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- Potions
- Grammar School
- Creative Corner
- Story Corner
- Great Book Review
- Dear Aunt Molly
- League Table
- Trivia and Puzzles
Ensnaring the Senses By Severus Snape: The New Hogwarts Potions Text
It is almost coming upon the twenty-first anniversary of the death and defeat of You-Know-Who and his dark regime. Besides being the most famous wizard of this era due to his role in the war, there were many more heroes besides Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived. On on this year’s anniversary, Harry Potter himself is paying tribute to one truly exceptional war hero who fought alongside him, even if it was from the shadows: Severus Snape.
The former Potions Teacher at Hogwarts was an ambiguous character throughout the Dark Lord’s second rise. After the war, there was a great deal of speculation to the true nature of Severus Snape. One reporter, Rita Skeeter, wrote a biography of the man, which seemed only to stir more intrigue about the dark Potions Master. ‘Severus Snape: Scoundrel or Saint?’ spent many weeks at the top of the Daily Prophet’s best sellers list, despite one Harry Potter stating:
The woman is a liar; she mixes small amounts of truth with complete codswallop and not to mention a hefty amount of exaggeration.
Harry Potter
The book makes some wild assertions, many that Harry Potter himself has assured the public are incorrect. One theory suggests that Snape had an illicit affair with another member of The Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore’s Army. Speculation increased when one Hermione Granger refused to comment on the following:
Severus Snape saw in one Hermione Granger, his lost love Lily Evans. This led to an illicit love affair, potentially with one of the famed Golden Trio being under Amortentia. This is evidenced by none other than Harry Potter himself, who claimed that Severus Snape helped the Golden Trio during what should have been their seventh year at Hogwarts! Severus Snape was strangely absent as Headteacher, and I can confirm that this was when the affair took place!
taken from Scoundrel or Saint by Rita Skeeter
Another such claim was that Severus Snape was, in fact, the biological father of The Chosen One all along. While this would undoubtedly explain Harry’s adamance at the man’s innocence, Ex-Headmistress and Transfiguration Professor, Minerva McGonagall states that the kind of long-term transfiguration was both highly complex, and would ultimately fail once the caster of the spell had passed away. The transfiguration would have to dramatically change Harry Potter’s appearance hiding any sign of his true parentage and would need to be maintained as he grew into adulthood, ensuring he would always resemble James Potter! Rita Skeeter did report that Albus Dumbledore was, in fact, a remarkable wizard who had specialised in Transfiguration, thus making the story more believable. There was a long and heated back and forth, both in public and private, about this theory, but Minerva McGonagall ensured us at the Wizarding World News that any such enchantment would die with the one that cast it. Harry Potter himself states that the whole idea is ludicrous.
When Harry Potter ensured that Severus Snape’s name was cleared, it was seen as a controversial move. Many felt that Harry was naive when it came to the dour professor who famously murdered the beloved Albus Dumbledore. Harry, however, told a stirring tale of a mistreated boy who made a drastic error at a young age. He states that Severus’ love for a young Muggle-Born named Lily Evans – none other than Harry Potter’s mother – caused him to turn against everything he knew. He defied You-Know-Who for over a year before his first fall – something that Albus Dumbledore vouched for in front of the entire Wizengamot at the end of the first war. However, as things progressed, many believed that Albus had been deceived, and this was somewhat confirmed when Severus killed his mentor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He then became Headmaster and seemed to run a cruel regime that some compared to the dark methods of Durmstrang Institute of Magical Learning. Though it must be noted that the sinister reputation at Durmstrang has since restored due to the instalment of the new and more progressive Headmistress Claire, noted alumni of Hogwarts, and member of Hufflepuff House (see Pg 2 Issue 1).
Following the war and in the process of the public accounting of war crimes, Harry Potter revealed in his testimony that Severus Snape only ever acted on Dumbledore’s orders, and had risked his life over and over again to ensure the defeat of the Dark Lord. On top of that, Harry stated, Severus even gave his life at the end rather than share information that could have assured the Dark Lord’s victory and save his own life. Severus Snape was awarded a posthumous Order of Merlin (first class), something that Harry Potter had insisted upon, and then Minister for Magic – Kingsley Shacklebolt – gave all too willingly.
