MJs Hogwarts Journal Chapter 23

Friday 8^th November

Professor Snape’s Potions class was brutal. He was going through everything that we need to know for our end-of-term assessment next month, but he spoke so fast. It was beyond impossible to follow through anything that that man said. I know that the only way through it will be to study everything, but who has time for that? We have Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Astronomy, History of Magic and Defence Against the Dark Arts work to contend with. We have so much homework it is unbelievable. If I end out studying everything for everything, I don’t think I’ll eat or sleep for the next six weeks.

Luckily for Jed and I, we have a little secret weapon when it comes to studying. We call it: Josie. It’s not like we’re cheating. We aren’t copying from her or anything like that… it’s just… she actually listens and pays attention in every single class. Now don’t get me wrong, I do concentrate and listen too, it’s just that Jed and the boys are so funny sometimes that I can’t help but watch them and then I zone out and daydream at the most crucial moments. It’s like someone just has to mention the word ‘test’ and my mind switches off. But Josie, she seems to be able to remember everything that the professors say and in what order to study what and when and, well, we need her. She keeps Jed and I on task and points us at what pages in our textbooks that we should be on. Okay, I’d have figured it out eventually, but that really helps. I think everyone should be friends with a Ravenclaw. They really should.

So, the three of us were in the library today after classes, just like everyone else in our Year. We managed to get one of the square four-seater tables and shoved all of our stuff on the fourth chair – the three of us had learnt that this was the best way to keep ourselves to ourselves.

Josie had just had Potions last, so she had gone through the tortuous ramblings of Snape like the rest of us had. “I don’t think that Professor Snape’s that bad,” Josie had declared upon hearing Jed groan about this morning’s class. “Sure, the work’s hard, but he’s not a bad teacher.”

“Is she for real?” Jed laughed, jabbing a thumb in Josie’s direction. “I thought Snape was only nice to Slytherins?”

“He is,” Josie added with a shrug. “I just don’t think he’s as bad as people say… even if Potions is really hard.” Jed scoffed at this.

“He probably just said you were brilliant ‘cause you’re the only one who got the answers right,” he laughed. Jed didn’t seem to think that anything could be difficult for a Ravenclaw –I have to admit, I often though the same. He wafted a hand at her and shook his head, before going back to writing. I watched the corners of Josie’s eyes well up as she clenched her fists. I wanted to say something, but I knew that I couldn’t. Jed would only moan that I was taking sides, and this was weak compared to some of the insults they hurtled at one another.

With Jed and Josie writing away, I thought back to what Josie had said: “Snape’s not a bad teacher…” I know how Jed took it – he thought Josie liked Professor Snape as a person, but I think I get what she means now. Sure, he may be strict and kind of grumpy most of the time, but you actually learn stuff from him. He has a good way of teaching is, I think, what Josie was trying to get across. He’s better than Goonie Ghosty Professor Binns anyway, even if he didn’t favour Slytherin.

As I was about to ask Josie if I had understood what she meant about Professor Snape, she got up and wandered over to one of the cases of books. It was only the first bookcase from our table, but she disappeared from sight around the other side. This is going to make a lot more sense of I just draw what this part of the library looks like:

There we go. Okay, so my drawing skills aren’t the greatest, but now I don’t feel as though I need to describe the whole thing and I’m less likely to get confused or forget what I mean.

I watched after Josie as she left to find a book. Staring at the spot where I last saw her, I expected her to pop straight back out again, but she didn’t. Instead, I saw Blondie make his way over from the other side of the library and down the same aisle that Josie did. When she didn’t reappear, I leant forwards over the desk. Squinting my eyes, I tried as hard as I could to listen for their voices. No luck. All I could hear was the rambling of older students on the tables behind. They were so loud. Jeez, didn’t they know this was a library? I wanted to shush them, but I knew this would only earn me cold and harsh glares. Biting my bottom lip, I clawed my nails into my palms. ‘He has to be up to something,’ I told myself. ‘He just has to.’

I pressed my fists down onto the table and was about to push myself up from my chair when Josie appeared from around the corner of the bookshelf. Her cheeks bright pink, a smile stretched across her face as she made her way back to our table with a book in her arms and slid into her seat. Blondie followed her out and brushed a hand against the back of his head as he went back to his table.

