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| January 2007 |
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| The Yule Ball!
By Megan Miller It was time for all the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to get out their dancing shoes, dress robes and masks as the annual Masquerade Yule Ball approached faster and faster. You could feel the excitement in the air as everyone bustled about getting dress robe and masks suitable for the occasion. On the night of the ball, the Great Hall was decorated beautifully and appropriately for this exciting event. Everyone was able to show up their formal sides and their moves as they entered the hall for a night of dancing, socializing and above all, having fun. Everyone looked amazing, dresses and suits were definitely a nice change from the usual school uniform or muggle clothing usually worn around school. It was clear that this event was successful and I'm sure everyone will be anticipating the arrival of the next dance of the term. |
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| Who is the woman behind?
By MoD Who is the woman everyone knows around here? No, I'm not talking about PAD for a change. Nearly everyone refers to her either as the 'Avatar-Art Club-Master' or as the Head of House of Gryffindor. Now, who am I talking about? Yes, Professor Cecilia Opal. She, indeed, is well-known at our school, mostly for her engagement and her very own lovely person. You'll find the same if you take a look at her House. Whatever Professor Opal asks from her little Lions, they are there and willing to do everything she wants. Her name is spread throughout Hogwarts, as she is famous for her amazing artistic skills. But she is also Head of Gryffindor, and Deputy Headmistress, she has her own 'Avatar-shop', and she leads the Art Club here at Hogwarts. You all happen to know her out of several reasons. Maybe she's done your Avatar, or you took her classes, or you are member of the Art Club. In whichever way you know her, I bet you don't know the woman behind. The person Cecilia Opal. A few days ago, I entered the Owl Gazette newsroom and my gaze instantly fell upon all the old issues of our precious newspaper. As I have a curious mind, I strolled over and studied the archived issues and I happened to notice a certain amount of articles written by our dear Professor Opal. She's been pretty busy as a student, obviously, and she's been a good reporter, too. Cecilia Opal, the Gryffindor House Reporter. I could tell even more about her like how she was doing as a student, her grades, her friendships and all of that�.but it wouldn't at all represent the woman I got to know. She is fabulous, she has a fun side which always appears when you least expect it and which shows her great sense of humor. Professor Opal is always there when you need her, no matter what you need her for. I won't only speak for myself when I say that one grows to trust and appreciate her, because she is the one holding Gryffindor together � with all her might, and will, and love she shows every little Gryff entering her Common Room. Cecilia is very understanding and patient when it comes to anything concerning either her Lions or any of her students or any student in general. She not only enjoys posting in the games at her house (mainly because of the secret mission) but she is also open to any new ideas anyone mentions. But who was I if I wouldn't have some inside information about the most popular Professor at Gryffindor? Right, I wouldn't be MoD. So here is the last bit leaving to see the person I wanted to introduce you to: the woman Cecilia Opal is not just artsy, compassionate, fun, and vivacious, she is also proud, and protective and the last two things are especially obvious with her being the Head of House. I won't speak at all just for myself if I say that no one is able to imagine Gryffindor without her. Cel, hear me when I say: we <3 ya! |
| The Yule Ball
By Voldie Schmitt Dancing, butterbeer, and Christmas- it must be the Yule Ball! The food was tasty, couples danced, and friends laughed, everything that makes a dance great. Of course, there was a small incident with a laughing drought that may have affecter this reporter�but for the most part, the dance as an enjoyable experience. The turn out was restively good as well, as students from every house participated in the festivities. Needles to say, the Yule ball was one more success to add to the previous dances of PAD�S Hogwarts! |
| Room Full of Dragon
By Cookie Minwaggle Just the other day I was walking up the staircase towards the north tower to turn in my Divination homework, when I heard quite the commotion. There were people yelling and something that sounded like thunder. I had just reached the 7th floor landing when the sounds were as loud as can be. Deciding my homework could wait, I stuffed it in my bag and took off down the corridor towards the noise. I knew, as soon as I turned the next corner, what exactly was making all the noise. Right there in middle of the hallway, across from the Barnabas the Barmy tapestry, was a full grown Peruvian Vipertooth dragon. I froze in my tracks as I stared up at its head which was now touching the ceiling. There were wizards all around the creature trying to control it. Professor Alba Dumbledore (headmistress) was there along with Hagrid (groundskeeper), Professor Lockhart (care of magical creatures teacher), and many other wizards I assumed to be ministry officials. Hagrid had two ropes around the dragon�s neck and was using his entire strength to keep it in place, while the others shot spells at it to stun it. They were all getting rather close, when the monster blew a breath of fire, singeing the tops of some of their heads. At this point, I noticed Professor Lockhart backing away with a horrified look on his face as he looked back and forth at the other�s burnt hair. Soon after, the Headmistress got a good shot at the monster�s eye to momentarily blind him. This gave them all a chance to synchronize their stunning spells and bring the dragon down. I stood quietly out of the way while the Peruvian Vipertooth was taken away, but quickly stepped in after. I started asking the ministry officials questions but they ignored me. The only person left was Rubeus Hagrid. He was pretty relaxed about telling me what happened. �Well, I was lookin� fer the Headmistress. She wasn� in her office, but Professor Weasley said he saw her on this floor earlier. I was walkin� by this wall here, and thinking� to mehself how much I�d love ter have a dragon. Then, this door came outta nowhere!� he pointed to the open door, which was quite burnt on the inside. �Outta curiosity, I opened it and was face ter face with that beauty of a creature. Dumbledore hasn�t a clue how she got there, but she�ll figure it out, always does!� |