To celebrate the life of the man Harry Potter call’s: ‘The bravest man I ever knew,’ he has released Severus Snape’s copy of Advanced Potion-Making. This is an edition of the long-time assigned Potions text with additions taken from Snape’s original copy – an item that Harry claims to have saved during the Battle of Hogwarts – with all of the Potions Master’s notes which dramatically improved all the potions within. This speaks to Severus’ genius, having made the changes when he was only a student himself.
It was always clear to me that he would do great things, though I had not realised until after his death just how great Severus Snape truly was.
Horace Slughorn, Hogwarts Potions Master.
The new text will still be called ‘Advanced Potion-Making’, with the subtitle chosen by Harry Potter himself: ‘Ensnaring the Senses’. The forward is said to include a speech that Professor Snape gave in the first potions class of every student, and something that Harry said had made him feel ‘excited and entranced’ at the idea of potions.
‘Advanced Potion Making: Ensnaring the Senses’ by Libatius Borage and Severus Snape will go on sale at Flourish and Blotts on May 2nd 2019.
Introduction to Potions by Headmistress Hope
Welcome to Potions class students. In this subject, you will learn how to mix ingredients together to create elixirs, draughts, and liquids that can serve all kinds of purposes, from healing to transformation. You will need either your copies of either Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger or Advanced Potions Making by Libatius Borage. For more dangerous potions, you will need Moste Potente Potions (although you will need permission, as it’s in the Restricted Section).
Potions that can be made are the Draught of Peace, the Draught of Living Death, Polyjuice Potion, Felix Felicis, Veritaserum, and Amortentia. Many potions are restricted in certain ways. For example, Felix Felicis, the Lucky Potion, is forbidden in competitive events, and Veritaserum is very strictly controlled in its use, often only used for minor things like knowing if a student has lied about doing an assignment.
All right potioneers, get your cauldrons bubbling and let’s get started!
Themes in Potions
Felix Felicis – Hogwarts
Felix felicis is also known as Liquid Luck; that should give you an idea of what this theme is about. The drinker of this potion will experience extreme luck, things will just go there way, and often hilariously so—I don’t know about you, but I will never forget Harry mimicking an Acromantula’s pincers. Your story does not have to include the potion, which doesn’t just include luck, but also giddiness, extreme recklessness, and when consumed excessively this potion is toxic. The potion is molten gold, and extremely valuable, with that you can include the themes of triumph and success, and also a little alliteration is always fun!
Draught of the Living Death – Ilvermorny
This potion causes the drinker to fall into a deep, death-like slumber. The potion is pale lilac and turns clear when completed correctly. It was the famous first question that Professor Snape asked Harry, and if rumours are to be believed there was a hidden condolence for the death of his long lost love. But that isn’t the only connection that this potion has to true love; historically the potion was given to a princess who subsequently fell into a deep sleep. Her prince—and true love—woke her with a kiss, though we suspect that it had more to do with the Wiggenweld Potion on his lips! So for this theme we are thinking true love, everlasting, life changing love. It should not be unrequited, or simply a crush, it has to be a deep, deep love. Do Headmistress Verity a solid and give Severus Snape a chance with his true love!
Elixir to Induce Euphoria – Beauxbatons
Elixir to Induce Euphoria is a potion that was designed to cure depression, and when used not for that purpose it can cause an irrational happiness. It does have side effects of excessive singing and nose-tweaking, which can be counteracted with a touch of peppermint. So for this round you could write about a character that gets irrationally happy about something, and it does not have to be caused by the potion. Or maybe your character is going through a tough time, but sime helps them to come through and find real, genuine happiness—it could be with the potion—it could be anything else.
Veritaserum – Durmstrang
The name Veritaserum is related to the name of one of our Headmistresses, Verity, which means truth. That is your theme. This serum forced the drinker to tell the truth, so for this theme you need to find that truth that someone wants to hide. This can come out in more ways than having a Potions Master force feed them a truth potion and asking questions; what if Auror Harry is interrogating a suspected dark wizard? Maybe one of the professors has to trick the truth out of a student? Court cases in the Wizengamot, the only thing you need to be certain about is that the truth comes out!
