The Diary of a Witch, Volume I

CHAPTER 7: MARCH

Sunday, March 1, Late, Dorm Room,

I've learned my lesson: no more note passing. In Potions class anyway. Not that I normally pass notes, in fact the only note passing I start is in History of Magic and that's only out of sheer desperation so I don't die of boredom and become a ghost like Binns (there's a scary thought).

On Friday I stopped writing because, like I warned Hannah, Snape caught me. He automatically gave Hannah and I detention, took off ten points from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff (for which I got several glares from my house mates, minus Mandy), and then TOOK MY DIARY AWAY AND DIDN'T GIVE IT BACK UNTIL I SERVED MY DETENTION! I just got it back a half hour ago after I finished cleaning the cauldrons for him.

What if he read it? My diary I mean.

Oh, God, I hope he didn't read it. If he did, he'd know I suspect him and Quirrel of being after that thing in the third floor corridor. He'd know I'd been IN the third floor corridor. He'd know about my magic and tell the headmaster who would....I'm not actually sure what he would do but it can't be good. Not to mention he'd have read all that stuff I've written about him looking like a vampire and being a creep, and all the doodles and stuff I've drawn. What if he saw that comic I did of him last month? Or the one about the staff? Oh no, what if he read that POEM????

I am SO DEAD if he did.

God, if you exist, please say he didn't read it.

I'm toast.

Monday, March 2, Lunch, Great Hall,

Maybe I'm not toast after all. I'm still here.

So I can assume he didn't read it. Except you know what they say about assuming.

That you shouldn't.

At least I think that's what they say.

Wednesday, March 4, Break, Bench Outside in Courtyard,

Spring is almost here! Yay!

I just saw (and talked too) a robin named Lucy (hee, Lucy in the Sky) who told me all about how she went to the Mediterranean area for the winter. Must have been nice not to have to put up with all that snow. Now she's getting ready to nest.

The squirrels have also started to come out more which is both nice and annoying. It's annoying because now I have to put up with their quarreling in my head again. Want to know what squirrels argue about? Acorns, who's tree is which, if their guys who's mate is which (which makes me feel like shouting at them to let the mates decide that). Believe me, it gets old fast, you hear one acorn argument you've heard them all.

But it's nice because occasionally animals can be entertaining. Plus the singing contests have started up again outside the History of Magic window so now I'm not twiddling my thumbs trying to think of something to do (besides listen to Binns drone on and fall asleep).

Friday, March 6, Dinner, Great Hall,

Okay, he didn't read it.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to have to reconsider my idea that God doesn't really exist and actually GO to Church when Angela asks me too next time. See, I feel that there isn't really a heaven but there is reincarnation like in Hinduism which Mom told me about. The idea of reincarnation really appeals to me, I like to think that maybe Mom and Dad are reincarnated somewhere and I'm not totally alone. But maybe the Christians are on to something with this God business, I don't know. Mom and Dad didn't really do the church thing they thought that I should make up my own mind on whether or not I wanted to believe in God or a higher power. I might not go to Church on second thought because weren't there stories of witches getting zapped when they went into a church??? But I will try to stop swearing.

Anyway, I went up to Professor Snape after Potions today (ignoring the what-the-hell-are-you-doing-looks I was getting from Owen, Mandy, and Hannah). You know I don't know which is worse: Snape when he's standing and glaring at you or Snape when he's sitting at his big oak desk and glaring at you. Both are pretty freaky and can make a perfectly intelligent person feel like a royal idiot who can't form complete sentences.

Which is kind of why I stood there for five minutes until he finally looked up and barked, "yes, Johanson?"

I kind of started and said, "uh...I was wondering if...maybe...you possibly read my diary. Not that I'm accusing you of being a snoop, sir." Yeah, I know. Real eloquent, huh?"

Snape stared at me and said, "I'm not in the habit of reading young girls' diaries, Johanson."

"Oh, great. See ya, then."

But before I could bolt he said, "if you're that worried about someone reading your diary I suggest you put a Privacy Charm on it."

"Uh...thanks," I said, then I bolted. Hey, give me a break okay? I was surprised that he actually helped me. Sort of, I mean I have to look up this thing but that's no problem. He has a point too because this is a normal diary that anyone could read if they wanted to. I'm planning on getting a magic one when I go to Diagon Alley for my second year school supplies because by then I'll have run out of room in here anyway.

I still can't believe that Snape actually HELPED me.

He must be having an off day or something.

Sunday, March 8, Library,

Okay, maybe Snape didn't help me.

The Privacy Charm is very difficult and isn't even taught until you're IN THIRD YEAR! Professor Snape, HELLO, I'M A FIRST YEAR!!!!!!

I'll bet he knew it too because I get the feeling he's one of those people who doesn't do anything on purpose. Ron Weasley's right, he IS greasy git.

