Hello, everyone! First, this was formally called the Daily Prophet. Life is just too busy for me at the moment to make this a daily thing, but please do look for these from me at least on a weekly basis.

Posting on this Blog
You have all been sent an invitation to post on this blog. Please check your email boxes for the invite. The only thing that I ask is that you be mindful of not posting around the times when we will be hunting the Snitch and or when another announcement is expected from on of the Head Girls or activity organizers - Bevin or Agatha.

Posting To Your Blogs!
Every student must post on his or her blog weekly. If two full posting periods have gone by without a blog post (and without some type of communication between you and your Head Girl) you will be dropped from the swap! We understand that things happen, but if you choose not to communicate with anyone for two posting periods you will be dropped.

Posting periods run from 12:01 a.m. PST Sunday to 11:59 p.m. PST Saturday. If you post right at the witching hour - well, whose to say that you didn't post at all???

TipJoy
Some of you may have noticed the little Tip Jar in the sidebar. Many of you know that running a swap does incur it's own expenses for the organizers. We are extremely blessed in volunteers every term. No, I don't mean the people that offer donations for prizes, though we would not be able to put together the wonderful angel kits and prizes without you! I mean the ladies that offer to send (sometimes) multiple angel kits/prizes and spend lots of money in postage from their own pockets to get the packages in the mail. Our dear Wisteria, who has been my coordinator of angel packages and swap prizes for the last 3 swaps, has often paid for postage herself. So, to compensate and give a little back to Wisty and others that sacrifice I have added the tip jar. Whatever monies we do not use for Angel Kits will go towards the prizes that are awarded for finding the Snitch, Best Kit, and other activities of Hogwarts.

To those of you who have already donated - Thank You!

Upcoming Activities

Dueling Club
The Dueling Club is a competitive mini-game that we play. If you have every played SmackDown then you'll understand the concept of this game that we play. For more information you can visit the information page on the HSKS site. The dates need to be updated, so please ignore those for now. Will we be making further announcements in a day or two to let you know when the exact start date will be.

Quidditch
The first round of Quidditch begins in just a couple of weeks. Please note that the calendar in the sidebar will alert you to upcoming events.

First Opportunity for Points
This was previously an Early Points activity, but this time I chose to make this a requirement for after the swap started.

Posting HSKS Logo on Your Blog = 5 House Points


Please feel free to use the above image if you do not have and HSKS 7 logo on your blog. To receive credit the logo must be posted in the sidebar of your blog and not within a post.

A History Lesson

To kick off this term we will be having two Beginning of Term Feasts in the Great Hall on Tuesday, February 3rd. Times are listed below:


10 a.m. PST
11 a.m. Mountain
Noon Central
1 p.m. EST
6 p.m. London

5 p.m. PST
6 p.m. Mountain
7 p.m. Central
8 p.m. EST
1 a.m. London



I hope that you will be able to join us for one of these times!

I know that everyone is anxious to meet the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Since the term has already started and most of us have DADA on our schedules, I guess it's time to introduce him. He's quite shy and it wasn't easy for me to convince him that Hogwarts students are well behaved and will act with decorum. So, please, no squealing, lunging, touching or drooling!

I am proud to introduce Professor Fervens Solum!



This is Professor Solum's first teaching position. He has been very involved in private research and, of course, I've made myself available to help him continue that private research. He's really quite talented!

He has told me that there is something embarrassing about his name, but he won't tell me what. Hmmmm...must figure this out.

/* Posting for Queen Frysia because she doesn't have access to this blog yet.  She's also sponsoring a most excellent prize.  Thanks HRH! */


First Slytherin House Quiz

1. 
   
   
   What are your three most favorite colors?
2. 
   
   
   What are you three least favorite colors?
3. 
   
   
   Your favorite candy is _________________.
4. 
   
   
   Draco, Lucius, or Snape?
5. 
   
   
   Do you knit, crochet, or both?
6. 
   
   
   What type of kit did you ask for?
7. 
   
   
   Acrylic—has its uses, should all be burned, best yarn to work with (choose one)?
8. 
   
   
   Who is the Slytherin Head Girl this term?
9. 
   
   
   Name four “extras” you would love to receive in your kit.
10. 
    
    
    What are your three most favorite scents?
11. 
    
    
    Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?
12. 
    
    
    Which Slytherin is the Keeper of the Crucio List?
13. 
    
    
    Do you really need more stitch markers?
14. 
    
    
    Dpns, circular, or straight?
15. 
    
    
    What yarn makes you squee?
16. 
    
