The Daily Diviner - Issue 127

TABLE OF​	CONTENTS​
Feature​	January Maps and Minigames​
Editorial​	The Dueling Dilemma​
Server Spotlight​	Date Debacle: Valentine’s Date Locations to Avoid​
Lifestyle​	Magical Lovesick Sweets​

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January Maps and Minigames
Feature
Written by Silquer
Edited by snotflower
​

Hello, my dear readers, and welcome back to the Daily Diviner! The January map rotations are out, and there are a lot of returning maps to enjoy. From Flying to 1v1 Arena, there is a little something for everyone. To celebrate the start of a new year of minigame maps, I will recount some of my minigame adventures and the merits of the maps I played on!

Flying is one of the most popular minigames on Potterworld. Fast-paced racing is an exhilarating pastime for many players, and the maps for January are likely familiar! Interwizard Tournament, Hogsend, and Mythical Creatures are some popular returning maps. There is nothing quite like practicing a Flying course until you can execute each turn perfectly, and these familiar maps give me a nostalgic feeling.

My first few rounds were warmups, which is what I will say to conserve my pride. By my third game, however, I was, if not winning, at least not slamming into the rings. I played on the beautiful skies of Pegasus Flight, another of the returning maps. We flew through marble hoops, over water, and through the mountains to complete the course. I did not win, but finished with a respectable third, not far behind first and second.

Melting Floor is my favorite minigame on Potterworld. Although I always fall prey to server lag (and certainly not my own lack of skill), watching beautiful builds fly by is worth losing almost every time! School Library, Grimlotts Vaults, and The Ministry are maps making their triumphant return for this rotation.

With my partner in crime autumnngrace, who joined me when I needed an extra player, I was able to play on the returning Greenhouses map, which features some pretty views even while the world is falling around me. It is hard to feel bad about being on the last floor when surrounded by bright greenhouse walls and green plants.

The final minigame I played was Hide and Seek, and the highlight of this minigame is the wide variety of maps. Library, The Hovel, and Ireland are just some maps that have returned this rotation! I was excited for this minigame and wondered which map I would be playing while I waited for players to queue.

The map loaded and revealed the vaults of Grimlotts. I began as a hider but was quickly found, being forced to exhibit my lackluster skills as a seeker. The maps are simply too elaborate; I cannot help but stop and enjoy the views! Although I failed miserably as a seeker and was thwarted by a pesky hider (who knows who they are), I learned about some new hiding spots. Rest assured, next time I play, I will not be found!

I hope my retelling of my matches inspires you to go online, and I recommend you play these maps for yourself and re-familiarize yourself with them! The best way to play is to get together with some friends (like I did) so you can avoid relying on queue times. Happy gaming!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

The Dueling Dilemma
Editorial
Written by snotflower
Edited by Silquer
​

Welcome back to the Daily Diviner! With the school year back in full swing, students take a plethora of classes to prepare them for their future adulthood. One of these is Dueling class, which is quite the exciting experience, with students battling each other to emerge victorious. However, hearing about such escapades has led me—as well as many parents—to wonder, is dueling too dangerous for the youths of Hogsworth? As a reporter for this wizarding world-renowned publication, I have taken it upon myself to attend a Dueling class to see what exactly it entails. If this has piqued your interest, read on, dear reader!

For those against this perilous class, the reasons may seem obvious. Injuries are aplenty in day-to-day activities already—from broom accidents to potion mishaps, there is never a lack of students in the Hospital Wing. To some pacifists, the mere act of dueling may seem too violent, which is never ideal to encourage in impressionable youth. Might it inspire bullies, who take the competition too seriously?

Despite these concerns, however, it is also important to mention the benefits of Dueling classes. The wizarding world can be quite dangerous with perils lurking around every corner. From magical creatures to criminal wizards, knowing how to defend oneself is crucial in these times. Allowing students to practice in a safe, low-stakes environment may prove more beneficial than not, as it means they can hone their skills without real worry.

With these pros and cons in mind, I decided the only way to make a true judgement was to see a Dueling class for myself! After some pestering of the Hogsworth staff, they agreed to let me attend and see just what this contentious class really entailed.

The gamemode was Hunger Games, which is a chaotic free-for-all as students fight to be the last one standing. Despite its inherently terrifying nature, I must admit I found it exhilarating! Though my dueling skills left much to be desired, it gave me a chance to utilize spells I typically never use. And though I was quickly eliminated, I found that I was healed as soon as I had left the class, just as healthy as I was prior.

Before returning to London, I chatted with the Professor and a few students about their own opinions of the class. The mood was lighthearted despite the intense battles that had just occurred, and there was no resentment even amongst those who had lost.

