Elisabeth Higgs

[Warded to Sophia, Dorian, Noah, Michael, and Nathan]

I went to the owlery to post something to Terence today, and a member of the Security Task Force made me write this ludicrous letter praising the Carrows and everything going on here. It was so stupid, because I only write factual information anyway, but really, that doesn't even matter because the bloke confiscated my letter! When I said something to him about it, he pulled up his sleeve and I swear to you all, he had a DARK MARK on his arm! I know it was one! It was just like the one in the sky last year, after Dumbledore died.

They aren't Security Task Force anything. They're Death Eaters.

I just -- I thought you should know.

[Warded to Molly and Chase]

I still can't believe it.

It's just another reason to not act out. Death Eaters KILL PEOPLE.

Did anyone else get a whiff of that stench in the castle today? It smelled like Myrtle blew up her toilet. Disgusting!

[Warded to Sophia]

Do you   have a quill that takes dictati o n?

I don't    feel like writing.  Ever again.

[End Ward]


[Warded to Ravenclaw 6]

Could someone please ma  ke copies of our notes in Charms   class 
tomorrow ?

And Magical   Creatu res?  

Thank you.

Warded to Sophia

I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier, but I did recommend a "simple" bouquet to Brandon. I suppose he would consider that arrangement simple. They are pretty, though.

I hope you don't mind I helped. I just - let me know if you'd like to talk, OK?

Warded to Dorian

How daring are you feeling tonight? On a scale of holding hands under the Divination table to sneaking into a broom cupboard for a snog?

I think we've reached the point of the school year where everything bloody well d--r--a--g--s until Easter break. The weather is still gloomy, we've got loads of homework, and most of us are confined to the Common Room by curfew. I keep reminding myself that it's a short month, but it's not helping, really.

The news hasn't been very pleasant, either, not that I really expected it to be. The Dementor's Kiss is a harsh penalty compared to past sentencings, isn't it? I mean, there were Death Eaters in Azkaban for years, and they were found guilty to crimes similar, if not worse, to Towler's. I suppose I'd have liked to know the Council of Magical Law's jury voted, regarding the number in favor of the Dementor's Kiss and the number against. Just to see how fair

Anyway, to a lighter DREADFUL subject -- is anyone else somewhat disappointed that Professor Trelawney still hasn't elaborated on the event supposed to happen to Professor Carrow? I mean, I suppose worrying about your shoes is all fine and well, but she ought to be more worried about a raging manticore, or a horrible case of Dragon Pox, or a Lethifold creeping over her while she's sleeping. That's about par with Professor Trelawney's usual predictions. I can't say I'd be sorry if she was trampl I mean, I've never heard her predict that Galleons were going to fall from the sky.

[Warded to Molly, Dorian]

Do you think animal torture is going to be a regular thing, or were the Carrows looking to see who would actually comply? I only ask because I'm worried about Noah. I almost sort of want to slip him a sweet from my old Skiving Snackbox collection beforehand (Do they have an expiration date?) but I wouldn't want to upset him more. I just - that was awful. If it becomes a regular part of class, he may be at the Trouble table indefinitely. Have either of you talked to him about it? He seemed like he didn't want to talk about it when I brought it up. [End ward]

[Warded to Dorian]

So I've royally buggered

I've made things weird. I'm sor I'm sorry. Can we just - we can pretend -

I didn't mean to make things weird.




So you know. [End ward]

So I've always joked about Howlet being old enough to cark it, but I don't want to be responsible for him carking it. That was horrible. He already didn't think much of me, and the Look I got at the end of class was probably the most wretched one any bird has ever mustered. Even a Hippogriff.

If I send him home with a letter and he chooses not to return, can I be faulted for that? He's old, but he's not senile.

So the Grey Lady decided to speak to a few of us yesterday evening, and I'm not sure if the current ambiance is getting to her, but what she had to say was fairly depressing. From what I understand, she was murdered by a jealous bloke. I mean, that doesn't have much to do with current events, but she's never spoken about it before. Or spoken much at all, that I can recall.

Dire, really. It's no wonder she doesn't want to talk about it.

Love sounds complicated.

( Warded Private )
Warded to Molly

You know if you duel, I won't be second for either of you, right? (That was a sorry, joke, I know. I was hoping to ease the tension before asking if I can do anything.) Can I do anything?

Warded to Sophia

I know you're not in an easy position right now, but if I can help with things, I'll try. I should point out that I won't be a second for either of you, though.

That was supposed to make you laugh. I hope it did. Let me know if I can do anything, Sophia.

Our Common Room seems a lot busier now that curfew is in effect. I never realized how loud Exploding Snap cards were until there were four decks in use last night. I almost had a coronary when two of them went off in the middle of an architectural card castle design (it was pretty brill, though - Rowena would have been proud) and one poor firstie's braid caught on fire.

