Michael Corner

Hi, Mum and Dad,

This week:

On Monday we had Divination, Astronomy lecture, Transfiguration and Defence. In Defence we're still just reading out of the same mouldy book about the same boy and girl on their brave journey through a dangerous world, and they're still shooting rainbows out of their wands to defend themselves against all the not-really-very-nasty things that come along. You'd think at least they could shoot a lightning bolt once in a while, for variety.

On Tuesday, we made potions in Potions. We cast some charms in Charms. We listened to a ghost in History of Magic.

Wednesday we went back to Divination to see if anything we predicted on Monday came true. Then we did some gardening in Herbology and some animal husbandry in Care of Magical Creatures. And we had another revue rehearsal. And then there was Astronomy at midnight.

Yesterday there was an Arithmancy lesson and we made calculations for that. We cast more charms in Charms. We also had another Transfiguration lesson and then Professor Dolohov was back in the classroom, so he asked us to ask him questions about things from all the reading we didn't understand, and when no one raised their hands he sort of went over it again, anyway. (He still looks right dreadful but not as knackered as he was back in September.)

Today we brewed more Potions and Professor Dolohov talked about what might be on our O.W.L. for Noble Arts (and even Defence, a little bit). Then we took turns looking at more creatures and trying to feed them without getting our hands bitten off.

Other things that might be interesting: Last weekend there was a Quidditch match but the weather was foul and Gryffindor didn't catch the Snitch until the next day. Or maybe it was Tuesday. I can't remember. Ravenclaw are still ahead of them so it didn't really fuss me much, either way. Let's see. Oh. Mr Krumgold asked if I'd play in the orchestra for the revue, so I've been practising violin more than usual. Oh yeah, and this morning, someone got called up in front of the school and made to drink a foul-tasting potion (at least, she looked like it tasted foul), because someone else wrote something nasty in her journal. I'm not sure how she's supposed to keep other people writing in her journal, though. Now I'm worried that someone will start randomly writing in other people's journals to get them in trouble for no reason.

Oh, and Bitsy said she doesn't want to be called Bitsy anymore, because that's a name for a little kid and she's not a little kid anymore, she thinks. So she wants to be Bets from now on. So call her Bets, okay? (There, was that the way you wanted me to say it, Bitsy?)

Hi.

I just wanted to say Happy Christmas. Well, almost Christmas.

How's Ron? I mean, with his dad and all. Because I know you were spending time there. Which is okay. I mean, of course you'd want to go and be there and support him.

Do you think he's still going to have that Quidditch thing at his place?

I, uh, sent you a present. A small one. I had to wait until today to get it because it wasn't something I could get in Hogsmeade. So I hope you like it.

Well.

I should go to bed. Bitsy's probably going to wake us all up at dawn like she did when she was six or something.

But, you know, just wanted to say. Happy Christmas.

Okay.

Got your owl. Bloody hell, I'm sorry.

I thought you said your foster-parents were going to see if he could still live with you? Did that not make any difference or did they change their minds?

We'll be sure to join up in the best revising groups, mate. It's not going to happen to you, okay?

Have you talked to your sister? I tried not to let Bitsy know what was happening because she'd have nightmares that I'll be taken away. I had to tell Mum and Dad, though, and I think she overheard some of it.



They really snapped his wand? Bloody hell.