Martha's Journal

Just another update about today, since I didn't get a chance to write about what happened when I got back to school.

The journey to Hogwarts was actually pretty nice. I didn't have any Prefect duties to take care of so I was free to sit with friends -- I ended up in a compartment with Caleb and Jaxen joined us.

Caleb seemed to have a good time at the Nature Reserve... He didn't really talk much about it but I got to meet the cactus he rescued. I hope I can run into him again and talk some more.

Jaxen didn't seem to talk much about his Christmas either, so it was mostly me talking about Japan and passing out the gifts I had got for both of them.

The morning was pretty much over by the time we arrived which meant we had just enough time to sign up for the Duelling Tournament. Caleb went off by himself but me and Jaxen decided to try out.

I haven't been as serious with my Duelling practice as I probably should be (especially with the career I'm considering...) so I hoped this would be a good chance for me to improve.

And then I was knocked out in the first round by second year!

In my defence, she's a pretty formidable second year. First Quidditch and now Duelling... What is up with that year group? Jaxen passed his first duel without any issues but it was hard to get close to him to talk in between.

I decided to take a break from the craziness of the Duellist Chamber and ended up going to visit some Nifflers. The sandpit is kinda cool to see when there's snow everywhere else and nothing on the sand. I wonder if Professor Fairburn has some special spells in place to keep the Nifflers safe and sound? I ended up meeting a different Niffler called Simon (he wore a collar and a name tag!) and he led him to this cool area that the Nifflers seemed to live in.

It truly was a treasure hoard for them!

Turns out there was a Golden Lens there that he didn't want stinking up the place (or so I imagine from his reaction) so I offered to take it for him and find where it belonged. This seemed to appease him.

I hope I can find Simon again and let him know I managed to return the Golden Lens...

But before that, I ran into Pierce and we both decided to ask Natalie for a card reading. We wanted to start the Divination Extra-C and today seemed like the best time. I don't know what Natalie's reading for Pierce was as I arrived a bit later but her reading for me seemed... Well...

She didn't seem too impressed by it.

Let me see if I write down everything she said...



I'm not sure how that is going to factor into my future but I'll have to keep an open mind and look for the signs.

After that, I went to return the Golden Lens while Pierce went to the Forest Path to do the next Div EC task.

The Astronomy Tower had to be the write right location. There's no way my gut wasn't correct about this and -- ha, I was right. Though it wasn't the main upper area I had to go to but a smaller balcony a few levels down. It looked incredibly ancient, like it has been part of the Castle since it was created but it didn't look like anyone had been there in a while.

Still, the telescope was there and I was able to fit the lens back on.

And yes, I took a peek because I couldn't help myself.

I have to admit, it's a bit hard to put into words what I saw -- it was incredibly beautiful and astoundingly magical. It was just one of those profound experiences that someone has to witness for themselves.

After that, I headed back to the Forest Path to wait for Pierce. I couldn't find him but I did manage to get a jar of honey I needed. I then decided I would let loose my own beetle and see what this second task had in store for me.

Wow -- what a journey. I know I can't write down what happened because Pierce told me all his notes disappeared. It was amazing but I have to try again.

Bet Natalie didn't fail with this task.

Anyway, I went to find Pierce and found him in the Boathouse. I may or may not have accidentally scared him but I talked to him about the Div task, the Golden Lens and the balcony.

He decided he wanted to see it for himself and I decided to head back to the Duellist Tournament, so we parted ways. It was a lot of fun spending time with Pierce and working on things together. I know it's not always 'fun' or 'cool' to hang out with your older siblings so I appreciate that he let me tag along and we got to bond a little.

I finished the afternoon at the Duelling tournament and got to see Jaxen in the finals.

Sure, he didn't win but I'm incredibly proud of him. He's such a skilled Wizard, in more ways than one, and I hope he knows that. Perhaps I shall have to just tell him some day so he does know!

Had dinner after that and then hung out with Sophia in our dormitory. We stayed up waaaay too late talking and eating snacks but it was so nice to be reunited. I've managed to write this entry because she fell asleep first haha.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day so I'd better go to sleep too.

Believe it or not I went to the Quidditch match -- and I even made some bets. Listen, I went with Tobias and he was so excited about his friend playing that I couldn't say no when the topic of betting came up.

I didn't spend too much money but it would be nice to win something from it all.

[tbc]