What I Sent To Henrietta Sweeting

It seems that my friend, Henrietta, has been unable to post a photo of the items I mailed to her in her kit. So, I'm posting a photo I took of the kit before I sent it.



I sent a Gator scarf I knit, a Japanese Feathers hat I knit, a custom made Hufflepuff color row counter bracelet, a gold and white row counter pendant, a blue and clear Swarovski beaded row counter to clip to a bag or project, Hufflepuff colors stitch markers, a nest of dragon eggs I knit, a mini Hufflepuff Quidditch sock, Hufflepuff House Crest iron-on badges, Socks That Rock in Tiger Eye (as she requested), Knit Picks metal dpns size 2.25mm, and the Tangled Faeries sock pattern.

I also sent some cool Hogwarts and Quidditch stickers in a separate mailing. I drew a cute owl on the envelope that I wish I'd taken a photo of.

I plan to send a little surprise or two yet before the term ends.

It's Here! It's Here!

I received a magically amazing kit from Lily of Flitwick in Slytherin House last week. Unfortunately, my muggle camera wasn't working very well in this heightened magical environment. I figured out a lovely charm, though, that enabled me to (finally!) upload the pics to the computer.

Without further ado, I present Lily's Kit:


This is what I saw upon pulling back the Gryffindor colored tissue...


...and this is what was under the first layer...


...and this was the last layer with the gorgeous handmade journal cover!


These are the patterns that she sent - all FOUR of them!!!

Since there's just too much to see, here's a listing of the contents:
1. Aforementioned gorgeous handmade journal cover with large lined journal
2. Divination kit including scrying ball and stickers
3. A tin of Ghirardelli chocolates for use when spells go wrong to recover from backlash
4. Exclusive Gryffindor colorway yarn from her lys
5. Lovely Harry Potter fold-out bookmarks
6. A full skein of Twisted Fiber Art yarn in the Tulips colorway!
7. ALL of the yarn necessary to complete the Phoenix Rising bag pattern
8. The Phoenix Rising bag pattern
9. Nagini socks pattern
10. Bellatrix socks pattern
11. Fawkes socks pattern
12. US size 8 circ needle
13. "Clickie" row counter
14. Jeweled Gryffindor stitch markers

I know I must be forgetting an item or so because this kit was super packed. Did you notice that she included EVERYTHING needed to make the Phoenix Rising bag? I did!

Lily, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this incredible package. Your poor owl was nearly catatonic for a few days, but recovered well and is flying back to you now.

Quidditch Game #3

1. When Hagrid returns to Hogwarts after being sent to see the giants with Madame Maxime, Professor Umbridge questions him on his late return to school. She suspects that Hagrid had been to the mountains, but where does he tell her he has been?

d. South of France

2. Professor Umbridge comes to Hagrid's Hut and searches his cabin one evening (as she believes Harry, Ron and Hermione are there visiting him at night when they are not supposed to). When she walks past the place where Harry, Ron and Hermione are hiding under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry holds his breath. True or false?

b. False

3. A stately-looking witch in an emerald green shawl is one of the members of the Advance Guard who rescues Harry from Privet Drive. What is her name?

a. Emmeline Vance

4. What is the name of the witch who was killed two weeks after the photo of the original Order of the Phoenix was taken?

b. Marlene McKinnon

5. Which two fifth year Ravenclaw students does Dumbledore choose to be prefects?

d. Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil

6. Which house was Rose Zeller sorted into?

d. Hufflepuff

7. What is the color of Murtlap's essence?

c. Yellow

8. Name the Ravenclaw girl who became prefect in Harry's fifth year.

b. Padma Patil

9. According to a healer's portrait at St. Mungo's hospital, which disease was Ron suffering from?

d. Spattergroit

10. Which book did Harry give Hermione for Christmas?

a. "New Theory of Numberology"

Picture Scavenger Hunt

Padma Patil


Hannah Abott


Percy


Dumbledore's Army


Cedric Diggory


(Extra 5 pts - What movie will Robert Patterson star in this December?

TWILIGHT as Edward Cullen. Wotcha!

Gryffindor Quiz #4

Hmmm ... this one's gonna be tough. I'm not really good at cryptograms. Here it is:

"E FM YJA DBFU," QFET KFXXG EY F VJD RJESB, WHXG YJD PHMPEYN AKXJHNK KEM QJ AKFA KB AKJHNKA KB MENKA FAAFSU QYFPB EY F MJMBYA. "AKBY PXJRB EA! MFQABX GJHXQBVW!" QPFA QYFPB.


I think this is the answer, but it looks like the "U" in LOUD was not included for some reason.

"I AM NOT WEAK," SAID HARRY IN A LO[U]D VOICE, FURY NOW PUMPING THROUGH HIM SO THAT HE THOUGHT HE MIGHT ATTACK SNAPE IN A MOMENT. "THEN PROVE IT! MASTER YOURSELF!" SPAT SNAPE.

Walking On Air

Well, not literally walking on air. I've finally gotten over the doldrums. A few walks with a hot Ravenclaw guy with god-like good looks will do that.

His name is Kevin Walker, and he's supercalihot! He's from the States too, and his parents were both muggles. He was feeling just like I was a few weeks ago.

I ran into him by the lake shore one evening just after dinner. I'd been walking to the bench in the little park-like area on the eastern side of the lake - perfect for watching sunsets - and I saw that my seat was already taken.

