Start of Term

[alt_blaise]

OWLs year, then. I can't say I find it overly daunting. Rather, it's a challenge, and a welcome one, along with the other responsibilities that come with advancing to the upper forms of the school.

It's been most interesting this week, taking the measure of what's different this term--more demanding assignments and a good deal more reading, of course; new emphasis on certain parts of the curriculum; a few staffing changes; more YPL and CCF offerings; and certain definite improvements in our accommodations--all changes for the better.

Comments

[alt_harry]

I think it'll be interesting to see how different Dark Arts is going to be. I mean, it's pretty different already, and we've just started.

[alt_blaise]

Exactly. More focus on what other practitioners have written about the subject, for one thing. I'm glad for that. And I get the feeling that what we'll learn now will be broader but will go deeper than before.

[alt_padma]

I think it's definitely going to change for the better, yeah. Madam Umbridge asked me up to meet with her on Friday and we talked for, oh, almost 2 hours. It was all about what the CCF and YPL ought to be doing this year, and even things like ideas for the Sisters in Witchcraft.

There is loads more reading and the assignments are not going to let up, I don't think. You might be better off at not being a counsellor or a Prefect. Those of us doing both are going to be pressed for time, I think. But the reading's much more interesting, this year, and I think the professors are giving us more leeway with our topics. I mean, the Charms one, for example. Did Professor Acton give you the same one? About picking any of the charms with no specific counter-charm and describing at least six charms that would work and why? I mean, two years ago we'd have been told to compare charms she gave us or something much more directed, right?

What else has changed for you lot? Ravenclaw Tower had a new bookcase (which is nift because there was hardly any wallspace last year). Linus was trying to figure out if the wall took over a window or just got a bit bigger. There's the pitch, of course, if you care about Quidditch. Was there something you had in mind?

[alt_blaise]

I wondered what Madam Umbridge meant to talk about. That's interesting.

I'm pleased to be able to focus on academic work, and I think you're right that there'll be more than enough to take all the time we have. But I feel ready, don't you? I don't need spoon-feeding anymore. Yes, we've the same Charms assignment, and I think it's going to show who takes it seriously, since it's not easy to think of a half-dozen counterspells. I know I had to think creatively about it, but at the same time if one weren't serious, it would be easy to come up with a long list of silly 'counters'. If you picked the vision sharpening charm, someone like that might say that aiming Aguamente at the person's face would be a counter. Or a Hirsute hex if it hit their eyelashes. That would be ridiculous, but you know she'll see parchments full of that sort of rubbish.

Interesting about your bookcases and the wall. We have more room, too, but it's more that everything is rather more comfortable, and simply of better quality this year. I suppose they think we're less likely to damage the furnishings now--and they clearly know we're capable of appreciating fine fabrics and graceful design.

[alt_daphne]

Sorry I didn't reply to this last night, Blaise! Draco and I came to a vey diplomatic solution and decided that it wasn't necessary for both of us to be on-duty and ready for prefecting on a Saturday night - so we'll be swapping, and last night was my turn. (Of course, in case of emergency either of us would be available!)

Anyway, I agree that the changes seem to be mostly for the good, though I do wish there were more time for the Arts. I think it would be splendid if we could do a school play every year, for example! If the preparation is too much work, then maybe a sort of follies showcase, with short skits and songs and dancing... Perhaps I even ought suggest it to Madam Umbridge. What do you think, would there be school-wide interest for such a thing?

[alt_pansy]

I know that I'd be interested, Daphs. I think it'd be worth talking to her about it.

[alt_daphne]

Thank you for your support, Pansy. I shall definitely propose it!

[alt_blaise]

No worries.

How is that going, then? Rounds and answering everyone's questions and chivvying the firsties to keep up?

I think a revue is a brilliant idea, and I hope you will propose it.

Say. If you've finished your essays and want a break from reading, we could go out to the lake for a bit. While the weather holds.

[alt_daphne]

Oh, it's all going really well, though I've noticed that the older prefects - well, that's best described in person, I think. Only I do wish I could be there for Queenie during her first few weeks of settling in. Not that I don't trust Bones and MacMillan to do a perfectly serviceable job, I'd just feel more at ease if I knew she was here in Slytherin with us.

Getting some fresh air sounds brilliant. Shall I find you in the common room?

[alt_blaise]

Common room. Ready when you are.

[alt_zacharias]

Well, the pitch certainly shows the improvements! Don't know if you've been down there already but Diggory held an open flying session this afternoon and it's wizard.

(Fleet used to say that the reason they pile on loads of work in the OWLs year is to keep us from having too much time for other things. He didn't mean Quidditch, though, eh?)