The Diary of a Witch, Volume II

CHAPTER 9: MAY

Saturday, May 1, Library,

The first plan of attack on Peeves will take place next Saturday. It took awhile to get a plan together because everyone had different ideas. It's funny because now that I've spent some time with people who are in different houses it's kind of easy to see that why they were sorted into that particular house. Plus, you can kind of tell from the plans we had thought up that we think differently.

For instance the ideas Terry, Anthony, and I had come up with were all sort of logical and thought out, using observations of Peeves' habits and whatnot. Owen, Hannah, and Susan all had SOME idea of what they wanted to do but didn't exactly have all the details planned out. Fred and George's ideas were...well, pure Fred and George: loud, funny, and totally off the wall. In the end we combined Blaise's idea with Fred and George's because Blaise's plan was sneaky, clever, and would be ultimately humiliating for the poltergeist. Combining the two plans they had we had a brilliant plan.

First though, we need supplies, time to get together and practice the spells, and then we need to make our move.

Hold up, I just looked at the calender I have and apparently exams are a month away. How did that happen?

Sunday, May 2, Great Hall, Breakfast,

THINGS TO DO:

1) Start studying for exams!

2) Finish all homework assignments

3) Finish Potions and History of Magic essay

4) Help Sprout repot the Mandrakes for the last time!

5) Learn spells for prank against Peeves

6) Clean Gandalf's cage

7) Book on roots for Firenze

8) Study for History of Magic test on Tuesday

Thursday, May 6, History of Magic,

Hah! An O on my test! Owen owes me a Chocolate Frog.

Saturday, May 8, Sometime Around 2PM, Common Room,

Oh, my God.

There's been another attack. I thought this was all finished with! There hasn't been an attack for months and now this? I figured they had stopped. That's the only reason I haven't told Headmaster Dumbledore that the creature going around the school petrifying people is most likely a Basilisk. I figured it out about two months ago while doing research on magic snakes.

But now it turns out Hermione Granger and Penelope Clearwater have both been petrified. Quidditch has been cancled, much to Wood's dismay,I'm sure, and Hogwarts might close if there's another attack. At least that's what Flitwick warned us might happen. I hope he's wrong. I really, really hope he's wrong.

Late Saturday, May 8, Dorm Room,

Great. Just great.

Firenze just sent me a letter over dinner saying that under no circumstances am I to come to lessons anymore this year until the Heir of Slytherin is found. Who knows when that will be. How did he know about the attacks anyway? Though I shouldn't be surprised, he seems to know everything that goes on in the castle.

Now there are all these rules: all students must return to their House common rooms by six o'clock. No student is to leave the dorms after this time. No student is to use the bathroom unless their accompanied by a teacher. Quidditch matches and training has been postponed and there are no more evening activities. Which Mandy is upset about because she's in Charms club and they meet in the evening.

Christ, they're turning Hogwarts into a jail. Professor McGonagall told us the same thing Professor Flitwick did about Hogwarts possibly closing. They can't close it! They just can't. I can't go back to the Muggle world, I don't belong there.

Sunday, May 9, Great Hall, Breakfast,

What the hell does the Ministry of Magic think it's doing? They removed Dumbledore as Headmaster! He's gone! Professor McGonagall is filling in for him since she's the deputy Headmistress and you can kind of tell she's as pissed about this as some of the students are. The Slytherins of course are overjoyed because they've always hated Dumbledore or have been told to hate him. I notice Zambini and both of the Greengrass siblings are pretty silent and neutral looking over there.

But wait, that's not all. It gets worse, believe it or not.

They arrested Hagrid, HAGRID, for the attacks! Seriously! HAGRID! The same Hagrid who wouldn't hurt a fly, much less Hermione Granger. The same Hagrid who Fang adores with all his might. The same Hagrid who showed me how to plant pumpkin seeds and does a good impression of Filch. The one who worships the ground Dumbledore walks on. That Hagrid.

I swear to God, the Ministry of Magic has lost their minds.

Monday, May 10, Library,

We all decided to stop the prank war in light of what's happened. We would need to do a lot of sneaking around to accomplish this and with all the security stuff going down it just not worth it. Besides our heart just isn't into it anymore. Even the Weasley twins are depressed about the stuff going on. Plus they liked Granger, say she was fun to tease.

I'm sorry but it's bad when the Weasley twins do not want to play pranks. It's like Snape suddenly starting to hand out points to Gryffindor. It's just not right. I'm going to search tonight for the Basilisk, find out where he hides out, and then tell Dumbledore. If I have to tell them about my powers then fine. I'll tell them about my powers. Just as long as Hogwarts gets back to normal.

Tuesday, May 11, Great Hall, Dinner,

No luck so far.

I went through the halls last night using the ring Firenze gave me and nothing. My only chance of finding this Basilisk is if I hear it speak, then I can follow it's voice. Now I heard plenty of animals last night: an owl hunting for mice and grumbling about his nesting mate, squirrels arguing over acorn shares, Aqua down in the lake arguing with some Grindylows, and lots of birds including a flock of geese.

