The Close of CCF

[alt_draco]

Good show, all of you. Fifth years, there really was an enormous difference between last summer and this one - in most cases it was pretty clear that people kept up a fitness regimen during the school year, in addition to paying attention in Defence class and duelling club.

Congratulations to everyone who got special awards this year, too. They did that bit a little differently than they did last year, if I recall correctly.

And after all of that... I, for one, definitely need a holiday.

Quite sorry to hear you'll be leaving the YPL programme, Professor Sinistra, though of course we'll still be seeing you in Astronomy lessons. And perhaps elsewhere, as well.

Comments

Private message to Harry

[alt_draco]

Special awards in duelling, flying, and leadership? You're already in an excellent position to start smooching Bumbridge's bum, if she had as much to do with those awards as I suspect.

Not that you didn't deserve it. All that training for the Tri-wizard Tournament has definitely given you an edge.

Re: Private message to Harry

[alt_harry]

Well, she spent so much time today kissing mine, it'd just be returning the favour at this point.

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether I'm actually good at something or people are saying just because. So thanks.

Re: Private message to Harry

[alt_draco]

Well if I'd been training with Raz for all those months I'd definitely have won the Tri-wizard Tournament, too, just so you know.

And yeah, she does kiss your arse a bit, but she's no Acton. All this stuff about making the YPL 'stronger' and 'more powerful' and 'energetic...' She reminds me of Auntie Bellatrix a bit, if Auntie Bellatrix looked like a frilly pink cushion and said every word through a mouthful of syrup.

Re: Private message to Harry

[alt_harry]

Do you really think she's that dangerous? I mean, she looks ridiculous. And she's obsessed with kittens.

Re: Private message to Harry

[alt_draco]

Maybe not her, but the changes she wants to initiate? Probably. Remember who got the "Best at Meeting CCF Goals" award? Finnigan. I bet you can guess what that was for.

Re: Private message to Harry

[alt_harry]

Point.

Private message to Pansy

[alt_draco]

You can't tell from Mother's journal entry because we're trying to keep it somewhat secret, but our holiday's at Pembroke. I almost thought about asking if you could come out for a few days, but I figured you might want to spend time at Gloss House, with your baby brother and the horses (and I rather doubt my parents would have agreed to it without causing a fuss). When I get back, though, we can meet up and do our last minute school shopping together.

I did what I could to imply to Bumbridge that the castle is crawling with ghosts and wretched food so that maybe she'll re-think her plans to live at Hogwarts. Doubt it will do a bit of good, though.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to convince Harry he ought to brown-nose up to her, but he's not too keen on the idea. And if he's not keen on it then he'll be positively rubbish at it, so it might be down to me to do the deed.

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

Ugh. Can you just see her tripping through the halls? "Hem hem. May I make the teensiest suggestion?" It's already giving me a headache.

You're right that he'll be rubbish at it. Perhaps we ought to convince him that it'll help lots of other people if he does?

I know what you mean about Pembroke. And I do want to see Ewan. I've spent so little time there this summer with all the clubs and things that it'll be nice to not do anything for a while. But I'll very much look forward to our shopping trip once you get back.

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_draco]

Well, I can't tell yet if she's the sort of person that he can have an influence on, but even if that ends up being not the case, I'd like to know what sort of plans she has for us. I mean, it was Siz who told Sally Anne about the muggle training exercises, but she probably won't be able to do that sort of thing from here on out. I get the feeling Bumbridge plans to elbow her out entirely. And Bumbridge herself just seems like the sort of person one ought to keep an eye on, even if it means having to pretend you like her when you don't.

I look forward to it, too. We'll have to make a date of it.

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

Yes, I definitely see how it'd be good to keep her in our sights. Even if she is incredibly distasteful.

I suppose one of the benefits of being a Slytherin is the ability to smile and compliment someone who you find repulsive, and have them not know the difference.

Harry's definitely going to need help.

I'll just plan on staying over in New London for the evening so we can take our time with things, then. That would be lovely.

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_draco]

A Slytherin would know the difference. We're just lucky she's not one. I'd peg her for a Hufflepuff - she expects everyone to scurry around and pull their own weight and do their level best to please her.

Allright, sounds good.

And, you know, I was thinking.. did you really mean Ah, never mind. We can sort it out later.

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

I'm sure we can.

It's funny, because I know we've spent most of the summer together, but I'm really going to miss not being around you. Even if it's only for a little while.

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_draco]

So you'll miss me because you miss me, and not because you're worried about that Stint stuff, right?

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

I'll miss you because I love our conversations.

And snogging.

And watching you play guitar.

And you.

Honestly, I'd rather this Stint business be over and done with, and I still don't like it. But I also know that you and your Father won't make it easy for him.

Is that what you were thinking about?

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you for that - I'll quite miss working with all of you outside of class, as I said.

I do agree that you all did splendidly this summer, and that all the hard work everyone put in really showed. But also that every single one of you completely deserves a holiday. You have survived a grueling schedule and demands with remarkable fortitude and good humour.

(And congratulations on your own awards, of course. Well-earned.)

[alt_padma]

I was going to post something about this, too, but then Mum and Dad had planned a big party at Bangladesh and by the time we got home I was just too tired to finish up my post.

Congratulations to you, as well! The awards were a little different this year but I think I like it better that way. Honestly, I think it's a little bit like the nursery to come up with all sorts of nonsense categories just so everyone can come away with a prize.

But it's a shame that Professor Sinistra's leaving the programme, all the same. I guess three years is a long time to do two jobs. And besides, she's getting married! (But you probably knew that, I bet.)

Have fun on your holiday. Maybe we'll see you at Diagon Alley, or if not, definitely on the train!

[alt_sally_anne]

Cheers, Draco. I look forward to seeing you on the train.