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New Sponsor
Author: Carys
Date: 11-26-13 18:03
This was the first year that Carys was invited to co-sponsor the Photography Club at Hogwarts. Considering the reason for her early exit from the school after the completion of her fifth year, Carys had never envisioned herself returning to Hogwarts in any sort of official capacity, outside of her photography work for Emrys Everyday. She could still remember the painful conversation Professor McGonagall had had with her after the discovery of her pregnancy more than seven years ago.
A lot had changed since then. Carys and Professor McGonagall had become something like friends following their stay at Goen Bren. It had been the Headmistress who'd given Carys the opportunity to use her knowledge of photography at Hogwarts, following Professor Dumbledore's example of giving second chances without ever realizing it.
For her part, Carys had welcomed the opportunity to return to Hogwarts. Like in previous years, Ginny Potter was also co-sponsor of the Photography Club. The other former sponsor, Majandra Weasley, was in charge of the Potions Club now.
Carys had brought some of her camera equipment with her, as well a portfolio of some of her best photographs, and a few copies of the university's newspaper that contained her pictures.
"You hold it like this," Carys said to a student who had just picked up a lightweight camera made of wood, leather and brass in the style of amateur cameras from the late 19th century.
The student looked through the lens and panned the camera around the room. "It's different from a Muggle camera," she remarked, after lowering it and looking back at Carys.
"Yes and no," Carys said. Though she didn't know anything about modern Muggle cameras, she knew that a long time ago Muggles had used similar cameras to the one the girl held in her hands.
"I would like to hear about what you know about Muggle cameras," she said, after her own explanation. "Maybe if you join the club, you can enlighten everyone in the group."
"Yeah, okay," the girl said. She put the camera back on the table and signed her name on the list. Then she bounded off to meet up with a friend.
Carys sat back down in her chair and waited for the next interested student to visit the Photography Club table.
Dueling Club
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 11-26-13 18:26
Clasped hands resting on top of her seven months swollen belly, Kissy munches on the ever present bland cracker. Though she's never had violent morning sickness, mild nausea has been an almost daily part of life since becoming pregnant. Due in November, Kissy has already made arrangements with Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank to cover her classes until winter holiday. Kissy should be back to work with the new year.
Every since she's been showing, Kissy and Cameron have been besieged with the, "Are you have a boy or a girl?" and the, "Do you have a name picked out?" questions. Following a close third is, "When are you due?" Today is no different as it's one of the first times since the term began that many students have had a chance at casual conversation with her. A few of her Defense Against the Dark Arts students have asked before or after class but more have asked today than have asked since the term began. Even more who aren't her students have asked as they've come by the Dueling Club booth to either confirm wanting to be a member again this year or to ask questions about joining for the first time.
One such student is a first year, who slowly approaches, seeming a little tentative. When close enough Kissy smiling asks, "Would you like some information on Dueling Club?"
Shyly returning the smile, she gives a tiny nod. "Yes, miss."
Accepting the brochure Ethan and Kissy had collaborated on, the girl says, "I thought Professor Somerset does this."
"Professor Somerset and I sponsor Dueling Club together." In case the girl has forgotten professor introductions that always get done at some point during Start of Term Feast, Kissy elaborates. "I'm Professor Weatherby, though you'll sometimes hear some students call me by my name from before I was married, Isuki. I teach the upper years Defense Against the Dark Arts courses."
"I forgot that."
"Professor Somerset and I have been taking turns today. I can answer any questions you have but if you're wanting to talk with him, he'll be back in a bit."
"I was just wondering who does the club duel?"
"Club members duel each other and we do have meets with other schools."
"You go to other schools?"
"Yes, sometimes. Sometimes they come here."
"Professor Somerset said in class that first years can join but do we get to duel with the other schools?"
"Yes, everyone gets to. You'd be dueling someone of similar ability, so if you're worried you'd be expected to duel an older student, such as a seventh year, that almost never happens."
"Almost never?"
"From time to time a younger students shows quite the talent at dueling and is given the greater challenge."
When the girl doesn't say anything right away Kissy tells her, "If you need to think about joining, take your time. You don't have to sign up today if you aren't sure. You may also join and if you don't like it, you don't have to stay a member."
"I think I'd like to sign."
The girl, Nala Mansoori, puts her name down then, with another smile, thanks Kissy before moving on her way but not before her intial shyness vanishes and she asks, "When is your baby due? Do you have a name picked out? Is it a girl or a boy?"
Hogwarts Art Society
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 11-27-13 06:27
The Hogwarts Art Society was not as popular as some of the other clubs in the castle; however Celeste was pleased about the number of students who had signed up, so far.
