After leaving the dungeons unattended for over a year, you can just imagine what the Slytherin common room below the Great Lake looked like. Despite the grime crime that happened down there, the head of the snakes, Professor Pierson Fuller-Thompson seemed to have handled it fairly well. Perks of having the charms professor as your head of house, I might say. However, cobwebs and dust mean almost nothing when your house's founder threatens to purge half (or more, but I do not have the accurate statistics to back this claim so I apologise) of the snakes to keep Slytherin house's blood status pure. Besides, who would tell Salazar Slytherin himself about picking and cleaning up poop? Not me, but Professor Fuller-Thompson sure did. I'm happy and relieved to say that Salazar Slytherin's plans did not come to fruition, and I can assure that Professor Fuller-Thompson himself is to be given credit for this. Not a single Slytherin was put in danger, and I'm thankful for that. My friend Serene Jiang, who is a seventh year and also a Slytherin, says, "I'd heard about the acromantula encounter – I have to say, I'm glad he didn't get killed. It would have been quite a loss." We wouldn't want that, and truly Professor Fuller-Thompson is a valuable member of the Hogwarts community. Here's to less acromantula encounters and more terms under your leadership, sir.
slytherin prefects
It comes as no surprise that Gunnar McCarthy was promoted from prefect to head boy, and I must say that he truly deserves the new badge. His family and mine are proud of him for it. Yes, our families are close. Contrary to last term's commentary in the yearbook interview on my friend being taciturn, there are perks where being good mates with him are concerned. This is one of them. Hey, mate. I’ve told you this before, but still congratulations on your badge promotion! How was your term as head boy? Hey, thanks. It was actually a pretty good term, if I’m honest. Not a bad way to end my time at Hogwarts.
What did you feel when you found out about your promotion? I thought it was just a natural progression for me after being prefect last year.
What are your coping mechanisms for being head boy while also juggling the responsibilities of a graduating student who has to take their NEWTs? Oh, let’s see… I suppose I schedule my time pretty wisely, making sure everything important is in the appropriate slot in my planner. But I also leave time for fun and to unwind because that’s really important too. Can’t give away all my secrets though.
Being head boy has its perks. What is your favourite thing about it? I really enjoy the prestige and respect that comes with it`- younger kids look up to me, professors rely on me. Not that I abuse it, mind you. And I have a natural predilection for being in charge.
Likewise, it entails more responsibilities for you. What is your least favourite thing about it? That’s tough because I like most things about being head boy. But sometimes it does get old feeling I need to be responsible for someone else’s bad behavior.
How is your relationship with your co-prefect, Jillian? It’s cool. We’re not exceptionally close, but she’s a good person and a great prefect. We had an internship at the ministry together last summer, and this past term has just confirmed what I already knew - she’s hardworking, respectful, and deservedly well-respected.
The portraits were acting weird this year. Were you able to interact with any of them? You say “able to” like it was some sort of privilege, heh. But yeah, I ran into Slytherin a couple times. He was fairly annoying though, always going on about blood purity and the like.
If Hogwarts had a suggestion box, what recommendations would you drop in it? I’d probably tell Hogwarts to calm down. We don’t really need some crazy magic gone awry threatening our lives every other year. But I suppose I don’t need to worry about that anymore though, since I survived.
Any words of advice for the Slytherins who would like to become a prefect or a head student one day? I’d like to hear it. Respect, dedication, and confidence in yourself are important qualities that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
We’re graduating, mate, can you believe it? What would be your famous last words before we venture out into the real world? Goodbye Hogwarts. I'm not looking back as I close this chapter. It’s time to start a new one.
Serving Slytherin house beside Gunnar is sixth year Jillian Kim. This year marked her first ever term as prefect, but she certainly faced all portrait-related mischief with grace and spirit. I've also noticed she giggles a lot. Just an observation. Without further ado, here's a look into Jillian's life as a prefect. Hi, Jillian. Congratulations on your badge! How was your first term as prefect? There was a bit of chaos but luckily I'm still here. There was definitely a transition for me this term from regular Slytherin student to prefect. I always try my best and have done well in classes - that part of me will never change. This badge is an upgrade for me.
What did you feel when you received your badge? To me it is of great honor to be given this badge. The first time I wore my prefect badge felt like the best thing in the entire world. It is a great accomplishment (besides getting good grades) and this is one of those things that you will never forget for the rest of your life.
What are your coping mechanisms for being a prefect while also juggling the responsibilities of a NEWT-level student? Yoga is my coping mechanism in handling EVERYTHIIIINNNGGG. I'm a very systematic person: I like to make lists and I tend to be very organized especially when it comes to school stuff. Yoga requires you to be focused and it helps your mind to be relaxed. Doing yoga at least once or twice a week helps me with my stress with school work, and prefect duties.
Being prefect has its perks. What is your favourite thing about it? I guess you can say that. The best perk for me is probably the beautiful prefects' bathroom - all the other prefects would agree with me on this.
Likewise, it entails more responsibilities for you. What is your least favourite thing about it? Not that this is a bad thing but prefects are always on people's radar. The badge comes with expectations - not only with your fellow school mates but also with the professors and of course Headmaster Trent. You have to be in your best behavior most of the time, avoid getting yourself into too much trouble and keeping your inner thoughts to yourself.
How is your relationship with your co-prefect, Gunnar? I would be lying if i said I was not intimidated working with Gunnar. He is the Head Boy after all and has done this prefect stuff for a while now. He is doing an amazing job at handling Slytherins and I'm grateful to have him as my co-prefect, I couldn't have wished for a better person.
The portraits were acting weird this year. Were you able to interact with any of them? Yes, I was able to interact with some of them and I was also sucked into one of the portraits this year. I'm not exactly sure because everything happened in a blur but I was doing rounds that morning and Blake was talking to one of the portraits, next thing we knew we were inside the portrait. Luckily our awesome Professor Fuller-Thompson was there to the rescue. I really thought I was going to get stuck inside that portrait for the entire year. Kudos to Professor Fuller-Thompson!!!
If Hogwarts had a suggestion box, what recommendations would you drop in it? Field trips!!!! I love a good school field trip. We did it this year in Astronomy class with Professor Simran Sandhu and I really had a great time. I hope that we get to do that every year.
Any words of advice for the Slytherins who would like to become a prefect one day? I’d like to hear it. Study hard and always try to be the best version of yourself. Live life in a balance really. School stress will always be there but you need to learn and to know how to balance everything out. Like I said, I do yoga.
What would your famous last words be? Boombayah!!!