Hogwarts Monthly Welcome Back! By Miranda Dawes (Camilla) |
Blink and you'll miss it, another semester at Hogwarts has gone by! This time of year is always extremely busy and I'd just like to give a shout out to all the fifth and seventh year students taking on OWLs and NEWTs. You've all been working so hard! This semester we welcomed back the amazing Professor Grayveson and incredible Professor Le Fey, and welcomed the talented Professor Kaster to take on upper years Care of Magical Creatures. There's been a fight for first place in the points standings, exciting Quidditch matches, romance in the air and some intense duels. We're here to cover all of it so you don't miss a thing! |
Quidditch By Morrie Ayre (Verity) | Dueling Tournament By Michael Watson (Camilla) |
This season leaderboard saw an interesting switch up. In the first game, last years champions, Ravenclaw, and runners up, Gryffindor scrambled for third place. Meanwhile, Slytherin and Hufflepuff battled for the Championship. The Ravenclaw vs Gryffindor game saw appalling weather conditions with Gryffindor taking early possession of the quaffle. The young chaser, Ivy Cullen, did the dirty on the supposedly experienced keeper Michael Watson with the old fake right, shoot left trick that left the Ravenclaw captain looking a little embarrassed to say the least. The Ravenclaw chasers, however, had no such luck with every scoring attempt blocked. Shall we blame the weather? Nah. I'd say lack of skill. __________________________________________________________Meanwhile, the Gryffindor captain and seeker, Raawhiti Te Rangi appeared to be hallucinating the snitch in a performance almost as awkward as proposing to his boyfriend at the Valentines Dance. Unfortunately, like his proposal, Te Rangi absolutely bombed and was bludgered out of the game with one well aimed bludger from Ravenclaw’s beater Audrey Beauchamp, followed by two more from Lucy Holland. They knocked the captain out of his last match at Hogwarts. Aww sad, maybe Quidditch wasn’t his calling after all. In case your wondering, no Savannah Walters did not catch the snitch. Instead Gryffindor's alt seeker Milo Frogg caught the snitch within minutes of replacing the captain. It was actually pretty cool, Gryffindor won 160 - 0. The Slytherin vs Hufflepuff final saw brisk, but significantly improved conditions. Chaser, Jonah Edogawa secured an early lead for Hufflepuff. The Slytherin chasers were slow to respond, but eventually, Terror Zhefarovich came in to equalise the score at 10-10. Now, let’s talk about Hufflepuff seeker Penelope Marshall, who I noticed looked chilled to the bone just walking out onto the pitch. Spoiler: she didn’t warm up. She was taken out by two bludgers hit in quick succession by Slytherin beater Alana Cosgrove, followed by an absolute stunner of a bludger from Vanity Mettlestone, knocking Marshall out of the game. Marshall was swiftly replaced with Bailey Walden-Cade as the alt Hufflepuff seeker. Attention then moved to the Slytherin seeker who I like to call Ignite-my Wollyfart, who was whimpering after a bludger hit from Hufflepuff captain Chase Campbell. Despite the tears, there was a moment when he had his sights on that snitch, but he just couldn’t get his knackered little broom to speed up enough to catch it. Out of nowhere, Walden-Cade swooped in and plucked the snitch right from Wollyfart’s sniveling nose, securing a win for Hufflepuff and sparing the crowd from having to watch any more Quidditch. HOORAY! The final score was 160-10 to Hufflepuff. There was also a Hufflepuff vs Beauxbatons game but I had detention then so that's your lot from me. Editor's Note: Beauxbatons won 180 - 30. | Once again, the Dueling Tournament was a thrilling spectacle for all participants and spectators alike. __________________________________________________________The second years may well still be learning their trade, but there's certainly some budding talent there. If Cyrus Thorne and Ivy Cullen were even remotely pressed by their first round competition, they didn't show it. It was a truly energetic spectacle that belied their youth. While in the third year duels, Morrie Ayre seems to be making a habit of getting disqualified. Perhaps it's not the most optimal means of competing and Miss Ayre should consider learning the rules if she wishes to compete in future years - but you can't say she doesn't make her duels interesting. Thankfully, the other third years seemed to know what they were doing. Fourth year featured a headlining grudge match between two strong competitors in Teddy Pirrip and Audrey Beauchamp that was great watching for any early spectators. Unfortunately, just like in the Quidditch match, Gryffindor had the upper hand here. In the fifth year duels, meanwhile, June Davenport seemed to make every match a grudge match, especially against Oz Brambleheart. Miss Davenport is definitely one to watch, even if she was worn down by her duels this time I've no doubt she'll make the breakthrough for the champion's title before she graduates. Anisha Khatri was on song for the sixth years, and could anyone stop seventh year Yuelia Rossingol from dominating the contest? Certainly not for lack of trying. The staff matches were once again excellent watching, and both Professor Josephs and Professor Moncrieffe were able to show off their magical skills, showing that they shouldn't be taken lightly just for teaching more theoretical subjects. It's hard to beat practical auror experience, right Professor Kaster? A big thanks to Savannah Walters for organising the tournament and to all the proctors for supervising! Congratulations to all our champions: Ivy Cullen, Apolline Fontaine, Teddy Pirrip, Hinata Edogawa, Anisha Khatri, Yuelia Rossingol and Professor Benjamin Kaster II. |
