Hogwarts Favorite Places
By Hannah Sea, HEx Reporter

The Armor Gallery, the Kitchens, classrooms, the Library…Hogwarts is a plethora of rooms, each with their own charm. Sure the Armor Gallery is nothing but a bunch of rusty old suits and the Library is inhabited by a man older than dirt who will yell at students for the slightest infraction, but this doesn’t mean that students can’t enjoy these locations. When posed the question about their favorite place at Hogwart’s, this is what students had to say.

“My favorite place is the Dueling Chamber. It's a good place to meet and get to know new people with the same hobbies. I made lots of friends there,” said Faraz Memon, third year Hufflepuff and avid dueler. Aurora Braelin, sixth year Ravenclaw said “The Chamber would have to be my favorite place because of the fact that you can feel the energy when you walk in. You feel everyone desperate to better themselves, and while most people are under the 'guise ' to be better witch or wizard,’ everyone knows it isn't true. To most, the chamber is about power and who has it. The chamber, to me, is just that; it's about the power and who has it, and one day, I want that power.” Popular no doubt, the Dueling Chamber holds an appeal all its own.

After a duel, or during the middle of a duel in some cases, one might get massive pangs of hunger. Rather than stealing from the officiator's donation box as that Merrick fellow gets violent when not properly caffeinated, most students head for the Kitchens. Charlie Dawson, Gryffindor first year said the kitchens were her favorite place because “it has food that is, like, delicious with a capital 'D'. Oh and because of those cute but weird looking elf people. They're so cool. I want to be one...except I don't want those buggy eyes...or the ears...or the skin...But yeah, it's the kitchens."

Perhaps the rooms that are not accessible to every student at the castle (and this reporter does NOT mean the broom closet!) is what makes them such a draw. Each common room, for the four houses is a refuge for students after a long day of classes or a particularly brutal Quidditch match. Amber Brown, third year Hufflepuff said “The Hufflepuff common room is my favorite place because everyone there is friendly and fun. It's nice to hang out with friends, or just catching up with old friends you haven't seen for a while. At night you can hear the fire softly crackling while you sip hot chocolate, and have a good old giggle with your mates.” We can only wonder if Ravenclaw really does lock away the first years in a padded cell, and if all the sheets in Slytherin are really silk.

The most nostalgic answer by far, was that of fourth year Hufflepuff Jane Craven. Simply put she said, “I would have to say, that beyond the magic filled stones and halls, it is the heart of the place… the people… the family.” Not every student may be as attached to Hogwarts as Miss Craven but nevertheless Hogwarts is not a school but a home for its inhabitants. The staff, house elves, and even the rusty suits of armor add character that can’t be duplicated. Still, one can ponder what Professors Giordano and Prewett get up to in the Teachers Common Room. Brewing illegal potions?! No never. Contemplating ways to corner Professor Macmillan in the broom closet? This reporter can only imagine.