Filthy means of transportations, a list of certain triumphs, and things to look forward to
I swear to Merlin that no one thinks to clean the Hogwarts Express between September and June. Last evening I sat in a stuffy, dusty car sandwiched between Crabbe and Goyle, who were both blissfully passed out after consuming a large basket of Pansy's sugar sandwiches. There was a sticky patch on my seat, and Goyle drooled something pink onto the shoulder of my robes. This gesture is unappreciated, Greg, even if you did point out that it was 'right colourful'.
Since I was forced to remain where I was, being burdened by two heavy, wet weights on either side, I had no choice but to think. And so I thought about how despite what certain parties may think, I am a very resistant person. I persevere, one might say, but moreover, I refuse to budge. And why should I budge? Unless someone can think of a very good reason for why I should do why I otherwise would not, I find I have no interest in bowing to the whims of others unless it ultimately benefits me more than them.
As proof of my inherently persistent (NOT stubborn) nature, I have wracked my memory for events and occasions which serve as illustration:
- When I was eight our house-elf-turned-bad, Bebo, tried to convince me that the water in the toilets tasted like sparkling champagne. I saw through her plan at once and quickly punished her with a feather vest, a faux pearl choker, and some fingerless gloves.
- Pansy has been trying to get me to engage in some frivolity called a 'three-legged race' since second year. To this day I utterly refuse. My own two legs are perfectly fit and formed--why should I have need of another? I would look asymmetrical, besides.
- For reasons I have not sussed out (perhaps he was being bribed by Gryffindors), our former Quidditch captain Marcus Flint once tried to tell me I was better suited to team manager rather than seeker. I threatened to have his Nimbus 2001 revoked and he was singing another tune soon enough.
- Before our first year began Potter followed me around Madam Malkin's, more or less begging me to befriend him for all variety of reasons--e.g. he was famous and friendless. I told him I would think about it.
- The heat of the potions classroom once caused me severe dehydration, so much so that I became dizzy and sought refuge beneath the table. Finnigan kept trying to hand me some flask that he claimed contained 'just water'. Does he really think me that easily fooled?
- Father always warned me that I should never ever touch his serpent's-head cane. Once I was innocently examining it (he had stowed it in the Ming vase we use as an umbrella stand) and it actually jumped to life and bit me viciously on the shoulder with its silver fangs. Despite my injury, I admirably resisted the urge to protest the unfairness of it all.
- Luckily for all of you, I resist the urge to viciously curse the tongue, mouths, and vocal cords of at least five people on a daily basis (though sometimes this number runs as high as a few hundred). If you all made even slight effort to not flap your gums about things you cannot possibly understand, perhaps I would not have to fight my urges on this matter quite so frequently.
As you can see from the above list, I am quite versed in resistance in a variety of situations. I don't see why any one person's opinion, or any solitary, one-time situation, should change this fact. It does not change this fact, in fact.
This morning, following a too-big breakfast, I went into London (Diagon and Knockturn Alley, plus some specialty shoppes) and picked up a few things--just the bare necessities, really. There are much more interesting items to be procured in Greece, and I look forward to spending another summer on the Island. If anyone has need of me before I go abroad, I will be in London until Friday.
Since I was forced to remain where I was, being burdened by two heavy, wet weights on either side, I had no choice but to think. And so I thought about how despite what certain parties may think, I am a very resistant person. I persevere, one might say, but moreover, I refuse to budge. And why should I budge? Unless someone can think of a very good reason for why I should do why I otherwise would not, I find I have no interest in bowing to the whims of others unless it ultimately benefits me more than them.
As proof of my inherently persistent (NOT stubborn) nature, I have wracked my memory for events and occasions which serve as illustration:
- When I was eight our house-elf-turned-bad, Bebo, tried to convince me that the water in the toilets tasted like sparkling champagne. I saw through her plan at once and quickly punished her with a feather vest, a faux pearl choker, and some fingerless gloves.
- Pansy has been trying to get me to engage in some frivolity called a 'three-legged race' since second year. To this day I utterly refuse. My own two legs are perfectly fit and formed--why should I have need of another? I would look asymmetrical, besides.
- For reasons I have not sussed out (perhaps he was being bribed by Gryffindors), our former Quidditch captain Marcus Flint once tried to tell me I was better suited to team manager rather than seeker. I threatened to have his Nimbus 2001 revoked and he was singing another tune soon enough.
- Before our first year began Potter followed me around Madam Malkin's, more or less begging me to befriend him for all variety of reasons--e.g. he was famous and friendless. I told him I would think about it.
- The heat of the potions classroom once caused me severe dehydration, so much so that I became dizzy and sought refuge beneath the table. Finnigan kept trying to hand me some flask that he claimed contained 'just water'. Does he really think me that easily fooled?
- Father always warned me that I should never ever touch his serpent's-head cane. Once I was innocently examining it (he had stowed it in the Ming vase we use as an umbrella stand) and it actually jumped to life and bit me viciously on the shoulder with its silver fangs. Despite my injury, I admirably resisted the urge to protest the unfairness of it all.
- Luckily for all of you, I resist the urge to viciously curse the tongue, mouths, and vocal cords of at least five people on a daily basis (though sometimes this number runs as high as a few hundred). If you all made even slight effort to not flap your gums about things you cannot possibly understand, perhaps I would not have to fight my urges on this matter quite so frequently.
As you can see from the above list, I am quite versed in resistance in a variety of situations. I don't see why any one person's opinion, or any solitary, one-time situation, should change this fact. It does not change this fact, in fact.
This morning, following a too-big breakfast, I went into London (Diagon and Knockturn Alley, plus some specialty shoppes) and picked up a few things--just the bare necessities, really. There are much more interesting items to be procured in Greece, and I look forward to spending another summer on the Island. If anyone has need of me before I go abroad, I will be in London until Friday.