Welcome to the September edition of In the Spotlight! We've got the usual round up of interviews with our Order of Merlin recipient, Head Students, and some exciting House news. The Battleship event to open the 2020-2021 House Cup year is now over. Those results will be out soon so keep a look out up in your crows nest!

Our Order of Merlin recipient for the month of September is one of our fearless leaders and Headmistresses, @toomanycurls!

T O O M A N Y C U R L S
| I N T E R V I E W |

If you had a job in the Wizarding World, what would it be and why?

So, I don't know. I keep thinking I'd go all private business like I am in RL but there just isn't the structure and organization that you find for business. I'd probably work in the Ministry. I'd probably be there to help burn it to the ground and recreate it from the inside. 

What is your go-to snack?

I am a huge huge huge fan of popcorn. I like making it on the stove top with chili flakes in the oil. If I'm not up for making (or asking matthew to make) popcorn then I will go to down on blueberries. Like,  any little fruits I will destroy in a sitting. strawberries. blackberries. raspberries. 

What is the easiest thing about being a parent and why?

Loving my kids. I mean, that's also the hardest, lololol. but when the kids just need mom's love, I can drop anything to go listen to the kids and love them to pieces. 

Thoughts on the new Dune movie trailer?

I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! I haven't watched anything with Timothee eyebrows but he looks pretty good as Paul. The entire cast looked amazing in their roles. 

Favorite aspect of the FFT archive compared to other ff sites out there?

The people   I mean, I can post stories anywhere but the people here are the best  I can come in with a story idea and ask for feedback, people are always gracious with their time and generous with their concrit (maybe I could flip those but it works boths ways). I like that FFT is always evolving. 

Who is one of your role models and why?

Frida Kahlo because she followed her art through her life. I hope to leave a mark on people with my words the same way she does with her art. 

| A D V E R T I S E M E N T |

  

Story Title: Say Goodbye
Link: here+
Pairings: Remus Lupin/Sirius Black
Summary:

Quote

Four friends go camping at the end of their years at Hogwarts. They have their lives ahead of them at a time of turmoil and uncertainty in the wizarding world.

 

September's Story of the Month was Ink Stains on My Sheets by @shadowycorner!

R E V I E W   C O L U M N
| I N K   S T A I N S   O N    M Y    S H E E T S |

The war is over and Ron and Hermione are finally an item, but they're not exactly on the same page. Hermione is restless and needs to discover who she is apart from the world that has shaped her life for nearly a decade, including even the person she loves. She and Ron may not fully understand the way the other feels in the beginning, but it doesn't mean they care any less; and stepping back from one another -- each learning, in their own way, how to be alone -- might just make them that much better together in the end.

Eli has created a beautiful story about patience and trust, love and longing, letting go and coming home, where Ron and Hermione are both in character, recognizable as themselves but adapting in the wake of experiences that have changed their lives forever. It's introspective, angsty, romantic, and sexy; comforting in its conviction that love can be enough if you accept your partner the way they are, but also realistic in the way it acknowledges that love is a verb and a choice you make.

I N T E R V I E W   W I T H   T H E   A U T H O R
| S H A D O W Y C O R N E R |

What was the inspiration for Ink Stains on My Sheets?

I was saying on discord how I love writing with my ink pen and how the only downside is leaving a lot of ink stains on my sheets and @juls mentioned 'ink stains on my sheets' sounds like a cool story title. I also thought it was pretty rad and immediately thought of Hermione, always studying and scribbling, ink stains on her fingers, robes and sheets, and that's how it began.

What three songs would you put on a soundtrack for this fic?

October Skies by Mumford and Sons, Angela by The Lumineers, Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish

In this fic and your WIP Memory Dust, and another project you've talked about, you take Ron/Hermione as an established relationship and split them up only to (hopefully) bring them back together. What appeals to you most about this kind of story?

I think I just love drama and heartache that comes from putting such a well established relationship into a sort of star crossed situation. I guess Ron and Hermione are a great ship for fun fluffy stories, and I love this but I can't write them.  I also love exploring both their characters when that balance is taken from them and they have to struggle.

What's a genre you haven't written but would like to try?

Sci fi I guess. I'd love to be able to have these new takes and ideas on our reality and future, I love mind-blowing stories like that.

What's the last book you read and would you recommend it?

It was the My Brilliant Friend saga by Elena Ferrante. I would recommend them because of the complicated riveting friendship it explores between the two women characters, but it also deals with a lot of other themes and they're just so easy to get lost into.

How would you spend a day in Hogsmeade?

I would walk in the crisp autumn air and carve out pumpkins with the local kids, run around until the crunch of leaves would instill itself in my ears so that I'd still hear it later when I would be falling asleep. After getting cold and it getting a bit misty and dark I'd go to the Three Broomsticks and drink something warm and read in the windowsill with candlelight.

