alt_draco | Entries tagged with blaise

And a happy one to each and all.

We'll be at my Grandmother's for most of the day, though it's typically a relaxed and low-key gathering of close friends and family, quite different from the social rigours of the Malfoy Christmas party.

Aside from wishing everyone a good Boxing Day, I wanted to propose that those of us in the Revue get together in New London to run through our lines at least once before returning to Hogwarts. Daphs, think you could find a good cafe or public space for us to gather? What would be a good day for everyone?

And Blaise, I'm up for a session at the Elysian at some point. Let me know when you've got space in your schedule.

Do you reckon that Professor Dolohov's and Razzer's demonstration will be a true duel where one of them will be declared the winner?

Because if so, it might be the sort of thing worth placing a gentleman's bet on. I can think of a number of others who'd be interested, as well.

But I don't want to be the one who organises the whole thing. Too bad Avery's gone, he'd be perfect. What about Montague? I'd peg him for game. Or might it be a venture that you're interested in, Blaise?

Sometimes I really don't understand Hydra. Who goes to a ramshackle shop in Camden to appreciate tea, of all things.

I mean, I know what this is really about. At least I think I do. Auntie Bellatrix isn't the warmest mother in the world, and Hydra's latching on to our cousin, instead. Though if she really wants to be mothered she ought to get in touch with mine - she loves to take Hydra shopping and things. I suppose that Hydra might secretly want to hack off Auntie Bella a bit, though, and going 'round to visit cousin Dora is a better way to accomplish that.

It's funny, though, because after listening to Blaise and Daphs talk about their plans to go to the Owlery Room, I was thinking that you and I should really go to one of those posh high teas, too. Not the Owlery Room, but maybe Katyenka, in Russell Square Gardens. Mother loves it, so I'm sure that you would, too. I'd much rather do that tomorrow afternoon, just the two of us.

I'm just really not comfortable with the idea of visiting my cousin with so many other people there. I don't know her well at all, and the very idea of it is just too strange.

Did you see that package the Owl brought at supper? Massive, wasn't it? I think that Harrod's clerk I called on the fire must be new, or just nervous about filling an order for Malfoy, because judging from the weight of the box that's going to be a lot more food than what I actually asked for. Not that we'll have any trouble getting people to finish it off. The fifth years are eating a lot, have you noticed? Something to do with studying for OWLs, I suppose.

We'll start setting up after lessons tomorrow. I'll make Harry help me with the decorations, maybe Jeremy, too, and we'll get Vince and Greg to move the common room furniture if we need to. Teds will keep Blaise occupied elsewhere.

Would you two mind coming up with some games or other entertainment ideas, though? I know music and theatre was important back then, so Pansy, maybe we can get out our guitars. But even that can only go on for so long. Charades? Cards? I don't know.

Renaissance - bit of an odd theme, don't you think? Especially coming from Daphs. No wonder Lizzie didn't know what to do with it.

Pansy - see you after I'm done at the library?

Current Location: hogwarts - the library

I told Blaise I was going to rest before lunch was over, but since you're still out there I'll just write this now, before we get too busy to discuss it. Plus I don't want any of those CCF officials to overhear us.

Don't you think it's a bit funny that they haven't chosen either of us to be team leaders yet? And since pretty much everyone always picks us both together (guess they're afraid we'll be hacked if we get split up, or something), I'd bet a load of galleons that the plan is to end the whole training session by having us square off against each other. What do you reckon?

Current Location: CCF

Blaise: Pucey, Montague and the others agreed to meet us at the Ouroboros course at nine. Any of the rest of you lads in CCF are welcome to join, if you can make it. We'll be running the course from 9:30-12:00, steam and massage from 12:00-1:00, then a luncheon in the club restaurant just after. If we make it back to Kensington by 3:00 that should leave us plenty of time to rest and clean up for the evening's events.

Everyone else, the festivities will start at 5:00. Make sure you bring your invitation, because you can't get in without it. The gardens will be closed off the public so we'll have the run of the place. Oh, and bring a bathing costume if you want to swim in the fountains, and a broom if you fancy a fly.

Current Location: Kensington - King's gallery

That was one wicked party, mate. Don't get a big head, though - we let you clean us out at portkey, on account of it being your birthday. I think we should have more nights like that, though, portkey in the common room with just the lads, you know. Or girls, too, though I don't know of any who play portkey.

Daphs, brilliant planning, as usual. Maybe I'll let you throw a party for me someday, yeah?

Went a bit later than I expected, though, seeing as it was a school night. Might need to stop by the Matron's to get something for this headache.

