Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Meggie!!!

I hope your birthday is as wonderful as you are! :D

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Emma Scrimgeour! 

May your birthday be filled with fun and laughter!!!

(I thought you might enjoy a yarn cake especially the lovely green "yarn") ^_^

Week #9 Homework - Arithmancy

Students, this week you all have an arithmancy homework assignment.

Complete the following sudoku puzzles. (For instructions on how to do this click here.)

Each puzzle has a certain amount of yellow squares with in it. Each puzzle also has a different code/cipher assigned to it. Once your puzzle is complete, convert the digits in the Yellow squares to letters. Then unscramble these letters.

To get credit post the unscrambled message to your blog. (I.e. Puzzle #7 - Crookshanks)

Each completed correct answer is worth 25 points. This is a 75 point assignment.

You should be able to click the images for larger puzzle views.

Also I am also hosting them as a download-able EXCEL workbook here.

Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw!!!

With 6 players on each team (until Rowena got knocked out of the game with a Bludger!), with all houses chipping in to help (made possible with a slight change in the rules for team composition...you can now recruit from other Houses and your Head of House until your team has all 7 players!), yesterday's match was the experience we were expecting! Bludger's were flying every which way, people were getting knocked off of their brooms, nosebleeds, and broken limbs! It was an exciting match!!!! Given the new Keeper rule (thirty minutes to block the goal attempts instead of the prior twenty!), the Chasers tried to crank out more faster, making for many stopwatches on the refs duties. (Thankfully, we had 4 refs this last time!) There were goal attempts by both teams, and both Keepers gave it their all, but the final scoring stands thus:

Gryffindor: 0
Ravenclaw: 190

Soar Ravenclaw! It was a game well-played by all involved, and everyone did a great job!

Given the new Cheering Charm rule (which was changed at the last minute due to a question posed by someone subbing in for a spot on another House's team), where now everyone, players and spectators alike, can post cheers and battle cries for House points, there were a plethora of cheers going up!

Here are the total points accrued through Cheering Charms:


Perenelle Tejedora (Ravenclaw): 10
Amethyst Aurag (Ravenclaw): 10
Andromeda Finch-Fletchley (Ravenclaw): 2
Ambyr Phoenixfyre (Ravenclaw): 2
Victoria Pettigrew (Gryffindor): 2
Mistry Moonbleu (Gryffindor): 8
Catriona Lestrange (Slytherin): 2
Intarsia Bindoff (Gryffindor): 2
Allytria Spelling (Hufflepuff): 8
Emma Scimgeour (Slytherin): 6
Minerva Lovegood (Slytherin): 10

House Point Totals:
Slytherin: 18
Hufflepuff: 8
Gryffindor: 12
Ravenclaw: 24

Job well done, everyone!!!

QUIDDITCH MATCH NO. 3

The third match of our Quidditch season will be on Sunday, May 16/Monday May17.  Gryffindor will be meeting Ravenclaw and I anticipate a heated match!  The times are:

4-7 p.m. PST

5-8 p.m. MST

6-9 p.m. CST

7-10 EST

12-2 a.m. (Monday) UK

1-3 a.m. (Monday) Europe

Hufflepuff and Slytherin, please fill up those stands and cheer the teams on!  The Referees will be starting the game on time so we ask that the teams meet on the pitch in full uniform a few minutes early.  Captains, please let the referees know who will be playing for your teams.


Good luck!

House Points

After 6 weeks at Hogwarts, the House Points stand as follows:

Gryffindor -- 92%

Hufflepuff -- 86%

Ravenclaw -- 98%

Slytherin -- 90%

Great job!

QUIDDITCH

A big congratulations to Slytherin for catching the Snitch in the latest Quidditch match.  It was certainly an exciting game.  Both teams were exceptionally skilled and well prepared.  It was a fast moving game and fun to watch.  I can't wait for the next match!

Week 6 Homework... Potions!

Part 1: 

Go around your house, outdoors, for a hike, or wherever and take pictures of 5 different plants, herbs, or flowers that might be used in potions. 

Make sure to remember your originality marker for these. 

Also, include the names of these (if you don't know their name feel free to make one up) and the description of potential use(s) for each. 

4 points for each original picture, 2 points if pictures come from the internet, 1 point for each name, 1 point for each description of use. 

