alt_daphne | Entries tagged with advising

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...

Lizzie and I have been trying to put together little care hampers for Darius and Charles, for when they get back. Mid-week, is what I've heard.

So far I've got gourmet biscuits from Fleet's Bakery in Chelsea, drinking chocolate from Harrod's, and a tin of tea and a small packet of scones from the Owlery tea room in Marylebone (I can't wait to attend one of their high teas - supposedly they're exquisite).

That's it, so far. Do you think it's enough? Too much? Barney offered a few phials of some dreamless sleep potion... not the stuff that Madam Pomfrey hands out. I don't know if I should include those, though, and not just because I've no idea where he got his hands on them...

It's just that I feel a bit uncertain about how they're feeling. Darius and Charles, I mean. I'm not sure regular etiquette for the death of a parent applies, considering the circumstances. Lizzie is in prefect mode and isn't really thinking about the nuances of the situation, I fear. I don't want to go about this the wrong way and show my own ignorance, or end up doing something entirely graceless.

What do you think?

I left everything at the foot of her bed this morning, just as you asked! And then I had to leave straight away - I wasn't sure I would be able to keep a straight face when she woke up and saw it all.

Really, Draco...earrings? And emerald, at that! They're far more rare and precious than diamonds, you know. When are you going to finally up and ask her to be your girlfriend?

Greetings to you both,

First things first: Weasley, I'm not worried at all that you and Finnigan will cross wands during this activity. I know that I, for one, am sure that you have no intention of being an instigator, and I think Draco is counting on family connections between the Malfoys and the Rosiers to keep Finnigan on his best behaviour. In fact, I think we shall all have a terribly grand time - especially when we WIN!

As for recruitment plans, I suspect that Harry's team is planning to go for Krum, Lovegood, Zimmerman, and Goshal, and possibly Longbottom and Lovegood's Yule Ball date, JP.

Padma's team will, I think, have Teddy, and most likely Corey, Sandoval, and Durand. Possibly Thompson or that other thirdie, Rhys-Meyers, too.

I've also been hearing that everyone wants Hydra, but they're all more or less letting us have her. That's kind of them! It also means we could try to get F-F, and an English-speaking Beauxbaton's person would be a huge bonus. You've become mates with him, too, haven't you Weasley? Finnigan's friend Evgeni is a good Durmstrang possibility.

My own personal suggestion is that we do whatever we can to go for Goyle. Believe me, I know what you're probably thinking, but we won't regret it!

What suggestions do you two have?

Remember that just because the other teams are planning to go for the people above doesn't mean WE can't try to get them, too.

I'm ever so excited for this, aren't you?

Mother,

I've had an owl from Queenie this morning. She was terribly distressed. She said that you and Father had a row last night that woke her up from sleep. You and Father never row; she had no idea what to think and is worried that it means she's done something to cause it.

I can only presume that your argument was about this week's Dish! Really, Mother, Father may not follow that kind of press, but you had to know that it would get back to him, one way or another. I can't imagine that any man would enjoy seeing his wife discuss her past love life in a magazine, but you know how private Father is. It's just as Grandmother always said: "he shies away from the limelight so that it will better reach the rest of us."

Now, Mother, prepare yourself for hard words: it really doesn't do to entertain a fantasy based on the mere possibility of something.

And it isn't fair to me, or to Father. Or to HIM, for that matter. You have to tell him that the possibility exists, and then the matter can be solved in short order, I'm sure. ~~And I really need to kn~~

If you won't say something to him, I suppose it will be up to me.

Love,
Daphne

I 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!

I would like to personally extend my gratitude to Gerard Chabat (merci beaucoup!), Erasmus Croaker, and ah Alfred Montague, who were all gracious enough to ask me to the Yule Ball in the last few days. I hope that none of you took personal offence to my disinclination. Any girl in this school would be more than lucky to be escorted by gentlemen of your calibre, and would, I'm sure, have a lovely and diverting evening.

Before I receive invitations from other male students, I would like to explain my position on the matter.

I have decided that I would like to ask someone to the Ball myself. I realise that this may go against tradition, but I don't really have much use for tradition - at least not in this particular instance. In fact, I find it terribly unfortunate that most girls feel that they must linger back patiently and wait for someone to take notice of them. What a helpless feeling that is, I'm sure. Why rob yourself of the same opportunity that boys are always confident of? That is, the right and privilege of seeking out someone whose company you desire. I have overheard many female students say that they felt they had no choice but to accept the first invitation to the ball they received, out of fear that should they dally, they would lose their chance. But what kind of way is this to live? To be grateful for any old chance, or to be in a position where you feel you have no choice. Well, I am convinced that there's always a choice.

