Friends

This is my 6th go around in this wonderful world of wizards. During each of those terms I have made so many new friends. I was thinking today what my life would be like if I had never discovered HSKS and never got to know so many great people. I am a firm believer that people come into our lives and exit our lives for reasons. I believe that I learn something from each and every person with whom I come in contact. Today I was thinking about how much I miss many of the people who have moved on to other things. They may no longer be part of my life, but I still miss them.

I am thankful for all these people and all I have learned from them. I hope that I can stay in touch with as many of these awesome people as possible and that our friendships can continue to grow.

Being Thanksful

It's very quiet around the Quidditch pitch this morning. The sun is barely above the horizon on its journey of the day. The grass is moist with dew. There is the smell of damp earth and early morning. The birds are singing a soft chorus to welcome the day.

These are just a few of the things I'm most thankful for.

Inside there is the sound of soft breaking from my sleeping family. Today will be a busy day of family activities, with family coming from near and far. There will be the bustle of activity in the kitchen as our early Thanksgiving dinner cooks. There will be the laughter of family and friends. There will be sporting matches to watch and games to play.

These are a few more of the things I am most thankful for.

And there are all my Hogwarts and Quidditch friends to greet at the start of a new week...friends, both new and old, whom I treasure and admire and learn much from.

I am thankful you each and every one of you. May you all be blessed with love and laughter.

MMMMMmmmmmmm

I have found a wonderful new fiber that I love working with. Why have I not tried this fiber before?! I can't say more because I'm using this yummy fiber for my spoilee's kit and I don't want her getting too much information. I'm about half done with the handmade item for her kit. Hopefully I'll be able to get it finished this coming weekend...before I go to the Muggle football game. I'll be wearing my purple and gold proudly!

PHEW!!

What a crazy few weeks I've had! I didn't realize just how looney the Full Moon can make people, but I experienced it all this week! I was contacted by people I haven't heard from in ages. I had people showing up that I didn't expect. It never seemed to quit. I would fall into bed at night exhausted.

I'm really in the mood to go down to Diagon Alley and checking out all the newest yarn, but I quite honestly don't need ANY more yarn! Aren't 3 bins enough?! I do have some on order for my spoilee's special handmade item. I can't wait to get it!! I did lots and lots of shopping until I found what was JUST PERFECT. With the cooler weather, I enjoy sitting cuddled up in the evening knitting away.

And A New Quidditch Season Begins

I can't believe that summer is over and we are back into the routine of things. Siobhan and I were quite surprised to receive notice that Miss Wartbobble would be taking a sabbatical this term. She wasn't very forthcoming about where she was going or what she would be doing, but she did say we'd hear from her.

That meant Siobhan and I had a lot of work to do before the Quidditch season began. I have discovered a wonderful Muggle beverage called an energy drink, and have consumed my fair share!

All the captains and assistant captains have been busy ordering and distributing team jerseys, handling try outs for positions, and generally working to get our players in shape for the first match. I have been spending some time getting reacquainted with old friends and making new ones. Here are some of the things I have discovered:

1. There are quite a few people who enjoy some of the same crafts as me. For instance, Stuart Cauldwell likes to knit, Quietus likes to make costumes, Emma Gorodok enjoys scrapbooking and Bridget the Bloodthirsty likes anything Disney.

2. Fleur Sweeting's birthday is in the same month as me...July.

3. Maisy Muddlestix is from Australia.

4. Celeena Cree is a new Quidditch player. (Welcome Celeena!)

5. Antonio delay Weasley has been around for many, many Quidditch seasons...even more than me!

6. Rowan Dragonsinger thinks she may have a larger stash of yarn that I do, but I doubt it.

7. Agatha Vablatsky both knits and crochets. I feel like such a dummy next to her.

8. Lily May Clearwater and I like the same colors, blues, greens and purples. Wonder if she likes peacocks?

Oh well...back to practice!

THANK YOU CLARA CLOVENHOOF!!

Here is just a wee taste of the super awesome kit I received from Clara Clovenhoof. First of all there is this wonderful wooden box. I SO love boxes and this one is incredible. It will definitely be used to hold my treasures!



