Padma Patil

You've certainly floored the entire school--maybe even the entire Protectorate! Congratulations to you and Ms Novello on what is sure to be the scoop of the year.

Imagine, to find out that you're really the daughter of Professor Lestrange. I'm sure it was quite a revelation for all of you, including you, Professor Sinistra. I hope Daphs is quite accurate when she said that all of you will 'adjust gracefully to the new reality.' Really, Daphs, such a skillful turn of phrase. Almost like you rehearsed it. Only someone like you could turn this sort of situation into an opportunity for the spotlight. Well done!

I can't tell you how much I wish the best for you all. It's sure to be a festive Christmas at yours!

was that about?

Whoever she was, she was well upset, anyway.

Seamus, thanks for the subscriptions! It's so much better to have one's own copy of things like Dish! than to have to wait until other people have read theirs and left it in the common room.

Daphs, Hydra, have you seen this week's? It's got an amazing spread on the Yule Ball and the other holiday parties (including some taken from outside the Malfoys' because I guess they wouldn't let the press in this year. But there were chariot races and you could see the Abraxans over the gate, I guess). Anyway, there're pictures of you both in your robes and some of the others and quite a few of Professors Raz and Siz!

(Professors, I don't know if you're reading this but I think it's perfectly horrifying, all that stuff they're printing that isn't complimentary toward you. I hope that's not too impertinent. I mean, most of us are absolutely happy for you both and hope that things go well for you. It's just like the magazines to make it sound like it's never going to last, or like there are too many obstacles in your way. I don't think that at all! I don't know why Cassie got so jealous, kinda like that madwoman's Howler this morning to Mr Milland, but it's well not on, what she did. And I don't know anyone else who'd even think of such a thing, especially not when it's two professors like yourselves. I think it's inspiring, personally, to see two people your age find romance! And you look so well together--I mean, the pictures are utterly gorge! MUCH better than the ones in the Prophet!)

Anyway, there's loads in this week's issue. I can only imagine what they'll do about the 2nd Task--oh, by the way, Harry, have you figured it out yet? Delacour's said she thinks she knows what to do and I'd hope that Hogwarts' Champions are at least as clever as she thinks she is.

Harry and Hydra! That was well snitch the way you took down the Professor like that. I can tell you were practising over the holidays.

Professor Hooch looked surprised, too, didn't she?

It's not easy to work in pairs, either. I mean, Parvati and I have a sort of advantage being twins, but we still have to practise if we're going to do something in coordination, like the movement for Nagini and that.

Anyway, it was really well done, especially you, Hydra. You make a nift team.

Thanks, by the way. For the advice. I mean, don't tell Perks or Parkinson, but I don't think it's really a proper date so I doubt I'll need to know all about snogging, but it's good to know the important things, like tilting your head the right way. And all that stuff about not being the first one to hold hands or anything. I think you're right and it's really important to be mysterious and not too eager.

Professor Raz said something about Page maybe being too forward or doing something confusing.

Well, I know what too forward would be. But I'm not sure about what would be confusing. I guess I'll find out if he does it. Whatever that is.

Still. It's really exciting, I have to say. I've already got butterflies in my stomach and it's not even lunchtime! I mean, I know I'm not the first in our year to go out, but with an older boy - well, it's all rather surreal, isn't it?

(Though...I'm still really...I mean, I know he's sort of decent to you, but Blaise? Really? I shouldn't think he could stop sneering long enough to kiss anyone - unless it's his mirror!)