Hufflepuff Head of House
It has to be said that Paul Myers is a man of many talents. He's a passionate professor, a gifted musician, and a beloved Head of House. His enthusiasm, humor, and wisdom work in unison to inspire his cete of badgers to greatness. What more could the Hufflepuffs possibly ask for in a leader?
1. Hello Professor! Summer is fast approaching and that means frozen treats! If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
Well, this needs some heavy thought, now doesn’t it? I’m going to go with birthday cake ice cream. The vanilla kind with chunks of cake in it? Lots of sprinkles…probably some strips of icingin there. Very delicious and exciting stuff.
2. Not to say that you're careless or anything, but what is the worst injury you've ever received while working in the Herbology field?
I think one of the worst injuries I’ve gotten was waaaay back in my twenties when I was messing around with a young Whomping Willow. I was trying to give the poor thing a well needed trim, and man, it knocked me around! But I actually lost a tooth in that incident…and it hurt! I still have that tooth. Somewhere.
3. Now that we're on the subject of plants, which one do you think is most useful to wizarding kind?
Mandrakes. I think Mandrakes have plenty of uses for us that make our lives easier, via potions, mostly. I would also say some new hybrids like…gravity resistant trees are plenty helpful, too.
4. The wedding that took place at Hogwarts this term was super romantic, don't you think? I sure do. What's the nicest thing you've ever done for someone you love?
The nicest thing. I could go into something from my past that…is the first thing that comes to my mind, but I think it’s a story for another time.
The one I WILL share is when my sister became very sick. I don’t remember how old I was, but I know her children were very young, toddlers and whatnot. Milton and I watched them for a week while she recovered from her severe flu. She didn’t want the kiddos to catch what she had, and I don’t blame her! They were certainly a handful, but I’m glad I did it. Her husband ended up getting sick and…well, her kids would have, too. Milton said NEVER AGAIN but I would totally do it again, of course, for anyone who needed me to.
5. Being their head of house, you get to spend a lot of time with the badgers. What's one thing you think members of the other houses should keep in mind about them?
I think people tend to think Hufflepuffs are very mild and will let people walk all over them. This is NOT true. Have you met Brian Woods? Or Juno Darcy? My prefect? They are FIERCE. Do not tread on them. Do not tread on ANY of my badgers. Badgers have claws, you know. I think I wise people remember that. Their loyalty is fierce.
1. Hello Professor! Summer is fast approaching and that means frozen treats! If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?
Well, this needs some heavy thought, now doesn’t it? I’m going to go with birthday cake ice cream. The vanilla kind with chunks of cake in it? Lots of sprinkles…probably some strips of icingin there. Very delicious and exciting stuff.
2. Not to say that you're careless or anything, but what is the worst injury you've ever received while working in the Herbology field?
I think one of the worst injuries I’ve gotten was waaaay back in my twenties when I was messing around with a young Whomping Willow. I was trying to give the poor thing a well needed trim, and man, it knocked me around! But I actually lost a tooth in that incident…and it hurt! I still have that tooth. Somewhere.
3. Now that we're on the subject of plants, which one do you think is most useful to wizarding kind?
Mandrakes. I think Mandrakes have plenty of uses for us that make our lives easier, via potions, mostly. I would also say some new hybrids like…gravity resistant trees are plenty helpful, too.
4. The wedding that took place at Hogwarts this term was super romantic, don't you think? I sure do. What's the nicest thing you've ever done for someone you love?
The nicest thing. I could go into something from my past that…is the first thing that comes to my mind, but I think it’s a story for another time.
The one I WILL share is when my sister became very sick. I don’t remember how old I was, but I know her children were very young, toddlers and whatnot. Milton and I watched them for a week while she recovered from her severe flu. She didn’t want the kiddos to catch what she had, and I don’t blame her! They were certainly a handful, but I’m glad I did it. Her husband ended up getting sick and…well, her kids would have, too. Milton said NEVER AGAIN but I would totally do it again, of course, for anyone who needed me to.
5. Being their head of house, you get to spend a lot of time with the badgers. What's one thing you think members of the other houses should keep in mind about them?
I think people tend to think Hufflepuffs are very mild and will let people walk all over them. This is NOT true. Have you met Brian Woods? Or Juno Darcy? My prefect? They are FIERCE. Do not tread on them. Do not tread on ANY of my badgers. Badgers have claws, you know. I think I wise people remember that. Their loyalty is fierce.
Hufflepuff Prefects
You will be hard pressed to find a more sincere, to the point of brutal honesty, individual than Hufflepuff prefect Brian Woods. "Brian really great guy and does a great job making sure our Puffs are safe and doing the right thing," says co-prefect Juno Dracy. "He is a great example of a true Huffie." Happening upon the fifth year napping in one of the greenhouses, we sat down with the first time prefect to gain some insight into what makes this badger the hardworking and fiercely loyal soul that he is.
