Justin Finch-Fletchley

Good evening,

I'm sorry not to have written before now but with everything else Saturday night, I didn't wish to add to the trouble. Yesterday we were all looking after Pansy, and I spent the last two evenings after arriving back at school going over Professor Dolohov's pending business, so it's only now that I've had a moment to write.

I was rather hoping that there would be some official reports of Minister Fudge's disappearance before now. That was the reason Professor Dolohov and I were summoned to Court on Saturday, what. Apparently Voldemort wanted a very clear message sent regarding the Ministry's failure to suppress the resistance efforts within the country. I'm sorry, I couldn't find a way to write and tell anyone once we were given the task. We were...a long time about it, what, and by the time we had done, everyone else was focused on George. Quite right, what.

I did hear a very brief mention on the wireless that Minister Fudge had 'fallen ill' and that there would be a formal address tomorrow morning. I can't imagine what will be included in that address, but believe me, this is an illness from which Cornelius Fudge shall never recover.

Lee, I wish I could tell you to confirm that he was assassinated, what, but with the way the Ministry are controlling the news, I believe it's far too risky to broadcast that claim. Even if everyone at the Ministry knows what happened, someone reporting it as fact would either point directly to me (as the only other perpetr eyewitness) or prompt an exhaustive investigation at the Ministry, which might well implicate Bill or Rachel.

Perhaps, though, the radio might speculate strongly as to the cause of his 'illness' and its timing, so close on the heels of Professor Dumbledore's coup at Dover. That may be the best we can do at present.

Before anyone asks--yes, I'm all right. It was grisly and despicable but I shall be fine.

Greengrass,

I say, thank you for your concern but there really was no cause for it. MLE were here to talk to those of us who visited the Ponds' shop for 'Tea Appreciation.' I'm sure Daphne could have told you, what. I think she may have only attended once but Harry, Ron, Pansy, Sally-Anne and some others used to go now and then on holidays, for a lark. At any rate, the questions were all perfectly routine, what, nothing to worry about. I was in and out in jolly well no time at all.

Regarding Hogsmeade: Yes, I did go to the village, for a short while. It was really only to get some supplies and return to the castle. I had no intention of inconveniencing you, certainly not. I'd no idea you had even tried to look for me there.

By the way, have you found someone to work with you on Defence or Noble Arts? The last time I mentioned it to Miss Perks, she said you hadn't approached her. I say, does that mean you're working with Moon? I do hope it's going better for you, whatever the solution you've chosen.

Cordially,

-Finch-Fletchley

Hello,

I say, sorry to keep you both waiting. I had made an offer to someone else, what, and had to make sure I wasn't needed there before committing to another group.

As it happens, that person has a team already, so I'd be delighted to work with you. Please tell Finnigan it's only the limitations of private messages that keeps me including him, as well.

We might wish to establish a regular revising time, what, so that we can make sure all four of us are involved in planning any assignments requiring group input.

At any rate, thank you again for the offer and I'm happy to be able to accept.

Cheers,

-Finch-Fletchley

Everyone,

Did you hear Professor Dolohov as we were leaving the lesson this morning? We've got to tell him our working groups for the year before Tuesday.

I think though, if we all simply join up in our usual sets, we might give him the confirmation he's been looking for, about the Ministry and such, what? Also, we may all be mates but we're not necessarily all interested in exactly the same sorts of projects.

Has anyone else thought about partners? We might want to strategise so no one's left with a team that's completely incompatible. On the other hand, there might be some--Brocklehurst, Corner, Greengrass and even Moon--who could easily join a team without driving the others round the twist, what.

-F-F

Hullo,

I say, last Noble Arts lesson for the year! I suppose I've got to think of a graceful way to refuse his offer to come and study with him over the summer.

What did you think about what Draco said? About learning from Professor Dolohov so that we can plan how to counter it all? I take his point but I'm well certain whatever the Order have done up until now, they've had bally good reasons not to cross those lines. I'm sure if they thought they could learn the Dark Arts and not use them, they'd already have done, what?

Have you been reading back, in those Order posts? Anything you've found that disturbs? I say, I've seen a thing or two that took me rather by surprise but then I think, they weren't to know. It's well interesting seeing that Sirius didn't want me to stay, for one thing.

But thinking about Professor Dolohov's offer...Do you know, no one's told us much about what will happen over the summer, with the CCF or the YPL. Have you heard anything? If the Order can give us more lessons, do you think you'll be able to come?