Wednesday, March 11, Lunch, Great Hall,

Okay, what's up with this?

I have two essays, three assignments, one quiz, and one project due all this week. I have three essays due at the end of next week. All of a sudden the teachers have started to pile on the work. Remember that free time I liked at the beginning of the school year? Yeah, that's gone.

I've got so much work to do that I've hardly had time to draw or read that mystery book I'm in the middle of. I don't even have time to figure out the third floor corridor mystery (as I've taken to calling it). I've checked on Fluffy a few times and he's said no one's been around and then tells me to get lost. He's not very social.

I'm beginning to wonder if I've overreacted and no one's after the thing in the third floor. Snape and Quirrel have been acting normally. Well normally for them. Snape glares at you for existing and Quirrel freaks out at his own shadow.

Gotta go, time for Herbology.

Friday, March 13, Dinner, Great Hall,

Friday the thirteenth rears it's ugly head.

Snape called me up to his desk after Potions class. Wondering what I did this time I went up to him and he had the nerve to ask me if I've done the Privacy charm yet! I stared at him and said, "well I found it in the library but it's a third year level charm."

"So?" he said. He never looked up at me during this by the way, he kept grading essays. I hope that one he gave a D to wasn't mine because I worked my but off on that thing, it was perfect. We're talking Hermione Granger level and not just because I borrowed some of her notes for it either.

Anyway, I was like, "so, I'm a first year."

"I'm aware of what year you are in, Johanson."

"Well then, you know that I wouldn't be able to do that charm." I was trying to be polite but he wasn't making it easy.

That's when he finally stopped writing and looked at me. I kind of preferred it when he wasn't because at least then I didn't feel like a slug.

"Johanson, are you a witch?" I barely managed to stop myself from saying 'duh, why else would I be here?' Instead I just said yes.

"Then you should be able to do that charm regardless of what you age is. Unless of course Professor Flitwick is exaggerating when he claims that you are the best charm caster he's had in years. You are dismissed."

I just sort of stood there staring at his lowered head and then walked out thinking 'what the hell???'

So what, this was a challenge or something? He's testing me? Seeing if Flitwick is right? I don't get adults. Sometimes they seem normal enough but then they pull this stuff on you and you start to wonder if they're another species.

I think I'm going to take a look at that charm again.

Tuesday, March 17, Breakfast, Great Hall,

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

I'm wearing green today so no one can pinch me. I changed my shoelaces to green with the Color charm and put on my green four leaf clover earrings. You should see Seamus Finnigan though. He charmed his hair to be green. No one teases HIM about colored hair I've noticed.

Friday, March 20, Library,

ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND QUIZZES FOR NEXT WEEK:

For Monday-

Transfiguration: know how to turn a candlestick into a lantern and do the ten equations at the end of the chapter.

Charms: essay-Important Ninth Century Charms, twelve feet. Know Bouquet Charm.

For Tuesday-

History of Magic: essay-The Development of Gringotts Bank and It's Impact, 15 feet.

Herbology: Drawing of Laughing Bulb with labeled parts.

DADA: read chapter on Hags and answer questions at the end.

For Wednesday-

Astronomy: Map of Jupiter drawing with moons, hills etc. and Mars quiz that night.

Charms: quiz on chapter 9

For Thursday-

History of Magic: quiz on chapter 10.

Herbology: step by step guide on how to plant and grow Leaping Lilies.

For Friday-

Transfiguration: quiz on chapter 8

I wonder if Madam Pince would let me move into the library?

Monday, March 23, Dinner, Great Hall,

I ran into Granger at the library (big surprise there, rolls eyes) and believe it or not she's already started to study for the end of the year exams. I know the exams are important because if you don't pass then you can't come back for your second year which would so suck for me because no way am I going back to a muggle school after being here. But I'm not going to start to study until about May 1 since the exams start on June 1.

I'm beginning to think Granger should have been sorted into Ravenclaw. She's color coded her notes and everything. Not that they aren't neat to begin with, unlike mine which have doodles and stuff all over them. Plus, Owen says my handwriting is like trying to make since of a foreign language which is SO NOT TRUE.

I can read it.

Friday, March 27, Common Room,

God, it's like a tomb in here.

EVERYONE IS STUDYING!

I'm serious.

Plus, you get glared at if you make any noise. Penelope Clearwater took off five points because she said my headset was too loud. Talk about harsh. Besides aren't Magic Phones supposed to make it so no one else can hear the music but you? That's what Lupin said at Diagon Alley where I bought them so I could listen to my music here.

I'm going upstairs. At least there I can crank up the Ramones in peace.

Monday, March 30, Dorm Room,

I've almost gotten the Privacy Charm!

Take that Professor Snape!