Head of House
For three terms now, the school's Herbology professor, Paul Myers, has nurtured and cultivated his Hufflepuff students in the way one might care for an especially beloved garden. A man of many hobbies and interests, Professor Myers can always be expected to raise the bar; implementing his love for the dramatics in his lessons, his musical talents in house bonding activities, and relaxing through meditation with the masses. I think it's safe to say that this Head of House is one chill, cool cucumber.....who is also very busy! I was able to snag some of his precious time, sitting down for a one on one interview. Read on to learn more about this fascinating master of the flora!
1. Professor Myers, it is my pleasure to be sitting down with you today! Before we officially start, I just wanted to thank you for your continued excellence as a role model and adult. Flattery aside, this is your second term as head Badger in Charge. What's it been like to reprise this role, given your experiences from last year?
Well, obviously I enjoyed it so much the first year that I simply HAD to continue my role as the Hufflepuff Head. It’s a lot of fun, really a lot of fun. I think we have such a special bond, all of us badgers, and even though I wasn’t one while here at Hogwarts, I feel like I fit in just fine. Plus, I’m pretty sure I’ve developed some very Hufflepuff tendencies over the years. I love my Badger family!
2. You are most definitely the most Hufflepuff Puffer of them all, sir. Now, there is a notable camaraderie among the Hogwarts Professors (and faculty) over these past few years. Do you have any that you are particularly close with?
Leo, or should I say Mr. Kitridge, and I are fairly close. I have dinner at his place a good bit during the summer. I am also great pals with Mr. Mcleod! What a fine fellow he is! Funny and good to have a butterbeer with every now and again. James Draper, though we have our differences, is also someone I would consider a close friend. He’s a lot of things that I am not, and I have learned a great deal from him these past two years.
3. I think it's admirable to continuously learn from others! So, it's plain to see that Hufflepuff house harbors a deep-seeded respect and loyalty. What can you attest that to? Is it having such remarkable Student leadership? OR does this stem from the close working relationship between you and your students?
I think it might be a little but of both, to be honest. Henric and Norah are excellent leaders for the house as a whole; their personalities truly sparkle. However, I am close to my students. I try my best to have random gatherings in the Common Room whenever I can; I brought a skittles fountain a little bit after Christmas break! I think (or hope) they enjoyed that! Those gatherings bring us together, yes, as well as the great leadership we have in Hufflepuff. We may not get the most house points, but I think there are things more important than winning the house cup. Friendship, loyalty, and hard work far outweigh anything else I could hope for my students.
4. ....I'm suddenly very depressed that I'm not in Hufflepuff. That sounds amazing! Anyway, the year started quietly enough, but all the real drama came towards the end. Do you think Hogwarts it just a magnet for these types of situations? Or do you think it's simply the nature of the beast, given that we do exist in such a fantastical world?
Oh, absolutely. I think it’s silly to hope for a quiet year at Hogwarts. All of the magic here, the UNTRAINED magic…and the future of the wizarding world? All harbored here? Yeah, it would be silly to think otherwise! I do wish we hadn’t had another charming visit from Ms. Black, but you know.
5. I don't think that could've been worded any better. Lastly, what's next for Hufflepuff House and the fabulous Professor Myers?
What’s next? Um. Well, I guess the next term will bring new students that I cannot wait to meet! I know a lot has happened with my students concerning emotional trauma. Ursula Black has done enough damage to their psyche; I hope that I can help my students rise up to be the best versions of themselves that they can possibly be. So next for us? Probably some team building activities. We’ll be even more tight-knit than we are right now!
1. Professor Myers, it is my pleasure to be sitting down with you today! Before we officially start, I just wanted to thank you for your continued excellence as a role model and adult. Flattery aside, this is your second term as head Badger in Charge. What's it been like to reprise this role, given your experiences from last year?