Inside the box are 5 skeins of Knits Picks Stroll yarn in Sappphire Heather and Duchess Heather to be used to knit Norwegian stockings!! I can't wait to give it a shot!! I have very proud of my Norwegian heritage and these socks will definitely be lovingly knit with all my ancestors in mind. Clara knit me the cutest little witch and an adorable little owl...both wearing Ravenclaw scarves! My little owl will be looking over my shoulder whenever I knit or cross stitch. Halloween is my favorite holiday so the witch will have a place of honor! I also received two coffe mug cozies (since we all know I'm addicted to caffeine!), a wire and charm bookmark, a knit Ravenclaw bookmark, peacock charms, and an awesome see bead necklace. Clara also gave me two other sock patterns, a graph notebook for designing my own patterns, and the book Folk Socks by Nancy Bush. I love the book!! There is so much history in it, which I love.



Finally, Clara gave me some beautiful peacock stitchmarkers and an absolutely gorgeous peacock pendnt necklace!! My mouth dropped open when I saw the necklace because I saw a necklace with the same pendant at an arts and crafts faif last weekend. I wanted that necklace SOOOOOOOOO much....and now I have it!! Thank you dear, dear Clara!!



And last of all is a green hissee fit snake!! Clara just had to remind me that she's a Slytherin (but I actually think she's too nice! She must be a Ravenclaw at heart.)

A Week of Relaxation and...

I will be away from camp all next week. It's been very draining trying to avoid my awful cousin Thistle. I am always looking over my shoulder, and checking in my cot before climbing in, and worrying about everything I eat or drink. So a friend and I will be spending the week at a beautiful lake retreat where we can spending quiet time together, practicing our arts and learned new skills.

Hopefully I will return relaxed and refreshed and ready to take on anything Thistle can throw my way!

A Trip to Whimsic Alley

A few weeks ago Winnie, Bevin Rae and I made a trip to Whimsic Alley. We decided we were running low on supplies for Summer Camp and Hogwarts. It's never too late to plan for the next term! We stacked up on quills and parchment..along with some polyjuice potion, dragon's eggs, and crystalized pineapple. Whimsic Alley isn't quite as well stocked as the shops in Diagon Alley; it's kind of the 7-11 of wizarding shops!


We shopped so long that we just HAD to stop off for some food and beverage. Several hours later, we decided it was time to get back to Summer Camp. Wonder if anyone missed us?

Never Allow Your Cousin To Go To Camp With You!

I came back from a long walk around the lake with Counselor Whitmarsh only to discover that my cabin had been attacked by flamingos. At first I was confused. Why would anyone put flamingos around my cabin? Who could be so mean.



Then, of course it dawned on me!



There is only one person deranged enough to do such a thing...nasty prickly Thistle Lovegood! I immediately sent my wee owl Paisley home to tell Mummy and Daddy about Thistle. I hope they will finally be able to do something to protect me from Thistle.

Getting Reacquainted

It was initially quite a shock to me to see Lucius Whitmarsh walk into Summer Camp. I had never expected to see him again after he so mysteriously disappeared from Hogwarts. I had prepared the cabin for the new DADA counselor thinking I would be greeting and initiating someone totally new to HSKS.

I spent last weekend in deep discussions with Lucius, working through the reasons for his departure and I think we've come to a place of peace. He was very upset that his reputation had been besmirched and that his reputation in the wizarding community had suffered. Years of study have taught Counselor Whitmarsh more ways to bend an enemy to his desires than any Slytherin could dream off. He had intended to come back and make life miserable for those he blamed for his fall from grace. He had spent many months plotting to take back all that was rightfully his. His plan was that the puppet would become the puppet master! However, when our eyes met once again, all was forgotten. Life is so LUSCIOUS!

Summer Camp Game #3 - Riddikulus

I hate to admit it, but I have a fear of heights. Unfortunately my caring cousin, Thistle, is aware of it and she goes out of her way to make sure I get stuck in high places. Do you know how many times she has lured my wee Paisley to the top of a tree or tower and trapped him there, only to force me to rescue him?


But, I've learned to overcome my fear!

RIDDIKULUS!!!



I merely fall into a cotton candy cloud!

SUMMER CAMP GAME PART 2

17-4, 14-1, 9-6, 3-3
18-2, 3-3
19-4, 11-2, 9-3, 8-5, 15-9
7-1, 11-2
15-9, 11-2
15-9, 14-1, 9-6
13-8, 18-2, 8-5, 16-3, 6-5, 16-3, 5-3!

"When in doubt, go to the library!" -- Ron Weasley

WEEK 2 CAMP GAME

In the second volume of the HP books by JK Rowling, The CHAMBER OF SECRETS, we continue to learn the incredible adventures of Hogwarts student HARRY POTTER and his friends RON WEASLEY and HERMOINE GRANGER. Belonging to the house of GRYFFINDOR, they attend Defense Against the DARK ARTs taught by Wizarding celebrity GILDEROY LOCKHART, a none-too-bright fellow who cannot even handle pixies!

