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(besides birthdays, all IC dates are just for fun)

Well lions, the 2076 year is about to come to an end and I think we all have a lot to feel accomplished about. We have come together as a house, made new friends and forms bonds that will last us a life time.

My challenge to you, lions, is to come up with your list of resolutions for the new year and I hope. Now, don't waste your time writing them down. Instead, focus on something else: resolve. While the words are similar, the difference in meaning is significant. A resolution is something you make. Resolve is something you have. A lot of people will make resolutions this new year and immediately break them. Why? Because they’re not really resolving to do anything. They’re just wishing.

So, push through what is left of December and get ready to come back stronger than ever in January! Get ready to commit lions! We can and WILL turn the House Cup around, but we need every single one of YOU to do it!

Kurumi Hollingberry

Hey you lot. This is Selina, your Captain, here with the daily information on the Quidditch happenings at the school. Since the previous gazette many things have occured in the realm of Quidditch at the school.

The Gryffindor Quidditch team held try outs and we had a really awesome turnout. The Gryffindor pride really banded together and we had a wide range of those trying out, from first years to old team members. Regardless of experience, the turn out was brilliant. The Gryffindor students did not dissapoint me. The try outs were fast paced and intense, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. For those of you who tried out: I enjoyed the whole process; for those of you who did not what the bloody hell is wrong with you? Although you can still redeem yourselves none try outers, come to the games!

As I have repeated ample times, I did enjoy all of the try outs and would have wanted all of you on the team, but cuts did have to be made. However, our team this season is steller... Get ready Gryffindors!

As for the team we have an amazing line up. Congratulations to Ariella Adler, Alex Potter, August Goldstein, Zack Fatimids, Grayson Bay, Gideon Gert, Kacie Gert, Anya Philips, Alice Fischer and Jordan Macey.

To a great season!!! Go go gyffindor!!

Each issue, your student leaders and Head of House will select one special lion that not only represents the house of Gryffindor, but gives back to the school and the RP IC and OOC. This issue, the house of Gryffindor is proud to present Tayla Ross Barnhill (affy7ann)!

1) Tayla, what is your favorite part of being in Gryffindor?

Hmmm...that's not an easy question to answer. Haha! But...I think my favourite part of being in Gryffindor is that I'm encouraged to be braver than I think I am. The Lions I'm with are amazing. I admire many of them and it's an honour to be under the same house.

2) You assisted in the capture the flag event for Gryffindor. How did you feel about the whole event and how did you personally participate?

It was great fun and honestly unexpected! It felt great to practice spells like that, to have to think quickly and move quickly, and work as a team. Sadly I wasn't able to capture a flag, but I did try. I think I spent most of my time just running around... Hahaha!

3) What is your favorite class and why?

Charms! I think it's a very rich subject. Very broad, and very interesting. There are so many spells I want to learn! I hope someday I can invent spells of my own, just like my grandmother did. I also want to teach Charms someday, if I'd be given the chance.

4) Did you participate/enjoy the mad hatter prefect event?

Yes, I did! I put quite an effort into my hat for that event. And all the yummy treats! Absolutely delicious! I think you, Adam, and Kurumi did a great job. I hope you invite us to more prefect events!

5) What is your craziest lion pride memory?

Hmmm...I do remember an older Gryffindor boy, Josh Carter. He lost his hands during Potions class when I was a first year. I'm not sure how he finished his brew... I guess that's not exactly 'lion pride', but it was definitely something and I still can't forget it.
OOC:
1) How did you find SS?

My friend showed the site to me around 5 or 6 years ago I think. We were in high school and huge Harry Potter fans. We still are huge HP fans of course!

2) How long have you been on SS?

A year. I joined the forums January 2011, though I've been lurking around SS for years. I joined because of the RPG.

3) What is your favorite part of being on SS?

Role-playing and chatting with fellow Potterheads!

4) What drew you to Harry Potter in the first place?

My mother brought my younger sister and me to a Harry Potter event in a mall when we were little. I think only the first two books were out then. We had Harry Potter colouring books and there was a short play. I still remember seeing Harry Potter jump up and down the stage trying to grab a letter.

I'm not sure when I started reading the books, but after watching the first film, I got completely hooked to the series!

5) Why do you RP?

I honestly wish Hogwarts were real, that I could do magic and all that. (I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way! ) RPing lets me experience a little bit of the magic in Harry Potter's world. It's great fun, helps me practice writing, and improves the imagination.

Want to be a Spotlighted Lion? All you need to do is be an active positive force in the RP! Next issue you could see yourself here!

First of all, I would like to apologize for my disappearance during the opening feast this starting term. I had gained a bad case of Dragon Pox and had been treated for the disease. I, being one half of the Gryffindor Prefects, did not want to start the term by having the possibility of infecting any of you, nor the teachers. So, once again I am sorry for my disappearance.

Many of you may think at first, once being inducted to Gryffindor, that you do not possess the qualities that the sorting hat had informed you on, but that is not true. As the hat says “their daring, nerve and chivalry. Set the Gryffindors apart” but you see, being daring and chivalirious does not mean you must fight against a dragon or even hold your wand to protect yourself. No. There are many different meanings of being brave,some, you might even say, you do not possess these brave qualities. But I think one thing that makes people stand brave is not being a war hero but those who stand up for their friends when someone says something wrong of them, to speak your mind on a matter most people are quiet about, and mostly important, to be yourself. These are all acts of courageous achievements not because you have the muscles to prove you are brave, but standing up for what is right and good takes several more guts than wielding your wand at a creature.

Adam Burn