art by Joanna Quinn

art by Joanna Quinn

Written By: Skye Lunar

Edited By: Hazel Cunningham

So, all you First (and Second) Years out there, do you think you have what it takes to be a Prefect? Well, think again-- it's not all candy and rainbows, after all. So, still think you're cut out for the job? Read on.

Now, of course there are many benefits of having the status of "Prefect" (or PA if you prefer), like being able to moderate the Great Hall, and your Common Room and Dorm. The respect you get from other students is nice too. However, there's a lot of work you have to put in, and if you don't pull your share, you could end up getting fired.

A lot of Professors have a set number of hours they want their Prefects to put in a week, or a set number of essays they have to grade in a 7-day period. Some expect both. However, there is one thing that all teachers, no matter who they are, want their PAs to deliver-- quality when grading. You can't just look at an essay and slap a grade on it-- you have to really analyze it and then, following the rubric, grade accordingly. There's also a huge process you have to go through when grading each and every essay-- plagiarism checkers, word counters, double-checking and triple-checking for grammar, content, and anything else that may be on the rubric, before you can finally award a set number of points for the grade. But then you have to make even more decisions, like how much (if any) EC to award, whether to leave a comment, and what to comment about (my policy is to always comment on essays that didn't receive full credit about why the student lost points). And then, when you finally submit the grade... oh look, another essay has popped up for you to mark!

Now, back to the profitable side of things. Even though it may seem like grading can be a rough and grueling experience, it's not all bad. It's actually quite fun once you get the hang of it, and it's something to do when you're all caught up with lessons and the chats are down (which is a lot of the time). Sometimes, Prefects get so carried away with grading that the queue can be empty for an entire day! And then there are people me and the other Prefects like to call "snipers"; the minute you click on an essay, they steal it away and grade it themselves, leaving you sitting there scratching your head.

Now that you've balanced the rewards with the risks, it's time to see if you're cut out for Prefect-dom. Can you spend hours on end grading essays and moderating chat rooms (when they're up)? Will you be able to take the publicity and popularity of being a Prefect? If you can answer "yes" to both these questions, there should be no reason why a Professor wouldn't hire you! However, if your either answer was "no", you may want to stop and think before hitting "Submit" on your PA application.

art by Joanna Quinn Written by: Audrey Watson Edited by: Hazel Cunningham So the excitement of Second Year has come upon the busy halls of Hogwarts, and various students are also focusing more on their Hogwarts assignments now that Muggle school is out for the year. However, as we all know, these assignments, midterms, and finals can sometimes get to be stressful. A good way to relax is to listen to music. Thankfully, a club has been created to find new music and meet fellow music enthusiasts. The Hogwarts Music Club (#25632) was created by DADA prefect and soon-to-be Second Year Ravenclaw Veronica Poppins. According to Veronica, she created the club “to try and find other students who are as passionate about music as I am. I listen to a wide variety of genres, and am forever seeking my new favorite song.” Many people have already joined the club to do precisely that. The members of the Hogwarts Music Club also have a plug.dj (plug.dj/hogwarts-music-club) in which songs are played and users can learn about new music. It works by members of the music room joining a queue to play a song of their own choosing, essentially taking turns being the room’s dj. Kelly Balding, a Ravenclaw Second Year, often goes to the club’s play.dj and always enters the queue to play a song of her selection. Kelly says, “It’s a good way of showcasing some of your favourite artists, whether they’re famous or not. It’s for all genres of music and from all corners of the world. I enjoy experiencing music which I wouldn’t necessarily discover myself.” Another Second Year Ravenclaw, Johanna S., visits the club and plug.dj because she gets to, “... listen to music and hang out with some awesome people!” The Hogwarts Music Club has plenty of dedicated followers as well as new members intent on trying things out and learning about new music. As Veronica puts it, “I think it is a great thing to be able to share your favorite music with others! I believe music plays a huge part in one’s true happiness, allowing for expression and emotion.” And that’s definitely true. So the next time you’re itching to find new music or are wanting a bit of stress relief from a 750 word Potions essay, maybe check out the Hogwarts Music Club.

art by Joanna Quinn

Written by: Rowan Blackclaw

Edited by: Shelby Hastings

It’s that time again; so make way for Year 2! With second year starting it is important to look for ways to get ahead and prepare ourselves for the coming lessons. If you have just started your second year, or you are still catching up on your first, pay attention, because we ask some of Hogwarts finest for their advice.

