THE DIARY OF A WITCH, VOLUME V
DISCLAIMER: As stated earlier in story I do not own Harry Potter, it's universe, or the main plot to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix which this journal follows. I'm not making any money off of this either (sadly).
CHAPTER 5: January, 1996
Friday, January 3, 1996, Manor, Bedroom,
Nothing much has happened since the New Year started. I've finished my homework a week early and have no clue how I did so. I've been sketching here and there but my art slump is still persistent as ever in that I can't seem to create any satisfactory projects. At least projects that I'm satisfied with. Everyone else thinks they're fine but I don't know, they just don't seem like my best work, you know? Either I'm being overly critical of my work, or my talent peaked when I was thirteen, which is kind of a depressing thought since I plan on having a career based around art somehow.
In the meantime, I've been practicing techniques and doing some color study stuff with my paints and pastels so I don't get out of practice in case some really brilliant inspiration comes along (for instance Umbridge getting sacked, that would be inspiring enough I think) which is good and bad. It's good, because I'm at least doing something but it's bad, because now I have all these abstract paintings all over my room which along with all my previous art work over the past years has kind accumulated space...I think I'm going to have to find someplace in the manor to store these. Or sell them...hah hah.
Saturday, January 4, Manor, Dining Room,
Huh, Grandfather continues to be full of surprises this winter. Not only is he still here (the longest he's ever been present in the manor I believe) but he was actually somewhat helpful. I mentioned my painting problem and lack of storage space and he suggested I try the attic. Yes, the manor does actually have an attic, only it's not a small cramped space like the attic at my old house in California was. This attic is more like an entire other floor complete with separate rooms for different things and even servant quarters that are no longer used as Angela and other live-in servants live on the fourth floor for quicker access and because no one really goes up to the fourth floor anyway. The attic is accessed through a flight of stairs at both ends of the fifth floor. As I said the stairs lead to a narrow hallway that has several doors all along one side that go into the various store rooms.
I've only been up to the attic once which was when I first got here and was busy exploring every inch of the manor grounds which, as I recall, took a week. So I'm heading up there later today as soon as I find the key to the doors. Yes, the doors are locked and since it's not used very much except to go get holiday decorations the key almost always gets misplaced. I'm hoping that since the decorations were just taken down that it won't be as hard to find the key this time.
Sunday, January 5, Manor, Attic,
It took me all afternoon yesterday to track down that stupid key! Angela made the mistake of giving the key to Gerard who, as gardener/groundskeeper has the duty of putting up and taking down a majority of the decorations (a part of the job he loathes as he's mainly here because he loves plants) . Gerard, as much as I adore him, has a horrible memory when it comes to where he put objects. He can remember names and dates and which fertilizer is best to use for what plant but objects are apparently not high on his list of things to remember. Don't get me started on how many times he's lost the tv remote or that magic refillable pitcher I got him one year.
So of course, he couldn't remember where he put the key. It wasn't on the key hook like it was supposed to be of course (it never is after it gets used once) and so I spent all that time looking for it and found it (ironically enough) at the bottom of the stairs leading to the attic door. My guess is they fell out of his pocket after he put the decorations away and he forgot he had them in the first place and went to finish his regular work.
But by the time I found the keys it was dinner time and then we all started watching a movie after (not all, Grandfather kindly declined and retreated to his study) on the tv and it was late so I decided to wait until today to go up. I found the perfect room to use for my projects. I think it was a servant's room because there's an old bed and wardrobe (both very dusty) and a few pieces of furniture here and there that need refinishing and re-upholstering badly. Other then that though, it's large and roomy enough for me to put projects and future projects in. Hell, I could even use it as a work space if I wanted but I prefer working outside which is why my room is ideal for that because there's a door that leads out onto the gardens in the back.
So now I get the fun job of moving all my art projects up here...I cannot wait until I can use magic out of school.
Monday, January 6, Manor, Attic,
After a day and a half of lifting and going up three flights of stairs (and one near accident with one of my large sculptures from ceramics class) I am finally done getting all the stuff up here. Now I just have to organize it a bit. Luckily I don't have to worry about the atmosphere ruining the art because when I automatically put some art protection spells that Dean Thomas told me he uses on them so they won't deteriorate or anything like that. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure an attic wouldn't be a good place to put these...
