The Diary of a Witch, Volume II

CHAPTER 4: DECEMBER

Tuesday, December1, Common Room,

Well, it looks like I'll be going home for Christmas this year. Whoopee.

Grandfather is having another one of those boring business parties (he actually got out of it last year) and he "politely requests my presence". I ask you, who talks like that to their own granddaughter? That birthday present must have been a fluke or something.

At least Angela and the others will be there. There's a new maid apparently and she's a lot younger then the last few and has actually lasted since October 1 which is a new record. So I'm interested in meeting her. Apparently she has a older sister who is a muggleborn like me so she knows about the wizard world. It's one of the reasons she's stayed so long, it means we don't have to worry about her freaking out about the fact that I'm a witch.

Plus, I'll be able to gobble on Giselle's Christmas Apple tarts. I love those things! They will make up for the lack of excitement at the party.

Thursday, December 3, DADA,

CHRISTMAS PRESENT IDEA LIST

Grandfather: ???

Angela: beaded eyeglass necklace to replace the one that broke (get started on it Saturday) also a Wizard Tea Maker.

Giselle: Spanish CD and framed picture of her and Gerard (make frame this weekend)

Gerard: Framed picture of him and Giselle and new tool kit holder

Jacob: a variety of Wizard teas from Magic Tea Co.

Firenze: ???

House-elves: a large plate of chocolate chip cookies (ordered because Giselle wouldn't make them)

Owen: Seaweed candy (what does he SEE in that stuff? No pun intended) and The Myths of the Stars.

Mandy: subscription to Spells Today and Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans

Hannah: Licorice Wands and the Black Cauldron's latest CD

Terry: same as Quidditch team members and Chocolate Frogs

Justin: Charms for Protection and Pumpkin Pasties

Padma: Modern Charm Theories and Droobles Best Blowing Gum

Anthony: subscription to Quidditch Weekly and Cauldron Cakes

Quidditch Team: framed pictures of team; different frames for each

Friday, December 4, Common Room,

God, this is more nerve wrecking then the try-outs. At least then only a select few could see me make a fool out of myself. In the game THE WHOLE SCHOOL will see me make a fool of myself. Which is bound to happen because I haven't made a mistake during practice AT ALL. I'm due for humiliation. If not this game, then some time in future games.

Max says I'm being ridiculous and that is sweet of him, but I'm honestly not. At least I'm not alone in the freaking out. Terry is sitting across from me and judging from the look on his face we can expect to see hurling sometime soon. Max, Maria, and Michael are trying to get us to relax but they're not really helping. Especially Michael who suddenly started to randomly spout out facts about all the injuries that can happen to a Chaser during a game. He finally stopped when Maria whacked him. She does this a lot I've noticed. I wonder if all brothers and sisters have a relationship like this.

After that Max was all, "You guys will be fine. Nothing like that is going to happen to you. I mean, that's in professional Quidditch. That's nothing like school Quidditch."

I then looked at him and asked, "Well what happened during YOUR first game?"

He then sort of winced and went, "Umm...you don't want to know. But there were circumstances in that game."

The circumstances turned out to be that they were playing Slytherin.

Still, this was not very encouraging. If anyone reads this and I die in this Quidditch game, Owen gets my Nimbus and Muggle books; Mandy gets all my wizard books; and Hannah gets all my jewelry and CDs. I would also like all my stuff to be sold and the money from the sales given to charity or used to help out endangered species and art programs.

Saturday, December 5, Dorm Room,

Well, I'm not dead so no one gets my stuff.

I am however VERY UPSET! We lost to HUFFLEPUFF! 160-100. I think that sort of counts as humiliation. No offense to Hufflepuff, but they're like one of the easiest teams around. Max, Terry, and I were flying in circles around their Chasers and Davies blocked all but one shot.

We didn't count on Chang.

Or rather we didn't take into account the fact that she would spend her time, that was SUPPOSED to be spent searching for the Snitch, FLIRTING WITH THE OTHER SEEKER!!!

Okay, I'll admit, Diggory is rather cute. But for crying out loud, she was supposed to be seeking the SNITCH, not seeking a date! Flirt on your own time, Chang! NOT DURING A GAME!!! The even more maddening part about this is that Davies didn't call her on it! I expected him to chew her out after the game or at the very least give a stern warning but all he did was pat her on the back and say, "Nice try." Like she didn't pretty much lose the whole game for us by being all giggly and fluttering her eyelashes at Diggory when she was supposed to be doing her job.