In The CHAMBER OF SECRETS, we also meet Dobby a HOUSE ELF for the first time. Determined Dobby seeks to sabotage the return of HARRY POTTER to Hogwarts and is pretty persistent but is unsuccessful. After a few weeks at school, the deceased Ravenclaw student who haunts the girls lavatory, also known as MOANING MYRTLE, shows HARRY POTTER and RON WEASLEY an old empty diary that dropped through her ghostly form out of thin air!

Many nifty things continue to happen for the next several months… we won’t go into all the juicy details right now… however, the ending is prime reading indeed!! HARRY POTTER finally kills Tom Riddle’s (a.k.a. VOLDEMORT) sneaky diary (which we now know is a HORCRUX) and saves the sister of RON WEASLEY, GINNY WEASLEY!!!

Oh! Of course, we must mention that the thickheaded GILDEROY LOCKHART unintentionally erased his own memory, so he won’t be back for book three, The PRISONER OF AZKABAN...

THISTLE!!!!

I decide to go out for a few minutes to vist some other cabins and look what I returned to!!



Some pixies were trying to make a nest under my bed using the new yarn Mummy gave me before I left for cabin. Oh...that Thistle! I know it was her. I'm dispatching an owl to Mummy and Daddy immediately. I think I will finally get up the nerve to go talk with our "new" DADA counselor. At least we'll have something to talk about instead of.... Oh, never mind! Something has to be done about Thistle.

Guessing Lies

This has been a tough one and here are a few of my guesses:

Bevin Rae Mooney: I KNOW this one for a fact! Her lie is that she can't live without her morning coffee. She doesn't drink coffee!

Hermoine Bagnold: I'm guessing that #1 is a lie, i.e., that her natural hair color is blonde.

Antonio dela Weasley: By process of elimination, I say the lie is that he's never traveled outside the US.

Fleur Dolohov: Just a guess...the lie is that she collect Goofy.

Clara Clovenhoof: I think that #4 is the lie. I am guessing that she actually has an older sister and younger brother, not the other way around.

Lily May Clearwater: This one is very tough. I'm tied between 2 possible lies. I think I'll go with #2, that she does cake decorating in her spare time. I want to believe she knits in her spare time!

Phelicia Phoenixfire: I'm guessing nectarines are not her favorite fruit.

Hints

Here are some things about me that might help others with WINGO:

*My favorite candies or sweets are caramels and hard candies of all sorts, particularly lemom
*I am a Ravenclaw
*I have 7 siblings - 1 brother and 1 sister, 4 half brothers and 1 half sister
*I have been to several castles all over Scotland, i.e., Edinburgh, Stirling, Blair, etc.
*I have a wand and wizard hat.
*I have numerous collections...stitch markers, Precious Moments figurines, salt and pepper shakers, Disney figurines, buttons (to name a few)
*My birth month is July.
*I brought my pet dragon Druscilla with me to camp.
*I have been on lots of trains with several destinations, such as Edinburgh, Linlithgow, Stirling, Minneapolis
*I have played Quidditch.

Hope that helps!

Truth or Lie

I am finally somewhat settled in at Summer Camp. I'm so grateful that Miss Wartbobble didn't put Thistle in my cabin. I'm not sure I would have survived! At least now I can take time to get to know the others in my cabin. I've seen some of them at Hogwarts during regular term, but it's not always easy to get to know those in other Houses. Ravenclaw keeps me pretty busy.

So, in an effort to get to know everyone, I'll tell you 3 truths about me and 1 wee lie. See if you can figure out which one is a lie!

1. Halloween is my favorite holiday and I love playing dress up.
2. I have a tattoo on my left ankle.
3. I really want to dye a blue stripe in my hair.
4. I love Manga...particularly if the subject is vampires.

Good luck!!

Summer Camp Game 1

I'm packing up my peacock trunk and getting ready for Camp. Here is what I'm taking.

Part I:

Wand (must be prepared for extra curricular DADA training)
Whisky-scented candles
Walking Stick
Wart Medicine (must be prepared for anything when Thistle is around)
Wasp Repellant (again..Thistle prevention!)
Windchimes
Warm woolies
Wordgames
Wit
Weasley's Wheezing powder (Offense is the best defense against dreaded cousin Thistle!)

Part II:

I'm a Ravenclaw! Of course, I NEED a black out!!

