5 October, later
I'm dizzy and light-headed. I've just met the adult branch of the CC and am left feeling depressed and pessimistic. I've just said good-bye to Snuffles, hoping I see him alive again. And I've just learned more about Linda Lou Fairchild than I ever wanted to know. Not to mention that I don't know how to explain this all to Harry.
Back from the beginning, shall I?
All right, so the concert ended and us five and Lupin helped Miss Skylark put her equipment away - and Snuffles, but Snuffles, of course, couldn't do much. Then we realized that it was way too close to three o'clock and hurried to the Three Broomsticks.
The other members are Lisa Turpin (Lisa's mum), Mercy Gondola, Mavis Johansson, Marlana Payne (whose tongue is as sharp as it is rumoured to be), Jimmy Page, Charles Rossington, Ferris Bell, Jenna Kato, Debra Hansen, and Dolley Platt. And, of course, McGonagall, Fleur, Lupin, and Snuffles were there. We didn't go into the Three Broomsticks, though - we went around back, where it was more private.
And we introduced ourselves. Mrs. Turpin, Mrs. Gondola, Ms. Johansson, and Mr. Rossington were friendly and reassuring, but several, like Miss Payne and Mr. Bell, just made my feeling of being scared out of my wits grow.
Worse, the biggest problem I can see is that half of us don't trust each other. Mr. Bell hates everyone, it seems; Mrs. Turpin and Miss Payne kept glaring at each other; Bell and Page don't trust McGonagall; Miss Payne and Mrs. Johansson don't trust Fleur; Ms. Kato is jealous of Mrs. Gondola, who is very pretty, and Ms Kato, Hansen, and Platt as well as Mr. Page refused to shake Lupin's hand. I think Lupin and Bell had some long-running feud (after watching Harry and Draco, I know the signs of a long-running feud) and when Fleur was introduced, her eyes narrowed and she muttered in French: "Ordure." Lupin smiled pleasantly and shot off a string of clumsy, but plain, French. From what I remember of the language, he said some meaningless "Good day to you, Miss Delacour", phase, and the only reason he used French at all was to show her he understood what "ordure" meant and if she was going to insult someone she might as well do it in the insultee's native tongue. Miss Payne made a number of jokes that McGonagall laughed very weakly and half-heartedly at. Page scowled at McGonagall and Mrs. Gondola unmercifully.
Very adult.
Well, then the Debate started. My head is still aching. Mrs. Gondola, Miss Payne, Ms. Johansson, Rossington, Snuffles (who doesn't have a vote), Lupin, McGonagall, Fleur, and us five children really believed that You-Know-Who is back. McGonagall produced an official letter from Dumbledore, which convinced everyone except Mr. Bell, whom I want to smack anyway, and Ms. Kato. Hopefully they see the light soon.
So we finally agree that the Dark Lord's back, right? Right. And that's only the beginning. Deciding which course of action to take is a long and tedious process. It really seemed quite simple to me - alert the wizarding world by sending letters pronto. But they couldn't even agree on that, and when they did, they discussed things like: How much to reveal? How much proof do we give without giving away anything to the Dark Side? What if they don't believe us? Where are we going to get all those owls? (At this, Miss Payne beamed and said she was still breeding owls and that there were still plenty, which was something.) What about when the Ministry gets on us? (Under the agreement of the Order of the Phoenix, all they can do is tell the public that we're wrong, but half of them don't seem to understand that.) What will this do other than panic the population? (Put them on their guard, perhaps? Or is that just a crazy idea of mine?)
I'll spare the gory details. The point is, Harry, Lisa, Chelsea, Ernie and I have to rough draft an appropriate letter of this vein. If anyone approves of it (which seems pretty farfetched to my eye), we'll send it.
And then they had to contact the rest of the Correspondence Chain. Mr. Page protested that they never had done that before, that the last time they had started the Chain everyone had believed that You-Know-Who was in power because of the obvious proof and how were they to do it this time? Lupin responded that Voldemort probably had never tried to come back to power before and that he was learning the same we were, so at least we had a decent chance, as long as we figured out what we were doing quicker than he did. Page then demanded to know if he really thought You-Know-Who was that slow a learner. Lupin's patience was nearly at an end and he responded quietly that he had never said Voldemort was a slow learner. Page then demanded to know if Lupin was implying what he thought he was. Lupin didn't reply - an obvious giveaway that he was - and Prof. McGonagall broke this up, luckily.
