Harry Potter Fan

July 13

Hi, Gwen. How are you?

Perfectly well. How's summer?

It's... decent. Mum and Dad are adamant, though. I am not allowed to shrink my teeth. You'd think they'd understand. I look in the mirror and when I pull my hair back and smile with my mouth shut, I'm fine. But when I see my teeth.... it's never bothered me this much before, but it bothers me now. I'd like to be.... I'd like to be pretty. I know there's more to people than their looks – heaven knows I learned that second year, with Professor Lockhart. But still.... I don't know. I hate that I even care.

I know

No you don't, you're Guinevere. I've seen what you looked like. Anyway, I don't want to think about it, because it depresses me. Mum and Dad... they're just not going to give in and that's final. Why won't they trust magic? Why won't they just let me shrink them? It's so unfair, it's just so unfair. I've put together a lot of research, and really reasoned things out, plus the fact that I know Mum wants me to be pretty – why else would she buy me that hair potion back in first year? But she doesn't trust magic. Neither does Dad. They love me, but sometimes magic scares them a lot, even though they try not to show it. And they're already hung up on my teeth to the point where they won't let anybody else look in my mouth but themselves. Ugh, they're such dentists. They won't even let my friends eat sugar if they can help it. I had to send food to Harry and they'd only let me send sugar-free things. I'm sure he just loved that.

And why were you sending food to Harry? Is he quite all right?

Well, it's just that the Dursleys – here, I'll copy his letter. It's funny.

"Dear Hermione,

Isn't it great? I can use Hedwig! The Dursleys are scared of Sirius, so I get to use all my wizarding stuff this summer, which makes things a lot less miserable in this house. But listen, you've GOT to help me with one thing – you've got to send me something to eat. Dudley's on a diet, so everybody's forced to eat rabbit food. Seriously, you should see him - he's gotten so enormous that it's out of control. He's wider than Goyle and a foot shorter, I'm not kidding you, which means I'm having to eat nothing but carrots and grapefruit. HELP ME. SEND FOOD.

Let me know how you're doing,

Harry"


That is rather amusing. Hm.

Yes, and it's nice to be able to write him. I wrote back, of course, and sent food right away. Then I got a letter from Ron about it – shall I copy that one?

Please!

"Dear Hermione,

How's life? Did you get that appeal from the Feed Harry Potter Fund of Great Britain? I laughed my head off, and Mum packed him up a pile of food – you know her, she practically had kittens when she heard he was hungry. Well, he's not hungry now. Errol took five days to recover from flying over about twelve mince pies. Then I heard from him that Hagrid sent him rock cakes (which he could eat if he were desperate, I reckon) and you sent him everything but sweets, so I guess he'll live. Still no sweets over there, eh? I disagree with that kind of torture. Here're some Every-Flavor Beans (don't eat the yellowish-green ones. Just don't.) I swiped them from Fred. He's still got a huge stash from Hogsmeade last year. Go on, ruin your teeth, it'll be great.

Still no word on the Quidditch tickets. I'll definitely write when I know. The match is on August 25th, so keep that whole week free, if you can.

Right, that's it. Let Pig have a minute before you send him back, all right? He gets way too hyper if he flies two trips at once. Everybody here says hi.

See you,

Ron"


What's "Pig"?

Well, I suppose that's what he's calling the tiny owl that Sirius gave him. It's proper name is Pigwidgeon, Ginny told me. She named him. I like it.

The owl or the name?

Both – you should see him, he's the teeniest thing, it's so sweet. And do you want to see Ginny's letter? Oh, never mind, of course you do, here –
Hi, Hermione.

Things here are all right. I'm glad you'll be coming if we get the World Cup tickets – then you'll be able to meet Bill and Charlie and they're just great. Especially Bill, wait 'til you see how cool he is, and how nice! He's so mature. I think I'd really like having six older brothers if all of them were out of the house. It so makes me look forward to my seventh year. J

I got your letter, and yes, I burnt it right up. Don't worry, I know all about it, I'd never leave anything like that lying around in a house full of boys. And now you know about me, too, even though you already did. I've been sort of obvious. Oh, well, I suppose I can't help it, but I'm telling you, I'm not being obvious anymore, I'm just not. That's it, okay? I won't like him. But DON'T say anything about it in your letter, or anything personal at all – I'm warning you – DO NOT send anything personal back with Pigwidgeon (that's the owl. Isn't that sweet? I named him. Ron hates it!) Anyway, Pigwidgeon tends to drop letters with the first person he sees, so don't say anything you wouldn't want Mum or Ron to "accidentally" read ten times.

I hope you're having a really nice summer.

Take care,

Ginny"

So that's how everybody's doing.

Erm... what exactly did Ginny 'burn right up'?

Nothing.

Ah, yes, 'nothing'. Well that explains it then. Hermione, are you really not going to tell me?

No. I can't remember what I said anyway.

Yes, I'm sure you've forgotten it word for word. Well, I suppose it's none of my business.... even if I am supposed to be your diary...

Good. Well, I'll write again soon. Harry's birthday is in two weeks or so, and I'll have to think of what to send him. Any ideas?

Oh, Hermione. I'll think on it.

Thanks. See you soon.

July 28

Hi, Gwen! Hedwig's just been here. She always knows when it's Harry's birthday. I sent her back to him with a birthday cake and a card.

Your parents let you send cake?

Well, as it's a birthday, and as I've explained to them about Dudley's diet, they thought it was all right. That's how they are – Christmas and birthdays only. And I found him a present, too. It's just a little thing – a tiny, wooden, three-minute hourglass. Just to remind him of the Time-Turner, and what we did with Sirius and Buckbeak.

I like that.

Me, too – I hope Harry does. In any case, he'll have cake, and Dudley won't, and I'm sure he'll love that. You know, I could almost feel badly for Dudley, but from what Harry's told me I just can't care too much about the Dursleys. It's really a crime that Harry can't live with Sirius. That would have been so wonderful for him. He could find out about his mum and dad, and get to know what kind of people they were – I wonder if he's even heard from Sirius since that letter on the train. I hope so. He needs that – and it would be nice to know that Sirius and Buckbeak are okay.

I'm sure they're fine – wouldn't it make the news if he were caught?

Yes, it would. That's true. I've been getting the Daily Prophet again this summer, and I haven't seen a word about him, so I'll just assume that he's all right.

Any news on the World Cup?

No. But I did have a letter from Ron about Percy. Apparently he's gone to work for the Ministry, in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. That's such an honor for him! I know how hard he worked for all his N.E.W.T.s, and I know he wanted to go into the Ministry like his dad. I think it's wonderful, even if Ron says he's being, er, a bit over enthusiastic about it. Actually his words were, "That great giant braggart is lording around the house, boring the pants off everybody. It's insufferable." And even Ginny said, "One more word about Abroad and I'm going to throw myself out a window." Poor Percy. I'll bet Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are really, really proud of him, though.
I'm ready for summer to be over, Gwen. I miss magic. I miss school. I've gone back over all my notes and things, and I'm really ready for fourth year. I hope it'll be wonderful – I hate not being at Hogwarts. Regular life is so.... regular. Although I suppose it is nice to have a couple of months when I'm not in mortal peril.

I imagine it must be, yes.

I think things are really going to change for me this year, Gwen. I can't say why, I just have this feeling... I'm so different this summer than I've ever been. I saw Susie Raviski in the grocery market the other day, and I waved and smiled. She was so confused, she couldn't think of anything mean to do or say – I didn't even care enough to stick around and see -- and I used to be so affected by her. Isn't that weird? I don't know how that happened.
And I was reading back over you the other day, looking back at first year, and I just kept thinking – wow, what a little girl I was! I mean, I know I'm only fourteen in September, but that's ever so much older than eleven, it really is. I feel things differently now. But sometimes I think I'm the only person who feels them. Sometimes I think I'm the only one who really sees me. And I wonder if anyone else will ever see me differently from... from what I've been before. I wish I could explain it better than that. I'm so much better at an essay than I am at this sort of thing.

You've explained it. I understand.

You're just the best, Gwen. If I didn't have you and Ginny.... and Ron and Harry, of course, but I mean if I didn't have girl friends... I don't know what I'd do. I'll write you soon, okay?

Okay 'Bye.

August 22

Gwen – sorry I've been so bad about writing – just there hasn't been anything to say. But there is now! I've just had two letters. They're perfectly – well – here, just read them.

"Hi, Hermione!

Guess what? Dad got the World Cup tickets! He got enough for all of us, and then an extra ticket each for Ron and me. He said we could each bring a friend. Well you should have seen Ron. "Ginny, you have to give me your extra ticket. Seriously, that's not funny. I have to give Harry mine, he's with those Dursleys and I invited him first. But I invited Hermione, too, and I'm telling you – give me that ticket."

I pretended that I wouldn't, though. He's having a fit right now. Of course you're coming, I mean, you have to come, Hermione, who else does he think I'd invite? But I can't say anything to him about it just yet, because it's hysterically funny, the way Ron's behaving. I expect you'll have a letter from him, flaming me. Ha!

Mum and I will come and get you by Floo Powder on Saturday at five. Get all your Hogwarts things together, and you can just stay here at the Burrow all week and catch the Express with us, if that's okay with your parents. The letter attached to this one is to your mum, from mine, explaining it all. Anyway, they can't say no. You have to come. I can't have a whole week of Ron and Harry, with nobody to talk to about... you know. Everything. Not that there's anything, really – I hardly even think about it anymore.

Send Pigwidgeon back with your answer, but don't sign it, or write anything that Ron might recognize in case he gets his hands on it -- please, don't spoil the joke, it's too funny. (I didn't grow up with Fred and George for nothing!) Just put a check mark for yes, and a line for no, and I promise I'll tell him the truth in the morning, before you arrive, it's just too brilliant to torture him, and he deserves it – I've got years and years to get him back for.

See you Saturday!

Ginny
p.s. And of course, you have to bring Crookshanks.

-G.W."


"Hermione,

You're going to kill me, but don't. Kill Ginny instead. She's being a selfish little git – she even just stole Pig to send her s****d letter to some friend of hers. Look. What I'm trying to tell you is this. Dad got some tickets to the World Cup, and he gave the two extras to Ginny and me. She gets to invite a friend. I have to invite Harry with mine – he's at the Dursleys, plus I asked him first, and he's a Quidditch player. I was going to bring you, too, but now Ginny's ruining it by inviting some girl. I'm sorry, but it's not my fault. It's really too bad, 'cause I know if you could see this match, you'd understand why Quidditch is the best bloody sport on earth – and there's no need to write me back about my language. I'm irritated enough as it is.

I guess we'll just see you on the Hogwarts Express. Say hi to your mum and dad from mine.

'Bye,

Ron"


Gwen, I've done nothing but laugh. I could hardly write my answer. Finally, I did. I sent a check mark to Ginny with Pig – and this to Ron.

"Dear Ron,

It's okay. I'm not mad. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun, and you know I don't care anything about Quidditch unless it's Gryffindor. Anyway, I'll bet I know who Ginny's friend is, and if I'm right, she's just a brilliant person – wonderful, really – and you probably won't even miss me.

Say hi to Harry for me. See you on the Hogwarts Express, September first! And oh, don't swear in your letters, it's awful.

Love from,

Hermione"


You're a terrible person

I know it. But the opportunity is too good to pass up. Ginny's right. She says she has "years and years to get him back for" – well, so do I. Anyway, she said she'll tell him tomorrow morning before I arrive, so he'll live.
I can't WAIT to see everyone!!!! Oh, this is going to be so much fun!

Who's playing?

What?

In the Quidditch World Cup – who's playing?

Oh – I don't know, Gwen – teams from someplace. It'll be great. I have to go and pack! I have to be all ready by five o'clock tomorrow! I'll write you when I get to the Weasleys'!

Great!  bump!!

Thanks!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


((This is the Ron's part when he recieves Hermione's reply-his diary))

August 22

I can't believe Ginny. What a little brat. Just because she knows I need that ticket, she's being selfish – who's she going to invite? Some random girl? She KNOWS I invited Hermione in June. That's just so unfair. And Mum and Dad knew that I invited her, too - what's their problem? How am I going to explain this? I know how she is, she'll think I picked Harry over her. Which I did – but it's not because - I mean, I HAVE to. It's Harry, and it's Quidditch, and it's just a crime if he doesn't get to see this, it really is. Bulgaria vs. Ireland – I mean, that's KRUM. Krum. In person. Harry'll appreciate it, whereas Hermione.... But still, this is just sour. I'm going to make Ginny miserable this year, I'll get her back

August 23

Oh my goodness. I love this house. I LOVE this house. The Weasleys call it The Burrow. It's a completely magical wizarding house, and I feel so at home in it. Now I'll never be able to bear summers in the Muggle world again, I know I won't. I mean, of course I love Mum and Dad with all my heart, but this is how it should be. A million people, a lot of spells flying 'round, and so much fun that you can hardly catch your breath. And Harry gets here tomorrow! We'll all be together – oh, Gwen, I just, I'm so happy I could sing. But I won't, because it would probably scare everybody.

How was your trip?

It was incredible! I've never gone by Floo Powder before – I mean, I knew what it was of course, and I knew how to do it, because I read about it in Muggle Studies last year when we were comparing modes of Muggle transportation like cars, planes, and trains to modes of magical types like Apparation, broomsticks, and Floo Powder. It was great to have Ginny and Mrs. Weasley see my house. They looked all around, and Mrs. Weasley had a cup of tea with my Mum before we went. I was able to show Ginny the telephone and the video-recorder and things, and she was fascinated. It almost makes the normal world seem interesting, when you're in it with witches. Although I have to say, Mrs. Weasley was NOT HELPFUL about my teeth.

What do you mean?

Well, I thought I'd make one last appeal about shrinking them, and get a grown-up witch to back me up on it. I said, "Mum, Mrs. Weasley will tell you it's not dangerous, she'll tell you there's nothing wrong with the idea, won't you, Mrs. Weasley?" And Mrs. Weasley said, "No, I will not! Your mum is absolutely right, there is nothing the matter with your teeth." And then she pointed to Ginny and said, "This one's always trying to get me to spell off her freckles. I just don't think it's good to encourage that sort of thing in young girls. They're fine the way they are."
I am SO MAD. I told them I'll just wait 'til I'm a fully qualified witch, and then I'll do it myself! Mrs. Weasley said by the time I'm grown-up, I won't care so much about it anymore, and Mum agreed. But I don't believe a word of that. Anyway, forget it. I'm stuck like this until I pass the N.E.W.T.'s.

Ok,tell me about the burrow

Oh, Gwen. When I got here, all the Weasley boys (except Percy) were down in the paddock playing Quidditch. Ginny took me down there – it's like a little glen surrounded by trees, so if they fly low, none of the Muggles in the area can see them – and I looked up, and there they all were, flying around. I felt a little bit.... shy, all of a sudden. It was weird. I was going to yell up at Ron, but instead I just watched for a minute.
Finally Ron caught sight of me on the ground, and yelled, "Hermione! Hey, time out--" And then all of them landed at once. As soon as we said hi, I felt perfectly fine. Actually, I couldn't stop grinning. There's nothing like being surrounded by a wall of redheaded boys.

Ron told me off for a minute about not informing him that I was coming – but he was grinning, too. And then Ginny introduced me to her brothers Bill and Charlie, and she was right about Bill. He's cool. He looks like something out of a rock concert, with long hair and a fang earring and dragon-hide boots and things. He's obviously Ginny's favorite brother, and it's clear why – he adores her. He and Charlie both do. They were ruffling her hair and she was slapping at them, but laughing.
It must be so nice to have older brothers. I told Ginny I wish I had some, and she laughed and said, "Sure, but if you did have, you'd want them all to get lost. Have three of mine." Still, it must feel pretty good, to have so many people love you and look out for you. Plus, I think having all these boys around is what makes Ginny so laid back about things, when I'm not. Being an only child... well, I'm the only one who can make things happen, you know? Mum and Dad just have me, so I have to be everything. Ginny can just be herself. The only thing that seems to make her anxious is Harry. Oh, that's going to be interesting, when he gets here tomorrow. Ginny cleaned her room about nine times, and he's not even going to see it, and even if he did, he wouldn't care. But I know the feeling.

Ron said he wrote Harry today, and they're going to get him by Floo Powder tomorrow. He asked if I wanted to come, but I said no, that if the Dursleys are so hard on Harry for being a wizard, then as few of us as possible ought to be invading their house. I think it should just be Ron and Mr. Weasley, but Fred and George say they won't miss the chance to see "that great fat prig Harry's always talking about." That's what they're calling Dudley. I think they just want to play a trick on him and try out some of their Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

Weasley Wheezes?

Oh, Fred and George've been making up all sorts of trick things – fake wands that turn into rubber chickens, Canary Creams that really turn you into a Canary for a minute, Ton Tongue Toffees that engorge your whole tongue – they want to open a joke shop when they graduate from Hogwarts. They'd written up order sheets and things, so they could start selling all this stuff at school this year. But Mrs. Weasley found all of it, and confiscated it. She's furious with them.

But why?They sound like cool

No, it's not. It's really dangerous. They'd have to get all those items approved at the Ministry before they could sell them – that's what Percy and their mum and dad say. They can't just go 'round making up things, and having people ingest them – what if a spell goes wrong? What if someone got hurt? Fred and George aren't the most... thorough people in the world. They could easily make a mistake. I just don't think that's a very good idea, selling trick items that might backfire.

I'm one of the only people who think it's bad. Ginny thinks Fred and George are a riot. Ron thinks I'm being bossy. I can't believe he's already started in on me and it's only been one day. "Lighten up, Hermione – oh, look, it's nothing to get in a snit about – save the lectures for after summer – stop, you're sounding like Percy –" and then he'll put his hands over his ears altogether.

Honestly, Gwen, sometimes, I don't know why I have to like him so much.

P-Pardon?

But then he does something nice, like throw a gnome for Crookshanks to chase when he thinks nobody's watching – he's still pretending to think Crookshanks is a beast – but I know he doesn't, I know him, and I just - I can't help it. I've got a mess of feelings that won't go away, no matter how reasonable I try to be. Over dinner tonight, when the rest of the boys came in from Quidditch, Mrs. Weasley was being a total mum, and saying things like "Well, Bill, Charlie - you've met Hermione Granger? She's one of Ron's best friends from school." And Bill said, "So I take it, if we want the scoop on Ron, you're the one to ask, hmm?" And Charlie said, "That's right, give us the dirt!"

I said, "Oh! Well – that is – Ron's very....." and Ron looked at me as if to say, "Yeah, what am I?" And then I just blushed, I mean, I just started blushing, and I couldn't think of a single word to say, and I don't know why I couldn't just be normal about everything, but it's hard. Bill and Charlie were sort of grinning at me, and at each other. Finally Ginny – she's the best, Gwen – said, "Oh, no, don't even bother asking Hermione. If you want the real story on Ron, wait 'til Harry gets here tomorrow," and then she changed the subject to Quidditch, and everybody forgot about me. What a relief.

