Hogwarts Monthly Magazine February 2024 Valentine's Special Issue
Ahh, February, the month of love. It was in the air throughout the month, and almost no one was immune to the vibe. The tension was palpable, and the excitement was sky-high. If you spent the month balancing between trying to be a good student and falling prey to bittersweet romantic thoughts, don't worry; you weren't alone. Catch a glimpse of the mystique of the romantic month of February at Hogwarts, welcome the spring season full of pretty blossoms knocking at your door with open arms, and discover a lot more through this last monthly issue of the Hogwarts Monthly Magazine, while you simultaneously reminisce about your lovey-dovey February shenanigans.
Last Updated
03/03/24
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Ravenclaw Common Room Doorknocker Riddles
Chapter 8
Getting into their Common Room must indeed be a chore for Ravenclaws, with having to answer a riddle at the door each time. The merciless eagle-shaped doorknocker stubbornly protects the entrance, only allowing entry to those who show true wit and wisdom by solving the unique riddles it brews up. Below are two riddles asked in the past at the Ravenclaw Common Room entrance door, to keep you entertained as usual. Answer one or more of these to win five Knuts, a free advertising opportunity on the pages of our magazine, and a special mention of your name in the inaugural issue of our forthcoming Hogwarts Seasonal Magazine. Owl your solutions to Hiya Debnath, Compiler and Publisher, Hogwarts Monthly Magazine, or drop them in "The Hogwarts Monthly Magazine Office" to claim your prizes.
Here's this month's riddle:
"Did you know that this flower is more than a Valentine's Day gift?
Some of its pretty secrets, Pliny the Elder gathered.
In forty ways, it can be used for healing.
And who knows how many more of its benefits are yet to be discovered?
From eye diseases to diarrhea, anything does it cure.
Wherever you feel pain, and whether it's anxiety or stress that you endure,
This so-called mundane flower relieves it all.
It blooms at its best between late spring and early fall.
Available in a variety of colors and unique scents,
This versatile shrub grows well in the care of romantic singers.
Dragon dung is one of its very good friends.
But be careful if you try to get too close, for it may as well prick your fingers."
What is it? Put your thinking caps on and prove that you are no less a Ravenclaw.
In all the special issues of our magazine, we treat our readers to a bonus riddle based on one of the nine electives available at Hogwarts. Here's this month's bonus riddle for you to enjoy (please note that this riddle is not necessarily Valentine's Day or Spring Festival themed, though):
"We are speaking of a Germanic deity.
She is the feminine Goddess of fertility, love, and beauty.
She rules the beginning of the three aettir,
And you may find her evoked in texts from Norse mythology.
She is not the one who is said to have lost her son to the pranks of the trickster Loki.
But if you are familiar with the runes of the Elder Futhark, you must know that she rules the first family."
Are you ready to sharpen your wits? We will be waiting for your answers in our office. Please do not disappoint us.
While your owls are flying towards us, let us disclose the winners of last month's riddles. Unfortunately, there seem to have been no winners last month. : (
However, we've brought you the solution to last month's riddle.
Last month's riddle was:
"If you've cast too many spells,
Take some time to rest.
Exercise gives you sore muscles.
Practicing too many charms doesn't make you feel your best.
It starts with nausea, breathlessness, and fatigue.
And finally, you can't even stand.
You have difficulty doing almost anything.
If you end up casting accidental magic, I would understand.
What is that two-word phrase
that describes this feeling you get?
The more you practice, the less easily it sets in.
Give yourself enough time to recover.
Do not stretch yourself thin."
Solution: Magical exhaustion.
Explanation: We need magical energy to cast spells. The spellcasting component willpower that we learn about in the Charms classes is a manifestation of just that. It is just like the physical energy that we must expend in order to push or lift an object, move our muscles, or create any change in the environment. The more we use it, the more it depletes, and we feel exhausted. However, we also experience an increase in how long it takes for the fatigue to set in with more practice. This is similar to how we feel after a physical exercise. In the same way, casting spells or brewing potions can be seen as equivalent to exercising our magical muscles. Hence the fatigue and the increased endurance with practice. The symptoms begin with nausea, breathlessness, and tiredness, which can be so severe at times that the witch or wizard suffering from it cannot even stand. The best way to recover from it is by taking rest. It works the same way one takes rest after heavy physical exertions. However, many instances of accidental magic, even from experienced witches and wizards, have been reported during their periods of recovery from the effects of magical exhaustion. Therefore, it is recommended to safely stow away any precious objects and stay in one room when one is healing from such an occurrence.
- Hiya Debnath, Journalist, Editor-in-Chief, Compiler, Publisher, Hogwarts Monthly Magazine.