Justin Finch-Fletchley

Harry,

I say, I owe you an apology for being sharp with you last night. You were quite right to prevent what would likely have been sheer folly on my part, what. I can only say that I was in the throes of battle-induced euphoria and...well, I failed to consider that even were we not instructed to duel to the death, Bellatrix would have approached our bout with exactly that end in mind. I wasn't certain I could have killed her, what, but I had hoped at least to impress her or Voldemort and to give her pause--but of course, she probably would not have afforded me the same courtesy. You were gambling with much the same idea, but with a far greater chance that she would respect your person, and a jolly good idea that Voldemort would not wish to throw your life away, what.

In any event, I mean to say...good form, old man. And thank you for preventing my error. I'm bally well sorry you caught me in a discourteous moment.

-Justin

Hermione,

Thank you for the report.


Everyone: Obviously, we owe you all an apology and bally well more besides. Before either of us decides what steps to take, Hydra and I need to talk.

Please allow us a little privacy for that. I promise, neither of us will make an attempt to do so in person.

-Finch-Fletchley

Hullo, everyone,

I hope you've all had a pleasant Christmas, or as pleasant as possible under the circumstances. Christmas with the Jugsons was good, if a bit odd now and then, as it's bound to be.

But this has been a bally well interesting afternoon!

As Malfoy mentioned earlier, the Jugsons, Lestranges, Malfoys and Pennifolds have a luncheon every year on Boxing Day and the Jugsons brought me along. I say, it was quite a surprise to see Professor Dolohov, what! We were expecting Professors Lestrange and Sinistra but I'd rather believed it to be a family affair. I suppose Mr Malfoy does consider Professor Dolohov to be family. Mr Rosier was there and asked me how I've found the Protectorate as a citizen, what, but I noticed that he wasn't really listening to the answer. Also, apparently Finnigan usually comes as his ward but he wasn't along today. Mr Rosier said he's not been feeling well. That's not entirely true, we learned. Let me explain:

After luncheon, Hydra took me on a tour of her grandmother's house, mostly as an excuse to be alone together for a while. We got to the library, which is a snug little round room with a fireplace and a cosy sort of sitting area. And we thought we'd be safe there for a bit if we wanted to--well, to pass the time for a while, what.

But then we heard people approaching and Hydra pointed to the study off the library as a good place to go and collect ourselves. Only once we were inside, we realised two things: First, that there isn't any other door out except into the library; and second, that everyone on the other side of that door was a Councilwizard (or witch, her mother was along, too).

So we stayed and listened.

First off, as I said, it seems Finnigan's not ill, but Mr Rosier has been keeping him secluded at home, under some sort of potion. It sounded like a drugged sleep, Hydra said probably Dreamless Sleep but it could be even stronger than that, what, from the sound of it. No idea why, except that we thought we heard Mr Rosier say 'Only another day'--but that might have been two days, there was a pause and we couldn't hear. Then Professor Dolohov said--it had to have been him, what, because of the accent--that it was a terrible idea, as he'd never be 'ready' to do what was 'required of him' if he isn't properly prepared.

Well, then one of the other men asked if he could even do it if he were properly prepared, and they laughed. But Professor Dolohov and (I suppose it must have been Mr Rosier) said yes, they think he's capable, and anyway 'he'll have to be.'

Oh, someone asked if Mr Malfoy had had any more dealings with the Yaxleys. He said he spoke to Mr Yaxley and there aren't going to be any 'repercussions' - I say, I've no idea what was the matter between them but he seemed confident there was nothing to worry about - only then he added something like, 'except, of course, that he is even more fervent to do Our Lord's bidding.'

Well, Auror Lestrange said, 'He should have been in the first place!' and then they all started speaking and it was hard to hear but eventually Professor Dolohov asked Mr Malfoy if he were still willing to be his first acolyte for the ceremony, because he would think it no dishonour if he were not up to it and preferred 'Barty' (Auror Crouch, that must be) to assist in the primary and he’d get another second. Then Hydra recognised her uncle's voice (Professor Lestrange, I mean to say) and he said something that made them all laugh, and Professor Dolohov said, 'I can still out-duel you any day of the week,' and something in Russian that made them all laugh again. Mr Malfoy said no, that if he thought it would weaken him (meaning Professor Dolohov) too much, he ought to have Barty be the...something (Magus?)--and that he'd probably enjoy it more, anyway, which ought to make the ceremony that much more effective.

Then Auror Lestrange said that if that were the case, she and Barty ought to do it with Professor Dolohov assisting them, and make everyone ashamed to be in Our Lord's company.

They got quiet then. Eventually, Mr Lestrange asked if they thought He was serious about bringing in new blood, such as Pennifold or some of the others who've been looking for favour. They mentioned several people but no one was sure what He would do about them. Then they got on to the topic of people currently at school, what! We heard Draco’s name and Pansy’s, and we tried to listen to what Mr Malfoy had to say but he must have quashed the discussion about both of them, because the next name we heard them mention was Zabini, and after that whether Warrington or Montague were ready for it.