W1 = Thistle Lovegood (unfortunately)
W2 = Patonga Pinkstone
W3 = Lizzie Wychwood (Owl)
W4 = Ophelia Ballycastle
W5 = Penelope of Flitwick

I1 = Olive Bumblebirch
I2 = Phelicia Phoenixfire (7)
I3 = Bevin Rae Mooney
I4 = Bernadette Hobsworth
I5 = Winifred Wartbobble

N1 = Lily May Clearwater (caramel and hard candy)
N2 = Gryphon the Great
N3 = Prendolyn the Weird
N4 = Hermoine Bagnold
N5 = Winifred Hornswaggle (Machu Picchu)

G1 = Rowena Weasley
G2 = Clara Clovenhoof (74 )
G3 = Georgiana Diggory
G4 = Fleur Dolohov (Frog, King George the II)
G5 = Helga ze Horrid (Danish)

O1 = Emma Wigworthy (England)
O2 = Antonio dela Weasley
O3 = Megaera Black (stitchmarkers)
O4 = Hexy Elfshimmer
O5 = Cassandra Crimsonchin

Part III:

My spoilee is the gorgeous Fiera Firenze. She has 42 projects posted and I particularly LOVE the Dr. Who scarf. It must have taken forever to knit. I don't know where she found the time with all her studies and homework in Ravenclaw Tower. I think Herhomine might have a rival for overachiever! And have you seen how many pairs of Fetching fingerless gloves she's made?! I'm in awe.

My spoiler is Clara Clovenhoof. She has 3 very, very cute projects. My favorite is most definitely creep cute bride and groom! Right up my alley, I think. Brain slug is also pretty cute.

Summer Camp

I'm so excited! My wonderful parents let me sign up for summer camp this morning. I'm anxious to see my old friends and make some new ones. I wonder who I will share a cabin with. I HOPE I don't have to share a cabin with Thistle!! Please.....please.....please...NO THISTLE!

I get to just be a camper this summer. My Head Girl duties are suspended for the summer. I'm ready for a rest and just have fun. Oh, I hope Thistle stays home!

OH NO!!!!

As I was putting the last necessry items in my trunk in preparation for returning home to the enchanted moors, a wee exhausted owl flew in and dropped a letter from my parents on my bed. Poor little Edbert was exhausted from flying so quickly and so frantically!

The bad news.........it seems Thistle, my third cousin, twice removed on my father's side, will be attending summer camp with me. I am dreading it already! She is so totally a "thorn in my side". I am already envisioning bugs in my hair, snakes in my bed, exploding potions. She is most definitely from the outcast, black sheep side of the Lovegood family. I'm just not looking forward to this experience!

My Wacky Weekend

I have to tell you about the DRENCHED time I had in Diagon Alley last weekend! My friend MEGAERA BLACK and I decided that we really needed some new STITCHMARKERS and had to get over to Diagon Alley immediately. MEGAERA BLACK put on her CHASTITY BELT because it was REMOTE and did not want to get a cold. I grabbed my INSURANCE CARD and we headed to the trains.

While waiting for our train to Diagon Alley, we chatted with HEXY ELFSHIMMER and WINIFRED HORNSWAGGLE who were planning to visit Gringott’s. WINIFRED HORNSWAGGLE did not want to go alone because she was collecting a WASP and that was very INTIMATE and brought HEXY ELFSHIMMER along for her excellence in protecting spells.

The train arrived and off we went. Our seats were very comfortable and the train sped along towards Diagon Alley and we were there in a flash! Before heading to the Yrsa’s Yarn Shoppe, we went into a RUNE that sells the PRECISION OYSTERS!!! As we neared the RUNE, we noticed quite a lot of commotion! The rune owner had set the OYSTER-making machine and it had gotten stuck! OYSTERS were SPARKING everywhere! I ducked as a cream-filled OYSTER came SPARKLING right at me and it CONTAMINATED into Professor BATHSHEBA BABBLING’s CORSET just as they walked through the door! A CLOVE OYSTER did a nose dive and splattered all over the LEFT CORNER most elaborately! We made it out of the store just as a OYSTER frog and a kettle of Bertie Bott’s every flavor beans collided in a rainstorm of goo!

Since we were still RUSTY, we walked the 207 blocks over to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor! I decided on a cone with BITTER ALMOND ice cream and MEGAERA BLACK got the hot fudge sundae with extra DEVONSHIRE CREME! Yummy! Professor BATHSHEBA BABBLING had made her way over here as well after the incident at the OYSTER shoppe and had chosen a MEAD float.