At first I was irritated that I wouldn't be able to sit alone with my thoughts as the sun set, but then I was curious. Who is this lovely boi sitting in my spot?

So we started talking. Apparently we were both suffering from magic overload and homesickness. He's only twelve, but he looks older. He's from Jamestown, VA. He has light brown hair, gorgeous velvety chocolate-brown eyes with the thickest, blackest lashes I've ever seen on a guy. I was actually jealous! He has a bit of a tan, thin and strong (he's a swimmer), elegant hands with perfectly oval nails at the end of his long fingers (perfect for piano playing - no fair!). His laugh is hearty and warm, and his eyes sparkle when he's happy.

That first evening, though, I didn't see the sparkle or hear the laughter. We didn't really speak a whole lot at all. We introduced ourselves, he made room on the bench, and I sat down. The conversation started very slowly. I asked him why he was staring so forlornly at the water. He answered that everything was too different here, just too much in every way, you know. I said I felt the same and that was why I came to the lake. I just needed to get away from it all and think.

That's how our relationship began. I've seen Kevin almost everyday. He's in two of my classes, and I have no clue how he escaped my notice before! We do our homework together, and our friends have all become friends, so we're like this great big group now. Too cool!

It's soooo hard though when he has to go to swim lessons and I go to Quidditch practice without him. He's not on his House's Quidditch team. I hate it whenever we have to say goodbye. I think I might be falling in love.

I mentioned him to my mom in a letter, and she wrote back that I should be careful not to get my feelings hurt. She said something really stupid about "puppy love," and I had to bite down really hard to keep from screaming. What the heck is "puppy love" supposed to be anyway? Isn't love love? She just doesn't get it.

I'm meeting Kevin in twenty minutes at our bench by the lake. I want to look perfect, so I'll have to write more later.

Gryffindor Quiz #3

[NB: All answers written by Laeita Khandylle, not her muggle alter ego]

1. Who is your favorite member of the Order of the Phoenix?
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, of course. They're so kind, courageous, and generous.

2. Favorite person at Hogwarts?
My dear Hufflepuff friend, Henrietta Sweeting

3. Favorite spell or charm to use?
"Accio _____" - just because it's so very useful and convenient

4. Best and worst classes at Hogwarts?
My very favorite class is Charms, I've grown to hate my History of Magic class - it's soooo boring!

5. Favorite flower?
I'm not sure if you'd consider it a flower or an herb, but I adore lavender

6. What is your beverage of choice? Coffee, tea, latte, soda/pop?
I've grown to love many teas since arriving here at Hogwarts, and since discovering that soda pop has a very different meaning here than home, I'm not really a fan.

7. Favorite muggle music? I love just about any music that is well-performed and intelligently composed.

8. How many family members do you have?
Mom, Dad, Boston Terrier, (Does Dewey my mouse familiar count?)

9. What do you do on your summer vacation? What is your Favorite vacation ever taken?
We usually take some sort of week-long trip, usually camping. The rest of my summer I just hang out with my friends.

10. What is your favorite subject at Hogwarts? Why?
As I said before, I love my Charms class. I guess I like it the most because that's what I have the strongest talent for, and I'm pulling an A+ average right now.

11. How many pairs of shoes (footwear) do you have? Which are your favorite pair? Let's see ... I have my uniform shoes, bedtime slippers, Quidditch footwear, water and snow repellant boots, formal slippers, muggle sneakers and Crocs. Sad to say, but the sneakers are my favorite because they're the most comfortable and worn in.

12. How many projects do you have OTN (on the needles)?
Belinda and I have been working long and hard on items for SPEW. Since we have a decent pile of hats knit up, I have some different items OTN now. I'm working on a lacy scarf, socks, a stole, and more.

13. What is the oldest project you're working on and when did you cast it on?
The very oldest still OTN is a large afghan that I co a few years ago.

14. Favorite food(s)?
OOoh, since being at Hogwarts I've developed a real taste for Chocolate Frogs, Bloodpops, Morsagna (basically a delicious lasagna that keeps filling up your plate until you're super full), Minticles (mint-flavored icicles you harvest from the roof of the deep freeze), Treacle Tarts, and Blabbering Bisque (the best way to get all the juicy gossip!)

Quidditch Game #2

1. At the beginning of the year feast, who is the only person who rudely interrupts Dumbledore during his speech?
B. UMBRIDGE

2. Off what street is the alley where Harry first met Sirius?
C. MAGNOLIA CRESCENT

3. Tonks’ mother had two sisters, both pure-bloods, and both left on the Black Family Tree. What are their names?
C. NARCISSA & BELLATRIX

4. What spell are the students studying in McGonalgall’s class when Umbrdige is doing her inspection?
D. THE VANISHING SPELL

5. Who comes to warn Harry and the rest of Dumbledore’s Army that Umbridge and her group of followers are coming to break up their meeting?
Answer: DOBBY

6. Who are the members of the Order that met Harry Potter in the Dursely’s house during the summer before his fifth year?
C. MOODY, TONKS, SHAKLEBOLT, DOGE, DIGGLE, LUPIN, VANCE, PODMORE, JONES

7. Moody used the Disillusionment Charm on Harry.
A. YES

8. Which of these Death Eaters is Sirius related to?
D. ALL OF THESE

9. At what age did Sirius leave his home?
Answer: SIXTEEN

10. How many of the original Order members were killed (don’t include those who disappeared)?
B. EIGHT




Kingsley Shacklebolt


Bellatrix Lestrange



Nymphadora Tonks



Remus Lupin