Of course, that put Professors Lestrange and Dolohov onto the whole duelling club mess, what, and Professor Dolohov in particular was flatly against any sort of recommendation for most of them, especially Teddy Nott, and including Crabbe and Goyle, at present. Sally-Anne, he did mention that he’s got his eye on you--and me, dash it, as potential recruits (though, I say, Auror Lestrange didn’t think much of either suggestion, which I thought bally well comforting).

Mr Lestrange changed the subject. He seemed to think that someone named Strangeweale might have had something to do with the attack, that there was an article in the paper that suggested it could have been someone who worked for him who levelled the platform. But Auror Lestrange said that was just nonsense made up to cover up for the Irish making it to British soil.

Mr Malfoy said yes, but that didn't change the fact that Strangeweale's a right plonker (he, er, didn't use those words, precisely) and that he feared for the realm if He couldn't be brought to see that Strangeweale's not trustworthy. He also mentioned that Glendower's an idiot and said something about Mr Thicknesse, but Mr Rosier defended him and said besides that now wasn't the time to be fragmenting among themselves.

Mr Malfoy told him that it wasn't that simple, when the 'new lot' were circling every day. He also said that these days, going to Court could be--something, but we think maybe it was 'as dangerous as'--being in the field fighting the 'insurgents.'

That was well shocking enough, but that got them on to the graffiti that had been scrawled on the Protectorate Hall at Mr Weasley's memorial service (did anyone get a look at it?) and how it was disgraceful and disrespectful and so on. (Mr Malfoy said something, and I'm sorry, Pansy, Ron, it wasn't altogether kind to Mr Weasley, what. I'll not repeat it here but--well, it's enough to say that we all know they didn't get on well.)

Just about then there was a knock and it was Mrs Malfoy and Mrs Black, coming to tell them it was time for pudding and brandy. So they all left, and we waited to make sure they were gone but then we had to leave, too, to come back to the table.

I say. Hermione, it sounded like the sort of thing the Wand Smugglers ought to hear, so I've tried to write it all down as soon as ever I could do. (Which took quite a long time, as you can see!) Hydra, have I left out anything we ought to include?

-Justin

Hullo, all,

I've been thinking about the coming summer holidays and I wanted to ask you lot to consider allowing me to tell Hydra about this secret lock and include her on it before we all go.

Terry, I'm sorry, old chap, I know you don't know her at all, so it's unfair to ask you about whether you could trust her. But I think as we go home and in particular as Hydra, Luna and I go off to test for the CCF, being able to process her questions in the relative safety of the lock is going to become important for her.

PROS:

• She's an Occlumens. Although it's somewhat natural, what, I know there was a time in the past when her mother was able to read her thoughts. But I say, not anymore. Something must have happened to change it. So she can keep the secrets we discuss here, you see, and perhaps she can help us all develop the skill more fully.


• She's known that I'm Muggleborn, for some time now, and told no one.


• Her views about other Muggleborns have quite changed but she needs a place where she can interact with Hermione and Terry and other people who don't treat them any differently, to become more comfortable with the notion.


• She's a good person and I think she'd like to get to know some of you better but can't any other way.


• She's not at all likely to voluntarily tell her mother anything that would lead to someone getting in trouble.

CONS:

• She doesn't know about Sirius, or that he was actually my tutor. So that's something that I've kept hidden from her that she'll learn about here. I don't know how she'll take that, what, and I've thought perhaps I ought to tell her that if and when I tell her about the lock and how to use it, or before.


• She doesn't know Hermione and Terry have wands. I don't expect she'd object, what, seeing as I have one and she's no objections to that. But it might be a bit much to learn about the wand smugglers all at once like that.


• Her Occlumency did simply happen and we're not sure why. She's tested it, so I don't think it'll go away. But it might not be infallible. So there's a slight risk there.


• Even if her mother can't read her thoughts, what, she doesn't respect Hydra's privacy. Well, that is to say, she doesn't when it occurs to her to pry. The rest of the time she ignores her, what. Again, it's a slight risk, but a risk.


• Her relationship with her father is harder for me to predict.

But on the whole, I think it's better to have her here than not, what? I say, it might be a shock to her at first to find out about it all but--well. It's bound to help more than it harms.

There's no need to answer right away, of course. And if you lot decide against, I shall naturally continue to keep it concealed from her and respect all your confidences. Still, I'd like everyone to consider it, if you would do. Cheers.

-Justin

Hullo, Hydra.

I say, Harry seems to be doing well, what? He's avoided most of the dangerous creatures so far.

He must be very grateful for all your assistance.

I miss

Your mother looks well. I say, did you know she'd be coming today?

-Justin