Artemisia Thorne

Something I find pretty awesome about mongooses is their presence in mythology. In Hindu mythology, the mongoose is a symbol of fertility and riches, often portrayed as a keeper of jewels, and in African mythology, they are symbols of intelligence, seen as particularly crafty creatures. Despite the differences in symbols between myths, every culture respects and appreciates them, which I think is just beautiful. Additionally, there is the story of the Brahman and the Mongoose, where the mongoose kills a snake which he fears will harm his (human) baby brother. Proud of what he did, he goes to show his (human) mother, but when the mother sees the mongoose with blood trickling from its mouth she kills him, thinking he had harmed her (human) son. It’s probably not the nicest story, but it’s one that I find particularly interesting. The moral of it is meant to be to not act hastily for you can’t know if you have all the facts.

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I loved The Jungle Book as a kid, my mum had this gorgeous illustrated hard cover copy that I just could not get enough of. It’s been a fair few years since I read it, even though I have a copy of my own, so it was nice to reread Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. It’s such a lovely story. As for the topic of sakes… I hate snakes, I would love to live in a place without snakes. I currently live in one of the worst countries for snakes, they are absolutely everywhere and they are incredibly deadly. Fortunately, I live in the city where there are much fewer snakes, so I haven’t been bitten or even had any terrible encounter with a snake…yet (touch wood), but oh my word the number of dead snakes on the roads is insane, and people are always sharing these terrifying stories about their encounters with snakes, so it definitely makes you wish for a guard of some sort! I would certainly never choose to go live in a different part of the country where snakes are more abundant.

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I can say with total honesty that I was people-watching

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Question: How did you come to know of the party? What are your initial thoughts about it? Do you think we will be able to pull this off? To give our other visitors some idea, what are you wearing for the party? What are your expectations for the party? I heard whispers that a few Hufflepuffs were up to something naughty while their Head of House was away, I thought that sounded fun so decided to get in on that. I have confidence the Hufflepuff staff can pull off an epic party, but fooling Professor Hartwick… not so much. My expectations for the party are definitely some fireworks. Question: What part of the party do you enjoy the most, the dance floor, or some board and card games with friends, or the foods and drinks? Maybe some more private time outside, enjoying the night skies and evening wind? Any interesting happening in the party that is one for the books? I’m not much of a party person, so my favourite part would definitely be simply people-watching. Party shenanigans can be awfully interesting at times, and you never know when you’ll see something that could inspire an epic book. Question: What are your exit strategies in case our HoH Fels unexpectedly arrive earlier, witnessing the party at its peak? Though I think that would not happen (given some alarms we set up earlier). How do you plan on helping after the party, making sure that no remnants of the party are seen or felt or tasted or sensed? Any help would do so I thank you for your answers. No matter how much anyone tries to clean up, Professor Hartwick is gonna know everything, I’ll help clean up, but after that, I’m sitting back to enjoy the show!

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Channelling my (so small it’s practically non-existent) Hufflepuff side into a food selection: Gillyweed Guacamole with Mandrake Chips. Freshly harvested gillyweed mixed with ripe avocados, served alongside crispy mandrake chips. Herbology Salad. A mix of enchanted herbs and edible flowers straight from the Hogwarts greenhouse, tossed in a light vinaigrette Cheery Charm Cupcakes. Cupcakes adorned with Hufflepuff yellow and black icing. Each one is enchanted with a cheering charm. Badger Burrow Biscuits. Soft and fluffy biscuits shaped like the Hufflepuff badger, served warm with whipped honey butter.

Additional reasons for giraffes to stay in groups include, for females, a potential reduction in stress levels. Larger groups may discourage harassment from male giraffes, creating a more secure environment for females. This is also ideal when caring for young. Additionally, the social bonds formed within these groups contribute to the overall well-being of the females, as it encourages familiarity and companionship. Another reason is for protection against predators. Both males and females find safety in numbers. Staying in groups makes it more challenging for predators to single out and attack an individual giraffe. The increased awareness and vigilance of a collective group provide a better defence against potential threats. This is a deterrent against predators as it becomes more difficult for a predator to approach and launch an attack without being detected by the group. Living in groups is therefore a great strategy for giraffes to enhance their chances of survival.

Security could be managed with a Muggle Repelling Charm, to prevent unauthorised Muggle entry, and rangers could use tracking spells to track magical activity in the area, to prevent unauthorised magical activity. A perimeter charm could also be used, though preferably one that doesn’t screech and scare the animals like the Caterwauling Charm would do. Invisibility Charms could be used to keep structures such as observation towers and ranger stations hidden, with additional Security Charms on these buildings as an added measure. Habitats could be enhanced with Weather Modifying Charms, to ensure the area remains suitable for the giraffes at all times. Additionally, magical plants could be used to provide better nutrition, with Herbivicus Charms to increase the growth rate of plants, to ensure there is a constant supply. Watering holes could also be infused with healing potions to address potential health concerns or supplement the giraffes' diet when needed.

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Not working for me either. I sent her a message about it earlier, haven't heard anything back yet.

Ooh, I just learned about this in a zoology course. Giraffes' spotted skin plays a role in thermoregulation, the process of maintaining their body temperature within a certain range. Unlike humans and other animals that cool down through sweating, giraffes lack sweat glands, so they have to rely on other ways of releasing excess body heat and regulating their temperature. Beneath the spots on a giraffe's skin is a system of blood vessels. What's particularly interesting is that each patch has its own central artery, which sends out long branches that form a delicate fan within the patch. Shunts then connect these branches to large veins that encircle the patches and link to the adjacent patch arteries. These blood vessels have the ability to both expand and contract. This allows giraffes to manage their body temperature in response to environmental conditions. During the heat of the day, when temperatures rise, the blood vessels underneath the spots expand, and in the evening, when temperatures drop, the blood vessels constrict, helping the giraffe retain body heat to stay warm.

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Across most cultures, giraffes symbolise beauty, kindness, wisdom, and intuition. They are also often associated with magic, representing seers or oracles. Something that intrigues me about the giraffe is how the ancient beliefs surrounding them have been portrayed in modern society, specifically as a modern spirit animal. It is believed that the giraffe spirit animal represents peace and tranquillity. Their very essence as a gentle, peaceful being encourages non-violence. Likewise, they are thought to inspire balance as they help a person find harmony between the mind and body. The giraffe is such a beautiful animal, I think the messages conveyed through its use as a spirit animal are very appropriate to the beings themselves and tell us a lot about the balance between ancient and modern society’s views of them.

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This discussion also delves into intriguing legends. While evolution and natural processes are clearly proven, I think the legends that ancient cultures told to explain these are so beautiful. One African myth recounts that when God communicated with each species, the giraffe stretched her neck to hear more clearly. As a reward for this effort, she was bestowed with a long neck, enabling her to reach the leaves on the highest branches of the tallest trees. This legend serves as a metaphor for the notion that extra effort and attentiveness are deserving of special rewards. Another legend proposes that the giraffe's extended neck symbolizes humility and patience. According to this narrative, the giraffe was initially fashioned with a short neck, akin to other animals. However, during a period of drought in the African savannah, when food became scarce, the giraffe exhibited exceptional patience and selflessness. According to the legend, the giraffe willingly permitted other animals to feed on the lower branches of trees, showcasing a remarkable level of humility. Impressed by this act of kindness, the gods decided to reward the giraffe by gradually elongating its neck. The giraffe's sacrifice and patience during challenging times earned it the ability to reach the abundant foliage at the tops of trees, ensuring its survival even in times of scarcity.

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