Confessions are something entirely different. Got something you want off your chest? Need to scream it from the Astronomy Tower but can’t? The Owl Post is here to be your metaphorical Astronomy Tower

Confessions, rumours or Questions can be given to our friendly messenger owl that loiters outside The Great Hall, he takes any messages to The Owl Post, just have a few owl nuts handy!

 I don’t think I’m ready.

I have a plan. I really do. But I’m afraid of taking the first step off this cliffs edge.

TIME SLOW DOWN 

I swear, why is there no magical waterproof mascara?? 

I kinda hope the soggy cats are still around next year.

I don’t know how but I swear they cheated to win.

One year I’m gonna find a way to stay in the castle over summer.

(( Oocly you can use Discord to send  Rumours and Confessions for The Owl Post via Picsy! Just open a DM with her, select “commands” and choose either Rumour or Confession! or hit / then enter and pick which one))

Confessions, rumours or Questions can be given to our friendly messenger owl that loiters outside The Great Hall, he takes any messages to The Owl Post, just have a few owl nuts handy!

Rumor has it that there was a fairy hero backstage at the Twilight Garden Tea Party this weekend. 

I heard someone backstage tried to touch the fairy veela without asking first. Lucky for them they didn’t get burned!

it seems the last of realizations are slapping the head girl in the face. Did you see her crying at the start of class?? 

The World Cup is a cover for the Tarrowwood Ninja Training Academy 

I heard that the Huffle Candy Princess and the Fashionisto left the castle cleaning up to the Soup Mistress and the smol Raven whilst they went for a swim in the lake! Rood! 

End of the year feast was something else! Looks like the Matron is not going to be eating for two much longer.

Someone has been way more stressed over exams then a none owl or newt should be.

(( Oocly you can use Discord to send  Rumours and Confessions for The Owl Post via Picsy! Just open a DM with her, select “commands” and choose either Rumour or Confession! or hit / then enter and pick which one. ))

some of you are about to embark on a new step of the journey while others will be doing so next year, and you may be asking yourself where this path will bring you. I am Kilian Koslarević Head of the Beast Division of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures here to tell you about the opportunities within the department. 

Should you be interested in Magical Creatures, Spirits or Beings we have something for you. Situated on the 4th floor of the British Ministry of Magic we work tirelessly to care, protect and conceal magical creatures all through the British Isles. We work closely with Dragon Reserves, Grindylow habitats, Haunted dwellings, Centaurs and of course the Shoeburyness Magical Creature Care. In cooperation with other departments of the Ministry we make sure that the Isles are safe and the creatures are taken care of. 

This does not only involve research and paperwork however. We have gone into the field many times throughout the last years such as providing and caring for Thestrals to transport a Norwegian Ridgeback and her hatchlings from the Forest to a new home, or a meteor that has landed in the Forest to its target to be used for our new currency. We assisted in currently disclosed operations with the DMLE involving handling of an assisting creature, contained a poltergeist who made a place their new home and relocated Ghouls. Throughout the last two years we worked with Professors of Hogwarts to rehome various creatures that had infiltrated the castle and just recently worked with volunteers to collect creatures from Hogsmeade and surrounding villages to find them a new home after they were abandoned by their creators. We also work closely with those afflicted with Lycanthropy to ensure their safety, as well as physical and mental health.

Our work also includes education such as our yearly Patronus Classes at Hogwarts or last year’s lecture and meeting of the most famous Kelpie Nessie during Camp Pinket. 

No matter if your interest lies in Dragons, Ghouls, Centaurs, Goblins, Spirits, Education, Research or Hands on Experience we have a place for you to work in your field but not be limited by it. All subdivisions work together where it is needed to ensure that things go smoothly and all creatures are taken care of efficiently and safely. 

Should this kind of work pique your interest the DRCMC may be just the place for you. If you wish to peek in during a Summer Work Experience as a 6th year or after graduation for an internship you are just as welcome as anyone who wants to join us on a Full time Basis.

Kilian Koslarevic

Head of Beast Division

DRCMC – Ministry of Magic

Then you might be a great fit for Shoeburyness Magical Creature Care.

