Written by: Julianna Granger Edited by: Rowan Blackclaw
Some of you may be those determined, hard-working students. But everyone gets those moments where they need help. With that in mind I’ve written this article to point out to how many resources and references there are out there for students who require assistance. When in doubt, look in the library! There are a plethora of books written that provide everything from study tips, to assignment guides. Some of these books include "My Notes, from a Ravenclaw (Year 1)" by Anne Pickering, "Surviving an Essay by Nico Maguire", and "Hogwarts Homework Help" by Julianna Granger. These books include tips on how to get the best grades possible, each in their own unique way! Anne Pickering’s book is one of the most popular and most helpful references at Hogwarts. “I decided to write the book because I know not everyone likes to, or can, write notes,” Anne claimed during our interview. One of the most reliable students to ask during a homework dilemma would be Anne Pickering herself, author of "My Notes, from a Ravenclaw (Year 1)", and also the top student at Hogwarts. “I don’t mind helping out anyone who asks, even though I am busy,” Anne said. “I do answer all owls as soon as I am able.” There you have it! If you need some homework help, send an owl to Anne!
Another reliable homework assistance resource is the Ravenclaw Eagles Project, found on Elise Moon’s page. Though they are often busy, some professors are available to aid students as well! Not to mention, students are available all the time! All though the group is exclusive to Ravenclaw house, rumors have spread of similar projects currently in development for other houses. Whether you need to ask a question, or find the best dorms and clubs. Check out the Ravenclaw Eagles Project!
Lastly, what do you think of getting some tips on doing your homework, right from our top student? “My biggest tip is to figure out what each professor is looking for. I know a lot of people have trouble with Transfiguration, for example, but once you know how he likes the essays to be done, it really is fairly easy to get a decent grade. For [Professor Darkstorm’s] class, detail and thinking outside the box goes a long way. I would also recommend taking your time. Some people rush through the assignments, if you take your time, proofread and check for content, your grade will be higher.”
Well, there you have it, search through the Library, ask for help, and take your time! I hope that this article has showed you some helpful resources to go to when you need academic assistance.
Thanks for the great interview Anne! 
art by Joanna Quinn
Ask Ivy!
Written by: Ivy Nettlebed Edited by: Jelly Belly
Have your mince pies gone flat? Is your pumpkin juice too watery? Then it’s time to Ask Ivy!
My dear readers, I hope this week finds you all well. For my part, my back has gone a bit wonky this week. I could not remember the charm for dusting and in an attempt to do it muggle-style, fell off a chair. It did not help that Tiggy was away at the time, dear me. However, my S.P.E.W friends will be happy to know she has been away on paid holiday.
Tiggy always brings home the strangest things when she comes back from holiday. The last time she went away for a visit with her family she brought me back a bent silver spoon with an acorn relief on the handle tied with a lavender ribbon. I keep it in my handbag for good luck.
Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, this week’s recipe is for Puddleberry Porridge. I do hope you all enjoy it!
Puddleberry Porridge
½ cup sliced puddleberries (Don’t have puddleberries? Keep your hair on, you can substitute with strawberries!)
2 tablespoons of semi-sweet chocolate
2 tablespoons of unsalted peanuts (if you have an allergy just omit.)
1 package of instant oatmeal
2/3 cup of milk or water, depending on your preference
Making this porridge is quicker than traveling by floo powder. Just combine all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl, heat for 1-2 minutes, stir, and enjoy!
Have a recipe you would like share or a question for Tiggy and me? Send an owl!
art by Joanna Quinn
Written by: Luna Alexander Edited by: Joanna Quinn
Divination, in its many forms, is a means to gain insight. Though it is not in the curriculum for First Year students, it is an important aspect of magical education. This will be a four part series detailing some unusual methods of divination.
Many forms of divination have been used by Muggles and the Wizarding world alike for centuries as a means to answer life’s many questions. As the First Year term comes to a close, I thought it fitting to begin with Astrology. Though not an unusual form of divination, we have the First Year Astronomy course fresh in our minds.
Astrology, or Astromancy is divination by way of celestial bodies. This also includes the horoscopes, which are used by many to explain, predict and determine one’s personality as well as predict future events based on the position of sun, stars, and planets at the time a person is born.
The movements of the celestial bodies are analyzed in relation to each other (for example, where the moon is in relation to Mercury at a given time), as well as their passage through the zodiac signs. There are twelve zodiac signs which correspond to the sectors of the ecliptic. The ecliptic is the sum of all twelve signs which form a ring around the earth.
The most popular variation of Astrology is Sun Sign Astrology. This only takes into consideration the position of the sun on an individual’s date of birth. As in, where in the sun was positioned in the ecliptic on someone's birthday. The signs function under the principle of “as above, so below”, in that what is determined in the celestial realm is reflected here on Earth. There are many other factors that can get quite complicated - which is why most astrologists stick to Sun Signs. Factors such as moon signs, houses, and other celestial influences.
