alt_padma | Entries tagged with perks

Why are so many people writing private messages to Perks lately? What, has everyone decided to pay her to do odd jobs for them?

And can you believe that Hufflepuff won despite the way Diggory was flying? Was it just me or did his broom look like it wanted to dump him out every time he tried to turn round?

Although, Samuels hasn't been back from the Hospital Wing yet, either, so I wonder if Smith didn't help that bludger along with something. Which he should know better, using magic during a match, but that's Smith for you, isn't it, always trying to play an angle. Honestly, I don't know what Diggory was thinking, letting him on the Hufflepuff side.

Has Madam Umbridge talked to either of you about her civics lessons? Because she did mention something about the first assignment to me, in passing, after exercise last time, and she asked whether I thought firsties and seconds would be bold enough to write to the right people about their questions. (Also, Seamus, she wanted to do something about Ireland for next time, maybe, and I told her to give you a warning if she could so you'd be prepared to help contribute.)

Oh, and Daphs' dance instructor's supposed to come up sometime before the next Hogsmeade weekend. I was thinking we might ask him to lead some social dancing in addition to talking about the revue. What do you think?

Effie, that tablespoon error was well-spotted. And Perks, good on you for recognising that there was far too much salt in the recipe compared to the amount of sugar. Donovan, good show with the maths. It's a good job the three of us know our way round a kitchen, though, because that really gave us an advantage. (And yes, 'cinnamon' is spelled like that.)

Pansy, you and your team did really really well. I wasn't sure we were going to break our code before you translated yours! Well done. It was close.

Marvolo and Weasley, I shouldn't feel too bad if I were you. Zach said the bit about blatching was really convincing and clever. I think you both ought to get points just for realising that the passage was incorrect! But that would be Quidditch game theory, wouldn't it, and not codebreaking. Still, it was a noble effort. And besides, finding codes where there aren't codes is actually pretty easy to do.

Still, this was loads of fun, and thanks, Professor Sinistra, for including it in the programme.

I hope everyone's ready for tomorrow's fitness testing!

Just so you know, I really don't have any idea who did it. And I'm sorry that it had to happen at all, but especially this week. Or well, you know what I mean. This time of year.

I saw the drawing, before Anderson got it down off the wall. It was well horrid. (Well, except that whoever drew Ron made his ears look hilarious. Sorry, but it's true. Oh, and Longbottom's buck-teeth were sort of grotesque. But then they are, aren't they? I mean, objectively?)

I think whoever did it might have assumed Seamus or me or Lav would get blamed but we decided last year that you've a right to pick your friends, even if they're nobodies.

I mean, look at Daphs. No one takes the mick out of her because she keeps Milli around and everyone knows it's so Daphne looks even cleverer and prettier by comparison. But Milli's loyal to Daphs and I think they honestly do like each other. And I know it's the same for you and your mates--that you like each other, I mean, not that you picked them because they show you off to good advantage.

Anyway. Just wanted to say. I'm sorry everyone's laughing at you. I hope you find a way to get them back.

I'm sorry you weren't on the list.

Seamus, what did Professor Sinistra say? Lines, has she said anything to you at all?

Did you see the part about the 'anonymous donor' who made it possible to take 11? Who do you think bribed their way on, then? Maybe Parkinson paid so they'd take Perks, or Peakes bribed her to take Thomas. Or someone gave them money for Weasel--only I dunno who'd sponsor him!

Oh, also? Lines, you already know this but Clearwater's probably going to crack before the end of the week. She just grabbed up all her books and shut herself up in her dormitory and told Edgecombe and Anderson to just handle anything that came up and to leave her alone the rest of the night.

And--this is really important--what should we do about Daphne Greengrass? I mean, I know she broke up with Bole but did you notice how the Slytherins are all treating her like a porcelain doll? I don't want them thinking no one but them can keep her safe from him, you know? She should know that everyone thinks he's a lout. But I don't want her to think everyone knows everything, I mean, she was even too embarrassed to say anything to me and tried to make it sound like I couldn't possibly get it.

