THE DIARY OF A WITCH, VOLUME V
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have no clue why deleted this chapter nor do I feel like arguing about it. Here is the repost of Chapter nine. ;glares at administration; DO NOT DELETE.
CHAPTER 9: MAY
Friday, May 1, Dorm Room, After Quidditch Practice,
So here was Davies' closing statement for today's practice:
"Guys, this is our last chance, MY last chance to have a shot at that Quidditch Cup. DON'T BLOW IT."
Inspiring isn't it?
Saturday, May 2, Ravenclaw Common Room, Celebration Party,
WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE ARE GOING TO THE QUIDDITCH FINAL!!!!!!!!!
Now, whether or not we'll beat Gryffindor remains to be seen. It could go either way honestly. I mean they have great Chasers and so do we (this is not just my biased opinion, we've gotten compliments from other teams). Their replacement beaters are all right, but not as good as ours. Weasley, I'm sorry to say, is horrible, and Davies is great (if he wasn't such a bookworm he could go into professional Quidditch). I think it'll honestly depend on the Seekers and if that happens we might have a problem because Chang quite frankly has sucked this year. She's only caught the Snitch what, two times this year? Ginny is a lot better even though she says Seeker isn't the position that she really likes (she's planning on trying out for the Chaser position next year).
So we're all pretty much dead even on skill level though I think we may have a slightly better advantage, but Gryffindor has been known to turn things around so who knows? Now, to find a way to sneak off and meet Owen after like we planned...
Sunday, May 3, Great Hall, Breakfast,
Well, the excitement of the game quickly wore off. After Owen and I spent a little alone time we both realized we had a mountain of homework to finish and had to get back anyway before anyone wondered where we went off too. It's not that we don't want to our friends to know about us, it's just...we don't want everyone in our faces and of course I'm going to have Mandy, Padma, Hannah, Susan, and even Ginny (not to mention Hermione and all the girls in the former D.A.) telling me I-told-you-so often and in an annoying manner. Our friends are great and everything but when you live in a school community like Hogwarts, everyone knows everyone's business and everyone gets excited very easily about everyone's business. It's amazing I've been able to keep my powers secret for as long as I have to tell you the truth and that's only because the only one who knows about it are the animals and plants and Owen. Well, and Dumbledore and the Order through no fault of my own.
Now, to go and finish that damn Potions essay. How Snape thinks we're going to find one roll of parchment of material on the use of Kingsfoil in Potions is beyond me because there are only about three uses for it and only one of those uses deals with Potions. I personally think he comes up with this stuff just to make us sweat.
Monday, May 4, History of Magic,
Snape better give me a damn O for that essay. I managed to find a second use for Kingsfoil in Potions in the library and therefore was able to have an essay that was only babble for one-third of it.
I'll probably get an E though just because it's me.
Tuesday, May 5, Great Hall, Breakfast,
I've decided that I'm going to use those Skiving Snackbox things Fred and George left me in their box. I'm not going to use it in Herbology, I'm going to use it to get out of DADA. Normally I don't believe in skipping lessons but damn it, I can't take another class with that woman! I'm not sure what is worse: the condescending tone in that horrible book she's got us studying or Umbridge herself. Either way, if I have to spend an hour looking/reading with either I will scream. Loudly.
Later Tuesday, May 5, Ravenclaw Common Room, NOT IN DADA,
Fred and George are officially geniuses. Those Skiving Snackboxes work great. I ate the one that made you start throwing up and therefore I started to throw up while Umbridge gave the essay of the week and then told us the chapter to copy down. She seems to have something about germs and therefore sent me to Madame Pomfrey right away. I turned a corner and ate the one that stops it and now I have an Umbridge free day. Well, except for the fact that I see her at Lunch and Dinner...
I wish I had been able to get something on her with that stone I left in her office but it was a dud. I managed to get it about two weeks ago but unfortunately she didn't say anything incriminating or that I could possibly use to get her kicked out. At least, nothing that whoever is in charge would listen too. You see, I've discovered that she does indeed have all the power of the Minister of Magic backing her up and from Owen has told me he is pretty much in charge of the courts these days therefore taking the stone to the courts would be useless. Plus, I realized that they probably would need proof that the voices from the stone are Umbridge and Fudge, and I have no way of proving that.
