The Diary of a Witch, Volume II

THE DIARY OF A WITCH, VOLUME II

CHAPTER 8: APRIL

Thursday, April 1, DADA,

            I love April Fools Day. Someone charmed the back of Lockharts’ robes to flash stuff like ‘kick me, I’m stupid’ or ‘I’m an idiot. Shh...don’t tell anyone’. I would like to say it was my doing but alas, all I did was put an itching potion I found a recipe for on his desk drawer. You know, I gotta say, I’m much better at potions when Snape isn’t breathing down my neck. Coincidence? I think not.

            You know, I bet the Weasley twins did this. I’m going to have to congratulate them later on. None of the teachers have said anything to Lockhart and I think they’re privately amused about it. This afternoon at lunch I saw Snape smirk as the robe flashed ‘Yes, I am an imbecile. Thank you for noticing’.

Friday, April 2, Great Hall, Lunch,

            I just spoke to Professor McGonagall and she arranged for me to leave on the Hogwarts Express next Saturday morning so I can do the whole Bridesmaid gig for Gerard and Giselle. She of course had no clue as to why Terry and Anthony started to snicker at me when she told me just now. She just sort of raised an eyebrow at them and they stopped. Just like that.

            That is a power I want to have someday. The power to make boys stop being boys with just a look. Life would be so much easier if all females possessed that power.

Sunday, April 4, Great Hall, Lunch,

THINGS TO DO:

1) Finish essays of the week

2) Read ch. 13 of The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 2)

3) Practice Charms for ch. 12 for text on Wednesday

4) Transfiguration: mouse into cheese, bird into quill

5) Pack for holiday

6) Send times of train arrival to Angela

7) Send b-day gift of wizard tea to Jacob (remember, it’s Tuesday)

8) Clean Gandalfs Cage

9) Start studying for finals sometime this month

Tuesday, April 6, DADA,

THINGS TO PACK FOR TRIP:

1) Enough clothes for five days. One dress for party that will be thrown. Buy one when there.

2) Books I’ve finished and don’t need

3) Where the Red Fern Grows for train ride

4) CDs and Wizard Disc Player for trip

5) Puzzle Anthony gave me. I WILL figure it out this time!

Thursday, April 8, Dorm Room,

            I think I know who sent Mandy that valentine back in February!

            Mandy has been tutoring people lately. She says she does it because a) she enjoys it, b) it looks good to prospective employers, and c) she gets the knowledge that she helped someone actually LEARN something in History of Magic.

            Anyway, she tutors people from first year to second year and from all houses. One of the people she tutors is Devon Greengrass who is a second year Slytherin. Not much is known about Devon. He has one fraternal twin sister named Dapne who is also in Slytherin. Neither of them hang out with Malfoy’s crew much. Dapne is a friend of Blaise’s and she and I have spoken a few times. Mostly Quidditch debates; she’s a Chudley Cannons fan believe it or not. I didn’t think there were any of them left.

            Anyway, Devon is okay. I’ve never really spoken to him much but I do know he is cute. He’s got dark brown hair and black eyes and is really quiet. According to Mandy he’s really into poetry and has ambitions to be a writer or poet someday. The only subject he has trouble with is Transfiguration because like me he has this thing about math and has trouble getting the spell stuff down. Though I doubt he has my problem with it. My problem is when I have to turn an animal into a object. I feel like it’s cruel and the Wild Magic does not help matters.

            Why am I so sure it’s him? Well, I went to the library just now to borrow Mandy’s History of Magic notes while they were having a study session. I hung back a little out of sight and waited for them to finish because Mandy has this thing about being interrupted while studying and kind of watched them interact.

            You can tell a lot about people’s feelings by their body language. Both were very relaxed and while Mandy was explaining how to do the equations Devon wasn’t taking his eyes off her. He kind of had his chin in his hand and was watching her talk with a small smile on his face. It was so cute, like out of one of those romance books Padma is forever reading when she isn’t studying. If you could look at his face you could tell he was smitten. Mandy of course is clueless because well, it’s Mandy. I like her and everything but she’s a little clueless when it comes to boys.

