hogwarts houses | gryffindor
Professor Kassandra Sutton has worn many hats in her time at Hogwarts. A former Ravenclaw, the chestnut haired smartypants returned to the castle in adulthood to share some of her knowledge with the next generation of witches and wizards. She's graced the Divination classroom with her wisdom, and cared for the books in the expansive library as well. This term, not only did she show off her skills in the greenhouses as Herbology professor, but also accepted the role of Gryffndor's Head of House, no easy task to take on. A rowdy, lovable bunch, the lions would benefit from having a level-headed, well rounded woman guiding them through what was a difficult, mist-filled year.
prefects
Hi Stasya, thanks for answering some questions for us! First off, as a returning prefect, do you feel like it's easier for you to juggle school and duties and younger students than it would be for a first timer?
Hi! You’re welcome…Honestly, I don’t know if I feel like it’s easier for me because of that. I’ve always juggled a lot, if you ever saw my schedule with all my extracurriculars and stuff, but in a weird way, yes. I do think it helped that I already knew I could handle it. But then, just knowing I survived the rules and everything from previous terms kind of helped too.
How do you get on with Anna, your co-prefect? Must be kind of cool to work with another female student. Girl power and all that!
I get along with her pretty well. I mean, we’ve always had our own things, seeing as I don’t play Quidditch, and I know she was disappointed about the captain situation, but we’ve worked together before and I get along with a lot of people anyhow. And we’d been housemates for a long time…Has there ever been an entirely female House leadership before?
The mist made it impossible for students to go outside this term, which brought a lot of people down. What did you do to help keep things positive around the Gryffindor common room?
It brought me down too, especially when I wasn’t able to do my normal check-in with the creatures in the barns. I felt like I was letting them down, if that makes sense. But one way I tried to keep morale up was by making sure people knew I usually had cookies or something baked in my bag. Sweets can accomplish a lot, along with just being there for anyone who got really scared. Even when I was pretty scared too.
Now for some fun questions. If you could meet any witch or wizard, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
I know it’s going to sound like I’m stealing my answer from Derf, although he is one of my best friends so maybe it’s not too surprising, but I would love to meet Newt Scamander and ask him all my creature questions or just introduce him to my own familiars.
You seem to have a great sense of style. What's the best way to spruce up your Hogwarts uniform and add a bit of individuality to it without getting yourself thrown into detention?
Not all of the professors allow us to alter our uniforms when they’ve requested we wear them. I still have nightmares from when we had Headmaster Scrimgeour on that note, because I’ve always liked wearing my squirrel necklace and the bracelet I’ve had since before I started school but they could stay hidden so.... Small things can have a lot of impact in showing our individuality.
What do you think your life will be like ten years from now when you're out there in the real world?
I’d hope to be working with creatures in some way or another. Hopefully I’m happy. I don’t know why I wouldn’t be, since I’ve gone through a lot of dark periods already. Maybe that means I’m done with that.
In your opinion, what's the best spot in the castle for a snooze?
Personally, I might have curled up for a nap in Cygnus’ stall in the barns once or twice, but I know not everyone is as comfortable with creatures. In general, somewhere comfortable where you probably won’t be interrupted for a moment or two, probably.
Who is the professor you look up to most and why?
This is forever going to be my answer, but I’ve always looked up to Professor Hirsch since I was a first year because he managed to make lessons fun but also I learned a lot from him. Both as a student and just because I sort of feel like he’s family. I also looked up to Professor Wayland A LOT because creatures, of course.
The lions are a spirited bunch. What's your favorite thing about being a Gryffindor?
My favorite thing about being a Gryffindor is how, even when we might seem awfully reckless, we always stand together and support each other.
Can you share a lesson you've learned having worn the badge and walked in the shoes of a student leader?
Honestly the best lesson I ever learned was from long before I had the badge, but I feel like having it helped me understand it better: The only person who truly needs to be proud of our actions is ourselves, and we won’t accomplish anything if we’re constantly trying to prove ourselves to others who might not even be watching.
