By Mortimer Brewster
Being from a muggle family, I have never seen such wonders as I have here. The huge trees in the Great Hall, the wonderful magical candles floating around, and the choir with the singing toads is beautiful to hear. All the festive things that go with Christmas, I'm going to my first Yule Ball, I hear the Hall is beautiful, it looks like a Winter Wonderland with all the ice sculptures, and Snow falling from the enchanted ceiling. I can't wait to go.
I came new to Hogwarts this year, and everyone has been wonderful to me and so friendly. This will be my first time to use Floo Powder to get home and I can't wait. Everything is new and Magical to me. I know you other new people can relate, and the older students I'm sure can remember your first year here. The wonders of it all, the Shopping trips, the meetings with new friends at The Three Broomsticks for hot chocolate and warm butter beer. I think the best thing is just being with good friends and talking. Friendship is truly the greatest Christmas gift a person can get. I hope I will meet even more new friends from all the houses.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with good friends and hot chocolate, and may all your wishes come true.
By Voldie Schmitt
The word� holiday� is derived from the Roman, meaning "A day in the Holiday Season."
The first Christmas was celebrated in December of 224 AD. December was chosen, of course, not because of Jesus� birthday (which was in March) but to replace the pagan holiday of Saturnalia, the feast of the vernal (autumn) Equinox.
GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN: Santa Claus, aka Jolly Old Saint Nick, was originally St. Nicholas. This 6th century Irish monk was also the inspiration for St. Patrick's Day when he illegally brought 17 snakes to Ireland. This was the first recorded instance of snake handling, and according to some, the origin of the term "Secret Santa."
Christmas was not celebrated in the years 1629, 1630, or 1704, as the holiday was illegal.
MARCO... The first Christmas presents were of course gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which is Roman for "the sea." However, gift-giving did not become a Christmas tradition until the 18th century when adventurer Marco Polo brought back Persian rugs from Iraq and exotic spices from the West Indies.
Americans spend more money on Christmas gifts each year than the rest of the world spends on food.
SHALOM! Menorah means "the festival of lights" in Jewish. Every year
Orthodox Jews gather to eat, drink, and celebrate the liberation of the Jewish ghetto in Prague by the Golem. Hanukah, or Chanukah, or Shannukah, is the third-highest religious holiday of the year after Ross Hashanana and the Jewish New Year, which is also the Lunar or Chinese New Year.
Kwanzaa is also a holiday of some note.
A MAJOR ACTOR: If a recent survey is to be believed, 53% of Americans prefer Brian Dennehy in the role of Santa Claus, even though he has never played it in a movie or TV show.
There is no such animal as a "reindeer."
Astrological signs
Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21 Capricorn: December 22 -
January 19
December Birthstones: Blue Topaz or Turquoise (modern)
Zircon, Turquoise, or Lapis Lazuli (traditional
Flower: Narcissus
The Narcissus stands for self-love. (Narciss(a)us? Self love? Hmmmm�.)
By:Kamron
Hello as everyone should know its all most a new year and well I guess its about time you start getting ready for it. So the things I want to get done for next year are:
1.Pass grade 9 (Some are muggle life)
2.Make sure Hufflepuff wins one of the cups
3.Help out all my mentees
4.Make some new shops
5.Become prefect for next term
6.Join some new clubs
7.Make some clubs
8.Win a post a thon
9.Have fun.
10.Try my best at everything i do.
By Ava Black
I, Ava Black have a confession! I don't know that many students outside of Penshire and Prefects. So I am making a vow to meet some new people in the coming year! I am not sure how I will go about making this happen but don't be too surprised if you I happen to approach you in the hall. I believe that we should all reach out and make friends with someone new in the coming year. I hope to unite the houses more by having more friends. If you would like to do the same, GO FOR IT!! The more the merrier!!
By Voldie Schmitt
2nd - Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas)
4th - Gemma Jones (Madam Pomfrey)
5th - Walt Disney (I know, not HP, but...)
