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NAVIGATION
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The NEW classrooms can be found at:
www.freewebs.com/phclassrooms/ Classroom 1
www.freewebs.com/phclassrooms2/ Classroom 2
So, depending on which Houses you are in, you will have different classes. Gryffindors and Ravenclaws are currently attending all classes under Classroom 1. Hufflepuffs and Slytherins will be attending all classes under Classroom 2. After everyone has completed all assignments on each link, then they schedule will be rotated. Thank you for understanding.
Those are the official links, so don't bother looking at the work below unless you feel like reading through the past.
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Defense Against the Dark Arts and Dumbledore's Army
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DADA and Dumbledore's Army
Hello, Professor Lupin here! I'm really happy to be a part of the Hogwarts staff again. I have an assignment set up but won't post it until term starts (that way everyone has the same amount of time to finish it). If you happen to have any questions or comments for me, or any homework my email is professorlupin2002@yahoo.com
DADA Assignment:
Hello, students! There are no assignments as of right now! While class is not in session, I would advise you to continue to practice Defense Against the Dark Arts with Harry and his Army. I would've also advised you to practice with the online Dueling Club, but unfortunately, the link to the Dueling Club is not working at this time, you'll just have to wait for the real club to start.
If you want, you can view the previous assignment:
The charm to repel a boggart is known as Ridikulus (pronounced Ree-dik-oolus). Please tell me in your assignment what it is that you fear the most. Once you have found out your worst fear, I would like you to find a picture of what you would transform it into (using the Ridikulus charm) to make you laugh. Please, by all means, be creative.
I have decided to post the best homework assignment I have gotten below.
An interesting definition on the boggart, donated by Miss Hermione Granger:
Definition of a Boggart: A boggart is a shape-shifter that assumes the shape of whatever you fear the most. It recieves energy from creating fear in others. It prefers to live in dark places or anywhere it can annoy humankind. The best way to rid yourself of a boggart is to humiliate it with laughter. By using the Riddikulus Charm, you will force the boggart to assume a most amusing appearance.
It’s always better to face a boggart when you are with a group. If this should occur, the boggart will be unsure of which person’s fear to transform itself into. An event like this will confuse the boggart, and usually the boggart will not bother you, which is always a good thing.
Boggarts are reknown worldwide but by different titles. These creatures are known as "bogeys" or "bogeymen" in the USA, "bogle" in Scotland, and "Boggelmann" in Germany.
Boggarts are sometimes branded as "mistreated spirits that have become malevolent," but they usually aren't hostile or harmful and just prefer the mischief of our kind.
All boggarts like to come out at night, when most people will fall victim to their playful antics (basically, "when they are most convincing").
Most boggarts are known to be house spirits, where as the only real way to rid yourself of them if you are a Muggle would be to move. Sometimes, however, a boggart will grow attached to a certain family and move along with them. If it can frustrate the family enough, the boggart has much more fun.
It is possible for any type of being to be rid of a boggart, as anyone can laugh. If you can manage to laugh at the boggart, then it will disappear from your life forever. Wizards have it easier as they can use the Riddikulus Charm, but if a Muggle is daring enough, their could be some way for them to pull off ridding themselves of the boggart.
 - Professor Lupin
Dumbledore's Army
Latest Assignment: None
Previous Assignment: Write a paragraph about the Patronus Charm and a picture of what your Patronus takes the shape of.
Send all assignments to: lightningseeker2000@yahoo.com
Best Completed Assignment So far:
Hermione Granger
Class: DA
Topic: Patronus Charm
(picutre would not show, sorry about that)
Every person in the world needs protection from someone every once in a while. The best way to gain such an important thing is by knowing the Patronus charm. Pronounced, Ex-Spec-Toe-Pa-Trone-Um, this incantation is said to take the form of the spell-caster's guardian. Most frequently, the guardian is of an animal that relates to a loved one or someone very close to the person who casts the charm.
This guardian is also known as a Patronus, and is very handy in defending yourself from a Dementor and, on rare occasions, a Lethifold. Produced from silvery magic, the patronus is there for one purpose-- to defend its creator.
The Patronus is most known to be a silvery phantom shape, most likely that of an animal, which is often the embodiment of the caster's positive thoughts.
