Draco C. Malfoy

So how did the questioning with Raz really go? (It would seem others are too busy welcoming Ginny Weasley to ask for more details.)

Any idea what he'll do to him? Teddy, that is. Because I can't imagine he's pleased about the whole thing. And as genial as Raz typically is, he's still not someone to cross.

I thought you should know that Teddy commented on your "unusually bright" demeanor today, even going so far as to suggest that Raz must have accidentally smiled at you when he passed you in the corridors. I told him that Harry had leant you out to Madam Pince to repair books, and that the glue must have addled your head.

I don't have to tell you that you're lucky that he made his observations to me, and not to Blaise or Vince or someone else who would have encouraged his speculations. His macabre sort of intrigue in you doesn't seem to have waned despite Harry's interference - who knows, knowing Teddy, it might have even made it even stronger.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.