Padma Patil

On behalf of all the students, our thanks to Professor Vector and all the Professors for their indulgence this week. Many of us are personally affected by the stirring events in Ireland and many others of us wish to stand in support of our friends and schoolmates who have relations across the sea.

Hearing the Minister address the people has, I'm sure, brought us all a measure of comfort. It's certainly bolstering to know that the Council's and MLE's quick actions saved hundreds of lives and avoided countless amounts of damage. As tragic as it was, it could have been worse.

And I know all my mates and I could not be more proud of our own Professors Lestrange and Dolohov, who were there in the thick of things, defending the wizards' way of life.

We'd also like to thank Madam Pomfrey and Madam Umbridge for their sensitive and understanding care for all those students who needed extra reassurance yesterday. As Prefects, we'd also like to remind everyone that we're here to help. If anyone should require an escort to the hospital wing, or someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to seek us out.

As Madam Umbridge so perceptively said, we all have to give our whole selves to the service of Our Lord and strive in all things to bring Him as much honour as the members of His Council have done over the last few days, and in the days to come.

Are you in the hospital wing, Miss? Because we're trying to get Corner to come up to you. Only he keeps going the wrong way and bumping into the walls.

I think we're going to have to carry him.

Oh, good. Cox just came round. He can help.

Especially after seeing what Mrs Malfoy wrote last night.

Still, whoever put up that banner: well, it's a clever turn of phrase, but I think it was in horribly poor taste. And not just because it was so rude to me, even though I know that's what some people think! I just think...it's really horrid to suggest that what happened to me has anything to do with the attacks on Marvolo's enemies, or anything. Or that anyone might think I'm disloyal, because of course that's utterly daft.

Anyway, Madam Pomfrey gave me this creme stuff that I have to put on my scalp twice a day, but it'll take a few days before my hair comes back, so it's only temporary.  It was still a particularly low trick, and I'm sure I don't know what I did to deserve being singled out like that! I still have my suspicions about who was behind it - but I guess since it happened overnight it's hard to prove anything. Professor Acton says that there aren't too many curses that don't take effect right away, so someone probably put a hex bag under my pillow, or something. Maybe they fooled the elves into thinking it was just a sachet? I'll be sure to check before I go to bed tonight!

In the meantime, thanks to everyone who's decided to wear a scarf, it's really nift to see them all. (And Stretton, you can just go soak in the lake, don't think you're fooling anyone with that scarf. I can still read, and that oh-so-funny little marquee just makes you out as a even more of a berk.)

Professor Carrow rather surprised me in Transfiguration today, he was really sympathetic. Not that I'd have expected him to laugh, or anything, but usually he doesn't really seem to care about what happens among us kids, unless it affects his classroom directly. But then maybe after Malfoy's mudblood went all weird he's noticing more than usual. Anyway, thanks, Professor, for being so kind about it all.

Oh, and Malfoy, I'm really, really sorry about what happened with your mudblood. It must be terribly disappointing not to be able to rely on him for anything, or to get all fretful that he's going to go crazy on you when you least expect it. I would have said something last night, but I guess I just wasn't in the mood to comment on anything, just then.

I only want to say one other thing about Lavender's mum giving her back her journal, and that's that she knew Lavender was feeling ever so upset that she'd forgot it in the first place. I mean, our journals are even more important now, because it's getting harder to send owls in and out, and all, but even without that, I think these journals are just so amazing and important. No other place in the world has them, and like Mrs Malfoy says it's proof that the Lord Protector cares about us all and wants us to be able to show him, every day, how we feel and what we think. And plus, it's like having your friends with you, all the time, no matter whether they're in the same room or even the same county. I don't think I'd ever want to be parted from my journal!

Well, I should get started on the Astronomy chart from last night's observation. Oh, and Dunstan, I meant it when I said I'd help you with the research for the Muggle Studies essay. I'll be in Ravenclaw Corner the rest of the afternoon, until time for supper.