No, it's all right. I think in retrospect I bally well was inventing reasons to be upset, or bally well frightened or...whatever this was.

I shan't let it worry me, what?

And not that it makes a great deal of difference to me, Dux, but as it happens I was raised--well, Church of England, ironically enough. Which wasn't all that easy, in Dijon, but there was a congregation and we went now and then. There's no such thing as a 'French religion,' Dux. Some of them are Catholic and some Protestant. A growing number are Muslim. It's all down to one's family background. So in that sense, yes, it's like the Patils. But as for the witch hunts...well, that was also a very different age, wasn't it? I don't know. I like to believe there's something out there, but doing magic does make that difficult. Do people think Christ was just a particularly talented wizard, then? I've never asked. I haven't really dared, actually.

As for the Dark Arts--I suppose we'd best start calling them the Arts, what, without the 'Dark' as he doesn't--yes. They are seductive. Professor Dolohov said something about it being a misconception to think that they'll automatically corrupt. But I'm not so sure.

Not Occlumency, I don't think. But things like casting a curse when having a conversation would do...I don't fancy the idea that the Arts make it so much easier to take--short cuts, I suppose one might call them.

But. As we've said already, I don't think there's any particular help for it. So one might as well make the best of it.

I love you very much, Dux.

Sweet dreams,

-J

Potion's simmering; I can risk checking over my journal as Professor Slughorn's reading, as well.

I feel better this morning, truly.

That makes sense, I suppose, about Jesus. And yes, I know there are some wizards who follow pagan gods. There are Muggles who do, too, you know. I just--didn't wish to disappoint you by revealing that I do consider myself a Christian, more or less. Not much of one, I expect. I mean to say, I've not been to church in ages, probably over three years, but his mentioning God so freely surprised me. And if we were ever to be married It just got me to wondering how many others are quietly Christian but daren't say anything. Also, I shouldn't like you to think less of me for believing in God. Don't fret, I'm not going to advocate any burning at the stake, what! (I say, other kinds of burning bring us back to that bally awful book, don't they?)

It's true, one needn't use the Arts unless one must. Professor Dolohov said something well similar. He said: 'Do you think that possessing a tool means you are obliged to use it in all situations, no matter how suitable the tool is or isn't?' And I said, 'No. But if one means never to use a tool, why own it?' Well, he simply changed his tactic then, so I could tell I'd won that round, what.

I suppose what worries me is that I'll find I rather like using

Time to stir and add porcupine quills. Shall we take lunch outside? And then I'll walk you to your Charms lesson.

-J