Blue (and Purple)

I'm feeling a wee bit blue today and am just hiding out in my dorm room, skipping classes. I don't feel like being social and putting on a fake smile. I can't tell you why I'm blue, but something doesn't seem right...something is off kilter. There is a sense of dread surrounding me. Hopefully a few hours alone and a good cry will make it feel better.

My First Week Back

What a week! I am almost dizzy (or dizzier than usual) with all the activity around Hogwarts. It is so wonderful to see all my friends return to Ravenclaw, but it was also sad to see the empty beds in my dorm room. Poor Minee wasn't able to return to Hogwarts this year following her serious Quidditch injury at the end of last term. It's not pretty when brooms collide. She is now home recovering under the love and care of her parents. Hopefully she'll be able to return to Hogwarts later. The Ravenclaw Common Room isn't the same without her. And Crystal moved to Hufflepuff, so there are no more cauldrons of all colors in my room. It seems so drab and empty without all those cauldrons and yarn drapped everywhere. I guess I'll have to get Knitsy to help me fill those spaces with more peacock feathers, or at least peacock colored things and trinkets.

We do have one first year in Ravenclaw this year, Cassandra Goode, and I'm hoping that she will feel welcome in Ravenclaw. I must remind Knitsy to help Cass get settled.

I am having a wonderful time helping Professor Solum settle in. He's so quiet, but quite a gentle man. Late one afternoon I decided to take a walk around the grounds of Hogwarts to get away from the endless din and activity. I needed some quiet time. While strolling across the lush lawn, I happened to spy Professor Solum sitting in a tree gazing off over the lake.

I wasn't sure if I should approach him or not, but when has that stopped me?? We shared some pumpkin juice and had a nice talk. I know this term will be exciting! I can't wait to show him around Hogsmeade.

A New Term Begins....

I am so excited about the start of a new term and getting back together with my friends, both old and new. This break has been so long. I am famished for gossp!

Oh..I met the new DADA Professor today. I think he's the best we've had yet!! Professor Fervens Solum...sigh. I spent most of my day today helping him carry in books and crates and bottles and mysterious boxes. There were some strange sounds coming from some of those boxes. At the end of the day, I think he's starting to get settled in. It was too cold to take him of a tour of the Forbidden Forest; that will have to wait for a warmer day. I did take him to the dungeon before the Slyterins started arriving. I didn't want to scare him away before the term has even started!

I KNOW I'm going to like this term! Now, to send my cute little Paisley off to find some nice warming beverages!

It's Almost Time!!

My Kit Arrived!!

My kit from Rowena Weasley arrived earlier this week. Poor little owl almost froze his tail feathers! I wasn't able to post photos because (1) I couldn't find the cable for my camera and no spells were helping me out; and (2) when I found the cable, Blogger wouldn't cooperate! I think I probably stamped my feet and screamed loud enough that the sleeping Blogger woke up. So...here's my kit! I've never tried dyeing so this will definitely be an adventure. I hope my potions knowledge is up to the challenge!

Rowena made an absolutely adorable Snitch tape measure for me. Isn't it cute? I'm going to love using it. She also gave me some beautiful tile stitch markers. I so love them. I'm sure everyone knows I collect stitch markers and these are such a welcome addition. I'm not sure if she made them or not, but they are gorgeous.

Rowena also gave me 2 skeins of worsted weight Knit Picks Bare and a Sock Dye Blank. I'm fascinated by the sock blanks so this should be fun. She also gave me Kool Aid in orange, black cherry and grape, as well as Jacquard dye in sapphire blue. I'd like to jump right into attempting to dye, but I better wait until after the holidays when Elanor Cadogan can help me. Finally I got another tape measure and several patterns and instructions for dyeing.

Thank you so much Rowena! I'm definitely going to have fun with this kit.

QUIDDITCH ROUND 3

1. Who was Tom Riddle Sr.'s girlfriend before Merope gave him the love potion?
a. Eleanor
B. CECILIA
c. Sally
d. Mandy

2. What does Luna say floated into Harry's ear when he was in the train car that supposedly caused him to lose focus?
a. Demiguise
b. Jobberknoll
C. WRACKSPURT
d. Runespoor

3. How much do the primary Apparition lessons cost?
a. 10 galleons
b. 8 galleons
c. 15 galleons
D. 12 GALLEONS

4. What is Professor Merrythought's first name?
a. Eileen
B. GALATEA
c. Carol
d. Jocelyn

5. What Hogwarts club was Eileen Prince captain of?
a. Charms Club
B. GOBSTONES CLUB
c. The Slug Club
d. Occlumency Club

6. Who is head of the Goblin Liaison Office?
a. Ambrosius Flame
B. DIRK CRESSWELL
c. Ciceron Harkiss
d. Barnabas Cuffe

7. Mrs. Weasley offers Fleur a goblin-made tiara for the wedding with Bill. What family member is currently in possession of the tiara?
A. AUNT MURIEL
b. Aunt Ethel
c. Aunt Edna
d. Aunt Thelma

8. How many points does Snape take from Gryffindor for Harry's late arrival and muggle attire?
a. 30
B. 70
c. 50
d. 90

9. When Professor Slughorn first meets Hermoine, he asks her whether she is related to Hector Dagworth-Granger. What society did Dagworth-Granger found?
a. The Most Extraordinary Society of Charms
b. The Most Extraordinary Society of Herbology
c. The Most Extraordinary Society of the Defense Against the Dark Arts
D. THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SOCIETY OF POTIONEERS

10. Which of these describes Golpalott's Third Law?
a. The antidote for blended poison will be equal to less than the sum of the antidotes for each of the separate components.
b. The antidote for blended poison will be equal to less than the product of the antidotes for each of the separate components.
c. The antidote for blended poison will be equal to more than the product of the antidotes for each of the separate components.
D. THE ANTIDOTE FOR BLENDED POISON WILL BE EQUAL TO MORE THAN THE SUM OF THE ANTIDOTES FOR EACH OF THE SEPARATE COMPONENTS.

Super Secret Homework!

1. Astrid Cloverleaf
2. Cassandra Grubbly-Plank
3. Enna Kirts
4. Selena Starfire
5. Henry Longstaff
6. Cecily Fortescue
7. Mona Ravenscroft
8. Argentia Pascal
9. Prendolyn Wilcox
10. Lizzie Wynchwood
11. Ursula Longbottom
12. Rowena Weasley
13. Aurora Curlycoat
14. Lily May Clearwater
15. Megaera Black

Bonus 1: Hermoine Bagnold - smileynetta
Bonus 2: Less than half