So, you just joined HiH, and you are about to enter first year. But what exactly IS first year? What do you do in it? What are the classes about? What courses do you have to take? Are there due dates? Are there textbooks? These are all fairly reasonable questions, and hopefully I will be able to answer all of them in the following article.

First year is the beginning of your academic experience on HiH. It’s your Sorting Hat year, the year you first get to experience the wonder that is Hogwarts. When you first begin, the whole concept may seem really confusing and overwhelming, when it really isn’t.

In order to pass onto year two, you need to take all of the seven core classes, and pass each of them with a 70%. You don’t have to enroll in them all at once, but in order to pass you just have to have passed them all. All essays in first year are extra credit, which is a huge bonus. There are optional textbooks for a few of the classes, found in the library. The information in these will not be required for tests and exams, but can be used to further your understanding of a topic. There are a mixture of essays (Extra credit, as mentioned before) and quizzes, for which you earn anywhere from 1 to 10 points, depending on your grade.

Each of the seven cores you take in first year cover a different branch of magic, so that by the end of the year you have a vague idea of what type of magic you are strongest in. Are you good at practical stuff? Or are you better at learning historical facts? Or perhaps you are a brilliant astronomer?

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Astronomy*

Astronomy is the first core class, and is led by Professor Turing. In first year, you will observe the skies through a magical telescope, learn about our neighbors in the solar system, and how magic reflected from astronomical objects can affect us on earth.

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Charms

Charms is the next class you can take in first year, and is led by Professor Levintree and Professor Akchurin. in first year, you cover the basics of spellcasting, along with a basic overview of wizarding laws and a tad of wandlore. You also learn about the components necessary to cast spells, along with a few simple spells. In first year, you learn to cast the Severing, Levitation, and Sunlight spells along with a few others.

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Defense Against the Dark Arts

Defense Against the Dark Arts is led by Professor Penrose. First year is a fairly basic year, but what you learn this year is essential to your success in later years. In first year, you have an introduction to defensive magic, basic spell work, defense against a variety of beasts and beings, and some general magical theory. You also learn quite a few spells this year, including the Wand-Lighting Charm, the Wand-Extinguishing Charm, the Softening Charm, the Knockback Jinx, and more.

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Herbology

Herbology is taught by Professor Tudor and Professor Rowan. In your first year of Herbology, you will learn about the uses and application of Herbology, and teaches you about the uses, power, and effects of plants in the day to day lives of Witches and Wizards.

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History of Magic

History of Magic is taught by Professor Kyrkos, who was actually recently appointed to the job. First year is just an introduction to the history of the Wizarding world, and will include the Uno Mas theory, the Olmec people of America, Ancient Egyptian magic, and more! You also will learn about larger events in history, and the people and places that were included in them.

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Potions

The Potions course is taught by Professor Batyeava. First year is an introduction to potioneering, and you will learn the safety, terms, brewing, and basic Potions theory, as well as basic ingredients and Potions history.

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Transfiguration

A course currently being redone, in first year Transfiguration you learn about the branches of Transfiguration, laws, and basic transfigurations.

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Once you get through all seven courses (and after you give yourself a pat on the back and some relaxing time lazing around the castle) you can go to “Advance Years” under “Courses” and mark all of your courses as complete. Once all seven are marked, you are automatically moved to second year, and your house points reset (though they still count towards the house total).

First year on HiH is a wonderful experience, be sure to savor it, work hard, and take breaks when you need to. It only gets better.

-Written by Lily Cath Wood and Misty Swanson

*Astronomy was just rewritten by Professor Turing, so if you had already taken it, I suggest you retake it because the new course is much different than it previously was.