alt_daphne | Entries tagged with blaise

Sally Anne's just told me...

Draco is dead. He tried to escape and that awful man murdered him.

He's dead and it shouldn't have been like this. Not Draco. He was going to be head boy, he was going to serve the Protectorate. He was the best at everything, almost always, and now he's gone.

Sally Anne didn't want me to find out from the papers. I didn't want you to find out that way, either.

Blaise, I don't know. I can't feel anything.

I'm afraid of what it will feel like when I do.

So did you bin her gift into the fire or do the decent thing and open it? Or at least put it aside until you're feeling less raw about the whole thing.

But you didn't really think you'd end up with Padma in the long haul, did you? Her parents would never allow it, and whatever excitement you got out of quarreling together would have eventually gone sour.

And I hope you're still not holding Draco responsible. You know as well as I do how mortified he was by that entire display.

Anyway, as far as birthdays go, I'm sure you've had better. But you are of age now, so at least there's that.

It was just fruit, for the hampers we're putting together for Darius and Charles. You can even ask Lizzie...

Or - I know, I'll just show you the exchange in my journal when we're at lunch.

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?

So Padma's asked me if we have plans to attend the Ball together. Before I answer her, I wanted to talk with you, and what I wanted to say was

I think we should go with other people.

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!

Did anyone else see Mrs Lestrange arrive at supper? She's so impressively tall, isn't she? I love her style of robes, too. I wonder who designs them? They're very crisp and severe, but nonetheless eye-catching. I think I would like to try a look like that in a few years. I imagine she was here to look into the attack on Professor Carrow, since it looked as if she was heading straight in the direction of the hospital wing. I've heard people saying that a few of the older students might have been behind the attack, but it's hard to imagine that someone as important as Mrs Lestrange would be brought in if it were just students. At any rate I am relieved that the incident seemed to happen far away from the castle, on the edges of the Forbidden Forest. I always knew that there had to be a good reason that the Forest was Forbidden.

Mother wrote to both me and Astoria and says she has some tremendous news to pass along once we've come home. I'm quite literally on the edge of my seat (really! Come see me if you don't believe...) wondering what it would be. But then that might be because I'm simply excited to return to Belgravia for the holidays. Mother has all sorts of New London excitements lined up for us girls, including a trip to the new beauty salon in Mayfair. My hair's in sore need of some pruning, so I particularly can't wait for that. Millie, Mother said you could come along, if your parents will allow it! I know you don't believe me, but I still think you would look especially nice with a bit of a fringe.

Who all is attending the Malfoy Christmas party? I know that Draco had planned on inviting everyone in our year last time, but from what I heard that doesn't seem to be the case this year. Blaise, I know you're going... who else? Astoria's thrilled because she'll finally be allowed to attend this year (as Mother and Father's guest, of course, since she doesn't really know Draco), and she's already pestering me about what robes to choose and what all. Queenie's probably beside herself because she'll have to stay home alone with Miss Jessup while we're all out celebrating. I can't say I envy her that. Miss Jessup is a nice woman, but she has a Christmas fixation on gingerbread people (not houses, just people!) that's downright unhealthy. I remember one Christmas, many years ago, Mother and Father were out at an event and Miss Jessup had us decorating gingerbread people until nearly sun-up, and she was weeping into the lace sleeve of her robe because her gingerbread replication of the Lord Protector wasn't quite as symmetrical as it ought to have been. I never told her that Father ate her lopsided Gingerbread Lord at breakfast the next morning. Dunked it into his tea, no less! Poor, dear Miss Jessup.

I love times like this in the common room, when we're all meant to be revising but are really just listening to music and chattering about instead. I think I'll make some tea and get comfortable. My eyes are too bleary to read anymore!