Professor Henrick Darkstorm, head of the Transfiguration Department, would like to remind students how to get the highest potential marks, “Outside thinking is a critical grading point that we search for - showing us how you would apply the lesson to the wider world. Students who are struggling can get ahead by providing such information in their essays. Make sure you have thoroughly understood each lesson, and if necessary, go back and re-read what you have already learned”.

More often than not, students seem to race through their assignments and miss crucial instructions, which ultimately lead to lower marks. Darkstorm also states, “Additionally, make sure that every part of the given question, is answered. A lot of students, in the first essay, miss out entire parts of the question and thus cannot get higher than an Acceptable.” Professor Darkstorm admits that the section students most often struggle with is the infamous Blood and Moonlight chapter in Transfiguration. When faced with Blood and Moonlight, Darkstorm advises, “ I find that breaking every detail apart can be a helpful solution. Read every bit of information made available and seek help from the PAs for understanding.”

If you are struggling with Transfiguration, perhaps you do not understand the expectations for the class. When asked about his expectations, Darkstorm stated, “I expect to see understanding, and application. It is very easy to tell which student has read and understood the lesson, and which student has skim read it.”

And finally, what can students expect from Year Two? Henrick tells us, “Students can expect a jump in difficulty as they approach second year. With the Class-B Transfigurative Spells becoming available, students will find that they are challenged to think on a wider scale, but also their level of understanding will increase immensely! As the years progress, the difficulty level obviously increases and they can expect to see recurrent themes from what they have learnt in the first year!”

In summary, Professor Darkstorm advises his students to take their time. First year classes do not have due dates, and even second years still have plenty of time to finish their assignments, so don’t rush. Make sure you read carefully and understand the lessons and homework, but most importantly remember to enjoy your self. Hogwarts is a place of education, but it is also a place many call home and create everlasting friendships, so don’t allow the stress of school work take advantage of these opportunities.

art by Joanna Quinn

Written by: Jenny Harper

Edited by: Shelby Hastings

Many Quidditch players who play for their school teams go on to play Quidditch professionally, and the graduating year groups at Hogwarts and other schools can prove a ready-made source of highly rated players ready to join the big leagues. However, at the same time, many players may fall through the net of the professional Quidditch teams and thus find themselves playing amateur Quidditch.

The players that make up the three leagues of the British and Irish Qudiditch have a mixture of backgrounds. Some of these players may have played for their house at Hogwarts, but perhaps only for a short period, or perhaps the team wasn’t successful. Even when a team is successful there is no guarantee that their contribution would be recognized, especially for positions which are less often in the limelight (such as beaters).

A number of the players playing in the amateur leagues may not have played Quidditch at all during their school careers, either not making the team or being more focused on academia. Upon graduating, some of these players may discover an aptitude for Quidditch in which they had not previously been aware of, perhaps after having been introduced to the sport by one of their friends.

This week we’ll be profiling some of the key amateur players to look out for in the three British and Irish amateur leagues.

Sinead O’Callaghan – Beater (Carlingford Chargers)

Sinead played for the Hufflepuff Qudditch team between 2012 and 2014 as a beater. During this time, Hufflepuff were moderately successful but most of the plaudits went to their seeker who led Hufflepuff to wins against both Gryffindor and Slytherin, as well as three consecutive wins against Ravenclaw. Sinead’s shy and reserved nature also meant she did not seek publicity and so she received little attention. Nevertheless, part of this success came down to the pressure she, and her fellow beater, put on the opposition seeker, ensuring they would always have to keep an eye out for an incoming Bludger.

After graduating Hogwarts, Sinead returned to Ireland where she was spotted playing Quidditch with her friends by a scout from Carlingford Chargers. The scout, amazed that such a highly talented player had not been picked up by one of the professional teams, was impressed with her ability to direct the Bludger with pin-point accuracy, as well as her tactical knowledge of knowing when and how to apply pressure to both the opposition chasers and in support of her own. Sinead will be hoping that this season she has the opportunity to shine and step into the limelight.

Persephone Woods – Seeker (Thursk Thunder)

Persephone is another Hogwarts graduate, but she did not play for her house team during her school career. She did, however, try out for the role of chaser in both her second and third years, but after being rejected each time, decided to focus upon her studies.

