Author's Notes: I apologize for the lack of updates. I know none of you care to hear about the massive amounts of work I have to do, or how Calculus and Chemisty are slowly draining me of life energy like some sort of soul-sucking entities, so I won't go on about it. ^_^
I know this chapter isn't very long, and therefore a pretty pathetic update after so long without an update, and I apologize. It was fun to write, though. Enjoy.
Though she didn't ask, I'd like to induct R/H fan into the FU, if that's quite all right with her, for her amazing and long review, and for pointing out the hilarity that would be "Neville Longass". I'd also like to welcome poetesse, Caitlin, and Superfluousredundancy to the humble ranks of the FU, too! (It rhymes…we should have a Welcome-to-the-FU song that ends with a line like, 'Now you are in the FU, too!' and sounds curiously, in my head, like the line from that song that goes, 'We're going to make it after aaaall!' Yeah.)
Saturday, 9 September
10:09 a.m.
I'm just taking a five minute break from homework. I read a few days ago in Surviving the O.W.L.'s that the most effective way to tackle schoolwork and/or studying is in forty-five minute working periods, with five minute breaks every forty-five minutes. After three forty-five minute periods with subsequent five minute breaks, you should take a half hour break, and then go back to five minute breaks. It works really well, because in the five minute breaks your mind gets to rest and properly absorb all the information you've just studied. But the breaks aren't so long that you get completely out of your studying mentality or forget everything you've just read.
It would be nice to share these useful tips with someone other than my journal, but Ron and Harry have decided that Quidditch is far more important than the pursuit of learning and their future careers, so there you are.
This morning was our first prefect's meeting! I hadn't been to the prefect's lounge yet, and it's marvelous. They have these very interesting tapestries all around the room, depicting the lives of famous former Hogwarts prefects. Quite a few of them have become Minister for Magic. I pointed this out to Ron, but then he mumbled something about me sounding like Percy, so I dropped it quickly.
There's a large fireplace, dozens of comfortable chairs, and a few tables to work at in the lounge. Rob told us that they used to have a cupboard in there which, when you opened it, would magically have a fresh goblet of hot chocolate or pumpkin juice or coffee or whatever you wanted waiting for you. But apparently there was an incident a few years ago where someone tripped on the rug and spilled hot chocolate all over someone else's front; the second person was in so much pain that they hopped backwards into the fireplace and their robes caught fire. So Madam Pomfrey decided the cupboard was a fire hazard and took it away ("Bugger," Ron said longingly).
"I don't see what all the fuss was about," Pansy Parkinson said with distaste to Malfoy before the meeting started. "Our common room is far nicer than this."
Good, I thought, maybe they'll avoid coming here. In fact, perhaps they'll stop coming to meetings and will sit in their wonderful and amazing common room instead. That would be lovely.
"Well, some people aren't fortunate enough to be in Slytherin, you know. I'm sure this is the most elegant room Weasley's ever been in," Malfoy sneered.
Prat. At least Ron was too busy staring at a Muggle grandfather's clock in the corner (I think he was trying to figure out why there were only two hands and some numbers on it) to hear him.
The meeting was fine; we all had to sign up for who will supervise and walk with the third-years at each Hogsmeade visit this year, and then talk about any problems we've had so far. Padma Patil whined for about twenty minutes about some second-years who "threatened" her when she told them off for roughhousing in the corridors. Please. The highlight of the meeting was Rob telling Malfoy off for giving a first-year Hufflepuff detention for walking too slowly in the corridors.
Afterwards Ron and I went to breakfast, and Harry, looking mysteriously overjoyed for some reason, joined us a few moments later. I quickly skimmed the front page of the paper as soon as it was delivered, and there wasn't anything of interest.
However, inside there was an article about Sirius.
It basically said that the Ministry received a tip-off from a reliable source (read: dirty rotten Malfoy's father) that Sirius was currently residing in London. I knew he shouldn't have come to King's Cross that day! Dumbledore did warn him. Well, now Sirius will never be able to go out again. I do hope he stays indoors and does as he's told from now on, for his own good.
There was also a very small, very suspicious article about Sturgis Podmore. Apparently he was caught trying to force his way through a door at the Ministry at one o'clock in the morning, and he's been sent to Azkaban for six months! What on earth was he doing there at one in the morning, trying to get through a door? I mean, he is (was?) in the Order, is he mad?
"It could be a frame-up!" Ron said, loud enough for the entire school to hear. I shot him a look, and he lowered his voice dramatically. "The Ministry suspects he's one of Dumbledore's lot so – I dunno – they lured him to the Ministry, and he wasn't trying to get through a door at all! Maybe they've just made something up to get him!"
You know, Ron is very intelligent when he wants to be. As far-fetched as the above sounds, it wouldn't surprise me. If only Ron spent Saturday mornings doing his homework like he should be instead of flying around the Quidditch pitch, he could perhaps go somewhere in life.
Oh, dear. I'm afraid I've gone way over five minutes of break. What do I do now – compensate by going ninety minute without a break, or continue as planned? Where did Surviving the O.W.L.'s go?
??? p.m.…possibly already a.m. Sunday…not sure…
Ruddy Percy…stupid Sirius…
Oh too tired to explain…sleep now…
