I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up to No Good: Private Message to Dux

[alt_justin]

Hullo, love,

How is Jack settling in? Does he find your dormitory familiar or has he had to adjust all over again? I expect he can't fit into the crannies where he used to hide, what.

I say, our room in Hufflepuff feels bally well empty, with Hopkins and Stebbins gone.

Tuesdays and Thursdays do rather promise to be quite difficult but tomorrow I've only Potions, so that's a blessing.

Professor Dolohov assigned loads of reading but I'm nearly done. I can read the Runes text tomorrow morning. Which means, if you'd like to meet tonight, I'd very much like to see you. In a way, I'm almost glad we only had the one brief visit, what. It was jolly hard to be with you but not allowed to be together, at the same time.

Shall we risk it?

-J

Comments

[alt_hydra]

No, he doesn't like it. He won't come out from under the bed unless I coax him with treats. I expect he'll get used to it in good time.

Everyone's already giving us horror stories about OWLs and how we'd better start revising now or else. At least we'll have proper teaching and lessons on our side this year, without Madam Umbridge around.

I'd very much like to see you, too, only I can't help but feel a bit nervous about it. Daddy said he expected "proper behaviour," but he didn't really elaborate, so that could mean anything.

[alt_justin]

I expect it's the damp Jack doesn't fancy. Don't give him too many treats; you'll note he's already looking plump!

As for proper behaviour, what, do you think your father--well--did anything to ensure that we maintain our distance? I mean to say, he has no way of knowing while we're at school, has he?

Perhaps we'd best not. At least not straight away. Dash it.

-J

[alt_hydra]

He didn't say we couldn't see each other at all, he just said to be proper. Conversing is proper, isn't it? And maybe a few other things...

Well, you are meant to be my intended, anyway.

We should just be proper, I mean. For now, I think.

[alt_justin]

I suppose that depends on what century's customs your father considers proper.

Somehow I rather don't think it's this one.

Well, you're right: We should be careful. No use giving anyone an excuse to call off the engagement, what.

I can still walk with you to your lessons, at least. Have you copied out your timetable?

-J

[alt_hydra]

It's not my fault that my father is like he is.

You can see me tonight if you think you would be alright with holding hands and talking. You know, like we used to.

And yes, I've copied it out.

[alt_justin]

I think it's a bit late, if we're trying to be circumspect about it.

And I'm not blaming you, love. I'm blaming him, what?

As far as limiting things to holding hands, if we must do, we must. You know I'll do whatever it takes, sweetheart.

But I'll be dashed if we limit ourselves unnecessarily out of fear. It would be different if we knew for certain, what. It's jolly well bad form. You're old enough to make your own decisions and he's still bally well manipulating us, from all the way down in New London.

Double dash it.

Sorry. I suppose I'm simply out of sorts, being back at school and.... No, I'm sure I don't know what my excuse is. Sorry.

-J

[alt_hydra]

It's alright. We can talk about it tomorrow, when we've both slept.

Jack says hello. It sounds like meow, though.

I love you - Goodnight!

[alt_justin]

I love you, too. I'm sure you're right and some sleep will sort me out quite well.

Sweet dreams, Dux.

-J