By Ava Black
In case you didn't know there is a new illness circulating our very own school. The sickness is known as Point-mania. This basically is found in prefect and possibly Head Girl or Boy. The disease starts out with a mild case of point earning. Then it quickly advances and the ill person finds them unable to talk of anything else but point-earning. They start taking on extra credit projects and anything else they can do to earn maximum points. This disease can be caught by the average student, so watch out. Unfortunately there is no cure at this time. The MOM has also informed us of a rarer but serious disease called
Point-phobia. This disease can strike at anytime. The victim basically shuts down. They even stop posting. Sadder they often leave school. If you suspect a student has either of these diseases it is very important to contact the as soon as possible. Early prevention is the best medicine.
By a secret agent in the dorm (nicknamed by Kiley as Kitkat)
Looks like there�s a little troublesome group now dorming together in Slytherin. You have Kiley Blaire, a girl that seriously is always causing problems, and enjoying it, and then there is Scarlet Santuzza, Kiley�s partner in crime. Also in the room is Seraphina Rosehill, called Sera by her friends, the one and only lover of Prof. Snape, and a prefect, imagine that. Then there is the newest girls added to the room, Jenii Chang and Kitty Kitona, two girls who were dorming together before they decided to move into the other girl�s room. And now all of them are trying to recruit Linda Danes to join them! Such trouble!
What will happen next? Will these girls plot to take over the Slytherin house? Or is their goal all of Hogwarts? So watch out all you people! Stay clear of these girls!
By: Kamron
Welcome new students I am Kamron a Hufflepuff student. I am here to tell you about some of the things going on here at Pads.
1st thing is the arcade tournament that is ending Dec.17th so by the time you see this it will be to late but there is a post on BB about it and the 2nd thing going on here is the great hall its has Christmas decorations up right now and maybe for a while there are many things going on at Pads every month so get active and post on bb in your CR and do some lessons.
By Mortimer Brewster
I just started here at PAD's Hogwats and the first day I had 10 welcomes and 3 messages. I think that Penshire must be the most friendly people I've ever met. I love them all allready. They have accepted me and I really didn't tell them a lot about myself. The Head Of House Professor Ripley seems to be a very charming and pleasant person, so far even
though Thomasina told me that she turns into a "blood thirsty beast" once a month. I really hope Thom was kidding about that.
I have a mentor, Samual Craft, but I think the whole house is my mentor, because I've had so many offers to help me out. At first I wondered if there was a mistake, because I didn't know there was such a house, but I read up on the history and thought how cool can that be. I am glad I got sorted in to Penshire and wouldn't change for the world. Well, I want to say thank you to Penshire for all the
welcomes and friendlyness.
By: Kamron
Well the first thing is Ghost will not give you rides. Anyway here are a few ways to make yourself around Pads and the Wizard World. One the train it will bring you to shops and towns and Prison. Second is Floo powder it can bring you around the School. And last thing is the Grand staircase it can bring you to the many floors we have at the School.
By Will Sutton
Sources at the Ministry of Magic have just released a report stating that a "muggle" by the name of J.K. Rowling has published books about actual happenings in the wizarding world. She has written a series of books entitled "The Harry Potter Series" that tell about Gryffindor resident ghost Harry Potter's years at Hogwarts. Harry Potter recently received a copy of these books and gasped. The ghost uttered," These are all true, every bit of it." The Minister of Magic has not yet commented on the situation but there are rumors that he has set up an appointment with Mrs. Rowling. Is J.K. Rowling really a muggle that just made this up or is she really a witch in disguise? I will leave that up too all the readers.
By Ava Black
Here at Hogwarts there are many different clubs. Truly there is something for everyone. They are located in the Annex building. There is an art club, Writing and Poetry club, Band, Drama Club, Hogsnet, Quidditch club and Different Faiths - One place. Each club has its own unique qualities so I urge you to check them out. If you didn't know most of the clubs give out points for submissions! So not only will you be having fun, you could be helping your house rise to the number one spot!! So in conclusion if you have not joined a club, what are you waiting for??