I don't know how I'm supposed to manage this. There's just no good reason for me to be like this. I'm so angry with myself, especially because he's not... so why am I.... Do you have any idea what this is like?

WELL IT'S AWFUL. Especially when he doesn't take anything seriously. He actually asked me to do a Silencing Spell on Percy with magic, tonight. "Hey, Hermione, d'you know any Muting Charms? I'd like you to shut him up so he doesn't ruin the whole week." Honestly. Sometimes I think he says things like that on purpose, just to annoy me.

Anyway, I'm going to try and forget about it. If I ignore it, maybe it will just go away. I don't want it. I'll make it stop. Harry's coming tomorrow, and then everything will be back to normal.

Ohhhhhhhh, yawn. I've tired myself out. Ginny's already asleep. I'm going to sleep, too. Goodnight, Gwen. Thanks – thanks for not – you know – saying anything.

Good night Hermione

that is so cool --- i want a diary like that!

Thanks!

***

Ron's Journal
August 23

Well that's just great, ha ha ha, very funny. I don't know if I like this whole thing with Ginny and Hermione getting to be such good friends. They're teaming up, and that can't be good. But I'm glad she got the ticket – I should have GUESSED it was her. That letter she sent, "I'll bet I know who Ginny's friend is, and if I'm right, she's just a brilliant person – wonderful, really – and you probably won't even miss me." Brilliant and wonderful? Right little modest miss she is. Ginny's just gone to get her with Mum.

Harry'll be here tomorrow. We're going to go bust him out of that prison-house, whether the Muggles like it or not. Fred and George are coming. They're bringing some Ton Tongue Toffees, (Mum didn't find all the Wheezes. She's good, but they're better.) I hope that git Dudley eats one. I can't wait to see this guy, and really meet these relatives of Harry's I've been hearing complaints about for three years. We'll see if Harry has it any worse than I do, having to deal with five brothers and hand-me-downs and no money and chores. At least when he's at Hogwarts, Harry's got everything. He's only got to be miserable two months out of the year. I've got to put up with this crap every single day, and I don't get the fun of being famous on the side.

I feel kind of bad saying all that. But I guess it's been sort of building up awhile. Mostly I try not to think about it, because Harry's my absolute best friend, and I wouldn't take any of it away from him. I just sort of wish I had it. God, that's s****d. Nobody better ever get this thing open.

Hermione's here. Harry's coming tomorrow. We're going to the World Cup. Things don't really get a lot better than this. All it would take to make things perfect would be to do some kind of Muting Charm on Percy. I don't think we've learned anything like that yet, but I'm betting Hermione knows how to do one—not that she'd tell me if she did. I can just hear her. "Ron! We're underage! We can't do magic outside of Hogwarts!" She's so easy to rile up. I think I'll go ask her about it, just to see.

August 24

Hi! We're leaving for the World Cup really, really early in the morning, but I'm over excited and I can't get to sleep! I don't know how Ginny does it, she just climbs in bed, and she's out like a light.
Harry's here. They all went and got him – and blew apart the Dursleys' fireplace in the process. I guess the Dursleys had an electric one, so they'd boarded up their flue. Plus, Fred and George did manage to feed Dudley a Ton Tongue Toffee, and they got in SO MUCH TROUBLE with their mum when they got back. That's really dangerous, what they did – if they'd hurt him, they might have been expelled. Of course everyone else thinks it's hilarious, even Harry – and he's got to go back to the Dursleys' at the end of the year, so you'd think he wouldn't want to irritate them so much! Honestly, they're all just too easy going for their own good.
But I tried to relax about it because we're all together again, and it is awfully good to see Harry after the whole summer. There's nothing that makes me happier than to be with all my friends at once. Ginny's actually been really calm about Harry – I'm impressed. She told me this morning she's not "planning on doing anything else idiotic, like sending valentine dwarves or singing get-well cards." And she's "just going to try and get over it," if she can. Of course, the second he walked through the fireplace, she heard him from all the way upstairs. She started repeating, "Okay. Okay." And I said, "Yes, it's okay. Breathe." And then she raced down to see him with me right behind her, and when he grinned hello at us, she turned an incredible shade of pink. But after that, she really did seem okay. She was even talking to him normally on the stairs.
I jut wish we didn't have to leave her out of the secret about Sirius. I hate when there's an awkward pause in the conversation just because Ginny's present. I try to smooth it over so she won't notice, but Ron almost blew it today because he forgot she was standing right there. I wish he'd be more sensitive of her – she's not a little girl. I don't want to be part of kicking her out of the room when the conversation is private – she's my friend.

Does this mean there's news about Sirius?

Yes, he's written Harry twice and he's fine. We were able to talk about it a bit at dinner because with eleven people, it gets loud enough to cover a private conversation without having to rudely leave anybody out. Actually though, we didn't talk long about Sirius. There was too much other news. I wish I lived in the wizarding world – I found out so much just at one dinner! Of course, it makes a difference when two of the party are employed at the Ministry. They were talking about everything. Somebody named Bertha Jorkins went missing.

Who's she?

A witch who worked for the Ministry, for the Department of Magical Games and Sports. She worked for the person who got us the Quidditch tickets – Ludo Bagman. I guess he hasn't even tried to find her! Percy says he's not very bright. But then Percy doesn't think anybody compares to his own boss at the Ministry, Mr. Crouch. Mr. Crouch, Mr. Crouch, Mr. Crouch. I have to admit, Gwen – I like Percy all right, and I think it's really great he's got his job and everything – but he really talks a lot about his boss. And he really does lord it over everybody. For once Ron wasn't exaggerating. Percy's trying to act grown up and impressive, and it rubs everyone the wrong way. He kept talking really loudly about some top-secret project he's working on. Well, if it's top secret, why talk so loudly?

Indeed

But I didn't say anything. It's kind of funny, the way Ron gets so irritated about it. I mean, it's only Percy. Anyway, the rest of dinner, all anybody talked about was Quidditch.

What do you mean, "all"? Did you find out who's playing?

Mm-hmm. Let me think a minute. It's..... Ireland. Ireland and.... hold on, I know this, Ron was just giving me a speech about it.... Uganda? No, they lost to France or something. Or did they beat Wales?

Honestly, Hermione. Top of your class and you can't keep two champion Quidditch teams straight in your head?

Well I wasn't listening! I was watching Crookshanks chase gnomes in the garden because he's just so cute. Anyway, what I said to Ron in that letter was true. The only time I really care about Quidditch is when it's Gryffindor, and Harry – people I know. Otherwise, it's just a sport. Not that I'm not thrilled to go to the match tomorrow – I am! I'm sure it'll be a fascinating experience. Wizards from all over the world will be there – it'll be really educational.

EduCAtional? Hermione, you go to an international match to watch the GAME!

You're scary, Gwen. Do you know that's almost word for word what Ron said to me after dinner? Gave me a half-hour lecture on the joys of Quidditch before I was allowed to come upstairs. He's obsessed. You should see his room.

Er – have you seen it?

Yes, I – I went in there today. But it wasn't any big deal, we were all in there, and it was just to show Harry where he's sleeping! Even though I have to say I felt a little funny, and I kept kicking myself mentally because there's nothing in the least new or different about knowing where R—knowing where the boys are sleeping, because for heaven's sake, we've lived together in Gryffindor since we were eleven. Oh why am I going on about this??
The only reason I even brought this up was to tell you that his walls are plastered with posters of the Chudley Cannons, and there's a zooming Quidditch pictorial going on in there twenty-four hours a day. I don't know how he even sleeps.
Speaking of sleep, I need some. We're leaving here at five in the morning to go set up our camp.

Camp?

Yes! Mr. Weasley says the World Cup went on for five days last time, and we're going to camp out at the game-site 'til it's through. Doesn't that sound like fun? I've never done much camping, but I'm glad I'll be there – since the game-site is in public, all the wizarding people are going to have to behave like Muggles, and I don't think the Weasleys have the slightest idea where to begin. Every once in awhile, it's very handy to be Muggle-born. I hope the match doesn't really last five days, though.

What!? Why not? The longer, the better!

Well, it's my schoolbooks. Mrs. Weasley's not coming with us to the match after all– she's going to Diagon Alley and getting all our school things. I've never shown up at Hogwarts without reading my texts. I'll need a bit of time to at least skim through everything before next Monday. But don't worry, you won't catch me telling Ron and Harry that I'd rather study than watch Quidditch for a week. They'd throttle me.

You're just lucky I haven't got hands.


Well! In that case, I'm going to bed. 'Night.

 :) :) :)

August 25

Wow. That's all I have to say. This is completely unreal. In all the books I've read, I've never been able to absorb what the wizarding population really is. It's enormous. People are here from all over. Little tiny witches, three years old – oh, how I wish I'd known what I was at that age! And lots of grown ups going 'round, trying to look like Muggles and failing miserably – one man in the water queue was wearing a dress! He was so hilarious – his friend said to him, "Archie, that's for Muggle women, not the men. You need britches like these," or something. And the man in the dress– oh, Gwen, he said – he said he wouldn't wear britches because "I like a nice, healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks."
I couldn't even look at Ron and Harry. I just burst out laughing like a maniac, and had to leave the queue altogether. How grown ups can say things like that and not be embarrassed, I'll never know! And how these wizards and witches expect to get away with being out in public is beyond me. They're so obvious! You should see the tents. They keep on having to modify the site-keeper's memory; he's the only real Muggle for acres. His name's Mr. Roberts, and he's very muddled, poor man, because of all they Memory Charms they've hit him with. But what are they supposed to do? I mean, Mr. Weasley for example. When we got here, he didn't know how to count Muggle money, and it looked very suspicious!
We had to go by Portkey. You know, magical objects that are enchanted to take you to a certain place? Only Percy, Charlie, and Bill were allowed to Apparate. So lucky – that's so much easier. The rest of us had to climb this enormous hill and touch this manky old boot, along with Cedric Diggory and his dad. Did I ever mention Cedric?

I vaugely recall something about quidditch..Hufflepuff?

Hufflepuff. He's their Seeker – remember, he's the one that caught the Snitch the one time Harry didn't. The honest truth is that he only won because the dementors came and made Harry fall off his Nimbus. Cedric's really nice about it, but Mr. Diggory was being very rude, rubbing it in that his son beat the famous Harry Potter at Quidditch. Cedric just looked sort of embarrassed. But wow. Embarrassed or not, he's extremely handsome and I can't believe I never thought about it before. I mean, I've noticed it, of course, but goodness! Now I've really noticed it.

Don't worry, Gwen. It's not like I fancy him or anything. I don't know him at all, and I'm determined never again to like anybody just because they're nice to look at. Anyway, he's seventeen; that's old.

So, what else, what else.... Oh yes, the tents! You should see this place; it's marvelous! Ginny and I have our own little two-room flat, inside what looks like a normal two-man tent. I do love magic, and I'm so glad I'm a girl, because all eight of the boys have to share a three room flat, and Ginny and I get this one all to ourselves. It's like playing house with a real house. Not that there's been much time for that sort of thing – we've been too busy running around and seeing everything, and running into everyone.

Other students from Hogwarts?

Oh, yes, pretty much everybody. We saw Oliver Wood – he's been signed to the Puddlemere Reserve Quidditch Team, and he's so happy! I'm glad for him. Then we saw Cho Chang – the Ravenclaw Seeker – I've mentioned her, I think.

Well, we saw her on the way back from getting water at the tap, and Harry slopped practically the whole bucket down the front of him. Do you know, I think he... I think he might like her. I don't know for sure, but Ron seemed to be smirking at him, and I think Harry was blushing. I'm glad Ginny didn't see it. And anyway, if Harry likes Cho then he's as bad as I was in second year. I mean, Cho's really pretty, but I don't think he really knows her, so what reason is there to like her? Not that it's any of my business, but still. Although I have to say, it's rather nice to see somebody else acting like a bit of an idiot. Is that bad of me?

Of course not is there anyone else

Yes, we ran into Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas in the Ireland section. The Finnigans have their whole tent covered with live shamrocks – Gwen, they're a dead giveaway if the site-manager sees them! Muggles can't grow plants all over their tents! They're going to get in trouble, but it looks so great that I hope they don't. Lots of the Irish people were covered in shamrocks. We're supporting Ireland, too – mostly because Seamus and his mum looked like they'd wrestle us to the ground if we said otherwise.

And tell me, because you MUST know by now – WHO are they playing against?

Bulgaria. Apparently they've got this amazing Seeker named Viktor Krum. There were a thousand posters of him in the Bulgaria section, but all they did was blink and scowl – I thought he looked really grumpy, and I said so. Ron just about had an attack. "Really grumpy? Who cares what he looks like? He's unbelievable. He's really young, too. Only just eighteen or something. He's a genius, you wait until tonight, you'll see." Yes, I'll see, whatever, Mr. Obsessive.

Well, who's the favorite to win, then?

I'm not sure – Ireland, I think. Fred and George have bet Ludo Bagman almost forty galleons that Ireland will win it, but that Krum will get the Snitch. I don't think they should be gambling their whole savings, but it's too late, they've already done it. I can't believe Mr. Bagman would encourage gambling – he's the head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports! But Mr. Weasley says he's very lax about everything - and I guess he must be, if he isn't even looking for Bertha Jorkins, that missing woman. He's certainly not being helpful to the people on security duty – he's been running around talking about Bludgers and Quaffles at the top of his voice, and he's wearing Quidditch robes.

I guess he's just very excited. He used to play for one of England's teams- Mr. Weasley says he was the best Beater the Wimbourne Wasps ever had. But some of the other Ministry officials are really unhappy with the way he's behaving. Percy's boss came by our tents –

The famous Mr. Crouch?

Exactly. And I can actually forgive Percy for being so hung up on him – I mean, the man is amazingly smart. He was dressed more like a Muggle than anybody in the whole place, even me. And he speaks something like two hundred languages, and he''s very rule-abiding. I have a lot of respect for that, even though some people I know think it's a useless way to behave. Anyway, poor Percy. His boss doesn't think quite as highly of him as he thinks of his boss. Mr. Crouch was calling him "Weatherby" instead of Weasley, right in front of everybody. Fred and George went into hysterics, but I felt badly for Percy, and it made me like Mr. Crouch a little less, too. He should value an employee who works so hard. Even if Mr. Bagman's not very.... er.... on top of things, at least he's fun. He's commentating for the match tonight.

The match tonight! Oh, it's going to be so much fun. We've just had lunch, and now it looks like we're going to go 'round and shop through all the souvenirs. Ron says he's saved up all his pocket money this summer for this event. I don't know if I'll get anything, but it's fun to look, and it's starting to get crazy here in the field because nobody's even pretending to be a Muggle anymore. Magic's exploding everywhere. Mr. Weasley's still trying really hard, though – he was trying to light matches earlier to cook lunch and everything, instead of just prodding up a fire with his wand. Can you believe it – a grown man who'd never lit a match! I had to teach him how. It was an interesting experience.

I have to go, they're wandering off without me, and I want to see everything. I'll tell you what happens with the match!

Or else!

'Bye!

 :) ;D :)  *Smiles happily*  continue.....

Thanks :)

***

That was just incredible.

The match? You saw it? It's over already? What HAPPENED?

Now, don't get mad with me, Gwen, because I know you're going to want details, but the fact is, I hardly know what happened. It's all very well to explain a match when it's played by people I know, but I could hardly keep the Irish and Bulgarian players straight in my head, so it would just be a mess to try and describe the match. The battle between the Seekers was the only part I really got.
Well, I'll tell from the beginning, and then I HAVE to go to sleep because I'm exHAUsted. Ginny's already gone to bed– she passed out at the table while we were having cocoa. What a day. So much went on, not just the match.
First we were out in the field going around and seeing all the souvenirs. Ron got a green rosette and a dancing shamrock hat, and a little tiny figure of Viktor Krum that walks around looking sulky. And then we ran across these things called Omnioculars, which are really great – you can dial the speed down and watch replays and things during the match, plus it tells you what the formations and strategic moves are called – not that I really caught any of them. And we needed to be able to see closely because we were in the Top Box, so Harry got some for all of us.
I don't know if I've ever told you this, Gwen, but Harry's got quite a lot of money. His parents left him a small fortune, I think. And you know... well, you know how Ron's family is poor? Well, I think Ron feels embarrassed when Harry can buy things like that for all of us, and he can't. I think he's jealous. And I hurt for him, because it bothers him so much. I wish it didn't – it's not important if he has money or not! But I tried to distract him anyway, by getting some programs for all of us so it wouldn't seem like it was all Harry. I don't know. I feel weird getting in the middle of that.
Anyway, Harry made him feel better, he told Ron that he could forget about getting a Christmas present for about ten years, and Ron looked much cheerier after that. And then there was a loud, distant gong from the direction of the stadium, and we knew it was time for the match to start! We hurried over, and climbed to the Top Box. I tell you, Gwen, I've had more exercise today – first climbing that big hill to get the Portkey, and then going up about twenty flights of steps to the very top seats in the Quidditch stadium, which was big enough to fit about ten cathedrals! And all the wizards and witches we'd seen camping in the field were pouring in – I've never seen so many people, let alone so many magical ones – it was so unbelievable to watch!
We were in the best box of all – all purple velvet and beautiful seats – the Minister himself was up there, and the Bulgarian Minister, too - oh, and guess who else? A house-elf! At first Harry called it Dobby – remember that one who tried to help him second year, the one who worked for Lucius Malfoy?

Yes, I do. Harry set him free with a sock, if I recall.

I still think that's marvelous – in fact, I'm starting to get a bit angry about the way these elves are treated. This elf wasn't Dobby – her name was Winky – but she knew Dobby, and she said some very disturbing things about his freedom. She said that he was "wanting paying" which means that he has "ideas above his station." Above his station? Who wouldn't want paying for doing all the household work? Mum hires a housekeeper every once in awhile, I'd like to see her find one for free! And then Winky said, "house-elves is not supposed to have fun," that they're just supposed to do as they're told – even if that includes going up to the Top Box to save their masters' seats, when they're terrified of heights themselves!

Winky is afraid of heights?

Yes, and Mr. Crouch sent her up there anyway! That's horrible, I think.

Winky is Mr. Crouch's house-elf?

Yes, sorry, meant to explain that – but it gets me so mad, just thinking about how unfair that is! Don't you think it's unfair?

It certainly dosen't sound quite right

It isn't. How can it be? But I decided to think about it later, because Mr. Weasley was so nice to get the tickets, and I wanted to enjoy the match. But ugh, just when I had managed to direct my mind back to the program, the Malfoys came up. Draco and his mum and dad. Lucius Malfoy of course said something really nasty to Mr. Weasley that made me want to push him out of the box. "Good Lord, Arthur. What did you have to sell to get seats in the Top Box? Surely your house wouldn't have fetched this much."

He DARED to say that infront of the minister?!

Gwen, the Minister isn't... very.... well, he's just sort of a blustery person. I don't know how much he really pays attention to things – at least, he didn't notice anything that Mr. Malfoy was doing.

