Oi. Exams.

[alt_ron]

Yeah. Can this week just be over already?

No?

Well. So, for those keeping a tally (Mum), that's Charms and Arts done. And not too badly, maybe. I thought my hand was going to fall off, though, during the Arts exam. From all the writing, I mean! Not anything that happened in the practical part.

At least there's nothing tomorrow morning, but I've got both Creatures and Defence tomorrow afternoon.

Comments

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

You don't think Professor Raz is going to make us write the whole exam, do you? I mean, he's not still trying to punish everyone for that duelling rubbish, is he? Because that would be so crap. Especially after all the questions on Dolohov's exam. Seriously! I know he wants us to think about stuff, but that's totally different when we're answering questions in lessons. I had to keep sharpening my quill!

Anywiz. I'm so ready for hols, I can taste it. (And it tastes like mincemeat and roast and jam and honey and pies and bangers and mash and eggs and toast soldiers... yeah.)

And we've been talking about when to have a Burrow day, and we think maybe Thursday after Christmas. Who can come? You're all invited, and Mum'll cook and we'll play some Quidditch and maybe fly some obstacle races, and there won't be any stupid exercises!

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Ron,

I know just what you mean about the Arts exam, what! I'm well glad it's over, though I've a feeling I quite destroyed the section on sensory spells.

I say, you're lucky you've nothing in the morning. Some of us have three exams, with Arithmancy. I could do with a lie-in to get over this rather beastly cold!

Are you looking forward to the holidays, then?

-Justin

[alt_ron]

Looking forward to hols? Ha. You could say!

That was you sneezing and coughing, then? Must have made it rough to cast some of the things he wanted in the Practical, yeah?

[alt_ron]

Say. We'll be having a bit of flying and fun at ours over hols again. It's sort of a thing we do, y'know? You should come!

And even if you didn't want to fly or if your cold's still a bother, you could stay in and Mum'll feed you soup and fresh-baked bread and honey or jam and tarts or cakes or pies or summat. Probably most of those things. Her cooking'll make anyone feel better.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_justin]

Right now I just hope I can stay awake through the exams, what! Though it's well possible he will do--but I hope not. (Even if I do butcher the pronunciation or sneeze in the middle of the incantation.)

Hols at yours sounds a treat. I do hope I can figure out how to come this time. If I had to bring Remy and Alfie, would that pose a problem?

-Justin

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Nah. The more the merrier, mostly. They fly, right?

I mean we've had loads of people who've just sort of come along. All the Strettons, for instance, and their muggleborn servant with them.

Course, it'd be better if you could get away from them and just come be with friends, yeah?

[alt_justin]

That sounds lovely, old man, cheers!

(Although right now, soup appeals more than pies or tarts. Never thought I'd say that, what!)

-J

[alt_ron]

Have you been up to see Madam Pomfrey?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_justin]

Oh, yes, they fly. Not so much as you lot, I don't think.

Remy's not so bad, I suppose, when he's not acting oddly. He's just a bit of a show-off but I imagine in the company of your family he'd have a hard time staying in the spotlight.

I confess I've not the slightest idea what to expect at the Jugsons' this holiday. They were so pleased over the summer but this term I've had only a letter or two and one parcel (a jumper, which I sorely needed but seems to be inadequately charmed against this Scottish weather). Still, I don't suppose it ought to be too difficult to arrange a visit, what?

-Justin

[alt_justin]

No, I'd been hoping the thing would play itself out, what? If it's not better tomorrow I shall, though.

I've not wanted to take the time, with three exams to face!

Do you think Professor Grubbly-Plank will include anything on Porlocks? She only gave us the one lesson on them. There were--what--three lessons on Kneazles and Knarls!

-Justin

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Do you want me to take a look at the jumper?

I'd love to come play quidditch, Ron. If you'll have m

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good: Private message to Ron

[alt_sally_anne]

Do you want to meet to revise for Creatures and Defense? We with me and Pansy, I mean.

[alt_sally_anne]

Mrs Weasley really is a brilliant cook.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Remy did well with his audition for the revue. Dead funny. But that's the most time I've really spent around him.

What do you mean by acting oddly?

Hm. I guess it must be hard to know where you are with a foster family. I can't even think what that must be like.

But, say. If you need a warmer jumper, I've got extras. Course, they're hideous. (Don't tell Mum I said that!) But if you wear them under your robes, they'll keep you warm like nothing else. Want me to bring you one? I could meet you at your common room entrance in a bit.

