After a term like THIS one where house stereotypes were amped up and played right into, it is nice to slow down and reflect on a man who truly defies house stereotypes: Professor Ignatius Noble. While many associate the role of Potions Master with Slytherin, I assume from historical contexts, it would be silly to categorize this Hufflepuff Head of House with an eye for crystallized ginger (and sugar cookies!) as such. Astute, compassionate, tolerant, and always happy to entertain students for a chat in his office, here is what he had to share as he reflected on the term.
ALL the way back when you were a student and before you were sorted, did you think you would be sorted into Hufflepuff? I’m not quite sure how to take all the way back, Rebecca. I’m not that old. I’m not sure I really cared all that much, though I liked the idea of possibly living in one of the towers and a view out over the grounds. I was more excited to finally be at the castle, and some of the freedoms from home that came with it.
So recently I properly discovered acrostic poems and they are super cute! Would you please recite me one for the Noble name? You’re asking me to write poetry? And on the fly at that? I’m not the Poet Laureate, Rebecca! Not over belligerent lumbering erumpents are you getting an acrostic from me. Ahem.
How about an acrostic poem for Hufflepuff! I thought this was interview for the yearbook? If you’re just here for poetry ideas, maybe the library would be better? Or the common room. I’m sure there’s plenty of people hanging around procrastinating exam revision that could help you come up with something for Hufflepuff, and far better than I ever could. It’d also make a nice addition to the House noticeboard, especially if someone were to illustrate it.
What did you make of Helga Hufflepuff and meeting her in the flesh this term. My brother says meeting her in the canvas is more accurate but...anyway. What did you think? Your brother is probably right…much more canvas than flesh, thank goodness. I thought she was very much a caricature, what others assume a Hufflepuff to be, as oppose to we actually are. Some of the cakes she dropped off early on were pretty good…but she was more than a little obsessed with feeding people. There’s so much more to the Badger spirit, and I found myself frustrated that her canvas played right into the stereotype. The real Helga Hufflepuff…well, I’m sure she was much more multidimensional.
What lessons do you hope your Hufflepuffs learned this term? Resilience comes to mind. It’s not necessarily easy, seeing such a lack-lustre image of how others perceive you. Literally, this year. Badgers are, by definition, a diverse and thriving group…unafraid to pursue all manner of dreams. Seriously, I’m consistently astounded, when my students come talk to me about their future plans. That resilience will stand them in good stead, now and going forward.
hufflepuff prefects
Are you seeing double? Nope, that's one of the twin Rose sisters - both of whom happen to be prefects! Taking the badge for Hufflepuff is Carys Rose, the Quidditch loving fifth year who, along with her co-prefect James Lewis, had numerous challenges to face this term. The biggest problem was, naturally, the fact that the portraits of Hogwarts founders had come to life - and it turns out Helga Hufflepuff isn't nearly as joyful in real life as her portrait might have you believe!
Carys was able to give us some insight into her first term as prefect - which was a challenge to say the least! What was it like seeing Helga Hufflepuff in the flesh? At first, it was exciting. As a Hufflepuff and also as someone who is part-Welsh, but after a while I did start to wonder about her focus on fattening us up. I like to think of myself as healthy, due to Quidditch and just generally liking to be healthy, and it was disconcerting that she saw everyone as too skinny. I would have liked to ask her questions about Wales, though.
Having her focus on giving everyone sweets was...a choice, that's for sure. Good thing we didn't get to see how that all worked into her final plan!
How did you feel about returning to Hogwarts this term after spending last term at Beauxbatons? Honestly, it was like coming home. I did enjoy getting to experience Beauxbatons, but it didn’t feel as much like home as Hogwarts does. Even when Hogwarts likes tossing challenges our way, I’d rather be here where things are familiar?
What was it like working with your co-prefect, James Lewis? Mm, it was interesting. I mean, nothing against James but sometimes I felt like everything was on me? And considering I had OWLs to study for as well, I would have appreciated knowing he had my back more.
What surprised you most about being prefect? A lot. I’ve always felt like I wasn’t exactly the Rose who was being seen, especially since I spent a lot of time in the art studio when I wasn’t in classes, but it showed me that I was wrong. And I truly appreciate the fact Headmaster Trent and Professor Noble trust me enough to know I’ll do my job.
What was your reaction when you got the badge? Surprise, of course. I had no idea it was coming.
What advice do you have for your fellow Hufflepuffs? Hmm…I guess that we shouldn’t be afraid to be ourselves. Even if it feels scary or like people look down on us for who we are, it’s better to be true to ourselves.
What is your favorite subject? Lease favorite subject? Not counting Quidditch, since obviously we haven’t been able to play for a while now, my favorite subject has to be Herbology. I’m thinking about studying it in uni after I graduate, actually. My least favorite is probably divination. Mostly just because sometimes I struggle with analyzing what meanings things have, even if I’m an artist so that aspect interests me.
What's it like working under the leadership of Professor Noble? Professor Noble doesn’t treat us any different than he treats anyone in his potions lessons, but I enjoy knowing that he expects me to do my best to represent Hufflepuff and what we contribute to Hogwarts as a whole. I know he’ll be here if I need him. When I need him.
What was your biggest challenge this term as prefect? Besides OWLs and yet another term of not having Quidditch? My biggest challenge was probably trying to make sure the Hufflepuffs stayed safe when it came to the founders’ appearance. Making sure I stayed safe, which honestly I haven’t been as concerned about that since first year when Headmaster Scrimgeour was here.
What was your favorite part of this past term? It might sound weird, but my favorite part of term actually might have been getting to meet Helga Hufflepuff. I mean, who would have expected we’d get to meet our house founders, even if they ended up not entirely being what we expected. Without Helga Hufflepuff trying to force feed everyone sweets, Prefect Rose is now free to focus on leading Hufflepuff to success without distractions. She excelled in the role during her first term, and we're sure this is the the start of great things for her!
[male hufflepuff prefect role was filled by an npc character, james Lewis, this term]