Justin Finch-Fletchley

Cedric,

How are you getting on, old man?

It should come as no surprise that I've put myself into Antonin's service in the wake of your 'kidnap.' You'll be pleased to know he has no suspicion that you left voluntarily, what. Meanwhile, he's asked me to go through your desk and see where things stand. The remaining holiday cards were simple enough; it looked like there was some marking for the 6^th-year N.E.W.T.s and a copy of their exam; of course, I returned the copy of the 7^th-years' exam to him as soon as I saw what it was.

I spent the better part of the last two days answering parents' concerns about Professor Sprout and the other members of staff who had to flee. But I expect to move along from that very soon.

Are there any items you'd like me to remove for you? And have you any particular system other than what's obvious among your trays and such? I'll be sure to ask his input on the invitations, what, but the more seamlessly I can slip into place, the more he'll rely on my help in future.

I say, I'm sorry about all this. It must be a wrench to think how your family are taking the news. I do wish there were some message one could risk sending them but--well, perhaps it's better they think your kidnappers are treating you humanely. Still, I'd be jolly well willing to try, if you think there's something they ought to hear. I could say you'd scribbled a note or something, and that I found it among your papers, what.

-Justin

Ron,

How is Ginny adjusting to all the new revelations about the Order? I'm well pleased she seemed so ready to embrace the fact that her family are all resistance fighters, but one. I know you've all been quite tormented worrying whether she would really be able to throw off the Protectorate's propaganda, what. I hope she doesn't find us inhospitable, considering the circumstances of her discovery, and how tense things have been.

Speaking of tense--Sally-Anne, I'm sure you're relieved that all the other dares and blackmail stunts rather overshadowed Dean Thomas's tasteless fable but I did want to say that I'm well sorry he attempted to embarrass you that way. You and Hermione have had a jolly bad time of it, what, and please don't hesitate should you want support to teach Thomas when to restrain himself. Oh, and did I hear you've got an interview for an internship? Congratulations and good luck. I say, I'm sure you'll do brilliantly. How are things at the Strettons? Four days to go, right?


Cedric and I met and went running this morning and then he said that his mother was expecting us back for breakfast. They live quite near the Burrow, what, have you met his brother and sisters? Jasper's getting ready to start Hogwarts next year. I rather think his mother wasn't expecting someone who'd been in the papers but we got on well enough. Still, I doubt very much I'll be making a habit of coming back with him.


Ron, are we still on for Quidditch? I shall have to borrow a broom but it would be good to concentrate on something that isn't altogether catastrophic, what. Shall Neville and I be staying over or is it back to Grimmauld? (I've got to go back to the Jugsons on Monday but I say, I'd rather put that off if possible.)

-Justin

Hullo, all,

I say, Professor Dolohov seems to think he'll be gone for at least a week, what?

And what was that you were saying, Pansy, about the holdup at the match yesterday having to do with Professor Lestrange's absence?

I wonder what's happening that they're both out of the castle.

I think Slytherin's shattering win might have rather unsettled Diggory, what? He's not at all himself.

-Justin

I say, Diggory, or Ernie if you're not too far yet,

Hopkins had rather a bad time of it in class today. Nothing dire but I expect he's going to need assistance getting back to the sett. And perhaps he'll not wish for supper, what? I don't think he'll need the hospital wing, just perhaps a cool cloth and a lie-down.

Also, Stebbins. Professor Dolohov held him behind. I'm sure he'll be all right, but he rather panicked when he had to cast a spell and - well, he couldn't do it at all. He was dashed upset and it was right as the bell rang, in the bargain.

I couldn't look after them both, what, and the others seem to have scattered. We're in the lavatory closest to Professor Dolohov's classroom.

-F-F