Wizarding Times

Head of House for Hufflepuff: Professor Anya Chutney

Professor Anya Chutney, age 36 (muggle years), is the Head of House for Hufflepuff. She lives in the Southeastern USA when she is not at HOL. She is not married and doesn't plan to be. Prof. Chutney has three cats: one brown tabby cat named Wayne, an orange tabby cat named Igor, and a tuxedo cat named Xander.

She joined HOL in either 2000 or 2001. While at HOL she has been a student (Pumpkin Red), a Professor, a member of the Head Office, the Deputy Head of House for Hufflepuff, Deputy Head of the Art department, and of course Head of House for Hufflepuff. Professor Anya also was a member of HOL Book Club, and participated in the Summer Quiddich League one year.

About Her RL Parents and Childhood

Both of her adoptive parents were Muggle-Born; however, she doesn't know whether her biological parents were muggle-born or wizard-born. Anya's adoptive mother was a registered nurse (someone who would work at St. Mungo's if she were in the wizarding community). Her adopted father fixed things for a living.

What was Prof. Anya's childhood like?
"I spent a lot of my childhood playing with the neighborhood children. I did a lot of reading. In fact, I cannot remember a time in which I did not read. I also loved making up stories so that we could play different movies and TV shows."

Fun Facts
1. "I love to read.... I love Broadway shows.... I LOVE working on the computer with any graphics program that I can get my hands on. I love to edit video. I also love to write."
2. Hobbies: "I create icons online through several Livejournal communities. I'm also getting into working on fan videos. I also LOVE to cook."
3. Favorite activities: "The happiest moments I have always involve good food, good friends, and good conversation."
4. Favorite food: "Depends on my mood. It's hard for me to pick one. I love Thai, Indian, Italian, Chinese, Japanese.... There are only a handful of foods I don't like! Brussel sprouts, sauerkraut, rye bread, blue cheese, and pumpernickle bread. I'm also not fond of an over-usage of sage or oregano."
5. Favorite color: "At the moment, it's green!"
6. Favorite Book: "This is almost impossible for me to answer. From childhood — the Anne of Green Gables series, the Little House on the Prairie series, and anything by Madeleine L'Engle. As an adult, I read Kathy Reichs, Jeffrey Deaver, Mercedes Lackey, Charlaine Harris, Nora Roberts, Jennifer Weiner, Patricia Cornwall, Elizabeth Peters... and many others."
7. Favorite Movie: "Yet another hard question! I'll go with my typical answer which is — depends on my mood! I will always adore The Shawshank Redemption, The Color Purple, and Stand By Me. If I'm in a silly mood, I want The Mummy. And I will ALWAYS watch Serenity."
8. Other Interesting Facts About You? "I became a 'fan' late in life. I loved Star Trek in high school... but did not really get into many fandoms until I was an adult. Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer would be my first loves... followed by many others! I've also become a HUGE fan of anything Whedon or Doctor Who... or Torchwood."

HOL in General

1. What would you like the readers to know?
"I'm not as mean as I sound. I tend to tell people the truth; but, I do try to not hurt people's feelings. I also think that my staff has better people skills than I EVER will!"

2. What do you like most about HOL?
"I love that the folks here at HOL just 'get' being a fan. It's often hard to find the company of folks that understand your love for something. I've been introduced to some of my favorite authors, books, TV shows, and movies — all through the people at HOL. We tend to share the things we love the most and I've benefited greatly from that!"

3. Who has helped you most in your time at HOL?
"I would have to credit the Hufflepuff staff — then and now. I started off as a student in Hufflepuff — then a Professor — then Head of House. Our Staff is always willing to help out. They've been such a lovely support system though the years."

4. Where do you spend most of your free time?
"I spend most of my free time either in the Art Department, checking on things, or in the Hufflepuff staffroom. We have quite a comfortable staffroom and there's never a lack of good company, good food, or butterbeer! I can also be found in the Hufflepuff kitchens, making sure that everything is simmering properly and that none of the desserts are burning in the oven."

