Allo?

[alt_justin]

Bonsoir! Je m'appelle Justin. J'ai quatorze ans et j'habite en

Oh, I say, sorry about that! I forgot that the quill I've brought with me was charmed to write in French. Let's try that again, what?

Hello! My name is Justin. I'm fourteen and I live in France, but really I'm English. It's sort of a long story. I'm a student at Beauxbatons but I've been given this book so I can write about what I'm seeing here. I'm very grateful to be given the opportunity to come see the World Cup in my native home and to see what sort of place the Lord Protector has created for wizards and witches to live in.

I just arrived today, but already everyone I've met is quite pleasant, really. I'd like to thank Draco Malfoy especially for making me feel so welcome. And Professeur and Madame Froissart, of course, for agreeing to chaperon me. And all the Malfoys, truly; they've been such gracious hosts. I hope I meet many more wonderful wizarding folk while I'm visiting.

I say, I hope I'm doing this right. I'm not quite sure how to end it, so: I look forward to the rest of my time in the Protectorate. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Justin Finch-Fletchley

Comments

[alt_ron]

Hiya! I'm called Ron. I'm fourteen, and I live in Ottery St Catchpole out in Devon.

How long are you here for, then? And how come you live in France if you're English?

Funny about your quill. I didn't know they could do that. D'you mean if I bought the right quill it'd turn everything I say into French? Or Boraboran? Or Chinese? That'd be awesomely snitch.

So d'you play Quidditch,then? For Beauxbatons?

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Ron! Pleased to meet you. I suppose that's the best way to say it, even though we're meeting over these bally old books, eh?

I'm just here for the Cup, I think. Although P Froissart said that it's possible we'll come back soon. Not sure what he means by that, what?

And cheers, like I said, it's rather a long story, how I've come to be living in France. I think it's much better in the telling when it's not all written out, if you follow me.

There are quills that do all sorts of things. Perhaps you don't have them here? We learned the charm in our Charms lessons. Odd you haven't done, if you're a year ahead. Or I say, perhaps you're not a whole year ahead. I'm going into what would be my fourth year. What about you?

I don't play, as it happens. But I do think it's, er - I say, does 'snitch' mean the same thing as chouette? Malfoy's used it as well, so I rather think you're saying that it's well excellent. So if that's what you mean, then yes, Quidditch is well 'snitch'. But no, I don't fly much. My Mother doesn't

I say, how does one use these books, then? Is it like letters, rather, or what?

- Justin

[alt_ron]

I'll be starting fourth year when we go back, yeah. So same year, then? That's wizard. Snitch, yeah. Exactly.

Are loads of people coming from France, then? I know, I know. There was a whole big thing in the Prophet about it, but I didn't really pay attention to the stuff about people coming. Except for, y'know, the stuff about how many seats the stadium has and how the levels and sections are designed to expand if they need to. Now that's what charms are for, innit? But I was mostly reading all the stuff about the elimination matches and which countries used what strategies and how they did when they came up against sides with a different attack. We don't usually get so much stuff about the overseas teams. Some dead amazing matches. Did you get to go along to any of those? I wish I could've seen them all!

Oh. And you don't really have to sign your name every time. I mean, no one minds if you do, but you don't have to, since it already says who you are at the top of what you write. So, yeah, it's a bit like letters, only faster. You don't have to wait for an owl to go and come back or anything.

[alt_justin]

Oh, excellent! Yes, I started a bit late, do you see, so I was used to being a bit behind. But I'm not anymore! And not everyone starts at the same age in France, at any rate, so it's hard to tell what year anyone's in just by age. My birthday's in October, when's yours?

I don't really know if loads of people are coming from France. But some are. I think nearly everyone is going to be from here, what? I mean to say, the Protectorate's done such a ruddy good job keeping the country safe and that's mostly because of the wards, do you see, so I don't think it serves much purpose to let loads of people in who might not agree with how splendid things are here. But I did hear some of the Guardiens at Calais saying that the Cup would be broadcast all over the world.

I think most of the people who are coming are connected somehow to the Bulgarian side or to the Federation, what? I've not been to many matches before, either, outside of school.

And cheers, thanks for the help. It's rather an ingenious little thing, these books, eh?

[alt_ron]

Mine's first of March.

And, yeah, no problem answering questions. These books are nift for talking to people you might not get to otherwise, yeah?

Hope we get to meet for real some time. I reckon not at the Cup. Since you're sitting with the Malfoys. I mean, you will be, right? If you're staying with them?