But no Basilisk.

Today was just as bad as yesterday, if not worse, because I had DADA with Lockhart and he's...well, Lockhart. He's been totally carefree about this whole thing, like the school hasn't gone and turned into a Bizzaro world version. He kept making comments about how he always thought Hagrid was no good and he was confident that this whole mess was over. I felt like throwing my books at him. Judging from Weasley and Potters faces, so did they.

I've tried to visit Fang when I can but really I can't because Owen and Terry haven't let me out of their sight. It's like I got my own two bodyguards, never mind that Dad taught me basic self defense and I do know a lot more spells then they do. But whatever. It's kind of sweet. In an annoying, I want to tell them to buzz off, kind of way.

Thursday, May 13, Common Room,

Why is it whenever I talk to Ernie MacMillan I always end up wanting to shake him?

Today he was on a lets just chuck all the Slytherins out of here kick.

Never mind that less then a month ago he was convinced it was Potter who was out to get us all. My how quickly he changed his mind.

Has he even ever talked to a Slytherin? If he did, he might realize that not all of them are necessarily evil. Draco Malfoy, maybe. But not all of them.

To top it off, still no luck on the Basilisk. If I were a Basilisk, where would I hang out?

Friday Night, May 14, Dorm Room,

I thought for sure he'd be near the dungeons. Damn.

Maybe he isn't in the castle at all. What if he's hiding out in the Forbidden Forest???

Sunday, May 16, Library,

THINGS TO DO:

1) Find Basilisk. Tell teachers.

2) Finish Potions and Transfiguration essays

3) Study for exams

4) Study habits of Basilisks and ways to defeat them

5) Ask plants and animals if they've seen huge snake

6) Visit Fang. Give him some chicken to eat.

7) Clean Gandalfs cage

8) Laundry

9) Return library books

10) Check out books on Basilisks

Monday, May 17, Library,

NOTES ON BASILISKS:

-First one was bred by Herpo the Foul, a Greek dark wizard who was a Parseltongue. He experimented and produced one from a chicken egg hatched from beneath a toad.

-They can reach fifty feet in length. Male has a red plume on his head. Their fangs have venom in them and their yellow eyes can kill a person who looks directly at them.

-Will eat all mammals, birds, and most reptiles. Can live up to nine hundred years.

-Supposedly there have been no sightings of Baslisks in Britain for at least four hundred years.

-To defeat one: a sword would be handy along with a rooster because the cry of one is fatal to them.

Lovely. Now I know why all the roosters have mysteriously disappeared around here; and where the hell am I going to find a sword?

Late Tuesday, May 18, Dorm Room,

Thanks Firenze. Thanks for nothing.

You know, he has a lot of nerve. He gave me the damn ring in the first place! What, he just expects me to sit here, twiddle my thumbs, and wait for them to close Hogwarts? I don't think so. Maybe I'm not a Gryffindor like Harry Potter, but I'm no coward and if I have a way to stop Hogwarts from closing I'm going to do it. But no. I'm apparently not allowed to help because I'm a "child" who needs protection.

MEN! Even if they're magical beings they're pains.

My first mistake was taking off the ring when I got into the Forbidden Forest. That was stupid of me. I should have just left it on because then Bane wouldn't have seen me and called Firenze over. It's been about a year since I've seen Bane and you know what?

He's still an ass.

All I did was answer his question and say I was looking for a Basilisk. Then I said, what are YOU doing here? Then he got all defensive. I really need to remember that centaurs are an oversensitive bunch and that few of them have a sense of humor like Firenze. Though the fact that Firenze is considered to have a sense of humor at all says a lot about his species.

So I'm standing there listening to Bane go on and on about how young people have no respect or whatever when Firenze and some centaurs I didn't know came over. By the way, Firenze? He's scary when he's mad, have I mentioned that?

He got all authoratative on me and demanded that I go back to the school. Then he demanded I give him the ring back! Can you believe that? What if I had gotten caught sneaking back? I didn't; but I could have because it's been like freaking Alcatraz around here. When I pointed that out to Firenze he just glared and said, "Perhaps it would do you some good to get caught."

Well. EXCUSE me.

So I had no choice but to give him the ring because there were like five centaurs there and I'm just this four foot something girl. Even if I had put on the ring they could have caught me because of the whole aura sensing thing.

This totally sucks. Now I can't do anything to help and will have to wait for Hogwarts to close.

Thanks, Firenze. Thanks, a lot.

I need chocolate.

Thursday, May 20, After Breakfast, Before HoM, History of Magic Classroom,

Oh, he thinks a letter will make me less angry at him. Nice try, Firenze:

Jubilee,

I know you're upset with me but I had to take that ring from you. You don't seem to realize that you're in danger here. You are a Muggleborn and therefore vulnerable, even with your powers. I only gave you that ring so you could come to your lessons, not so you could endanger yourself by foolishly searching for a creature that could KILL you.

