Hello students! This is the 2nd issue of the OP. We apologize for the delay. Our owlry has been a bit of a zoo lately. I think all the hurricanes in the US are making them nervous. Poor dears! Anyways, this is a tiny, tiny issue, we promise.

First up, we have an HOL wide contest going on! The HOL Joke Book Contest, run by Flourish & Blotts and Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, started taken submissions September 17th and will be accepting them until October 10th.

Taken from the HOL announcements page (which you all should check on a regular basis!):

"Flourish & Blotts and Weasley's Wizard Wheezes are proud to anounce a new project: The HOL Joke Book! It will be laugh guaranteed! Well, in case the jokes are not really effective for you, the pages will be surely enchanted with loud-laughter spells prepared specially in order to improve your fun!

Our editors will be selecting jokes from HOL students, from September 17th to October 10th. There will be 2 categories: Graphic and Text

Read Rules & details at
http://www.quickquotesquill.com/contest.asp"

The Pensieve, our student newspaper, has put out their first issue. Prof. Jessabella Krisalyn put up this annoucement:

"I am beyond pleased to announce, finally, the first issue of The Pensieve Newspaper! Available at http://www.thepensieve.org.uk/, it features articles written by various members of the HOL community!

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who's endless support has made this possible. Especially:

Cosmo Brown and Hannah Avacyn, whose support as editors was irreplacable.

Cassie Lobiesk and Peter Shechem, who have been with the staff from the very beginning and never failed to complete an assignment, even when we had to throw a variety away because we didn't publish on time.

Kenna Love, for her GORGEOUS layout for the paper, including the fabulous header.

Alita Lavender for her tireless work on graphics, going far beyond the call of duty.

Leah Samson, for her last minute editing skills of DOOM.

Taylor MacPherson, though she had to leave before we published, she was irreplaceable during the first months of planning.

and finally... Cynthia Stout. Though she was unable to participate in the direct publishing of this issue due to a variety of reasons, she has been behind me from the very start, recruiting people, sorting through applications, dealing out assignments, editing articles... everything under the sun. I'm very glad she will be behind me still, her support means the world to me.

And of course, all the regular staff, you guys are awesome. Be sure to check the office in a few days for information regarding the next issue.

So remember, check out The Pensieve today! And if you want to get involved, don't hesitate! Information is in my old post (http://hol.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=12234) on the topic. For people who's applications are sitting in my inbox, you'll hear from me soon!"

As usual, Gryffindor has some exciting things going on. The Gryfftastic Sigs! (and avatars.) contest is still running. Go here for more information:
http://www.gryff.net/cr/index.php?showtopic=4116.
Submissions are due on the 29th (this Thursday!).

The winners of the Mascot and Motto contest have been announced! First of all, we have the lovely Mascot winner:

In 3rd place we have the wonderful Liana Liggins - http://arith.zephyrmagic.com/lianamascot.jpg

In 2nd Place we have the fantastic Aelita Chan - http://arith.zephyrmagic.com/nehamascot.JPG

and in 1stttttttt place we have the gorgeous, the yummy Jade Thaerd - http://arith.zephyrmagic.com/jademascot.gif

And now for the Motto contest we have:

In 3rd place Rachel Baudelaire with "You live only once, but if you're a Gryffie, once is enough."

In 2nd place we have Angel Blackstone with "Where insanity is your only defence"

This Years Motto for the glorious Gryffindor house submitted by Ms. Airemay Speare,

"Normal doesn't apply to us."

We are almost done with this issue, we swear! We have one last major announcement. Unforunately, our Head of House had to resign. However, all is well in the Gryffindor Tower because a new Head of House has been appointed. All of the prefects and staff would like to extend a great big huge congratulations to Prof. Hatshepsut Nayhan, former Deputy Head of House, as the new head of Gryffindor!!!