The Fault of Distraction
Theme # 33: Classroom


I have a tendency to run into Rodolphus in empty classrooms, and it annoys me – because, most of the time, I am trying to study away from the noise and hue of the Slytherin common room. Most people observe that I am very lucky in this regard. I do not agree.

It distracts me.

I have often told Rodolphus to work on this little fault of his, so I will no longer run into him when trying to study. Rodolphus always laughs, kisses me and says, “It’s your fault you run into me, Bellatrix, not mine.”

How annoying of him!

The Major Wrong
Theme # 34: Parseltongue


People say I must be on cloud nine all the time because I have Tom Riddle’s affections directed towards me. If only I could agree!

There are some boys who are the dream of every girl, and Tom is one of them. I have heard unsettling rumours about him – they say he is a Parseltongue. But that is not why I am uncertain about our relationship.

He is… well, a little strange. And the major wrong in being Tom Riddle’s Miss Right: You find endless faults in yourself, and can never find the fault in him despite knowing it exists.

Explained in Shocks
Theme # 37: Animagus


One of these days, James Potter is going to give me a heart attack.

Well, the newest piece of information that daring, handsome, amazing, fantastic [now I’m starting to get sarcastic] idiot has just revealed to me: He is an animagus. An unregistered one! To prove his point, he transformed into a stag as he finished, and caught me in his arms just before I thudded to the ground in disbelief.

“Try to understand, Lils,” he pleads now. “There was a reason behind it and – well, I need a little time to explain that.”

Oh wow. Here we go again.

No Patronus for Future-Longbottoms!
Theme # 38: Patronus


“Frank, show me your Patronus. Please!”

This is me, Alice hopefully-future-Longbottom. With me is Frank Longbottom, and around us are the green grounds of Hogwarts, stretching on all four sides like waves of foam. Classes are over for the day, and most of us have now learned to produce our own Patronus. I shake Frank, trying to get him to show me his darned Patronus, but he merrily refuses, laughing as I continue to shake him. Clearly, he is enjoying this.

Ah, poor me. Sometimes, I feel like the biggest wrong in being a future-Longbottom hopeful is the Longbottom himself!

Because Society is Annoying
Theme # 39: Duel


While at Hogwarts, Rodolphus Lestrange and I, Bellatrix Black, both always excited much attention in our supposedly friendly duels. We would meet up, sometimes in a free period, sometimes in an empty classroom, hoping to brush up our duelling skills. Unfortunately, however, our friends found out our plans every time, and there was always a group of students, thrilled to bits, gathered to watch us.

This would have been okay, but it was not, because it caused my concentration to stray. Rodolphus, on the other hand, derived enthusiasm from their cheering. Yes, I agree: Annoying, dating someone who enjoys society.

The Generally Perplexing & the Generally Perplexed
Theme # 41: Thestrals


Harry can see thestrals. I have heard this frightens many I know well: Not me, though. I have always seen them. When Harry and I go out together, and I talk to him of nargles and gnomes and Ministry goings-on, I always tell him how sweet it is that we can both see these wonderful creatures.

“Yes, it’s wonderful, Luna,” Harry says gently, immediately dropping the subject, which sometimes makes me feel as if he is not very happy that he can see them. It can be very confusing, sometimes, being Harry Potter’s Miss Right: He is just generally perplexing!

The New Mode of Modesty
Theme # 51: Act


Hello there! How do you do? I am thinking why I am telling you this but, if I must, I will: Zacharias Smith and I have been going out together – or, to say it more precisely, dating each other – for the past two weeks. Already, I have discovered two things:

Zacharias is sweet, and Zacharias is arrogant.

You are sitting. He comes over, acting all modest at first, then saying, “I look awesome today, right?” You smile, open your mouth to pay him a compliment, and he says, “Yes, yes, I know: Handsome is me to the core.”

No comment.

Companion Images
Theme # 42: Portraits


Remus Lupin is a highly amazing, amazing, amazing person in each and every way possible, I assure you. But we have one little difficulty often plaguing our life at home: When he is in a good mood, I find myself distracted. When I am in a good mood, he finds himself distracted.

Yesterday evening: I am alone with only the dozen portraits in the house for company. He wants me there.

“Remus?”

“I’m sleepy, Dora.”

Yesterday night: He is alone with only the dozen portraits in the house for company. I want him there.

“Dora?”

“I’m sleepy, Remus.”

The Trouble with Men
Theme # 43: Headmaster


When I taught at Hogwarts, there was little concept of Headmasters and Headmistresses. Salazar, Godric, Helga and I each had our territory within our houses.