If you suspect that this creature is a Basilisk then tell Professor McGonagall and let the professors handle it. If Hogwarts closes, then it will close. It is not worth getting yourself killed over. PLEASE listen to me and stay in your dorm from now on.

Firenze

What I want to know is who gave Firenze the right to tell me what to do? He's my Wild Magic teacher. Not my father.

Friday, May 21, Dorm Room,

I'm sending an owl to Firenze in response to his and here is what I'm saying:

Dear Firenze,

I don't know if you realize this but I can take care of myself thank you very much. I wasn't going to FIGHT the Basilisk. I'm not stupid because hello, I'm in RAVENCLAW. Look, I like you, Firenze but you really have no right to tell me what to do. If it's about Wild Magic, then yeah, you do. But other then that, no.

For the record I'm staying in my dorms now. Not because YOU said too. But because this place has become a jail house. Neville and I can't go to help Professor Sprout anymore. Hannah isn't allowed to visit Justin anymore because Madam Pomfrey has forbidden everyone except the staff from the infirmary. I can't even go to the BATHROOM on my own. At least here in my dorm room I can have some time to myself. THAT is the only reason I'm staying.

So, I hope you're happy.

Jubilee

Later Friday, May 21, Dorm Room,

Cute Firenze. Real cute. He sent this in response to my letter:

Dear Jubilee,

I'm ecstatic. Thank you.

Firenze

The one centaur with even a slight sense of humor just has to be my Wild Magic teacher. Figures.

I was going to send a note back saying you're welcome but Gandalf said he was not flying anymore today, he almost got eaten by a giant spider on the way back. I'll send it tomorrow.

Sunday, May 23, Great Hall, Breakfast,

THINGS TO DO:

1) Study for exams

2) Finish Charms, Herbology, and Potions essays

3) Work on Transfiguring animals

4) Write letters home. Try to sound cheerful even though everything is totally messed up around here.

5) Clean Gandalfs cage

6) Sort through mess on desk.

Late Monday, May 24, Dorm Room,

What the hell was that?!

I'm sitting here in my dorm room sucking on a Licorice Wand and finishing up the last two inches of my Potions essay when the animals and trees in the Forbidden Forest go nuts. One of the elm trees sent me an image of these HUGE spiders chasing a CAR. A car. What is a car doing in the Forbidden Forest?

Normally I would go investigate but NO. Firenze banned me from the forest. So I'm stuck here, clueless. This SUCKS.

Wednesday, May 26, Dinner,

Nothing going on.

Hogwarts is like a tomb now.

I'm studying for the hell of it. I'm so acing these exams.

Friday, May 28, Charms,

EXAM SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, June 2

Potions at 9AM, Charms at 1PM

Thursday, June 3

DADA at 9AM, History of Magic at 1PM

Friday, June 4

Herbology at 9AM, Transfiguration at 1PM, Astronomy at 11PM

Saturday, May 29, Greenhouse Three,

AWESOME!!!

The Mandrakes are ready to be cut! That means all the petrified people in the infirmary will be back among the living by this evening. Plus, Professor Sprout asked me and Neville after breakfast to help her with the Mandrakes. We'll also be there when they unpetrify everyone because we'll have to talk the Mandrakes into giving up some sap right beforehand, it's part of the potion.

This is great! This means when they wake up they can clear Hagrid's name because if Hagrid is the Heir of Slytherin then I'm the Tooth Fairy. I can't wait to see the look on Lockharts face when Hagrid is freed.

Late Saturday, May 29, Dorm Room,

I knew it was too good to be true.

Neville and I were just helping Professor Sprout when a voice sounded all through Hogwarts telling all the students to go to their dorms immediately and all teachers to meet in the teachers lounge. I think all three of us realized at once that there was an attacked because Professor Sprout got an anxious look on her face and Neville and I looked at each other at the same time. We were ushered to our dorm rooms while Professor Sprout went to the teachers lounge.

Just now Professor Flitwick came to the common room and announced that we are all to leave on the train tomorrow because Ginny Weasley has been murdered. How could anyone kill her? Why would anyone kill her? She's just a kid! I think everyone is in shock. None of us really believed the school could close. I mean, the wizard world without Hogwarts is like...oh geez, I can't even come up with a quip right now.

How could this have happened?

Early Sunday, May 30, Great Hall,

Can't really go into details right now but let me just say that Hogwarts is NOT closing, Ginny Weasley is NOT dead, and Dumbledore is back! Also, Lockhart has been sacked!!! Well, not really, but it's pretty damn close and I'm sure he would've been sacked if he hadn't have lost his memory.

I'll explain more when I get the chance, right now there's doughnuts that are calling my name and I better eat them before the boys get to them.