Neville Longbottom

[warded to Luna, Hermione, Ernie, Harry, Ginny]

I've spoken to Headmistress McGonagall and we've received permission to have a celebration outdoors on the first of May, both something during the day with the younger years, and a bonfire after dark for the sixth and seventh year students. We've the curfew lifted for the evening, until midnight, as long as everyone stays in groups of two or more.

She's requested a plan of protective spells that I'd like laid out, and I'd like it if all of you would be willing to be on the committee to plan the bonfire, and to go over the spell list before I turn it in Monday morning. I think this'll be a good event for everyone, and Luna, thank you for suggesting it. It'll be fun.

[/ward]

As much as I love spring, there's an awful lot of work to be done right about now. I seem to be spending most of my free time up to my elbows in dirt with the transplanting, and setting up seedlings so they'll be able to planted outdoors when the weather's warm enough.

On the other hand, all that work just reminds me that the world's still alive and growing, and that we're a part of it all.

[warded private]

I likely ought to've been writing more, but when the wards went mad, I wasn't comfortable putting quill to paper. Or rather, not here, not where everyone could read it. I've notes everywhere to remind myself what I've been doing, or I'm supposed to do.

I've taken Ernie's advice and sent lists to Gran, and she's been sending me information back to look through. I think we've narrowed it down to three possible people, and I'll have to meet with them as soon as classes are out. I've also been doing some reading, so I might be able to ask intelligent questions, or possibly so that I might be some help. Or less of a hindrance. I think the most interesting bit I've found was someone who thought that Obliviation and Crucio had similar roots in how they work against someone, that people who had been Crucio'd blocked out the pain after, and lost those memories, much like an Obliviation picks things away.

That person thought that someone who'd been Crucio'd too many times might be like someone who was Obliviated too many times, with holes in their memory from then on, or unable to put things back together again. They say that Obliviation leaves a person with a memory like swiss cheese. I rather suppose it would be nice to have that sort of excuse, wouldn't it? But anyway, they don't think a mind comes back from that. Which just left me wondering where that leaves Mum.

I'd meant to write more, but it'll have to wait for another time as I've forgotten entirely what it was I wanted to say.

[/ward]

I suppose I ought to've updated sooner, but I've been spending a lot of time thinking since the weekend. Saturday wasn't a very easy day.

Mum was agitated. They don't know what got her so upset, but she wouldn't sit down and knit, and she didn't want to do her puzzles. They tried giving her crosswords, thinking that she might like the word games, if she still has words in her, but she didn't want those either. She broke three quills and they had to take them away from her for fear she'd hurt herself, or someone else.

Mum being agitated meant Dad was too. For him, that means he paced. Just... back and forth with this slow shuffling step. It's horrible to see, really. I tried to spend time with them both, but I didn't know what it was Mum wanted of me. So I went to see the Healers with Gran.

They don't know what's happening, or why it's happening now. They've agreed that someone ought to be assigned to Mum more often, but... and this is the part I needed to think about more. They don't know what to do with her, like she is now. She's taking too much time away from the staff and the work they do with everyone else on the ward. They liked her better when she just sat and knit and didn't do anything. Now, she's just too much trouble.

They think we ought to move her someplace private, where she could have constant care, as much as we paid for. They don't realize that Gran and I, we're not rich. I'm not going to be earning a lot, even when I'm done here, really. They said the other option is that we could move them home, take care of them ourselves. But Gran's too old for her to take that on. I suppose I could do that, once I'm done here, but they... they're worried for what she'll be doing in the next few months. They've said if she keeps behaving like this, we have to make a decision soon. And maybe move her by the end of the month. They're willing to keep Dad, but I can't even consider separating them.

It's wearing on Gran, I can see it in her eyes. She looks at them, and she's so tired of it all. And I think she blames Mum in some ways. It's horrid of me to say that, but she looks at Mum and it's as if she's thinking that if it weren't for how she's being, Dad would be fine. Gran's son would be fine and life could just go on.

I don't know what to think. I don't know what to do.

[private to the DA]

It doesn't seem right to just sit here attending classes. Not after everything else.

[private to close friends/the DA]

I've had a letter from St. Mungo's. My Dad's been as quiet as ever, but they said Mum spoke. Just one word, well, sound. They think she said "good" but no one's quite sure. I think they almost missed it, because no one expected it.

The letter had three wrappers in it, from sweets. Two blue, one pink and white striped.

I'd like to know what she was thinking when she said it, whatever it was.

[/private]

I'd like to remind all students that there ought not be any snogging in the hallways between classes. Although it rather looked like everyone enjoyed Hogsmeade

I think the weekend went decently.

I ended up staying at the dance a bit longer than expected, collecting up stragglers (mostly fifth years, who were, well, enjoying the freedom of the dance a bit too much). I don't think I did permanent damage to anyone's toes during the dance itself, although it's possible that people were too polite to mention if I did. I did enjoy the dancing, even if I know I'm terrible at it.

Saturday, of course, was Quidditch, which we won, which is brilliant. I knew we'd have the best team, Harry. Congratulations to everyone on the Gryffindor team for the win!

And I've already wished everyone a happy Valentine's Day.

I keep thinking there was something else I ought to've done this weekend, but I can't imagine what it was.

( private )

[Hermione]

Hermione, I meant to ask this the other night, but forgot completely once we were dancing and I was counting steps. When did you get to be friendly with Malfoy? He's still a git, best I can tell.

[/Hermione]

I'd thought to number these, but I realized I'll likely forget where I've left off soon enough, and either repeat numbers or confuse the whole system, so the date shall have to suffice.

Has anybody seen my Herbology notes? I'd thought that they were with my journal, but I've found the journal, and haven't seen my notes yet. It's possible they're in the greenhouse, and I'll check when I head down there in a bit. I've some work I wanted to get done today while I can. And I think Trevor might well have leapt out of my pocket during the last class; he seems to prefer it among the plants, so I've decided not to worry about it when he does. I know I'll find him again eventually.

( personal & private )
 

( Neville is stronger than he thinks )