Amortentia – Mahoutokoro
I know what you are thinking… but you are so wrong! This is not a romantic theme, well not really. Amortentia does not create real love, and as such no real love is in this theme. The theme, again, does not need to include the potion, but you should think about the kinds of relationships that mimic love. It could be love gone wrong, faked love, unrequited love, puppy love, all that we know is that eventually, it will not work out.
Round 3 – Comma usage
Hello, and welcome to round three of the Grammar School Challenge. As usual, you have a word limit of 500 minimum and 900 maximum, and there is a 10% grace either way. You can earn your school up to 10 points, and you can write about anything in the Wizarding World. While you will be judged on plot, primarily you will be judged on spelling, grammar, punctuation and one chosen technique—Commas Below is an article on to help you accomplish the task! Commas is a huge subject, so we have included in this task just five comma rules. The submission deadline for this is the same as your normal round deadline!
Before we dive into that, I would like to thank all those that took part in the last challenge, and we did have more takers! From what I gather, you all did very good work, and the judge in charge thoroughly enjoyed reading your works! I would like to give a special shout out to both Socrates and NinjaDevil, both working very hard this round and submitting great grammar school stories for Mahotokoro. These two writers are proving that the Japanese school of magic is not out of the running, and they mean business!
Commas – A Mystery Revealed
Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses
Example: “Harry went running, and he saw a snake.”
You may need to learn a few grammatical terms to understand this one. An independent clause is a unit of grammatical organisation that includes both a subject and verb and can stand alone as a sentence.
In the previous example, “Harry went running” and “he saw a snake” are both independent clauses, and “and” is the coordinating conjunction that connects them. Consequently, we insert a comma.
If we were to eliminate the “he” from that example, the second clause would lack a subject, not making it a clause at all. In that case, it would no longer need a comma:
“Harry went running and saw a snake.”
Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.
Example: “When Harry went running, he saw a snake.”
A dependent clause is a grammatical unit that contains both a subject and verb but cannot stand on its own, like:
“When Harry went running…”
Commas always follow these clauses at the start of a sentence. If a dependent clause ends the sentence, however, it no longer requires a comma. Only use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation occurs.
Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.
Appositives act as synonyms for a juxtaposed word or phrase. For example:
“While running, Ron saw a mallard, a kind of duck.”
“A kind of duck” is the appositive, which gives more information about “a mallard.” If the appositive occurs in the middle of the sentence, both sides of the phrase need a comma. As in;
“A mallard, a kind of duck, attacked Ron.”
Don’t let the length of an appositive scare you. As long as the phrase somehow gives more information about its predecessor, you usually need a comma.
“A mallard, the kind of duck Ron saw when he went running, attacked him.”
There’s one exception to this rule. Don’t offset a phrase that gives necessary information to the sentence. Usually, commas surround a non-essential clause or phrase. For example;
“The duck that attacked me scared my friend” doesn’t require any commas. Even though the phrase “that attacked me” describes “the duck,” it provides essential information to the sentence. Otherwise, no one would know why the duck scared your friend. Clauses that begin with “that” are usually essential to the sentence and do not require commas.
Use a comma after introductory adverbs.
“Finally, Ron went running.”
“Unsurprisingly, Ron saw a duck when he went running.”
Many adverbs end in “ly” and answer the question “how?” How did someone do something? How did something happen? Adverbs that don’t end in “ly,” such as “when” or “while,” usually introduce a dependent clause, which rule number two in this post already covered. Also insert a comma when “however” starts a sentence, too. Phrases like “on the other hand” and “furthermore” also fall into this category. Starting a sentence with “however,” however, is discouraged by many careful writers. A better method would be to use “however” within a sentence after the phrase you want to negate, as in the previous sentence.
Use a comma when attributing quotes.
The rule for where the comma goes, however, depends on where attribution comes. If attribution comes before the quote, place the comma outside the quotations marks. The runner said;
“Ron saw a duck.”
If attribution comes after the quote, put the comma inside the quotation marks;
“Ron saw a duck,” said the runner.