Well, obviously I enjoyed it so much the first year that I simply HAD to continue my role as the Hufflepuff Head. It’s a lot of fun, really a lot of fun. I think we have such a special bond, all of us badgers, and even though I wasn’t one while here at Hogwarts, I feel like I fit in just fine. Plus, I’m pretty sure I’ve developed some very Hufflepuff tendencies over the years. I love my Badger family!
2. You are most definitely the most Hufflepuff Puffer of them all, sir. Now, there is a notable camaraderie among the Hogwarts Professors (and faculty) over these past few years. Do you have any that you are particularly close with?
Leo, or should I say Mr. Kitridge, and I are fairly close. I have dinner at his place a good bit during the summer. I am also great pals with Mr. Mcleod! What a fine fellow he is! Funny and good to have a butterbeer with every now and again. James Draper, though we have our differences, is also someone I would consider a close friend. He’s a lot of things that I am not, and I have learned a great deal from him these past two years.
3. I think it's admirable to continuously learn from others! So, it's plain to see that Hufflepuff house harbors a deep-seeded respect and loyalty. What can you attest that to? Is it having such remarkable Student leadership? OR does this stem from the close working relationship between you and your students?
I think it might be a little but of both, to be honest. Henric and Norah are excellent leaders for the house as a whole; their personalities truly sparkle. However, I am close to my students. I try my best to have random gatherings in the Common Room whenever I can; I brought a skittles fountain a little bit after Christmas break! I think (or hope) they enjoyed that! Those gatherings bring us together, yes, as well as the great leadership we have in Hufflepuff. We may not get the most house points, but I think there are things more important than winning the house cup. Friendship, loyalty, and hard work far outweigh anything else I could hope for my students.
4. ....I'm suddenly very depressed that I'm not in Hufflepuff. That sounds amazing! Anyway, the year started quietly enough, but all the real drama came towards the end. Do you think Hogwarts it just a magnet for these types of situations? Or do you think it's simply the nature of the beast, given that we do exist in such a fantastical world?
Oh, absolutely. I think it’s silly to hope for a quiet year at Hogwarts. All of the magic here, the UNTRAINED magic…and the future of the wizarding world? All harbored here? Yeah, it would be silly to think otherwise! I do wish we hadn’t had another charming visit from Ms. Black, but you know.
5. I don't think that could've been worded any better. Lastly, what's next for Hufflepuff House and the fabulous Professor Myers?
What’s next? Um. Well, I guess the next term will bring new students that I cannot wait to meet! I know a lot has happened with my students concerning emotional trauma. Ursula Black has done enough damage to their psyche; I hope that I can help my students rise up to be the best versions of themselves that they can possibly be. So next for us? Probably some team building activities. We’ll be even more tight-knit than we are right now!
Prefects
They say everything good thing has to come to an end and for the most part, this is probably true. This explains why Hogwarts will be losing one of the greatest people to ever walk its walls. Never again will there be another so radiant....so....so full of life and goodness and kindness and everything else that's good in the world. I'm meant to feel the same about my girlfriend but this interview is specifically for the brilliant Norah Kittredge that is about to embark on her own new adventures outside the castle. I'm infinitely grateful that I was able to conduct her final interview and it was pretty amazing if you ask me:
1. Merlin’s beard, where did the time go? I can’t believe you’re leaving already! I’m just glad I was able to be the one to give you your final interview, so let’s get started! How did you feel entering this term, knowing it would be your last?
I can't believe it either! I never thought I'd be one of those people to tell you time flies, but it really does. You'll be here before you know it. It's quite mad, honestly. I was worried about starting this term because of NEWTs and all that, 'cause y'know studying for big exams isn't my best talent ever. It's also scary when it's your very last term 'cause that means soon Hogwarts will be over and you have to start doing real life things and think about your future 'n all that. Futures are scary. It'll all work out, though. That's what I learned.
2. Did you already have a list of things worked out for how you wanted to spend your final year?
Oh Merlin, no. I think everything's much better when you don't plan it out at all. It's much more exciting to go with the flow and see where the term takes you.
