Disturbances

[alt_draco]

Does anyone know if the colder whether has changed the air quality of the castle? It seems awfully hard to breathe around here lately. Sometimes when I talk there's a sort of whistle in my words. And also, the back of my neck always itches. I asked Harry to look and he says he doesn't see anything on my neck but it itches like mad sometimes, it really does. Maybe its the shower water that comes out of that gargoyle's mouth. That gargoyle looks like it hasn't been cleaned in centurys, and its teeth are practically black. Its a disgrace, really. Someone ought to speak to the house elves. Oh, I know Hogwarts is supposed to have the best elves in all the land but how often does an ancient castle really get a good, deep cleaning?


On the bright side of things, its only fifteen days and a few hours until we leave for the hols.

Comments

[alt_harry]

Dyou think you're getting ill? Dont cough on me if you are. Maybe you should go to the Hospital Wing.

[alt_draco]

No no, I don't think I'm ill. There's just something dirty about this castle. Because I feel much better when I'm outside, only we're not going outside much now because its cold.

[alt_harry]

I could get Dennis to clean the showers if you like, I bet hed like that.

[alt_draco]

Really? Well, theres an idea. Tell him to really get inside its mouth or snout, or whatever the part is that the water comes from.

Where does our bath water come from? You don't think it comes out of the lake, do you?

[alt_harry]

Not without being filtered it can't be!!

Ill tell him, he'll be happy to have something other than boring ol laundry to do.

[alt_draco]

Even if they do filter it...that's where the giant squid does his wee.

Cheers for telling him, though. Tell him

[alt_pansy]

Oh, EW, Draco.

[alt_theodore]

Do squids wee?

[alt_sally_anne]

I think all animals do.

[alt_megan]

I think so too. I hope it isn't the cold. It's going to be cold all winter!

[alt_draco]

You think so too what? That it's hard to breathe?

[alt_megan]

Yes, that it's hard to breath. And the air smells funny. Especially anywhere that's underground.

I thought it was just me. The air gets like that at home sometimes, too. My guardian notices too, but no one else does. She says we're both especially sensitive to the atmosphere.

I don't think that's bad. I've never got in trouble for it.

[alt_draco]

I am NOT sensitive!

[alt_megan]

Oh. But

I didn't mean you were. I'm sure you're not. Sorry.

[alt_draco]

All right.

Who are you again?

[alt_megan]

I'm Megan Jones. I know who you are!

[alt_pansy]

Fergus throws up a lot but I don't think that has anything to do with you. The castle is rather draughty and dusty but you should go see Madame Pomfrey. Maybe you're allergic to something?

[alt_draco]

No one in my family is ever allergic, so why would I be?

[alt_pansy]

I've heard of people getting allergic as they get older. I wasn't allergic to strawberries until I was about 5.

[alt_lucius]

You have never had an asthmatic attack in your life, son. And the gargoyles are blackened iron (though having the mudblood clean more thoroughly is not a poor idea).

Go up to the hospital wing and ask Madam Pomfrey to verify that you have not been afflicted with an asphyxiating hex. If that proves, as I suspect, unfounded, then your mother recommends hot water with lemon to clear your throat.

(I don't have to remind you how hearing of you ailing in any way worries her; particularly when she is so occupied with preparations for two events in as many weeks! Do not be foolish when there is a Healer there to ensure you remain at your best. You have exams to get through, as well, and cannot afford to be ill and miss lessons or revising time.)

Your mother and I are both looking forward to seeing you home again soon.

[alt_draco]

Does asthma cause itchyness, though? Who would have hexed me while I wasn't looking? How dare they.

I'm sorry I worried mother, but I thought they might give me a nasty potion in the hospital wing, and I also didn't want to miss lessons. But I can go after supper tonight.

[alt_lucius]

Very sensible to wait until you are free, as it is not life-threatening. And it's understandable to want to avoid potions, but there is more to Healing than swallowing something a little foul. To say nothing of the benefit of instantaneously feeling more the thing.

As to hexes, forgive me, but weren't you discussing a game in which the players hex each other unbeknownst?
Perhaps someone decided to practise.

In eliminating the symptoms you may well discover their cause.

[alt_sally_anne]

What did Madam Pomfrey say? If you don't mind me asking. I get itchy sometimes in the winter but it's my hands, not my neck, and they haven't been bothering me much so far this year.