Hi! You’re welcome…Honestly, I don’t know if I feel like it’s easier for me because of that. I’ve always juggled a lot, if you ever saw my schedule with all my extracurriculars and stuff, but in a weird way, yes. I do think it helped that I already knew I could handle it. But then, just knowing I survived the rules and everything from previous terms kind of helped too.
How do you get on with Anna, your co-prefect? Must be kind of cool to work with another female student. Girl power and all that!
I get along with her pretty well. I mean, we’ve always had our own things, seeing as I don’t play Quidditch, and I know she was disappointed about the captain situation, but we’ve worked together before and I get along with a lot of people anyhow. And we’d been housemates for a long time…Has there ever been an entirely female House leadership before?
The mist made it impossible for students to go outside this term, which brought a lot of people down. What did you do to help keep things positive around the Gryffindor common room?
It brought me down too, especially when I wasn’t able to do my normal check-in with the creatures in the barns. I felt like I was letting them down, if that makes sense. But one way I tried to keep morale up was by making sure people knew I usually had cookies or something baked in my bag. Sweets can accomplish a lot, along with just being there for anyone who got really scared. Even when I was pretty scared too.
Now for some fun questions. If you could meet any witch or wizard, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
I know it’s going to sound like I’m stealing my answer from Derf, although he is one of my best friends so maybe it’s not too surprising, but I would love to meet Newt Scamander and ask him all my creature questions or just introduce him to my own familiars.
You seem to have a great sense of style. What's the best way to spruce up your Hogwarts uniform and add a bit of individuality to it without getting yourself thrown into detention?
Not all of the professors allow us to alter our uniforms when they’ve requested we wear them. I still have nightmares from when we had Headmaster Scrimgeour on that note, because I’ve always liked wearing my squirrel necklace and the bracelet I’ve had since before I started school but they could stay hidden so.... Small things can have a lot of impact in showing our individuality.
What do you think your life will be like ten years from now when you're out there in the real world?
I’d hope to be working with creatures in some way or another. Hopefully I’m happy. I don’t know why I wouldn’t be, since I’ve gone through a lot of dark periods already. Maybe that means I’m done with that.
In your opinion, what's the best spot in the castle for a snooze?
Personally, I might have curled up for a nap in Cygnus’ stall in the barns once or twice, but I know not everyone is as comfortable with creatures. In general, somewhere comfortable where you probably won’t be interrupted for a moment or two, probably.
Who is the professor you look up to most and why?
This is forever going to be my answer, but I’ve always looked up to Professor Hirsch since I was a first year because he managed to make lessons fun but also I learned a lot from him. Both as a student and just because I sort of feel like he’s family. I also looked up to Professor Wayland A LOT because creatures, of course.
The lions are a spirited bunch. What's your favorite thing about being a Gryffindor?
My favorite thing about being a Gryffindor is how, even when we might seem awfully reckless, we always stand together and support each other.
Can you share a lesson you've learned having worn the badge and walked in the shoes of a student leader?
Honestly the best lesson I ever learned was from long before I had the badge, but I feel like having it helped me understand it better: The only person who truly needs to be proud of our actions is ourselves, and we won’t accomplish anything if we’re constantly trying to prove ourselves to others who might not even be watching.
Anna Meriwether is the high flying, straight talking Gryffindor who's been looking after the lions all term. She's no stranger to being a leader, a former captain to the pride, and her experience and knowledge make her a perfect candidate for the job. We were lucky enough to steal a bit of Anna's time to learn more about the girl behind the badge.
Hi Anna, thanks for answering some questions for yearbook! First off, being a prefect must be kind of tough with all the younger years looking up to you and all. Do you think you're a good role model to them?
Um… yeah, sure.
Supposedly there are some perks to having a badge. Care to share any of your favorites with us?