What gets me is that she thinks Porkinson does get it? Ugh.

Look. I know you lot in Slytherin like to take care of your own, right? But I'm worried about Daphne.

I asked Zabini about it earlier and he gave me a brush-off. And then I heard that she didn't go to his party last night (which he'd said he wasn't even going to have a party, which now I think he'd decided so it wouldn't put her in an odd position with Bole, but obviously that didn't work the way he planned). So I thought--well, I figured I'd ask someone with half a hope of being honest about what's going on with her.

Is there something we can do? Not gang up on her, obviously, she'll just insist that there's nothing wrong. But something.

Maybe get someone to tell Bole to leave her alone? I dunno, but I just hate seeing her looking so stressed.

Or maybe this needs to come from someone outside her House, so she'll take it seriously? I dunno.

Parkinson, what do you think?

Using gillyweed, that's brilliant! I hope that those gills and the flippers and all make the water warmer for you. I'm glad I'm not swimming in this cold!

Oh, and Perks, it's obvious you've not been helping Krum, no matter what other people might say. That's possibly the worst partial transfiguration job ever.

Or maybe you've simply been showing us all how devious a Slytherin you can be, getting him to trust you and then recommending that ridiculous solution.

Oh, Lakshmi! Did anyone else SEE the size of that crocodile thing? First dragons and now this.

I'm super-glad I'm not swimming in there with that!

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.

I don't blame Midgen one bit for being upset about next week, do you? I mean, what do you suppose that lot have done to deserve going to the Beauxbatons social thing, anyway? I mean, Perks I can understand, she's Siz's fave, isn't she. Did you hear the rumour that Siz is actually paying Perks to do chores for her? And if Perks gets invited, then of course Porkinson comes along as well. It's utterly infuriating, really.

Anyway, what have Bundy and Weasley told you about it? Anything? Brocklehurst is well chuffed that he's been invited--Weasley, I mean. Seamus, you ought to have some fun with that! You could tell him how much Brocklehurst is looking forward to seeing him there. And you've a whole week to torture him about it, too.

Tamblyn asked if I'd go along with him to Hogsmeade tomorrow (Lares, not Hermes. I think Hermes is still feeling well squibbish because of what Davies pulled). Lav, I'll see you and Pav at the Three Broomsticks? Seamus, are you going with the Durmstrang lot?

Feeling better?

I suppose that business yesterday must make asking someone to the Ball loads more difficult.

It was utterly impossible no one should have seen it happen. And how that one made such a cake out of 'getting caught with your guard down' - I thought it was well rude. Especially since it was obviously Weasley and Perks. I can't believe no one said anything, especially Clearwater. She's useless.

How are we going to get them back for it?

You'll NEVER guess what happened yesterday! It was so hard not to laugh I thought I'd bust.

You know how we girls went out on a shopping day and all (which is why I didn't bother to invite you, you'd have been bored squib), and of course Parkinson insisted on bringing along her pet Perks. Well. Perks couldn't come unless she could also babysit Stretton's sister as well. Honestly, can you imagine? Gemma has a nanny but the Strettons realise they've got a good thing when they see it. Perks as a free live-in governess, I mean, it's perfect. Honestly it's the kind of thing I could see her doing her whole life. No one's going to want to marry her, so she'll have to raise other people's children, won't she?

Anyway. Well, Perks was feeling all smug because for once in her life, she had the dosh for the outing. I mean, the Strettons gave her gold so she could pay for things Gemma wanted, like ice creams and all. But Gemma wanted to get her nails lacquered along with everyone else's, and while the witch who did the manicures thought Gemma was so adorable that she put hers on for free, she had to charge Perks full price, of course, just like the rest of us. And when Gemma saw what Parvati was getting - she got the unicorn running across a moonlit meadow, I knew she would - well, Gemma just wouldn't rest until Perks got the same thing! (And it looks ridiculous on her, really. Although I think she did convince Gemma she couldn't have exactly the same thing as Parvati, so she just got the unicorn running across a plain pink background - yes, pink, because that's Gemma's favourite colour. And it's the same shade of pink that the witch made Gemma's nails, too.) Actually, it's Parvati's favourite colour too, and you should have seen how Gemma lit up at that! She's still very attached to Perks, of course, but then Perks is round her all the time, so it's not surprising.

