL and NEWT subjects matter more in certain careers than others.	xx	New Year, New You by Koko Riddle One student said they would like to see more deodorant around the halls of Hogwarts. If you are finding yourself or your friends to be too stinky, you might wish to invest in Lowdour, or have your parents do so. It can do miracles for the underarms of sweaty pre-teens and teenagers.	xx	Ultimately, Happy New Year to the students and staff of Hogwarts! We’ll have to see if the sports predictions come true, but it’s really up to everyone at Hogwarts whether everyone sticks with their resolutions or whether Hogwarts has get-togethers like some students suggested. With the recent biscuit-decorating event after the winter holidays, anything is possible. Up next is Valentine’s Day, so be sure to invest in chocolates and sweets … or not, if your New Year’s Resolution was to eat healthy food. Maybe your valentine will want some chocolate instead.
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New Year, New You PG. 02

Life After Hogwarts Pt. 2 PG. 03

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The Motorcycle Diaries PG. 04

Horoscopes PG. 05

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───────── LIFE AFTER HOGWARTS ───x#2x─── by Serena Towers

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In a few months, our seventh years will be taking their first step out into the real world – outside of Hogwarts. Half of the cohort may already be adults, but who knows if we are really ready to adult? Graduating may not seem like a big deal, since it happens every year, but after seven years of being at Hogwarts, I think it is definitely something worth celebrating.

x─────────────────x Whilst you may be graduating from Hogwarts and taking a step into the world as adults, there is always the option of returning. Not as a student, but rather as a professor. This may be the most obvious career path – as though the answer is right in front of your eyes – but if you do consider going into academics and education, then this might be the one for you! You could return to Hogwarts as a Professor or go to one of the other wizarding schools.

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x─────────────────x Maybe you want to teach at a muggle school. Even if you do not want to teach, perhaps you look at a textbook and wonder if you could go into research and make it even better. You could literally become a published researcher, give talks to thousands at large global conferences or make future generations with your work. Or perhaps you are keen to use another language that you know.

─ ❝ ─ ──────────┓ x ─. Who knows if we are really ready to adult? ── x┗────────── x❞ xx

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┏ ┗ There are many different roles you could consider: ┓ ┛ x───────────────────────────x Teaching: If you have ever considered teaching or even becoming a tutor, maybe you want to be a professor one day or run your own school. This includes students of all ages, including reception (4-5 year olds) all the way through to graduate students undergoing further studies. Education is a vital part of society whether you join a muggle school or teach magic. You could even consider home-schooling people. You could become a tutor or go to graduate school, where you learn how to teach. x───────────────────────────x Researcher: If you are interested in academics but do not want to deal with students (who can really blame you), perhaps you may want to become a researcher. You could go into graduate school, study your chosen subject in more depth, and start becoming an expert in your chosen field. x───────────────────────────x Translator: Good at another language, or perhaps you just enjoy linguistics? Have you considered becoming a translator? Runes, potion recipes and textbooks all need to be translated. With a wide range of muggle and

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magical languages, there is plenty of information out there to translate if this suits your interests. Translators are vital and help keep the language alive – if people stop translating or speaking the language, it’ll become endangered and die out! x───────────────────────────x Librarian: People sometimes think being a librarian is easy or requires no skills – and they would be incredibly wrong. If you wish to become a librarian, you need the appropriate NEWTs and experience working in a library. If you enjoy books, then this may be a role that you find interesting – you will literally be responsible for furthering people’s minds with the tomes of knowledge that you acquire and stock in your library. Some of the time, you will end up studying and learning from these books yourself too, which can be a nice bonus if that is something you wish to do. x───────────────────────────x Scholar: Becoming a scholar is not an easy path. They are recognised as experts in their chosen field, they attend and talk at conferences, and they are constantly researching or writing work that will make a huge difference and often getting these works published. If you want the future generation to one day read your research and academic sources in their curriculum, then become a scholar and start researching.

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If academics doesn’t float your boat, don’t worry – there are so many other industries and career paths for you to choose from! I, for one, would just be really excited to see a name I knew in textbooks in the future. I would love to smile at my kid one day and go “did you know I went to school with the author of that book?” or even see people I know teach my future children.

This is Serena J. Towers – over and out.