    
    Favorite HP Movie?
17. 
    
    
    Favorite HP character?
18. 
    
    
    Who was your first choice for DADA professor?
19. 
    
    
    What is the Slytherin Common Room called?
20. 
    
    
    What makes you worthy of being in Slytherin House?

I'm sure that those who have visited the portkey are now packing their bags in anticipation for their long trip over the weekend to Hogwarts Castle. The professors are ready as well the Head Girls and Prefects. We can't wait to have the halls bustling with laughter and excitement again!

I know that I posted that matches would go out over the weekend, but I must suspend the announcements just a tiny bit longer. We want to make sure that we get the lists just right and sometimes this takes a little bit of time. So, match announcements will actually go out between Monday and Tuesday of next week. I know!! Some of you feel that you might die of suspense, but believe me, you will have and know who your partner is for a full 3 months and be able to spoil them rotten with attention, and ultimately with a great swap package.

To kick off this term we will be having two Beginning of Term Feasts in the Great Hall on Tuesday, February 3rd. Times are listed below:

Greeting Returning Students and First Years!!!!!!!!!!!

This is going to be one heck of a term. We have many students being transferred into different houses, some going into exchange programs to escape on of our own house members, (Rufus) and some just staying where they are because it is the right and proper thing to do.

So while all of the dust and commotion is going on perhaps we can get a jump start on projects of our own. Since there are only a few changes in the Hufflepuff House.

First, if you have not updated your blog with the new HSKS7 logo please do so and make sure it links back to the site. As you know or may not, this does count for HOUSE POINTS.

Second, please put up a "WISH List" on your blog of 4 to 6 random items to help your spoiler find stuffer for your kit. This will also help out someone who might want to send you a R.A.O.K.

Third, please put up any food allergies and or any other type of allergies you might have. This will also help out someone who might want to send you a R.A.O.K.

Enjoy the weekend.
Elanor

I apologize for not getting this list up earlier. This is the first time that we are doing this, and the main reason was so that those who are black listed will know that they will not be allowed to swap with us this term, and those that are high risk will know that they came very close to not being allowed in this swap. Reasons for being blacklisted include, but are not limited to, poor or no communication with spoilee/spoiler, rarely blog posting, and sending kit late or not at all.

We actually have very few from HSKS 7, but I will post names from the last 3 terms. High risk swappers will not be listed here, but contacted individually if they decide to join us again. If you have been blacklisted and would like an explanation, please email me at misswartbobble AT gmail.com

All kits include a handmade bag meant to store kit items for your spoilee. You can knit, crochet, or sew the bag. The color theme of the kit must be in your spoilees house colors.

NOTE (added 2/4): Kits given to 1st years must include all of the items listed because this is their first kit. Kits given to 2nd years and beyond have the option of switching out the stitch markers and needles for two items from their wish lists. So, make sure that you look to the wish lists of your spoilee who is a 2nd year and beyond to see what they like.

The following kits are what we are swapping this term:

Bag Kit - This will be a kit that will include all the items your spoilee will need to make a hand knit or crochet bag, purse, or tote. Included in the kit should be:
Yarn
Needles
Pattern
Optional - Stitch markers should be included if your spoilee is a knitter. If a crocheter swap with something from their wish list.

Fingerless Gloves/Mitts -
Yarn
Needles
Pattern
Optional - Stitch markers should be included if your spoilee is a knitter. If a crocheter swap with something from their wish list.

Sock Kit -
Sock Yarn
Needles
Pattern
Optional - Stitch markers should be included if your spoilee is a knitter. If a crocheter swap with something from their wish list.

Felted Bag Kit -
100% Wool Yarn
Needles
Pattern & Directions on how to felt.
Optional - Stitch markers should be included if your spoilee is a knitter. If a crocheter swap with something from their wish list.

Are you interested in joining the next Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap? There will be a Q&A Session on Thursday, January 22nd. Times are below. Please feel free to pop in the Great Hall to get your questions answered. The meetings will be chaired by the Deputy Headmistress in the morning and the Headmistress in the evening session.

I just wanted to announce, congratulate and thank those that are stepping up to the plate of Head Girl for the next term.

Each Head Girl will be able to choose up to 2 prefects for their House. We'll be making an announcement about those who are chosen at a later date.

Yes, I am entering the age of technology! Do you Twitter? By following me on Twitter you'll be able to get updates of what I'm up to, thinking, and planning before and throughout the term. If you would like to follow me just visit my profile page and I'll be sure to follow you right back.