After graduating Hogwarts in 2011, playing Quidditch seemed an unlikely path of Persephone. However, in the summer of 2012, Persephone found out her local Quidditch side, Thursk Thunder, were holding trials. After the disappointment of rejection while at Hogwarts, Persephone decided to give it one last go. She attended the trial where the coaching staff at the Thunder noticed her promise as well as her size (or lack of) and quick reflexes. As a result, they decided to sign her for the team, but rather than as a Chaser, the coaching staff felt she had the ideal qualities to be a Seeker.

In her first two seasons, Persephone has been moderately successful, a difficult start to her career meant she missed two months of action after suffering from a wrist injury. However, a blistering finish to last season so Persephone start to show some of her promise. The highlight came in a fixture against Ulverston Regals. With the match poised, both her and the opposition seeker, Sian Taylor, simultaneously spotted the snitch. While Sian happened to be somewhat closer at that moment, Persephone shot forward, diving at a steep angle before pulling up at the last minute, rising in front of Sian to take the snitch from right in front of the Regals’ seeker. Literally. Persephone caught the snitch in four of the last five games, winning three of them. The fourth, a defeat against the Haltwhistle Hurricanes ensured that Persephone prevented the Hurricanes from scoring any more points after having torn the Thunder to pieces. Nevertheless, three wins in the last five games helped to secure a 5th place finish for Thursk Thunder.

Luca Inavic – Chaser (Framlingham Firestorm)

Luca graduated from Hogwarts in 2013, but did not actually play Qudditch at all during his time at the school. He occasionally watched a few games, but never really got into it, preferring instead to play wizard chess. His first experience of playing Quidditch only came in the summer after he graduated. Luca was staying with a friend from school, himself a Quidditch fan. After much effort, Luca’s friend finally managed to convince him to join in a game with a few other friends.

Despite being initially skeptical, Luca quickly grasped the basics of playing Quidditch, as well as suddenly realizing the attraction of the sport. Luca soon displayed his natural talent for the game; even his friends were impressed with his speed and agility, as well as his ability to quickly pick out a pass.

Encouraged by his friends, Luca tried out for the Framlingham Firestorm. Although he initially doubted whether he had the ability or experience to play organized Quidditch, his friends reassured him that this was not the case. Luca impressed in the trials and was signed by the Firestorm.

In his first season as a Framlingham Firestorm player, Luca was a key member of the side who were somewhat a surprise package in the league, topping the table up until the last 6 games of the season, before finishing in third place. Nevertheless, Luca’s passing ability (he had highest pass completion rate in the league last season) meant the Firestorm were certainly an entertaining side, scoring over 400 points on not just one but three separate occasions, after putting the Dulverton Dynamos, Bicester Beavers and Whitchurch Warriors to the sword.

Next time, we will conclude our profiles of some of the key amateur players to look out for next season!

art by Joanna Quinn

Written by: Luna Alexander

Edited by: Rowan Blackclaw

Welcome to the second installment of Divine Divinations. In this issue, I’ll be delving into the art of Scrying. Besides tarot and tea leaves, scrying is probably the most stereotypical and widely depicted form of divination.

The iconic crystal ball has been used to symbolize gypsies, seers, soothsayers, and other occult classes because of its widespread usage. It is used under the belief that when gazing into it, one can see spiritual visions. Some believe that these visions are from the subconscious or your “higher self”, whereas others believe they come from spirit guides, angels, or even the deceased. Scrying doesn’t require a crystal ball - other popular tools are mirrors (darkened mirrors) and vessels of water.

art by Laura Liladell

Scrying is quite easy to do and is a skill that can be improved with practice. Unlike other forms of magic and divination that rely on natural talent or ability, scrying simply takes practice.

Begin by creating a calm and peaceful space. Dim the lights, and light some candles and/or calming incense. Select the item you will use for scrying. If you do yoga or already practice meditation, begin to reach that relaxed state. If you have never meditated before, find a comfortable position and take a few slow, deep breaths. Release any thoughts and tensions.

When you feel you have reached a state of centered calm, open your eyes and begin to focus on your scrying tool. You might not see anything the first time, and that is okay! Don’t try to force anything. With continued practice and focus, you’ll soon be able to reach your relaxed scrying state.

When scrying, keep your mind open and your thoughts wandering. Some use this time to reach out to their spirit guides or higher self. If you see images, it is a good idea to record them, as the meaning of the images or symbols may not be immediately apparent.

Students entering the Year 2 Divination course may be able to utilize your experiences in scrying to aid in your studies. I reached out to Divination Professor Rebecca Black (also Slytherin Head of House) and was told that scrying is at least mentioned in the course.