Padma Patil

certainly challenging this term--but in a really good way, I think! It's been quite interesting to see everyone go a bit further in their studies. I'm sure Professor Glozeman is pushing us in ways we'd never have been exposed to with a less skilled professor in the post.

Jones, I think yours gets props for one of the funniest effects. Or perhaps it was just funny because of its victim. Not exactly a look they prize in MLE, eh, Weasley?

Don't forget, Apparation lessons start tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

I know a lot of CCF members were asking about having successfully Apparated over the summer. I asked Professor Vector. She said that the examiners are aware many of us can do it but they want us to at least go through the first lesson to make sure we've got the technique correct and haven't forgot how since then. They might be willing to let those people who are already of age test at the end of the day and apply for licences right there; everyone else will have to wait until we are legally old enough for the licence, but we might be able to get a waiver for the remainder of the lessons if we can prove we're safe.

(And no, Macmillan, the licence fee is not waived regardless of whether you Apparated at CCF or not.)

Who's going to watch Quidditch tryouts tomorrow? Chang's been talking to just about anyone who can sit a broom, wondering if they're coming out for the Ravenclaw side.

Seamus, are you trying for one of Gryffindor's Beaters? I think they're using the pitch right after we are, so if you are, I'll stay and cheer you on.

If not, it'll be back to the books for me. In fact, I might have to bring my copy of Brandt with me, we've do much reading to do.

Oh, that reminds me: F-F, you said in our revision group that you've got a different translation of the Calidus. How different is it? Bring it along to Monday's session and we'll take a look.

Is she all right?

I mean, everyone saw the owl struggling with that package and then not three minutes later she rushed out of the Great Hall? It's not hard to guess that something set her off.

Was it from her mum, or what?

Well, let her know we hope she feels better soon, all right? Whatever it was. Oh, and Dunstan says she'll share her notes from Creatures today if you like, since you're missing it as well.

except for Astronomy.

Remember, History Club begins tonight! Parkinson and I have been working on a project that I think everyone will find really interesting. We've been looking at the history of the regulation of time travel. I think, given how well this has worked out, we might ask if others don't want to research other laws, like how Animagi came to be, or the history of Parseltongue or things like that.

Anyway, so far, I like Dark Arts and Arithmancy best of the new lessons, and Potions, Defence and Transfiguration are still at the top of the regular ones. I mean, I like Charms too, and Astronomy is okay but I like the night-time part better than the lectures (and that'll be tonight).

And Ravenclaw Corner is still nift, I mean, with Sandoval and the Bobolises and the Dameses and all. Oh, and Sandoval, I don't know if your brother told you but there are a few others who've started coming by more often. Davies, for example, and Cox. And there are some newer ones, like Gray and Martinez. But mostly it's the same chums from last year. Dunstan may start coming with me sometimes, and Moon, but only when Karoline isn't there to tease him. I guess that's the bad thing about having an older sister or brother at school with one!

to look at the photographs, Sandoval. It was wizard to see you and hear about your programme. And for everything else. I know you're really busy with training, so it was doubly kind of you to let us come.

Your home is utterly nift, too. The tiles in that Arab room are gorgeous. And the fountain! It's so stupe, how the photographs hung suspended in the water like that. Parvati said it was good to see Honoria. And your father was ever so nice. It's too bad Orion didn't come say hello. But the rest was really amazing. And Parvati thought the Turkish coffee was ever so elegant.

I'm having a think about all we talked about, too. Your advice means a lot.

Has everyone else got their books yet? That DA textbook looks wicked. Practical Curses for Every Occasion? Nift. And who else is taking Arithmancy? I can't wait for that, either, because Professor Vector's really such an amazing Head of House and I've been looking forward to taking her class ever since first year.

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.

Is utterly NIFT.

Sandoval, thanks again ever so much for letting me come. And thank your brother for showing me that Charms text. It's going to be dead useful.

I can't believe Frobisher tried to join in! After what happened last term?! I thought Capper was going to slap him or something, and for a minute I worried Madam Pince was going to come over. But thank goodness he went away after that.

Oh, I hope you don't mind my asking, but is there any chance I might borrow that book you and Troy were using for your NEWT-level essay? Only we're learning about Swelling Draughts this year in Potions and I thought I'd take a look at the Shrinking and Engorgement theory as well, you know, get a jump on things.

I hope Bobolis doesn't think I'm some sort of thick dolt. I just didn't expect him to ask me so many questions ... about Haruman, I mean. I didn't know they knew each other! I suppose you all must have been firsties when Haruman was in his seventh year. I promised Bobolis - Leander, I mean, he said I could call him by his first name - I promised him I'd Owl Haruman and tell him to get back in touch.

Oh, Perks, that does sound interesting about Muggle Studies. We haven't had our lesson with Professor Carrow yet. Professor Alecto Carrow, I mean. We've had one Transfiguration lesson already.

And remember, Parvati and I have robe pets, if anyone wants them! I know they're sort of expensive - I mean, two sickles is a lot of pocket money for some people - but they really do last longer if you play with them regularly.

Why are Mondays so busy?

I know we've just come back from holiday and ought to be well-rested, but for some reason I'm ever so much more tired than usual. (It doesn't help when Professor Binns is drowning droning on about centaurs. Parvati may be horse-mad but I'm not!)

Still, Herbology was fun and kept me awake. And there's Transfiguration after lunch. Have to pay attention there! But by the time we get to Charms I'm sure I shall need a lie-down. It's so silly, but it's true.

Why is it so hard to come back from a holiday?

Also, it sounds as if several people are playing Perks's silly asa assasin AK game, but I don't know if I want to or not. It sounds like a dreadful bore to always be looking over one's shoulder, and I quite don't like the idea of my ears turning blue, even for an hour.

But Linus wants to play and Belinda said she would if I do, and even Daphne mentioned it on the train, so it doesn't seem as if they care that Perks it matters whether it's silly or not.

I just haven't decided. Lav, what do you think?