Horoscopes By Elio Boneheart (Zazz) |
| Aries (March 21 - April 19) This month’s charm: Accio Adventure! Aries, your bold and brave nature will lead you into exciting new territory this month. Whether it’s sneaking into the Restricted Section or testing out a new spell, you’ll be the first to charge in. But beware – your impulsiveness may land you in the Headmaster's office if you’re not careful. Keep a good excuse handy! Taurus (April 20 - May 20) This month’s charm: Protego Patience! Taurus, stability is your middle name, and that will serve you well as the pace of classes picks up. Focus on your studies, especially Herbology and Potions, as you might discover something useful for a new project. While everyone else is rushing through assignments, your steady hand will ensure quality over speed. Keep an eye out for opportunities to mentor a fellow student. Gemini (May 21 - June 20) This month’s charm: Alohomora Conversations! This is the perfect month for Gemini to expand their social circle. Your quick wit and charm will shine during group projects and in the common room, but try not to overwhelm your friends with too many ideas at once. You may feel like you're juggling between helping hands and keeping up with Quidditch practice, so balance is key. Maybe a Time-Turner would come in handy? (Though maybe not!) Cancer (June 21 - July 22) This month’s charm: Lumos Emotions! Cancer, the stars suggest a deep emotional month ahead. You’ll find yourself reflecting on home and family, perhaps feeling homesick or seeking comfort from close friends. This is a great time to visit the Library for some much-needed quiet. Don’t hesitate to confide in a trusted professor or housemate if things feel too overwhelming. Your intuition will guide you to the right support. Leo (July 23 - August 22) This month’s charm: Expecto Recognition! Leo, your spotlight moment is coming! Whether it’s shining on the Quidditch pitch, impressing your peers in Student Defence Association, or winning house points in Transfiguration, this month will give you plenty of opportunities to show your talents. Just be careful not to let your pride get the best of you—true leadership is about lifting others up, not just basking in the glory. Virgo (August 23 - September 22) This month’s charm: Riddikulus Perfection! Virgo, you're known for your attention to detail, which is perfect for preparing for upcoming exams or planning the perfect potion recipe. However, don’t let your perfectionism turn into overthinking. A little chaos might do you good this month—try something spontaneous, even if it’s just sneaking into Brightstone for a midnight snack. Your skills will still keep you top of the class. Libra (September 23 - October 22) This month’s charm: Wingardium Leviosa Harmony! Libra, you’re all about balance and fairness, which will be key as you navigate group dynamics in classes and friendships. Your diplomatic nature will help settle any disputes, and you may find yourself playing peacekeeper between bickering housemates. This is also a great time to nurture any artistic pursuits—channel your creativity into something magical like Enchanted Art or Spellbinding Music. Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) This month’s charm: Revelio Secrets! Scorpio, this month will have you drawn toward the unknown. You may feel an irresistible urge to uncover hidden truths—whether that’s decoding a mysterious magical artifact or learning about a professor’s mysterious past. Your investigative instincts will be razor-sharp, but be wary of revealing too much of your own secrets. Keep your Invisibility Cloak close—you never know when you might need it. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) This month’s charm: Portus Adventure! Sagittarius, you’ve always had a love for adventure, and this month is no different. Whether it’s joining a magical creature expedition or exploring the Forbidden Forest, your restless spirit craves new experiences. Keep your wand at the ready, though—you may encounter a few unexpected detours. Your optimism will carry you through, even when things don’t go as planned. Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) This month’s charm: Finite Discipline! Capricorn, you’ve been working hard and it’s time to see those efforts pay off. Your dedication to your studies will get noticed by your professors, but don’t forget to give yourself a break! Even Harry Potter needed a few Butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks now and then. Keep striving for your goals, but remember that a little fun won’t derail your progress. Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) This month’s charm: Expecto Innovation! Aquarius, this month your creative ideas will come to life, whether it's in Charms class or developing your own inventions in the magical workshop. You’re known for thinking outside the box, and your unique perspective will be valuable in group discussions. Just remember to explain your wild theories to others before diving in headfirst—you wouldn’t want a rogue spell gone wrong! Pisces (February 19 - March 20) This month’s charm: Sonorus Dreams! Pisces, your imagination is in full bloom this month, and it’s a great time to delve into Divination or Dream Interpretation. Pay close attention to your dreams—they may hold important clues or premonitions. You’ll be feeling extra sensitive to the energies around you, so try to spend some time near the lake or in the peaceful corners of the castle to recharge your magical batteries. |
Muggle Moment By Magdalene Grey (Kiersten) (gif made by author) | On Valentine's By Elio Boneheart (Zazz) |
Since muggles cannot use magic to help clean their house, they have all kinds of tools and supplies instead. A particularly helpful one is called a vacuum cleaner. There are many other names depending on where you live, but we call it a vacuum or sweeper in the United States. Its purpose is to pick up dirt from the floor, but it usually has parts that detach or extra hoses so you can reach high-up places or corners and the like. Vacuums require some kind of electricity. They can either use a cord, or they can use a battery, which stores the electricity so you don't need to keep it plugged in. They are very noisy and should not be used around cats, babies, and most dogs. After you are done, you empty the dirt out, and you can use it again. While it seems like a simple thing for someone who grew up with it, some people find the idea fascinating. It is also quicker than using a broom. __________________________________________________________
| Valentine’s Day, the one time in the year your boyfriend actually remembers to buy you flowers! Right ladies? I’m joking of course, but I want to focus on that for a second okay, why is it that we all forget that there are other days we can celebrate our love for each other? Whether it be flowers, chocolates, cute little romantic dates? There’s more to Valentine’s Day than who can buy the best gift you know, like, did you know that Valentine’s Day started as a way for historical men to control their historical women? Even though today it’s come to mean more about our love for the people in our lives, specifically those we want to spend time with romantically, I do think it’s important to remember that we shouldn’t forget where things come from. __________________________________________________________When we think about Valentine’s Day, we think about a feast of love, the big Valentine’s dance, who’s going to have a partner, sometimes we even think it’s a great day to ask someone to marry us (bit of a mistake that, if you ask me), but the general point is that we want something big, flashy, something we love, to have to someone we love, on a day all about love - and sometimes that can mean we forget everything else in the lead up. The day is so often reduced to how much we can spend on a person that the art of just spending time together just gets lost, until the next time we forget to buy a gift for our boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, fiancee or partner, and usually by then it’s far, far too late. All this to say of course that whilst I’m not saying we shouldn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day if we want to, we should remember that it’s not the only day we can celebrate the beautiful, wonderful people in our lives, and that actually it might even be far more special to celebrate it on a day that’s not all about how much money someone can spend. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer someone to think of me every day that isn’t special, and not just on the special ones. Sometimes all you need in to spend time with the people that you love. But then again, this is from a boy who just loves being given gifts, so maybe I’m not the authority on this. Love is love! |
Aunt Meg By Beatrice Grey (Kiersten) |