But then, Davies seems to have this thing about yelling at us girls when he has no problem telling off Michael or Max for screwing around during practice. Hello, Maria and I are not delicate flowers. We can handle being yelled at. I'm not sure who's more annoying:: guys like Davies who think women need to be handled delicately and treated like we're going to break or girls like Chang who use this to their advantage and even encourage it!

Someone seriously needs to tell these two that it's the twentieth century and women are just as strong as men. Is this what happens when you become a teenager? If so I'm not looking forward to being thirteen.

So now, thanks to the fact that Chang let her hormones override her brain we lost to Hufflepuff and unless we win the next game against Slytherin, we're out of the running for the Quidditch Cup. Well, unless Hufflepuff beats Slytherin after they beat us. I personally don't see any of this happening and am saying goodbye Quidditch Cup in my head.

Sunday, December 6, Breakfast, Great Hall,

I think I got on Firenze's nerves last night when I ranted about the game. He finally interrupted me and said he was sorry about Ravenclaws' loss and offered his condolences, now can we please get on with the lesson? However that was interrupted later by animals asking me to heal them. Words gotten out that I can heal now and all the animals have been coming up to me with minor wounds and such. I wonder if that Doctor Dolittle guy ever got annoyed when animals intruded on his life.

THINGS TO DO:

1) Finish essays for Transfiguration and Potions and all homework

2) Order books and subscriptions for presents

3) Figure out SOMETHING to get for Grandfather and Firenze

4) Finish up frames for pictures, arrange design for Angela's glass holder.

5) Write letters home

6) Do not tell off Chang at next practice even though she deserves it.

Tuesday, December 8, History of Magic,

Well, I did it. I held my tongue for once and didn't tell off Chang for listening to her hormones at a bad time. Oh, I WANTED too. I have this whole rant to give her in my head that effectively tells her off and tries to get her to see why I'm pissed at the same time. I'm not the only one who's mad at her.

Max, Michael, and Maria were glowering at her all through practice. Well, Max was actually glaring at Davies more because he's a little pissed that he didn't do his job and call Chang on her goof. Max would totally make a better Quidditch captain then Davies. HE has no problem yelling at girls on the account that he has older sisters and spent most of his childhood yelling at them for various reasons.

Terry is annoyed at her but is willing to cut her some slack if she wins the next game.

Good luck there. Chang rides a Cleansweep and Malfoy rides a Nimbus 2001. Chang is apparently going through the hormonal stage and Malfoy is relatively attractive (despite the fact that he's an obnoxious little snot) and has control on hormones since he is twelve. He's also a way better flyer then Chang (not as good as Potter, but good). You do the math.

If Chang flirts with Malfoy during this game I WILL tell her off. Loudly. With lots of insults and swear words.

Thursday, December 10, After History of Magic,

I just ran into Blaise Zabini. She's this Slytherin girl who is the only one of the bunch that I actually like. She doesn't look at me like I'm scum for a) being a Muggleborn, b) being an American, and c) having colored bangs (I recently changed the color to gold for the holidays).

She's my Herbology partner as a matter of fact and actually appreciates the subject. She just had her Potions lesson and apparently someone threw a Filibuster Firework into Goyle's cauldron when they were making the Swelling Solution (I never really understood WHY anyone would want to make this). I can certainly understand WANTING to throw a Filibuster Firework into Goyle's cauldron but I would never have the guts to make trouble in Snape's class. I'm all for the occasional prank. But I'm not suicidal.

I bet it was a Gryffindor; they share that class with Slytherin.

Saturday, December 12, 11 p.m., Dorm Room,

Another lesson interrupted by animals. This is starting to get more then a little annoying.

At least I no longer collapse when I heal now. That's a plus. I am however ALWAYS starving afterwards. Firenze says it's a side effect because I use energy when I heal. Whatever, all I know is that it's a pain the butt.

Monday, December 14, Charms,

Unbelievable.

I was sitting in Transfiguration this morning taking notes and trying to make sense out of these long equations McGonagall assigned us for homework (damn math. Damn it, I say) when all of a sudden there was this tapping on the window next to my desk.