And that, my friends, was but a very mild version of the petty little barbs being thrown back and forth during that long two hours in which I considered pulling my hair out in exasperation.
Finally, the meeting ended, with myself wondering just what we had accomplished. Prof. McGonagall glanced down at me and nodded.
"Rather exasperating, isn't it, Granger?"
I had to agree.
But then - but then - the three nurses, Ms. Kato, Hansen, and Platt, and Professor McGonagall started talking while I was getting Harry's cloak. They thought I was with Harry, but Harry was saying goodbye to Snuffles and Lupin and I was hidden in the coat closet of the Three Broomsticks.
The conversation started off smoothly, with polite inquires about health and weather and such, and I considered just walking past them with an excuse me when they started talking about certain members of the CC, and then -
"Did you see that woman singing?"
Since I realized this was about Miss Skylark, I waited. This sounded interesting.
"Nicole Skylark, I believe her name was," Ms. Hansen replied.
"Lovely singer," sighed Ms. Platt. Ms. Platt sighs a lot, even when she's perfectly happy. It's depressing. "Reminds me of dear Linda."
Now I was rather interested. Miss Skylark had mentioned Linda Fairchild several times; she was mentioned in several books for her Auror work, and, well, I just decided to listen.
"Well, wasn't Nicole her protégée?"
That explained the references.
"Linda never mentioned her," McGonagall replied.
"Never?" asked Ms. Kato in surprise. "I was sure!"
"The name, I believe was mention by one of that little group… Nicole Skylark. But they were always mentioning names. A couple aliases, too." McGonagall managed to sound very business-like.
Or maybe not, I thought.
"But it was such a pity she died, wasn't it?" Ms. Hansen asked oh-so pointedly.
McGonagall seemed a little confused. "Well… yes, of course."
"I suppose we're just all remaining blind to it," Ms. Platt said, lips pursed.
McGonagall was now a lot confused. "To what, Dolley?"
"The fact that her murderer isn't dead or in Azkaban."
"Jenna, may I please beg you not to speak in riddles?"
I'm not going to repeat that conversation, mainly because the three medi-wizards are confusing me. But here's how the story goes, and this is based on what I gather and what is certified by McGonagall, whom I trust far more.
Linda Fairchild was the same Lin mentioned in those letters I used for Harry's booklet. Linda was Lily's best friend - which right there gives her a significance in my eyes. The Fairchilds were not a respected family. They were of the performing line. Very few went to school; they were trained from an early age to perform - acting, singing, dancing, music, illusion… all of that line. Linda was an orphan, but it's not as if the Fairchilds were very family-intense. They lived in "caravans" and the family viewed each other as performing artists, not as cousins or siblings or parents or aunts or uncles.
Linda attended Hogwarts - and, of course, befriended Lily Evans. From the conversation I overheard and from the letters, I conclude that their relationship was very interesting in the fact that, at the beginning, since Lily was Muggle-born and somewhat temperamental, Linda acted more as the "older sister". However, once they started reaching the age I am now, it seems Lily started acting older, more mature - she understood the war better, she understood studies better, she understood life better… she understood boys better. But it seems they were very close, always.
After Hogwarts - Lily didn't wait too long, just after a year, before marrying Harry's dad. She spent that year working as a nurse at St. Mungo's. Linda spent the time partly in Auror training, partly breaking away from Caravan Fairchild and starting her own career. James Potter apparently had a lot of money and Lily really didn't have to work, but she continued her nursing right up to when Harry was born and was resuming the task for a few months before she died. After three years, Linda was finally a full-fledged Auror. Needless to say, at that time Lily and Linda's work was in high demand. (Shudder. It is again, I just realized.) Ms. Kato, Ms. Hansen, and Ms. Platt all worked with Lily and Linda at times.
Linda was dating Sirius on-and-off, throughout Hogwarts and post-Hogwarts. Sirius was never too serious about this until about 1980 (and by then, of course, he was running out of time). Otherwise, Linda wasn't too into the men… not that Professor McGonagall and those nurses know all about her private life, since Linda was sort of a private person, especially when in 1979 she made her first hit song, and she didn't really "go out" with anyone too much, other than Sirius. Her two best friends were Lily Evans - and Remus Lupin.
