Ravenclaw Head of House
The Ravenclaw Head of House has his hands full at times. Handling a house full of smart, creative, overthinkers who like to question everything can't be easy, and yet Professor Hirsch manages to do so with grace and style. Earlier this week I managed to sit down with my very own head of house, the man himself, Professor Hirsch to ask him exactly how he handles us all and still manages to keep his sanity.
1.)Thank you so much Professor Hirsch for taking a few minutes to talk to me. Let's jump in shall we? How do you feel this term went for you?
Thank you for meeting with me, Azura. This term was... interesting, I'd say. Interesting and eventful. It was different to have the staff and students from Ilvermorny over but the mix of cultures gave us a lot to learn.
2.) IMPS was this year and some of the tasks were rather intense, what were your thoughts on them?
... Well. They were designed to test the students' capabilities and abilities to think under pressure but intense is another good word for them. The challenge that a competition like IMPS has provided would have been good but there's a line and that line was blurred at times.
I am, however, proud of the Patronus casting abilities that I saw out there. That was incredibly impressive.
3.) How was it have the Ilvermorny students around, did the castle seem more crowded than usual?
The castle always seems crowded but after a while, you get used to it. It did seem more crowded, especially during mealtimes and in the rush of the corridors, but it's something you get used to. The types of conversations I've overheard, though, were.... interesting.
4.) Moving away from the topic of the Americans, what is some advice that you wish you could give to your Ravenclaws?
This is a heavy question, Azura. I'm always telling students that they need to remain constantly vigilant for their own sakes. Knowing how to defend yourself, even in the simplest of ways, can go a long way. Knowing how to be strong in times of struggle can go a long way and you'd be surprised what you learn during these times. Learn to keep your head up and to be confident in your abilities and to ask for help when you need it.
5.)And last but not least! Who is your favorite Ravenclaw? No I'm kidding! But in all seriousness though, how do you like being our Head of House?
Cheeky question.
I think I'll always doubt my own capabilities as a Head of House but I enjoy it and I've grown attached to the house over time. Nothing can take that away from me.
1.)Thank you so much Professor Hirsch for taking a few minutes to talk to me. Let's jump in shall we? How do you feel this term went for you?
Thank you for meeting with me, Azura. This term was... interesting, I'd say. Interesting and eventful. It was different to have the staff and students from Ilvermorny over but the mix of cultures gave us a lot to learn.
2.) IMPS was this year and some of the tasks were rather intense, what were your thoughts on them?
... Well. They were designed to test the students' capabilities and abilities to think under pressure but intense is another good word for them. The challenge that a competition like IMPS has provided would have been good but there's a line and that line was blurred at times.
I am, however, proud of the Patronus casting abilities that I saw out there. That was incredibly impressive.
3.) How was it have the Ilvermorny students around, did the castle seem more crowded than usual?
The castle always seems crowded but after a while, you get used to it. It did seem more crowded, especially during mealtimes and in the rush of the corridors, but it's something you get used to. The types of conversations I've overheard, though, were.... interesting.
4.) Moving away from the topic of the Americans, what is some advice that you wish you could give to your Ravenclaws?
This is a heavy question, Azura. I'm always telling students that they need to remain constantly vigilant for their own sakes. Knowing how to defend yourself, even in the simplest of ways, can go a long way. Knowing how to be strong in times of struggle can go a long way and you'd be surprised what you learn during these times. Learn to keep your head up and to be confident in your abilities and to ask for help when you need it.
5.)And last but not least! Who is your favorite Ravenclaw? No I'm kidding! But in all seriousness though, how do you like being our Head of House?
Cheeky question.
I think I'll always doubt my own capabilities as a Head of House but I enjoy it and I've grown attached to the house over time. Nothing can take that away from me.
Ravenclaw Prefects
Kitty Valentine certainly made a few waves this past term with her unorthodox beliefs and suggestions; nothing too out of the ordinary for a Ravenclaw. Always up to one great controversy or the other. With a bunch of young eagles to keep in line and a studies going through the roof, it's a wonder she finds any time for herself. So what's Kitty like under the surface? We got an interview with her before she hit the train. You'll just have to keep reading to find out:
1. Hey Kitty, got a couple more questions for you. First I think I’ll start with is, were you happy to be back at Hogwarts after the monster fiasco of the previous year?