The tapping turned out to be a squirrel named Felix who had scraped his tail while jumping to another tree. He tried to get me to heal him right there but I couldn't because of McGonagall and the other students. So I told him I'd meet him after Charms to heal him. He wasn't very happy about having to wait but you know what? I wasn't too happy about being interrupted in class.

Especially since McGonagall caught me not paying attention and took off five points from Ravenclaw.

I just hope no one notices I'm gone during lunch.

Tuesday, December 15, After Potions,

Owen noticed I missed lunch yesterday. Wonderful.

I wish he could have asked me what was up a different way though because he passed me notes during POTIONS. Is he suicidal? Snape almost ALWAYS catches people who pass notes. That's why it's practically policy to not pass notes in his class among students. We save the note passing for History of Magic because half the time we're not even sure Binns is aware that we're there.

But no...Owen just had to pass me notes in POTIONS. Where of course we got caught and Snape read our notes out loud. IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CLASS. Thank you Owen. Thank you very much. Now I have detention tomorrow night. Boys.

Thursday, December 17, History of Magic,

Awesome! They're starting a dueling club!

My friends and I are all going so it should be fun. Not to mention useful because you never know when you'll need to know how to duel. Plus, Owen and I are hoping this will calm Justin down about the Heir of Slytherin stuff. We figure if he knows a few spells to defend himself he'll feel better.

Late Thursday, December 17, Dorm Room,

Remember when I said Dumbledore had gone insane awhile ago?

I take it back.

He's gone completely and utterly BONKERS! He is a few cards short of a deck. A few fries short of a Happy Meal. Get this guy a padded room. He let GILDEROY LOCKHART start the dueling club. WITH SNAPE AS HIS ASSISTANT!!!

Needless to say, the entire thing was a disaster/waste of time and I'm pretty sure there won't be another meeting. If there is, I'm not bothering, I'll learn spells the normal way: from books and class. Besides, what are the odds that I'm going to duel anyone? I prefer the more hands on approach, such as punching your opponent in the nose. It's easier and more satisfying.

The meeting wasn't a COMPLETE waste of time. I did learn a new spell thanks to Snape using the Disarming Charm against Lockhart in their demonstration duel. Lockhart, of course, didn't have time to dodge it and so flew backwards on to his butt. I know it's wrong to laugh at another's misfortune but I couldn't help but snicker a little. At least I didn't laugh right out like the Slytherins did. Not that I didn't want too.

I also learned something else: Potter is a Parslemouth. He can talk to snakes.

Of course to me it sounded like English anyway because of the whole Wild Mage thing so I didn't understand why everyone was making this big deal after Potter got that snake Malfoy conjured to leave Justin alone. Then Mandy and Owen clued me in. Parseltongue is a rare gift, kind of like Wild Magic only more so. The last known Parseltongue was Salazar Slytherin (it says so in that autobiography I read). So now everyone's even more convinced that Potter is the Heir of Slytherin. Justin fled the room to assumingly hide out in Hufflepuff House after glaring at Potter for helping him out.

Way to show gratitude, Justin.

The thing is when I listened to the snake and Potter talk I realized something: they sounded an awful lot like that voice that I'm positive is the monster from the chamber. It wasn't EXACTLY like it, but similar in tone if that makes any sense. So I think this monster is a snakelike creature which narrows my search for possible animals down a bit.

Friday, December 18, Breakfast, Great Hall,

It snowed overnight! In fact, it's still snowing and Herbology was canceled this afternoon because Professor Sprout wanted to go down and put hats and scarves on the Mandrakes who are in their second quartile of growth. Only four more to go and then they can be used to make the Restorative Draught.

It's the last day of classes and on Monday we all go home.

Justin didn't show up for breakfast this morning and Ernie said he'd bring him something up. He's still hiding from Potter. No need to ask why Justin wasn't sorted into Gryffindor.

Later Friday, December 18, Lunch, Great Hall,

It's amazing how quickly things can change.

Just this morning I was relatively happy. And why not? Herbology was canceled, it was snowing, the holidays were next week and you cannot possibly depressed around the holidays. Well, okay you can. I was the first Christmas I spent in England but there were circumstances then. My parents had only died that June.

But I'm not happy anymore. I'm freaked, sad, and a million other emotions I really don't feel like interpreting right now.

