Head of House
Being responsible for an entire house is no small task, something every Head of House knows well and now something Mr. McLeod has become familiar with. He gained responsibility of Slytherin house at the beginning of the term and with results like the ones seen at the End of Term feast there's really nothing to complain about. We could go on about this newly bestowed position, but this is best gotten from the man's mouth himself. Thankfully we were able to get an interview with the Head of House before departing on the train:
1. Where you excited to be taking on the responsibilities of caring for a whole house?
Of course. It was an interesting turn from merely assisting to keeping everyone in line.
2. What were some of the biggest things you wanted to change once you accepted the position?
Not really. Slytherin's in no need of any change.
3. First term as Head of House and the snakes take the cup. How's that feel?
It feels pretty damn good, that's for sure. I knew my snakes could do it.
4. Have you run into any road blocks that needed smoothing out yet?
Nothing that hasn't been smoothed out.
5. How would you describe the experience so far?
Excellent.
1. Where you excited to be taking on the responsibilities of caring for a whole house?
Of course. It was an interesting turn from merely assisting to keeping everyone in line.
2. What were some of the biggest things you wanted to change once you accepted the position?
Not really. Slytherin's in no need of any change.
3. First term as Head of House and the snakes take the cup. How's that feel?
It feels pretty damn good, that's for sure. I knew my snakes could do it.
4. Have you run into any road blocks that needed smoothing out yet?
Nothing that hasn't been smoothed out.
5. How would you describe the experience so far?
Excellent.
Prefects
Charlotte Wojack is the lively red head with a big heart, and a bigger eye for fashion. The seventh year fashionista reclaimed her place as Slytherin Prefect for her final term and showed younger snakes just how focused and fabulous a Slytherin can be. Balancing NEWTs, class work, prefect duties, and a boyfriend to boot, Ms. Wojack made managing time look effortless. We were lucky enough to chat with her and learn a little bit more about her time here at Hogwarts.
1. Let’s go back to the beginning. When you walked into Hogwarts for the first time, did you ever anticipate being a prefect?
Of course not! When I showed up here, I just wanted to be near my friends and to find my place in the world. I'd been at Durmstrang for a year, and it didn't suit me at all, but I never imagined a leadership type position. I was busy just trying to survive the first day.
2. Being a seventh year, you’ve had the chance to get to know many of the professors, old and new. Were there any who had a particularly strong impact on you?
There are subjects that I never would have loved on my own if not for a professor who was really passionate about it, and that's the mark of a really good teacher. I think a special thanks should go to Professor Myers, because he cared so much about me personally, even knowing that I didn't love his class, and he was so thrilled and touched when I tried to understand why Herbology means what it does to him. Passionate people create passion in others.
3. What do you find more stressful, studying for NEWTs, or accessorizing an outfit for a special event you’re going to?
Accessorizing isn't stressful, and shame on you for suggesting that! Studying is always stressful, but I did it with help this year and rewarded myself plenty for my hard work. I think everyone ought to be so lucky, don't you?
4. If you could give yourself a superlative, which would you win and why?
Best Dressed! I think that's obvious!
5. Is there anything you wish you would’ve done while at Hogwarts that you didn’t get a chance to do?
Early on in my career, I made a bucket list with one of my very best friends, and he's been great about keeping me honest in getting it done. I can't think of a single thing that I wish I'd done, except maybe spent a LITTLE less time in the library and a little more time by the lake. The library smells funny, have you noticed?
6. What was the best part about working with your fellow prefect, Hugo Foster?
Hugo Foster is a dreamboat in training. What isn't there to like? He's witty and a snappy dresser and always on time. He does his job. I don't require much, but he does it.
7. Can you share one of your favorite Hogwarts memories with us?
There are so many! Probably the sleepovers I had in my dorm with Maddie Cooper, or the events where we had new foods and music and silliness. Or maybe mastering a new skill. Definitely never any time I spent in the library.
