alt_sally_anne | This autumn so far

This autumn so far

I realised the other day I've hardly written in my journal this year. It's because I've been so busy, of course. But I thought I should set down what I've been up to, because I quite like looking back at old entries.

I'm taking all my required courses this year plus Ancient Runes, Dark Arts, and Care of Magical Creatures. There've been a number of changes, though, because the teachers got a bit moved around after Mr Professor Carrow left. Miss Professor Carrow still teaches Dark Arts, of course, but Professor Brutka (who used to teach Creatures) is teaching Transfiguration, and Professor Grubbly-Plank (who is Susan Bones' aunt, I think!) is teaching Care of Magical Creatures.

I already liked Professor Brutka. He's a foreigner who moved here a few years ago -- I think Draco met him on his trip to France. His English is quite good, though (thank goodness, I had no idea until all the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students came here just how difficult it could be to understand a heavy accent!) Anyway, I thought I'd miss having him teaching Creatures but I quite like having him teaching Transfiguration and I like Professor Grubbly-Plank quite a lot and she's also an excellent teacher.

I like Ancient Runes in part because we've gotten into quite a bit of historical information. And history really is interesting, when it's not Binns teaching it. Learning about how ancient wizards lived and the earliest developments in magic is really quite interesting, and runes sometimes come in handy even now. (For instance, there's a rune against losing things that I tried inscribing on my book bag and I don't think it's just my imagination that I've had an easier time keeping track of my quills.)

Getting to know students from the other wizarding schools has also been quite interesting. The Durmstrang students are staying in Slytherin, so our common room has been quite full in the evenings. I played some cards with one of the young men from Beauxbatons, Justin Finch-Fletchley -- no language barrier there, fortunately!

The First Task for the Triwizard Tournament was over the weekend. Each of the challengers had to steal an egg out of a dragon's nest. I knew the tasks would be difficult but I didn't know they would be quite so dangerous. Harry was brilliant! The others, well, everyone got their egg but I thought Harry's way was the most impressive (he used his broom. BRILLIANTLY.) I can't wait to see the second task! (Though I imagine the challengers are glad enough for the gap between tasks, to prepare.)

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My parents can read these. I really ought to write in my diary more often -- publicly, I mean -- but it really has been busy. And my parents can read these, but so can all sorts of people I can't stand (or who scare me to pieces).

Yeah. You're loads better at writing stuff like this that's safe for anyone to read.

Grubbly-Plank is good, isn't she? I thought it was going to be naff to have a witch teaching Creatures because I figured we wouldn't get to study anything very big or interesting, but Fire-crabs are wiznift and dangerous, too! And it was great how she talked about the difference between crabs' fire and dragons'. Awesome, yeah?

Gotta say, though, I'm thinking I should have dropped Runes. I mean, it's all right, but I don't really see why I need to know this stuff. I thought there'd be more useful ones for protection or for getting back at people or whatever. I mean, after we used that insect Rune on Patil, I thought Runes would be ace. Guess I'm not as interested in that sort of history: how they used Runes for planting and harvesting and attracting mammoths and whatever. Doesn't seem very, I dunno, connected to stuff that's useful to me.

You figured a witch teaching Creatures wouldn't want to study anything big or interesting? There are witches who work at the Dragon Preserve with Charlie, he mentioned that when he spoke to YPL!

I don't know why you don't like Runes. There are all sorts of interesting applications, even for the stuff like repelling mammoths. The most interesting part for me is thinking of ways people without wands could use them. I wonder if people in the mudblood camps pass information about runes around? I mean obviously you can't use a big obvious one but for simple things, I tried the healing one when I had a headache last week just by tracing it on my forehead and it worked. It wouldn't do much if you'd had a limb hacked off but it worked well for headache.

Well, yeah. I dunno. I should've figured you'd get all cross if I told you that.

Was it for repelling mammoths? I thought it was attracting, so they could hunt them. Huh. Guess I got that wrong in my essay, then. Probably got most of it wrong.

I got really good marks on my essay for Brutka, though. And I didn't even ask Bundy to look it over. She's not better than me at Transfig, but she always tells me when I say stuff wrong.

So I heard the Durmstrang side were cross about something they said the dragon handlers did with Krum's Fireball. Have you heard them talking about it? Oh. And did you see their Headmaster up in the stands with the Malfoys and all the school governors and Ministry people? During the task. Looked like he was chatting up Mrs Malfoy. Wonder if that'll turn up in the gossip mags?

