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The Platinum Quill Award This award is presented to the Gryffindor who has earned the most points in a term. With over 3000 points to her name from this term alone, @Iverian Gnash is an exceedingly worthy winner! The Phoenix Award This prize is for the lion who has managed to earn the most rubies during the term. @Iverian Gnash is our winner again with an impressive 350 rubies! Lionheart Award Awarded to whichever of our guests has earned the most rubies throughout the term. We have a tie this time around as reigning champion @Maxim Trevelyan of Ravenclaw is joined by @Prof. Tarma Amelia Black of Hufflepuff -- they both earned a staggering 480 rubies. Well done both! Awards decided by the staff: Studious Simba Awarded to a lion who has distinguished themselves through hard work in their classes and potentially in other areas too. @Lorainia Riverrider has not only proved herself time and again in classes and activities but demonstrated true Gryffindor tenacity while doing so. Curious Kitten This is awarded to a particularly enthusiastic Gryffindor who has been a positive presence in The Den. We’re delighted to present this award to @Emerald Wolvenhowl for her sunny attitude and constant encouragement and appreciation of those around her. Consistent Cub Awarded to a lion who is everywhere doing everything and inspires us all to get involved. We’re very glad to present this one to @Carrie Warts for her willingness to dive into just about anything around HOL with passion and a light heart. Lively Lionet This is awarded to someone whose house pride and loyalty sets them apart. Since joining, @Isa Vestal has proved her nerve by leaving no room in the castle unexplored and has made sure the scarlet and gold is gloriously represented in every activity she attempts. The Friend of the Den Award This is awarded to a non-Gryffindor who has gone out of their way to lend a hand to the lions. We would like to present this award to @Prof. Amy Lupin for her years of unwavering support behind the scenes and in particular her generosity in extending her puzzle and graphic making expertise so that certain Gryff activities could go ahead.

