New Classes and more cookies...

 This is my NANO (national novel writing month) so grammar is on the back burner more so then ever.  I am checking spelling but that does not mean I won't miss something... read if you want and enjoy if you can...    

 

Journal Entry Twenty Four:

Classes look great. I know I can make some of these work.

I can not believe how much I am liking History of Magic. There is so much you can do with what they are offering. And I love stories about Fae and have a fair knowledge about Seelie and UnSeelie Fae too. There might be away I can detect people who mean harm and could work that for the Fae too. Everything else I am not sure but I know I can handle what they throw at me.

This is going to be awesome. Just awesome.

Journal Entry Twenty Five:

I know I need to be more focused on Remus right now but I am still very concerned about who cursed me. I feel edgy like something is just sitting on the back of my neck and telling me that something is coming that will trip me up. That everything I care about is in danger. It is not fair. I swear life just keeps throwing things at me.

I will not fail this time. I will complete what I start out with. I will. I will. I WILL!!!

Journal Entry Twenty Six:

I managed to sneak into the restricted section last night. With the boys out for the night, this was the perfect time for me to do some personal research. I found the spell that can bond the essence of dementor to an object. It takes a fair amount of time to do, two months. And it has a shelf life. If it is not given to someone with in a week of the bonding the item loose the essence and it does not attach itself to a person. Once, however, the laced item is given to someone and attaches itself to them, it feeds off of their self doubt and insecurities. It draws out of them what a dementor actually would. However, it is easily gotten rid of, unless a permanency bonding to the intended target is add. There was a reference to another spell and spell book by the same author but I did not have time to search for it. I will have to do that in the next few nights. I am going to find out who did this and from everything I am finding, someone had to have planed this for sometime to make it work.

Letters stuffed in between pages...

Dear Abigail,

I am worried about Rei. I talked to her not too long ago again. I did not tell you about the first time because I did not want to worry you. But I think it is getting worse for her. She is talking about shadows and being followed.

I need to ask you to look for something she always seems to have with her, even if she does not want it with her. Does there seem to be a darkness clinging to her? I am afraid she has been cursed like I had been cursed. I know you have your doubts about that. But I really need you to keep an eye on Rei. She might start to lash out at people or worse, lash out at herself. I still bear some of the scars of those days.

Please 'gail. It is important. Let me know. Any way you can. And be careful. If it is a cursed item, they get nasty when you try and get rid of them.

Stay safe.

'kit.

Dear 'kit,

Oh my lovely daughter. I thought I would send another package. I know you have a lot of homework you are working through but the Evans' seem to convey that you did not get very many of your own cookies. So I am sending you your own personal box of them. The secondary box is for your boys and yes I know they are your boys. That whole way you talk about them. They seem to want to protect you too from what Lily's mom has said. Just noticing. Maybe you could give the second box directly to Remus and let him share it if he wants to. I am just making a suggestion.

Well, I love you and be safe.

Mom.

Journal Entry Twenty Seven:

I hid my tin of cookies and passed the other along to Lily and her dorm mates. I know it might be mean but I swear Sirius is a bottomless pit or he has a hollow leg. He just about vacuumed up the last batch mom sent me. Of course I had to explain a vacuum to the boys then. That was interesting. Being a muggle born in a wizarding world is sometimes really really difficult. I am so glad Lily is around otherwise I might go really insane.

I am a fuzzy slinkie...

 This is my NANO (national novel writing month) so grammar is on the back burner more so then ever.  I am checking spelling but that does not mean I won't miss something... read if you want and enjoy if you can...   

Journal Entry Twenty Two:

I did it and I changed back no added fur or ears or tail!!!! YES!!!!

Journal Entry Twenty Three:

I finished my Gray Wrapped Wings and I am exhausted.

I turned it in and I added a little surprise.

