HOM-301 Lessons

Congratulations on reaching this point of the year. You’ve survived another full year of History of Magic and you should be proud of yourself. This, the final lesson, contains what is hopefully a fun, relevant, and brief look into the history of our very own online Hogwarts experience. 

History of Hogwarts (is Here)

For the longest time, Hogwarts kept its doors closed and rejected many (if not all) forms of technology, partially due to technological issues that were encountered in areas of heavy magic use.  However, on the 31st of March 2014, Hogwarts is Here was created. By creating Hogwarts is Here, the wizard Keith Cardin made online learning a possibility for all wizards and witches around the world who would like to have a formal Hogwarts education but are not able to attend school on the physical grounds. 

Starting with merely seven professors, Hogwarts is Here opened its doors. The names of the original professors are as shown below. 

Courses
Astronomy : Professor Jesse Lestrange
Charms : Professor Alex Quilmane 
Defence Against the Dark Arts : Professor Lilian Mae
Herbology : Professor Lily Tudor 
History of Magic : Professor Jaecob Balog
Potions : Professor Naya Nivera
Transfiguration : Professor Henrick Darkstorm

Head of House
Gryffindor : Professor Lilian Mae
Hufflepuff : Professor Naya Nivera
Ravenclaw : Professor Henrick Darkstorm
Slytherin : Professor Jaecob Balog

That was the beginning of Hogwarts is Here. These professors were employed to teach the online version of the classes that are taught at the physical school in the Scottish Highlands. However, like any management, there was conflict and friction between parties. For us at Hogwarts is Here, we have had our ups and downs, the former being the sudden jump in the number of students between mid-April 2014 and mid-June 2014. The original Headmaster, Professor Balog, and his team worked hard day and night, through time zones, to ensure that students still received the best education possible. Still, we’ve had our downs as well.

The 23rd of July 2014, a day many older students might remember, was a day we call by many names, including “The Exodus,” “The Great Divide,” and “The Schism.” Many of the professors -- both the original staff and additions that had joined the ranks decided to pack their bags and take their leave due to the differing opinions among the administrators, causing them to part ways. This stirred the hearts of many as students became confused about what was happening. Despite taking opposite sides, professors, both those that have departed and those remaining, have always had one aim in mind -- to provide the best they can for their students. 

Following the Exodus of July 23rd, more professors were naturally employed to take over these various roles in the school. Professors came from all parts of the world to help teach young witches and wizards the basics of magic from the comfort of their screens with the help of technology. 

Since then, many professors have come and gone, each offering something of great value to Hogwarts is Here, including time, energy, intellect, and, of course, love. As can be imagined, the requirements for teaching such courses are taxing -- as they require a multitude of skills -- and so often, replacements are brought on. Hogwarts is Here has been home to many skilled witches and wizards during its time. Below you can see a portion of these professors and the progression of the seven core courses’ in addition to the Heads of House from April 2014 to the present day.

Courses

As mentioned, only the seven core courses are listed here for the sake of brevity and note keeping. There have been many other additional courses over the years, based on the needs of students and the skills of staff. These seven, however, have always remained the same.

As a note, the set up is chronological, which is not surprising or confusing, though some of the symbols used might be. If you see this:

Professor Genesis Starfight
Professor Mathilda Stevens

It means that first, Professor Starfight was the professor for this course, until which point Professor Stevens took over. However, there are also courses with professorial line ups like this:

Professor Gemma Black
Professor Otto Umbdrige > + Professor Vivienne Palmeroy
Professor Octavia Proctor

In this case, it indicates that Professor Black was the professor before Otto Umbrigde who served alone for a time, but was then later joined by Professor Palmeroy, and finally replaced with Professor Octavia Proctor.

Astronomy 
Professor Jesse Lestrange
Professor Celeste Afolayan
Professor Dax Polgara > + Professor Leah Benn
Professor Dax Polgara > + Professor Brad Turing
Professor Brad Turing
Professor Marina Gagarina
Professor Robert Plumb

Charms
Professor Alex Quilmane > + Professor Sarissa Greenwich
Professor Alex Quilmane > + Professor Balfour Levintree
Professor Balfour Levintree > + Tessa Ackchurin
Professor Tessa Ackchurin
Professor Armina Brigham + Professor Cassandra Virneburg
Professor Cassandra Virneburg

Defence Against the Dark Arts
Professor Lilian Mae > + Madam Amelia Mae
Professor Melanie Silvers > + Professor Jericho Penrose
Professor Jericho Penrose

Herbology 
Professor Lily Tudor > + Professor Liv Rowan
Professor Liv Rowan

History of Magic
Professor Jaecob Balog
Professor Autumn Maddox > + Professor Julius Dowler
Professor Vienna Kyrkos
Professor Samuel Becker
Professor Mirabelle Fairclough
Professor Otterly

Potions
Professor Naya Nivera > + Professor Rose Wolf
Professor Lucrezia Batyaeva
Professor Allison Baine
Professor Alexa von Graft
Professor Vaylen Draekon

Transfiguration
Professor Henrick Darkstorm > + Professor Aislynne Stone
Professor Emmerich Prince 
Professor Alex Quilmane > + Professor Amequohi Gola 
Professor Amequohi Gola (Rogers) > + Professor Mary Mitchell
Professor Mary Mitchell

Heads of House

The Heads of House are slightly different cases, as only one person has ever been a Head of House, or “HoH” at one time. Additionally, you will see names that do not appear in the list of professors for coure courses, as elective teachers are also eligible for this position.

Gryffindor
Professor Lilian Mae
Professor August Rubedo
Professor Liria Morgan

Hufflepuff
Professor Naya Nivera
Professor Genesis Starfight
Professor Dax Polgara
Professor Sarissa Greenwich
Professor Armina Brigham
Professor Magdelena Dalloway

Ravenclaw
Professor Henrick Darkstorm
Professor Alex Quilmane 
Professor Mathilda Stevens
Professor Elizabeth Anne

Slytherin
Professor Jaecob Balog 
Professor Rebecca Black
Professor Autumn Maddox 
Professor Jericho Penrose

As you can see, HiH has been through quite a few changes in its day. History as we know it is happening all around us, constantly in motion, and this is why it is so complex to study. Even this small look into HiH -- for, as we all know, there is far more to HiH than simply the Heads of House and the professors of the core subjects -- shows how complicated the narrative of the past can be, and how there can be more than one side (or indeed, many sides) to a story.

It is good for us to know the history of Hogwarts is Here as it is a prime example of history that is currently in the making. Knowing what we had before will bring us forward towards a greater tomorrow. 

Before we close for today (and the year), let me briefly talk about this year’s final exams. One of this year’s final assignments will consist purely of short answer questions. Be prepared and take the time to revisit this year’s topics. Alongside this, you’ll do a mandatory reflection piece about what you’ve learned in this year and how you feel about it. 

Now, as you will have expected, we have prepared a final exam for you. You will all be sitting for the exam individually, at separate times. Please be sure to check the schedule by the door. For now, relax. Take your time and enjoy the exam. Good luck!

Original lesson written by Professor Autumn Maddox
Image credits here and here