BERN HOUSE

Prima Ernst Uno Bern

The founder of Bern House was well known, in part because he had the gift of being a "gravity twister"; it was also rumoured they he had born of the earth itself.  In other words, Prima was a "child of the earth' and this fact enabled him to become a gravity twister.  It was also said that when born, he clutched in his right hand an emerald eagle carved from jade. This mythical creature was believed to magnify one's "internal powers."   

As a young man, Bern decided to explore the mysterious land known the San Andreas Fault in what is today California. This is like due to the fact that the young man was forever drawn toward the core of the planet. Primo somehow knew that there was a rift  here that released small doses of the inner earth's inner power through this "tear."

On one occasion, though, Prima lost concentration - forgetting the connection to the planet. This slip caused a 7.3 magnitude earthquake felt for hundreds of miles in every compass direction! Though at the epicentre of the quake, Prima survived though the beloved emerald eagle he always wore around his neck as an amulet was smashed apart.  Only the portion that contained the right claw remained in its recognisable form. Alas and alack, the bird's destruction somehow caused Prima to lose many of his powers. Fortunately, his ability to interact with and draw power from the "rumbles" entombed inside the planet remained.

Many seasons passed, until Bern helped in establishing Westford Hogwarts School of Math, Science and Social Studies. Not surprisingly, he also formed Bern House.  Bern used his powers to capture the first-known House Cup Championship.  The legend that the now shattered emerald claw formed part of a staff that Primo always carried in his right hand. It is assumed that this was to enable the use of his wand with his left hand. And it is this staff and "claw" emerald crystal at its point which gave its wielder the power of gravity twisting. 

A much older Bern was often seen walking the nature trails of the school, especially the high, rocky outcroppings.  In his century year (100) students had presented their patron with a pet badger named Sandhurst. On one of these many walks into the rocky portions of the trails, it is believed that the old man hid the famous staff and claw under a large rocky hill on the trails.  Some believe that the claw has been seen shining on the evening when the school's haunted forest celebration takes place.  This, combined with his experiences in California, have resulted in Bernese house members being known as "shakers" though sometimes their skill as engineers and the name "movers" is an alternate moniker.

Bern House champions won the House Cup Challenge in 2012.  Their house colours are forest (russet) red, yellow, and black.  Their mascot is the bear (or bruin.)It is believed that the bear guards the rock outcrop under which the staff and stone lie undisturbed.  Some of the characteristics of Bern House members are protective of others, persistent workers, able to work with a variety of learning styles, serious when necessary and an ability to manage emotions.