Penelope Clearwater

Thank MERLIN that's over.

I don't know if you saw or heard--I mean, I don't know if anyone's informed Mr Malfoy--but Alecto Carrow has gone right off the edge.

Honestly, I don't think she's fit to teach anymore. Physically, I mean, not just--well, even if there weren't already questions about her competence.

It's been so much worse than usual, but the last two weeks have been truly frightening. Last week she threatened to make her 6th-years eat dung beetles. Professor Vector said that when McGonagall asked her to explain herself in the staff meeting, she started screeching at her about the 'medicinal benefits' and her right to push her students using any means she deemed necessary. Luckily the whole staff backed up the Headmistress on that one, even Razzer and Sluggy. Even Hooch, and you can bet she's had a run-in or two with McGonagall this year, over losing Quidditch for the season and all.

Well, Professor Vector didn't say how, but they got her calmed down in the staff meeting, I guess. But then today, in the middle of the Dark Arts examination period, she--collapsed, I guess, is the best term for it. She had some sort of attack, according to the students in the exam hall. All I know is that by the time someone came to find me, she was a total disaster. She'd vommed all over the place and then--ugh, it's so disgusting. I hope you're not reading this while you're eating!--she made little animals out of the piles of vom. I'm telling you, she's completely unhinged. Someone's got to tell Mr Malfoy and the other Governors. I'm sure the Headmistress will say something but. Well. It hasn't changed anything in the past, is all.

Anyway. That aside, exams are OVER and the year's nearly done. You did say I'd survive. I wasn't quite sure during that last Transfiguration practical. I thought the NEWTs were the hard bit but Brutka's exam was dead exhausting! And now there's just the Task and the Feast and a few days when everyone will be out around the lake anyway.

Oh! I've got an interview the first week I'm home, too. With Siz's cousin, but still. It's an interview.

I can't wait to see you.