For a decade Tragen and Ignatious Ashworth have dedicated their life for the rescue and care of Magical Creatures not only in the UK but across the globe. About eight years ago the team was extended to include Anahid Nahimana as a Magizoologist and Keeper who before worked across the globe to learn her trait from the best. Together they hold an accumulated over three decades of hands-on experience and specialized training. 

Since then the team has worked with creatures every day, learned their trauma, found their triggers to know how to avoid them, created their happy places in custom biome habitats at the Shoeburyness reserve; and if possible got them back up on their feet to release them back to the wild. Those creatures who wouldn’t survive in their natural habitat have a permanent home at the reserve. Shoeburyness creature care works closely with the Ministry of Magic nationally and internationally to serve and protect. In addition to that they also educate students and adults alike in creature care and understanding. In addition to the reserve the team opened a clinic in the heart of Godric’s Hollow for magical creature needs, health care studies and little to big magical pet ailments.

Volunteers and Full time workers help with the various demanding and fun tasks across the reserve and clinic and they are always looking for more hands to dig right in. The team is laid back while taking their calling seriously and treats each other like family and there is no better place for a budding Magizoologist to come and get a feel for the Creature life.

I’m Jamie Noel Koslarevic and graduated from Hogwarts last year. Since I’m freshly out in the work force I’m writing today because a whole lot of you are either close to doing that step yourself – crazy how fast 7 years go by innit? – or you are still a year away and are looking for work experience recommendations. 

I didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduation until about half way through my sixth year. If you ask Juliette Moore she can tell you I had a list of dozens of options and where I ended up wasn’t even part of that list. However looking at it from the ‘now’ lense it made sense. 

As a kid before Hogwarts I enjoyed taking apart electronics to find out how they work, during Hogwarts I got really into charms, transfigurations, potions and even more artificing. Mid 6th year we had a surprise visit in Art class of Alice Hawkings from Snitches get Stitches and she demonstrated how Metalcharming works. The moment I saw her work something clicked and I just knew. I did my summer experience at the shoppe and was included in a great project – creating a telescope – and observed her and other metalcharmers work on cauldrons and other smaller projects learning quite a bit. 

Luckily I made a good impression and could join the shop as an apprentice right out of the gate after graduation. I haven’t regretted it a second since. It’s not only repairing cauldrons -which is what you see most of the time when you visit us during Hogsmeade Sundays- clockworks, enchanted items, telescopes, enchanted jewellery pieces and a lot more are part of the daily work. I am learning about blacksmithing, welding, design, even physics and how clockworks do their thing. 

Should you have -like me- a list of things that you want to try out and want to know if the next great invention is possible to be created with the tools of metalcharming, this is also the right place for you to find out! So no matter if you are looking for a spot for work experience or to apprentice after graduation, Snitches get Stitches is a great place to get into metalcharming! And on top of that, you’d get to work with me. What’s not to like? 

Jamie 

Gryffindor V Ravenclaw – 450 – 840

Ah, so here we are, once again, at the end of the road. 

Or at least at the end of the road for the Quidditch Season.

We have seen massive losses, underdog moves, victories that were perhaps not earned sincerely and others that were well deserved. 

But for the most part, we’ve seen great plays and players that gave their everything for a chance at the Cup. 

No major Red or Green Sparks, yes to some excessive bludgering, but minimal players’ time-outs. 

‘All’s well that ends well’. 

For us, it has been a pleasure to take you along the ups and downs of this road that shaped this Quidditch Season. 

As this is our last article for the Owl Post, we bid you farewell with the latest game, the latest Quidditch rumours, and with the promise that perhaps, we’ll see you again in another light. 

But for now, enjoy the last ride of this, our last Quidditch Season. 

-Lumos and Nox. 

GRYFFINDOR TEAM ROSTER FOR THIS GAME: 

1 – Isabella ‘The Menace’ Watson: First Chaser and Captain of the Gryffindor team. A pretty face that hides a fierce confidence that truly seems the backbone of the team. She’s good on her broom, as good as she is shooting her quaffles. Watson could really do with a win, would this be her chance to make her team shine?  