1. What was your initial reaction when you were first offered the role of prefect?
Honestly? It was something along the lines of "nope nope nope," "this cannot be happening," and "is Professor Myers old enough to be senile? Because I think this could be an early symptom." And then I kinda proceeded to just not tell anyone for fear that they'd be all "You? Really?" Which had me almost get accidentally killed when my best friend found out. I'm sure she didn't mean to, but I think my rib cage is still a little sore just thinking about it.
2. With this being your first year as prefect, who did you most look up to for guidance in your new leadership role?
Okay, so this is probably going to sound extremely weird, but it was actually the Fat Friar. Who despite my six years here, I still don't know how to address when I meet. He knows so much, I guess because he's been around so long? But he's been a massive help (no pun intended), and told me what to do and what not to do based on what prefects before me did so I could learn from mistakes I didn't have to make.
3. What Hufflepuff house trait do you feel is the most significant and why?
Hard work, definitely. Kindness is subjective, and loyalty is relative, but it's hard work that gets you places. As a Hufflepuff, I find (HA!) that the people who end up doing what they want to be doing are not the innately gifted, but those who work tirelessly towards their dreams. I'm still working on the "tirelessly" bit, though. Working hard consistently is tough, and it's exhausting, which is probably why I'm found napping in random places around the castle so frequently.
4. What is one Hufflepuff stereotype that you would most like to set the record straight on?
That we're all happy, kind people, 24/7. As much as Hufflepuffs tend to be non-confrontational and generally community-minded, there is a line to be drawn, and it has to be done when people claim I don't get to be upset simply because it isn't in keeping with Hufflepuff spirit. You can't just take an emotion or a value and claim that because this house prioritises this, that students in that house have to display this trait all the time. We value it, yes, but we're human too, and the fact that people get ticked off about the fact that I'm allowed to be ticked off on occasion definitely ticks me off.
Did that even make any sense?
5. You and the groundskeeper had a bit of a run-in at the start of term feast, what was going on in your head at that time? Would you change anything about the way you reacted?
I was still mostly in shock. The London service was only earlier that day, and I was invited to attend, so having just left that scene before boarding the train? And then to have the memory of Professor Botros so blatantly disrespected - mid-toast, too! - was appalling to me. It still is. It's not one of my fondest memories, but I don't think I would actually change anything about it. I'm a Hufflepuff, and I like to think that proving my loyalty is not something I should want to change.
6. This term you and your fellow prefects held a special Taco'ween celebration. What would your perfect taco consist of?
Taco'ween was one of my favourite things ever, and anyone who's been around me on a Tuesday would know that I'm extremely passionate about Taco Tuesdays. And I'm glad you asked, because there are tacos, and then there are tacos. A taco, for me, tends to consist of corn tortillas that don't come straight out of a box and spicy. I've enjoyed sweet potatoes in them too. I just... tacos. Can't beat 'em.
7. Peeves and Miffy, how hard are you waving your shipper flag?
I'm sorry, you're trying to be serious. I shouldn't laugh. But honestly, one poltergeist was always more than enough. Two? THREE? No thank you. Especially not if they're ganging up against me.
My shipper flag? It exists, but not for this ship.
8. What is the most important lesson Hogwarts has taught you this year?
Hogwarts has taught me so much, it's hard to pinpoint just one important lesson it's given me this year. I think, though, the one thing I've learned this year and every year before this is that the only thing I do know is that I know nothing. Every day gets stranger and stranger.
9. Everyone is always asking seventh years what advice they would leave behind, but what advice would you give to those graduating and moving on?
Just that, really. Graduate and move on. Hogwarts was never meant to be your home forever. It's a liminal place, an in-between for two things. So go, don't look back, and reap the fruits of the hard work you've sown over your years here.
10. Next term will be your final one at Hogwarts, what are three goals or items on your bucket list you have for yourself?
1. Don't die, primarily because I've been told that Hufflepuffs tend to be prone to death.
2. Learn how to ride a bicycle. I dunno, those things are ancient, but they seem so cool and the gears and pulleys are enough to convince me.
3. Dance. I've strangely never been able to, and all things considered, I'd like to try it now - just to prove to myself that I can.
1. What was your initial reaction when you were first offered the role of prefect?
Honestly? It was something along the lines of "nope nope nope," "this cannot be happening," and "is Professor Myers old enough to be senile? Because I think this could be an early symptom." And then I kinda proceeded to just not tell anyone for fear that they'd be all "You? Really?" Which had me almost get accidentally killed when my best friend found out. I'm sure she didn't mean to, but I think my rib cage is still a little sore just thinking about it.
