Anaïs Séverine Bolduc

Private

How COULD they? How could they SERIOUSLY think that was a good idea? It has to be one of the most irresponsible things I have EVER heard - and not to mention I've now got to deal with the fall-out from one very pissed-off team member and a coach who is not stupid and who will notice something is wrong sooner or later. What the hell do I say?

Dani - in French

A word, Cherie?

Didi - in French

I need your advice, if you are free any time soon.

Chase, Cody, Vasili

I have something of a hypothetical question for you boys, if I may?

I think the time is right to go for a very long run around the grounds. Expect me back by dinner.

I simply must say thanks to the people who sent me things for my birthday! Obviously because not doing so would be rude, but in the case of my team especially, they clearly know me far too well. Never let it be said that they do not have excellent taste. I was certainly happy, in any case. I feel so spoiled!

In fact, they have sparked something of a spot of inspiration. I'll have to get out my sketchbooks when not at class or practice.

Didi, in French

I am certainly not surprised by your exquisite taste, as always. Please feel free to share with me - and I would certainly appreciate an opinion on what I wear to the gala. With or without date, I intend to look fabulous.

Dani, in French

The books were wonderful, ma cherie. I shall have a wonderful time reading them! Many bisous!

Essie

A question about the gala, if I may?</b>

It only occurred to me that my birthday's on a weekday this year. Wednesday. If only it had been on Monday, because on Tuesdays my first class is only at 3pm and that would have allowed me to stay up later than usual. Having said that, I only have the one subject on my actual birthday, Muggle Studies, so I suppose I can be grateful for that.

Well. I made the mistake of mentioning the gala to my brother in my last letter to him, and got a reply this morning in which he made a "joke" about how I will never be able to find a boy to go with if I'm going to wear heels with my dress. Really? Is it so off-putting to have a tall date? I would not have thought that all the young men of our schools would think like this. In any case, I shall wear the shoes, date or not. What I intend to wear will look silly with flats.

On a more positive note, Jean-Claude's late reply means that I now have my owl back in school with me, which is useful. Besides, I think Franc will prefer the weather here. He's more used to the cold.

The pictures everyone has been showing of where they come from and of their families are really interesting. I'll admit it, I'm really nosy. Also, I think it's a nice way to spend a few minutes.

In any case, never let it be said that I'm too proud to jump on a bandwagon. I've included pictures of my family, and of our home in Canada as well as Paris.

( Wave wand for pictures )

I must say that I am looking forward to the upcoming visit to Hogsmeade. The castle itself is charming, but it's good to see some different scenery every now and again. That, and I prefer not to have to do all my shopping by owl post. Shopping sight unseen can be rather a risky business. At least there are only three people in my immediate family to buy for, and Jean-Claude will be satisfied with anything that has alcohol in it.

Beauxbâtons

Allez-vous au fête de la famille Warbeck cet Noël? J'avais totalement oublié ma invitation avant ce matin. Je l'ai trouvé dans ma malle.

----------

Are you all going to the Warbeck family gala this Christmas? I'd totally forgotten my invitation before this morning. I found it in my trunk.

It's time to move on...

( Anaïs Avéline Bolduc )

( Timetable )

Adrian
Seriously, do you have any idea what's going on? I swear, this castle is driving me mad. Is everyone all right?

Theodore
Where the hell have you been lately? I've been so worried concerned about you.

Fred and George
Why do I get the feeling everyone else knows about what is going on and I don't? Either of you care to fill me in?

I have come to something of a conclusion that I know of a vague aim and general field I have when it comes to post-Hogwarts career goals, but not a specific avenue with which to pursue them. I suppose this will be something I have to think about in the coming months.

Slytherins
What on earth is going on in this house at the moment? I swear, the place has never seemed so... well, lacklustre is the only word for it.
End

Private
I am not quite sure how I felt when Theodore said what he did about the first Christmas after. I think I've been so engrossed in my own thoughts that I'd forgotten that anyone else might know how I'm feeling... which as a result, is an odd mix of guilt (for forgetting him) and relief that... I don't know. Relief that in something, I'm not alone, I think.

I wish others could see how I'm thinking, though. I don't mean to be rude, but I really do need my time alone here at school.
End

It feels odd that school has now started again. It feels like something of a relief, knowing that I'm back to something of a more normal routine. I found the holidays to be peaceful, if not exactly enjoyable... I spent an hour or so on New Year's Eve by myself, practising some yoga and meditating, and it felt good - like I could somehow close the door on what went on in 1995 and really start afresh this time. I don't want to waste my final months at Hogwarts, and now my mind is clear, I think I'm in a place where I can begin to rebuild my plans for the future and move on.

On a slightly less grim note, I need to thank some of you for cards and gifts, and apologise for a lack of response. I shall endeavour to make up for that this term.

I'm only saying this because it would look churlish if I didn't

I'm not going to say what I was actually up to, or I'd only get accused of ruining everyone's Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Surely the ball must be nearly over by now I think an early night was probably the best decision. I feel a rather nasty headache to be coming on.

Not long to go now until the Christmas holidays. I imagine the castle will be rather quiet without the vast majority of students in it.

Private
I don't want to be around many people this year, so a quiet one suits me fine. I do't want to hear of other people's talk of families and how much they're looking forward to seeing them... not now.

I am so looking forward to getting out of the castle and properly stretching my legs for a while. I've been looking at school work for so long that I feel a different stimulus would be most welcome.

Tired. So, so tired. I don't really know what the point in anything is anymore... I get up every day and go to class, come back and go to bed. I don't enjoy eating anymore. None of my activities grab me the way they used to. I'm fed up of just... existing.

Well, congratulations to Hufflepuff are in order, it would seem. I know little about Quidditch, but that certainly seemed to be a convincing scoreline.

( OWL scores, June 1997 )

I think I'm going to stay at school for Christmas. I don't know if anyone else is, but to be honest, that's not going to be my deciding factor in the whole thing.

I think I'm having one of those days where I'm glad I'm not all that big on Quidditch. I had to stuff bits of rolled up parchment in my ears in the library because a group of first years were still arguing about the last match, but luckily Pince threw them out rather quickly and I was able to finish my Potions homework.