Current Location: en route to great hall

Having my own owl has made Christmas shopping loads easier this year. I've already sent Freyja out with several orders to deliver to Harrod's, Dervish and Banges, and some other New London shops, and by the time I'm back home all of the gifts should be taken care of. Except for yours, Mother - since it's the best, it'll take a little longer.

A few notes, just because sometimes it's easier to get them down here than to chase everyone down in person...

Pansy: I think the song sounds really smashing, but I've been playing around with a new tune that I'd like to get your opinion on. I just keep thinking about how Mr Tenebridge might ask if we have any other songs besides "Hey Merlin." It's not very likely, I realise, but what if he does?

Patil: If you're not busy with Page one of these days, I've something to follow up with you on.

Baddock: I've found that magazine you've been asking about. It's yours to keep, if you still want it. I was getting bored of it, anyway.

Dinner's just ended and I can't believe how hungry I still am. When the quidditch season started I was trying to eat as much as I could so that I could make up for how much taller I've got. Weedy doesn't work so well when you're playing chaser, but it's better to be light when you're seeker, so now I'm trying to eat less. Seems like all it's done is make me think about food, constantly - even the transfigured kind. I don't know how girls get by on one poached egg and a half-slice of toast. It's probably less food than my owl eats.

Oh, and before I forget, when we get back from hols I'll try to speak with Professor Slughorn about organising more potions workshops in the dungeon classrooms, since everyone liked the one we did last month so much. Teddy, Blaise, let me know if you want to be in on it. You too, Harry.

Current Mood: busy
Current Location: empty classroom

You're on notice. I saw your little act at the train station, and so did Blaise, Teddy, and Bode.

You offend him and you offend me, got that? You've done a bang-up job hiding your true colours until now, but I saw them come out today when you thought no one but your mates were around. I bet you all had a good laugh together later, didn't you? Laughing not just at a Professor, but at a Hero of the Protectorate, no less. Milli was right, you really are a blood traitor.

Better do a better job of watching your step, if you know what I mean.

Current Mood: infuriated
Current Location: hogwarts express

People keep asking in their journals how our holiday is going so I thought I'd best write about it. (No, Blaise, I don't know that chip girl's name, and I don't plan on asking for it.)

This town is a pretty snitch place, and all the cottages (ours, I mean) have views overlooking the water. They're not large, but there's definitely enough room for all of us, and we see each other a whole lot more than we would if we were just pottering about New London. Speaking of New London, it's loads quieter here, very peaceful. Except the people can be fun and boisterous, too. Last night they were all lighting bonfires on the beach and turning the smoke into giant coloured animals. We were watching from the windows until Uncle Razzer said it would be safe to go down and join them. One of the men saw Harry and started turning the smoke in his fire into massive, swooping snakes. It was pretty wicked. The animals turned out to just be a warm-up, too; they used the smoke to tell the whole story of Orpheus, and how he became a seer and star-gazer and used magic to speak with all creatures of the magical world. A collection of harps were charmed to play throughout the whole performance, too. After the show a lot of people left but some lingered behind and told ghost stories around the bonfires. The man who made the smoke snakes told us about the Black Hounds. He said they appear in a flash, out of the mist, and just as fast they vanish. They're supposed to be the manifestation of evil, wicked muggles who still want to bring about misfortune. Some people even say that the Hounds can tear people apart with their claws, and then bury your body where it will never be found again. It might've scared Hydra a little but Harry and I thought it was great. The Razzer said it was a good bit of local colour and that it him reminded him of old stories about the Grim.

We ended up staying up very late, because Hydra had only been there a day and there was lots to talk about. I still can't believe some of the things she told me.

Father and I (and sometimes Harry) have been taking beach walks after breakfast. We've been discussing what's going to happen next year at Hogwarts, mostly--regarding both electives and other matters. It's good. I really thought he might have to go away a lot to do things back in New London, but he hasn't done at all. Mother doesn't seem to want to go out much, though; every time we venture out to explore she finds some reason to stay in. And then Mr Crouch has to keep her company.

Flying along the shore line is amazing. Sometimes if the wind is just right you can feel a bit sea water spray on your face. No one will let us fly out very far over the water, though. If you fly a little ways outside the village there are all sorts of mouldering boat houses and dilapidated cottages where the wizards used to live back when the town was a muggle fishing village. I can't imagine how depressing it would have been to have to hide yourself away on the fringes of some isolated countryside, living in a heap of rubble that's on the verge of collapse. What a dreary life that must be.

Anyway, I think we're having pudding soon so I'd better finish up. Teddy, I've owled off the beach pebbles you've asked for. Four of them.