Folding my arms across the table, I leant forwards with wide eyes and asked Josie, “Are you okay?” Without looking over at me she nodded and curled a piece of fallen hair behind her ear. “Josie… tell me. What happened?” I whispered, sounding a little more demanding than I wanted to.

“Nothing,” she said looking over at me with blushing cheeks. Biting her bottom lip, Josie looked over towards Blondie’s table and smiled. He looked up from his book and glanced in her direction. Josie’s eyes fell immediately to her book and I noticed a smirk spread across Blondie’s face.

“That’s it,” it muttered tapping Jed’s arm. “Blondie’s up to something.” Dropping his quill, Jed lifted his head. Glancing over at Malfoy, Jed gave a shrug.

“How can ya tell?” he whispered.

“I dunno… I just can.”

I gave the boys a hard stare on the other side of the room. If a stare could burn a hole through someone’s brain, then mine could. Ever since that moment on the train ride here I knew that he was up to something, but what? Public humiliation seems to be the name of Malfoy’s game and I refuse to let that happen to Josie. Even if it takes me all year, I will confront him.

Josie leant forwards over her work obstructing my view. My back tingled as I shuddered. My vision blurred. I pinched my eyes shut and I shook my head. I guess I had got a little carried away. “Come on José. What happened?”

“Nothing,” she insisted, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink. “Nothing happened.” I took another glance over at Malfoy and his mimickers. Josie must have seen my glare, because she sighed, “Fine,” and swiped a piece of loose parchment from her notebook. Dipping her quill into a different pot of ink (from the one that she had been using to write her essay) she began scribbling away on the piece of paper. I watched her write for some time. Eventually she looked up and glanced around, before sliding the piece of paper towards me. “I told you,” she whispered. “Nothing happened.” She looked from me to the piece of paper that she had just slid across the table and prodded her head towards it. As I took it from the table, Josie appeared to lose interest and went straight back to her work.

Nothing happened? This parchment was full of ink. Purple ink at that too. If it was that full, something happened…

Nothing happened? For a smart girl she’s not very bright when it comes to realising that something suspicious is going on. I guess she just thinks the best of everyone. Well I’m sorry José, but there is nothing good about this guy.

I know that I probably shouldn’t have done, but after we were finished studying and Jed and I were alone in the Slytherin Common Room, I showed him Josie’s little passage. I needed a second opinion and Jed knows Blondie better than anybody. Leaning back on the sofa, Jed sniggered several times as his eyes travelled across the page, before handing the parchment back to me. “What’s so funny?” I demanded. “Don’t you think he’s up to something?”

“Up to something?” Jed laughed. “Are ya mad? The only thing Malfoy’s guilty of is showin’ off. Now José on the other hand…” he smirked and shook his head.

“What?” I exclaimed, a lot more loudly than perhaps I should have done. Several students from other Years turned around to see what was going on. Holding my breath, I tried not to look at them. “What’s so funny?” I hissed. Pinching his lips together, Jed was trying to hide a laugh. “Tell me.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. Jed wasn’t taking me seriously at all. This was super important. This, this… big headed, egotistic, pure-blood, hot-headed punk was up to something and Jed could do nothing but laugh. Clenching my fists, I gritted my teeth to stop myself from saying something that I knew I’d later regret.

“You’re a girl,” said Jed rather matter-of-factly. “And you really don’t know?” Trying to show my impatience, I sighed at him and shook my head. Jed laughed again. “I actually can’t believe it… but it’s obvious… and I’m a guy…” Spreading out my fingers, I rolled my wrists, gesturing to Jed to spit it out already. “Ignorin’ the purple ink and Josie’s swirly, girly handwriting… I think it’s safe to say she’s got a crush.”

“What?” I exclaimed feeling the pulse pounding through my ears. “On Malfoy?” I honestly felt a little sick saying that. “No way! It can’t be. She’d have told me. I-”

“Don’t ask for my advice if you’re not willin’ t’ take it,” said Jed. “But you know I’m right.” Realising that I was still frowning at him, my eyes darted to the piece of paper in my hands. “Read it again,” Jed said as he pushed himself to his feet. “Sleep on it. Then tell me what you think.”

