Beyond The Mirror

I'm not doing so well on the Quidditch team. Perhaps I'm not cut out for this type of sport. I keep getting hit in the face and torso with balls even though I do my best to bat them away. Madam Hooch says that it will come with time, especially since this is my first time flying, having been raised as a muggle.

I also lost my duel. The best part is receiving a beautiful pair of socks, but the worst is being unable to move on to the next phase. I was able to complete a lovely hat for SPEW, though. The pattern wasn't very hard, so I've already started a second hat.

I think I've been suffering more than simple homesickness. I feel like Alice behind the looking glass. There's so much magic all around me. It's wonderful and terrifying, and just too too much for me right now.

I miss normal. I want to be able to eat candy without having to worry about it jumping away from me or tasting like grass. I want to sweep with the broom, not ride it. I want to be able to go to the bathroom without having to worry about being interrupted by a ghost.

I miss my friends. I want to go to the mall, ride my bike, watch movies in a theater, drink Slushies, walk the dog, and even go to school like a regular kid.

The thing is, I don't want to go back to my previous life either. I like going to see the stars at midnight. It's so cool to change a rat to a chalice and back again. I love being able to eat as much of my favorite foods as I want without having to make it myself. I adore watching all the magical creatures that Hagrid cares for.

I'm so betwixt and between these worlds. Most of the kids here were raised with at least one magical parent, most by two and their extended magical families. For the most part they're friendly, smart, clever, and just wonderful people. I just feel like we don't have a lot of common ground. Things that I take for granted are wondered and puzzled over by them.

Here's an example: writing with ballpoints on looseleaf? Yeah, they're stumped and amazed by that. Their reactions to simple things like that make me feel so sad and homesick.

Most of all, I wish my parents were the way they were before. It would have been better if all of my family really were muggles instead of magic folk. It's like the very foundations of my life have been ripped away and I'm not sure what I can rely on or where I fit in.

I know that I'm "magic folk" now, I guess I always have been, but I feel like a misplaced muggle. Each time I do magic I'm surprised. The funny thing is that I'm good at it. I'm getting top marks in my Transfiguration and Charms classes, and doing quite well in the others too.

The only thing I can compare what I feel when I perform magic successfully to is if I had suddenly belched quite loudly in a silent class full of people. That sense of startled eruption followed by a sinking feeling of embarrassment. I feel like that when I've cast a spell perfectly! How weird is that? You'd think I'd only feel like that if I'd screwed it up.

Here's more odd for you. The person I've been confiding in the most is the House Elf, Belinda. She's so much wiser than everyone knows. She listens to me for the longest time while she works. We'll sit and knit together for hours. Here I am, talking to a non-human creature about how overwhelmed, overstimulated, and homesick I am. I'm not sure why or how she understands, but I get the distinct feeling that she knows exactlyhow I feel.

I think I'm going to get my knitting together and go talk with Belinda right now.

Gryffindor Quiz #2

Unscramble the words below:
1. onihexp = PHOENIX
2. nro = RON
3. mayr = ARMY
4. seelway = WEASLEY
5. hrigda = HAGRID
6. ifdynrrgof = GRYFFINDOR
7. dawn = WAND
8. oshawrgt = HOGWARTS
9. busnim = NIMBUS
10. bdulodeerm = DUMBLEDORE
11. bydob = DOBBY
12. bugmrdie = UMBRIDGE
13. emionehr = HERMIONE
14. rhayr = HARRY
15. arkreech = KREACHER
16. riissu = SIRIUS
17. dootvlemr = VOLDEMORT
18. ptrote = POTTER
19. hwgedi = HEDWIG
20. ebtahlkclso = SHACKLEBOLT

Quidditch Game #1

1. Which of Arabella Figg's cats ran out from under the car?

a. Tibbles

2. Which of the following is NOT one of Albus Dumbledore's middle names?

a. Ignatius

3. Which educational decree introduced a High Inquisitor to Hogwarts?

d. 23

4. Apart from Harry, Ron and Hermione, who was the first person to enter the Hog's Head that showed an interest in Harry's Defence Against the Dark Arts classes?