[alt_justin]

Good morning!

Yes, I shall be seated with the Malfoys. Why, where are your seats?

Draco's been answering loads of questions, too. Like whether parents read our posts or comments, and he tells me 'nift' is like 'snitch' only not quite as marvellous. I've been tutored in English and French ever since I can remember, but no one ever teaches one any slang, what?

I'm being taken to the Ministry for Magic this morning. Well, I say morning it's really probably most of the day. I say, that's exciting, isn't it? I don't doubt if everyone got treated this way on a first visit, the Protectorate shouldn't have any trouble convincing people to come back home!

[alt_ron]

Aw. Shame.

That you're going to the Ministry today, I mean. I was there yesterday, see. So we just missed by a day. I was there to learn about what my dad does at work. He's in Protectorate Affairs in Purity Control, but he also connects with the department that oversees stuff about the camps. Maybe you'll get to meet him.

Oh, and you might get to meet Director Selwyn, and he's really nice.

And maybe they'll let you see where MLE and the Aurors train. They took us down to the sparring dungeons when we had our tour of the Ministry in YPL. That's the Young Protectors' League, y'know.

Um. Anywiz, I hope you have fun today.

[alt_justin]

Oh, dash it, that would have been corking, wouldn't it have, if we'd been on the same day?

But I'm really looking forward to the visit, in any case. Perhaps I'll ask about the Aurors--they're like the French Guardiens, aren't they?--I'd quite like to see them training, if one could go and observe.

I'll look for your Director Selwyn, as well, and perhaps your Father and all, what?

[alt_hydra]

Some people might like to sign their name every time.

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

I say, old chap, what's the protocol about asking a question on someone else's page? Those twins, for example. Are they related to you, then? I mean to say, I rather invited people to introduce themselves to me, do you see. But would they be offended if I asked them a question?

[alt_ron]

Heh. Actually, the twins would think it's great if you did write them out of the blue. Not everyone would take it that way, though. Um. I mean some people are more formal, yeah?

[alt_justin]

Oh, I see, right. Well, I shouldn't think one would write to Mr Malfoy or even his clerk without observing proprieties. That only makes sense.

I say, it's well, er, snitch of you to offer a chap all this advice. Thanks, Ron.

[alt_ron]

Sure.

Cheers, Justin.

I Solemnly Swear That I'm Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

That should annoy Malfoy. Me writing back to this chap who's staying with him.

But why'd'you suppose he lives in France, anywiz? And if he lives there, what does he want, coming back here?

[alt_luna]

Have you lived in France for very long?

I would be very curious to hear about some of the sorts of magical creatures you have there.

[alt_justin]

Oh, hullo. I'm Justin.

I've lived in France my whole life, or near as makes no difference.

We've all sorts of creatures. We just did creatures in my last year, in fact. But I think most are rather the same as here. Unicorns, centaurs, hippogriffs, gryphons, wyverns, merpeople, fairies, nixies - that sort of thing.

[alt_luna]

And I'm Luna. I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I didn't mean to be rude.

[alt_justin]

How do you do, Luna? I say, that's a pretty name.

-Justin

[alt_luna]

Thank you. I suppose it's close to the word you have for 'moon,' isn't it? I know the piece of music called "Claire de Lune."

[alt_justin]

Alors, exactement! La lune. And I know that piece, as well. That's rather a famous one, what? Debussy was French, after all. I quite like a lot of classical music, it's what my Mother listens to most of the time.

Of course, my mates at school have introduced me to 'Les Têtes Crackés' and 'Mon Pied Gauche' and bands like that. And they're quite good, too.

I suppose you must have all your own groups here, and no one knows the French bands at all, eh?

[alt_luna]

I'm afraid I don't know much about French bands at all, and it's a little too far for us to hear French music on the Wizarding Wireless Network. I do like classical music myself, although I don't know much about it at all.

My favourite band is Saucy Salamanders. But they're not very well known, even here in the Protectorate.

[alt_justin]

What sort of music do they play?

[alt_luna]

They're mostly instrumental. They use instruments that were more popular hundreds of years ago, things like lutes, crumhorns, rebecs, viols, pipe and tabor, hammer dulcimers and so on. They do very lively jigs and reels, extremely intricate. I like them because the music sounds so odd to modern ears, but it's great fun!

[alt_sally_anne]

Hello, Justin. My name is Sally-Anne Perks and I am in Slytherin House and beginning my fourth year.