2. With this being your first year as prefect, who did you most look up to for guidance in your new leadership role?
Okay, so this is probably going to sound extremely weird, but it was actually the Fat Friar. Who despite my six years here, I still don't know how to address when I meet. He knows so much, I guess because he's been around so long? But he's been a massive help (no pun intended), and told me what to do and what not to do based on what prefects before me did so I could learn from mistakes I didn't have to make.
3. What Hufflepuff house trait do you feel is the most significant and why?
Hard work, definitely. Kindness is subjective, and loyalty is relative, but it's hard work that gets you places. As a Hufflepuff, I find (HA!) that the people who end up doing what they want to be doing are not the innately gifted, but those who work tirelessly towards their dreams. I'm still working on the "tirelessly" bit, though. Working hard consistently is tough, and it's exhausting, which is probably why I'm found napping in random places around the castle so frequently.
4. What is one Hufflepuff stereotype that you would most like to set the record straight on?
That we're all happy, kind people, 24/7. As much as Hufflepuffs tend to be non-confrontational and generally community-minded, there is a line to be drawn, and it has to be done when people claim I don't get to be upset simply because it isn't in keeping with Hufflepuff spirit. You can't just take an emotion or a value and claim that because this house prioritises this, that students in that house have to display this trait all the time. We value it, yes, but we're human too, and the fact that people get ticked off about the fact that I'm allowed to be ticked off on occasion definitely ticks me off.
Did that even make any sense?
5. You and the groundskeeper had a bit of a run-in at the start of term feast, what was going on in your head at that time? Would you change anything about the way you reacted?
I was still mostly in shock. The London service was only earlier that day, and I was invited to attend, so having just left that scene before boarding the train? And then to have the memory of Professor Botros so blatantly disrespected - mid-toast, too! - was appalling to me. It still is. It's not one of my fondest memories, but I don't think I would actually change anything about it. I'm a Hufflepuff, and I like to think that proving my loyalty is not something I should want to change.
6. This term you and your fellow prefects held a special Taco'ween celebration. What would your perfect taco consist of?
Taco'ween was one of my favourite things ever, and anyone who's been around me on a Tuesday would know that I'm extremely passionate about Taco Tuesdays. And I'm glad you asked, because there are tacos, and then there are tacos. A taco, for me, tends to consist of corn tortillas that don't come straight out of a box and spicy. I've enjoyed sweet potatoes in them too. I just... tacos. Can't beat 'em.
7. Peeves and Miffy, how hard are you waving your shipper flag?
I'm sorry, you're trying to be serious. I shouldn't laugh. But honestly, one poltergeist was always more than enough. Two? THREE? No thank you. Especially not if they're ganging up against me.
My shipper flag? It exists, but not for this ship.
8. What is the most important lesson Hogwarts has taught you this year?
Hogwarts has taught me so much, it's hard to pinpoint just one important lesson it's given me this year. I think, though, the one thing I've learned this year and every year before this is that the only thing I do know is that I know nothing. Every day gets stranger and stranger.
9. Everyone is always asking seventh years what advice they would leave behind, but what advice would you give to those graduating and moving on?
Just that, really. Graduate and move on. Hogwarts was never meant to be your home forever. It's a liminal place, an in-between for two things. So go, don't look back, and reap the fruits of the hard work you've sown over your years here.
10. Next term will be your final one at Hogwarts, what are three goals or items on your bucket list you have for yourself?
1. Don't die, primarily because I've been told that Hufflepuffs tend to be prone to death.
2. Learn how to ride a bicycle. I dunno, those things are ancient, but they seem so cool and the gears and pulleys are enough to convince me.
3. Dance. I've strangely never been able to, and all things considered, I'd like to try it now - just to prove to myself that I can.
Stepping into the role of Hufflepuff female prefect this term was fifth year Juno Darcy. Ferociously loyal and protective, this boots enthusiast overcame her share of personal hardships this term while also managing to avoid having any of her sparkly objects nicked by nifflers."She tries," asserts fellow Hufflepuff and co-prefect Brian Woods. "You can't fault her for that." We caught up with Juno between her prefect duties and OWL studies to ask some of our burning questions about how her first term on the job went.
1. What was your initial reaction when you were first offered the role of prefect?
I was so shocked! My parents were never chosen to be prefects so I was first in the family! It felt amazing and I was so excited for the new term!
2. With this being your first year as prefect, who did you most look up to for guidance in your new leadership role?
Probably Hadleigh! She is such a kind and caring person and such a great role model for all Hogwarts students!
