Sophomore Dana Zschau restarted the Harry Potter Club after its sponsor, science teacher Magdelena Molledo, left West Shore in 2020.

Zschau and junior Natalie Garden were previously both members of the club which made crafts inspired by the books.

“I remember making the Monster Book of Monsters,” Garden said. “Dana would often bring sweets too.”

Zschau also shared fond memories.

“I remember having such a great time,” Zschau said, “always anticipating the next meeting.”

When Molledo left to teach at Satellite High School, the Harry Potter Club disbanded. This year, Zschau decided to bring it back after realizing that there are still Harry Potter fans on campus.

“I had the ability to start a club,” she said, “and no one was starting up the club again which I was like okay, I guess I’ll do it because it is really fun.”

The Harry Potter Club had its first meeting on Oct. 12, in English teacher, Tamara Reis’s room. Zschau, the club’s president, led the meeting. Vice President Garden noted a few differences between this iteration of the club and the one Molledo sponsored

“Both Mrs. Reis and Mrs. Molledo are huge Harry Potter fans,” she said. “The only difference really is the teacher and audience, as this year’s audience is a lot bigger than Molledo’s club.”

On Nov. 2, the club held a Sorting Ceremony, an initial event that sorts members into one of the four main  Hogwartz houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. Hogwartz is the fictional school in the Harry Potter series in which wizards and witches attend to learn about magic.

“I’m really excited about it,” Zschau said. “The highlight of the Harry Potter club is the Sorting Ceremony.”

By Jadyn Milo