10000 Squeeeeeee we did it!!!!

It seems as though an announcement featuring all of the spectacular lions of HOL and a few of their friends has been long overdue – so without further wait, here it is! Each month (Except September, we already got that posted here! Woo!) features the greats from the house of the brave, and I am pleased to offer warm congratulations to all of them! Exploding Snap is the award given to the most humorous lions for all of the laughter they bring us throughout the year. We would like to feature for this year Prof. Missa Matz for her humor provided during Gryfftoberfest in October. Eno Thomas received the award in December for being particularly humorous no matter what the occasion, and even hosted a game all about survival of the funniest (also known as Apples to Apples) to prove it! In February Chadwick Cadet warmed up the Common Room with continuous laughter and her secret stash of butterbeer she so graciously shared! Prof. Miette Bynny brought about by far the greatest Gryffindor blog post of the year as she used My Little Pony to advertise the Paw Print and received the award in April! And finally, Pandora Gotham wrapped up the year in June by posting some of the funniest posts and status updates we have seen all year! Congratulations to all of our great Gryffs following in the footsteps of our beloved Fred & George Weasley! Gryffindor students in their second year or up are eligible for the Golden Snitch award, which is given to the lions who are vocal, active, encouraging, and enthusiastic in all ways for the house! To start us off, Nina Messersmith got the award in November for her hard work and contagious energy at the start of term for classes! Laurie Lovegood followed her up with the award in January as she actively fought to earn last minute points and get as many of them as possible for the year. Hailey Potter continued the trend through March as she started to really out-nerd herself in all of her classes and OWLs, bringing in tons of points for Gryffindor while still being in charge of one of the most active clubs in Gryffindor during that time! Risa Swan finished up the year in May as she not only earned a lot of points for Gryffindor, but also encouraged a ton of activity and communication in her house den during that time! Following the Golden Snitch award is the Lively Lionet award, as it is given out based on the same criteria, but is for the shining First Year students only! In October, Kaiwa Alexandra stood out for how helpful she always was and her eagerness to get to know her fellow Gryffindor students! Anneliese Lee followed swiftly after her in November for being extremely excited about earning points and quickly becoming active in as many areas of Gryffindor as she could! Bay Reilly swept away the award in January as she really began to shine as Gryffindor’s most helpful and cheerful new student through her work in the Spice Squad. Following in her footsteps, Wicket Wilcox took this award in March for her help in creating puzzles and wordsearches for Gryffindor during a new event. Fumei Shirokuro earned this award in May with flying colors, quite literally, as she began to excel as Gryffindor’s most recent graphics extraordinaire. And finally Destri Weasley grabbed this award in June for helping out in many areas around the common room and really bringing them to life! The Nimbus 2001 Award is given to those Gryffindor students that are always seen helping out other areas of the common room whenever they can! Prof. Jenny Lupin and Julie Garnet flew together to earn the award in November as they began to captain GQT! In January, Bay Reilly and Chadwick Cadet stormed the Spice Squad to bring back the glory of its original form! Eno Thomas earned the award in March for his continual help running events both in Gryffindor and in HOL, while Hailey Potter took home this award for really bringing to life a lot of the activities and events that brought Gryffindor the excitement it now has! The Phoenix Award goes to most innovative of students in Gryffindor, and whether it is by creating a new event, sparking up new conversation in the common room, or something entirely of its own – these students really shine! In October, Risa Swan brought home this prized award for her work on our September event. Hailey Potter expanded the house awards with her innovative idea and event through a GQT Pep Rally earning her the award in November! In February, Laurie Lovegood and Eno Thomas together received the award for their creation and running of the HOL Valentines event. Bay Reilly received the award in April as she spearheaded the Lion King and Queen Competition. Hedra Longstride and Chadwick Cadet wrote their way into this award as they restarted the roleplaying forum for Gryffindor together in May! And finally, Gryffindor’s own Tom Foster received the award in June for contributing an almost overflowing amount of ideas for the house to try out! Students who actively participate in classes, HOL, projects, and house papers receive the Consistent Cub award if they are in their Second Year or older. This year the award was monthly given (in order) to Lucy Greyback, Angel Blackstone, Risa Swan, Ikah Swan, Drake Zodiark, Jinxy Jo, Eno Thomas, Jade Packer, and Emma Walker! Congratulations to all of these hard workers! The Studious Simba award goes out to the First Year students who follow in the paths of the Consistent Cub Awardee's. Each month (consecutively) this award went to Elle Xander, Kaiwa Alexandra, Angel Pevensie, Eia Donne, Ailis Flanagan, Kynthia Near, Saskia Sing, Caleb S Club Juniors, and Hedra Longstride! May the lions of point hoarders past help you continue on your point earning journeys! The next award, the Curious Kitten, goes to the top First Year students each term. This covers earning points, posting in the common room, and IRC activity. Chadwick Cadet earned this award in the Fall term for all her fabulous point earning and tons of enthusiasm and participation! Fumei Shirokuro followed up with all of her ideas and pro-activity to earn this coveted award in the Spring! Only two Platinum Quills are awarded each year in Gryffindor and they are given to the top point earner for each term! In the fall, Laurie Lovegood stole this award by a mere handful of points and in the Spring, Hailey Potter dominated the board with her point hoarding ability! Congratulations, girls! And finally, our Lionheart award. This is bestowed upon the members of other houses whom have been active within the Gryffindor Common Room or have helped out Gryffindor in various ways. In November, Hermionie Miranda won this award for her continued cheer throughout the Gryffindor common room. Hermionie has cheered for Gryffindor in Quidditch matches (not against her own house of course!) and has shown support for many Gryffindor activities, and has certainly proven herself deserving of this award! Maya Winters took the award in January for letting her inner Gryffindor colors shine! Maya is always supportive of the Lions and we definitely think she has a lion-sized heart! Gryffindor's own pet eaglet received this award in March - Allyson Celestra! She has always been incredibly cheerful around the house common room, and could even be considered a chatterbox of our own! Zoki Phantom received the award in May for his substantial help in running the Lion King & Queen event, without his help we may never have seen a crown! And finally, Lisette Westerveldt took home the award in June for all of her magnificent help in establishing the Paw Print and for being incredibly active in the Gryffindor roleplaying forum! Congratulations to all of these out of house members! Again, CONGRATS to all those names on this list! We really appreciate all the hard work, creativity, and enthusiasm you've put in throughout the year~ :D

We did it!!! Third place for the first time in so many years. I couldn't be prouder of you all. Not only that but so close that we stand a real chance of doing even better next year. Go, go Gryffindor!

