[Hexed Private]

I have no business doing this. I shouldn't be doing this. This should be left in the hands of those far wiser than me.

--I should've gotten Severus to do this. In the end, though, it was my idea. Well, his idea to do it. My idea to use her. Still. What the hell am I thinking? No one knows, but I've put this off far too long.

I should see Harry. If he'll even want company. He can be so hard to read. I can't blame him. It's hard to decide how to deal with these things. It's not a day for celebrating, even if so many still regard it as such. But then what? [/Hex]

[Hexed to Tonks]

I have a question. Well, more a suggestion. A request, sort of, but not really. [/Hex]

Happy Halloween, everyone. Remember students, you're allowed to celebrate, of course, but please remember to be responsible and continue to follow school rules. The holiday will not exempt you from receiving detention or taking off points.

As with so many others, there's not enough I can do to express my condolences to all of those close with Katie Bell. She was a bright student, always eager, and an incredibly talented athlete.

As the Head Boy has already mentioned to some of you, there will be a memorial in her honour held here at the school for those of us unable to make it to her official one. Attendance is not mandatory, but it is recommended for anyone who seeks closure at such a sudden and troubling loss. At Andrew's request, it will be held at the Quidditch pitch for all interested.

And, of course, if anyone needs anything, even just to talk or get something off of their chest, simply come by my office. I'll be available whenever you need.

Welcome back, students. Though I've said it to most of you already in class, I haven't had much time to get to know our new arrivals yet, and for that, my apologies. I'm sure we'll all get plenty of quality time together, though hopefully not because you've been sent to my office for less than pleasant reasons. I have an exciting year planned on the books for my NEWT students, and I won't rub it in any more for those of you taking your OWLs this year except to remind you to work hard and pay attention.

As for those of you who've only just left me, let me assure you the school is about a thousand times quieter now. I imagine that's not likely to last, but there's a bit of shock in the hallways with Harry gone being down to one Weasley and not having so many familiar faces around. I hope all of you are doing well in your more recent adventures and you know if you need anything to date, I'm only a journal entry or an owl away.

( Hexed Private-Tonks can read )

( Hexed Private )

Stop panicking. I mean that. And yes, this is most specifically towards the fifth and seventh years. You've all done brilliantly this year, and I couldn't be more proud of you. If you need any last minute tutoring, don't hesitate to ask. Whether it's me or one of your other professors, or if you need us to find a student who can help, that's fine.

I'll also be hosting an all night study session the Saturday before exams. Anyone's welcome to come by for however long you feel you need to. I'm requesting complete silence, mind you, so if you're the type who needs yelling and screaming in order to revise, I wouldn't recommend stopping by.

Good luck to you all. I know, no matter what you've chosen, you're going to make us all proud. I'm grateful for being able to teach you this year, and I'm looking forward to hopefully more years with those of you remaining.

Ten points from Gryffindor. And if I see another unfounded attack on any student in any House, I'll double that. Harry, how could you? This is ridiculous. I'm ashamed right now, and I can't believe what I've been seeing. The lot of you are nearly adults, and I pride myself and the rest of the staff for treating you as such. To revert to acting as you did at eleven, when you entered the school knowing centuries old rivalries preceded you, is a complete disregard for the last seven years.

Obviously not everyone is included in this. I'm so proud of those of you who've attempted to right the wrongs that have been written. And I'd like to believe that this is all just a few comments taken out of context and spiraled out of control, but I'm afraid I can't. Only a few months ago, we were fighting a life or death war. And whether our Ministry does or not I'd like to believe that in light of facing near-death, we'd all be able to put things such as Houses and blood statuses and money behind us. But I'd also like to be able to think we could manage that in a mature manner. Resorting to name calling and bringing up obviously sore subjects isn't going to benefit anyone, in the end. We all have feelings and Merlin knows, most of us have seen them hurt more than once. But attacking isn't the way to deal with those feelings. Wiser wizards than us have done so and fallen for it.

Now. The idea of an actual Defense club has come up, and I enjoyed the idea, so again, thank you to Tracey. A lot of you are facing your NEWTs or OWLs, and I know a lot of you are still having difficulty playing catchup after having as many as six different professors. I think a club, open to anyone who'd like to participate, would be an excellent idea for students on all levels to get together and compare knowledge. The exams in Defense are rather comprehensive and cover everything from creatures to jinxes and back. I've noticed some students are stronger in some areas than others. In a group setting outside of the classroom, my hope is that you all would be able to compare notes and hopefully get each other caught up to a similar level. It would be completely optional, of course, but I hope everyone gives it a bit of thought.

Mental. They've gone completely mental. I used to consider Kingsley a close friend and now I feel like I don't even know him.

[Hexed Against Students]

I JUST spent an evening convincing Theodore Nott this sort of thing wouldn't keep happening. Thank you, Minister Shacklebolt, for making a complete liar out of me. I appreciate it, truly I do.

