by Lynessa O’Connor
With the Hogsmeade weekend quickly approaching, we seem to have some visitors that have arrived in town. Le Cirque de Sorcières is back to grace the citizens of Hogsmeade and the students of Hogwarts with their feats of acrobatic intrigue. I had the pleasure of meeting with Madame Francine Godard, one of the owners of the venue, who welcomed us into her home and graced me with a one on one interview. (Well kinda, as this unicorn needed an escort! Thank you, Professor Dracheblume!) I was granted the opportunity to ask a few questions for some insight to the life of an entertainer.
After this little unicorn was helped into her seat, which by the way was suspended just as most items in the caravan were, I settled in to get the real juicy stuff. I first asked Madame Francine what does the Le Cirque de Sorcières entail; well for those of us who have not been fortunate to experience the Le Cirque de Sorcières before? She graced me with a reply of what was performed last time they were in town and implied that there would be a few special surprises this time around as well as fortune telling, rides, and of course other activities to boot! At this point I could barely contain my glittery excitement and was sitting on the edge of my seat.
With my horn on point I continued by asking the questions we all want to know, including ‘what do you find to be the hardest part about being always on the move? Or is it more it’s just what you have become accustomed to over the years?’ Madame Francine was nice enough to explain that over the years they really just kept to their own circle of family within le cirque. Although since their daughter, Sparrow of the house of Hufflepuff (shout out!), was now attending the school they have made their home in Hogsmeade and are keeping close while she is in school. I had also asked what advice she had for students of Hogwarts and Madame Francine replied, “Don’t drop out of your education early, the amount of skill we use here is ever expanding, you need your knowledge and practice practice practice.” and “Find your niche.”
I thought at this point I would try to be sly and sneak in a really juicy question, “Is there anything that has ever happened during a show that has made you go “WHAT?” or has there any been any mishaps?” to which the Madame Francine also could be quoted in saying “Our fortune teller is… a character… you will see what I mean next weekend!” This had made me even more excited and looking forward to the visiting entertainers and what the show was to bring for us in the forms of surprises this coming weekend. Madame Francine also wanted me to remind you all that the entrance to the event is 5 sickles and to come ready for a ton of new surprises. We would like to take a chance to thank the Le Cirque de Sorcières, Madame Francine Godard, and Professor Dracheblume for their support in the interview and we look forward to seeing you all there!