2 – Chase ‘Lionheart’ Ashford: Second Chaser, and new blood for the Gryffindor team this season. This lanky lion definitely has some tricks up his sleeve. His performance has been interesting during the previous matches, hopefully we’ll see him grow in the future.

3 – Rory Bourke: The third Chaser for this roster is Rory Bourke, a last call for the team, in the hopes of a lion win. Captain Watson has certainly been playing around with her players like a puzzle. Perhaps this call will be the correct one, as rumour has it, this chaser knows what he’s doing. 

4 – Oliver ‘Kfir’ Prescott: First Beater and Co-Captain of the team. Do not let his innocent face confuse you. He will beat you up. Repeatedly. Ask the chasers of any other team. With his last game of the season coming up, he probably will add extra beating to the match. 

5 – Timocleia ‘The Welsh Fury’ Gwilym: What can we say about the tiny Welsh girl? Despite her size, she’s a force to reckon with. Rumour has it, she simply enjoys the art of beating. And she’ll beat people up -with bludgers only, allegedly- with a smile on her face. There is no doubt about it; Gwilym levels up on violence with each new match. The joys! 

6 – Edith Wainwright: The Keeper of the team for this game, is the enigmatic Edith Wainwright. Another last call for this roster, we wonder whether it is the correct one. Captain Watson seems confident with this change, even though there is little to nothing we could find about Wainwright’s skills as a keeper. Is she perhaps the secret weapon Gryffindor has been waiting for? 

7 – Horatio Devante: The Seeker for Gryffindor this game, is once again Mr Horatio Devante. Quiet, shy, hiding behind his glasses… One might think he is not made for the game. But just like others, do not let appearances fool you. This is not Mr Devante’s first rodeo -or Snitchodeo? He will seek until the end, and he will capture the snitch. Or at least, that’s what his previous matches have told us.  

RAVENCLAW TEAM ROSTER FOR THIS GAME: 

1 – Fraise ‘Sizzle’ Pemberton: Hogwarts’ very own ‘Flower Girl’ is this year’s Ravenclaw Captain. Currently in her fifth year, she’s also the first Chaser of the team, and will do her best to lead the Eagles into victory. Her enemies better not let her floral sweetness fool them, as she will score without mercy, given the opportunity. Something that clearly worked out with their game against Slytherin. Perhaps she can manage to repeat a flawless victory against Gryffindor as well.

2 – Argyle ‘The Bald Eagle’ Demoray: It is a surprise to us all to see the previous captain of the Ravenclaw team -after maintaining he was retiring for good- back in their roster -indeed, yet again. We all thought he was back only for a game against Slytherin, and yet… He’s up on his broom again. An Old Glory with a dangerous flair to make sure his Quaffle scores. History has proved us he wasn’t as rusty as we thought, and with this being his last game, he surely will try to shine. 

3 – Federico Bentancour: A new face is revealed in the Ravenclaw roster. Little is known about this quiet and yet devilishly good looking Eagle who prefers actions to words. Only that both Captain Pemberton and Argyle Demoray have blind confidence in his chasing skills. Will he be the replacement for Demoray when he finally retires? Rumour has it, as much as Demoray detests Jasper Hawksworth’s luscious locks, he’s all about sharing his haircare routine with Bentancour. Interesting, very interesting. 

4 – Violette “Violent” Twiggs: First beater of the roster, and Vice-Captain of the team, Violette Twiggs seems the type of girl to not let anything to chance. Also in her fifth year, she had previous experience in helping to manage the team, as she held the position last season as well. Prepared for everything, she might even land a bludger before anyone can blink. Rumour has it, she has been really… Close to her co-beater. Are those sparks flying, or simply Bludgers?

5 – Denzel Lament: Quiet tall lad that seems not to have broken a bone in his life. However, he’s a beater. What are the chances the previous statement is… Wrong? Something tells us this is also a player to look out for. In fact, both him and Twiggs really do need to put their bats to good use, as is very well known how violent the Gryffindor Beaters can be. 

