Padma Patil

Look, I know you think I did something a while back to hurt you, or embarrass you or something, but in spite of that, you have to know, I'm sorry about Daphs. I know you never really loved anyone else, or as much, as her.

Did Haruman help? I was afraid you'd hit your head but he said it would be okay.

I'm really sorry. About Crouch, about--all of it.

You've certainly floored the entire school--maybe even the entire Protectorate! Congratulations to you and Ms Novello on what is sure to be the scoop of the year.

Imagine, to find out that you're really the daughter of Professor Lestrange. I'm sure it was quite a revelation for all of you, including you, Professor Sinistra. I hope Daphs is quite accurate when she said that all of you will 'adjust gracefully to the new reality.' Really, Daphs, such a skillful turn of phrase. Almost like you rehearsed it. Only someone like you could turn this sort of situation into an opportunity for the spotlight. Well done!

I can't tell you how much I wish the best for you all. It's sure to be a festive Christmas at yours!

Well, I think that went really well, don't you?

Except, why did Remy Jugson rush out after he'd just been saying how excited he was about the whole business?

Odd, wasn't it?

Well, anyway, at least we've got a rough idea of who's interested in doing what.

When do you think your Mr Krumgold will come up to look over the music selections? Only because we ought to have Lines put together the background information on the numbers before then.

Has anyone in Slytherin heard more about Ireland? I think things are settling down but Seamus is still walking on dragon eggshells.

Daphs and I have been talking more about her musical idea. Lines, do you think Karo would be willing to help a bit, even if she is planning her wedding and all?

And Pav, Daphs asked if you'd speak to Madam Hooch about backing us up if she goes to Madam Umbridge about making it part of the YPL's activity for the year. Like the play only Madam Umbridge wouldn't have to lift her wand about it. I told her you and Lav could take care of Hooch.

Lines, I know you're excited for Saturday but we do need to think about History Club for Monday. Maybe something from the 19th Century when the conclaves of West Indian wizards took over the old Whitechapel area of New London? Or maybe you have other ideas.

(And I know you think the Omnioculars are a good idea so you'll be able to see their wandwork but honestly, we'll be indoors. You'll look like an idiot if you bring them. Seriously.)

Oh, Pav, incidentally, I checked with Gambol and Japes and they'll send us the seeds and candles and everything for Navratri next week. Gupta says he's got a few idols his parents sent with him, too. Rohani says she'll arrange for the space to be kept clear for the week, so we can leave it set up and don't have to clear it every night.

Well, Pav was there so she already knows, but this way we can all talk about it.

Lav, you will never guess what happened today at Daph's dance party.

Well, you'll guess some of it. Daphne's clearly absolutely, utterly moony over that dancing instructor of hers. And he's quite dashing, it's true. But he's far too old for her, honestly. If he's actually interested back then I'll be shocked if they don't wind up in trouble about it! Really after Bole she ought to know better.

And Perks showed up with Jeremy Stretton, of all people. And he was much clumsier on land than he is on a broom.

But. That's not the interesting thing. Or maybe the terrible thing. We're still not sure what to call it.

Zabini and I danced. Twice. I had to go again to make sure because the first time--well. He's been dancing forever, you know, so he really knows how to lead. Which is such a relief--I mean, Page was utterly hopeless and the less said about Davies the better. And of course, Seamus can dance but he's not particularly masterful about it. But Zabini--well. Like I said, he just sort of--took control. And the whole time we were dancing I was just sure I was shaking! My palms got all sweaty and I was so embarrassed I could hardly talk. I just stared at him like a dunce. But that actually helped, you know, because I could almost see where he was going to turn or throw in something fancy. And then he complimented me on 'keeping up' with him!

Which I didn't like, I can tell you.

But afterward my hands felt all tingly, sort of, and the next dance was with Stretton and he was all stiff and I had to push him through the moves a bit. So later (I waited out one or two to give the other girls a turn), I asked Blaise Zabini if he wanted to give it another go. He said something like, 'Sure, why not?' and it happened again!

I dunno. He's such a complete pillock it's unbelievable. But I think if I only ever had to dance with him, that would be all right.

Who knew?

Look, don't tell anyone, will you? I don't want people to think I've gone and done something daft like fallen in love--with Zabini, of all people! It's utterly inane to even consider it.

Are you okay?

I mean, it's got to be difficult, even if--well, even if you didn't want to stay together.

Look, I just want you to know...I'm glad you've ended things. Even if it hurts for a while. We've been worried about you and you can do so much better.

