alt_daphne: (ah!)
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...
alt_daphne: (oh but?)
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
alt_daphne: (hmm)
I do so appreciate the concern that has come my way today, but I think I should assure you all that everything is back to normal between Millie and myself. What took place was a simple misunderstanding, and we've both apologised to one another and made up completely (and her face is as good as new, as I'm sure you all observed!). I've even decided to make it up to Millie by sending her robes to the head dressmaker at Gladrags, who has promised that she will have them expertly re-fitted by the time we go to Hogsmeade tomorrow.

Also, I would like to publicly thank Professors Lestrange and Sinistra for our meeting after supper; I'm terribly sorry for the misunderstanding, and for... doing such a poor job of rearranging your books, Professor Raz. I hope that if there's anything future you require from me, you won't hesitate to ask. Oh, and I promise I shant create such a disruption during dueling practise again, on my honour!



Well, with that said, let's return to more pressing subjects, I think!

I must say that there are many people who seem to have benefited from Draco Malfoy's list of individuals without dates for the Ball. Listening to talk around the castle, it now seems as if almost everyone has found someone or other to escort them. Well done, Draco! Just think, there may be future couples who will one day have you to thank for bringing them together.

Hogsmeade is sure to be a madhouse tomorrow, what with last-minute shopping for the Ball piled on top of Christmas shopping. Still, I'm thoroughly looking forward to it! Barney, do you mind if we meet in the common room instead of the Great Hall? I want to change my shoes before we walk to the village.
alt_daphne: (careful pause)
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!
alt_daphne: (Default)
Mother,

Thank you for the lovely bouquet of clematis. I'm sure that both I and my roommates will find them terribly useful for staying up late and studying, but meanwhile, I've had to put them on a table right outside our room so that they won't disturb our sleep! This is a particularly strong hybrid you've hit on this time, isn't it? I do so like that rich, purpley colour, too.

Now, I happen to know that I'll have the room to myself around eight o'clock on Friday morning (I shall skip breakfast), and that Fridays are when Father has early meetings in addition to being when Queenie's chorale group practises. So, by that calculation, you should be alone in the house at that time, yes?

Because I really do need to speak with you, Mother. In person. And I think a fire-chat should be as good an approximation as we can manage at short notice.

Please tell me that I can count on your for eight o'clock?

Love,
Daphne
alt_daphne: (ohno)
Padma, did you have a nice time in Hogsmeade with Davies? You probably weren't in any state to notice, but I didn't go to the village today. I was just so caught up in looking through back issues Cut Above and Posh that I utterly forgot to leave on time, and by the time I noticed, it wasn't worth it to walk all the way out.

There are loads of articles about Professor Razzer. A lot are about his quidditching days, and the things he got up to with his teammates and female fans, and the dates that he brought to important social events. None of it seemed like it might have been about my Mother. Well, none of it except for this:

This Quidditch Star might be benched, but it hasn't kept him from stepping out with an old flame this Valentine's Day! But does her fiancé know that she's been blowing on her old lover's coals? Or that she'll soon be starting to show? This Lady Romeo had better decide who the Father is, or she'll be left in the cold with no ring at all.

It's dated from February 14, 1979.

You don't suppose...

Well, it might be about anyone, but you know how coded these "obscure items" can be. And Lady Romeo?

Mother's maiden name is Montague.

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alt_daphne: (Default)
Daphne Greengrass

September 2015

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