What else was he doing?

Staring at me like I was trash, like he did last time I met him. Just curling his lip and looking at me as if to frighten me out of the box. Draco gave all of us one mean sweep with his eyes, and his mother just ignored us. She was pretty, but she looked exceptionally snotty, and her name – you won't believe it – is Narcissa.

How appropriate, I'm sure.

Hateful family. I just stared right back at Mr. Malfoy. I felt really upset, but I wasn't going to let him scare me. And then the three of them moved along and found their seats. Ron and Harry were both glaring at the Malfoys, and looking 'round at me to see if I was all right about it. They're great. I was quite all right, really, just.... you know, I think this is the real reason why I didn't tell everyone about Lupin last year.

I'm not sure I understand.

Because the whole werewolf thing – it's just prejudice. He was wonderful, even if he was a werewolf. And I know what it's like to be prejudiced against. I know how it feels to have people think badly of you, without giving you a chance to prove yourself. I know it, and I hate it, and I won't be a party to it.

Well done then

I'm serious. Injustice does not go over well with me – I've been really sensitive to it lately. First Buckbeak, then Lupin.... and now these elves. Something strikes up in me when I hear about things like this. And I think it might be because of the way I'm treated by people like the Malfoys. The same way that I don't agree with teasing people about their looks, because I was teased and I know how it feels. Does that make sense?

It makes perfect sense

Yes. Well, that's enough about that. Anyway, what happened next was enough to drive it right out of my mind. Bulgaria and Ireland both did team mascot presentations. Bulgaria had brought veela.

Never liked those creatures. Sorry if that's prejudiced

No, that's all right, actually. I don't like them myself. They're very distracting. They came out, looking gorgeous, the way I'd look if I were allowed to make myself over from scratch – you know, just perfect? And then they started dancing around. And then.... oh, it made me so MAD. Stu.pid veela.

The boys went berserk, didn't they?

Worse than that. They were about to leap out of the Top Box – literally! I yanked Harry back into his seat – I didn't even want to look at Ron. Both of them, losing their heads over a lot of pretty faces, it's just revolting, honestly. Later on, when they got angry during the match, the veela turned into giant, evil-looking birds, and Mr. Weasley yelled out "And that, boys, is why you should never go for looks alone!" I laughed at that – good for Mr. Weasley! – at least he knows what's really important, if some people don't.


Some people just haven't figured things out yet. Don't be too hard on some people.

Then Ireland had their mascot presentation – a lot of leprechauns flew through the air and made shamrocks out of themselves, and threw down gold pieces – it was wonderful! I noticed that Ron caught up some of the gold pieces and gave them to Harry, to pay him back for the Omnioculars. But the thing is, Gwen, it was leprechaun gold. It dissolves after a little while. If Ron would only read.... well, let's just hope he never figures it out. I didn't want to tell him.

It's probably better

Yes. And then, Gwen, after the mascots had gone to opposite sides of the field – the game began. Like I said, I don't know much about what went on – I tried to keep up, and of course I knew the basic plays, but this was Quidditch like I've never seen it at school. And I know I've said before that Harry's the best Seeker in the world – well, he might be the best Seeker of his age, but in the world – no. I mean, he could be, one day, but these Seekers.... they didn't care about what happened to them, you should have seen the way they dove – the Irish one, Aidan Lynch, got plowed into the ground twice. And I mean plowed – worse than I've ever seen Harry hit the ground, and that's really saying something. In fact, Lynch hit so hard that he knocked himself silly; at the end of the game he had to ride on the back of somebody else's broom when they did the victory lap.

Then Ireland won?!

Yes, they did. They won by ten points. It was an incredible game – Ireland was up a hundred seventy points to ten – the Irish Chasers were far, far better than the Bulgarian ones – but Fred and George were right on their bet. Krum caught the Snitch. But first he did this thing – he went into this dive that was so steep I screamed, and my Omnioculars said it was called something – a Wonky Faint, I think.

A – what?

Something like that – anyway, the point is, Krum wasn't even going for the Snitch, he was just faking out the other Seeker, and it worked. Lynch hit the ground and got badly shaken. And then Krum got hit right in the face with a Bludger – I've never seen anyone take a Bludger in the face like that – he was all bloody and it must have shattered his nose. But he kept on playing. Ron was right about him, he's very good.

Why did he catch the Snitch, if Bulgaria wasn't going to win?

Harry says that Krum wanted to end the match on his own terms. The Irish Chasers were just too good. I guess Harry should know what goes on inside a Seeker's head, since he is one. He was going crazy afterwards, talking about all the different strategic moves he's going to try this year in school – I hope he doesn't want to play like Krum, though. I'd hate to see him get his face all smashed up and everything – at the end, when Krum caught the Snitch, he ran Lynch right into the ground again and then rose into the air, covered in blood. He was very brave, but I don't think Harry should – oh, who am I kidding, of course he will. He'll do anything for Quidditch. He's already fallen fifty feet from the air, had his arm de-boned and tried to ride a broom that was very likely jinxed. He'll try that Wonky dive, I'm sure.

What does... er... "Wonky" mean, Hermione?

How am I supposed to know? Some special kind of move, I guess. Oh, it was wonderful to watch. And then the players filed up into the Top Box with us, for the awards presentation! We saw them right up close – Ron was about fainting when Viktor Krum walked in and filed past us. Krum looked a sight, I'm telling you – broken nose, two black eyes, round-shouldered – he's not famous for his looks, that's for sure. But like Ron said, when he can play Quidditch like that, "who cares what he looks like?" Funny how Ron doesn't care what Krum looks like, but when it comes to those veela... hmph. Boys. Ron especially.
That really was a once in a lifetime experience, though, Gwen. You have to tell all your friends at Miss Vauclain's – it was just a wonderful match.

I will. They'll love it, of course. Thank you.

Sure.... Oh, I'm tired. My goodness, it must be almost midnight. I can hear snores from the boys' tent from all the way over here. I wonder who that is? It's practically shaking the walls. I guess I ought to go to sleep. We're going back to the Burrow in the morning, and I'll get to study the rest of the week.... I'm so glad.....

You know, Hermione, I have to side with Ron on this. You're out of your mind.

Oh, Gwen. G'night.

 :) :) :)

*Knocks on computer screen* --- "Hello, hello, anyone there?  I just want to read.  Hello...."

August 26

Gwen, I'm scared. It's three in the morning, and something awful's just happened. And I mean awful.

I'm bracing myself. Tell me.

Mr. Weasley came into our tent – I'm not sure how long ago – and woke us up. I knew right away that something was the matter. There was a lot of screaming, the sounds of things breaking, people running – Mr. Weasley said there wasn't any time to get dressed, so Ginny and I threw on coats over our nightdresses and grabbed hands, and went outside – there were tents burning – and up in the air was a family of Muggles. Mr. Roberts – you know, the site-keeper? – and his wife, and their two little children. And below them, there were these people in hoods and masks, pointing up at them with their wands, and... laughing. It chilled my blood.

They started contorting the Muggles. They were making them flop upside down and spin and – and Mrs. Roberts' knickers showed – and I just – it was so sick, Gwen, so sick. I knew what they were doing, I've read about that curse, it's the Imperius Curse. You put it on somebody and you can make them do whatever you want them to do. And so the hooded people were just levitating that whole family, and torturing them – and they were awake, and so terrified, Gwen, I don't know if any Memory Charm can make them forget it. I thought about what my parents would do if that happened... because they don't have magic, just like the Robertses – they didn't have any way to fight back – it was horrible – my stomach hurts.

Oh, Hermione.

Bill, Charlie, Percy and Mr. Weasley took out their wands and went to help the Ministry fight off the hooded wizards. Ron's whole family is so good, Gwen. They didn't even hesitate, even Percy rolled up his sleeves and looked ready to fight – he wasn't in Gryffindor for nothing. Mr. Weasley told the rest of us all to stick together and get in the forest, where nobody could find us. So Fred and George grabbed Ginny and the rest of us followed them, and we ran in among the trees. It was so scary, Gwen, just the sounds of what was happening were enough to turn my stomach, and the worst part was that I didn't understand what was going on.

The first thing that happened in the forest was that we got separated. It was dark, and Ron tripped, and I heard him fall – I lit my wand, and Ginny, Fred and George weren't with us anymore, it was just Ron, Harry and me. Ron said he was all right, he'd just tripped over a tree root. And then we heard this voice.

"Well, with feet that size, hard not to."

Malfoy. Didn't even have to look to know it was him, he's always on the spot to say something horrible to one of us. Ron whirled right around and told him to go and... erm... well, he told Malfoy to do something he wouldn't have dared to say in front of his mum. And then Malfoy pointed to me and said we ought to be careful, "You wouldn't like her spotted, would you?" And I asked him just what exactly that meant, but I knew. He was saying that those hooded wizards were out to get Muggle-borns. And that means me.

Harry stepped up and snarled, "Hermione's a witch," but Malfoy just laughed and told Harry to have it his way, "If you think they can't spot a Mudblood –" he started to taunt, but Ron cut him off –

"You watch your mouth!" And then he lunged at him. I grabbed him by the arms from behind to hold him back.

You should have let Ron go at him.

No. I don't think we should have added to that mess by fighting, and besides.... I know Ron would have fought him, and....that's enough.

Anyway, though – then Harry asked Malfoy "Where're your parents?" and accused that they were probably out there in that masked crowd, torturing the Muggles. And Malfoy didn't deny it. His father was out there; I know it. He probably started the whole thing. I couldn't stand to look at his face – I led the way off, and we left Malfoy to himself.

Where did you go?

Mostly we were looking for Fred, George, and Ginny – we ran across a lot of people, but not them. We ran across some French-speaking students. I'm sure they must have been from Beauxbatons – that's another wizard school. As the forest started to get darker, we all had to light our wands – that's when we realized Harry's wand was missing. He couldn't find it anywhere. We thought he must have dropped it while we were running.

That's not good! Did he find it?

Yes, I'll get to that. So he lost the wand. And then we ran across Winky.

Mr. Crouch's elf?

Not anymore. But yes, at the time, Mr. Crouch's elf. She was walking all funny, like someone'd put a spell on her to hold her back – she was trying to get away – Mr. Crouch must have jinxed her so she wouldn't even be able to run without permission, and he knows she's scared of heights! Seeing those Muggles in the air must have terrified her! Poor thing, I started getting really upset, and then Ron – here's where I wonder about him, Gwen – told me "Well the elves are happy, aren't they? You heard old Winky, back at the match, 'house-elves is not supposed to have fun' – that's what she likes, being bossed around." I hardly think so! She's been conditioned to think herself lowly, that's all!

I said, "It's people like you, Ron, who prop up rotten and unjust systems just because they're too lazy to –" but I got cut off. There was a loud BANG! nearby, the noises of the drunken, laughing crowd were getting closer – Ron kept looking at me nervously and said, "Let's just keep moving, shall we?" in an edgy sort of voice. Even though I was mad at him, I just followed him anyway. I didn't want to be up in midair, getting contorted.

We got really deep into the woods. Oh, and this isn't really part of the story, but we passed three of those veela creatures. A bunch of boys were standing around them, bragging, trying to show off. It was pathetic. Worse than pathetic. And the worst, most pathetic one of all was Ron. He ran over and said, "Did I tell you I've invented a broomstick that'll reach Jupiter?"

Aha.

See what I mean? I had to pull him away. Harry helped. Those veela aren't even real women, they're just birds! They've got some kind of power over males, though, and it's not just their being perfect-looking, either. It's magic, it has to be. Or else Ron is more of an idiot than I thought.

No, veela are powerfully magical creatures, don't worry, it's a sort of Love Charm they exude. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. Love Potions were always my special gift.

Poor Ron, he always is picked on, lol 000  good, keep going, please.

Well I'll tell you something, I don't think Love Potions and Charms and things are very fair.

Not unless you're the one who knows how to operate them.

Well, I'd never use one. Then how would you know if somebody's feelings were even real?

Good point, although there are certain charms which – no. We'll talk about this another time. Please, tell me what's going on – I'm very worried – are you still at the campsite?

Yes, and things are much quieter, but listen, I've hardly finished. After the Veela, we saw Ludo Bagman, looking really tense, coming down into the woods. I don't know where he was before that, and he didn't seem to know what was going on. When we told him that there was a riot back at the campsite, he swore, then Disapparated. He's obviously not a very good Ministry official, I don't care how good he was at Quidditch. When he disappeared, we walked a little further, then sat down to wait. We hadn't found Fred, George, and Ginny, and I was really scared for them – but more for those poor Muggles back there, up in the air. I said, "What if they can't get them down?" and Ron said, "They will, they'll find a way," which made me feel calmer, somehow.

And then the scariest thing happened. We heard a voice – a grown up man's voice – from the thicket right next to where we were sitting – whoever it was said some kind of incantation, a spell, I wish I'd been listening properly, because I can't remember it at all. And then, up in the sky, we saw what the incantation had produced.

A giant skull made out of emerald stars, with a serpent for a tongue. It was hovering, huge, above the forest, lighting up the woods with a sick sort of glow. And then, with one voice, everyone in the thickets sent up a scream of fright, and the running began, and the ground shook.

Lord Voldemort's sign, isn't it.

Yes. The Dark Mark. I read all about it in "The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts". Nobody's seen it for thirteen years, and there it was. The panic it created was total - it can't be described. And it had come from right next to us. I mean, just a couple of meters. The next thing we knew, we were surrounded by Ministry officials – they all Apparated with their wands out – we were terrified – Harry shouted "Duck!" and yanked us to the ground, and then we heard twenty voices yelling "STUPEFY!" and they all tried to stun us at once.

But you're all so young! Surely they didn't think you'd conjured-

Panic. Panic. They weren't thinking. It was dark, too, they could hardly see us. And they didn't care who had done it; they just wanted to wipe it out. I could feel the fear. Thank goodness Mr. Weasley recognized Ron after just a second, and made everybody stop. But even though they stopped shooting spells at us, Mr. Crouch looked like he still thought it was we who'd conjured the Dark Mark. He kept his wand right on Ron the whole time, and accused us of doing it outright.

What? Is he mad?

No, but he's horrid. I can't believe he impressed me earlier, all those languages he speaks – who cares about that? He's a slave driver.

You mean, because of Winky?

Yes. You should have heard how they were all treating her.

Winky was there?

Yes. Sorry, I get mad and I leave things out. After they quit trying to Stupefy us, Mr. Diggory (Cedric's dad, he was there) ran into the thicket to see if anyone had been hit in there. And there was somebody there. It was Winky. She had Harry's wand, which made Harry look suspicious at first. But of course, he didn't do anything wrong, we'd witnessed that – and once they'd decided that Harry Potter was the last person in the world likely to know any of Voldemort's Dark magic incantations, they immediately turned their accusations to Winky- saying she'd used Harry's wand to conjure the Dark Mark!

They thought the house-elf conjured the Dark Mark.

Yes, and Mr. Diggory kept calling her "Elf!" in a mean voice, and accusing her of violating some code that says that no non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand. Can you believe that? Not only were they persecuting her for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but she's not even allowed to do magic, and I happen to know for a fact that house-elves can do magic, because Dobby used to do some for Harry! So why aren't they allowed to exercise their natural gifts? That's ridiculous! Don't you think that's ridiculous?

Well I –

And then Mr. Bagman came back, looking confused as ever, and Winky was pleading, promising she'd never conjured the Dark Mark, and I tried to back her up. I told them whoever'd done that incantation had a grown up voice – Harry and Ron supported me on that one – but Mr. Crouch wouldn't listen! He took the wand, and did Priori Incantatem – you know, to see which spell was performed last? And it was the Dark Mark. A shadow of the skull that we could see in the sky came out the tip of the wand like a ghost.

And then Mr. Crouch sacked Winky.

I lost it. I yelled at him, "But she was frightened! Your elf's scared of heights, and those wizards in masks were levitating people! You can't blame her for wanting to get away!" But he sacked her anyway. He said he hasn't any use for disobedient servants who don't know what's due to their master. Cruel. On the way back to the campsite I was talking to Mr. Weasley about it, saying that they way they'd treated Winky made it seem like she wasn't even human! And then Ron said, "Well, she's not." He's such a – how can he – I don't know what to feel about him!!!

I lost it again. "That doesn't mean she hasn't got feelings, Ron! I think it's disgusting the way –" But Mr. Weasley wouldn't let me finish, he said he agreed with me – HAH! – but that it wasn't the time to discuss elf rights. So I kept as quiet as I could about it – I only got in one more little skirmish with Percy, who of course is siding with Mr. Crouch. But Gwen, poor Winky, what'll she do now that Mr. Crouch doesn't want her? She's free, but she's penniless now because she's never had any compensation!

Mr. Crouch still thinks she did it?

I know he can't think that, he's not an idiot, and how would she know how to do it? Who would teach her? If she's been living with Mr. Crouch, there's no way she's been exposed to Dark magic – Mr. Weasley says he's one of the ones who fought hardest against the Death Eaters.

Death Eaters. I haven't heard those words in a long time. Thirteen years since anyone's talked about them. I... I didn't think I'd ever hear about them coming back.

Yes, those hooded people, that's what Mr. Weasley said they were. Death Eaters. They're the old followers of Lord Voldemort, and he said they probably had a few drinks and couldn't resist scaring everybody, showing us they're still out there.

Why aren't they in Azkaban?

Because they pretended that they'd been under Imperius Curses – that they'd never wanted to be with Voldemort – that they'd been under his power and acting against their will. But Mr. Weasley says that's mostly rubbish, he says a lot of them are just cowards who didn't want to fight Voldemort so they joined him, like Peter Pettigrew did. And now that he's not in power, they don't want to be in trouble for Dark magic they've done, so they pretend it wasn't their fault. Yet they must actually enjoy being evil – look what they did to those Muggles!

And they enjoy frightening wizards – look at the Dark Mark.

No. They didn't send it up – that's the thing, when it went up in the air, the Death Eaters all ran for it, like they were terrified.... And that's why I wonder.... Did the person who sent it up do it to show support for the Death Eaters, and applaud the Muggle torture? Or was it meant to frighten the masked wizards, to say that there was a real Voldemort supporter in their midst, and that the rest of them were just spineless cowards who'd turned on the Dark Lord when he lost power? Was it to champion them, or to threaten them? Nobody knows which one it is, not even Mr. Weasley, or Bill, or Charlie.

Everybody's fine, Gwen. Bill and Charlie and Percy were all bleeding from fighting – but they're fine. Ginny, Fred and George came back out of the forest as soon as the Ministry had gotten the Roberts family out of the sky – everybody seems to be bodily recovered.

It's just the feeling. Everyone's been completely unsettled by this – the whole wizarding community. The Dark Mark is what the Death Eaters used to put up over people's houses once they'd killed the inhabitants. Mr. Weasley said that everyone lived in fear of coming home to find it up in the sky above their house, because it meant that their family lay slaughtered inside. There was a Dark Mark over the Potters' house when their bodies were discovered, I'm sure.

