Greetings from your intrepid Ravenclaw cub reporter, Primrose Fiddlefern! I was assigned to interview this year’s Prefects, and it was a lot of fun! They are:
- Oleander Averizia De Luca Mortiferum 7th Year
- Imogen Paige 6th Year
- Riven Redwhisper 6th Year
- Alison Bailes 6th Year
I asked each of them the same 7 questions and discovered that in spite of some obvious differences, they are a lot alike. Ravenclaws, yeah?
- Do you think the sorting hat put you into the right house?
Oleander: “Yeah when I was younger I think I thought I was in the wrong house! Now that years have gone on I find myself more of a Ravenclaw then I want to admit. I’m a little odd bird but I think all and all I am where I am supposed to be.”
Imogen: “I think it just took me a while to realize it but, I think so? Part of being a Ravenclaw isn’t always about being the smartest one or the one with the quickest wit. It’s about being you, and embracing who you are with all of the creativity and wits and wisdom that you have but also embracing all of those things that others pour into you.”
Riven: “yeah, well… despite folks ’round here saying I’m more lion than eagle, I reckon that hat sorted me right. Took me ages to figure that out, honest. Spent the first… dunno, damn near a year or feeling I didn’t belong and convinced the hat got it wrong.”
Alison: “Wow. I admit I don’t think I’ve questioned it even once until now. My mother and aunt were both in Gryffindor so I thought that’s where I’d be but I was glad when I got Ravenclaw. I love learning so I’m a bit ‘stereotypical’ in that sense. Before I was sorted I was sure Gryffindor wouldn’t be a good fit for me. I’m not exactly the bravest person, if you know what I mean. Though now, I admit, I wouldn’t have minded being able to spend more time with Jamie… but I’d miss Riven and the other sixth year girls.”
(Note from the writer: Wow, and I thought I was the only one who worried that they got sorted into the wrong house!)
- What is your favourite thing to do in your free time?
Oleander: “A lot of free time is spent learning, or boosting what I know! If not that then playing music or taking naps. Nothing better. I love flying and seeing how far I can get. It’s the closest thing to freedom, pure freedom. I first started for the team but I really think I love flying for fun. Even if playing quidditch is the better way to learn to fly. Like some things you have to learn are workable in everyday flying situations.”
Imogen: “Read? Um, play music. Go for long walks outside to allow my mind to wander for a little bit.”
Riven: “/No/, not bloody napping but… it’s nice sometimes innit? It’s flying, mate. Nothing better than the wind in your hair and the world flying past you in a blur.”
Alison: “It’s such a stereotype, I know, but I love reading. I’m almost always buried away somewhere in the library. I like learning things. Though lately I do spend more time away from the library to brew potions, practice spells or work on artificing, AKA All forms of learning.”
(Note from the writer: I’m pretty sure that neither Oleander nor Riven would’ve included napping in their answers if they didn’t know that this was going to be published. Just my opinion.)
- Do you enjoy disciplining errant students?
Oleander: “No. I do not enjoy making people feel bad. That being said, I think if people are going to be bold and break rules, they should be judged with consequences. I will NEVER give discipline or directive without good intentions. Truthfully I see a lot of greatness in the students, even the ones struggling. I like to think that attitude makes it easier for both. Oh…and my detentions have been said to be either torture or enlightening.”
Imogen: “Yes, but no? Like it can be fun coming up with creative punishments, but at the same time, it’s hard cause sometimes you have to punish people and you don’t agree with having to punish them.”
Riven: “Nah! Well… maybe a little but only the little shits who deserve it.”
Alison: “E-Enjoy?? Not even a little. That’s probably why I didn’t get Prefect sooner…maybe.” “That’s not why I wanted to be a prefect.”
(Note from the writer: There was a lot of choking and sputtering around this question for some reason.)
- Do you believe that Hogwarts is safe?
Oleander: “I’m probably not the best person to ask that. Anyways I don’t think the school’s unsafe, I think people just take stupid risks. Like everybody knows a dragon can kill you but some of these kids are wanting to hug them. Who’s fault is that, the school or the person? Safety isn’t the duty of JUST the school and staff, it’s got a lot involved with students and others alike. Imagine how safe the world would be if we all did our part to make it that way.”
Imogen: “I think it is safe enough, considering all the events that are happening in the world around us.”
