The Quibbler
The Wizarding World's Alternative Voice
Issue No.
84
Issue Index:
Page 1
* Letter from the Staff
* Codenames Galore: The Return
* The Moon and its Ne-fur-ious Effect: Party Edition
Page 2
* A New Potion Mistress on mH!
* The Cymru Dragon Reserve
Letter from the Staff
Dear Readers,
Welcome to a "mini"-edition of the Quibbler! We hope you enjoy it.😊
by Isabella
Codenames Galore: The Return
When we think about Hogwarts, we are reminded of classes, magical homework, Quidditch, duelling, and a brimming amount of chaotic energy that everyone thrives on. And yet here, on myHogwarts, we have added an interesting twist on things and have moved beyond the regular school routine and typical House camaraderie you are used to observing from a distance as a reader of the Harry Potter books. We have added exciting practicals, live renditions of everyone's favourite Hogwarts activities and most recently, entertaining tournaments that engage everyone's attention. The latest and one of the most popular additions to our list of events? Our very own, virtual tournament that features a well-known card game, Codenames! Interested to know more? Look no further!
What is Codenames, one might ask... and justly so! Codenames is a party card game, where two teams (one going with blue, one going with red) work to uncover all their words while avoiding the dreaded Assassin word. Each team has a spymaster, whose job is to give their team clues (consisting of one word and one number) that will help them select the correct words while avoiding both the feared Assassin and the other team's words. The game ends either when one team has correctly uncovered all their words, making them the winners, or when the Assassin word has been uncovered by one of the teams, automatically making the opposing team the winners. Easy enough, right? And quite fun, if I do say so myself. 😉
So far, two Codenames Tournaments have commenced and they have both been greeted with enthusiasm and interest all across the board. The first Tournament took place in Year 51 and saw the Alumni team of Ravenclaw graduate K-Fish and Hufflepuff graduate Ichigo Mirai (also known as Fish and Chelps) claiming the crown, while the second Tournament took place in Year 57 and saw the combined forces of Head of House Emilia Granger and Ravenclaw student Isabella (also known as Emissy) winning the cup. With the third Tournament now fast approaching, everyone is already wondering who the new champions will be. Will we see the return of one of our previous champions, coming forth to reclaim their crown? Or will a brand new team sweep us all off our feet and win the competition? With a new rule that now calls for teams of three, as opposed to the duos that had dominated the previous tournaments, everyone is buzzing with excitement in anticipation of the new year and the announcement of the new Codenames teams.
With the entire site population already at the edge of their seats, where will the new Tournament find you? Spectating from the stands and cheering your favourite team on? Playing the role of the omnipotent Neutral to ensure each game runs smoothly under your guidance? Or right in the middle of the action, racing towards the Codenames Cup with your partners by your side? Here at the Quibbler, we strongly urge you to give this wonderful new activity a shot and enjoy the thrill a Codenames match can bring. Take it from someone who knows, we all need some well-executed chaos in our lives. 😉
The Moon and its Ne-fur-ious Effect: Party Edition
by Isabella
To anyone who has said that life at Hogwarts has the potential for peace and quiet, I only have four words for you: Not in this lifetime! 😄 And for those that still have trouble believing my words, this article shall serve as ample proof that somehow, even the most uneventful years can take a dramatic turn under the proper circumstances. And Year 62 was precisely one of those years... The ones that lure you into a false sense of security at first, making you believe that you will be spending them following your regular routine and having no care in the world... And then, all of a sudden, you are proven wrong, and during an impromptu party set up on the Grounds, no less! Are you having trouble following the story, you say? Oh, have no worries, we will be taking this trip down memory lane together, to remember that quite eventful party that occurred a couple of months ago... 🥷
It started with Professor Reiluna, the resident Astronomy Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She had been informed that right at the cusp between Week Two and Week Three of Term One, a magnificent astronomical event would take place: A beautiful Lunar Eclipse, which could grace students and Alumni alike with a breathtaking view of the moon's deep red colour throughout the duration of the eclipse. Feeling that it was certainly an occasion worth commemorating and thinking that her students would certainly benefit from an educational experience such as this, Professor Reiluna (or Rei, if you prefer to use the nickname that most people have bestowed upon her) was quick to organize a Lunar Eclipse Party for everyone to attend!