Many seers, like Hogwarts’ own Professor Sybil Trelawney use various forms of divination to aid in their prophecies. The clandestine Department of Mysteries may have more information on the validity of Astrology, along with other divination forms within their confines of the Ministry of Magic. When contacted, a representative from the Department of Mysteries declined to comment.
For more information on your own personal astrological zodiac, I recommend attempting the muggle interweb. Coming up in the next issue of the Quibbler, Divine Divinations: Scrying! |
 art by Joanna Quinn
Robes of Red, White and Blue: Looking Ahead at the US Quidditch League Written by: Jenny Harper Edited by: Shelby Hastings
Quidditch is a global game that has been embraced by different nations across the globe. It is also the most popular sport in the wizarding world. One of the nations that has particularly embraced the sport is the United States. Even just within Muggle sports, the United States is a particularly sporty country, with baseball, American football, basketball and soccer all popular. Thus the popularity of Quidditch in the United States is perhaps not a surprise.
For those of our readers are unfamiliar, let me explain how the US Quidditch league works, as it’s somewhat different to the structure of the league here in Britain. These differences reflect US sporting traditions that can be seen in other sports.
Within the US Quidditch League there are two conferences: the National Conference and the American Conference. Each conference has 12 teams in it, thus the league has a total of 24 teams. While is no definitive geographical criteria among the two conferences, generally speaking the American Conference consists of teams from the eastern states, while the National Conference consists of teams from the western states, there are of course exceptions to this rule.
At the end of the season, the top four teams from each conference go into a play off. The teams finishing fourth and third (known as ‘Wildcards) play each other, with the winner playing the team that finished second. The winner of this game then plays the team in first. The winner of this game plays the winner of the corresponding fixture in the other conference, to determine the overall winner, in a similar manner to the Super Bowl deciding the overall winner in the NFL (American football).
Last season’s conference winners were Maplewood Magic for the American Conference and Somerton Stars of the National Conference. They were joined in the play-offs by the Cornelius Constellation, Spearfish Seekers and Winslow Wolverines from the National Conference and Fredonia Fireflies, Mulberry Manatees and Sikeston Shooting Stars from the American Conference. Eventually, the Winslow Wolverines defeated Maplewood Magic in the play-off final to be crowned overall winner of the US Quidditch League.
However, that’s all in the past now and this season promises to be the most exciting yet. The Quidditch League draft saw a host of new and exciting young talent hovered up by the 24 teams.
Among these is promising Seeker Daryl Thompson signed by the Wiconia Warriors from the University of Minnesota*, who caught the snitch in less than 30 seconds in an early season fixture against the University of Notre Dame. Likewise Los Alamitos Lightning have signed Franklin Bush, a young Chaser who was part of the UCLA team whose breath-taking quaffle play led to the Bruins being one of the highest scoring teams in the collegiate system last season.
After finishing last season in last place overall, Alachua Arrows will be hoping for a better season next season after signing highly rated Chaser Lizzie Richards from Florida Atlantic University, along with Seeker Jessica Reynolds from the State University of New York, Albany.
Title winning side Winslow Wolverines has also added a few new faces to their roster, including Beater Jermaine Johnson from the University of Colorado at Denver and Goalkeeper Andrea Griffin from Purdue University.
American Conference winners and overall US Quidditch League runner-up Maplewood Magic have signed an entire new chasing line-up, with Thomas Irvine (Rutgers State University of New Jersey), Tanya Berry (Montclair State University) and Sue O’Donnell (University of Maine at Augusta), all highly rated at their respective colleges, but will they be successful together as a team?
Finally, National Conference winners Somerton Stars have signed two new Beaters Tara Rose (University of Phoenix) and Walter Fitzgerald (Texas A&M University), to try to overcome some of the deficiencies which saw the Arizona-based side knocked out of the play-offs by Cornelius Constellation, as the side from Oregon were allowed to run riot by the Stars’ beaters who provided little protection for their chasers or seeker, and little threat to their opponents.
Opening weekend fixtures:
American Conference
Aliquippa Avengers at Mulberry Manatees Frostburg Flash at Fredonia Fireflies Lackawanna Lions at Fitchburg Finches Roselle Ravens at Maplewood Magic Sikeston Shooting Stars at Alachua Arrows Waconia Warlocks at Sweetwater All-Stars
National Conference
Claiborne Clairvoyants at Anacortes Aardvarks Fruita Fruitbats at Calistoga Cardinals Los Alamitos Lightning at Cornelius Constellation Mulvane Mavericks at Winslow Wolverines Somerton Stars at Los Lunas Lemmings Tullahoma Titans at Spearfish Seekers
Next time we’ll be profiling the top amateur British and Irish quidditch players to look out for next season
*It is a little known fact outside of US wizarding circles that the US collegiate system competes in Quidditch, although for obvious reasons, matches are not actually played on university campuses. |
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