Total possible points for this section is 30 points

Part 2: 

Answer the following potions questions:

1. Sneezewort, scurvy grass, and lovage are used to make what?

A: Allergen Solution

B:Confusing Draught

C: Babbling Befuddlement

D: Wandering Agent

2. Porcupine quills are to be added when to a Boil Cure Potion?

A: It is the second ingredient you add

B: Before it is removed from the fire

C: You don't add them, they aren't part of the potion

D: After it is removed from the fire

3. What potion, if brewed correctly, should change color numerous times throughout brewing including deep purple, lilac, and finishing clear?

A: The Draught of Living Death

B: Amortentia

C: Calming Draft

D: Elixir to Induce Euphoria

4. This ingredient in the Draught of Peace, would likely bring you permanent peace since it is poisonous, what is it?

A: Murlap

B: Belladonna

C: Mugwort

D: Hellebore

5. Chopped daisy roots, skinned shrivel-fig, sliced caterpillar, one rat spleen, dash of leech juice are all ingredients to what?

A: Swelling Solution

B: Deflating Draught

C: Shrinking Solution

D: Sleeping Draught

Each correct answer is worth 10 points each

Total possible points for this section is 50 points

Part 3: 

Take a picture of and list the ingredients and/or instructions to make one of your favorite potions that you have created. 

This potion must have at the minimum, two ingredients to make it. Be sure to include you originality marker to prove it's yours!!!

For example it could be something as simple as your favorite coffee (with sugar or creme), or it could be an alcoholic mixed drink concoction that you have created. Your potion could also be an actual potion, oil, salve, or something else that you use as well.

Total possible points for this section is 20 points

The potion's homework is worth 100 points!

QUIDDITCH GAME 2

Is everyone ready for the second game of Quidditch?  Ravenclaw and Slytherin will be going head to head.  We are expecting a very exciting, quick game.  Please plan on arriving early so we know that both teams have full rosters.  The game will start promptly at:

9:00 a.m. - PST

10:00 a.m. - MST

11:00 a.m. - CST

12:00 - EST

5:oo p.m. -UK

6:00 p.m. - Euro

Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, please fill up the stands early so the game can start on time.   Remember, you will earn points for your houses with your cheering charms!

Message from your friendly Admin. Asst.

Just a quick FYI for all our witches and wizards at Hogwarts this term.

Havelock the Hunter known as murphyryan on Ravelry has been removed from our swap for reason Deputy Headmistress Lovegood and I prefer not to share. His spoiler and spoilee have been notified as well.

Please direct all questions to Wisty or myself.

Thank you.

Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff!

Wow! The first Quidditch match is under our belt! It was a thrilling match, with Bludgers shooting every which way, the extremely elusive snitch, and the much passed Quaffle! (There were so many strong defensive plays and turnovers of the possession of the Quaffle that there were only 3 scoring attempts!) But in the end, Hufflepuff's Seeker, Rowan Dragonsinger, brought a victory to her House with the capture of the snitch. :) The final score?

Gryffindor: 20
Hufflepuff: 160

And here are the tallies of House points accrued by the Cheering Charms and Battle Cries (per the Cheering Charms section of the Quidditch Players Handbook):

Here is the list of who earned what points for their Houses by posting Cheering Charms and Battle Cries (per the Cheering Charms section of the Quidditch Player Handbook)!


Amethyst Aurag (Ravenclaw): 10 points
Elladora Madley (Hufflepuff): 4 points
Perenelle Tejedora (Ravenclaw): 10 points
Genevra Dreamy (Hufflepuff): 6 points
Celestina Pettigrew (Gryffindor): 8 points
Emma Scimgeour (Slytherin): 2 points
Megaera Black (Slytherin): 4 points
Ambyr Phoenixfyre (Ravenclaw): 6 points
Gryphon the Great (Ravenclaw): 4 points



House Point Totals:
Ravenclaw: 30 points
Slytherin: 6 points
Gryffindor: 8 points
Hufflepuff: 10 points

Dueling Club Round 2

I am delighted to release the patterns for Round 2 of Dueling Club, which are as follows:

Knit Division pattern.

Crochet Division pattern.

Good luck duellers - start casting those charms!

QUIDDITCH

Our first Quidditch match will take place this Saturday.  Gryffindor will be taking on Hufflepuff.  Teams should be in full uniform and on the pitch by 9:00 a.m. PST (12 EST; 6:00/1800 Euro) for the start of the match.  Ravenclaw and Slytherin, we encourage you to be there as well to cheer the teams on!  Remember, points can be earned for your Houses by posting cheers!