So the whole venture had pretty much been a waste of time. Still, at least now I have a way to get out of class with her. I can eat the Skiving Snackboxes after she gives the essay assignment and then leave.
Later Tuesday, May 5, Great Hall, Dinner,
Mandy is appalled at me for skipping class. Padma, Terry, and Anthony think I'm brilliant and are discussing ways to get a hold of some Skiving Snackboxes of their own without Umbridge interfering because she has been intercepting mail lately. You know, I bet if I have a talk with the owls in the Owlery I could come up with a way for them to avoid Umbridge getting to them...
Wednesday, May 6, Owlery,
I've been having a chat with some of the owls and have asked them who has been intercepted and who has not. Umbridge hasn't been going through everyone's mail. Gandalf for instance, she pretty much leaves alone. But apparently she's been intercepting Harry Potter's owl, Hedwig, a lot and Hedwig is getting a little irritated about it and has called the woman a few choice words. I think I know the spell she's using to confuse them and I may be able to come up with a protection charm to put on them. The only thing is that the charm would have to be invisible so everybody's master wouldn't get suspicious about a trinket around their pet's neck.
Thursday, May 7, Charms,
Wow, I think Peeves actually listened to Fred when he said, "Giver her hell from us, Peeves." Got to be the first time he's ever listened to anybody. But then, the order was to cause mayhem and he's always excelled at that. Now though, he's taking that mayhem and upping it to absolute chaos.
He's been disturbing classes (something he's never done before), in particular Umbridge's class, by floating through the walls and knocking over random objects. Just yesterday, he went through my Latin class and made chalk dust fly everywhere. Professor Toren though didn't even blink at it and went on lecturing. He didn't even bother cleaning up the dust!
Just now in Charms he knocked over a pile of books which didn't hit anybody (which is good because some of those things are HUGE) but made a lovely crashing sound that caused Filch to yell the ghost's name from the other end of the hallway. It's actually very entertaining to watch.
Friday, May 8, History of Magic,
I don't think Owen and I should've done that but well...what's done is done.
We cursed Warrington from Slytherin. You know, the one who's on the Quidditch team? Well, technically OWEN cursed him but well...he deserved it. The two of us were wandering down the hallway after Potions class and since we were lagging behind and no one was looking, we actually held hands for once. First time we've actually attempted since becoming a couple. However we turned a corner and there was Warrington smirking down at us.
He then started on about that stupid new proclamation that Umbridge had come up with in her slew of them (there's been about two a day lately): boys and girls should be at least three inches apart. Yeah, I know, can we say STUPID? But the proclamation is there, even though it's a little hard to enforce, particularly in the Great Hall when we're all squished together on our tables so Umbridge has kind of given up enforcing it there but she gleefully makes a nuisance of herself in the hallways whenever friends want to talk to each other. She's been especially annoying to me and Owen because we happen to be a boy and girl who hang out a lot (and date though no one knows this part of our relationship yet).
Anyway, Warrington (now a part of the ever annoying Inquisitorial Squad) was all set to take off points from our houses and then he made the mistake of sneering at me and added, "And I think I'll take five extra points from you Hollins, simply because you're dating a Mudblood."
Owen scowled at him and said, "All right, that's IT. I've had it up to here with you all." He then whipped out his wand and did a curse that made Warrington's skin become all gross and kind of look like he'd been dumped in a bowl of cornflakes. The two of us kind of stared at him for a few seconds and then ran for it. He was to busy hissing from pain to follow us. After kissing Owen briefly I went off to History of Magic. Mandy and Padma keep giving me strange looks for grinning like a loon instead of snoring or doodling like I usually am in this class.
I can't help it; my boyfriend rocks. He not only came to my defense, he managed to curse a seventh year Slytherin pretty impressively.
Saturday, May 9, Dorm Room,
I've got it!
I think I found a charm that I can use to help the owls not get intercepted by Umbridge anymore. I've decided to use a small charm to put under the collars a lot of them wear. I can make them invisible so their owners don't notice them.
