Padma Patil

get in the way of Jane Bradley or Octavia Anderson this weekend! I heard Anderson say that they're spending the whole of the weekend last-minute revising for O.W.L.s and that any student fool enough to mess with them will be used as target practice! They don't even plan to sleep, just stay in the Tower going back through all their lessons.

Which reminds me, I don't think last year's 7th-years were this mad about finishing N.E.W.T.s, were they? Maybe it's the Dementors or something but I think the relief that it's over has made some of them act downright silly. Burrow, Chang and Sandoval just came through the common room with a charm that made all the furniture dance about! And now they're talking about taking their brooms and 'buzzing' the village green - wearing just their undershorts!

It's utterly ridiculous. The common room's been safer than the Corner this whole week because they wouldn't let anyone near who wasn't absolutely well serious about helping them revise, but now that they're done they don't care who they bother.

If they do go riding their brooms without robes on, though...well, I hope someone lets us all know. It should be well funny to see.

Lana,

I'm so sorry to bother you when I'm sure you're ever so busy in the training programme, but you probably ought to know that Orion's gone rather mad.

It started a little earlier this week. Well, I guess it started earlier than that, since Chang says he's been having some trouble for a while, and Chang finally made him go see Madam Pomfrey. I dunno what for. But I think it's something to do with, er, his -- Chang said he was having to go to the toilet a lot more often than normal. But I'm not sure what that has to do with why he should be so beastly to everyone! It's really his own fault if he's upset because Yaxley's cross with him.

And she is, terribly cross, because Towler caught him snogging Derwent. And Derwent said he's a cad and he told her off and said it was her fault. Her fault they got caught? I dunno. Well, then Chang said something odd yesterday about warning your brother that he oughtn't to have gone sneaking about with Chambers when she's had sore throat for two weeks. I dunno why Chang cares if everyone gets sore throat, though.

But anyway, he certainly got caught out with Derwent when everyone knows he and Yaxley have been spending loads of free time together. And Chambers - well, you know how she is. She's always trying to snog anyone, sore throat or not. I mean, I could believe she started everyone getting colds, but not Derwent. Well, the thing is, I can understand if he's upset because Yaxley found out, but honestly, he's driving everyone to distraction. Yesterday he threw everyone out of Ravenclaw Corner! EVERYONE! And he was so loud about it that Madam Pince came over and told we all had to leave, Orion included! Then he went and told Dames she could 'have it' but I dunno from the way he said it if he meant the Corner or the plague.

Please, no one knows how to talk to him and I'm afraid if he goes on like this he'll shout at a Professor, maybe not the Carrows but someone like Professor Lestrange, and then he'll really be in trouble. Can you talk to him?

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.