Awful to think about, but I'm sure you're right.

What does this mean, Gwen? Why did they do this?

Why do terrible things ever happen?

I don't know.

Neither do I. But I hope it only means that someone wanted to cause a huge fright. After all, what better place to create a riot than the World Cup, when everyone's together? It's easiest to frighten people when they're in a mob. They begin to think the same, and then...

Chaos. Yes, you're probably right. Whoever did this is evil – evil enough to think it's funny when other people are horrified, to want to take this opportunity to scare everybody all at once. And even though that's sick, I hope it's only that.

So do I.

I've got to go to bed. Mr. Weasley said he'd wake us up at dawn to take us home by early Portkey. I don't want to stay here any later than I have to. It's four thirty in the morning. I don't think I'll really be able to sleep – it's hard with people outside crying and shouting – but I need to at least try.

Go to bed, Hermione. And for heaven's sake, WRITE me when you get back to the Burrow – don't make me tense.

Okay. Goodnight, Gwen.

Very good   :)

Thanks!!!
***

HQoW

August 27


Hi, Gwen, everybody's back at the Burrow, and we're all fine.

Thank you.

We're all fine for now, anyway. Who knows what'll happen.

You mean, because of the Dark Mark?

Yes – Harry kept something from Ron and me because he didn't want to scare us, or ruin our last week of holidays. His scar – you know, the one on his forehead where Voldemort hit him? Harry woke up out of a nightmare the other night, and the scar was hurting him really badly. The nightmare was all about Voldemort and Pettigrew – Wormtail. Harry thinks it might have been... more than a nightmare. He heard them plotting to kill somebody, and then he woke with a start and his scar was throbbing.

Has that happened to him before?

Yes, remember in first year, when he saw Voldemort in the forest, drinking the unicorn blood? The whole following week, until we were able to get through the enchantments and save the Stone, his scar was hurting him.

So the scar... signals when Voldemort is nearby?

I don't know – it seems that way – but how could he be nearby? Last time Harry saw him, he was just a phantom in a diary! And Harry had that nightmare in Privet Drive, at the Dursleys' house. I doubt Voldemort is out prowling around Muggle streets.

He's done it before.

I suppose he has.... this is really scaring me, Gwen. And Harry's convinced that "the Dark Lord will rise again."

He said that?

Well, he's quoting. From a highly unreliable source, if you ask me. He believes it because Professor Trelawney predicted something about it last year.

You didn't tell me that.

Well, honestly. Trelawney? It's hardly worth the bother of repeating.

Do, though, please. This is important.

Ugh, all right. Harry says she went into a "real" trance, and started to go on about how the Dark Lord would come back to power "greater and more terrible than ever before." She does love to jump up the drama. She also "predicted" that Voldemort would be rejoined by his servant... Well, I suppose that part's rather true – that is, if Wormtail really did go back to him, like Harry saw in the nightmare... But really, how difficult would it be to predict that? I mean, all those Death Eaters that never went to Azkaban – I'm sure one of them must've tried to rejoin Voldemort and bring him back at some point. Not much weight to anything Trelawney says, if you ask me.

Whether or not she was right, what is Harry going to do?

I told him he should tell Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, as soon as we get back to school. He refused. I told him we should check some reference books like "Common Magical Ailments and Afflictions" and see if there isn't anything about curse scars. He said, "Go ahead. But as I'm the only one who's ever survived that curse, I doubt it's listed as common."

True. Not exactly your average affliction, that curse scar.

But what else was I supposed to suggest? Anyway, Harry already did the best possible thing. He wrote to Sirius. He's just waiting for an answer. It's been four days since he sent Hedwig with a letter, and we haven't seen a reply yet. But Sirius could be hiding anywhere – Africa, or America or something – it might take a couple of weeks for Hedwig to track him down. I wish he'd write back soon. I'm worried – about Harry, and everybody else.

Gwen, you don't think Voldemort will really rise again?

I don't know. But I'll be perfectly honest with you, if you think you can handle it.

I can.

I think it's possible that the Dark Lord might return to power – such things have happened. And I think that he'll do everything possible to make sure it happens. Just look what he's done already – searching for the Elixir of Life, trying to make a victim out of Ginny Weasley – and clearly he still has a mass of supporters. He's obviously quite determined to find a way back.

But.... But then what.... What'll anybody do?

What people usually do in a terrible crisis – take sides, and fight. But Hermione, don't dwell on it if you can help it, really. It hasn't happened yet, and it's just as likely that it won't.

All right. I'll... try not to dwell on it. There's no point. Anyway, I have a thousand things to do. Mrs. Weasley picked up all our school things in Diagon Alley and I've yet to go through them. Oh – you should have seen Mrs. Weasley when we got back from the World Cup. She was so shaken – she'd read about the Dark Mark in the Daily Prophet, and it reminded her so much of when Voldemort was in power that she panicked. She was scared someone had been killed – one of us, maybe. The first thing I did when I walked in yesterday was to make her a very strong cup of tea. Poor Mrs. Weasley – how awful that she had to be here worrying, all by herself! She must have been terrified when she looked at the paper.

And it doesn't help, by the way, that whoever wrote up the incident happened to include a lot of false rumors about bodies being dragged from the woods. Some writer named Rita Skeeter at the Daily Prophet did the reporting. She also said that the Ministry mismanaged security, and that Mr. Weasley made a very dissatisfying statement about the whole thing – and now he and Percy have to be in their offices pretty much all the time, to make up for the bad press. There were no bodies! Where did she come up with that? I should know, I was right there! And Mr. Weasley's statement was just what it should have been, under the circumstances. Honestly, writers ought to tell the truth, especially news reporters, or else how will anyone ever know anything?

A very good question, one to which I'm sure many people would like an answer.

Yes, well. It's just not fair. A lot of things aren't fair lately. I'm going to go through our Care of Magical Creatures text and see if I can find anything about the history of house-elves. It's only five days 'til school, and I've hardly done a thing.

On the other hand, you've only five more days of holiday.

I've had enough holiday.

Oh, Hermione, at least take the book outside and read it in the sun for heaven's sake!

Well... It's awfully nice out, and all the boys are down playing Quidditch in the glen... I think Ginny's down there, too... All right, Gwen. I'll go outside and read.

What a good idea.

Oh, you just hush. See you soon.

Ron Rants-Other wise Ron's Journal
August 26

Just got back from the Cup! Wish it had been a longer match – I couldn't believe how great it was, though. Krum took a Bludger in the face- did the best Wronski Feint I've ever seen in my life – nearly killed himself. Brilliant. Then he came right up in the Top Box and I was next to him! I was right, too – Harry definitely appreciated the whole thing. He was going crazy afterwards, talking about all the stuff he's going to try this year on the Gryffindor team. Can't wait to see him give it a go – it'd be great if Harry ever played for England, wouldn't it? Maybe then we wouldn't be so dismal. Not that Bulgaria's all that great – only reason they got to the Cup was because of Krum.

Krum – still can't believe I saw him right up close like that. Can't believe all Hermione had to say was "He looks really grumpy." What's she on about? He's a genius! She just likes all those Lockhart types, doesn't care about talent or brains – saw her looking at Pretty Boy Diggory, up on Stoatshead Hill. Anyway, the only people there who really mattered in the looks department were those veela. They're bloody unreal. I mean, technically, sure, they're birds or something, but who cares? Very nice.

Really disturbing, though, the rest of the trip. The Dark Mark, and everything. Wish anybody knew what to make of it – makes me a bit nervous, especially with Harry's scar, and him talking about You-Know-Who, without saying You-Know-Who. Muggle-borns don't appreciate how much weight that name carries. Muggle-borns. I'm getting a bit worried about all that. What the Death Eaters did to those Muggles at the match – that was sick. And Hermione - I swear to God, if Malfoy says that filthy thing to her one more time, I'm going to rip his s****d head off his twisted little neck. What does he think he's doing? Right in front of Harry and me, every time – he must WANT us to flatten him. And the things his dad said to mine about the money right in front of the Minister – God, I hate that crap. Those Malfoys are on the same side with You-Know-Who, too. Makes my blood boil.

Glad I'm home, even if I would've liked a longer match. At least everybody's okay – 'cept Dad – he'll have to be at work all the time after what happened. Bill was saying to me that I don't understand it – I'm too young to know the fear the Dark Mark puts in people – but he remembers well enough, and he's told me to keep an eye on Harry. Reckon I will.

 :) :) :) thanks, very good read.

very good

thanks!!!

**

August 29

Gwen? .

What is it?

Why do I care about my looks?

Hmmm. What brings this on?

It's just that Mrs. Weasley bought everything on my school list, and one of the things this year was dress robes. She bought them for all of us, I guess – we're supposed to have them for formal occasions. She even got some for Ginny, though they're not on the list of things to buy for the third years. But Mrs. Weasley said "Oh, who knows, dear, perhaps you'll need them," and then she gave this little smile. Ginny and I are stumped. Why would she need them?

No idea. Have you ever seen anyone at Hogwarts wear them before?

I've never noticed, but I wasn't looking, so I don't know. Anyway, I'm not really concerned about why I'll be wearing them. I just hope I get to, once. Mrs. Weasley lay them out on our beds and told us to try them on and she'd be right back. Ginny put hers on – they were very simple and white, and Mrs. Weasley came in and fussed over her awhile, tucking things in and making her hold out her arms to check the seams. Ginny looked so pretty – I know she doesn't like her freckles, but they're actually rather becoming on her – and her hair was so nice against the white. I told her so, but she rolled her eyes and said, "Sure," and told me to try mine on. So I waited for Mrs. Weasley to leave, and then I did, while Ginny changed back into her normal clothes.

And mine are.... beautiful. They're made of a sort of floating...periwinkle... I put it on and Ginny said, "Oh, really – that's lovely!" but I just rolled my eyes and said, "Sure," the same way she had. She laughed and went outside – I said I'd meet her out there – I wanted to be by myself a minute.

I felt so different. For the first time all summer, it didn't really bother me to look in the mirror. I stood in front of it, and turned every which way, and I did the thing where I smile with my mouth shut so my teeth won't ruin anything? And my hair was wet because I'd just showered, so I pulled it up...And I looked... well, not like a veela or anything, but... I don't know.

Mrs. Weasley came back in, but I didn't see her at first. It was kind of embarrassing, because there I was, smiling at myself in the mirror and trying to see which way I looked better, and she caught me.

Everybody's done that; don't be embarrassed.

lol, that's happen to me before.  It is emaracing.  Continue :)

Great! BUmp

thanks!!!!
**

I couldn't help it. I dropped my hair and blushed and said, "Oh, I was just seeing –" But she bustled right over and said, "No, that's right, the way you had it just then." She showed me how to twist my hair up in a knot so that it actually looks nice (and she told me if I want to keep it flat when it dries, I should use that hair potion I've had since first year.) And then she said, "Now step back and let me see you, dear," which is what she did to Ginny. She made me turn around so she could check the length of the robes, made me raise my arms up, and asked me if they felt tight or loose anywhere. But they didn't.

Then she paused a second, smiled and said, "You're a pretty girl, Hermione." Gwen, the way she said it, I... I could almost believe her. I was so surprised that I could hardly answer when she asked if I liked the color she'd chosen – I sort of stuttered, "It's – oh, well it's – beautiful – thank you so much for picking these out!"

"You're welcome! I thought they would do well on you." And she looked at me for another second before briskly saying, "Now take them off and put them away properly – don't get them wrinkled up in your trunk for heaven's sake," and she bustled out.

Gwen? I really hope.... I hope there's a reason to wear my dress robes this year. I'd like for.... people... to see me in them. I know if I really cared, I could always be like Parvati and Lavender, and get up an hour early to do my hair and put on lip-gloss and all that. But I just can't see spending all that energy... although I kind of wish I... but no, Mum always taught me not to be so vain of myself, and I won't get that way. It's too much fuss and bother for every day. Anyway, isn't a person's inside supposed to count for something? I want to be liked for who I am. And then, once in awhile, if I happen to feel like making an effort, and I come out looking...

Pretty. You can say it.

Oh, never mind, Gwen. It doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter.

I hope you get a chance to wear your robes.

Yes. Well, now I feel silly.

Don't.

I'm going outside to find Crookshanks. I just want to run around a minute.

Do.

Thanks, Gwen, for listening. 'Bye.

This is Great!!

 :) :)

thank you very much, BTW I love your guyz storeis to, never give up, that's my motto ;)

**

August 31

We leave for Hogwarts in the morning! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

Excited, Hermione?

Oh, Gwen, I'm so happy, I'm always happy to go back to school, to be in Gryffindor, to be in classes, to go to the library – the library. Gwen, I need to get my hands on some reference books. Do you know that house-elves aren't even mentioned in our Care of Magical Creatures textbooks? Perhaps that's because nobody cares about them.

What are you going to do? Why do you need the books?

I'm not going to do anything – I just want to find out a few facts, that's all. I want to have a stronger argument than the one I've got, because I keep on yelling my opinion at people and I've got nothing to back it up.

You've been yelling at people?

Percy, mostly. He's so hung up on Mr. Crouch that he won't even see how awful it is for Winky to be mistreated like that! Back at the campsite, he said Winky had deserved to be fired, since she'd run amok with Harry's wand – she didn't run amok! She just picked it up off the ground! When I yelled that at him, he looked really surprised – I've always gotten along with him a lot better than everybody else does, because I don't have a problem with people just because they happen to be prefect, or Head Boy, or because they study hard and get high marks. But none of that matters if he's just going to go out in the world and promote injustice!

All of us were downstairs tonight, studying and things, when Percy and I got into it again. "Now look here, Hermione! A high ranking Ministry official like Mr. Crouch deserves unswerving obedience from his servants –" but I cut him off and yelled, "His slave, you mean! Because he didn't pay Winky, did he?" But nobody agrees with me, or if they do, they don't say anything to back me up, and it's extremely annoying.

I thought Mr. Weasley agreed with you.

Oh, well he does. But he's too tired and irritable to get involved in the argument – I don't blame him., either. He's got enough to deal with without having to shut up our fights. Because of what Rita Skeeter wrote in the Daily Prophet about the lax security at the World Cup, the Ministry's been bombarded by flaming Howlers all week. Everybody's so scared about the Dark Mark that they're taking it out on the Ministry. And now it'll get worse, because Rita Skeeter found out about that woman who went missing – Bertha Jorkins – and Mr. Weasley says it'll be front page of the Prophet in the morning. Why would a reporter want to cause trouble? I thought reporters were supposed to investigate things and make facts available.

Yes, and some of them do.

All of them should. The truth is, Gwen, even though I'm really excited to go to school tomorrow, a lot of things are weighing on my mind – Harry's scar, what happened at the World Cup, the things in the paper, Winky....

Well, maybe school will help to take your mind off things.

Yes, that's true. Studying always helps. I've been going through my fourth year spell book for Transfiguration, trying to get ahead. I'm not going to put it in my trunk, I'll bring it in my bag on the train so I've something to do.

Oooh, the door just slammed upstairs, and I heard yelling. I think Ron's had a row with his mum. I think she's coming – hang on a minute.

***

Whew. Mrs. Weasley was not happy. She's all pent up from this week, and Mr. Weasley working long hours, and now Ron's given her a hard time about something or other. She came in here muttering something about boys – it sounded like something I would say – and she snapped, "I hope you girls, at least, have managed to get packed properly?"

Luckily, I'd just made Ginny finish, so we were both able to say, "Yes, of course we have!" and point to our trunks. We are now Mrs. Weasley's favorite people in the house, and she's gone to get us cocoa. I'm going upstairs a minute, I want to see what Ron did.

ahh---I feel like writing more: coming at ya ;)

**

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why won't he tell me what happened? Harry wouldn't, either! I went up and knocked, and Ron shouted, "Maybe I WILL go naked!" He was so loud, I jumped – plus which, I mean... what a thing to say. It took me a second to say anything back, but then I pushed the door open an inch and said really quietly, "It's only me, Ron, your mum's gone downstairs. I heard a lot of shouting from Ginny's room – what happened?"
And he came over and SLAMMED the door right in my face! He could have caught my fingers, he didn't even look! And then I heard a lot of scrambling around, and I heard Harry say, "Just stuff them in there, look, there's room." And then I heard a trunk slam. And then Ron said, "Right. When we get to Hogwarts, I'll burn them."
WHAT are they TALKING about? I'm absolutely dying to know. Whatever it was, they got in a lot of trouble with Mrs. Weasley for having it. Anyway, finally Ron came and opened the door, but he blocked it so I couldn't come in, or see in. He looked extremely irritable.

"Yeah?"

"Well that's nice! I just came up to –"

"We're packing. What do you need?"

"What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing."

"I hardly believe that. Harry, what's the matter with him?"

I stood on my tiptoes to see over Ron's shoulder, but Harry just shrugged and looked out the window at the rain. I tried to see around Ron, to find out what they were trying to hide, but he blocked me again, and shut the door except for a tiny crack, which he stood in.

"Look, I'm not trying to be mean, but go away."

"Hmph. You made your mum really mad."

"Go away."

"You should be nicer to her, she's had a really hard week, with your dad at the Ministry all the time, and everything that happened at the World Cup!"

He gave me a blistering look after that, pushed me off my tiptoes, and shut the door. I heard Harry yell, "Goodnight!" and I yelled back "Goodnight, Harry."

What do you think they were hiding?

Oh, that's a dangerous guessing game. You may not really want to know the answer. Just let them have a secret.

Not fair!

Why not? Don't you have a secret or two with Ginny?

Not the same thing!

Exactly the same thing.

Gwen, stop being reasonable, I want to know what they're up to. Oh, never mind, here's Mrs. Weasley with cocoa, I'll just ask her.

***

Oh, that's all it is? How s****d.

What?

Oh, so now you want to know, do you? How about if I just have a secret?

All right. Goodnight, Hermione.

No, stop it, I want to tell you! Honestly. It's just this – Ron doesn't like his dress robes, and he says he won't wear them. It made Mrs. Weasley upset, so they got in a row, and then he didn't want me to see them, so he shut the door on my face when I came up. I mean, what's the problem with that? He could have told me that, they're just robes. Who cares if they're second-hand?

Wouldn't you care?

Well... I really love my robes, but I just can't imagine Ron actually caring about anything like that.

Apparently he does.

That's just weird. He's never bothered with things like that. Anyway, just wanted to tell you what his problem was. I promised Ginny I'd only write a minute, because she wants to sit up and have a talk before we go to bed. She probably wants to tell me for the eighth time this week that she's absolutely sure she's definitely gotten over Harry. I'd laugh, except... I know how she feels.

She says hello, by the way, and she's very sorry we didn't get to come to Diagon Alley and have another chat at Miss Vauclain's.

Oh, yes, I missed you. Perhaps next year. Tell Ginny hello, and wish her a wonderful year from me!

I will. Talk to you when I get to school! Goodnight.

