Justin Finch-Fletchley

Антонин,

Thank you again for introducing me to the Parish Church and bringing me as your guest at Easter Sunday services. I know it’s not your ‘Главная традиция’ but it felt jolly good to observe, and with someone of like-minded faith, what.

At Mr Pontner’s invitation, I went to see him at the Ministry yesterday. There were some formalities of parchment to fill out against my starting appointment. It struck me as we spoke that many of Mr Pontner’s pronouncements seemed to have been made on the assumption that I would join Our Lord’s Council relatively soon after finishing at Hogwarts.

I do hope he’s correct in his estimation of me, but I left feeling somewhat disconcerted and not entirely sure why. This morning it came to me that it’s been weeks since you’ve mentioned arranging my formal introductions to Our Lord’s Court. In fact, I believe it not unfair to say that since Hydra’s mishap, you’ve been silent on the subject which has been much of our preoccupation up until that time.

Я знаю, что разочарован вас, сэр. I know that in the past you’ve cautioned patience and sincerity and good faith that I might prove myself worthy in the Lestranges’ eyes. Hydra and I defied that well sound advice. I do still believe our imprudence was, in fact, the only way that we would ever have been allowed to marry, nor can I honestly tell you I regret our decision. I regret only that having confided in you, I might now have somehow jeopardised your good opinion of me, and the future which that good opinion might make possible.

If you were to ask me which outcome I desire more: a life with Hydra or a life in service to the Lord Protector, it would be entirely deceitful to claim the latter. As you know, I never dreamed I might be worthy of membership on the Council, and only your encouragement has caused me to think otherwise. My love for Hydra, on the other hand, is unshakeable, no matter how many times I have tried, for her good and for mine, to set it aside. I believe my love for her is what makes it possible to reach my own potential, in point of fact. Without it, I would be a poor candidate for any mentor. It is singularly ironic that the force which propels me to achieve greatness in the الفنون النبيلة may also be the reason I am found wanting those qualities befitting a Councilwizard. So if I may only have one thing or the other, then I must admit there is really no question which I choose. Only if that is the choice now before me, I humbly beg you to tell me without equivocation, so that I may adjust my expectations accordingly.

Regardless of your answer, I hope that I continue to be useful as your clerk and that you will continue to utilise me in that capacity. I can confidently promise that you will detect no change in my commitment to assisting you and serving Hogwarts through that important work.

In the hope that there is something I can do to restore your faith in me, I remain,

Твой любящий студент,


Джастин Финч-Флетчли

Dux,

What did she do to him?

Are you all right? Can you get away without anyone noticing?

I'm jolly well worried. Please reply as soon as ever you can do.

All my love,

-J

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

Hello, all,

Ron, Harry, Draco and I went down to the Ministry today to test for our Apparation licences. I say, they were a bit taken aback that Draco and Harry were there, what, but they let them fill out the parchment and pay their application fees without any question.

Harry went first, then Draco, then they called me in and Ron went last of us.

We all passed but one and Ron plans to go back again on Tuesday. (I say, think nothing of it, old man, I quite agree it was bally well ridiculous of them. You've Apparated loads of times, what.)

Congratulations again, Harry and Draco, and Ron, Tuesday's sure to go perfectly.

Sirius, I'm expected with the Jugsons on Sunday but I ought to be able to come by after dinner. Around 7:00? Or is that too close to Bea's bedtime and I should wait?

Sally-Anne, if you want to know more about Professor Dolohov's house before you go, I say, I'm happy to tell. We never did get back to it after that last round of Snap.

-Justin

Sally-Anne,

I say, I ought to have asked before: How is your visit with your father going? I just realised last night that last year you were worried about using your journal, what, and this year you've been posting and commenting, so I hope that means it's better this time round.

Of course, I'm sure you could decamp to the Burrow if you needed, or Pansy's, but I'm sure if either weren't available we could make other arrangements if necessary.

One of the chaps here has charmed the window in his office to produce sunshine all the time. He says that if he doesn't get enough sun he feels peaky and depressed so he's fixed it to get something like natural light. I say, I think that's bally well clever.

