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Season 1 – Issue 6

IWSC

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10th Anniversary of Educational Decree thirty-three.

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the day that all magical educational establishments agreed on the importance of teaching Defense Against The Dark Arts. As I was there the day the decree was signed, I am able to look back at how things were in celebration of this achievement.

Prior to the second wizarding war, only two magical schools that taught the subject, Defence Against the Dark Arts; Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After the war ended, many concerned parents realised that they had no real way of protecting themselves, or their families if another threat became real. All this was due to never really delving into Defense during their magical education. This was the catalyst that caused the United Confederation of International Wizarding Schools to be formed. The UCIWS ensures that magical schools, all across the globe, teach the same subjects and the same syllabuses. This also means that the standards were raised considerably, schools now must have specially trained teachers for Defense. It is not just a theoretical lesson anymore, but a practical based lesson that teaches students worldwide every aspect—with the exception of the Unforgivable Curses which still remains very much a theoretical lesson—of this most important subject.

The biggest advocate of this decree was none other than one Mrs Hermione Weasley. Having fought alongside Harry Potter during the second wizarding war, and due to her position within the Ministry, she was able to put forward a bill for change.

In an interview, she said it was important that all children of Hogwarts age, and above, receive an exemplary well rounded education, and all students had the right to be to be taught the same subjects – especially Defence! This ensures that all nations have the exact same criteria for learning and that everyone is at the appropriate level in Defense. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named might be gone, but there would also be those that fought alongside him to take our liberty, and there could potentially be someone ready to take his place at any time. So if we know our children can protect themselves, the better parents will sleep at night.

(I myself, as a mother of three, will definitely sleep easier knowing my children will be able to defend themselves should they so need too).

This was the most significant educational decree in many centuries—excluding the various decrees passed by Dolores Umbridge, which were reversed straight after You-Know-Who’s defeat—and after eighteen months of talks, debates, arguments, and much give and take, the decree was finalised and made ready for public opinion. The first time the decree was released to the public, it went down like the flying giant; parents across the world were not at all happy with practical learning in this controversial subject.

Supporting, the idea of Defense being an all practical lesson, Harry Potter stated: ‘It’s an important lesson. The second wizarding war shows that even children will have need to defend themselves’. However, the fear of the severity of accidents that could occur did not sway parents initially. Only after many reassurances from the Confederation that children would be rigorously safeguarded and all practical lessons would be taught under tightly controlled circumstances, did parents agree. The Confederation also assured that medical staff within the schools would be trained by Defense specialists in case of any mishaps—hopefully there wouldn’t be any—as a precaution and for further safeguarding of their children.

The decree was then set in place one year later when the Confederation felt the Defense teachers were at an adequate level to teach the students at the schools which they had be assigned.

This has proved to be a great success; the students all across the globe feel that they can now confidently defend themselves, should they need to – both in and out of school. The pass rates in the Defense O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s have been at an all time high over the past eight years, with many taking up careers as either new Defense teachers, working solely with dark creatures, and most importantly, Aurors. All over the world, Ministries have full quality staffing in some of their more dangerous posts.

I contacted various parents and teachers of students that currently attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:

“I’m so glad that the Ministry listened to the parents. It was a shake up that was badly needed. It’s been amazing to see the teacher in action on the days I’ve been invited to the school to give a talk. The students seem to be flourishing under his tutelage. My son James was so excited after his first lesson, and has been ever since.” ~ Harry Potter – Parent

“I was completely skeptical at first, but having seen Scorpius’ excitement in his letters home, it has made me change my mind, and I hope to continue being supportive of this new decree.” ~ Astoria Malfoy – Parent

“This guy is amazing! It’s been a pleasure to watch him teach. It makes me wish I was a student again and could redo my Defense exams over, but I’m happy being the new Herbology teacher.” ~ Neville Longbottom – Herbology Professor

This has been ClaireBear1982 for The Wizarding World News.

INTRO TO DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS

Welcome now to your Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Please have your copy of The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self Protection by Quentin Trimble at hand. In this class, you will learn jinxes, hexes, and curses with which to defend yourself against Dark magic. You will also learn the kinds of spells Dark witches and wizards will try to use against you, such as Avada Kedavra, Crucio, and Imperio, as well as how to deal with a few Dark creatures.