5. Do you have a favorite memory?
"One of my favorite memories is talking to former Prof. Tweedy on IRC. She and I and several other girls were chatting about her engagement ring. She left HOL, but she and I are dear friends to this day."

Being a Student/Professor

1. What was your favorite subject at HOL?
"The subject that lured me into teaching at HOL (also favorite subject) was a class that looked deeper at the Harry Potter series and the meaning behind characters, actions, language, etc. After taking this class, I decided that I, too, wanted to teach at HOL!"

2. What made you want to be a Professor?
"Back in the day, I had a theory that Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer had a lot in common. Turns out I was right! I taught Pop Culture for *years* and then spread out to teach Herbology and Muggle Studies. At the time I'm taking a break from teaching. But, the idea of sharing the love I have for Pop Culture and Herbology, especially, is what made me want to teach."

About Being Head of House for Hufflepuff

1. Why did you decide to be HoH?
"A while back, our lovely former Head of House, Prof. Olivia Rictusempra, decided to step down. She had a lot on her RL plate and needed to not be HoH any longer. Real life has always taken precedence over HOL with all of us! It's important to spend time with our family and jobs. Or, so they tell me. : ) Liv and the Head Office asked me to step in, so I did. I love my House!"

2.What is your favorite thing about being Head of House for Hufflepuff House?
"My favorite thing about being the HoH for Huff? It would have to do with Hufflepuff Pride, really. At HOL we are a house of many talents. We work together very well as a staff and student body. In the HP books, Hufflepuff is often looked down upon. I think that we have one of the strongest and most determined Houses — and that we try to have the outlook that *everyone* at HOL is on equal footing. We accept everyone as they are, I hope. I'm proud to be the Head of such a House!

About the Harry Potter books and Other Questions

1. Who is your favorite Harry Potter Character? Least favorite? Why?
"*One* of my favorite HP characters is Neville Longbottom. For so many books we watched him struggle with not fitting in to the Gryffindor standards... then, of course, we find out about his parents, and his ties to Harry and to Voldemort. He's such a dear character and I was beyond excited with his role in the last HP book! I've also met Matt Lewis who plays Neville in the films and he is a total love — and a Buffy fan! I don't think I have a least favorite character. They all play the part. I love to watch how all of the roles fall into place — Rowling did not include a character that shouldn't have been there! However, I probably could have slapped Luna Lovegood's father. That I would like to do."

2. If you weren't a Hufflepuff, what House would you have chosen to be in?
"I originally wanted to be in Gryffindor, like many Harry Potter fans. However, after realizing how special HOL and Hufflepuff are, I don't think I could have chosen another house. Hufflepuff is part of me and is where I belong!"

3. What is your views on Muggleborns? House elves? Half-breeds?
"I will answer all three with one answer: I think no matter how we are born — no matter to what family we are born into, or with what talents, we should strive to be who we should be — not whom other people think we should be. Find something you love and stick with it. In my opinion, we are ALL on equal footing!"

4. If you could open you own wizarding house or Hogwarts house what would you name it? What would be its symbol, motto, colors?
"You know, I'm happy here. I know what it takes to run a school (having been a part of the administration of HOL) and it takes WAY more than one person. Although I'm always good at having a cat in any particular symbol. Yes, I'm turning into one of those people... without the pink cardigan, though."

Prof. Anya Chutney wants to say this in closing: "I couldn't get done half of what I get done around HOL without the support of my best friend and roommate. He was once a student at HOL; but, RL school took him away from HOL. But, he still knows what goes on and is often my sanity when I'm overwhelmed or tired. "In other words, you can't ever do it by yourself. Your friends are the ones who will help you though it. I think J.K. Rowling feels the same, for Harry never did what he did alone — he always had backup."