After that, we passed Gringott’s and headed to Yrsa’s Yarn Shoppe! I tried not to look at the beautiful skeins of silk and bamboo and wool and instead, headed toward the STITCH MARKERS while MEGARA BLACK stopped to STRANGLE the stitch markers. I found a MICROSCOPIC STITCH MARKER made out of steel and made my purchase. MEGAERA BLACK kept hedging between the STITCHMARKER she came for and a pattern for a AFGHAN. She chose the AFGHAN pattern and we walked back towards the train station just in time to make the 12:30 train.

After sitting down, we noticed HEXY ELFSHIMMER and WINIFRED HORNSWAGGLE were on the train as well. WINIFRED HORNSWAGGLE looked quite WOODGRILLED to have the WASP with them. HEXY ELFSHIMMER however did not look WOODGRILLED at all. While waiting to go into the vault, a baby goblin waiting in line with his Mommy, had PHOTOGRAPHED HEXY ELFSHIMMER getting TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE all over her clean robes! The smell really was just horrendous! Apparently, HEXY ELFSHIMMER’s protecting spells don’t work well against TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE!! We made our way to a less smelly compartment and talked about how we were going explain missing Professor AURORA SINISTRA’s lecture on the valuable ways AQUAVIRIUS MAGGOTS are working with the Department of Mysteries in solving unsolvable HOOTERS!

Mad Mad Homework!

I love mad mad homework! Here's my contribution:

1. An adjective => drenched
2. A fellow Ravenclaw => Megaera Black
3. A knitting or crochet item => stitchmarker
4. A clothing accessory => chastity belt
5. An adjective => remote
6. Something you always have with you => insurance card
7. A HSKS student => Hexy Elfshimmer
8. A HSKS student => Winifred Hornswaggle
9. A noun => wasp
10. An adjective => intimate
11. A noun => rune
12. An adjective => precision
13. A food => oyster
14. An adjective ending in "ing" => sparkling
15. An adjective ending in "ed" => contaminated
16. A Professor at Hogwarts => Bathsheba Babbling
17. An article of clothing => corset
18. A food flavor => clove
19. A part of a room => left corner
20. An adjective => rusty
21. A number => 207
22. A food flavor => bitter almond
23. A food topping => Devonshire creme
24. A drink => mead
25. A verb => strangle
26. An adjective => microscopic
27. Something you can knit or crochet => afghan
28. An adjective => woodgrilled
29. A past tense verb => photographed
30. A food or drink => tuna noodle casserole
31. A Professor at Hogwarts => Aurora Sinistra
32. A magical creature in Harry Potter's world => Aquavirius Maggot
33. A noun => hooter

Let's compare! Mine are better than yours.

1. This “Harry Potter” character’s first name comes from Roman mythology. The mythological character’s twin brother is named Romulus. What is the Harry Potter character last name?

b. Lupin

2. Which “Harry Potter” character’s first name is the Roman equivalent of the Greed Goddess Athena?

c. McGonagall

3. In ‘Harry Potter’ World, this wizard has created the Philosopher’s Stone (called the Sorcerer Stone in the US). The historical figure from the 14th and 15th centuries was a scribe and a manuscript-seller who became famous as an alchemist. Who is this individual?

Nicholas Flammel

4. What is the first name of a character whose last name is the name of a Bulgarian leader from early 9th century who doubled the country’s territory?

b. Viktor

5. Which character’s name is the name of goddess in Indian mythology?

b. Patil

6. “Where the Wild Things Are” tells the story of Max, a young boy sent to bed without his supper for his wild antics. Who created this winner of the Caldecott Medal?

a. Maurice Sendak

7. What was NOT one of the unexpected defense mechanisms that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Griphook encountered in their attempt to rob Gringotts?

d. The Geminio Curse

8. What was Snape aiming at when he cut off George’s ear?

c. Another death eaters wand hand

9. How much older than James was Lily? (Referring to Harry’s parents, not children).

d. 2 months

10. Food is one of the five exceptions to what magical law?

b. Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration

An Owl Brought Me A Gift!

At the end of a very long busy week, I was most pleasantly surprised to arrive back at my dorm room to find a wee owl sitting on the top of the pillar at the corner of my bed, but I'm afraid I startled her when I saw the package laying on my bed. I received a most wonderful kit from Clara Clearwater of Gryffindor House. After I fed, comforted and sent Ava on her way, I carefully opened the kit. Here is what first appeared to my anxious eyes! Lots of pretty blue paper!