I'm not too sure if Linda knew of Lupin's condition. I'm just an ignorant no-good eavesdropper. They had gone to a dance at Hogwarts together, but were never really a "couple"… or never admitted to it, anyway. (McGonagall mentioned trying to keep their "teen hormone-ridden minds on task" in their seventh year, which indicates that she obviously thinks certain feelings might have gone a little deeper.) They were, however, very close friends… and my personal analysis is that they got ever closer after Lily got married. I'm sure Lily, whom everyone says is so nice and sweet, never shunned Linda, but, of course, married life causes a few changes, and Linda might not have wanted to intrude on Lily. In a friendship-y sort of way, Lupin was devoted to Linda. Linda seemed to have gained a free extra handyman. And they were constantly together, laughing while Linda dealt with her singing career… and from what I understand, she wasn't totally comfortable with it. Her career, I mean.
From what I concluded, these eight were a close group - Lily, Linda, James Potter, Sirius, Lupin, Pettigrew, Bella Figg, and a girl named Sammy Orr whom I don't know much about. She was mentioned in Sirius and Lupin's letters. Well, after Halloween 1981, a bunch of holes were shot in that little gang. Sammy Orr seems to have just… disappeared altogether. Bella, due to Bendall's Curse and the sudden fall of the Dark Side, was bedridden for several months and incoherent. But Linda and Lupin were alive, and Linda was in Very Deep Danger, as a visible Auror. I already know how Death Eaters killed several Aurors after You-Know-Who's fall. Not to mention that they were a little angry with Dumbledore over his decision to send Harry to the Dursleys. (Can they be blamed?) So Linda was… preoccupied. Lupin was apparently very worried about her safety. (I don't know about anyone else, but if I just lost three friends in one night due to the organization of a fourth, I'd be pretty paranoid with keeping the rest safe, too.) He made (ironically, considering today) an Anchor. Yes, I know Anchors are Refrudian stuff. McGonagall mentioned that both Lupin's parents went to Refrudula. (Which explains a few more things.)
The Shape for safety is a ring in a jagged, starred pattern which flashes certain colours. Lupin wore one, and if Linda was wearing the other one and was in danger (mortal, danger-danger) it would alert him and allow him to Disapparate to exactly that spot. It also offers the wearers added protection.
(As a side note, one day I've got to learn how to create those. Awfully handy.)
Naturally, you wouldn't do this unless you trusted the other person very much. Linda wore hers constantly.
Three days after Halloween, she was killed.
The Death Eaters just waited for the full moon. Another member of the crowd gone.
But this is what I don't understand, and McGonagall put it quite nicely: "I've never been able to understand what Linda was doing in Jennifer's Forest" (which is right next to Marshall's Village and quite a nasty place) "all alone on the night of a full moon and without telling anyone anyway…"
What, indeed? Perhaps Linda wasn't as clever as the nurses made her out to be.
My hand's aching again and there's no point in going into detail about how badly all of us are complaining about the meeting. Rest assured, however, that Ron is going to be as envious as if we had just had the best time of our lives.
(You know what? I should just tell him about the concert and the beautiful Miss Skylark and leave it at that. You know, just to make him jealous…)
October 7
Frankly, I'm angrier at myself than anyone else right now since I told Ron the whole story, and, of course, he crowed: "See? I told you you'd tell me everything even if Harry and I didn't tell you what we were doing?"
"What were you doing?" I asked.
He smirked and then suddenly remembered he had Charms homework. Ha, ha, ha.
Onward.
Well, as predicted, there was an attack on Muggle Appreciation Day, but not in Hogsmeade. It happened instead in Bath, which, of course, has a fair amount of wizards. There was a small, hidden Muggle Fair. It's booths and tables and things were slashed and certain items were stolen, and there's a rumor that a woman is missing and it's all being hushed up.
Very odd. Slightly disturbing.
What's very disturbing, to me, is the thought of You-Know-Who getting his hands on a good medi-wizard. We're studying Dark Illnesses. Not pretty. I'm doing a deadly essay on one now, which I should probably be finishing… especially since the boys are at practice. Quidditch, I mean. Sometimes I wonder lately if they think of anything else.