I look forward to perhaps meeting you in person at the Quidditch World Cup.

You don't have to end things like a letter, just so you know; it's considered acceptable in a journal just to stop writing. You see how it shows everyone who wrote what, so you don't have to sign your name (although some people like to anyway).

Have you been to other parts of Europe? It looks quite large on the maps. So many places one could travel to.

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Sally-Anne. How do you do? D'you know, my best mate at school has two first names like that? Jean-Pierre. And of course my name's Finch-Fletchley, which can be rather a mouthful. Slytherin - that's Draco's House, isn't it? I say, it sounds smashing. It must be snitch to win the inter-house competitions every year.

Where are you sitting at the Cup? Near Draco? If so, then we may meet in person, that would be well grand. I'm very lucky to be able to make so many new friends like this.

I've been to Germany, once. I was about seven. And Mother likes to holiday on the Riviera sometimes, but she's only taken me along twice.

Where are you from, then? Or do you mind my asking?

[alt_sally_anne]

Yes, I am in Draco's House. And as it happens I believe I will be sitting near Draco at the Cup so I look forward to meeting you.

I grew up in Herefordshire. Do you know your Protectorate geography at all? It's in the West Midlands, if that helps.

[alt_justin]

Good morning!

I've seen maps, of course, but it doesn't give one a real sense of how big things are. Hogwarts is in the north, isn't it? I've heard, from my tutors, that the Midlands are very pretty country, too.

Well, I guess I'll see you on Monday!

-Justin

[alt_sinistra]

Welcome to the Protectorate!

I'm the astronomy professor at Hogwarts, and I also organize the YPL, an programme that encourages students to strive for their best in the service of the Protectorate, and offers training and learning experiences that would not be otherwise a part of the Hogwarts curriculum. A number of your age mates recently finished a very challenging few weeks in the new Combined Cadet Forces offering, with quite promising reports.

I hope you enjoy your visit. While you are staying with the most gracious hosts I can think of, if you have questions I can answer, please do let me know.

(One thing that I think will be familiar to you is that teachers at Hogwarts are generally referred to as Professor and their last name, though there are occasional exceptions.)

[alt_justin]

Good morning,

Thank you very much for the kind welcome, Professor Sinistra. Everyone has been most generous with both time and attention. I feel very lucky to be here.

I asked Draco about the YPL and the Combined Cadet Forces over breakfast and he's been telling me about it. It sounds quite brilliant, actually. We've nothing like at Beauxbatons, I'm sure you know, Professor. I think Professor Froissart would quite like to start something, though. He runs our duellist club, do you see.

I say, it's really quite interesting to write in these books and see other people writing one back! I don't wonder the Protectorate considers itself the most progressive nation in the world.

Well, I shouldn't take up more of your time with my bally old waffle. Thank you again, for offering to answer any questions I have. I'm sure I'm in excellent hands.

-Justin

[alt_harry]

Hello Justin. I suppose I should properly welcome you. To the Protectorate I mean. So, welcome.

I'll tell Granger to say welcome to. If you need anything you cant use her though. At least not unless I'm around. So don't give her orders because it isn't good for her.

Too bad you don't play Quidditch. Not like US people who play Quodpot though?

[alt_hermione]

Welcome, Mr. Finch-Fletchley, sir.

[alt_justin]

Er, yes. Thank you, Granger.

[alt_justin]

Oh, I say, thank you. And Hullo. Draco says you're his best mate, and the Protector's own son, besides. That's smashing.

Regarding your Muggleb mud servant--dash it all, I don't think I'd ever ask someone else's servant to do something for me! That would be rude, wouldn't it? No, one asks one's host, of course. Unless one's been given a valet or something, then it's all right.

I understand we'll all be sitting close by at the Cup, though. And I'm told Draco and I will be at Buckingham tomorrow, so I suppose we'll meet then. I hope so, it'd be lovely to have some new friends to talk to at the match. So far I'll have Draco and Sally-Anne, and you, I hope. Do you know Ron Weasley? He seems quite a nice bloke, I rather like him. But he doesn't seem to think he'll be sitting where we'll be. And I don't think anyone fancies the idea of writing to one another in these journals, marvellous as they are, when we're watching the match!

In France, Quodpot is only for very little children. They use it as a counting game. Funny, what?

[alt_harry]

Well Rons all right, I think. I don't know where he's sitting. He's a Gryffindor though and some people don't like them. But I think we should all try to get along with each other. At least.

