alt_daphne | A bit of a show

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A bit of a show

I don't know about the rest of the houses, but here in Slytherin everyone is positively bubbling with excitement over Saturday's demonstration! I find that there's nothing that re-aligns one's purpose and sense of industry like a little entertainment. "Give a boy or girl something diverting to look forward to, and then smile at their gratitude" was a saying I grew up hearing from my Grandmother, and it's one I've held as my own ever since.

(Younger students should, of course, remember that our Professors are skilled professionals, and that anyone who attempts to emulate their performance either in advance or after the demonstration will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary action.)

But in all seriousness, this is precisely why things like Quidditch Matches, Hogsmeade Visits, Plays, Balls, and Feasts are such long-standing traditions at Hogwarts. For a student to really be taught the ways of the world, they must be taught to enjoy and manage the pleasures, just as surely as they must be taught to manage the tasks. I have a feeling that there may even be some adults and professors reading who know exactly what I mean and even agree with me, at least a little!

Though I will admit that it's true we don't often get a Ball at Hogwarts. Nevertheless, there's usually at least one massive, school-wide event for everyone to rally 'round!

Oh, and quickly: thank you to everyone who wished me Happy Birthday yesterday. We had a little celebration in the common room and managed to sneak Queenie in so she could have her pick of the tarts. My Mother sent me the most wonderful set of winter robes, perfect for the upcoming season, and I must say that they might be even more adult than my Yule Ball robes. It's hard to believe I'm sixteen years old! I think that shall take a while to sink in...

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Don't you EVER do that again. My belongings are not your belongings, even if they happen to be sitting out in a box in the common room. What if you had dropped plum tart on the fabric, or stepped on the train? What if...? I'll tell you what if: all your hair would be cut off and flushed down the loo, that's what!

I suppose I'll just have to start putting protective charms on my clothing and jewelry to keep you from trying it on and swanning about like a Princess. Very nasty protective charms.

Diggory,

I don't know if you've become much acquainted with her yet, but my youngest sister, Queenie, is a first year in your house. She's very small, with very long, very dark hair, rosy cheeks, and big blue eyes - she looks just like a little doll. Well, last night we let her into the common room because it was my birthday. I started to take her back to Hufflepuff well before curfew, but she seemed very reluctant to return and said that she wanted to sleep in Slytherin, with me.

Of course I didn't let her stay, but I did ask her what she was so upset about and she said that she didn't want to be punished like Chelsea was. I'm not sure what she was on about, but she said that this Chelsea girl couldn't stop cleaning and re-arranging things?

I just wondered if you knew anything about it. Maybe Queenie was confused and it wasn't really a punishment at all, but firsties playing some kind of game?

Sincerely,
Daphne G. Greengrass

Greengrass,
I've very sorry that your sister was so upset. I'll make sure one of our Prefects check on her this evening after the meeting.

Yes there was an incident. Chelsea Abbott and Judith Starling were involved. They appear to have been compelled to clean. I have no more definite details that I can share now. I'll give the most basic review of what we know right now at the Prefects' meeting. I know it's being discussed at the staff meeting tonight. Hopefully after that I'll have some more information. I'll pass what people need to know on to everyone on the Prefect team.

Thanks for letting me know,
CD

CD,

Thanks for explaining the situation to the rest of the Prefects tonight. I was mostly asking out of personal interest in my sister's well-being. It's hard, being the oldest and being a Prefect but feeling like I ought to trust you lot in Hufflepuff to take care of her - which I'm sure you will! It's just a matter of getting her to see people like Bones, MacMillian, and yourself as people she can go to when she's frightened or confused. Queenie's not so bold as I am, you see, and she's definitely not as bold as Astoria.

Oh, this question might sound peculiar, but: do you happen to have any talent or interest in singing, acting, or dancing? I'm taking a bit of an informal survey, you see, the reasons for which I hope to reveal soon!

