Firstly, we have our interview with Professor Kwan

Vaella- Hello Professor Kwan, Good Morning. I am Vaella Targaryen a 1st year Slytherin student. I was hoping to interview you on behalf of the Hogwarts Seasonal Magazine team for the Hogwarts Seasonal Magazine Summer 2024 Issue. Is this a good time to talk?

Professor Kwan- Yes, please go ahead.

Vaella- Thank you for your time, Professor. May I begin with the question that everyone has been eager to hear answered? What aspects of Defence Against the Dark Arts do you find particularly captivating, and what motivated you to choose this subject for teaching? What sparked your passion for the subject?

Professor Kwan- DADA is a more creative field than what many people give it credit for. It’s all about adapting and problem-solving. In real situations against dark creatures or even dark wizards, you can’t simply cast an offensive spell and hope for the best; you have to adapt to your surroundings and use it to your advantage. That’s the beauty of this subject.

My grandmother, ultimately, inspired much of my interest in DADA. When I moved to the United States, she told me stories every night about her adventures evading aurors - all because she denounced Rappaport’s Law, a law that segregated immigrant wizards from their own no-maj communities. She had a creative mind like no other and her tenacity knew no bounds. She was the best role model I could have ever asked for.

Vaella- That's truly fascinating insight into the depth of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Your grandmother sounds like an incredible influence. could you recount a specific teaching moment or experience that profoundly shaped your educational philosophy?

Professor Kwan- When I was a student in Ilvermorny, they had a strict “no experimental charms” rule - now that I think about it, I may have played a part in that because I don’t remember that rule in my first three years. Anyway, dueling became rather dull by my fourth year; duels were too similar and ‘by the books’, so to speak. It wasn’t until I dueled a recruiter from the Federal Bureau of Covert Vigilance and No-Maj Obliviation that I learned the following:

Never allow anyone to suppress your creativity for that is how you see the world and its inner workings. Creativity is expressed in more than just the arts; it’s your ability to problem-solve, it’s your want and desire to innovate efficiency, it’s how the world could be…

I want students to feel comfortable with experimenting with willpower and concentration, to truly hone the feel of their magic. There will be moments of failure, but without failure there cannot be success.

Vaella- Professor Kwan, your experience at Ilvermorny sounds both eye-opening and impactful. Your emphasis on creativity and innovation in magic is inspiring. Now, onto my next question: what led you to choose Hogwarts as your teaching destination over any other school?

Professor Kwan- Professor Penrose and I have known each other for a number of years prior to my acceptance of professorship. We worked on a mission together back in the U.S. when a runaway Death Eater from Britain attempted to rain havoc on the West Coast. We’ve stayed in touch over the years and one day, he briefly mentioned Hogwarts opening the doors to co-professorships. I’ll admit that I did not expect to ever be a professor, but that was all the more reason to accept his offer. I’m drawn to the unexpected.

Vaella- Your insights into your background and connection with Professor Penrose shed light on your journey to Hogwarts. Now, moving on to another topic, what expectations do you have for your students, particularly regarding homework standards?

Professor Kwan- My expectations are quite strict but not without reason. I do not expect students to ever face a dark wizard, unless they choose to become an auror, but there will most certainly be times where students may come across a Pogrebin or a Hinkypunk. Dark Creatures can be terrifying to those inexperienced with them, so it is my job to prepare and empower students to not fear the Dark Arts.

Vaella- Many students are afraid of not performing up to the mark. Are there any pointers you would like to give them?

Professor Kwan- I’m sure many of my colleagues would agree with me when I say: go slow, take your time. I’ve seen plenty of students miss marks on questions that require small details to be considered correct. Take your time with the question and ask yourself: what is the question really asking for? Understanding the big picture is important, but the finer details make the picture what it is.

Vaella- Reflecting on your time here, what has been the most rewarding aspect of teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts? And have there been any particular challenges?

Professor Kwan- Teaching has been an insightful experience this past year. I think my favorite aspect has been sitting down with students to help them understand DADA concepts and witnessing the flash of the lightbulb go off in their head when they understand the concepts. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of a student’s learning experience. One of the challenging aspects of this position has been stopping duels midway during our Year Two Dueling Club. Often, there have been students paired together where at least one holds animosity for the other. The duel is taken too far because of their inability to set aside differences and I must step in before students truly harm one another.