Sunday, May 10, Great Hall, Breakfast,
THINGS TO DO (besides classes)
Monday:
Potions and History of Magic essays due
Rune chart project
Study Charms notes for O.W.L.s
Quidditch practice
Go to owlery and count out how many charms I'm going to need to make
Tuesday:
Herbology drawing with labels due
Transfiguration equations due
Study Transfiguration notes for O.W.L.s
Quidditch Practice
Wednesday:
Latin oral exam
Astronomy notebook check
Charms Club
Quidditch Practice
Study Herbology notes for O.W.L.s
Thursday:
Quiz in DADA (can't skip ;pouts;)
Transfiguration practical
Study DADA notes for O.W.L.s (did I make any notes this year???)
Quidditch Practice
Friday:
Charms Club Officers Meeting
Quidditch Practice
Study Ancient Runes notes for O.W.L.s
Saturday:
Study Potions and Latin notes for O.W.L.s
Hogsmeade visit (last of the year) and first REAL date with Owen!
Sunday:
Study Astronomy, Divination, and History of Magic notes for O.W.L.s
Get charms to owls in the owlery
Monday, May 11, Dorm Room,
Jeez, what does every student in Hogwarts own an owl? There ARE other animals out there people...
Tuesday, May 12, Ravenclaw Common Room, NOT IN DADA,
I think I've started a revolution here.
Or everyone had the same idea at the same time. Either way, I am no longer the only one skipping Umbridge's class. Yes, even Mandy is here though she just started skipping today. We were all here looking over notes when she came in. Padma and I gave her looks as she sat down with us and she said, "What? I don't like that woman any more then you two do. Even I have my limits."
We are never going to let her forget this.
Friday, May 15, History of Magic,
I'm in shock.
I've gotten an O on a Potions essay. You remember, the one I turned in last week that I figured I got an E on? Well, I got an O. When I got my essay and saw the grade for minute I wondered if I had been given the wrong essay. But it was in my handwriting. I was so stunned that after class I went up to Professor Snape who raised an eyebrow at me when I walked up.
"Uh, Sir, about my grade..." I started, and paused because I wasn't sure what to say.
"Yes," he said shortly (he's been in a really bad mood lately).
"Um...I was wondering...did you give me the right grade?" I blurted out.
He finally stopped writing and stared up at me. Have I ever mentioned that Snape staring at you is not fun?
"Johanson, let me get this straight; you are complaining about receiving an O? This must be the first time I've ever heard about this sort of complaint."
"Oh, I'm not complaining," I said quickly. "It's just that you...well...um..."
"I can give you a lower grade if you wish."
"No, no. In fact, never mind. Thanks for the O!" I then ran out of there before I got a lower grade because I just know he would have just because he was annoyed.
So I actually managed to earn an O. First of the whole year in that class. Which is kind of sad when you think about it...
Saturday, May 16, Great Hall, Breakfast,
THINGS TO GET IN HOGSMEADE:
-Mail in post office inbox
-Charcoal pencils
-Red paint, gold paint, blue paint
-new paint brush
Later Saturday, May 16, Dorm Room, After Hogsmeade Visit,
Well...the cat's out of the bag, as they say. It was only a matter of time I guess.
Owen and I went off on our own to try and have a real date. So far all we've done is stroll through Hogwarts before curfew and such so we've never been on an actual date. We spent all morning together going through the shops. I got my art supplies and went to my mailbox to get my new issue of the Quibbler as well as my letter from home and Fred and George who sent me thank you letters for giving them business and a catalogue that they've put together of all their products.
After Owen needed to get a book he pre-ordered at the local book store so we spent some time there and then went into Honeydukes to stock up on candy. Then we made the mistake of going into the Three Broomsticks. Not there was a problem with the food, the Three Broomsticks always has fantastic service. No, it was a mistake because EVERYONE goes to the Three Broomsticks. Including our friends who saw us and immediately joined us without asking. Everyone started chatting at once while Owen and I just sat there giving each other pained looks until finally Owen said loudly, "Oi! Trying to have a date here!"