By Summer Levy
As a frequent spammer in the lovely Ravenclaw Common Room, I had grown used to flood control, and had learned to cope with the function of which many despise.
Why is it hated? Why is it so frustrating each time you click �Reply� and find a page that tells you that you need to wait five seconds? Many spam-a-holics, like me, are continuously clicking �Reply� to spam, and it is flood control that keeps us one step away from spamming.
The first time I had been exposed to a flood control free environment was when I was promoted to be a Prefect�s Assistant. I had visited the local Spam-o-Lot thread and started spamming. Then, I realized one thing: I hadn�t encountered flood control, not even once! It was either the moderator power I had, or, my Internet was going at the right pace that the flood control message would not show up.
Now, as a Prefect, I still experience the same thing: no flood-control. Somehow, it feels very different, like a fence had been taken down and there was no longer a barrier between the spammer and the spam. It was then, to my horror, that I realized I miss flood control!
But why would anyone miss flood control at all? Didn�t we all hate it?
I can�t even remember what the flood control message says anymore. Spamming just doesn�t seem the same to me as before. It seems so easy to spam now, and I had a greater sense of achievement back then with flood control, because you �beat� the flood control every time you spam successfully.
But for now, flood control and I shall part our ways.
By Kiley Blaire
With Wildfire Whiz-Bangs, that is! The shop Weasley�s Wizard Wheezes sells a number of magical fireworks, including pink Catherine wheels that fly through the air, silver-tailed rockets, dragons and bats made of colored sparks and firecrackers that blast for hours. So if you�re looking for a way to light up the sky this New Years, pick up a Basic Blaze Box, or (recommended) a Deflagration Deluxe. Just make sure to hide those swear-word writing sparklers from your parents!
By Shal Magoo
While out shopping the other day for some presents for my house mates,
I came across a rather peculiar poem. With a few foreign students in my house, I wanted to do something special for them, something that would incorporate their language. And this poem did the trick.
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa,
Not a creature was stirring -- Caramba! Que pasa?
Los ninos were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pijamas,
While hanging the stockings with mucho cuidado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos and malos,
A nice batch of dulces and other regalos.
Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my feet like a fightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think that it era?
Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.
I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Beto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"
Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,
Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his red suit de gala,
He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos --
For none of the ninos had been very malos.
Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all, and Feliz Navidad!
By Gerty Lortaine
This issue I will be discussing the time I took a trip to Florida. I have relatives (muggle of course) there, and they were quite glad to have me come stay a few nights.
I started my journey from here in England. I knew I would have to take an airplane. This is the way all muggles must travel overseas. I booked my flight and got to the airport three hours early. I wasn�t quite sure what would be involved. Plus, I really wanted to have a look around, this being my first time in an airport and all. I arrived in my muggle clothes, dragging my trunk behind me, my wand stowed away in my blazer pocket. I soon realized that just getting into the airport would not be so easy. All muggles are required to go through �security�. They asked me to place my trunk on this sort of moving table, and to empty my pockets also onto the table. I did at they asked and walked through the freestanding doorway. (I still am not sure exactly what that was for). My things traveled through a tunnel and appeared on the other side. I think they were using an X-ray machine. I have heard of these before. They are used to look inside objects and are used regularly in muggle medicine.
Everything was going fine, when one of the men asked me what my wand was. I did not even think to disguise it. I quickly had to do a bit of clever thinking and a nonverbal spell to extend the length of my wand. �It is a collapsible walking stick, you see?� I then pulled on one end of the wand and extended it three times its original size. The man paused for a moment and then he nodded as he returned my trunk to me.
I followed the many signs to the proper locations to check in and then to my �gate�(this is the entrance to the plane). After a bit of waiting they called my seat number to board the plane. I was quite excited and anxious at this point and almost levitated my trunk before thinking. I entered the small hallway which led to the plane and at the end I was greeted by two muggle women known as flight attendants. They had big smiles on their faces as they greeted the passengers and showed me to my seat. Of course, they had no idea what my experience on their plane would involve, or else their smiles may not have equaled those of one Gildroy Lockhart.