It’s not as great as it sounds, honestly. But people do tend to listen to you more (half the time), so I guess that’s a perk.
Is being a prefect more or less responsibility to being Quidditch captain, would you say? How do you feel about the change?
It’s a lot more, because when you’re a Captain you only have your team under your responsibility. When you're a prefect you’re responsible for… well, everyone. That’s, you know, a lot. It’s not unknown to anybody that I’d much rather be Quidditch Captain; Quidditch is what I was born to do and it was a privilege to be Gryffindor Captain and I wish I could still be that, but being underage has many disadvantages, one being that my mother has direct communication with the school and her word has more weight to the staff than mine.
If you could only eat one elf made meal for the rest of your days, what would you eat and why?
Apple crumble, only because it's my favourite dessert ever and the elves here make the best crumble I’ve ever tasted. With custard, of course.
Do you get along with Staysa, your fellow prefect?
Absolutely, Stas is great and very helpful.
Twenty years from now, imagine you get a letter from Hogwarts inviting you to be a professor. What subject would you most want to teach and why?
I doubt that would ever happen, but if by a fluke it did it’d only be for Flying because that’s what I’m good at.
What magical creature best describes your personality?
A griffin or a hippogriff.
The mist thing is really quite scary, isn't it? How did you keep your cool in such a dangerous situation?
I’d rather not talk about that, sorry.
Are there any wizards or witches, living or dead, who inspire you?
My former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Hirsch. It’s only thanks to him that I can do what I do best.
Do you have any advice for fellow Hogwartians who wish to be prefect someday?
Uh… I guess… I don’t know. I could give advice to those wanting to be Captain, but I’m still not sure why they gave me a prefect badge, to be honest with you. If you want to be Captain, be sure your mother doesn’t make you quit because of your rubbish OWL results. That’s all I’ve got.
Hi Anna, thanks for answering some questions for yearbook! First off, being a prefect must be kind of tough with all the younger years looking up to you and all. Do you think you're a good role model to them?
Um… yeah, sure.
Supposedly there are some perks to having a badge. Care to share any of your favorites with us?
It’s not as great as it sounds, honestly. But people do tend to listen to you more (half the time), so I guess that’s a perk.
Is being a prefect more or less responsibility to being Quidditch captain, would you say? How do you feel about the change?
It’s a lot more, because when you’re a Captain you only have your team under your responsibility. When you're a prefect you’re responsible for… well, everyone. That’s, you know, a lot. It’s not unknown to anybody that I’d much rather be Quidditch Captain; Quidditch is what I was born to do and it was a privilege to be Gryffindor Captain and I wish I could still be that, but being underage has many disadvantages, one being that my mother has direct communication with the school and her word has more weight to the staff than mine.
If you could only eat one elf made meal for the rest of your days, what would you eat and why?
Apple crumble, only because it's my favourite dessert ever and the elves here make the best crumble I’ve ever tasted. With custard, of course.
Do you get along with Staysa, your fellow prefect?
Absolutely, Stas is great and very helpful.
Twenty years from now, imagine you get a letter from Hogwarts inviting you to be a professor. What subject would you most want to teach and why?
I doubt that would ever happen, but if by a fluke it did it’d only be for Flying because that’s what I’m good at.
What magical creature best describes your personality?
A griffin or a hippogriff.
The mist thing is really quite scary, isn't it? How did you keep your cool in such a dangerous situation?
I’d rather not talk about that, sorry.
Are there any wizards or witches, living or dead, who inspire you?
My former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Hirsch. It’s only thanks to him that I can do what I do best.
Do you have any advice for fellow Hogwartians who wish to be prefect someday?
Uh… I guess… I don’t know. I could give advice to those wanting to be Captain, but I’m still not sure why they gave me a prefect badge, to be honest with you. If you want to be Captain, be sure your mother doesn’t make you quit because of your rubbish OWL results. That’s all I’ve got.