b. Neville Longbottom

5. In the first Quidditch match of the year which player attempted to score first?

a. Angelina Johnson

6. What kind of bush does Harry hide behind to listen to the news?

b. A hydrangea bush

7. Why is Mundungus Fletcher disguised as a woman when he witnesses the DA (Dumbledore's Army) meeting in the Hog's Head pub?

b. He was banned from the Hog’s Head pub 20 years ago.

8. When Harry and Cho go on their first date to Madam Puddifoot's in Hogsmeade, what is it decorated with for Valentine's Day?

c. Golden cherubs and pink confetti

9. How old is Sturgis Podmore and where does he live?

a. 38 and number 2 Laburnum Gardens Clapham

10. What did Fred and George Weasley do to Montague?

a. Forced him head-first into a Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor.

Picture Scavenger Hunt



Fred and George Weasley


Hog's Head Pub
(this was the best picture I could find; no photos of the movie set)


Sirius Black


Mr. Weasley and Harry

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23587265@N06/2532080462/
Draco Malfoy

Running To Catch Up

Time is just flying by. I'd best be careful - around here you might just see a winged hourglass flutter by the window if I say that!

I've joined the Dueling Club. Traditionally, it is a duel between wizards and/or witches using our wands. In this particular club, though, our wands are knitting needles and our spells are patterns. It has been stated that there are to be no spells that allow for automatic knitting, speed enhanced knitting, accuracy enhanced knitting, or any other spell that affect the knitting process itself.

We are allowed to use any spells that enhance the yarn used. We can have color-changing yarns, content-changing yarns, strength and durability enhanced yarns, etc.

I'm in the sock knitting bracket. There's a hat knitting bracket, but sock knitting is what I'm most familiar with, so I figured I'd go with that.

I've made good friends with Henrietta Sweeting, a second year in Hufflepuff House. We don't see each other very often due to the massive workload and being in different Houses. It's a shame, really. I need to work harder at keeping in touch. Maybe we could plan to meet for a chat in the Great Hall over the weekend.

I used to hate gym class in school, but now I love it. We're learning how to fly on broomsticks! I've even gone so far as to join the Quidditch team for Gryffindor House. Yet again, mom was right. I'm glad I have the regulation Quidditch uniform. Sure enough, the colors and badges have all changed to Gryffindor colors. We're still just practicing, but the first match against the other Houses is coming soon!

Dewey is the coolest mouse ever! He's very friendly; he even eats out of my hand. I've also discovered that he knows English. He can't speak, but I borrowed a Ouija board from a fellow student to help him out. He walks up to the letters he wants, puts his paw on it, and looks up to be sure I've paid attention. I sure do have to pay attention. Dewey is fast!

There are these really cool folks called House Elves here. They're short, large-eyed, large-eared, child-looking creatures. They're kind for the most part, but as with everything, there are a few sour grapes among them. I've heard that they're practically slaves in lots of places, but they're all free elves here at Hogwarts. It's funny, the jobs have remained the same and all, but they're downright cheerful about doing them. I guess this hasn't always been the case.

I've befriended a couple of the house elves. The one assigned especially to our dorm, Belinda, is the sweetest little lady I ever have run across. She's always bringing us little goodies from the kitchen after hours. Usually it's just a cookie or two, but sometimes she outdoes herself with an entire meal's worth of midnight snacks. I do mean midnight! She sneaks warily in, her arms laden with a tray of food and drink, and sets it silently down on the central table. She stands and beams at us while we eat, occasionally giggling softly and murmuring comments about keeping her "dear ones" fed and happy. We all just love her like crazy. Belinda is the BEST!

