Private Message to Dux

[alt_justin]

Hullo, there, you,

I say, is everyone's seventh year this fraught? I heard that a chap in today's exam burst out like a canary cream, what! And I don't think he'd been anywhere near Fred and George Weasley, either.

Perhaps I've not considered every possible drawback to staying.

-Justin

Comments

[alt_hydra]

Well I don't know about everyone, but they seemed just as fraught last year as this year, if that's what you mean.

So does that mean you feel that exams here are more difficult than in France? Because if so, I think I will have to add that to the list I am making.

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

Can we not

No, I don't think they're more difficult but perhaps they don't determine one's whole future? Or perhaps it only feels as if they're not as important because they're far away.

Or perhaps I'd never really worried about it, what?

-Justin

[alt_hydra]

I know you're probably tired of me trying to make sure you really see all sides of things, but you did bring it up.

But really, "harder exams" isn't a big enough reason to go on the list.

It's funny, because at the picnic you held for everyone, I had a moment where I thought "this will be so nice, to be able to do this whenever we fancy next year." And then I remembered.

When did you say that they'll want an answer from you, again?

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

I do see it, Dux.

And it's not as if I'm unaware of the risks.

It's just.... It's completely mad, I know, but somehow I do feel more like this is home. Even if France is the only home I knew growing up, what? And I've friends here, much more than at Beauxbatons.

And you.

I mean to say, do you really want me to leave?

-Justin

[alt_hydra]

If I said that I did, then you would leave.

That's what you would do. Am I right?

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

Look, Dux. I don't want to quarrel. It's not a test, what? I'm not bally well playing chess. Stop thinking like a Slytherin. Just answer the question.

Do you want me to tell them no?

-Justin

[alt_hydra]

No. I want you to tell them what you want to do.

I'm just scared, is all.

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

Well, I'd say that's well sensible. Being scared, I mean to say.

It's not that I'm not worried. I just...I think part of me wanted to come here and stay even before I got here, if you follow me.

But I have been thinking--I've still got to make sure that if I do stay, things at home are arranged.

I wonder what would happen if I told Mr Rosier 'No' just to see how badly they want me to say 'Yes.'

Of course, there's the possibility they don't bally well care either way. In which case, I suppose I'd leave, what? But it's possible that they'd be willing to negotiate in order to claim that I turned.

But then there's also the possibility they're monitoring all this, in which case I've just given away my whole strategy, what!

See? That's why I need a Slytherin about now and then. Couldn't do without one.

-Justin

[alt_hydra]

If it is being monitored - well, I don't think that's too likely, but if so, they're probably deciding right now whether to call your bluff, or bluff you in return and pretend that they don't know that you're bluffing.

What sort of things would you negotiate for, though? Or is that the sort of thing best shared in person, so no one can peek in to read it?

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

Hm, well. Mostly I think we've talked about it before. Making sure my mother's cared for and so on, so forth.

I don't think they'd give me a bad foster placement but that's the sort of thing I could ask, I suppose. I'd also want to make sure I still had access to my own accounts. I shouldn't like my foster family to decide they could control my cash flows, what?

And it's well worth asking what sorts of things would be expected.

I'll write up an owl tomorrow. There's time in History of Magic. Let's think what else to put in, all right?

-Justin

[alt_hydra]

Those are all reasonable things to ask for, I think. I thought maybe you'd decided to ask for a broomstick with gold-tipped twigs, or someone to carry your books from class to class (in which case, I'd volunteer for that, to give you a break from carrying mine).

But I'll try to think of more things that are important while I'm getting ready for bed.

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

You carrying my books? Nonsense, Dux. I wouldn't hear of it. I like seeing you in the corridors but it's for me to tote for you. And nothing to do with blood or magic, either, what. That's what a gentleman does, isn't it?

I suppose it is getting late.

Sweet dreams, Dux.

Love,
-Justin

[alt_hydra]

It is. Goodnight, Effs.

Love,
Hydra