Riven: “Anyone who tells you Hogwarts is ‘safe’ is either a fool or intends you harm and is trying to make you lower your guard. By the time I was your age I’d seen someone die and no fewer than two unforgivables in these very walls. I’ve seen limbs dismembered, been cursed countless times, and faced any number of wild and dangerous beasts. No, Hogwarts is /far/ from safe.”
Alison: “Um…Hah. That’s…I’m probably not a good person to ask that…haha. When I was a first year I would’ve said no. I was scared of my own shadow back then and the magical world seemed so full of danger. Second year I would’ve said it was safe, until it wasn’t.” She dropped her eyes to look at the bracelet on her wrist for a moment of silence. “At this point… I don’t really think anywhere is completely safe but, I believe Hogwarts is the safest place. A lot of magic and people are in this place to keep everyone as safe as possible, including prefects.”
(Writer’s note: Every single person I asked this question turned white as a sheet. I’m firmly with Riven on this one.)
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
Oleander: “Well my Dad doesn’t even know what he’s doing in his life, guy’s like ancient. I don’t believe anybody knows that unless it’s that rare case where you feel it in your bones. I’ve not really had anything like that happen…I would just like to have money to travel, great company and a lifetime full of memories and knowledge!”
Imogen: “Right now? Maybe a curse breaker or maybe even work in the ministry as either an accidental magic fixer or in transportation.”
Riven: “Well uh… I always wanted to be a performer when I was little. Join the circus like my Nan er… told me she did.” Shrugging, she continued, “had it all lined up, see. I was gonna do ‘magic tricks’, you know, the muggle kind with pulling rabbits out of hats ‘n junk but I was gonna do my magic act WHILE doing acrobatics ‘n all that. Trapeze ‘n that sort of thing, well, that was little kid me. Stuff’s changed since then, yeah? These days my priorities are… a little different.” With a little smile, she added a rather confident and sure sounding, “going to be an Auror after I graduate.”
Alison: “A professor, probably. Maybe Charms or Magical Theory or… Headmistress of Hogwarts? My father hopes I’ll be a healer. He’s a surgeon. A muggle healer.”
(Writer’s Note: Lots of great ideas here. Wouldn’t Alison be a great HM? I will always imagine Riven upside down on a trapeze now, however.)
- What do you think of our new Rockstar HOH?
Oleander: “I think she’s interesting and reminds me of Professor Mason. Which is really crazy we got stuck with two musicians! I am really excited to see how the new head does. So far she’s very to the point, seems nice…and her style is amazing. I do not know how she worked that Hat at the ceremony but it Slayed hunny.”
Imogen: “Honestly, I think she’ll be amazing for the house. Everyone seems to be pumped right now and it’s almost contagious.”
Riven: “Dunno yet. Haven’t really talked to her much but seems alright. That being said, I don’t trust easily, especially staff ’round here, yeah? We’ll see if she earns my trust and respect like Mason… eventually did.”
Alison: “I swear! I really do think she’s great but oh my goodness! If Ashley and Imogen don’t stop gushing about her / every / – / single / – / day / I might just have to become a Gryffindor after all!”
(Writer’s note: Lots of laughs accompanied these responses. Let’s hope our new HOH stays around a long while!)
7: What advice can you offer to the new students this year?
Oleander: “Uh, honestly be bold, be brave, and be good to each other. It’s 7 years of the same people so you better learn to accept differences. If you spend too much time judging people here you will be really lonely. Do the work and if you dont…don’t complain. Mistakes are made so people learn to do better and if people can’t do that here in 7 years what can you expect to accomplish after? Lastly! Don’t worry about what other students think about you because most of them hate theirself too. See there is a relatable issue in life …we all suck.”
Imogen: “Enjoy school. Make new friends and don’t be afraid to try new things but also be cautious. Not everything at Hogwarts is as it appears.”
Riven: “Dunno, just the whole ‘keep your wands ready, practice your defensive spells, and keep your eyes open’ I reckon. Oh, also stick together and all that!” Chuckling, she added, “My experience is that firsties don’t listen to advice anyhow.”
Alison: “Meet and talk to /everyone/. You never know where you’ll find your best friends, mentors, role models and people who will help you better understand yourself, even if sometimes it can hurt. Even then, the reward outweighs the risk.”
(Writer’s Note: I think that’s a whole lot of important advice right there, and I sure hope people listen!)
Well, I hope that you all enjoyed getting to know the Ravenclaw Prefects as much as I enjoyed getting to know them better. Signing off for now, Primrose Fiddlefern, lucky Ravenclaw.