Judging criteria
Spelling -?/2
Punctuation -?/2
Grammar -?/2
Comma Rule -?/2
Plot – ?/2
Creative Corner
This is our Creative Corner where we feature all kinds of artworks you send in. As not all our students are artistically gifted, we want to open up the Wizarding World News for other forms of creative expressions. You can go wild with your ideas as long as it fits within this section. Do you want to share a meme that’s absolutely hilarious? A quote from the HP Universe that you can’t get out of your head? A poem, drawing or photo? Contact your Headmistress or The Competition Account and send them what you have to offer. In an effort to encourage you all I have decided to submit a piece of my own artwork! I love writing stories about a young Harry Potter, I think he is the cutest! In recognition of that I have drawn Harry at a much younger age!
I would also like to thank Paceso who has also submitted something this round too! Paceso wrote to us about her fear of getting a zero on a piece of homework that Professor Lockhart submitted In Harry’s second year of Hogwarts: Write a ballad or poem detailing how Gilderoy Lockhart vanquished the Wagga Wagga Werewolf! The Headmistresses can see why this particular professor may have low-balled her on this one, we, however, feel it shows a great deal of discernment and would score her highly. Please have a read of this exceptional and amusing ballad:
The Ballad of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf
In a regional town in the Riverina In the south part of fair New South Wales There occurred years ago an alarming event; Gather round, and I’ll tell you the tale. On a full moonlit night when the town was asleep It was startled awake by a roar, Then the roar turned to howl, and folk shook in their beds With a fear that they couldn’t ignore. When they rose in the morning, they heard the grim news That a werewolf had struck in the night, And two children were bitten, severely it seemed – And they all knew what came from a bite! There is no-one can tell where the werewolf had been Till he came to the Place of the Crows There were rumours around that he’d killed half a town, But the number he’d slain, no-one knows. Wide he roamed, and he preyed on the children of folk In Kooringal and round Turvey Park ‘Til the people of Wagga were all too afraid To be out and about after dark. As the stories of rampaging spread far and wide, They were carried ‘cross ocean and sea, Until one day they came to the ears of a man Who thought, “This is for magical me. This is a task that is right up my street – I’m a famed werewolf expert, you know! I’ll go down to Australia, get rid of this pest, And my magical prowess I’ll show.” So down there he went, with his photos and books, And he smiled that most charming of smiles, And the people of Wagga were blissfully blind To the danger of Gilderoy’s wiles. As he re-tells it now, it went something like this: He confronted the werewolf alone. With a wave of his wand, “Sectumsempra,” he said, And the werewolf’s howl chilled to the bone. Then he pounced on the werewolf and slammed to the floor, And with one hand he held the wolf down. There they wrestled as Gilderoy used all his arts To restrain the wolf there on the ground. With his wand on the throat of the werewolf supine, Lockhart uttered the critical charm. “Homorphus,” he cried, and the wolf gave a m*** As the furriness left from his arms. As our hero looked on at his now-erstwhile foe, Shrinking fangs and the vanishing fur Told the victor his charm had performed as it should, And the man was no longer a cur. Lockhart left Wagga then with the thanks of the crowd, And their praises rang sweet in his ears – But, my friends, listen well as I tell you the facts, For the tale isn’t as it appears. For when Lockhart proclaims he has vanquished a pest, It is no more than fictional story. What he really has done is a memory charm On the rightful possessor of glory.
Story Corner
My Little Sister. VictoirexDominque fluff. Written by: Clairebear1982.
