AUTHOR NOTES: Okay I know it's been over a year since I've updated and my reasons/excuses are as follows:
1) School. Senior year of college is busy. You guys in high school may think you have it bad, just WAIT. But I'm finally out and the GPA was worth it.
2) Other fics/fandoms took my attention. I do write for other fandoms, right now my current obsession is Naruto of the yaoi kind (some of you may like it, some not so read at your own discretion if you're interested). My one little idea turned into a massive epic monster before my eyes.
3) Writers block: I had no clue how to continue this for quite some time. After much rereading and plotting out I now have ideas of where to go from here.
Now: I am now ready to do massive updates. This volume is going to be complete (or completed right after) when the seventh book comes out this summer. Expect tons of updates in the next two months to reach that deadline. This is why you are going to get two chapters today instead of one (that and I felt guilty for making you wait for so long).
THE DIARY OF A WITCH, VOLUME V
CHAPTER 3: NOVEMBER
Friday, November 1, After Classes, Infirmary,
Note to self: Butterbeer on top of Bon Bons, Licorice Wands, and Cauldron Cakes plus Pumpkin Juice accepted from Fred and George that smells funky equals: BAD IDEA!
I KNEW something about that drink smelled weird. Fred and George won't tell me what they put in it though. Must have been something major because about half of Gryffindor House is in here right along with me and other people who like me, were dumb enough to accept something from Fred and George in the first place.
Madam Pomfrey tsked at me when I told her what I ate yesterday and frowned severely when I mentioned Fred and George. I bet she gives those two an ear full when she sees them next. Hope I'm there to see it.
Saturday, November 2, Great Hall, Breakfast,
QUIDDITCH SEASON IS HERE!
I love the excitement of the first game of the season; not mention the anticipation of getting ten extra Galleons when Gryffindor kicks Slytherin's butt today. At least I hope they do, I don't know how good Weasley is yet, which is why I only did ten Galleons instead of my usual twenty. I hope they do though, because there's a book at Hogsmeade that I've been eyeing and will finally be able to buy if I get this money.
Whoa...just saw Luna Lovegood's hat and let's just say it's all her: it's a life-size replica of a lions head. Gotta give her props for supporting her choice to win. It beats those weird crowns that the Slytherins are all wearing for some reason. I can't really tell what they say from here but I'm sure it's something rude and demeaning.
Later Saturday, November 2, Before Quidditch Match, Quidditch Pitch,
Okay, this is a new low for the Slytherins. They're singing a song in order to psych Weasley out, here's how it goes:
Weasley cannot save a thing,
He cannot block a single ring,
That's why Slytherins all sing,
Weasley is our King.
Weasley was born in a bin,
He always lets the Quaffles in,
Weasley will make sure we win,
Weasley is our King.
Jerks.
Later Saturday, November 2, After Quidditch Match, Dorm Room,
Damn. That was a hell of a game.
Unfortunately, Weasley let the song get to him and he missed goals right and left. Luckily for him, Potter caught Snitch (barely) before Malfoy so the that game ended up to be 160-40 in Gryffindor's favor.
But it was AFTER the game when everything happened. Malfoy was mouthing off as usual (sore that he lost AGAIN no doubt) and then Potter, Fred and George Weasley all basically jumped him. The fight was then broken up by Madam Hooch. Normally I don't believe in ganging up on someone, but in Malfoy's case I say, bravo boys.
But get THIS: Umbridge used this fight as an excuse to BAN Potter, Fred, and George from EVER PLAYING QUIDDITCH AGAIN! What the hell? Can you even DO that?! Apparently so, thanks to Educational Decree Number Twenty-Five.
The government officially SUCKS!
Sunday, November 3, Great Hall, Breakfast,
Well, one good thing happened yesterday: HAGRID IS BACK!
I heard Fang talking this morning which was the first time I've heard him this year. He's been going on and on about mountains and stuff. I'm going to have to go see him today if I can. At least now that he's here I can cross taking care of his plants off my list. I've noticed Filch hasn't bothered going around that area so I decided to look after them because I can't stand it when plants are neglected; and not just because they complain about it in my head either.