I know I will eventually have to register but that is only when they realize I turned myself into a ferret. I have eight ferrets running around me at any given point in time. The fact that they might notice an extra one in the mix will be slim. But I will because it is the right thing to do. But I will say it was great pulling it off. James and I finally got it down last night. I was able to change from a human to a ferret and back again with no problems. So, I used the fact that I had integrated Diricawl feathers into the sweater as a precursor to changing into a ferret. To make it look like I disappeared. I am so excited. There is probably a lot of trouble that I can get into as a ferret but right now I do not care.

Remus, I am sure, will lecture me about registering once I am back home and I will agree with him. Once I am back home. For right now, this form will lend a great advantage into finding out who cursed me and threatened my friends.

A little bit more...

 This is my NANO (national novel writing month) so grammar is on the back burner more so then ever.  I am checking spelling but that does not mean I won't miss something... read if you want and enjoy if you can...  

Journal Entry Twenty:

I am worried about Rei. I don't know what to do. She is scared and for the first time in a long time I am scared for her. I used the floo network to talk to her. Connecting the fireplaces between Hogwarts and WinterWare. I wonder if I should not have come to Hogwarts this year. If I should have gone to WinterWare with Rei and Abigail. I had something to prove by coming here. I had to figure out who had me cursed last year and I know it is connected to here, to Hogwarts. But I am very very concerned. I think I am going to write 'gail. I want to know what she thinks about Rei.

Journal Entry Twenty One:

Well, I seem to be waiting 'till the last moment to turn in classes again. But I managed two more...

The wonderful little shawlette that I cal Energized! (because it reminds me of energy) and would help find someone in a crowd... very strong vibes coming off of it, for Defense Against Dark Arts.

And then for History of Magic and the production of one of the Tales of Beetle the Bard. I made a stream.

I did a fair amount for classes... now to finish my detention.

Storms, trees and cookies...

 This is my NANO (national novel writing month) so grammar is on the back burner more so then ever.  I am checking spelling but that does not mean I won't miss something... read if you want and enjoy if you can... 

Journal Entry Eighteen:

Well two more classes down. The troupe as been overly helpful with classes this year. I am not sure why.

Actually I am. But today is a good day and I am focusing on good things right now.

I am hyper excited about Herbology because we are studyng wand lore and the fact that my wand is a rare wood in Britain makes for this to be a fun time for me. I have a sequoia wand. Very American based. It was amazing when I got it. It literally sung in my hands. No it really did, the whole room was filled with music and it seemed to surprise the wand maker as well. And it works great for me... most of the time. Occasionally it is a little finicky and very strong willed but so am I and that allows me to have it do what needs to be done. It very definitely works better in a more natural environment. And even though I am a city-girl this wand works wonders for me.

I actually let the wand sing the spell itself, I like how things turned out.

Charms, however, was a great class. And I was able to come up with a spell to capture the storm that the Professors let loose in the class room utilizing twisters and cyclones.

I did kind of, almost, a little bit, destroy the class room itself. But it is very hard to control a twister, it has a mind of it's own and well, weather magic is very very very hard. At least I kept it contained to the class room.

Packages interlude: 

Package from Mom with letter..

Well 'kit, here is your package. I hope it finds you well and I hope you don't mind I also slipped in some special items I know you like. Socks, a scarf (yes I know you have your Dr. Gryffindor but I don't care I am your mom and I am allowed.) But anyway, I made several batches off cookies so hopefully there is enough for those who want them. Oh I also slipped in your slippers because you forget them at home this year. I know they are your favorite and take you to your own OZ. Just remember you can always click your heels and remember that there is 'no place like home.' Your father slipped in a book that he thought you would like. Hopefully you will have some time to read it. We love you and see you when school is out.

Mom and Dad.

P.S. I know you are thinking about doing some continued education with Hogwarts but maybe you should take a year off get your footing back home. Just a thought, I am sorry I am babbling and miss you. I love you darling.

Journal Entry Nineteen:

You would think the boys would have allowed me more than one cookie. Next time hide the rest of the box before sharing.

The Troupe and friends...

This is my NANO (national novel writing month) so grammar is on the back burner more so then ever.  I am checking spelling but that does not mean I won't miss something... read if you want and enjoy if you can...  