Let's go, Gryffindor, let's go! Let's make these last few days count.

I spotted the Boggart in my dorm room. He turned into my alarm clock and I imagined him being a soft pillow and blanket so I could go back to bed :P

It's the time of the year when we take a moment to celebrate the heroes amongst us! Please join your hands in applause as I present the winners of this term's Gryffindor Awards. In the category of house points... With an amazing 1,780 House Points earned for Gryffindor, the Platinum Quill Award goes to @Sky Alton. Moving on to our house's internal points, we have... The Phoenix Award, which is presented to the Gryffindor with most Rubies: @Iverian Gnash with an incredible 693 Rubies! Similarly to the Phoenix Award, we offer the Lionheart Award to a non-Gryffindor friend, who managed to earn the most rubies overall. Let's hear it for @Maxim Trevelyan of Ravenclaw with a jaw-dropping 984 Rubies! Now, shifting focus to awards to which I like to refer as Staff Choice Awards... I present the Curious Kitten Award to @Iverian Gnash, who helps make Gryffindor's presence felt all around Hogwarts and who is constantly leaving us in awe with her enthusiasm and eagerness. For her omnipresence, reliability, willfulness... The person who is definitely one of the main backbones of Gryffindor, @Sky Alton is presented with the Consistent Cub Award. Last, but not least, @Prof. Zenix James, for her immense pride in the things she does for our House and the brave and bold spirit, is awarded the Lively Lionet Award. Congratulations to all, I am very proud of you!

It’s award time! But first, I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of you who earned points, joined in here on The Den or contributed to the community in numerous other ways. You really do make Gryffindor and HOL what it is - somewhere worth coming back to time after time. A huge thank you to our staff (including the current members and those who took a step back this year) – your efforts to make The Den a fun and cosy place to be have not gone unnoticed. <3 And now, I mentioned awards, didn’t I? Onto the shinies! The Brave award is for anyone who earned at least 500 points during the school year. Well done to... @Chasen Carter @Cut Yuna Davie Diggle @Dibyarup James Potter @Doubhee Pevensy @Ellie Vernez @Emily Hughes @Harmony Potts @Janne Halla @Lorainia Riverrider Nargola Hawthorne @Quinn Marshall @Reign Grey @Reyyan Azkendra @Sophia Williams The Determined award is for anyone who went a step further and earned themselves 1000 points in the year… Chasen Carter Davie Diggle Dibyarup James Potter Doubhee Pevensy Ellie Vernez Harmony Potts Janne Halla Nargola Hawthorne Quinn Marshall Sophia Williams The Daring award is for those hardy folks who went even further and achieved 1500 points this year…. Chasen Carter Dibyarup James Potter Doubhee Pevensy Ellie Vernez Harmony Potts Janne Halla Quinn Marshall Sophia Williams And finally, we award the Minerva McGonagall prize to those marvellous lions who manage to net themselves over 3000 points. There are two of them this year and we are in awe of their point hording prowess…. Dibyarup James Potter Janne Halla Now onto the awards specifically for this term…. Our Platinum Quill award goes to the highest point earner for the term and with a staggering 2201, Janne Halla is the worthy winner! Considering that Janne managed this all while teaching a class, planning the Wizardvision Song Contest and helping out around The Den, he really is this term’s Gryffindor MVP. Next up are our very sparkly ruby based awards, the Phoenix for the Gryff with the most rubies and the Lionheart Award for the visitor with the most. Congratulations to Dibyarup James Potter and @River Fenwick who both earned 430. It’s been wonderful to see you both putting so much effort into activities around The Den this term! And we’ll end with a couple awards decided by the staff … Studious Simba goes to someone who has distinguished themselves in their classes and we’re delighted to hand it to Quinn Marshall this term. Quinn put a lot of heart into their assignments and that hard work definitely deserves to be recognised. Speaking of hard work, we’d also like to give an honourable mention to last term’s recipient, Sophia Williams, who has kept up their sterling work as well. Next up is The Golden Snitch. This is an old award, handed out to a particularly enthusiastic member, and we’re reviving it so we can recognise a truly extraordinary achievement on the part of one of our lions. Lorainia Riverrider threw herself into the gruelling challenge of the OWL exams and emerged with 11 outstandings. Very well done, Lo! An honourable mention also goes out to @Emerald Wolvenhowlfor her 3 outstandings as well. That’s all the shinies for this time round. Now let’s crack open that butterbeer!