“Where are you goin’?” I called out to him.

“Bed,” was all he replied with a wave and walked off.

Alone, I curled up by the fire and read through Josie’s piece again and again and again. Leaning against the side of the sofa arm, my eyes lowered a little as I gazed at the page. The letters began to swirl around as I stared. I pinched my eyes shut and groaned. Now I could see both. Reading it through again, I picked up on the little hints that Jed must have seen that I never noticed before. The way she smiled at him. The way she blushed when he spoke to her. And that giggle. No! It can’t be. It isn’t. Forcing my eyes to focus I read it through again. Josie’s shy. It’s just her nerves being around someone else. It’s obvious. She so doesn’t have a crush on Blondie. Stupid Jed for sticking that disgusting thought in my head. And he’s a guy, so what does he know? I know Josie and she’d tell me if she liked anyone… wouldn’t she? Grrr! Why am I over thinking this? I hate Jed. I ask for his opinion on Malfoy and I get a response about something he doesn’t know anything about. Well I’ll show him. I’m right and I know it. Malfoy’s up to something. Okay, it’s been two whole months and I still don’t know what it is yet, but it’s something. And when I find out, who will be coming to me for advice? – That’s right, Jed.

Owh gosh, does that even make sense? I’m so tired. I’ve been over thinking this for nearly an hour. I’m so glad that tomorrow’s Saturday, because I really couldn’t handle classes at 9am. I’m off to bed.

- Josie -

MJs Hogwarts Journal Chapter 22

Tuesday 5^th November

Okay, this is just a mega quick little entry just to say how amazing Bonfire Night was. There was another amazing feast. This time it was full of meaty soups, small pastries, a bean stew, sausage rolls and toffee covered apples. There was also this cake-like dessert called Parkin; it was kind of a really sticky, sweet oat-type cake – I think it had honey in it too. Whatever it was, it was nice. During the feast Professor Dumbledore pointed his wand up to the ceiling and muttered an incantation. Small, colourful sparks exploded in clusters throughout the ceiling’s sky. White, red, green, blue, yellow and purple sparks crashed and danced about above us. It was just like having our own firework display, but without the disgusting smoke. It was mesmerising. It’s a shame that it was over so quick though. I would love to be able to know how to make my own firework explosions someday. That would be a pretty cool party trick to learn.

- Josie -

MJs Hogwarts Journal Chapter 21

Saturday 2^nd November

Wow! I have never known the school to be so lively. Everyone was wide awake by nine o’clock, this morning. By the time I had gotten dressed and was down in the Slytherin Common Room, all of the Slytherins seemed to be there. The boys on the Slytherin Quidditch team were all stood around the fireplace wearing emerald-green robes. “Come on Marcus!” shouted one of the older girls.

“You guys ‘ad better win!” shouted some other guy.

Then a deep chant of, “Slyth-er-in! Slyth-er-in! Slyth-er-in!” began. The captain, Marcus Flint, made his way through the crowd and towards the entrance – the team followed him. As the team exited the Slytherin Common Room and began making their way down the corridor, the Slytherin chants continued. Spotting Jed, I walked alongside him and the two of us joined in chanting Slytherin’s name all of the way until the Great Hall.

Breakfast once again felt like a feast. It was a huge fry up. There were sausages, bacon, eggs, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms and toast. All of the jugs and goblets were filled to the brim with orange juice too. I scraped as much as I could onto my plate – and apparently so did everyone else. I’d never seen the serving plates so empty. Only a couple of slices of cold toast and some dribbling of runaway beans remained. Whilst I was eating, everyone seemed to full of energy. Even the teachers were excited. Professor McGonagall sported a thick, woollen scarf in her house’s colours, scarlet and gold, as did Professor Sprout in yellow and black. Glancing around the room, I noticed that a lot of older students seemed to be wearing scarves that matched their house colours. I guess they are a little bit like the scarves that football fans wear, just without any writing. Actually, I kind of like them. Slytherin’s is green and a sort of grey. I definitely want one. Maybe I could ask my parents for one and call it a compulsory winter uniform requirement. It is getting colder after all and the castle doesn’t have central heating.

