justkevin

( 'The greater the loyalty of a group toward the group, the greater is the motivation among the members to achieve the goals of the group, and the greater the probability that the group will achieve its goals.' - Rensis Likert )

I eventually got my COMC assignment done - it was the problem question that Professor G-P set on what could happen if you gave captive Hippogriffs a poor diet - but I know I'm going to have to check it at least a few more times before handing it in. There were a few COMC students studying towards the front of the library when that suit of armour kept belching, and quite a few people who'll be on the warpath with Madam Pince when the culprit is found out.

Still, it was quite an interesting subject to read about, which was nice. Hippogriffs are probably one of my favourite magical creatures.

Private
I had a good time with Chelsea at Hogsmeade. I just need the guts to ask her out properly.

And when is the next Quidditch game, I wonder? I imagine we won't be playing so watching the other teams will be good.
End Private

Laura
I know it's probably the last thing on your mind right now, but between us we have the work you've missed so far from school. Don't worry about any of it as I think you'll find it pretty straightforward when you're ready to tackle these things again. I hope you're as all right as can be expected. Mum wants to know where to send flowers
End Hex

Henry and Chelsea
Have either of you heard from Laura?
End hex

That's about the third time I've tried to write this entry, but hexing the page hasn't worked the way it used to - commas keep appearing across the page. I wonder what the cause of that might be?

If someone is ill or injured, and they're not exactly getting better but they're not getting worse either - is that a bad thing or a good thing?

Private
Poor Dad. He's being so calm throughout all this... I don't know how he's managing. I hope Mum is OK... maybe I'll write her a letter.

Private
I still can't believe what happened in Charms. Merlin, that was embarassing.

Private to: Kevin's friends
Who's dressing up for Halloween?

Private
I still can't get over winning last weekend. That felt SO good! I still can't believe we beat Gryffindor either, I mean, they've been the number 1 team in school for years now!

I'm feeling really good for once. I don't want to let anything spoil that.
End Private

I'm really looking forward to the weekend. No particular reason, but when you're in a good mood I don't suppose you really need a reason.

I'm glad I missed the egging the other day. That's something I feel I could have done without.

Maya seems to be tantrumming her way through the castle at the moment, I dread to ask why. Did happen after a letter from home, though... I'm staying out of it. Mum would have said something if it was something I needed to know.

Though I DID get a more pleasant surprise in the post - my birthday present! Late as it might be, I'm not all that bothered.

I'm not mentioning tomorrow.

( Private to: Chelsea )

[Entry Hexed Private - though Hufflepuffs and Chelsea can probably break this if they try]
I can't believe it. I thought we were having one of those phases where we don't speak to each other, have a gruff sort of talk and then are speaking to each other again...

That drawing, though. Is he wishing harm on me? Is he trying to mock me? I don't get it. If we were still friends he wouldn't have done it though. So if our friendship is actually over... I dunno. I can't get my head round that.

Got to try and not let him get to me now, I suppose.

Private to: Chelsea
Chelsea... if you're about, could I have a word?

Private to: Henry
Mate, have you spoken to Laura recently?

Private to: Wesley
I need to ask you something.

Public
Someone in the common room earlier suggested transfiguring their school hat into a coracle. If I knew the magic I'd do it myself - we hardly wear those things and some sort of boat would at least have practical uses on the Lake if the rain stops.

Also, we're n Scotland. Why isn't it called the Loch?

Later (Public) Edit...
My stupid brother is in the Hospital wing. Why stupid? Because he made me sit down and write in this thing where he was, despite Madam Pomfrey trying to make him go to bed.

Honestly, it's clear who the sensible one is in this family.

-M

Private
Oh, I hope Heidi puts the team list up soon. I'm just dying to know what happens... hope I made it. I'd pick me if I was her, but is that objective enough? Hmm.

Public
Just had an owl from Mum - the house is now finished with the rebuilding, and she apparently apologises profusely for messing around with such spells. Though I think I agree with Liam - he scrawled across the bottom that the remorse will probably last about a week.

Bloody Peeves. As if Sunday wasn't bad enough, he's been trying to get me round school again. At the weekend it was chucking those wriggly bubotuber things at a load of us leaving the Common Room, and today he was upturning ink bottles on people walking out of the Astronomy Tower. My hair is half black and about a quarter dark blue because the stuff doesn't come off!

So, Quidditch tryouts. Those should be interesting, eh?

I find it a bit weird hearing people rant about the school train like it's a big deal - it's always been pretty uneventful for me, apart from the odd occasion where Maya decided that sticking her head around the door of the compartment and laughing was a good idea.

I'm pretty pleased with my class schedule this year - just need to double check Astronomy, but for the classes in the daytime, it's pretty good. I only have one 9am class, and that is History of Magic, so it could be worse. Potions first thing in the morning would be hideous. I wonder what Maya's is like. I'm sure I remember having the timetable from hell in second year.

( Kevin's timetable, warded public )

Is a quiet life too much to ask for?

Actually, I'll rephrase that one. I'd like a quiet life, and someone to make tea.

Private to: Heidi McAvoy
I'm considering trying out for the team this year, but don't know what position to try for. Is there any you particularly might need someone for?

So, it turns out Mum slightly overdid it with the hex designed to keep us all from leaving the house. The entire back wall of the upstairs floor no longer exists.

Seriously.

The property's now warded so none of the Muggle neighbours can see what happened (and no, Mum didn't attempt that one), and we're living downstairs until someone with more experienced magic can be contracted to come fix the mess.

Returning to Hogwarts is seemingly a better thing than first thought...

Private to: Wesley
Apologies for the dumb question, but, Quidditch players usually get girls, right?

I thought Mum was kidding when she said she'd hexed the house shut, but then my sister tried to sneak out of one of the back windows...

...cue a very surprised Maya being thrown back across the room with a loud bang and a puff of smoke so large you'd think she'd tried to set the room on fire. Seeing the look of astonishment on her face was worth the coughing fit.

In Scarborough, as it apparently is in most places, it is raining so hard today that going outside is only to be attempted if you have an industrial strength brolly about your person. Unlike most of those places, however, that's something approaching normality for Scarborough, so while everyone else is complaining, we're getting on with it.

Private to those who consider Kevin a friend, or who know his family:
I got back from visiting Dad in St Mungo's. He's still nowhere near ready to leave, still in that awful chair. One of the Healers gave me this thing because apparently writing stuff down helps...we'll see.