 

Our two lovely Head Students this month were the fantastic @page thirteen. and @Raspberry_cordelia!

I N T E R V I E W S
| P A G E   T H I R T E E N . |

What is your favorite place to visit on FFT?

the writer's journals area! i am such a creep, i just like reading people's thoughts and ideas, and people ask really fun and interesting questions in there, so i love stalking everyone's replies and seeing what fics they're planning or like, weird little headcanons people have about their own stories. i sometimes read someone's WJ when i've got some downtime, just to see what's up in their fics hahaha. also, it's a cool way to interact with your fave fic writers! 

If there’s one story of yours you would like to tell us about, what would it be and why?

i have only written one story on the archive, so it's gonna have to be that, which is high stakes, which is an OF heist story that i had a random idea for maybe a few months ago. it's very exciting though, because 1. i might actually finish it, it's all plotted out (this is big for me, okay) and 2. i basically thought, 'what are all of the things i love to read? i'm putting them in there, no one can stop me.'  i t's a pet project, is what i'm saying. 

How did you first get started in graphic making?

i was young, naive...  thirteen, probably too young for the internet. i was on an RP site- a very, very old one- and i wanted sigs for my characters, so i learnt to make them! i was notoriously bad at it, and those old graphics are not allowed to see the light of day (y'all, there was no colouring). but it's basically what got me into graphics, haha, i wanted nice things and i figured i had to make them. 

What's a movie you think everyone should see and why?

oh man this is a tough one i need to think about this. i don't really have a favourite or must-see, but this might be because i don't watch a lot of films, or if i do, i'm rewatching old classics (mean girls, clueless, etc). i would say everyone should watch a bollywood film, i think, because they are absolutely ridiculous and generally always happy affairs! 

Do you prefer walking, biking, or driving places?

i can't drive or ride a bike!!  i think i'm gonna have to admit that i walk everywhere hahaha (given the choice, i don't think that would change, i hate roads lsjdflsj)

If you had to teach one class at Hogwarts, what would it be?

i have a soft spot for ancient runes! probably because we know absolutely nothing about it, but also because it seems like a language-based class, which i enjoy the thought of. also, i think i'd enjoy torturing students by making them translate rune-based puns  

 

| R A S P B E R R Y _ C O R D E L I A |

What is your favorite place to visit on HPFT?

The Writer's Journals probably.  I just love to see everyone's process and what they're working on!  And sometimes I am very nosy and like to ask many questions; other times I just poke around and lurk, lol.  It's a lot of fun  

If there’s one story of yours you would like to tell us about, what would it be and why?

Lol, I haven't written many stories so far, but I did write Not a Small Fyeet, which is a little one-shot about Ginny trying to keep up with the times.  It's just a silly little thing, but it was fun to write!

Favorite place you've ever traveled to?

Hmm...I think I'll have to go with Tokyo.  I went last summer, and although it was hot, it was really nice!  I don't know how to explain it, it's just the...vibes.  Segovia is a close second though, because I loved seeing the aqueducts!

Got a podcast or audiobook/radio play to recommend?

Ooh boy do I have a podcast to recommend!  It's Noble Blood by Dana Schwartz.  It's basically about scandalous stories of royalty and the aristocracy.  It's absolutely fascinating, and the bonus is that Dana has a very calming, soothing voice.

What genre do you enjoy writing in the most and why?

Humor, probably?  I just think it's a lot of fun, and I don't know how funny I am but it's fun to write banter and just casual funny conversation.

What's your go-to takeout order?

I...actually don't get a lot of takeout?  Sorry I couldn't give a better answer  I do have a favorite drink though!  It's water.

 

The Prefects have been very busy this month with running the 2020-21 House Cup Opener Event - Battleship: Hogwarts! The third and final round has just finished, and the results should be posted soon.  

H O U S E   N E W S
| G R Y F F I N D O R |

It's been another lovely month in the Den! The Gryffies have been busy sinking items in the opener and updating their WIPS.

A +mega-issue of Printed with Pride was posted, so check that out for some updates around the Den from over the summer!

Our Featured Fic for September was shenanigans by beeezie ( @abhorsen.) and our Leading Lion was @pirate grumpy cat! Congrats to both our winners!

 

| H U F F L E P U F F |

It's another lovely month in the 'Puff Basement!

We started by welcoming @Renacerá back to the prefect team and thanking @sinnersandsapphics for her time as a Muggle Liaison as she stepped down from the staff team. We also greeted our newest Hufflepuffs: @prideofprewett and @Ameripuff. Welcome to FT, new Badgers!