Tuesday, January 7, Manor, Bedroom,
Wow...my room looks so much bigger now that there aren't piles of art all over the place...I even have more space for books! Which is good since I know I'll be getting more. Now I've been rearranging stuff in here now that I have more room; and because I'm bored anyway.
Saturday, January 11, Manor, Bedroom,
Nothing much went on this week. I revised my homework to make sure there were no glaring mistakes (and once again, boredom) and finished the books I got for Christmas. That career book I got was actually helpful and now I have some idea of what to tell Flitwick I want to do when we have that career advice thing later this year that Fred and George warned me about.
Grandfather is surprisingly still here and I made a point of thanking him for the suggestion. I leave for Hogwarts tomorrow and I've already finished packing so now I'm bored out of my mind.
Sunday, January 12, Hogwarts Express,
Grandfather was once again present when Angela and I went to the train station. I'm not sure who was more shocked: me or my friends when they saw him a second time. Owen and his Mom arrived just as we did so there was an awkward introduction where I introduced the two of them (well, I felt awkward about it anyway). Then things got even more awkward when I asked where Kingsley (yes, I have finally remembered to call him by his first name) was and she said he was working and then added that they would be sending wedding invitations via owl and that she hoped I would come.
This confused Grandfather because he a) had no clue who we were talking about, and b) that I had been planning on going to a wedding Easter break at all because Angela hadn't spoken to him about it yet. She had given me permission to go before hand as she always does and when he heard that Grandfather said it was okay that I went then (I had been planning on going regardless of what he said, but hey, now I won't have to come up with a sneak out plan).
I guess it's nice that he's trying...I think.
Monday, January 13, History of Magic,
Ugh. First day of school after a long break always sucks. Snape was as pleasant as always (meaning he was a jerk) and Binns has not passed on yet so HoM is as boring as ever. Mandy, Padma, and I went to go see Potter and ask if there was going to be a D.A. meeting and he said no in a very irritated voice. Wonder what his problem is?
Tuesday, January 14, Great Hall, Breakfast,
Holy crap.
There was a mass breakout from Azkaban last night. Ten known Death Eaters broke out and the Ministry thinks that they're all going to help out Sirius Black of all people. Or that's what they're telling the paper because, of course, Fudge wouldn't dare admit that he's wrong and that Dumbledore was right about the Dementors being on Voldemort's side and that Voldemort is back in full swing. I guess they figure Black is a good scapegoat even though he's been out for two years now and hasn't done a thing since third year. Plus, he'd be kind of stupid to go BACK to Azkaban even if to break out his fellow supporters.
Not to mention, I get this strangest feeling that Black isn't what the Daily Prophet and everyone else has been claiming. If he was such a loyal follower of Voldemorts then why wasn't he there when the guy rose from...wherever it is he was. While some of the images I got from that vision are still kind fuzzy due to the long distance thing I do remember who was there clearly: Potter, a creepy rat-looking guy, Diggory (well, his body anyway), and Voldemort himself. I didn't see Black anywhere. Unless he came after I blacked out...but I doubt it somehow. If he supported Voldemort so much, wouldn't he have been there to see his master rise? Which is why I'm beginning to wonder if his story is as true as...well the other stories the Prophet has been printing lately.
Personally, I think Voldemort broke them out. But that's my opinion.
Wednesday, January 15, Great Hall, Lunch,
Owen just told me Hagrid's been put on probation! He and the other students in Care of Magical Creatures all went to class and there was Umbridge in all her annoying glory. Owen wasn't happy about it either because we already have to put up with her presence in Divination which we had just before then.
This has made us once again start OBUD. We're having a session this weekend to go over her routine and come up with plans.
Later Wednesday, January 15, Ravenclaw Common Room,
Ugh. I rushed to breakfast this morning so I didn't look at the bulletin board and therefore missed the notice of Educational Decree Number 26: teachers are not allowed to give any information to students beyond info related to the subjects they teach. I didn't find out until Hermione told me about it during Latin and let me tell you, she was more pissed about it then I was.
Thursday, January 16, D.A.D.A.,
I don't know what made me do it. But God, that woman drives me nuts!
To be fair to me, I wasn't the one that started questioning Umbridge about her newest Educational Decree. Mandy asked her if there was a particular reason the decree was made and how she felt justified in making it (or something like that, Mandy used a lot of words but that was the gist of it). Umbridge of course bristled at her authority being questioned and gave some vague answer and tried to change the subject but we wouldn't let her. I kept my mouth shut and enjoyed watching the twitch on her forehead grow but when she said something very condescending I just couldn't hold back any longer and raised my hand. She looked at me (with a twinge wariness because I know for a fact that my opinions get on her nerves; which I'm very proud of by the way) and said through gritted teeth, "Yes, Ms. Johanson?"
