I received a letter from Kevin, sent with Ron's sweet tiny owl, in which he asked to meet with me soon. I wonder if he needs my ear again.

Colin agreed that a trip to London would be lovely for Tripod, so that he can play with other dogs and on even ground, since the land by the loch is so very uneven and steep. I sent Herbert to Kevin, agreeing to meet with him early on Sunday afternoon. He said that he meets with his girlfriend on Sundays, but that they would meet later.

I'm sitting on the grass by Colin's things, as Colin and Tripod play with a frisbee. The weather is cool and humid, but it is definitely warm in comparison to Scotland. I fluff my hair out a little, so that it is like a second jumper, as putting on my cloak would be too warm, and watch as I wait.

( A request from Kevin )

I bring the tray of cocoa and biscuits into the library, where Colin is already sitting on the love seat. Tripod has his head in Colin’s lap. I smile, thinking how I would like to be on Colin’s lap.

“Here you are,” I say, handing Colin a cup of cocoa. His is a little milkier, not quite as rich, as much cocoa. Tripod sniffs at the steam and Colin says that he can’t have any.
( Read More )

Yes, it's definitely evident that I am not in the right place in my experience to create the lozenges. I am disappointed, that's certain. I had so wanted to help with studying and exam taking. So many wonderful students do so poorly in their exams.

My first attempt, with the Purely Educational, didn't produce what I had intended. I am a little upset that nobody told me, but that is no matter anymore. I know what it does and I'm certainly not opposed to it. The Book Ribbons I had also hoped would be used for educational aide, but aside from reading the texts aloud, I really don't know how that would help.

And now unfortunately I must admit my current defeat. It isn't to say that I won't try again later in my life, but as I am now, I know that a way is very unlikely. It is a shame, because the idea was such a good one. With so many different things you learn, it can be rather overwhelming to try to recall a specific thing among the jumble of everything else. That's why I had hoped to create an aide to pinpoint the areas of the brain where knowledge of certain subjects are stored, and to...I suppose you could say, shine the candlelight on it so that they are forthcoming of all other subjects.

Well, as I said, that will have to be for another time. Now my concern is what to do this moment. What sort of problems do people have with school? Not enough hours in the day to learn everything? There isn't a way that I can create more hours and use of Time Turners is very strictly regulated. That is why I'd wished to use the ribbons, as students lose so much sleep. And of course I would not attempt to substitute for sleep. Sleep is essential.

I'll need to talk to some people, then, to find out how I can help students.

After so very long, I have decided that the direction of my invention is fruitless, at least at this point in my life. I simply don’t have the knowledge or experience yet to accomplish something like this. I still would like to be able to help with examinations, though. I simply don’t know how yet. I never really had the problem.

I walk out of my home laboratory and close my eyes for a moment. I don’t hear anything in the house, so I think that Colin must be outside, looking out at the lake or playing with Tripod. I twirl up the stairs, both flights, and come out of the trapdoor into the hut. I can hear Tripod barking happily and smile. Colin is up hear after all.

( Talk of plans )

There are so many people in the park. I think that they call it tourist season. But as there are so many parks here, and there is so much space in them, there is plenty of room to share it.

It is a shame that Tripod couldn’t come with us, but it’s a busy day for us both, so we’re having lunch just the two of us. I lay out the blanket and put a few small pillows to sit on, as Colin unpacks the food. I can hear his stomach grumbling, and can’t restrain a giggle. He does get hungry so easily. It’s a good thing, I think, that we’re raising a vegetable garden above the house.

( Picnic talks )

"Do you remember," I say, carrying a tray of cinnamon biscuits into the library, "when we stayed in the cabin in California, and they had that lovely cold tea?"

He thinks back then nods. "I do. It's just been awhile."

“They said that it was made with the heat from the sun,” I muse.

"Maybe they kept the tea leaves out in the sun," he suggests.

“The leaves?” I ask, tilting my head to the side. “Do you mean the way that black tea is roasted, this is dried?”

"Maybe," he shrugs. "I don't know."

( An experiment together )

I really do not liking coming down here. The only thing pleasant about the Ministry is coming to see Colin. Thankfully, when I come to renew my memory harvesting license, I may keep my wand, as is the case today.