In my case, I'm still trying to decide just whose company it is that I most desire. It will require careful thought and observation, certainly, and I suppose that if there are boys who are eager to make their case as to why I should consider them, then they're perfectly free to do so. I realise that options will run thin the longer I ponder this, but I'm content with taking such a risk. If I end up with no special individual to share the Ball with, then I shall share it with all of the students who are in attendance, instead!

I just know we'll all have the grandest time.

I find that it's a terrible shame that one of my own house has been so publicly reprimanded, especially in front of our guests! I would like to express to the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang that it's not at all common for Slytherin to make such trouble - in fact, it's not all that common for students of any one particular house to make such trouble. But unfortunate events do happen from time to time; I for one hope that the individual in question will learn from his mistakes and do his best to remedy the impression he's made.

Cards certainly are popular this year, aren't they? I enjoy portkey or snap as much as anyone, but the trouble is that it only really works for smaller groups, doesn't it? Now a game like charades, for instance, can have as many people playing as you like. And no matter what you might think, there is quite a bit of bluffing involved. You just have to look at it the right way. Almost all of life is a performance, isn't it? Think of the way you speak to your professors, and the way you speak to your closest friend, and you'll soon see what I mean.

~~Oh, I don't know what I'm on abo~~

Christmas! I know it's still over a month off, but the smell of it's already in the air, don't you agree?

And it's hard to believe that the First Task is almost upon us! Go, Harry! I just know you'll do our house proud!

Ever since we of Slytherin House learnt that we shall be hosting the students from Durmstrang, I and a few other girls (Elsie, Samantha) have been discussing ways that we might make our guests feel as welcome and comfortable as possible. Aside from being as polite and as sociable as we already are, I think that a good starting place would be to reassess the comforts of the Slytherin common room.

Though the common room is used for a variety of activities, from studying to sleeping, I'm sure we can all agree that it's best suited for relaxing and socialising. It's the one place where students, regardless of what year they are in, can share some "common" time together. That said, perhaps those of you who are currently using the common room for other reasons might consider more appropriate locations for your pursuits? The group of second years who have been practising levitation charms, for instance. Why not secure an empty classroom for your charms work? There will be more room for all of you, and you won't risk accidentally bopping the heads of our guests with a vase. After all, those NEWT-level students do their work in empty classrooms for good reason! And those of you with heavy-duty reading will assuredly find uninterrupted silence in a dark corner of the library. The same, I suppose, for those of you who would like to indulge in some heavy-duty napping.

As for socialising, the common room is just the place for it. However, those of you who regularly gather round the fireplace might consider that you don't, in fact, actually own it. Other people, our guests in particular, would like to enjoy the flames, too. Those of you who enjoy more boisterous games, such as exploding snap, might mute your play with the appropriate charm. Also, I think it goes without saying that we should avoid setting the tapestries on fire ~~Gregory~~

Now, while our common room is certainly comfortable and roomy, I do think that it might benefit from a little sprucing up. Firstly, whoever is doing it should stop stuffing toffee wrappers beneath the sofa cushions. Secondly, Samantha has volunteered to speak to the elves about that strange stain on the rug by the clock, as well as the chocolate smears on the chesterfield. Once that's taken care of, if everyone else can pitch in and try to keep things tidy, I think we should present very well.

Let's consider a few rearrangements, too. That almost-empty bookcase by the fire would make for the perfect lending library. Would anyone like to donate some books? Particularly books that are about British wizarding history, or that represent most currently popular reading material in the Protectorate? You know, Wand Society and such. I'm sure our guests would enjoy seeing what we read in our free time, and not just for classes.

That little alcove on the south end of the common room - the one that never gets used because the chairs are so straight-backed and uncomfortable? I thought it might be good to move the chairs off to the side and fill the floor space with big, soft cushions and poufs (like the ones you lounged about on at your Birthday, Blaise). We can put the wireless over there, too, and then it's the perfect area for listening to music. And if someone feels like dancing, simply move the cushions aside and viola! - instant dance floor!

Over by the tables we can stock a chest full of all sorts of games: moving picture puzzles, portkey cards, gobstones, chess. In fact, we might go ahead and set out a chess board or two, so that people feel free to just plop down and start playing with someone. And of course, I'll leave out a dish of linguista chocolates, so that people will find speaking German easier.

If anyone else has suggestions for making our common room a more welcoming and cosy spot, please speak with either myself, Elsie, or Samantha!