Current Location: sea cottage

Quidditch tryouts for Slytherin are on Friday, and I'm going for chaser, even though Blaise keeps telling me I have a "seeker's build," whatever that means.

What I think it means is that he wants to go for chaser and knows that I'll definitely beat him. I bet nobody will even try out for seeker because there's no way they would be better at it than Harry. So why bother?

I can't believe that someone brought lice into the school. I wonder who that could be. Not that it's their fault, I guess. I mean, the prefects said that anyone can get it, and I looked it up in a book and it said that girls get it more because they have longer hair to cling too, and also that lice prefer clean hair, which was surprising to me. I would have guessed they liked dirty, greasy hair, and Teddy told me he would have guessed the same thing. It's funny how sometimes something that isn't true can become what everyone thinks. Still, it would be completely disgusting to have lice and I'm glad that I don't.

Ugh, now I'm sorry I wrote about it. I feel all crawly.

Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Location: waiting for the moving staircase

Mother sent me a book that's meant to improve my French before we go away on holiday. French used to be a part of my and Harry's lessons before we went to Hogwarts, but neither of us worked at it very hard and I've since forgotten a lot of it. This book actually speaks French if you hold your wand or your finger to the word, because accent and pronunciation is supposed to be important. And last night I fell asleep reading it, but soon woke up because it was squawking "je me rends!" in my ear, which made everybody else laugh.

And then Blaise told us that his Mother used to go to France a lot before, and that she says that all of the muggles there are naked. Not completely naked, but walking around with a lot of their bits showing, or with only a fan or a shawl to cover them. I said his Mother must be exagerating and then Teddy tried to join in and say that he'd heard the same thing, that the French muggles are all naked and also maniacs for sex. Even though Teddy is Welsh and hasn't been anywhere. If it's true and the muggles are all naked and maniacs, then I think that the French Ministry is doing a shameful job of handling them. I know that France has all the best food and robes and entertainment, but they obviously don't know how to govern.

Even if Blaise is wrong and they wear clothes, it will be odd to be around muggles the way they used to be, just out in the open. I know that Mother and Father will try to keep them away from me but still, it's strange to think that they won't know I'm a wizard and how to treat me with the proper respect. That's why we're leaving Dennis behind, because I don't want him to get confused or upset.

Current Location: somewhere in the dungeon

Last night's exploding snap game in the common room got cut short just as I was about to beat Blaise for the second time in a row. A load of the seventh years wanted to have a NEWT study party, they were going to stay up all night with the wireless blaring, drinking butterbeer and practising charms and whatnot. So they kicked everyone out, and since it was Ned who was giving the orders there was really no choice but to listen. And then without asking me first, Ned tried to get Dennis to go to the kitchens for more food. And even though Dennis waited for my say-so it's not as if I could say no, since Ned's Head Boy and can use Crucio when he wants to. I suppose he thinks that just because we're cousins, he can use my servant whenever he wants. But too bad for him, because I'm keeping Dennis hidden away from now on. Only I wish I didn't have to, because I like the idea of him being there whenever I need him. I'd take him to class so he could be there to sharpen my quills when they get dull, but I don't think he should listen in on lessons. Hearing about magic might make his magic manifest. Plus I like sharpening my own quills.

Did anyone see that Harry's servant was wearing livery? She's not wearing it now but she did on the train back to Hogwarts. I'd like to get some livery like that for Dennis. He'd wear it much better than Harry's mudblood, who looked more like she was wearing a costume than someone who really understood the part.

Harry, did you ever find that thing you lost? I guess there's not really any way to ask around about it, but still, I wish you hadn't lost it.

Current Location: the common room - finally

Why are all the girls are going around the castle with their hair in ridiculous curls? Well, mostly ridiculous, I supose it suits some people. Others are better off with blue ears. Actually, I overheard some Hufflepuff at supper yesterday, claiming that I won AK by cheating. I can't believe anyone still cares enough to complain, but if they do I'll only say that its not cheating to ask for an experts advice on a subject. My aunt was an expert hit-wizard and its not cheating to ask her about it, its called strategy. Just like if I needed to make a good potion I'd go to Professor Slughorn and if I wanted to be saved or save someone from dying I would go to Madam Pomphrey. Or, I might go to my Mother first. And even in quidditch, sometimes teams will bring in retired players for a bit of coaching.

Mother, did you and Father get my Owl on friday? No ones written me yet this week ~~and I don't understand what's goi~~

We've got a load of charms to work on this week, and me and Blaise and Teddy are going to work together. I guess Vince and Greg will be there too, because they're in the same dorm and whatnot, but I don't see them doing much of the actual work. Harry, you can join us if you want. If you can tear yourself away from the library for once, that is.