Prof. Sky Alton

Now if there’s one thing you need to get right with herbs and fungi, it’s identification!

Knowing whether you’ve got a sprig of mint or alihotsy is the difference between a soothing cup of tea or a trip to the hospital wing with uncontrollable hysteria.

To test out your identification skills, track down 10 herbs (and spices) in this wordsearch. Send your answers to me via PM (subject: Light Reading Wordsearch) and send them as a text list rather than an image, please.

https://imgur.com/TXcvSLE

Send your solutions in by 23:59 HOL-time on the 31st of July to earn 10 rubies!

 Harry and Ron barely had time to exchange mystified looks before she was dashing back, an enormous old book in her arms.

‘I never thought to look in here!’ she whispered excitedly. ‘I got this out of the library weeks ago for a bit of light reading.’

‘Light?’ said Ron. -Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

In honour of one of Gryffindor’s most famous members, we’re doing a bit of light reading of our own!

Every month, we’ll tackle a different wizarding book, ranging from textbooks found in the Hogwarts library to page-turners witches and wizards read for fun.

There will be 3 or 4 small tasks for each book, including puzzles, creative and discussions. Each task will usually be worth 10 rubies each, though we might increase that for trickier tasks.

If you have trouble with a particular task for accessibility reasons, just send a PM to whoever posted it and we’ll work with you to come up with an alternative that works better for you.

Happy reading!

Have a question about Light Reading? Please ask it here and we'll get back to you ASAP.

I'm sad to announce that we're retiring the monthly scenarios as of today.

I'll be leaving the forum up over the summer, so please feel free to use the old threads if you feel like a spot of roleplay.

Thank you to everyone who's joined us to RP in the last few years!

PS: For new monthly fun, check out 'Light Reading'!

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We're into the last stretch of the term!

Remember that most classes have a final deadline of the 15th of June (though some can be a few days earlier or later), so make sure you're not leaving everything too last minute.

We're still lagging a little behind in the cup standings but with a concerted effort, I'm sure we can give everyone a run for their money. Whatever you can do, even if it's just sending in a single assignment,  is a huge help. Let's finish this year in a blaze of glory. Let's go, Gryffindor, let's go!

If you finish your homework and want to earn some last minute points, get yourself over to the Howler area of the main HOL forum. The final issue of the school year (theme: Whirlwind Adventure) is open for submissions until the 20th of June, so there's a small window to squeeze in a few articles, puzzles or creative pieces. You can earn yourself another 60 points and that's definitely worth having!

Deadline: 20th June

This month's department projects won't finish until after this school year wraps up but if you'd like to get a head start on point earning for next year, make sure you head over to check them out!

The Art Department are asking you to create a celebration for the 7th years who are about to finish up their HOL education and then head off to the beach. The Library Department are asking you to describe a family reunion and your own personal trip of a lifetime. Exciting stuff!

Art Deadline: 30th June

Library Deadline: 8th July

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The evening sunshine sparkles off the lake as you make your way down to it. Trestle tables have been laid out on the shore and they’re already groaning under the weight of a huge buffet that must have kept the house elves busy for days. Fellow students chatter excitedly around you - it’s going to be a lovely night.

The Situation:

The staff have laid on an evening picnic in the grounds to celebrate the summer solstis and the end of another school year. There have been rumours flying around that there’s going to be a magical lantern display later and maybe even some fireworks to finish off the festivities.

The Location:

Feel free to roleplay anywhere in the general vicinity of the lake.

Give the guidelines a read before diving in. Have fun!

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Happy, happy birthday to Raevia Ward! Butterbeer and birthday cake this way!

Great to see so many newcomers! Welcome to the Den, Katerina, Rose, Ina, Zagreus, Gracelyn and Hazel. I hope you have a great time chilling with the lions!

New month, new points opportunities!

Have you ever wondered what’s written in the stars? Well, head over to the HOL forum and join in on ‘The Incredible World of Zodiac Signs’ to find out. There are fun tasks to complete and 80 points to be earned!