"You guys at the Ministry do realize that stuff like this hasn't worked very well in the past right?" I asked innocently.
"Stuff like what?"
"You know: using authority and laws to keep people quiet and in line."
"That is not what we are doing, Ms. Johanson."
About half the class snorted right along with me. "Right. Well, I just feel like I should warn you: it's going to blow up in your face."
She looked at me severely for a few seconds and said, "Detention, Ms. Johanson." Then she walked right out. Now granted it was end of class anyway, so she was supposed to walk out but still...I think I pissed her off.
Cool.
Later Thursday, January 16, Charms,
Okay, I don't feel so cool now.
I really got to remember that back-talking teachers has consequences. The thing is, I usually don't back-talk to adults. Yes, I might not like them but I've never back-talked to say...Snape for example and not just because I find him scary beyond all reason and therefore would never dream of back-talking to him. For the most part, I try to treat adults with respect. But I'm sorry, something about Umbridge just brings out that slight rebellious streak in me. It doesn't help that I just can't seem to muster up any respect for her. I respect the other teachers plenty, even Filch to some extent because he's got to put up with a lot of crap (Fred and George for instance), so it's really no wonder he's so grouchy. Plus, Mrs. Norris says he's a very good owner, and anyone who treats their pets nicely gets good points in my book.
But Umbridge...nope. Can't respect a power hungry control freak. Sorry. Plus, I have this thing about politicians: I don't trust them, nor do I like them as a rule (I guess some are okay and I honestly haven't really met a whole lot of them).
Professor Flitwick pulled me aside before class just now and asked if what he heard about what I said to Umbridge was true and I said yes. He frowned at me and then said as much as he agreed with me that what was going on was wrong but we all had to tread carefully around Umbridge for the time being or something like that. Basically, he warned me to be careful and that yes, the detention stood but he managed to make it so I have detention with Filch instead of Umbridge herself which apparently is what she wanted to do. He made it sound like detention with Filch was much better and I guess in a way he's right; Hermione told me that Potter's detentions with the woman earlier in the school year were horrible. She didn't give any specifics but judging from the murderous look on her face it was pretty bad.
I guess I was a little reckless saying something to her like that but seriously, it's true! People are already not buying the Daily Prophet story and considering NO ONE here likes Umbridge I have a feeling that she's going to have more then just us D.A. members rebelling against her. Not that what we're doing is really rebelling, we're just trying to be prepared when the Ministry won't let us. But if she keeps this up, she's going to have a lot worse on her hands.
Later Thursday, January 16, Dorm Room,
Remember how I wrote that everyone hated Umbridge? I take it back: Filch adores her. I'm serious; he was singing her praises last night during my detention. I'm not sure who was more disgusted, me or Fred Weasley, who was serving detention as well. This is incidently the first I've managed to talk to Fred since the whole kissing thing last month. When Filch was busy with other stuff he asked me if I was still mad at him and I shrugged at him. I honestly haven't thought about it until now and I said I guess I was over it. He looked relieved and then said he was sorry; he didn't think I'd be that mad about it. Then he jokingly asked, "Was I that bad a kisser?"
"I wasn't mad about that," I muttered.
"You were mad that I kissed you in front of Owen," he said. I stared at him. How the hell did he know that? I asked him and he snorted at me.
"Please, it's obvious you have a thing for him."
"How obvious?" I demanded. I didn't think I was that obvious! Oh God, if Fred has figured it out, does that mean Owen knows? Or worse, the whole school?
"Oh, you're not as bad as say, my brother and Hermione." I sighed in relief at that. "But it's subtle enough that my brother has figured it out; but he tends to observe people a lot anyway so I think you're secret is safe for now. I'd watch how I look at him in public though."
"I'll keep that in mind," I muttered even though I had no clue what he was talking about. I mean I don't look at Owen in any special way.
At least I thought I hadn't up until now.
Oh well, at least I know my secret is safe with the twins. George isn't really into gossip and I made Fred swear on his life not to tell anyone else which he promised. I doubt he would've told anyone anyway but you can never be too careful.
