#vh31

[theburrowtimes]

Love According to First Years

Welcome back love bugs! It’s lovely to be back, term two has arrived and with that comes more love articles by yours truly! What did you do over the Christmas break? Did you kiss that boy or girl you liked? Did you admit your feelings for someone!? Well, I hope you did because you deserve love! Everyone does. So, this month I decided to interview a few first year students around Hogwarts to see what they thought of love and what it means to them. The results were rather unexpected, I have to say. Kestrel Wayland: First Year, Slytherin, Angry Person Dorothy: Hello Kestrel. Sorry to bother you at breakfast but I was wondering, what do you think love is? Kestrel: Love is something someone uses to manipulate you. Love isn't anything but something you think you feel, and feelings are unreliable anyways. What kind of question is this? Love is nonexistent, you can just say it to get someone to do something for you. Dorothy: Oh. Okay, um, so do you think love is more important than money? Kestrel: No. What kind of idiot would pick love over money? Besides, if you're that desperate enough to be loved, you can use money to pay someone to pretend to like you. You can hire friends right? I'd rather have more money than love. The thought of love makes me want to vomit. Dorothy: Wow okay. Well, thanks for talking to me! Ansel Eddleston: First Year, Hufflepuff, Fluffy Dorothy: Hi Ansel! Thanks for sitting down with me. Okay, so what do you think love is? Ansel: Oh! Um, jumping right in there eh? Love is that feeling when you put on a new sweater with that new clothes smell straight from the shop. Also I guess if we are talking in the person to person sense, laughing with someone you can't imagine life without. Like your best friend. Dorothy: That’s perfect, Ansel! So, so true! I knew I could count on you for some lovely answers. Okay my next question: is love more important than money? Ansel: Yes, I suppose. Although money is nice. Money AND love is even better. But yes, if I had to choose it would probably be love. Dorothy: Good answer. Thanks Ansel! Ekaterina Valentine: First Year, Hufflepuff, A Believer Dorothy: Hi Kat! How are you? Okay, so first things first. What do you think love is? Ekaterina: Hi Dottie, I’m good. Love is light and warmth no matter what else is happening. Dorothy: Awwww, that’s so sweet. I love that answer, so true. Okay, so do you think love is more important than money? Ekaterina: Yes. Dorothy: Me too, Kat, me too. Thanks for letting me interview you! So there we have it! I think the general consensus is that love ROCKS. Who knew!? Dorothy Talbot Love Guru Columnist | VH31

[theburrowtimes]

Staff Needs Help!

Brownie points earning opportunity! Hey Hey Hufflepuffs – time to get your helpful gloves on. A few of the Hogwarts staff need your help and they are willing to part with small presents (ooc: a shop item) for your assistance. Professor Borage (end) – He needs help to clean the *cough*cursed*cough* objects in his office. Your safety is not guaranteed. Location: Ancient Runes Offices Professor Grimsby (start) – He needs someone to sort out the costumes (Whitacker’s) from the hats (Porcher’s) in the office. You may keep the costumes if you want.   Professor Qin (end)– She needs someone to repaint the CoMc creatures barn red. A special paint needs to be used so that the colour doesn’t come off (again!) This paint cannot be used with magic. Beware of the creatures and poo. Location: Lawn Professor Rhodes (end) – She needs someone to clean and repair a hundred (I am not joking) crystal balls, mirrors and scrying things. Fortunately for you, magic can be used. Location: Office Madam Carter (Unique. PM Madam Carter for more details; open to many huffs) – Madam Carter appears to be missing some books! Let’s live up to our names and be good finders yes? All chores are open to one Hufflepuff unless specified otherwise. Please contact the professor if you are interested in taking up the chore! To earn the present, you gotta do a good job! (ooc: Please PM the professor if you are interested in taking up the job. To complete the job [aside from Madam Carter’s], all you have to do is to complete three 100 word count posts one after another. After that, you will earn a shop prize. The ‘end/start’ implies whether the professor is ending the thread OR starting it. They are only obligated to post once!)

Desmond Tonks Advertisement Columnist | VH31

[theeagereagle]

Ravenclaw Boys <3 Gryffindor Girls

Is it me or is there a number of Lion girls taking the attention of Eagle boys?? One Lioness in particular seems to be drawing in a number of first year Eaglets to her den!! This one in particular has been seen taking the time of our young eagles and taking them away from their study!!!

Although no sign of love potions or charms on said Ravenclaw boys has come to light, it does seem these young Lionesses are picking up a lot of the boys from the house!!! Even the young eaglets have noticed and speaking as one who knows the draw is very powerful but not with our knowing!!

But the case does not just stop with one Miss, a couple of Duelling madam's in the same house have taken it upon them selves to draw in and spit out the bones of their victims!!! I can say they doesn't let you even get into a rhythm during your duel, a few spells pass and your off your feet in no time!!!