In order for the Patronus Charm to work, one must think of a happy memory, which is particularly hard in the presence of a dementor. The charm will only work if the caster is concentration very hard on the happy memory of his or her choice
Expecto Patronum is a Latin-based charm. Many words relating to the Patronus have some significant meanings. For example, in Latin, a Patronus was the former master of a freed slave, still entitled to recieve services from that specific slave, for whom he continued to serve as a sort of "paternal advisor, protector, and defender." Also, in Latin, Expecto means "to await" or "to look for," whilst Patronum means "patron saint." When translated, the two words put together mean "Waiting for (or looking for or seeking) the patron saint." Expecto Patronum is known for meaning "throwing out a guardian" as well. It is also said that in Latin, Expecto means "to throw out," and Patronum means "guardian."The word patronus also has significant history for Italy. Known as Roman civil law, patronus is a word modification of the Latin word pater, father, which happened to be a denomination Romulus alotted to the first senators of Rome, which they later always bore. It was said that at first, Romulus appointed a hundred of them. Seven years later, one hundred ore were appointed, chosen from the Sabines. Apparently, this was all in consequence of the association of Tatius to the Romans. Soon though, Tarquinius Priscus increased the number to three hundred. Any of the people appointed by Romulus and Tatius were called "patres majorum gentium." We know this was the higher class, do to the word "majorum." Any others were called "patres minorum gentium," obivously of a lower standard ("minorum" gives you that clue.) These high officials and their descendants constituted the nobility of Rome. Other people were known as lebeians, at least, every one of whom "was obliged to chose one of these fathers as his patron." This relataionship constituted began to involve many critical consequences. An account on the plebeians was given in an online encyclopedia:
"The plebeian, who was called cliens (a client), was obliged to furnish the means of maintenance to his chosen patron; to furnish a portion for his patron's daughters; to ransom him and his sons, if captured by an enemy, and pay all sums recovered against him by judgment of the courts. The patron, on the other hand, was obliged to watch over the interests of his client, whether present or absent to protect his person and property, and especially to defend him in all actions brought against him for any cause."
Because of this, neither could accuse or "bear" testimony over the other, nor give cotnrary votes, etc. The contract, being of sacred nature, was not to be violated. Such an act was an example of treason and highly punishable. According to the writings of Cicero (De Repub. II. 9), this relation formed an "integral" part of the governmental system. As was written:
"Et habutit plebem in clientelas principum descriptum."
This Cicern seemed to find quite, eminently, useful.
The system of vassalage was traced by Blackstone, back to this ancient idea of patron and client. Surprisingly, it was of the same nature as the Middle Ages's feudal institutions, devised to maintain order in a rising state by a combination of the aristocrats and common people's opposing interests, upon "the principle of reciprocal bonds for mutual interests, Dumazeau, Barreau Romain, Sec. III." Officially, the word patronus came to stand for no more than an advocate.
As can be seen from the above revelations, the patronus had many meanings and effects in ordinary lives. Whether by the work of magic or the intellect of government, it will remain a vital part in the history of the world forever.
Keep up the good work! -Harry
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"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."
There are no new assignments for you.
However, here is the previous assignment: What is an animagus? And, how many registered animagi are there in the wizarding world?
If you have not already done the previous I suggest you get started, seeing as this assignment is long since overdue. The more information you give, the more points your house gets. One paragraph will do.
As for examples, I have none to post at the moment.
Send all assignments to: transfiguration_PonagansetHogwarts@att.net
If there is nothing more for you to do here, I advise you not to linger. Good day to you.
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Care of Magical Creatures
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Care of Magical Creatures:
Assignment: There ain't nothin' to do righ' now.
Here's some earlier assignmen's fer yeh to look at:
Care of Magical Creatures Assignment 1:
Tell me a little bit abou' Thestrals an' show me a picture of em'.
Care of Magical Creatures Assignment 2:
Um, I would like a picture of a Norwegian Ridgeback dragon, along with at least a paragraph worth of information on its history, care, or features. Yeh may choose one of the topics, all, or another yeh 'ave come up with. (I suggest yeh search www.google.com for Norwegian Ridgeback pictures, an' it migh' also help ter use yehr Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them book or The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter book) Good luck! Best picture gets a place 'n my classroom, and earns their house extra points!
I'm not 'bout to give deadlines fer these either! I know I might 'ave said yeh could hand 'em 'n at whatever time yeh thin' is good, but now yeh're pushin' it. Ron, yeh better hurry it up!
