alt_justin | Entries tagged with holidays

Dux,

I say, not quite the Valentine's Day either of us had in mind, was it? I'm sorry I fell asleep, love. I daresay I needed the nap, what!

Though I'm bally well certain we both slept the better for being together, even if it was only for a handful of hours.

I'm glad you liked your presents.

-Justin

Ron,

I say, you're certain I shan't be imposing on a family holiday? Daphne's offered Spenser House, what, and Antonin reminded me this evening that I could simply stay at Hogwarts over the break.

One prefers to be among friends, of course. But if you're sure.... Well, I should be delighted.

-Justin

Hullo, Ron, old chap!

I say, how's it going on your end? I don't half think that no work at all gets done round here during these two weeks, what. Honestly, it's a wonder they bother with an internship at Christmas.

Mr Pontner does seem to know where all the good parties are, however. I say, if we go to many more I bally well shan't be able to fit my robes.

However, some of the lads are going for a pint after lunch today (we've been told we're released after 1:00. You?). Wonder if you'd fancy joining us, if you can break away.

It hasn't been all food and fun, of course. Only it does seem that way when we're forever popping off to another department to sit in on their meetings and Mrs So-and-so has baked and Mr So-and-so brought in a box of crackers and everyone seems quite content to stay merry right through Twelfth Night. Particularly with the official Ministry party being postponed. Oh, and I should say there's been quite the discussion about that, these past two weeks, what! One would think it's the event of the season the way they were going on. I'm sure it's lovely but how can it compare to anything Our Lord puts on during the season? Are you going to the fireworks tonight? Mr Pontner hopes they'll be visible in Belgium--he's had an ongoing debate with the Belgian minister regarding trade embargoes. (I've done a little translation for him, as well, via the Floo. I say, that was an education in itself!)

But truly, I have learned quite a bit and met all sorts of hard-working people.

They've asked if I'd come back at Easter hols. I can't imagine it's all baskets and colouring eggs, what--I hope very much it's a bit more serious. I'm sure it will be, for by then, Mr Harvey will have his project well underway and it might make more sense.

Must dash. Let me know if you're able to step out and I'll make sure you know where we're going, old man.

-Finch-Fletchley

Hallo,

I've had a letter from the Ministry, inviting me to spend the holidays as an intern in International Magical Relations.

I intend to accept, of course, but wanted to let you know. If there's anything I could do for the Order while I'm in the Ministry, what, I should be pleased to do it. At the very least, I thought it would present an excellent opportunity to meet Bill, Jeremy and Auror Lamont in the context of a workplace.

I say, I don't expect International Magical Relations will be fraught with intrigue but I thought perhaps I might learn more about the warding systems, which might be useful.

Of course, I don't expect to have any reason to go to MLE, but I'm quite confident that my Occlumency would be up to the task if I were to find myself faced with a Legilimens.

If there's any other information you'd like to hear about the internship, I'm happy to oblige.

-Justin

Ron, Sally-Anne, Harry, Draco - whomever else, really:

I say, we're popping in to Madam Puddifoot's for a hot toddy. Anyone who'd care to join us is welcome. It's well jolly when it's not decked out in hearts and lace and such. They're serving the toddies and hot rum punch and a buttered cider, if one prefers.

It's too bad Zonko's hasn't any of the Weasley products, what? I can think of several little things in their line that would make excellent stocking stuffers.

Nonetheless, the other shops here in Hogsmeade have certainly turned out for the holidays. Hydra was admiring the charmed icicles in the windows at Honeyduke's. The shopgirl said they're made of spun sugar. I think we might stop back in to get some for the tree in Hufflepuff's common room.

Gladrag's windows were also rather well done. All those charmed snowflakes.

Has everyone made good progress on Christmas shopping? I've been bally well pleased with the selection this year.

And did anyone else see the skating rink? It's just off the low road. I think some of the people who live there have charmed it for the day. I say, we might have a go after lunch.

-Justin

Hullo, all,

I'm delighted to announce that Tea Appreciation will convene at Laszlo's of London tomorrow at half-four. It should be a lovely, relaxing way to spend the final afternoon of our holidays.