6 – Trin ‘Hawk’ Paige: The Keeper of things -well, hoops, in this case- for Ravenclaw is Miss Paige -no, not the Head Girl, the ‘Other’ Miss Paige. Also a veteran of the team, Trin seems to have a special -and ruthless- sixth sense to catch quaffles. Rumour has it that sixth sense has finally paid off and she has finally scored a boy. And yet… Her eyes have been seen wandering towards Bentancour. Will there be drama at her hoops, or only quaffles? 

7 – Alwyn ‘the Welsh Wind’ Gwynther: Yet another rookie Seeker -although a rookie Ravenclaw student, this time- takes over the pursuit of the Golden Snitch this year. The “Welsh Wind” seems to be analytical in every aspect of his life. Will this help him conquer the Snitch? Perhaps big brain moves are already in motion! It certainly seemed to help him the last two matches, when he was able to catch the Snitch. Will he go three for three? 

And with this, folks, we conclude our players’ stalking insight. 

How did the actual game go? 

In what historians are already calling ‘The Hottest Day Since A Certain Half-Bird burned a fresher in the Slytherin Commons’, Ravenclaw defeated Gryffindor 840 – 450 in a Quidditch match that featured enough goals, Bludgers, timeouts, referee interventions, exploding Quaffles, and near death by heatstroke incidents to qualify as three separate sporting events.

Despite Ravenclaw’s commanding victory, the Quidditch Cup ultimately flew North to Hufflepuff, proving once again that life is unfair, Mathematics is cruel, and you can never trust a Badger totally unbiased opinion  -they’re not as friendly as they might seem.

Leading Ravenclaw’s aerial assault was Argyle Demoray, who appeared determined to personally score enough goals to buy himself a professional contract by the end of the afternoon. Joining him were Fraise Pemberton and Federico Bentancour, who collectively treated Gryffindor’s hoops as if they were accepting charitable donations for the school. 

At several points, spectators reported seeing the Gryffindor Keeper Edith Wainwright with a neck brace after the game due to the whiplash she received. An anonymous Slytherin, even mentioned the Keeper looked so lost, that they could swear for a minute she thought she was a beater and began going after the Bludgers. Madness. 

Just speculation of course, you know how ruthless fans are. Especially if they’re not happy with the results.

Ravenclaw’s Seeker Alwyn Gwynther spent most of the match engaged in what can only be described as ‘an emotionally unstable relationship with the Golden Snitch’. 

He loves it, it doesn’t love him back. A tragic story really. 

For a moment, it seemed as if this love story wouldn’t end well, as he almost caught the object of his affection, but just like a sassy lady who doesn’t take no man’s issues… The Golden Snitch disappeared in a blink of an eye. Some even said that, before it vanished into thin air, there was some sort of sound they could only identify as ‘Nuh huh sister’; a clear sign their story was to be continued.

On the Gryffindor Seeking side, things weren’t better. The relationship between Horatio Devante and the Golden Snitch was worse than any Niffler’s obsession with shiny things. He tried, but the Snitch barely looked back at him -at least Gwynther got some reactions out of it.  

Meanwhile the beaters on the other hand -oh, praise Merlin-, those…..creatures spent the entire afternoon proving that diplomacy remains overrated. 

Denzel Lament and Violette Twiggs repeatedly launched Bludgers into anything, walking, crawling, crying or even thinking about crying. 

And yet, it was nothing compared to what Gryffindor’s Oliver Prescott and Timocleia Gwilym could do -and did. 

How can such a tiny girl have so much violence in her? Certainly a case study for future references. 

Whilst Gryffindor’s Beaters enhanced their violence protocol, their Chasers tried their best with Ravenclaw’s dominance on the Quaffle. Captain Isabella Watson was on the case -or the Quaffle- constantly, and both Chase Ashford and Rory Bourke had plays that were good enough to be remembered.

Unfortunately for them, Ravenclaw’s Keeper Trin Paige was only distracted by Bentancour’s good looks 40% of the match, so for most of it, she was defending her hoops with her life. 

With everyone’s nerves on high alert, temperatures rising the chances to faint and a score of 690 to 450 to Ravenclaw, the Snitch decided to make it all about itself, once again. 