Besides, I need to gently tell him that his plants don't like the fertilizer he's using since they asked me to pass it on to him. I get all sorts of information like this from plants and animals even if I don't necessarily want the information or care. They should seriously start calling me the Nature Whisperer instead of Wild Mage.
Later Sunday November 3, Hagrid's Hut,
So apparently it snowed overnight because when I went outside to go Hagrids there was like a foot of snow. I used a spell to melt it and came over here. I ran into Hermione on the way over who said she was here to help Hagrid out on his upcoming lessons in order to keep him in Umbridge's good graces (does she HAVE any good graces?). I don't take Care of Magical Creatures but from what Owen's told me, she has reason to worry; not just because Umbridge is a tyrant either.
Hagrid was surprised to see me but let me in. He's now making some tea even though I would've preferred coffee; oh well, beggars can't be choosers. Fang has been telling me all about his vacation; wherever they went he had fun, but then dogs are easy to please; give them something to chase and feed them and they'll love you for life. Hagrid has been rather evasive about where he's been but I'm pretty sure it was somewhere in France with Madame Maxime because I asked if he'd seen her lately and he blushed like mad. Adult love is so cute!
I also think wherever he was, he was doing something for Dumbledore, because I've just found out that he's in that Order of the Phoenix thing. So he knows about my Wild Magic too. At least that made telling him about the fertilizer easier. I was coming up with this elaborate story about me noticing how the plants didn't grow as well as they should've or something like that.
Ah well, at least now I don't have to hide it from a majority of the teachers. Though I think I'm going to go to Dumbledore and ask him to give a list of exactly who knows I'm a Wild Mage and who doesn't.
Monday, November 4, After D.A.
D.A. is going great. Sure, I get the occasional urge to hex Smith for the hell of it, but other then that minor annoyance it's kind of fun. Earlier today the whole school learned that Hagrid was back and everyone was ecstatic. Well, everyone except for a few Ravenclaws that I know don't like him that much. A majority of our house think of him as a bit of a joke. I think he's funny though, if a bit eccentric but then isn't the whole staff?
Tuesday, November 5, Lunch,
According to Owen, Hagrid showed THESTRALS to the class! BRILLIANT! That way Umbridge wouldn't write something like: shows nasty scary monsters that need to be put down. But when I talked to Hermione, she said it didn't do any good, Umbridge basically made up excuses to put him on probation anyway. She was hopping mad about it too, who knew Hermione even KNEW those words? Must have learned them from Weasley and Potter.
Friday, November 8, Dorm Room,
Man, it's been a crazy week. First Hagrid comes back and Umbridge automatically puts him on suspension. Then there were lots of essays due this week, a killer test in Transfiguration, and then Davies upped the practice time because our first game of the season is next weekend. Never mind that it's like twenty degrees outside.
Saturday Morning, November 9, Great Hall, Breakfast,
Mandy is cruel for making me get up this early on a SATURDAY. Yes, I am aware that we have a double date today; though I hesitate to call it a DOUBLE date since really, I'm just there to keep this guy preoccupied while Mandy goes on her date. Which is a REAL date. So really, who cares if I look pretty?
But Mandy doesn't seem to see it that way and so dragged me out of bed at SIX THIRTY IN THE MORNING to get ready. Want to know the scariest part? WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES UP! People actually GET UP this early on the weekends voluntarily! The world is a weird place...
Later Saturday, November 9, Hogsmeade, Bathroom Stall at Madam Puddifoot's,
According to Jessie the dating process is a learning experience. You learn more about what type of dates to go on, what type of boys to actually date, etc. as you go. Well, this is my first official "date" I suppose and I've already learned the following:
1) NEVER go on blind dates. Just don't.
2) NEVER agree to go on a double date with your best friend on said blind date.
3) AVOID MADAM PUDDIFOOT'S AT ALL COSTS!