I would like to thank Professor Anya Chutney for taking the time to do this interview.

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Head of House for Gryffindor: Professor Missa Matz

Professor Missa Matz, age 28 (muggle years), is the Head of House for the brave Gryffindors. She lives in Arizona. Prof. Missa is married to Seven Ashitaka. She also has a Grey cat named Flobber, who Zenix calls a beast because he's so big.

About you?

1. When did you join HOL?
July of 2001, way back in the day.

2. What positions (prefect, deputy Head of House, Professor, etc.) have you been?
I'd have to go with all of the above and then some. I was a prefect then promoted to prefect in charge for Gryffindor. I was an HOL head girl, quidditch captain.... I just did a lot of stuff in my seven years.

3. Were you (are you) involved in any clubs or teams?
I ran the quidditch team for seven years, and am still playing now but not captaining. The same thing goes for Paw Print, the house paper. I'm still part of it, but no longer running it. And a few years ago I was part of the HOL Anime Alliance, which is no longer in existence.

Parents and Childhood

Parents: Don't like my mom, adore my stepdad.
Parents' Jobs: Both my parents work in the medical field.
Parents' Blood status: Half.
Your blood status(muggle-born, half-blood, pure-blood, other): Half.
What was your childhood like: Boring.

Fun Facts

1. What are your interests/hobbies?
Outside of HOL my interests probably include anime, Japanese dramas and reading.

2. Favorite food
This is a toss up between steak and gyoza. I'd probably have to go with gyoza.

3. Favorite color
Purple has always been my favorite color.

4. Favorite Book
This tends to change from time to time, depending on what catches my interest. Currently I would have to go with World War Z.

5. Favorite movies
I'd have to say Fight Club and Snatch.

6. Other interesting facts about you?
I'm married to Seven Ashitaka — a post grad — and we have a bratty 6 year old name Aya.

HOL General

1. Anything you would like the readers to know about you?
I'm very blunt and I tend to be sarcastic, so it's usually best to not take anything harsh too seriously.

2. What do you like most about being part of HOL?
I joined HOL a long time ago, back when it first started, and the best thing for me during that time was earning points and hanging out with my friends. I have a love/hate relationship with IRC because of this.

3. Who has helped you most in your time at HOL?
Most definitely the former HoH, Prof. Hatshepsut Nahyan. We've always had a good relationship (except for those few years we argued about everything) and she still helps me with things I don't understand... like when the arcade breaks.

4. Where did you spend most of you free time?
Most definitely the quidditch field.

5.Do you have a favorite memory?
The very first HOL Challenge. That was a lot of fun.

As a student and a professor

1. What was your favorite subject at Hogwarts or HOL?
History of Magic.

2. What made you want to be a Professor?
I didn't have much of a choice? I was already teaching classes, so it seemed the next logical step since Hat wanted me to be her Deputy Head of House.

About Being Head of House for Gryffindor

1. Why did you decide to be Head of House?
When Hat left she asked me to, since I was DHoH and the most active professor in the house at that time, and I had the most interaction with the current staff.

2. What is your favorite thing about being Head of Gryffindor House?
I would say that I get to boss my staff around, but I was doing that long before I was Head of House. So I'll have to go with the interaction I get to have with my staff, as they usually listen to me.

About Harry Potter and Other Questions

1. Who is you favorite Harry Potter Character? Least favorite? Why?
I really don't have a favorite, so that answer is kinda shot. The least favorite is Dumbledore because he's a manipulative old man.

2. If you weren't a Gryffindor what house would you have chosen to be in?
Slytherin, because quite honestly it is the second most appealing house to me.

3. What is your view on Muggle-borns?
Don't have a view really. People are people regardless of blood.

4. What is your view on House-elves?
Being completely politically incorrect I'd have to say free slavery.

5. What is your view on Half-breeds?
See view on muggle borns.

Thank you, Prof. Missa Matz.