Both Horatio Devante and Alwyn Gwynther dived for it, but the mini Eagle seemed to be ahead of the Lion. 

A quick movement, an arm extended, and his mission was accomplished, as the Snitch rested in his hand. 

But… Was it the right moment to catch it? 

The maths were mathing, and the final score was clear: 840-450 for his team, and the bittersweet realisation that, once again, they had fallen short to win the Cup. 

Congratulations, Hufflepuff! 

Perhaps next year will be Ravenclaw’s. 

Or Gryffindor’s…

Or Slytherin’s…

Until then, good luck everyone and have a great summer! 

“I’ll miss it, aye. I’ll miss my team, and the lovely reporter who knows how to ask fake news questions like JASPER HAWKSWORTH?! He wishes he had my locks.” He adds in quickly. “That Federico Bentancour fella though, he will carry the flame into next year and beyond.” He needed a brief pause, as he continued. “Let me tell you something about Federico Bentancour. He is the kindest, sweetest, most handsome, charming, totally real Ravenclaw and he WILL be the future of the quidditch scene.. As for me..” He clears his throat and wraps things up. “I’ll take my time to assess my offers, if I have any.. And perhaps you’ll see more of Agile.” 

-Argyle Demoray, Ravenclaw Chaser, as he gave us his last words. Ever. 

“The Lions gave it their all, and it’s more experience to improve from here on out.”  

-Denzel Lament, Ravenclaw Beater’s match statement, as he was in a rush to take the Co-Captain Twiggs away for… Reasons? 

“We play fair. We always play fair. We hit Bludgers, grab quaffles and score, we do not need to hit opponents with illegal hexes.“ With a shake of her head and a sigh with disbelief, she added. “Am I disappointed about the Cup? Obviously. We just won a match 840 to 450. That’s not exactly what I’d call a tragic afternoon. We caught the Snitch, we outscored Gryffindor, and we gave the spectators several opportunities to spill their pumpkin juice in excitement. If you’re asking whether I’d have liked a giant shiny trophy at the end of it all, well, yes. I am a Ravenclaw, not a saint.”

-Violette Twiggs, Ravenclaw Beater and Vice-Captain who, indeed, rushed out of the party with Mr Lament.

By Violette Twiggs, survivor of flowers, fashion, and social interaction 

On the 7th of June, Hogwarts students gathered in the long gallery for what was advertised as the “Enchanted Twilight Garden Fashion Show”

What actually occurred was a highly coordinated explosion of flowers, fairy wings, butterflies, pastel colours, flower crowns, sparkling accessories, and enough glitter to ensure future archaeologists will be uncovering traces of the event for centuries.

Against all odds, it was absolutely wonderful.

The event was organised by fifth-year Hufflepuff Jace Hume, with support from Professor Moore, and served as a showcase for the creativity and hard work of Hogwarts’ Fashion Club. Before the first model even set foot on the runway, Jace took time to thank the many people who helped bring the show to life. Professor Moore received well-deserved recognition for helping establish and support the club. Primrose Fiddlefern welcomed guests and ensured nobody became hopelessly lost on their way to a seat. Asrelia Luvgreat worked her magic behind the scenes making sure every outfit looked perfect, and Torian Morris somehow managed to keep an entire collection of excited students organised backstage. Considering the average Hogwarts student’s relationship with schedules, this achievement cannot be overstated.

Once introductions were complete, the runway transformed into an enchanted garden straight out of a storybook.

Sloane Morris opened the show in a swirl of pinks, lilacs, fairy wings, and confidence. Not content with merely walking down the runway, she added playful winks, dramatic bows, and enough flair to make it clear she understood the assignment better than the rest of us.

Timocleia Gwilym, our tiniest lion, followed shortly afterward and provided one of the afternoon’s most relatable moments. The fierce Gryffindor Beater, known for terrifying opponents on the Quidditch pitch, discovered that facing a runway audience without a bat in hand is an entirely different sort of challenge. Her determination to remember she was modelling rather than charging toward a Bludger proved endearing, and the crowd seemed thoroughly charmed.

Piper Novak brought a softer elegance to the stage, surrounded by drifting mist and enchanted butterflies. Looking entirely at home among the garden scenery, she glided down the runway with enough composure to make the rest of us question our life choices.