Oh, I forgot: I told everyone at tea yesterday about the answer I got to my question regarding the wards. I asked, you see, in the most innocent way possible, because we had some Floo calls with Dover and with the secretaries of trade in Belgium and also the Netherlands, so it was perfectly natural to ask why we couldn't open more routes or why it was so dashed difficult to arrange for large shipments to come in through just the one or two gates that are there all the time. And of course, I asked why other countries didn't devise the same sort of protections, to make sure their wizard populations could remain safe.

Mr Pontner came over quite queer at first, what, as if he thought he might have to ask someone else if he could even answer my questions. But then he chuckled and simply said that his office has nothing to do with the wards. He went on to mumble that the new ward lines are even worse than the old ones. I asked why that was and he talked about how at least with the dragons, the effects were 'natural' but now with the new focusing lenses, the wards are too straight and too powerful where they overlap, what. I say, I told the others and we think that's why they've found so many areas where they can't fly well or where they feel that tingling Sirius and Tonks described. When the group go flying next, I think they'll start with one of the stones we've found and follow it as straight as possible.

I could only get him to say a little bit more before he realised he was probably speaking out of turn. Still, it was a good deal more information than we had, what.

There was also some interesting discussion with the Belgians but to explain that I'm afraid I shall have to imitate Miss Lamont and look for holes in the patterns and that all that rot.

-Justin

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,

I didn't think it would be wise to hang about while you interviewed. I say, how did it go, old chap?

Mine was jolly interesting. I was curious to see how they would treat someone who didn't much have any expectation of being selected for the Aurors. Auror Sandoval wasn't half annoyed when I said the worst part was how they seem to resolve all situations with wands. But I wasn't concerned with her reaction; I was watching Auror Lamont.

I say, I do think it might be a perfect opportunity for someone to go into Magical Malfeasance. One could devise all manner of clever schemes to assist the Order from inside the Aurors' division that way, what? But I'm sure it's no longer an option. Just as well, I think. I'm fairly certain I'm bally well more suited to be a clerk of some sort.

-Justin

Yesterday was rather exhausting, but very interesting! P Froissart suggested I write about it.

We went on a tour of the Ministry for Magic. Mme Froissart says that the entrance used to look like a tatty old shop so that people Muggles wouldn't notice where it was (which is also why it's all underground). But now that it doesn't have to be hidden, it's got a new guest entrance which is very grand. I asked why it hasn't been all moved up above ground. Mr Helpmann (he was our guide) said that there was loads of discussion about that years ago. For one thing, certain of the lower levels would have been too difficult to move, and the enchantments on them would have been broken if they'd tried. And then someone suggested that they use a new building for the other offices and have a direct Floo connection but most of the workers didn't want to have to go back and forth between two different places all the time. So in the end, they decided to keep things as they are. Which is rather nift, as-is, I must say.

Mr Helpmann took me all over the building. I felt a bit odd, taking him away from his work like that, but he said that was what he had on his agenda for the day, so it was okay. I got to see a Wizengamot hearing chamber (there wasn't a hearing going on). And I did see an Aurors' sparring session; crikey, they're smashing duellists, aren't they? Mr Helpmann told me that some of them were in training and the one who was winning was a full-fledged Auror. It was very impressive! I think P Froissart and the Auror would get on famously, actually. He's always telling us about defensive manœuvers that still allow one to go on the attack.

Oh, and I met a good deal of people, of course. So many people I don't think I could possibly remember all their names! But everyone was quite nice. Ron, I did meet your Director Selwyn, and I think, your father! I say, he's well chouette, isn't he? And exceedingly kind, I thought.


Then we toured a few other places in New London and went to Buckingham. I say, it's very grand! I met the Lord Protector's son and we had some great fun wandering about. We're going back this evening, as well, for a formal sort of party, but Harry said he expected that Draco and a few other mates and I should be able to spend some time off by ourselves instead of watching the grown-ups but that can be interesting too. The last party I went to was fancy-dress, but for this one I've some smashing dress robes. I hope they're acceptable. I shouldn't like to stand out in a bad way, what?

But I've heard some of the players will be there. The Irish side, anyway. That ought to be well nift.