6th � Hagrid
12th - Charlie Weasley
22nd - Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort)
24th - Shirley Henderson (Moaning Myrtle)
28th - Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall)
By Shalamar Magoo
That�s right folks. A big secret is about to be let out tonight. And why you may ask? Because frankly, keeping this secret hidden has become an almighty burden which I wish to shed. Under the guidance of a certain charming, always smiling Head of House, I have finally rummaged up the courage to tell you all. To make you understand this secret I must give you some background information.
It all started back in my first year where I was mentored by none other than our Head Girl, Ava Black. Not only was I mentored by her, she also offered me a place to stay. A nice sturdy four poster bed close to hers. It was then that the infatuation began. I saw pictures of him everywhere, homework assignments scribbled with red marker were on her bed side locker, love hearts scribbled in next to them by her hand. When questioned about this infatuation, I was greeted with sudden red crimson cheeks and a �mind-your-own-business� look.
So, delving a little deeper into this I began to discover she wasn�t the only person in the castle that felt this way. Was it a love potion gone wrong? I don�t think so. I also discovered it seemed a few
Professor�s had a soft spot for him as well. I couldn�t understand why for the life of me. After all, he had scared me quite a bit at the start - I even saw a fellow first year cry. But that wasn�t to last long. Soon, I was getting A�s in my class and some respect from him. I found myself not caring that everyone else fancied him because soon enough I fancied him. I couldn�t believe it. One day, daydreaming in his class (which I would have been murdered if I hadn�t stopped promptly) I found myself drawing love hearts. Similar to those that Ava had drawn previously.
Horrified , I took to my room after my lessons and tried to figure it out. Did I have a crush on a teacher? It seemed so. Now what was I to do? Follow him around haplessly? Take all his little notes on my assignments to heart? Quite frankly - Yes. Not that I wanted to of course.
Which made me wonder once more, was it a love potion? Or did I actually have a crush? Well, a year on and I still feel the same. I find his self billowing cape enchanting to be honest, his crude sense of humour intrigues me.
Trying to hide my feelings didn�t help much. Instead I found myself applying for Prefect. Being Prefect meant we would get to work closely together, I�d even get to bump into him in the lounge. I hear some of you calling me a loony and even more thinking �I wish I had thought of that.� I even went as far as taking Summer Potions Class with Ava of course. One thing I can say about it is that it�s a good study incentive. I found myself wanting to progress in his class, getting A�s etc. But soon I realized it would come to nothing, he wasn�t exactly the type of teacher to partner up with anyone was he? He didn�t even seem to favor a Professor, never mind a student. So I decided to stop my infatuation and resolve to admire his teaching skills instead. Although, on a rare occasion when I find myself daydreaming, I still end up doodling love hearts.
So there you have it Hogwarts, I Shalamar Magoo am secretly in love with our Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape.
Oh, and if Sephiroth happens to read this - I�m sorry! The truth had to come out. Thank you Professor Lockhart for showing me that honesty is best.
By Mortimer Brewster
The Ministry of Magic was Kind enough to let my home be put on the Floo
Network, so I could get home easier for Christmas, and then back to school again. Lucky for me, Professor Ripley was allowed to teach me how to use it first, here at school. I over shot her Floo, and she had to come looking for me. I ended up in the dungeon and let me tell you, Professor Snape wasn't happy about it, because I fell unceremoniously out of the fire place right in the middle of his fifth year class. If it had not been for Professor Ripley intervening, I'm sure I would have been a lot worse off than just getting a detention of cleaning every one in the classes� tables and things.
My mother, all though she knew to watch for me in our fire place, screamed when I came through. She thought I was going to go up in flames and I bumped my head on the mantle. My dad, on the other hand wanted to try it, but I only had enough to get back to school after Christmas and I wasn't sure Muggles could use it anyway. When i came back to school I was a little better at using it. The MOM took our house off the network, I think they found out that my dad wanted to use some and was afraid I would send him some.
