~ Roleplay Article - In the Library ~

Lately more and more students have been flocking into the well-stocked school library, adding their own books to the numbers and reading both old favourites and new volumes whilst the rain pours in Scotland. There's been a fair bit of sunshine in Britain, but Hogwarts seems to have dodged it and, as a result, the extensive library has become very popular over the last few weeks.  However, that is not the only reason it has become a hangout location for many student groups - the marvellous new volumes, a team of Hogwarts House Elves that did wonders with the library in their spring clean and the fact that it is now spick and span and altogether a lovely place to read and socialise have all contributed to this.

The library has always held a certain magic - all libraries do, to a certain extent, but there is no denying that the one at Hogwarts is special. Upon entering, the wonderful smell of fresh parchment, old leather and books in general hits your senses, immediately prompting you to sigh and relax, as if you're home. Walking between bookcases, the feeling as you run you finger along the inscripted spines of the leather-bound volumes waiting to be opened urges you to be constructive and finally get round to reading that fiction you've been meaning to read for ages. The soft window seats by the glowing lanterns, clean and rich burgundy, order you to sit down and devour the novel in your hand. And so you do.

Even with its new level of popularity, the library is no less of a haven. For there is the ever-watchful eye of Professor Greenwich upon you, and only whispers and murmurs are used in conversation, and notes seem more fun when they can be cast to fly gracefully in a bird-like form from one sender to another. However, our Librarian is not as so strict as to enforce rules in a Madam Pince-like fashion - rather on the contrary in fact. Not only is Professor Greenwich's golden smile cast often upon the groups of reading students, she talks with students regularly concerning reading material - there are many conversations in which the Hufflepuff head of house becomes as excited about a novel as much as you or me, sparking many fun debates in which the library does, on occasion, become a little less peaceful!

With the addition of the Hogwarts Novel Writing Week as well, the library has banded together all reading and writing nerds and created a large amount of study groups and good-natured competitiveness as students strive to create work to win the various awards that will be given at the end of the course. Fortunately no physical fights have broken out yet - keeping the ambitious Slytherins and hard-working Hufflepuffs away from each other was certainly a good idea.

And not only do readers flock there, but writers too! Jamie Pevensie is a regular visitor, having finished her latest volume of The Eaglesclaw Chronicles, a series of books based around the adventures of American students from Eaglesclaw School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and bringing out the latest one a few days ago! Her curly head is often seen bent over a desk, hand moving swiftly across the parchment. Quite often is she accompanied by Lilia Le Fay, also; the two whispering secret plans concerning their co-authored serial story and keeping a good look-out for the wannabe ninjas of the school, Agent Snake and Agent Claw, who are often caught trying to find out spoilers for the mentioned Serial. Centurion Jacob Cohn can also be found scribbling chapters for his Roman-themed book and typically has several friends in tow. Together these aspiring authors form quite a writers club, and there are many more as well!

So, what do you do in the library? Devour novel after novel and a few novellas as well? Write fan fiction and gather your inspiration? Hangout with your friends and discuss the latest releases? Whichever one of those three fits, make sure to head down to the library! You won't regret it! (just make sure not to be around when Grace Waterson reaches the end of The Hidden Girl - things are bound to get explosive).

- Anonymous Magazine Writer