I take the new license from the instructor and examine it, making sure that everything is correct. I should hate to be sited and sued again because of a mistake the Ministry made. The instructor makes an ugly face at my scrutinization, but I don’t care. I have never trusted the Ministry. At first it was because Daddy didn’t, and because of all the things the Quibbler said. But as I grew to know the world more, and got to know Harry, and of course during the war, I saw evil taking power and prosecuting the good. I have seen them try to manipulate the public’s eye to believe that people like Harry and Professor Lupin and Dumbledore are bad.

I know it isn’t the Ministry to which I should have an aversion, but rather those corrupt few who have turned it into a mockery of a government. I know that there are good people working here, such as Harry and Ron and Remus’ wife. Molly’s husband used to work here. And now my husband works here. There are good people in this corrupt place, and as long as they are here, I have more faith that our world won’t be completely consumed by evil.

I have checked every letter of my name, of Love Goods, of every single word. The number is correct. The date of expiration is correct. Everything seems correct to my eyes, but I’ll make sure to have Blaise doublecheck it for me.

“Thank you very much,” I say finally, putting the license into my portfolio.

The instructor just glowers and returns, “See you in three months.”

I stick my wand behind my ear and leave the room. At first, I plan to go to work and hang the license, but stop myself before I take a step. Why would I be in the Ministry and not see Colin? Of course I would see him! It is still a little time until lunch, but perhaps there’s some place I could wait here for him.

I look around me, not sure where I should go. I suppose I should go back to Love Goods while I wait for lunchtime, and I wouldn’t need to be here unnecessarily, but going there would mean coming back, and coming back would mean having to leave my wand with the wand-checkers.

I turn the page in the large book and shift the translation guide next to my knee. I couldn’t find many good brain studies in English that were still in print. There is one in Egyptian, studies done on the brains of the pharohs, which were extracted upon burial, that I would like to get hold of, but it is extremely difficult to find. I’ll need to ask Blaise if he would be able to find me a copy. I do remember the large basin of brains that we passed in the Department of Mysteries, also, and wonder if there are any published works on those studies, but I do doubt that.

This book hasn’t given me much new information. Perhaps a small fact or two, but otherwise not very much help. I will read it all, however. If it even gives me one small thing that is helpful, it will be worth the work. One cannot say they are passionate about knowledge if they don’t pursue a path because it is long and may come to a fruitless end.

It is rather laborious, however. Even through the translation, it is poorly written. Though I know I shouldn’t be, I’m glad when an origami memo wings into the library and lands on my knee, its wings pulsing slowly open and closed as it waits.

I pick up the paper butterfly and unfold it.

Mrs. Creevey,

You have a guest waiting in the lobby. Shall I send him in or will you come out to meet him?

I don’t often have guests, excepting Colin, and I know it isn’t Colin. He would come directly to the library or the laboratory. I pick up my quill and dip it into the small ink bottle beside me.

Please direct him to the library. Thank you.

And then I send it off.

The one year anniversary of the first book ribbon's release was last week. As promised, Blaise was back by St. Piran's day and the anniversary, but he needed to work from home. I understand that, as I would feel the same way, being gone from Colin for as long as Blaise was away. And I know that Neddy needed it as well. He missed Blaise so much, and I know what it is like to miss somebody you love when they are away. In a way, I'm sad that Colin isn't doing any travelling for work, as he wants to see the wonders of the world through his camera, but I did miss him terribly. That is why we have decided to take a trip at least every year.

We had a party. Some of the workers have been with us throughout the company's entire residence in this building. Some we had to part with while the lawsuit was being handled, and we later hired back. And when we took on more and more titles, we hired more and more staff. With the addition to a cooler of honest blood, and Molly's treats and her warm command, it seems like a happy place to work. I do hope my staff feels as much.

( Reflecting )

My attempts with the lozenges haven’t been successful at all, and I’ve been researching the last several weeks. It could be that I will be unable to get the desired consistency with the desired results and will have to keep them in a liquid form, but it isn’t as if there is a deadline for these.

I replace the books in their places with a bookmarker charm so that I can take them all out again tomorrow without having to go in search. Then I replace my notes in my office, put the runes and spells in place, and walk to the reception area for my cloak.

I hear someone walking quietly through the door then up to where I am. The person rounds the corner and stops for a few seconds, as if in surprise, then a huge smile appears on her face, "Luna! It's so wonderful to see you. How are you doing?" She asks as she walks my way and hugs me tightly.

( Seeing Ginny )