Since enrollment is down this term at Hogwarts, our Houses are smaller and it has been difficult for the Quidditch Captains to field a full team of 7 players.  Therefore the Ministry of Magical Games and Sports has modified the Quidditch Handbook as follows:

"If there are not at least 4 team members for a match from one house, the HoH for said team may participate. If the addition of the HoH to the roster still does not fill the needed positions, alternates from other houses may be asked to fill in the gaps up to meeting the requirement of the four core players (one player in each position). As a last resort, the team that is short of players may need to forfeit (giving the opposing team an instant 150 points) or play with reduced numbers (i.e., even though Team 1 only has 3 players, Team 2 can still play with the minimum 4). However, the more players you have available, the better! You have more chances to score, and therefore, more opportunites at house points. If you accept an alternate from another house on your team, we are trusting that said volunteer will be fair, honest and to play as though it is for your own team."

If anyone would like to volunteer to be a substitute on the team of another House, please consider contacting the HoH in advance to let her know that you are ready, willing and able to help. 

Let the games begin!

House Points -- Week 3

Gryffindor -- 88% (up 1%)

Hufflepuff -- 83% (down 1%)

Ravenclaw -- 96% (down 2%)

Slytherin -- 98% (up 2%)

Good going everyone!

Activity on the Pitch!

Hello, Hogwartians! I just wanted to post a school-wide reminder that there will be no school-wide assignments the weeks of the Quidditch matches! (For the matches that fall on Sundays, it is the preceeding week that will have no homework.) We want you all to be training, rested and prepared for your game, so be sure to blog on your own, and then show your support by cheering on the team of your choice at the Quidditch Pitch!

House Points - Week 2

Congratulations on the great start to this term at Hogwarts.  After Week 2, the House Points stand as follows:

Gryffindor -- 87%

Hufflepuff -- 84%

Ravenclaw -- 98%

Slytherin -- 96%

Good luck in Week 3!  Remember, weekly posting to your blog is a requirement at Hogwarts.  It's fun to see what everyone is doing.

Snakey Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to Minerva Lovegood!!!

http://julesm77.blogspot.com/2009/07/sorting-hat-cake.html

BIRTHDAY WISHES

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

POPPY PLUOT!

Care of Magical Creatures Homework Assignment

Hello Students:

This week we will be working with Magical Creatures.  You will have a three part assignment.  Please post all answers on your weekly blog.

Part One:  Please Describe and Explain 5 items that you would use for the care of Magical Creatures.  ie: mittens for handling of poisonous plants, goggles etc.  There are no wrong answers as long as they can describe how the object is used.  You will received 5 points for each described item and 5 points if you post an original photo of everyday items found around your home to represent each item.  (originality marker rules applies for photos)

Part Two:  Complete the following quiz about House Elves. 5 points for each correct answer.

1.  Please describe the physical appearance of a house elf.
2. Kreacher is the house elf of which wizarding family?
3. What is Hermione Granger making for the house elves?
4. How do you free a house elf?
5.  What does S.P.E.W. stand for?


Part Three: Bonus/Extra Credit assignment.  For a bonus assignment, knit or crochet a SPEW project that will be sent to our lovely Ms. Mooney as part of this year's S.P.E.W project.  You will receive 25 points for your completed project.

Have fun and have a great week!

Dueling Club Round 1

I am delighted to announce the patterns for Round 1 of Dueling Club this term.  Please follow the links below to the relevant pattern page in Ravelry...

Knit Division pattern

Crochet Division pattern

Good luck duelists, and may the best students win.  Just remember that unforgiveable curses are not allowed.  We don't want any of the duels to result in a death, so simple stun and disarm charms would be best at this early stage of the tournament.  In fact, some of you may find a simple Knit charm to be useful!

House Points

Following the first week of this term at Hogwarts, the House Points have been tabulated.  Since the Houses are uneven in number, the points will be a percentage rather than a number.  Without further ado, the House rankings are:

Gryffindor - 100%

Hufflepuff - 100%

Ravenclaw - 100%

Slytherin - 100%

Nice work!  I hope all the Houses will do as well during this week.
 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

EMMA WIGWORTHY and

LIZZIE WYCHWOOD!

