Freshers' Guide

“So… what do you do?”

This is the age-old question every committee member has had to field, since the dawn of time. The answer is really quite simple; a lot. Surprisingly, perhaps. Yes, even though the books are over, there is still much to do (other than rip the films to shreds)!

At your first meeting you’ll get put into your houses by the Sorting Hat. No, really, you will. It’s magic and mystical and we worship it. It will tell to which house you will belong for the rest of the year (or, indeed, your entire university career, should you come to love us that much – and why wouldn’t you?!); Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. It is with these lovely people (some of whom will be returning members, others simply a part of the furniture by this point) that you will compete for the House Cup. That most revered of prizes.

“How do we get said cup?”, I hear you cry. Well, by acquiring points of course! These can be gained throughout the year, via various means; quizzes, debates, activity-centred pub crawls etc…  Intermittently there will also be other treats, usually of the chocolate-y edible variety. Nom nom nom. Being Harry Potter fans, we never let Halloween go by without some form of celebration and plotting is already in place for our fourth Yule Ball (venue and date to be announced). And, as is customary in fandom, we also like to occasionally delve into the territory of fan works; both fiction and art (yes, stick men do count!).

As a bonus, this year we’re also launching our version of The Triwizard Tournament (cue ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’). Details are sketchy at the moment, but this too will involve inter-house competition. You’ll need all the wit, brain-power and jazz hands you can lay your wizard-y fingers on, for this one!

So what are you waiting for? Give us your money and let us entertain you! For 2009/10, the membership fee is just £4 for the whole year – bargain.