-Daphne

Padma,

I think you've secured Madam Umbridge's favour by now, so let me ask you: how might I suggest to her that the school stage a Musical and Theatre Revue some time this year? It's something I brought up with Blaise at the start of the term, and he thought it was a brilliant idea, too. Only I've the distinct impression that Madam Umbridge doesn't approve of the Arts - she certainly cut me off rather quickly when I tried to bring the topic up during our meeting a few weeks ago. But surely there must be a way to convince her that it's a worthwhile activity?

-Daphs

Ooh, that's a good idea, Daphs. (Happy birthday again, by the way, and did you like the little changepurse? It's just a bitty thing, of course, but well useful since it'll always give you the correct change. Only if you've already got enough in there, ha!)

I think, with Madam Umbridge, the key would be showing her how it could be done but wouldn't have to add to her own work, or detract from her plans, you know? Like, if you told her that you've already lined up a stage manager and a place, and wanted to talk to her about scheduling the performance so it doesn't interfere with anything already planned, that sort of thing.

Then she might not necessarily see the harm, even if she doesn't want to be bothered with it on her own. You know?

I adore it - it's the most clever thing! And speaking of correct change, I can't wait for our first Hogsmeade trip, how about you? Thank you again for remembering me!

Well, I didn't imagine she would know anything about organising such an event, so I'd already planned on doing it myself. I think the trick is to do it in such a way that she doesn't look upon me as utterly presumptuous, or going over her head, or anything like that.

It might also help if I have other students rallying behind the idea... can I count on you for that? I know Lizzie and Samantha will, and Pansy and Draco and Blaise...oh, and maybe even Harry, too, if I can get him to stop talking about Quidditch for five minutes.

Well, that's just it, if we go to her early on and talk about it as an enhancement to the programme then it's different from a load of students all pushing against her.

Oh, what if we organised around a theme? Like, celebrating the Headmistress for her years of teaching or something? Isn't it her 50th anniversary as a teacher? I think it is. That's loads of time and really, it ought to be recognised.

I could talk to Professor Vector about it if you like. She's bound to like the idea. Carpenter, too, she positively drools over anything artistic.

And you could get Susan Bones on board; she'll bring the other badgers 'round if you want them.

Is it really her 50th anniversary? I'm fairly sure that Professor Slughorn has been here even longer, by at least ten or so years... if it's also his 60th anniversary we could make the Revue in honour of them both, with emphasis on the Headmistress, of course.

You're right about Professor Carpenter - she doesn't know it, but I've always seen Divination as "acting" class, because really, it's all about putting on the best performance. I even told Professor Dolohov about this and he found it terribly amusing. I think he would be in support of the Revue idea, actually, but he's new so his support might not count for so much as getting in the Heads of House. Then again, he's awfully important to the Lord Protector, and so is Professor Raz.

Do you suppose Lav or Parvati might talk to Hooch? I don't know her well at all and she's so... gruff.

If it's not it's got to be something like that, anyway. Mum said when we started Hogwarts that Professor McGonagall had a Personal Tragedy that left her teaching, or something, so she didn't start right out of school like Professor Siz, but it's been forever, anyway.

And yes, Professor Slughorn even taught Professor Dolohov, so he's been here even longer than the Headmistress. We could certainly include all the Heads of House, too, if we look up when they came here. Or anyone who's got more than 30 years (though that would also include Binns, technically).

I'm sure Lav would be happy to talk to Madam Hooch. Really, she's only that gruff on the outside. Pav says if you get to know her she's really quite, er, well, tolerant.

I think we've got to do some serious research about the best way to do your hair so that it shows off the back of the robes to best effect. And the colours! I love the way they shifted around when you moved. They're just made for dancing. And of course, you look absolutely beautiful in them.

Oh, I know! I've already started looking through my magazines - there's one up-do, with lots of tiny little braids and plaits, that's just exquisite. The model who's wearing the style is fair-haired, though, and I wonder if it would look quite so lovely on dark hair. Hmm, I wonder how I would look as a blond?

Oh, right, Millie already did that.

Hm. Perhaps if we worked in very subtle colours, just to lighten a bit here and there, that might work. Or we could be bolder -- perhaps very thin ribbons braided in might do the same sort of thing.

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A bit of a show

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