Hey Blaise! I was happy to be at Hogwarts, despite all the terrible things that happened last term. Hogwarts is my second home and you're all my family no matter what.
2. Did you take any steps to ensure you’d be more prepared should something like this happen again this year?
One safety measure I took this past term was doing a headcount when everyone turned in to make sure all my ravens were accounted for. I suggested to the prefects in the other houses to undertake similar safety measures for their houses.
3. Have you gotten any better at relaxing and not thinking the world is on your shoulder—no cheering potions involved?
I think I'm better at being calm than I was back then. As you've probably heard, I've been taking Yoga lessons and now I'm officially a Yogi! Whenever I get too nervous I breathe in the way I do when doing Yoga. That also helps me not get overly excited in debates during lessons.
4. You sure made that Ravenclaw upset with your muggle suggestion in History of Magic, so I gotta ask, what’s the deal with this wanting to integrate with muggles?
I didn't mean to make Jessa or anyone else upset. You're right, I am very passionate about this issue - but I don't think I've ever been rude except that one time when we debating about the Hogwarts founders. I strongly believe with every fiber of my being that repealing the Statute would be a good thing for both Muggles and us.
In some ways this is personal, as I am half-Muggle myself. Our culture generally encourages us to avoid Muggles, but if my mom hadn't fallen in love with one then I wouldn't have been born. So when people say that Muggles and magical people shouldn't mix, that does hurt my feelings. My Yoga instructor is also a Muggle, and she's awesome. I know there are bad Muggles, but the good ones outnumber them and I think we would all benefit from being open with each other.
After I graduate from Hogwarts I may go to a university or I may go to work at Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, but one thing I know for sure I'll do is protesting the Statute. I'm going to be just like Carlotta Pinkstone. If I'm ever arrested it will be for peacefully breaking the Statute. So if the Daily Prophet ever says I've been arrested (and this message goes for ALL my Hogwarts friends, including staff), please don't think I've become a dark witch! Then again, I really don't want to go to jail so I think I'll stick to legal methods of protesting the Statute.
I appreciate you asking this question so I can clear up any misunderstandings students may have over my beliefs on this issue. Even if we disagree we should still be friends!
5. When you’re not herding young Ravenclaws around the castle, how do you like to spend your free time?
Reading at the two Hogwarts libraries (one is in the Ravenclaw common room) is always enjoyable, as is just hanging out with my friends wherever they are. Speaking of which, we really should hang out more this coming term, Blaise. I like Muggle music, photography, feeding my new adorable screech owl and worms, getting stylish, and walking Penelope's little friend. I also write letters to my parents and aunt and friends who've graduated from Hogwarts.
6. Did you have a favourite champion during this competition?
Honestly, and this is going to sound like a cop out, but honestly I liked them all. Of course I was cheering Hogwarts, but I was also cheering our guests from Ilvermorny. They were all interesting and oh so brave! I did make a bet in my head that Valerie was going to win, because of her strong personality. I wish I could have gotten to know her.
7. How do you think you would have done if you’d been selected?
Gosh, I would have been crushed! I'm not very good at doing things while lots of people are watching me (except maybe debates) so I would gotten super nervous and would have spent all my energy channeling Yoga just to keep calm from being watched. And I'm not very good when confronted with the elements. Remember back in our second year when we got into a food fight and Professor Flamsteed caused it to rain? I hid underneath the table and had to be rescued by Penelope. So...yeah. But I do wonder who they would have picked for me in the ice challenge. Hmmm.
8. Do you ever miss just being a regular student without responsibilities?
Sometimes it's hard, but deep down even then I enjoy being a prefect.
9. What do you like best about Prefecting?
Helping first year students feel at home is my favorite part of being a prefect. I love the patrols and I like getting to know my fellow prefects.
10. Any epic plans for the summer?
My family isn't going on vacation like we did last year, but that's okay because I can have fun exploring London. I've lived there all my life, but there are many places I've never seen.
1. Hey Kitty, got a couple more questions for you. First I think I’ll start with is, were you happy to be back at Hogwarts after the monster fiasco of the previous year?
