The Hogwarts Diaries - Marauder's Era

The Hopefuls - Jasmine

Another new day, it's bright but cloudy outside and things are looking good. I'm still lying in bed, listening to the other girls breathe softly behind my curtains and the scratch of my quill. I suppose I should get up even if it is early; I want to get down to the Great Hall early and wish Sirius good luck for the duelling thing today. It's going to be tough but I'm sure he'll do fine. And Regulus. He's good at duelling. So are the other Marauders... Well maybe not Peter, but even Remus can throw a fair old hex if he needs to. I'll wish them all good luck, and if Gem's down there, I can have a natter to her whilst the boys prepare. Spell talk is almost as bad as Quidditch strategies, which for a Quidditch fan, must be beyond boring. I only like it when they're flying, I don't want to hear what formation it is they're performing. 

  Spell talk as it turns out is a little more exciting, as I have just found as I wriggled onto the Gryffindor bench beside James. They were discussing whether a Stinging Jinx or a Bat-Bogey Hex would be a more effective attack move. I was barely acknowledged they were so engrossed. Such wonderful manners Sirius has, not even a 'Good Morning' for the girl he kissed not all too long ago. His rakish flash of a smile will have to do this morning instead.         

I'm trying not to drop the jug of pumpkin juice all over my diary, but the owls swooping down over my head are making it very difficult indeed. Every time I see a gap to put it down, it's immediately replaced with another feathery bird with a letter or package tied to it's leg. I nudge a few owls aside and set the jug down on the table, zoning out of the conversation next to me and begin doodling on the opposite page.         

I outline a head, and draw on some basic features: a simple nose, two large eyes resembling my own. I add on some tumbling waves for hair and then set about creating a mask over the sketchy face. It starts off as a mask just around the eyes, but then grows into a larger butterfly shape instead. The wings are filled with delicate curls and with my wand I fill in some colour, a deep magenta centre, merging into pale pink and then silver.         

"That's wicked, you getting your Mum to make it for the Ball?" Gemini's voice washed over me, breaking me from my work.         

I grinned at her and shrugged as she leaned over, examining the drawing.         

"I don't know," I said, "Not sure if it's really my style or not. Still, I'm sure she can use it for someone. I know there are a few other girls who have asked me if they can come along for the meeting next week. I said it should be fine, although they won't be getting much of a discount on theirs, unlike you and I."         

Gem nodded and then jerked her head in the direction of the still chatting boys beside me.          "What're they on about?"         

"That duelling thing. They're entering to apply for a place in the Advanced Duelling Tournament today. It's on all day and the teachers from each school are going to judge them through some spell work and their knowledge of the spells and stuff like that. Reg is doing it too," I relayed to my best friend, who suddenly got a look that told me she had forgotten about it altogether.         

"Damn it. I forgot. Do you think I should enter if there's a place?" she asked while her eyes scanned the Slytherin table for her 'friend'. I say that because her and Regulus are still doing the whole pretending they don't really like each other thing. It's annoying. But then again so are Sirius and I. Probably moreso since we kissed and we've still not done anything in the way of getting together. I felt myself roll my eyes.       

 "Umm, sure. You're a whiz with your wand so why not? The sign-up sheet is still out in the Entrance Hall, I'll walk with you. I'm done here."         

***        

According to our Professor, there was no point at all doing any work today, and so the few remaining members of our Defence Against the Dark Arts class were now sat in the Great Hall, watching the Duelling selections. Large groups were battling against each other, flinging hex after jinx at their opponents in a bid to win a place in the tournament. Apparently it's a wonderful and glorious opportunity but I can't see the honour in defeating another person. Is it to exemplify your technique, or show off to your friends? Or just prove you're a bit of a hooligan with a quick wand but few wits? Depends on the person I suppose. It'd be a good way for the Ministry to sort out the troublemakers early on, that's for sure.