Busy Sunday

There are no classes today, but that doesn’t stop there being lots for me to do. I did a few hours of homework yesterday, and got done all my Charms homework and Herbology homework, but I still have Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts to work on. Luckily Potions is just theoretical. I have to write 2 rolls of parchment on the different uses of newt eyes in potions. It seems gross to write about newt eyes, but there are actually a lot of uses for them. I read in one of my textbooks that they are a key ingredient in the Polyjuice Potion, which will allow a person to take the form of another. I have many more, but I’ll save them for my essay. For my Defense Against the Dark Arts we have to research different types of magical amulets that are said to protect one from Dark forces. This has proven harder as most that I’ve found have been fakes meant to fool scared witches or wizards. Luckily, as always, doing homework in Ravenclaw tower is a pleasant time. There are plenty of tables with lots of space for spreading out books and papers and notes. The big windows make everything well lit and easy to see, and there is always some sort of refreshment on the coffee table near the fireplace. Today there is pumpkin flavored hot chocolate, a pot of tea, and a bowl of homemade potato crisps. I have a mug of the pumpkin hot cocoa here at my table with me and it is quite delicious. I guess I better get to work, if I can get my homework done before this evening, one of the other first year boys said he would teach me how to play Wizard’s Chess. I don’t know how that’s different from regular chess, but it should be interesting to learn!

Potions Tutor

I have a tutor for Potions now! I was telling one of the older Ravenclaw students how I was having trouble with my Potions work, and she said she would help me. She said we could meet once a week and practice whatever I was having the most trouble on, and she would help me and give me tips for each one. She said I should order some extra potions ingredients from the Apothecary so I have plenty to practice with. Luckily I have some extra pocket money Elizabeth left me with when school started. I sent off a big gray owl with my order, I think the brown owl was happy to have some time off. 

Halloween

Yesterday was Halloween at Hogwarts. Halloween is always fun, but especially when you go to a school for magic. The morning started off in Potions, and Professor Slughorn had clean cauldrons waiting for us. He informed us that in honor of the day, instead of brewing our normal potions we would be having a contest. The contest would be to see who could brew the best hot apple cider! And whoever did would get a prize. We all got to work, and enjoyed talking and laughing during the class. I had never made hot apple cider before, so I just added some cinnamon and nutmeg to my apple cider before heating it up. Professor Slughorn took a taste of everyone's cider, and in the end chose one of the Hufflepuff girls cauldron. He gave her a whole basket of cauldron cakes from Honeyduke's! She was very happy. We each got given a piece of Honeyduke's chocolate for being good participants.
Later that evening, there was a wonderful feast in the Great Hall. One of the professors had charmed jack-o-lanterns to float in the air. There were so many good things to eat, and more cakes and sweets than I've ever seen in one place! I ate so much I thought I would burst! I finally went back to the Ravenclaw Tower and went to bed. It was a wonderful Halloween.

The little brown owl

I went up to the Owlry this morning. I wanted to thank the little brown owl who brought my package yesterday. It took him over a month to deliver it, I knew he must be tired. I brought him some sausage I got at breakfast, I thought he might enjoy a meal he didn't have to hunt for. By the time I made the long trip up the stairs to the Owlry, I was very tired, but I spotted him right away. He was sleeping peacefully on a low perch. I walked towards him but didn't want to wake him. When I started turning around he opened one eye and gave a hoot. I smiled and patted his head and fed him the sausage. He gave me another little hoot which sounded grateful and went back to sleep.
On my way back I stopped at the top of the stairs to admire the view, I could see over the tops of the trees of the Forbidden Forest. They were beautiful, all various colors of yellows, reds, and oranges. I also saw some creature flying over the forest. It looked like some sort of black horse. I didn't recognize what it was, I'll have to look it up in the library later.

Birthday Presents

It came! I was beginning to lose hope! Early this morning at breakfast, the brown barn owl who delivered my Hogwart's letter showed up with a package for me. I knew my godmother didn't forget my birthday. The poor owl looked exhausted and went to owlry quickly after depositing my package, he probably didn't want another package to take to America.
Inside the package was a letter, a birthday card, a new book, and a scarf! Elizabeth knitted me a scarf in the Ravenclaw house colors, dark blue and bronze! It's very warm. Some of the other wizard children have scarves in their house colors like mine, but I'd never thought I'd get one. Isn't it lovely?

It's starting to get cold here, and the halls are becoming drafty, so this will definitely be getting a lot of use. It will be perfect to wear to the first Quidditch match next week!

I put my gifts in my trunk on my way to class. Luckily the question to get into the common room was easy and I got right in. I wore my scarf all day, except in Potions, I was too worried about getting it dirty. 

I read and re-read my letter from Elizabeth a few time before going to bed. I included it here to remember it:

My Dear Emily, 

 I hope this package arrives in time for your birthday. I don't know how fast these owls can go between here and England. 

I'm so excited you are in Ravenclaw house. From your description it's a perfect fit for you. You've always been a little bookworm. I remember visiting you at your parent's house and you begging to be read book after book till you couldn't keep your eyes open. I know your parents would be so proud of you right now, I know I am. 

You've only been gone two weeks, but the house is so quiet without you. Even your godfather admits he misses you. He is very disappointed he didn't get to see you off to school, but he was needed at work. They are testing a new airplane propeller, to hopefully make planes more efficient and fly longer on less fuel. 

Well its getting late and your godfather will be needing his dinner soon. 

I love you so much and write back soon to tell me about school!

Love

Elizabeth

Potions

I've been loving all my classes. There are so many interesting things to learn. Right now because I'm only in my first year, I have Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, History of Magic, Astronomy, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Flying lessons. Charms is my favorite, it comes really easy for me. Charms is where we learn spells to perform with our wands. I've even been able to do a few of the spells from older students. I think potions is my least favorite right now. I feel like it should be easier, you just have to read the book and follow the instructions. I keep getting them wrong though. Yesterday while I was trying to make a Forgetfulness Potion, and  I almost melted my cauldron. Professor Slughorn said that sometimes it just takes practice and experience to get the ingredient amounts and steps correct. I know I just need more practice, but its hard to find time for that. I can't just sit in the library and brew potions, and I don't think they'd appreciate  the smell in the common room.
I think I'll just relax tonight and read my Astronomy book. Wizards know so many more things about the planets than the muggles do!

My birthday

Well, this weekend it was my birthday. I don't feel 11. I didn't really seem like my birthday, being at school and not at home. I was hoping I'd get a present from Elizabeth, or even just a card. I asked Professor Stearns, the Head of Ravenclaw house, if any packages had arrived for me, and he said they hadn't, but not to worry. He said since the owls are coming from so far away it might take awhile for them to get here. I'm sure Elizabeth didn't forget my birthday, I just hope I can hear from her soon.
I don't know how the other students knew it was my birthday, but at dinner they surprised me with presents. They each gave me a chocolate frog! I've never had one before, I was a little scared to buy any on the train to Hogwarts, because I thought they were really frogs. I've been assured they are just chocolate, shaped to look like frogs, no real frogs involved. They come with cards in the packet, with pictures of famous witches and wizards on them. The first one I opened was the card of Rowena Ravenclaw! She was the founder of Ravenclaw house! The other students said it was very appropriate I got her as my first card. I also got one of Albus Dumbledore, our Transfiguration professor! I turned out to be a pretty good birthday overall. There was strawberry tarts at dinner that night, which are my favorite. I ate two they were so good.
I'm still hoping for mail, but its nice to know I already have such good friends.