Hey Blaise! I was happy to be at Hogwarts, despite all the terrible things that happened last term. Hogwarts is my second home and you're all my family no matter what.
2. Did you take any steps to ensure you’d be more prepared should something like this happen again this year?
One safety measure I took this past term was doing a headcount when everyone turned in to make sure all my ravens were accounted for. I suggested to the prefects in the other houses to undertake similar safety measures for their houses.
3. Have you gotten any better at relaxing and not thinking the world is on your shoulder—no cheering potions involved?
I think I'm better at being calm than I was back then. As you've probably heard, I've been taking Yoga lessons and now I'm officially a Yogi! Whenever I get too nervous I breathe in the way I do when doing Yoga. That also helps me not get overly excited in debates during lessons.
4. You sure made that Ravenclaw upset with your muggle suggestion in History of Magic, so I gotta ask, what’s the deal with this wanting to integrate with muggles?
I didn't mean to make Jessa or anyone else upset. You're right, I am very passionate about this issue - but I don't think I've ever been rude except that one time when we debating about the Hogwarts founders. I strongly believe with every fiber of my being that repealing the Statute would be a good thing for both Muggles and us.
In some ways this is personal, as I am half-Muggle myself. Our culture generally encourages us to avoid Muggles, but if my mom hadn't fallen in love with one then I wouldn't have been born. So when people say that Muggles and magical people shouldn't mix, that does hurt my feelings. My Yoga instructor is also a Muggle, and she's awesome. I know there are bad Muggles, but the good ones outnumber them and I think we would all benefit from being open with each other.
After I graduate from Hogwarts I may go to a university or I may go to work at Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, but one thing I know for sure I'll do is protesting the Statute. I'm going to be just like Carlotta Pinkstone. If I'm ever arrested it will be for peacefully breaking the Statute. So if the Daily Prophet ever says I've been arrested (and this message goes for ALL my Hogwarts friends, including staff), please don't think I've become a dark witch! Then again, I really don't want to go to jail so I think I'll stick to legal methods of protesting the Statute.
I appreciate you asking this question so I can clear up any misunderstandings students may have over my beliefs on this issue. Even if we disagree we should still be friends!
5. When you’re not herding young Ravenclaws around the castle, how do you like to spend your free time?
Reading at the two Hogwarts libraries (one is in the Ravenclaw common room) is always enjoyable, as is just hanging out with my friends wherever they are. Speaking of which, we really should hang out more this coming term, Blaise. I like Muggle music, photography, feeding my new adorable screech owl and worms, getting stylish, and walking Penelope's little friend. I also write letters to my parents and aunt and friends who've graduated from Hogwarts.
6. Did you have a favourite champion during this competition?
Honestly, and this is going to sound like a cop out, but honestly I liked them all. Of course I was cheering Hogwarts, but I was also cheering our guests from Ilvermorny. They were all interesting and oh so brave! I did make a bet in my head that Valerie was going to win, because of her strong personality. I wish I could have gotten to know her.
7. How do you think you would have done if you’d been selected?
Gosh, I would have been crushed! I'm not very good at doing things while lots of people are watching me (except maybe debates) so I would gotten super nervous and would have spent all my energy channeling Yoga just to keep calm from being watched. And I'm not very good when confronted with the elements. Remember back in our second year when we got into a food fight and Professor Flamsteed caused it to rain? I hid underneath the table and had to be rescued by Penelope. So...yeah. But I do wonder who they would have picked for me in the ice challenge. Hmmm.
8. Do you ever miss just being a regular student without responsibilities?
Sometimes it's hard, but deep down even then I enjoy being a prefect.
9. What do you like best about Prefecting?
Helping first year students feel at home is my favorite part of being a prefect. I love the patrols and I like getting to know my fellow prefects.
10. Any epic plans for the summer?
My family isn't going on vacation like we did last year, but that's okay because I can have fun exploring London. I've lived there all my life, but there are many places I've never seen.