Thankx.  

this is just great.   ;) :)

Ron Rants
August 31

Okay, that's IT. These robes are never TOUCHING me. I will NOT wear some laced up velvet number – Mum said I can just go naked – well, I'd rather. Harry's got really nice ones, and mine are rubbish. Of course. As usual. It must be really nice to have all that money, and not have to be stuck with this CRAP. And Hermione, trying to see them – NO ONE is going to see them. That I had to see them is bad enough.

I can hear her and Ginny from all the way up here. They're shrieking – I think that's laughing – what the hell are they talking about down there? She tried to butt in on my packing, I'm going down there and seeing what's up, it's only fair.

Well la-dee-da for Ginny. Tried to slam the door on my hands, she did. "Get OUT, Ron, you were RUDE to her, weren't you, so just GO AWAY." And then Hermione, "Just shut the door, Ginny, just SHUT the door, I'm already in my nightdress and he can just apologize tomorrow for being so mean."

Apologize? They're both mad. Now they're laughing again. I don't get it at all.

**
September 1

I despise Malfoy. Now Ron's going to be testy all the way to school. Why can't that little beast just keep his mouth shut? Doesn't he have anything to do except bother us? I'll give him something to do if he's not careful.

Hermione!

You won't say that when you know what he said. Just because Ron's dress robes are – well – not the best.

You've seen them, then?

Oh, yes. Big snit all morning, everybody's in a mood. Ron and I weren't really talking because of last night, and then Mr. Weasley had to go early, and left Mrs. Weasley to bring us all to King's Cross –

Why?

Oh, he had to go get a retired Auror out of trouble. Mad-Eye-Moody is his name – or at least that's what they call him – he's a very paranoid old Dark wizard catcher, and he's made a mess with some Muggle Artifacts. He always thinks people are trying to get him, so he's got the dustbins outside his house enchanted to go off, as a sort of alarm system. They started clattering all over the place last night because some cat tripped them up or something – anyway, he isn't allowed to enchant his dustbins and some Muggle policemen saw them going off, so now he's in trouble. Mr. Weasley has to fix it because that's his department, and he likes Mad-Eye.

So he went off to work and so did Percy, and Mrs. Weasley brought us all to King's Cross with Bill and Charlie's help. We went by Muggle taxi. Do you have any idea what it's like to get six Hogwarts trunks, an owl and a cat, seven Weasleys, Harry and me into regular taxis? The drivers were baffled. Fred's trunk came open and his Filibuster Fireworks went off – poor Crookshanks was frightened to death and clawed the driver, who tried to kick him! But Ron said, "Hey, watch it!" and grabbed Crookshanks into the cab with us.

How nice.

Yes, well, you know him. One nice thing and then he counteracts it. He, Harry and I got in one taxi and Ron was trying to hold down Crookshanks, who was scratching him all up, and he snapped at me, "Don't think I'm going to apologize for yelling last night, now that this brute's attacked me."

"You know he's not a brute – and you don't have to apologize, because I know all about it."

"About WHAT?"

"Your dress robes."

"Who told you?"

"Your mum."

"Some loyal family I've got!"

"Oh, hush, honestly. Your robes can't be that bad."

"Can't they. You'll see – yeah, I'll show you, who cares. It doesn't matter who sees them, I'm never putting them on. Ow!"

Crookshanks spent the remainder of the ride to King's Cross running across our three laps and giving us bad scratches because he was still in a state about the fireworks. It was some job, getting through the barrier at platform nine and three-quarters without any Muggles noticing all our commotion.

Then, when we were boarding the train, Charlie and Bill and Mrs. Weasley started getting all secretive on us, saying we'll have an especially good time at school this year because they're changing the rules. What rules? And then Charlie said we'll be seeing him sooner than we think, and Bill said he wishes he was back at Hogwarts this year for the fun, and maybe he'll come and see some of it. Some of what? This must be the top-secret project that Percy was always talking loudly about. Whatever it is, it's happening at Hogwarts – and Malfoy, at least, seems to know all about it.

Malfoy. Why'd he even come into our compartment if he despises us so much? We hate him too, but we don't seek him out. It makes much more sense! I mean, we could hear him in the next-door compartment, so I just slid the door shut. Simple. Goodbye, we don't want to talk to you. He was in there going on about how much he'd rather have gone to Durmstrang to study, because they actually teach the Dark Arts there, instead of teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts like we do at Hogwarts. That school's got a horrible reputation. Malfoy would have been their prize student, I'm sure.

Anyway, we just tried to shut him out and enjoy the ride to school. Pigwidgeon was hooting non-stop at first, so Ron dragged this maroon thing out of his trunk and threw it over the cage to make Pig be quiet. Then he gave me a very dark look and jabbed his thumb at the maroon thing, and I saw it had sleeves and lace cuffs.

The dress robes?

Yes. He's right, they're not very nice. But I'd never let on I thought that. I looked at them, looked at Ron, and shrugged. I wanted him to know that they're not a big deal. He shrugged too, and seemed all right after that. Neville came in with us and Ron was showing off that sulky little Krum figurine he got at the Cup, and Harry got us all Cauldron Cakes, and everything was fine. Ron was telling Neville about seeing Krum up close, and about our being in the Top Box, and then we heard –

"For the first and last time in your life, Weasley."

I'm so sick of Malfoy I could scream, and we haven't even started school yet. I almost did yell at him when he picked up Ron's dress robes off Pig's cage, and started to mock them. What right does he have to make fun of Ron? Just because his family's rich – he didn't do anything to get that money except be born into it. It's nothing to do with who's the better person, and it's just a demonstration of how poor Malfoy really is. But it still stings Ron, I know it – he went and told Malfoy to eat dung. His mouth lately – it's awful! But I won't bother him about it today. Malfoy's made him so irritable it's not possible to talk sense to him. After he taunted Ron about the dress robes, he started getting on all of us about the secret project thing – asking if we were planning to enter.

Enter what?

We don't know. The secret project – whatever Mrs. Weasley and Bill and Charlie were talking about this morning. Malfoy knows what it is, though, and made a whole show of bothering us about it. I said, "Either explain what you're on about or go away, Malfoy." But I shouldn't have said it – it was an admission that we didn't know the secret, and he just loved that. "You've got a father and brother at the Ministry and you don't even know? My God, my father told me about it ages ago... maybe your father's too junior to know about it, Weasley... yes... they probably don't talk about important stuff in front of him."

That was it for Ron. He slammed the door so hard after Malfoy that the window-glass shattered. I repaired it with my wand and said, "Ron!" but it was really just out of habit. I didn't blame him. He snarled at me, "Well... making it look like he knows everything and we don't.... Dad could've got a promotion anytime... he just likes it where he is." I could see how defensive he was feeling about his dad, and I just wanted him to know that I understood, so I quietly said, "Of course he does. Don't let Malfoy get to you, Ron –"

"Him? Get to me? As if!" That's how he ended the conversation, and then he turned around and started writing something – d'you know, Gwen, I think it's his journal! – and it's been quiet in here for an hour now.

I wish he had let me finish. I was going to tell him he's so much better than Malfoy that there's no room in it for fighting and the same thing goes for his father. Although now that I look at it... maybe it's better I kept that to myself. After all, that's.... a little bit too obvious.

Obvious?

Well, you know – you know I think Ron is – but he certainly doesn't need to know – and in front of Harry – well, I'm just going to have to be careful about saying what I think, or I'll give myself away.

Gwen, I don't want to have to check myself! It's so strange to keep something back from my best friends. But I couldn't ever say anything, or it would just be.... everything would be too different and awkward – oh, never mind. But why do I have this crazy impulse to....

What?

Well, when Ron looks upset like he does right now, I sort of wish I could... I wish he'd let me...

Oh, it's just wrong that he's all irritated like this, it's a horrible way to start off a new school year. Ron can't stay in this mood. Hang on a second.

OOO, good.   :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
***
He's being so secretive lately. I just barely touched him on the shoulder and I swear he about launched out of his seat. I didn't mean to startle him! Then he slammed his journal, whipped around and glared at me. As if I'd try and read it! I never would! I said, "Ron, are you all right?" And he said, "Perfect, thanks," in a sarcastic kind of voice that hurt my feelings. I just wanted to help. What a lovely journey to school this has been.

Plus it's raining like a fiend out there. Oooh, I wouldn't fancy being in first year and having to cross the lake in this weather. But at least we're almost to Hogwarts. Oh, Hogwarts – school – everything's going to be fine, Gwen, isn't it? I'm about to be home!

**

Everything is NOT fine. Everything has been a big, fat lie – Hogwarts is practically a slave camp – I can't believe it – three years I've been contributing to the mistreatment, to the bigotry, to the oppression! I feel sick.

Dear, whatever happened? Who have you been oppressing?

House-elves! Gwen, Hogwarts has house-elves! The largest number of any dwelling in Britain! They cook our meals, clean our castle, light our fires, warm our beds – for nothing. No salary, no sick leave, no pensions – nothing! I find it appalling that my school takes such an active part in sustaining this injustice. How could Dumbledore? And all the staff? Am I the only living witch who cares a whit about what's decent?

What exactly do you intend to –

I'm on strike. I didn't eat dinner, and I won't eat again. I won't sit down in the common room and enjoy the fire. I'll put a sign on my bed so they won't heat it. I won't HAVE it.

But Hermione, you have to eat.

Oh do I? Well maybe if I starve a bit and get sick, someone will see this is serious!

It doesn't work that way.

Oh no? How do strikes work, then?

Not like that! You won't really starve yourself, will you? You mustn't.

Gwen. Do you understand. There are SLAVES at my SCHOOL. If I have to sacrifice a bit, it will be worth it. Someone's got to listen to me!

Perhaps you could try another way of –

No! No, no, no – and that's final.

No! For once, Hermione, you'll listen to me – you can't cut me off on this one.

Can if I want – you're my diary.

Aha! So then you'll treat me like a house-elf instead? Excellent compromise.

Gwen! No – I didn't mean – you know that's not what I –
I know. Just hear me out. The way to go about this is to enlist support – to make an organized commotion. Get people to understand your position and bring them to your side. There's strength in numbers. Now, what's your position?

Well it's.... House-elves should be compensated, not enslaved!

Based on what? Was there a time they were free? Do you know their personal beliefs on the subject? What is their treatment, in comparison to the treatment of other non-human magical creatures?

I.... I don't know that. I don't know anything except it's wrong.

Which is an excellent start. But I suggest you do research, and find a better way to support your platform. If anyone knows how to go about that, it's you.

I know – I wanted to do research before – remember, I told you –

Yes, yes. Well, in the meantime, eat something, because if you don't, I'd like to see how far you get on your research before you collapse. Not to mention that your brain will be addled all day tomorrow if you skip breakfast after skipping dinner – you'll ruin your whole first day of classes.
You won't learn a thing. And your stomach will growl in a beastly way, and everyone will hear it.
It's true. So. You'll start eating again, is that clear? You won't help these elves if you're fainting all over the place.

Ugh, you're just like Ron.

He said I wouldn't get the house-elves sick leave by starving myself, and then he tried to tease me into eating dessert.

Good. I have an ally looking out for your interests.

He isn't looking out for anything. He just doesn't care about house-elves.

However you'd like to see it, Hermione.

I see it the way it is. And you can stop bothering me – I'll eat breakfast in the morning, you're put it to me reasonably enough.
But now.... I have some rather... well it's not good news, Gwen. I mean, it is, but it isn't. You'll die. Try to stay calm. It's... it's about Quidditch.

What? What about Quidditch?

Well, this year, the Inter-House Quidditch Cup is cancelled, and we aren't going to have any matches

 :) :) :) :)

***
Gwen? Are you all right?

You're fibbing.

No, I'm not, it's really cancelled for the whole year. Believe me, Harry's upset too – he looked like someone had died.

Well it's a tragedy.

Goodness, I wish somebody would react this violently about house-elves. But cheer up – there's something fun happening here, something to take the place of Quidditch.

Nothing can take the place of Quidditch.

Well... what about a Triwizard Tournament? We're having one. It's a chance for the three largest European schools to –

You're having a Triwizard Tournament?! But that's wonderful! Why, I haven't heard about one of those in absolutely ages!

That's because they haven't held one for a few hundred years. Anyway, how do you know about the Triwizard Tournament?

Well, it was established in the late thirteenth century, wasn't it?
I used to hear about the tournament from someone who owned me, who had a friend at Beauxbatons. I wish I could've gone to one of the big schools! You're going to have so much fun!

Why couldn't you go to one of the big schools?

Oh, well in the first place, I was alive in the sixth century. Hogwarts wasn't established until the – tenth?

Actually, it's commonly accepted that it happened in the early eleventh –

And even if Hogwarts had existed, my parents never would have let me go. They wanted my magic kept quiet. They were terrified that someone would discover I was a witch, and that I wouldn't make a royal marriage. They sent me to Alpenstachen for my education.

I've read of it! In the Alps somewhere, isn't it? All-female, very small, combines witchcraft studies with a modern classical Muggle education, and costs loads?

That's the one! Is it still around, then?

Yes, I think so.

Amazing. Well, I can't complain – I enjoyed it very much. But I always rather wished.... the Triwizard Tournament does sound like fun.

Well, I suppose it does. But Professor Dumbledore said something about there having been a death toll in the past – champions have died during the competition! Although it will be nice to meet foreign witches and wizards. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are both bringing their short-listed contenders in October. I wonder who the Hogwarts champion will be? I hope it's a Gryffindor! Angelina Johnson says she'll enter!

What about you?

Oh no, I can't. Part of the new rules so there won't be anymore deaths – you can only enter if you're seventeen or older. Fred and George are positively livid. They really wanted a chance to get at the thousand galleons prize money, but they won't be seventeen 'til April. I know they'd all be mad.... but I'm glad my friends are all too young to enter. I wouldn't want any of them hurt, and we haven't learned enough to compete – who knows what kind of magic the champions will come up against? Maybe even Dark magic!
We've got our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and it's Mad-Eye-Moody.

The paranoid Auror with the enchanted dustbins?

Can you believe it? Another contender for the title of Most Bizarre Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Ever. Really, there should be a contest. So far, we've had a werewolf (granted, he was a wonderful one,) a silly fool, and a Dark wizard who was keeping Voldemort on the back of his head. Yes, Quirrell definitely takes the prize so far. But Professor Moody is already in the running if you ask me – his face is all gnarled and scarred, he has a wooden leg and a crazy magical eye, plus he enchants his dustbins. Can't we ever have a normal teacher in that class?

Nope

I hope he can teach. I just can't afford another year like the first two, and I don't want to fall behind after all Professor Lupin did to bring us up to speed – I don't care if he's crazy as long as I learn something. Parvati and Lavender aren't sure about him, though. They were going on about his skin, his scars – they care way too much about that kind of thing. Do you know what they started doing over the summer? They started shaving their legs! Am I supposed to start doing that, too? Is it time for that already? Mum says once you start you can't ever stop and I just don't know if I can bother.... bothering. But I think I'm the only one who isn't doing it. I'll just wear trousers. I don't want to shave.
Why do girls have all these things we're supposed to do, and boys don't seem to have any? You don't see boys having to paint their toenails or pluck their eyebrows or wear make-up or... Gwen, I didn't tell you but I got a bra this summer, and just don't ask me about it because I hate it. Mum made me. She said it was time for me to start being "discreet". It's not like I needed one that much. And I always forget to put it on because I'm not used to it. And I have to be careful what I wear because there are some shirts that you can see the outline through – and I don't want it getting snapped, or – or anybody knowing. Plus, this summer, I became a "woman", and don't ask me about that, either. Let's just say I'm grateful it happened over the summer with my mum there, and not here at Hogwarts.
This year I have about a million things that I can't ever share with Harry or Ron. I'm tired of being a girl.

Boys have their own set of troubles, I promise you. But yes, I'll agree we've got the worst end of the deal in the area of personal maintenance. You think you hate your underclothes? The first time I was cinched into a corset I fainted dead away. Horrible! Oh, the things we'll do to look lovely.

Honestly.

What a lot of fuss and bother it is, being us. But there are some girls who don't even seem to care – they seem to like it – Parvati and Lavender are all happy about shaving their legs. Maybe that's not such a terrible idea – I guess it does look better. But no, I just don't feel like it. I feel like... sleeping, actually – Gwen, it's eleven-thirty! I can't believe I didn't notice! I've got to go to bed, it's late, and tomorrow's the first day of classes, plus I'm going to start up my research on house-elves. I'll need to be rested.

Goodnight, Hermione.

Goodnight, Gwen.

 :) :) 8)

thanks!!!!!

**

Ron Rants
September 1

I'll kill him – that's my dream. I'll take him apart, one arm, then the other, then his legs – I won't even use magic, I don't care. I can't say this stuff to anybody – Harry hates him but it's different, and Hermione never lets me fight him. "You'll be just as bad as he is if you give in to it." I notice SHE didn't quite hold herself back last year. Sometimes it's worth it to dig into somebody like Malfoy – it'd feel so great to rip him up – he's a lousy, stinking bas***d and I wish he'd gone to Durmstrang and fallen off a glacier or been chewed alive by a bear. One more word about my Dad – or my brothers, even Percy – or Hermione... he said Mud – that word – again. I heard him in there. Hermione shut the door on him and pretended not to hear it. I don't know how she does that. How can she just sit above it? I can't. I want to see him cry, and before we're done at Hogwarts, I swear, I'll see that bloody prat sob like a girl.

I am also going to kill the following people: Mum, Dad, Bill, Charlie and Percy, all of whom are now officially my ex-family members, since they wouldn't tell me the secret, and made me look like an idiot. I am also going to strangle my owl.

God, Pig, shut up. I threw my robes over him, and he's hooting again – what is his PROBLEM? Those bloody robes probably smell or something – can't believe I took them out of my trunk. At least Hermione didn't laugh – I guess I knew she wouldn't. But I wish I'd left them in the trunk, where Malfoy couldn't.... oh, screw him anyway. I'm not hiding anything from him. He's a – no. I'm not going to keep on wasting my hand muscles writing about it.

PIG. SHUT THAT BEAK. I'm not in the mood for this noise, I don't want to hear it, I don't want to talk to anybody. I just want to kick something. SomeONE would be my preference. Why can't I get over thi—



Crazy woman – scared me half to death, thought she was reading over my shoulder – crept up behind me on the seat and tapped me, and when I turned around she was right in my face! Invasion of privacy – she'd kill if I looked in that diary of hers. I'd do it, though, if I knew how. I want to know what she said about me. I know I'm in there, she said so last year. Bet it's all the speeches she wishes I'd let her give me. I wonder.

d**n it, this noise is really getting annoying. I can't take this train anymore, I just want to be in the Great Hall, seeing which first years we'll get in Gryffindor, and having dinner. I'm so hungry I could eat a hippogriff

and????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

and.....here's more!

**

September 2

Ron has a terrible problem with cursing – and I don't mean the magical kind. He'll need to start watching his language, or he's going to get into trouble. I came in from the library just now, and he was sitting with Harry doing Divination homework, and I swear I heard him say "What the hell is this supposed to mean?" I said, "Excuse me?" And he repeated, "I said, what on earth is this supposed to mean?" But really, I'm not deaf. And this morning, he said "d**n" right in the middle of breakfast – right in the Great Hall, not ten feet from the teachers!

