The Last CCF challenge

[alt_draco]

Now that was an intense day. When they portkeyed us to New London I actually though for a split-second that they might not give us a challenge today, but I knew that couldn't be right and, sure enough, they finally had me and Harry head up our own teams. (Harry and I had sort of counted on that happening some time before CCF was over, so we were ready for it.)

From what I've gathered it sounds like both teams had the same challenges but in different orders. Our team started at Trafalgar Square and really, the hardest part was picking only two people to do each challenge, without knowing what the next challenge would be. It looks like both teams did really well, though - Harry, I found out the official time and you lot only arrived at the arch a little over three minutes after we did.

So well done all around, really. I think all who were involved accomplished a great deal and have a lot to be proud of.

That said, I can't wait to get home tonight and sleep in a familiar bed. Might not get out of it for the next few days, even.

Comments

[alt_padma]

I know just what you mean about sleeping for days!

It seems like I've barely had a thought for journaling since that first couple of days, even though I promised Lav and Parvati I'd tell them what we were doing!

I do think everyone did a rather splendid job on this challenge particularly. I will say I still think it's massively unfair to have let me and Ernie pick our teams and only then tell us we had to lead each other's people. Of course we weren't going to do as well! I know that was the point but honestly.

Mainly I think we all learned loads about being in the wilderness and teamwork and things like that. Which is what it was about, really, so that's good.

But I definitely feel like I could just fall over after all those exercises!

Anyway. Well done, 'Most Likely to Succeed'!

[alt_draco]

Yeah, those officials were really fond of the curve quaffles, weren't they? Truthfully, though, it was kind of a relief to not have to pick my team-members. I just had to work with who I had and that was that.

Would have tried to have picked you, though, had I been able, what with you being most physically fit girl and all.

[alt_padma]

I think there are advantages both ways. I mean, when Thomas picked, for example, at least I was able to remind him to break up some dream-teams. But this time it really didn't matter--whether we were on your team or Harry's it was going to be epic. Though we could have won if Harry

I wasn't sure about that award, anyway, either: Bundy's certainly come along a far way since last year. (And I've already had enough of certain people shortening it to 'Most fit' - for Lakshmi's sake!)

[alt_draco]

It was definitely a brilliant way to end everything. We had a little bit of squabbling on my team, just outbursts of frustration, but we pulled together in the end.

Private message to Padma

[alt_draco]

What did you think about Weasley getting the "Best Ginger" award? I about broke something trying not to laugh.

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_padma]

Please. They had to come up with something to give him, I guess. They might as well have said, "Best at getting his friends to think for him."

Have you ever got a reasonable answer from Parkinson why she keeps him about?

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_draco]

No.

I mean, I can see how he might be a laugh, you know, to some people who have a high tolerance for people of all stripes, like Pansy does. I'm more baffled about Longbottom, honestly. But that's all her business. She's never tried to make us all hold hands and sing songs, after all.

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_padma]

Why do you reckon Longbottom didn't try harder to get into the CCF? I remember you thought he was lulling us all into a false sense of security. Do you think he made sure he didn't have to show us all what he can really do?

And it's true that Pansy's at least never pretended her tastes weren't well strange. But she can't possibly think anyone respects her for collecting so many misfits? I mean, I know she's your mate and all, and probably always will be, but honestly.

(Did I tell you what I heard Clearwater saying to Ms Peel? She didn't think anyone else was around, obviously. But she says she reckons your Parkinson and Perks are - well. You know. She doesn't think either of them has to worry about getting in trouble with a boy anytime soon. And don't worry, I wouldn't repeat that to anyone but you, not even Finnigan. I'm only saying it now because I figure if anyone can tell Pansy just how odd she seems to everyone, it's you.)

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_draco]

She will definitely always be my mate and maybe. And I can't imagine not respecting her. I can't speak for everyone else, though.

Clearwater's out of her head. I don't know about Sally Anne, but there's no way Pansy's a skirt-lifter. The very idea's well laughable, in fact.

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_padma]

If you say so, I believe you. But you'd be surprised. Some girls try things together almost like it's practice for snogging boys and all. And then they get to liking girls just as well, Or better.

Not that I think Parkinson's one of them. But Perks could well be. And even if they're not--well, they are thick as thieves, aren't they?

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_draco]

So are you and Lavender. You're not "practising" together, are you?

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_padma]

What? No! Don't be vulgar, Draco Malfoy!

But Parvati said that Bradley and Summerby were. The ones that just left Hogwarts, from Gryffindor.

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_draco]

Oh yeah, I heard about that. No wonder, though, they had faces like harpies.

What about Parvati and Lavender? They share a room, don't they...

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_padma]

Don't be sick, I said.

We are not some fantasy out of Playwitch, for Lakshmi's sake!

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_draco]

You brought it up. I am male, after all.

But really, only taking the mick, Padma.

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_padma]

Well, maybe I shan't write your mother, in that case, to tell her all about the great huge stack of centerfolds you've got in your bunk.

I brought it up as a warning about your friend, you silly.

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_draco]

It's not my fault Father keeps sending me them. He gets them all for free, or something.

And thanks for that, but I'm not worried.

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_padma]

Hm. I would have thought Zabini gave them all to you. And the deck of cards that disrobe themselves. Oh, wait, that was probably from Professor Raz.

Boys. You're all disgusting.

Oh, I'm exhausted. I don't even know how you can hold a quill!

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_draco]

No way. Zabini's always nicking them off me, and so is everybody else.

Father says it's better to use your imagination than to get carried away and get a girl into trouble. If you look at it that way, it's not disgusting - it's practically noble.

I'm knackered, too. Almost time to call it a night, I reckon.

[alt_harry]

Congratulations mate. I know we were close. But I'm glad you won. Anyway I don't think we have any thing to be ashamed of.

Private Message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_padma]

No, not really. But I still think we could've got there sooner if you'd sent Moon off for that map instead of Smith. He probably already had it in his knapsack, anyway. And Smith can't orient his way out of a broom cupboard.

But it doesn't matter, in the end, I suppose. And the important thing was working together.

Re: Private Message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_harry]

Yeah I was just going to say that. I think maybe I should anyway in case other people are reading. And think I'm sore with Draco. Publically I mean.

I dont know. It was really hard. I think maybe that's part of the point. That we can always think of something we could do better. You did well though.

Re: Private Message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_padma]

With Bones, Perks, Weasley and Bundy? Hard to do any better than I did, I reckon. Thanks.

Oh, and I don't think anyone thinks you're cross with him. You're best mates, and they made you go up against one another. To tell the truth, I'm surprised you didn't wind up on opposite sides more often.

Re: Private Message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_harry]

Well thats good. But you know how people can be sometimes.

Re: Private Message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_padma]

What do you mean?

Re: Private Message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_harry]

Just that people like to gossip. I don't know. Mostly my Father and Draco's father's sorts of people. Like they might get ideas about us. Not people our age.

Re: Private Message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_padma]

Oh, that sort of thing. Yeah. Funny, I don't usually think of grown-up men being gossips. But I guess you're right.

Finnigan gossips something awful, but what he has to say is always so funny it's well worth hearing!