            Not that I know all that much about them either, but at least I can tell when a guy has a crush, and I can tell Devon is totally into her. She’s so lucky. If only Max could look at ME like that...

Friday, April 9, Dorm Room,

            Why is Devon keeping this crush of his a secret? I mean, I know why I’M not telling Max about my crush on him. He thinks of me as a kid sister. He’s as good as told me so. Never mind that I’m only a year younger then him. He sees me that way and no way would he ever feel romantically for someone who he thinks of as a kid sister.

            But Devon and Mandy are the same age. True, they’re in different houses, but what does that matter? It’s not like Mandy’s a Gryffindor or anything. If she was a Gryffindor then I’d maybe understand because well, everyone knows not to mix those two houses together. I kind of feel sorry for Snape having to teach them together in potions.

            Does he think Mandy wouldn’t like him back? Would his family have a problem with it? I don’t see why they would. Mandy’s a pureblood. True, her family immigrated from Germany but come on, what difference does THAT make? What is so complicated about this?

            Whatever. It’s none of my business. I’m not going to Mandy since I don’t know for sure if I’m right, this is all based on logic and speculation. I’m pretty SURE I’m right but there’s a five percent chance I could be wrong so I’m keeping my mouth shut and letting love run it’s course.

            Of course, if love doesn’t hurry up I might try to help it along.

Saturday, April 10, Hogwarts Express,

            There are only twenty people on this whole train and none of them are people I know! They’re all first years from other houses or people older then me who I’ve never spoken too. This bites.

Monday, April 12, Manor, Parlor,

            Oi. This is going to be a long vacation.

            ALL of Giselle’s family members came, along with the people who are to be her six bridesmaids (she changed her mind and decided to have only bridesmaids). Gerard’s smaller family is also here.

            Giselle’s family consists of her mother, father, her three sisters (who are going to be three of the bridesmaids), her three brothers (all older then her), and her Aunt Julia who brought her seven year old daughter Antonia. All of them are from Spain and Giselle’s parents, like my Mom did when she was alive, own a restaurant back home that so far has three establishments in their country. A fact that they are very proud of and do not hesitate to inform people of. Neither of them aren’t very crazy about Giselle’s job and let her know it. They think that she could of done so much better for herself. Never mind that she’s perfectly happy here. Though why that is, I haven’t been able to figure out...

            I mean I would LOVE to work in Spain. I hear it’s very exotic.

            But Giselle repeats over and over again that she likes working here and argues with them when they try to convince her otherwise. This wouldn’t be so bad except for the fact that they argue in SPANISH. Lovely huh?

            Then there are Giselle’s older brothers who are all going to be ushers. They clearly do not like Gerard. These guys are the overprotective brother type and so of course any guy who steals their baby sister’s heart is the enemy. It also probably doesn’t help that Gerard is french. Apparently Spain and France have this history.

            Giselle’s aunt is okay. She’s head chef at one of the restaurants the family owns and is always trying to feed people. Unlike her niece SHE doesn’t mind cooking meat and cooked up a mean lamb for everyone. When she met me she tsked at me and said I was too skinny and immediately offered me cookies. Anyone who offers cookies are good people in my book.

            Then there’s Antonia. Jeez she’s a chatter box. She talks more then Hannah does! Hell, she talks more then ME! The minute I get back to Hogwarts I’m apologizing to Mandy if I’m like this sometimes.

            Gerard’s parents aren’t so bad. All they’ve done is drink red wine and chat to each other and their children in french. They’ve been perfectly polite to Giselle’s family but for the most part keep to themselves. Gerard’s little sister is Jessie’s age and is apparent already a CEO of some major company in Paris. She’s been speaking in rapid fire french into a cell phone since she got here. She’s here to fill in as one of the bridesmaid. The last one is Giselle’s best friend from her cooking school who is coming tomorrow.

            If I were Gerard and Giselle, I would stay away from family reunions.

Thursday, April 15, Manor, Bedroom,

            Thank God, the nightmare is over. NO MORE RELATIVES!!!

