Hilltopkatie and the Quidditch Team for Doctors Without Borders have put together a raffle-type contest in support of their charity. I'll let Katie tell you all about it, here on her blog!

Okay, everyone go here to vote for your favorite badges. Check the box next to the ones you like most, then click on the orange "Vote" button towards the bottom of the page. The answers are randomized by the poll site, so every if you go back to check on how it's going, the choices will be in a different order. Voting will end on November 22nd (Next Sunday).

Which character in Harry Potter do you relate to most?

I like Hermione and Luna, but there is something about Quirrell. Yes, Mr. Something-on-the-back-of-his-head himself. I’m not sure that I relate to him the most, but he is rather intriguing. He picked, the wrong master, that’s for sure, but with a little name substitution, this quote could work for a good master (Dumbledore, Buddha, etc.):

"I met him when I travelled around the world. A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil. Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. Since then, I serve him faithfully, although I have let him down many times."
—Quirinus Quirrell

He is a good example that being loyal and faithful and obedient always counts, but the person/thing/idea to which you are loyal is even more important.

If there were one object from the Harry Potter universe that you could pull into real life, what would it be?

Vanishing cabinet. I’d put one in my house, and one in each of my sisters’ homes and be a very happy person.

When I ask you what your favorite scene is in the series, what’s the first one that comes to mind?

Hermione punching Malfo. I’m not particulary violent, but I do love that scene.

This is my second term. Last term, I happened to find the group through a friend’s page right before sign-ups. Good timing! This term I get to be one of the Charms TAs and it’s been most enjoyable.

What is your favorite part of the House Cup?

I love the rush and excitement when new classes are posted each month, and then seeing the stellar projects in the prize thread.

Do you have any advice to hand out to the new students here at Hogwarts?

If HPKCHC were a buffet, my eyes would be bigger than my stomach. Try not to over-commit - do the minimum and then whatever else you can comfortable do (and enjoy). If it becomes more stressful than fun, readjust. It just your wizarding education, that’s all.


Just knit. That’s enough for me. Weaving is tempting, but I have enough projects in various stages that I really don’t need another genre to tempt me.

Why did you first pick up your knitting needles (or craft of choice)?

Familiar story, really. My grandmother taught me a bit with some scratchy brown yarn when I was maybe 7 or 8. It didn’t take. Years later, when I finished up my MBA, I went home for the holidays and my mom taught me again. And boy, did it take! That was in late 2003 and I’ve been going strong (more or less) ever since.

Of all of your self-made projects, which one brings you the most pride?

I’m pretty darn proud of my Shipwreck shawl. It’s fun to see people’s faces when I say that yes, those are beads. 5,000 beads! I love it when people ask for my Excel notes, too. It’s great to help if I can.

This first week we only have two birthday students!

Happy birthday to:
5 Nov spinayarnforewe
7 Nov mysticknitter71

And we also have a winner picked from October's blog question ("If you have just ONE magical wish for your birthday, what would you wish for?"):

*drumrolls*

THE WINNER IS PSMOMMY!! Here's the winning comment:

“A whole day, no, week to myself. I’m a single mom of an autistic 4 year old. I work all day then come home and take care of my son all night. I love him dearly, but it can be a little bit challenging since he does little by himself, and sometimes has trouble communicating. The only time I have to myself is between 4-7pm on Fridays when his dad takes him. I spend this time mowing the lawn, vacuuming, sewing, and doing other things I can’t do when my son is home because of his sensory issues.”

You win a pattern that you can knit during your Fridays :) Please report to hilltopkatie to claim your prize.

Happy Monday, good Hogwarts students! Our October is drawing slowly to a close, but we still have the illustrious Halloween to look forward to :) I hope everyone is ready for a fair share of tricks, tracks, and treats!

Rlynn, my goooooorgeous fellow blog reporter, and I were snacking on some Pumpkin Pasties walking around the grounds of Hogwarts and I figured you might like to know a bit more about her! She's a truly pleasant addition to our staff and her attention to birthdays is most spectacular!