GRYFFIN HOUSE

Dame Penelope Liburnum Gryffin

This is the story of the Founder of Gryffin House, Dame Penelope Liburnum Gryffin. She lived a long life along with her husband Albus Diogenes Porter.

It is a quirky tale - the two met at a pie-eating contest! On an Atlantic Ocean cruise, they were peering over the starboard side of the ship, observing the sunset dancing off from the waves, when, almost at the same time they saw what appeared to be a sparkling figure carrying a net filled with three baby orcas! The two passengers could hear the pitiful calls of the trapped animals. In fact, after a few seconds, they could distinctly hear human speech coming from the orcas! The trio of animals was pleading for help from Gryffin and Porter.

The figure carrying the orcas in the net was, in fact, a merman.) This burly creature of the deep appeared to be attempting to keep the orcas quiet. Owing to the water below being crystal clear, the two saw the merman dive into a cave enclosure with his catch.

Without hesitation, in dove Liburnum and Porter beside her at the rails. As quickly as they could manage, they swam to cave, freeing the orcas with slashing cuts to open the net using large oyster shell edges found next to the enclosure. It did not take much of a hole in the net to prompt the beasts to flee! As Liburnum began to return to the surface, her eye caught an emerald-coloured marine coral that seemed to have a small light emitting from its centre. The young woman snatched the animal from its stand and kicked frantically with her partner back towards the surface.

After a start like this, should not surprise one to read that Albus and Liburnum's experience led to a friendship and from there into marriage? They experimented with the illuminated coral and discovered that the smallest bit of its many appendages could cure a vast number of diseases and afflictions! Liburnum and Albus went on to become exceptional herbologists. Their reputations prompted Westford Hogwarts School to appoint them to the post of instructors.

On one occasion, Liburnum used the power of the lighted coral to transfigure into an emerald dragon on one occasion as a means of driving off a pack of 20 marauding mountain giants threatening the school. This show of heroism prompted the league of Wizards to present her with Greybeard's Golden flask, ( a much-revered antiquity) still on the grounds of the school and inscribed with her name and a brief recounting of her skirmish with the vanquished giant men.

The flask has had a transformation spell on for over a century now. This spell makes the flask appear as a common book at the Westford School Library. Just which book this might be is unknown, but generations of Westford Hogwarts students claim to hear a slight "ringing" in the library when one is alone there. Perhaps someday the spell will end, and we will see where the flask has been hiding! Just remember to treat your library book with care, knowing that it could be the very flask hidden by magic.

Gryffin House colours are emerald green and gold with black accents. Its mascot is a gryphon, a mythical creature made from a lion and an eagle.

Some of the characteristics of Gryffin House members include enthusiasm for team games, willingness to try new things (even when feeling self-conscious), a belief in self, athleticism, and a flair for poetry.