Vaella- Your insights are invaluable, 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 will be an interesting story for the student readers.

Professor Kwan- To be perfectly candid with you, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin. I agree with that original sorting to an extent, but I don’t always enjoy following the path others pave for me. I like going against the grain, so to speak. It makes life much more exciting that way. Having the confidence and assertion to create your own path from nothing - I think that’s why the Sorting Hat agreed with my desire to be placed in Gryffindor.

Vaella- Thank you for sharing. On a different note, 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 Kwan- I wasn’t aware of the DISC personality test until this interview, but it seems as though I’m a mix of Dominance (D) and Conscientious (C) - DC style. My brain has a tendency to rarely shut off so I find myself wanting to stay productive throughout the day and night; I’m a bit of a workaholic for this reason, but I’ve never minded it. I’m always working to improve our DADA course, hence why you may see some essay prompt revisions from time to time. This kind of work ethic unfortunately bleeds over into my struggle with feeling satisfied with my work, despite being proud of what I produce.

Vaella- Thank you so much again, Professor. Your dedication is admirable. Finally, would you like to convey a message to your students?

Professor Kwan- Your time at Hogwarts should be filled with excitement, awe and wonder. There will be times when the stress will make you think otherwise, but remember that the stress is only temporary. Stay present in the moment.

Vaella- We appreciate the opportunity to interview you, Professor. Thank you sincerely, and have a wonderful day..

Professor Kwan- Thank you, Vaella. I hope you have a wonderful day as well. Now if you’ll excuse me, Peeves and I have some important business to discuss.

Secondly, we have our interview with Professor Plumb, astronomy professor:

Firstly, our interview with Professor Kwan

Vaella- Hello Professor Kwan, Good Morning. I am Vaella Targaryen, a 1st year Slytherin student. I was hoping to interview you on behalf of the Hogwarts Seasonal Magazine team for the Hogwarts Seasonal Magazine Summer 2024 Issue. Is this a good time to talk?

Professor Kwan- Yes, please go ahead.

Vaella- Thank you for your time, Professor. May I begin with the question that everyone has been eager to hear answered? What aspects of Defence Against the Dark Arts do you find particularly captivating, and what motivated you to choose this subject for teaching? What sparked your passion for the subject?

Professor Kwan- DADA is a more creative field than what many people give it credit for. It’s all about adapting and problem-solving. In real situations against dark creatures or even dark wizards, you can’t simply cast an offensive spell and hope for the best; you have to adapt to your surroundings and use it to your advantage. That’s the beauty of this subject.

My grandmother, ultimately, inspired much of my interest in DADA. When I moved to the United States, she told me stories every night about her adventures evading aurors - all because she denounced Rappaport’s Law, a law that segregated immigrant wizards from their own no-maj communities. She had a creative mind like no other and her tenacity knew no bounds. She was the best role model I could have ever asked for.

Vaella- That's truly fascinating insight into the depth of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Your grandmother sounds like an incredible influence. Could you recount a specific teaching moment or experience that profoundly shaped your educational philosophy?

Professor Kwan- When I was a student in Ilvermorny, they had a strict “no experimental charms” rule - now that I think about it, I may have played a part in that because I don’t remember that rule in my first three years. Anyway, dueling became rather dull by my fourth year; duels were too similar and ‘by the books’, so to speak. It wasn’t until I dueled a recruiter from the Federal Bureau of Covert Vigilance and No-Maj Obliviation that I learned the following:

Never allow anyone to suppress your creativity for that is how you see the world and its inner workings. Creativity is expressed in more than just the arts; it’s your ability to problem-solve, it’s your want and desire to innovate efficiency, it’s how the world could be…

I want students to feel comfortable with experimenting with willpower and concentration, to truly hone the feel of their magic. There will be moments of failure, but without failure there cannot be success.

Vaella- Professor Kwan, your experience at Ilvermorny sounds both eye-opening and impactful. Your emphasis on creativity and innovation in magic is inspiring. Now, onto my next question: what led you to choose Hogwarts as your teaching destination over any other school?