Dear Aunt Meg, Why is it that boys are so blind? I'm pretty and I'm smart and they just don't notice me? Is there something wrong with them? - Concerned Dear Concerned, I'm guessing you are asking me why boys don't notice you in like a love way and not in a "they can't actually see me" way because that would be cause for concern that you might in fact be invisible! But as many teenage magazines tell us, maybe you need to focus on you and becoming the best you you can be. If you're smart, keep working on your classes. If you're pretty, try getting dressed in something you like instead of what you think boys might like. Build your own confidence and you-ness, and then things will work out! Dear Aunt Meg, I went to muggle school before this and miss gym class. Do you think Hogwarts should have gym and care about our health? - Active Girly Dear Active Girly, I also miss having more physical activity scheduled into our days. Not all of us can be on the quidditch team. I don't know if we can have a class, but there are Run Clubs, and I'm sure if you ask some other people in your house, you can come up with days to go play football or do workouts in the common room. Maybe start an unofficial club? Dear Aunt Meg, My twin is ignoring me a lot. How do you get your twin to not be so rude? -Lonely Dear Lonely, I'm sure your twin is not ignoring you. |
Poetry Corner By Ruto Vernier-Raison (Kaye) | Book Club By Hugo Stark-West (Mia) |
Wonder __________________________________________________________In the leafy trees sits a bird of blue and gold Searching the whole land Staring at the clouds Hoping soon to discover How to understand The life of below Where people walked on the ground Yet to see the sky He thought how boring Life would be without knowing How one could not fly | The Thieves' Magic __________________________________________________________This sounded like a fun book just up my alley. Switching views between tyan a student of magic and archeology at “the academy” who finds a magical book on one of his archeological expiditions. And Rielle a young woman who lives in a world where magic is the property of angels and priests and those who use magic without permission from the angels are corrupted. To begin with I dont know how this book was one book, the two stories were totally independent, operating not only in different cities but in different worlds. I believe that further on in the series, they do come together, but they dont in this book. the only thing that tied the world together was the mechanisms of magic and the dark marks that are left behind when it is used. be it stain or soot terms which accurately demonstrate how magic use is viewed in each society something impure or a means to industrialisation. Tyans story was enjoyable. we got to go on an adventure across the world, flying air carts and meeting some great supporting characters. The book dragged in rielles sections, which admitadly get better in the last quarter. I know this book is 50 years old, but even then, there is more to a plot for a woman than having to marry for social standing and debating children as a means to hold family and relationships together. even the author’s older books have far more empowered women. He story does get better in the last quarter (when she stops making her own decisions) but by that time she was lucky tyan kept her on my ‘did not finish’ shelf. I would probably not recommend this book and if you really want something by this author would recommend her black magician series over this book any day. |
Student Poll "What's your favorite school subject, and why?" By Sybil St. James (Kadi) |
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Charlotte Astor Williams HUFFLEPUFF First Year "I really like Herbology and getting to play with all the plants." | Cyrus Thorne RAVENCLAW Second Year "It's History of Magic, there is something really beautiful about learning what happened before us, I think." | Kyousuke Kurosawa SLYTHERIN Third Year "Definitely history of magic. I think it's important to know the past so you can make a better future." | Audrey Beauchamp RAVENCLAW Fourth Year "Charms! You learn so many useful spells, and it's great to think about the different ways they could potentially be used!" |
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Hinata Edogawa HUFFLEPUFF Fifth Year "Oh... hi... uhhh... Defense I think? Oh... Why? I think it's my best class?" | Raafe Khatri GRYFFINDOR Sixth Year "Divination has the perfect combo of intense cardio workout followed by a dark room for when you really need to catch up on your sleep schedule." | Wisteria Lacewing SLYTHERIN Seventh Year "Oh, um maybe, Care of Magical Creatures? I love learning all about them and it's important to do that, uh, safely, because some can be dangerous if you treat them badly." | Professor Minnie Calida ARITHMANCY Years 3-4 "Arithmancy and I'm not just saying that because it's what I now teach, I just always enjoyed it." |
Editor's Note By Miranda Dawes (Camilla) |
Just want to say first that the opinions presented in the paper are of the individual writers and not of the Hogwarts Monthly as a whole. More importantly, however, thank you to Hugo Stark-West for being a great co-editor and helping me find my feet at the paper, it's been a bit of a steep learning curve but I hope to keep working at it to bring you better and better papers every year! I'd also like to thank all the staff for contributing to the running of the paper and writing great thought provoking (and hopefully conversation starting) articles! We hope you enjoy this latest issue and welcome your (constructive) feedback! Thank you everyone for reading! |
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