With a toasty bonfire and plenty of snacks to be shared amongst the many people that were sure to join the event, the party was soon in full swing as students and Professors alike started flocking to the Grounds with their telescopes and cameras at hand. Whether they were there to discuss Astronomy-related matters or enjoy the buffet that the Professor had set up or even admire the beauty of the raging bonfire (Yes, dear pelagia, I am looking at you... 😉), the Grounds seemed to be buzzing with activity even as the afternoon gave way to the night... and then everything changed.
Somewhere far away, even far far away, one might say, someone else was feeling more agitated the more prominent the effect of the bloody moon grew. Pacing around in his cell and howling at the heavens, the stranger longed to be released and enjoy the moon's glory at its fullest. And finally, even with a slight delay, the infamous werewolf known as Fenrir Greyback managed to escape his cell through the use of sheer force. With the hinges torn off their place and the door hanging ajar, the werewolf sprung into action and disappeared into the night, with one destination in mind: Hogwarts.
Blissfully unaware of the danger that was fast approaching, Professor Rei was casually moving around the groups of students and Alumni alike before she finally decided to call for their attention to reveal the special surprise she had planned in advance. Some movement from the Forbidden Forest revealed that a group of excitable Mooncalves had been lured forth by the lively atmosphere and were quite eager to participate in the party themselves! The unexpected surprise the Professor had planned for her guests was quite a delight for everyone and the younger students were quick to approach the Mooncalves, feeding them some of their snacks and petting them gently while enjoying the faint red glow of the moon. And yet, in the distance, trouble was brewing in the shadows...
While the gathered crowd was fawning over the adorable Mooncalves, Greyback moved stealthily around the Grounds, stopping to visit the familiar site of the Fairgrounds and pay his tribute to his still un-resurrected friend, the valiant Slytherin plant Jude that had perished long ago. 🙏His next stop was the Quidditch Pitch, where he did not fail to throw his hat in the ring in the hopes of playing as a Beater for one of the two student teams and where he also managed to steal a rather mysterious notebook abandoned in Madam Hooch's office. One can only wonder what sort of secrets this notebook holds and how come Greyback was able to discover it placed there, oh so conveniently for his to recover... 👀 With the sealed notebook at hand, Greyback finally made his way towards the Grounds, with the conviction that no human or Mooncalf could stop him from achieving his goal... but oh, how wrong he was.
While he approached student after student in search of a telescope so he could better observe his timeless friend, the moon, the appearance of the dangerous werewolf was enough to alert both Professor Rei and Officer Isabella (also known as Izzy, also known as me... Talking about yourself this way never stops being bizarre. 😄), who quickly sprung into action. While Professor Rei moved the gathered guests out of harm's way, Officer Izzy was quick to raise her wand and call for backup... And who else would Izzy's Patronus message reach but the other half of their lawful, crime-fighting duo, Auror Morgan herself? 😎 Within moments, the two representatives of the DMLE were armed and ready, staring the escaped criminal down with fierce expressions and raised wands. It was only a matter of time before the fight started and when Greyback refused to follow the duo back to Azkaban quietly, everyone knew it was showtime. Furious that he was deprived of a telescope and his right to observe the moon the way he saw fit, Greyback's mind switched to fight mode and seeing as the students were already protected by Professor Rei, he turned his eye towards the only unprotected target in sight: The Mooncalves! 😲 In perfect sync, Auror Morgan and Officer Izzy wasted no time detaining the threat and just like magic, the party was saved from yet another potentially deadly attack. And with that, another case was brought to a fine finish by the unstoppable forces of the DMLE, whose watchful eyes detect and eliminate all danger with professionalism and skill. 😎
The students and Alumni gathered around the bonfire cheered as the werewolf was promptly escorted back to Azkaban, their enthusiasm that both they and the Mooncalves were unharmed only giving the party new life. But as the moon slowly moved lower, towards the western horizon, and the adorable creatures retreated back towards the Forbidden Forest, Professor Rei smiled wryly and turned towards her guests, signalling the end of the party with one last, impressive fanfare. As the crowds scattered, heading either towards the castle or towards their own homes beyond the castle grounds, one could not help but wonder... What other unexpected surprises would the future hold at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Well, that is for the stars to know and for us to find out, don't you agree? 😉