Transfiguration

Hello, Hogwarts students! Welcome to Transfiguration! Your assignment for this week will be all about turning one object into something else. :) It is simple enough to understand how the assignment works, though will require a bit of creativity (which shouldn't be too hard for this student body, I'm sure!). In the list below, you will find items from the Harry Potter world. Your job will be to create your own version of these items. (Don't worry if they don't look exactly like they do in the movies or on other places on the Web!) Start with posting your originality marker, and then the items you use to create the object before (w/your marker) and then the picture of after you construct it (again, w/your marker). For example, say that the item on the list is a Fanged Frisbee. Your first picture would be the items you use to construct it. (i.e., paper plates and a piece of paper), the second picture will be after the spell is cast (i.e., the paper plate attached to the fangs I drew, cut out, and taped to the paper plates). It can be as simple or elaborate as you want, just try to make it look like the item, and not something that is a drawn picture or two pieces of paper pasted together, where it takes more imagination to see the end result. ;) Scale size does not matter (it can be life-size or the right size for a doll), and yes, items you knit or crochet are completely eligible! Just don't forget your "Before Spell Casting" picture. :) Simple enough? Ok, time to get creative! Here are your items:

Bowtruckle
Rememberall
Golden Snitch
Hagrid's Rock Cakes
Decoy Detonator
Nose-Biting Teacup
Spectrespecs
Time Turner

Each finished object (if it is entirely if your own making and your own pictures) will earn your house 5 points. If you use Internet images instead, for whatever reason, that finished object will only earn your house 3 points.

Have fun creating!!!

Charms Extra Credit: If you also post a spell in between the before and after pictures, telling us what you used to create your FO, you will earn your house 2 bonus points per spell!

(Remember that while you are not required to do the weekly homework, you will earn extra house points for your house if your weekly posting includes the homework!)

Deadline: Post your homework by Saturday, April 10th, at midnight, PST to get house point credit!

IMPORTANT DATES AND OTHER PERTINENT INFO

Now that everyone seems to be settling in at Hogwarts, we would like you to be aware of the following dates:

• If you complete the handmade item for your spoilee's kit by MAY 22, you will earn 10 points for your House.  You must verify that you have completed the item by emailing a photo of it to your Head of House.
• The early send period is MAY 23 - JUNE 4.  Please do not mail your spoilee's kit before May 23!  If you are able to mail the kit during the early send period, you will earn 20 points for your House.

We will be posting the House points to the sidebar on a weekly basis so you can see where your House stands.

The first Quidditch match will be here before you know it.  Please let your Head of House know in which position you are able to play.  Remember, you can earn points for your individual House even if your team is not competing.  Just come up with cheering charms and battle cries to post for the teams who are competing.  You can earn up to 10 points for your House just by posting a cheering charm or battle cry to the main blog.  (Cheering charms and battle cries are worth 2 points with each person being able to earn 10 points.)

If anyone has any questions, please ask.  I'm the frazzled one rushing through the halls!

WELCOME!

Welcome to Hogwarts!  I'm very glad to see all the familiar faces wandering the halls getting reacquainted with friends.  And I'm happy to see a few new faces.   There is a look of confusion on some of those new faces.  Don't worry...you'll know your way around Hogwarts in no time.  

For all the new students at Hogwarts, I am Wisteria Lovegood, Deputy Headmistress.  Winifred Wartbobble, our beloved Headmistress, is on sabbatical and while she is away, I am taking her place.   (I have heard rumors that her cousin may be gracing the halls of Hogwarts this term though.)  I am a graduate of Hogwarts, having spent all my years in Ravenclaw Tower.  My right hand is Siobhan Mooney.  We can usually be found with our heads together somewhere.  I will warn you that we do have eyes in the back of our heads!


I'm excited about this term at Hogwarts.  Siobhan will be coordinating SPEW.  She will be making an announcement soon and explaining to all new students exactly what SPEW is.  Lizzie Wychwood and Emma Wigworthy will again be coordinating Dueling Club.  I'm sure you will also be hearing from them shortly.  Remember, Dueling Club is optional.


The biggest change this term will be Quidditch.  There will be at least one mandatory training session before the first matches begin.  There is a tentative calendar in the sidebar listing dates of matches.  Heads of House, make note of the dates of your matches so your Houses will be ready.

For all new students, there will be a probation period for you during which time we will monitor your participation and your homework assignments.  I don't anticipate there will be a problem, but we don't want anyone to get so overwhelmed that they disappear.  Please feel free to ask for help if you need it.  Your Heads of House, Prefects, Siobhan and I are all available for questions.


Now, for your first homework assignment:


Posting to your blog is a weekly requirement.  So this week your assignment is to list the 3 characters you like for your character kit and tell us why you chose them, why they appeal to you, what qualities they have that you admire, etc.  This will also give your spoilers an opportunity to see what it is you like when they are making decisions on what to include in your character kit.  