It was jolly fun to play cards, Perks. Thanks again for inviting me, Weasley.

I say, I rather think I've picked up more than a word or two of German, with all the Durmstang students but they do seem a rather serious lot, don't they, what?

Have you been working with Hydra on languages, then? Only I know she and her cousin got hold of a German book at the start of term and I believe you two get on, what?

Those dragons, though - now that I see what sorts of surprises they have in store for the champions, I'm well content to sit on the sidelines and watch, eh! I say, it's bally well for the older ones but I'm well impressed with Marvolo--well, everyone is, of course, coming up with his broom like that--and when Krum didn't even consider it.

Perks, have you someone to walk down to Hogsmeade at the weekend? Only I thought it might be jolly to go with someone who's been before. JP wants to come as well, so you needn't think I'm asking you out, or anything. Well, that is to say--not that one wouldn't. Ask you, I mean. If one wanted to do.

Oh, bother. I've muffed it, haven't I? Well. It's all right if you don't want a couple of foreigners tagging along, I quite understand.

I've probably heard them talking about it but I can't understand a word of German so I wouldn't know unless they were talking to the Slytherins about it and I don't think they have been, since they don't want people to be cross or think they were saying something bad about Harry.

I didn't notice their Headmaster during the tasks, I was much more interested in the dragons!

Oh and there were two charms, one for attracting animals you want to hunt, one for repelling animals that might cause problems, and mammoths would be both, wouldn't you think? I'm sure your essay was fine, at least if you remembered to mention the cave paintings, did you remember to mention the cave paintings? She went on about them for most of an entire class last week.

Well normally I walk to Hogsmeade with Pansy but you'd certainly be welcome to join us. JP too. Hogsmeade is brilliant, you'll love it.

As far as languages go let me think, what have I learnt to say in German? 'Drachen,' I figured that one out over the weekend. Also 'besen.' Oh and 'hexenmeister,' I quite like that one, it sounds like 'master of hexes' which sounds pretty sorcerous.

I may just be bad at languages. Maybe I should see if Hydra would let me have a look at her book.

I really like runes and dark arts, too. I'm trying to like arithmancy but it's hard to like something that keeps you up late at night.

I still think that some people might feel that it was a bit cruel to taunt the dragons by raiding their nests, but I suppose if the people who keep the dragons said it was okay, then it must be.

From,
Hydra

No, quite right, it's too bad that Krum's method caused the dragon to trample some of the eggs. Aside from the harm to the poor creatures, they're quite valuable, aren't they?

I don't think that was on, rather, since he lost points for it. Though one would think the handlers might have taken that possibility into account, what?

I say, have they told you about the holidays yet? What's planned for those of us who are staying? P Froissart said it was going to be bally marvellous but he wouldn't say just what's to happen.

-Justin

Arithmancy is hard. I looked at Jeremy Stretton's old arithmancy books over the summer, and I thought that with a lot of patience I could probably understand it but in general I'm happy with the classes I signed up for.

Some of the eggs got trampled? I didn't see that. ~~I was trying not to look~~ They are worth a rather lot and yes, the handlers might have thought to put some kind of spell on them so that they would be protected. But maybe you can't do that with dragon's eggs.

I haven't been told much, but there will probably be a feast, because there was for those of us who stayed last year. It's nice to be in the castle at Christmas. I didn't mind it. Maybe I'll see if I can stay here instead of going home this year, too.

From,
Hydra

~~You're lucky~~ Yes, it's a very intellectual subject.

From,
Hydra

Do you think that Justin might fancy you? He asked you to walk to Hogsmeade which seems something a boy would do if he fancied a girl. But then he said that you needn't think he was asking you out, which I guess means he wasn't.

What a strange way to act. Maybe he's trying to avoid some of those other Beauxbatons boys. I don't think they much like him.

From,
Hydra

I wish you'd been able to take Creatures. You'd love that class.

I know. Me too.

From,
Hydra

When he asked I wondered if maybe he did? I'm not sure if I fancy HIM mind you but it's rather nice to think maybe someone fancies me. At least if he's polite about it, asking me to walk to Hogsmeade with him and not ~~grabbing~~ being a rude git.

But he might just be trying to avoid some of his classmates. Or maybe he thinks if he DID ask me on a proper date people would tease and he doesn't like being teased.

Oh, dash it--I haven't upset you or anything, have I? I know you're quite an animal lover.

What is Christmas like here? I've never stayed at school over holidays. My mother always wants me home. That's not possible this year, of course.

