Anaïs Séverine Bolduc

Like others, I found Halloween to be a distraction from other things going on. I don't know why this surprises me, but I must say that I'm glad that it did. I also had a letter from my older brother, which I haven't done in a while. News of home is always welcome. Julian still isn't writing to me... what have I done? Why won't he at least tell me what I did to offend him?

Hopefully Halloween will prove to be a good distraction. I'm trying to looking forward to it, anyway.

I have finally received a letter from the older of my brothers. The younger still isn't answering mail. I am really tempted to just ignore everything outside of school until it's time for Christmas. Oh god, Christmas...

Private to: Funeral guests
Thanks for coming. It meant a lot to have some wizards people there. I think Dad felt the same, not that he would admit it.
End

Private to: Adrian, Blaise, Theodore
I think Julian has disowned me.
End

I'm still not sure about the idea of starting a formal club, but Professor Flitwick was kind enough to allow me to use the Charms classroom for yoga practice on Monday evening, and he says it's there for use in the evenings now the weather's going to turn. I'm not particularly scheduled about these things... just let me know if you feel like coming.

Private to: Professors
My mother's funeral has been arranged for this coming Saturday, now that matters have been settled with the Muggle coroner. I trust it would still be OK to return home for that weekend?
End

Private to: Adrian, Theodore, Blaise
Mum's funeral has been settled for next weekend. So if you don't see me around the common room... yeah, that'd be why.
End

Private to: Lisa, Seamus, Rhys
I know from personal experience that there's nothing I can really do... but I'm thinking of you all in any case. Turpin, I wish I had half of your courage in telling Parkinson where she can shove her stupid opinions, I really do.
End

Private to: Weasleys, Prewetts, Lily Potter
I know it might not be terribly likely... but we're having Mum's funeral next weekend. The invitation to attend is there if any of you wish to come. It's about time Dad made up with his wizarding family
End

I think I am ready to start my yoga practice again soon. It's about time I did something to get back into my usual habits, I think.

I just wanted to say thank you to the people who offered to lend me their class notes. It is a shame that sometimes it takes a personal crisis to assess your relationships with other people in school, but it least it means that I am able to be thankful for something.

I'm not going into Hogsmeade today, though, so I think I'll just pop up to the Owlery to mail-order the things I need to buy. Having said that, I need to figure out how to order flowers from a Muggle florist whilst still at school...

I sincerely apologise to those with whom I have had odd conversations with in the last couple of days. Calming draughts can do funny things to a girl (and that's not making excuses, it's simply a statement of fact)... I will hopefully be allowed back to class tomorrow - remaining in the common room is not something to which I am particularly suited.

[Hexed against Mafalda herself]
Um, hello. I don't have one of these things so I hope I did the ward right.

Anyway, my name's Thea, I'm in the bed next to Mafalda in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey's given her a sleeping draught because she's been rather... well, I'll let her explain it herself when she's awake. Just be well aware that when she is awake, Madam Pomfrey's going to give her a calming draught so what she says might sound a bit funny. Just be nice, please?
-TS
[End hex]

[Public: by Mafalda herself]

My mother is dead.

This is certainly a weekend in which I will have to try to clear some thoughts from my mind. My schoolwork is running to schedule, so that is not a problem, but for some reason I can't seem to relax. It's as though there's a foggy feeling in my brain that I can't seem to shift.

Probably time for some yoga by the lake while the weather is still good, I think.

I must admit that Qudditch isn't exactly my thing, but I suppose it would be churlish of me to not congratulate those who are happy to have made it onto their teams.

Also, this morning I received an owl from my mother when the school owl I sent yesterday returned. It's only taken her a little over six years to learn how...

I don't know if any of the suggested clubs are for me, but I'm determined to do some sort of non-school activities this year. Professor Flitwick has let me start practising the piano during choir rehearsals, and at the weekend I'm going to spend more time outdoors, even if it's just studying when the weather's good. Might go jogging or do yoga or something similar... I find the fresh air helps me concentrate.

Being back in my own space in my dorm at last is such a relief. I actually feel like the place I live in is mine, for a change.

Getting back into the swing of things tomorrow could be hard, though. I didn't have much chance to do background reading on some of my subjects, homework besides, because it was so sunny and hot most of the summer that people in the neighbourhood were in and out of each other's houses having parties and sunbathing and things, so I couldn't risk leaving my stuff out in the open, which was a little frustrating. Though at least if I had to tell someone I was studying so couldn't leave I could tell them I was doing my Maths homework instead of Arithmancy, or something.

I am looking forward to the new things that will be going on, though. A challenge would be a good thing.

So, Dad decided that the ideal moment to discuss what I plan on doing after Hogwarts was on the way to King's Cross (you can tell he'd been putting it off, right?). He's got it into his head that I'll be applying to university, though how he expects me to get in with wizarding qualifications, I'm not entirely sure. I didn't dare bring that up, just made some approving noises and said "yes, Dad" occasionally.

Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, DADA, Charms, Potions and Transfiguration. I'm sure I'll figure out something that plays to my strengths from those.

Private to: Friends
Half tempted to apply for a Ministry position just to stick a metaphorical finger up at him, I'm so annoyed. At least there's still the option of a year out after school to figure it out, if I need it.

Private
I am sick of feeling like I don't have friends at school. Adults are usually kind enough to me, but I want people to actually like me, rather than fear me or ignore me... is it so hard to be treated reasonably? Some of my own house are just beyond pathetic. Still, if it carries on, at least being out of school will afford me some freedom, at last. Maybe I'll get away.
/Private

Whilst starting my packing for school the other day, it occurred to me that I don't really know what I want to do after Hogwarts. I don't just mean career wise, either - I'd like to feel like what I end up doing has a purpose, rather than sitting behind a desk all day and going home at night. I just don't know what my purpose is yet, I suppose.

I also quite like the idea of going travelling for a while. My brothers both did that when they left school and had the most amazing time, but there are so many interesting places in the world that one might want to go to, where to start?

This is one of those days where I really wish I still lived in Devon. Summer though it might be, Manchester is still grey and miserable looking. I need to go find a place that's more... uplifting, I think.

Homework has been done for ages now. It's a sad day when you wish you had some left.

It appears as though a few people delayed writing in these having lost them, but from a personal perspective I've been rather busy this summer. With only a few weeks left until the start of school, things are finally starting to settle down and I've had more time to myself.

I do like being able to do magic at home now I'm of age, though. I feel useful for once

( 'Dum Spiro, Spero. While I Breathe, I Hope.' )