Private Message to Seamus and Zabini

[alt_padma]

Why are so many people writing private messages to Perks lately? What, has everyone decided to pay her to do odd jobs for them?

And can you believe that Hufflepuff won despite the way Diggory was flying? Was it just me or did his broom look like it wanted to dump him out every time he tried to turn round?

Although, Samuels hasn't been back from the Hospital Wing yet, either, so I wonder if Smith didn't help that bludger along with something. Which he should know better, using magic during a match, but that's Smith for you, isn't it, always trying to play an angle. Honestly, I don't know what Diggory was thinking, letting him on the Hufflepuff side.

Has Madam Umbridge talked to either of you about her civics lessons? Because she did mention something about the first assignment to me, in passing, after exercise last time, and she asked whether I thought firsties and seconds would be bold enough to write to the right people about their questions. (Also, Seamus, she wanted to do something about Ireland for next time, maybe, and I told her to give you a warning if she could so you'd be prepared to help contribute.)

Oh, and Daphs' dance instructor's supposed to come up sometime before the next Hogsmeade weekend. I was thinking we might ask him to lead some social dancing in addition to talking about the revue. What do you think?

Comments

[alt_blaise]

She worms her way in with teachers until they feel properly sorry for her, and then, you're right: they all seem to be falling over themselves to pay her for menial tasks. Perhaps she asks for work? Demeaning. Especially for a Slytherin. Really Slughorn ought to do something about it quietly so she's not tarnishing the House.

Diggory's new broom. Now there's a laugh. He's gone and got a pre-release model, but it's a Keeper's broom. What a dolt. And you're right, it did act like it wanted to throw him off. Would have been almost as amusing as watching him lose out to Chang. Serves him right after what he did to her.

I'll have a word with Daphs about whether Mr Krumgold would consider leading us in a social dance while he's here. If he'd think it beneath him, she'd certainly want us not to bring it up, so let me see what she says.

As for the Civics lessons, it's obviously more appropriate than putting the lower years through Muggle Studies, but no, I've not had any conversations with Madam Umbridge about it. What sort of people did she think she'd have them write? Something like our letters when we applied for CCF?

[alt_padma]

Maybe you should say something to Professor Slughorn, then, because it's not just teachers, is it? Corner and Moon, too (though I could have a word with them easily enough). I mean, Corner, well, it's obvious what he's after but still.

And on the Civics, yes, it's something like that. If she hasn't talked to you maybe I shouldn't say, but she's telling them to write to someone at the Ministry or in the Wizengamot and places like that and ask them questions about how our government works. And they're all really busy people, so I think she was wondering if us older students could encourage the younger ones to write in case they're nervous about it.

[alt_seamus]

She didn't talk to me about the Civics class, but I was a bit preoccupied for days and now I'm behind in all my classes, so it's probably just as well, really.

It was awfully nice to open my journal and find a message for me waiting, rather than YET ANOTHER ONE TO PERKS. Of course, half of those are from Corner. They sat together at the match today, with a couple of firsties, looking ridiculous.

[alt_padma]

I suppose there must be something compelling about her, considering that Krum asked her to the Ball. And Professor Dolohov apparently was thinking about her in the dead of night, did you notice?

But we probably shouldn't talk too much about Slytherins where Zabini can see it. He'll probably just repeat everything we're saying.

Still, I suppose on the whole I'd rather she were in Slytherin than Ravenclaw. Then she'd be a disgrace to my House instead of theirs!

I'm sure she and Corner will be perfect for each other. The firsties were his sister and her foster-brother. So they were babysitting as well as deciding whether or not to snog.

[alt_blaise]

Surely Madam Umbridge has cleared the exercise with the people she means the students to write, so it would be ridiculous for the students to be nervous over it. Ridiculous in a first-year sort of way. A first year Hufflepuff sort of way. Can't imagine any of ours being so awkward.

I will have a word with Professor Slughorn, I think. And I agree someone ought to pull Moon aside if he's being an idiot about Perks. Honestly, I don't see the appeal. No one would say Corner's got any taste, or the upbringing to have developed any, so it stands to reason.

I do wish they'd keep it in private, though.

[alt_blaise]

You don't need to be rude, Patil. Inviting someone to converse and then being snide isn't good form in any House. Unless Ravenclaw has lower standards than I realised.

[alt_seamus]

I don't even want to think about why Professor Dolohov would have been writing to her in the middle of the night. Or if I am going to think about it, I'm going to tell myself he was doing marking and needed to send her a note to let her know what an utter dolt she was.

If you babysit on a date, you're doing it wrong. But that seems pretty typical for either Perks OR Corner.

Private message to Padma Patil

[alt_seamus]

Don't Slytherin and Ravenclaw have Dark Arts together on Fridays? Does Perks spend the entire class kissing arse?

[alt_padma]

It's good to see your sense of humour is still entirely unchanged, Zabini.

Re: Private message to Padma Patil

[alt_padma]

You mean doesn't she spend every lesson kissing arse?

Re: Private message to Padma Patil

[alt_padma]

Quick, say something 'snide' about Longbum and Weasel so Zabini will know it's not just Slytherins who are disgraceful.

[alt_blaise]

And your manners.

[alt_padma]

Oh, come on, I was only joking about you repeating things back. Well, you will if you think they're funny enough.

If it makes you feel better, you're welcome to tell us something snide that we already know about our Housemates.

Fawcett, for example. Aptly named for her waterworks nearly every night.

Longbum. Weasel. How poor Seamus has managed sharing a dorm with them for four years already is a complete mystery.

[alt_blaise]

That's the trouble with writing in these books, isn't it? It's difficult to know when someone's being entirely serious. Or not.

You're right about Finnigan. I don't know how you've put up with it, mate. And, honestly, Thomas isn't much of a prize, either. Shame you couldn't have challenged the Hat's decision. You had the worst luck of anyone in our year.

[alt_seamus]

Yeah, I think I win the 'embarrassing housemates' contest. No one in Ravenclaw or Slytherin even comes close (no, wait, Ravenclaw has Loony...)

Re: Private message to Padma Patil

[alt_seamus]

So what on earth did she want from you? Speaking of mysterious private messages!

Re: Private message to Padma Patil

[alt_padma]

Oh, apparently Lines asked her something about the hospital wing and of course she thought he was ill and needed her to save him. Dozy cow.

I told her it was probably about Samuels. You know, Lines is suddenly besties with the lot of them that get together for Noble Arts revisions. It's not surprising he's wondering if Smith played foul.