Professor Kwan- Professor Penrose and I have known each other for a number of years prior to my acceptance of professorship. We worked on a mission together back in the U.S. when a runaway Death Eater from Britain attempted to rain havoc on the West Coast. We’ve stayed in touch over the years and one day, he briefly mentioned Hogwarts opening the doors to co-professorships. I’ll admit that I did not expect to ever be a professor, but that was all the more reason to accept his offer. I’m drawn to the unexpected.

Vaella- Your insights into your background and connection with Professor Penrose shed light on your journey to Hogwarts. Now, moving on to another topic, what expectations do you have for your students, particularly regarding homework standards?

Professor Kwan- My expectations are quite strict but not without reason. I do not expect students to ever face a dark wizard, unless they choose to become an auror, but there will most certainly be times where students may come across a Pogrebin or a Hinkypunk. Dark Creatures can be terrifying to those inexperienced with them, so it is my job to prepare and empower students to not fear the Dark Arts.

Vaella- Many students are afraid of not performing up to the mark. Are there any pointers you would like to give them?

Professor Kwan- I’m sure many of my colleagues would agree with me when I say: go slow, take your time. I’ve seen plenty of students miss marks on questions that require small details to be considered correct. Take your time with the question and ask yourself: what is the question really asking for? Understanding the big picture is important, but the finer details make the picture what it is.

Vaella- Reflecting on your time here, what has been the most rewarding aspect of teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts? And have there been any particular challenges?

Professor Kwan- Teaching has been an insightful experience this past year. I think my favorite aspect has been sitting down with students to help them understand DADA concepts and witnessing the flash of the lightbulb go off in their head when they understand the concepts. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of a student’s learning experience. One of the challenging aspects of this position has been stopping duels midway during our Year Two Dueling Club. Often, there have been students paired together where at least one holds animosity for the other. The duel is taken too far because of their inability to set aside differences and I must step in before students truly harm one another.

Vaella- Your insights are invaluable, 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 will be an interesting story for the student readers.

Professor Kwan- To be perfectly candid with you, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin. I agree with that original sorting to an extent, but I don’t always enjoy following the path others pave for me. I like going against the grain, so to speak. It makes life much more exciting that way. Having the confidence and assertion to create your own path from nothing - I think that’s why the Sorting Hat agreed with my desire to be placed in Gryffindor.

Vaella- Thank you for sharing. On a different note, 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 Kwan- I wasn’t aware of the DISC personality test until this interview, but it seems as though I’m a mix of Dominance (D) and Conscientious (C) - DC style. My brain has a tendency to rarely shut off so I find myself wanting to stay productive throughout the day and night; I’m a bit of a workaholic for this reason, but I’ve never minded it. I’m always working to improve our DADA course, hence why you may see some essay prompt revisions from time to time. This kind of work ethic unfortunately bleeds over into my struggle with feeling satisfied with my work, despite being proud of what I produce.

Vaella- Thank you so much again, Professor. Your dedication is admirable. Finally, would you like to convey a message to your students?

Professor Kwan- Your time at Hogwarts should be filled with excitement, awe and wonder. There will be times when the stress will make you think otherwise, but remember that the stress is only temporary. Stay present in the moment.

Vaella- We appreciate the opportunity to interview you, Professor. Thank you sincerely, and have a wonderful day..

Professor Kwan- Thank you, Vaella. I hope you have a wonderful day as well. Now if you’ll excuse me, Peeves and I have some important business to discuss.

Secondly, our interview with Professor Plumb

Isabella- 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 astronomy and why did you pick this subject to teach? What fueled your interest in the subject?

Professor Plumb: I first got interested in astronomy when I learned about the exploration of space carried out by the United States and the Soviet Union, in particular the landing of astronauts on the Moon. I'm hoping that some form of extraterrestrial life will be found, and I'd be especially thrilled if we were able to contact a civilisation that managed to develop technology more advanced than our own without destroying ourselves. Perhaps they could teach us how to do it. I decided to teach astronomy because it's my favourite subject in the Hogwarts curriculum for the reasons I outlined above.

Isabella: Why did you decide to teach at Hogwarts and not any other school?