 

Journal Entry Fifteen B:

Okay maybe I do want Sirius to teach me. I am so sore and I have fur in my ears that I now have to shave out. That is so wrong.

And I am still gliterfied.. *Groan*

Journal Entry Sixteen:

Remus finally asked me about the troupe. I had to laugh. It was so funny how he did it. He does not like making too many waves around me at least but he wanted to know. I know I have told other people before but the boys had never really asked. They had just accepted I had ferrets. They never really counted so when we actually sat down to talk about it I had to tell them.

Each troupe member has a job to help me. I am not totally sure when they showed up. I think, Dumbles and Snapers have been around the whole time supporting me but I can not be really sure. I do know that they really started to come in full force about two years ago. My fifth year.

The Troupe is a band of eight ferrets. Four ferrets representing the Houses, one representing Quidditch and three that represent parts of myself.

First is Sherman. He is a larger ferret, burly, with a redish fox like tint to his fur. He is the Gryffindor ferret. Brave and noble. And a bit reckless. He gets himself into more trouble that I can even say. But I love him. His favorite classes tend to be Tranfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures (though I think he also like DADA but that is just a personal thought.)

Next is Sally. She is a dark brown ferret with a very distinguishing mask, who is the Slytherin ferret. She is also Sherman's best friend. I kid you not they are almost inseparable. She is cunning and crafty and will defend her troupe by what ever means are necessary. She tends to like Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, which is probably one of the reason why Sherman like DADA.

Rowin is my little black eyed white ferret scholar and my Ravenclaw ferret. She is intelligent and clever. She tends to be more cautious than the rest of the troupe. She keeps them, mostly out of trouble until they get her into it. She is very curious, more so than the rest of the troupe, and that is what will get her into more trouble than the others.

Lulu is a light brown badger marked ferret who is the accepting Hufflepuff ferret. Her favorite thing to wear is a pink tutu. I do not know why and I have long since stopped trying to figure it out. I think she would do back flips for a sparkly one. She small but sturdy and loyal. She is also persistent, which can also be interpreted as stubborn. She loves Divination and Charms. Though does have a fascination with Herbology.

Snitchet my tiny (smallest of the troupe) honey golden Quidditch ferret. I still want to know where she got the wings and how she keeps managing to get flying potions or charms or spells of some sort. She is amazingly crafty and energetic. She is my ADOS ferret, Attention Deficient Ooo Shiny. If it is gold and shinny she loves it. I kid you not. Insane about Quidditch and wants to learn how to fly a broom. A ferret on a broom would be something to behold. And I bet she could eventually figure it out. Wrangling her is a full time job in and of itself, but she also minds herself around Dumbles. Dislikes Snapers but will mind him if I tell her to, which is every day otherwise she won't.

Nevi is my chubby dark sable ferret. He has the heart of a lion, though he does not always know it. He stumbled through the first bit but seems to have found his footing. He will defend the troupe with his life and has a strong hate, and it is hate, for snakes. I have found a few carcases around his sleeping area under the bed. He loves Herbology and is amazingly very good at Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Now Snapers is an interesting black ferret who always looks like he is either going to fall asleep on you or just disinterested in everything. This is an incredibly rare trait in ferrets. He, when he does speak...

Oh yeah they do talk. I have a couple of charms set up around the dorm and common room so that people can understand then. Elsewhere in the castle not so much. I try not to disturb the workings of Hogwarts too much and just keeping the charms contained to Gryffindor seemed to be the way to go.

Yes, when he does speak, it is with a very dry sarcastic undertone. And he would never admit this but he loves cuddles by the fire and cups of tea. He is a lover of tea.

Dumbles is my elder silver gray ferret, who somehow manages to wear golden rimed half moon glasses. He is clever and optimistic about live the universe and everything. No he is. He is wise, very wise in my opinion and gets into more trouble than Snitchet when he is determined. He and Snapers are the ferrets who encourage me with my OWLs. Oh and he likes to sleep inside socks, particularly blue ones. He says they are bigger on the inside.