We all stayed in the Great Hall until eleven o’clock, when we were led out to the Quidditch pitch by Madam Hooch. Once we got to the pitch, everyone appeared to sit together in their houses; however, I managed to grab Josie on the way outside and convinced her to sit with me and Jed. “Do I have to go?” Josie had sighed.

“Of course you do,” Jed exclaimed holding out his hands, unable to understand why Josie was even the slightest bit against it. “It’s Quidditch.”

“It’s not compulsory,” she pointed out looping her thumb through her shoulder bag’s strap. “I’d rather be in the library.”

“Come on,” I told her. “It’s just one game.”

“There’re only six a year,” Jed told her. Josie gazed down at the floor as we made our way into the stands.

Finding places to sit wasn’t too difficult. We kind of got shoved into the centre of the Slytherin stands, which was fine by me. We had a pretty clear view all the way down onto the Quidditch pitch. Jed sat to my left and Josie was to my right. I had hoped to sit near Pansy, Scarlett and Priscilla too, so that they could get to know Josie better, but the three of them vanished somewhere in the wave of the crowd.

While we waited for the game to begin, Professor McGonagall announced that Lee Jordan (a Gryffindor Third-Year) would be commentating the game, which could be heard similarly to the commentary of any Muggle sport. I know that it obviously wasn’t a microphone and speakers, like back home, but let’s just say that whatever Lee Jordan was speaking into had a similar effect.

The stands were all decorated as well. Unlike the first time I was here, when we got to watch the Slytherin Quidditch team’s practice, there were scarlet, gold, green and silver streamers that spread all of the way across the stands. There were banners representing each of the four houses covering the edges of the stands too. This sort of created an enclosed stadium type of effect around the outside of the Quidditch pitch, compared to the open and empty appearance of it when I was here before.

As Madam Hooch and the two teams walked out onto the pitch, Jed promised that he would give me and Josie a second-by-second relay of the entire game, being as it was out first match. I could feel my stomach burning with excitement. I was seconds away from witnessing my first ever Quidditch game. How exciting. Looking over at Josie though, I sighed. Lifting up the flap of her bag, she pulled out a Transfiguration textbook, placed it on her lap and began flicking through the pages. Nudging Josie’s arm I told her, “You’ll miss the game.” She just hummed in reply, without even flickering her eyes from the page.

“And they’re off!” announced Jordan as Madam Hooch blew her whistle.

“Johnson got the Quaffle,” Jed sighed. “Great start,” he muttered as he rolled his eyes. “Johnson’s one a Gryffindor’s Chasers.” Leaning forwards, I put my elbows on my knees, curled my hands up and rested my chin on top of them. “Wow, she’s really flyin’,” Jed went on. “She’s passed it to…” he paused. Hearing Jordan say the other Gryffindor’s Chaser’s name, Alicia Spinnet, Jed repeated him and continued his own commentary. “She threw it back. No? Yes, Flint’s got the Quaffle,” he cheered. Most of the Slytherin crowd threw their hands up and cheered. Flint raced with the Quaffle back down the pitch, shooting in and out of all of the other players. He was really fast. “He’s gonna score,” Jed whispered. “He’s gonna score… Aarw, stopped by Wood – he’s Gryffindor’s Keeper,” Jed added. As the Gryffindor Keeper threw the ball back into play, another girl on Gryffindor’s team caught it and zipped in and out of the Slytherin players on her broomstick. She was fast too. Very fast. “Katie Bell nearly pushed Flint of his broom,” Jed warned. “An’ they say Slytherin play rough.”

An: ‘Ooow,’ rang out over the pitch as Chris Warrington beat a Bludger into the Gryffindor girl. The Quaffle flew from her hands. “Yes,” Jed cheered, as Adrian Pucey caught the ball. He sped back towards the goalposts and was about to throw the Quaffle in when the Bludger ball hurtled towards him. Throwing my hands to my mouth, I gasped.

“Nice play by the Gryffindor Beater,” said Lee. “Sorry Fred, George – I can’t tell which one a ya’s which.”

The Quaffle was taken back and forth and back and forth time and time again, before our Keeper, Miles Bletchley had his first shot at saving, but dove the wrong way and let Gryffindor score. The stadium rang out with cheers, as us Slytherins booed and hissed as loud as we could.