In CR activities, we continue to track our review cheerleaderboard and are so pleased to congratulate @Felpata_Lupin and @just.a.willow.tree for reaching one full year on the board! They've each left at least one review a month for the last year, and we're so proud of them! We also have another month of review swaps underway, so please check out that thread.

In site activities, the 'Puffs have been doing awesome in the HC opener! Let's keep up the great work and continue to have a great time with Battleship: Hogwarts! In addition to running the opener, the prefects released this year's TOADs Awards list, where they recognized a bunch of amazing 'Puffs! Congratulations to @just.a.willow.tree, @sinnersandsapphics, @dreamshadow, @MuggleMaybe, @Jazzeh Turnip, @VaguelyCreativeName, @magnifique, and @Felpata_Lupin!

This month's issue of Hear Ye, Hufflepuff has also been published, and we have the great pleasure of announcing some fantastic 'Puff OtMs: @victoria_anne is our Hufflepuff of the Month; our Review of the Month was written by @VaguelyCreativeName; and our 'Puff Story of the Month is for the dancing and the dreaming by @just.a.willow.tree. Take a moment to drop by the CR and congratulate them! And don't forget to nominate your fellow Badgers for next month's awards! Nomination threads are open until September 25th at 11:59 p.m. GMT.

And that's our Badger news for this month! Yay !

| R A V E N C L A W |

A new school year/ House Cup year has begun, and you know our organized Claws have it under control, getting down to business in the 'Battleship' House Cup Opener. We also welcomed two new members, @tinyporcelainehorses and @Hawksquill, who joined just in time to experience their first House Cup season from the very beginning.

Just prior to the House Cup opener, August 31 marked the end of our month-long Gryffinclaw 'Take Flight' review event with Gryffindor, in which the Eagles and Lions joined forces to review one another's fics. Team Tressym prevailed over Team Gryphon with a total score of 153 points. Thank you to everyone who participated in this fun event promoting inter-House camaraderie and spreading some love for each other's stories. This month we're back to our regular Blue vs Bronze Review Battle in the common room, so if you leave any reviews for Claw fics this month, be sure to claim a team and drop a link to your review(s) in the thread!

This is also the season for Totally Outstanding Awards, Dudes, and among the TOADs recipients this year were Ravenclaws @Alopex, @Aphoride, @crowsb4bros, @Ineke, @kuusi palaa, @northbound24, @Raspberry_cordelia, @sibilant, and @Veritaserum27. Congratulations to all, and thank you for everything you do!

Our Claw of the Month for September is @Aphoride, and Story of the Month is how to capture a heart by @sunshine_locks. Check out the September edition of The Ivory Tower to read all about them. Get your votes in for October's COTM and SOTM -- voting runs through September 23!

| S L Y T H E R I N |

September brought back the Review Tag game in the Dungeons, starting out the thread with @pookha as September's Slytherin of the Month. Carl was also the T.O.A.D.S recipient of the Salazar Slytherin Award for Being the Best Snake Dad. Our other T.O.A.D.S recipients were @aurevoir and @beyond the rain with the Draco Malfoy Award for Keeping the Place Pretty with their awesome graphic skills. Our own admin, @toomanycurls also received the Molly Weasley award for Keeping Us All in Line.  Congratulations to you all!

Our Slytherin housemates are also in tip top shape in performance in the House Cup opener for 2020-2021! Reviewing, posting threads, writing drabbles and maintaining a furious presence in what promises to be an exciting year. Good Luck!

This month's happy birthday goes out to @la_topolina on the 24th. 

We'd also like to extend a warm, snek welcome to the newest Snake to the Dungeons, @magicspacehole! Remember to collect a set of basket, blanket and plushie and head over to the Bodega for a cuppa. This month's flavor is pumpkin spice - everything! (Donuts and cookies were provided by the the Slytherin prefects - @juls & @MalfoysAngel - this month.) Any volunteers to lead story hour?

Slytherin House's Silver Quill will also be back soon under a new editor-in-chief and star cub reporter, @MalfoysAngel. Look for a new edition soon with sparkly new graphics and news. Thanks to @crowsb4bros for her amazing graphics skills. October will bring back the EvS review game (with some exciting new changes) and the Leaderboard game (more when it comes out). The Review Tag thread will still be in action, and we hope it brings out a barrage of lovely reviews to shine up the archives.

We'd also like to announce that we had a double header in the Story of the Month and Slytherin of the month! Take a bow, @aurevoir for being our star in Slytherin and for your story, The One with the Scrunchie. New nominations threads will be up and open October 1st. As a reminder, they close on October 10th, with voting threads popping up on October 11/12.

and that's the  Snake  News for this Spotlight.  

 

_______________________
credits

graphics: branwen
interviewers: madi, melanie, tasha
sotm review column: melanie
oom advert: madi
house news: emily, melanie, juls, sarah
blog compilation: madi