Daphne Greengrass

Remember when we first met, Draco? It was at the St. Mungo's Gala when we were both eight. Well, I think I was eight, and you were still seven. It was the year they had the special children's party, with the bouncy quidditch pitch and twenty-four flavours of fizzy squash. And you demanded that the elf serving the squash allow you to try all twenty-four flavours in the same glass at once. Oh, what a sour face you made, when you tasted it!

And even though I was eight, I thought to myself "oh, he's got such a sour face! I would love to be able to see what it took to make that sour-faced boy smile!" And I've been trying ever since. Hasn't most everyone?

I wish you would talk to me. I'm part of the group now, and you still haven't said anything to me. Even if you want to say something sour, that would be better than nothing, you know.

I'm so very glad that you are alive.

Confusion, now hath made your masterpiece.

I mean to say, what a long and tumultuous night, full of both wild celebration and quiet mourning. As exciting as it is to grow up, every now and then there's a moment of sadness, a realisation that even as you gain exciting new knowledge and experience, you lose something, too. However, I'm not one to dwell on lost innocence for long - knowledge and experience are far too valuable in their own right, and only with them is innocence really seen for what it is: ignorance.

Some of us began with charades in the common room, but then it soon grew far too crowded and noisy so different groups split off. I was in the music alcove with Antigone and Elsie and a load of others, dancing to Tintagel and Starstruck. The fairy-lights were charmed to flash with the beat of the music, and some of the boys were pulling crackers so that we all had streamers and confetti in our hair. Eventually, Antigone, Elsie and I went deeper into the dungeons to cool off. We had masses of champagne chocs (Draco, you know the kind!), and we were sat in a little nook under the staircase, hugging and crying for some reason and talking. Then Elsie fetched some parchment and we decided to make lists of what we accomplished in 1994, and a list of what we hoped to accomplish in 1995.

I'll share some of it here, but it's been heavily edited. I don't want to present all my accomplishments and hopes to the whole of the school, after all.

1994 - DONE

Made the "Best Dressed" lists in various magazines.
Started regular correspondence with Athena Belby.
Kept Astoria in line.
Maintained old and dear friendships.
Turned 15.
Endured the (mis-reported) death of a loved one someone I admire.
Did not gain weight.
Improved physical fitness.
Provided moral support for others in times of need.
Made meaningful contributions to YPL.
Performed admirably in CCF.
Improved marks in Transfiguration and Charms.
Dated an older man.
BWP w/Barney
Assisted in the redecoration of the Slytherin common room.
Finally received a compliment on vocal resonation from Mrs Gibbons.
Made it socially acceptable for girls to ask boys to the Yule Ball.
Put in a striking and memorable performance for the school play.
Remained best dancer at Hogwarts.

1995 - TO DO
Break it off with Barney
Find out who my Father is
Solve the mystery of myself.
LV w/???
Bump into A.C. at summer symphony
Convince Mother that a Gerard Joosh original is worth the galleons.
Expand vocal range and balance vibrato.
Improve marks in Potions.
Prove a suitable candidate for prefect or YPL counselor.
Maintain weight.
Improve physical fitness - upper body strength.
Improve dueling/sparring techniques.
Write poetry.
Stop reading trashy romance novels.
Read books of philosophical and political import.


That's as far as I got before Barney called me back for the countdown to 1995 and our midnight kiss. I wish

Looking back, I see that some of my accomplishments might appear quite frivolous. Appearances can be deceiving, though - sometimes, something frivolous can be quite transforming. And I don't believe there's any accomplishment too small that it's not worth celebrating.

So what did you accomplish in 1994? And what do you hope to succeed in now that it's 1995?

Happy New Year, all.

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.

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.

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.