Well, after that, and the ice creams we bought with lunch and all, she had used up all Gemma's pocket money. So then we were browsing through the mad fabulous second-hand shops they've got in Soho - you know, the ones all along Oxford street? - well, she saw a charm bracelet that she just loved. I mean, you could tell she just thought it well gorgeous. It was rather beautiful, have to admit, but like the nail lacquer, not something I can really see Perks wearing, you know? But anyway, it was real gold, wasn't it, and all the charms were bespelled so they wouldn't get lost or broken, and it was easily more than her dad probably makes in a year fixing up other people's broken whatnots, let alone anything the Strettons would see fit to buy for her. Gemma was all over getting it for her and then Perks had to explain to her how they didn't have enough Galleons for it. I felt bad for Gemma but really, doesn't she realise that her babysitter is poor as a mudblood?

Oh, but the best part was when Haruman met up with us to take us all to supper. Perks was supposed to go back to the Strettons' so we wouldn't have Gemma with us. Only when she made her excuse, that Gemma had to go home for her bath, Gemma piped right up about how her mama had told them they could stay out all day, and since it wasn't yet dark that meant they didn't have to leave yet! Well, lucky for us, Haruman was just as amused as anything because Gemma really is a very cute little thing, so he said it would be no problem to add them in to supper. And supper was really great, too - he took us to Masala and it was great - except that Naani's saag is better than theirs.

But the funny thing about it was that Gemma had to sit between Perks and Parvati! I think Perks may be in for a surprise now that Gemma's seen what real older girls are like. Of course, she's her own sibs at home, but that's not quite the same thing, is it?

Anyway. Back to school, huh? Have you had a good holiday? Ready for the play? I'm getting so nervous and it's still days away. I'm more worried about this than exams, I think!

utterly brill! Mum saw our new lacquer and the bag I got and Parvati's new comb and simply adores them, too. And it was so nift to just gad about, even without buying anything. I thought we might never get Parkinson back from that record shop.

Perks, Parvati says Gemma can plait her hair anytime she likes! Did you decide against that bracelet, after all? I know some people don't like anything round their wrists when they're writing. Or the jingling bothers them. It's probably just as well you didn't get it.

Supper was lovely, too! I didn't know that Burrow and O'Flaherty had both gone into Healers' training. It was a surprise to see them - Haruman usually doesn't talk much about his mates.

(Lav, did you see the way that Chadwick smiled at you? He's well fit, isn't he?)

Oh, and has anyone seen today's Prophet? There's a huge piece about Auror Crouch - and they mentioned Sandoval prominently, too! I knew she'd be brilliant as an Auror! 'Presence and grace under heavy hexfire' and then later it said she was 'instrumental' in apprehending the traitors. I'm keeping our copy so when she's head of the Aurors one day, I can say I knew her back at school. Well done, Lana! Ravenclaw Corner is well proud of you!

Daphs, you might want to read the article, too, because it does talk about Auror Crouch's career and some of the things he's done for the Lord Protector. Plus there's his mum, which might be useful to you when playing that scene with Chang. (Actually there's a sidebar that's got a bunch of facts and trivia about him, like how he showed his magic the first time and when he joined MLE and like that. And you might want to read it, if you haven't. I think there's more there than in that Rise of the Protector book Ptolemy found for us all!)

I don't know about anyone else, but even though it's been lovely to get away from school, I think yesterday was the best part of the holiday. I can't believe we've got to pack up now and go back. I hope our lacquer lasts as long as they said it would. We paid the extra two sickles for the hardening and strengthening spell, too, so that it should last through the end of term.

