Because Opposites Attract
Theme # 77: Cheerful


The Bloody Baron is a ghost many would die for, especially when he isn’t groaning: Very handsome, him. A lot of years have passed since the two of us were really alive, but that doesn’t make me, Helena Ravenclaw, any less pretty, either. Which is why he still loves me with all of his heart, I suppose, and I keep a hidden feeling or two for him in mine.

The difficulty is that we are too much of opposites. When I am cheerful, he wants to groan. And when I want groan, for a change, he wants to be cheerful.

Toy Mobiles Vs. Toy Broomsticks
Theme # 76: Zap


The trouble with being married to a redhead who enjoys playing with plugs and electricity is that you never know how your children will turn out. For the most part, I hope they take after me. I mean, I agree Arthur has an amazing sense of humour but, still, I would rather not have tots who play with toy mobiles instead of toy broomsticks.

His muggle obsession is rubbing off on Fred and George already, though. They sit by him, pointing their wands at each other as if they were those guns shown in them muggle movies, and saying, “Zap!”

Secret Single Behaviours
Theme # 75: Yodel


Yes, I know it: Any girl would be lucky to have Roger Davies as a boyfriend. The Roger Davies with his amazing height and those intoxicating eyes and that muscular built. The Roger Davies who Fluer Delacour actually consented to go to the Yule Ball with!

But, come to think of it, he is lucky, too. I mean, I’m Cho Chang. I’m pretty, and I’ve had amazing boys all to myself, too. Roger is a great choice, too, and I adore him. I just wish he did not have a secret habit of yodelling in the common room at night.

Reasons To Hate
Theme # 73: Warn


We fought. Again.

Lucius and I fight too much. He is very good-looking, no doubt. Who wouldn’t die for that scowl, that platinum hair? But I do not believe I am any less: I am a Black, Narcissa Black, and I have equally platinum hair, and a scowl to match. I also have the notion that we could get along together, quite well, if he didn’t fight with me all the time.

“I’m warning you Lucius,” I told him yesterday. “This is the last straw!”

“That’s what you said last time, too,” he snapped.

See why I hate him, sometimes?

No Good at Maths
Theme # 72: Vex


Don’t get me wrong. I love Draco. After years of being verbally attacked by him every chance he gets, I still love him. Yes, yes, it took a long time, the falling in love: Draco mended his ways, too. But he vexes me so, sometimes! Take earlier today, for instance.

“Hermione?”

“Yes, Draco?”

“Can you tell me what six plus seven minus fifty divided by nineteen into thirty plus eleven over four into ninety is, please?”

Silence.

“Hermione?”

“Yes, Draco?”

“You always said you were good at Muggle Studies. And I’ve been stupid enough to believe you all this time.”

Slytherins Shouldn’t Fight
Theme # 71: Untie


I’ve decided: Draco Malfoy is an absolute git. Times were, I thought he loved me. But no. “Poor Pansy,” my friends shall sneer.

I was bullying some first years, when Millicent came marching into view, furious. It turned out one of the little girls was her sister. “Millicent, Slytherins shouldn’t fight each other –” I squealed, but she pinned me down with one hand. Tied me up, left.

Then Draco came. I was sure he was going to untie me! But he caught sight of me, bound, and turned around, twenty feet away.

So here I am, still tied up.

Patience has its Limits, See
Theme # 70: Team


Oliver Wood has a delicious voice. When he says, “Team, mount your brooms,” I begin to wish he’d never stop speaking. When he says, “Alicia! Why do you look so dreamy? You’re not playing properly!” I begin to wish he’d never stop speaking. And when he says, “You’re beautiful, Lic,” I begin to wish he’d never stop speaking, all over again.

But there are times when even I get tired of his voice. When he settles us down for a pre-match talk two hours before the match – well, let’s just say I would rather be anywhere than within hearing range.

Yes, Quidditch Does Wonders
Theme # 7: Care of Magical Creatures


Why do I have Care of Magical Creatures, N.E.W.T level, when everyone – even Hagrid’s favourites, Harry, Ron and Hermione – dropped the subject, you ask? Well, it’s simple, very simple, when you think of it with a clear head: I am Padma Patil.

– And I’m expected to marry Seamus Finnegan.

No, Seamus is not an animal. But when he’s done with a long day of Quidditch, and he joins me by the lake right away without changing his clothes, I realize I’m going to need to know how to care for animals, because he looks exactly like one.

And You Won’t Know What Hit You
Theme # 8: Potions


Sirius Black makes every girl feel lucky. When you begin to think of it, he holds no room for improvement: His looks are fantastic, his built is amazing, he’s rich, his grades are perfect – Outstanding in the subjects I always have trouble with; Potions, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, you name it – and he has few matches in courage and loyalty.