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New Year, New You PG. 02

Life After Hogwarts Pt. 2 PG. 03

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The Motorcycle Diaries PG. 04

Horoscopes PG. 05

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The Motorcycle Diaries: February Birthdays' Blues Maverick Castle

Two highly talented motorcycle racers. Two first-borns originating from neighbouring countries. Their birthdays are just one day apart. Nothing could possibly go wrong between the two, right? Wrong. Valentino Rossi Born on 16 February 1979 in Urbino, Rossi is widely known as one of the greatest motorcycle riders of all time, with some even dubbing him the greatest ever. In addition to his achievements – including but not limited to nine World Champion titles, most premier class victories, competing in more than 400 races, and continuing to race at the age of 45 – the Italian is a figure who has revolutionised Grand Prix (GP) international motorcycle racing. Before Rossi started his career, GP was almost purely “formal”, leaving the audience with little to no knowledge regarding their favourite riders. Rossi is one of the first to have brought sunshine and personality to the sport with his cheery, iconic podium celebrations, something most motorcycle racers do nowadays but not back then. Furthermore, he is also a pioneer in customising racing leathers with personalised fonts, font colours, and nicknames, in contrast to the	xx	former uniformed surnames stitched to riders’ uniforms. As a person, Vale – as how his family and closest friends address him – is both competitive and warm. He might be cold and aggressive on track, but off-track he’s people-oriented and has always realised how important positive personal connections are. Whereas most riders at his time made no fuss in regards to their mechanics as long as they were proven great, Rossi always insisted on having true friends in his garage, noting that humans and their personal qualities contribute just as much success to a rider as his machine, if not even more. That being said, he’s no angel. It is understandably difficult to separate professional and personal lives, and Rossi has had a couple of feuds with his competitors, most notably Max Biaggi (which included a physical fight), Sete Gibernau, Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo, and Marc Márquez. However, his fair play, his special attention to motorcycle enthusiasts with physical disabilities, and the multiple times he presented his trophies and dedicated his podiums to children with critical illnesses surely live forever in the hearts of true motorcycle fans – for off-track actions show who one truly is, more than his on-track achievements.
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#TeamRossi or #TeamMárquez

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Marc Márquez Márquez originates from Rossi’s neighbouring country of Spain. The two almost share birthdays, with Márquez born on 17 February 1993. They also share the similarity of being first-borns. Much like Valentino Rossi, he has set impressive records on track, including being crowned a World Champion in his rookie season and is well-known for his cornering technique which has inspired many other riders. In fact, as a child, Márquez idolised Rossi and learnt a lot from the Italian both in riding techniques and in choosing his mechanics. However, if there is something even the living legend cannot inspire in the Spaniard, it’s got to be the habit ofxxhavingxxconsiderationxxtoward	xx	others. Márquez is, undoubtedly, one of the most egotistical and self-centred people to ever race in MotoGP. His awfully aggressive riding style more often than not costs his competitors their safety by knocking them off their bikes, although thankfully nowadays things often backfire as he knocks himself off the bike by pushing it over the limit without taking someone else out. He’s certainly brave, but three other notable characteristics of Marc Márquez are his sneakiness, lack of fair play, and manipulativeness. His career of dancing the line of the spirit of sportsmanship is just as impressivexxxasxxxhisxxxon-track	xx	achievements: a rider who tried to sabotage his teammate’s machinery parts was never heard of in MotoGP before, as well as a racer who made false claims under broad daylight without considering the possibility of physics law (Márquez’s infamous lie in 2015 when he claimed that he crashed because Valentino Rossi kicked his bike without somehow falling together with him). Some may question how such person is still allowed to take part in a sport competition, and the answer to the query is both basic and controversial – but fans are no fools, and after a couple of incidents, they managed to figure it out: Márquez originates from the country where the bodies governing the competition was born. That being said, these unfair decisions are condemned by many, including Spanish motorcycle race fans.
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(More on inconsistencies in the world of motorcycle racing will be covered in the upcoming April issue, so stay tuned!)

So, #TeamRossi or #TeamMárquez? You decide!

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New Year, New You PG. 02

Life After Hogwarts Pt. 2 PG. 03

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The Motorcycle Diaries PG. 04

Horoscopes PG. 05

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˗ˋˏHOROSCOPESˎˊ˗
─By Koko Riddle─

Happy New Year, students of Hogwarts! With a New Year comes a new you, and coincidentally, new horoscopes. Without further ado, here are the horoscopes for February 2024!