What for?

Care of Magical Creatures class – he was looking at it on the course schedule and he said, "d**n it, we're still with the Slytherins." I gave him a look, and he just mouthed it again to bother me. And then in Divination –

Are you taking Divination again?

Oh, for pity's sake, never. But Lavender told me all about it tonight before she climbed into bed. She said, "I don't know why you bother with Ron Weasley, he's terribly immature." Which made me angry at first. I said, "I don't know what you mean by bother with him – he's my friend. So don't you say anything about him." She just gave me a knowing look and said, "Well, fine. If you don't want to know what he said to me then I just won't tell you."

I don't know why, Gwen. But that bothered me a lot. Enough that I caved in and asked her what he said, even though normally I'd have ignored her. But do you know what he said?

No.

Apparently, Lavender found an unaspected planet in her horoscope, and Professor Trelawney told her it was Uranus. And Ron said, "Can I have a look at Uranus, too, Lavender?" And you know he didn't mean the planet. He is immature.

Hm. Well.

Couldn't you just tape his mouth shut? Mum would wash mine out with soap if I ever said things like that! Uranus. What an idiot.

Er... yes... terrible –

Gwen, if you're laughing –

No, no, of course not – it's abominable – completely immature!

I don't believe you mean that one bit, but he is awful, whether you agree or not. Oh, and this morning, he made fun of me for eating breakfast, too. "You're eating again, I notice," he said. I told him I'd found another, better way to make a stand about elf rights, and he said, "Yeah... and you were hungry." Harry laughed, you're probably laughing – why did it make me want to throw my eggs at him? He never says anything serious. It's always a big joke. I really care about these elves, Gwen, and he won't understand! And then at lunch, I was eating really, really fast, he said, "Er- is this the new stand on elf rights? You're going to make yourself puke instead?" He just never sees.

Well... neither do I, exactly - why were you eating so quickly?

To make extra time! I needed time to use the library, to do some of my elf research. I've got some extremely useful facts. Do you know that elf enslavement goes back for centuries, and hardly anything's ever been attempted to stop it? People are too happy to have slaves to want to help them regain their freedom. Just because elves are a naturally pacifist species, it's easy for more powerful types to take advantage of them! I can't believe that witches and wizards, with all the convenience of magic at their disposal, would still choose to dominate elves! The poor creatures are smaller than we are, and they're not allowed to use their magic even in self-defense. Also, they're deferential to those who would cause conflict because by nature they abhor contention. They'd rather be slaves than stick up for themselves. They'd never cause a riot or a rebellion like the goblins are always doing. And now they've been oppressed for so long that they don't know how to fight! They're not even referred to as elves in most of the books – people just think of them as house-elves – as if they've got no abilities other than housework! It's rotten.

I have a lot more research to do tomorrow. I need to form a plan of action. I was in the library all night after dinner, but there was hardly enough time to find out everything I need to know.

What about your regular homework?

Can you believe I don't even have any yet? What a change from last year! Professor Vector didn't assign anything in Arithmancy, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures were our only other classes today. Those are usually mostly lab classes, and we didn't get homework in either one – though we had enough work to do in both of them. Today in Herbology we collected bubotuber pus. It was fairly disgusting, but it's supposed to remove bad acne. We needed to bottle it up for Madam Pomfrey so that no one else will try to curse their pimples off.

Who did that?

Eloise Midgen – she's in Hufflepuff – she tried to get rid of her acne and took her nose off instead. Now she's still got pimples all over, plus her nose had to be fixed back on, and it's slightly imperfect on her face. Poor Eloise. It makes me grateful that all I've got to deal with is these giant teeth and this big frizzy puff of a head.

Oh, Hermione, I'm sure it isn't –

Yes it is – it's bad – but I'll live. Hopefully, with school and elf rights, I won't have time to look in the mirror. I don't want to be bothered. Just one morning back with Parvati and Lavender and I'm ready to give up on being a girl. They wouldn't even touch the Blast-Ended Skrewts we're working on in Care of Magical Creatures class. Lavender kept protesting, "Eurgh, Hagrid!" in this really high voice. Does she think the boys are really going to fall for that nonsense?

Although, maybe she's right about the skrewts. Hagrid has such a bizarre idea of what kinds of magical creatures we ought to be caring for. Skrewts do the following things: burn, sting, and suck blood. I rather agreed with Malfoy for once when he asked Hagrid why we'd want to bother raising them.

You agreed with Malfoy?

Partly – but I told him off anyway. He oughtn't to have talked back to Hagrid, and I won't let him. I'm sick of him making all my friends feel bad. Before dinner, he was bothering Ron again, reading out the newest ratty article from Rita Skeeter at the Daily Prophet, which is all exaggerations about Mr. Weasley messing something up at the Ministry – plus, Malfoy was making extremely ugly personal comments about Mrs. Weasley's weight – how dare he?! Mrs. Weasley's the dearest mum in the world besides my own! Harry and I both had to grab Ron tight by the robes to hold him back – I really thought he'd clobber Malfoy that time.

One of these times, Hermione, you ought to let him go.

No. I don't approve of fighting.

Oh? Who gave Malfoy a good hard smack last year, then?

I was under severe emotional stress, and didn't know what I was doing! Anyway, Harry said something nasty to Malfoy about his mother, and then we tried to walk away from it, but Malfoy tried to shoot a curse at Harry's back.

And that's when Malfoy got his comeuppance, better than we ever could have dreamed.

Why? What happened?!

Well, we heard the BANG! of Malfoy's spell, and then we heard another BANG! And a voice said, "OH, NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!" It was Professor Moody. He'd turned Malfoy into a ferret.

Really!

A little white ferret. And he was very calmly bouncing him up and down on the floor with his wand. Said he thinks attacking from the back is a "stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do." We just stared, open-mouthed, until Professor McGonagall came along and threw a fit at Professor Moody – teachers at Hogwarts aren't ever allowed to use Transfiguration as a punishment. But even though I know Malfoy could have really been hurt, I have to admit there was something incredibly satisfying about seeing his little ferrety self getting bonked about the corridor like that. I've never seen Ron so uplifted. It was an answer to his every prayer. "Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret..." he said. I couldn't help but laugh with Harry at the expression on his face.

I can only imagine.

Imagine perfect revenged contentment and you'll have it about right. Ahhh.... what a loaded first day back at school, Gwen. I missed it here – even if we do have house-elves. I'm wonderfully tired, and I can't wait to go to sleep, and have it be morning, and start it all over.

Goodnight then, my dear.

Goodnight, Gwen.

September 2

If Mad-Eye-Moody wanted me to jump off a building, I reckon I'd do it. He's done me the best favor anyone ever could – and he did it so perfectly – it was beautiful – I'll never, ever forget it – I only wish it could happen every morning. If I could wake up every single day to the sounds of Malfoy the Magical Ferret getting smacked into the hallway floor, I think my life would be perfect. It was amazing. And Mad-Eye didn't even care when McGonagall caught him at it – she pitched into him, but he just kept bouncing that snippy little ferret with his wand. He's the coolest teacher here. Besides Dumbledore. But even Dumbledore's never done anything that made me that happy. I've never been this excited about any class before. Defense Against the Dark Arts is going to be great. I wish we didn't have to wait till Thursday.

Well, here's Hermione, back from the library again. I don't know why she looks so self-important, I know she hasn't been studying anything. Let's see what she'll do if I curse a little bit.

Heh heh. She's so easy. I said d**n this morning and she nearly spat out her toast. I think my favorite thing, next to watching Malfoy get transfigured and tortured, is seeing how mad I can get Hermione before she'll rise to it. This time she gave me her "You're a child and I'm a grown up" look, and went upstairs. But if I'd have done one more thing, like said, "You know, you really caved on those house-elves–couldn't even hold out for two meals!" then she'd've completely lost it. I don't think she knows I've got it all calculated.

Divination. This homework is just a crime. It's the first day of school, haven't these teachers ever heard of easing into it? I'll tell her what I predict. I predict that by the end of the year, I'll have faked ninety percent of I disagreeignments in that class. Trelawney's class is a piece of cake – but she sure does pile on the homework. I guess maybe I shouldn't have been so loud about the Uranus thing. But it was worth it. All the guys had to dive down and stick their faces in their poufs to stop from laughing – even Neville, who I wasn't sure would get it. Dean actually couldn't control himself for about ten minutes. Harry said that was my best one yet. True, I'll have to work to top that one. Uranus. Brilliant. This was a good day.

 :) :) :)

here's the last bit i have so far, later I'll try and think of more so enjoy while you can:

**

September 3

Hi! Just wanted to tell you that I found out some new facts about elves in the library after dinner tonight. Can you believe that there isn't a single elf in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures? They're shockingly underrepresented! It's an outrage! They haven't got any political voice at all....

Oh, poor Neville. That's just disgusting.

What did he do?

He's covered in toad guts – he looks miserable. He melted his sixth cauldron in Potions this afternoon, so Snape gave him detention and made him disembowel a barrel of horned toads. Snape's in such a bad mood – he hates Mad-Eye-Moody. Not that that's surprising – he's always hated our Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers because he wants that job for himself. But he's too scared of Professor Moody to be openly mean to him, so now he's taking it out on us. Poor Neville - he looks like he's about to faint and he's holding his hands out in front of him like he wants to get rid of the toad guts, and doesn't know how.

I'm telling you, go and get that Frog Spawn soap I told you about last year. That stuff works wonders underneath the fingernails.

Ew. Gwen, I have a confession... I never actually used it. I got Professor Flitwick to teach me a Scouring Charm instead. Sorry.

Ah well. To each her own.

Yes. Oooh, just a second, I've got to help Neville – he's trying to do a Stripping Charm and that's not meant to be used on skin!

more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD! bump

thnx for the story.  Can't wait to read more.   :)

It makes me so happy when I can do something nice for somebody, and it makes me even happier when it gets noticed. I mean, of course Neville noticed, they were his fingernails, and of course he said "Thanks, Hermione, you're the greatest," like he always does. But Ron and Harry just sat and watched me clean him up, and then, when Neville went off upstairs, Harry said, "Where'd you learn that one, Hermione? We haven't gotten to it in Charms, have we?" I said no, and then told them about last year, when I had all that ink under my nails from all that extra class work. I told them how I'd gone and gotten help from Professor Flitwick so I could keep clean. Ron shook his head and said, "You know, I reckon you work harder than anybody in this school, and still you come up with time to do stuff like that. I'll never know how."

And now I feel warm all over, and my stomach's jumpy.... and I can't look at him. I'm not in the mood to tell you what I've discovered about elves, if you don't mind.

I don't mind.

I was going to go upstairs and work on elf rights, but now I just want to stay down here with.... my friends.

Well you don't have to write just now – why don't you go talk with him?

I don't really want to talk, I just want to sit by him, and I guess I'll write awhile because I don't know what to do with my hands. But I don't really have anything to write, either.... Gwen.... I'm just losing it. That's what this feels like.

I know.

I swear there are a million pins and needles sticking into me and he didn't even really do anything.... I just can't make myself sensible... I should just go to bed, but I can't bring myself to go upstairs– tell me something, tell me a story, distract me!

Well... there's always... would you like me to teach you a powerful spell?

Oh, yes, please, teach me something. That's the best distraction ever. What spell?

A very distracting spell. Amora Primus. Have you heard of it?

No! Tell me, tell me.

Very few people have heard of it – it's a powerful invocation – it only works under the rarest of circumstances, and it was only performed successfully once during my lifetime.

What kind of spell is it?

Roughly translated, the spell means "First Love".

Gwe - en!!!! You're never going to distract me that way....

Shall I stop?

NO!

All right then. You've heard in fairy stories, I suppose, of the magic power of Love's First Kiss?

Yes, in Sleeping Beauty and Snow White and things. The prince comes along, and.... Gwen. You're not going to tell me that's real?

Amora Primus is the spell behind the legend. It's the most forceful of the four basic kissing spells. The other three are rubbish in comparison – child's play – the kind of seducing spells that don't mean anything in matters of the heart. This one only reveals what already exists, and the only opportunity to perform it comes at the moment of a lover's near-death.

Oh! How does it work?

Well, suppose a witch's true love lies unconscious and perishing – suppose that help is too far off, and it's almost certain the man will die in moments. That is when the witch can place her wand-hand over his heart and invoke "Amora Primus" just before kissing him. If the invocation is successful, her kiss will restore him to life.

However.

It only works once. Once you have uttered "Amora Primus" with magic behind it, it will lose its meaning, and you can never perform it again. So it's imperative that you choose the moment wisely- this is one reason it's rarely performed, people are afraid to waste their chance. Also, you must be absolutely certain that the person who lies dying is your one true love – your only match. If he is not, then the spell will go into reverse.

You mean –

Instead of restoring the man, he will be killed instantaneously – this is the other reason it's almost never used. People are afraid to hasten their sweethearts' deaths. They're also afraid to find out that the person they think they love is not their one and only mate.

Ohhhhh.... that's amazing, Gwen.... but then if it succeeds, you know beyond all doubt that the man is your only match.... how roman tic....

Yes, it is. It's the most romantic spell on record, if you ask me.

And does it work only for women, or can men perform it, too?

It can be performed by either witch or wizard. Any other questions?

Yes, one more thing. Who was the one person in your lifetime that accomplished it properly?

It was I myself.

You!!

Yes. That was the day – that was the day that Lancelot discovered I was a witch – and all my fears were quelled, because I thought he would hate me when he found out.

Oh – oh, what happened?

We were... it was... well, that's another story.

No it isn't!

Oh, yes it is. Some other time. Period.

Oh, all right... but how brave you were – you risked it when no one else would! and it worked, so you really knew that he was your.... oh, Gwen, what a wonderful spell!

It was quite a moment. Have I sufficiently distracted you?

Well, you've certainly given me something to think about... Can I tell it to Ginny?

Certainly. I think people ought to know what their options are, in the event of an accident. Just warn her of the consequences of using it out of turn. I'm sure you two will be the only girls to know about this spell in all of Britain. It's ancient magic, and probably long out of practice. I'm not sure. We were all taught it in my day, but I haven't heard it referred to in at least two hundred years.

Goodness, two hundred years – OW!

What's wrong?

Ron just kicked me in the shoe! Hang on a minute.

Yea!!!  oo that's a cool spell.   :)

Unbelievable. He wants to know what the second ingredient is in a Dehydrating Potion, because we're supposed to write up a summary of the recipe before we try it in class.

"Honestly, Ron – you've got the book right in front of you!"

"Yeah, but what's the point of wasting time? You know it, don't you?"

"I'm not going to tell you if you can't look it up!"

"Well, we know who your friends are then, don't we?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You helped Neville with the toad guts."

"That's different!"

"How?"

"It just.... it just is!"

"How?"

"Well, it wasn't homework!"

"It was detention stuff, that's almost homework."

"You're impossible."

"Yeah, so what's the second ingredient? Come on, you're making this a lot harder than it has to be."

!!!!! Do you see what I have to put up with? I'm going to find Ginny, and tell her about Amora Primus. If I stay down here, my romantic mood will be entirely spoiled. Never mind, it already is.

Ah yes. Reality.

Gwen, your reality certainly sounds like it was a lot nicer.

Oh, Hermione. One day I'll tell you a story to make you eat your words.

Sure, fine. I'm going to tell Ginny that her brother is the most irritating person in all Britain.

Yes. Did you tell him the second ingredient?

Of COURSE not!

Good. Goodnight, my dear.

Goodnight.

this is cool! welcome back!

Thanks!!!! I'll write more later... :)

bump!!!

September 4

At last! I've finished the manifesto! Do you want to hear it?

The manifesto? What are you talking about?

Well, I need a statement, don't I? If I'm going to do what you said, and rally people to my side about elf rights, then I'll have to explain to them why it's so important, so I've written up a credo for the group. Our heading is, "Stop the Outrageous Abuse of Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status". I've done it up on a sheet of parchment. Now all I've got to do is put the heading on fifty badges, but I'm going to leave that until tomorrow, as it's too late tonight. But would you like to hear the basic idea?

Yes, please.

All right. First I've written a summary of elf history – pretty much the same thing I told you the other day. And then I've written:

OUR SHORT TERM AIMS:

To secure house-elves fair wages
Obtain holiday and overtime compensation
Legalize a standard minimum wage
To secure house-elves fair working conditions
Introduce pension plans
Guarantee sick leave
Outlaw physical and verbal harassment in the workplace

OUR LONG TERM AIMS

Amend clause three of the Code of Wand Use, which states that "No non-human creature is permitted to carry or use a wand", to exclude the elf species.
Appoint an elf to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
So, what do you think?

Very well thought out, I must say.

Thanks! I can't wait to show Harry and Ron tomorrow – when I'm all done with the badges and I've got a collecting tin, then I'll be able to move this project out of the library and into the houses. I'll charge two sickles to join the campaign – that'll fund the leaflets – and I'll make Ron treasurer and Harry secretary.

My only big worry is that Ron won't bother joining, since he thinks that elves are happy being stepped all over. But I'm not giving up on him, I know I can change his mind – if I just explain it, he'll come around.

And if he doesn't?

Why? Don't you think he will? He's got to have an ounce of sense in there somewhere – I'll find it – I'll make him. Anyway, he's treasurer, so he'd better get used to it. I can't do this all by myself, and I've helped the two of them on hundreds of things. Now I've just got one other little problem.

Which is?

Well, "Stop the Outrageous Abuse of Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status" doesn't fit on the badges. I don't know how to shorten it. S.O.A.O.F.M.C.C.C.T.L.S. doesn't even fit on there.

It's also rather difficult to remember. What you need is a slogan. Something short, catchy and memorable. Can't you think of any other way to summarize your cause?

Er.... not off the top of my head. Maybe if I took out "Outrageous"?

Well, no. I was thinking, scratch the whole heading, and think of a completely different way to say it. Try to do it in five words or less.

Okay..... Stand Up for Elfish... no. Elves are People... no. Non-Human Rights... oh, Gwen, this is hard. Hang on.

Start it with something like, "Campaign for the..." or "The _______ Society of _______". Think about it. Just mull it over, and you'll come up with something.

Well I have to come up with it by tomorrow after dinner, that's when I'm doing the badges. But all right, I'll see what I can come up with. "Society for the ______." I like that. "Society." All right, that's a good start – thanks, Gwen.

Anytime. Let me know what you come up with.

I will, tomorrow! 'Bye, Gwen!

lol-bump!!

Thanks!

**

5

Brats, they're both brats. I can't believe they're calling it "spew". It's S – P – E - W. S.P.E.W. Not "spew". I should have known they'd be immature – Lavender's right, Ron can't be serious about anything important, and I don't even have time to be mad about it because Sirius is coming back and now I'm too worried for him and for Harry to get angry about S.P.E.W.