“Vic wake up!” I woke up to find my younger sister bouncing up and down on the side of the bed like the mad March hare. “Ugh, go away Dom! It’s too early!” I groaned and rolled over. “But today’s the day!” shouted an excited Dominique. “Today is what day?” I shot back crossly. “Today’s the day we go on holiday to France to see Grand-mere and Grand-pare. I can’t believe you forgot! You never forget!” replied Dominique in shock. I was shocked too. How in the name of Morgana did I manage to forget that one? I never normally forget about a trip to France. I gave myself a mental kick in the proverbial butt and sat up. Dominique hadn’t been expecting me to sit up, and she fell of the edge of the bed with a thump. “Sorry Dom! Are you okay?” I asked quickly. “I’m fine,” said Dominique, rising to her feet. She straightened her dress, and flicked her hair back over her shoulder. “Good. Now out! Go on! Shoo!” I said playfully giving her butt a small smack. “I’m going, I’m going,” laughed Dominique. Once Dominique had left the room I fell back on my pillows briefly. I still couldn’t believe I’d forgotten about our holiday. But then it came to me; I knew why I’d been so distracted: Teddy Remus Lupin. I smiled pleasurably at the mere thought of him, he was so good looking, and so easy to talk to. He had such an ability to make me laugh, when all I wanted to do was frown. That boy had gotten right under my skin. BANG “Holy Circe, Dom! Are you trying to take the door off it’s hinges?” I said, breathing heavily. One with fright and the other, because of my musings. “No, but Mama and Papa said if you don’t get up soon they’ll leave you here on your own! Now get up!” demanded Dominique loudly. “Getting to be quite the bossy little toad aren’t we, Dom?” I said briskly, moving from my nice warm bed. “Don’t you call me a toad! You…you old dragon,” huffed Dominique. “Who are you calling a dragon, Madam?” I said as I took a step closer to her. “YOU!” she yelled. With that, I gave her a good hard punch on the shoulder. “OW!” Dominique burst into tears. “I didn’t hit you that hard… did I?” I asked uncertainly. “Yes you did!” “Oh, Dom, I’m sorry!” I whipped my little sister into a giant hug and soothed away her tears. “I really am sorry Dom.” Dominique looked up at me with watery eyes, but a smile had already replaced the tears. I loved to see her smile. She may be an annoying little toad, but she was still my sister, and I loved her for all the world.
The Great Book Review
Durmstrang
Protectors of Erised by Claude Amelia Song
I really enjoy Hermione Granger, so I was excited to read this story by Claude Amelia Song. Going to when Hermione was just starting to control her magic, this fic lived up to my expectations and more. I love every aspect of it, from beginning to end.
The story being told was an alternative universe of Hogwarts, and the different aspects of it are well explained for being a quick story. You get a feel for the world they’re in and how it works. Its basic, but effective for the story.
At first I was a bit confused as to what was happening as I had never heard of a Guardians universe relating to Harry Potter, but once I read it I was hooked. This is a must read from Claude.
By Hope
Ilvermorny
A Light in the Darkness by Ghost Dragon
When I first started reading this story, I was overwhelmed by its originality. We are introduced to two young police officers, a couple in fact, and a very likable duo too. They are well characterised, and you find that you really care about what happens to these characters, I was very quickly invested in their story. When the police car arrived in Privet Drive, I knew we exactly where we were going, and I had an inkling where the story went.
What followed was both heartwarming and tragic. Kara, the young female officer is fierceless as is Barry, her partner. Together they are called to Privet Drive and events unfold, events that dramatically change the life of one of our most beloved characters. I have often read stories where Harry is rescued, but none quite like this. There are moments that have a tinge of darkness, and yet it’s understandable, and importantly within rating.
The ending is in no way bitter, we are left with hope and happiness, seeing the life that our favourite hero could had. I do not know of a Harry Potter fan that would not love this story. It is so worth a Read and Review, and I was eager to recommend this as an overall Judges Pick, because it was unbelievably creative!
By Verity Grahams
Beauxbatons
When I opened up this story, I was taken all the way back to the Marauders Era, and I have to say, the Author, Liasis, did a fantastic job of transporting me there. I loved how she captured the characters so perfectly, each of the Marauders was exactly as I envisioned them, and it was both witty, sweet and a little sad we we saw what each of them saw in the Mirror of Erised.
It was then that the tone changed, it was no longer sweet with a hint of humour, it was deeply emotional. We witnessed a young Severus Snape glance into the famed mirror were it showed him his deepest, most desperate desire, and his greatest regret. I could feel Severus Snape’s emotion, and feel the guilt that consumed him. I loved the way that she fulfilled the prompt by having Severus look into the mirror again at a later date, cementing the idea that this love changed who he was. It is clear that this love irrevocably changed Severus, completely changed his direction, and his focus. It was well written, but more than that, it got to the heart of one of the more tragic characters in these stories.