Alys Blackwell, meanwhile, appeared to have stepped directly out of a fashion magazine. The seventh-year Slytherin carried herself with the confidence of someone who has never once wondered whether her outfit works because she already knows the answer.

The graduating Head Boy, Perseus Wright, arrived next with the confidence of a wizard who had somehow convinced himself this fashion show was being held in his honour. Whether this was true remains unconfirmed. What can be confirmed is that he posed like someone accepting a lifetime achievement award and left the stage looking entirely satisfied with his performance.

Enid Demille showcased a stunning violet ensemble paired with enormous crystalline wings that shimmered beautifully beneath the enchanted lighting. She looked less like a student and more like something that might emerge from an ancient magical forest to offer cryptic advice before disappearing forever.

Casandra Murray brought her own enchanting meadow-inspired look to the runway. Midway through her walk, her flower crown attempted what witnesses describe as a bold bid for freedom. Fortunately, the escape attempt was swiftly contained before the accessory could flee into the Forbidden Forest.

Readers will unfortunately be disappointed to learn that this reporter also participated in the event. Witnesses claim I appeared on stage wearing pink wings, floral embellishments, and an expression suggesting I actually knew what I was doing. This remains unconfirmed. Readers may also be disappointed to learn that I survived. Despite many concerns that I might trip over my own feet, lose a wing, become tangled in decorative flowers, or accidentally start interviewing audience members halfway down the runway, none of these things occurred. Witnesses claim I looked graceful, poised, and surprisingly competent. These allegations are currently still under review by the editorial staff.

Leilani Tamriel arrived in a bright lemon-themed ensemble that was impossible to ignore. With oversized leafy wings and enough confidence to power a small village, she commanded the stage from the moment she appeared.

Chase Ashford followed with a quieter but equally effective presence. His enchanted twilight-inspired look shimmered softly beneath the lights, proving that one does not need dramatic poses every three seconds to capture an audience’s attention.

Titania Tarrowwood then reminded everyone that ordinary walking is apparently optional. Rather than simply crossing the runway, the young Hufflepuff incorporated ballet into her performance, leaping, spinning, and dancing her way through the garden while the rest of us reconsidered the amount of effort we had put into our own entrances.

Noelle O’Brien brought the spirit of a twilight fairy to life with glowing wings, floral details, and a shower of glitter accompanied by sweets tossed to the audience. Whether this technically qualifies as bribery remains a matter for future investigation.

Finally, Kayli Byrne closed the show in spectacular fashion. Her flowing gown, floral magic, and natural stage presence provided the perfect ending to an afternoon already overflowing with charm. It was a fitting finale and a well-earned spotlight for the final model of the event.

As the applause echoed through the gallery, Jace invited the models and organisers back onto the stage for one final bow. Looking across the assembled group, it was difficult not to appreciate just how much work had gone into the event.

Fashion shows may not involve dragons, dangerous creatures, stunning spell effects or Quidditch-related injuries, but they require a different sort of bravery. Standing in front of an audience and presenting something creative takes courage. Every student who stepped onto that runway deserves credit for doing exactly that.

A great deal of praise should also go to the students working behind the scenes, to Professor Moore for supporting the club, and especially to Jace Hume himself.

Throughout the afternoon, Jace somehow managed to remember detailed introductions, personal anecdotes, compliments, and accomplishments for every single participant. Whether he possesses an eidetic memory or spent the previous week practising introductions in front of a mirror remains unknown. What is known is that his enthusiasm carried the entire event from beginning to end.

By the time the final applause faded, every model had taken their bow, every flower crown had remained mostly attached, and Hogwarts had successfully survived another student-led event without requiring intervention from our beloved Matron Mrs Flutterby-Hellstar.

That alone deserves recognition.

The Enchanted Twilight Garden Fashion Show was creative, welcoming, wonderfully whimsical, and genuinely magical.

And if you’re still finding glitter in your robes a week later, when sitting for your exams… congratulations. You’ve got a souvenir.