Well, Ron does. He's trying to figure out who Charlie's new girlfriend is and his latest theory is that it's Nicole Skylark. I, of course, told him to stop dreaming. He then teased me about being awfully sensitive to the whole thing. As if! Charlie's, well, a lot older than me, but when I mentioned that, Ron brought up Viktor. I told him to… er, well, do something. Then Harry mildly suggested we shut up.
9 October
Is Fred every crabby today! He snapped like a turtle when I brushed past him in the common room to get a book on Dark Illnesses I had left by the fire. I asked Ron about it and he shrugged.
"George was acting a little odd, too. Guess it's reflecting on him."
All very well and good, but I was rather taken off-guard!
Harry and I had fun teaching Ron Refrudian magic, though, and Ron was thrilled with the possibilities. In fact, a lot of the school is doing it now, thanks to Lisa, Chelsea, and Ernie. Perhaps we can cheer the twins up with it. If they weren't still going full force on the Weasley Triplet Operation I'd be very concerned. As it is, David Weasley is driving Drothl insane. Her teeth have been gritted together so much lately it's a wonder she can still chew. Prefect Blustovadk? Not a chance. But Davy had recently set loose Fang in the teacher's quarters (particularly Drothl's, I'm guessing), brought pixies into class and sneakily let them loose, has asked the worse, most sarcastic questions, has critiqued Drothl's fashion sense - or lack thereof - in front of the whole class, and has set off more Dungbombs than most of us even believed existed. While Davy feeds Drothl Canary Creams and Mustard-Flavoured Tarts, however, Fred and George (or whoever acts out Fred and George with Polyjuice Potion) is generally innocent and studious… but even the real twins have caused enough trouble with their true identities intact so that they're not real high up on Drothl's list, either.
Except for Bath, there really has been no Dark Activity lately. I almost wish there was; the suspense is more torturous than the actual happening. Us in the CC finally managed to draft a letter we agreed on, by some heavenly miracle. I wouldn't bet so much as a Knut, however, on getting even half of the senior members to approve or even agree.
Speaking of letters… Viktor recently sent a lovely one.
But… and this only goes for here in this diary… I was naturally very excited when I got the letter… but after reading it… I felt almost… blank. It didn't mean anything… and writing back felt almost like a chore, as if I didn't quite know what to say.
Don't tell anyone. Especially Ron - because he won't let me forget it.
And… and this is another one of those private things… the Friday Night Flings have been postponed to at least mid-October this year due to the Dark Activity. I wrote of them last year, I think… a mini-dance in the Great Hall for fifth-years and older… and I was dreadfully disappointed when they hadn't started last month. Ron and Harry, well, of course, they were incredibly relived, but I wasn't. I sort of "invited" Ron to ask me to a ball last year, and would he? I mean, I'm just curious, that's all… We'd just go as friends, if he even did, because Viktor isn't here, of course.
But it's all so… oh, never mind. This is simply a waste of ink.
12 October
I can not believe it. I can not believe it! If Dumbledore is the greatest wizard in the world and all, isn't it within his capabilities to get us a normal, non-threatening Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher for one year? Or is that asking too much?
Professor Drothl? Normal, non-threatening, my broomstick. I had to do some serious reminding of myself that Dumbledore trusts her.
But then, Dumbledore trusted "Moody". He's not a god. And, you know, maybe, just maybe, this time he went too far.
Of course, I never liked her to begin with. (Not dedicated to my education, indeed!) But still. And now I certainly have a reason.
She had been married to Fredrick Drothl. Who is Fredrick Drothl? Only the same medi-wizard who purposely created Drothlmities - a deadly serious Dark Illness - and purposely injected it into a five-year-old boy for an experiment!
And it was Christina Drothl's idea! She admitted readily to helping with the whole thing and even spending a month in Azkaban before being exiled from Europe for years and years. And now she is teaching at Hogwarts - while You-Know-Who is rising again!
Has Dumbledore gone insane? Does he really think a Defence Against the Dark Arts class is this important?