Would it be totally crazy to ask who's excited to get back to lessons as usual? I shouldn't say that, though. I was, as a student, and I imagine there must be others, too. Besides, I've the feeling this is going to be an amazing term. We'll do our best to make it one, I promise all of you that.

My seventh year NEWT students, please remember my open door policy. I'm available to help whenever you need me, and if for any reason you can't find me, just drop me a note in here. Everyone's doing really well but there's no reason for anyone to struggle if we hit a topic you don't feel you're grasping. I'm looking forward to watching plenty of Es and Os come in.

( Hexed to Tonks )

( Hexed to Severus )

( Hexed to Hermione )

Look, everyone, I know it's getting colder out and that Christmas is just around the corner, but I'm begging you to remember we still have a few weeks of school left! Believe me, I want to be out there enjoying the cold as much as the rest of you, and on weekends, we absolutely can. But when working on school assignments, it really does help if we're all paying attention. I promise there will be plenty of fun things coming up, but that doesn't mean you can shirk the whole schoolwork thing, either.

[Private to 'Adults']

Looking forward to the Town Meeting? Not exactly. And I know plenty of people in attendance won't be thrilled to have me there, either. But it wouldn't feel right to not go, either. I don't know. Anyone have any idea what the point is, exactly? I sort of feel like I have a duty to go, after all. I'm only sorry our of-age students can't.

[Private to Tonks]

Seems as busy as we've been that it's been a while since I've asked you on a proper date. Don't suppose you're available Friday? The meeting's on Thursday, of course, and we'll be helping your dad out on Saturday, clearly, but, you know, only if you wanted to. I mean, the date and all, not the camping thing, that's sort of required and all. Oh, what am I babbling about, Tonks, would you like to go out on Friday night?

As most of you know by now, I'm sure, I won't be in Wednesday's classes. However, you're not to give my temporary replacement a hard time, either. I've got some great lessons planned for my NEWT students come Friday, but negative reports will probably mean we just need to go back to the basics all over again. And I don't know about you lot, but that sounds like less fun than anything at all to me.

I'm never able to decide if Stephen King is a genius or insane, but I do find his work fascinating. However, I'm pleased to see so many students reading as an outlet now. I realise the school doesn't require it outside of your textbooks, but it can be incredibly rewarding both in entertainment value as well as in assisting your futures. They may seem like simple words, but they can increase your vocabulary, expand your range of understanding, and relate to your own personal lives.

[Hexed to Adults / Out of School]

Does anyone happen to know anything about this muggle psychology? I've read what I can find but I can't quite grasp exactly the science behind it and I'm afraid it's nothing I can put into practise myself.

[Hexed to Severus]

Thank you.

[Hexed to Tonks]

You probably shouldn't
It'd be best if you
I was hoping that afterwards you'd

[Hexed Private]

I know he needs more than time. But I don't know what I can do. I'm so sorry, James. Maybe I'm going about this all wrong. And wherever he is, Sirius is scowling that Severus is likely having better luck than I am. He deserves special treatment, of course, he's been to hell and back. But he's only human. And maybe we need to be treating him as such.

It's all so tentative. Yes, he's a hero. There's no question of that. But he's also a seventeen year-old boy with a lot of life ahead of him. Which he should be grateful for, how long were we not sure if that was even possible? And I'm still sure of my decision to keep him here in the castle. There's plenty out there now who'd have him dead if they could. Here I know they can't reach him. And I still stand by him living a normal life is what he needs. But--what is normal, now? Has he ever been? No, not really. I just don't know.

I promised Hermione I'd try to help. But I just don't know how. [/Hex]

[Hexed to Harry]

You weren't in class on Friday. Didn't see you much over the weekend, either. Are you alright? [/Hex]

[Hexed to Sally-Anne]

My condolences, Miss Perks. I know those words mean little at the moment, but I am truly sorry for your loss. Take all the time you need, and I promise we'll all help you get caught up when you're ready to come back. Take care. [/Hex]

Well, it's hardly fair that I ask my students to write in here politely and not do so myself, is it? Haven't kept a journal in years, however. And, of course, when I did, it wasn't linked so others would be able to read. Don't think your professors don't know what it's like to be intimidated to write in here. Completely nerve-wracking, if you want the truth.

Personally, I'm looking forward to this term. I know not everyone is, and I've certainly seen and read and heard many things I wish I hadn't so far. I'm hoping, however, that over the coming months, thoughts and opinions will change as we go. Open minds are crucial right now, and holding on to past grievances aren't going to get us anywhere. ANY of us

As a reminder, my office door is always open. I know some are struggling, and that's completely okay. NEWT levels aren't easy, and you've had several different styles of teaching over the years. I'd rather you come to me now and we work it out than wait until we're a week from your exams.

[Hexed to Tonks]

You? Are in SO much trouble. [/Hex]

[Hexed to Harry]

Are you Do you need Is there anything I can Alright then, Harry? Almost two weeks in, doing okay? [/Hex]

( Hexed Private )

( I dare you to tell me to walk through fire )