Hogwarts is the new Purple!
MEMBER INTERVIEWs
SusanHP
starlight
Gemini
Willow Maid
Eba
As we all know, Year 67 was a year of incredible changes to the site – you can read all about them in Annabeth Granger’s article, “Exciting Changes, Exciting Future!” (Page 1).
One of the most significant changes in the daily lives of myHogwarts members was the return of the Alumni to the Common Rooms and the elimination of the purple-coloured usernames on site. In case you’ve been living under a rock, Year 67 was the first year in which all Alumni members were placed back into their House colors – with boldened names to set them apart from students – and they gained access to their Common Rooms, Joint-House Locker Rooms, and all other areas of the castle. They were also able to participate in Quidditch and earn House points to support their Hogwarts House in winning the House Cup!
I had the chance to interview a few Ravenclaw Alumni on how they felt about all of the changes this year, and I must say, their answers are both nostalgic for the past and full of heartwarming excitement for the future!
What where your initial thoughts and feelings when you learned you would be returning to your House? Do you miss the purple?
SusanHP: Hmmm, hard to say as I have been in and out of the House with being Postfect and having been an Admin that allowed me to access the Tower. But to now be allowed in and back in blue is exciting! As I have changed color so many times over the years, as a student, Postfect, and Admin, purple was just another color for me. Since blue is my favorite color, I can’t say I really miss the purple.
starlight: It caught me off guard a bit and it felt a bit weird but also a welcome change. I haven’t been blue in ages so going back to it was very nostalgic and took a bit of getting used to again! But also, I never really liked the purple, so I’m glad I’m not that color.
Gemini: My initial thoughts were ...... HOORAH!!!!! I had missed the blue so much!
What has bee the highlight of your time back in the CR/joint zones this year?
Willow Maid: Playing house games with my house, I remember frequently participating in many of the activities.
Eba: I loved getting to earn points for Ravenclaw in the Trivia Section!
Gemini: It is great to be able to go to the joint zones and CR... Ya know, it made me feel younger, and at my age (which is very, very old), that is saying something.
What do you miss from your student days?
starlight: Sappy answer, but all the members that I was in Hogwarts with. I'm still in contact with a few, but nothing beats the old Ravenclaw trivia raids or shenanigans that lead to detentions with C with that group of people.
Eba: I miss my friend Maddie lol - just the fun of planning things and being silly on site.
Gemini: The mischief we all got up to, to be quite honest, we had some marvelous donut wars, where Linda would always come out on top because she had a bazooka!
What do you love now that's different from your student days?
SusanHP: I think allowing the Alumni back to work with the students and being a part of the Ravenclaw House. Lessons are way different, and I have been enjoying getting to participate in several of the practicals. We had very few of them, and only in OWL/NEWT when I was a student.
Willow Maid: I find it rather interesting joining forces with another House and hanging out with them; that's a big difference from my student years. But of course, the House Cup still belongs to one House.
starlight: Less homework? (old lady voice) Back in my day, we had to submit homework every week and had to submit an exam at the end of the term. I used to get into so much trouble staying up late on a Sunday because, no Mom, I can't go to bed; I have to do CoMC!
How was your overall experience with the changes this year?
SusanHP: Hard to really say because I was lucky enough to be a Postfect several times after I decided to step down as an Admin, so I could act as a student during those times by being a part of the combined Houses and experiencing the Quidditch team. I think getting a chance to do practicals was one of the best parts of Year 67. I may do more next year!
Willow Maid: There were big changes that I didn't see coming but welcomed them nonetheless as I saw them as a good change and had no trouble with them.
Eba: I'd give it a 7/10! Major strides are being made in the changes to bring Alumni back into the castle, but I would love to be more involved as a student and even to have a program that helps returning members - I guess you didn't ask that lol. It is just hard to stay involved when it feels like you're disconnected... I know it is difficult because we come and go, but as one of those who comes and goes, it's hard to get involved again in a meaningful way when we come back - and we definitely want to jump into some fun!
It’s been an interesting year having the alumni back in the Common Rooms, and I’m sure that their presence will only increase as they feel more at home in their Hogwarts colors and leave the purple in the past!
rowena
riddle
