Private message to Millicent Bulstrode
Dec. 15th, 2011 08:54 amI know we already coordinated before breakfast, Millie, but I really need to make sure that this all goes according to plan! So, I'll write everything out here for you to study during Potions. I'll do all the stirring, and you hold your Potions book with your journal tucked inside so that you can put this to memory. Just make sure Professor Slughorn doesn't see what we're up to. Here's the plan:
1) After Astronomy lecture at 3 we go to the Defense classroom. Professor Raz is holding extra practise duelling sessions on account of exams, so there will probably be a lot of students there besides us, but that's alright. It just means we have to be extra convincing.
2) We will volunteer to be partners, and when it's our turn, I'll cast one of the double-shield spells we've been working on in Defence, only really, I'll just cast a single shield spell, and I'll make it rather weak. That's when you cast your stinging hex. Now, be sure to turn your wrist to the LEFT and not the RIGHT. This is important! Because you know that your stinging hexes are really awful, normally, but if you turn your wrist to the left it's much weakened and I'll barely feel a thing.
3) Now, you mustn't be frightened by this next part. I'm going to act as if your stinging-hex was full strength and let loose a loud, convincing scream. I mean to say that it will be very convicing. Your ears will hurt and you will probably think that you've hurt me terribly. But you haven't, don't worry!
4) And now I'm going to act very, very angry. Expect me to stamp my feet and shout at you. I might even be mean and nasty enough to make you tear up and tremble. I don't mean it, of course, but you'll have to THINK I mean it if any of this is going to look convincing.
5) Then comes the unhappy part. I'm going to have to hex you with boils - horrible purple ones, I'm afraid. Oh, they really will be horrific. It's going to look like some kind of deep-sea creature is writhing under your face, trying to claw its way to true light. But you needn't worry, because it's not going to hurt a bit! It looks like a hex but it's actually that theatre glamour I've been working on. And it only lasts an hour, and after that you'll be back to how you always look.
6) When Professor Raz sees what I've done to you, he'll give me detention, let's hope. And let's further hope that he'll assign me to organise the books in his office, like he did with Vince back in September.
Millie, I must thank you ever so much, from the bottom of my heart, for agreeing to help me with this venture. You are a true friend, and I will make sure that you look absolutely beautiful on the night of the Ball!
1) After Astronomy lecture at 3 we go to the Defense classroom. Professor Raz is holding extra practise duelling sessions on account of exams, so there will probably be a lot of students there besides us, but that's alright. It just means we have to be extra convincing.
2) We will volunteer to be partners, and when it's our turn, I'll cast one of the double-shield spells we've been working on in Defence, only really, I'll just cast a single shield spell, and I'll make it rather weak. That's when you cast your stinging hex. Now, be sure to turn your wrist to the LEFT and not the RIGHT. This is important! Because you know that your stinging hexes are really awful, normally, but if you turn your wrist to the left it's much weakened and I'll barely feel a thing.
3) Now, you mustn't be frightened by this next part. I'm going to act as if your stinging-hex was full strength and let loose a loud, convincing scream. I mean to say that it will be very convicing. Your ears will hurt and you will probably think that you've hurt me terribly. But you haven't, don't worry!
4) And now I'm going to act very, very angry. Expect me to stamp my feet and shout at you. I might even be mean and nasty enough to make you tear up and tremble. I don't mean it, of course, but you'll have to THINK I mean it if any of this is going to look convincing.
5) Then comes the unhappy part. I'm going to have to hex you with boils - horrible purple ones, I'm afraid. Oh, they really will be horrific. It's going to look like some kind of deep-sea creature is writhing under your face, trying to claw its way to true light. But you needn't worry, because it's not going to hurt a bit! It looks like a hex but it's actually that theatre glamour I've been working on. And it only lasts an hour, and after that you'll be back to how you always look.
6) When Professor Raz sees what I've done to you, he'll give me detention, let's hope. And let's further hope that he'll assign me to organise the books in his office, like he did with Vince back in September.
Millie, I must thank you ever so much, from the bottom of my heart, for agreeing to help me with this venture. You are a true friend, and I will make sure that you look absolutely beautiful on the night of the Ball!