Friday, January 17, Great Hall, Lunch,
I've just gotten another note from Dumbledore via Rowena (who informed me once again that delivering letters was an OWL's job, not a cat's) and I'm to start lessons this weekend. I noticed that he changed his password again, this time to peanut brittle.
Saturday, January 18, Library,
Owen and I never got around to talking about Operation Bring Down Umbridge. We had way too much homework. I think we're going to have to postpone it again...
Later Saturday January 19, Dumbledore's Office,
It seems I have mastered stones enough to Dumbledore's satisfaction, or at least enough to move onto further study of plants. I told him that I already knew how to use my connection with plants. I mean they talk to me every freaking day (and in some cases never shut up) and I can already do the rapid growth thing and that weird meditation/mind meld thing that Firenze taught me earlier. But he asked if I realized that plants can be used for so much more then that. My confused look was answer enough I believe.
Basically he wants me to learn how to use plants for spells like I learned with the different type of minerals and stones earlier which means, you guessed it, more books to read. You know I've realized that half the books that were crowding my room earlier are the ones that he gave me and said I could have. I guess I could just give them back but I have this bad habit of not being able to turn down free books or books that are on discount prices (which is why One Sickle Books is my second favorite store in Hogsmeade, the first being the art store). He gave me five to read up on these first few weeks and then we'll resume lessons at the end of February.
I was going to ask him about the mass breakout from Azkaban and see if he knew anything but man, when he came into his office as I was chatting with Fawkes he just looked so...tired. I couldn't bring myself to bother him any more then necessary.
Sunday, January 20, Great Hall, Breakfast,
TO DO THIS WEEK (besides classes):
Monday:
Potions quiz
Turn in History of Magic essay
Runes diagram
Tuesday:
Drawing with labels of parts for Herbology
Charms essay due
DADA essay due
Transfiguration equations due
D.A. meeting
Wednesday:
Latin oral exam
Mythology essay due in Astronomy
Charms club
Thursday:
Quidditch Team meeting after dinner at eight in common room
Friday:
Try to meet with Owen for OBUD.
Meeting of Charms club officers
Tuesday, January 21, Dorm Room, After D.A.,
All of us were kind of somber during this D.A. meeting. A lot of people are still kind of getting over the shock of the whole mass breakout thing. After the meeting and on our way out, we discussed some of the rumors going around. Susan was the only one silent throughout the whole thing. But she's been kind of quiet this week anyway because it got out that her aunt, uncle, and cousin had been tortured by one of the Death Eaters who escaped and people have been giving her the same type of looks that Potter gets often when he's done something worth gossiping about. Mandy, Padma, Hannah, and I have all been keeping close to her throughout the week.
Not just for support either. Susan may not seem it, but she can get angry and when she gets angry watch out. Now it takes her a while to get angry because she's like Owen in the fact that she's pretty patient and laid back. But she's starting to get twitches when people whisper as she walks by and we're kind of afraid that she's going to snap any day now and hex someone. Not that she wouldn't be completely unjustified if she did happen to do so, but we don't want her to get expelled the one time she lets her temper get the better of her. The way Umbridge is going on a rampage right now, I have no doubt she would be expelled too if she did do it instead of the usual owl home and detention.
Thursday, January 23, Ravenclaw Common Room, After Quidditch Meeting,
Since Quidditch practice is still not allowed due to temperature Davies has decided that we are to have strategy meetings until practices are once again allowed which if the weather holds up, will be in February hopefully. Surprisingly though, he came down awfully hard on Chang this meeting all but telling her to step up her game or she was being replaced. Now I know I have complained about Chang in the past but I kind of felt bad for her when he did this; he was kind of harsh. I think she definitely got the message though.
Friday, January 24, Library,
Argh. No luck on free time THIS weekend either so Owen and I can't concentrate on OBUD. I swear it's a conspiracy; I'm beginning to wonder if she's brainwashed the teachers into giving us tons of work so we can't get together and come up with ways to sack her.
Saturday, January 25, Dorm Room,
One book read.
Four more to go...
Sunday, January 26, Great Hall, Dinner,
TO DO THIS WEEK(besides classes):
Monday:
Potions test
Divination chart due
Rune translation sheet due
Tuesday:
DADA quiz
Charms practical
Wednesday:
Charms club
Astronomy journal check
Thursday:
D.A.
Quidditch team meeting
Friday:
Charms club officers meeting
END JANUARY...TO BE CONTINUED...