I'm serious about number three. Jeez, you should SEE this joint they brought us too. I'm going to get hives from all that lace, I just know it. If I don't get hives, I'm going to get nauseated from that smell. WHAT IS THAT STUFF? I don't know, but it's way too strong. Would it kill this Madam Puddifoot lady to open a window?
To top it off, this guy that I'm forced to entertain is COMPLETELY BORING. He doesn't follow Quidditch AT ALL. He does read, but not fiction books like I do, he reads non-fiction books only. He thinks ARITHMACY is fascinating! When I asked him about what kind of music he liked he just sort of shrugged. He's never even HEARD of Bowie! I could understand this if he was raised in the magical world, but apparently his father is a Muggle and so he spends his summer at least in the Muggle world and yet he doesn't know who Bowie is or the Ramones or not even any of the current artists out there. Not even the British pop artists!
Don't get me started on the fact that he knows nothing about art.
Mandy owes me BIG time for this. Forget one Butterbeer at the Three Bs, she's getting me Butterbeer for the rest of the YEAR for this.
Later Saturday, November 9, Hogsmeade, Three Broomsticks,
Wow, I'm impressed with Mandy today.
You see, just as I finished writing my last entry and walked out of the stall, Mandy herself came bursting into the bathroom. She looked at me and said, "Oh, thank God, you're still here. Help me out of this!"
I blinked at her in surprise and then registered what she said. Then I couldn't help but grin. "What, is someone not having a good time?"
Mandy rolled her eyes. "Okay, so I made a mistake. How was I to know he'd be this bad? I've only talked to him in class before this!"
I felt a bit of sympathy. "Not your type, huh?"
"He likes Quidditch," Mandy said frankly. Which means he's REALLY not her type. Mandy's interest in Quidditch is about zero. She only goes to the Ravenclaw House games when we all drag her and doesn't even bother to go to any of the others. At the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match last week she went to the library. Yeah, I can't believe I'm friends with her sometimes either.
So I said, "Okay. So what do we do?"
She blinked. "You're asking me?"
"It's YOUR date."
After some good ribbing (and me getting her to swear to get me Butterbeer for every Hogsmeade visit) we finally came up with a plan and so went out to the boys just as the waitress was serving tea and coffee (mine). After drinking the coffee (which was not all that good by the way) and tea, Mandy and I made up a story about having to do some errands. The boys offered to go with us but we then said we were going to a store that any self-respecting male wouldn't be caught dead in and so they quickly said that they remembered something THEY had to do. Personally, I think they made it up too because none of us were having much fun. Unless that guy actually enjoyed my rant about boy bands...but I doubt it, even Owen tells me to give it a rest when I start talking about music sometimes.
So we escaped into the bright sunshine and incense free air and are now here with our friends who we ran into on the way out of Madam Puddifoots. Owen, Anthony, and Terry all laughed their heads off when we told them where the guys took us. Hannah and Padma didn't say anything but I could tell they were smirking a bit. I guess the picture of me and Mandy surrounded by lace is kind of funny considering I'm about as far from the lace and frills crowd as you get and Mandy is a practical person and lace isn't practical.
Still, I did get guaranteed free Butterbeer for the rest of the semester out of this, so maybe it wasn't a total loss.
Sunday, November 10, Great Hall, Breakfast,
THINGS TO DO
1) Return library books! Remember Madam Pince's glare the last time you forgot!(SCARY)
2) Meet Dumbledore for first official lesson at three o'clock.
3) Finish Potions essay
4) Write back to everyone at home
Later Sunday, November 10, Dumbledore's Office,
So...first official lesson with Dumbledore...yet, he's not here! How is this guy supposed to teach me if he's never around? I mean, I was actually kind of excited about this. Come on, who wouldn't be excited about being taught by Dumbledore? It's like being able to say you've been taught by Merlin or something. Owen and I have been going over ideas on what he could teach me and after reading all the biographies on him; we came up with a LOT.