Trouble arose when Godric wondered who might be the ‘head’ after us – He suggested some names, which Salazar disliked.

I tried to stop their fight, but neither listened to me. In the end, I left in anger. Godric did not even come back to apologize to me until the next day!

This is it, the wrong with dating Godric Gryffindor: You have to wait forever before you will find yourself facing an apology of his!

Her Angry Musings
Theme # 44: Ford Anglia


I am tired of arguing about how good and nice Ronald Weasley is: When all is said and done, he is an idiot!

What trouble it has caused, his little flight on his father’s Ford Anglia. Does he have no amount – even the least, tiniest amount – of what they call common sense? Apparently not. Because he drove it, and crashed it into the Whomping Willow, and was generally stupider than I could have ever expected from him – and I usually expect no little stupidity from him, mind you.

And so, here I am, wondering why I even love him. Grr….

The Point of Annoyance
Theme # 46: Dungeon


Blaise Zabini adores the dungeons. He also adores studying about the dark arts, and hexing people who annoy him much. On these points, I fight with him though, admittedly, these are just silly fights of no real consequence. I love him too much to cook up some huge, damaging sort of fight!

But he is annoying, sometimes. At the Quidditch pitch with me, for instance. We are playing Quidditch against each other. “You, Ginny Weasley, are amazing at this,” he tells me, catching a quaffle, singlehandedly. I brighten up at the compliment. Then he adds, “Not better than me, though.”

Of Tales and Leprechauns
Theme # 48: Leprechaun


Charlie Weasley has finally begun to get on my nerves. Today, I found him reading Of Tales and Leprechauns in the common room.

“Sssh, I’m at the climax,” he told me, indicating I should keep quiet when I tried to place an arm around his shoulders. I left, decidedly angry. I expected him to get up instantly, and apologize but, to my horror and mortification, he did nothing of that sort!

And when he trotted up to me the very next day and said, “And what is my dearest doing today?” all I could say was,

“Reading. Please go away.”

Tearing Desires
Theme # 49: Yule Ball


Viktor and I have been a much hit couple, ever since we were seen at the Yule Ball together. I could tell Harry was pleasantly surprised at the unexpected change in me, while Ron – well, I guess Ron was jealous.

– Um, I would rather not comment on that.

Viktor is an extremely down-to-earth sort of person, once you get to know him. He never mentions fame or fans unless asked to, and always talks very normal, routines subjects. Right now, I am getting torn between my desire of him winning the Triwizard tournament, and my desire of Harry winning it!

The Jealousies we can Experience
Theme # 52: Bore


With Tom, I never get bored. My name is Cecilia, as some of you may know, and I believe I could never find a better person to marry in my entire life. Tom is a charming guy, and he makes my day in the loveliest fashion. We are planning to wed each other somewhere around springtime next year; I am already thrilled to bits about it. Having Tom entirely for my own – how amazing!

There are drawbacks of being his Miss Right, though. His looks are fantastic, and that naturally attracts much female attention. Ah, the jealousies I experience sometimes!

Tempers and Tantrums – I
Theme # 5: Astronomy


Generally, Ted and I get along amazingly well. “A little too well, actually, Victorie,” Harry told me last time we met. “It’s creepy,” he added, laughing.

But it isn’t, because Harry doesn’t know how much we fight, Ted and I. Mostly, they are just tiny, insignificant fights, and they don’t last more than fifty nine seconds. Sometimes, though, Ted shows that Remus sort of temper: aggressive.

Only last week, his temper escalated in astronomy class. He actually threw his telescope down the banister. And, well, even though he apologized later on, I’m telling you Professor Sinistra wasn’t happy.

At all.

Tempers and Tantrums – II
Theme # 16: Dragonhide gloves


Who have I been kidding, this past year? Narcissa thought Rodolphus was a good choice. Mum thought Rodolphus was a good choice. My friends thought Rodolphus was a good choice. I thought Rodolphus was a good choice.

But no.

It’s bad enough, having to bear the stigma of being given chocolates by him for Christmas. And now this.

– Dragonhide gloves.

It’s my birthday, Bellatrix Black’s birthday, and it has just been completely ruined. I know they’re expensive, gold motifs and all but, honestly – What need have I for a pair of gloves?

Even Sirius Black has better taste in gifts.

Violets Gone Bad
Theme # 94: Allergic


“Fleur, honey, could you get the door, please?”

He’s in bed, Bill, getting his well-deserved Sunday rest after a long week of work. I float downstairs to open the door. It’s Naila, a friend of Victorie’s. I lead her in as I call my daughter down, and accept the basket of violets she is offering with a fake smile.

