Classes and magic

[alt_harry]

Yesterday I finally turned my match into a needle! Thanks for the tips, Mr Malfoy and Mr Lupin.

Today we had Charms with the Gryffindors. I guess Draco was right and Slytherins aren't bad at magic, cause Charms wasn't so tough really once I got the swish and flick right, but Ron couldn't levitate his feather at all and some Irish boy named Seamus Finnegan set his feather on fire! Professor Acton was... a little weird, though. I mean people usually treat me nicely because of Father, but she was a little weird about it. I don't need someone to tell me that I'm brilliant, thanks.

Tonight's Astronomy. I don't know anything about it so I suppose that will be a laugh. Anyway we get to stay up til midnight for a class, so that's going to be fun. I wonder if Hedwig will come visit? They let the owls out of the owlery to hunt at night, it would be wizard if she came to say hello.

Now what am I going to do until midnight?

Comments

[alt_ron]

Completely gone. I keep hiding behind my journal to keep from laughing straight in his face.

Reckon that might get me a fist to the face.

[alt_harry]

I'd back you up. Some things go across House rivalries.

[alt_ron]

Considering our Houses? That'd be...odd.

[alt_harry]

Well what are friends for?

We are friends, right?

Anyway, I was almost a Gryffindor, so it doesn't count as going against my House.

[alt_ron]

Your Housemates, and that Malfoy bloke, might have a problem with that.

[alt_harry]

No they won't, I swear! Anyway, Draco's really cool when you get to know him. He's just kind of prickly.

[alt_ron]

Right. Course he is. I'm sure he'd be dead chuffed to have the Weasel as another of your mates.

[alt_harry]

He's a lot different when his dad's not around.

[alt_ron]

I'll take your word on that if it's all the same.

[alt_harry]

Do what you want, I guess.

[alt_ron]

Calling me Weasel and glaring aren't things to make me think otherwise.

You're all right, mate. And, sure, we're friends. But I doubt Malfoy and I ever will be.

[alt_harry]

Okay. Malfoy kind of comes with the package though.

[alt_ron]

Brilliant.

[alt_lucius]

Do tell.

[alt_harry]

I just meant that he isn't so stiff, Mr Malfoy. He always wants to please you so much that sometimes he can be a stick in the mud. Which is a good thing I suppose. He's loads more obedient than I am.

[alt_lucius]

Ah, of course. Yes, Draco is most anxious in that regard, to his credit.

Though Harry, I must caution you: I know you are quite young, but that which seems to you like formality or standoffishness could also be considered good common sense. Remember that not everyone is so affable as you, nor is early kindness necessarily a sign of innate goodness.

Furthermore, Draco is only looking out for your best interests--as am I. I fear for the disappointment that I feel sure would result in your willfully cultivating an attachment to persons who exist in spheres far below your own. Naturally, acquaintances are all to the good, and your swiftness at making friends across traditional lines of division is admirable, truly. That is part of the reason we continue to encourage students to mix among houses, after all. We must all learn to work together.

It is unfortunate, however, that all too frequently, our trust in someone who at first seemed both amiable and like-minded can become tainted, at which point what we took for friendship turns to ashes and the bitterness of betrayal. Such is the consequence of youthful idealism. I would spare you that disappointment, if I could.

Not that such an outcome is assured, of course. But do remember that your esteemed Father reads these pages with interest, concerned as He is for your welfare. And to displease our Lord Protector is to risk more than your own happiness, as you well know.

I need not remind you, do I, of the unfortunate incident concerning the holiday last year in Grimsby?

[alt_harry]

No, you don't need to remind me, Mr Malfoy. I'll be careful.

I still don't understand why he reacted like that. I mean Ralph, not Father.

[alt_lucius]

Who knows why Muggles behave as they do?

As I told you at the time, they are savages, Harry. There's no telling what ideas get into their inferior minds. They've been obsessed with ending wizard-kind for centuries. It's the sort of thing that can't be bred out in a single generation.

Luckily, one can hope that your association with young master Weasley will result in his adopting more of your assets, and not your assuming any potential negative influences from his caste.

[alt_neville]

I think Madam Pomfrey charmed them back on for him. (He was really embarrassed about it, and so he nipped off the hospital wing after classes were done for the day.)

[alt_harry]

Oh that's too bad. I was kind of looking forward to seeing him tomorrow. I wouldn't have been too mean, but how many times do you see someone without eyebrows?

[alt_neville]

Well, if Seamus doesn't get the hang of things in charms, you might have lots more opportunities.

It was pretty spectacular, wasn't it?

[alt_harry]

Yeah! The bang especially, I didn't expect that. I bet Ron's older brothers would have loved it. They seem really keen on explosions.

[alt_ron]

You have no idea.

[alt_gredforge]

If Seamus is going to be causing more explosions maybe we should take him under our wing. Nothing wrong with a good explosion here or there.

It would also be handy to have an accomplice in the first year dorms, to better annoy our ickle ronnikins.