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As for the spells you will ultimately learn, some of them are the Stunning Spell, Stupefy, the Shield Charm, Protego, and the Disarming Jinx, Expelliarmus. Up until his death, the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts was believed to have been cursed by Tom Riddle, also later known as Lord Voldemort. This was after he tried and failed twice to achieve the position for himself.

Now, take out your wands, and prepare to defend yourself. 3… 2… 1…!

Themes

Ilvermorny – Boggart

This theme, as you can imagine is about fear. A fear that reveals something about your character! They should be facing their fear, conquering their fear, or maybe their fear conquers them?

Beauxbatons – Werewolves

Werewolves represent, for me, prejudice in the Harry Potter world. Some characters that were werewolves did not deserve this prejudice (Remus Lupin), and some welcome the curse with open arms, reinforcing it (Fenrir Greyback). Explore the theme of prejudice; it can be against Muggleborns, or even Slytherins (’cause maybe James was a bit prejudiced assuming all Slytherins were evil?). The kind of prejudice is up to you, as is how you approach it!

Durmstrang – Cruciatus

Pain is at the centre of this theme. Your stories need to explore characters that are feeling unimaginable pain. But do not think that this needs to be related the curse itself; the pain of loss or heartbreak can be just as debilitating! Characters or creatures of your story should overcome or endure their pain. Maybe they cannot endure it, maybe the pain is something that they live with daily. Pain can be something that we take out on others… I think you have enough to be going on for now!

Mahoutokoro – Avada Kedavra

Death and loss are a huge parts of life. We all experience it at some point in our lives. This does not have to be a human death, it does not have to be a canon death either! It does not have to be murder, there are wizarding illnesses you can incorporate, and old age – you just gotta make sure something pops its clogs!

Hogwarts – Imperio

This theme is all about controlling someone, or being controlled by someone. This theme should be met by having a character in control of someone or something, or maybe they are the one being controlled. This can be in a variety of ways, not just the famous unforgivable curse! Someone can be controlled in many ways, pain, thread of death, ransom, love.

Welcome to another round of Grammar school. This round we are paying close attention to the rules on ‘En’ dashes – and ‘Em’ dashes —. Neither of these should be confused with the hyphen -. As usual you may write whatever you want, as long as it is within the Harry Potter world, your word limit is 500 minimum to 900 maximum and there is 10% grace, as usual. You will be judged on plot, spelling, grammar, punctuation and on the technique we look at today: dashes!

En Dashes and Em Dashes

What is the difference between the hyphen, the em dash, and the en dash?

Distinguishing among the Three

The hyphen is the shortest of the three and is used most commonly.

  • to combine words (compounds such as “well-being” and “advanced-level,” for example)
  • to separate numbers that are not inclusive (phone numbers and Social Security numbers, for example).
  • On computer keyboards, the hyphen appears on the bottom half of the key located on the top row between the “0” and the equals mark (=).

In many instances, correct hyphenation can be a complicated issue.

Rules for Dashes

  1. When using the hyphen, the en dash, or the em dash, put no space either before or after them.
    1. The only exception is with a hanging hyphen (see, for example, the word “nineteenth” in the phrase “nineteenth- and twentieth-century literature”). By definition, a hanging hyphen will have a space after it but not before it.
  2. The em dash is significantly longer than the hyphen. We use the em dash to create a strong break in the structure of a sentence. Dashes can be used in pairs like parentheses—that is, to enclose a word, or a phrase, or a clause (as we’ve done here)—or they can be used alone to detach one end of a sentence from the main body. Dashes are particularly useful in a sentence that is long and complex or in one that has a number of commas within it.
  3. When we confuse the em dash with the hyphen, we make a sentence virtually impossible to read. Notice the sentence containing dashes in the preceding paragraph. If we had used a hyphen in place of each dash, it would seem as though we had hyphenated two pairs of words in the sentence: “parentheses-that” and “clause-or,” neither pair of which makes any sense.
  4. The en dash is slightly longer than the hyphen but not as long as the em dash. (It is, in fact, the width of a typesetter’s letter “N,” whereas the em dash is the width of the letter “M”—thus their names.) The en dash means, quite simply, “through.” We use it most commonly to indicate inclusive dates and numbers: July 9–August 17; pp. 37–59.

