A Fine Day for Quidditch

[alt_linus]

It is a splendid thing indeed, a spring afternoon of Quidditch here at dear old Hogwarts. So many remarkable students have played or watched, over the centuries, and then grown into remarkable witches and wizards, and it quite gives one an appreciation of history to think on the many celebrated names who have been where we are now. It gives us a great deal to aspire to. At the same time, it is sobering to measure ourselves by those who have gone before.

Personally, it calls one to mindfulness that one has not always been at one's best, and that when it comes to excelling for the glory of the Protectorate, one has sadly fallen short of the mark. One can but admit one's shortcomings and pick oneself up -- not unlike a certain player who had a bit of a broom-slip early on today -- and rejoin the fray, anxious to attempt to make up for one's insufficiencies. For truly, even we who are obviously not cut out for the highest levels of excellence in competition may still serve the Protectorate and Our Lord with our talents, even beset as we are by numerous personal flaws and faults.

I, for one, pledge to try.

Comments

Re: Private Message to my sweetest Lavender from her most unworthy knight

[alt_linus]

Your grace and charity know no bounds, but if there is ridicule to be had, I deserve every bit of it. Indeed, there may not be enough ridicule within the Protectorate to supply all that is needed.

And yet, it took so long for me to see it. Even when I thought I knew my flaws, I was too, too self-satisfied!

"For alas, on my isle I have built
a very handsome house from out my guilt
and there I lived exceedingly at ease!"

I thought that mere knowledge of my flaws would suffice to cancel them out! But it will not do, Lav. It will not do. I must expiate them, lest they grow more monstrous yet. Your kindness should not be burdened with with this repentant wretch. No, I must set you free of any mistaken and ill-considered loyalties.

You told me once, long ago, that Padma had implied to you that we were not suited, you and I. She was generous enough to suggest the same to me, and I, in my pride o'erweening, dismissed her acute assessment and sailed onward as if my shabby dinghy were a ship of the line!

My boat is scuttled. My wreck is manifest for all to see. Alas! I must live out my days in full knowledge of what an insufficient fool I am, and and huddle in the torn rags of my pomposity and grandiosity, cast away on the shore of bitter, bitter self-knowledge. It is no wonder they expelled me from the challenge. The only wonder is that they ever took me in the first place.

Oh, Merlin.

Re: Private Message to my sweetest Lavender from her most unworthy knight

[alt_lavender]

If you're trying to break it off with me, I...I refuse! I don't believe you really want to, you've simply worked yourself into a frenzy.

Padma said WHAT