Speaking of holidays, I hope those of us who have been focused on our studies have had a little time to regroup and recuperate before returning to school, what. For myself, when I wasn't revising with Weasley or Bones, I had a smashing time visiting the MacMillans and flying with my fellow Hufflepuffs. Remy, Alfie and I also managed to take in a few rambles through the Protector's Park. I say, I'm especially looking forward to this weekend's joyous occasion, Moon, and to seeing my mates from Ravenclaw again.

I think I may say quite honestly that, hours of revising aside, it's been a jolly good holiday.

-Finch-Fletchley

Hullo, sweetheart,

How are your holidays so far? I say, it's true what Sally-Anne says about Sirius's house. Oh, I suppose you've probably been, once or twice when your Great-Aunt was alive. (I say, her portrait's well frightful, and one can only imagine what she must have been like, given the horrid sorts of things she's said--well, screamed--at us in the last two days.)

Still, I wish you could come along with us all. I wish you could meet Colin and the others. It's been brilliant, even if there's still the odd cobweb or doxy egg. And working with the others is amazing. I daresay we shall learn more in the next two weeks than we've done all year, at least in certain subjects. But it's not the same knowing you can't be here.

Are you able to come visit on Saturday? And...do you feel any better than you did on Friday night?

I miss you.

Yours,

-J

Hullo, love,

Are you all right? What did she want?

I say, I do hope we shall really be able to meet at your cousin's. And perhaps you can visit Remy as well.

I bally well am looking forward to getting out of the castle for a few days but there is a downside, what? We shan't see each other every day. Or be able to sit together in your secret stairwell most evenings.

On the other hand...there are advantages. For example, a private bedroom with a locking door.

-Justin

Hullo, all,

Easter holidays are almost here! I'd been looking forward to a relaxing fortnight, what, but it seems I shall have to change my plans.

Mrs Weasley, thank you very much for your offer to host extra revising at your home. I say, it's dashed generous of you and we shall certainly be a more jolly group if we're all revising together. I had just been about to write to Mr and Mrs Jugson about whether there might be any provision for tutoring and now that doesn't seem it shall be necessary.

Mrs MacMillan, thank you as well, for the offer to come and visit Ernie. I'm sure we shall have a splendid time. I say, it shall be a marvellous break from all the revising we'll be doing for O.W.L.s.

I've one more thank you to issue: Professor Dolohov, many thanks for the additional sessions last week and this. It's reassuring to think that we'll be better prepared than many of us feared might be the case.

I've also heard a rumour there might be a Tea Appreciation meeting over the holidays. If so, I hope I shall hear a confirmation before too long, what! (That is, Mr and Mrs Ponds, if you'd be willing to host it again.) Though I daresay there's little time for it, as the agenda has been developing.

Still, two weeks when one can have a tiny bit of a lie in--and no mandatory exercise sessions three times a week--seems like the lap of luxury. Although it must be said that those exercises are bally well paying off, for some of us more than others. I think we all look much more fit as a whole than we did at the start of term. It's rather remarkable how a sensible regimen of diet and exercise can change one's look--and one's outlook as well, what!

-Justin

Happy new year!

I suppose you were both at Buckingham on Monday night? We were on the streets, though Mr Jugson did manage to clear a spot for the firework display.

I know I shall see you both this afternoon, but coming to tea reminded me: Hydra, weren't you going to arrange another Tea Appreciation at your cousin's shop? I say, we're running short of time if we're going to go.

(And I think we should all like to go, what? We could perhaps call using the Galleons so as to limit the size for her.)

-Justin

Mes amis,

Merci beaucoup pour le merveilleux panier de friandises! Je ne m'attendais pas de cadeaux de votre part beaucoup. Juste à temps, aussi - notre dernier examen était cet après-midi. Je suis bien heureux que, après tous les ennuis que j'ai eus cette semaine, nous avons terminé sur une belle, une douce: Botanique. Nous allons tous en vacances à partir de demain. Est-ce que l'école toute décorée pour Noël? Il doit être joyeux magnifique. Je suis également heureux de recevoir vos lettres, ce n'est pas aussi facile qu'on pourrait le penser à trouver d'autres personnes qui y converser en français lorsque l'on aime. Mais je me suis intéressé à entendre les nouvelles. Ce projet de loi qui est devant le Parlement a voté contre, vraiment? C'est ... bon d'entendre, je suppose. On m'a assuré que ça allait passer. Je me demande comment le ministère de la Magie ici doit réagir.

