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

[alt_justin]

Hello,

Have Sally-Anne and Pansy told you about the lesson yet?

I don't

My interview's tonight.

I say, I'm not sure why I can't follow my own advice, what, and simply treat it like any other lesson or any other professor.

Today in class, though....

It was like the time with Toubon. After the Yule Ball. And I'm certain he saw it, too.

Dash it.

He's far too persuasive, what, and perceptive for my tastes. Say what you like about Miss Professor Carrow but she should have been much easier to fool.

Perhaps he'll be so exhausted from the lessons and everyone else's interviews that he'll postpone, what?

-J

Comments

[alt_hydra]

I would never tell you that you're jumping at shadows when you're upset.

I don't know about everyone else but I don't believe in God. Not based on what I've heard about him (why is he always a man?) And the Christians hunted down witches and wizards and said magic was evil, so taking that religion too seriously is considered a little odd by most, and I don't think it was even that common before the Protectorate. If you wanted to practise a French religion people would probably just think it part of your culture, like it is with the Patil twins.

Why are you worried? Because change sounds interesting? They say that the Dark Arts are seductive, you know, meaning that they're tempting, not that they're sexy...

Sorry, it's that ridiculous book that everyone's talking about. It makes everything sound scandalous.

I don't know it, but thank you anyway.

Love,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

No, it's all right. I think in retrospect I bally well was inventing reasons to be upset, or bally well frightened or...whatever this was.

I shan't let it worry me, what?

And not that it makes a great deal of difference to me, Dux, but as it happens I was raised--well, Church of England, ironically enough. Which wasn't all that easy, in Dijon, but there was a congregation and we went now and then. There's no such thing as a 'French religion,' Dux. Some of them are Catholic and some Protestant. A growing number are Muslim. It's all down to one's family background. So in that sense, yes, it's like the Patils. But as for the witch hunts...well, that was also a very different age, wasn't it? I don't know. I like to believe there's something out there, but doing magic does make that difficult. Do people think Christ was just a particularly talented wizard, then? I've never asked. I haven't really dared, actually.

As for the Dark Arts--I suppose we'd best start calling them the Arts, what, without the 'Dark' as he doesn't--yes. They are seductive. Professor Dolohov said something about it being a misconception to think that they'll automatically corrupt. But I'm not so sure.

Not Occlumency, I don't think. But things like casting a curse when having a conversation would do...I don't fancy the idea that the Arts make it so much easier to take--short cuts, I suppose one might call them.

But. As we've said already, I don't think there's any particular help for it. So one might as well make the best of it.

I love you very much, Dux.

Sweet dreams,

-J

[alt_hydra]

I'll try not to worry as well, then.

I'm sorry, I really don't know much about religion, and I suppose it's because I grew up hearing about how it was backwards and barbaric and mostly a way for muggles to justify their hatred of magic. I have heard some people say that Jesus must have been a magician, because he transfigured water and food and levitated, and that he was trying to do what he could to make muggles accept magic and see it as something that was a blessing from God. But then I've also heard people say that Jesus is proof that muggles are evil, because even though he helped them, they killed him anyway.

I know that in parts of Scotland they worship the old Celtic Gods, like Robin Goodfellow, and Rhiannon.

Occlumency isn't a bad thing, I know I'm glad I can do it, but I wouldn't much like to be a Legilimens. Then I really would be like Mummy. That's how she'd see it, anyway. But at least with being good at the Dark Arts... I mean, Arts, well, you don't have to use them unless you feel you must. There's always a choice.

I love you too. I wish I would have slipped out to see the "Matron."

Love,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

Potion's simmering; I can risk checking over my journal as Professor Slughorn's reading, as well.

I feel better this morning, truly.

That makes sense, I suppose, about Jesus. And yes, I know there are some wizards who follow pagan gods. There are Muggles who do, too, you know. I just--didn't wish to disappoint you by revealing that I do consider myself a Christian, more or less. Not much of one, I expect. I mean to say, I've not been to church in ages, probably over three years, but his mentioning God so freely surprised me. And if we were ever to be married It just got me to wondering how many others are quietly Christian but daren't say anything. Also, I shouldn't like you to think less of me for believing in God. Don't fret, I'm not going to advocate any burning at the stake, what! (I say, other kinds of burning bring us back to that bally awful book, don't they?)

It's true, one needn't use the Arts unless one must. Professor Dolohov said something well similar. He said: 'Do you think that possessing a tool means you are obliged to use it in all situations, no matter how suitable the tool is or isn't?' And I said, 'No. But if one means never to use a tool, why own it?' Well, he simply changed his tactic then, so I could tell I'd won that round, what.

I suppose what worries me is that I'll find I rather like using

Time to stir and add porcupine quills. Shall we take lunch outside? And then I'll walk you to your Charms lesson.

-J

[alt_hydra]

What does believing in God do, exactly? Does it make you feel...I don't know - better? That's probably not something you can explain easily in a few words, is it?

Sometimes when Mummy talks about the Lord Protector she sounds like she's talking about God. I suppose that's what I most associate with it.

Lunch outside sounds lovely. See you soon.

From,
Hydra