What is wrong, then, you ask, with being Sirius Black’s Miss Right?

Well, just one tiny thing: You can never be sure if you really are his Miss Right, because he changes girlfriends faster than a three-year old finds new ideas.

Brown Suits and Half a Comb
Theme # 74: X-tinguish


We had a nice time, Rubeus and I. I met him by his hut, just as he extinguished the last light inside.

I was sure we would be spotted instantaneously in the grounds, so I consented to a venture into the Forbidden Forest. I didn’t want my students to laugh at my company, you see. No one laughs at me, Madam Maxime! Managed to enjoy the time. Drawbacks?

Well… Rubeus is not my type. I mean, he’s sweet. But he had a very horrible-looking brown suit on, and there was half a broken comb tangled in his hair. How awful!

Not a Very Comforting Thought
Theme # 9: Defense Against the Dark Arts


Remus Lupin: ex-Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts, ex-part time Ministry worker, ex-person-with-a-thousand-galleon-prize-on-his-head. Remus is ‘ex’ a lot of times. Some people say he as different from me, Nymphadora Tonks, as can be possible. I am pink-haired – at least, most of the time I am – with a bright nature, as impulsive, quick-to-stumble and inexperienced as he is rational, steady and experienced. But you know what they say: Opposites attract.

And, yes, Remus is an ex a lot of times. There is one ex he is not, though, and that is an ex-werewolf. Not a very comforting thought, eh?

Ze Inward Sigh
Theme # 10: Arithmancy


I suppose he feels lucky, Roger Davies, dating me. Anyone would. I am, after all, part-Veela. Pretty hair, pretty height, pretty eyes, pretty accent – what else does a boy want? I know Roger is head over heels in love with me.

It is very exciting, being his Miss Right – his at-least-for-now-Miss-Right, I mean. He talks of Quidditch, and wild beasts his father – a Ministry employee concerned with matters of wild magical creatures – deals with and tames, and I find his conversation engaging. When he begins to talk of his newfound love for Arithmancy, however, I can not help sighing inwardly.

Loves Not Understood
Theme # 14: Hogwarts, a History


Amos Diggory is a charming husband. At forty, he still retains his good looks, and many of them have been reconstructed in our son, Cedric. Cedric is tall and good at his studies; I find him a replica of his father many years ago – only bigger and better.

There is one thing Amos has passed on to Cedric that I cannot understand, though: A love for Arithmancy. I suppose it’s good, Ced exploring new subjects. But when I was at Hogwarts, I would rather do anything – even read the whole of Hogwarts, a History in one sitting – than study Arithmancy.

Love Potions for One Year Olds
Theme # 17: Cauldron


Sometimes, I find myself absolutely helpless in front of James Potter’s tricks and pranks and jokes. Yes, I love him and, if truth be told, I could not be happier with anyone else. We were always meant to be, James and Lily, and everyone agrees we make a pair cute enough to die for.

James thinks so, too.

But just take earlier today. I entered our bedroom – only to find James sitting in the middle, on the ground, a cauldron belching purple next to him, teaching little Harry how to brew a love potion.

Who says James has changed?

Two, Gold Earrings
Theme # 18: Whomping Willow


Hello. My name is Gabrielle Delacour. You must have heard of me: I’m part-Veela. I’m only twelve, but I already have fifth years dying for my company.

I have only one Mr. Right at the moment, though. He is a brown-haired third year, and I adore him. He has the most amazing things to talk of! Myths and legends and Whomping Willows and much, much more. Maybe that is why I enjoy his company so much.

Of course, he wears two, gold, fashion earrings, and I don’t like that. It would be so much better if he wore only one.

Unpleasant Experiences and Unpleasant Musings
Theme # 20: Hogsmeade


I do not get Harry Potter. At all. I thought he loved me! Apparently, he does not. Our evening at Hogsmeade was a disaster: All he wanted to do was meet up with Hermione Granger.

I left in tears.

And it’s all his fault.

It is obvious he does not know how to converse with a girl. And leave conversation, he could not even hold my hand! Hand-holding appears terribly tame when you’re surrounded by kissing couples, you know.

Maybe I should break this off – Being Harry Potter’s Miss Right is not as exciting as I thought it would be.

Who Enjoys Attention Not?
Theme # 21: Veela


Being a part-Veela is not as exciting as you would think it is. I am one, and the only benefit it has ever done me is attracting plenty of unwanted attraction.

I hate attention.