Only by the time he finally said that, everyone had quieted down so the whole place heard him and glanced over at our table. Oh, and Padma yelling "I knew it!" after? Yeah, so did not help. Anthony then looked at us smugly and said, "So how long has this been going on?"
Owen looked like he was about to say something so I kicked him and said, "None of your business. Please leave."
Surprisingly, they did leave us alone. If you call going over to the next table being alone. We quickly finished our Butterbeer and left the scrutiny as fast as possible. I haven't seen them all since then which means at dinner I'm going to get a grilling. You know it's times like this that I wish people in Hogwarts would mind their own business.
Sunday, May 17, Great Hall, Breakfast,
THINGS TO DO:
Monday:
History of Magic essay due
Rune translations due
Study for O.W.L.s
Quidditch Practice
Tuesday:
Herbology essay due
Charms practical
Study for O.W.L.s
Quidditch Practice
Wednesday:
Latin translations due
Astronomy essay due
Charms Club
Study for O.W.L.s
Quidditch Practice
Thursday:
Study for O.W.L.s
Quidditch Practice
Friday:
Charms Club Officers Meeting
Study for O.W.L.s
Quidditch Practice
Tuesday, May 19, Ravenclaw Common Room, NOT IN DADA,
Wow, the whole class is here now.
I've definitely started something.
Friday, May 22, History of Magic,
Oh Lord, now even PROFESSOR BINNS is talking about the O.W.L.s ENOUGH ALREADY. WE KNOW THEY ARE IN TWO WEEKS!
Monday, May 25, History of Magic,
Ugh. I'm not sure who is getting on my nerves more: Mandy or the teachers. Do we really need a reminder five times a day that the O.W.L.s are coming in two weeks and that they are vital to our future and blah, blah blah. Do we? NO. Why? Because we already KNOW THIS.
Wednesday, May 27, Charms Club,
Now the O.W.L.s talk is invading our extra curriculars! Professor Flitwick is showing us charms that have been known to be put in the tests. This is madness I'm telling you, utter madness. I'm not sure who is worse: the teachers and Mandy with all the O.W.L. talk or Davies who is officially obsessed with the Quidditch Cup. He doesn't watch it, he's going to turn into another Oliver Wood.
Saturday, May 30, Dorm Room, After Match,
We lost. It was pathetic actually. It probably didn't help that because Max and Terry both got in trouble with the Inquisitorial Squad yesterday and got into a scuffle and were cursed and have to spend the whole weekend in the Infirmary getting fixed (it's a long story but lets just say Ravenclaw lost some house points). We have only one reserve Chaser (David Bradley) therefore Davies had to take over for the second Chaser position and we then had to use our reserve Keeper to take his spot.
No offense to Bradley and Davies but our rhythm was totally off because I'm used to playing with Max and Terry. The three of us have a pretty good arsenal of moves and have signals and everything. Bradley and Davies just did not cooperate with me. Plus, Bradley is a ball hog. Not to point any fingers or anything.
So us Chasers were really out of synch though I managed to get one goal in, as did Davies. But then After Bradley got the ball something came over Weasley and he started blocking goals right and left. Then Gryffindor started scoring and soon Ginny caught the Snitch RIGHT UNDER CHANG'S NOSE. No I have not yelled at her. She's upset enough as it is and I don't kick a dog when it's down. Still though, RIGHT UNDER HER DANG NOSE.
Well, at least Slytherin doesn't have the Quidditch Cup. Plus, Weasley managed to turn himself around I just wish he hadn't done it then. Stupid Slyterins probably finally pissed him off with that song (yes, they were STILL singing Weasley is our King). By the end of the game, Gryffindor changed the lyrics to the song and that as they say is that.
Maybe we'll have better luck next year. Of course, next year Davies, Maria, and her brother will all be gone...so I'll be just me, Max, Terry, and Chang. Then Max graduates after that...oh, boy.
Sunday, May 31, Great Hall, Dinner,
So this week is review week in classes. No essays or assignments just a lot of pressure from the teachers.
O.W.L. countdown: One week.
END CHAPTER 9...TO BE CONTINUED...