Kazwa, the Professor, was eager to explain his own enjoyment of the class: “It is a great way to teach new students how to duel, which has a lot of benefits for both duels and real life experiences!”

Amongst the students, sentiment was similar. “Personally, I love attending Dueling classes! I think it's good for us students to know how to defend ourselves, or even just to enjoy some friendly competition,” said leighh, who had put on an impressive performance, even winning the Hunger Games!

Past the practical benefits of the class, it also provides lasting memories for those that attend. “I've been going to Dueling class since my first year at the school, and I have always loved it,” said kingf0s7. “Over the years, I've had three professors who've helped me develop my skills: Rhizio, Kittt, and Cleck. I can't thank them enough for all the fun memories.”

I was also impressed to see that the class could keep the rest of Hogsworth more peaceful. “Dueling is a universal language,” said SnowyKitty. “It helps keep grudges out of the Griffin Common Room!”

Seeing how much the professor and students enjoy the class, it is clear to me the benefits outweigh any potential negatives. Though there is always the possibility of danger, providing students with a fun and safe way to harness their growing magic is just as important. After all, it is no secret that the wizarding world is rife with its own peril! Thank you to those that gave their opinions, and thank you for reading. Have a magical day!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

Date Debacle: Valentine’s Date Locations to Avoid
Server Spotlight
Written by yakko__
Edited by LMNJ
​

Valentine’s season is finally upon us, Daily Diviner readers, which means celebrating and spending time with our loved ones! Planning a special outing, whether it be for your partner, friends, or family, is always a great way to show them that you care. Unfortunately, picking the wrong location can also be a very easy way to ruin a Valentine’s celebration. This article details some of the worst Valentine’s date locations available to help illustrate where to avoid.

Some people want to impress their date by showing off their skills and strength in combat. Defeating the feared manticore would be a perfect way to do that, some might think. Do not be one of those people. Losing a fight to a manticore is not impressive, and dying violently in front of your date is considered to be a faux pas.

A thrift-shopping date and a visit to a nice restaurant make for a fun outing, as long as it is done anywhere but Shade Alley. Buying items from the shops there is practically asking to get cursed! Not to mention the ambiance is abysmal, the pickpockets plenty, and—worst of all—there are no good food options.

Riddleyard Graveyard sucks as a date location—literally, because it is full of vampires. Taking someone to a cluster of vampires is unnecessarily dangerous. As with the manticore den, a date that ends with one or more of the people on it dead is a failed date. If you and your partner are vampires, this is still a bad location, as it is boring and crowded, which is only slightly better than being deadly.

Finally, do not go on Valentine’s outings to haunted locations. This may seem difficult as the magical world is full of ghosts, and the idea of ghost hunting might sound fun, but avoid this at all costs. A ghost can be harmless but off-putting and counterintuitive to the Valentine’s atmosphere. Most obviously, the building the ghost is in is probably dilapidated and unsafe. Do not get sent to Merlin's Magical Hospital for tetanus.

With these terrible locations in mind, planning a wonderful Valentine’s outing should be a walk in the park! If the location you have picked is not on this list but you are unsure if it is acceptable, simply ask yourself the following questions: is this location equivalent to or worse than dying to a manticore, getting cursed on an empty stomach, being murdered in a graveyard, or getting tetanus? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, the location is bad, and you should leave the date planning to someone else. Still, no matter who plans your outing, good luck, and here’s hoping it turns out spectacular!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

Magical Lovesick Sweets
Lifestyle
Written by Calliequeen
Edited by littledead
Lore by MelonFoxy, jisunize, myriadofanger, tqrpiar
​

Long time no see, readers! Welcome back to another Lifestyle edition for the Daily Diviner. Love is in the air, and there is no better way to celebrate than indulging in the iconic Valentine’s combo. Whenever I think of Valentine’s Day, I always think of chocolate-covered strawberries. There is a story of strawberries symbolizing love that dates back to ancient Rome. The strawberry, shaped like a heart and bright red, was associated with Venus, the goddess of love. This combination of rich chocolate and the natural sweetness of strawberries made it an instant classic for romantic occasions. Here are a few straw-choco recipes with a magical twist!

Cookie Crumbl is a beloved dessert created in 1989. Each cookie has a soft center, and depending on the consumer's intentions, it has a different effect. As suggested by the name, Cookie Crumbl is known to fall apart in the hands of someone with bad intent. However, should they have good intentions, the cookie can provide them with extra toppings, bigger cookies, and whatever else they desire. This one’s involved, so let’s dive into a Valentine’s version of these irresistible cookies. First, we will start with the ingredients. This recipe involves three separate parts- the cookie, the strawberry frosting, and the chocolate ganache.