I've decided to keep my mouth shut. (It really helped last time.) Except I think… I think… I'll tell Ron and Harry. Because, well, it might be something they'd want to know. Although knowing Ron… the school will know within a day. Maybe not. But definitely not everyone else. It'll cause mad panic.
But - and this is another Hermione Granger vow - I will definitely keep an eye on Christina Drothl. Oh, and Fred and George and David and Lee and everyone else involved in that little plot?
Keep on going; I'm certainly not revealing it now. A five-year-old boy. She deserves all the misery you can inflict.
15 October
This is really obvious to me all the sudden. Sara "Blustovadk". Now, this is just a stab in the dark, but what if she's related - I think she might be too young to be a daughter - of the Drothls? It'll explain where she's been since 1992. And why she's certainly not a Blustovadk. Johann Blustovadk died, single, and had no living relatives.
I knew there was a reason not to trust her. Now, far me it from me - I've been called "Mudblood" too many times - to distrust someone due to something out of their control like that… but… if she really is a Drothl, she knows a bit too more about Dark Illnesses for my sake of mind, let me tell you. I'll have to try and research that.
18 October
Very little on the Drothls; not anything I can find in the library without arousing Madam Pince's suspicion, anyway. But John is a different story. Charlie sent a letter to Ron today that said that John was no dominion, but a real, live person that he (Charlie) he met in Romania or wherever. And Charlie told us that if we happened to see him again - tell Dumbledore immediately. "He's our one great lead and connection to a clue as to where the Dark Lord will strike next. If he's spotted, there's probably some Death Eaters close by".
Well, well, well. I'm a little disappointed my theory wasn't correct… but I'm a bit annoyed with Charlie. If he told us that much, couldn't he have told us more?
19 October
YES!! YES!! YES!! The Friday Night Fling - back! Whoopee! 31 October! It was recently posted by the House points chart, and I admit I'm rather excited… even if Parvati and Lavender have zapped most of it out of me.
It's midnight or so, so I can't talk long… but I'm wondering if - who will ask me. Viktor wasn't the only one who asked me last year, you know. Terry Boot and Daniel Levinski, both Ravenclaws, and Danny's a year older, asked me as well, as did Damion something-that-begins-with-a-"P" from Hufflepuff. (No Slytherins, thank goodness.)
Er, well, er, Parvati and Lavender are, too. Lavender is probably going with Seamus… Parvati, however, is free enough for them to speculate and giggle so much that Ron and Dean were glaring at them most of the day for their "girl"-ness.
"Humph," I said. They just laughed.
"Thanks a lot," Sara added. (We were in the common room, and the seventh-years were right next to us - Ron, Harry, Neville, and myself. As a side note, although Sara is the same age as the seventh-years but doesn't have classes with them, she doesn't have too many close friends. In fact, none. So this arrangement was good for her so she could do her homework near both years and not even look like an awkward dork.)
"But you two aren't girls," George assured us, then hastily added: "Oh, you are, it's just you aren't… like some of those ones like your darling roommates. You're fun and easy to get along with."
Obviously George is feeling a bit better, and I thanked him. He grinned, actually somewhat sheepishly.
"Not that we'll let you off the hook or anything," Fred added quickly, before we got any ideas. George nodded in agreement with a devilish grin.
Honestly, as boys go, the twins aren't so bad when they aren't turtles.
(The only problem is that they just lumped Sara and me into a group… Neville even said we're "a lot alike". Am not!)
I just sort of hope I'm enough of a girl to get a date. I don't want to feel too stupid. Luckily, however, due to my date with Viktor last year, Parvati and Lavender don't seem to think I'm their "baby" anymore and see that I can handle myself. Sara is their victim now.
"Hey, Sara, any boys been eying you for the fling?" Lavender asked casually a little later, for the sixth time today.
Sara laughed softly as she continued to write out a Transfiguration essay. "No, I don't think so."
"Any ones you might want to go with?" Parvati persisted.
She shrugged and glanced up. "Not in particular. I wouldn't mind a date, but I probably won't get one." (I could have warned her that those are dangerous words to say to our roommates, but she might as well figure it out for herself…) "But don't get any ideas for matchmaker, thanks."
"Why not? Wouldn't you like a boy?" Lavender continued.
"Depends on the boy. Can't think of too many who'd like me, anyway."
(Very clever of her.)