I loved Liasis’ style and the ease with which she wrote, it was a truly beautiful story, and most certainly worth a read, and a long heartfelt review for an author that did a masterful job on this charms related story.
By Verity Grahams
Mahoutokoro
Seeds of Confusion by WhiteTiger91
So I sit in my little office as usual, and I am granted the honour of writing two reviews. I open a quaint little volume by none other than WhiteTiger, she is an author I have read before and I am already excited to read it. I loved how she approached the story, and the theme. I remember many times when someone would say to you as a child; ‘you’ll understand when you’re older.’ And surely Severus does, it is clear in the character that we see in canon. WhiteTiger, however, has written about a Severus that does not understand.
The little boy, Severus Snape, does not understand why he is stuck living in this life, and slowly but surely, he seems to find happiness and peace within one small activity he shares with his mother. Severus comes off as innocent, despite how cynical he already is about the world, how grumpy, broken and hurt he is. This was something that I really loved about the story, that Severus was a sweet, innocent boy once. This was supported by beautiful characterisation of his mother, and in some part his father, who is simply a dark shadow over their lives. The character, whilst not present as much, looms over and affects all part of the story, just as it weighs heavily on the characters.
The story is a sad story, and part of that is in the hope that Severus begins to find, the peace that starts to enter his life, and yet somehow, someway, that is stolen as well–though perhaps not by the person you would think. I say the story is sad, but it is also beautiful, emotional and realistic. The Author had a note at the beginning hinting that she no longer knew how to write how she once did, I say that she does.
By Verity Grahams
Hogwarts
A Charming Valentine by Charbo
We all love Harry, and we love him even more when he is happy and can forget about fighting Voldemort and all the bad in this world for a moment and just be himself. This is a sweet story about Harry planning the perfect surprise for his girlfriend.
The story is just as charming as Harry is; Silent Frank aka Charbo is twisting the reader around his little finger with his words, coaxing a few laughs and awws every then and now.
This story has everything from teachers running bets on their students’ love life and Fred and George being–well Fred and George! The idea of teachers betting on their students’ romantic adventures is simply hilarious, and I can’t help but wonder what Snape is secretly betting on!
This wit is coupled with romance so heartwarming that it drives tears in the reader’s eyes.
By Lun
Dear Aunt Molly
Question:
Hello! I was wondering whether or not you had any advice on how to get young children interested in the magical world. My cousin is only 6 but we are very close even though I am almost fifteen. I love the Wizarding World and want her to love it too. She can’t read yet but I thought maybe you would have some other ideas. Thanks and bye!! NinjaDevil2000
Answer:
Hello, Ninja dear,
My advice here would be to try and read to her. Pure and simple. Pull her onto your lap, and read The Tales of Beedle The Bard like I used to do when my children were small. Ronnie especially liked to curl up in my lap and listen to me read, it wouldn’t be long before he’d be happily sucking his thumb, and clutching his blankie… sorry, went a little off track there. Especially try Babbitty Rabbitty, that’s always a good one to start with. I hope that helps.
Question:
Dear Aunt Molly
I need your advice. My father is really pushy, and he wants me to come top of the class, be on the house Quidditch team, and have lots of friends that all think I’m the best. But I know I’m not that good. There’s this really clever girl in my year who always gets top marks – sometimes even more than top marks, because the teachers give her bonuses. In fact, I think she cheats, though I’ve never been able to catch her at it, because she’s muggleborn and I can’t see how she could possibly know everything she does. And with the Quidditch, my father got so angry that I wasn’t on the team that he bought the whole team Nimbus 2001 brooms so that they’d put me in the team. It worked, but I just can’t catch the Snitch as well as Potter, no matter how hard I try.
The stress is really getting to me. How can I tell my father not to have such high expectations for me, that I can’t possibly live up to?
