Justin Finch-Fletchley

Draco,

I say, old man, congratulations again to you and Hermione. It's been a long time coming. I'm glad she seems happy in the development--I know you are.

I'm sorry Hydra and I hadn't told anyone about our decision sooner. I'm sure I don't have to explain the reasons we kept it secret so long.

But our relative cross-cultural relationships, if you follow me, and some of the things Antonin has said and--done lately, what--have got me to thinking about some questions I think you might be well-positioned to answer. I hope you aren't offended, though: they are of a rather personal nature. I was wondering about...well, about your father, and whether his captivity among Muggles might be changing him. If it is, that is.

Have you ever had any impression from him that he might...be able to revise his position on blood purity? Or that his perspective has been broadened by helping us? I rather understand that he prefers only to think of himself as helping you to achieve the goal of removing Voldemort, what, but...has he ever given you any inkling that he could recant?

-Justin

Hullo, all,

Have any of you undergone questioning yet? I say, I've just come from there and there's a bloke from the Ministry whom I believe is one of their Legilimenses.

He was sitting in the room letting one of the others ask most of the questions, what, but occasionally he would break in and ask something in just the way Hydra's said her mother taught her. For example, the Auror asked a few questions about my own relationship with Draco, what, and then the wizard in the back would ask something like, 'How did he feel about you and Miss Lestrange breaking off your engagement?' and then he asked, 'What did he tell you about his own family's standards?' as if he hoped I'd think about conversations in which Draco maligned his aunt or expressed frustration at being expected to marry another pureblood. 'What other things did he confide to you?' and so on.

The other line of questioning was about Hermione, what. The primary interviewer asked me if I'd ever had direct contact or conversations with Harry's servant, and the Legilimens interjected a question about Hermione's wand. I say, I'm jolly well sure he thought just asking the question would make me picture her wand or her holding her wand--if I'd ever seen it, what.

Let's see. They asked about Mr Milland and any detentions I'd served with him (which was well simple, what, as all my detentions had been with Professors) and back to more questions about how I adjusted to life here after moving from France.

At any rate, the point is that we can't assume everyone can occlude, what, and we can't assume that everyone who knows anything or suspects anything will be questioned where someone we trust is controlling the conversation. I say, particularly people who came to book club or have a Galleon.

Harry, this morning's meeting went jolly well--good form, old man--well, apart from poor Daphne--but even if they all have the best of intentions, what, I think someone's bound to let something slip.

Have there ever been any hint of conversations or indications here at school that Draco was actively involved with an insurgent organisation? I mean, could anyone not in the Order already have any sort of information that MLE could use against him?

-Justin

Professor Dolohov's just brought me back to the sett; it's the first I've been able to read my journal since before supper.

Dashed good thing he's got me occupied in his office every evening.

Harry, if you set Crabbe and Goyle on Nott again, kindly make sure they don't stop until he's dead.

No. I suppose that's too much to ask.

Sally-Anne, it's probably unnecessary to say, but--keep an eye out for Hydra, you and Pansy and the others. I'm bally well aware she can take care of herself but she's more fragile at present than she seems. It's not just Nott I've got in mind, what.

As for Hermione, Harry, perhaps a solution is to simply accuse Nott of some inappropriate action. Who would not take your word over anyone's? It circumvents potential trouble with this challenge and if we're lucky it will get him in hot water with MLE.

-Justin

Hullo, you two,

I say, I can well imagine how poor Stretton feels, learning about all this right now.

In a way I think it was quite cruel to simply swear him in with so little preparation.

On the other hand, what, perhaps it's best to overload him and see how he does at absorbing it all.

It's too bad you're not at the Strettons', Sally-Anne - not to inflict them on you, what, but to give him someone he can talk to about it all.

I expect he'll get bally well next to no sleep tonight!

-Justin

Hermione,

Harry's not in worse trouble than we feared, is he? That business of writing onto his own hand is frightful, what, but did you see that Madam Umbridge has written to Auror Crouch?

She can't have guessed at the Galleons as easily as that, I hope!

-Justin

Good evening,

I was reading posts about the beginning of last year and I suddenly came across the posts from Hermione's birthday.

I say, it's tomorrow, isn't it?

Ought we to try to do something for her? Or have you two already arranged something I missed?

-Justin

Hermione,

How certain are you that no one reads Harry's PM's, what? I mean to say, if someone sent him a PM that said 'Oh, by the bye, Sirius Black is living in his old parents' house,' would anyone take notice? (No, don't fret, I'm not planning anything that daft!)

I'd really like you to be able to come to tea tomorrow. I asked Hydra if she thought we should invite Harry on the premise that we could encourage him to bring you along, and then--I don't know, perhaps he'd see that the others treat you fairly or the others would then see that he doesn't treat you badly at all, and they'd see how Hydra is about things as well.

But. Perhaps it's a really bad idea, at that, what? Is it asking for trouble? Would we all sit round feeling awkward and afraid to make the first move?

I guess I'm asking if you thought that if I wrote him, I could signal him somehow that this group of mates I've assembled are all right. Or perhaps you could do. But I need to know how careful I'd have to be in my note. I could easily tell him that I'm seeking his advice as the Lord Protector's son and who better to ask about the Protectorate, what, but the trick is letting him know somehow without letting any of the authorities know that I'd like you along as an equal, not as a servant. And that he doesn't need to treat you like one in front of us all.

I bally well shouldn't wish to make things worse for anyone, though, if you follow me. I say, what's your advice?

Hello, Hermione,

I say, how are you? Did you have a decent holiday? It's too bad Harry wasn't allowed to let you come on any of the outings.

I couldn't help but notice that you of all the others didn't have anything to say about Mr Rosier's proposal to me. And--well, I say, I'm well interested in your opinion on the matter. I suspect that you might see things a bit differently to the others, especially as you're in more regular communication with Sirius.

To hear them all talk about it, one would think I had no idea I'd be doing something well dangerous, what?

I don't think they gave any thought to the fact that I'd already considered this possibility when I agreed to come to the Quidditch World Cup and then again when I was invited back as one of the visiting students. The whole exercise could have easily pointed to this sort of thing--that or they would wish me to be their spokesperson back in France, what--but either way, that once they found me and found they could influence me, they'd have one use for me or another as long as it suited them.

I wonder if any of them have considered that it might not be safe for me to go back, what, or that Mr Rosier's assurances that there shall be no negative repercussions might well be a load of bunk?

Well, I shan't go on about it, particularly if you agree that I ought to decline and then turn tail as soon as I get back, what?

But--well, what do you think about it?

-Justin

Hullo, Hermione,

Is it as difficult for you to read about Sally-Anne's mother as it is for me? I hardly know what to say, what, and certainly I think it's not at all fair to compare her situation with mine. Though I rather doubt I shall be here, anyway, come summer.

I say, I wonder if Hydra is still helping Harry with his preparation for the Task? I tried to talk to her after supper last evening and she said she was busy again, what. I rather think she might be cross with me and

well

Has she been...spending time with him, lately?

-Justin