But I don't think I'll be learning anything about Dragon's blood somehow because HE'S NOT HERE. When I got here, all that was here was Fawkes (his phoenix, who is really nice) and a letter on the desk for me along with LOTS of rocks, minerals, and gems in a basket. Here's the letter:
Ms. Johanson,
I apologize for my absence again but urgent business has come up that needed my immediate attention. However, I have received a few scrolls from a Wild Mage I was able to get in contact with, that I think would be beneficial for you to look at. They are a series of spells that the mage designed strictly for her power alone and she says they helped her learn to control the earth part of her magic slowly. I'm giving you these rocks and minerals to practice on. Feel free to keep the ones you don't use, you never know when you might need one for a spell and I have plenty of objects so I hardly need more.
I suggest practicing the spells on the first scroll first. Get through as many as you can and I promise, I will be here for next week's lesson.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Great...more homework.
Monday, November 11, Library,
Well. THAT was unexpected.
I was just in the stacks looking for a book for my History of Magic essay when I got grabbed by Devon Greengrass of all people. I haven't spoken to Devon since last year, before he and Mandy broke up. Mostly because a) I don't interact with him that much to begin with, and b) I'm a little pissed at him for making Mandy so out of it. She really liked him. Yes, it was slightly nauseating watching the two together, but still...they were cute and she was happy. Frankly, I cannot simply wave happily to a guy who hurt one of my friends.
Which is why I gave him my best withering glare and said cooly, "What do you want?"
He got straight to the point and said, "Mandy went out on a date."
I stared at him and then glared. "Yeah, so? She's allowed to date. You DUMPED her, remember?"
He frowned at me. "I know." Then he got this look that kind of almost made me feel a little sorry for him. "Does she like this guy?"
I'll admit, I considered saying yes because it would've served him right, but I just couldn't. I mean the guy looked so down, you know? I can't kick someone when they're down; not my style, no matter how much I may not like them. So I sighed and said, "Nah. He's not her type."
He looked at me hopefully. "Really?"
"He likes Quidditch a lot."
He looked really relieved at hearing that and then I kind of stared at him and realized, "You still like her!"
"No, I don't!" He said quickly. "I just still care about her, that's all." For a Slytherin, he's a horrible liar.
"Oh, please!" I said and then frowned at him. "But if you still like her, then why did you break up with her in the first place?"
Devon grimaced. "It's complicated."
"How?"
He just glared at me. "That's my business. I'm sorry I bothered you." Before I could protest, he took off.
MEN!
Tuesday, November 12, DADA,
I've been wrestling with trying to decide whether or not to tell Mandy about the thing with Devon from yesterday. On one hand, it would make her happy to know that Devon still likes her. On the other hand, it might not. She's trying to move on, she says and has been fairly tight-lipped about what she feels about the whole Devon issue in the first place.
I haven't told anyone else because Padma and Hannah would see it as the perfect opportunity to play matchmaker. Considering their previous attempts at matchmaking, I'm thinking that's not a good thing.
Normally I would talk to Owen because he gives pretty sound advice but he told me point blank once that he was never the guy to go to about romance because he and romance just simply do not mix. Considering his feelings on romance songs (he grimaces whenever he hears one of the girls playing them), romance movies (doesn't watch them and whined when his Mom suggested watching one last summer) and rolls his eyes at Padma and Mandy's romance novels (okay, I tend to do this too so I can't really blame him for this). So any advice about relationships is probably left up to talking to the girls about.
So what do I do about this? Maybe I just shouldn't do anything. Honestly, it's really none of my business. Plus, if Mandy and Devon really like each other enough, then they'll work it out. Like Jessie is fond of saying: if they are meant to be, they will be; or they'll end up like Romeo and Juliet.
Thursday, November 14, DADA,
I swear this class gets more boring as the year goes by. Doesn't Umbridge have any ounce of teaching creativity?
Friday, November 15, After D.A.,
So I got paired up with Smith this time. Oh, practicing that jinx on him was fun! I probably shouldn't get as much fun out of it as I did but I can't help it; the guy's annoying! At least he's finally given up on me; with any luck after this lesson he'll be too scared to talk to me ever again. After the lesson Fred and George congratulated me on a job well done and Ron Weasley grinned at me as we went our separate ways. I guess I'm not the only one who doesn't like him.