I'm glad to have had Jack, these last few nights. He's helped considerably. Besides, it's probably jolly clever to get him used to me before I take him to the Jugsons', what!

I wish there were something we could do for Sally-Anne. Do you think her father would prevent her getting a care parcel?

-Justin

Hullo,

I say, this waiting round at rehearsals is bally well disorganised, what? I'm well glad I brought homework.

(It wasn't too bad, today. Dark Arts. I even managed to answer a question on paired spellcasting and amplified magical effects without stammering. Professor Dolohov plans one of his 'informal luncheons' at the end of the week. I was thinking perhaps next week I should go and see who else turns up.)

Sally-Anne's post reminds me: I was supposed to ask you about whether you'd like a failsafe, in case things go horribly wrong. She's making a series of rings and--well, it's not a very pleasant thought but she plans to fill them with poison. If activated, the rings will 'notify' everyone else that someone's ring has, er, done its job, if you follow me. I say, I think there's an option to receive a ring that will notify without any poison in it. Because we've been thinking about--well, about someone trying to question us, what. And since none of us are an Occlumens it's bally well unlikely we'd be able to keep all our secrets for very long. Well, I say, I was supposed to ask you if you'd like one. If you do, tell Sally-Anne. I think we're trying to keep it quiet in case the discussion upsets others.

You'll understand I didn't wish to ruin our other conversation with talk about that, what! I've been thinking about that, a little more. Where and how. Have you found out anything your end? From Pansy or anyone else? I do think the 9^th will be the ideal time, when everyone else has gone to Hogsmeade. Do you suppose the Divination Tower might be private enough? It's supposedly quite cosy. Only neither of us take Divination so we've no reason to be there, if anyone should try to stop us heading up there.

Does everyone in Slytherin go to the village?

-Justin

Hallo,

I say, I had rather an interesting conversation with Smith last night. I've been wondering when he'd come to his senses about that ridiculous duelling club.

But I wanted to--are you quite all right, love? You've been a bit distracted lately, as if something's on your mind that you're still working out, what? How can I help?

Also, did Professor Dolohov read from your lot's essays? I say, I wasn't expecting direct comparisons of people's work, though I suppose it ought not to surprise me. I meant to ask after your lesson yesterday and quite forgot.

-Justin

Hullo, all,

Michael wrote to me and to Sally-Anne last night about assembling a small group of people we trust to practise the ventriloquism spell for Professor Dolohov's class.

First off, I'm willing to meet him this evening, as well as Sally-Anne (and I've told him as much, in Potions this afternoon). But second, It's got me to thinking--again, I'm sorry, what, I know I sound like a broken record--that there ought to be a better way of getting together a small number of people, so that we may arrange other groups like the revising sessions. I say, something larger than the lock but smaller than sending out an open invitation via journal.

Because I well take Michael's point, what, that there are certain persons and certain subjects for which one must take care in agreeing to work together, what? As much as I like Michael, I rather think he's not exactly someone we want to have here, if you follow me. But if we keep on using the lock to tell large groups what's going on, someone's bound to notice, what?

Ron, do you suppose you might ask Fred and George about a clever way to alert a number of people if we wish to meet up? I can only imagine that these little sessions are going to become more frequent.

-Justin

Hullo, love. How was History?

Defence, after lunch, what. I wonder if he'll go easy since he's got the duel tomorrow?

It's just occurred to me that even if Professor Raz is going to be busy fighting, the other people Professor Dolohov has invited probably include your uncle and maybe even your father. Has he said if he's going to see you tomorrow? I shouldn't wonder if Professor Dolohov asked your mother but do you think she'd attend?

But either way, I suppose there shall be someone from the Council, likely to carry news back if we're not careful, what? Best not sit together, then. Don't you think? Dash it.

Perhaps afterward, though? If you're not expected at a jolly old Malfoy tea or anything, we could work on Arithmancy before the YPL exercises.

I've been thinking about my birthday, like you said to do. All I can imagine wanting are silly things, things one can't get here anymore. I'd love a bally old packet of crisps now and then. But that's not a proper gift, what? Just a craving. And anyway, I don't care about presents so much as just being with you. (Though I do need a new jumper but that's not a request, what. I'll look at Gladrag's at the first Hogsmeade visit.) I am rather excited to turn 16, though. And to have someone to celebrate it with me, what?

Love,

-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