JP, vous avez demandé à ma famille d'accueil. Ils sont un M. et Mme Jugson et que vous avez rencontré leur fils aîné, Remy. Ils ont une maison confortable à London Nouvelle, avec une servante née-moldue. Le cousin de M Jugson est notre professeur Lestrange, ils sont donc très bien desservi, ce qui fait d'eux un bon choix pour mes hôtes. J'ai hâte de passer Noël avec eux et voir ce que les traditions sont ici. Je suis presque emballé mais je dois finir quelques petites choses, et notamment de décider ce que je veux partager avec tous mes amis ici à Hogwarts.

Joyeux Noël et merci encore,

-Justin Finch-Fletchley

Hullo,

I'm feeling much better tonight, though I'm not sure whether that's just because both Defence and Noble Arts are over, what? How are your exams going?

I'm also well glad Ron offered another jumper.

But it's just occurred to me: Ought I to have got presents for Mr and Mrs Jugson? I've a small something to give Alfie and Remy (despite how he's been acting toward you, what!) but I didn't even consider what they might like.

Perhaps I can ask Sally-Anne to order some Stretton jam on account.

-Justin

Hello, friends,

How was the New London trip, what?

I say, CCF is coming up rather quickly, isn't it? Remy and I have gone swimming twice this week but I think overall I'm still well unprepared for whatever they're going to throw at us. Have you lot had any hints at all, as you've been counselling?

The Jugsons took me out to another party this afternoon. This one was at the Derwent home and Ron, your sister was there as well. Did you know she would be going?

The Derwents are rather nice although they seem to be the sort with loads of well boring acquaintances. There were a number of people our age, though, which made the time pass more quickly.

I've been terribly occupied all summer long and yet, I suppose it sounds a bit rich to say, but, I do miss home. Dijon, I should say. Only in little things, what? Like the fresh bread our cook made every other day or the chimes on the clock in my mother's salon. My old bed and the books I left behind. The view from my window onto the Rue de Talant. I miss television commercials and believe me, I never thought I should miss those in the slightest!

You've every right to tell me it serves me right, what? Still. I'm sure I shall snap out of it once we're all together again at the CCF exercises. Something about the party this afternoon made me think of home, I think.

Well, enough of that. Sally-Anne, you'd said you were going to write more to us, about visiting your mother? Do you think she's going to join forces with Mrs Weasley and Madam Pomfrey and become a three-witch crime-fighting squadron, what?

How is everyone else enjoying their holidays?

-Justin

Hello, friends!

I say, it's been a frightful age since I wrote properly, what? I suppose that's the trouble with these bally old things: One forms one or two attachments and it becomes ever so simple to send nothing but private messages to one's mates.

But our trips this last week have been well worth the chronicling.

Let's see:

We went on a tour of the Tower and a boat ride on the Thames. For most of us, we've never been to New London and this gave us a wonderful introduction to the city, what? I think the river is an excellent way to get one's bearings.

We were meant to go to the botanical gardens but the weather was against us. Instead, we were treated to a special preview of a new museum in New London. The Protector's Collection. It's a well thoughtful mix, what, of unique items that the Lord Protector has assembled all in on place and has graciously allowed to be displayed to the public. There's to be another wing, we're told, with all sorts of activities for young witches and wizards, which I think is a brilliant way to introduce them to the Protectorate's history and its values.

We went to Glastonbury Tor and saw Stonehenge. I say, outside the Protectorate, Stonehenge is still one of the most famous images of England, so I was well pleased to see it in person. It's incredible, what! And of course, we learned about the importance of Ancient Runes to the old tribes and how some of those runes are still used today.

We saw Tintagel castle in Cornwall. That was also well impressive. And most of the Beauxbatons students know quite a bit about Arthurian Lore but apparently the Durmstrang lot are not so well-versed. It rather makes sense, of course, I simply never gave it much thought before then. But standing atop that turret was quite breathtaking. And the ghosts, what! They had amazing stories to tell about their lives.

We went to Bath.

We were taken to Camelot amusement park in Liverpool. That was a jolly good time, indeed! And Luna, I'm delighted you were able to come along in Patil's party. I say, it was smashingly good of her and Parvati to coincide their party with our visit.

We were shown a typical camp for muggleborn labourers outside of Newcastle. I know this was a particular request of many of my schoolmates, and Durmstrang's besides, and I think we were all quite suitably inspired by the obvious work that goes into maintaining such a facility, what? And the denizens were obviously fortunate to have been given so much bounty. It truly made us think about how possible it would be for our own countries to follow the Protectorate's example.