Look at all the marvelous goodies Clara sent me!! There were two wonderful books from the wish list I keep in my head -- The Magic Loop and Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles. I love making socks and have been curious about both these methods of sock knitting. Clara obviously knows I love purple because she gave me two skeins of Gloss yarn from Knit Picks in Cosmos color. She also gave me some merino fingering weight in "out of smoke" colorway from welovethor.etsy.com...SO BEAUTIFUL...plus two mini-skeins in "athabasca" and "black plums". I will have to check out what else this merchant has to offer! Clara included a circular sz 1 knitting needle from Knit Picks which, I'm guessing, she thinks I should use when I attempt this Magic Loop! There was also a package of Orange and Lemon candies which, I must admit, I am savoring!

And then there is the bag!! LOOK AT THIS BAG!! I so love it, Clara!! It's fabric with a felt handle and bottom. The size is PERFECT for my use. It's definitely going with me to work this year. It will be great to take outdoors for knitting during my lunch hour. I really can't tell you how great this bag is!



As if that wasn't enough, Clara threw in a scrabble piece necklace with Tinkerbell AND a pin with Eddie Izzard! I can definitely tell that Clara spent some time stalking me because she certainly discovered how to make me smile!



THANK YOU SO MUCH, CLARA CLEARWATER!! You rock!!

Muggle Medical Procedures

This morning I experienced a Muggle medical procedure called an MRI. I don't know why Muggles have to be subjected to such things. I had to lay flat on my back with my leg strapped into a contraption while a machine thumped and knocked and whirled for minutes on end. I could feel strange sensations in my leg and a tingly feeling in my toes. I layed there for over 30 minutes, not moving. Me...NOT MOVING!! For several hours afterwards my legs ached. I don't know if that was because of the "Muggle Magic" or because I found my muscles contracting. Oh well...it's over now and I'm back in my cozy dorm room with Druscilla, my little dragon. (Don't tell Hagrid I've got her in my dorm room!!)

Homework

1. Who wrote the obituary of Dumbledore in The Daily Prophet? Elphias Doge
2. What is a Squib? A child born in a magical family who doesn't have magical powers.
3. Who stole the locket Horcrux from the Black House? Mundugus Fletcher
4. What are the Albus Dumbledores' siblings names? Aberforth and Arriana
5. Where did Hermione leave the money for the eggs and bread that they stole from the lonely farm? Under the chicken coop
6. What is the quote Lily and James Potter have on their tombstone? The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
7. Why did Gilbert Grindewald leave wizarding school? He was expelled.
8. Where does Xeno Lovegood first say that Luna is when Ron, Hermione and Harry visit? Fishing at the stream for Freshwater Plimpies.
9. What wood is the wand from The Deathly Hallows supposed to be made out of? Elderwood
10. How did Harry, Hermione and Ron escape the vaults of Gringotts?
11. What is the name of the all-female Quidditch team that Ginny has a poster of in her room? Holyhead Harpies
12. Describe what the Undetectable Extension Charm is. A small object, like a beaded purse, that has unlimited space to store things.

Sneaking Off to Diagon Alley

A couple weekends ago Elanor Cadogan, Waverly Trimble and I decided we NEEDED to get away and make a trip to Diagon Alley. We quietly slipped out of Hogwarts early in the morning and made our way to a yarn shop called Yarn Garage. It's such a riot of color and texture...like an explosion in a yarn factory. The aisles are barely wide enough to walk through without knocking something over. We had to get down on our knees to check out some of the funky fibers and just admire all the stuff piled high above our heads. One fun thing about the shop is all the knit models hanging around the shop that we could try on to see how they look.

I did find some fantastic glittery peacock yarn that I just had to have! It didn't photograph well...too blue...but it is wonderful. I have no idea what I will do with that yarn, but it will be something special.

After we finished shopping we made our way to the pub for some fish 'n' chips, bangars and mash and just a few pints of butterbeer! We were almost able to walk a straight line when we got back to Hogwarts.

Photo Scavanger Hunt

My favorite little dragon, Druscilla, and I went on a little scavanger hunt. Here are some of our finds!

Druscilla really wanted this pretty little wand, but I told her it was a little inappropriate for Hogwarts!

Here she is posing by a wee tombstone. I wonder if the tombstone might be for a week leprechaun.

Shhhhh....don't tell, but Druscilla and Knitsy sneaked into the dank Slytherin dungeon and stole a badge!

