Babblings from the Broomsticks

Good afternoon, fellow students! This semester I will have the pleasure and the honor to sit down with some of our exalted faculty members (and maybe some random bonus wizards and witches) and get to know them a bit better.

Far be it from me to keep any of that fun from you all!

First up, I sat down for a quick interview at the Three Broomsticks with the wonderful Hilltopkatie, our Deputy Headmistress, over a nice mug of Butterbeer and she let me bend her ear a bit... She was absolutely delightful!

The Books

Which character in Harry Potter do you relate to most?
I’d say probably McGonagall which given my new job title is quite ironic. As a teacher in real life I’d like to think I am very like her. I teach science and just as she starts off with her new students showing off her animagus skills I like to start off with my new classes with a bit of a bang!
She’s strict but fair, but with a wicked sense of humour!

If there were one object from the Harry Potter universe that you could pull into real life, what would it be?
I think anything from Fred and George’s joke shop, at times there isn’t enough fun in the world. My other option would be the sweets, I do have a dreadfully sweet tooth, and sometimes sweets don’t quite hit the spot, I don’t think Wizard sweets would be the same let down!

When I ask you what your favorite scene is in the series, what’s the first one that comes to mind?
From the films it would be the scene on the bridge where Lupin talks to Harry about his parents, for me it was beautifully acted, and as a rarity for the movies really got a sense of how much back story there is.
In the books, I don’t know, so many to remember so many favourites, maybe the scene where Fred and George leave the castle, so much anarchy, and just so funny!

The Basics

How did you first become involved with the House Cup?
I read a post by Onica in the Harry Potter fans group, I thought it sounded fun and said yes I’d love to be The Caretaker. One year on and I’m still here! This is the first term I’ve taken part as a student and I’m really enjoying that as well.

What is your favorite part of the House Cup?
The prize threads, I love doing them, I love seeing how talented you all are, and I love rewarding your hard work. I also love getting prizes to award as it reminds me that you’re a generous lot and the world seems a better place when I log on to rav to little message offering prizes.

Do you have any advice to hand out to the new students here at Hogwarts?
In the words of indominatble Corporel Jones of Dads Army (Non Brits, go google, go watch, go laugh) Don’t Panic!
It’s really not a complicated game (though admittedly it was simpler in the very first term!), don’t try to over think things, knit/crochet something and hand it in, that’s it! Also don’t take things personally, the staff have real lives to, we are not ignoring your question because we hate you, we just don’t live on ravelry!

The Knitty Gritty

Do you knit, crochet, spin? Any other hidden talents?
I knit (I taught myself nearly 2 years ago), I designed my first sock pattern a year after learning to knit, my second is on a way as part of the Quidditch challenge.
I also spin, a very generous person gave me a spinning wheel in February, since then I’ve definitely become “a spinner!”
As for the hidden talents, (and this is where I become a shy retiring Brit), I used to rock climb to a pretty reasonable standard, and still teach others as a part time job in the school holidays. I also have my Queens Guide Award, I reckon being a Guide and collecting badges is good preparation for the cup!

Why did you first pick up your knitting needles (or craft of choice)?
My boyfriend had split up with me 6 months earlier, we were living together and I had a bit of a gap in my life, I spent 6 months doing the usual things you do post break up. I watched too much TV, and spent to much time on the internet (now I just send too much time on rav!). I decided enough was enough and ordered some needles, yarn and learn to knit book. My first pattern wasn’t a scarf, my Mum rolled her eyes when I appeared saying “this has holes”, looked at the pattern and declared “it’s meant to”. The pattern involved doing yarn overs and decreasing….. my knitting has continued in that same vein; without fear!

Of all of your self-made projects, which one brings you the most pride?
Probably my Aeolian, it was my first lace weight project, my first one with beads, and it’s massive, and it’s so tactile. I took it to my knitting group the other day and people couldn’t stop stroking it. I was aiming for subtle opulence with the colour combination of yarn and beads and I think I achieved it!
(I also knitted it in a month and a half…)

Is there a craft or technique you’d like to try that you haven’t gotten to yet?
I want to learn to crochet, if only to learn how to do granny squares to use up scraps, I’ll get round to it eventually! I also harbour weaving ambitions, but lack the space and money for a loom!