Ugh, and now Aunt Sivarti wants us to go help make supper. It's not even time for lunch!

Lav,

So far we've got Dunstan, you, Su Li and Parkinson (I know, but mum sort of insisted). And Parkinson's asking Perks, which I said she could do because I knew she'd get shirty if I said it wouldn't be, but she doesn't think Perks will be able to come.

And I've asked Greengrass, too, but then there's the question of whether she'll want Bulstrode along. I suppose if Perks doesn't come, Bulstrode could. But then we can't ask Morag and you know she gets sulky when she's left out of things. Why does everything have to be difficult? We only wanted to have a fun day in town without Dementors floating everywhere.

I really wish Finnigan could come along, he's always good for laughs, but as it's all girls that would just be torturous for him!

Anyway, so Thursday. And you're coming over to stay tomorrow night, still, right?

Mum said I ought to write and thank you and your mother for inviting me Sunday. So thank you. I guess she figured that your mum thinks we're mates or something.

Anyway, Gloss House is sort of nice, I guess. I mean, it's in a very pretty spot, isn't it? With the mountains and all. Did your mum make all those favours?

Oh, I don't know if you noticed, but Smith and Diggory and a few of the other boys kept nicking glasses of punch. The grown-up one, I mean. And I think they nicked one of your step-father's cigars from the den when you gave us all the tour. I know I saw Fleet and Bobolis sneaking off near the stables. Bet it made them really sick.

Do you know Lettice Frobisher? Her sister Vicky's in Gryffindor and Parvati says that Vicky's really sick, too. May not come back to Hogwarts she's so sick. Only not with Black's Plague or anything. Lettice was talking to Euterpe Bobolis and also to Chambers, and they said that Lettice is so worried about her - Vicky, I mean. Thin as a rail - did you ever notice? Her parents took her to one of those clinics, only not to reduce her more, to make sure that she eats and puts some weight back on. Well, anyway, Chambers was asking Lettice about Vicky, how she's doing, and they decided they'd go in to New London shopping and maybe find out if they could visit her to cheer her up.

And I thought, well, maybe some of the girls in our year might like to meet up in New London, too. ~~It'd get us away from home for a while~~ It'd give us a chance to do some shopping that's not in Hogsmeade. I mean, not that there's anything wrong with Hogsmeade but it's no New London, right?

Well, I asked my mum and she said it'd be fine as long as there's at least half a dozen of us (and it has to be even so no one goes off alone. Honestly!). And she thinks you and I are mates, so, she wanted me to ask you as well. If you wanted to have Perks along then once we're in New London, you know, you two could split off and do whatever you like, and we'd all just have to meet up later wherever we agree. Probably Fortescue's or something. So that if any of our parents pick us up or meet us, it looks like we've been together.

Mum's got this notion that if there are six or eight or ten of us it'll be all right and no one will abduct us or anything. But really it'll be Haruman who takes us and picks us up. He even said he'd take us all to supper, with some mates of his.

So are you interested? You don't have to say yes. I just thought you and Perks might want to get into town for a day.

Also I know it's April now, and that's really near to the time those girls got killed and Sanji and everything, and maybe you want something else to do and think about besides all that. I know I do.

Well, I went to that revising session last night. It was mostly firsties and a few second-years who either desperately needed help or simply didn't know Perks or Parkinson very well.

But it wasn't too bad. D'you think they realise that only one of them can be made prefect?

But that's why I'm writing to you two. It is the sort of thing that could get taken into consideration next year when they look for people to make prefect. I mean, not that I think you'll have any trouble, Malfoy, if you wanted to be made one. But if these revision groups become popular then it might look odd if you're not part of them. And Finnigan, I think it'd be good if you came. I mean, right now it's probably between you and Thomas, I mean if they had to decide today, and unfortunately Thomas mostly gets slightly better marks. And I certainly don't want the two of them to think they'll have a load of younger students who worship them because they're so kind as to help them out!

