Regarding the novices -- which would you say was the most surprising? I wasn't entirely surprised by Rosier's boy, even though he's a half-blood -- he's the son of the Irish woman from last year. I'd say he proved a measure of devotion backed by fortitude when he cast the killing curse. But the OTHER half-blood, what's his name? I don't know know what he ever did to distinguish himself, other than survive a mudblood camp.

Hydra Lestrange seems rather startlingly young.

Cadmus and I have a wager on Goyle and Crabbe's sons. He thinks they'll make it, I think he's wrong. Too many clever children in this mix. I don't know what the challenges are going to be but I heard the first one involved ARTISTRY -- hardly a challenge that can be solved by pure strength. Mind you, I imagine they'll reach their place at Our Lord's side eventually. Uncompromising strength and unquestioning loyalty is a combination that will always find its place. But not this time, I imagine. I'll be out a bottle of excellent firewhiskey if I'm wrong.