The morning of January 18th, 1982, dawned crisp and cold, the usual frost clinging to the castle windows as students bundled up before heading to breakfast. But that morning, there was something different—a quiet buzz of curiosity rippling through the Great Hall as an unfamiliar stack of newspapers appeared at the end of each House table.
The Wixen Chronicles had arrived.
At first, students merely glanced at the bundle of neatly folded parchment, curiosity flaring at the bold masthead enchanted to shimmer softly in blue and gold. It was only when one particularly enthusiastic Hufflepuff fourth-year grabbed a copy and read aloud that the Hall erupted into chaos.
"Who wrote this?"
"Did you see the Quidditch analysis? Spot on!"
"How in Merlin's name did they get all this information?"
The Wixen Chronicles
The Voice of the Castle
18th January 1982 | First Edition | 1 Knut per Copy | Weekly Publication
A New Dawn for Hogwarts Journalism
By The Editorial Team
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has long been a place of magical learning, innovation, and adventure. Now, for the first time in its esteemed history, the castle boasts its very own student-run newspaper—The Wixen Chronicles. This publication aims to provide students with timely news, insightful features, and entertaining columns, all crafted by the very people who walk these hallowed halls. Under the careful supervision of our own Madam Irma Pince and the patronage of a Mysterious Alumina, The Wixen Chronicles is here to stay!
Each edition will bring you updates on school events, Quidditch standings, club activities, academic discussions, and a dash of Hogwarts gossip. We hope you enjoy reading as much as we enjoy reporting!
Hogwarts Weekly Spotlight
By TruthChaser (Artemis Lovelace)
For too long, the students of Hogwarts have relied on whispers in hallways, exaggerated gossip, and the occasional scandalous note passed between classes for their news. No longer! The Wixen Chronicles is here to provide an unbiased, informative, and—let's be honest—far more entertaining way to stay updated with everything happening in our beloved castle.
Every Sunday, expect carefully curated articles covering school events, magical discoveries, Quidditch highlights, and insightful opinion pieces (along with the occasional harmless bit of castle gossip).
Our contributors come from different years and houses, ensuring a diverse range of voices. So grab a copy, settle in with a butterbeer (or pumpkin juice, if you must), and enjoy!
Quidditch Midseason Review: Surprising Plays and Rising Stars
By Skystriker (Gwenog Jones)
The 1981-82 Hogwarts Quidditch season is well underway, and it has been nothing short of spectacular. With Ravenclaw securing an early lead thanks to a decisive victory against Hufflepuff, the stakes are higher than ever.
Key players to watch this season include Gryffindor's Chaser duo, who have shown incredible teamwork, and Slytherin's Seeker, who's already made an impressive two Snitch catches in record time. However, the standout of the season might be Ravenclaw's Beater strategy—those Bludger placements have been nothing short of brutal (in the best way possible, of course).
With Hufflepuff gearing up for their next match against Gryffindor, we can only wait and see if they can turn the tables. Stay tuned for our match analysis next week!
A Secret Room in the Library? The Truth About Hogwarts' Hidden Spaces
By Lightseeker (Sol Moonfall)
Whispers have long surrounded the existence of hidden rooms within Hogwarts, and recent investigations confirm that at least one such chamber exists within the very heart of our academic sanctuary—the Library.
Rumors suggest that certain students have discovered a passage that leads to an untouched section of the library filled with ancient tomes that have long been forgotten. Could this be an extension of the Restricted Section, or is it something else entirely? More importantly, why has no one officially acknowledged its existence?
As always, The Wixen Chronicles urges students to tread carefully. Knowledge is power, but breaking rules for it? That's a personal choice.
Fashion Trends: The Return of Enchanted Accessories!
By Violetta (Vivian Delacroix)
It appears that enchanted accessories are making a comeback this year! Students have been spotted donning self-repairing gloves (for those unfortunate broomstick-related accidents), color-changing scarves, and even earrings that whisper compliments throughout the day.
Witches & Wizards Weekly predicts that charmed fashion will be the next big wave, and we at The Wixen Chronicles are inclined to agree. If you're looking to make a statement, now's the time to get your hands on some enchanted attire. (Pro tip: Beware of self-tying shoelaces—they might just be out to trip you.)