You might ask why I have eight ferret companions instead of one cat, owl or toad, well I am not sure actually but they let me keep all of them. Probably because they would find a way back into the castle even if they were thrown out, sent home or cursed away. They are resourceful and somehow stuck with me at Hogwarts. Each ferret has their thing they do for me. Each baby is special. Only Dumbles and Snapers are allowed to help me with my search for who cursed me, all of the others would spill their furry little bellies for a teaspoon of FerriTone, aka Ferret Crack. *shakes head*

Journal Entry Seventeen:

I feel great about this term. Absolutely great. I am even getting letters from family and friends. And I am progressing in my classes. I am so excited about this year.

Letter Interlude:

'Kit!

Oh how I miss you too. I am constantly wondering about you and what you are up to. You are going to have to give me some details on what classes are like there. Here it is a lot of fundamentals. We have our core classes that we have to take. Potions, Transfiguration, Charms and Herbology. Magical Self Defense is an elective but highly recommended. Flying, Astronomy and Divination are other electives that are offered. Magical Creatures (not Care of) it is a mix of identifying, hunting and caring for them, I am taking that one. It is a lot of fun. I love creatures.

Anyway, Rei misses you lots, she talks about you constantly and is wondering when you will be coming back and if you will be coming to our school next year. I don't think she understands that seven years is generally the top on this level of wizarding.

Oh yeah, I met someone. He is perfect. He sends me flowers and fairies all the time. The house elves are getting sick of cleaning up after him, since he likes to have rose petals drop from the ceiling when ever I enter my dorm.

I don't know if I ever told you about the dorms here. They are lovely. I mean it is always cold, you Michiganders just seem to handle it better than I do. But the view is great. My dorm is in the north wing. I am on the third floor (I think) and we are over looking Lake Superior. The waters always seem to be so clear. I get to watch when storms roll in over the water. Coming from Arizona this is an amazing thing. You really should come and visit here and enjoy what they have to offer.

Maybe you could do a study here and still take some credits over there. (crosses fingers and hopes)

Anyway, I should get back to my homework. Be safe as always.

Abigail.

On a crumpled piece of paper stuck next to the other a very shaky script reads...

'kit, I am scared. Something is following. Shadows are everywhere. They are grabbing at me. I don't want to tell anyone what is going on, but I think someone is after me. I am having bad dreams... it has been a long time since I have had dreams like these. Please... what should I do? I know you are very good at figuring out dreams. Midnight, on Saturday. I will be waiting in our common room. I know you know ways of talking face to face. Please... I will be waiting. ~ Rei.

Marauders and friends...

This is my NANO (national novel writing month) so grammar is on the back burner more so then ever.  I am checking spelling but that does not mean I won't miss something... read if you want and enjoy if you can...  

Journal Entry Thirteen B:

I was sitting in the common room when the boys walked up. It was late at I was working on finishing another class. Remus did something he never does, he took my work from me and set it aside. He also took my hands in his. (Now I know I turned seven shades of pink at this moment but I did not care or notice, at the time, that Sirius was being serious.)

Remus then asked me if I truly wanted to find the person who had cursed me and if I truly believed someone did curse me and that it wasn't some random event. That I was the intended target.

(After getting my senses back I realized he was being serious and so were the other boys. Peter looked absolutely terrified and James had his game face on.)

I think I managed a nod.

He nodded at that. “Do you solemnly swear you are up to no good?”

When he said that, I blinked and had no clue what he meant. “Do you solemnly swear you are up to no good!” The second time he made it a statement and I understood. He was swearing me into their little secret club.

I mean everyone knew they had a little boys club they hung out in but no one else had ever joined. Now here I was sitting in the Gryffindor common room being asked, in a way to join their 'boys' club. If I hadn't been sitting down I would have fallen over.

I managed to swallow and moisten up my very dry throat and nod.

I was then told by a very exasperated Sirius that I had to say it. (Hey I am a girl what did they expect... me not to go totally ashen and act like this is really cool and I know what I am doing... no I don't know what I am doing I am always running around like frickin' chicken with it's head cut off racing to get things done before the world ends... GEEZ!)