Check out the next issue of the Owl Gazette for my complete trip on the plane and my arrival in sunny Florida.
By Lynexe Couronne
There have been many things going on around the castle, hasn't anyone other than myself noticed this? Let's see, the Secret Santa exchanges, the Yule Ball, etc. Not to mention the little Secret Santa programs that I'm sure are running in each house, if not, in some of the houses. But let's get back to the point. It's the festive time of the year, isn't it? The one where everyone's jolly, cheery and going off to buy presents for either everyone, or certain people in particular. The time of the year where couples stand under the mistletoe to receive their holiday greeting or housemates hug each other with thanks for their lovely packages.
So why is it that some are still left behind with nothing? And the feeling of being alone seems to overtake. Well, to be looking on the bright side, this isn't entirely true since most of us would normally pass by, even with a forced smile, and pass them a sugar quill or maybe some pocky. Like me. You might have even seen me at the Ball this time, though maybe I was hidden amongst the crowds. Why on earth would someone like me attend such an event in the first place? Well, that's going to be held a small secret for now, seeing as nothing was suspected in the first place.
But the New Year has now quickly approached all five houses here, a definite air of happiness and such flowing around each soul and ghost. My advice, personally. Go get some confetti, throw it around the common room or down the halls of the castle [Our handsome caretaker wouldn't mind the festive activity, I'm sure] and start seeing some happy tunes.
Just make sure not to get too hyper, or you might find my hand tugging at your collar.
By MoD
Is our school in need to have another 'doc' apart from Madame Pomfrey, and the 'doc', Gryffindor Beater Adrianna La Cerva? Obviously, since I, myself, was asked just the other day to start a monthly column at our school newspaper, the Owl Gazette.
After a long absence from the Great Hall, I managed to enter the vast room on the last day of the Yule Ball. As I expected there to be an amount of people, but I was rather disappointed to only see Joe Nworb, Bryony Casten, and the Prefects Shalamar Magoo, and Kayla West there along with me.
At first, I learned that I was promoted to be the Schools gossiper from the Owl Gazette. A little fact that never occurred to me until this very moment, especially since everyone at the Great Hall asked me, who I even was. However, as we spoke on, both Prefects had the idea, that I should have a monthly column. Kayla West practically volunteered as my first 'patient'.
I had to learn even more about her, than just the facts that she was, stated so by Shalamar Magoo (or Malomar) and Kayla West, pyromaniac, psychotic, peculiar, pretty (however this was not entirely convinced by Malomar), paranoid, prude, and finally a Prefect. A 'P'-person, so it seems.
After Kayla had taken a comfortable position on my couch, she told me about her recurring dreams, where the Penshire Prefect was chasing the girl until she turns around to confront her and ends up eating her every time. However, this doesn't seem to be a violent act, as Kayla stated that Shalamar was a cheese � and here the gross thing: every night, the girl happened to be a different type of cheese. I heard she was eating cheese every time before going to bed, so I suggested she should eat some bacon instead. At first she seemed to agree with this, but soon she found herself unable to eat these poor pigs. She finally agreed on the term to eat steak instead of cheese, rare steak that is.
During this little session of therapy, both girls let slip something that caught my attention at once. As Kayla West has sent in her Potions Finals some time ago, but hasn't gotten any word from Professor Snape, I found myself asking how this could be. Since there are even more students waiting for their Finals to be sent, I was especially interested at this little fact, and the both of them told me that Professor Snape has either 'fallen of the face of the earth', or ran away with one of the Deputy Headmistresses Lily Fairydust. I was shocked, because what would this school be with just our Headmistress and two of the Deputy Headmistresses left? But I was reassured that this was impossible, because Professor Fairydust had been seen the other day.