8. If you had to sum up your time at Hogwarts in three words, what would they be?
First Act Fin
9. With graduation right around the corner, thoughts of your future must be floating around that pretty head of yours. What are your plans for next year?
I've been accepted into the Contemporary Ballet program at WADA, and I'll be living on campus in London next year. I'm really really excited for the opportunity to continue my dancing and follow my dreams at a top dance school that's close enough to home and my friends that I can still see them when I want.
10. Do you have any words of advice for the younger Slytherins who will be returning to Hogwarts next term?
Not all types of bravery are Gryffindor bravery, and not all types of kindness are Hufflepuff kindness, and not all types of smarts are Ravenclaw smarts. You are you, and you are enough. Enjoy being you in a place that enjoys who you are and celebrates it in all its weird and wily ways.
1. Let’s go back to the beginning. When you walked into Hogwarts for the first time, did you ever anticipate being a prefect?
Of course not! When I showed up here, I just wanted to be near my friends and to find my place in the world. I'd been at Durmstrang for a year, and it didn't suit me at all, but I never imagined a leadership type position. I was busy just trying to survive the first day.
2. Being a seventh year, you’ve had the chance to get to know many of the professors, old and new. Were there any who had a particularly strong impact on you?
There are subjects that I never would have loved on my own if not for a professor who was really passionate about it, and that's the mark of a really good teacher. I think a special thanks should go to Professor Myers, because he cared so much about me personally, even knowing that I didn't love his class, and he was so thrilled and touched when I tried to understand why Herbology means what it does to him. Passionate people create passion in others.
3. What do you find more stressful, studying for NEWTs, or accessorizing an outfit for a special event you’re going to?
Accessorizing isn't stressful, and shame on you for suggesting that! Studying is always stressful, but I did it with help this year and rewarded myself plenty for my hard work. I think everyone ought to be so lucky, don't you?
4. If you could give yourself a superlative, which would you win and why?
Best Dressed! I think that's obvious!
5. Is there anything you wish you would’ve done while at Hogwarts that you didn’t get a chance to do?
Early on in my career, I made a bucket list with one of my very best friends, and he's been great about keeping me honest in getting it done. I can't think of a single thing that I wish I'd done, except maybe spent a LITTLE less time in the library and a little more time by the lake. The library smells funny, have you noticed?
6. What was the best part about working with your fellow prefect, Hugo Foster?
Hugo Foster is a dreamboat in training. What isn't there to like? He's witty and a snappy dresser and always on time. He does his job. I don't require much, but he does it.
7. Can you share one of your favorite Hogwarts memories with us?
There are so many! Probably the sleepovers I had in my dorm with Maddie Cooper, or the events where we had new foods and music and silliness. Or maybe mastering a new skill. Definitely never any time I spent in the library.
8. If you had to sum up your time at Hogwarts in three words, what would they be?
First Act Fin
9. With graduation right around the corner, thoughts of your future must be floating around that pretty head of yours. What are your plans for next year?
I've been accepted into the Contemporary Ballet program at WADA, and I'll be living on campus in London next year. I'm really really excited for the opportunity to continue my dancing and follow my dreams at a top dance school that's close enough to home and my friends that I can still see them when I want.
10. Do you have any words of advice for the younger Slytherins who will be returning to Hogwarts next term?
Not all types of bravery are Gryffindor bravery, and not all types of kindness are Hufflepuff kindness, and not all types of smarts are Ravenclaw smarts. You are you, and you are enough. Enjoy being you in a place that enjoys who you are and celebrates it in all its weird and wily ways.
Who's the handsome hunk looking out for Slytherins, you ask? Why it's none other than Hugo Foster, the sixth year snake with a killer smile and serious social skills. With help from his co-prefect, Foster was able to keep his housemates out of trouble and alive, which-let's be serious, is the ultimate goal here at Hogwarts. We got the chance to sit down with him and discuss his take on the term, and what it takes to be a leader.
