The joys of summertime are upon us—and no wizards are more excited than our returning students, whose school terms are finally over. “Its brilliant,” says Hogwarts attendee Ronald Weasley. “There is nothing better than summer. All you do is lay around, doing N-O-T-H-I-N-G.” Some students, however, are not quite so complacent. “Not everyone believes in lazing about all day,” said Hermione Granger, another Hogwarts student, who, like Mr. Weasley, is a Hogwarts Prefect. “There are loads of fun activities to do. And studying, of course. I believe in preparing for the next term. N.E.W.T.S. are only two years away.” Among the pastimes available to young wizards (besides studying) are athletics, of course (Please see Summertime Sports, Sports section), as well as family vacations, picnics, and trips to the town or country. Albus Dumbledore, recently re-instated Headmaster of Hogwarts, encourages such activities. “We can’t always be serious and studious,” he says. “Summer is the perfect time to relax on a beach in Finland, go Twootle watching, or to go goat chasing, as my cousin Aberforth strongly recommends.” Not all students are eager for the sunnier season, however. “Summertime is the most awful time of the year for me,” says famed ‘Boy-Who-Lived’ Harry Potter. “I just cannot wait for Hogwarts term to begin again.” Potter wouldn’t disclose why his summers are so terrible. “Let’s just say it’s a secret I’d rather not keep,” he replies. And, of course, not all wizarding life can be fun and games this year. “We must be a bit more careful, considering what has been occurring over the past year,” notes Assistant Hogwarts Headmaster Minerva McGonagall. “We have to take care of our children…they are precious to us, and we must do everything we can to insure their safety.” But most youths aren’t allowing overanxious adults or rumors of revived evil wizards dampen their summer fun. “First I’m going to hide all of Hermione’s schoolbooks,” chides Weasley. “Then we’re going to go off and steal Harry, fly our broomsticks around the countryside, and hopefully catch a glimpse of a dragon or two. And that’s only tomorrow’s plan!” |