For the cookie, you will need;

• 1/2 cup (113g) salted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cup (300g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup (52g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 oz freeze-dried strawberries, roughly chopped

For the strawberry frosting, you will need;

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick/56g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• tiny pinch of fine sea salt
• 1-2 Tbsp strawberry reduction
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp freeze-dried strawberries

And for the chocolate ganache, you will need;

• 2/3 cup (4 oz) dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (4 oz) heavy whipping cream.

For the chocolate cookies, you will want to start by preheating the oven to 350 F and line a large cookie sheet. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter with the sugar and egg. Whisk aggressively for 2-3 minutes until it lightens in color. Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, and use a rubber spatula to fold the dough until the flour is almost combined. Add the chopped strawberries and fold until all the flour is combined and the strawberries are evenly distributed. Scoop the dough into 14 round balls with a 2-ounce cookie scoop. Roll them so they are smooth, then place five per pan. Bake for 12 minutes and allow them to cool to room temperature.

For the chocolate ganache, place the chocolate chips in a small bowl and set aside. Place the cream in a small pot over medium-low heat and gently heat until it is simmering. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and cover with a lid or towel. Let it rest for a few minutes, then mix until smooth. Allow the ganache to cool for 10-20 minutes while you make the frosting.

Finally, the strawberry frosting. From here, you will place the butter in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and use the whisk attachment at full speed to beat until it is pale and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat at low speed until it comes together. Then, increase the speed to medium-high, beating for a few minutes until the sugar is combined and dissolved. Add the strawberry reduction and powdered freeze-dried strawberries and beat until well combined. Spread on top of the cookies. Freeze the cookies with the strawberry frosting for a few minutes before topping with the chocolate ganache. Spoon the cooled, but still runny, chocolate ganache on top of the chilled frosting and top with some sea salt flakes and freeze-dried strawberry chunks on top. All that is left is to serve and enjoy!

The next magical recipe is one of Monsieur Mercier’s favorite treats. Monsieur Mercier’s Macarons is a bakery and cafe that originated in Versailles, France. After becoming popular in France, they moved to open locations worldwide. Two of the closest locations to Hogsworth are in London and Griffin’s Hollow.

To make the shell for the macaron, you will need;

• 90 grams egg whites
• 90 grams of granulated sugar
• 95 grams of powdered sugar
• 95 grams of almond flour
• Pink gel food coloring, optional

And for the buttercream filling, you will need;

• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips, melted and cooled
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam

For the shell, start by heating a small saucepan of water over medium heat. Once the water is simmering, add the egg whites and granulated sugar to a heatproof bowl and set it over the water. Whisk the egg whites and sugar together until the sugar has fully dissolved - about 3 minutes. Then, transfer the mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Make sure not to get any water into the egg-white mixture when you transfer it. Beat the egg white mixture on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until the meringue holds a soft peak. Add a few drops of pink gel food coloring to the meringue and continue mixing until stiff peaks form (1-2 minutes).

Next, sift the powdered sugar and almond flour into the bowl and fold them gently into the meringue. Make sure to fold gently so the egg whites do not deflate. Fold just until the meringue flows smoothly off the spatula without breaking. Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe 1" macarons onto a parchment or silpat-lined baking sheet. Once you have finished piping the first tray, hold it a few inches off the counter and drop it straight down to release any air bubbles. Repeat until any large bubbles have popped.

Repeat steps 7-8 with the second tray of macarons. Set the macarons aside to rest for 20-30 minutes or until a skin has formed. You should be able to tap them gently without the meringue sticking to your finger. While the macarons rest, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the macarons one tray at a time for 14 minutes, turning the tray halfway through baking. Allow the macarons to cool completely on the pan before assembling.

For the filling, add the softened butter and melted chocolate to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until the butter is light and fluffy - about 30 seconds. Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add the powdered sugar. Once the powdered sugar is incorporated, turn the mixer to medium-high speed. Beat until the buttercream becomes light and fluffy - about 1 minute. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with your choice of tip.

Next is the fun part- the assembly! Place the macaron shells in similar-sized pairs. Pipe a small ring of buttercream onto the flat side of one macaron and fill the center with strawberry jam (about 1/2 teaspoon). Place another macaron shell on top and press down gently until the chocolate buttercream reaches the edges. Repeat with the remaining macarons. Place the filled macarons in an airtight container and rest them in the fridge overnight. Bring to room temperature and enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed these yummy recipes. Let us know if you tried either of them! Thanks again for reading this issue of the Daily Diviner, and I hope you all had a lovely Valentine’s Day!