Hogwarts should prepare to enter a state of perpetually mourning as this end of term signals the departure of one of the greatest souls this castle has ever seen. In case you don't know who this is (an unfortunate thing for you), we're talking Rooney Bronwyn, Ravenclaw Prefect/Head Boy and Performer to the stars. I could on forever about the brilliance that he is, but that would defeat the purpose of the interview we went ahead and conducted. These were his final words, gems really:
1. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around you leaving, Roo, it’s unreal. I’m just glad I got the final sit down with you. I think I wanna start with something simple. How did you feel when you first got sorted into Ravenclaw?
Ah, Miss Jessa, I am mighty glad that it's you I get to share this experience with. Remind me to give you a kiss on the cheek when we're finished up. Ravenclaw? Well I was less than thrilled. I had hoped to be a Hufflepuff like my Mother and Aunt. The tower, as I'm sure you also found, is very easy to settle in.
2. In your 7 years here, have you ever felt like you didn’t belong?
Every day. Teenagers are quick to believe everything they hear and dislike the same people that their friends do without real reason. Everyone assumes they know everything about you, that they have every right to have an opinion about you and your relationship. Especially when that relationship falls apart.
3. How much different do you think Head Boy is than being a regular Prefect?
Worlds different. The expectations of you are much higher.
4. Would you REALLY have given me (and any other ‘claw) a detention a day for every minute outside the Common Room passed curfew?
Of course not, Miss Jessa.
5. Were you still able to find some down time with this added responsibility? If so, what’d you do?
What is down time? Sorry, I don't know what that is.
6. NEWT exams are pretty intense, how have you been preparing for them?
I've had a study schedule set up for these exams since I sat my OWLs. I covered each of my subjects twice a week in the evenings and I dedicated each whole weekend to a different subject. Saturdays to theory and Sundays to practical. It's been a very busy road.
7. What was your favourite thing about being Head Boy?
Earning it. And knowing that I had earned it.
8. What was your least favourite thing about being Head Boy?
That people thought I didn't earn it. I did. I worked every day from my first year until now.
9. Are there any parting words you wanna leave for the Ravenclaws you’ll be leaving behind?—or anyone else for that matter?
Put yourself first for once.
10. Tell me ALL about your big plans for after you leave here.
I'm going to WADA!! I got a place studying musical theatre and drama theory. But my biggest plan this summer is going to be taking Katherine Toussaint on every date possible. She's fantastic. Any potions needs, go to her.
1. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around you leaving, Roo, it’s unreal. I’m just glad I got the final sit down with you. I think I wanna start with something simple. How did you feel when you first got sorted into Ravenclaw?
Ah, Miss Jessa, I am mighty glad that it's you I get to share this experience with. Remind me to give you a kiss on the cheek when we're finished up. Ravenclaw? Well I was less than thrilled. I had hoped to be a Hufflepuff like my Mother and Aunt. The tower, as I'm sure you also found, is very easy to settle in.
2. In your 7 years here, have you ever felt like you didn’t belong?
Every day. Teenagers are quick to believe everything they hear and dislike the same people that their friends do without real reason. Everyone assumes they know everything about you, that they have every right to have an opinion about you and your relationship. Especially when that relationship falls apart.
3. How much different do you think Head Boy is than being a regular Prefect?
Worlds different. The expectations of you are much higher.
4. Would you REALLY have given me (and any other ‘claw) a detention a day for every minute outside the Common Room passed curfew?
Of course not, Miss Jessa.
5. Were you still able to find some down time with this added responsibility? If so, what’d you do?
What is down time? Sorry, I don't know what that is.
6. NEWT exams are pretty intense, how have you been preparing for them?
I've had a study schedule set up for these exams since I sat my OWLs. I covered each of my subjects twice a week in the evenings and I dedicated each whole weekend to a different subject. Saturdays to theory and Sundays to practical. It's been a very busy road.
7. What was your favourite thing about being Head Boy?
Earning it. And knowing that I had earned it.
8. What was your least favourite thing about being Head Boy?
That people thought I didn't earn it. I did. I worked every day from my first year until now.
9. Are there any parting words you wanna leave for the Ravenclaws you’ll be leaving behind?—or anyone else for that matter?
Put yourself first for once.
10. Tell me ALL about your big plans for after you leave here.
I'm going to WADA!! I got a place studying musical theatre and drama theory. But my biggest plan this summer is going to be taking Katherine Toussaint on every date possible. She's fantastic. Any potions needs, go to her.