There are times when it makes you feel nice but, honestly, there comes a point when you begin to feel tired of it. I told Regulus so, last night, when he placed a wreath of carnations in my hair.

All he said was, “Well, you just admitted it makes you feel nice at times, too.”

Why does he pay such close attention to what I say?

Faulty Faults
Theme # 22: Kneazle


For ages, I have been trying to find a fault in Ronald Weasley. I just can not: I may act furious but, inside, I can not even be displeased properly with him – Ronald Weasley, with his tall, tall height, is irresistible.

But here it comes: A fault! Yes! I, Hermione Granger, have finally found a fault in Ron. Even Snape’s essays have not been as hard as finding this little fault. The fault, you ask?

– His pet rat isn’t fond of my kneazle.

Well, okay, maybe it isn’t exactly his fault, but it’s something I can be angry over, right?

Good Elves and Bad Elves
Theme # 24: House Elf


Hullo. My name is Winky. I am a very good house-elf. I cook food for the students of Hogwarts. Mostly, the other house elves do not make me work very far from the kitchen. They think I will cry and make a mess, which saddnes me. Poor Winky is a disgraced house elf!

Dobby is very good to me, though. He tells me I am not a disgraced house elf, and that Professor Dumbledore will give me wages if I want them. But, oh, his ideas! He makes me want to run and hide under the table, fingers in ears.

Things Unlawful to Utter
Theme # 26: Quill


Draco Malfoy is a very infuriating sort of partner to have, sometimes. I remembered when we were at Hogwarts. He could never call me Ginny: it was always ‘blood traitor.’ I could never call him Draco, either. It always ‘that idiot Malfoy.’ And other things quite unlawful to utter, too.

Sometimes, I wonder if it is very different now. Yes, I love him. Yes, he loves me. But when I enter my study, and he has already been there, and messed my books and quills just for the fun of it – Well, I still look things quite unlawful to utter!

The Turns of Love!
Theme # 28: Timeturner


George Weasley has a timeturner. The thought makes me shiver because, from all that I have heard and listened to, timeturners are not good – Most of the time, they mess up things. And bad.

“Why do you even have it?” I asked him, yesterday.

“Ministry business,” came the response.

“George Weasley, do I look stupid? I know fully well that –”

“Angelina?”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

Well, how can anyone expect me not to forget timeturners after that? And so he still has that timeturner, and I am still here, loving him, despite his pranks – or maybe because of them.

Pensive Thoughts Down a Pensieve
Theme # 29: Pensieve


“Albus?”

It was yesterday. I was in his office, and a meeting between all the teachers – all of the teachers, that is, except Umbridge – had just ended. Everyone had filed out of his study, with the possible exception of me.

Dumbledore looked up, over his half-moon spectacles. “Yes, Minerva?”

“I did not understand you on some points in our talk.”

He sighed, suddenly moving closer to his Pensieve and prodding the contents with the tip of his wand. They swirled within, and I checked an abruptly rising sigh: Secrecy and enigma in Dumbledore are as annoying as they are endearing.

A Feast for the Eyes
Theme # 30: Feast


“Draco Malfoy.”

Professor McGonagall called the name, and a blonde boy hurried over to be sorted. I leaned forward in my chair, the Feast suddenly forgotten.

“That’s our Head of House, Pansy,” a girl besides me was saying. “Professor Snape, he –”

But I was no longer listening. The hat shouted ‘Slytherin,’ and I clapped madly with the rest of the students: I knew I was his Miss Right the moment our eyes met.

Draco is as perfect now as he was then. Well, maybe too pointed a chin, but I guess I could lower my expectations a little, right?

Dressed Up All Wrong
Theme # 31: Dress robes


After all these years, I would have thought Arthur Weasley would develop some foresight. Turns out he does not even have his simple sight right, much less what you call foresight.

Fred and George sent me new dress robes today. Arthur came home late, and he looked a little uncertain when he saw me. I thought it was because I was wearing new robes – robes in the latest fashion – and expected a compliment. When he spoke, however, all my hopes were dashed.

“Are you wearing that third hand apron Muriel lent you, Molly? You know it gives me the creeps.”

Little Hearts and Little Names
Theme # 32: Common room


I always enjoy my conversations with Neville. I met his grandmother, and she is a lovely lady – too agile for her age, maybe. Neville agrees that she might have a secret intake of purple beans. Or perhaps she has a hidden collection of moonstones. Moonstones have great, age-reducing powers.

Sometimes, though, I wish Neville was a Ravenclaw, not a Gryffindor. There is a little heart drawn in the corner of a wall in our common room, filled with the words ‘Luna and Neville.’ I do not know who did this, but I want Neville to read our names written together.