Slow down! I'm way behind – S.P.E.W.?

Yes, I managed to do it – it's the slogan – Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. S.P.E.W. Isn't that perfect? And it fits on the badges, and it's great. If they wouldn't call it "spew" it would be even better. Why must everything important be reduced to a joke with them?

Well... the letters do spell spew.

Hmph!

I'm sorry, Hermione, but... well... what do you want me to say?

So what if they spell spew? What does it matter, when it stands for something real?

It's just that people are going to have a hard time wanting to wear badges that say spew.

S – P – E – W!!!!!

Right. Sorry. But you understand what I'm saying, don't you? It has nothing to do with you – I know you're mature enough to wear your.... unfortunate acronym. But can't you put something else on the badges?

No, they're all done! Oh, I could just scream.

Don't scream. Calm down, it's going to be all right, you'll be fine, it's only a name, and people will get over it. I'm sure you'll be able to convince everyone that it's the effort toward freedom that really counts for something. I know you will. You've worked very hard, and I'm proud of you.

Hmph.

Really, Hermione. It'll be all right.

Yes, it had better be. I'll make everyone see. They have to see. It's too much, going to meals three times a day and knowing that all the time, underneath the floors, these poor creatures are being taken advantage of, and I'm a part of that – oh, Gwen, it's so rotten.

You'll help change it. Look what you did for Buckbeak! You're a champion of the less-fortunate, I have utter faith in your ability to make a change.

Thank you, Gwen. You're always such a comfort.

I hope so. Now, back to that other thing you said – Sirius is coming back?

Yes. Remember Harry wrote him about his scar hurting? Well Hedwig finally came back with the reply today. Sirius said that Harry's scar is the latest in a series of unsettling reports that have reached him, and he's coming back and going into hiding nearer to Hogwarts – we don't know where – but close enough that he can be on hand if something happens. Harry's furious – he thinks now Sirius will be caught, and it'll be all his fault for complaining that his scar hurt. He's terrified of losing his godfather, now that he's finally found him. I would be, too. I wish Sirius would stay in hiding far away... but then I also think it's good that he's coming, because I don't feel right about all the funny things that've happened – like the Dark Mark and the Death Eaters.

And Harry's scar.

Yes, and Harry's scar. It's like a direct link to all these other things, and it scares me. Sirius said for Harry to go to Mad-Eye Moody if it hurts again. He said that since Professor Moody's here, he'll be reading the Dark magic signs, even if nobody else is. That's what Professor Moody used to do, as an Auror - and he was one of the best Aurors ever. They say that half the cells in Azkaban are full because of him. I believe it, now that we've had class with him. What a nightmare of a lesson he gave us today, Gwen. He frightened everybody.

Why? What did he do to you?

Nothing to us. It's what he did to these three spiders. He performed the Unforgivable Curses on them. First he put the Imperius Curse on one and made it do tricks, everyone was laughing – and then he said, "You'd like it, would you, if I did it to you?" Everyone got very still. No, we certainly would NOT. That's the curse those Death Eaters were using to contort the Muggle family in the sky, at the World Cup. That would be perfectly awful. It gave me the shivers – Gwen, I hope... nobody ever tries that on me.

They'd better not.

Yes. Then Professor Moody took out the second spider, engorged it to the size of a large hand, and put the Cruciatus Curse on it. It crumpled into itself – it looked like it would have screamed if it had a voice. It was awful to watch – and it really disturbed Neville. He was white and clenched – I haven't seen Neville look like that since last year, when that dementor came into our compartment on the Hogwarts Express. He was completely undone, just watching the spider get tortured. He's very sensitive.

But the worst was last – Professor Moody asked if any of us knew the third curse and I said yes. Avada Kedavra. Everybody flinched. And then Professor Moody pulled out the last spider....

Avada Kedavra – it's just a couple of words and a flash of green light. And that's... it. Dead. Harry just stared. That's how his mum and dad were murdered, just like that, just that fast. How awful for him to see a creature die just the way they did. I was watching him, and watching the spider, and trying to imagine what he must be feeling – but I never can. It's hard to know, with Harry. He doesn't let on at all. Moody said to him after class, "It seems harsh maybe, but you've got to know. No point pretending." Harry just acted like he was perfectly fine. He always does.

Neville didn't though – he was truly disturbed, couldn't string a sentence together. After Moody had made sure of Harry, he took Neville to his office for tea. Neville looked pretty scared to go with him, but later on, he told us that Moody had given him "Magical Water Plants of the Mediterranean" to read, because he'd heard from Professor Sprout that Neville's really great in Herbology. It cheered Neville up a lot to hear that. He doesn't get a lot of compliments about his class work.

That was very sympathetic of Professor Moody.

Yes, it's something Professor Lupin would have done. I guess Moody's rather perceptive, what with that magical eye. It's so weird, that thing. It rolls around in the socket like a cue-ball and it can see through wood, and the back of his head, and everything – he scared Lavender by seeing through her desk and catching her looking at her Divination horoscope under there. I imagine he can see through the very walls.

Oh, no. Gwen. You don't suppose that eye of his can see through clothes!

I'm sure it absolutely canNOT.

Yes, you're right, Dumbledore would never let... still it seems like if he can see through wood.... you know what? I'm not ever going to think about that again. But I'll say once more that it would be highly appreciated if next year, Hogwarts hired a NORMAL PERSON TO TEACH US. Oh, I should just give up. I'll have freed every elf in the world before Dumbledore hires an ordinary witch or wizard.

Speaking of elves, do you know what Ron said? Aside from making fun of my badges and calling my organization "spew", he actually said, "Hermione, open your ears. They. Like. It. They like being enslaved." I mean, is he insane? He can't really think that! He's too smart to think that – I know he doesn't act like he's smart, but he is. Ugh, why won't he grow up?

Patience.

Are the elves supposed to have patience? Oh, never mind, it's been a long day and I'm worried about Harry and Sirius so I'm getting snippy. I have to go to bed. I'm starting my campaign tomorrow, and whether Ron and Harry like it or not they're going to wear these badges and canvass the other students. And if they won't help, then I'll do it by myself. See you later, Gwen. Goodnight.

Bump!!

I was hooked when I saw your title. Its a great story! Please continue!

I finally finished the whole story1 So here's some more:

September 5

I hope she's kidding. She doesn't really expect me to go around Hogwarts wearing a badge that says "spew", does she? I mean, that's like an invitation for people to puke on me, or something. For a smart girl, she can be really dense about people. Nobody's going to wear those things, even if they think she's right about those elves, which she isn't. If they wanted to get free, they'd fight and get free. If they wanted to get paid, they'd ask to get paid. What the hell is the matter with the elves here at Hogwarts anyway? I mean, they've got a place to live, haven't they? And they've got food, haven't they? That's room and board, isn't it? That's compensation – I know some jobs just pay room and board – Charlie's first internship in Romania was just room and board, I remember him griping about it – nobody said he was a slave. I don't know why this is even a problem for Hermione, I mean, why does she get so bottled up about everything? It's like she just has to find a reason to be uptight. First year it was "rules, rules, rules". Second year.... second year she was Petrified half the time, so I'll give her a free pass on that one. Third year it was that d**n Time-Turner and all those classes. And now she's got some free time in her life, so she's scheduled a giant crusade. Who DOES that? She needs to RELAX. She spends her free time learning new Charms and saving the bloody planet. It's my nightmare. And if I won't wear that badge – which I WON'T – then she's going to get all offended and act like I'm not really her friend...I hope Harry won't wear it either, then at least I won't have to put up with the guilt all alone.

Harry's not well. He's wishing he'd never told Sirius about his scar hurting – I'd be freaking out if I were him. Sirius is the only good thing that's ever happened to Harry – family wise, anyway. If Sirius gets caught and Kissed by some dementor, Harry'd be devastated. I wish he'd stay out west, or down south, or wherever he is. Coming back to Hogsmeade is just asking for it. I'm sure he'll be Padfoot, though. That helps, knowing he's got that Animagus thing. You know, I wonder how hard that would be. I think I'd like to be a hippogriff. A rampaging hippogriff – which, by the way, I'll be trampled by on September the..... sixteenth. Yes, it's going to be a very sorry month, I have to say. Tut tut for me. Trelawney's going to lap it up – Hermione was right about her. She's a right old fraud. Reckon she's never said anything nearing a prediction in her life – except maybe that one trance Harry saw. He said Dumbledore even believed that one. But she couldn't have been right about that, I mean, could she? You-Know-Who coming back? That's got to be wrong, I mean, that was all over thirteen years ago – he's not "rising again", not in my lifetime. Weird to think I was just a little kid and all that was happening. I was too little – I don't remember any of it. I don't want to know what it was like, either, thanks. Trelawney'd better be wrong.

Well I think I'll go up to bed. Done with the fake homework – Harry's already up there keeping to himself about Sirius, doesn't want to be talked to right now, I think. Don't blame him. He's feeling crappy. And Hermione's just gone up, after a big wordy insult about my "inability to see anything outside my frame of reference," and my "selfish disdain for the feelings of others." She reads too much. So there's nothing to do down here 'cept write, and I'll be hexed if I'm going to write for fun. Although Gred and Forge are doing something writey – what IS that? They've been two heads bent over parchment ever since the World Cup. They're up to something. I bet they're trying to bring back the Wheezes. Mum'll kill, but I hope they do it. I'd like to feed Malfoy a Ton Tongue Toffee and see him choke on his big ugly licker.

Oh yeah, and I have to say, Moody gets big points for doing those curses right in front of us even though the Ministry says not to. They were incredible. I've never seen them before, and I've been hearing about the Imperius one all my life – he says he's going to put it on us and let us try and fight it! I can't wait! He loses a few of his points, though, for using giant spiders as his examples. Man, that was sick.

September 6


Gwen, do you think it's ever all right to lie?

Honestly?

Ha ha.

Well... it's a difficult question. What do you mean by "lie"?

I mean lie. Or hold back the truth.

Did you lie about something?

Me? No! Harry did. He wrote Sirius and said he only imagined his scar hurting, because he wants Sirius to stay out of the country, where the dementors can't hurt him. But it was a lie – Harry's scar was hurting, and I think Sirius should know it, because he might be the only person that can help him.

But when I tried to say all that at breakfast, Ron said, "Drop it," in such a sharp tone that I actually dropped it. And then, in the quiet, I started thinking... maybe I was wrong. Or maybe I was right, but it just wasn't my place to say anything. So I just stayed quiet, and started thinking about that... and I realized I'm always concerned about other people's business, and maybe I shouldn't say so much about what I think.... but then I thought, no, if I know something's true, I shouldn't keep it back. But what do you think? Is that lying?

You do ask the most perplexing questions. I think.... I think, in this case, that Harry wasn't trying to lie so much as he was trying to protect his godfather. And I think that sometimes it's best to hold your tongue and let people decide a course of action for themselves, even if you believe them to be making the wrong choice.

But why, though? I only want to help Harry. I want him to be safe.

And yet, perhaps it isn't any of your business. Aren't there certain things you wouldn't want anyone else's opinion on? Things you feel you have a right to decide for yourself?

Yes....

Well, just as you'd want Harry to keep out of those issues, you ought to respect his right to choose on this one. He feels this is an area where he is the authority. And that's all right.

I suppose... that's true. After all, it's his godfather, and his scar... Well, I won't try and make him write anything else to Sirius. We can wait and see what Hedwig brings back. But I'm still going to keep an eye on him, and I'm still going to Dumbledore if his scar hurts him again.

All right, well, that's all I wanted to ask. I've got to go. I've got to study.

Well! I haven't heard that one in months!

I know. Actually I don't have too much homework, either. This year is a cinch so far.

Careful – it's only the end of the first week.

Exactly, we've had a whole week of classes, and do you know what I disagreeignment is over the weekend? To read up on ways to block the Imperius Curse. That's it. Professor Moody recommended that we begin trying to build up our inner resistance. It's supposed to be a very difficult curse to fight off. I want to start practicing.

Why, is there some danger of your being cursed?

According to Professor Moody, we're "all in danger all the time – there's those that know it, and take the necessary precautions.... and there's those that find out the hard way."

He said that?

Among other things. And he shouted "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" at our class about twenty five times. I think he's a bit loony. Who knows – he might put the Imperius Curse on us right in class. He threatened he might. I mean, I can't imagine he actually would, because he's not allowed. It's an Unforgivable Curse – using it on a human being is grounds for life in Azkaban. I'm sure the Ministry would have a fit. In any case, I'd better go read up on it.

Yes, you'd better. Talk to you soon, then.

'Bye.

September 6

Just making a record of this day. This is the first day, in three years at Hogwarts, that Hermione Granger has listened to a single bloody word I've said. I told her to drop it this morning, and she dropped it. I just wanted to put this down in the history books, so I could look back and cherish the moment, in case it never happens again – which it probably never will.

Harry's preoccupied. I really hope he's all right. And I really hope Sirius is, too.

bump

Good.. go on Allie

September 14


I just had the strangest dream.

I dreamt that the Weasleys' car came flying up to my window, and I climbed out and got in. I flew all over Hogwarts, and out to Hogsmeade. I was all by myself in the car, and then suddenly I heard a noise behind me. I turned around, and Winky was sitting there, looking absolutely terrified. I said, "Winky, what on earth are you doing in here?" But she only replied, "I is not liking heights, Miss, I is not liking heights!" I said, "Don't worry, I'll land us on the ground, hold on tight." And then I turned to the wheel, and realized I have no idea how to drive a car.

That's when we started to plummet from the sky, and I looked down, and there was a whole mass of Death Eaters standing there below me, with Lucius Malfoy at the head of them, pointing his wand at me and laughing – I heard him say, "Imperio!"

And then I woke up. But it was so vivid... more like a memory than a dream. Have you ever had one like that?

Yes.

It was awful – but in a way, I'm glad I've had a good, strong dream – usually I forget them right when I wake up. And Professor Moody told us that examining our dreaming mind can help us to master our subconscious. It's a really good technique for learning to resist the Imperius Curse. He said it's possible to train your mind so that you're aware you're dreaming. You can be asleep, but conscious that you're in a dream – it's called lucid dreaming – and then you can control what happens in the dream state. Isn't that an odd thought? Professor Moody says that's the best way to practice breaking out of the Imperius Curse, and he says that writing down dreams helps to remind your mind to ask itself if it's conscious, the next time you're asleep. Strange....

I guess between hearing that, and studying the curses, and all this work with S.P.E.W., my mind had a lot to deal with. I wonder why that flying car was in the dream, though? I haven't thought about that car since second year. So bizarre.

It's only five in the morning – I just wanted to write down the dream before I forget it.

Go back to bed.

Okay. 'Bye.

**
September 9 (Ron's Rants)

Harry and I both finally caved and bought those spew badges. Two sickles for something I'll never wear – but it was worth it to quiet her down. At first I told her I'd only buy one if she could go a whole day without saying the word "elf", but she gave me such a dirty look that I took it back.

Fred and George are so up to something. Don't know what it is. But if it's the Wheezes they ought to at least tell me. I'm their brother.

September 18


May I just say that I am extremely disappointed in Hogwarts? All this time, I considered my school to be the best in the world – it's touted as being the most open-minded program, it consistently turns out the best educated students, it admits more Muggle-borns than any other school and our staff is the most highly credited. It's all in "Hogwarts, A History".

NOWHERE in "Hogwarts, A History" does it mention that we are all colluding in the oppression of a hundred slaves! I know. I must've read that book cover to cover three times – all of it – over a thousand pages. Not once are the house-elves mentioned. So what I've concluded is this: our school's victory and world-class standing comes at the expense of other creatures' freedom, and therefore loses much of its dignity. We should all be ashamed of ourselves for bringing the Triwizard delegates from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang to stay with us, which will only add to the elves' burdens. We should all be ashamed that we take so much from the elves without a thought to their condition. Every meal, I try and bring it to the attention of my fellow students.

Not that anyone is listening to me.

S.P.E.W. is not going over very well, I take it?

That is a gross understatement. Harry and Ron finally bought badges, but I think it was only to make me go away. Don't they know me at all? There isn't going to be any "going away". This is a very serious issue, and they must collaborate with me. But they won't wear the badges, and they won't talk to anyone about the statement, and they won't distribute leaflets, and they've taken to doing their homework with a vengeance so that every time I come in the room to ask them something about S.P.E.W., they say, "Busy! Homework!" The other day, I came in and found them finished with all their assignments, and so went to go over the new list of members with them –

You've got new members?

Yes. Neville joined up. So I was going to tell them about that, and they both started whining at once when they saw me coming with my parchment and my badge-box. "C'mon, we've only just finished this essay!" "Hermione, do you know the meaning of the words 'down time'?"

"I suppose the elves who lit that fire over there get 'down time'? I suppose they get 'down time' every day, between making you all your meals, changing your sheets, and cleaning out the castle halls? They don't get breaks you know, they're not unionized or anything." Harry sighed and pretended to start reading something, but Ron flatly refused to participate with me.

"Fine, go stick them in a union then, I'm not having a spew meeting."

"S. P. E. W. And if you say 'spew' one more time, I swear I'll –"

"What? You'll what? Hex me?"

"I might!"

"Oh, come off it."

"No, I'll do it!"

"Oooooh, Hermione, that's against the rules."

"I'll risk it."

"Go ahead, then, let's see you!"

"You'll be sorry in a minute."

"So, Hermione, how's it going with spew?"

Harry got between us pretty quickly at that point, and said, "Hermione – put that down, put your wand down – Ron, what are you, an idiot? Come on, what did you want to tell us?"

I said, "I just wanted to tell you – and you ought to write this down, Harry, you're secretary after all – that we have another member of S.P.E.W., and it's Neville. He bought a badge, and I went over the plan of action with him, and he seemed to think it a cause worth fighting for, even if some people do not. Are you going to write that down or not, Harry?"

I don't think it's going very well. Four members, two of whom don't act like members, one who.... well, I like Neville very much, but I hardly think he'll be a top-of-the-form activist. I'm very discouraged.

But I'm not giving up. I have to go, Gwen, we've got Astrology in twenty minutes. I'll let you know how things progress. If they progress. 'Bye.

September 18

Trelawney gave Harry and me full marks for our homework, and held it up as a star example for the whole class. It's very satisfying to snow a teacher, I don't know why. I felt like I'd won a prize or something, sitting there, watching her fall all over herself for a pack of lies. Blarney, Finnigan calls it. Whatever it is, it's hilarious.


You know what else is hilarious? This elf campaign. I know it shouldn't be – she's so serious about it – but when she gets serious, all I want to do is break her up. But she'll never budge. She was actually going to put a hex on me tonight – she had her wand out and everything – just because I called her Society "spew" instead of "S. P. E. W., Ron! You're so immature!" Oy, shut up.

lol, bump

bUMP!

September 26


Hi, Gwen.

I never should have said that thing about school this year being a cinch. It's hard. It's getting to be more work than ever... Well, no, I take that back. For everybody else, this is more work than ever. For me, this is actually just routine. But still, I'm starting to have to stay up later, and get up earlier, and spend more time in the library, which all brings back very stressful memories of last year.