Druscilla found this wee shamrock hanging near a door. She'll put it back, I promise!

After a long day of studying with Professor Solem, we all needed a pint of brew!

Druscilla LOVES my new picture frame! So do I....sigh!

Druscilla things this should count as both an owl AND a statute. What do you think? It's my little owl Paisley.

And here is my favorite locket..it's filled with wonderful perfume someone special gave me on Valentine's Day. Druscilla likes to wear it when I'm not looking.

And, here's a wee leprechaun we found at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Gold...gold....gold...to go with Druscilla's gold wings.

Druscilla found my diary! She better not read it!!!!

Druscilla wearing her very special diadem! Isn't she adorable?

Druscilla got caught up in some devil's snare. Fortunately it was LAST year's devil's snare! The new growth hasn't started yet. She does get herself into trouble sometimes.

Druscilla really thinks she needs a special cup that declares her queen. I tell her she needs to be a princess first!

Every good witch has a cloak!

Visit to Hogsmeade

This evening I made a trip to Hogsmeade. It wasn't an official Hogsmeade weekend so Miss Wartbobble suggested I be accompanied by a member of the faculty. Professor Solem volunteered to to be my chaperone, which I thought was very kind.

I was meeting a cousin whom I haven't seen in many years. He was seriously injured 3 years ago when an accident occurred in Potions class and a wall fell on him, breaking his neck. In spite of all Madam Pomprey's best efforts, he is now paralyzed from his chest down but in such good spirits. It was wonderful seeing him and sharing a few butterbeers with him.

Professor Solem and I then strolled leisurely back to Hogswart discussing the upcoming Quidditch match against Ballycastle Bats. We totally lost track of time and found the doors to Hogwart locked when we returned. Professor Solem, fortunately, was able to work his magic and got he door open. We said good nite and I quietly tiptoed up the moving staircase. Fortunately Knitsy was waiting for me in the Ravenclaw common room. What would I do without her?

Quidditch Round 2

1. On which day did the Order of the Phoenix come to get Harry?

c. Saturday

2. During all this chaos with voldemort and the Death Eaters, people still had lives to live and Ron's oldest brother, Bill decided to marry Fleur Delacour? Who were the uninvited guests at Bill and Fleur's wedding?

b. Death Eaters

3. Voldemort had seven Horcruxes hidden in different places. Six of them were hidden at the Gaunt shack, Hogwarts, a cave, inside Harry, inside his snake, Nagini and Tom Riddles Diary. Did Voldemort hide the last Horcrux inside the Malfoy's vault at Gringotts?

b. No

4. Why did the Dumbledore's move to Godric's Hollow?

c. The father went to Azkaban

5. Harry and Hermione read a part of "Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore," written by Rita Skeeter. Then they met Dumbledore's brother Abeforth and he told them the same story, just with a few details changed. Which of the following did Aberforth and Rita Skeeter agree on about Dumbdore's past?

b. That Dumbledore was friends with Grindelwald for a while.


6. When Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow, they visit the graveyard to see Harry's parent's graves. Harry walks by a tombstone that we later learn belong to tone of "The Three Broother'. The brother buried there once owned what?

b. The cloak

7. The Trio finds out that Luna had been kidnapped by the Death Eaters , and that they won't give her back until they got Harry Potter. Why did they kidnap Luna?

a. Her father sided with Harry and Dumbledore


8. After Voldemort killed Snape, he left the room and Harry came out from under the cloak. Snape gave Harry some of his memories all the way from when he was a child to just months before. Harry dived into the Pensieve and which of the following did he not see?

c. Snape and Lily having fun in a potions class

9. On the search of the Lost Diadem, Harry finally gets to takl to the Gray Lady. Who was the Gray Lady when she was alive?

c. Helena Ravenclaw.

10. Which of these is not one of Harry or Ron's children?

d. Victoria

New Technique

I decided to try something new yesterday. So I pulled Minee's cauldrons out of storge and conjured up a mixture of strong tea and strong coffee....(after saving a cup or two for me) and soaked some fine linen fabric in it, pulling it out and wadding it up again and again. I then put it on a baking sheet...wadding it up...and baked it in the oven for 15 minutes, basting it occasionally and re-arranging it on the cookie sheet. I then used a hot iron to set the color. It turned out quite interesting..some spots are much darker than I would have liked, but for a first attempt at dying my own fabric, it was fun. I will definitely find something to cross stitch on it.

Now, I wonder how kool aid or other fun dyes would work. I see a BIG mess coming......

