February 13, 2009

Just a few weeks after the death of Seventh-Year Slytherin Ava Grosvenor, the students at Hogwarts have put together a Valentine's Day Ball, slated to happen tomorrow night (February 14th) in an enchanted tent on the Hogwarts Grounds. Meredith Renfield, owner of Spellpunk and other popular clubs, will host the event and provide refreshments, as well as the 'Amortentia' theme. Other businesses are pitching in, like Honeydukes (sending in candy baskets), and there's talk of Eleanor St. James (photographer) and Matilda Quinn (owner of Reducto Records) making appearances to help.

According to the students who responded to our survey, the controversial group SAWS (Students Against Werewolf Segregation) formed plans for a benefit concert in late January. Plans changed due to Ava's death, and the idea evolved to include all Hogwarts clubs, in hopes that a dance would cheer up the school and enable them to set aside money for the clubs and Ava. The students heading this effort include club presidents, prefects, and highly active club members such as Sophie Flickwick, Fauna Blake, Dion Fayette, and Kit Branwell.

Currently, attendees at the dance can expect to see: a photo booth by the art club, love readings from the Divination club, Dueling club and Astronomy working as staff, and performances from the Hogwarts Players and Hogwarts Choir and Orchestra.

And it's not just students performing, but big-name bands like the Three Owl Standard and Mandrake Siren!

CREEVEY RULES!!!! - Figaro Sellaphix, Fifth-Year Hufflepuff

The Hogwarts clubs welcome and appreciate donations, and plan to use a portion of the money they receive to create a plaque and memorial for Ava. The more you send in, the more they can do!

Many of the students are optimistic about the dance and what it will do for the school:

Any event outside of classes that will physically bring students together can only be a good thing. Ms. Grosvenor's death was the greatest of tragedies and the students have felt the weight of her death, even the ones that barely knew her. A celebration of life and a memorial such as the one we are planning will be therapeutic for everyone. - Kit Branwell, Fifth-Year Gryffindor

It's important that we all find something to be happy about and try to remember her at the same time. Because Ava wasn't really... a gloomy or serious person. She was responsible, and smart, but she also had this mischievous and fun streak to her. Anyway, it makes me feel better that we have this common goal we're working towards. It's not about one club, or one idea, but about all of us and how we can make things better. - Fauna Blake, Seventh-Year Hufflepuff

A few students, however, are not so thrilled:

We're being forced to particpate in a cheesy and  fake holiday and crammed into one area? Oh look physical proximity. We must be being brought together on a spiritual level. Gag me with a spoon. - Bridget Nilson, Fifth-Year Hufflepuff

I don't really agree with combining those two concepts; we really should be remembering a student's life without muddling it with controversial and questionable politics like werewolf rights.  I'd like to contribute to Ava's memorial but I have no interest in supporting SAWS. - Sasha Schlagenweit, Fifth-Year Ravenclaw

Some students share their thoughts about Ava's death:

It was as sad as it was mysterious. We can only hope her murderers are brought to justice, that she is not forgotten, and this dreadful event does not see a repeat. - Dion Fayette, Seventh-Year Hufflepuff

It sucks. It sucks waking up in the morning and knowing that just a few doors away there's an empty bed that'll stay empty the rest of the year. It sucks that there's always gonna be one less seat filled in class. It sucks for her family and close friends. I wasn't a best mate, but I was in her house and her year. I knew the girl six and a half years and she's gone. - Fir Cuween, Seventh-Year Slytherin

Parting words to live by:

I think it’s really important that people see and understand that we as a generation have a voice, and it is a really powerful thing when we all pull together. So often people are quick to dismiss teenagers because we’re young and we “can’t possibly understand” the world around us. It’s not true, we understand so much more than people give us credit for - and that is why we’re trying to make a difference. Love and kindness will always triumph over hate and fear in the end. We know that, that’s why we’re trying to make a difference. - Sophie Flickwick, Fifth-Year Gryffindor