Yaaaay!! 13 years in the making :')

Dear fellow Gryffindors, When I joined this house some eight years ago, you made me feel welcome and at home and I’ve felt that way ever since. I am honoured and grateful to have been entrusted the role of your Head of House. I am proud of everything we’ve achieved and worked on together. Even though I will feel like I’m missing out or like a pice of who I am is gone, I realise that it is time to look forward and step down as a Head of House. I owe so much to the people who used to be a part of this community and to people who are still around today. I feel confident in my decision knowing that house management will be left in very capable hands. I still intend to be a part of Gryffindor and the amazing Prof. Sky Alton has my full support, although, now in a different capacity. It was lovely serving the community. Thank you for everything! As always, butterbeer is on me.

It’s time to present our termly awards and celebrate everything that Gryffindors did well during the Autumn Term. It was an amazing term for the house so whether or not you earned a trophy this time round, you should be extremely proud of what you achieved. First up, we have the platinum quill award which is given to the Gryffindor who has earned the most points throughout the term. Our winner this time is @Carrie Wartswith a tremendous haul of 1828 points! Congratulations, Carrie and keep up the excellent work. It was the closest race I’ve ever seen as she beat out last term’s winner, Iverian Gnash, by just 2 points. Next are the Phoenix Award (for Gryffindors) and Lionheart award (for Visitors) given to those people who have the highest ruby count here in The Den. Carrie Warts has done it again as she swoops in to claim the Phoenix award with a glittering 661 rubies. The winner of the Lionheart is unrivalled ruby gatherer extraordinaire @Maxim Trevelyan of Ravenclaw with a staggering 1010. And now onto the awards decided by the house staff: Curious Kitten This award is given to someone who has been an enthusiastic, welcoming and heartening presence around The Den. We would like to present it to @Manya Granger. She has spent every moment of her very first term demonstrating the qualities we love to see in our Gryffindors: friendliness, enthusiasm and (perhaps most importantly) heart. Consistent Cub This award is presented to someone who is everywhere, doing everything. We couldn’t think of a worthier recipient than @Rose Pottermore who has dived into all HOL has to offer headfirst. Her energy, adventurousness and friendliness light up The Den. Studious Simba This award goes to a lion who has distinguished themselves through hard work in class and beyond. We’d like to present it to @Emerald Wolvenhowl for her incredible efforts in her classes and elsewhere in the school this term. This award was particularly hard to decide on because it’s been a standout term for hard working gryffs. For that reason, we would also like to offer heartfelt commendations to @Carrie Warts, @Iverian Gnash, @Lorainia Riverrider, @Taylor O'Donoghue and Doris Creevey for all they achieved last term. Well done everyone and here’s to an equally splendid term this time round. I seem to have left my purse in my office so butterbeers are on Ivey!

I cannot believe that year one has come to an end already! Nor can I believe that I won't be around here during the summer either :( I suppose we all have to go back the land of Muggles now and again. But, before I do, I wanted to send a big thank you to absolutely everyone who has helped to make this such a fun and safe place to be. Thanks to all of you for making hol my home. Wishing everyone a fabulous summer. Stay safe, be well, be happy <3 x

Great job GQT! Wish I could have been there. Hope everyone is having a good term so far.