[alt_ron]

Oh.

Right.

I totally forgot Porlocks. I can't even remember what they're meant to eat-

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_justin]

Oh, as I said, he tends to like to create drama, whether it's warranted or not. Though I say, I think he'd be on his good behaviour if he did come.

I say, how hideous? Would you mind terribly if one changed it to something less hideous, or do you think that would make it not warm?

But yes, I could do with another one. I've been wearing this one nearly every day, except for when the elves have laundered it. I looked in Hogsmeade for a second but all the jumpers at Gladrag's were more than the Jugsons give me for a month's allotment.

There's no need to come to the Common Room, though, I shouldn't like to trouble you, old man. Tomorrow would be fine. Shall I send you a message when I've finished the Arithmancy exam?

-Justin

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_justin]

No, I shouldn't like to trouble you, Sally-Anne. I'm sure I can put the charm right, somehow. Besides, I've a snug seat near the fire just now.

-Justin

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good: Private message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Have you checked your day book to see if you've got time for it?

Or is Corner busy, then?

Cause obviously you'd rather be off snogging him.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good Private Message to Justin

[alt_ron]

You can transfigure it anyway you'd like. Though I think hideous might be one of its essential aspects, yeah? (Warm definitely is, though.)

I didn't realise you didn'

Do you have warm things for sleeping in?

It's no trouble if you need something.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good Private Message to Justin

[alt_justin]

Oh, I say, sleeping's no problem. Our dormitories have lovely bed-warming pans and curtains to keep the heat. Have yours?

-Justin

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good: Private message to Ron

[alt_sally_anne]

As a matter of fact I did check my date book, since apparently if I make a mistake about when I'm free and then correct it two seconds later you will be cross with me until further notice.

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Sally-Anne,

And apparently she doesn't object to a mass invasion by Ron's mates, either!

-Justin

[alt_molly]

Yes, I have been keeping a tally, so thank you for your report!

I've sent along a tin of shortbread for each of you to help you through exams. You should receive it at breakfast tomorrow. There should be enough to share with your friends.

[alt_arthur]

Good luck to you on the rest of your exams, son. I'll be rather curious to hear about the Arts exam in particular when I see you this weekend; it's not a subject I studied while at school, of course.

(I do remember the fifth year Creatures exam right before Christmas as being rather exciting. That was when Professor Kettleburn lost two fingers on his left hand. Not to worry you or anything!)

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good: Private message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Who's getting cross, then?

[alt_ron]

Thanks, Mum. You're the best!

[alt_ron]

I heard about that! Professor Kettleburn having two fingers missing, I mean.

It happened in your exam? That's wicked! What happened?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good Private Message to Justin

[alt_ron]

Sure, and I've got a hot water bunnybottle. But sometimes it still gets chilly in the night. Maybe it's just the way things are in my room--a bit icy with Thomas and Finnicky and all.

Or maybe one of them's putting a anti-heating hex on my coverlet sometimes.

Could be that.

Private Message to Dad

[alt_ron]

Say, Dad?

I was wondering. If maybe you could stop into a shop in New London for me. It's at Charterhouse Square. That's pretty near the Ministry, isn't it?

Anywiz. I had a little money left from my YPL stipend, and I wanted to get Mum something special for Christmas this year, so I sent for a rose bush, but um-

I thought maybe it'd be okay to say we'd pick it up rather than pay for having it sent out to the Burrow and all-

D'you think you could go by there one night this week and pick it up?

I mean, if you're not too busy. Well, I know you're busy-

I mean, I could still probably ask them to deliver it, but-

The place is called Welken Nurseries.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good Private Message to Justin

[alt_justin]

I say, perhaps Sally-Anne could teach you a rune or some jolly old thing that will tell you if someone's disturbed your things?

-Justin

[alt_michael]

Yeah, I've got Arithmancy in the morning, too.

I feel the same as Ron, I can't wait for it to be holidays!

Private Message to Justin

[alt_zacharias]

That's mad, mate, just go ask for some Pepper-Up. You'll be right in no time.

Anyway, you should've said you're still under the weather. Ern's got an extra blanket with a charm on it to figure out where you're cold and warm just there. Just ask to borrow it.