Yes, yes, it’s all very well: Victorie is having her fun, and Bill is resting. But I spend the rest of the day sneezing, just the way I spend every other Sunday. When will Bill realize I’m allergic to Naila’s violets?

Cats Don’t Love Books
Theme # 91: Future


Um, yes. Filch is certainly very romantic. And I do not feel like Madam Pince, the strict librarian at all when I’m around him, joking all our very, very dry jokes.

But it just doesn’t seem to fit, sometimes. Sure, we can talk about his cat. He loves that. And we can talk about books, sometimes. Though I get a feeling he would rather talk about the stupid cat than my books. But we can’t really talk about much else. Not about the future, or dress robes, or butterbeer.

Oh well. I guess I’ll just stick to cats, for now.

Presently Living in Futures
Theme # 90: Present


Ted Tonks is too practical.

“Stay in the present, Dro,” he tells me, every time I start to spin my tales of our house of dreams. “Don’t forget we have hurdles in our way. Your parents won’t consent to our marriage. Your sisters won’t be pleased, either.”

But I want to forget it, and he doesn’t understand that. Sirius understands. Andromeda and Sirius Black: Cousins who are going to have a fairytale ending one of these days, I tell Ted. He smiles softly, then tells me to get rational.

I can’t. So I kiss him, and he kisses me back.

Another Night Out
Theme # 15: Room


“VICTORIE LUPIN!”

Ted is calling me. I run down the stairs – and crash right into him. A moment ago, he had been frowning; now he’s laughing. His arms rise to hold me.

“You left something to heat on the stove,” he tells me. “It’s burnt, don’t bother –” he adds quickly, as I groan instinctively. “Let’s just go out for dinner tonight, sweetie.”

I nod, sighing as I make my way back to our room. This is the third time I’ve burnt a meal in two days. Why is Ted always around when I do it?

– Life is so unfair.

First Years and Marriages
Theme # 36: Muggle


It can be a bother, sometimes, being muggle-born. No, it’s not that I’m not proud of my blood status. I don’t believe in wizarding stereotypes, not at all: blood can never be a judge of talent. But I get a little confused, sometimes.

I mean, Ronald Weasley is a cute first-year. And his freckles are… cute. And I am just – well, just plain, bushy-haired Hermione Granger, with her books and her large, brown eyes. What if he thinks muggle-borns aren’t good enough to marry?

I must find out, one of these days.

Yes, Aurors are Good
Theme # 80: Author’s Choice


“KINGSLEY SHACKLEBOT!”

He jumps a little in the air, before peeking into the parlour. There is a large basket – something nice in there, I know – in his hands, and that familiar, single gold hoop in one of his ears. “My dear?” he asks, his voice deep.

He’ll have the same excuse that he always has – auror workload kept me from meeting you – but my anger just fades away at his tones. He has a lovely voice, really deep, and it soothes a person no matter how anxious or angry one is.

I can never decide if that’s good or bad.

Of Plaid & Mismatched Gowns
Theme # 87: Plaid


“Hannah?”

This is Neville Longbottom addressing me. It is half past seven in the morning; I open one eye and say, “Yes, dear?”

“How do I look?”

Neville is ready to go out. I rub my eyes, and take a closer look. He has a plaid T-shirt on, and looks very muggle. It is a very cute T-shirt.

“Nice,” I say.

“And now? I’ve seen muggles wear these, too.”

He has just swept on a long, blue gown, and it looks - pathetic. I frown. “Miserable,” I tell him bluntly.

Why must I have a husband with no fashion sense?

Of Roles Reversed
Theme # 25: Sorting Hat


The sorting hat placed me in Hufflepuff. The sorting hat placed Neville in Gryffindor. After years of marriage, I think the roles could be reversed, at times.

“Hannah, you’re lucky to be married to Neville!” my friends tell me. Yes, yes, he’s very brave – He fought death eaters, and he killed Voldemort’s favourite snake. Don’t take me wrong: I adore Neville. I would never have married him otherwise.

But when he tries to cook, and then he has to tell me what a HUGE mess he has made in the kitchen – again – I don’t find him very brave. Cowering, rather.

He’s Dating Three Others, Actually
Theme # 4: Ancient Runes


If there’s something I could ask for in my near perfect life these days, it’s – nothing . Not, not even an improvement in my Ancient Runes grade.

I thought it was a disaster, going to the Yule ball with Harry. Turns out it was a blessing in disguise, after all. He’s charming, my boy from Beauxbatons. Very intoxicating accent. I love the way he says, “My lady.”

Of course, I’ve heard he’s been dating two others for a while now, too, and that puts me off. A lot. I just need to confront him on that teensy weensy point, today.