But if it distracts you from all the grim news, lately, more power to you, I suppose.

[Warded Private]

At this rate, I'm not sure next year could be worse.

I can't believe that Rhiana would have such a price on her head that it was worth burning down a church full of people on Christmas day. She wasn't close to Harry Potter and would never hurt anyone, let alone say a cross word about them. I hate that they're using family members against people. Hate it.

Hopefully she's OK.

Hopefully they're both OK. I hate the empty beds.[End Private]

Because I'm looking for a distraction, what's the weirdest thing you've ever got from a Christmas Cracker? Do you wear the hats or crowns?

Warded Private

I didn't think the rumors about Loony were true. It just doesn't make sense. Why would they take her when she's been at school? She's not Muggle-born and she doesn't control the Quibbler, even if she parrots the headlines all the time.

They wouldn't put her in Azkaban for that, would they? I don't think they would. Should.

Her things. There's a dozen or so hid I didn't intend to keep them. This is - it's just too dire for Christmas break. Surely it's all a misunderstanding. She'll be back in our room after break, nattering about Heliopaths riding Unicorns. I hope

Warded Private

Mum finally sent my dress robes. I must admit, I'm rather surprised by how pretty they are - very silky with a flattering drape. I suppose it's worth remembering that being an emotional nutjob does not make you a fashion disaster, but I still think that's giving her too much credit. I'll thank her with a note and hope she doesn't hold them over my head over the holiday, like she's done something saintly.

I haven't heard much from Emrys, either, and I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not. Brandon promised it would be fun. I hope it's fun. As fun as a night with the Carrows and being waited on by Molly can be, at any rate. Sod it.

Warded to Brandon

How is Emrys? I mean, he's not still moping like the wizard version of Sir Luckless, is he? If tomorrow turns out to be a humongous bust, I'm sticking pins in your bauble head. Fair warning.

Are silver spangles in or out of fashion this year? Does anyone know?

Well done with the suits of armor in the gallery, Charms Club. I walked through today and was serenaded by a tinny yet impressive version of 'Here We Come A-Wassailing', to be improved only when Professor Slughorn showed up and joined in singing about his Christmas loaf.

He smelled a bit like mead. Regardless, it was very inspiring. I cannot wait for the holidays.

I didn't perform this one on myself, and I have to say, I'm not arsed about it!

This week is ending on a good note for me -- one that Emrys clearly isn't singing! Cheers!

( Hexed Private )
[Private to Molly and Sophia]

If you ever see me getting ready to do something against school rules, hit me with a stunner. I mean it.

[Private to Dorian]

Could you clobber someone with a mop if they were about to do something against school rules? A bump on the head is better than what we saw at breakfast today, right?

If your answer is yes, or even maybe, then I need you to promise to clobber me if I even look cross-eyed at the rules. You know, in case I completely lose it at some point. Please?

You know I'm not one to spread rumors, but I saw the strangest thing on the edge of the Forbidden Forest today. It wasn't a Werewolf or a Giant or a Unicorn. It had this humongous, grey, spiral horn and was larger than the winged horses from Beauxbatons. Please tell me I'm not the only one. Everyone should keep an eye on the Forest. It was absolutely frightening!

I thought - well, we know this is just rubbish, but - it couldn't be a Crumple-Horned Snorkack, could it?

Private to Molly, Sophia, and Declan

I've received notice of my official detention and am spending tomorrow with Professor Carrow, helping her plan lessons for Wednesday's class. Pity there isn't a quiz, otherwise I might be of some real use. Anyway, don't wait around for me. It could have been So Much Worse, so I'm not complaining. It's NOT HAGRID, right Declan?

End Ward

I'm don't even know why I'm bothering with a Divination NEWT. If' I'd have been able to predict this, I'd have changed my Life Path.

[Warded Private]

Somewhere, someone is laughing at me. By tomorrow, it'll likely be everyone. Fuck fuck buggering fuck. I shouldn't have read should have binned them after reading them. Or burned them! I should have burned them! How daft can I be? I KNEW there was a chance our dorms might be searched, especially after we lost fifty points in a night.

If only it wasn't Lucy who'd searched my things.


It was all pro-Harry and discrediting the Minisry and oh sod it

This is going to be terrible.
[End Ward]

( Warded Private )

Recommendations for a little sister who cannot, for the life of her, get her brother to take a moment and write her? I've not yet tried incessant pestering, but I'm close. Does anyone have an owl trained to peck someone between the eyes?

( Hexed Private )

So has anyone ever tried a Cheering Charm on himself/herself? How effective do you think it would be? Would repeated use lead to Cheering Charm Addiction? I read an article about that once, in Witch Weekly. The witch with the "addiction" couldn't decide what was worse - coming down from her cheerful state or losing friends who were sick of her perpetual cheer and optimism.