We explored Yorkshire Dales and saw all manner of wildlife and talked about the efforts to restore the Protectorate to its natural beauty. We picnicked on the open moor and then took a weed walk and enjoyed the simplicity of an unspoiled, uninhabited place.

We went to Lincoln and Nottingham. We saw a Robin Hood panto in Nottingham and toured the home of Waltheof the Elder (who is said to be the very same wizard mentioned in the ballad, Robin Hood and the Wizard). We were shown where Lincoln Castle is, but of course, one couldn't go inside.

Today we went on a tour of the historic battleground at Leicester. I say, I think perhaps even more than Newcastle, today's has been the most serious of our trips. It's well affecting the way the site has been commemorated, what, and how it stands as a testament to the Protectorate's achievements. I kept thinking of people I now know who fought there or whose loved ones did, and how meaningful that made the experience.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the trips. Tomorrow we're to Cambridge and its wonderful architecture and I expect some bowling on the greens and a stroll through the many libraries and galleries. Then we've a day to ourselves back in New London, a professional Quidditch match (I think it might be the Lethifolds everyone's talking about, what?) and Professor Froissart said we might be able to go to the botanical gardens, after all, which we missed owing to the weather on our second day in New London.

I say, it'll be hard to go back to school after all this sightseeing!

-Justin

Professor Froissart finally sat us down this morning and gave us the itinerary for the tour, over holidays.

I don't think I shall be able to get away for Quidditch, what? They've got us well occupied.

But there are several days when I think you lot are invited to come along--and didn't your Professor Sinistra say as much? Some museum days and such, probably well boring but it'd be more interesting with mates along, what? It's April the 2^nd, 8^th and 12^th. Any of you planning to go?

And there's the 7^th, as well, when we're to see a camp. Or they say we are, anyway. I don't expect they want too many people along on that, however.

Terry, they've told us we'll be in Lincoln on the 9^th. I don't suppose there's any way to get to you, but perhaps it'd be possible to leave something where you could get it? If there's anything you need that we can get? Perhaps they'll show us where Lincoln Castle used to be visible, what?

-Justin

Hullo, Dux,

I say, any, er, repercussions so far? If not, I'd say you'd well got the hang of that bracelet, what?

March, isn't it. One month closer. I asked Professor Froissart about whether the trips were optional, you know, over the hols, but he said no. I said not even to spend time with Malfoy or any of the others from when I came for the Cup, what? and he said, no, that the Ministry mean to give us all a smashing good overview of the Protectorate and that he'd be looking to me, especially, to help the others with their English and everything. Which is bally well unnecessary, isn't it, as they've already been here for well four months and most of them speak and understand perfectly (oh, and yes, by the way, if Margaux or Desirée or any of the others pretend they can't understand you, they're just being rude, what!)--so I rather think it has more to do with making sure we specifically don't get to explore anything on our own.

But that means two weeks without seeing each other, what? I don't want to think about it. Unless you suppose you might convince--well, not your mother or father, I expect, but perhaps your aunt and uncle?--to join up with our group on one of our outings? I mean to say, you seem to be able to convince your aunt to indulge you fairly often, what?

If I were to get you our itinerary, perhaps--or maybe you could get it from your aunt through Mrs Froissart? I'm not sure if that's overly complicated, if you follow me, but I'm not bally well sure they'll give us any sort of warning before they take us places.

One thing I do know and that's that Krum has asked to see a camp, so I think they'll probably take us to one. I don't think you'd better come and see, what? But there are bound to be places in New London and round about the countryside and perhaps your aunt would think that educational for you, as well?

Well, it's a thought. I know we wouldn't be able to spend time alone, what, but at least we'd see each other, what?

-Justin

Hullo, all.

I say, this Quidditch match you're getting up, it's not going to be too competitive, what? I rather think Hydra's looking more forward to that than Patil's party, to be honest.

But I don't mind saying I'm not keen to look a right wanker on a broom. Especially in front of the house sides.

Oh, and I don't think they've said anything to you lot yet but did you know, they've arranged a tour for those of us visiting over the Easter hols? It doesn't sound half bad--except I'm sure that everything we see will be calculated to please, what?

-Justin