Justin's been petrified. He was found this morning by Harry Potter. Who by the way is a prime suspect now for the Heir of Slytherin. At least among the students. I'm not sure what I think anymore. It is a little suspicious that he's been found near Justin but I'm still not convinced it's him.

What has me freaked is that Nearly Headless Nick (the Gryffindor ghost) was petrified too! I didn't know you could even petrify a ghost! This is really bad. No wonder everyone's panicked.

Hannah's the worst. Her crush on Justin hasn't gone away like Mandy predicted it would and she's beside herself with worry over Justin. Though I'm not entirely sure why, I mean technically he's all right he's just...not there.

She's worried about what he's feeling right now. I haven't had the heart to tell her that he isn't really feeling anything right now, he's basically a statue. She threatened to stay here for vacation but Padma, Mandy, Susan Bones (one of her Hufflepuff friends who's really nice), and I convinced her that she wouldn't be any use if she stayed.

God this is a mess. I actually want to go home now.

Monday, December 21, Manor, Bedroom,

Can't believe I'm saying this but I'm actually glad I'm back.

Last weekend was the pits. Everyone kept walking around with fearful looks on their faces like they were afraid the monster from the chamber was going to petrify them any second. Hannah was really upset all weekend and us girls did our best to cheer her up with little success. I hope she feels a little better after vacation. It was weird not having her yak my ear off all through the train ride.

I was quiet all through the car ride home and I think I wigged Angela out because usually I chat a mile a minute due to all the sugar I consumed on the train. But I just couldn't figure out what to tell her. I mean, what if I tell her about these attacks and she freaks and demands that I don't go to Hogwarts anymore? Angela is very protective I've noticed. Don't ever threaten anyone in her family or her friends because she gets scary. You should have seen her tell off Headmistress Sloan one time during a Parent Night at our school. She tried to tell Angela I was a delinquent because of the fights I got into and Angela fully told her off for categorizing her students and playing favorites. The first time I ever saw Mrs. Sloan cower from anyone. It was especially funny since she was about 5'8" and Angela is only two feet taller then me.

So yeah, no way am I telling her that Muggleborns are getting attacked because I don't want to leave Hogwarts and be stuck going to a Muggle school again.

I cheered up when I saw the Manor though. I forgot how pretty it is during the holidays. It's the only time the place doesn't look creepy on the account that the staff insists on putting up holiday decorations despite the fact that Grandfather is a major Scrooge when it comes to Christmas. They put up green leafy garlands all around the large brick wall that surrounds our property and wreaths on the gates.

Then rainbow lights are put all over the place. I tell you, our electric bill doubles during the holidays because of all the lights we need to cover the front of the Manor. Then on the inside there's lots of holly and ivy put up and Gerard went a little crazy with the mistletoe this year (three guesses why). The highlight is the huge Christmas tree that is put in the ballroom which is used for all the gatherings that Grandfathers coworkers badger him into. Except the gatherings and the times I sock slide on the marble floor the ballroom is never used.

Angela refused to decorate the tree until I was home and could be there for the decorating party we usually have. That's this tradition among me, Giselle, Gerard, Angela, Jacob, and whoever is around for the holidays. What we do is play Christmas music, decorate the tree and try to sing along with the carols. Usually there's Christmas cookies and eggnog to eat too. It's actually a lot of fun.

Man, I'm tired. How late is it?

Tuesday, December 22, Manor, Ballroom, Decorating Party,

I think the eggnog is finally starting to slow everyone down. Only took four hours.

The tree looks beautiful. It's different from the one me, Dad, and Mom would decorate way back when. That tree usually consisted of rainbow lights and a mesh of ornaments that had nothing to do with the other they were just collected over the years Mom and Dad had been married. There were various balls of all color, a ornament showing Mom and Dad's first Christmas together, my first Christmas, etc. and then there were ones depicting various Christmas characters such as Rudolph, Frosty, Santa etc. Then there were some homemade ornaments made by me or Mom when we felt the need to make a mess. I still have some of them actually. That tree was also beautiful but in a different way, you know?

This tree has white lights, various colored balls with glitter on them that according to Grandfather (who Angela dragged here, even he cowers in the face of her temper) came all the way from Germany, homeland of the Christmas tree. There are also matching gold angels put here and there, a collection of ornaments that depict the twelve days of Christmas song and a fancy gold star to put on top. Everything matches and it's very orderly. Not as fun as the tree Mom, Dad, and I would come up with every year but still very pretty.

