I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_justin]

I say, I think it's dashed unfair to ask us to sit through this dry old lecture, what, after all the swimming, running, flying and marching we've been doing since before breakfast!

(If anyone asks, we're taking notes, yes? And if anyone should need to know something about the Falklands, my mother had a cousin in the Royal Navy--but I rather think it does make sense, given how it took the military out of the country at just the right (or wrong) time.)

Still, this is the only way I think I shall bally well keep awake, if he insists on droning on, what?

-Justin

Comments

[alt_sally_anne]

I haven't heard of it happening before but it's what the law says happens.

Bet you a knut it wouldn't happen to Finnigan no matter how many exams he got a T on, though.

[alt_justin]

Yes, that's just it. I'm sure that if the Cappers' foster-family had any sort of pull, we'd be hearing different consequences.

Although in Finnigan's case, it might be just as dire, in its way. After all, he may have special privileges (so does Dean Thomas--and so do I, come to that) but he's just as removed from his family as any halfblood in fostering.

It strikes me that they had a reason for placing him so well, what? And for making him such a massive pillock. I shouldn't think they'd like to throw away that sort of asset, if he did manage to muff things for himself.

-Justin

[alt_sally_anne]

Well Ireland's supposed to be a right mess. I don't know why they'd take an IRISH half-blood and say, 'you're going to be our special favourite, provided that when we say "jump" you say "how high?"'

[alt_justin]

Does anyone know anything about Finnigan's family? Perhaps he's related to someone important there. A political hostage, or something like that.

In the Middle Ages, nobles' sons were fostered to one another as hostages. It could be that sort of arrangement.

-Justin

[alt_sally_anne]

From what he's said, I think his mother's family basically runs Ireland. They've got castles all over the place, although it doesn't sound particularly pleasant there, as there are muggles running around trying to blow things up.

[alt_justin]

From what I understand about Ireland, there have pretty nearly always been muggles running round trying to blow things up.

But that's right: Everyone thought it might have been the Irish Muggle Army that set the explosions at the Quidditch Cup last year, remember?

Well, in any case, that well explains everything, doesn't it--why he was placed so well and he's been so carefully raised.

But I'm knackered and we're up early again tomorrow, so, I think it's time to put out the lights.

-Justin

[alt_neville]

I do. I'm afraid I can't talk about it, because he told me what he did in confidence, so I've never spoken to Ron about it, even. What he told me makes me more sympathetic toward him, even when he's at his worst.

Like I said, I can't talk about it, but he's in a really awful position.

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Neville,

Are you camping, then? We're all taking it in turns to shoot at targets at the moment, so there's a little bit of time when we can check our journals. But then it's back to running, swimming and flying. (Oh, and shooting the targets while on broomback!)

You've no need to break his confidence, old chap, but that's interesting. So you don't think his attitude is an act at all, what? I mean to say, if he's in the sort of spot one could imagine, one option is to behave as if one swallows the Protectorate line whole. The other option is to actually swallow it whole, what?

I don't suppose it's possible he could be pretending? We spent a little time together over the Easter holidays--Mr Rosier wanted him to be friendly, what--and there were times when one could almost like him.

-Justin

[alt_neville]

Yes, Evelyn and I are off camping now, with my great uncle Algie. We take this trip every year. It's been fun, although it rained last night.

I don't know if Seamus has actually swallowed it or not. But I believe he thinks he has to work as hard as possible to convince everyone he has swallowed it.

Which maybe means it doesn't really make much difference whether he really has or not, right? He'll act the same either way.

My gran always said it's your actions that show who you really are.