Need a good spell

For knitting more than one project at once. Like maybe, um... six. In my defense they are not all socks. Only four of them. The other two are fingerless gloves and a summer top that I probably won't finish before summers end. It's like knitting socks in the summertime when it's too hot to wear anything on your feet.

Quidditch Again!

Time for the next round of quidditch. First the picture scavenger hunt, then the quiz.

Padma Patil
Hannah Abbott
Percy Weasley
Dumbledore's Army
Cedric Diggory

1. When Hagrid returns to Hogwarts after being sent to see the giants with Madame Maxime, Professor Umbridge questions him on his late return to school. She suspects that Hagrid had been to the mountains, but where does he tell her he has been?

a. Europa

b. Fiji

c North America

d. South of France

2. Professor Umbridge comes to Hagrid's Hut and searches his cabin one evening (as she believes Harry, Ron and Hermione are there visiting him at night when they are not supposed to). When she walks past the place where Harry, Ron and Hermione are hiding under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry holds his breath. True or false?

a. True

b. False

3. A stately-looking witch in an emerald green shawl is one of the members of the Advance Guard who rescues Harry from Privet Drive. What is her name?

a. Emmeline Vance

b. Dorcas Meadowes

c. Amelia Susan Bones

d. Bellatrix Regulax

4. What is the name of the witch who was killed two weeks after the photo of the original Order of the Phoenix was taken?

a. Alice Longbottom

b. Marlene McKinnon

c. Emma Fenwick

d. Dorcas Meadowes

5. Which two fifth year Ravenclaw students does Dumbledore choose to be prefects?

a. Terry Boot and Mandy Brocklehurst

b. Luna Lovegood and Ernie Macmillan

c. Cho Chang and Michael Corner

d. Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil

6. Which house was Rose Zeller sorted into?

a. Gryffindor

b. Slytherin

c. Ravenclaw

d. Hufflepuff

7. What is the color of Murtlap's essence?

a. Pink

b. Peach

c. Yellow

d. It is transparent

8. Name the Ravenclaw girl who became prefect in Harry's fifth year.

a. Hannah Abott

b. Padma Patil

c. Luna Lovegood

d. Marietta Edgecombe

9. According to a healer's portrait at St. Mungo's hospital, which disease was Ron suffering from?a. Splattergroit

b. Splittygrot

c. Spottygroit

d. Spattergroit

10. Which book did Harry give Hermione for Christmas?

a. "New Theory of Numberology"

b. "A Compendium of Common Curses and their Counter-Actions"

c. "Acheivements in Charming"

d. "Moste Potente Potions"

(Extra 5 pts - What movie will Robert Patterson star in this December?)

He will be Edward Cullen in Twilight!!!!

Behind in my homework

I just realized that I am about to fall behind in my homework. Can't forget to post every week- ack! I know it's Wednesday, but the week goes fast.
What have I been doing instead of my homework? Knitting of course! Socks, socks and more socks.

Holy Hippogriffs!

I got my amazing, awesome, extra supercool package from Patonga. Holy hippogriffs did she ever out do herself! Best kit nominations are in order!

See, I was good. I took pictures before I tore it apart. In the box.
Fresh out of the box- still wrapped up.
Everything out for you to see. Check out the Blood Pops and Chocolate Frogs! I will share them with my underage wizards. I can never find any Honeydukes sweets in my Muggle village.
The best knitting bag ever! The fabric is really cool knitting fabric. The whole bag is great, I can fit loads of stuff in it and it's so well made. I love it!
Will you look at that. Two sets of Knit Picks Harmony dpns- yay! A handturned wpi tool in a really lovely wood, some great owl stitch markers that Patonga made, 4 oz of Maine Woods wool blend roving in perfect Slytherin-y colors. Of course the best part- the yarn. Made by Patonga herself. I love her yarn!

The Merope sock pattern. Could she have picked a more perfect one for a Slytherin? It will be great in the yarn she sent me. There is a really cute owl pendant on top of my very own Defense Against The Dark Arts notebook! The book is so awesome, once again the perfect choice. And see that awesome green spotted coffee mug? It's handmade! It's also a really great size for my hands to hold, and the spots are great. Patonga has been spying on me- she knows I have coffee or cocoa every morning!
Close up of the most perfect Slytherin sock yarn ever! With the owl stitch markers.

Wow, did I ever get spoiled. What an amazing, thoughtful, amazing, perfect, amazing package. Thank you so much Patonga. You took such time and care putting this together I hardly know what to say. I truly love everything. I am a very lucky witch to have had you as my partner. Thank you very much.