Here's my email... professorhagrid2000@yahoo.com
Best assignments from Thestral homework:
Roger Davies
(pictures didn' show, send 'em 'n again)
Luna Lovegood
Thestrals are the winged horses that pull the carriages at Hogwarts. Hogwarts started with one male and five females and have a herd of them to this day. The only people who can see them are people who have seen death. They are said to be unlucky, because of their relation to death, but that is only a superstition. As terrifying as they may seem, trained Thestrals really aren't that dangerous. These creatures have a great sense of direction, can fly with speed, and can prove to be very useful creatures.
Hermione Granger
(pictures didn' show, send 'em 'n again)
Thestrals are commonly known as the creatures of death, which is why many wizards consider them quite unlucky. Such a symbol may be well-suited for this rare creature because of its known hisory. Thestrals are, in fact, only seen by those who have witnessed death firsthand. A good example of someone who has done so would be fellow student Harry Potter. Harry, having been there when Cedric was murdered, could see the Thestrals pulling the carriages the following year. Cedric had died towards the end of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts, so until he was fifteen, Harry had not been able to witness the Thestrals.
A thestral, although beautiful in its own uniquenes, is not the most brilliant in physical traits. These great, black winged horses seem merely to be some concoction of the imagination. Thestrals, being completely fleshless, may sometimes be what we envision in our nightmares. Each bone in a Thestral's body is visible, due to the fact that its black coat clings to its skeleton. The heads of these creatures are dragon-like, with pupil-less white eyes and silky black manes. A Thestral's wings are black and appear to be quite large and leathery. They also have a pair of sharp fangs to bite into their prey with. Despite their appearance though, they are actually quite friendly creatures.
There are many species of Winged Horses. In fact, Thestrals are part of a clan of many winged horses, which exixt worldwide. Some of the different breeds include the Abraxan, Aethonan, Granian, and reknowned Hippogriff.
Care for any Winged Horse, particularly the thestral, includes performing the Disillusionment Charm, a spell which causes the directee to blend in with its surroundings, like a chameleon. Any wizard or witch who may happen to own a breed of Winged Horse has to perform this charm daily to ensure that no Muggle will see it. To the great luck of all wizardkind, any Muggle who may catch a glimpse of this beast or any other will be considered "loony" by their fellow kind. It helps to ensure the safety of the wizarding world and its creatures, even if the Muggle in question is being unfairly mistreated.
At Hogwarts, Thestrals are mainly used to pull carriages for students of second year or higher. Occasionally, it is said that Dumbledore uses one for transportation instead of the faster Apparating.
Darkness is a Thestral's common preference. Their natural habitat is found in the woods normally.
Thestrals can be summoned while in their natural habitat by a particular call (resembling a shrieking cry) or by the smell of blood and raw meat, this being their favorite meal.
It's hard to decipher whether a Threstral is lucky or truly unlucky. Some believe that the idea of these creatures bringing bad luck is superstition, expecially because they find them clever and useful. But others, particularly those deeply involved in Divination, find them to be bad omens that bring misfortune. Even so, both theories remain yet to be proven to this day.
All though the Ministry of Magic has classified Thestrals as dangerous, they are naturally peaceful creatures. However, if a Thestral is annoyed enough, it may possily bite you or threaten to do so.
If you do manage to tame a Thestral, then they are an amazing means of transportation. Because they have a keen sense of direction and fly at a super speed, it is of great importance for them you to gain their trust.
A Thestral is probably one of the most underestimated creatures. Its flying skills and gentleness set it apart from other breeds of Winged Horses. The Thestral though, no matter how it is looked at, will always be a reminder of what separates our world from the world of Muggles.
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Professor Flitwick here! Nothing new here for you, just some already completed assignments!
Remember! Send all assignments and things to: levitationking@yahoo.com
Here's the most recent assignments, keep practicing those Wingardium Leviosa and Accio charms:
Charms Assignment 1:
Tell me about the charm Wingardium Leviosa. Include what the name originated from, what
the charm doess, how to pronounce it, and how the proper technique in which you cast it.
Charms Assignment 2:
For my next assigment, I would like you to research the Accio charm. Tell me whatever you can about it. I expect at least a paragraph. You should tell me the pronunciation and what it does, of course. I would also ask that you give me a situation where it would be used. For instance, I would suggest that you make up a problem you have landed yourself in, and use the accio charm --correctly-- to get yourself out of it. I will give you a week and a half. You are all good students. I figure you'll do well.