Aww, jeez. Gerard and Giselle are making out under the mistletoe AGAIN!

Wednesday, December 23, Manor, Bedroom,

Today everyone was busy with preparations for the Christmas party but things slowed down enough for Jessie to watch Christmas movies with me at least so I wasn't completely lonely. Jessie is the new maid Angela hired (the one whose sister is a Muggleborn witch like me) and she's very cool. She goes to the local college that is like thirty minutes from here by car and needs this job to pay for her apartment, car note, etc. Her parents are extremely successful doctors and pay her college bills.

The cool thing is that they don't mind that she wants to major in music. Most parents I know try to push their kids into professions where they'll make a lot of money in or in their own profession. My parents never did that, thank God (though Mom was a bit disappointed when it became apparent after a few sessions that I'm disaster in the kitchen), but I knew kids whose parents were pushing them to be doctors, dentists, politicians etc. Never mind that they were only in elementary school.

Anyway, Jessie has her own band! She's the base guitarist and usually helps write most of their songs. They haven't come up with a name yet though. I suggested the Goblins but she said there's all ready a band near here called that.

Angela joined the two of us later on and watched Miracle on 34^th Street with us along with White Christmas and all the animation classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Later tonight all of us are planning on watching A Christmas Carol.

Thursday, December 24, Manor, Christmas Eve, Grandfathers Holiday Party

JUBILEE JOHANSON'S TIPS FOR SURVIVING BORING PARTIES:

1) Bring a book. Preferably a LONG one.

2) Bring a journal to complain in if you don't want to bring a book. Make sure to bring writing utensil.

3) Bring CD player and CDs if you can get away with it.

4) Avoid people you know are boring conversationalists or look like they would be boring conversationalists. Prime suspects of this are guys who have ball point pen in front pocket of suit jacket.

5) Stay near food table. If nothing else you get something to eat.

6) Mingle with guests who look mildly interesting. If they turn out to be boring GET AWAY without looking rude.

7) Talk to the help. Chances are they are much more interesting then the guests.

Morning Friday, December 25, Manor, Ballroom,

I'm up before everyone else and will be nice and not blast Nat King Coles' Christmas CD. Yet.

To pass the time I took down my stocking. In it was an orange (never really gotten this tradition), a chocolate santa, red and green Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans in a bag, chocolate coins, a candy cane, Santa Claus earrings, a Duran Duran CD, and cards from everyone here at the manor and all my friends.

Oh! I just heard a door open! Someone's awake!

Late Friday, December 25, Manor, Bedroom,

I guess Christmas wasn't too bad. I got some great presents:

WHAT I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS (SO I CAN REMEMBER WHO TO SEND THANK YOU NOTES TO:

From

Angela: CD and subscription to Wizard CD of the Month Club. This months CD: The Hobgoblins.

Giselle: Famous Wizard Poets of the Twentieth Century

Gerard: a set of ink bottles all in different colors

Jacob: Charcoal pencil set!!!

Grandfather: cash

Firenze: The Myths of the Ancient Greeks

Owen: Spellcasting Youths CD

Mandy: Ancient Runes: History, Legends, and Uses

Hannah: earrings in the shape of music notes and Chocolate Frogs

Terry: Chasers Through the Ages

Padma: Important Charms of the Dark Ages Discovered Throughout the World

Anthony: A wizard puzzle that looks like fun

Max: a artbook of all important pieces from the impressionists!

Quidditch Team Members: various wizard candy and food.

Monday, December 28, Manor, Bedroom,

I sent a bunch of thank you notes to my friends and just recently got a bunch of letters from everyone. Hannah seems to be doing better from the sounds of things. Nothing like the holidays to cheer you up.

Thursday, December 31, Manor, Living Room,

We're all gathered around and waiting for Midnight. Gerard gave me a glass of champaign even though Angela disapproved saying I was a little young for that and to wait for a year at least but Gerard told her to quit being such a wet blanket. Giselle defended her from Angela's wrath by saying he had a little too much alcohol and couldn't be responsible for his actions.

I was finally allowed to have ONE glass only. I got to say I don't get what adults see in this stuff. I prefer Diet Coke or Butterbeer.

Friday, January 1, 12:01 AM, Manor, Living Room, 1993

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!