Upon hearing how loud the cheers were, I noticed looking around at the other three stands, that they all seemed to be supporting Gryffindor. When I voiced my opinion to Jed, he told me, “Don’t worry, MJ, everyone’s j’st routin’ for the underdog. Slytherin’s won the Quidditch Cup every year since I can remember. Every year since Vince ‘as been Chaser anyway.” He gave me a smile, which I returned, and he carried on with his commentary.

On the opposite side of the stands to us were the Gryffindor team. To the left were Hufflepuff and to the right, Ravenclaw. All three houses had a collection of flags and banners of red and gold colours. Folding my arms, I wrinkled my nose up at them. They were obviously just jealous that our team was better. I did notice though that several of the banners were supporting Harry Potter. He was the newest and youngest member of our opposing team. From the chanting and cheering of his name, it sounded as though people actually thought that he could make a difference to the game.

“The only reason Potter’s on the team’s because McGonagall favoured him, ‘cause he’s famous,” Blondie complained. He, Crabbe and Goyle were sat in the seats directly in front of me, Jed and Josie. “McGonagall’s just favouring her own house.”

“It’s not fair,” I muttered.

“You’re right – it’s not,” Josie agreed, glancing up from her book. Blondie turned around to face us. Having heard Josie’s comment, he smirked at her.

“You agree?” Blondie said, surprised. Pulling her jacket around her, Josie nodded. “Yer hear that boys? Even Josie’s against Potter.” Crabbe and Goyle, on either side of him, turned around. Josie blushed a little, as they stared at her.

“MJ,” Jed said as he nudged me. “Nearly a knockout there.” I shuddered, realising that I hadn’t been paying attention.

“Arh, Jed,” said Malfoy with a slight nod of his head. He swivelled around on the bench and leant over his left shoulder, so that he was closer to Jed. “I didn’t see you there.” Jed nodded back.

“Yer alright, Malfoy?” asked Jed. Blondie nodded and him, before smirking in my direction. As I found myself smiling back, Blondie and his two copycats turned back around to continue watching the game.

Josie went back to reading, while I tried to follow along with what was happening. After Gryffindor’s ten points, Marcus Flint stole the Quaffle from Katie Bell and shot down the pitch. Lobbing it over Wood’s head, the ball flew through the hoop. Jumping up out of our seats, all of Slytherin cheered. As the Quaffle was back in play, Jed’s cousin grabbed it and managed to dodge two Bludger balls from the red-haired Weasely twins when Lee Jordan gasped, “Was that the Snitch?” Having caught the Quaffle from Vince, when he swerved out of the black cannon-like balls way, stupid Adrian dropped it at the mention of the Snitch. In fact, a lot of the players seemed to forget what they were doing completely. Everyone’s heads just shot around as they searched for the tiny, golden, winged ball. Potter must have spotted it, for he sped towards Adrian’s left. Our Seeker, Terence must have spotted the Gryffindor’s sudden movement, because he hurtled after him.

While the fight to catch the Golden Snitch went on Marcus, Jed’s cousin, Vince, and Adrian went on to score Slytherin forty more points. I think that Marcus got a little annoyed that people were watching Potter more than him though, because he pinched Graham Montague’s bat and whacked one of the Bludgers in the Gryffindor boy’s direction. Madam Hooch wasn’t very impressed. “Foul!” she roared, blowing three times on her whistle.

“This is bad,” Jed muttered running a hand through his curly hair. “Gryffindor get a free shot now.” Lee Jordan started shouting that Marcus was cheating – okay, he might have done, but he had good reason to. The other houses starting booing. This was really getting intense.

“Send him off!” a group of Hufflepuff’s shouted.

“Off! Off! Off! Off!” Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw started to chant. I noticed Josie sink lower into her seat beside me. Lifting her book in front of her face, I couldn’t tell if she was embarrassed to be sat with us or if she was really just trying to read.

In the end Madam Hooch had to blow her whistle to get the other houses to stop shouting. Luckily for us, Marcus didn’t get sent off. But the Johnson girl did get a free shot at throwing the Quaffle into one of the hoops, managing to score another ten points for Gryffindor. Groans and sighs echoed throughout the Slytherin stands. “It’s okay,” I told Jed as his shoulder sank. “We’re still in the lead.”