Professor Plumb: Having learned in Divination about the magical effects of the planets on our lives, I decided to study magical as well as Muggle astronomy and then to teach it. I couldn't teach anything about magic in a Muggle school or university without violating the International Statute of Secrecy.

Isabella: What are you expectations from your students? Is there any standard of homework you would like your students to try to achieve?

Professor Plumb: I expect my students to show an interest in astronomy and to do the best they can. Not every student will be capable of getting an O, but any student can pass the course since failed assignments are retakable. I'm available to help any student who asks me to.

Isabella: Many students are afraid of not performing up to the mark. Are there any pointers you would like to give them?

Professor Plumb: In my course, a student is allowed to consult lessons while doing assignments. Some of the questions involve logical thinking and/or calculations, but not so many that a student can't pass the course without those abilities. Those abilities are needed to get an O., though. Read the lessons carefully, take notes to implant the contents in your mind, read the questions carefully, read your answers and your essays carefully before submitting an assignment, and come to me for help whenever you need to.

Isabella: 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 Plumb: Teaching at Hogwarts is a joy. My favourite aspect of being an Astronomy professor (not Arithmancy!) is being able to impart my knowledge and, to be honest, showing off. The challenge I face is to write lessons in a manner that will increase rather than decrease students' interest in the subject.

Isabella: Would you like to tell us why you think the Sorting Hat may have chosen to put you in Ravenclaw? I have an inkling that will be an interesting story for the student readers.

Professor Plumb: Before enrolling in Hogwarts as a mature student, I earned a Ph.D. in astronomy at a Muggle University, and you need a fair amount of intelligence to do that. I'm not physically strong or brave enough to be a Gryffindor or cunning or ambitious enough to be a Slytherin. I admire the industry and loyalty of the Hufflepuffs even more than the intelligence and creativity of my fellow Ravenclaws, and I wouldn't have been disappointed had I been sorted into Hufflepuff, but the Sorting Hat decided that I was better suited to Ravenclaw, and I'm quite happy with my placement.

Isabella: We wouldn't like to pry into your personal background, but many Hogwarts students would agree that you have a most interesting backstory. Is there any specific incident from your life that fueled you into choosing this profession?

Professor Plumb: While I was a student in the Muggle world, I tutored other students in mathematics and physics. One of them, whose parents were so poor that she had to work during the school year and so would have been unable to get high enough grades to earn a scholarship, without which she couldn't have afforded to go to university, managed to do so as a result of my tutoring her. I decided then that I was cut out to be an educator.

Isabella: 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 Plumb: I didn't take such a test and I don't know what the various personality profiles that test attributes to people. My motivation is, as I mentioned before, to impart and show off my knowledge - and to amuse students with my sense of humour. My fear is that not all students will appreciate my lessons, but my other emotions are joy when some of them tell me that they like my lessons.

Isabella: Thank you so much again, Professor. Please deliver a general message for all your students.

Professor Plumb: If you like astronomy, do your best, and come to me for help whenever you need it. If you don't like astronomy, you are free to drop the course; you can still advance in those courses you do complete.

Isabella. Would you say that Mathematics and Astronomy are inseparably linked? How much proficiency in calculations and mathematical problem-solving should be necessary to excel in Astronomy at the level of a Hogwarts student?

Professor Plumb: Muggle Astronomy requires a lot of mathematics: geometry, trigonometry, calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, statistics. You can do some things in magical astronomy with less mathematics than that, but some parts of even that subject requires mathematics up to the level of the last year of a Muggle secondary school. With trigonometry you can work out the amount of interference between two luminous objects knowing their brightness and their celestial coordinates. With calculus and linear algebra you can predict what the magical effect of any luminous body will be at a given time.

Isabella. How do you keep up with the latest Astronomical updates to teach your students?

I subscribe to two Muggle magazines: Astronomy and Scientific American, which carries some article on astronomy. I also search the internet for the latest information.

Isabella: We are grateful and much obliged to have had this opportunity to interview you. Thank you so much, Professor. Have a good day.

Professor Plumb: You're welcome. It was my pleasure too. And have a good day.

Those are the two intervuews we were able to take. Come back in the next issue for more!!