Allo?

[alt_justin]

Bonsoir! Je m'appelle Justin. J'ai quatorze ans et j'habite en

Oh, I say, sorry about that! I forgot that the quill I've brought with me was charmed to write in French. Let's try that again, what?

Hello! My name is Justin. I'm fourteen and I live in France, but really I'm English. It's sort of a long story. I'm a student at Beauxbatons but I've been given this book so I can write about what I'm seeing here. I'm very grateful to be given the opportunity to come see the World Cup in my native home and to see what sort of place the Lord Protector has created for wizards and witches to live in.

I just arrived today, but already everyone I've met is quite pleasant, really. I'd like to thank Draco Malfoy especially for making me feel so welcome. And Professeur and Madame Froissart, of course, for agreeing to chaperon me. And all the Malfoys, truly; they've been such gracious hosts. I hope I meet many more wonderful wizarding folk while I'm visiting.

I say, I hope I'm doing this right. I'm not quite sure how to end it, so: I look forward to the rest of my time in the Protectorate. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Justin Finch-Fletchley

Comments

[alt_ron]

Hiya! I'm called Ron. I'm fourteen, and I live in Ottery St Catchpole out in Devon.

How long are you here for, then? And how come you live in France if you're English?

Funny about your quill. I didn't know they could do that. D'you mean if I bought the right quill it'd turn everything I say into French? Or Boraboran? Or Chinese? That'd be awesomely snitch.

So d'you play Quidditch,then? For Beauxbatons?

I Solemnly Swear That I'm Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

That should annoy Malfoy. Me writing back to this chap who's staying with him.

But why'd'you suppose he lives in France, anywiz? And if he lives there, what does he want, coming back here?

[alt_luna]

Have you lived in France for very long?

I would be very curious to hear about some of the sorts of magical creatures you have there.

[alt_sally_anne]

Hello, Justin. My name is Sally-Anne Perks and I am in Slytherin House and beginning my fourth year.

I look forward to perhaps meeting you in person at the Quidditch World Cup.

You don't have to end things like a letter, just so you know; it's considered acceptable in a journal just to stop writing. You see how it shows everyone who wrote what, so you don't have to sign your name (although some people like to anyway).

Have you been to other parts of Europe? It looks quite large on the maps. So many places one could travel to.

[alt_sinistra]

Welcome to the Protectorate!

I'm the astronomy professor at Hogwarts, and I also organize the YPL, an programme that encourages students to strive for their best in the service of the Protectorate, and offers training and learning experiences that would not be otherwise a part of the Hogwarts curriculum. A number of your age mates recently finished a very challenging few weeks in the new Combined Cadet Forces offering, with quite promising reports.

I hope you enjoy your visit. While you are staying with the most gracious hosts I can think of, if you have questions I can answer, please do let me know.

(One thing that I think will be familiar to you is that teachers at Hogwarts are generally referred to as Professor and their last name, though there are occasional exceptions.)

[alt_harry]

Hello Justin. I suppose I should properly welcome you. To the Protectorate I mean. So, welcome.

I'll tell Granger to say welcome to. If you need anything you cant use her though. At least not unless I'm around. So don't give her orders because it isn't good for her.

Too bad you don't play Quidditch. Not like US people who play Quodpot though?

[alt_zacharias]

Welcome to the Protectorate, then! Weasley's right, we don't get much coverage of sport from outside, so everyone's well excited that it's coming here and that we get to hear all about the matches.

I'm Zacharias Smith, by the way, and I'm going into my fourth year as well. I'm in Hufflepuff. Pleased to know you, Finch-Fletchley!

[alt_padma]

On behalf of Ravenclaw, welcome!

My name's Padma Patil. I don't think we'll meet in person, but I hadn't seen many others from Ravenclaw say hello yet so I wanted to make sure someone made sure you knew that our house is always pleased to make the acquaintance of visitors.

We're all excited about the Quidditch Cup, of course, but some of us have other things to think about as well. Like the fact that school starts a week from today! When does your term start? What are your best subjects?

Private Message to Justin Finch-Fletchley

[alt_michael]

Hello, Justin. I'm Michael Corner.

Has anyone told you about PM's yet? You can send a private message to up to two people by writing their names in the subject line like I've just done.

If you're writing to a mudblood (which I never do but some people do sometimes), then you have to include another person and that other person has to be their master or mistress. So if you wanted to ask Granger something privately, you'd have to write a PM to her and Marvolo. Get it?

Anyway, PMs are good because sometimes people can be very nasty. Not to you, probably, because everyone knows you're not familiar with the Protectorate. Only, you might want to watch yourself. People like Weasley and Lovegood - they're actually rather nice, really, but other people don't seem to like them much. So go careful, right? Because even if you're only here for a short visit, maybe they'll let you take the journal home with you, and you don't want people seeing you talking too much to the wrong sorts.

I'm only saying it because I made that mistake myself, a couple of times, and it's been sort of hard this year.

Do you think they'll let you keep the journal, anyway? That would be snitch, you could write to us all from Beauxbatons and tell us the news.

[alt_daphne]

I'd much rather introduce myself to you in person, if you don't mind. First impressions are so important and writing just doesn't quite do it! But it turns out I'll be in the top tier at the cup, so I should be able to make your acquaintance then, which I very much look forward to.