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ARIES Although you might notice tensions in your personal life, don’t be too worried ─ improvements in other aspects of your life should balance this out. Especially look for opportunities for advancement in your career or schooling.	xx	TAURUS Taurus natives can expect good news this month! As long as you keep your eyes open and look for chances to advance your goals, the next month should go rather smoothly. ~Look for chances to advance your goals	xx	GEMINI February will be a good month for Gemini natives to follow intellectual pursuits. Take some time to yourself, though and don’t be afraid to be introspective this month. ~Take some time to yourself
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CANCER This month, you may experience tumultuous relationships, but do not despair! As long as you take time to work on your strengths, you should be able to persevere through any issues that arise. Be sure to take care of yourself mentally.	xx		xx	LEO February may bring challenges in many areas of your life. It would be beneficial for you to focus on uplifting yourself rather than listening to any negative things others might say about you this month.
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VIRGO With this month you might find yourself being even more creative than usual. With this creativity, however, might come an increased need to keep an eye on your health. Try to balance both in order to grow this month.	xx		xx	LIBRA In February, it would be beneficial to ensure you are getting enough sleep every night. You might encounter stress in your career or academic life, so balancing your health with your responsibilities will only help you.
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SCORPIO Although your ambitions and goals are important, it is also good to take a step back and understand that you don’t have to give all of your time to your pursuits. Spend time with others and revitalise your health before going after opportunities with everything you’ve got.	xx		xx	SAGITTARIUS Look out for investment opportunities this month ─ your hard work should pay off. Keep being who you are, and don’t be afraid to be honest with people. This month is your month, and your interpersonal interactions will only help you.
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CAPRICORN If you’ve been dealing with stress and emotional hurdles since January, February probably won’t be much better on that front. However, if you remain patient, opportunities to avoid some of your stressors may arise. Focus on your health so you can remain strong while working through trouble. ~Focus on your health	xx	AQUARIUS This month, balance is of the utmost importance. You might find yourself swamped with external responsibilities, and any internal struggles you have likely won’t help with that. Thus, it would be more helpful for you to focus on what you can do about any problems that arise. Learning how to balance external expectations with internal issues can help you feel better both mentally and physically.	xx	PISCES February should bring opportunities for travel and personal growth. However, you might also encounter higher levels of stress than usual. To combat that, increase your interpersonal involvement and allowing for self-care is beneficial. ~Increasing your interpersonal involvement
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I hope that, no matter what the stars have in store, everyone reading this has a wonderful month. Remember, each of you is amazing and deserves to feel valued. Happy New Year, everyone!

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New Year, New You PG. 02

Life After Hogwarts Pt. 2 PG. 03

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The Motorcycle Diaries PG. 04

Horoscopes PG. 05

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Everyone has their own set of unique traditions, often passed down through generations. In addition to being fun, these customs bring family and friends together in this particularly festive time, making us feel loved and connected. With the New Year approaching, I became curious as to whether the student body of Hogwarts has any memorable practices they take part in during this time, and thus took it upon myself to find out. After quite a bit of wandering around the castle, I found myself three members of the Hogwarts population to ask this precise question. My first interviewee was first-year Slytherin Elisa Shakestra, who described with detail an annual celebration known as the Shakestra Starlight Soiree. The Soiree is a magical night when all the members of her family gather, complete with light shows, music, and interactive stations depicting the Shakestra family history. ──────────────────────

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┏ ┓ New Year Traditions By Renelle Dalton ┗ ┛ “One of my most cherished moments of the evening is when we gather around a majestic yet huge family tree, covered in the soft glow of starlight. Each family member takes turns adding an enchanted crystal orb to its branches, symbolising our hopes, dreams, and wishes for the coming year. It is a beautiful reminder of our unity and the power of our shared intentions.” What a wonderful way to remind everyone of their support and love for one another in the year to come! xx x───────────x x────────────────x xx x───────────x ───────────────────────────────────

The second student I came across was a Ravenclaw Quidditch player, Delainie Silverwing, who informed me of an experience without enchantment, but magical all the same! “Well, every year that I was home, we would always have a huge party with our family. Everyone would get together and celebrate a new year, mostly by talking about memories we had made. Usually my parents would like to tell stories about how me and my sister grew up, and we would also play card games. There weren't any wizard things we did, all just Muggle stuff.” ──────────────────────

