No, I know there are always a couple of instances where one or two new students gets picked on by some older ones. This year, though, it's a bit different.
There are all these cousins. Irish. Branches of the same family so different surnames. They've singled out the few halfbloods coming in this year and--well, let's just say it's not at all pretty. I reckon you'd be familiar with the recent decision that all of Ireland's purebloods will come to Hogwarts, going forward. They were already on the list but the Cup scare ended any argument. That's what Avery said, anyway. I don't suppose you'd be able to confirm or deny it--and no, I'm not asking you to do, don't worry.
Well, anyway, the point is that all these firsties came in knowing the right end of the wand to use. And they're not at all afraid to use it! On Monday, Cauldwell turned up in the Hospital Wing with a particularly vicious case of horn tongue. To make matters worse, he told Diggory later that it had been cast on him before the first lesson and he'd wanted to wait until lunch to get it fixed, for fear of losing points for missing class!
Of course, Diggory told him that was rubbish and that if he'd only shown Professor Slughorn, he would have sent him up sooner--or even reversed it himself!--but you know boys. He was too embarrassed to go to a teacher, especially when half the class might have seen. So instead he struggled through Potions and half of Herbology before the fact that he wasn't talking occurred to anyone. Naturally, Professor Sprout sent him right away, as by that time it needed more intervention.
Just the fact that the hex hadn't worn off in over an hour ought to tell you. These ickle firsties are experienced casters. Joy.
Well, we held a meeting last night with the ones we know are part of the ring, told them that we're all on to them, and made sure they all know that any more instances of this sort will be strictly punished. We'll meet the victims this evening; I figure all we need to do with them is tell them it's been handled but that if anyone does bother them, they ought to find a Prefect immediately.
I'm glad we found out sooner rather than later, though. If this had come up after the other schools' delegations arrived I feel positive I'd've died of shame.
Poor Mr Malfoy--don't tell him I said that! but it must have been one powerful curse if it's taken that long to heal completely. I mean, last year when he duelled Professor Carrow (or didn't duel her, of course, I know we're not supposed to admit to that), he was up and about in no time. Well. So we were told. I wonder if maybe he took longer than anyone knew then, too?
But he's pleased with your work? That's great, Perce, really marvellous.
Has.... Is your mum still a bit shirty about the hours you're putting in? I know you said she'd been really upset over the summer, your spending all that time at the office. And then after the Cup, of course, though surely she's come to see why? I just wish she were a little less short-sighted about it all.
Re: Private Message to Percy Weasley
There are all these cousins. Irish. Branches of the same family so different surnames. They've singled out the few halfbloods coming in this year and--well, let's just say it's not at all pretty. I reckon you'd be familiar with the recent decision that all of Ireland's purebloods will come to Hogwarts, going forward. They were already on the list but the Cup scare ended any argument. That's what Avery said, anyway. I don't suppose you'd be able to confirm or deny it--and no, I'm not asking you to do, don't worry.
Well, anyway, the point is that all these firsties came in knowing the right end of the wand to use. And they're not at all afraid to use it! On Monday, Cauldwell turned up in the Hospital Wing with a particularly vicious case of horn tongue. To make matters worse, he told Diggory later that it had been cast on him before the first lesson and he'd wanted to wait until lunch to get it fixed, for fear of losing points for missing class!
Of course, Diggory told him that was rubbish and that if he'd only shown Professor Slughorn, he would have sent him up sooner--or even reversed it himself!--but you know boys. He was too embarrassed to go to a teacher, especially when half the class might have seen. So instead he struggled through Potions and half of Herbology before the fact that he wasn't talking occurred to anyone. Naturally, Professor Sprout sent him right away, as by that time it needed more intervention.
Just the fact that the hex hadn't worn off in over an hour ought to tell you. These ickle firsties are experienced casters. Joy.
Well, we held a meeting last night with the ones we know are part of the ring, told them that we're all on to them, and made sure they all know that any more instances of this sort will be strictly punished. We'll meet the victims this evening; I figure all we need to do with them is tell them it's been handled but that if anyone does bother them, they ought to find a Prefect immediately.
I'm glad we found out sooner rather than later, though. If this had come up after the other schools' delegations arrived I feel positive I'd've died of shame.
Poor Mr Malfoy--don't tell him I said that! but it must have been one powerful curse if it's taken that long to heal completely. I mean, last year when he duelled Professor Carrow (or didn't duel her, of course, I know we're not supposed to admit to that), he was up and about in no time. Well. So we were told. I wonder if maybe he took longer than anyone knew then, too?
But he's pleased with your work? That's great, Perce, really marvellous.
Has.... Is your mum still a bit shirty about the hours you're putting in? I know you said she'd been really upset over the summer, your spending all that time at the office. And then after the Cup, of course, though surely she's come to see why? I just wish she were a little less short-sighted about it all.
What does your dad say, when she gets like that?