1. Keeping a watchful eye on your fellow Slytherins can’t always be easy. How do you go about earning the trust and respect of the younger students in your house?
Good question. It’s kind of tricky with the younger ones since some of them might avoid having any interaction with student leaders, but I go easy on them and ask them questions about their lives or the school, trying to be friendly so they know that just because I wear a badge doesn’t mean they can’t talk to me.
2. If you could teach any subject here at Hogwarts, which would you choose and why?
Defense Against the Dark Arts for sure because it is my favorite one and I really enjoy practicing it and even taking notes about stuff that could help me later on.
3. What qualities do you think make for a good prefect?
Patience, respect, responsibility.
4. If you could give yourself a superlative, which would you win and why?
Most Nosy Person, yeah. I think people will agree because I like to ask a lot or maybe Most Likely to Nap Anywhere. People will have to vote.
5. If the house elves could only prepare one meal for the rest of the term, which would you want it to be and why?
Tough one. Maybe french fries because you can never get enough of fries.
6. Not saying you’ve ever used one…but what’s your go-to excuse when you haven’t managed to finish a homework assignment on time?
That I was busy doing prefect duties? That would be my excuse or that I was sick.
7. Where is the best place in the castle to take an uninterrupted nap?
Probably my dorm but even there people tend to interrupt you. I still have yet to find that perfect place.
8. Handsome prefect that you are, what qualities do you look for in a witch?
Thank you. Well, I want someone genuine and fun, who I can talk about anything and also who can cook, that would be great.
9. Anything you’d like to say to your fabulous graduating co-prefect, Miss Wojack?
That I will miss her A LOT, I wish her the best and I know she will do amazing in anything she sets her mind on.
10. What advice do you have for younger Slytherins hoping to wear the prefect badge someday?
Don’t get too serious about the badge. Yeah, it is a big responsibility but it shouldn’t be boring so, do your duties, help others and try to have fun.
1. Keeping a watchful eye on your fellow Slytherins can’t always be easy. How do you go about earning the trust and respect of the younger students in your house?
Good question. It’s kind of tricky with the younger ones since some of them might avoid having any interaction with student leaders, but I go easy on them and ask them questions about their lives or the school, trying to be friendly so they know that just because I wear a badge doesn’t mean they can’t talk to me.
2. If you could teach any subject here at Hogwarts, which would you choose and why?
Defense Against the Dark Arts for sure because it is my favorite one and I really enjoy practicing it and even taking notes about stuff that could help me later on.
3. What qualities do you think make for a good prefect?
Patience, respect, responsibility.
4. If you could give yourself a superlative, which would you win and why?
Most Nosy Person, yeah. I think people will agree because I like to ask a lot or maybe Most Likely to Nap Anywhere. People will have to vote.
5. If the house elves could only prepare one meal for the rest of the term, which would you want it to be and why?
Tough one. Maybe french fries because you can never get enough of fries.
6. Not saying you’ve ever used one…but what’s your go-to excuse when you haven’t managed to finish a homework assignment on time?
That I was busy doing prefect duties? That would be my excuse or that I was sick.
7. Where is the best place in the castle to take an uninterrupted nap?
Probably my dorm but even there people tend to interrupt you. I still have yet to find that perfect place.
8. Handsome prefect that you are, what qualities do you look for in a witch?
Thank you. Well, I want someone genuine and fun, who I can talk about anything and also who can cook, that would be great.
9. Anything you’d like to say to your fabulous graduating co-prefect, Miss Wojack?
That I will miss her A LOT, I wish her the best and I know she will do amazing in anything she sets her mind on.
10. What advice do you have for younger Slytherins hoping to wear the prefect badge someday?
Don’t get too serious about the badge. Yeah, it is a big responsibility but it shouldn’t be boring so, do your duties, help others and try to have fun.