V. Twiggs – whose dignity survived the runway mostly intact but still recovering from being described as “graceful”.

The Feathersweet family has been making magical sweets for centuries. So we know quite a bit about it.

Creating Magical, or even muggle candy.  Is fun and rewarding. But also hard work as  some treats only work at the whims of the weather. At least until you learn all the tricks! 

A lot of what you will learn and do is just the same as muggles would do. BUT with magic we can do it faster and safer.  No worries of burns from molten hot sugar or chocolate! Because we can float the items about instead of touching it.  What takes a muggle hours to achieve we can manage with a few transfigurations to get it to be just the right shape and hardness.

AND we can add charms to it!  Want a sweet that changes flavors?   We can do that.  Want one that temporarily changes your hair color?  Makes you float?  Makes you  sound like an animal?  We can do that and so much more!

You’ll need to be good with potions, Charms and Transfigurations.  Why potions?  Well sometimes we add one to a sweet, but also learning to make potions with its recipes is much like learning to make a sweet!

If you go to Honeydukes for your Summer work experience, not only will you start to learn how to make sweets and run a shop. But you will also be one of the first to get to try new sweets. Or even help make them yourself!  And you will get free sweets as you work as well! 

Be ready to work and have fun!

Taffy Feathersweet

By Bity Bywell

As exams finish, so does one of the biggest years of my life. I turn twelve on the very last day of exams, and with that, I’ll be ending my very first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

This time last year, I was terrified about what was coming. I’d just received my acceptance letter, and I was waiting to hear if I’d also be accepted into Summer Camp. I had no idea what to expect. I grew up in a low‑magic household. Yes, my parents used magic, but not much around my brother and me. Heading somewhere to learn magic, to step properly into the Wixen world, a world I was mostly sheltered from for my formative years… it was exciting, but if I’m honest, also very daunting. I knew I’d be surrounded by kids who’d grown up with magic like it was breathing. I wasn’t sure I’d fit in, let alone live up to what people expected of me.

Camp was my first real taste of what school would be like, and I was lucky enough to make friends who became my rocks for the rest of the year, and hopefully into the years to come. It helped so much to know a few people when it came time for Diagon Alley shopping and my first trip on the Hogwarts Express.

Sorting Day was definitely a highlight, at least, the parts I remember. I was so nervous and excited that most of it is a blur. I remember crossing the lake in one of the worst thunderstorms I’ve ever seen, praying we’d make it across. We were drenched by rain and then soaked again when a giant squid decided to say hello, but we made it to the Great Hall. And then the Sorting Hat… For everyone else, it seemed to debate, to consider options. For me, it was immediate. Ravenclaw. No ifs, buts, or maybes. 

Was the Hat right? I asked our prefects that in my very first article of the year, and now I ask myself the same thing. And yes, I think it was. I’ve flourished here. I’ve made friends. I’ve grown. And I believe it has made me a better person.

This year has been incredible. I finally got to see what it’s like to be surrounded by magic,  not just in the buildings or our wands, but in the people. For all the classes, the dances, the magically appearing meals, and the absolutely bonkers sport where people fly around hitting balls at each other, I’ve learned that the most important part of Hogwarts is… us. The students, the Professors, and the staff who keep everything running. You’ve all been the highlight of my year. Whether terrifying (thank you, Professor Grimstone, for that Lethifold illusion), hilarious (Nox, your glowing werewolves will haunt me forever), or just plain weird (Beau… the chicken suit… and Incendio… why?????), none of it would have been the same without you.

And it hasn’t just been the people. A beautiful flying horse named Cinnamon helped me get over my fear of flying (and definitely earned too many apple treats for it). A flock of FBCs helped me get fitter by making me run for my life every time they clucked and charged. Luckily, the medical staff always had burn paste ready whenever I wasn’t fast enough, or when I accidentally blew myself up with my own spells.

I asked other first-years what they thought too, and their answers were a lot like mine. So I think I can safely say, on behalf of all of us First Years of 2032-33:

Thank you.

