Padma Patil

Thomas is dead.

He's dead and it's our fault. Well, sort of.

Professor Dolohov found him with that stupid book, the one he showed in class yesterday. The fool had tried to open it and use it.

I don't know how he got round Professor Dolohov's wards. That was the whole point of sending him there in the first place--so he'd get caught!

He was so angry at first--Professor Dovs, I mean--but then the more I told him what I was told to do and what I'd intended the more he calmed down. He was still upset--I mean, we both were, I didn't like Thomas and I know you didn't either but he wasn't meant to actually die, he was just supposed to get caught. What sort of idiot takes those instructions and actually tries to learn spells out of a book that dangerous, without any sort of precautions?

Should I tell Lana what happened? She'll probably think I was masterfully ruthless, arranging for him to get himself killed like that. Maybe I shouldn't tell her I didn't mean for it to happen?

I was so worried I was going to get expelled. Ugh. This is the worst, honestly. I almost wish I had meant it to happen, only then I would have been in so much trouble with Professor Dolohov. I told him I hoped he wasn't going to be in too much trouble, only it's obvious that he wasn't to blame at all.

I just can't believe Thomas was so idiotic.

And I can't help feeling so bad about it.

Oh, Lakshmi!

I bet this means there's no way they'll make me Head Girl next year.

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.