Padma Patil

almost over. I guess with the time away for the CCF and all, there hasn't been nearly as much loafing about as usual. Which is probably a good thing, overall.

Not that there was all that much loafing about, even normally. But this summer, Pav and I were also helping in the shop. (Mum's said more than once that it would be lovely if one of us took an interest in the business.) It's fun, of course, but it's also a load of work. And Mum recently took on some more help, but if anything, going through the CCF training made things more efficient afterward. I dunno, I'm happy to help out but I'm still leaning toward other things. I think it's important that each of us does our utmost to serve the Protector the best possible way we can. I don't think clothes design is really all I'm capable of, is all.

That doesn't mean we didn't have a grand time designing! Mum's putting a few of our robes into production, even. I wish they'd been ready before the end of the summer but holidays will do. (It's also well strange to be designing things for winter when it's hot and for summer when it's cold, but that's the nature of the business, isn't it?)

Ginny, I think Purest Sparkle might even be interested. I mean, young clothes for the young witch about town? Mum's going to see about it, anyway. If you're still modelling for them that would be really snitch, wouldn't it?

That's not the only news we had this summer. Haruman's brought one particular girl round for supper about half a dozen times. Mum's holding out hope he'll make a Big Announcement any day.

They came tonight, too, but not to make a Big Announcement. Haruman wanted to talk to Dad about something in the papers today. Apparently a Healer that he works with occasionally at St M's turned up dead in Wales yesterday. He was really shaken up about it. Not because he particularly liked the Healer but because so many people have been talking to one another about whether it could have been a murder.

It's kind of disturbing and exciting at the same time, isn't it? I wasn't sure why anyone would want to kill a Healer but Haruman said that to know this Healer was to hate him, basically. And apparently he had a string of patients who were always complaining and Haruman was one of the Jr Healers who sometimes had to calm them down while someone else tracked Healer Stint down and well--he's not surprised if someone got cross enough. Or it could have been an accident, too. He was found at the bottom of a cliff, so he could have fallen (though it's odd he didn't Apparate away, if he fell, right?).

Well, anyway.

School starts in only a week! Has anyone heard more about the 'changes to Dark Arts' that Mr Malfoy mentioned? (I saw that and wondered if anyone had been mad enough to buy their books already--I mean, we've all been waiting to find out what would happen since Miss Professor Carrow died, right?)

Oh, by the way, for Ravenclaw Corner: We're meeting up in Diagon at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon. Seamus, Lav, if you want to join us that's fine. Pav and Su Li are coming too and my cousin Darshana, and Desai as well. Cooper, Bole, if you're interested, come and meet us outside Fortescue's.

about the CCF.

I was accepted! But Parvati wasn't.

I don't think she's too upset, except that we won't be together for the whole summer.

The letter says I have to report on the 4th - is that what they told everyone? Or are we split up into groups like last summer?

Who else made it?

Dear Mr Leach,

Thank you very much for offering to be one of the contacts for the Young Protectors’ League programme. As one of the rising fourth-years, I am writing to you in your position of Director for the British National Society of Potioneers and as a Master of the Protectorate Potioneers’ Guild.

I have been interested in Potioneering for many years. I am one of the top students in my year in most of my subjects, but I like Potions best, along with Defence Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration, and Astronomy, of course. But I think Potions are well useful and it’s important to be able to make them and use them for everyday life. It’s interesting how it’s like following a recipe, only not, because one can change it ever so slightly and get different results.

Eventually, I think I’d like to use potions in the service of the Protectorate in some place like the Department of Mysteries, discovering new applications and ways in which potions can enhance and improve the lives of common witches and wizards and solve questions that have been plaguing us since Our Lord came into His rightful power. Things like why there are still muggleborn wizards when we’re doing all we can to make sure that muggles don’t steal our magic. And I know there are more theoretical questions in the Department and sometimes they develop potions to help investigate or solve even older mysteries. Like why it hurts the people left behind so much when other people die. That’s one I’d like to figure out one day.

This summer, I hope to improve my own mental and physical preparation through rigorous study and dedication. I have to say that I’m not well enthusiastic about all the training that they’re talking about, but I am prepared to push myself to my limits to excel in the programme, whatever we’re asked to do. I’m good friends with Miss Lana Sandoval, and I’m sure you don’t know her but she’s a trainee in the Aurors’ programme, and she says that it’s the solemn duty of every loyal subject to keep ourselves trim, strong, prepared and skilled enough to protect our way of life from any threats. She’s at the top of her group in all her exercises with the Aurors, you see, and she even helped save Auror Crouch a few weeks ago, so she really knows what she’s talking about. And if she can run obstacle courses and stay fit and all, then I know I’ll be able to find the determination to do it, too. Plus, some of the kids in our year really don’t seem to take care of themselves very well, and it shows. I certainly don’t want to let that happen! So fitness is important and I recognise that it’s necessary for a healthy and sound population.

I think the most important thing the YPL has taught and will continue to teach us is to accept that not everyone is gifted with the same talents, but that we all have contributions to make according to our abilities. All the same, as Sandoval says, we all have an obligation to make our best effort all the time and to try as hard as we can to please the Protector and be productive and diligent members of our unique society.

Again, thank you very much for giving up your valuable time to support the Young Protectors.

Sincerely,

Padma Patil
Ravenclaw

Is a lot of work. It's hot and too sunny so far.

We seem to be short on poles, too. Does anyone have too many?