Draco C. Malfoy

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.

Unlike some people, I'm just fine with the results of the potions exam. My goal was to make the top ten and since I made the top five, I've gone beyond that. My next goal will to be higher in the top five.

If you were wondering why I wasn't at the music party last night, it's because I was writing a letter to Mr Cuthbert about my Nimbus 2001 and what I thought of it. I didn't have a bad thing to say, aside from the fact that it was too bad I wasn't allowed to bring it to school and show it to everyone. But that's not anything to do with Mr Cuthbert, of course, and I told him so.

Auntie Bella, if you're reading this thank you for replying to my Owl so fast, especially since Mother said you are feeling delicate lately.

AK is pretty brill so far. It's funny to see people running around and covering their ears - as if that could stop the hex somehow! I'm only worried because I woke up with part of my right hand all tingly with pins and needels. I went to Madame Pomfrey and she said I slept on it wrong and pinched a nerve and that I would just have to wait for it to go away. So far it hasn't.

Mother and Father came to the castle today. Father had important business to discuss with Headmistress McGonagall first, and while they were busy at that Harry and I had a chance to show Mother our dormitory and common room. She likes that we're both so neat, but we'd tidied up a bit just for her. Still, you'll not find any mouldering chocolate frogs under our beds, that's for certain.

Then we had tea with Father and Mother, and there were some of my favourite things to eat, like pheasant sausages and seaside cheddar, and scones and cream for a proper tea. I ate so much that I didn't have any room left in me at supper tonight. But I do think it was worth it, for it was nice to talk to Mother and Father in person instead of by Owl or in these books. Father wanted to know all about our discoveries in the castle, so I told him how we ran into Moaning Myrtle on the third floor several nights ago. I think he found it strange that we were so unsettled by the sight of her, seeing as the whole castle is swimming with ghosts, but it is awfully strange to see a ghost who's your own age, and one who is such a persistent moaner, at that. We also told him how we had found out that mudblood blood is red, and then he laughed and said something about the curiosity of youth, and then told us we ought to be less unsanitary in the future. There was enough time before they left for Harry to show them his new Nimbus 2000.

And then Mother said that she'll get me one just like it for Christmas!

How many days are left until Christmas?