By Kitty Kitona and Ryana Cartenich
Oh Noes! We have a Slytherin planning or plotting, better way of putting it, to take over Hogwarts�and then the world. She has a total of 28 people, who have been named by what she calls herself: NICKNAMINATOR! Seriously, people need to look out! She admittedly calls herself, the �Resident Slytherin Nut Job�!?! What�s up with that? She wants to be known as a nut job??? Oh well whatever happens in the near future, could result in problems. This effects people in every house!
So far Kiley hasn�t thought of a name for PAD, but just wait, eventually it just may happen! So it seems that once Kiley has named everyone at Hogwarts, she will bring more here. Will that include muggles?
Professor Snape and Professor Hyde, watch out! You two may have trouble lurking around every corner. Kiley favors you two the most, which has trouble written all over it!
Kiley loves her house so much, that she doesn�t count any of the other houses, well� real houses. Here�s the funny thing, she says that, and then she says that ��Sharing is caring.� Meaning she will torture ANYONE! So all you people look out!
�If everything works out according to plan, Slytherins will be the ultimate rulers of the world, and I, as the Queen of Slytherin, will make all the important decisions.� Says Kiley. Oh my! Everyone, she admits it.
Kiley has said that she wants a fan club! �I would never make one for myself. Who do you think I am...Junkette? I'm not that narcissistic. But I would love if someone else made one.�
Well there ya have it. She�s a real Slytherin, planning to take over the world. I recommend hiding� if she allows you to hide. This may be one of the �You can run, but you can�t hide� situations!
By Shalamar Magoo
The other day, while passing the Room of Requirement I spotted a few students heading in while holding framed pictures of Prof Takari. Not that that was strange or anything, I soon became curious. What were they doing with his picture and in the ROR?
Upon further enquiry I came to realize, the club was a fan club! A fan club for a Hogwarts Professor. I found the sentiment funny yet appealing. I couldn�t imagine how Professor Takari must have felt, a whole fan club dedicated to just him? Even Professor Lockhart hasn�t reached that standard yet, maybe he just doesn�t have the X Factor (Ed - Or we keep it secret!! Hence, secret club!).
The club consists of 8 or more members, their daily activities include writing things for/about Prof Takari, talking about him, eating pocky� To be honest, the list is endless and frivolous. I decided not to join the club however as my comrade in crime Sephiroth disapproved, much to my dismay. And Bryony, who is now my conscience.
In short the club seems like fun, full of bubbly excited fan girls. People with low tolerance of bubbly people should steer clear in my opinion, but who am I to talk?
By MoD
Well, you probably know the Slytherin student Napoleon Bonaparte, another victim of Kiley Blaire�though I seem to remember that he himself asked his housemate for a nickname. Well, I hope you learned your lesson, Leo. However, I met him during the Christmas Holidays and as he seemed to be a really nice guy and because he wanted to know who I am, I asked him for an interview. Mainly to distract him from finding out my true identity.
Originally living in France , he told me about his 'every summer's trip' to the Mona Lisa, located at the Louvre Museum at Paris. I became jealous about this, because being an art-lover myself, I always dreamed about visiting the popular museum, and taking a glimpse on the painting, Leo told me about: The Mona Lisa. Napoleon mentioned that Da Vinci had outworked himself.
MoD: How do you like Hogwarts?
Napoleon: Well Hogwarts is amazing. I love it very much and made many friends. Besides that my magic ability has increased even though I've only been here for 2 months (turned 2 months on Christmas).
MoD: Oh, that's good to hear. It's great to know that your magical skills already increased. PAD will be delighted to hear this. Well, would you tell me a bit about your Head of House? Like do you like him or do you think he's too strict at times?