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For my last interview, I approached none other than a Slytherin and personal good friend of mine, Astra Norrick. Astra seemed a bit nervous at first, but managed to tell me about some of the Norrick family customs. "One of our traditions is watching The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and timing it just right so that Theoden says 'so it begins' at midnight. And then we have a toast." Doesn’t that sound quite lovely? My favourite one, by far. You can never go wrong with Lord of the Rings, that’s what I say. Frodo supremacy. ────────────────────────

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As for myself, my dad always lays out a wide assortment of fresh buns and cakes from his amazing bakery on New Year’s Eve, which is definitely a plus. And my brother tries his best to draw everyone a hand-made New Year’s card, bless his heart- even if the cards are always slightly crumpled and sticky, for some reason. I’m not sure I want to know. Another one of my traditions is paying attention to the Chinese Zodiac Cycle. 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle- a mighty impressive animal, representing prosperity, authority and good fortune. Hopefully, this year will bring luck and evolution to all of us, and bestow us with strength, independence, and creativity! ───────────────────────────────────────────

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New Year, New You PG. 02

Life After Hogwarts Pt. 2 PG. 03

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The Motorcycle Diaries PG. 04

Horoscopes PG. 05

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How Do We Love Thee By Simon Kincaid

xxx❝ ─ ─. Roses are red, Violets are blue, Here’s to you, Hogwarts, And what we love about YOU! ── x xxxxxxxxxxx x❞

Multitasking as I did patrols on a late Thursday evening after supper, I scavengened the corridors to find answers to an important question with Valentine’s Day befalling upon us. Many at this time are so focused on xxx making valentines for their friends back home and at school, their families, their beloved, their secret crush, or even their pets – but let’s not neglect an important facet of each of our lives: Hogwarts, our amazing school! xxx What do you love about Hogwarts? Here’s what some say!

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xxx “There is a lot I enjoy about Hogwarts, but I think my favorite thing has to be the architecture – it is a spectacular piece of craftsmanship. No one talks about how beautiful the castle is at sunset, or how charming the courtyard gargoyles are. There is always more here than what meets the eye – details that can be missed in passing. Everything has a story to tell and a secret to share, if you are willing to stop and listen. Next time you are out and about, I encourage you to take a moment to look at the landscape, and the castle against it. Perhaps test yourself and see if you can find something you never noticed before.” - Xailah Alptraum “Hogwarts gave me a home to return to when things were rough.” - anonymous “We can find all sorts of people at Hogwarts and know that everyone is accepted here, which is a big comfort. It’s a place where we can drop all

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pretense and be our true selves; find peace.”-anonymous “Growing up in a loving pureblood family, it was not a secret what adventures I would be having. I had heard a lot about Hogwarts from my parents and I was pretty excited. At first it was very scary for me, even though the first thing that happened was a Sorting Ceremony to know the houses. But the scariness ended there as I found a library – which became my go to place in times of need and it became one of my favorite places to be. Besides being in the dorm with my dormmate who later became my husband.” - Professor Argento Perceval-Phelan “Have you ever gone up to see the view from the Astronomy Tower? It’s absolutely breathtaking! Love that Hogwarts is located

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in the Scottish Highlands!” - anonymous “There’s magic here!” - anonymous “The professors are pretty cool, I guess.... maybe some more than others.” - anonymous “The Great Hall is like a dream come true. The food there is so yummy, and it’s also so different from back home! And I get to sit with all my friends. But my favourite place has to be the Hufflepuff Common Room. It’s so cozy with big comfy chairs and a warm fireplace. And the greenhouses are so cool! They're filled with so many things and it's always so warm there so in the winter, it's the perfect spot to just chill at. But you know what's the absolute best? The people. I mean! So many people, right? All kinds too, which is awesome. I've met tons of friends and it makes it a ton better. Hogwarts would be so boring without the people, honestly, and I love being here.” - Dean Saunders

No matter the reason and no matter the season – approaching Valentine’s Day and beyond – we love you, Hogwarts. Thank you for always being there and for allowing us to call you home.

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New Year, New You PG. 02

Life After Hogwarts Pt. 2 PG. 03

─

The Motorcycle Diaries PG. 04

Horoscopes PG. 05