October 29
Hi Gwen – you should see this castle. It’s squeaky clean. The whole staff is tied up in knots – everybody wants Hogwarts to make a good impression on the other schools – after all, it’s been over two hundred years since we’ve hosted this tournament. Even knowing that the elves have been put to beastly use in getting this place spic and span, and knowing that they’re going to have to cook extra for our guests, I still can’t help feeling a sense of school loyalty – I hope the delegates see how amazing Hogwarts is. After all, we are the best school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world. And we are going to win the Triwizard Tournament. It’s such a nice feeling, standing up for Hogwarts – like patriotism! It’ll be so interesting to see everybody here get behind one champion, instead of going at each other house to house, the way we do in Quidditch (although, of course, I’ll be twice as excited if the champion is a Gryffindor!) If only the elves were paid a fair salary, I could be one hundred percent proud of this place....
Oh, but guess what? I’ve got five new members of S.P.E.W. – Colin Creevey and his little brother Dennis finally bought badges (Fred and George said I bullied them into it, but I certainly did not! I just didn’t let up on them.) And Eloise Midgen bought one – she’s really nice, and that bubotuber pus is doing her acne a lot of good. She looks loads better lately. We had a nice talk, she agrees with most everything I have to say about the elves and she doesn’t even mind wearing the badge! Justin Finch-Fletchley and Hannah Abbott both bought badges, too! I didn’t see them wearing them in Care of Magical Creatures the other day, but... well.... I’m trying to let go of the badges. As long as people are listening, and helping fund the leaflets.... I don’t know, is that enough?
Yes. It’s a very good beginning. Awareness is the first step toward change.
Well then I’m doing very well, because everyone is aware. I haven’t stopped giving mealtime reminders, and I still have a sign on my bed so the elves won’t put warmers in it – although I admit I want to cave in on that one. The temperature dropped pretty severely this week, it’s rather cold in the dorms. But I won’t let the elves warm my bed. I’ll learn a charm to do it.
Just don’t set the dorm on fire.
Please, Gwen, this is me we’re talking about. When have I ever *****ed a charm that badly? Anyway, the important thing is, I haven’t given up, and who knows? Maybe I’ll even get a chance to talk to some of the foreign students about it. This could be an opportunity for international awareness.
It could, at that. Hermione.... I was wondering... did you give any thought to what we talked about the other day?
Yes.
Because I wanted to apologize. It was not my right to say all that; it was impatient of me – I’m so sorry if I upset you.
No, you didn’t upset me. And you don’t have to apologize! Really, Gwen, I’ll always want your opinion, even if it’s dead wrong.
Wrong...
Yes, I’ve thought about all the things you said, and I’ve observed Ron through the week, and I’ve gone back through you and read over all the times when.... when it may have seemed that he... But he doesn’t. It’s complete conjecture, subject to interpretation. And my interpretation is this – Ron Weasley doesn’t have the first clue about anything. Therefore, I give up.
You give up what?
The whole thing. It’s ridiculous anyway. What on earth did I think was going to happen? Nothing is going to happen. And I wouldn’t want it to, honestly, I don’t know if it would really be a good idea. So I went and had a talk with Ginny, and we decided that there has to be an off-switch someplace, and we’re both going to find it, and forget about all of this stupidity.
An off-switch?
I’m sure. I can’t just go around feeling everything. I must have some control over that, after all, it’s my brain and my body and my heart that are doing the feeling, so I can shut it off. I just haven’t tried hard enough. And plus, I don’t want to ruin my friendship with Ron, I really don’t! It’s too nice the way it is – being with him and Harry is easy and comfortable, and I don’t want to make it awkward and funny. How awful that would be. Don’t you think?
I think that this is entirely your decision to make. You go on and see if you can’t shut it off. And if you manage, please, by all means, come and tell me how it’s done.
Fine, I will. And now, Gwen, I have to go and study.
Of course. Goodnight.
Goodnight.