So I said it. “I solemnly swear I am up to no good.”

They nodded and looked at each other and then Remus told me that they couldn't tell me everything right then but they would help me find out who cursed me. And that James would help me with the other thing I was trying to do. And then he winked. Remus never winks, why the hell did he wink? And what other thing... I have eighty bazillion other things.

Journal Entry Fourteen:

So I turned in another class, this one I worked very well. A Cowl for All Season, for Flying. I love flying and flying though hoops is a jaunting way to go. Sirius said I should have made a mobius but I have never made one of those before I was a little intimidated by it so... I simply took on something I thought I could manage. It was a fun little thing to do.

Journal Entry Fifteen A:

Oh that other thing!

The boys took me to a deserted classroom last night. They new better than to try and come up and get me on their own, they sent Lily. Though, it was funny to watch Sirius the first time he tried to sneak into a girls dorm room. The stairs the slide, the second time was funnier with the catapult. (I so loved to hear that scream. He compared it to being launched off a broom by a bludger.) But I digress.

Remus met me at the bottom of the stairs and trust me if I was awake enough I would have actually seen this coming but it had been a long day of classes and I had gone to bed early. They bamphed me with some spell. The next thing I knew I was sitting on a couch in a dimly lit classroom and Lily was chewing out Sirius and James on the other side. “I don't care if you are initiating her. You do not do that to a girl, ever.” I watched as she turned and walked over to Remus. “Just let me know when you are done and I will come and get all of you safely back into the Gryffindor common room. And...” She turned to me at this time. “... let me know if they do anything inappropriate, again.” She then left the room. I blinked. She probably was not the best choice to help get me where ever I was now but she probably was the only one I would have gotten up for. I sighed and looked at Remus.

It was then that they started to tell me about their little group of Marauders, or at least that was what they called themselves. They told me about Remus' condition, and how each of them helped. That all these thing were put in place and they worked together to keep Hogwarts and those in Gryffindor tower safe. “In fact we work hard to keep all of the students safe.” James had spoken up. “Even Slytherin.” I could almost hear Sirius' distaste for that house but he still said it, which was something. Peter was the least talkative among them but I had always come to expect that from him. He had always been the more shy of the set. He had always been the follower not the leader. He was more like me, I guess. Supporting those around him, even if it meant he was in the shadow. So I asked him why he did it. Why he learned it and why he continued to work with this group of ruffians.

His answer was simple to the point and I believe from the heart. “They are my friends.”

I nodded and told them I was totally in. I was their person. Their girl friday. And that I would have James teach me. “Sirius. I am a girl and I have a brain, so you would definitely get board with me.”

With that there was a slightly surprised look and Sirius responded in a way I never expected. He came up to me and took me in a hug. “For you, I would make an exception.” Then he shoved me back and said. “To the kitchens for dessert.”

We did not end up going to the kitchens we ended up going back to our tower. And morning came way too early for me. I was exhausted all day and still am. Should take a nap, but I have some studying to do before dinner.

Letter Interlude: To a dear friend.

Dear 'gail,

I know you are struggling at school and I thought I would write and give a little bit of sunshine. I miss our outings for coffee and photographs. It was fun this summer, between work and reading about the hoarding world.

Do you remember the walks in the dunes and around the lakes. That was a fun vacation. We were able to create some great stories and craft together some wonderful spells. I am learning so much more while I am here. I know there will be so much more that we can do together when I come home.

No, Remus hasn't really noticed me. I guess I have to be okay with that. I don't really know why I like him but I do. Then there is of course my friend at home, but that is very very very complicated, so I am trying really hard to keep it platonic and well, then there is you. But you like Remus, just see me as a friend. (I know I should stop pining for what I can't have.)

I haven't been having bad days while I am here and that is a good thing. The troupe keeps pushing me and that is really good.

I will tell you a little secret. It is their little shining eyes and pink and black noses and inquisitive natures that keep me going and get me out of bed every day.