3. How did you cope with all the changes to staff this year—like no Professor Moxley???
No Professor Moxley was the tragedy of the century. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration but still, I miss her a whole lot. Luckily Headmaster Sahnoun was super cool to have around and obviously Professor Stewart was lovely for Muggle Studies as well. Nobody is quite like Professor Moxley but different can be nice, too. Hopefully she had a really grand time on her exchange 'cause she deserves that for sure. Not grand enough that she won't come back to Hogwarts, though. I think we need her.
4. This is the big NEWT year, what were some of the things you did to help you prepare and were you nervous at all?
I was all sorts of nervous. That's for sure. Nervous could've been my middle name if I didn't already have one. Usually I can kind of keep calm 'cause I really believe in living in the present 'n all that, but this year with NEWTs being so important I had to work really hard not to lose my marbles sometimes. So really I think one of the most important things I did to prepare was practicing deep breathing 'n stuff which works wonders even though you look really silly when you do it. Obviously I studied too but there'd be no point in studying if I didn't know how to calm my nerves when I took the exams.
5. How did you spend your time when you weren’t studying and handling Prefect duties?
Running! I've always liked to run and this term I got much better at including it in my routine every day. I'm rubbish at routines but apparently I'm capable of them when I try hard enough, which is good to know. The Hogwarts grounds are a lovely place to go for a jog, and a lot of the time I'd end up by the greenhouses so I guess the other way I spent my time was with the plants. Plants are the best things ever. Never forget that.
6. Are you sad to be giving up your badge after having it so long?
Oohhh no. Not at all. I was awfully lucky to even get the badge in the first place and I definitely think it's time for someone else to have a chance. They'd probably be much better than I was. I learned a lot, though! That's for sure.
7. What will you miss most about being a Prefect?
The bathroom. Definitely the bathroom. Those bubbles are wicked.
8. What’ll you miss the most about the castle?
I think I'll miss the Hufflepuff common room the most because it's the coziest place in the entire universe. We've had a lot of heads of houses while I've been here but all of them have kept the space as inviting and homey as ever which must mean it's a pretty special place. And I'll miss loads of people. Obviously. Who will I share my chocolate frogs with when I don't see you anymore? That's the real question.
9. What’ll you do now that you’re heading into the big world?
I wish I could say something dramatic and exciting for this one but really I'm just going to school again. University, this time! To study lots and lots and lots of Herbology stuff 'cause that's my favorite stuff. Hopefully I'll survive without my head exploding from all the learning. I'll keep you updated.
10. Before you start doing the adult thing, how do you plan to spend your summer?
Probably by being as un-adultish as I can possibly be. Summers are for nothing besides spending time with my brothers 'n parents 'n grandparents. It's a rule.
1. Merlin’s beard, where did the time go? I can’t believe you’re leaving already! I’m just glad I was able to be the one to give you your final interview, so let’s get started! How did you feel entering this term, knowing it would be your last?
I can't believe it either! I never thought I'd be one of those people to tell you time flies, but it really does. You'll be here before you know it. It's quite mad, honestly. I was worried about starting this term because of NEWTs and all that, 'cause y'know studying for big exams isn't my best talent ever. It's also scary when it's your very last term 'cause that means soon Hogwarts will be over and you have to start doing real life things and think about your future 'n all that. Futures are scary. It'll all work out, though. That's what I learned.
2. Did you already have a list of things worked out for how you wanted to spend your final year?
Oh Merlin, no. I think everything's much better when you don't plan it out at all. It's much more exciting to go with the flow and see where the term takes you.
3. How did you cope with all the changes to staff this year—like no Professor Moxley???
No Professor Moxley was the tragedy of the century. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration but still, I miss her a whole lot. Luckily Headmaster Sahnoun was super cool to have around and obviously Professor Stewart was lovely for Muggle Studies as well. Nobody is quite like Professor Moxley but different can be nice, too. Hopefully she had a really grand time on her exchange 'cause she deserves that for sure. Not grand enough that she won't come back to Hogwarts, though. I think we need her.