Saturday, November 16, Quidditch Locker Room, Before Game,
Freezing cold and we still have to play our game.
Life is so unfair.
Later Saturday, November 16, After Game, Dorm Room,
Well, our game wasn't as exciting as the last game but hey, WE WON! HAH!
Sure, we won by a hair due to Chang NOT CATCHING THE SNITCH but whatever, a win is a win. Chang may not have been at her best ( I hope she realizes it too) but the rest of us were. Davies blocked all of his goals; I managed to get in five goals along with Terry and Max getting quite a few in as well. Between the three of us we got 160 points! We flew circles around those guys; it was great.
I'm going downstairs right now for the celebration party downstairs. Hopefully I'll be able to sneak away in time for Dumbledore's lesson.
Later Saturday, November 16, After Dumbledore's Lesson, Dorm Room,
So my lesson went like this:
I enter Dumbledore's office and he congratulates me on a game well played. We discussed the game a little and I found that for a Headmaster, Dumbledore is easy to talk too. After a little debate about professional Quidditch, we got down to business.
He talked about the kind of spells I could put into stones and I've got to say, some of it sounds really useful. For example, I could put a simple listening/recording charm on a small pebble and leave it somewhere; come back later and then be able to hear all the conversations that have taken place within five feet of the stone. COOL! Padma and Hannah would DIE if they they had the ability to do this. No gossip would ever go unheard this way.
Along with that, there are things about stones that I'm going to need to study because certain properties of minerals shouldn't be mixed with certain kinds of magic. That's why he had me read all those mineral/stone books so I would be familiar with certain minerals and stones off the bat. Thank God for my photographic memory is all I have to say.
This week he wants me to work on the rudimentary spells and bring the results next week. Depending on how far I progress, we'll go from there. I could have fun with that listening spell idea...
Sunday, November 17, Great Hall, Breakfast,
THINGS TO DO:
1) History of Magic essay
2) Latin translations
3) Rune drawings
4) Figure out places to leave charmed stones during week.
Monday, November 18, Dorm Room,
RESULTS OF FIRST TRIAL STONE:
Location left: Library; left wing reserved area; under table with Sticking Charm.
Information acquired:
-Hermione mutters to herself when she studies. I'm also positive now that she and Ron Weasley have a thing for each other because they sound remarkably like an old married couple when they argue.
-Snape is an even bigger jerk to Gryffindors then he is to everyone else (knew that).
-Fred and George are planning new tricks. These involve major fireworks sure to put Filibusters out of business. Can't wait!
-Lots of other pointless discussions including a debate between a group of third year girls over who is hotter: Draco Malfoy or Harry Potter.
Conclusion: SUCCESS! Move to other location for second stone.
Tuesday, November 19, DADA,
I put the second stone right outside the entrance to the Ravenclaw dorm. Should be getting some interesting stuff. I've just had the BRILLIANT idea to put a stone in Umbridge's office. Maybe I could find a way to get out of here if I hear something incriminating. The only problem would be getting it in her office though...hmmm...
Wednesday, November 20, Dorm Room,
RESULTS OF TRIAL STONE #2:
Location left: Behind tapestry next to entrance of Ravenclaw dorm.
Info found:
-Ravenclaws gossip too much.
-My voice sounds horrible when recorded.
Conclusion: On Quartz Recording Charms sound scratchy. Consider less denser stone in future.
Thursday, November 21, DADA,
OTHER PLACES TO PUT STONES
-Ravenclaw Common Room
-Umbridge's Office!
-Any teacher's office!
Wow...I've just realized all the things I could learn about people with this spell. It's actually kind of dangerous too. What if I learn something really serious? What would I do? Hell...if I REALLY fine-tuned these listening spells I could become a spy or something. I wonder if Dumbledore realizes this?