Okay, I should go.... but first, you must tell me all about your classes. I am curiosity to know what a Wizarding School in my home state is like.

Be safe and smile.

'kit.

An interlude, Letters from home...

This is my NANO (national novel writing month) so grammar is on the back burner more so then ever.  I am checking spelling but that does not mean I won't miss something... read if you want and enjoy if you can...  

 

Letter One To Mom:

Mom,

Hiya there. Just managing to keep busy over here. Sorry I haven't written yet. Classes are amazing as always. I think I am finally getting the hang of Potions. I am loving most of my Professors. They are even letting me do some alternative magics. Who knew they were so progressive.

I know you are worried about me but really I am doing a lot better than I was last year. I am getting things done and I am keeping my spirits up very well.
The house elves haven't killed the troupe yet or me for my messy tendencies, of course I have yet to blow up the Potions lab so they have very little to worry about. (no I am not kidding I did that the other year and the house elves boycotted my bed making for a month.)

And before you ask, there is no one special in my life. It is complicated enough with learning magic, living away from home in another country and being away from you guys. I do not need to be adding a significant other into the mix of all that trouble.

Well, I should be going. Give everyone my love and I will see you over the holidays.

'kit.

P.S. Hopefully the owls are finding you okay. Wizards don't necessarily understand Muggle Post

.

Letter Two from Mom:

Hi honey,

I am glad to hear you are enjoying yourself so much over there. I hope you are bundling up and staying warm. You know how you can get bronchitis so easily.

I am putting together another care package for you. Should I send it to the Evans' like I did the last time? I just really do not trust Owl Post over the Atlantic with a box that has food in it. And you got the package alright from them last time right?

As for the significant other. I just want you to be happy honey, that is the important thing. But I mean that Remus Lupin was very nice the last time I was over visiting. But that is just me being hopeful, I guess. Of course that Sirius fellow was very dashing as well. I digress, what ever makes you happy.

Anyway, everyone is doing well, including your grandma, blissful as ever. We love you and miss you.

Love mom.

Letter Three to mom

Mom,

Really mom? Really? Remus is just a friend. And I am happy to keep it that way. As for Sirius Black. No way. N.O. Way. He is a very dashing young man but not my type. A little more arrogant than I would choose, that whole 'I am handsome and know it' attitude. Besides there is someone I like back home, and no I am not telling you who. So, DROP IT!!! (there I put it all in capitals so you will understand.

Yes, Lily said her parents would gladly send a package on to Hogwarts if you wanted to send it to them to get it through the OWL Post. They were happy to do it for you before and they would be happy to do it again. They are a wonderful muggle family who understand how difficult it can be to traverse the ways of the wizarding world. Even though you are an American witch, couple of generations out.

I know my dorm mates and the troupe wait (not so) patiently for your package. (there are several request for your chocolate chip cookies by the way.)

Classes keep going and I am managing to keep things interesting. Running around like a chicken with my head cut off, as usual.

Oh have to dash. I love you.

'kit

Letter Four from Mom

Dear 'kit,

Chocolate Chip Cookies, check.

String – check

Ferret Toys – check.

I think I need to do a little more shopping. I hope Dumbles is doing well. He always makes me laugh when you come home. I just wish some of the others besides Dumbles and Snapers would come home with you. But I know you say they are Hogwarts ferrets through and through and that getting them to leave the grounds is apparently very difficult. But try. I would love to see Lulu in her tutu and Snitchet zooming around with her wings. I know they make you laugh and keep smiles on your face for more seasons that I can say. Each one of them provides something special I don't know how else to describe it but when you talk about them and love on the two who come home, you glow. You are a little ferret girl. You need to remember that and them.

Don't let the darker side of yourself creep in and cause you pain. They will help keep it away. And so will your friends and family. We love you.

Hearts and more hearts, Big huggles and luvs. Mom.

Letter five to Mom

Mommy,

All the colors of the rainbow can not describe how much your words mean and how much your love is to me. If I could capture them and give them all to you I would. Thank you so much.

'kit.

P.S. I will see what I can do with the troupe.