However, Kayla West and Shalamar Magoo declared that it would be great to have a monthly column with me as the Doc. So if you wish to have any advice or share some secret information with me in order for me to research the truth, feel free to e-owl me at [email protected]
By Kiley Blaire
Slytherin student Jennifer Kull, otherwise known as Junkette, is PADs� only resident half-gorgon; she�s hard to miss, with multi-colored snakes atop her head in place of hair. Miss Kull, a Slytherin Prefect, is of an amiable nature, always full of good will and cheerfulness; she�s very devoted to her house and to her fellow Prefects, and she also has the trademark mischievous side that seems commonplace among Hogwarts� dungeon-dwelling students. And certainly being half-gorgon is an interesting talking point, but is it really the new �in� thing to be?
Studies show that people with hair are the most favored, coming in at a whopping 99% of the surveyed group (the other 1% is suspected to have come from one Darmean Volten). Of this 99%, the preferred hair color is, surprisingly, purple. So, we love you Junkette, but the �in� thing to be definitely has nothing to do with turning people to stone.
By Cookie Minwaggle
For this issue of the Gazette I decided to interview Ryana Cartenich, a vampire in Hufflepuff. I thought it would be interesting to learn a little more about her routine here at Hogwarts while being different than most of the students.
Cookie Minwaggle: Ok, so how long have you been at Hogwarts?
Ryana Cartenich: less than a year, only about three months
CM: Were you surprised when you got your letter? What were you thinking?
RC: Well I was excited, even though I hadn't really understood what it was at first. My parents kinda went crazy and attempted to send me off to a place where I would be away from all of it. They did not like it at all. But finally they let me go, which really made me excited.
RC: though I was a bit scared...
CM: I understand, my parents didn�t want me to go either. They are both muggles.
CM: So do you have wizarding background? What are your parents?
RC: Well my mom and dad are muggles, when my mom was pregnant with me, she was attacked by a vampire, probably the only reason I am the way I am. I don't believe there is anything in my family history that shows any magical influences, but you never truly know.
CM:I see. A very rare situation indeed.
CM: How are you fitting in here? Is everyone accepting you knowing you are a vampire?
RC: Well I don't have many friends, but probably not because of what I am. I just don't like being around a lot of people, or being out during the day, which makes meeting people kind of hard. As for fitting in, at times I feel like I shouldn't be here, but then I remember all the people who care for me here, and the ones who don't when I lived with my parents. So I feel pretty comfortable, for the most part.
CM: Well, I think you are fitting in just fine in Hufflepuff. It's great to have you there, and I'm sure being in the dungeon really helps!
RC: very true and thanks!
CM: Do you know of any other vampires at Hogwarts?
RC: well I know Prof. Hyde Takarai and the new girl in Hufflepuff, I think her name is Persia.
CM: Nice to know there are others you can converse with if you are having a difficult time.
RC: Sure is.
CM: Do you find it difficult not to bite your classmates? I know I do sometimes and I'm not even a vampire. hehe
RC: actually it�s only a bit difficult... I will threaten to if they bother me... but that does not mean that I will actually do it. I'm not that mean, usually...
CM: Good to hear! haha
RC: But I will bite sometimes if they are a threat to me, but never to actually draw blood.
CM: So, we should try not to get on your bad side then?
RC: Yeah that would be a bad idea, no one wants me mad.. it's not a good thing
CM: So, what kinds of foods do you eat? Just the same as everyone else or do you require...other things?
RC: Well I eat what I want to eat really. I enjoy the blood flavored pops you can get. They are so refreshing.
CM: oh! yes I forgot about those! That�s fantastic. They make candy for everyone now.
RC: They can make candy out of anything
CM: Do you take any outdoor classes? I know herbology takes place outside during the day. How would you manage that?
RC: No I don't, I just find classes like that a bad thing to mix with my 'health'. I love to be outside though, and if I need to be I will, but it hurts when bright lights, such as the sun reflects on my skin.
CM: Sounds like you've got everything figured out so you can enjoy your time here at Hogwarts without too much worry.
RC: Yeah pretty much
CM: Well thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, I think this will open some people's eyes. It's good to know our fellow students, especially those different from us.
RC: hehe, I hope it helps.