Penelope Clearwater

As this is the first Hogsmeade trip of the year, third-years, please remember to have your permission forms to turn in to Mr Milland on your way out of the castle. No form, no visiting the village.

(And to answer a few people's question: Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students are already granted permission to go to the village as it was included in their release to come to the school at all.)

Please remember that you must be back by six. Have fun!

Mr Avery and I would like to officially remind you that as your Head Boy and Girl, we are here to help you with anything you might need. For many of you, it's your first time away from home. The Prefects, Mr Avery and I are prepared to assist your transition to life at school.

Particularly as we enter a year where there has been recent turmoil, we understand that many of you may feel more anxiety than usual. Let me assure you that the Hogwarts Express, and Hogwarts itself, are perfectly safe. Our Professors include some of the best-trained wizards and witches in the world, none of whom would willingly allow an outside source to harm any students in our care. If you have any concerns, please speak to a Prefect. Once at school, Madam Pomfrey, our Matron, is also at hand to address any doubts you may harbour.

A few brief announcements: On the train as in school, no running and no magic in the corridors.

Prefects, we're holding our usual meeting in the back compartments after the trolley has come through with snacks. See you there.

Best wishes for a proper start to the year.

Parkinson,

Whatever you've got to say to Weasley can wait. He's not to be disturbed.

If it's a matter of urgency, the Head Girl can help you. And if it's something for him, specifically, then you can pass it through me, if you please.

I know Professor Slughorn's message was mainly in regard to Miss Lestrange, but I thought you'd be clever enough to understand it also applied to Weasley as well. Leave him alone.

Hello, again!

I really only want to update the cast of Liberation, but this is the quickest way to get a message to all of you.

First up, again, thanks and my apologies for leaving out Dean Thomas (Y3) from the original cast list. As you all learned on Sunday, he's agreed to undertake the role of Mr Dolohov.

Next, I think we've approached everyone we had on our list to act as an understudy. Please remember, if you've agreed to understudy, it's your responsibility to keep track of the blocking (i.e., movement) for that character (as well as your own), and to be working on the lines in case you're needed. We certainly don't want to lose our fine cast members, but we don't want you to be caught out short, either, if you're called to serve. For those of you who have been assigned understudies, we expect you to help them out. It's not a comment on your ability or our confidence in you; it's merely a precaution since your roles are so pivotal that they can't be replaced at a moment's notice.

Which brings me to my next announcement. As I said, we don't want to lose people, but it's bound to happen: a few students have already left the cast. Vesta Chambers, Elizabeth Stevens and Octavia Anderson have all decided to drop out for personal reasons. As there are so few boys already participating, we really wanted to bring up one of the lads from the Wizengamot chorus to play Vesta's part, so I hope you'll all welcome and congratulate Mr Linus Moon, who will now be our Mr Selwyn!

Finally, as I mentioned on Sunday, we really could use a few more wizards in the Wizengamot - especially with Moon moving up. First- through third-year YPL boys, I'm looking at you in particular! I know you've heard the rumours about wearing makeup, but it's not like that at all. All actors wear some to be seen under the lights. There's no truth whatsoever to the idea that men who are theatrical are all, erm, effeminate. Please consider joining this effort and supporting your fellow YPL members in the project!

On a Prefect note: Whoever jinxed Mr Corner yesterday, you're not helping.

I like that! I had just found the ritual I wanted to include in my Arithmancy essay when Madam Pince told everyone we had five minutes left.

And then -

Well. I'm just glad certain people aren't prefects, that's all. Though I have to say I'd have been a sight happier if Calderwood had punished the right people - the ones who were causing all the fracas. I'm sure we'll be talking about it on the train home but honestly! It's not like Calderwood's shown no restraint so far. I probably would have used it on Donovan and Whitacre long ago if I'd been her. Still. It seemed pretty clear to everyone there that her own sister had thrown the hex that started all the unpleasantness.

And with all the excitement I never got a chance to copy out that ritual! Weasley, you don't have a copy of Lunar Calendars and Solar Flair?

Titchy little second-years! Which group are you going with after lunch? I said I'd go with Jenkins, whichever group she picks.

I thought maybe if we could get them going on their nature hike we could...you know...slip away for a few minutes? There's a little clearing I saw on the walk we took yesterday to prepare the pathways for them.