Typing the En Dash and Em Dash

  • Now, many word processing software programs will automatically turn those two hyphens into an em dash (if we correctly leave NO space before or after them).
  • We can also choose en and em dashes from a menu of symbols that do not appear on the keyboard. In Microsoft Word, for example, we can pull down the “Insert” window, click on “Symbol,” and go to the “normal text” window. The en and em dashes appear on the bottom row.
  • In any software program that handles text, the em dash can be typed on an enhanced keyboard as Alt 0151—that is, hold down the “alternate” key and, using the numerical pad on the right side of the keyboard, type the numbers 0151. The en dash can be typed as Alt 0150.
  • On a mac you would use shift Alt and then the dash/hyphen key

TEST YOURSELF

Can you spot any errors in the use of the hyphen, the en dash, or the em dash in the following sentences?

  1. The instructions were written on pages 33-47.
  2. The conference will be held June 30 – July 2 on Hilton Head Island.
  3. Juan had tried begging, bribing, and even demanding cooperation from his staff-all of whom were swamped with other work-before he gave up and wrote the report himself.
  4. No one – not even the president – realized the company would have to dissolve so quickly.

ANSWERS

  1. The instructions were written on pages 33–47. [Use an en dash, not a hyphen, to indicate inclusive page numbers.]
  2. The conference will be held June 30–July 2 on Hilton Head Island. [Use an en dash, not a hyphen, to indicate inclusive dates. Do not space before or after dashes.]
  3. Juan tried begging, bribing, and even demanding cooperation from his staff—all of whom were swamped with other work—before he gave up and wrote the report himself. [Use em dashes, not hyphens, to indicate a break in thought.]
  4. No one—not even the president—realized the company would have to dissolve so quickly. [Use em dashes, not hyphens, to show a break in thought. Do not space before or after dashes.]

Creative Corner

Welcome to the Creative Corner! I hope that you can enjoy some of the lovely pieces of artwork that have been sent in by other students, and this round we have three Hogwarts entries! Remember, anything that appears in the paper gets you five points! Thanks to all those that have sent in some lovely submissions for the creative corner, this round and previous rounds. This week we have a special poem that was composed by Charbo, of Hogwarts.

Old Friends
Thoughts of the past
Drift in my mind
Friends of the past
Drift away in streams of memories
The past brings back smiles
But the present brings pain
Thoughts of people I used to know
Flow like a river of thoughts
Old friends come to mind and I ask,
“Whatever happened to…?”
Old friends that stay in touch
Reach out with new news of those we left behind
Some are well, some are doing fine,
Some can’t be found, some have gone on
To those that are well
Good to know you are
To those who are doing fine
Glad to hear it
To those who can’t be found
We miss you, and want to know where you are
To those who have gone on
We will miss you, never forget you, and join you someday.

How Can I Be A Better Writer?

Time for some more of Headmistress Lun’s creative writing tips! ‘Show, don’t tell’ is what we hear most when we look up how to be a good writer.. How do you do that? Well, Headmistress Lun has been on the case and has written a fantastic article to help you in following round

Show, don’t tell

Do you have the feeling that your stories sometimes feel flat and boring even though there are a loads of awesome and creative ideas mixed into them? A rule you always have to remind yourself of in this case is ‘Show, don’t Tell’.

I know, it is an old concept that most of you probably have heard about before. Still, I often hear from fellow writers that they have troubles implementing it, unable to pin down what it is about this rather simple and powerful advice that is so hard to put to good use.

But why exactly is telling so bad? It is after all quite efficient, giving the reader a lot of information with as little words as possible. Let me give you an example from Chamber of Secrets that will be eye-opening to you: Remember the part where Tom Riddle, writes to Harry through his diary? When Harry asks him about the first time the Chamber of Secrets was opened, Riddle decides that instead of just telling Harry what has happened so many years ago, he can show him through taking him into the memory. Wouldn’t it have been boring if Tom Riddle had written pages and pages just telling us about how M*** Myrtle had been killed, and how he had accused Hagrid of releasing the Beast in the Chamber? This is a clever example to package something in an engaging way by letting it play out instead of just writing: And then that happened.