Leo: Snape is the Best! He is very kind to all Slytherins and everyone else. He gave me a warm welcome when I came to PADs. That's Professor for you, though I don't know him privately. But what I can say is that he looks mean and strict on the outside but he is kind, intelligent and the best HOH on the inside.
MoD: I can imagine that�and I am happy to hear that he's not quite as strict as some students around here would think. Though that could be caused by the Love Potion I suspect him to brew for the students around here. Never mind. So, what are your favourite classes? Do you even have favourite classes that are not held by Professor Snape?
Leo: Oh, my favourite classes are Arithmancy, Charms, Potions, Irish Folklore and another, which currently slipped my mind.
MoD: Never mind, Leo. *laughs* I'm glad to hear that you appreciate some other classes than the ones from Professor Snape. Hm, what do you think, which house would you be in if you weren't in Slytherin?
Leo: I would choose Penshire.
After I find myself a little surprised, I ask him how come he'd be a Penshire. He answered that he's made a lot of friends there and he absolutely loves Professor Ripley since he has a fascination in Arithmancy and Divination which she teaches. And finally because everyone there is great. I think Professor Ripley will be delighted to read this, too.
To recover from this shock, I went on asking about the upcoming elections for the House Representatives for the Student Council.
MoD: Did you sign up as House Representative?
Leo: Yes, I did, but I shouldn't have done so, as I think I need more experience. But I did anyway as I wanted it because I really wanted to represent Slytherin. When I joined it, I wanted to be part of it. I found out that the school has elections every year. So I waited and then I found out they were having re-elections so I signed up.
MoD: Wow, that's nice to hear. I think you'd be a great chose for the job. You have my vote already. So, what do you want to become when you are done with Hogwarts?
Leo: I would like to be either an Auror, or a Healer, or a Professor.
I found this nice to hear, and went on asking him about the possible classes he would teach, however found myself being shocked again when I learned that he would either teach Arithmancy, Divination, or Charms, or even Care of Magical Creatures. I wasn't exactly shocked by his selected classes, but about the fact that we wouldn't have the pleasure of being taught by Professor Ripley anymore. Or Professor Dickinson�or any of the other teachers. But I'm sure that he would be an excellent Professor no matter which classes we would find him to teach.
After soaking in all the information, I wanted to end this interview by asking my final question.
MoD: Ok, Leo�these are amazing news. And I'm sure our readers will love you after this. For now, any last comments about you? What should we know about you that you didn't already tell me or anything else?
Leo: I already told you everything about me. Oh, apart from my current Clubs: I am a Drama Club and a Band Member, and at the Dueling Club.
I got to know Napoleon as a hard working student, since I found myself being asked about the copy of 'Magical Creatures and Where to Find Them'. A bit disappointed that I couldn't help him, he went to ask Professor Lockhart. However, he was surprised about the fact, that Lockhart seemed to be connected to Flourish & Blotts�which occurred sweet, since our dear Professor made an advertisement just a few days ago on the BB, and I know for certain that dear Leo is around the BB nearly every day. And, which he proudly told me, he already was 'Today's Top Poster' on the Board 5 times�or six? Well, several times already. And he was most charming by informing me about the reactions he gets since he changed his appearance on the BB. I was told that the girls would call him fancy. In the position of being the school's 'gossiper', I already noticed a certain 'fanciness' associated with him. However, I would like to thank Napoleon for being so kind as to not figure out about MoD, and for the time he dedicated to me. Keep going, Leo!
~ Two new contests are coming your way in December - one Monthly & one IHC! Be sure to enter for a chance to win your house some extra points!
~ Want to hook up with your Hogwarts friends in a live chat environment? Well, now you can! Schedule time to meet in your house chat rooms or, if your friends are in different houses, the Great Hall chat can accommodate all! What are you waiting for? Go mingle!!
~ Need an e-mail account for your Hogwarts character but don't have a lot of cash? Then open a FREE PAD's E-Owl account today! Details can be found on the BB.