Academics are something that must be kept rolling despite any circumstances. Part of the blessing of being a student at Hogwarts is learning magic under the tutelage of the best teachers available in the wizarding world. Their passion for teaching shows in their lessons, and their commitment to fostering mutual growth and a practical learning environment among their students takes us into the realm of magical knowledge and understanding, step-by-step, like a guiding light. This month we visited the dark and cool dungeons to interview the systematic and meticulous Potions Professor at Hogwarts, Professor Vaylen Draekon, and battled the staircases to reach the office of the talented and humorous Arithmancy Professor at Hogwarts, Professor Calum Buchanan. Potions is one of the toughest core subjects at Hogwarts, while Arithmancy is one of the most difficult electives. However, both Professors are a shining beacon of light when it comes to guiding one on the path towards ultimate success. If you are a devoted and stalwart scholar, your well-deserved recognition and numerous achievements in their respective fields will follow. Make the best of their mentorship while you are a student at Hogwarts, and that will open up several avenues for a great future in the wizarding world. The interviews were absolutely thrilling and enjoyable for our team to be witnesses to.

These interviews were conducted by Eleanor Raven, Journalist, Hogwarts Monthly Magazine.

Setting: The Potions Dungeon

Eleanor - Good Morning, Professor Draekon. I am Eleanor Raven, a 1st year Gryffindor student, and a Journalist for Hogwarts Monthly Magazine. I was hoping to interview you on behalf of the Hogwarts Monthly Magazine team for the Hogwarts Monthly Magazine February 2024 Valentine's Special Issue. Is this a good time to talk?

Professor Draekon - It is. Go ahead.

Eleanor - Thank you so much for lending your time, Professor. May I start with the thousand Galleons question everybody has been waiting to see answered? What do you love about Potions, and why did you pick this subject to teach? What fueled your interest in the subject?

Professor Draekon - The main aspect I love about Potions is the interplay between all forms of knowledge, magical and Muggle alike. In most fields, knowledge is somewhat limited to that area: one does not need to excel at Charms to be good at Divination, nor have in-depth knowledge of History of Magic to be an excellent Herbologist.

This is not true for Potions - a good potioneer must know how to use plants, animals and charms combined by a series of scientific principles in order to obtain a viable result. There's a reason why the most powerful forms of magic - such as Felix Felicis, Amortentia and even the long-lost Elixir of Life - are potions: it's only by combining and refining the best of magic that we can attain results that are able to change the world in drastic ways.

Eleanor - That's so inspiring, Professor. Why did you decide to teach at Hogwarts and not at any other school?

Professor Draekon - I feel that Hogwarts is the most prestigious school in the modern wizarding world, and the one that has the most potential to impact our society as a whole. Differently from Mahoutokoro (a place that has a very special place in my heart, but that I have to acknowledge is very isolated from the rest of the magical community) or other schools, students from all over Europe may be offered a place in Hogwarts to further their education. The only other school that presents the same type of impact is Beauxbatons, but I do not know how to speak French - and as such, the choice was quite obvious to me.

Eleanor - We, as students of Hogwarts, are really very happy to have you and your guidance here. What are your expectations from your students? Is there any standard of homework you would like your students to try to achieve?

Professor Draekon - When it comes to achievements, my primary concern is learning. Many would say, accurately, that my course is demanding, but I'd rather give students an 80% if that means they receive effective instruction and the opportunity to learn rather than giving an empty 100% that only serves to pad their gradebook. Success or failure in my class is not determined by grades; it's determined by how much you learn throughout the year.

Eleanor - Thank you so much for acquainting us with your expectations, Professor. Many students are afraid of not performing up to the mark. Are there any pointers you would like to give them?

Professor Draekon - Do not feel afraid to take risks. I know that many feel pressured to get top marks, but leaving one's comfort zone is the starting step for growth. In addition to that, strive to be thorough and apply your knowledge in every possible way - explaining too much is always better than not explaining yourself enough.

Eleanor - I will certainly be mindful of these pointers and pass them on to other students, Professor. Thank you so much. How has teaching at Hogwarts been so far? What is your favorite aspect of being a Potions teacher at Hogwarts? Are there any challenges associated with being a Hogwarts Professor?

Professor Draekon - So far, teaching at Hogwarts has been an excellent experience. I have been exposed to some brilliant students that are motivated and eager to make a name for themselves, but I would be lying if we didn't have some challenges from time to time. We often have to navigate some teaching or ethical conundrums, such as students that may not agree with a given grade or disputes between students (as a Head of House), meaning that I need to try being as diplomatic and impartial as possible.

Eleanor - That sounds really grueling, Professor. Would you like to tell us why you think the Sorting Hat may have chosen to put you in Gryffindor? I have an inkling that that will be an interesting story for the student readers.

Professor Draekon - This is something that I have wondered myself, particularly because I - as a Mahoutokoro alumnus - have only been sorted after adulthood, when I first started teaching at Hogwarts. I believe the reason why I was sorted into this house is my desire to do right no matter the personal cost: in the past, I had to fight for what I believed was right, even if I lost some friends or professional connections along the way. Still, one cannot impact the world without making some enemies, so I take it all on the chin.