A Brief History of the Great Hall Feasts: More Than Just Food
By Fireborn (Rosaline Dawson)
While most students appreciate the magical banquets of the Great Hall, few realize the deeper history behind the extravagant meals. Did you know that house-elves at Hogwarts have been perfecting their craft for over a thousand years? Or that, in the 1400s, a spell backfired during a holiday feast, causing all food to float permanently six feet in the air for a week?
The feasts we enjoy today are more than just food—they're a testament to centuries of magical culinary mastery. Perhaps next time you sit down to a roast dinner, take a moment to appreciate the magic behind every bite.
Magical Creatures Club Gains Momentum!
By Wildwhisper (Iris Lawrence)
The newly-formed Magical Creatures Club has been attracting attention, and for good reason! Led by an enthusiastic group of students, the club meets biweekly to discuss, study, and occasionally interact with various magical creatures under the guidance of Professor Kettleburn.
Last week's session focused on the care of Bowtruckles, with students attempting to coax the skittish creatures into trusting them. The next meeting promises an introduction to Kneazles, so any cat lovers might want to take note!
If you're interested in magical creatures, now's the perfect time to get involved. Who knows? You might just find yourself handling a baby Niffler before the year is out.
Opinion: The Issue with Self-Proclaimed 'Brilliant' Wizards
By Sharpwings (Eliza Dawson)
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the louder someone proclaims their own genius, the less likely they are to actually possess it.
This week, a certain upperclassman (ahem) made claims about their supposed excellence in all things magical and their inevitable rise to fame. But here's the thing—greatness isn't self-declared, it's earned.
Instead of taking credit for things they haven't done (cough last year's Charms paper scandal cough), perhaps some individuals should focus on actual achievements. Hogwarts is full of brilliant students who work hard without demanding applause. Maybe we should start giving credit where it's truly due.
The Economics of Chocolate Frog Cards: Collecting vs. Investing
By Goldleaf (Magnus Kane)
For years, students have collected Chocolate Frog Cards, either for the thrill of the chase or the hopes of acquiring a rare card. But did you know that some of these cards are worth a small fortune in collector's circles?
Recent trends suggest that certain discontinued editions—such as the elusive Wendelin the Weird misprint—are already fetching high prices. Meanwhile, the current release of Merlin cards has flooded the market, making them a poor investment for future resale.
Whether you're a collector or looking to make a few extra Galleons, it's worth paying attention to the ever-changing market of magical memorabilia.
Castle Whispers
By Shadowhands (Henry Bell)
A mysterious figure was spotted sneaking around the Astronomy Tower after curfew. Ghost, professor, or lovesick student?The password to the Gryffindor common room was overheard near the kitchens. To any pranksters reading—use this knowledge wisely.A house-elf was seen carrying what appeared to be a very large stack of papers into an unused wing of the castle. Suspicious? We think so.
(Disclaimer: The Wixen Chronicles takes no responsibility for any consequences of investigating these rumors.)
The Wixen Chronicles is now available for subscription! First two issues are free—subsequent copies cost 10 Knuts per edition or 1 Sickle for a month's subscription. Secure your weekly copy before they disappear faster than a House-Elf on laundry day!
Across the tables, students snatched up copies, their eyes scanning the pages with a mix of amusement, intrigue, and astonishment. Some articles were met with gasps, others with bursts of laughter. At the Slytherin table, a group of fifth-years exchanged furtive glances, muttering about the anonymous investigative piece that detailed unfair disciplinary discrepancies between houses. Meanwhile, a few third-year Ravenclaws were already discussing the crossword puzzle at the back, enchanted to change weekly.
The loudest reaction, however, came from none other than Gilderoy Lockhart.
"Outrageous!" he bellowed, slamming his copy onto the Ravenclaw table. "A newspaper—without a single mention of my contributions to this school? Not even one quote from me? Preposterous!"
Several Ravenclaws barely stifled their laughter as Eliza Dawson, feigning innocent curiosity, leaned over. "Oh, did you not see? They did mention a 'certain Ravenclaw upperclassman with grand ambitions,'" she said sweetly. "That must be you!"
Lockhart's face turned a deep shade of magenta. "That's hardly proper credit! This is exactly why Hogwarts needs a true visionary in journalism—someone with charm, wit, and an undeniable talent for storytelling!"
"You mean, someone to take credit for other people's work?" Rosaline muttered under her breath, earning a quiet snort from Magnus Kane beside her.