It is funny. I've never met a wizard from the USA. I wonder if they have the same rules for Quodpot. It seems like it wouldnt be a very good game to watch. But maybe it's different.

[alt_justin]

Well, I don't know much about the rivalries among the houses, but I think as I'm only going to be here for a short time, I ought to get to know as many different types of people as possible. That's my hope, anyway, so I can tell my mates back home in France all about people in the Protectorate.

I don't really know anything about American Quodpot, sorry to say. I do know that more American wizards live among Muggles the Americans have a very poor attitude toward Wizarding traditions, which is why relations between France and the United States aren't very good right now.

[alt_zacharias]

Welcome to the Protectorate, then! Weasley's right, we don't get much coverage of sport from outside, so everyone's well excited that it's coming here and that we get to hear all about the matches.

I'm Zacharias Smith, by the way, and I'm going into my fourth year as well. I'm in Hufflepuff. Pleased to know you, Finch-Fletchley!

[alt_justin]

Thanks very much, Smith!

[alt_padma]

On behalf of Ravenclaw, welcome!

My name's Padma Patil. I don't think we'll meet in person, but I hadn't seen many others from Ravenclaw say hello yet so I wanted to make sure someone made sure you knew that our house is always pleased to make the acquaintance of visitors.

We're all excited about the Quidditch Cup, of course, but some of us have other things to think about as well. Like the fact that school starts a week from today! When does your term start? What are your best subjects?

[alt_michael]

Lovegood's said hello. I suppose that counts for Ravenclaw. After a fashion.

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Padma. Thanks, everyone has been very welcoming. I think I've heard from people from all the Hogwarts houses (you have four, right?), and everyone's been quite nice so far. I don't wonder you all love living in the Protectorate, it's so friendly. And with these books it's hard to imagine not having dozens of friends.

Our term starts in a week, actually. Blimey, I hadn't really given it much thought until you said something. Although as I'm travelling with one of my Professors it's hard not to think about school, I must say.

My best subjects are Charms and Transfiguration, and I just did a year of creatures and quite liked that. I also get fairly good marks in things like History and Astronomy and the like. Things that don't require a lot of magic.

Not that I'm not good at magic! Just. I've had good tutors my whole life, do you see, so I'm good at maths and composition and things.

Private Message to Justin Finch-Fletchley

[alt_michael]

Hello, Justin. I'm Michael Corner.

Has anyone told you about PM's yet? You can send a private message to up to two people by writing their names in the subject line like I've just done.

If you're writing to a mudblood (which I never do but some people do sometimes), then you have to include another person and that other person has to be their master or mistress. So if you wanted to ask Granger something privately, you'd have to write a PM to her and Marvolo. Get it?

Anyway, PMs are good because sometimes people can be very nasty. Not to you, probably, because everyone knows you're not familiar with the Protectorate. Only, you might want to watch yourself. People like Weasley and Lovegood - they're actually rather nice, really, but other people don't seem to like them much. So go careful, right? Because even if you're only here for a short visit, maybe they'll let you take the journal home with you, and you don't want people seeing you talking too much to the wrong sorts.

I'm only saying it because I made that mistake myself, a couple of times, and it's been sort of hard this year.

Do you think they'll let you keep the journal, anyway? That would be snitch, you could write to us all from Beauxbatons and tell us the news.

Re: Private Message to Justin Finch-Fletchley

[alt_justin]

Oh, I say, thank you. Yes, Draco did mention that one can send a private note, but I haven't really anything very private to say, if you follow me. Certainly not to a Mugg someone like Granger.

I know just what you mean about other people judging one's friends, though. I haven't very many good mates at Beauxbatons because I came in behind the others, do you see, so I had a lot to catch up on and some of my classmates seemed to hold it against me, rather. I'm dashed sorry you've had a hard time of it. Was it Weasley or Lovegood, then, that other people don't like? I can't think why. They both seem perfectly nice.

These private messages, though, are they really private? I mean to say, only you and I can read this now? I say that seems awfully useful if that's true.

I don't know if they'll let me keep the journal. No one has said, yet. I suppose I shall be told soon enough if it's mine to take home.

[alt_daphne]

I'd much rather introduce myself to you in person, if you don't mind. First impressions are so important and writing just doesn't quite do it! But it turns out I'll be in the top tier at the cup, so I should be able to make your acquaintance then, which I very much look forward to.