The shadows lengthened as the lonely witch waited in the graveyard to make her connection. Where was he? He couldn't have forgotten about her, could he? The shiver of cold slithered down her back and her heart jumped to her throat as she spotted someone in the distance. Was that him? She had never met him before, but hoped it was her contact. If she were to be caught by Ministry officials with this in her possession, it could mean real trouble for her whole family! Impatient and fearful, the stranger approached too fast, but too slow all at once. "How did I get myself into this?" she muttered under her breath. The faces flitted though her mind of those that coerced her into submission, Dirty Diaper, Poopy Pants and Dingleberry, the other members of her rock band Butt Cheese. Why had she drawn the short straw? Why did she have to go into this dark unfamiliar place to turn over the 84 song endless play set to an unfamilar man in exchange for headline billing? Was winning the World Wide Wizard's Music Competition really worth jeopardizing herself and ending her career as a musician?

She pulled her cloak further over her head, staying in the shadows of the tall headstones and watched the tall silhouette approach. She could hear her knees knocking and her legs starting to buckle. The stranger stopped suddenly and quickly looked from side to side. She saw movement to her right and then to her left. What should she do? Had she been found out? Should she use her invisibility cloak and flee? Her mouth was dry and her breath was coming fast and furious. She started backing up slowly when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She spun around and a scream exploded from her. She was surrounded by a circle of dark shapes all holding candles. She knew it was over...all she had dreamed of was gone and she would be forever a disgrace to her family. As she raised her teary eyes resigned to her fate, the dark shapes threw back their hoods and in unison yelled....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Recovery from *Research*

I cannot believe it has taken me almost a whole week to recover from my *research* weekend! I was so very exhausted and just a wee bit bruised. I learned never to take a fast wild broom ride after dark through a thick forest! I had to keep my eyes closed while holding my breath and with a tight TIGHT grip on my companion. I thought I quite accomplished when it came to broom flight. Boy, do I have things to learn! Also, when one falls off a broom, be prepared to get a few bumps and bruises. Of course, as my mother always says, kisses do help boo-boos.

I was so thrilled to return to Hogwarts and see that our House captured the snitch. Allitrya, your flying and ability to hone in on that little golden bird, amazes me. And the teamwork in Ravenclaw is, without a doubt, to be envied! If only Muggles knew about the excitement of Quidditch. They would probably never again watch silly games where they walk around merely hitting a small ball into a hole. Doesn't sound exciting to me in comparison to Quidditch!

Now, I'm off to finish that homework. I really don't want to get detention for slacking off.....or do I??

Quidditch Round 1

1. What momentous event was the reason that the members of the Order of the Phoenix felt it necessary to move Harry out of the Dursley's house?

d. Harry's upcoming birthday

2. Who revealed the actual date of Harry's transfer to Voldemort, despite the misinformation the Order had been spreading around that the move would occur on the eve of his actual birthday?

b. Snape

3. With the use of Polyjuice Potion (and to confuse any pssible attack by Death Eaters), six members of the Order were disguised as Harry and escorted out of Privet Drive, along with the real Harry. Which member of the Order did not survive that night?

a. Mad-Eye Moody

4. Who informed Harry, Ron and Hermoine of the bequests left to them in Dumbledore's Will?

d. Rufus Scrimgeour

5. During the wedding celebration for Bill and Fleur, Kingsley Shacklebolt sent a Patronus to tell the guests that the Ministry had fallen, Scrimgeour (the Minister) was dead and the wedding celebtration was about to be attacked by Death Eaters. What form did the Patronus take?

a. A lynx

6. Escaping from the wedding to London, our three friends found themselves confronted by a pair of Death Eaters, disguised as workmen. This close brush impressed on them the need to find someplace to hide. Where did they decide to go?

b. Sirius Black's house

7. Kreacher's animosity towards Harry, Ron and especially Hermoine (a Mudblood) was well documented in book five, "The Order of the Phoenix". His initial interaction with them showed that his attitude had not changed. How did they win him?

d. By giving him Regulus Black's old locket

8. Who did they eventually find in possession of the locket/Horcrux?

d. Dolores Umbridge

9. What did Harry find embedded in the door of Umbridge's office?

a. Moody's magical eye

10. After retrieving the Horcrux, they tried to return to their safe place but they have pursued (actually Yaxley tagged along when they disapparated). This meant that the Death Eaters knew their hiding place and they had to go somewhere else. Where did Hermoine take them?

d. To the site of the Quidditch World Cup

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