Lucy Lehane, a fifth year student who had been helping her running the booth, returned after a break informing Celeste that the Quidditch teams had been posted. As the assistant head of the Slytherin house, Celeste took a special interest for the team's performance during the matches. With curiosity, she asked Lucy to tell her who had been chosen. Lucy, also a Slytherin, had memorized her house's rooster and she told it to Celeste, who nodded in approval. She believed that this year Slytherin's results would be better than last year and hopefully they would not found themselves at the last position again. Maybe they could even reach to the first place.
Celeste thanked Lucy for the information given and then she turned her attention to a tall student who wanted to learn more about the school's Art Society. His name was Ichabod Hawkins and he was one of Celeste's astronomy students.
"The Art Society was born with the propose of providing to the interested students, the possibility of contacting with several forms of art. Our gatherings are informal and we discuss many works of art, both wizarding and Muggle. Students are also welcome and encouraged to bring their own works to the meetings ,to share with everyone. You'll learn about different artists, their lives and work and the techniques used. It's opened to everyone and you don't need to know anything about art to join."
"I heard someone saying there are school trips…"
"You heard well, Mr. Hawkins. Once per term, I take the students to a museum. Since we are generally a small group it is relatively easy to organize the trips. Generally we go to see works of art we had discussed during the meetings. One thing is talk about them, and look at reproductions, another is to see them with our own eyes."
Ichabod said he was going to think whether or not he would sign up and Celeste told him there was no rush.
"If you want you can go to the first meeting, see if it interests you. Here is a pamphlet with the location and time of the meetings."
Ichabod thanked her and then he walked away. Another Ravenclaw got closer to her booth. This time it was her nephew, Caleb. He was followed by Sophie McCourt. The two of them were inseparable. She asked them if they would like to join the Art Society.
"No, thanks," Caleb told her. "I signed up again for Book Group and the Gobstones club," he seemed clearly pleased with the last one. Celeste knew her nephew was very good at that game, but just like everyone else in the family she wished he wouldn't be too attached to it.
"What about you, Miss McCourt?"
"Thank you Professor, but I already signed up for the Drama Club and also for the Astronomy one."
"Those are good choices," she told Sophie. "I would have picked Astronomy myself as well."
Both Caleb and Sophie laughed. Of course that Celeste as the upper years Astronomy teacher would consider to pick such club. Caleb said goodbye to his aunt and he walked away, with Sophie next to him. Once they were gone, Celeste picked up the parchment with the list of students that wanted to be part of the Hogwarts Art Society and studied it carefully, hoping that more names would be added to the list until the end of the day.
(Galadriel) Which Club to Join?
Author: Diana Clarisse Thatcher
Date: 11-27-13 15:55
Today is Saturday. Galadriel didn't wake up until 11 am today. Classes started and he is already worn out. It was his birthday on the 12th and he misses his family. He wanted to celebrate with them. Anyway he woke up and got ready and he knows that Diana, his best friend will be waiting for him down at the Great Hall.
He got dressed quickly and went down. As expected Diana was there at the Gryffindor area waiting for him.
"Hi Diana, are you here a long time?" Galadriel said.
"Just about thirty minutes." Diana said looking at her watch.
"I am excited and overwhelmed today! I don't know which club to join! How about you?"
"Huh? I mean, of course I was also excited. I really wanted to join Quidditch but the list is already up there. Professor Krum already had the list." He said looking really dismayed.
"It's fine, you can try out next week." Diana said encouraging her friend. She knows Galadriel really likes quidditch.
"Yeah, you're right! Let's go check out the clubs there and sign up!" He said beaming.
Charms Club
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 11-27-13 16:52
"Why would someone want to join Charms club when we have to have it for a class?"
This is a question Dante has heard a number of times since working at Hogwarts and becoming sponsor of the Charms Club. As such, by now it's one he's well prepared to answer.
"We cover charms in the club that you won't learn in class, either under Professor Flitwick or when you're an upper year. We do some interesting, and I think fun, projects."
"Like what charms?"
"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"Yes." There's almost, though not quite, a question mark at the end as the young students wonders what having siblings has to do with Charms Club.
"In Charms Club you could learn the charm to keep any diary or journal locked or to use on a jewelry box or a keepsake type box."
Dante reaches for a bracelet. "You would learn how to make a charm bracelet." Locating a charm that looks like a small ink pot he continues. "If you are in class and run out of ink and have no more with you but have extra in your dorm room, you take this ink pot charm, drop it in the empty container, say the word to activate it, and you've got ink. Having the charms on the bracelet is a convenient way to keep up with them."
