(no subject)

They invented the word "staggering" for mornings like this.

As those of you in education in America may know, student loans are going to leap from 3% to almost 5% on July 1, so I thought I'd consolidate and save 2% interest.

*watches as that sentence alone causes the less mathematically inclined, like himself, to go "bzuh?" and need a lie-down*

So, I've been working on getting my financial aid records and finding a place to consolidate for me. I attended a small Liberal Arts school for undergrad at a time when we were Very Poor (as opposed to now, when we're just Sort Of Poor), so I have a lot of loans. I was expecting that. I was even expecting the number, but it's still STAGGERING to hear someone say, aloud, "Ah yes, I have your total for you here. You owe sixty two thousand dollars in student loans."

"Oh," I said, while my brain went plink.

My monthly payment, once I start paying, will be roughly equivalent to the rent on my first flat, five years ago. And I'll be paying it for the next thirty years. Whee?

(and the first person who scoffs and says "that's nothing, I have TEN ZILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT" will be punched in the head.)

ETA: Ahem. I should point out that should you offer me twice the amount of my student loans in return for removing my education from my brain, I would not hesitate to say no. So in a way I rather feel I've beaten the system, cos they've got sixty thousand dollars but they haven't got my brain. Nyah.

(no subject)

Dobby had been cleaning the common room (as he often had to be commanded not to do twice a day) and found a hidden packet of Lucky Stripe cigarettes, clearly secreted away by one of the older students. He had dutifully presented them to Draco, who had put them before the group for consideration.

Padma had been the one to suggest they try them, as children of a certain age generally do, and while Draco and Neville refused, in fear of their respective mums, Harry hadn't been able to resist Padma's dare.

He'd matched her through two cigarettes while all four of them laughed at the colours their eyes changed as they smoked. Afterwards he'd been really splendidly sick, as had Padma, and he'd spent all night with a rotten taste in his mouth that no amount of toothscrubbing charms would get rid of -- and the Voice had lurked on the edge of his hearing all night. Neville and Draco had gloated indecently over breakfast. His head still hurt.

*mourns for loss of Harry's innocence.*