[alt_arthur]

He had a Graphorn in the paddock--the NEWTs students were studying it--when it got a little, ah, overexcited when a niffler escaped its cage. The graphorn gave Professor Kettleburn's hand a vicious kick when he was trying to corral it back, and, well....

I believe that was the last year that actual Graphorn specimens were studied at Hogwarts.

[alt_zacharias]

I know I'm planning a lie-in tomorrow but I'm taking advantage of that to put in a little extra work on Transfiguration for Wednesday.

(Could you believe that Arts exam? 'You're alone in a room with a kumquat and a bowl of cherries, a butterknife, two sticking plasters, two unlabelled potions and a book of lute compositions. The door is locked and you do not have a wand. How do you get out of the room?' Seriously?)

Re: Private Message to Dad

[alt_arthur]

Ron, that's quite an inspired idea for a gift. Well done; I know your mum will love it.

I would be more than happy to run that errand for you. I can pick it up either on Tuesday or Wednesday, and I'll smuggle it out to my workshop and hide it there.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good Private Message to Justin

[alt_ron]

Yeah. I'm in Runes, too, and I reckon I could put up a protection rune or two, but they can be funny, runes. Don't always do only the thing you wanted them for.

Re: Private Message to Dad

[alt_ron]

That's brilliant!

Thanks, Dad!!!

[alt_ron]

I wish it'd all been like that. It was all those 'short' answer questions before! I mean, there must've been a hundred of them. And they needed seven or eight sentences each!

Well, three or four sentences, at least.

But that was a bloody lot of writing!


And, I know. Kumquats, yeah?

[alt_ron]

Dead wizard.

I mean. I'm sure it was really tragic.

Private Message to Michael Corner

[alt_ron]

Don't you have something else to be doing than writing in my book?

Private Message to Ron

[alt_pansy]

Are we all invited, tunalips?

Re: Private Message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Of course you're invited!

D'you mean whatsisname? Didn't we try to get him to come last time? You can try again if you want. Do you think he would?

Re: Private Message to Ron

[alt_pansy]

Oh, I'll ask him.

But I wanted to know if Sally-Anne would be welcome or not. Because she loves your mum and the Burrow, and believe it or not, she likes spending time with you too, and I think it'd really hurt her if you kept giving off the impression that you didn't want her there over hols.

I can understand how her forgetting about plans would be frustrating, but I hope you can forgive her, Ron.

Re: Private Message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Oh.

Well, of course she can come.

She's not going to want to bring that git Corner, though, is she? What does she even see in him?

Re: Private Message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Say. Do you remember anything about Porlocks?

I can't see I've written anything down at all from that day Grubbly-Plank talked about them. D'you want to look over Creatures notes during lunch tomorrow? You've got Arithmancy in the morning, don't you?

Re: Private Message to Ron

[alt_ron]

I mean, I already invited her to come flying over hols and work on Quidditch drills with me and the twins when she made the side for your House. And she said she'd see if Harry thought it would be crossing some lines for her to come throw quaffles and run bludger drills with us.

But then she got all whatever with Corner and she's never said about the Quidditch and she never wants to do anything anymore but go off and snog him.

Seriously.

Whatever.

Re: Private Message to Ron

[alt_pansy]

It'd be nice if you could tell her that you want her to come. Because right now I'm not sure she knows it. And she's just said up there that she wants to go, tuna face. She looks forward to the Burrow for weeks. I think it's one of the few fun things she has over the hols.

And I don't think she thought much about Corner at all, really, until he asked her to go out for a butterbeer. But the fact that he asked made her give him another look, and she liked him more than she would otherwise because he showed he was interested in her. And I've got to admit, I think that it reflects rather well on his character that he likes her and is nice to her, only because I think she deserves it, and so I'm inclined to like him better because of it.

Replace Corner with Draco and that'd be what you thought last term, yeah? Maybe he's not that bad.

And Sally-Anne and me were thinking of going over Creatures together tomorrow. She was planning on asking you to join, actually. Hasn't she? You're welcome to, only I'm not going to be sitting between you while you growl at each other, because that would just be unpleasant for everyone.

Re: Private Message to Ron

[alt_ron]

That's just daft.

I don't see how you're making it my fault. I ask her to do stuff, but she wants to get butterbeer and snog Corner instead. And now you want me to ask her all over again?


Never mind.

Re: Private Message to Ron

[alt_pansy]

I'm not saying it's your fault. I'm asking you if you could make an effort to smooth things over.

That's all.