Deadline: 31st May

And over in the departments, The Art Department are inviting you to weave some flower crowns in honour of May Day and celebrate an ancient Greek goddess. There’s a few more days to join in on those magical Library Department projects I told you about last time and I’m sure there will be new ones to get stuck into after that.

Library Deadline: 6th May

Art Deadline: 31st May

And don’t forget The Howler! Embark on a whirlwind adventure by submitting to the final issue of the school year. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Deadline: 20th June

The field just outside Hogsmeade is full of brightly decorated stalls and happy people. The sunshine finally seems to have some warmth in it and you enjoy the feel of it on your face as you stroll down towards the spring fete.

The Situation:

It’s time for Hogsmeade’s annual celebration of everything spring, the spring fete and luckily for everyone at Hogwarts, the headmistress has granted everyone permission to go for a few hours, including first and second years. Stalls are groaning under the wait of cakes, flowers and other goodies. There are games (some magical and some muggle) and contests of all descriptions to join in on. The maypole with its colourful ribbons stands tall over everything, just waiting for people to come and dance round it.

The Location:

Try to keep the action within the field where the fete is taking place. Feel free to invent any stalls, games or contests you like!

Give the guidelines a read before diving in. Have fun!

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9002. Come on, folks, I'd love to see this finished in 2023!

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Hey there, Lions!

We’re almost to May already! There’s still plenty of time to finish your classes, earn points and snag yourself some awards but make sure you don’t leave it all until the last minute - stress is no fun.

Gryffindor is still lagging behind a little in the cup race and we need every single point we can get to try to narrow the gap. I know we can do it but only if each and every one of you helps us along in whatever way you can. Even if you only have time to earn a few points here and there, it all adds up and will help us to end the year on a high note.

Let’s go, Gryffindor, let’s go!

Now, speaking of points…

There are department projects to complete! The Art Department are asking you to create a birthday card for the Weasley twins and to share your plans for spring break. Over in the Library it appears to be raining money (why? You decide!) and there are some mysterious bunnies popping up. All the current projects are worth 20 points, so there’s 80 available in total!

Art Deadline: 30th April

Library Deadline: 6th May

The Howler’s latest theme is ‘Whirlwind Adventure’, so grab your map and lets go! Whether you like writing, creating art or devising your own puzzles, you’ll find something to suit. If you’re stuck for inspiration, why not check out The Idea Bank? Remember that each issue gives you the chance to earn up to 60 points!

Deadline: 20th June

Welcome to the Den, Doubhee, Esor and Artemis! It's wonderful to have you here.

You join the group of students in the entrance hall, all gathered around a long, empty  table that has been set up off to one side. Everyone is talking quietly and glancing interestedly around.

“They know somethings up,” one girl mutters, “Sir Cadogan called me a cowardly nave yesterday.”

“That’s just his way of saying hello,” her friend points out.

Prof. Alton steps forward and claps her hands once for silence.

“Many of the portraits here in the castle need to be professionally cleaned,” she explains. “This is rather… upsetting for their occupants and in the past we’ve had a bit of trouble with very noisy protests.” She looks a little worriedly round and lowers her voice. “So I’m asking volunteers to go and speak to the portraits concerned to explain the situation to them in a quiet and considerate way.” She gestures to the table. “Once you have gained a portraits trust and they’ve given their permission to be cleaned, please remove the picture from the wall and bring it down here where our magical art restorer can work on it.”

“But what if the person in the portrait isn’t… in it when we get there?” a 3rd year asks.

“Then I’m afraid you’ll need to search the castle for them,” Prof. Alton explains. “Now, if everyone will line up, I’ll give you your portrait assignments.”

The Situation:

You’ve been asked to convince the occupants of the Hogwarts portraits to let themselves and their paintings be given a spruce up. How you persuade them is up to you but remember you need to be polite! We don’t want a portrait uprising on our hands!

The Location:

The entire castle is fair game. Pick a portrait to go speak to - either one from the Harry Potter Books or one you’ve invented yourself. Feel free to make up their responses to you or find a friend who can do it for you. If someone else has already used a particular portrait, either ask if you can join them or pick a different one.

Give the rules a read before diving in. Have fun!

39 minutes ago, Evie Figg said:

Hi!!

