Monday, October 27, 2008

Quiz #4 Complete

Our last quiz was a "Mad Libs" type story. I posted my answers this week, and now we get to see how they fit into Lavender's story:

Professor Moody was having a terrible morning, and it wasn't even breakfast yet. Someone broke into the Herbology classroom the night before, hid a Boggart in the closet, and set loose 733 doxies. How did he know there were 733 doxies? Because each one took a bite out of his hand as he tried to capture it, and Madame Pomfrey had to run each wound separately. And comment annoyingly about how Professor McGonagall would've had the room cleared out with 2 waves of a wand.

It took forever to get out of the infirmary, and by then Professor Moody was in a foul mood. Luckily, he knew how to improve it: by finding the culprits and making him, her or them pay. Moody had overheard some students giggling in the hallways the other day about Selena's stash of doxy eggs, so he had a good idea of who to interrogate first. Unfortunately for him, but rather fortunately for Selena, the common room password had recently been changed to "Chudley Cannons", so Moody couldn't enter. Sir Cadogan looked up from his portrait and laughed at the cursing, frustrated Professor.

The old Professor Moody would have thrown a hissy fit at being taunted by a mere portrait, and blasted the thing all the way into the 9th floor girl's bathroom. The new Professor Moody went to 11 weeks of Anger Management classes, punched a lot of pillows, and took up needlepoint. And started subscribing to the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes catalogue.

Professor Moody's first class off the day was Herbology with the 3rd year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaw. It took them 2 hours to clean up after the entire carton of Fanged Frisbees that went off and clung to their robes, schoolbooks, and any exposed flesh. The students all knew that Selena was planning to do something in Herbology to get Professor Moody, so everyone blamed her for the prank and gave her the cold shoulder for 17 days, until Ophelia Hopkirk blew up the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom with a misplaced charm and became the new pariah-of-the-hour.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Hogwarts Ghosts

I was sitting by the window in our common room today, when a new ghost flew in. He's not like the other ghosts here at Hogwarts.

His name is Zero. He's very friendly, and he's been following me around all day. Most of the Hogwarts ghosts are quite nice - our own Fat Friar is always jolly, Nearly Headless Nick is unfailingly polite, and even Peeves can be quite funny sometimes. But Zero's unusual - he really likes to be around people, all the time, and he's very warm and cuddly for a ghost.


I've been trying to pet him a bit, and I think he likes that. It's hard to pet a ghost, but he's so cute that I can't help but try. Sometimes he gets in a playful mood, but he was content to spend most of the day in my lap, or hovering just over my shoulder while I was reading.


He reminds me a lot of one of my Muggle dogs, Oscar. But I don't think Oscar could be part ghost, since I'm already pretty sure he's part Niffler. But maybe Zero is a distant relative of Oscar's - that might explain the resemblance. Since I can't have Oscar or Max with me when I'm in class, I'm glad Zero's here. It's nice to have doggie company - and I think this ghostly dog likes having company, too. I'm happy to snuggle with Zero!

The Hufflepuff Wizard Cracker Exchange

I'm about to announce the Hufflepuff Wizard Cracker Exchange, so here's a short tutorial on how to make your own Cracker.

If this were a real Wizard Cracker, the lucky recipient would pull on the ends and it would explode with a bang, revealing all sorts of goodies. Since mailing something that explodes is probably a Really Bad Idea, we're going to go for the look - and the goodies.

Supplies: You'll need a cardboard tube, some tissue paper, tape (or glue), scissors, goodies to put in the cracker, and stuff to decorate the cracker. The dog is optional and not recommended, but my EvenWorseDog really likes to steal and chew up paper towel tubes.


Step 1: Cut the tube to the length needed for your goodies, and roll it up in tissue paper that's a few inches wider than your tube is long.


Step 2: Twist the paper on one end of the tube to close it, and fill it with goodies through the other end.


Step 3: With both ends twisted shut and tucked in, pick your paper for the outside of the cracker. I've had to tape two 12" sheets of scrapbook paper together here, but the seam will be hidden by my decorations. You want something that will wrap around the tube with a bit of an overlap, and leave 4-5" at each end of the tube.


Step 4: The decorative paper is taped around the outside of the tube. Pinch the ends shut - you'll want them to be fairly snug.


Step 5: Fasten the ends shut with yarn, ribbon, or tape, and decorate as you see fit. Your cracker is ready to mail!


Possible embellishments - you could always add some curling ribbon, to simulate an explosion. Or confetti - if you warn the recipient to be careful about opening it. Here are some examples of Muggle Crackers, for inspiration.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

I am most like...


Which HP Kid Are You?

Quiz #4

More homework, and today it's Mad Libs. This should be fun! Today I'll post a list of words, and at the end of the week, we'll see what sort of story they've created....

1. Alastor Moody
2. Herbology
3. 733
4. Professor McGonagall
5. Hand
6. to run
7. Selena
8. Chudley Cannons
9. Sir Cadogan
10. 9
11. 11
12. Needlepoint
13. Ravenclaw
14. Fanged Frisbees
15. Ophelia Hopkirk
16. Defense Against the Dark Arts

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Quidditch, Round Two

It's time for the next round of Quidditch! I hope I'll be able to help hunt the Snitch this time, and maybe bring victory back to our fine House. Huzzah Hufflepuff!

No scavenger hunt this round, but here are my trivia answers:

What animal does the portrait in the Muggle Prime Minster’s office resemble?
b. Frog


2. What drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?
a. Gillywater


3. What is the name of the person who heads the Holyhead Harpies?
b. Gwenog Jones


4. How many ‘Exceeds Expectation’ grades does Harry receive in his O.W.L’s?
c. 5


5. What is Professor Slughorn’s favorite candy?
d. Crystallized Pineapple


6. What tattoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?
c. Hippogriff


7. What color robes do the staff at the Weasley’s shop wear?
b. Magenta


8. What is the man outside Flourish and Blotts selling?
a. Amulets


9. How much is the skull, which Hermione enquires about at Borgin and Burkes, worth?
c. 16 Galleons


10. What are Professor Slughorn’s initials?
b. H.E.F.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Yikes! A Quiz!

I'm no better at my Hogwarts homework than I am with Muggle projects. I just now found out about the quiz - which is exactly the sort of thing I get on students for doing! How bad is that?

But here it is - the best I can do, without the book:

1. On what day does Harry run into Draco and Narcissa in Diagon Alley?
August 3, when they're buying school supplies before the beginning of the term.

2. How does Harry get detention in DADA?
He annoys Professor Snape, especially when he says "There's no need to call me 'Professor,' sir."

3. How does Ron get his spot on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team?
He wins it in tryouts! It may help that Hermione Confunded Cormac McLaggen, but Ron's probably the better Keeper, anyway.

4. When is the first Apparition lesson?
February 1.

5. When do Ron and Ginny breakup with Lavender and Dean?
April 21.

6. What Horcrux is hidden in the cave?
The Locket

7. Who does Filch have a romance with?
The Librarian

8. When is Voldemort’s birthday and birth place?
He was born in London, December 31, around 1926.

9. What is Dumbledore’s favorite flavor of jam?
Raspberry.

10. Who is “Mollywobbles” and who uses the name?
It's Mr. Weasley's pet nickname for Mrs. Weasley.

Pictures:

Snape

Draco

Kreacher

Madam Pince

Rufus Scrimgeour

My Patronus

What Patronus Charm would you create?

Terrier
Terrier
You would create a Terrier Patronus charm just like Ron. Your personality must be loyal, slightly clueless, fun-loving, and clumsy.
How do you compare?
Take this test! | Tests from Testriffic