4. This is the big NEWT year, what were some of the things you did to help you prepare and were you nervous at all?
I was all sorts of nervous. That's for sure. Nervous could've been my middle name if I didn't already have one. Usually I can kind of keep calm 'cause I really believe in living in the present 'n all that, but this year with NEWTs being so important I had to work really hard not to lose my marbles sometimes. So really I think one of the most important things I did to prepare was practicing deep breathing 'n stuff which works wonders even though you look really silly when you do it. Obviously I studied too but there'd be no point in studying if I didn't know how to calm my nerves when I took the exams.
5. How did you spend your time when you weren’t studying and handling Prefect duties?
Running! I've always liked to run and this term I got much better at including it in my routine every day. I'm rubbish at routines but apparently I'm capable of them when I try hard enough, which is good to know. The Hogwarts grounds are a lovely place to go for a jog, and a lot of the time I'd end up by the greenhouses so I guess the other way I spent my time was with the plants. Plants are the best things ever. Never forget that.
6. Are you sad to be giving up your badge after having it so long?
Oohhh no. Not at all. I was awfully lucky to even get the badge in the first place and I definitely think it's time for someone else to have a chance. They'd probably be much better than I was. I learned a lot, though! That's for sure.
7. What will you miss most about being a Prefect?
The bathroom. Definitely the bathroom. Those bubbles are wicked.
8. What’ll you miss the most about the castle?
I think I'll miss the Hufflepuff common room the most because it's the coziest place in the entire universe. We've had a lot of heads of houses while I've been here but all of them have kept the space as inviting and homey as ever which must mean it's a pretty special place. And I'll miss loads of people. Obviously. Who will I share my chocolate frogs with when I don't see you anymore? That's the real question.
9. What’ll you do now that you’re heading into the big world?
I wish I could say something dramatic and exciting for this one but really I'm just going to school again. University, this time! To study lots and lots and lots of Herbology stuff 'cause that's my favorite stuff. Hopefully I'll survive without my head exploding from all the learning. I'll keep you updated.
10. Before you start doing the adult thing, how do you plan to spend your summer?
Probably by being as un-adultish as I can possibly be. Summers are for nothing besides spending time with my brothers 'n parents 'n grandparents. It's a rule.
The noble house of Hufflepuff has long been known for it's...nutritional contribution to Hogwarts, starting with its very founder, Helga Hufflepuff. Seventh Year Prefect, Henric Nicolei seems to have carried on her passion during his stay here, most notably with his pie making that has saved the hunger Hogwartian here and there. It goes without saying the stomachs here will rumble in sorrow at his leaving but Henric is on to bigger and better things. Before he took his last steps through the giant double doors, we managed to get an interview with this outgoing puffer:
1.This was your final leg of the Hogwarts journey, must be exciting. Bet people will be real interested to know what you thought about it, so let’s get started. How did you feel knowing that when you got on the train it would be for your last year at Hogwarts?
Honestly, I’m happy that I get to graduate from this school safe and sound. But I’m also sad that all good things must come to an end. Hogwarts has always been my second home, I practically grew up here. Lots of mixed emotions, I can tell you that.
2.Did you already have a list of things worked out for how you wanted to spend your final year?
Yup, starting from giving all my friends a hug to leaving post-it notes on their mirrors. I like to tell them that it’s okay, just enjoy every moment like it's your last in this school. Brilliant, right? Also, I have plans to request more pumpkin pasties from the House Elves today. You know what, scratch that….I’m going to put pumpkin pasties at the top of my list now.
3. Do you think you’ll still be baking even after you leave the castle?
Definitely, no doubt about it. You see Blaise, you can take a man out of the kitchen but you can never take the baker out of the man.
4.This is the big NEWT year, what were some of the things you did to help you prepare and were you nervous at all?