Let me give you some advice! Firstly, you should make sure your plot is not bursting at the seams, especially when you are working with a word count. When writers try to squeeze in too much into one story, they often tend to compensate that by glossing over events that could have played out nicely instead. You should try to reduce your plot to the absolutely necessary so you have enough space to set the scene, introduce the characters, let emotions play out and of course let your action take place. If you overload a story that is limited by words or simply by your own stamina as a writer, it will be hard to avoid telling.

Furthermore, let your characters talk! Dialogue often suffers most from telling, and dialogue will help you out of the telling-trap. It forces you to think of the implications of an interaction, think about how characters react and how exactly they say something. It can help with characterisation and to introduce emotion.

Use vivid description! Avoid being lazy by using the same old phrase hundreds of writers used before. Standing still as a statue hardly is a new concept. Do not overdo it however, too much description is wrong on so many levels that I can write a whole other article about it. Important is to describe how things happen instead of that they happen. If your character is crying, describe the tears on their face, the sobs they have to gloup back, the heartbreak they feel. If your character is angry, let them scream bloody murder, break something or stalk off stomping. Let them show their feelings instead of telling us about them. Imagery and metaphors are a strong weapon when it comes to description; try to use it, but use it subtly.

And last but not least, write action. Let events have consequences and people react to things. Make everything leave an imprint on the world you are writing about.

Breaking News

This round, your Headmistresses will be partaking in their own round starting tonight! We decided to have a practice run for what a final would be like, except with a round that you guys have already had, or rather are still having, The Defence Against the Dark Arts round. As we have said, the final will require teamwork because all the stories that a school submits will have to be linked! This does not have to be one story made of multiple chapters, but there has to be a clear distinct link between the stories, and for each story that gets this right there will be up to 5 bonus points! There is a maximum of seven stories per team in the final that you will partake in!

We will be submitting our stories at the same time that the next paper is released. They will have their own thread, so you will be able to see the theme and prompts we used, and you are more than welcome to read and post your review of those stories. We are of course open to criticism and ideas if you can point out how we could have made it better. Maybe our prompt usage does does not get full marks in your book? Or maybe you thought that one of the stories was really great!

Story Corner With Headmistress Claire

Lily awoke with a start. She wasn’t sure what had woken her—well she knew what had woken her, but she really didn’t want to admit it to herself. How was this day already here? Where had the last eighteen years gone? She wasn’t ready to let go, at least not just yet.

‘Maybe if I stay in bed all day, it won’t be true, maybe if I stay here, he won’t go,’ thought Lily.

Realising how selfish that sounded, Lily let out a silent sigh and slipped softly from her marital bed. Once she had donned her green, fluffy dressing gown and slippers, Lily softly padded out of the bedroom she shared with her husband James and made her way down the rickety old staircase. She walked straight to the kitchen to start making coffee.

While the coffee was brewing, Lily’s thoughts started to wander. She stared out the kitchen window to the garden beyond, her eyes drawn to the swing James had added to a thick sturdy branch of the old oak tree. She thought about the many hours she and James had spent pushing their son on it, watching him soar higher and higher.

Her eyes then wandered to the veggie patch, and she remembered the day her little boy had been stung by a wasp. He had gone into anaphylaxis, scaring the life out of her. All those moments were gone now, and not one memory could be re-lived. She was startled out of her reverie by a soft warm voice.

“Morning mum,” said Harry with a yawn.

“Morning sunshine,” said Lily as she quickly dried her eyes.

“Mum, are you crying?” asked Harry in shock. He rarely saw his mum cry.

“What? No love, I just have slightly watery eyes this morning,” Lily lied.

“Mum, it’s going to be fine, you can call me anytime. Plus Falmouth isn’t that far away,” said Harry reasonably.

Lily busied herself making coffees for herself and her son for the last time until Christmas.

Half an hour later, James joined them in the living room to discuss anything and everything they could think of one final time before they had none left. But time did run away with them – far too quickly for Lily’s liking. It wasn’t long before Harry was packing up his car with everything he needed for university.

“Remember son, drive carefully, and give your mum a call when you get there safely,” James said with a wink. Harry grinned and shook his head, his father was incorrigible.

Finally, it was time to say goodbye. Harry hugged his father briefly before drawing his mum into a tight embrace and kissed her dark red hair.

“Love you, mum,” Harry whispered throatily.