Draco
Answer:
Hello, Draco dear,
Hmm, I’m sorry to say parents can be a difficult one to deal with. Perhaps talk to your mother about this situation you’re finding yourself in. Maybe she’ll be able to help diffuse things somewhat, and then you may get the space you need and deserve. Dear, please don’t compare yourself to others, this is not a healthy mindset to have, and you will ultimately make yourself very unhappy. You need to find things that make you happy, not your father, mother, or friends, you! Focus on those things and you will start to feel good in no time. Also, dare I say it, but you don’t have to be the best at everything. The Muggleborn you are referring too may have the same problem you do, that they feel a certain pressure to be the best to placate their parents, or even themselves, which is why they seemingly seem to be overcompensating. I hope this goes some way to help you, Draco.
Dear Aunt Molly,
I find myself in quite the conundrum. You see, I recently brewed a batch of Amortentia *ahem* purely for research. However, when I bottled the potion, I woke up the next morning to find a vial stolen! I live in a bustling community of wizards, witches, and Muggles. How do I stop chaos from ensuing if the most magically powerful love potion is in the wrong hands?
Heaps of thanks,
Concerned Researcher
Answer: Hello dear,
What in the name of Holy Morgana was you thinking not locking the potion away? How terribly irresponsible of you! You do realise that Amortentia will not make someone actually fall in love with you? Sure it makes the drinker think that they are in fact in love, when it is purely chemical, nothing and I mean nothing can make a person fall truly in love unless they like you that way. I suggest you confess what you’ve done to the aurors, and get some help finding that vial before chaos ensues. Never ever do that again you silly witch/wizard.
Hello Dears, if you have a problem, or you want to ask a question, send an owl over to my personal account. I will do my best to answer them all. You can ask a question about the competition, personal issues, or maybe you would like to send a fictional problem in from any of the Wizarding World characters? All are welcome!
Dear Aunt Molly
The International Wizarding School Competition League Table
| Beauxbatons | 1st Place | 351.5 |
| Hogwarts | 2nd Place | 316 |
| Mahoutokoro | 3rd Place | 252.75 |
| Ilvermourny | 4th Place | 250.5 |
| Durmstrang | 5th Place | 234 |
Trivia and Puzzles
School Quiz
Again—Paceso got in there faster than I could imagine possible, scoring five points for her team! I want to also give a shout out to Sonya-Heather-DeVito who was very close behind! I decided that maybe my trivia was just a little too easy, therefore I delved deep into potion lore, I looked up various ingredients and potions and hopefully this set of questions will be a touch more difficult! Do you accept the challenge?
- Which ingredient, when mixed with powdered silver, will heal a werewolf bite, though not sure lycanthropy?
- What Ingredient is used in a Wit Sharpening Potion—Harry silled said ingredient when attempting to eavesdrop?
- What kind of pus can be used—diluted—to cure acne?
- How many uses of Dragon’s Blood are there?
- Which potions ingredient is both highly flammable and highly valuable—must be sold frozen?
- Which potion uses the mundane, and edible plant ginger roots?
- Which potion ingredient is used to create Doxycide?
- Which potion ingredient resembles a pink spreading mushroom with black bristles—a creature used in potion making?
- Lovage is a mundane plant, but which potions is it used in?
- The leaf of which magical plant is a key part of becoming an animagus?
Runedoku
I would like to congratulate Socrates for getting the message first, he was followed closely by a few other students, but the newest edition to Mahoutokoro School of Magic beat them all, making a fantastic first impression. As the puzzles have been solved so quickly, I decided to up the ante here too!
For this edition we have provided a puzzle of my own creation, it’s rumoured to have inspired the very popular Muggle puzzle: Sudoku! The big difference: RUNES! There is a key in the downloadable version of the paper, and you need to complete the Rundoku and PM The International Wizarding Championship account with the numbers that would be in the highlighted squares! The process is very similar to Sudoku, each square must have the runes 1-9, also each line—both horizontal and vertical—there must be every rune from 1-9. There is a link below to an easy to print version:
Feel free to contribute to other aspects of the paper by sending a private message to the Competition account. We are always looking for pieces of fanart, and even your thoughts or recommendations. Even if you want to send a message to someone in the competition that you think has excelled, or maybe they helped you out? Send it to Aunt Molly! Anything else should be sent to Wizarding School Championship In the Subject should be Wizarding World News: [Name the section of the paper you are writing about] depending on what you’re messaging about.
Wizarding World News 