Gryffindor Quiz #1

1. Molly and Arthur Weasley have ___ children. Name three.
Seven - Ginny, Charlie, Bill, Fred, George, Ron, Percy

2. What is the full name of Gryffindor house ghost Nearly Headless Nick?
Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington

3. Which Ravenclaw sports a hat with a Gryffindor-like life sized lion's head which roars in Order of the Phoenix?
Luna Lovegood

4. Name five members of the Order of the Phoenix.
Lupin, Tonks, Sirius, Hagrid, Arthur Weasley

5. What is the profession of Hermione Granger's parents?
Dentists!

6. What is your favorite thing to knit or crochet?
Knit socks, crochet thread doilies

7. What is Professor Minerva McGonagall's animagus?
Silver Tabby Cat

8. What size needles (DPNs, circular or loop) do you prefer for knitting socks?
US 0 to 3, mostly two circs, but also dpns

9. Where are the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix?
Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place

10. What is your favorite pastime when not studying at Hogwarts?
I have to choose one?! Sheesh. Um... probably knitting. :D

11. What is the name of the last book you read?
er ... "Lover Awakened" ... *blush*

12. Which Gryffindor used to play "Charlie's Angels" and always was Bosley?
Lizzie Wychwood.

How did I do? Did I get an A?"

Preparing For Hogwarts

Where was I? Oh yes. We had arrived at Diagon Alley. I felt so strange there. So much was different, but so much was the same too. It was sort of like seeing double.

While mom went to exchange some money at Gringott's Wizarding Bank, dad took me to Flourish and Blott's to select the books I would need. My classes are Astronomy, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, History of Magic, Potions, and Transfiguration. Mom came with our Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts while we were still waiting in line to pay.

Once we had my books, mom put them all in her purse. I should have known she'd pull a Mary Poppins or something. Our next stop was Ollivander's Wands for, what else, my magic wand. I'm not sure how, but Mr. Ollivander knew the right wand for me immediately. It's made of Holly and has a Dragon Heartstring core.

We stopped at Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions to pick up my student robes. I hate the idea of uniforms, but once I tried it on, I realized that the cut suited me very well. We got three each of standard skirts, blouses, ties, vests, socks, and shoes. Mom bought a Quidditch uniform for me "just in case you want to play on a team." Dad said each item was "blank" until I was sorted into a House. At that time, the uniform would adjust to the proper House colors and badges.

We bought the rest of the required items without and problems. Dad suggested I buy a field mouse for a familiar. I bought a very sweet brown and grey mouse named Dewey.

After a lovely lunch that was thankfully free of any magic, my parents took me to the train station. They held my hands and took me through the wall to the Hogwarts Express platform.

Saying goodbye was awful. Even though my parents are a pain, I miss them like crazy. I thought I was going to throw up when the train started to move and they appeared smaller and smaller as we pulled away from the station.

We didn't reach Hogwarts until nighttime. A giant with a brown shaggy beard led us to a dark lake where little boats were waiting for us. (I found out later that the giant's name is Hagrid.) The boats steered themselves to the far shore of the lake where a very imposing Gothic structure awaited us. Once inside, we were led to a Great Hall that was already filled with other students.

Our Headmistress, Ms. Wartbobble, greeted us warmly and told us to come to the front of the room to be sorted. I'm really glad mom and dad told me all about this or I would've been completely lost. This awesome old brown hat was placed on each student's head and it called out what House we were to be in.

Mom and dad had hoped I'd be placed in Ravenclaw because of my IQ and academic interests. The hat had other ideas. It said that I had a strong spirit and brave heart that belonged in Gryffindor. So I'm in Gryffindor House. ROAR, ROAR, GRYFFINDOR!

We ate a lovely dinner and then were led to our dormitories. We were introduced to our prefect and sent to bed. I had no argument there - I was exhausted! They said that we'd be assigned our term-long dorm mates later in the week. I thought I'd have a tough time getting to sleep in such a strange and new place, but I think I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow.

Wood type: holly Length: 11½ inches Core: Dragon Heartstring get your own wand!