I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_justin]

What, ho, all,

I say, it looks as if the weather's supposed to be fine at the weekend. About bally well time, what!

I received a parcel this morning. I don't suppose anyone else noticed. Well, I should say, that was rather the point, what? It was packaged with a shrinking charm, so it looked nothing like that great huge hamper Malfoy got last week! But that's what it was, nonetheless, though not quite as enormous. It expanded after I brought it up to the dormitories at lunchtime.

It was from Mr Rosier. 'Just a reminder of what we have to offer,' according to the card.

There are biscuits and crumpet, clotted cream, jams (not Stretton jam, Sally-Anne, what), goose liver and potted quail and all sorts of lovely things for a smashing tea, along with a tea service and pot. And cheese! There are four kinds, including Stilton which is simply the rarest cheese imaginable in France and it's well brilliant. And there's a tin of my favourite tea blend. I say, I've not a clue how he knew that it's my favourite but I jolly well doubt it's just luck.

I mean to say, I bally well doubt they're inclined to take 'No' for an answer, come to that.

But one can't send it back, what, that would offend, I'm sure.

So, shall we have a picnic on Saturday?

-Justin

Comments

[alt_ron]

I reckon you should write back and ask if ginormous hampers are what they're offering you, how often they'd plan to send them. I mean, if it's just the once, well, that's not much to look forward to, but if they'd come once a fortnight, that might be something to think about!

Seriously, though. Sign me up for Saturday!


D'you reckon there'll be any cheese left by then?

[alt_justin]

What ho, Ron!

Actually, that's a fair point! I mean to say, playing naïve might be just the way to commence bargaining. Hard to get, what? I say, good show, old man.

And yes, I shall save the lot for Saturday. Though that means quite a bit of restraint!

-Justin

[alt_sally_anne]

Oooh, I LOVE clotted cream.

I still don't think you should defect but there's no point in letting the food go to waste so I'd certainly help you eat it on Saturday if you like.

[alt_terry]

Are you going to defect, do you think, Justin? What's your thinking on that?

I haven't had tea in

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Terry.

I'm sorry you can't join us. I wish it were possible.

But as for defecting, I say, the more I look at Mr Rosier's letter, the less I think they'll take my refusal well gracefully. I mean to say, can you imagine any of them letting go once they've got their hooks in?

I've a feeling the best I can hope is that I can bargain well enough to ensure some measure of safety security.

-Justin

[alt_justin]

Sally-Anne,

Splendid. Half-two Saturday, then?

-Justin

[alt_sally_anne]

Sounds good to me!

[alt_neville]

Sure, a picnic sounds fun. All the stuff they sent you sounds brilliant.

Do you have any idea about when they expect an answer from you?

[alt_neville]

Well, except maybe the goose liver. (Goose liver? Really?)

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Neville,

Goose liver's actually quite good, really. It's quite rich. You ought to try it.

Mr Rosier said before that there was no particular time limit but of course one couldn't wait until the very last minute.

-Justin

[alt_sally_anne]

I had the same thought about the liver.

[alt_luna]

A picnic sounds splendid. What time?

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Luna,

Smashing! Shall we say half-two?

-Justin

[alt_lee]

Wizard.

Okay if Gred and Forge come, too?

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Lee,

Of course, they ought to come! But I did want to have Hydra along, if you don't mind.

-Justin

[alt_ron]

Yeah, all right.

Hydra's fine with me.

Er. You're not thinking of inviting Finkigan along, are you? I mean, just because the hamper came from Mr Rosier doesn't mean you have to have him, does it?

[alt_justin]

Goodness, no. I expect I shall have to spend time with him now and then, to keep up appearances, what, but no, I hope to be able to relax a bit, which shouldn't be possible with him along.

-Justin

[alt_lee]

Gred and Forge said they'd stop by for sure, but might not stay for long. Because--get this--they have to revise in Potions.

[alt_neville]

Huh? They're not even taking Potions!

[alt_lee]

Yeah, but they've worked out some kind of deal with Sluggy where they're going to take the end of the year test and then try to brew some tough potions for him in September. If they manage to do it, he says he'll let them into the NEWTs Potion class.