The Mirror of Erised

The famous Mirror of Erised is an unusual device, due to the fact that it has an unknown creator and has unknown origins. It is an ancient item at Hogwarts, although it is still unknown how it came to be at this school. The Mirror of Erised also has a fascinating purpose: To reveal the viewer's deepest desire. Inscripted on the the mirror is a phrase which states the mirror's purpose if read backwards. The inscription on the mirror states, 'erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi'. And read backwards, it states: 'I show not your face but your heart's desire'.

However curious and amazing this mirror may seem, it can be dangerous if overused. The Mirror does not show reality, and can be damaging to the viewer in some cases. Presenting things which may never happen or are impossible is could cause problems for the viewer, who is being fascinated by this unrealistic world.

It is believed that the Mirror of Erised was created purely for fun, although many believe this mirror brings more problems than fun. As mentioned before, it is still unknown who created this mirror, and why. It is also believed that the mirror may have been brought to Hogwarts by a Professor from one of their visits in far off places. This is an often, and normal thing that some teachers may do, but it happened so long ago this has not been confirmed.

Additionally, the Mirror of Erised is a lesson to many; showing that there must be a balance between holding onto dreams, and letting them go. In 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone', Harry is mesmerising by the Mirror of Erized's wonders, and is overjoyed by seeing himself surrounded by his family. However much he knows that this dream of his can never be, Harry continues visiting the mirror until it is wisely moved by Dumbledore to become a new obstacle guarding the Philosophers/Sorcerers Stone.

To conclude, there are many different thoughts on the Mirror of Erised. Some think it is a harmless object, and others believe it is rather the opposite, being a danger to the viewer.

Source: https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/the-mirror-of-erised


-by Ellie Smith, intern for the HDN


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Interview with Oakley P

Hello readers! Today we have with us Gryffindor, Oakley P! As many of you know, this girl is super energetic, and fun! Let’s start!

Lucy: For the readers who don’t know you Oakley, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Oakley: I’m super lazy and crazy, especially at 10:00 PM with coffee! My dad died protecting me. I tore my ACL last year, yep.

Lucy: I’m sorry about that. How did you find HiH?

Oakley: My friend’s mom found it, and my friend didn’t want it, but I did.

Lucy: That’s great, we are happy you found it! What is your favorite part of HiH, the thing you absolutely love?

Oakley: Probably the fact that you get to talk to many people, and make new friends.

Lucy: I’m curious, how did you find the HDN?

Oakley: In the library.

Lucy: Ah, okay! Who would you say that are the best persons you have met in HiH, and why?

Oakley: Ava Roberts or Angie, because they’re both ABSOLUTELY, AMAZING, CRAZY, AWESOME, AND NICE!!!

Lucy: I’m glad you feel that way about them! Actually, Ava is one of our writers! Do you have any new (or old) groups, or books? We would love to hear about them, if you do.

Oakley: I haven’t done any groups and I don’t think I’ve written any books yet... d:

Lucy: Outside of HiH, do you have any hobbies?

Oakley: I used to do gymnastics, volleyball, soccer, and me and my friends would play football after school, but I can’t anymore cause I hurt myself.

Lucy: Sorry about that. Do you take courses, if you do which one is your favorite, and which one is your least favorite?

Oakley: I haven’t taken any yet, but Charms seems pretty cool.

Lucy: What is your favorite group, or Roleplay? Are you in any good ones, you love?

Oakley: I haven’t joined/made any yet.

Lucy: Well, sadly this interview with the incredible Oakley P has come to an end. Thank you so much, for the interview Oakley! It is our pleasure to have you today here.

Oakley: Np! ‘Twas fun!


Interviewer: Lucy Peña.


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Who was Professor Kettleburn

If you’re a dedicated Harry Potter fan, you remember the name “Kettleburn” being mentioned in the Harry Potter books a couple of times. Let’s take a closer look at Professor Kettleburn!

First of all, to put it simply, Professor Silvanus Kettleburn was the Care of Magical Creatures teacher at Hogwarts until Harry’s third year, when he was replaced by Rubeus Hagrid.

Kettleburn was an enthusiastic and sometimes reckless man. His great love of the usually dangerous creatures he studied and looked after caused serious injuries to himself and, occasionally, others. This led to sixty-two periods of probation during his time of employment at the school (a record that still stands).

Like Hagrid, he was prone to underestimating the risks involved in caring for magical creatures such as Occamys, Grindylows and Fire Crabs. He once famously caused the Great Hall to catch fire after enchanting an Ashwinder to play the Worm in a play of ‘The Fountain of Fair Fortune’.

Professor Kettleburn was a loveable and eccentric man. His continuing employment at the school was evidence of the great affection in which staff and students held him. He finished his career with only one arm and half a leg (yikes…) Albus Dumbledore presented Kettleburn with a full set of enchanted wooden limbs on his retirement, a gift that had to be replaced regularly since, because Kettleburn’s habit of visiting dragon sanctuaries in his spare time meant that his prosthetic limbs were frequently set on fire.

Now you know more about Professor Kettleburn! Hope you enjoyed!

Source: https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/professor-kettleburn


-By Celeste Evergreen


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Wand Lengths and Flexibility

Ever wondered what the wand lengths and flexibility mean or want to know more about them? You’re in luck! This article is about wand lengths and flexibility.
The notes that are going to be put here on wand length and flexibility are taken from notes on the subject by Mr. Garrick Ollivander, expert wandmaker! (They are rephrased by the HDN author of this article)

Lots of wandmakers simply match the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who will use it, but this is not a good way to do it, and this way fails to take into account many other, important considerations.

“In my experience, longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting. However, no single aspect of wand composition should be considered in isolation of all the others, and the type of wood, the core and the flexibility may either counterbalance or enhance the attributes of the wand’s length.”

-Ollivander

Usually, wands will be in the range of between 9 and 14 inches. While I (Ollivander) have sold very short wands (8 inches and under) and quite long wands (over 15 inches), these are super rare. In the case of a very long wand, a physical peculiarity demanded the excessive wand length. But, abnormally short wands usually select those in whose character something is lacking, rather than because they are physically undersized (many small witches and wizards are chosen by longer wands).

Wand flexibility or rigidity tells the degree of adaptability/willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair – but, again, this factor ought not to be considered separately from the wand wood, core and length, nor of the owner’s life experience and style of magic, all of which will be taken in consideration and combined to make the wand unique for each witch or wizard!

Now you know all about wand lengths and flexibility, from the paraphrased notes of Mr. Ollivander!

Source: https://www.wizardingworld.com/writing-by-jk-rowling/wand-lengths-and-flexibility


-By Celeste Evergreen


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Fun Fact

Time for your fun fact today! We all love the big and caring Rubeus Hagrid, and Hagrid was played perfectly by Robbie Coltrane. Funnily, Robbie Coltrane once got a fruit bat stuck in his beard while filming!

-By Celeste Evergreen and Lulu Delacour-Weasley


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Daily quote



-By Hermione Potter Granger