Lockhart puffed up like a peacock. "I shall be taking this matter up with the Headmaster! This kind of oversight must be corrected immediately!"
Up at the High Table, the faculty had noticed the shift in atmosphere. Professor Flitwick adjusted his spectacles as he flipped through a copy, a delighted chuckle escaping him as he reached the enchanted moving comic strip featuring a caricature of a student falling asleep mid-lecture (courtesy of Iris Lawrence).
"Quite the impressive effort," he mused to Professor Sprout, who was engrossed in a surprisingly well-researched Herbology column under the pseudonym 'Green Thumb.' "Whoever put this together has a keen mind for journalism."
Professor McGonagall, ever the sharp observer, peered over her copy with a calculating expression. "I suspect our students may have underestimated just how much effort this undertaking requires. This is no amateur's attempt—it's structured, thoroughly edited, and well-distributed."
Even the new professor Snape had been caught reading through it, though he quickly rolled it up with a sneer when he saw a cheeky opinion piece debating whether his cloak billowed naturally or if he cast a minor wind charm every time he entered a room.
Dumbledore, meanwhile, simply smiled behind his goblet of pumpkin juice, blue eyes twinkling as he folded his copy neatly. "It is always delightful to see young minds engaging with the world around them in such creative ways."
By lunchtime, the whole castle was abuzz with theories about the newspaper's mysterious writers.
"It has to be the Gryffindors," a seventh-year Hufflepuff insisted. "That article on last week's detention injustices was way too direct."
"Are you daft?" a Ravenclaw countered. "Did you read the Quidditch breakdown? That was the work of someone who understands strategy. It's either a Ravenclaw or a very observant Slytherin."
"I think multiple people wrote it," a Slytherin fifth-year added. "Different writing styles, different expertise levels. The financial breakdown of Hogsmeade shops? That wasn't written by some casual writer. Someone studied economics for that."
"Whoever 'SharpWings' is, they must be brilliant," a fourth-year gushed, referring to the anonymous investigative columnist who had outlined inconsistencies in Filch's rule enforcement. "I bet it's a professor in disguise!"
The room smelled faintly of ink and candle wax, with uneven shelves stacked high with rejected article drafts, loose quills, and a growing collection of "Things Lockhart Actually Said" pinned to a corkboard by the door.the true masterminds behind The Wixen Chronicles gathered to discuss their first issue's success.
"It's brilliant," Iris grinned, flipping through her own copy. "The mystery behind our identities is just making people more invested."
"And Lockhart losing his mind over it?" Gwenog Jones laughed. "That alone was worth all the effort."
Vivian Delacroix smirked. "And to think, if he hadn't blabbered on about the idea first, he could've actually been part of this."
"Like we would've ever let that happen," Rosaline scoffed. "Imagine his column: 'How I, Gilderoy Lockhart, Have Revolutionized Journalism and the Entire Wizarding World.'"
Henry Bell leaned back in his chair. "Alright, celebrations aside—what's next?"
Artemis Lovelace, ever the strategist, tapped a quill against her chin. "We keep up the mystery, stay ahead of speculation. We rotate writing styles where we can and never give them a single name to chase. If someone starts getting too close, we throw them off the scent."
Magnus Kane nodded. "And financially? We need to start breaking even before your aunt decides to stop covering the costs. We got our first two editions free, but now we need people paying. The pricing structure makes sense—now we just need to make sure they feel like it's worth the money."
Sol Moonfall, who had been quiet until now, grinned. "Then we make sure every edition is better than the last. More humor, more intrigue, and maybe even some interactive elements."
Magnus interjected "Every student who buys their own copy enters a weekly draw for prizes like Chocolate Frogs, quills enchanted to write in multiple colors, or an exclusive feature in the newspaper!"
"Quizzes!" Gwenog suggested excitedly. "Like 'Which Hogwarts Professor Would You Be in Another Life?'"
"And secret codes," Iris added. "We could hide little clues in every edition, leading to a special prize at the end of term."
Eliza Dawson chuckled. "And, of course, a weekly tribute to Lockhart's unparalleled… creative storytelling."
"Subtly," Artemis corrected with a sly smile. "Always subtly."
As they laughed and planned, excitement buzzing through the room, none of them realized they had done something truly remarkable: they had captured Hogwarts' imagination. Their newspaper wasn't just a passing fad—it was becoming a part of the school's culture.
And this was only the beginning.