Thankfully my own attentions do not stop with the Lionesses, I happen to be more of a battle for their attentions as I spend more time with a much less overpowering lady from the badgers, whom I would like to say very kindly took me in over the Holiday period as I would of been on my own!!!

[theeagereagle]

Riddles from the Knocker!

The first riddle this third year noticed (sleep elsewhere, save the headache) was a true classic: "What came first, the phoenix or the flame?" Although most of our house members were able to either circumnavigate the riddle with clever logic or figure out the traditional answer, some students, being less familiar to magical creatures, became quite perturbed at the question.  

"What do you mean flame and phoenixes?!?! DID YOU LIGHT A BIRD ON FIRE? THAT'S SO CRUEL. YOU CAN'T DO THAT! THAT BIRD DESERVES TO LIVE."- Iseult Pryce ... 2nd year? How does a second year not know about phoenixes?!

Do your homework, kids.

Next, of course, came: "What is so delicate that saying its name breaks it?" Hands down, the first and best answer to this riddle was: "Ripley's pride,"- Tobias Winchester. Clever ickle. He can stay. If he lives through the next riddle...

There were also some traditional answers that served as successful entries.

"What weighs more, a pound of bezoars or a pound of jobberknoll feathers?"

Once again, most students... well, failed, actually. This one was apparently trickier than the others. Trickier still is having the wisdom to avoid the anger and frustration caused by wrong answers.

FIRST YEARS: Do not comment on the failings of your hot-headed elders unless you have a death wish. Seriously Toby. Gwen

[theburrowtimes]

Tournament for days

It's that time of year again. Everyone loves the dueling tournament. It's Hogwart's favorite pastime. And thankfully there seem to be Hufflepuffs in every tier. So let's go into some of the fan favorites and all of the Huffepuffs in the tiers.. Let's start in Novice tier. We have Sovren Nyx, Rosie Roux, Ekaterina Valentin, and Orpheus Midnight. Kat actually destroyed Orpheus in the first duel. It was rather amusing. I hate that I might have to cheer for Sovren, so instead I'm rooting for the underdog, Dorothy Talbot.

For the Beginner tier: Livia Bagshot, Navi Wilkes, and Mercutio Bates are all doing well. Sadly Navi was beaten by Narcissus but I do hope that she wins in the B tier. Mostly I'm rooting for Mercutio... sure, he's my roommate but he's also a super awesome dueler. Intermediate tier is where I am along with a couple of other people. Me and Sophie Downes. Not to toot my own horn, but I did defeat her. I am hoping that she'll power through the B bracket and I'll power through the A bracket. It's my dream to face off against Sophie for the final duel. Advance tier also has only two Hufflepuffs. Leonid Stanislaus and Heather Holmes are some of the best duelers Hogwarts has ever had. In fact, they're both amazing outside of the dueling chamber as well. Neither of them have lost any of their duels so far. Still, sorry Heather. I have to root for Leo.

Kimber Yates Sports Columnist | VH31

[theburrowtimes]

Horoscopes: Guidance for the Future

ARIES March 21 - April 19 Bad luck isn’t just limited to Friday the thirteenth anymore. Mars must have something against you, since its movements are going to make things a little harder for the next week. Don’t dismiss superstitions, and invest in a few four-leafed clovers and other good luck charms. Lie low, and be careful not to get stuck in any of those trip steps. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 A new person will enter your life soon. I can’t tell you who they are, or what they’ll be to you, but know this: there are few people who will be as important to you as this person. They might be a friend, a foe, your soul mate or your worst nemesis. You would do well to make a friend instead of an enemy, and to recognize the role they will play in helping you forge your own path. GEMINI May 21 - June 21 The stars are smiling down on you, and they might just make you one of them! With the tournament and the next Quidditch games approaching, the odds are in your favor as long as you keep up the good work. Luck will only get you so far on the road to victory, so remember that you have to put in your best efforts. Your hard work will pay off. CANCER June 22 - July 22 No matter how well you keep track of everything, something will go missing eventually. Instead of beating yourself up over it, try to view it as an opportunity. Sometimes, even though you feel like you have to go out of your way to search for something lost, you need to go with the flow and wait for it to come back to you. You’ll find what’s missing, and you’ll find more than that. You’ll find something you didn’t even know you were missing. LEO July 23 - August 22 What are you doing? Why are you reading this? You should be studying! Few things are more important than your success and well-being, and if you’re not careful, you might just jeopardize this year’s marks. Head straight to the library and study like you mean it, since your exams and classes will soon catch up to you. VIRGO August 23 - September 22 Creativity is flowing! Write your significant other a dozen sappy sonnets, draw your parents a family portrait, or start inventing your own potion. They say lightning never strikes the same place twice, but inspiration definitely does. Use it to your advantage, and maybe stop procrastinating on your essays now that words are finally on your side. LIBRA September 23 - October 23 If you’re reading these horoscopes, then you’re the kind of person who seeks advice from all sorts of places and people. It’s wise to seek guidance, but for now it’s best for you to think twice about following someone else’s counsel. Learn to trust yourself, instead of relying on someone else’s suggestions. You can listen and reflect on what others have offered, but don’t be afraid to think for yourself. SCORPIO October 24 - November 22 Your magical abilities are augmented by the movement of the planets, but it’s not exactly an opportune time for you to start trying every spell you daydream about. Instead, it’s the time to exercise control. Be careful when practicing new spells or dueling. Your spells might not backfire, but if they do, the effects will be exacerbated by the cosmos’ influence. SAGITTARIUS November 23 - December 21 It’s always good to look towards the future, but it’s also important to look to the past. Nuggets of wisdom are buried in your memories and experiences, but some things won’t be clear at first. Listen to them, use them, because your past shapes who you are. It will help guide you when you make life-changing decisions about your future. CAPRICORN December 22 - January 19 Change can be good and bad, and it usually can’t be avoided. That being said, take caution and try not to make too many changes of your own just yet. Saturn’s already messing with your stability, and any life-altering decisions will make the situation worse. You only have control over so many variables, and it would be good to be sure that nothing else suddenly rebels against you. AQUARIUS January 20 - February 18 A little self-improvement goes a long way, and the timing has never been more perfect. You have hidden talents, skills that you can only discover after trying something new. It’s time for you to get to know yourself better, to work towards being the best you that you possibly can be. Before you know it, you’ll have a new act to break out for talent competitions, and the bragging rights that go along with it. PISCES February 19 - March 20 You’re bursting with spirit, even if you didn’t know it! You can bring joy to your friends and housemates, lifting their spirits and raising morale. Above all, though, remember that you can be happy if you look within. Don’t forget about yourself and your own needs while trying to help others.

