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_justin]

Hullo, Ron! Pleased to meet you. I suppose that's the best way to say it, even though we're meeting over these bally old books, eh?

I'm just here for the Cup, I think. Although P Froissart said that it's possible we'll come back soon. Not sure what he means by that, what?

And cheers, like I said, it's rather a long story, how I've come to be living in France. I think it's much better in the telling when it's not all written out, if you follow me.

There are quills that do all sorts of things. Perhaps you don't have them here? We learned the charm in our Charms lessons. Odd you haven't done, if you're a year ahead. Or I say, perhaps you're not a whole year ahead. I'm going into what would be my fourth year. What about you?

I don't play, as it happens. But I do think it's, er - I say, does 'snitch' mean the same thing as chouette? Malfoy's used it as well, so I rather think you're saying that it's well excellent. So if that's what you mean, then yes, Quidditch is well 'snitch'. But no, I don't fly much. My Mother doesn't

I say, how does one use these books, then? Is it like letters, rather, or what?

- Justin

[alt_ron]

I'll be starting fourth year when we go back, yeah. So same year, then? That's wizard. Snitch, yeah. Exactly.

Are loads of people coming from France, then? I know, I know. There was a whole big thing in the Prophet about it, but I didn't really pay attention to the stuff about people coming. Except for, y'know, the stuff about how many seats the stadium has and how the levels and sections are designed to expand if they need to. Now that's what charms are for, innit? But I was mostly reading all the stuff about the elimination matches and which countries used what strategies and how they did when they came up against sides with a different attack. We don't usually get so much stuff about the overseas teams. Some dead amazing matches. Did you get to go along to any of those? I wish I could've seen them all!

Oh. And you don't really have to sign your name every time. I mean, no one minds if you do, but you don't have to, since it already says who you are at the top of what you write. So, yeah, it's a bit like letters, only faster. You don't have to wait for an owl to go and come back or anything.

[alt_justin]

Oh, excellent! Yes, I started a bit late, do you see, so I was used to being a bit behind. But I'm not anymore! And not everyone starts at the same age in France, at any rate, so it's hard to tell what year anyone's in just by age. My birthday's in October, when's yours?

I don't really know if loads of people are coming from France. But some are. I think nearly everyone is going to be from here, what? I mean to say, the Protectorate's done such a ruddy good job keeping the country safe and that's mostly because of the wards, do you see, so I don't think it serves much purpose to let loads of people in who might not agree with how splendid things are here. But I did hear some of the Guardiens at Calais saying that the Cup would be broadcast all over the world.

I think most of the people who are coming are connected somehow to the Bulgarian side or to the Federation, what? I've not been to many matches before, either, outside of school.

And cheers, thanks for the help. It's rather an ingenious little thing, these books, eh?

[alt_ron]

Mine's first of March.

And, yeah, no problem answering questions. These books are nift for talking to people you might not get to otherwise, yeah?

Hope we get to meet for real some time. I reckon not at the Cup. Since you're sitting with the Malfoys. I mean, you will be, right? If you're staying with them?

[alt_justin]

Good morning!

Yes, I shall be seated with the Malfoys. Why, where are your seats?

Draco's been answering loads of questions, too. Like whether parents read our posts or comments, and he tells me 'nift' is like 'snitch' only not quite as marvellous. I've been tutored in English and French ever since I can remember, but no one ever teaches one any slang, what?

I'm being taken to the Ministry for Magic this morning. Well, I say morning it's really probably most of the day. I say, that's exciting, isn't it? I don't doubt if everyone got treated this way on a first visit, the Protectorate shouldn't have any trouble convincing people to come back home!

[alt_ron]

Aw. Shame.

That you're going to the Ministry today, I mean. I was there yesterday, see. So we just missed by a day. I was there to learn about what my dad does at work. He's in Protectorate Affairs in Purity Control, but he also connects with the department that oversees stuff about the camps. Maybe you'll get to meet him.

Oh, and you might get to meet Director Selwyn, and he's really nice.

And maybe they'll let you see where MLE and the Aurors train. They took us down to the sparring dungeons when we had our tour of the Ministry in YPL. That's the Young Protectors' League, y'know.

Um. Anywiz, I hope you have fun today.

[alt_justin]

Oh, dash it, that would have been corking, wouldn't it have, if we'd been on the same day?

But I'm really looking forward to the visit, in any case. Perhaps I'll ask about the Aurors--they're like the French Guardiens, aren't they?--I'd quite like to see them training, if one could go and observe.

I'll look for your Director Selwyn, as well, and perhaps your Father and all, what?

[alt_hydra]

Some people might like to sign their name every time.

From,
Hydra