"But you really wouldn't look too bad if you wore makeup and borrowed some robes," Lavender squinted at her.
"I hate makeup, and thanks for the offer but no thanks." Sara has as much an aversion to makeup as myself and her robes are secondhand - actually, probably more like fifth-hand.
"Why not?" Parvati asked sensibly.
"I've my own."
"Yeah, but you look like… like…" Lavender tried to think of a polite way to put this as Sara turned back to our essay. Parvati wasn't so diplomatic.
"Like Dana Ronsably. Like the Weasleys'. Like a Defence teacher we had while you were gone. Like Charlotte Kindle."
"Charlotte's nice," Sara said mildly, thoughtfully. "She's a sweet person. And really clever. Did you see those miniature houses she makes? And I wouldn't insult any Weasley with Hermione here."
I nearly slapped her.
"'Specially Ron?" Lavender giggled.
"I didn't say that," Sara said nonchalantly. Now I nearly smacked them both, and Parvati, who was smirking. Ron! Ron Weasley! As if!
"But you're pretty clever yourself, and a prefect, and you're pretty nice. Some boys like that. If you'd just…"
Sounds a lot like what I heard last year: "Hermione, you're really not too hopeless… a dab of makeup and charms… you're practically Head Girl already, and you're really clever and intelligent… a Ravenclaw, perhaps…" The thing is, it's a put-down, patronizing, and even embarrassing. I don't like Sara anymore than ever, but I did almost feel like telling the other two to cut it - "If that's your idea of a complement, well, you're misled."
But I'm not stupid, and no way an I sacrificing the relationship with Parvati and Lavender, who I'm on good terms with, for the girl I'm not. No, no, and no. The nerve of Sara, really! Ginny, for some reason, really likes her and they talk so much that I'm sometimes left out with Ginny. And Neville seems to go to her for help more and more instead of me. It's really annoying, and each time I realize this I just glare at her for a while. She's not even more intelligent than I am, not by a long shot. She gets excellent marks in most subjects, but not as good as mine, and her Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts scores are average, not much more. She's not nearly as dedicated; she doesn't spend half the time studying that I do. She's not more responsible - in fact, she has the glimmers of a troublemaker - and no more talented. So why was she made prefect over me? Unless it's some agreement to keep Drothl happy, if they really are connected.
22 October
Well, Harry's had about three-fourths of the girls in school ask him to the Fling. I know he's really only after one… Cho Chang. But… asking her would be just plain… insensitive. He did it last year; Cho turned him down for Cedric. Now Cedric's dead - and some think Harry killed him, mind you. To ask her again this year, like: "Well, now that Cedric's out of the way…?"
Well, Harry seems to realize it's probably not the best idea as well and hasn't asked her yet. I've just caught him staring. I gently warned him that unless he wants a repeat of last year, he should ask someone soon. He just shakes his head and sighs and says in response to my further questions that he's more concerned about the Quidditch match against Slytherin 1 November.
Ron hasn't had any girl come up to him - naturally; you know, usually the boys ask. But he's paying close attention to the dates and is giving both Patil twins a wide berth. He knows nearly as much about whose going with whom as Parvati and Lavender. Parvati, by the way, is going with Jason Leffler, whom is a "good catch" because he's now Gryffindor Keeper. (But, as I pointed out, he hasn't proved himself in a match yet. Then Parvati and Lavender glared at me.)
Fred and George hit a snag with David Weasley and the Friday Night Flings. Since they're seventh-years and these come every two weeks, they don't mind missing a few every so often - but not the first one by far. So they'll need a few good-natured dates who are in on the joke. Katie and Alicia have grinningly agreed. The problem is, that's only two. Too bad Angelina still isn't here… but hopefully they'll find someone. I bet Sara would probably do it - she hates Drothl as much of the rest of us, and, as I think I mentioned, is a lousy prefect. Ginny probably would if it wasn't for the fact she was their sister! In my newfound hate for Drothl, I'd probably do it! Lee isn't about to skimp on his date to play David, either. I think in the end David Stebbins will take some Polyjuice Potion and be David Weasley - he's the Hufflepuff fourth-year who adores them. But as a date? Hmm.
Oh, I felt so bad… Jerome Gringell of Hufflepuff asked me today. He's in our year… but he's sort of… nerdy. Neville-like. But when I said no, he took it really well.