Lily squeezed her son tightly for a moment before letting him go.

“You take care of yourself! Be safe, and enjoy your new life, my love,” smiled Lily, her big green eyes swimming with tears. That was very nearly Harry’s undoing, but he swallowed thickly and urged his feet to move to drivers side door of his car.

Harry looked back at the cottage where he’d grown up and smiled. He was going to miss this old place. He couldn’t wait to come home again and help his father put the Christmas lights out on the front, then help his mother put the tree up. With one final smile at his parents, Harry got in the car and drove away.

James pulled his wife closer and kissed her freckled nose before saying: “You’ll always have me, Lils.”

The Great Book Review

Durmstrang

Warriors in the Meadow – DitzyMagic

This story completely blew me away. I love how ditzy worked the theme and prompts into this tale of Harry and Hermione.

The whole concept was genius, how they were taken to the garden of Hesperides, as their safety, I love the idea of the one hundred headed dragon standing guard over the golden apple tree, and all it wanting in return is the sword of Gryffindor.

I also love the idea that the garden healed and nourished them both too, making them both battle ready when they went back. All in all a fantastic read. ditzy, you never fail to impress me!

Claire.

Ilvermorny

A Marvelous Plan – nottheonlyfanaround

I loved this story so much, it made excellent use of the characters involved, and it was such a perfectly hopeful ending. A Marvelous Plan by nottheonlyfanaround was one of the best stories I’ve read in awhile.

The main thing I enjoyed about this were the characters. At first I was worried it would only have Andromeda’s thoughts, but then Sirius was brought in, and the story grew even more, wonderfully showing their relationship and their mutual desire to break free from their family toxicity. I loved that Sirius viewed the possibility of Andromeda breaking free as the precursor to his own escape, even though it turned out to be opposite.

The other thing I liked was the ending. As soon as Sirius arrived and made fun of the cloak she wore as a disguise, it was funny and hopeful as Andromeda contemplated helping Regulus also and considered Ted and her future.

People, just read it, it’s excellent!

HOPE

Beauxbatons

Venus Was Her Name – Vanilla Orchid

I was at work the evening I picked up ‘Venus Was Her Name’ by VanillaOrchid, and I have to say that it really was a unique story. I loved this new take on an exploration of how Andromeda and Ted would meet and get to know one another, and of course, eventually fall in love. The theme was used in an unusual and subtle way, being that Greek Mythology was what brought the two together.

Not many are fond of flashbacks, but I really do like them, especially done like this. Andromeda tells the story, and the flashbacks are interrupted by Narcissa’s incessant questioning. It was an interesting approach and one that I found added a touch of humour to the story, and yet it did not ruin the sweetness of the tale.

It was a lovely origins take for our favourite Slytherpuff couple, and the characterisation makes me see where Nymphadora Tonks got her fun and quirky attitude!

VERITY

Mahoutokoro

Hunting Down the Truth – WhiteTiger

As I settle down for the night with a pile of stories that came across my desk earlier that day, there was one that jumped out at me as I flicked through the pile. In this story, we see a character that I have rarely ever seen written about as a main character, one Rubeus Hagrid.

WhiteTiger91 breathes life into one of my favourite characters, and gives us more of an insight of what himself and Olympe Maxime went through in their quest Dumbledore set them upon to find the giants in a bid to get their help in the coming Wizarding war.

I love the flashbacks to Rubeus as a child and what his father was like and the little easter eggs like his father making rock cakes, as we see Rubeus likes to make them in canon too. I love their interactions with each other, and you can get a real sense that his father adored him.

I was blown away by how Tiggs worked the prompt into her story. It was very well done that I could see it be a canon fact that Friwulda would leave something to protect both of her sons!

CLAIRE

Hogwarts

Year One:The True Power of a Hero – heidlebergchick – OVERALL JP 5 POINTS!

We all know the scene where Harry walks to his own death well. It is still etched into my brain, clear as the day I first read the last book, first watched the last movie. And yet, heidlebergchick managed to freshen up this image, to entrance me again with her words so similar and yet so unique as she describes Harry’s last march. It is infused with bitterness, with fear and with the only thing Voldemort sees in Harry’s eyes: acceptance.