At least I know you're not adding to your waking hours. That's enough for me. Tell me what's been happening at school.

Well today was especially interesting – and embarrassing. Professor Moody did put the Imperius Curse on all of us. He had us fight it – or try to fight it – one by one. At first, I said, "But – but you said it's illegal, Professor. You said – to use it on another human being was –" And he replied that if I didn't like it, I could leave the class. That was the first embarrassing thing. I said "I didn't mean I wanted to go," and I sat down feeling very silly. But it is against the law, no matter whether he and Dumbledore think we should be practicing it. Hmph.

Anyway, the second embarrassing thing was that when he put the curse on me, I couldn't fight it at all. I felt warm and fuzzy and thoughtless, and I heard a little voice in my head saying "Do a handstand against the wall. Do a handstand against the wall." Very weakly, I remember thinking, "That's an odd thing to do in class," but that was the only resistance my mind gave before I put my hands on the floor and kicked my legs up in the air. Lucky I was wearing pants – lucky my sweater is tight enough that it didn't fall down over my face. I went right ahead and did the handstand. I felt like an idiot when he took the curse off me – I was so mad, too, because Harry was able to fight it, and I know he didn't bother practicing any of the mind-mastery techniques.

Harry was able to fight it? That's impressive.

You don't have to rub it in. Professor Moody made him go through it four times, until he could throw it off altogether. He was the only one who could do it. Ron was skipping on every alternate step until lunchtime, and Lavender Brown is still in tears up here because she's embarrassed that Professor Moody made her act like a squirrel. I said, "Why are you so upset, Lavender? Everybody had to do something ridiculous." And she said, "Well, I looked so stupid! And right in front of.... oh, never mind."

Right in front of whom?

I know. That's what I asked, but she didn't answer. Parvati came over, put her arm around Lavender and said, "He didn't care – he didn't notice – he looked like even more of an idiot, really - bouncing 'round like a giant frog and saying 'ribbit' – you don't have anything to worry about."

That's when I knew it was Seamus. And I remember last year, she was all hung up on getting in that carriage with Seamus and Dean, and I didn't know which one she liked... well, now I do. Lavender was so angry with Parvati for slipping up in front of me. She said, "Don't you dare tell those boyfriends of yours, Hermione, I'm serious, I'd die!"

Boyfriends! Honestly.

I said, "Please, Lavender, don't worry. I'd never tell – I'd never go running to the boys on things like this." She said, "Just don't. You don't know how it feels."

Oh, don't I? But of course I didn't say anything about that – I just bit my tongue. It's one thing for me to know that Lavender likes Seamus. It is quite another thing for her to know that I... I just don't need that kind of.... they'd make such a big deal of everything. I don't need those two making girly eyes at me all year and giggling all over the place! It's bad enough they've offered to show me a spell to take off all my leg hair. I don't want to know. Of all the extra charms to go and learn, and that's the one they pick? Although it does sound easier than shaving the Muggle way.... but I just don't think there's any point. I mean, who's going to see my legs in the middle of autumn?

Well, you never know.

Oh, yes, I certainly do! They're my legs and I'll say who sees them!

I'm actually quite happy to hear that.

Gwen... what do I do?

About what?

The girl things. Am I supposed to do all this stuff, even if I don't want to?

No. You don't have to do any of it until you feel ready.

How do I know I feel ready?

You just know.

Ugh. Why do all the important questions have such vague answers?

Oh, Hermione. Someday you'll read back over this, and... well never mind. I promise you, you'll know. It may be vague, but it's the answer.

All right. Well, I've got to go, I've got to –

Study?

Mm-hmmm.

Ah, we're back in the rhythm of things. Goodnight, Hermione.

Goodnight.

September 26

That was a real bummer. I couldn't throw that Imperius Curse even a little. I heard the voice in my head say, "Skip around the room, skip around the room!" And I just went ahead and did it. I'd gone around the room once already before I heard another voice in there, saying, "You look like a goon." But even then I couldn't throw it.

Harry could, of course. Harry can do all the important things. Curses, and Quidditch, and... you know, it's not fair of me to think like that, he's got enough problems, what with worrying about Sirius, and I'm just not going to be that way. He can throw the curse. Good on him.

bump

October 7

Hi, Gwen. Ha.

What's so funny?

Oh, it's not funny. It's just.... Professor McGonagall said today that I remain the only person in her class who has managed to turn a hedgehog into a satisfactory pincushion. I'm trying not to be too pleased with myself...

I see you're not succeeding. But congratulations on the compliment.

Thanks. It's always nice when Professor McGonagall says something like that, because she's so conservative with her praise – and it's extra nice to hear it when I've worked so hard to get that bit of Transfiguration down properly. She says we've entered a very important phase of our magical education, and that's why the workload is getting so heavy. Our O.W.L.'s are at the end of next year, and I for one intend to be ready for them.

Considering you have nearly two years to prepare, I'd say you're in very good shape.

Two years might seem like a long time, but it isn't. It'll be here in a blink, and if I don't get enough O.W.L.'s.... then I can't be a witch.

I don't think there's much question of whether you'll pass the O.W.L.'s.

But Gwen, I want to ace them. I want to be the best witch in the world – I'm not kidding. And everybody who thinks you have to be a pure-blood to be worth anything will have to eat their words.

Did Malfoy say something to you?

Not Malfoy. He hasn't said a word since Professor Moody turned him into a ferret. It was Pansy. She was standing off with Millicent, who was complaining about her dress size, I think, because I heard Pansy saying "At least you don't have teeth the size of that elf-loving Mudblood."

Ron and Harry both glared over at her, which normally would have made me feel better. But this time it just made me feel worse because Pansy didn't even say my name. It's just obvious she was talking about me, because I'm the only one with teeth like that. It's enough to make me smile with my mouth shut for the rest of my life.

Hermione – you're also the only one in your class who's got a campaign going for elf rights, and one of the only Muggle-borns. Those are all things that make you recognizable.

You know what? Fine. My teeth are big. Pansy and Millicent and Susie Raviski and everybody else who wants me to feel bad have been drilling it into my head for years.

But I am not a Mudblood – my blood is perfect – and anybody who has another opinion is welcome to talk to me after I've flattened them in every possible witching test. I'll bet Pansy can't turn a hedgehog into a proper pincushion. That is all I have to say. Ha.

October 7

Pansy Parkinson is an ugly git. She and her ogre friend can just go drown in the lake. I'm sick of the Slytherins making my friends feel bad – yeah, Hermione's got big teeth, so what? I've got a million freckles and Harry's got a big fat scar in the middle of his face. And Parkinson's got a pug-nose like nothing I've ever seen, so I don't know what she's playing at. She's just an idiot, like her boyfriend.

God, what an ugly thought, those two together. I'm going to retch.

***
October 16


Gwen, I only have a minute – they've really started piling on the schoolwork – I just wanted to pop in and explain that if I don't ever write in here again, it's because I've been killed.

After three and a half years... what is it this time?

More of a joke this time, actually. Well, sort of a joke – at least, Snape thinks it's funny. He's having us research antidotes for poisons. He's says he'll do a test before Christmas to see if we've done thorough reading.

I almost don't want to ask this... what kind of test?

He says he'll poison one of us, and see if the antidote we brew is effective. We walked out of class and Harry said, "Well, I always wondered how I'd die. Now I know."

He thinks he'll be the one poisoned?

Well, that's the most likely outcome, although I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he poisoned me as his second choice. And Neville said, "Harry, you know Snape, he'll use my antidote – Hermione, you have to sit by me the rest of term and make sure I don't mess it up."

Oh, he said that, did he?

Yes, and he's right. Snape will use Neville's antidote, because he knows it's most likely to fail. I remember when he tried to kill Neville's toad with his Shrinking Solution. He's awful. Of course I'll sit by Neville the rest of term – I don't want Harry getting poisoned to death in class. Or me, for that matter.

I wonder... is Neville wearing his S.P.E.W. badge around?

He usually forgets, but he does if I ask him to . Why?

Just wondering how things were going with your Society.

Oh, well that's a whole separate can of worms, isn't it? Fred and George refuse to buy badges. They say the elves are happy, and they won't take part in "making a mess of things." Parvati and Lavender both say they think it's rather sad that the elves are so mistreated, but they also admitted they'd die before wearing the badges. So shallow! And a lot of people are treating it like a joke. I'll come 'round with the badge-box and things, and Lee Jordan will say things like "Stand aside, she's on a crusade!" Ha, ha, ha. Isn't it just so funny. What a bunch of prats.

Anyway, Gwen, I don't have time to complain about my very lazy and corrupt peer group. I have to go research antidotes so that none of them get killed in Potions.

Good luck.

Thanks. See you.

wow this is pretty good . . . .!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October 21


Could there be any more homework? (Yes, there could, if I were still taking Muggle Studies and Divination.) Do you see what's happening here? I'm already starting to talk to myself, and that can't be good.

Actually, isn't that supposed to be healthy?

I imagine it is, if you're insane. I don't think I'm quite there yet – although, another essay on the goblin rebellions for Professor Binns might put me over the edge. He now has us doing them on a weekly basis. It's teaching me a lot about non-human revolutions, though – if it's possible for the goblins, it's possible for the elves. Especially considering that elfish magic is much more deeply powerful than that of the goblins, who can really do little more than hex and slaughter – their magic is limited to nasty sorts of things. Elves, on the other hand can Apparate and everything. They're practically human.

The problem is that goblins are naturally cantankerous, won't follow the code of wand use, so the little magic they have gets exercised to its fullest – and that's enough to keep people from being able to overthrow them. The elves, however, obey the law one hundred percent – it's a rare elf that'll use its magic. Dobby was an extremely rare case – the fact that he even came to visit Harry shows that he was a very strong elf, capable of throwing off centuries of oppression in the face of what he knew was right. I have a lot of respect for Dobby. I wonder whatever happened to him when he went free?

Harry hasn't heard from him?

No, not since second year, when he tricked Lucius Malfoy into giving Dobby that sock. Oh, I wish I could have seen the look on Mr. Malfoy's face! Wonderful! You see – Harry knew it was right to free Dobby, because he knew Dobby on a personal level. Everybody thinks of these elves as just an impersonal race of creatures – they don't have individual contact with them, they don't know their personalities. If I could put a face on this campaign.... if people could see what's happening to these elves, individually.... I have to find a way to meet them. I wonder where they sleep? I skimmed back through "Hogwarts, A History" the other day to make sure I hadn't missed any little detail. I hadn't. The elves are like a phantom presence – not even respected enough to be noted in our school's history volume. They shouldn't even call it "Hogwarts, A History". It should be titled, "A Revised History of Hogwarts" or "A Highly Biased and Selective History of Hogwarts, Which Glosses Over the Nastier Aspects of the School."

However, I did find one interesting fact in there that I hadn't remembered. One of the final Triwizard Tournaments was held here, before the whole tournament was suspended. In 1792, a thingyatrice the champions were supposed to catch got loose and attacked all three of the school headmasters. I don't know how I feel about this whole tournament, Gwen.

I'm sure that didn't happen every time.

I can't even find out. I went to the library and checked to see if there was any record of the tournaments. I wanted to find out what kinds of tasks the champions are expected to face – but there isn't any list. There's just a register of the years tournaments were held, the names of the champions chosen, and the winners. The register notes that the tasks are not recorded because it was likely that a task might be used again in the future, and future champions should not have the advantage of knowing what kinds of things were faced in the past. As if anybody could memorize and combat five hundred years' worth of tournament tasks.

You'd attempt to, if you were champion.

That is not the point. Oh, Gwen. I want to stay and complain about everything in the world that's unfair, but I can't. I have to write about goblins. I think I'll add a side note about the elves. Maybe Professor Binns has an opinion on the subject.

Yes, see what he says.

See if he notices, more like. Sometimes I wonder if he really reads our papers thoroughly. He's so very tired and old and... dead. Anyway, I'll talk to you soon. 'Bye.

October 23


They're coming, they're coming in a week!

Beauxbatons and Durmstrang?

Yes! The sign went up tonight, it says they'll be here on Friday, the 30th, and we'll be having a welcoming feast! I can't wait to see what they're all like. Beauxbatons is mostly French, I imagine. I've spent some time in France – I wonder if any of them are from any of the cities and villages I visited? And Durmstrang... well, it'll be fascinating to see what they're like, I suppose, but I have to admit I'm rather biased against them. They learn far too much about the Dark Arts to be very trustworthy, in my opinion. What do students my age need to know about putting curses on people? Learning how to block them is enough. Knowing how to hurt somebody is like having a loaded gun. And Dad always says that there's no need for that unless you're planning to shoot.

Well, but what about self-defense?

That's what counter-curses are for – although I doubt Professor Moody would agree with me. Draco Malfoy certainly doesn't, he thinks it's ridiculous that we only learn defense. Yes, I'm sure he'd love to know how to perform the Cruciatus Curse on someone – probably me. Not that I've anything to worry about on that score – Malfoy's a lot meaner than he is bright. He probably couldn't learn it properly even if he were taught. Hagrid took him down a notch or two today – it was very satisfying.

What happened?

Oh, Hagrid was giving us some extra homework – we're to go down to his cabin on alternate evenings and track the growth and "extraordinary behavior" of the skrewts. They're really nasty, Gwen, they're getting long, and their shells have thickened, and now when they burst fire out their ends it's really dangerous. I don't know what Hagrid's on about – didn't he learn anything last year with the Hippogriffs? Can't we ever practice caring for some nice, pretty, docile magical creatures? I know I'd like a chance at that. But no, we'll probably graduate straight to dragons from these beasts. Dear Hagrid.

Anyway, when he said we were to come down on alternate evenings, Malfoy said, "I will not. I see enough of these foul things during lessons, thanks." Hagrid glared at him and said, "Yeh'll do wha' yer told, or I'll be takin' a leaf outta Professor Moody's book... I hear yeh made a good ferret, Malfoy."

Good for Hagrid! Oh, that's excellent.

Yes, it was tremendously funny, all the Slytherins scowled while the Gryffindors laughed fit to kill. We were already in a wonderful mood when we found the sign up about the Triwizard Tournament. I'm still in high spirits, even though Ron said something to make me blush.

Hmmmm?

Quit it. It's nothing like that. We were just standing there, and he was up on tiptoe reading the sign because he's the tallest, and then we heard Ernie Macmillan say, "Only a week away! I wonder if Cedric knows? Think I'll go and tell him." Ron said, "Cedric?" And Harry said, "Diggory. He must be entering the tournament."

Which is when Ron said, "That idiot, Hogwarts champion?" Which doesn't make any sense, because Cedric Diggory is not an idiot. Ron just doesn't like him because he beat Gryffindor at Quidditch. I've heard he's a really good student – and he's a prefect – and I told Ron so.

And then he looked at me with his eyes all narrowed and said, "You only like him because he's handsome."

Ah. Is that so.

Yes, and I said, "Excuse me, I don't like people just because they're handsome!" And I don't! The last time that happened was in second year, and I have made a conscious effort not to get carried away by looks ever since then.

But Ron remembers that I acted like an idiot, and he made this big, loud, fake coughing noise that sounded like, "Lockhart!" And that's when I blushed. Why does he have to remember that? It's probably the only time in my whole life that I was so embarrassingly obvious. And I know that Ron never liked Professor Lockhart, even before we found out he was a cheating liar – but why can't he just forget the way I acted? I know I was stupid to write all those cards and things, but Ginny did the same thing with Harry, and he doesn't tease her anymore. Why oh why does he have to remember it with me?

Why? Oh, Hermione, you must have noticed that when you go around liking people, it bothers Ron quite enough to make him –

Erm. Gwen, you don't really have to answer, it was really more of a rhetorical –

You sent Professor Lockhart a fan letter. And you kept his get-well card under your pillow. And you stood up for him all year long until you got Petrified. And every time you did those things, Ron got upset. Remember?

Gwen, I have to go. I have – I have a lot of homework – I have to go –

Hermione –

No – no – I have to go.

Are you all right?

I'm fine – I just have to get out of the common room and get some air or –

Oh dear. I shouldn't have said –

No, that's fine, you're fine, just – Gwen, he's sitting right here, okay? I have to go. See you later.

bump baby bump!!!  :-*

October 23

They're coming! They're coming next week! d**n, this is going to be cool – I can't believe how lucky I am to be here for the first Triwizard Tournament in two hundred and something years – Hermione knows exactly how many, I can't remember – Harry and I are going to enter if we can think of a way to confuse the "impartial judge" into thinking we're seventeen. We've done a million dangerous things. We got out of the Chamber of Secrets, we got past the enchantments on the Sorcerer's Stone, we got away from Aragog – my mind still won't let me think about that night. Bloody Hagrid. "Follow the spiders." He's a madman. Spiders, skrewts, dragon eggs, hippogriffs and Fang – that's all I have to say about Hagrid. But it was great when he reminded Malfoy about the ferret thing in class.

I wonder who the impartial judge is going to be, though? If it's Fudge, Harry's got it made – he loves Harry. But I won't get to enter – my dad's at the Ministry and Fudge'll be worried about getting him in trouble or something. If it's... well who could it be? Who do we know that's impartial? Moody? Nah. I don't know.

And I wonder who the Hogwarts champion'll be? Even if I get myself submitted, it probably won't be me – or Harry for that matter. We're brave enough all right, but we're not up to scratch on all the curses and blocks and transfigurings and charms. I hope Fred and George get to enter and get a crack at the winnings. Or at least a Gryffindor. Angelina Johnson's been saying she might. She could get it, I guess. But it definitely should NOT be that pretty idiot, Diggory. Can't believe Hermione – she's always right there to defend the handsome ones. Got her back for that, though. Gave her the fake cough. "Lockhart!" She looked mad, too – bet she wasn't expecting that. What? Does she think I'm going to forget that she acted like such a GIRL? She was worse than Ginny used to be with Harry, seriously, it made me sick to my stomach.

Ginny hasn't said anything about Harry in awhile, actually. Bet she's grown out of it, or something.

What?! What's her problem? Why –

Well that was totally out of the blue. Hermione just slammed that diary of hers, got up, looked at me like I'd smacked her or something, and I swear she was crying. I said, "What? What's the matter? What did I do?" And then she made this weird sound with her mouth shut, and ran for it, up to the girls' dormitory.

She's a nut.

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 botched 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.

AAAAHHHHHHH YOU STOPPPED!!!!!!!!! ARE YOU MAD?
  keep going keep going
 

You torture me!   GOGOGOGOGOGO
 
   This is absolutely excellent you cant stop when you have me on the edge of my computer chair!

Just for that, I must continue for you unless you will do it for me!! That was soo good! I almost believed it was a real story!! Pleeasssee gogoggogogogo!! :'(

The story can't be continued because it was 6 years ago. So just to leave you off with a warning, don't post in old topics. I just thought I would tell ya, before others. They can be harsh, but don't take it a wrong way.

~ Isabelle Xantier