I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_justin]

Hullo, everyone,

I say, something odd happened today. I got Neville's parcel--thanks for that, Neville, it's well grand--but then Professor Froissart told me that I had an invitation from Finnigan and his guardian to go to and visit Seamus. On Monday, what?

Apparently his guardian has to go to some bally old breakfast but then he thought Seamus could have some people over while he's gone, and then join him for luncheon at his club. And then there's a concert thing in the early evening. Pansy, I think it's one of those groups you like. Fat Kneazle or something like that--brilliant, really, any other day.

It would have to be Monday, though, what? Rotten luck. I've told them it's not possible. Dash it, though, I do dislike having to turn down an invitation one would ordinarily accept out of politeness. It raises questions, what?

I told Professor Froissart that I was well sorry but I had been looking forward to Lincoln in particular. He asked why and I had to say it was a family connection. It was the first thing I could think of, what.

It can't be that they suspect and wish to keep me from going to Lincoln, can it?

Are we certain that none of the adults can see now that Fred and George can't anymore?

-Justin

Comments

[alt_sally_anne]

That's really odd. I thought the whole point of the tour was that you weren't supposed to go off on your own? Although Mr Rosier is on the Council so if he wants to have someone over I guess he pretty much can.

Does Finnigan even talk to you? I thought his mates were Padma Patil and that boy Evgani from Durmstrang?

[alt_justin]

Sally-Anne,

Yes, he's a chum of Patil's. But remember I said that Uloshenko was going round the museum with me on Monday last? That's Evgeni, same bloke, what? And Finnigan was with him as well. So, I'm not sure--perhaps Finnigan decided we got on so well that he'd like to spend more time, if you follow me.

And yes, I agree, it's well odd. That's why I'm rather concerned, what? I thought I might ask Hydra if she's any part of it but one shouldn't wish to raise her suspicions either.

-Justin

[alt_sally_anne]

Oh, that's right, you did mention.

Maybe Finnigan wants to offer you arse-kissing lessons. It's worked so well for him, after all.

[alt_justin]

If he wants to offer any sort of kissing lesson, I'm decidedly not interested.

But one has to keep up appearances of amiability, what?

-Justin

[alt_sally_anne]

Yeah.

I can't imagine Hydra's involved at all. She'd want you having lunch with HER, not with Finnigan.

[alt_lee]

This made me laugh so hard I snorted pumpkin juice out my nose.

[alt_pansy]

I'd say if they suspected anything like what you're planning to do, you'd get a good deal worse than a date with Finnegan.

Like your wand snapped and immediate deportation.

So it's not that.

They're just trying to make you either not see something they don't want you to see, or are trying to get you buttered up for something. Only I'm not sure what. Unless they want to ask you to stay, which is what you sort of want, isn't it?

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Pansy,

Have you been invited to anything of the kind? I mean to say, Professor Froissart made it sound as if it were a bally old group and I thought that usually Finnigan invites the proper pure set, what?

I know it's the same day as Weasley's Quidditch but you've not been invited, what? Nor Draco nor anyone else who's normally in his circle?

-Justin

[alt_pansy]

No, he hasn't mentioned anything about it at least. Besides, he's not really matey with Finnegan, especially not after that stunt with Ron's broom.

And Blaise'll be up to family things, what with his mum getting re-re-re-remarried... maybe Padma and Parvati'd be there?

[alt_pansy]

I'll bring the sleeping roll Saturday, by the way.

Do you think we'll need anything else? Because I'd have to buy it tomorrow.

[alt_justin]

No indeed, I should think the bedroll will be more than sufficient. Neville's parcel included a self-packing set of camp cookware, a multi-tool with all sorts of attachments for opening tins, knife, fork and spoon, the tarp he mentioned and even a small fishing net. And I've got the rucksack for it all.

Actually, we do still need a quality map, what? Something more recent than 1986. But I might find something in Lincoln that will help him get out of the area immediately if he needs it.

-Justin

[alt_neville]

I'm glad you got everything I sent you okay.

Be sure you put the sealed letter in with the stuff I sent, too. That's important. It has some suggestions about how to stay hidden and safe.

[alt_justin]

Yes, quite, Neville.

Don't worry; it's safely stowed right near the top, what?

Cheers.

-Justin

[alt_terry]

That all sounds wizard, Justin. And I'm really grateful to everyone for pulling this stuff together.

Don't want you to go to try to drop it off though if you don't think it's safe for some reason. But I have to admit, what you're collecting for that knapsack I'd really like to have. If I can ever get out of here.

Don't think you have to worry about the Lock though. The git's been looking at his journal this afternoon, and HE hasn't seen anything.

[alt_justin]

Terry,

Well, that's a relief, I must say. I shall be perfectly careful about it but I agree, I just hope I can hide it somewhere without attracting anyone's notice. If I can slip away unseen it should be no trouble.

And I'll be bally well glad to think that it's there waiting for you. I say, you will escape, old man, one day or another.

-Justin

[alt_pansy]

You should think up what you'd say if someone comes across you. Especially if you've got the bag in hand. And they ask to see it.

Maybe you could claim that you found it?

Or that your mum thought you'd be going camping during your trip and you just got it by owl?

[alt_justin]

Yes, jolly good point, Pansy.

Well, in a way, the story about having had family in Lincoln may help me there, what? You see, I'd thought perhaps I'd tell them that I'd like to find the family's plot and, oh, contemplate my wizarding heritage or some bally old rot like that. That ought to get me the time alone that I need, what?

I've also shrunk the whole sack down so that it fits inside my bookbag. That way I shall only have to take it out when I'm well ready to put it where it'll be safe for Terry to find it. It's doing the actual spells to keep it hidden that will be the tricky thing, if anyone should happen upon me just at that moment.

But--well, I suppose I shall just have to make sure no one does, what?

-Justin

[alt_luna]

You got the jumper I sent you, too, didn't you?

(By the way: I noticed that Terry just said elsewhere in the journals that no one should try to send him Pig this weekend. Miss Professor Carrow is visiting her brother, and Terry says it wouldn't be safe. I suppose that's because he isn't as intoxicated as usual.

Amycus Carrow, I mean. Not Terry, of course.)

[alt_lee]

Aw that's too bad. I think the twins have him, and they were going to send him a letter tomorrow because Terry said he was missing them. I'll Floo 'em first thing in the morning to warn them. Unless you can tell them tonight, Ron.

[alt_justin]

Hallo, Luna!

Yes, I did receive the jumper. I say, speed-knitting must be bally well rapid, indeed! Good show.

How have your holidays been so far? I suppose you're well looking forward to some peace and quiet with Brown coming along to this amusement park tomorrow, what?

-Justin

[alt_luna]

Well, they have been quite quiet so far. The Browns prefer to ignore me, so I've been mostly just doing art in my room. But I will be going on the Camelot trip. It will be quite nice, to get outside.

[alt_justin]

Really? That's brilliant! Oh, I'm glad. If Patil's organised the thing, Finnigan and Uloshenko are bound to be there and it would have been devilish awkward, what, trying to explain why I can't accept his invitation for Monday.

But if you're along, we can go on the rides together, what? So you'll not have to put up with Brown or Patil and I'll not have to put up with the two of them. I say, that's well perfect.

-Justin

[alt_luna]

That'll be fun! Now I'm looking forward even more to the whole thing.