Best assignments on Wingardium Leviosa:
Hermione Granger
Wingardium Leviosa is known as the Charm of Levitation. This spell, used to make objects "fly," is most likely to be used on objects rather than people. Only a really powerful wizard could use it on his own kind.
For this enchantment to work, it must be pronounced correctly. Many make the mistake of pronouncing it as Wing-ARD-ium Levi-o-SAH. The correct pronounciation is actually Wing-GARD-ium Levi-O-sah. It helps to remember that the 'gar' in Wingardium should be spoken nice and long.
Wingardium Leviosa is actually a charm based off a certain Latin word. Leviosa almost certainly came from the Latin word levis, which is pronounced as Le-wis (In Latin, "v's" are pronounced as "w's"). This word, meaning light, obviously also inspired the English word known as "levitate."
There is really only one way to work this levitating spell. The movement is known as "the swish and flick." Basically, this movement would be swinging your wand in your hand from left to right if you are right handed (the opposite if you are left handed) and then bringing your hand back to the center and flicking your wrist so your wand is pointing straight at the object that you are trying to levitate. Practicing the "swish and flick" and how to pronounce the incantation several times before attempting the charm helps a great deal. Also, a good way to practice this spell is by using it to bring your books to you or to help any person who needs something brought to them.
However, as useful as this spell can be, it's not a good idea to use it only for means of laziness. Having your books levitated around for you will not help to avoid such a catastrophe, not to mention that casting such spells too many times can take away your energy.
Being able to cast the spell is always a good way to earn extra points though. Also, not being afraid to try cast ing the spell in front of a class can help your House win the House Cup. This spell can also be used to gain extra points by using it to help a student or teacher in some way.
As with any charm, it is always a good idea to start off with something light. A feather would do the trick, being small and of little weight. The better you become at this spell, the more you can gradually work on levitating larger objects, and later in life you might be able to levitate people in turn (of course, only when it is appropriate).
Luna Lovegood
The Wingardium Leviosa charm is used to levitate or lift objects so that they are airbourne. It is pronounced wyn-gar-dii-um lev-ii-osaa. The word "Leviosa" is Latin and means "to levitate." First years use feathers to practice on, and feathers and wings are related, so the word "Wingardium" might mean "object." This charm is good to use on objects ordinarily too heavy to lift with our own strength. As any first year knows, Wingardium Leviosa is cast by using the "swish and flick" method. You swing around your wand in a circle then flick with your wrist.
Roger Davies
The Wingardium Leviosa charm is a spell conducted for aerial locomotion of an object. This proves to be useful in many areas, including lifting objects to heights you otherwise could not reach. For example, it might be used, and often is, to lift the star to the top of the Hogwarts Christmas tree.
The proper wrist motion is a brisk swish and flick. While the wand tip circles then descends, the caster enunciates: “Wing-GAR-dium Levi-O-sa”, emphasizing the “gar” and “o”.
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Oh! Sorry, didn't mean to doze off like that! *cough* What time is it? Anyone? *gag* Hmm, well, anyway, where were we...
Your current task is not ready at the moment, but here are some previous assignments.
History of Magic Assignment 1:
Let's see if I still remember *cough* it was all such a long time ago: Explain the rules of ancient quidditch and what it was like *sniffle* or something like that.
History of Magic Assigment 2:
Okay, students. I want you to *sneeze* give me at least-- *gag* at least-- *cough* excuse me-- *wheeze* *cough* *sneeze* Much better, ah, continuing: at least one paragraph on the history or backround of alchemy. Tell me about the subject *wheeze* in general, and also give an example of a famous alchemist and what he or she did *sniffle* or tried to accomplish. If you wish to earn extra points, pictures may be included. *cough* *gag* *gasp* Well, good luck. Best assignments will be posted!
I'm off to blow my nose, of couse it would be a whole lot easier if my hand didn't go through the tissue. Being a ghost is not so easy, I assure you. Why just yesterday someone asked me why I chose to become a ghost instead of simply dying and I told him, without me who would give you the knowledge of Hogwarts and magic and everything the way it was back when I was around, for example...
Here is where *sneeze* to send the homework: historicbinns@yahoo.com.