Suspense

Is not good for me. The Muggle post says that my partners package made it to her village, so I hope she got it. Waiting always kills me. Will she like it or not??? Ahhh! I have no idea if my Slytherin mini sock partner has her owl either. On Saturday I came home to a message from my Muggle postman that I have a package they tried to deliver but I was not home. Now I have to go pick it up- I wonder what it is...

Owls Away!

I sent off two priority owls yesterday. One to my Slytherin mini sock partner, the other to my HSKS5 partner. I hope they make it alright!

Owl

Slytherin House decided to have a mini sock swap amongst the house members. I got my package just the other day. It came from Arabella Moody- check it out.

Not one but two mini socks in Slytherin colors. Some size 0 dpns for mini sock knitting and a bunch of mini skeins of yarn to knit mini socks from. One of the yarns she spun herself and I think two of them are yarns that she dyed herself! Arabella pays attention in Potions- they are lovely.

Thanks a bunch Arabella!

Am I Done Or Not?

I finished my pals knitted item, and then made her another one. I've been going through the things I have for her package. I thought I was done, but maybe not. I read her blog this morning and now I have a bunch of ideas for more stuff to tuck in there. Decisions, decisions...

Knitting Spell Mastered

I think I have finally mastered a knitting spell for a knitted surprise for Ophelia. I'm sure it's not what she will be expecting, but I think that will be good. I'm working on getting all the little details for her package ready for my owl to deliver. I do hope he makes the trip alright, he will be flying to someplace terribly hot. I'm sure Ophelia will perk him back up before sending him off to fly home.

I really must get working on my mini sock for my Slytherin mini swap pal. I still have to pick the yarn... I do have some treats for her though!

Why Harry, Ron and Hermione in Hagids giant pumpkin patch? Just because I like it. The huge pumpkins are awesome, I love Hagrid, and POA is my favorite of the books and movies. I thought the post deserved a picture.

Quidditch Round 2 HSKS5

Quidditch time again! Here are the photos for the scavenger hunt and the answers to the quiz. Now for Slytherin to catch the snitch!

Kingsley Shacklebolt Bellatrix LeStrange
Nymphadora Tonks
Remus Lupin

1. At the beginning of the year feast, who is the only person who rudely interrupts Dumbledore during his speech?
a. Professor Snape
b. Professor Umbridge
c. Hagrid
d. Harry Potter

2. Off what street is the alley where Harry first met Sirius?
a. Diagon Alley
b. Little Whinging
c. Magnolia Crescent
d. Privet Drive

3. Tonks’ mother had two sisters, both pure-bloods, and both left on the Black Family Tree. What are their names?
a. Elladora and Meliflua
b. Bellatrix and Elladora
c. Narcissa and Bellatrix
d. Meliflua and Narcissa

4. What spell are the students studying in McGonalgall’s class when Umbrdige is doing her inspection?
a. The Acquiring Spell
b. The Shrinking Spell
c. The Demolishing Spell
d. The Vanishing Spell

5. Who comes to warn Harry and the rest of Dumbledore’s Army that Umbridge and her group of followers are coming to break up their meeting?
Answer: __________Dobby_____________

6. Who are the members of the Order that met Harry Potter in the Dursely’s house during the summer before his fifth year?
a. Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Alastor Moody, Sturgis Podmore, Dedalus Diggle, Hestia Jones, Elphias Doge, Nymphadora Tonks, Mundungus Fletcher
b. Alastor Moody, Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Nymphadora Tonks, Dedalus Diggle, Sturgis Podmore, Emmeline Vance
c. Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, Remus Lupin, Emmeline Vance, Sturgis Podmore, Hestia Jones
d. Remus Lupin, Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Sirius Black, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, Sturgis Podmore, Hestia Jones

7. Moody used the Disillusionment Charm on Harry.
a. Yes
b. No

8. Which of these Death Eaters is Sirius related to?
a. Lucius Malfoy
b. Bellatrix Lestrange
c. Regulus Black
d. All of these

9. At what age did Sirius leave his home?
Answer: _____16______________

10. How many of the original Order members were killed (don’t include those who disappeared)?
a. 9
b. 8
c. 6

d. 10

Mischief managed! I'm quite proud of myself, I knew all of the answers but one right away so I only had to get out the book and look one up. Was I ever surprised!

Need A New Spell

I have frogged the project I started for my parnter. I'll have to go digging through my spell books to find another idea. I hope it doesn't take me too long to figure it out!

I Started

I finally got started on my project fo rmy swap partner yesterday. I don't know if I like it, so I might end up starting over or doing something totally different. Perhaps I'll discover what I'm supposed to do in Divination, I'll go read some tea leaves or something.

