Draco C. Malfoy

I dare say that Slytherin house will not be the same absent Sam Montgomery. There is a certain amount of quiet among us this week, but it is a resilient quiet. Sam filled the dungeons with a certain liveliness that no one else can quite replace, but I suspect she would not want us to mope about in her absence. She made a bold sacrifice in her quest to serve our Lord - far more bold, certainly, than what many others offered - and should be praised for that willing sacrifice.

On behalf of Slytherin, Daphne and I sent the Montgomery family a gift basket which we hope will communicate our appreciation of their daughter, Samantha, and all that she stands for.

I'd like to extend a hand of congratulations to my new cohort. It seems that all our school lessons and CCF training will finally result in real-life reward or consequence. About time, I say.

Those of you not amongst the chosen initiates - do not distress. Remember that you can serve us who serve Him, as is the way of our great Protectorate. Daphne, for example, is a brilliant hostess, and she's told me that she's arranged for an impromptu soirée to take place in the Slytherin common room one hour after supper. This location only seemed appropriate, given that Slytherin House has the most representatives, as well as the youngest.

I see this as a chance for us to meet and mingle before the first challenge is upon us... or, to size up the competition. Six of one, a half-dozen of the other, eh?

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Daphs, I'm sure you've heard that Teddy's hosting a social tomorrow. Holiday with my parents got cut short unexpectedly, so I've decided to attend.

Would you do me the pleasure of being my plus-one again?

I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but since it's Teds, we might as well prepare ourselves for anything. If you'd just as well stay at home I won't take offence, though I can assure you that you'll be missed by many.

-Draco

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.

Daphs, I need you to do me a favour, first chance you get.

Girls' loo near the Great Hall - some kind of drawing in there about Pansy. Do whatever you can to get rid of it. I'll owe you a debt.

Was that all about? For those of you who weren't in Professor Raz's dueling session this afternoon, Millie and Daphne had some kind of row that ended with Daphs in a fury and Millie's face all purple and bulging. It looked she'd been dipped in a pot of porphyry fruit jam. Ugh, hopefully there won't be any porphyry tarts at supper tonight. I don't think I could stomach them after that.

I'm dead confused, I don't mind saying. Is this some kind of pent-up Yule Ball aggression coming out? Daphs can be a pretty wicked duelist but she's typically more controlled than that, and certainly pretty forgiving of Millie - no matter what she does.

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.

So I know I've already asked you, but are you sure you're not hacked about Sunday's meeting? Because everyone would much rather have you as seeker, you know. No question about it. And I know you've told me it's fine but... well, you don't have your broom and you don't have your spot on the team and I know it's not fine, don't I? I know it's not. But look, things won't stay this way forever. They can't. Snape and MacNair can't hide out that much longer, I'm sure of it. And once they've caught them everything will go back to the way it was before.

I think we should work on that spell together, see if either of us can get any closer to casting it. I know the Raz is helping you during your lessons, but I'd like to learn to cast it too, just in case. I just really want to know what my patronus will look like too. That giant leopard is just so brilliant! I hope mine's a dragon or something equally wicked. It's just so hard to concentrate and think of something happy at the same time. The Raz sure is good at it, though, and he said it's like second nature by now so there's no reason why it can't be that way for us eventually, too. What do you reckon his happy thought is? I bet he thinks about all the girls he's snogged, past, present and future. Speaking of - are people still asking you about what's going on between him and Professor Sinistra? Daphs made some kind of probing comment about it when we were walking back from Creatures. I bet she fancies him like all the other girls do.

Now everyone's asking me about Hydra. What do they expect us to say? When it comes to what goes on between Hydra and Auntie Bella, it's just better to stay out of it.