The priceless thoughts of Mr R.B. Lestrange

Don't know if you've noticed the new pins some of your seventh years had on. They're a sign they've been entered into a contest for Our Lord's favour, an invitation into the inner circle.

I knew nothing before this morning. Tosha knew nothing. Rod knew nothing and Hydra's been included. Lucius knew nothing before being summoned to Court to be informed that much of his clerk's time will be taken up being a liaison between the competion and Our Lord himself. Each student has a sponsor - all the ones I could suss out are the latest additions to our ranks.

They've been told it will be a difficult and potentially dangerous trial, but glorious. Love, you should know, they've tapped Draco, Hydra, Pansy, Katie Bell, your Linus. Katie's got to be a test of Harry, who is expected to be one of the somewhat secret judges.

We need to talk. Harry's already come to me to talk about trying to keep everyone safe.

He's a better man than me sometimes

Can you come down, or should I wait up?

Sorry I missed Saturday's festivities, but decided it was best not to leave, even if for an hour or two. Harry was asking me about Snape and if he wrote the latest Grim Nonsense using his housemate's journal. Seemed to put him in a bit of a mard - he always seems to think he's at fault for these happenings, somehow - so I decided it would be best to spend the weekend at the castle with him.

Oh, and I told Harry nothing was official on whether or not Snape wrote the thing, but I'm not sure I did a good job of convincing him. Have to admit I nearly laughed out loud when I read it. Not that the situation isn't serious, mind, but it certainly did bring back the memories. Neither of you two old sods probably realised, being years ahead of him, but Snape was always trying to top everyone with his inventive "work-arounds" for spells, charms, potions, and what-all. He would even contradict professors on their methods and propose to have the more effective way of getting the job done. His swottiness made him near universally loathed, I'll have you know, and the fact that his advice to mudbloods was near-opposite of what the other grim post said...well, it was just so very, very Snape.

I'm sure you lot have figured that out by now, though. Any theories on what the blazes he's up to? Certainly he must have a massive vendetta against all that the Protectorate stands for, but it's bloody difficult to imagine Snape willingly taking up the mantle of Sirius Black.