Best assignments from Quidditch homework:
Parvati Patil
One of the first widzarding sports, Quidditch has greatly evolved and changed through the ages. Quidditch was invented in 1256 A.D. by a wizard named Valerius Bluren. He wanted something exciting to bring together all the witches and wizards, for in his time, no one really got out and socialized. In the begining, the game only had six players, three from each team. The keeper- known then as a "stoppers, and two chasers "whippers". There was no seeker, and nosnitch. The game was played until one team scored 100, with each score worth 10 points. There was only one goal at each end.
In the year 1512, beaters and bludgers were added to the game, andthird chaser. The first World Cup match was played in 1513- won by France. The seeker wasn't added until 1624- making the first World Cup to be played with seekers 1627.
Quidditch as we know it was first played in 1699 with many additions and changes to the rules.
Katie Bell
Eight hundred years ago, a group of witches and wizards used an damp stretch of nettle-filled ground called Queerditch Marsh as a place to play a new game they had invented. This game involved broomsticks and a "big leather ball." Soon they added a couple of heavy rocks, bewitched to try to knock players off their brooms. The hole business was observed by a witch named Gertie Keddle who wrote about what she saw, in badly spelled Saxon, in her diary. That diary is now in the Museum of Quidditch in London (QA). Queerditch Marsh itself has been made Unplottable (interview with Raincoast Books). It took two centuries more for the game of Quidditch to evolve to its present form, but the crude beginnings as well as the strange name came from Queerditch Marsh.
Hermione Granger
At the dawning of our time, all of wizardkind had been thinking about flying. Broomsticks had been used since A.D. 962, but it took until the twelfth century for broomsticks to become a comfortable and maneuverable means of transportation. Because of these new adjustments, the broom had become an object for pleasure as well, and soon people were using them for games they created themselves. One of these private games emerged into the most well-known sport of the wizarding world-- Quidditch.
The broomstick sports of old helped to shape the future of Quidditch, although many were lost long ago. Using wizarding writings and paintings though, we could figure out more about our ancestors.
Sweden's annual broom race, dating back to the tenth century, is an example of ways people were kept busy in our past. The participants would race about three hundred miles from Kopparberg to Arjeplog, taking a course that runs through a dragon reservation. The trophy awarded to the winner (or survivor) of the race was vast, silver, and resembled a Swedish Short-snout. Long ago, all participants were required to be of Swedish heritage, but now the race is open internationally for all to compete in.
Another game, known as "Stichstock" (of German heritage, no doubt), contributes to the beginnings of Quidditch. A famous painting titled Giinther der Gewalttatige ist der Gewinner, meaning "Gunther the Violent is the Winner," dates back to 1105, depicting a scene in which Stichstock is played. The goal was actually an inflated dragon bladder on top of a high pole. The player defending the "goal" would, on broomstick, be tied with a rope around his or her waist to the pole so he or she wouldn't be able to fly more than ten feet away from it. The other players would use brooms with sharpened edges to try and puncture the bladder one at a time. The goalkeeper (bladder-guardian), being the only person on his or her "team," would be allowed to use his or her wand to prevent players from puncturing the bladder. If the bladder was punctured successfully, the goalkeeper would lose and the game would end. The game also finished if the goalkeeper had managed to hex all the other players before the bladder was punctured, or they had collapsed of exhaustion before doing so, in which the goalkeeper would win. Sadly, Stichstock was forgotten by the end of the fourteenth century.
"Aingingein," of Irish origin, was subject of many Irish ballads, mostly because of legendary Fingal the Fearless, who happens to be an Aingingein champion. One at a time, the players would take the ball (substituted by the gallbladder of a goat), known as the Dom. Speed being the most important skill in this game, the players would swirve through a set of many burning barrels that were set up in the air on stilts. When the last barrel was reached, the Dom was to be thrown through it. Whichever player threw the ball though the last barrel the fastest without letting it catch on fire would win the match.
Scotland had its own sports as well. In fact, it hosted the game "Creaothceann," the most dangerous of broom games. In a tragic eleventh century gaelic poem, the first verse, when translated, reads:
The players assembled, twelve fine, hearty men,
(that "couldn't put Humptey together again"! Ha! Haha! You see? It rhymed! Oh, what I riot, I just had to do it! Erm, sorry, in the middle of class I see, but really don't try so hard Miss Granger, it's not as if you'll ever amount to anything anyway. Well now, Professor Binns is waking, I'm off! - This has been a random interruption by Dolores Umbridge.)
They strapped on their cauldrons, stood poised to fly,
At the sound of the horn they were swiftly airborne
But ten of their number were fated to die.