Livia Bagshot Horoscope Columnist | VH31

[theburrowtimes]

The ethics of candies

In this delicious world, made of so many edible things, we are so fortunate to be stocked with a variety of candies.  From your Huff'N'Puffs, to your Karaoke Licorices, our Prefects (and probably Honeydukes) are stocked to the brim with everything needed to have a great life.  But in the midst of our cauldron cake-filled days, where do we really draw the line?  When is it okay to set our jelly slug friends free, or watch our cockroach cluster friends play on fizzing whizzbees?  And while I'm all for eating delicious candy, when is it no longer cool?  To put it simply, at what point does candy stop being candy? For those of you that are thinking I've gone bonkers, I have two words for you:  Jelly Babies. Ladies and gentlepuffs, I do not wish to alarm you, but we have in our presence people that like to eat jelly babies.  BABIES.  If they're anything like jelly slugs, I must implore you all to resist the temptations of turning into cannibals, for jelly babies are evil, pure evil.  They're jelly, and made from babies, which is just not okay.  One has to wonder, what would the jelly mummies say about this?  In fact, where are their mummies?   I, for one, do not believe it's fair that we're eating someone's baby.  I intend to find the shop that sells this so I may politely protest on the behalf of our jelly friends, and I implore you all to do the same.  My fellow badgers, we must unite to fight this injustice.  

Sophie Downes Food Columnist  | VH31 

[theburrowtimes]

The Events of the Puffs

#late #allthepuffstuff #werocksoxoff Hogwarts has certainly been hopping in the Hufflepuff halls lately. Events such as Musical Chairs and the Diwali & Guy Fawkes Festival at the lake have had everyone a twitter this term! I for one am super proud of the ickles that dominated the Musical Chairs event. Ekaterina Valentin and Brian Naaktgeboren were clearly on top of their game in a way that the officiating prefects were not. Chair fights and cookie riots left many disqualified and even more devastated. Clearly, our Hufflepuffs do not do well without a strong supply of sugar and chocolatey goodness. Special thanks to Nurse!Heather and Ringleader!Savannah for their unwavering dedication to crazy events. Special shout out to Brian Naaktgeboren because this reporter is definitely not biased. Yay Brian! In other news, it appears all the houses turned out for the Diwali & Guy Fawkes celebration with many a firework, many a burned object, and many happily filled tummies thanks to the this year’s team of prefects. <insert thunderous applause> While festivities were booming, it was as clear as the firework-filled skies that Hogwarts student needed a break. It was also pretty clear that students thoroughly enjoy burning old homework. Axel Flint was seen twiddling with the combination of fire and explosives while Maisie St. Elm was trying to pull a Dorothy Gale. Thankfully there were no tornadoes or exploding bonfires. The action-packed evening was definitely one to remember, and one that (in my opinion) should return next year! (and not just because I missed the whole thing -.-) In most recent developments, our very own Savannah Chancellor has opened the Pandora’s Box of Carols in the Great Hall. Check it out and join the festivities! Navi Wilkes VH31 ll Events