Homework

Homework for Professor Hagrid. The Slytherins and Hufflepuffs have care of Magical Creatures together this term. So far it's gone rather well, no trips to the hospital wing anyway. We're supposed to write six inches on a magical creature we have spent time with, or one we would like to spend time with and why. Here's my creature:

The Kneazle

My great grandmother Broomtwigs had a kneazle. I don't know how long kneazles are supposed to live, but I think he was old when I met him and he's still alive and prowling about. Orion kept my great grandmother company for many years, poor thing he had to put up with Muggles thinking he was an ordinary cat all the time. Now Orion lives with my family. His favorite spot is in my knitting basket, where he can see both the front and back doors. Kneazles are funny that way, always wanting to know what's going on. He has been known to bite at the ankles and tear the pants of door to door salesman. Such a sweet boy. Oddly enough Orion has no interest in the men in the family, he ignores them and would be perfectly happy without them around. He has always been close to the women, and has been terribly useful to us, as well as loyal. He's caught a thief under an invisibility cloak, and digs his claws into the back of those who are lying. He does have one talent that is rather peculiar, even in Kneazles who are terribly smart. I am the only witch in the family who knits. Orion has the ability to detect when I have made a mistake in my work, he sits on my lap and bites my yarn to let me know. He has saved many socks and jumpers from the frog pond. Perhaps he has learned about knitting to have me avoid the frog pond. He eats them every chance he gets and probably would prefer I didn't know about it.

Ugh- homework

The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins have been taking Care of Magical Creatures together this year, so this assignment is for both Houses to complete.
Professor Hagrid has asked for 6 inches of parchment (say 200 words) about a personal experience you've had with a magical creature (outside of Hogwarts), or about the magical creature you'd most like to have as a pet. Of course if you chose the latter option, you should write about why you'd like to have such a creature as a pet, but also the potential problems of domesticating that magical creature.A listing of Magical Creatures can be found in your textbook, Fantastic

Yuck, I hate writing reports. I wonder whose idea this really was because I know Professor Hagrid would never assign this on his own.

So I guess I'll get to thinking about what to write about, but I really don't want to. I far prefer the other homework assignments we've had so far this term.

Need to get to work

I have everything for my swap partners package. All of the delivery owls have arrived. They even all made it off again without being fed any Weasley products by my own owl, who seems to have a thing for them now. She's definitely a Slytherin-y owl:)
All I have to do for my partners package is to make her something. She says she doesn't care what kind of something. I have no idea what I'm going to do, but I'm sure I'll some up with something. Perhaps a trip to the library is in order...

HSKS5 Quidditch Round 1

The quiz and picture scavenger hunt for the first round of Quidditch for HSKS5

Fred and George Weasley
The Hogs Head

Sirius Black Harry Potter and Mr. Weasley (he's back there)
Draco Malfoy (I had to show him getting what he deserved from Hermione)

1. Which of Arabella Figg's cats ran out from under the car
a. Tibbles

b. Tufty
c. Mr. Paws
d. Sylvester

2. Which of the following is NOT one of Albus Dumbledore's middle names?
a. Ignatius
b. Percival
c. Brian
d. Wulfric

3. Which educational decree introduced a High Inquisitor to Hogwarts?

a. 22

b. 25
c. 24
d. 23

4. Apart from Harry, Ron and Hermione, who was the first person to enter the Hog's Head that showed an interest in Harry's Defence Against the Dark Arts classes?
a. Dean Thomas

b. Neville Longbottom (actually "first came Neville with Dean and Lavender")
c. Parvati Patil
d. Lavender Brown

5. In the first Quidditch match of the year which player attempted to score first?
a. Angelina Johnson
b. Montague
c. Alicia Spinnet
d. Warrington

6. What kind of bush does Harry hide behind to listen to the news?

a. A pericsign bush

b. A hydrangea bush

c. A willow bush
d. A desendio bush

7. Why is Mundungus Fletcher disguised as a woman when he witnesses the DA (Dumbledore's Army) meeting in the Hog's Head pub?
a. He was a cross dresser

b. He was banned from the Hogs Head pub 20 years ago.
c. He though he was going to a fancy dress party.
d. He wanted to make people laugh.

8. When Harry and Cho go on their first date to Madam Puddifoot's in Hogsmeade, what is it decorated with for Valentine's Day?

a. Golden cherubs and red confetti
b. Silver cherubs and pink confetti

c. Golden cherubs and pink confetti

d. Silver cherubs and red confetti

9. How old is Sturgis Podmore and where does he live?
a. 38 and number 2 Laburnum Gardens Clapham

b. 37 and number 4 Laburnum Grove Clapham
c. 39 and number 3 Laburnum Gardens Clapham
d. 38 and number 5 Laburnum Grove Clapham

10. What did Fred and George Weasley do to Montague?

a. Forced him head-first into a Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor.
b. Forced him head-first into a Vanishing Cabinet on the fifth floor.
c. Pushed him into the lake for the giant quid to play with.
d. Forced him down a toilet in the girl’s bathroom on the fourth floor

First Slytherin House Quiz

Here it is. The first house quiz of the new term. My house mates and I have been assured that this is an easy quiz and that future assignments will be far more difficult. Ha! As if Slytherins have a problem with difficult!