Apologies if there is not where I should ask this, however I am having trouble uploading/changing my profile picture, as well as my cover photo on my profile.

 

I'm not sure if anyone else has experienced this issue? I have tried to change it on my laptop, phone and my desktop computer yet whenever I try, the website gives me this message:

 

/var/www/gryffindor/uploads/monthly_2023_03 could not be created.

Please contact us for assistance.

 

As I said, I'm not sure if I'm the only one experiencing this, as I have tried changing it on 3 different platforms.

 

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

-Evie Figg

Hi Evie. I'm afraid that feature has been broken for quite a while now due to an issue when we were forced to switch servers, so it's not just you. Prof. Brighton is looking into it so if you want to send him a message with the error you're getting, I'm sure he'd appreciate the additional info.

March is well underway and there are lots of points to be earned around the castle, so let's get right to it!

First up, have you ever wanted to be a Triwizard champion? Well, now's your chance. The Triwizard Tournament is taking place right now on the HOL Forum. Prove yourself in 3 tricky tasks and earn glory, awards, beans  and95 house points!

Deadline: 31st March

The Howler is still open for submissions for the 'Little Kindnesses' issue. Whether you like writing, creating graphics or puzzling up a storm, there's bound to be a way to contribute that suits you. And with 60 points available, it's really a golden opportunity. Head to the HOL Forum for more information.

Deadline: 31st March

Go test out our fabulous new navigation menu by visiting the Departments! You'll find them under 'Castle and Grounds' now. The Library Department are inviting you on a trip to Wonderland and asking you how people would mark a day named in your honour. The Art Department are asking you to decorate a lantern for National Panda Day and put your own imaginative spin on what the HOL gardens look like in springtime.

Art Deadline: 1st April

Library Deadline: 9th April

New term, new chances to earn points!

The Departments are always a great place to be. This month, the Library are asking you to create an entry from Cupid’s diary and to solve the mystery of what happened to the groundhog’s shadow. The Art Department are inviting you to design your own kite and send a card to someone special in your life. All prompts are worth up to 20 points each, so that’s a possible 80 in all!

Art Deadline: 28 February

Library Deadline: 9 March

The school newspaper, The HOwLer, is open for submissions! The theme is ‘Little Kindnesses’ and you’d certainly be doing one if you contributed. Remember you can submit articles, opinion pieces, puzzles, ads, artwork, creative writing and more. There are 60 points up for grabs, so get yourself over to the HOL forum to get your ideas approved.

Deadline: 31 March

Let's go, Gryffindor, let's go!

   The easiest way to help out your house and show your lion’s pride is to earn points! There are lots of ways you can do this so you’re bound to find some that play to your strengths.

  In this post, I’ll give you a brief run-down of the regular point earning opportunities available to you. Whenever a new one opens up throughout the term, we’ll post it as a reply so keep checking back!

 The first and most obvious is to take part in classes. All classes will give you the chance to earn 300 points in a term through homework and extra credit. If you take several classes (even if you don’t have the time for the maximum of 5 every term), those homework points soon mount up to quite a tidy haul.

Class sign-up opened on the 1st of February 2023 and will remain open until the 20th of May, so remember to put your name down for the classes that interest you and get sending in that homework! (It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the individual assignment deadlines so that you don’t run out of time or put too much pressure on yourself)

  The next are the creative projects offered each month by the Library and art departments. If you enjoy getting artsy or brushing up on your writing, visit the 'Departments' tab on the main website. Don't be shy: your submissions are anonymous during the rating period. You can get started by going to your profile and telling everyone 'How you Got Into Harry Potter' in the designated section - that will earn you a cool 10 points!

  Finally there's the HOL Newspaper, the HOwLer. This is a great chance to earn plenty of points by writing about what interests you. If articles and reviews aren’t your thing, it will also offer creative prompts and the chance to submit your own puzzles, graphics and more. Keep an eye on the Newspaper section of the main HOL Forum for updates about the latest issue.

https://hol.org.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=612

  Throughout the term, there will be unique and exciting activities to take part in which will give you the chance to earn points along the way. Remember to check the replies to this thread for announcements and reminders about anything that might be occurring!