3. On top of this being your first term as a prefect it was also your OWL term. How did you manage to juggle all your responsibilities and what advice do you have to those rising fifth years facing these daunting exams?
It was difficult for sure, but as long as you make out a schedule and routine to have at least an hour of study time every day, it works out well. I always made sure I had my study time an hour before bed. With Prefect duties you don't have much time before then.
4. What Hufflepuff house trait do you feel is the most significant and why?
Oh, goodness...it is hard to choose just one, but I would say kindness. Our house is one of the kindest houses to be in and that is because we care about everyone and just want people to be happy.
5. What is one Hufflepuff stereotype that you would most like to set the record straight on?
I would say that we are the "dumb house" or the "slacker house." We Hufflepuffs are not dumb or slackers, we just care more about the people in our lives than being the best student in the whole school. If our friends need us we will drop everything to help them or console them. If our grades suffer, so be it.
6. What is the most important lesson Hogwarts has taught you this year?
Patients, probably. I used to have a pretty quick temper, and being Prefect helped me to realize that I can't just go off on people when they make me angry, and that I need to find a better solution to the problem and fix it instead of making it worse.
7. This term you and your fellow prefects held a special Taco'ween celebration. What would your perfect taco consist of?
I am pretty basic when it comes to Tacos. All I need is the meat, lots of melty cheese, and some sour cream...and maybe a little hot sauce to spice it up a little!
8. Just when you think Hogwarts has seen it all, we ended this term with a newly formed poltergeist "family" of sorts - Peeves, Miffy, and Storm. How do you think this will influence the school in terms to come?
Oh, goodness! Well, all I can say is that I hope they have a happy marriage and that they don't cause so much havoc anymore...but I guess we can only hope for that.
9. Which spell do you consider to be your bread and butter and just cannot live without?
Oh, man! There are so many! But my best would have to be...pretty much any of the spells that create fire. We used them in DADA a lot this term and I got really good at using them.
10. Reflecting back on the term, what is the one bit of advice you would give yourself moving forward into your sixth year?
I would say to be more sociable. Everyone knows me as "Esme's twin sister" because my sister is amazing and makes friends so much easier than I do, and I want people to just know me as, well, Juno.
1. What was your initial reaction when you were first offered the role of prefect?
I was so shocked! My parents were never chosen to be prefects so I was first in the family! It felt amazing and I was so excited for the new term!
2. With this being your first year as prefect, who did you most look up to for guidance in your new leadership role?
Probably Hadleigh! She is such a kind and caring person and such a great role model for all Hogwarts students!
3. On top of this being your first term as a prefect it was also your OWL term. How did you manage to juggle all your responsibilities and what advice do you have to those rising fifth years facing these daunting exams?
It was difficult for sure, but as long as you make out a schedule and routine to have at least an hour of study time every day, it works out well. I always made sure I had my study time an hour before bed. With Prefect duties you don't have much time before then.
4. What Hufflepuff house trait do you feel is the most significant and why?
Oh, goodness...it is hard to choose just one, but I would say kindness. Our house is one of the kindest houses to be in and that is because we care about everyone and just want people to be happy.
5. What is one Hufflepuff stereotype that you would most like to set the record straight on?
I would say that we are the "dumb house" or the "slacker house." We Hufflepuffs are not dumb or slackers, we just care more about the people in our lives than being the best student in the whole school. If our friends need us we will drop everything to help them or console them. If our grades suffer, so be it.
6. What is the most important lesson Hogwarts has taught you this year?
Patients, probably. I used to have a pretty quick temper, and being Prefect helped me to realize that I can't just go off on people when they make me angry, and that I need to find a better solution to the problem and fix it instead of making it worse.
7. This term you and your fellow prefects held a special Taco'ween celebration. What would your perfect taco consist of?
I am pretty basic when it comes to Tacos. All I need is the meat, lots of melty cheese, and some sour cream...and maybe a little hot sauce to spice it up a little!
8. Just when you think Hogwarts has seen it all, we ended this term with a newly formed poltergeist "family" of sorts - Peeves, Miffy, and Storm. How do you think this will influence the school in terms to come?
Oh, goodness! Well, all I can say is that I hope they have a happy marriage and that they don't cause so much havoc anymore...but I guess we can only hope for that.
9. Which spell do you consider to be your bread and butter and just cannot live without?
Oh, man! There are so many! But my best would have to be...pretty much any of the spells that create fire. We used them in DADA a lot this term and I got really good at using them.
10. Reflecting back on the term, what is the one bit of advice you would give yourself moving forward into your sixth year?
I would say to be more sociable. Everyone knows me as "Esme's twin sister" because my sister is amazing and makes friends so much easier than I do, and I want people to just know me as, well, Juno.