With summer comes the summer event. This year, HEXians have the opportunity to win some lovely prizes in Conquering Death - an event with Death and the Deathly Hallows at its centre.
With graphics, writing, roleplaying, and an escape room, there is surely something for everyone. Why don't you slither on over to the Welcome Thread to take a look at what's on offer? If this isn't motivational enough for you, just take a look at the wonderful items and House Points available in the Participation Raffle.
We hope to see lots of you lovely Snakes grabbing at the chance to get some last-minute House Points.
Slither in With the Staff
So, I'm sure you've all started getting to know the new Slytherin Staff! For those that haven't, let me tell you a couple of things I've found out about them. But before I get into that, let me congratulate each and every one of you; I'm sure you'll all do wonder things for this great House!
I'm not going to just start at the top of the hierarchy and work down. It's time for a mix up!
Let's start with Foxie, one of our four Prefects. Known around the site as ClumsyFox, this smart witch should update her username to CleverFox. Do I hear you asking 'why'? Well, dear readers, I will tell you…
If Foxie were on the run, she'd choose different places to hide, depending on why she was on the run of course. And she would always make sure she stayed close to sources of food and water. If you thought that was clever, though, just listen to this: if she could go anywhere, she'd choose the ocean with a pirate ship and a loyal crew. If that's not cool, I don't know what is!
When asked whose death was the hardest, it was pretty difficult for this Prefect to choose just one. But, of course, this pair goes hand-in-hand really. She picked Lupin and Tonks, although Fred Weasley came in a close second. It is tough when some of your favourite literary characters die, but even more difficult when they leave a very small child behind.
Next comes the Kitten of the pack (except we all know she's been around the block and back again numerous times). Let's explore her answers to my questions, shall we?
Although she may kill me for this, the ninja kitten would run off to the Forbidden Forest. Assuming that many people would be far too scared to look there, we certainly have a smart cookie in our midst.
And here we have another rebellious Prefect who refused to give me just one answer to my next question. When asked whose death was the hardest, this old hand was torn over whether to be a Slytherin or a kitten. As herself, it was clear that Fred's passing hit her the hardest as the twins hold a very special place in her heart; humour is so vital in all our lives after all. Her stereotypical Slytherin answer, however, is Professor Snape or even Dolohov. The former Head of House because he kept his students in order for so long and had ambition and cunning to spare. And Dolohov? He was a total Slytherin stereotype to the extreme (her words).
Did I hear someone ask who was next? Did I? No! Well, I shall proceed anyway. Next in our fine order of Slytherin staff is the Assistant Head of House, Salazia, another member of the SOUP team. Oh, I forgot to mention Kitten was one of our editors, didn't I? Oh well, you know now.
If Salazia had to go on the run, her destination would depend on the circumstances. She's clearly put some thought into this! A rather short answer, but there is no doubt that this is also a very clever one.
And once again we have someone who refuses to give just one answer to the hardest death question. I suppose I can forgive her, though, as her choice clearly changed as she grew up. First of all, who didn't cry at Dobby's death? I mean I didn't, but I don't really count. Salazia certainly did. She thinks she even yelled at one point. That little elf's death definitely tugged at the heartstrings. Now she is older, however, this witch certainly appreciates the bad guy you love to hate; the one and only Severus Snape. In the end, Snape was Voldemort's greatest downfall and you can't really appreciate that or him until you're older.
Just like the gemstone, these answers from Opal, another one of our perfect Prefects, are beautiful. Every answer to the first question I asked was different and this one was no exception.
If Opal was on the run, they would go to a place with a unique terrain and forest. They would then stay in the area and get to know it well. "I do think nature is expected, but if I ran away and I wanted to get away from society it would have to be the forest."
We have finally found someone who gave me just one name for the hardest death in the Deathly Hallows! Opal said for her it was Remus Lupin, as Teddy was an orphan at such a young age and Harry lost the last of his father's friends. She is right to point out that many of the deaths in the book would have been hard for families and friends.
Next is the last of our perfectly formed Prefects, Thorne. She didn't give me quite as much to go on as the others before her, but I'll give it a go.
Thorne would probably try to get lost in London because there are so many people there. Although the capital of England is crowded, there are a lot of cons to hiding in the big city.
Just like Foxie, Thorne couldn't decide between Lupin and Tonks so chose them both as the hardest deaths for her.
Last, but by no means least, is our Head of House, who is also one of our own, Richard. Very much like Thorne before him, he didn't give me much to work with but I shall muddle through.
For where he would go when on the run, he gave me two options; one regarding the real world and the other pertaining to the wizarding world. Fleeing to South America in the real world sounds fun but not as much as escaping to the forests of Albania.
Richard seems to have taken a leaf out of Kitten's book when discussing the hardest deaths. For him, it was both Fred and Snape. Although he didn't tell me why, it was probably for similar reasons as well.
Phew! That was a lot to get through, wasn't it? I think I'm going to go for a lie down now!
Fair thee well, my dear readers! Until next time.
Nox