And I know you've got other friends but if you want someone else to talk to, Daphs, really, I'd be willing to listen.

So who do you think wrote to that Wagstaff bloke?

Sloper or Capper?

Incidentally, I saw that you wrote to Daphs. Is she okay? She's seemed so quiet lately, and that's not like her at all.

Also, I've been meaning to say, thanks for not making me feel like a dolt for inviting you to Camelot when it was your mum's wedding. I knew it was but I thought since it was in the evening you might not have much to do beforehand. I should have known better! Anyway, even if you couldn't come, I wanted you to know that you'd have been welcome.

And I thought you really handled your mum's wedding and all of that really well. I mean, not that you'd do anything otherwise, but I saw some of the reports about it in Dish and it all looked well grand. Is Cooper nice? He seems nice. I mean, not like some terrifying stepfathers like in a novel. Really normal.

Oh, so what did you think of the mural? I thought it came out all right but there's something...I dunno, sort of common about it. I think traditional portraits are so much more elegant, don't you? But it's also sort of nift the way it sort of changes depending on whether you're looking at it when the staircase is sideways or straight on. And from the 2nd floor instead of the 1st. It's going to take some getting used to, I think.

Again!

It's always really nift to see all the cards and everyone giving each other presents. Thanks to everyone who sent something to me and I hope you all liked yours, too. I sort of love that in the middle of winter we've got an excuse to exchange tokens again, like Christmas but for everyone and even better because February really is so unending, isn't it?

It's also fun to watch everyone turning into lovebirds. It was impossible not to notice at least one or two deliveries to Slytherin table. Daphne, how did you manage that gigantic bear? I don't know if you had the heart to shrink it down into your bag!

(Summers, I don't think Midgen quite got your message, though. Could you shout at her a little louder for us at tomorrow's breakfast? At least you've saved the rest of us the trouble of thinking you might be worth our consideration.)

And Brocklehurst, word to the wise: Even if he were capable of reciprocating, really, would you want him to do? Honestly. Think about it.

Oh, and this week's Dish! has full coverage of the opening ceremonies at the Frost Faire. The pictures are amazing! Watching that bridge form over the river--I just keep staring at the photo. It must have been breathtaking in real life.

Well, if anyone wants to see, I'll have it in History Club tomorrow, too.

was that about?

Whoever she was, she was well upset, anyway.

Seamus, thanks for the subscriptions! It's so much better to have one's own copy of things like Dish! than to have to wait until other people have read theirs and left it in the common room.

Daphs, Hydra, have you seen this week's? It's got an amazing spread on the Yule Ball and the other holiday parties (including some taken from outside the Malfoys' because I guess they wouldn't let the press in this year. But there were chariot races and you could see the Abraxans over the gate, I guess). Anyway, there're pictures of you both in your robes and some of the others and quite a few of Professors Raz and Siz!

(Professors, I don't know if you're reading this but I think it's perfectly horrifying, all that stuff they're printing that isn't complimentary toward you. I hope that's not too impertinent. I mean, most of us are absolutely happy for you both and hope that things go well for you. It's just like the magazines to make it sound like it's never going to last, or like there are too many obstacles in your way. I don't think that at all! I don't know why Cassie got so jealous, kinda like that madwoman's Howler this morning to Mr Milland, but it's well not on, what she did. And I don't know anyone else who'd even think of such a thing, especially not when it's two professors like yourselves. I think it's inspiring, personally, to see two people your age find romance! And you look so well together--I mean, the pictures are utterly gorge! MUCH better than the ones in the Prophet!)

Anyway, there's loads in this week's issue. I can only imagine what they'll do about the 2nd Task--oh, by the way, Harry, have you figured it out yet? Delacour's said she thinks she knows what to do and I'd hope that Hogwarts' Champions are at least as clever as she thinks she is.

Daphne, are you feeling any better?

We've been talking at Ravenclaw Corner about those horrible claims that DogStar group made. I hope no one at Beauxbatons or Durmstrang thinks because they write that stuff that it's unsafe to come for the Tournament. Because that would just let them win and that would really be terrible, much more terrible than anything they could think of.

Anyway, it seems like only cowards would plan something like that. If it'd been a fair fight they'd never have succeeded.

Still, I'm sure that's not much of a comfort to poor Mr Crouch. And Ned Pennifold and the Malfoys - and Professor Raz, of course. Anyone who knew Auror Crouch, really. It's just so sad.

I'm glad YPL's continuing, though. Since we shan't have a Quidditch season this year, it's good there will be things to look forward to besides just Hogsmeade weekends and that.