I know the End of Year Feast is behind us, but we are not quite done until we take a moment to acknowledge the people who have contributed to our proud House. With the most House Points earned we have @Iverian Gnash, who collected 1,963 House Points for our House in the previous term. To her we present the Platinum Quill Award. Not only has she collected the most House Points, she’s also the Gryffindor who managed to collect the most Rubies, which earns her the Phoenix Award! Well done! Speaking of Rubies, one of our non-Gryffindor friends managed to collect a total 411 Rubies for the term. Well done @Maxim Trevelyan for earning the Lionheart Award. Thank you for hanging out in our Common Room. The Gryffindor House values hard work. On that note, I would like to present the Studious Simba Award to @Lizzi Long for her school and class-related efforts. Next on is the Exploding Snap Award, which coincidentally goes to one of the main backers of the Exploding Snap activity, @Iverian Gnash. Iverian has contributed a lot to Gryffindor even outside of her duties as member of staff. Having said that, I would also like to congratulate her on being promoted to a Prefect. Well deserved! Last, but definitely not least, I am delighted to present an award which is a true honour here in Gryffindor: The Pride of the Pride. For her immeasurable effort and contributions, for her positive attitude, true Gryffindor spirit and unquestionable loyalty to the House, the Pride of the Pride Award is presented to our @Sky Alton. Thank you!

After two tie breakers where one poll ended in yet ANOTHER tie breaker...We finally have the finalists! Below are the newly named sections of the Gryffindor Paw Print Newspaper! Thank you all for your contributions and participation! I actually just counted how many total submissions we had and it was 140 submissions from different houses! Wow, that is incredible! You're all amazing and you rock my socks. News The Regular Roar – Submitted by Sky Alton of Gryffindor. Way to go, Sky! Congratulations! Sports Move Your Paws – Submitted by Robin Blackwood of Gryffindor. Awesome job, Robin! Gossip/Entertainment Riddikulous Rumos – Submitted by Prof. Zenix James. Uhh, go me? Editorials Minerva’s Musings – Submitted by Sky Alton of Gryffindor! Sky had most of her submissions make it through to the final round because they were so very good. Adverts Scratching Post – Submitted Marie Dark of Gryffindor. Way to go, Marie! Also, it is a completely random coincidence that all the finalists are from Gryffindor. We had submissions from Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and even a representing Squib that made it into the voting rounds. Thanks again!

Now that the year has come to close, we at Gryffindor always take this time to acknowledge students who have worked hard, either on HOL, Gryffindor, or even both. This year's recipients are... Alessandra Grace for both Golden Snitch Award and Consistent Cub Award! Rowan Dream for the Phoenix Award! Regulus Riverwater for the Studious Simba Award! Victoria Gingerfox for the Curious Kitten Award! Kim Alting for the Platinum Quill Award! Congratulations, and thank you for all your hard work and participation!

I've got a jar of dirt! I've got a jar of dirt! And guess what's inside it?!

Less than 2 weeks to go before the new school year - who's excited?

Well, what a wild month of weather that was! I hope none of you have been blown over the rainbow. Thank you to everyone who took part in our meteorological magic– seeing your submissions has been a breath of fresh air. (What do you mean I’m over doing it with the weather references? Nonsense.) You should all have your rubies now but if you spot any problems, just let me know and I can look into it. Kudos to Dibyarup James Potter, Ellie Vernez, Lex Green and River Fenwick for completing all the tasks and scooping the maximum number. :D Now that that’s all taken care of, I’m off to enjoy the spring sunshine.

It's nearly time to catch the Hogwarts Express! Who's excited?

Camelot, Oh Camelot, my beautiful Camelot, it's beautiful lakes, it's wonderous forests, it's loving people, there are so many things to love about Camelot Like the beauty of the sky at night, it's stars shining down so bright. The days are clear, and the air is fresh, the smell of the leaves, the rain and burning flowers. Oh, how I wish I could travel to Camelot, it's people so carefree and safe, kept watch by the knights whom protect their realm.

Who's excited for the 1st of September? :D

Amazing work, Gryffies. Whether you're planning to stick around for July and August (there's plenty of fun scheduled!) or if we'll see you back on 1st September, I hope everyone has an incredible summer.

Well done everyone!! You all make Gryffindor amazing! *passes around butterbeers*

Who's excited for the new term? Got any exciting plans? Know what classes you'd like to take?