It's like with Ravenclaw Corner, right? We should make it a privilege to spend time with older students. So, I was thinking, maybe we go to their sessions for a while and figure out who the best ones are, and then in a few weeks we tell those students that we're interested in keeping them on but in a different, more exclusive, group. Then we still get credit for helping the younger students, they're super-grateful because they got singled out, and if Parkinson and Perks want to keep on with the others, well, maybe we keep going but mainly to figure out which ones to pull away?

What do you think?

and it sort of spilled over into today, since it was a Sunday. And now that we don't have Astronomy observation anymore, Monday's aren't so long, either, so it feels a little more like a regular day.

We don't have Astronomy observation anymore because we're not supposed to go round the corridors without a teacher at night. Not since ~~Draco's~~ what happened last week. So we're just having our lectures. I miss the stargazing, but I have to say I don't miss being out at night in this cold!

Anyway, I sent loads of valentines to people - to most of the prefects (well, the ones I know), and the YPL counselors and Malfoy and Finnigan and Moon and so on. Marvolo, I hope you know that I'd have sent you a valentine in any case, just like I sent them to all of Ravenclaw Corner and all my other friends in school, because it's a friendly thing to do. It's not soppy or anything.

It certainly wasn't anything like those ridiculous singing ones. House-elves should not be allowed to sing, I think. At least not to humans. I heard Marvolo got a really awful one - Chang told us, she saw it get delivered - something about comparing his eyes to a toad? Ugh. Who'd have written something like that?

Some of the kids had Perks' little folded roses, which were really very pretty. It's highly enterprising of you, Perks, to come up with something like that. And convincing people to pay for bits of parchment and all, that's quite clever! It's rather like that little black market on protections last autumn, isn't it? And even sort of like Stretton's potion scheme - only not illegal, of course. And the best part is, now you've got some pocket money so you don't have to miss out on things. It's really remarkable, what people will do to overcome their shortfalls. Sandoval says that it's important to have skills people find valuable, especially once we're finished school. I don't know how much people would pay for folding parchment outside of school, but it sounds like you'll be able to keep customers for at least the next three years. Five if you go on for N.E.W.T.s.

I got loads of Valentines, myself, too! From Belinda and Lavender (and Parvati of course) and Morag and Daphne, and even from people I didn't expect, like Thompson and Bobolis and Dames and Edgcombe, and even some of the first-years! Thanks, everyone - if I left you out it's only because I didn't want to list everyone and make other people feel bad if they didn't get as many. It's not because I didn't like your valentines!

Perks, will you tell Morag you're fine? She's been telling everyone since she got back that ~~Lana~~ Sandoval nearly killed you, and that's utter rubbish, I'm sure.

I mean, I know it's nothing anyone wants to have happen to them, but honestly, it wasn't like it causes any lasting harm, right?

Anyway, it sounds as if you ought to have known better than to go to Professor Carrow's office or his classroom tonight, he made sure everyone knew that he was working with the NEWT study group this evening. He even reminded us today in our lesson! Ravenclaw's I mean. I guess you lot forgot? Sort of funny, Morag forgetting, since she was there. And I mean, she's been revising with you so much lately.

But now Morag's been going on and on about you screaming and retching and everything. If she'd only leave off, it's getting very boring. Just tell her you're feeling better, will you?

I was sitting in the common room after lessons, minding my own business, when your friend Jeremy Stretton sat down right next to me! At first I thought he just wanted to say something about your not coming home with his family over the hols, but no, he asked me if I'd take a note to you or Pansy (or anyone in Slytherin, really) to give to Spinx, down in Slytherin.

I asked him why he didn't just wait until supper but he told me it was too important.

I don't suppose you'd meet me outside the Great Hall?

I'm not sure what its about but I saw him go talk to Chau and Whitaker right after he gave me the note, and he keeps staring at me as if he wishes I'd go already.

If Perks isn't about, Marvolo, or Malfoy, will you take it?

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.