Each player of this foolhardy game would take to the air with a cauldron strapped to his head. As soon as the horn or drum sounded, charmed rocks and boulders, hovering a hundred feet from the ground, would fall toward the earth. Each Creaothceann player would fly around trying to catch the most rocks in the cauldron attached to his or her head (Note: Usually, Creaothceann was played by males). Even though this game was subject to many fatalities, Creaothceann was extremely popular, particularly in the Middle Ages. Some Scottish wizards saw it as a test of courage and manliness. Finally, in 1762, the game was made illegal. When wizard Magnus "Dent-head" Macdonald started a campaign for the reintroduction of the sport sometime in the 1960's, the Ministry of Magic did not lift the ban, thus saving many more lives.
Devon, England's brooming sport of choice was simple. "Shuntbumps," as it was called, was somewhat like jousting because the main point of the game was to knock all other players off their brooms. The last person still on his or her broom was the winner.
The game of "Swivenhodge" started in Hertfordshire. It resembled Stichstock because it involved an inflated bladder as well, more frequently a pig's. Strangely, the players would sit backwards on their brooms and bat the bladder back and forth across a hedge, using the "brush ends" of their brooms. The person who missed first gave the oppenent a point. The winner was the first to reach fifty points.
All though it is not quite popular, Swivenhodge is still played in England. Shuntbumps, meanwhile, is only played as a children's game. However, all though these games made a difference for the future of Quidditch, the true origin of every wizards' favorite sport comes from the famous game at Queerditch Marsh.
Almost all knowledge of the beginning of Quidditch comes from the writings of the witch Gertie Keddle, who happened to have lived on the edge of the marsh during the eleventh century. Her diary, located now in the Museum of Quidditch in London, contains many facts about the ancient games of Quidditch. Some excerpts, orginally written in Saxon, give particularly good hints:
Tuesday. Hot. That lot from across the marsh have been at it again. Playing a stupid game on their broomsticks. A big leather ball landed in my cabbages. I hexed the man who came for it. I'd like to see him fly with his knees on back to front, the great hairy hog.
Tuesday . Wet. Was out on the marsh picking nettles. Broomstick idiots playing again. Watched a bit from behind a rock. They've got a new ball. Throwing it to each other and trying to stick it in trees at either end of the marsh. Pointless rubbish.
Tuesday. Windy. Gwenog came for nettle tea, then invited me out for a treat. Ended up watching those numbskulls playing their game on the marsh. That big Scottish warlock from up the hill was there. Now they've got two big, heavy rocks flying around trying to knock them off their brooms. Unfortunately didn't happen while I was watching. Gwenog told me she often played herself. Went home in disgust.
These excerpts actually helped to discover the game of Quidditch as we know it today. Gertie Keddle mentions that the ball that landed in her cabbage patch was leather. No doubt this was the Quaffle, as the modern Quaffle is also made of leather (the old inflated bladder was harder to aim with, especially when it was windy). Gertie also mentions that the men were "trying to stick it in trees at either end of the marsh," obviously the old way of scoring goals. As for the flying rocks, well, they could only be bludgers.
Kennilworthy Whisp, author of Quidditch Through the Ages, brings a good point across also. Gertie refers to a "big Scottish warlock" present at the game at Queerditch Marsh. According to Whisp's theory, this man was most likely a Creaothceann player who had came up with the idea of bewitching rocks to zoom around trying to hit people, just like in his native game.
It took a century later for more information on "Ancient Quidditch" to be uncovered. In an old letter found that was written by wizard Goodwin Kneen, Kneen mentions playing "a spirited game of Kwidditch." Amazingly, Kneen lives in Yorkshire, which only goes to show how far Quidditch spread through Britain a hundred years after Gertie Kettle's witnessing it.
The letter also mentions the names of positions. "Catcher," an earlier form of the term Chaser, was played by Goodwin's wife in this particular game. The "Blooder" (Bludger) was fended off by the wizard Ugga, who used a club instead of the safer bat used today. The goals had transformed from trees into barrels on stilts. Of course, the Golden Snitch was still missing.
