Private Message to Miss Perks

[alt_justin]

Sally-Anne,

Thanks again, for taking me and JP round the village yesterday. It was jolly fun. And don't worry if JP seemed a little distracted. He had fun as well, he's just a bit shy.

I wanted to ask

Well, that is, I hope you shan't be offended but, I think you're awfully clever about things. So I rather wanted to know if

if you thought it would be completely suicidal to ask Miss Lestrange if she'd like to go to the Ball? With me, I mean to say.

Only, I've heard a couple people say Marvolo's meant to ask her. Only I heard a rumour that he doesn't plan to do. And I thought, well, perhaps it would be all right, then.

She's really nothing like her mother, after all, what? But if it would get her into trouble to go with anyone other than Marvolo, well. I bally well don't want that to happen, do I?

I hope you don't think that I'm being rude, asking your opinion about it. I reckon most girls would get upset if a boy asked them about asking someone else. I do quite like you--I mean I enjoy your company, you know. Dash it, that sounds utterly weak, what? I just...I think Hydra might like to go and if Marvolo's really not going to ask her.... Well.

What do you think?

-Justin

Comments

[alt_sally_anne]

Oh!

Well.

You're right that she's nothing like her mother. Let me do a little bit of checking and I'll let you know if you can ask without getting one or both of you in trouble. (Really, you can probably ask, it's just that if Harry hasn't asked anyone yet she might feel like she has to say no, to stay available in case he asks her.)

[alt_sally_anne]

Alright, so.

Harry's not planning to ask Hydra. He's got someone else in mind. If he were going to ask Hydra then Hydra would really HAVE to go with him, but since he's not, I think you should ask her feel free to ask her.

Honestly I think Harry's more likely to take an interest if he realises she's not going to sit around forever waiting and there are other boys out there who've noticed her. And I think she'd really like to go to the Ball and since she's a third year, she'll only get to go if someone asks her. And I think she'd have a very nice time with you.

If she looks like she wants to go but isn't sure she can say yes, you should say you've heard Harry's asking someone else but if he comes back and asks her later and she has to go with him you won't hold it against her.

[alt_justin]

Oh, cheers, thanks very much for finding out.

[alt_sally_anne]

And you really shouldn't make it a habit of asking girls for advice about asking other girls on dates but it's alright in this case, I'm perfectly happy to just be your friend.

[alt_justin]

And yes, I know; I'm not an utter clod, at least I hope not, what?

I just thought you'd know, or if you didn't, you'd be able to go about finding out without making a scene of it, you know. As I said, I think you're awfully clever about that sort of thing. Political things.

And I rather suspected after Saturday that you'd not mind if I didn't ask you. I like being friends, as well, quite!

Besides, aren't you going with Ron Weasley Pansy P someone else? I mean to say, surely someone's already asked?

[alt_sally_anne]

I do have a date already, as a matter of fact.

And Slytherins are supposed to be clever about this sort of thing though not all of us are!

Was that private message to Hydra and her father you asking? Very clever, asking her father. She gets on with him very well, he's much less intimidating than her mum, and that should keep you well out of trouble if she says yes.

[alt_justin]

Yes, that's what it was and it worked! Her father said she could go with whomever she wanted and she said yes.

I was well nervous about sending it, though, what? I mean to say, I had an inkling that he might be chuffed I thought to ask properly but there was still the possibility he'd take offence because of the arrangement with Marvolo.

Of course, I had to promise to stand aside if Marvolo changes his mind but I offered that anyway, in the first place.

Though it was well strange, in point of fact, because at first, Mr Lestrange didn't seem to realise that so many people here know Hydra's eventually meant to marry Marvolo. I mean to say, if there were a betrothal, even if it's unofficial, wouldn't her own father be privy to it? Mind you, I bally well choked when he asked whatever I meant by her long-term interests, I mean to say! It was the one moment I thought I'd gone and rumbled it for sure.

But it all worked out, what?

And I'm glad you've already got an escort. I thought you might have but well done, you.

[alt_sally_anne]

That unofficial betrothal business may be entirely her mum's idea. I'm not sure whether her parents exactly get on.

I'm glad it worked out! I think you and Hydra will have a very nice time together.