Friday, November 22, History of Magic,
I think Owen's starting to suspect something's up with me. Oh, he knows about the lessons with Dumbledore but he doesn't know what I'm learning because in his words: "it's none of my business and probably safer for my sanity that I don't know." I decided not to ask what he meant by that. Owen isn't what you would call a nosy guy which actually can work out very well for me. For instance he hasn't once bugged me about why I've spent less time with him this year.
It hasn't been intentional, really. It's just that I'm trying to get over this crush-thing and move on and I kind of figured more time with the girls and other people would help and as a result I've spent less time best friend time. But he's been pretty cool about it. Or maybe he doesn't care? I just thought of that now! What if he was secretly growing tired of being best friends with a girl and couldn't find a way to tell me?
Nah, that doesn't sound like Owen. If he has a major problem with someone he says so, even his friends. He probably just figured it was a girl thing or something which is what he usually figures a lot of my oddities are. Still...maybe next time he asks if I want to study or something I won't try coming up with a lame excuse. I mean it's not HIS fault I got this stupid crush on him. Well...it kind of is, but it's unfair of me to hold it against him.
Saturday, November 23, After Dumbledore Lesson,
You know what?
I think Dumbledore DOES realize what my power could be used for and that he expects me to use these in the war! Or whatever this thing with Voldemort is (can it be considered a war if it hasn't been declared?). He didn't actually come out and say this, but when I mentioned it to him and he talked to me I got vibes.
Well the joke is on him because I'm not getting involved in some war. First, I don't WANT too. Second, I've just turned fifteen for crying out loud! I don't even have my driver's license yet! Okay, I'm not sure I'll even need one, what with being able to fly a broomstick, but still! These are my powers and I'll use them in whichever way I see fit and right now I'm not too keen on getting killed before I come of age.
I had half a mind to tell Dumbledore this then and there but decided to wait because well...I need to learn from him. Plus, he hadn't actually said anything so it would be kind of stupid of me to go off on an old guy who hadn't really said anything in the first place. So I'll let it go for now. But the minute he starts waving some sort of join-the-Order flag or something I'm gone.
Sunday, November 24, Great Hall, Breakfast,
THINGS TO DO:
1) Finish History of Magic essay
2) Rune translations
3) Practice spells that Dumbledore gave
4) Figure out way to get recording charm into Umbridge's office.
Monday, November 25, Divination Notes,
-Hey, Owen!
-Uh...hi? You bored again?
-Well, yeah, but that's not the point of this. I need your help.
-With what?
-You know that thing I've been doing every Saturday?
-What thing?
-I'm speaking in code, Owen. Work with me here,
-Oh...THAT thing. What about it?
-I think it may have helped me find a way to get rid of Umbridge.
-REALLY?!
-Maybe. But I'm going to need help. You in?
-Oh gee, let me think. HELL YES!
-Great! We'll talk after classes okay?
-I'm dying of curiousity here and you're making me wait THAT LONG? You're doing this on purpose aren't you?
-Kind of.
Tuesday, November 26,
Bringing Owen into what I've named Operation Bring Down Umbridge was a good idea. We've put our heads together and have tried to come up with ways to get a Recording Charm into Umbridge's office without a) her knowing and b) her finding it. Then there's the problem of getting it out of there without getting caught, getting it in there without getting caught etc.
We've decided to run practice tests on stones first because we don't know how long this will be out there in the first place. I've only learned short-term Recording Charms so far so I need to learn alterations to make these charms last longer which will require further study. Owen says he's going to observe Umbridge and note patterns in her schedule so we know when she's in the office and when she isn't. The two of us are basically going to be researching not only spells but our subject as well. This means we probably won't be able to actually get her out of here for at least a few months. What a drag.
Thursday, November 28, After D.A.,
So after the meeting we all had an Umbridge venting session which has kind of become a tradition for the D.A. It took all I had not to blurt out "I've got plans to get rid of her! Want to help?" but I held my tongue. I tell you though, this keeping my powers a secret thing is getting harder for me.