I don't know, if someone fancied you and you didn't fancy them back it might be awkward, too. How could you let them know without hurting their feelings?

I think JP is the only classmate he is friends with, that I've noticed, anyway. Anyway, I suppose you will find out if he meant it as a date or not when you walk to Hogsmeade with him.

From,
Hydra

I suppose you're right. But maybe if they fancied me I would START fancying them?

I hadn't realised he had so few friends at his school. I wonder if they don't like him because he's English?

I do like animals, but I'm not upset.

The castle feels quieter, and larger, and you can really explore it if you want. And since it's Christmas it feels cheery and cosy because they put up decorations and play music, and all the fireplaces have great roaring fires. Sometimes you end up talking to people you normally wouldn't, too, because there are much fewer people than usual.

From,
Hydra

Maybe? I don't know, no one's ever fancied me before, not that I've noticed.

I'm supposed to try to make Harry fancy me, which is hard to imagine. Him fancying anyone at all, I mean.

I don't know if it's because Justin is English or not. I've seen them with him and it mostly seems as if they just know he'll never fight back, and they get a laugh out of it.

From,
Hydra

Well, surely he will eventually? Harry, I mean. He's ~~sort of like Ron~~ one of those boys who doesn't seem to really notice that some of his classmates are girls.

What are you even supposed to do? You can't MAKE someone fancy you.

I'm supposed to see to his needs. Not THOSE kind of needs, but I'm supposed to listen to him. He doesn't talk all that much, but men are supposed to need a sympathetic ear at all times.

Pretty daft, isn't it?

From,
Hydra

Everyone likes a sympathetic ear, but how are you supposed to make him talk to you instead of Draco?

I don't know if I'd call it DAFT but

If he doesn't eventually come round and decide to fancy you I hope you don't think it's YOUR fault!

Oh, well, even if it's not my fault it will still be MY fault, if that makes sense. Other people will say that it is my fault.

I don't even know if I fancy him, which makes it hard to make myself try. I like him a lot as a friend, though.

From,
Hydra

That would make it harder.

He is a very nice person and a good friend, at least. It would probably be worse if you were supposed to make someone horrid fancy you.

Yes, I know. I really wouldn't mind listening to him, too, if he wanted a sympathetic ear.

From,
Hydra

'Hexenmeister,' yes, that's 'warlock,' what?

Right, well, perhaps Saturday then? We could meet in the entrance hall, I suppose. Does anyone else usually accompany you? Only that would be fine, I mean, we could all go in a group, do you see.

I know. I'm sure he knows that, too.

I wish he at least paid more attention to you. Maybe he will when he gets a little older. Some boys are late bloomers, that's what they told us in the Sisters in Witchcraft.

I wish you could tell your wretched horrible mother to get lost.

I wish you could tell Harry he doesn't deserve you if he keeps ignoring how nice to him you are, and go find yourself a boy in Hufflepuff or Gryffindor who pays attention to you and makes you happy. Someone like Neville. Or Ernie. Or even Linus Moon.

I wish you could be on the lock.

Of course it is, I just like that it sounds like what a warlock is, is a 'master of hexes.' It makes it sound like wizardry's all about the duelling.

The entrance hall is probably easiest. It's usually just me and Pansy when we set out, though sometimes we fall in with others on the way, it all depends.

I'll actually be at loose ends for part of the time in Hogsmeade, because Pansy and Draco are going for butterbeer and I think they might like to do that on their own, at least if Harry and I can take the hint and find somewhere else to be! They're meeting in Hogsmeade, though. I can show you and JP Zonko's -- Pansy doesn't much care for it (it's where all the jokes and tricks come from) and I don't usually spend my pocket money there, but you'll at least enjoy seeing it, I'm sure, and I don't mind taking you.

He's quite busy, as well, especially now with the tournament.

I think all the boys my own age are definitely late bloomers. They're getting taller but can still be so embarrassing. I suppose that's what "late bloomer" means, that you act like a child for longer than you ought.

From,
Hydra

Yes, that's the essence of it. Boys take longer to grow (at least most of them do), they take longer to act like grownups instead of little kids, they take longer to get interested in girls than girls do in boys, all of it. And some boys take a LOT longer.

Well, that's the way with German, isn't it, what? They have a funny sort of way of compounding loads of words together to make one bally long word that means just what it says.

Saturday in the entrance hall sounds smashing, see you then!

Not this year, there won't be! I'll be surprised if everyone doesn't stay!

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This autumn so far

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