1. How many goal posts are on the Quidditch Pitch?
six

2. Who was portrayed in the picture that kept screaming in the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix?
Sirius' mother- Walburga Black

3. Who was giving Hagrid all of those bruises and cuts?
His giant brother Grawp

4. Who left his shift early, leaving Harry open to a dementor attack?
Mundungus Fletcher

5. What was the name of the Squib who came to Harry's side after the attack?
Mrs. Figg

6. What position was Percy promoted to that made him have a 'row' with Mr. Weasley?
Junior Assistant to the Minister

7. What secret does Hermione know about Rita Skeeter?
She is an unregistered animagus- a beetle

8. Name one person other than Sirius Black who was scratched off of the Family tree wall?
Andromeda (Black) Tonks

9. Who discovers the room of requirement?
Dobby suggests it to Harry. Harry, Hermione and Ron go find it.

10. Where is the first DA meeting held?
The Hogs Head

Partners Assigned

Yay! I received an owl from Hogwarts telling me about myHSKS5 partners for this term. I will be creating a kit for a Gryffindor, a little ironic since that's my former house. I've already done some shopping by owl post, I can't wait until they arrive! I still have to decide what handmade item to include in the package. It's always hard to knit for a knitter.

I'm so excited for start of term. It looks like we have a least one new professor this time, he looks very interesting...

Let the games begin!

It's That Time Again

I gave in and signed myself up for HSKS5. This time around I am a Slytherin! The headmistress decided to limit the number of students per house this term so the numbers would be more even, so some of us needed to switch houses. Well, having been a Gryffindor for a goosd long time I decided to transfer to Slytherin. I've never been a Slytherin before, but I did have a Slytherin partner for HSS3. It'll be fun. OK, I decided on which house I would switch to because I like green:) No need for any truth potions! There are loads of good Slytherins. All I have to say is: GO DA!!!!

A Very Tired Owl

Holy cats! A very tired owl landed on my doorstep yesterday carrying my package from my HSS3 pal Mafalda Bagman. Anne is her Muggle name, and she's from Finland. No wonder that owl is tired! Her owl is resting in the cage with mine, I'll feed him lots of owl treats and water before he takes off on his return trip.
Oh wow, did I get spoiled! Thank you so much for everything! Anne sent me an awesome package despite many problems she went through last term. She was sick, she moved twice, the list goes on. It makes me feel even more special that she took the time to put together such a great, thoughtful package when she was so busy.

So check out the Hogwarts goodness:

My super cool Gryffindor socks! She designed the pattern herself. There are all kinds of cool details to them. They have an owl feathers pattern on them. how cool is that?
A bit closer up- you can see the stitch detail better.
They fit perfectly! I'm so happy. I put them on yesterday and didn't take them off until bed time. I love them!

Here's the box as I opened it. I'm so proud that I managed to get a picture before the excitement got the better of me.
Here's everything all spread out- the socks are peeking through the bottom corner.
A close up of the kitty approved package (see that white furry thing behind the bag of candy)

You see candy chosen because of its Gryffindor colored wrappers, a package of really cute napkins that match the box everything came in, some really nice Pony dpns 3.0mm size, four chocolate bars (yummy), a children's book from Finland. My poor stitch markers were snatched by Death Eaters! But she got them back, along with the tin box they put them in- they're so pretty, Gryffindor colors of course. There's a pretty angel bookmark- to protect my reading! The sweet letter she wrote me is tucked in there too.
I got a wonderful skein of Opal sock yarn in a pretty heathery-green color. I think it's a wool/bamboo blend. Since I don't speak or read any of the languages on the ball band I could be totally wrong, but I know it's wool. There are four post cards. One is a post card of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Finnish book cover- cool! Two postcards from her beautiful home town. Everything is covered in snow on the cards, but she assures me that it is Spring there now and the snow is nearly gone. The last post card is of a Moomin character, from what I understand Moomin is a very popular author. You can also see the children's book she sent me- great illustrations of cars and boats. I love it and so do my kids.
A closer up shot of some of my goodies. The post cards, book mark, stitch markers, and Death Eater tin.

Thank you so much for everything Anne! I love it all!