I promised myself that I won’t be a last-minute do-er anymore. One of the ways I did to prepare myself was to create my own study timetable. That way, I won't miss any of my revisions. Umm... a little bit. I did my best and hopefully the results they send back aren’t too bad.
5. How did you spend your time when you weren’t studying and handling Prefect duties?
I either spend my time in the kitchens, baking or in the library reading about dragon mythology and folklore.
6.Are you sad to be giving up your badge after having it so long?
Not at all. Being Headboy is not just about having the badge, it comes with a lot of responsibilities and trust. You will meet all kinds of challenges and learn things you don't know about yourself. It's tough, I'm not going to lie. But it has been a very rewarding experience to me. I can never get it anywhere else other than here. I thanked all my friends and professors for that.
7. What will you miss most about being a Prefect?
The special privileges we prefects have, of course. Having two train compartments and the prefects bathroom to ourselves. Tell me, what is not to miss about them?
8. What’ll you miss the most about the castle?
I'll miss the grounds and my house common room. These are the two I’m going to miss most about this amazing castle.
9. What’ll you do now that you’re heading into the big world?
Who knows? Plenty of adventures, I hope. Maybe one day you see me owning a bakery on the side of the street or perhaps a dragon trainer off the coast of China the next day? The possibilities are endless. I believe everyone has a choice to become whatever they want to be, don’t you think?
10.Before you start doing the adult thing, how do you plan to spend your summer?
Travelling. Lots of travelling...and having fun too.
1.This was your final leg of the Hogwarts journey, must be exciting. Bet people will be real interested to know what you thought about it, so let’s get started. How did you feel knowing that when you got on the train it would be for your last year at Hogwarts?
Honestly, I’m happy that I get to graduate from this school safe and sound. But I’m also sad that all good things must come to an end. Hogwarts has always been my second home, I practically grew up here. Lots of mixed emotions, I can tell you that.
2.Did you already have a list of things worked out for how you wanted to spend your final year?
Yup, starting from giving all my friends a hug to leaving post-it notes on their mirrors. I like to tell them that it’s okay, just enjoy every moment like it's your last in this school. Brilliant, right? Also, I have plans to request more pumpkin pasties from the House Elves today. You know what, scratch that….I’m going to put pumpkin pasties at the top of my list now.
3. Do you think you’ll still be baking even after you leave the castle?
Definitely, no doubt about it. You see Blaise, you can take a man out of the kitchen but you can never take the baker out of the man.
4.This is the big NEWT year, what were some of the things you did to help you prepare and were you nervous at all?
I promised myself that I won’t be a last-minute do-er anymore. One of the ways I did to prepare myself was to create my own study timetable. That way, I won't miss any of my revisions. Umm... a little bit. I did my best and hopefully the results they send back aren’t too bad.
5. How did you spend your time when you weren’t studying and handling Prefect duties?
I either spend my time in the kitchens, baking or in the library reading about dragon mythology and folklore.
6.Are you sad to be giving up your badge after having it so long?
Not at all. Being Headboy is not just about having the badge, it comes with a lot of responsibilities and trust. You will meet all kinds of challenges and learn things you don't know about yourself. It's tough, I'm not going to lie. But it has been a very rewarding experience to me. I can never get it anywhere else other than here. I thanked all my friends and professors for that.
7. What will you miss most about being a Prefect?
The special privileges we prefects have, of course. Having two train compartments and the prefects bathroom to ourselves. Tell me, what is not to miss about them?
8. What’ll you miss the most about the castle?
I'll miss the grounds and my house common room. These are the two I’m going to miss most about this amazing castle.
9. What’ll you do now that you’re heading into the big world?
Who knows? Plenty of adventures, I hope. Maybe one day you see me owning a bakery on the side of the street or perhaps a dragon trainer off the coast of China the next day? The possibilities are endless. I believe everyone has a choice to become whatever they want to be, don’t you think?
10.Before you start doing the adult thing, how do you plan to spend your summer?
Travelling. Lots of travelling...and having fun too.