You must post to your blog by Saturday, April 3, at midnight Pacific time.  

Remember, if you do not post to your blog for 2 consecutive weeks you will be dropped from the swap.  If you anticipate you will not be able to post during any week, your Heads of House must be told in advance and we will determine if a pass can be granted.  We will only grant a limited number of passes.  No one will be granted more than one pass except for extraordinary situations.


Let the fun begin!

School-wide Notice

Hello, Hogwarts students!!! Quidditch training is going to be starting up the second week of term, so start thinking now about if you want to try out! Contact your Head of House if you are interested in fulfilling the role of Team Captain. The Captain will be responsible for submitting a complete team roster before the match and ensuring all team members understand the game rules. There will be a training session in which the rules will be explained more clearly and questions will be answered. The number of positions on the team is not definite at the moment, and may have to change from the original idea. If you are unsure if you have the time to put into Quidditch, here is the schedule of matches (each match will end either whent he snitch is caught or at the end of 3 hours).

April 24th: Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff
May 1st: Ravenclaw vs. Slytherin
May 8th-9th: "bye week" (Happy Mother's Day!)
May 16th: Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor
May 23rd: Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin
May 29th-30th: "bye week"
June 5th: Hufflepuff vs. Ravenclaw
June 12th: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin

I hope to see many of you on the Quidditch Pitch for training!

Socks!

When Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap originated ever so long ago, participants were required to include a pattern for socks in every kit.  Since the swap has evolved and changed and new people have joined us, we seem to have gotten away from including socks.  We think it's time to return to our roots. 

Therefore, all kits will now be required to include a "sock" of some sort.  It can be anything...a sock pattern, a pair of socks, a sock puppet, a sock monkey, sock buttons, etc.  Use your imagination!

The portkey is up!

THE PORTKEY IS NOW CLOSED
THANK YOU FOR REGISTERING

The pic is the portkey to HSKS10 registration!!!

See you at Hogwarts!

Who Is Your Favorite Harry Potter Character?

This term at Hogwarts we will be preparing character kits for our spoilees.  A list of possible characters to choose from follows.  Please list 3 characters in your order of preference on your registration form.  Your spoiler will then choose from your selected characters and build a kit around that character.  Keep in mind when choosing your characters that your spoiler must be able to get enough information on your chosen character to put together a quality kit.  For that reason, we are not allowing obscure characters.

What is required in a kit?

--  A handmade item
--  Yarn
--  Pattern
--  Needles/hooks
--  Stitch markers for knitters/something from wish list for crocheters
--  Optional goodies
--  A "sock" of some sort

What would be deemed a handmade item?  Anything that is handmade by you in some form, i.e., knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, painting, etc.  It must be more than a bookmark, unless it is a hand carved, painted work of art.  It's difficult to put a time limit or dollar amount on the handmade item, but the item should be the focal point of the kit.  Some possibilities are bags, scarves, socks, mitts, boxes, etc.

You should plan on spending $30 - $40, excluding postage, on the kit for your spoilee.

Character List:

• Bellatrix Lestrange
• Sirius Black
• Fleur delacour
• Cedric Diggory
• Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
• Dudley Dursley
• Petunia Dursley
• Vernon Dursley
• Hermione Granger
• Godric Gryffindor
• Helga Hufflepuff
• Rowena Ravenclaw
• Salazar Slytherin
• Rubeus Hagrid
• Gilderoy Lockheart
• Luna Lovegood
• Remus Lupin
• Draco Malfoy
• Minerva McGonagall
• Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody
• Harry Potter
• James Potter
• Lily Potter
• Helena Ravenclaw (The Grey Lady)
• Tom Marvolo Riddle (Lord Voldemort)
• Kingsley Shacklebolt
• Rita Skeeter
• Severus Snape
• Nymphadora Tonks
• Sybill Trelawney
• Delores Umbridge
• Arthur Weasley
• Molly Weasley
• Fred Weasley
• George Weasley
• Ron Weasley
• Ginny Weasley
• Moaning Myrtle
• Nearly Headless Nick

Start of Term is Approaching

Is everyone busy packing their trunks?  Has everyone made a trip to Diagon Alley to pick up all their books?  Are your owls well-fed and ready to travel?

All the Heads of Houses have their heads together and are planning a fun new term at Hogwarts.  Keep checking here for all the latest information.