J. D. A. Samuels.

So, Larissa and I both got owls in the morning post from our mother, apologising for the Howlers we got the other week.

...

Can people start behaving like their usual selves, please? Otherwise, it gets very disconcerting.

It does mean, however, that the instruction to go to Pretoria for Christmas has been reduced to a simple invitation, so now we have the choice about whether to go or not.

If anyone hears some rather loud chanting emanating somewhere from the direction of the Ravenclaw common room, allow me to apologise in advance for my sister's exuberance. The Springboks had rather a significant win over the weekend and shutting her up when such things happen sometimes takes a while.

At the moment I'm having that rather odd sensation where I've finished all the current assignments I have yet to do, and yet something is nagging at my brain like I've forgotten something important. It's a horrible feeling.

I'm really rather glad that it wasn't Ravenclaw that had the problem with students being locked out. I don't mean that in a smug way, more in a glad that we didn't have to suffer the inconvenience kind of way. Plus, for the students who ended up sleeping in our common room, I doubt it would be the most comfortable.

Mum's latest wheeze is to go on safari on Christmas Day as a bonding exercise... I think I'd prefer a wintery Christmas at least once in my life, so it'll probably have to be next year.

What a really odd few weeks it's been. I'm not going to moan and say I'd like an easier life, by the way, I just wonder sometimes why certain times of year seem to be really frantic and others really laid back. It's a bit odd.

I'm looking forward to the Christmas season at school, there's something rather dramatic about the way the mountains look covered in snow, and the castle in amongst the settings. The beauty of it is something to appreciate, I think, given the contrast of home where I'll be spending Christmas.

Private to: Penelope Clearwater
There's something I wanted to ask you, if that's OK.

Public
James has 'fessed up to Mum about the elopement and mentioned that Larissa and I knew about it.

Just so you're all warned that a pair of howlers will probably arrive with tomorrow's post...

Private
I can't believe that Mum's already on about coming home to South Africa for Christmas. I know it's the first one after Dad... but my original plan was to stay at school over the holidays to decide if I want to go for one of the Ministry training schemes that I'd have to apply for after the break. Would it be selfish of me to stay? I'm not sure at the moment. I guess I could still think about it in Johannesburg, but Hogwarts has so many helpful resources. Oh dear.

Public
I can't quite believe that my mother has already asked me what I intend to do for the holidays. We're barely into November! The idea of a South African holiday over a Scottish winter does sound appealing, but then I always feel more Christmassy when it's cold and snowing.

My birthday was rubbish very quiet. Everyone forgot except Mum and then it was still late because it came from South Africa. I've never been too keen on celebrating this my birthday though because Dad's not here.

Does anyone know where the big pile of eggshells in the alcove by the entrance to the Great Hall came from?

Private
I think I'm losing it. Seriously. I've been having really awful dreams where I've been re-living the battle and Dad... Merlin, I feel so screwed up. I can't even mention him without feeling awful, which in itself is pretty... awful. Where is my vocabulary going? I'd take a dreamless sleep potion but that's only a short term measure, so is it worth it? I don't know. I don't know much anymore.
End Private

I'm not sure I'm interested in dressing up for Halloween... seems like more effort than it's worth, really.

I am really rather glad to have the partner I do for this Arithmancy project though I feel really sorry for Frobisher and Li. Ugh. Pair work is so much easier when you're on the same page (not literally, of course) when it comes to these things.

( Private to: current Ravenclaws )

I love long weekends!

Private to: Jason's female friends and acquaintances he likes
James and his fiancée are eloping. I say eloping, they're just getting married sooner than planned. In Hogsmeade.

Anyway, I have a plus one I kind of have to go, being a good brother and all, but mum will slaughter me, so if any of you are free on the next Hogsmeade weekend, could you let me know?

My journal hasn't been letting me reply to people for the past few days - I think it's somehow got waterlogged with all the damp in the air, if such a thing is possible.

Am now three feet into the sheet of translations that we've got to finish for Ancient Runes. One day left to do the other two... best get cracking.

My brother has actually set a date for his wedding. This is a genuine surprise - we all had him pegged as the type of bloke who'd want a long engagement...

If Ulrik the Evil and Emeric the Stupid were still amongst us, it would be very tempting to put them in a body bind leave them in the corridors to be one of Peeves' targets. Having set up the necessary hexes to prevent their body odour permeating all corners of the castle, of course.

This is a reaction to reading Chapters 3-4 of Professor Binns' required reading. Perhaps others can think of something more creative for them.

I heard a phrase today in a letter from my brother that I've not heard in years - it's a Muggle insult, "all mouth and no trousers". It means that someone is acting big and important, spouting off when they don't have the courage or means to back up said behaviour. He said it in reference to one of his work colleagues who has a tendency to threaten people, but only when there are other people around who he thinks will back him up.

Ever have one of those days where you feel your life is mirrored by someone else's like that?

I know I said that I like a challenge before the weekend starts, but a morning of Arithmancy followed by Transfiguration is quite a tiring one to begin term with. Question of getting used to the routine, I suppose.

Had a conversation earlier about career goals after leaving school. I've never really had a particular calling to a job, like people might really want to be Healers, or Professors, or... I don't know, Minister for Magic or something. I don't think the subjects I'm taking really suggest themselves to something in particular, at least, nothing I can think of. Would it be so bad to just look at the job listings and see what comes up? Really?

Right, off for a run.

( Jason's schedule, warded public )

I think that is a pretty sweet timetable. Only one 9am start, a day off, and two days with just the one class. Even Wednesday doesn't look too bad.

So glad I only opted for five NEWT subjects.

( 'All the old knives that have rusted in my back, I drive in yours.' - Phaedrus )