Eleanor - That's impactful, Professor. We wouldn't like to pry into your personal background, but many Hogwarts students would agree that you have a very interesting backstory. Is there any specific incident from your life that fueled you into choosing this profession?

Professor Draekon - Beginning to understand the impacts of what my father did for a job was likely the incident that changed me the most - although I understand the need for having fighters on an intellectual level, that does not mean I won't be saddened by seeing destruction and the loss of life. The most impactful experience was likely the first news report on the Gulf War that I saw, when I realized that there were actually people getting injured and dying in a conflict that could perhaps be solved diplomatically.

Eleanor - Wow. Your words left an impression on my mind, Professor. Did you ever take the DISC personality profile test? What would you say your DISC personality profile would be? What are your motivations, fears, and emotions when it comes to teaching at Hogwarts?

Professor Draekon - I have taken the DISC personality test and my type is Dominant (D). I am very result-oriented and attaining specific results in fostering students' growth is what I strive for the most at Hogwarts. I would be averse to calling it a fear, but a concern that I commonly have is whether students are able to take the metaphorical heat of my classroom without snapping or developing an aversion to my subject.

Eleanor - We are indeed grateful for having a mentor like you at Hogwarts. Thank you so much again for allowing us to interview you, Professor. Please deliver a general message to all your students.

Professor Draekon - In life, everything is trumped by effort and consistency. The individuals who go the furthest are not the most skilled, the most intelligent or the most charismatic, but those that play to their strengths and keep on pushing, relentlessly, until they reach their final goal. If you want to change your life, you have to put in the effort, regardless of what you want to do.

Eleanor - We are grateful and honored to have had this opportunity to interview you. Thank you so much, Professor. Have a very good day.

Setting: The Arithmancy Classroom

Eleanor - Hello, Professor Buchanan. Good Morning. How are you doing, Professor? I am Eleanor Raven, a 1st year Gryffindor student, and a Journalist for Hogwarts Monthly Magazine. I was hoping to interview you on behalf of the Hogwarts Monthly Magazine team for the Hogwarts Monthly Magazine February 2024 Valentine's Special Issue. Is this a good time to talk?

Professor Buchanan - Nice to meet you, Eleanor. Of course we can have a chat. No time like the present!

Eleanor - Thank you so much for your time, Professor. May I start with the thousand Galleons question everybody has been waiting to see answered? What do you love about Arithmancy, and why did you pick this subject to teach? What fueled your interest in the subject?

Professor Buchanan - I would be lying if I said that I loved Arithmancy from the moment I began studying it. When I started studying the subject, I was a third year and I suppose I didn't quite have the passion for it that I do now. In fact, I struggled with it, especially the mathematical side of things. However, as I learned more and I gained maturity over the years, thanks in no small part to my Arithmancy Professor and others at the time, I began to enjoy the beautiful nature of numbers, and the information that we can glean from them. Divination, as wonderful a subject as it is, was not quite right for me in general. In Arithmancy, I found a branch of Divination that was accessible to me. As for why I decided to teach Arithmancy... a good question! There are so many incredible subjects here at Hogwarts, but Arithmancy is one that, I think, taught me so much about myself. Why wouldn't I want to help a new generation of young witches and wizards as they take that journey themselves?

Eleanor - Wow. That's interesting, Professor. Why did you decide to teach at Hogwarts and not at any other school?

Professor Buchanan - I did, in fact, teach at quite a few other schools before returning to take up a position at Hogwarts. Once I had finished my studies, I chose to step away from the magical world for a while, obtain some Muggle qualifications, and taught in various Muggle schools. I even went abroad to teach for a while! When I returned home to Inverness, I had some time to consider my next steps, and I confided in my sister that I felt ready to return to this world. She informed me of a position available for an Arithmancy Professor at Hogwarts, and it felt almost like it was destined to be. To be back in the school that shaped me into the man I am today is a wonderful feeling. I don't think that I would feel quite the same at any other magical school as I do here at Hogwarts.

Eleanor - We, as students of Hogwarts, are very, very happy to have you and your guidance here. What are your expectations from your students? Is there any standard of homework you would like your students to try to achieve?

Professor Buchanan - Ah, my expectations! Of course. My expectations for my students are incredibly high, but I set the bar high because I know that every single one of my students can meet those standards. With regards to homework, the main thing I ask is that every student sets aside the time to review their lessons before they complete the homework, and that they do their best.

Eleanor - Thank you, Professor. I will try my best to follow your instructions and pass them on to other students at Hogwarts. Many students are afraid of not performing up to the mark when it comes to academic excellence. Are there any pointers you would like to give them?

Professor Buchanan - I hate to see students afraid that they can't meet the expectations we have for them. As someone who has fallen short of expectations a time or two (hundred), I would urge them to not give up if they don't quite perform as well as they wish the first time around. Struggling is part of the learning process, if you take the right steps to address it. The best pointer that I can give, though, is to ask questions. If you spot me in my classroom and have a question, come on in and ask. If you don't see me around, just send an owl and I'll get back to you as quickly as I can.

