WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OUR ENTHUSIASTIC AND KOOKY PROFESSOR BLACK!

Rebecca Serena Black, the perky, peppy, and interesting Divination Professor, is nothing like her popularized "evil" mother, Bellatrix Lestrange. Born on March 10, 1978 in Granada, Spain, she, unfortunately, had to live with both of her parents, Rodolphus Black and Bellatrix, dead. She was very close to both of them, even though they shared different views, especially dealing with superiority in pureblood wizards and witches. She didn't have a sibling to share the burden with but she did end up with a big family to spend the rest of her happy life with- a fiancé, four children, and four kittens.

Although "Black" does not seem like a unique name, it has quite a lot of history. One possible origin is that it was a nickname given by the invading Angles and Saxons to the native Celts and Britons who were darker-haired and darker-skinned than themselves, while another origin is just that it's a shortened form of "black-smith". Neither of these origins relate to our professor, but they are still quite interesting.

When she was a child, Professor Black enjoyed playing wizard chess with her cousins and wandering around her family house. She also lived near a park with a big, hollow tree that she would read, write, and even sleep in. Her favorite childhood memory was riding a broom for the first time, and since she grew up in a pureblood family, she was actually surprised to learn of muggles!

In Hogwarts, Black was sorted into Slytherin, just like her family. She loved potions, Quidditch, and of course, Divination. She was (and still is) very smart. She even became Head Girl in her seventh year and got 14 outstandings in her OWLs and NEWTs.

Professor Black has taught at Hogwarts since 1998. She was directly asked to work at HIH, and thought it would be fun to teach other witches and wizards through the muggle interwebs. She spends a lot of time teaching, marking, and planning lessons. She especially enjoys lesson writing since she gets to write about things she knows well. Our professor is also very skilled in apparation, and apparates from her home in Sydney, Australia, to Hogwarts each day. That's quite the distance!

When asked about who her hero is, Black said that it's her Uncle Sirius. He wasn't afraid to stand up for himself, and he died for what he believed in.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ~ HARRY POTTER 

Our next part of the interview was about Harry Potter. It shouldn't come as a surprise that this Divination Professor's favorite character is Trelawney! 

Her favorite book is "Prisoner of Azkaban", perhaps because her Uncle Sirius plays such a large part, and her favorite movie is "Deathly Hallows, part 1". 

She first discovered Harry Potter when it was out on the day she went shopping, and she loved it from the first chapter.

 If she could go into the series, she would interact with Trelawny and Bellatrix, and try to save Lupin and Tonks. I'm sure she's not alone in wishing they were still alive.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ~ FUN FACTS 

Continuing on to some fun trivia, I learned that her childhood nickname was "Blooper", but she doesn't know why. What a funny name! 

She believes her best features are her lips and her ability to stand up for herself. 

She describes her clothing style as "unusual", and prefers to set trends rather than follow them.

 If she could invent an ice cream flavor, she would make chili chocolate.

 If she had more time she would take a vacation to Hawaii. 

If she could teach a different class, she would make Magical Healing a subject and teach that. 

No students at Hogwarts know that she used to write for the "Vogue Magique". 

If she were an animal, she would be a doe.

 If she were stranded on an island she would bring a boat, a raft, and a broomstick.

Her favorite places to shop are Incu Clothing and Prada. 

Her favorite movie is "An Inspector Calls"; her favorite TV show is "NCIS"; her favorite book is "Arcadia" and her favorite song is "What the Hell" by Avril Lavigne.

Her patronus is a dove, her favorite drink is rosé wine and her favorite food is caviar. 

At the end of the interview, Professor Black was asked to tell her audience, meaning you, about her favorite story. She told me this: "Professor Anne and I went to Europe together on planning the field trip, and we got approached by Italian men. Whilst I was talking to one in fluent Italian, Professor Anne was trying to explain in English that she didn't speak Italian". Haha! You go, Professor Anne! I bet he definitely understood you! 

QUOTES!

"Professor Black is always there with a smile and a kind word, and will help you out no matter what." - Heather Darkstar, Muggle Studies Head Girl 

"Professor Black is so supportive of the students and so good at her subject.  She will do anything for you if you approach her with a problem and is always someone you would want on your side! <3"  - Gemma Best, Divination Head Girl 

"Professor Black was one of the first Professors that I really got to know on a real level. We have had many long conversations and I just love talking to her. She is crazy, creative, passionate, and just fun to be around. Although we haven't talked in a while due to our busy schedules, I know that she always has my back! I enjoy reading her divination lessons and hanging out in the Divination classroom with her, looking at tarot cards and crystal ball all day. You are the best, Professor Black. <3" - Emerson Rose Kail, DADA Head Girl