"Oh, that's okay. I was sort of hesitant anyway. I'm in the Oblivitators, and if we convince Dumbledore to let us play the Fling, then I probably wouldn't be much of a date anyway."
I didn't have the heart to tell him he wasn't much of a date in the first place, Oblivitators or no, and I really lost all of it when he continued: "Thanks anyway, Hermione. I'm sure you'll have a good time and get a good partner. You're the cleverest girl in school and are really pretty, by the way."
Ron overheard and hasn't let me forget it.
I'm crossing my fingers and am hoping someone else asks me… and that Ron gets his head out of his behind. Not necessarily ask me… but he had better not come crawling.
24 October
Ron asked me. I was actually the first person he asked, which is something.
The problem was, once again, he was too late.
Bobby Renshaw of Ravenclaw asked me this morning. I had gotten another offer since Jerome and before Bobby but was still worried I wouldn't get a date… and accepted.
Ron is grumpy. Serves him right.
The decorations are getting up for Christmas. It looks fantastic, as usual. Especially the skeleton in the third-floor corridor… especially since yesterday it scared Draco Malfoy out of his skin. Definitely not a Gryffindor! I mean, isn't he the all-mighty pureblood? Ha, ha!
Malfoy, by the way, is going with Pansy Parkinson, and they deserve each other.
25 October
I feel slightly silly for writing every day now that the Fling is coming up… but, hey, I'm excited. Furthermore, this is rather writing-worthy, even if it is connected to the Fling. After all, I liked Nicole Skylark. But let me explain.
It started this morning at breakfast. Dumbledore had an announcement… Celestina Warbeck was ill and could not come to perform for the Fling. There was a collective moan before he continued: "Fortunately, however, we will have our music provided by our very own band right here at Hogwarts, the Obliviators."
Jerome Gingell, Susan Bones, and Rachel Molesky all beamed.
Dumbledore continued, explaining that they only had a part of the Obiliviators. Apparently some of the members attend Refrudula and one goes to Beaxbatons, including the lead singer, Kathleen Kozinowski. And it was so close to Halloween that most of the singers were already booked, and he needed any idea at all of whom might be willing to perform for the Fling.
Several suggestions were called out, but a cry from the Ravenclaw table – Lisa's friends – suddenly rang out very loudly and clear above the maelstrom: "We want Lupin's girlfriend!"
I shook my head in mild amusement, but seeing Miss Skylark appealed to me as well and many people paused and turned inquisitively to Dumbledore. Several of Chelsea's Slytherin friends called out their agreement, and the Obliviators and their friends were pleading for her as well – "the Hogsmeade singer".
"I believe we have a nominee," Dumbledore smiled. "I'll see what I can do."
When Harry and I were leaving the Great Hall for our first class, Dumbledore stopped us.
"Since those in the Correspondence Chain were the only to visit Hogsmeade thus far this year, and the ones who lobbied for this lady are mainly from the Chain, I supposed I could inquired of who Professor Lupin's friend is from you?"
Only then did I realize that he had no clue whom everyone had been referring to and tried not to laugh.
"Her name is Nicole Skylark, sir," Harry said.
Dumbledore looked deeply thoughtful. "Ms. Skylark… you enjoyed her?"
I nodded. "Yes. She was very talented and friendly."
He smiled. "That's Nicole for you. She's a friend of mine; I believe I could ask her to come. She has no plans I know of for Halloween." He seemed as thought he wanted to say something, and I prepared myself for a question. But he paused and shook his head slightly before changing his tack. "Thank you for your information."
Which was neat. I'll be glad to see Miss Skylark again.
25 October, later
I, er, sort of, er, did a stupid thing. I… told Bobby Renshaw thanks, and I'm terribly sorry, but… I was going with someone else.
Ron Weasley, to be exact.
I felt terrible. Bobby was so nice, and Ron was… a jerk. At times. But, well, we were friends, and I was going steady with Viktor and couldn't very well go with someone other than a close friend.
Right?
Bobby took it politely, even if I'm sure he'll be a bit cool in the next few days.
Now's the funny part.
I haven't told Ron yet. How do I explain this one?
Good move, Genius Granger.
