I am Lord Voldemort.

Did I know that I had just met the most dangerous dark wizard of all-time? No.( Read more... )

[ Olive Hornby ]

Miss Hornby, please excuse me if I am being too forward, and I am sure that I am far too late in the line of gentlemen asking, but would you like to be my companion for your lovely dance?

[ The Proto-Inner Circle ]

It has been done, Merlin help me. I cannot imagine that Olive Hornby will turn my request to ask her to the dance, and I will be taking Araminta to Slughorn's party. I am well-aware of Hornby's blood status, but unfortunately, I must mingle with the riff-raff if we want to actually teach any mudbloods a lesson and remain above suspicion.

I would ask who all of you are taking, but I am far more interested in your ideas as to how to make this affair more interesting.

[ Private ]

Obligations, in relative order of importance.

• Schoolwork -- will have essays in all my courses before the term is up, I am sure. Child's play.
• "Gift exchange," to be managed without any money. Likely will be paired with some mudblood. Probably was Dumbledore's idea.
• Hornby's ball. Will likely have to take one of the girls so as not to seem homosexual. The question is which. She will have to be appealing and not alienating to any part of the student body. Not certain such a person exists in this school. What a waste of time.
• Will probably have to take a date to Slughorn's Christmas party as well. It may do well to take a different girl, so as not to give the impression of "going steady." But do I seem a faithless cad if I do that? Should probably ask for a feminine perspective. I would look forward to this much more if not for the "date" aspect, though perhaps I could overlook it in this case.
• Must work on Macnair's utter lack of subtlety and cunning.
• Come up with goals for the rest of them. They are, as usual, directionless without my instruction.
• Find someone with an up-to-date copy of Nature's Nobility, as the library's is at least fifty years out of date. I must do this without attracting attention. I would just take one from the dorm, but I haven't found one in any of their belongings.
• Continue working on Slughorn, will need continued access to the Restricted Section of the library.

Well, I may as well begin while I can. This is going to be revolting.

[ Amaltheia and Graciene ]

Ladies, I must confess myself in need of some womanly assistance. As I am certain you saw, Miss Hornby in Ravenclaw is hosting a ball through the Charms Club, and I will most likely be expected to attend, and to bring a date. Amaltheia, I want to make it perfectly clear that this is not indicative of my intention to "find a lady" as you so desire, merely a charming female companion for the evening, with whom I can enjoy myself platonically. I also am need of accompaniment to Professor Slughorn's Christmas party. Would it be terribly caddish of me to bring two different girls? It only seems fair when no young lady has won my heart.

Goodness, with all of the excitement coming up, how will any of us find time to do our coursework?

I would like to take this moment to offer my sympathies to those hurt, physically and emotionally, by the dangerous display this morning. Much as Peeves's antics can at times, be a charming distraction, when he puts students at risk of injury, I do have to wonder why he has yet to be expelled from the castle. Let us hope he returns to his usual task of inventing rude limericks.

[ The Proto Inner Circle ]

Good Merlin, if I have to act sympathetic towards one more snivelling mudblood or listen to another girl complaining about her broken nose, I will burst. What an utter irritation.

Walden, I cannot say I blame you for going after Willis -- after all, she is worth about as much as flobberworm slime and obnoxious to boot. However, for the sake of all we hold dear, you are a Slytherin, old chap. You are supposed to be cunning. Please at least to attempt to use the brains your good breeding gave you. I would hate to see you expelled because of the likes of her.

Also, I do hope one of you managed to get a picture of Scrimgeour being knocked in the back of his head. I think that he may have suffered permanent brain damage, though it's difficult to tell. He is always prattling on about his mother.