Thank you for making this the best year of our lives. From the Quidditch pitch to the Dueling Room to the classrooms, you were there for us. Students, Professors, house-elves, groundskeepers, and especially the medical staff. From cheering us on in whatever ridiculous thing we were attempting, to patching us up right after. You helped us believe in ourselves when we’d forgotten how. No matter how much we messed up, got hurt, were scared, or fell down, you were there to help us up, hold our hand, and have our back.

So thank you. Truly and sincerely.

I just hope we can do the same for next year’s first-years, and make their year as wonderful as ours has been.

Demian Katzen, Floo Network Authority

Most of you are very accustomed to using many forms of magical transportation. A little floo powder here. A fireplace there. Even a destination is in mind. Before we know it, there we go! What about this boot, that bucket or the old bike tire that is a disguised Portkey? Leaving at 10 on the dot! This is right, they are set for the precise moment and destination that you need! Now, that Broom? The one sitting behind the door? Is it just asking guests to leave sooner or is there more to it? Is doing not more and nothing less than what it ought to do! It’s not there for sweeping. It’s there to get you from point A to Zed. Then there is the quick fling and zing? Remember, an Apparition licence earned is one less splinching to explain. These all depend upon the wixen that are working behind the scenes to ensure your magical transportation adventures are all ending up perfect, private, precise and pleasurable.

The Department of Magical Transportation can be found on Level Six of the British Ministry of Magic. There are four main offices. You will find Broom Regulatory Control, Apparition Test Centre, Floo Network Authority and the Portkey Office. Each office has its own duties, but the purpose is always the same. We are helping magical people travel safe, sound and without causing unnecessary trouble or paperwork.

Broom Regulatory Control

This office is concerning with broom travel. Most students are thinking first of brooms as sports goods. This is fine idea. But, brooms are also a form of transporting. With the appropriate spells, good altitude and careful attention to visibility conditions, broom travel can be use safely without Muggle detection.

Brooms are assigned to the wider responsibility of keeping magical travel sensible and safe. The work is not only about the broom itself, is about how it is used, where they fly and whether riders remember that Muggles sometimes look up at the wrong moments.

Apparition Test Centre
This office is handling Apparition instruction. This is including the exams and licensing. For shorter distance, Apparition is one of the most useful forms of magical travel for wixen. It is very advanced skill that requires knowledge, focus and precision. With proper instruction, students are taught to focus on the three D’s. That is Destination, Determination and Deliberation. To acquire Apparition Licence, a wixen must be at least seventeen years old, properly trained and able to pass the official exam.

This office is helping to make sure Apparition is taught with very much care, learned with patience and practised with seriousness. Arriving with quickness and in the desired place is good job. But, this is only true if all parts are still attach and is nothing left behind. For exceptionally long distances, other approved methods, such as Portkeys, are usually advised.

The Floo Network Authority 

This office is looking after Floo Network. Network is one of most familiar ways magical families travel and communicate. But, fireplace do not connect themself. The full system is regularly maintained, keeping it orderly so wixen arrive where they are meaning to go.

Both Floo Powder and Floo Inspection is provided by this office. When the occasional emergency hook-up is required, this office provides timely service. The work is practical and important because travel is part of our daily lives. A good Floo connection may not seem exciting until it is suddenly no good. Then, everyone is very much excitedly noticing.

The Portkey Office 

Portkeys are very ordinary objects. They are enchanted to carry traveller to very specific places. Portkeys is especially used when many people are needing to go same place at same time. Is good for very big events, such as travel to Quidditch World Cup!

This office is known for good planning, attention to timing and keeping clear headed when dealing with many intricate arrangements needing to occur at same time. When Portkey is working properly, it may seem simple to traveller. This is because many people have done very careful work before anyone is touching that old boot.

Careers
The Department of Magical Transportation is perfect choice for those that like to perform organised work, use practical problems solving and help without needing a spotlight. Much of the work is careful, steady and useful. That is exactly why it matters.

They are unsung heroes. We find that when magical transportation works as it should, most people hardly notice. Wixen steps into a fireplace, takes hold of Portkey, sits the Apparition exam or lifts off on a broom and simply expects things to work as advertised. In this department, helping things go safe and smooth is the job. Aside from the travel perks, there’s a great deal of pride to be found in that!