            They have all returned to Spain and France. I wish the countries the best of luck. I’m not sure who is more relieved that their gone. The staff, me, Gerard, or Giselle. She’s been muttering to herself in Spanish since they left and judging from the tone in her voice, none of the muttering was flattering. Jessie is happy Gerard’s sister is gone because even though they were the same age (22) they were complete opposites and his sister was kind of a snob. She kept ordering the staff to get her coffee or food or whatever.

            The bridesmaid dress that Giselle picked out is actually kind of pretty. It’s this dark purple velvet floor length number with a square neck and capped sleeves. There’s a lavender satin sash that goes around the waist. And matching flats to go with it that can be dyed. I even get to wear white gloves. It’s one dress that I really don’t mind. Go figure.

Sunday, April 18, Hogwarts, Dorm Room,

            It’s good to be back!

            The manor is great and everything. But really I prefer nice magic filled Hogwarts. Sure it’s weird sometimes and downright wacky in others but it’s MY weird and wacky school. Plus, I can eat meat here and not have to worry about whether Giselle sees me eating junk food. The homework thing kind of sucks but I can deal with that. I’m a Ravenclaw after all.

Monday, April 19, Library,

            Argh, I HATE Peeves!

            He got me detention. AGAIN! I didn’t even do anything to the stupid poltergeist so what was his damage? Why did he suddenly feel the need to snatch my journal when I was opening it up and make me chase him through the corridors until finally running into Filch who, being Filch, gave me detention for running in the halls.

            Well, you know what? I’ve had it. I’m not putting up with this anymore. I’m declaring war on Peeves. That poltergeist has messed with the wrong witch.

Thursday, April 22, Dorm Room,

            I had to dissect toads and put the parts in glass bottles for Snape as my detention.

            Peeves is going DOWN!

Monday, April 26, Great Hall, Lunch,

            UGH!

            Another plan to get revenge on Peeves failed. I was sure those Dungbombs would work.

            I think it’s time to get some back up. I can’t be the only one Peeves has irritated.

Later Monday, April 26, Herbology Notes,

-Mandy, I need help! I need your genius! Please help out your best friend!

-J, if this is about declaring war on Peeves, forget it. I have exams to study for and so do you. Besides, it’s not going to work. You’ve all ready used what, three plans?

-Oh, come on. PLEASE????

            -NO! Don’t give that look.

-What look?

            -THAT look. The puppy dog eyes/pout thing. It’s not going to work.

-You sure?

                        -I’ll help you out, Johanson.

-Really, Blaise?!

-Sure. Peeves has gotten me into detention one too many times. If I have to clean any more bedpans for Madam Pomfrey, I’m going to scream.

-At least she doesn’t make you dissect toads.

                        -True.

            -You two are both crazy. How are you going to pull this off?

                        -We’ll figure it out. Besides, what do you care? You have to study.

-Yeah.

            -Oh, brother. 

-You know, we could exorcize him.

            -You’d get into trouble for that!

-Actually, the teachers might thank us. Might give us awards for special services to the school.

            -Sprout is coming. Quit passing around this thing!

Tuesday, April 27, History of Magic Notes,

-Terry, you still in on the revenge on Peeves thing?

            -J, do you have to ask?

-Hey, I’m just checking.

            -So who else is helping out, anyway?

-So far it looks like you, me, Blaise Zambini, Hannah, Susan, Owen, and Anthony. I’m also planning on talking to the Weasley twins later on.

            -Wait, Blaise Zambini? Isn’t she a Slytherin?

-Yeah, so?

            -So, why is SHE helping us?

-Peeves has gotten her into detention a lot. She’s gotten to know the bedpans in the infirmary really well.

            -Oh, gross. No wonder she’s helping.

Thursday, April 29, Courtyard,

DECLARATION OF WAR ON PEEVES THE POLTERGEIST:

We, the undersigned, declare a prank war on one, Peeves the Poltergeist for grievances against the student body, teaching staff, and Hogwarts residents.

Signatures of participants:

Jubilee Johanson

Owen Hollins

Blaise Zambini

Terry Boot

Anthony Goldstien

Hannah Abbott

Susan Bones

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Operation GET PEEVES will now commence as of now.