Eleanor - That sounds like an incredible opportunity to learn from you, Professor. Thank you so much for the pointers. How has teaching at Hogwarts been so far? What is your favorite aspect of being an Arithmancy teacher at Hogwarts? Are there any challenges associated with being a Hogwarts Professor?

Professor Buchanan - Teaching at Hogwarts has, in itself, been a learning curve, but, overall, it's been an amazing experience. I feel more at home here than I have done in any other school, even ones where I was there for years. My favourite part of being an Arithmancy Professor is probably getting to know my students and their learning styles, so that we can work together to make things make sense. Seeing things start to 'click' for them is incredible. As for challenges, I'd say there are challenges to teaching anywhere but, at Hogwarts, we take all of those challenges and throw magic on top. Finding new ways to present material, ensuring that we meet the high standards of the school in everything that we do.. these are just a couple of challenges that we face, but I find that the challenges are what make life all the more interesting. Oh, and the staircases. The staircases are definitely a challenge!

Eleanor - I agree with you about the staircases, Professor. I truly enjoyed your very interesting answer. Would you like to tell us why you think the Sorting Hat may have chosen to put you in Hufflepuff? I have an inkling that that will be an interesting story for the student readers.

Professor Buchanan - Why Hufflepuff? Hmm, a good question. When I first began at Hogwarts, I didn't know much at all about the houses. I heard snippets from people on the train and, from what I'd heard, I thought I would most likely end up in Ravenclaw. After all, I loved to learn! So it was quite a surprise when I was placed in Hufflepuff but it came to make more sense later on. Now, I'd never been one to shy away from hard work; my parents both placed an emphasis on hard work being the key to success, even when I was still quite young. It was later, when my sister got accepted to Hogwarts as well, that I became more caring and kind and, of course, fiercely protective, than I had ever been before. Thinking back to my first showing of magic, it was in fact rather Huffle-like, but perhaps that's a story for another time. Can't give away all my secrets in one go, can I? Either way, they say that the Sorting Hat doesn't make mistakes, and I'm inclined to believe that, as I can now proudly call myself a Hufflepuff through and through.

Eleanor - That's rather interesting, Professor. We wouldn't like to pry into your personal background, but many Hogwarts students would agree that you have an exciting backstory. Is there any specific incident from your life that fueled you into choosing this profession?

Professor Buchanan - I wouldn't say there was a specific incident that fuelled me, really. Education was always a priority in my home, with my parents doing everything they could to make sure we succeeded, and it was a tough decision for them to allow me away from them to attend Hogwarts. I've always been grateful for that opportunity and wanted to make sure that I made the most of it, and now to make sure that others can do the same. If I had to pinpoint something, though, I suppose we have to look back on the time when I was here at school. Things were not easy back then, downright terrifying at times, but the care that our Professors showed to all of the students, and the way they fought for all of us.. Well, I suppose it did spur me on to become more like them and I could see no better way to do that than to become a Professor myself.

Eleanor - I find this very, very impactful, and I think that all the students will when they read this interview. Did you ever take the DISC personality profile test? What would you say your DISC personality profile would be? What are your motivations, fears, and emotions when it comes to teaching at Hogwarts?

Professor Buchanan - Actually, I did, and, if I remember correctly, influence (I) was my dominant style, with support not far behind. I do my best to inspire others and share my enthusiasm with them, which really is a good source of motivation for a Professor at Hogwarts! After all, if I am not enthusiastic about what I'm teaching, how can I expect any of my students to be enthusiastic to learn it? In terms of fears, there are quite a few that I think are common to most teachers, not just to those at Hogwarts. For example, I always fear for the welfare of my students and, on a slightly less dramatic sounding note, there's always a fear that the quality of my teaching isn't quite on par with other, more experienced Professors. Of course, this is something that can be worked on and I'm constantly striving to learn more about being a good Professor. Teaching at Hogwarts brings up quite a few emotions, far too many to go into detail I'm afraid, but I would say that being back here brings me great joy and comfort, as Hogwarts has always been a home away from home for me.

Eleanor - That was so inspiring. Thank you so much again, Professor. Please deliver a general message to all your students.

Professor Buchanan - Of course. Studying is, of course, a huge part of what we do here, but it is not everything. If you're struggling with something, then absolutely seek help from your Professors and their teams of PAs. However, school can also be fun, especially a school like Hogwarts, so try your best to enjoy these years. They pass by so quickly!

Eleanor - We are grateful and honored to have had this opportunity to interview you. I must admit that Arithmancy is one of my favorite electives. Thank you so much, Professor. Have a great day.

Professor Buchanan - Not a problem, Eleanor. It's been wonderful chatting with you. Have a great day!

It was a thoroughly gratifying experience to be able to listen to the mind-blowing words of two such passionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated Professors this month. I must say I felt quite privileged at the opportunity.

- Eleanor Raven, Journalist, Hogwarts Monthly Magazine.