And the trees are stripped bare...

The moon is waxing crescent, and that means that I am full of restless energy. Am afraid I took it out on my students today, leading an expedition of third-years into the Forest in search of mokes, the little lizard-like creatures with a tendency to shrink when startled. Needless to say, we found no mokes, but an unexpected sighting of a Centaur (I believe her name was Hesper) proved even more interesting and educational.

With the sixth-years, however, I was a little less lenient as there seems to be some kind of dispute amongst the Houses regarding some rather liberal detentions being handed out as of late. Not sure I quite understand the logic behind the whole issue, but if there's anything I learnt from past inter-house skirmishes within Hogwarts' hallowed halls, it's to stay the hell out of them and feign ignorance.

It's quiet in my lofty tower tonight. I've not heard from Charlie in a couple of days, and though I'm not concerned - it's dragon mating season, and the poor bastard's got his hands full - I have to admit that the lack of correspondence, along with Sirius's newfound distraction, have me feeling not a little bit lonely. I took a stroll through the Menagerie, but not even the company of my creatures seems to help. Which is odd. Usually the Jarvey has something scintillating to say, at least.

Best get to marking some scrolls, then.