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| End of Term
By Ava Black It seems like only yesterday that registration opened and then classes begun. Yet here we are more than half way through the term! Have you been diligently working on your classes? If you haven't I suggest getting to it!! Classes will close before you know it and we will be having the End of Term Feast! So go check out the gradebook and see what you have left to do. Get busy Hogwarts!! |
| Caught! The staff of each house brings to you another edition of Caught! to get you all "caught" up with those who contribute to their own house and the school. SLYTHERIN: Jenii Chang - With a rough transition, the girl has finally shown her true colors. She is helping out in every way possible and shows house spirit just as much as everyone else. I caught Jenii helping the prefects and prefect assistants organize topics and threads. Jess Darkness - Dubbed "The Jessness" this girl is most definitely a spirited Slytherin. She reads everything and makes sure to leave nobody out. I caught Jess rooting for the newbies and helping to get them involved. RAVENCLAW: Andela Schmorige has been caught! She has been contributing to the house magazine, helping out the Quidditch team in times of need, and she's always there helping new Ravens settle down. Not only does this girl have house pride, but she's got school spirit too, as seen at Quidditch matches. You go, girl! Myrrima Goldenleaf has been caught for working hard on her entries to the Arcade Tournament. This Raven has stayed on top of all her classes, sending in lessons frequently. She has contributed her brilliant ideas to the ongoing IHC. You are simply brilliant! HUFFLEPUFF: Amanda has been caught! She wrote so much for the TT, and is always happy to lend a helping hand when a new person asks. She's a great mentor, and makes our house paper full! Cassidy Smith has been caught! She also was a big contributor to the TT. She just got here November 14, yet she is always helping, and her articles are much appreciated. She is also our new Student Council Rep. PENSHIRE: This month, the Penshire staff have nominated two of our house members that have been �Caught!� doing something great this month. First up is our own Senior Prefect, Samuel Craft. This month Samuel made signature�s for members in Penshire as a Christmas Gift. Not only were the signatures dazzling and beautiful, they were heartfelt and were truly a surprise. Thank you Sam for all you do! Secondly and finally, Mortimer Brewster. One of our new Shirelings who has taken to the Common Room like a moth to a flame. Morty has attended Quidditch games, gone to the Yule Ball and made every other new member feel welcome. He is a credit to the house and we are glad to have him! GRYFFINDOR: Hermy_own has been caught... being a huge contribution to Gryffindor! Not only is she a dedicated student by participating in classes, but she also makes time to have an active role in the house. Whether she's posting in the games, giving her input for contests, or just welcoming new students, Hermy shows Gryffindor pride all the time. We're lucky to have such a great person in the house. Kururu Espoire has been caught! Kururu joined a little over a month ago, but she's already made her mark in the house. Her energy and spirit is a fun addition in Gryffindor and she makes posting in the games twice as fun. Kururu's spunky posting and new ideas keep everyone in a fun mood and we're excited to have her in our house. |
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| Professor Lockhart in St Mungo�s?
By Shalamar Magoo On a recent expose on our dear Professor Lockhart, I became intrigued when reading about his trip to St Mungo�s a few years back. The article didn�t give much for me to go on and when I tried to look for more information I came up against a brick wall - literally. The Library woman in Diagon Alley threw me out for speaking such blasphemy against her favorite Witch Weekly Winner. So, deciding I had to get to the bottom of it whether or which, I made a trip to St Mungo�s and visited the ward in question. What greeted me there rendered me speechless. The whole corridor was filled with smiling animated pictures of Professor Lockhart. One of him in his bed, one signing autographs at his bed side, the other taking his medication, the list was endless and I found myself having to turn away as it had started to give me a headache and had me worried he�d start yelling at me for late homework assignments. That was outside the ward might I remind you, inside the ward was to the extreme. Outside the swinging double doors was a plaque mounted on the wall. The chiseled features of the Hufflepuff Head of House could be seen from ten feet back, the sun streaming through the window hit it perfectly creating a dazzling shine. Coincidence? I think not. Once inside the ward, I was greeted by the looniest people (apologies to the people that have family there!). The bed which was previously occupied by Professor Lockhart had been preserved, even to the creases of his body shape. Flowers lay on the bedside locker while people crowded round it to look at it. Just look at it. Becoming totally baffled by the actions before me, I began to question the healers about why everyone was so infatuated with Professor Lockhart. I was then met with the question of whether or not I was infatuated with him, and once I had replied no, I was promptly thrown out of the ward and banned. Nice really isn�t it? So, I�m still a little lost as to why the Professor had visited St. Mungo�s, all I know is that his visit there will be a mile stone in history there. It wouldn�t surprise me if they celebrate his admission there every year. I must remember to warn him against visiting though� Or will I? If anyone at all is privy to his previous stay there, I would appreciate it if they would inform me. Thank you! |