Dante reaches for what looks like a keyring but which has more of the little charms on it. "For those who don't want to wear them on a bracelet ,"
"I bet none of the boys do."
"You are correct."
"For those who don't want that, something like this keyring works. They can be attached other ways. A fifth year who was in the club last year kept some laced to his shoes."
"This one looks like a quill so if I needed a new one, this would give me one?"
"You'd already have to have a spare quill, in your room or say you left a few school items at home but, yes, if you are in need of a quill, active this charm and you have your quill."
"Do they last forever?"
"Unfortunately, no. You have to reactive a charm after it's been used."
"And only club members have these?"
"Yes, unless a member teaches someone else how to make one."
"If I sign up but end up not liking Charms Club, do I have to stay a member until the school year is over?"
"No, signing up does not bind you to the club for the entire term. All I ask if that you give us a fair chance."
She works her mouth as if thinking deeply then with a nod, the first year reaches for the quill to sign. Dante gives her information on where the club meets and when. She moves on to see what another club is about, leaving Dante a chance to warm his tea and get in a bite of a slice of pie before putting his smile back in place to answer any questions the two students who've just come up may have.
Decisions
Author: Finley
Date: 11-27-13 17:53
Finley had walked through the Great Hall earlier in the day to learn about the different clubs at Hogwarts but hadn't signed up for anything, deciding she could mull over her options for a few hours and sign up for the clubs she wanted before Club Day ended.
Some of the clubs didn't come as any surprise to her, like the Art Society and Language Club. But then there was Gobstones, which Finley had never heard of before, and clubs like the Alchemy Club and Dueling. She envisioned dueling as something like learning how to fence, only with wands and spells instead of foils.
Finley half wondered whether joining the Astronomy Club, Charms Club, Herbology Club, and Potions Club would help her with her studies. Learning about magic was an adjustment from her old school subjects, though she wasn't doing poorly. She kept up with her readings and others assignments, but she didn't yet feel very confident in her abilities.
She wished she could write to Leroy about everything she had experienced so far at Hogwarts, but she was positive an owl flying to the orphanage would cause quite a stir. Also, she didn't need to give anyone extra ammunition in terms of their belief that she was a big freak.
Finley had watched part of the Quidditch trials last weekend, which had been fascinating for someone who until recently hadn't known that witches really did fly on broomsticks. She never would have thought to try out for Quidditch herself, since the sum total of her flying experience consisted of the three lessons she'd taken so far.
Quidditch seemed to be a mishmash of Muggle sports, like basketball, football, and dodgeball. The rules didn't seem very complicated, though Finley had only observed scrimmage matches and had yet to see the real thing. She looked forward to the first game, which would be between her house and Slytherin.
Finley wandered back into the Great Hall at the close of Club Day to make her final selections. She bumped into Phoebus there, who had signed up for the Athletics Club and Dueling Club. He seemed keen on her joining the same clubs, but Finley already knew that she had no interest in Athletics. Dueling, on the other hand, did sound fun and interesting. She put her name on the list and also signed up for the Charms Club.
New Potions Club
Author: Majandra
Date: 11-27-13 19:26
Majandra has seen more interest than she thought she might in the new Potions Club. It's not as glamorous or different as some of the clubs but Maj thinks she's got some fun, interesting activities planned.
She's not sure why she didn't think to suggest such a club before this past summer. Given Severus's curled upper lip and eye roll at the mention of a Potions Club, and knowing how the man can be, Maj has a good idea of why one was never suggested in all the years that only Severus Snape taught Potions. She does keep meaning to find out if there were such a club before then, such as when Horace Slughorn was the Hogwarts Potions master.
Despite Snape's reaction at her mention of wanting to start such a club, Maj felt it necessary to ask if he were interested in being co-sponsor. Better to ask and be rejected. If she hadn't asked, it's possible his feelings would have been hurt at not being considered. Not that Severus Snape would ever admit hurt feelings over not being asked to co-sponsor a club.
As expected, Severus had turned down the offer. Maj wasn't the least bit upset over his rejection. Nothing against him as she personally does like Severus Snape and he was a huge help to her when getting started on the path to Potions mistress but Maj has a feeling that if he were co-sponsor, she'd have fewer interested in joining.
Mindful of the time and that Club Day 2007 will soon end, she hopes she gets a few more nibbles or even another sign up or two, before it's time to strike the booth. Reaching for a frosted sugar biscuit on the platter she's got set out, Maj smiles at some students mingling nearby, holding up a Potions Club information pamphlet in hopes of enticing one or more of them over.