SNITCHSEEKER, A HISTORY

The term began with excitement, as new staff were welcomed at Hogwarts. Professor Jasmine Springer would teach Arithmancy and serve as Flying Instructor, Professor Sarika Joshi for Divination, Professor Vashti Amstern for History of Magic, Professor Casen Carter would be at the helm of Potions, and Professor Aurora Stone would take over Transfiguration. Marcus Cole then became Ravenclaw's Head of House, and Professor Marion Burbage took over Hufflepuff Head of House. To promote Muggle inclusivity and hands-on learning, Professor Leroy, backed by the Ministry of Magic, had generously donated vintage Muggle washing machines, which were installed in the Laundry Room. Students were encouraged to keep their eyes out for a few extra surprises throughout the Castle.

Early in the term, there was some trouble with students entering their respective common rooms. Some Hufflepuffs were rumored to be sneaking into the Gryffindor Common Room with their friends' help. The Fat Lady Portrait resorted to changing the password multiple times in the week, sometimes the same day. This caused frustration with Rose Snakebark and Kara Walsh who attempted to persuade the Portrait to let them in. Eventually, Monsieur Feirgrund came in and convinced the Portrait to change the passwords only one a week from then on.

Keeping their eyes out was the least of their concerns when a lesson in Muggle Studies took a catastrophic turn. Professor Leroy, began his lesson showcasing the evolution of machines Muggles used to wash and dry their clothes. After demonstrating how to use it and informing that the machines were charmed to speed up a little more, he watched micheviously as the machines reacted poorly to the tampering. Left and right, clothes were spitting while hot at students. Algamus, the Head elf, who Professor Leroy called to assist with bring enough clothes for the students to wash watched disapprovingly while Quirly desperately attempted to help. First year Hufflepuff, Xerxes Cadwallader, was the first to receive a small burn from one of the clothes, followed by Seventh year Ravenclaw, Krittika Joshi, and Fourth year Hufflepuff, Aurora Bay. After being given permission to use their wands by Professor Leroy, he announced that he would return after he retrieved a lost notebook... He never returned. Leaving the students and the elves with little choice but to use magic stopping the machines. The loud noises of machines being sent against the wall when they weren't bouncing in the students direction was enough to alert other Professors of the situation.

Shortly after, Headmaster Winterbottom summoned Professor Leroy into his office. Unsatisfied with Leroy's excuses, he was promptly fired and reported to the Ministry. A staff meeting was immediately called, where they were informed on the circumstances. Professor Ean Feirgrund would step in to additionally teach Muggle Studies for the rest of the year. As for extracurriculars: Professor Dhruv Khanna for Magical Debate, Professors Sarika Joshi and Hadleigh Paton for Art Club, and Professors Aurora Stone and Jasmine Springer for Drama Club. Professor Marion Burbage would gain assistance from Professor Casen Carter on the Wizard Card Collectors’ Club, and Professor Vashti Amstern would step in to assist with Muggle Studies and the Magical Debate Club as a guest.

Surely, this would be the end of an exciting term? Nope, but it was surely an exhausting one as Fourth years Paul Rocker from Hufflepuff and Idris Grunt from Gryffindor would take a rest in the Third-Floor Corridor. It appeared they were attempting to have a nap club with Paul lying down to sleep while Idris took guard with their magical familiar. Fourth year, Aurora Bay also joined in before they were found by the Fat Friar and Marion Burbage. While the Friar encouraged this activity, Burbage, was concerned and chatised the Friar for encouraging the inappropriate behavior. Eventually, the Healer was on the scene and recommended a check-up on Master Rocker, promptly ending their nap club.

Was this foreshadowing the eventual events? Perhaps. But one couldn't have expected another situation in the Hufflepuff Common Room. In the Indoor Garden, Third year, Nyle Harden brought in a special Skeleton Flower. They were about to take a nap when Aurora Bay stepped in before they bonded on a shared interest in plants. Unbeknownst to them, the plant seemed to take a liking to the room they were set in, positively glowing and growing in the light. In the growing days, Xerxes Cadwallader pointed out the significant growth of the plant to Nyle, before attempting to hug and grab students. Fourth year, Ariadne Rose, was held in mid hair before getting their ankle chomped on. Screaming for help, Apollo Finch-Selwyn and Paul Rocker arrived on the scene with Marion Burbage. Burbage was stunned to see a sight that served as a reminder of her last living memories.

Sixth year, Emma Montmorency, also arrived attempting to use a prism to shine a line on the vine, to little effect. Xerxes, the shortest among them had the grand idea to sever the roots. Burbage awoken from the shock and shouted words of encouragement as the students worked to free Ariadne before Apollo, Xerxes, and Paul set fire to the roots. It was a lengthy battle before the plant was vanquished with vines leftover. Professor Marcus Cole arrived on the scene to study the reasoning for this plant's behavior while Ean Feirgrund attended to Ariadne's wounds. Marion Burbage wibbling, with all of her might kept her composure but decided that enough was enough. Between all the chaos in Hufflepuff, and an unknown student who got away with freezing the house point counter, it was fully decided. Without a physical form, she deduced that she couldn't be an effective leader of the House and promptly informed Wilber that she would not be Head of House after the term was over.

With the house point counter still frozen, the elves were called to assist with chiseling before all staff counted the melded embers. Wilber would then announce at the ending feast that Hufflepuff were the winners of the House Cup. Gryffindor held a 2nd year with the Gobstones Cup, edging Slytherin by 1 point. Ravenclaw, took the Quidditch Cup. With a resounding year coming to a close, with graduating seventh years, the school also waved goodbye to Professor Hadleigh Paton, who served Slytherin not only in the past as Prefect and Head Girl, but also eventually led as Head of House for Gryffindor and Slytherin in addition to teaching Care of Magical Creatures in their 9 years as staff. Along with Casen Carter, who taught Potions well for the year. We thank them for their wonderful contributions to Hogwarts, and they will be dearly missed.

TBD