Ah, so you all have convinced me to return. Much thanks to everyone who has proved to me how much you all really care. I must admit I wouldn’t mind staying in Honeydukes forever though– it’s practically my home after all. Some of you have heard my story, but for those who have not, I believe it is time to reveal my history. When I was young, I loved Hogsmeade. It was one of my favorite places to spend free time and I wanted to live there when I got older. My mother was Gunhilda de Gorsemoor, some of you may recognize that name as the statue that guards the secret passageway to Honeydukes. My mother died when I was young, but that didn’t stop me from making something of myself. I started a business in 1641 with the money I inherited, before the passageway existed of course. Finally, I lived and worked in Hogsmeade. Between my business and daily life, I fell in love with none other than Prof. Xavier D’Angelo – the late headmaster. He went on to become headmaster and I went on to become a successful businesswoman, but there was still a way we were able to see each other from time to time. Remember that passage behind my mother’s statue? If you haven’t guessed it yet, we would sneak through it to spend some time with each other. I used to bring brightly coloured boxes full of Honeydukes sweets (Chocolate Frog anyone?) to many a student and staff while my business was in full bloom. I loved cheering them up with my confections. I also made use of my cooking knowledge to shower the house elves with delicious new recipes for desserts and sweets which they have incorporated in many of your meals. Yes, you have me to thank for those confectionary delights. I knew even in death I would want to have my memory restored in Hogsmeade, the village I held so dear, and in Honeydukes, the business I created, and so, my portrait resides there which some of you exceptional students were so clever to figure out. Perhaps a list of Honeydukes themed passwords is in order for the week? As a reward for all of your hard work, I have asked your prefect to award everyone shiny rubies for their efforts. Those you will now see on your ruby counts. If you believe yourself not to have the correct amount, go find your prefect, I have passwords to create. Now, for all of those students who so cleverly found me, I have also added a shiny award to your award shelves. Much thanks to everyone! Now I’m heading back to my usual portrait to clean it up and find out how much a mess you all made while I was away.

Our castle is back!!! Thank you Dario and everyone who worked so hard to get everything back to order!!! <3

Was funny so decided to share with you all... *A conversation between Sirius Black and Prof. McGonagall, in her office* Prof. McGonagall: I asked you if you were involved in that prank. Were you lying to me? Sirius: That depends on how you define lying. Prof. McGonagall: I define it as not telling the truth. How do you define it? Sirius: As to be in a horizontal or resting position on a supporting surface. Prof. McGonagall: Sirius: Prof. McGonagall: Get out of my office. Sirius: With pleasure.

One new outfit for The Fat Lady consists of a red short-sleeved top made of silk with a matching skirt. She's got a new gold choker necklace (many strands woven together so it looks like a rope of gold). She's got some red roses circling her forehead and dark sunglasses with red heart frames. Her lipstick is a matching red, of course, and the finishing touch are dangle ruby-drop earrings. Her hair is dyed a midnight blue and pulled back into a quasi-ponytail -- to go along with her new outfit.

Happy start of term everyone!!! <3 There's so much going on, sign up for classes, take part in Magical Theatricals, and have a look around our new Gryff-only forum! Remember that house cup standings change quickly, so let's collect those points! Go Gryffindor!!! <3

going shopping in diagon alley tomorrow can't wait to see you again

Thank you, all. You're the best <3 And Emerald, I celebrated with toffee appel cheesecake if that counts. A friend also brought round raspberry cupcakes which I'll tuck into tomorrow ;)

YAY to everyone who graduated!!!! So proud of you all :D Now we can all go off to stare at our profiles for a few hours to get used to it :P

I can't believe I have been given the Curious Kitten award and for Gryffindor too, ( you could knock me over with a liquorice wand!). Thank you so much, it has really made my day.

Happy, happy birthday, Isa! I'll just go fetch the signature Gryffindor red velvet cake...

I slap Carrie for daydreaming. Are there no sign-posts in you imagination?

I can't wait for the end of term feast and the new year!!! More classes, more FUN!

Oh wow! Thank you and congratulations to everybody, let's have another exciting term!

