Justin Finch-Fletchley

We commandeered a Floo, since we were all too tired to risk Apparating to Hogsmeade. And Professor Desai was badly injured. So we're all back and dispersed from the Headmaster's office. Sally-Anne came back with us, as well, and is assisting her to the Hospital Wing.

Well, I should say everyone's back except Hydra, what. We were about to leave and Bellatrix Lestrange told her she had to stay and help with interrogation. I say, I hope she'll be able to misdirect MLE to some extent.

I...I say, I know I speak for her and for Ron when I can tell you that today was one of our most difficult tasks. Knowing that we had to choose among every person running from the fires and those monsters, whether to let them get away, to risk injuring them and allowing their capture, or to simply kill them so they could not give anything to the enemy. It was especially hard when one could tell they'd just survived a harrowing ordeal with the Inferi, and were fighting to get back to the base camp, what, though that doesn't mean it was any less horrible when they were merely running for their lives.

The last--two hours or so.... I can't even begin to describe how many times one had to suppress every urge to protest. I'm sure it's going to be a long time before any of us get a proper night's sleep.

I'm sorry. For Major Davidson, for everyone at Sherwood, for the citizens of Ollerton.... There's nothing else to say, what. I'm so dashed sorry we had to participate in that charade.

I'm bally well sure some of you may not understand or may want to talk to us about what happened. Mrs Longbottom, we'll try to put together our brief soon, but...please, I beg of you, give us a little time to--recover.


-Finch-Fletchley

Sweetheart,

We've gone to an early lunch, so I've a moment to write. How are you this morning?

I say, it's bally well ironic that crisis is the only time we're able to see each other alone.

I can't think what the Longbottoms must be feeling, nor what to say. Nor can you, I imagine.

No one seems to be blaming you, at least--not that one can see, anyway. I confess I was worried someone might take the wrong end of the stick, what. Particularly when the first reports came in. But it seems they understand how difficult it was for you.

I'm doing my level best to have a 'Happy' Christmas in front of the lads here. Have you--I mean to say, did you happen to hear whether the news will come out soon? It would be a relief to be able to drop the façade and show proper sorrow for Neville.

But until then, I shall go on as normal, as Mr Lupin wisely instructed. Just know my thoughts are with you, love. Come back to Spense again tonight, if you can. I'll do the same. The Weasleys will understand.

Your,

-Justin

Good Afternoon,

I wanted to let you both know that I looked up Bobby Stebbins and Wayne Hopkins at the weekend. They're both quite interested in the resistance, what. I've sent an owl to Sue about meeting the two of them later this week, to talk more about how they can contribute.

Also, my training with Professor Dolohov continues well. I spend Thursday mornings with him, what, and he's invited me to lunch with him once or twice. I say, we've not been to his home as much as I expected, what, but perhaps Cedric has better access there. I'm sure I shall be able to regularly visit the Headmaster's Office once we return to school, however. Last Thursday our topic of conversation turned to next year's course of study, what, and I had a few choice offers to make on the subject of my abject willingness to provide all the services to Mr Finnigan and Miss Patil that I made available last term. If he has not already made his choices about Head Boy and Head Girl, perhaps I've helped sway him against them with my affable assessment of the way they allowed me to do all their homework for them. I say, one hopes it wasn't too late, what, but I didn't want to force the discussion too quickly, if you follow me.

As for my internship, I believe that's going jolly well, indeed. It's a bit boring, what, but I daresay I've made contacts in a number of departments. And I believe it's paying off other dividends.

I say, they've set me to copying many of the owls that Mr Pontner or Mr Helpmann have to send, which has proven quite educational. I did come across one interesting footnote in such a letter: Mr Pontner was writing to someone named Commander Marbury and the address was the HMS Argyll, Stanley, East Falklands, South Argentine Sea. The letter thanked Commander Marbury for his report on His Royal Majesty in Exile, King George VII (I say, I believe that must be the name Prince Andrew took). I made an extra copy of a section near the end for you:

Mr Pontner told Commander Marbury to continue his surveillance. But near the end, he assured the Commander that 'we cannot at this time or any other acknowledge, endorse or accredit the Usurper's claim to a throne to which he is not rightful heir. Even were the Lord Protector not in possession of those rights, privileges and entitlements which had hitherto been demanded by the Usurper's brother, the principle of primogeniture, which forms the basis of the Usurper's claim to that throne, dictates that the Usurper cannot be his brother's heir so long as another exists in the direct line of succession.'

I say. 'Direct line of succession.' That must mean that Prince William is definitely still alive since Harry saw him. But more to the point, I believe Pontner knows something more about his whereabouts.

-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