As if to retaliate from the chant against him, Marcus raged down the pitch. Snatching the Quaffle from Spinnet, he sped past a Bludger and punched the ball over Wood’s left shoulder. “Nooo…” cried Jordan, as we Slytherin’s broke into a cheer.

Now I don’t know whether this was Potter’s turn for attention or whether he forgot how to fly a broomstick, but he started swerving all over the place. He wobbled to the left. Sneering, Chris Warrington bashed a Bludger in Potter’s direction. Wobbling even more, he flew downwards, before shooting back up and towards the right, dodging the cannonball altogether. “Either that kid’s crazy or a bloomin’ genius,” Jed muttered under his breath. I had to agree. It was as if the Gryffindor Seeker was dancing about on his broom – showing off, I bet. It seems like that’s all that boy does. He gets himself into so much trouble in Potions, he makes it onto his house’s Quidditch team, even though he’s a year too young, he’s already some celebrity and now he decides to show off his flying skills in the middle of the first Quidditch match – he is a brave one.

Tilting too far to the right, Potter slipped off the edge of his broom. My heart banged against my ribcage. I may dislike him, but I would never wish him any harm – especially not falling off his broomstick from such a height, and in front of so many people. Throwing a hand up, he managed to grab on just in time, before he hurtled to the ground. I let out a breath – not realising that I’d been holding it. “Stupid Potter,” I heard Blondie jeer. “Can’t even stay on your own broom – pathetic.” The broom was still moving though, even with Potter dangling from it.

“Can brooms even do that?” I asked Jed.

“I dunno,” he replied. “I don’t think so. Something’s wrong.” As soon as Jed said that, the broom stopped quivering. Potter threw his other arm over the broomstick’s handle and heaved himself up. However, as soon as he had mounted his broomstick again, it appeared to spiral out of control. Potter plummeted to the ground.

Everyone gasped. Hands were flung over mouths and eyes, as people couldn’t bear to see what had happened. It felt like an anvil dropped through my stomach. My hands shook, as I held them to the sides of my face. Peering over heads, I curled a hand to my mouth as I stared down at the lump of robes on the ground. I sniffed. It moved. My eyes widened. Underneath the pile of fabric, Potter crawled to his knees. How that kid managed to be alive after that fall, I’ll never know. Beating a hand to his chest he began to cough. “I’ve got the Snitch!” he shouted as the small golden ball plopped out of his mouth. “I’ve got the Snitch!” Holding it in his hand, he waved the shimmering ball above his head, for us all to see. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw all broke into cheers and screams of delight.

“And that’s one-hundred-and-seventy points to Gryffindor!” Lee Jordan cheered. “And sixty to Slytherin – Gryffindor are the winners!”

*

The day ended a lot more differently compared to how it had started. After the match was over, us Slytherin’s all retreated back into the Slytherin Common Room, while the other houses celebrated our downfall in the Great Hall (Jed and I lost track of Josie in the crowds on our way back to the castle). Everyone was down, following our Quidditch defeat. Some Sixth and Seventh-Years didn’t even bother hanging around in the Common Room and went straight to their rooms to bed.

Slumped in chairs and drooped against walls, everyone began grumbling on about how unfair the match was. Everyone was so depressed. I didn’t think I would ever hear the end of it. Quidditch really is the heart and soul of each house. Flopping down on the sofa beside Priscilla, I could feel my pulse thumping in my ears.

“He didn’t catch it, though!” raved Marcus Flint for the hundredth time, once we were all gathered in the Common Room. “He nearly swallowed the bloomin’ thing! That ain’t fair!” Marcus was right. It didn’t seem fair, but there was no point in shouting about it all night. No matter how many times he said it, it was never going to change anything. Squaring up to one of the Beaters, Marcus began a row. “You coulda stopped ‘im, ya know!” the captain roared.

“I stopped ‘em from scoring, didn’t I?” one of them yelled back.

“We can’t do everythin’,” shouted the other.

Poking Priscilla on the shoulder, I suggested to her and the girls that we should try to sneak off to our room and they agreed. Marcus Flint, Chris Warrington and Graham Montague seemed to be a violent lot – especially when they were in a mood. I just hope that it all calms down tomorrow.

- Josie -