I've never actually had a surprise party thrown for me. Do you still have to act surprised even though you kno it's coming? And I totally agree, Kalina, you are never to old to pretend to delicately sip tea while eating far too much cake.

Mine is on the 16th of March. It's usually pretty cold, so I don't get to go do any fun outdoor type parties. This year I am having a tea party. Never too old for one.

Shout out to GQT for their great Quidditch match today! Props to Jenny Lupin for catching the elusive snitch!

I started in 2015 and should be on my fourth year right now. Way after the battle and the construction was all finished.

Hello everyone! I really took my time with this crest and gave it a lot of thought. Here is the result: The Colors: The red shield on a white background, is meant to bring the Japanese flag to mind. My heritage is an intrinsic part of who I am, and I am very proud of it! The blue cross inside the shield represents Ravenclaw, my Hogwarts House. The golden banner represents the golden rule/motto that I try to live by. It will be further explained bellow. The Symbols: I researched a bit of heraldry in order to create this crest. The cross is actually St. Andrew's Cross, also known as Saltire. I chose it because it represents resolution. In this specific case, it's meant to symbolize a Ravenclaw's resolve to never stop learning. The swan in the middle of the shield is what I believe my Patronus would be. In real life, I have a small tattoo of a swan on my hip. The inspiration for it was the tale of the Ugly Duckling, by Hans Christian Andersen. Without going into too much detail about my personal life, it serves as a reminder that, no matter where you come from or what your childhood was like, you can always create a better, brighter, more beautiful future for yourself. (Fun Fact: Japan has serious issues with tattoos because of their association with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. As such, my tattoo is an act of societal defiance, even if very private. It stays covered even at the beach). The background has three designs, which are meant to represent the three remaining Hogwarts Houses. The leaves represent the delicate and gentle nature of the Hufflepuffs; the sword and the axe symbolize the nerve and the bravery of the Gryffindors; and the crown portrays the ambition of the Slytherins. I included them because I believe that I have a little bit of every House within me. In my life, I strive to be as loyal, patient and hardworking as a Badger; as brave and adventurous as a Lion; and as resourceful as a Snake. I opted to leave these designs uncolored because, even though I embody some of the traits of each House, they quite literally pale in comparison to my most dominant Japanese values and Ravenclaw qualities. The Motto: The golden motto by which I live my life is Wabi-Sabi (侘寂). This is a Japanese word which designates a very particular way of living, which focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life, as well as peacefully accepting the natural cycle of growth and decay. I hope you had as much fun reading about my crest as I had making it!

Hear ye, hear ye. Owl Posts are back! Where else can you keep up with the incredible goings on of the great house of Gryffindor? How about the current events on HOL? Now that the Owl Posts are back, you'll get all of these in just one shiny email! Owl Posts will come to each Gryffindor member only once a month by way of email. We hope that you take the time to read them each month and update yourself on the newest happenings, but what you decide to do when it comes to your email is really up to you. You cannot unsubscribe, but we hope you will come to appreciate these messages of information!

Staff Changes! Welcome to the almost start of the 2012/2013 HOL school year! We've had a few staff changes, so we thought we might as well let the students know, so that you can bug THEM not us. First we have Hailey Potter moving up in the world of Prefectdom in Gryffindor and will be our newest Prefect In Charge In Training! (Wow, that is a mouthful.) Kadina Tigano will be showing her the ropes on how to whip all the other prefects in shape. Stepping down from prefect and being moved back into junior prefect for at least this term are: Jinxy Jo and St.John Aloisius Sloots. Taking their places as full Prefects in HOL are Chadwick Cadet, Bay Reilly and Tom Foster! *round of applause* Finally, we had a LOT of wonderful application submissions for Junior Prefect. We've had one JP step down (Alexzandria Lestrange), and of course 3 JP's move up. So here are your new Junior Prefects for this year! (Or until I can fire them...) Anneliese Lee, Destri Weasley, Fumei Shirokuro, Nina Messersmith, Pandora Gotham So, if you students need help with anything, bug the JP's and Prefects and leave me alone! *G*