The Snitch apparently came from the game of Snidget-hunting, played in the early 1100's. A protected species today, Snidgets had once been common in northern Europe, undetectable by Muggles, due to their superb hiding skills and speed. The Snidget's small size, agility, and elusiveness made the hunting even more enjoyable for the participants in Snidget-hunting. Wizards and witches alike used any means to catch the Snidgets --wands, nets, bare hands-- each way was aptly approached. Of course, usually the Snidget was crushed by its captor as soon as it was caught, being so delicate and minute. Even though Snidget-hunting was causing the creatures to become exstinct and led to many Muggle broomstick sightings, the Wizards' Council found nothing wrong with the sport and could do nothing anyway to stop its popularity from growing.
Finally, in 1269, while attending a Quidditch match, the Chief of the Wizards' Council, Barberus Bragge, brought a Snidget to the game. To add a twist to the normal sport of Quidditch, he told all the players he would give 150 Galleons to the player who caught the Snidget. It turned out that all the players forgot the original game and were all chasing the Snidget instead. A watching bystander, by the name of Madam Modesty Rabnott, was angered by this show of greed and felt horrible for the Snidget's sake. Using a Summoning Charm, she caught the Snidget and set it free. Luckily for her, she was only fined ten galleons. *
However, because of Bragge's first introduction of the Snidget during a Quidditch game, a new addition had been added to the wizarding sport. The newest player (The Hunter, or the Seeker as we know it) was the only person to catch the Snidget during the game. When the bird was killed, the game was over, and the Hunter who caught the Snidget would earn his team an extra 150 points, honoring the memory of the sum of money Bragge had promised when he first introduced the Snidget to a game of Quidditch. Often, during the matches the Snidget tried to escape, but the audience used Repelling Charms to keep it from leaving the Quidditch pitch.
When the middle of the following century arrived, the new head of the Wizards' Council, Elfrida Clagg, banned the killing and use of the Snidget during a Quidditch game, due to their numbers becoming endangered. In Somerset, The Modesty Rabnott Snidget Reservation searched for a substitute for the game's main feature.
The Golden Snitch was credited to be invented by Bowman Wright from Godric's Hollow. The bright inventor, skilled with metals, took up the task of creating a ball that mimicked all of the Snidget's movements. Meanwhile, all other Quidditch fans took under the task of searching for another bird to replace the Snidget. Wright's Snitch was like the Snidget in every way possible, with the addition of it being bewitched to stay on the Quidditch pitch. Finally, three hundred years later, Quidditch had truly been born.
And also from Hermione, "Finally, someone understands the cruelty of Snidget-hunting!"
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"Welcome. How nice to see you in the physical world at last."
Your new assignment is currently:
Nothing.
However, your previous assignments were:
Please write a one page essay on the composition and/or origin of the tarot deck. The essay does not have to be that long! Also include three pictures for extra points!
Here is a site that will give you all the help you need on tarots: www.web-divination.net/tarot/about
(The above assignment was originally intended to be due Friday July 31st of last year, however the duedate was moved to the following monday, because the professor was at a specific event on the 31st. An extra 10 points will be awarded to any student who can figure out what that event is.)
Here is my email: TheGrimHasSpoken@aol.com
--Professor Trelawney
(Unfortunately Professor Trelawney is not accepting anymore questions at her Ask Trelawney page, the website will not work! Haha! Get the joke - she's not accepting questions because the page won't work! Oh, I crack myself up. W-what? Don't look at me like that! You don't... think it's funny? You fools don't know a joke when you hear one, do you!? - How unfortunate for you, you have just been struck by the random bad jokes of Dolores Umbridge. That means a three days of bad luck.)
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There are no new assignments, only the previous one. If you have no other buisness here, then please be on your way.
 "I, Professor Severus Snape, authourize this student permission to withdraw Most Potente Potions from the school library."
Your previous assignment was to research one potion from this text and give a short one-or-two paragraph essay summary of its preparation and properties. (If Madame Pomfrey believes the above note to be false, as she most certainly will, you will be required to invent a potion.)
Do NOT attempt the Polyjuice Potion!
Points will be given based on creativity and lack of typographical errors. (It would be most unfortunate if you are as sloppy in your potion preparing as you are in your typing...) This assignment is very much overdue; I will not be awarding points to students who cannot complete their work on time!
Also, five points to those who email the message "Happy birthday, Professor Snape" to my address BETWEEN 8 AM ET AND 12 PM ET on July twentieth, which, incidentally, is my birthday.
Send all assignemnts and birthday wishes to botheringsnape@juno.com .
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© Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titilandus
Create a
free website at Webs.com
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;)