Current Mood: excited

Yesterday was positively the most tremendous birthday I've had yet! I remember being so excited for thirteen, how it sounded so grown up, but fourteen just sounds ages beyond that for some reason. Mother must've known, for the party hamper she sent was filled with things suited to a more mature gathering. The fairy lights are still going in the common room, and I do so hope we can keep them up until they flit out. They add such a lovely cheer to the place. I have just gone and cleared the streamers off that high-backed chair near the fire. As much as I would like to have a throne at all times, if I don't remove the streamers now some brute shall happen along and tear them off, not even thinking to ask if I had plans to save them.

Now, I do so hope that everyone invited had a lovely time. Blaise, the doves were such a clever touch. I was admiring them all evening, and then, when you suggested we take the cage up to the castle parapets I thought we were simply going to free them, I didn't at all expect them to transform into a shower of brilliant, sparkling stars! It was so beautiful. And romantic! Draco, your guitar solo was really so impressive; I had no idea that you'd come so far. And that song you're trying to write? "Hey, Hey Merlin?" It's so catchy! Milli and I have had it stuck in our heads all morning.

Belinda, your trick with the diva's delight had me in absolute stitches! I used to love those sweets more than any other, but my voice tutor has restricted me from them until further notice. He says that if I rely on them too much they'll make my real voice lazy, and I shall never progress and be able to sing a true aria. Anyway, I've just found more diva's delights in a dish on a pouf, do let me know if you would like any extra. Oh, and someone's hidden their tea cup under the pouf, too! Maybe they didn't like the reading in their tea leaves?

That reminds me...some of you may have noticed the beautiful bouquet of snowdrops that my parents sent me; they're a breed that Mother has especially cultivated so that they will bring about a happy, restful sleep if the flowers are placed near a bed. She and her society ladies often deliver them to the patients at St. Mungos, you see. Well, I had all of them in a vase by my bed when I went to sleep last night, and I scarcely wanted to wake up this morning! Sleep was like a delicious, feathery blanket I wanted to wear forever. So, for all of you who were kind enough to attend my party, if you would like one of the flowers to put on your bed-side table so that you too may experience their magic, please let me know. I think I have far too many for one healthy person to have. The snowdrop should stay alive for two weeks or so, but thereafter you can dry it out and keep it under your pillow. It will still work, thought not as strongly.

Teddy, I must say that your coll

Oh!

OH.

I've just found the cake. I had left it neatly wrapped up on a little pedestal table so that Astoria and I could send the last slice to Queenie. But SOMEONE HAS GONE AND EATEN IT! Not just eaten, the plate has been laved clean so that nothing but grotesque streaks of spittle have been left behind. Ugh! WHO WOULD DO SUCH A HORRID THING? You've just deprived a very small girl of a slice of cake from her own sisters. I hope your stomach becomes so upset that you vom up for DAYS! I bet you're the same beast who grew that odd, glowy fungus in the girl's toilet, too. Now I have to go write to Queenie and tell her that I couldn't save her a slice of cake because one singular person in my house is horrid. At least I hope that it's singular person. Surely Slytherin would never bring together multiple cake thieves!

I'm up early enough to have written Mother, Father, and Queenie an owl, and do some reading, too. I'd like to get to breakfast before there's nothing but porridge left - yech! I expect I'll be exhausted by this afternoon, since we were up late last night with Professor Sinistra, but it really can't be helped.

News about what happens with the boggarts much have reached the Gryffindors, only I thought they were supposed to be brave and bold? Ron Weasley fainted while star-gazing last night, and for no good reason that I can see! Well, a shooting star did streak across the eastern sky at that particular moment, but that's no excuse to clutch your chest, gasp "Oh my heavens!" and crumble to the ground in a heap. To be perfectly honest it was quite amusing. Especially when Blaise yelled out "Do hurry, Professor Sinistra! Weasley's got the vapours!" I think he really might have had them, too! Upon rousing, I half-expected him to bat his eyelashes and call for smelling salts. Or maybe one of those lacy fans, charmed with a rivitialising spell.

Anyway, it only goes to show that karma, that thing Padma and Parvati talk about sometimes, probably really exists. For some people, at least!