The theme comes into play the moment Harry dies, and it fits the plot like a glove. It is as if JKR herself had not intended it to be any other way. Medusa in this story is like a Basilisk-Goddess: The similarities between her and the creature JKR wrote about are striking and cement the Greek Mythology in the narrative structures of the Wizarding Universe.

Harry in this story remains Harry to the end. He is the same Harry on the threshold of death as he was when he first left the cupboard under the stairs behind. His innocence prevails, the good in him remains strong. It is a balm to the soul to read about a Harry who stays pure and untainted even after going through so much pain.

LUN

Dear Aunt Molly

Dear Aunt Molly,

I is wondering if you could help me. I is collecting sockses, but I have too many to wear. I have nine socks but only two feets. Any advices on how to wear the other sockses

Yourses truly, a very happy House-Elf with too many sockses

Hello dear,

Let’s see, maybe you could use them as ear warmers, and gloves? Otherwise, if they’re woollen, pick them apart and make yourself a woolly jumper. Hope that helps you.

Dear Aunt Molly,

I’m a first-year Hufflepuff, and on the train ride, I made friends with another student. We were really close, even though they were Sorted into Slytherin. We hung out a lot outside of class, and partnered up in every class we had together. It was like this for a few months, until they started to become cold and distant. They don’t want to hang out with me anymore, and I don’t know why! I don’t think I’ve said or done anything! Help!

Sincerely,

A Confused Hufflepuff

Hello dear,

Ah, here we go again with the inter-house hate. I’m guessing someone has said something to your friend and has put pressure on them about your friendship. Maybe talk to your friend if you can get them on their own for long enough. If they refuse to talk to you, then well, maybe they were never your true friend to start with, and you’re better off without them.

Dear Mollywobbles,

Is there ever anything you can’t do? You’re brilliant!

Tell me, if you were a man, how would you go about getting your wife to forgive you for filling the house with Muggle items? I’d like my very beautiful, very smart wife to understand that they will improve our life, and all the clutter will be worth it in the end.

Love always,

Your Arthur-kins Xxx

Hello dear,

Holy Morgana Arthur, you’ve made me blush! The only way I’m going to forgive is if you get rid of all this Muggle stuff! You honestly don’t need it, these poor Muggles have far too much stuff to do the simplest of jobs, so I am publically begging you, GET RID!!! Love you too xxx

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

SchoolPlacePointsMVP
Beauxbatons1st Place817Liasis
Hogwarts2nd Place797Heidlebergchick
Mahoutokoro3rd Place724NinjaDevil
Durmstrang4th Place628QuickSilverFox
Ilvermounry5th Place 570nottheonlyfanaround

Round-Design Challenge

For this round, we have a special challenge for you. To make sure we continue to have great round designs in the future, we want you to come up with your personal version of the perfect round!

You have 4 weeks to send in a maximum of 3 rounds per person. A complete design includes an overall theme, school themes for all five schools, at least 15 prompts (max 20), and to spice things up, you will have to include an idea for a special rule. For Bonus Rounds, duplication of prompts is not allowed for example. Send in your round design to the IWSC account as a PM or google docs link.

As a reward, the best round design will win 10 points for their school so get your quills and start writing!

-o-

Template

Overall Theme: Write a short description of the theme. We used the school subjects as a basis for our rounds. You can follow that tradition or do your own overall theme. Creativity might impress us just a little more!

School Themes: These have to be related to the overall theme. Include a description of each School Theme that specifies the direction the theme can go and how it can be interpreted. If you need some help, look at how the previous rounds have linked school themes and prompts to the subjects that inspired the round.

Hogwarts –
Beauxbatons –
Ilvermorny –
Durmstrang –
Mahoutokoro –

Prompts: Put together a mix of prompts that are at least distantly related to the Overall Theme and are easily included into every school theme. Try to add a bit of variety for the kinds of prompts (characters, settings, quotes, etc.). Take a look at the list of prompts at the bottom of each round for inspiration. We would like you to include at least 15, use more if needed for your round design (see below.)

Special Rule: Write a clear description of your Special Rule that goes along with the overall round design and should be used with all School Themes. For Bonus rounds, we do not allow duplication of prompts, can you come up with another way to bend the rules to make this round extra challenging? If this rule requires extra prompts, please include as noted above.

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.

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