Padma Patil

I have to say that went really, really well, I thought.

Well, apart from Stretton making a fool of himself, but really, that was probably to be expected. And Moran made short work of him. I say, it was gentlemanly of Moran to toss Stretton out like that for us. Saved quite a lot of unpleasantness all round.

I thought Bobolis, Chang and Tamblyn were beyond funny. Tamblyn's impression of Mr Macnair was dead to rights. And when Bobolis cast that little illusion spell that made Black say all sorts of nonsense? Dead hilarious, that. But the best part was the bit about choosing prefects for next year. I didn't know that 'Chaser' meant something entirely different in Gaia Chambers' case! And I guess we now know that the secret to being made prefect is simply to date a current one!

Joking aside, I'm so glad Karoline gave us a taster of her panto! I knew it would be utterly nift. Draco, did she talk to you last night? I keep telling her she ought to ask you, that you're really quite good and ever so nice and you'd be up for it, but she's really quite shy about some things. I think she thought you'd bite her head off, as if even asking would be an affront. Which is nonsense, of course. It's funny, really, since she's older than we are, but there she was, not sure whether she ought to talk to you. I hope she found you?

I tried to talk to so many people last night but there was so much to do. Being a hostess is hard work! Even with Parvati to share in, and Lavender too, we didn't get nearly the time to simply enjoy things as we thought. There was always something, like needing more punch or trying to get everyone quiet to listen to the panto, or handling the queue of people who wanted a particular song played.

Oh! I almost forgot! Thanks, everyone, who brought music! It really would have been dreary without all the different styles we got to play. I never knew Erato Pucey had such a brilliant collection!

Really, it was absolutely wiz-nift, and everyone helped make it so wonderful.

which makes two in a row! And it's perfect because today Parvati and Rohani, Johns, Goshal and I are celebrating Holi after lunch. We'll be down by the lake, Goshal and Johns had this wonderful idea to use water to create all the colour sprays since there's only five of us, and then we only have to conjure the powder. (Though if anyone else wants to come, that'd be nift, it works best when there's loads of people.) Last year we also had Goshal's and Rohani's sisters, so at least we had a rainbow. So come join if you like! It's one of my favourite festivals, because by the end everyone looks like they've been hit by colourbombs.

I guess we're not likely to go home at Easter. Parvati's sort of homesick about it, but I told her that it's not so terribly bad to be stuck here. I'm sure we'll go home by summer, anyway. And I know there will be loads of things to do, besides start revising for exams. I heard someone say the professors who teach the extra courses are going to hold open houses of sorts, but that might just be a rumour. The idea I heard was to give people a taster of what their subjects will be like. But as we'll already have chosen our subjects it's rather odd to come behind with a sampling, isn't it? Perhaps if someone really gets cold feet, they could go to their head of house and change their mind, and switch to something else. I dunno. I'm quite pleased with my slate and I think it'll be quite enough to be going on with.

Anyway, I don't think it's really the thing to be homesick. I mean, look at Sandoval. She was supposed to have a really amazing party over the holidays, where she got formally introduced to everyone in society, and the Lord Protector was maybe even going to be there, and they've had to postpone that. But she's not going round all broken up about it. She's just going about her business. I mean, not that she's not disappointed, because she was very much looking forward to it, who wouldn't? But she's not moping or anything. She's concentrating on what we can do to make the best of the situation.

I've been thinking about how we can all make the best of it, and I think one thing is that we should take this as an opportunity to all get on better. There've been some childish things going on lately - like that nonsense yesterday with those silly girls trying to give redheads a kiss, honestly, who'd ever believe that it's good luck? - and with Stretton and Bole and getting their hoards confiscated, and that whole business with Archer's uncle, I guess it's been sort of rough for a lot of people. But now the weather's improving and term is nearly half over and, well, if we're going to be kept together for even longer, I think we should all get along a little better.

And I remembered that last year we had those music parties once in a while and that really seemed to help with the tension, so Parvati and I are going to host one. Saturday, after the YPL meeting and supper. Everyone's invited; I asked Professor Vector and she said we could use the really large dungeon left of the Potions corridor, as it's almost as big as the Great Hall. And we're asking for extra pudding, and of course if anyone wants to bring music to share we'll take it in turns.

I think we should each try to get to know at least one other person we've never talked to before, too. Because everyone has a different way of looking at things and different families and traditions, and part of being at school all together like this is a chance to learn about different types of people.

Thanks again for inviting us.

Do you think Parvati could spend time with your tutor? Mum and Dad are saying she can't come tomorrow because her marks were so poor and she's got to stay here to revise.

But I thought maybe if we told them that she can revise and come to the party, then they might change their minds.

What do you think? Would Mr Rosier mind?

Oh, and the robe pets will be in production before the camping trip, Mum says. I wanted to bring you one as a thank-you but they're not ready.

Dad says I could bring you some music. What do you like?

Belinda and Morag and I met Lavender and Parvati (and Daphne) at Parkinson's little music party last night. It was loads of fun, even if Parvati wished more 3rd-years had been there. And despite Moon and Finnegan making fools of themselves! (Though Malfoy was really funny, did you hear the jokes he was telling, Lav?)

Perks brought some of the Strettons' jams and all and we got a couple tastes. But Perks! I dont really believe it but Stretton came and found me in the common room tonight. He asked me what I thought of you! I couldnt tell from his questions whether he was looking forward to having a foster-sister or not, but isn't it odd? I mean from what you said he already has more then enough sibs. Anyway I didnt know what to tell him, exactly, so I just said your teribly clever and sort of pretty in a peaky sad kind of way.

We had chess this afternoon, without Moon or Nott, and then halfway through, Hopkins quit as well. He was tired of losing, I suppose, and Perks had thrashed him rather soundly and then he found out his next match was Weasley, and he just said 'oh, forget it' and stalked off. Of course I wasnt supposed to play him today but it meant MacMillan and Bones didnt have anyone to play later. Oh and Weasley of course.

Im doing alright I guess, only I dont know what I was thinking when I was playing Marvolo. I let him take my bishop two moves earlier then I planned and Im not sure how that happenned. I was so shocked when he said 'Checkmate!' I guess I was too distracted by Hopkins having a sulk like that. I didn't think Hufflepuffs were quitters.