alt_justin | Entries tagged with england

I was recently reminded that there are multiple sides to every story. Nowhere is that more evident than this morning's Prophet, in which Miss Baddock gave a rather redacted account of her ordeal at Hogwarts.

Miss Baddock, rest assured that at least among your fellow students who are also members of the Order of the Phoenix, we have every possible sympathy for the trauma you suffered. I can also assure you that at least three of us who would have been ordered to kill our schoolmates--myself, Hydra, and Ron--had absolutely no intention to do so. In fact, Hydra and I were the ones who recovered everyone's wands and armed the students so they could protect themselves and escape. I'm dreadfully sorry that so many were unable to reach safety.

But that order, when it came, was not from Harry, but Voldemort in Harry's form. The ones who followed it were not members of the Order, but Councilwizards and servants of the Ministry.

I know that many of you who knew me at school may well doubt me. You recall someone who dogged Professor Dolohov's heels, who was perhaps cold or standoffish. I say, I regret that my work for the Order required me at times to behave in a way which is somewhat contrary to my nature.

Perhaps it would help to back up a few steps and remind everyone of the reasons I remained in the Protectorate when the rest of the Beauxbatons delegation returned to France. Most people attributed my decision to my infatuation with Hydra Lestrange. That was and remains undeniably true: I did base a great deal of my decision on an unwillingness to part with her. The other reason I gave my teachers, the Ministry and other sponsors of my transfer of citizenship was also true, only not in the way they were given to think. I said in my letter of intent (nearly three years ago): 'I look forward to realising the rights, privileges and duties incumbent on all Citizens to ensure our future by securing our present.'

I already knew at that time that I was including all citizens, Muggle, Squib, Muggleborn, Halfblood and Pureblood.

I already was acquainted with members of the Order of the Phoenix, actually before I ever even began school at Beauxbatons. When I came here for the Quidditch World Cup, I was already thinking of ways to aid their cause.

When I met Hydra, I say, I fancied her nearly from the first, before I even knew who her parents were. When I found out, I tried to tell myself how foolish it was to pursue her. Only, by then, I'd begun to learn who she was, and to see that she bore very, very little in common with her parents. Gradually, we grew closer, and the closer we grew, the more I could not imagine any course but remaining to be near to her.

Anyone who is familiar with the Lestranges must understand that they had quite specific expectations of their daughter. Often these were not only in conflict with what she wanted for her own life, they actually contradicted each other, and even sometimes their own previous instruction. Hydra is one of the most capable, bravest, strongest persons I know, precisely because she grew up learning to navigate her parents' particular brands of abuse, treachery, mixed signals and utter disregard for her own ambitions. She's done so well that I don't think there's anyone on earth who can intimidate, bully, or even unsettle her. I pity anyone who tries to cross her.

We tried concealing our regard for one another; that didn't work. We tried separating; that made us miserable. We tried carrying on in secret; that didn't work. Finally we decided that it was pointless and harmful to ourselves to deny our feelings. Even though she was attempting to gain Riddle's notice as a Councilwitch, we remained committed to each other. We told no one outside our circle of friends, most of whom were in the Order along with us and understood completely. We'd all seen how Riddle treated others in his circle when it came to matters of the heart and neither of us were interested in becoming puppets for his amusement. The very same day she was given the Dark Mark, she and I eloped.

I'm ever so proud, pleased and humbled to call Hydra Finch-Fletchley my wife.

Since antiquity, tribal and societal elders have been revered for their experience and wisdom. In some cultures, the eldest members were deemed to be possessed of special capacities, having survived the ravages of disease, injury and other hardships which befell other, less fortunate souls among their number. In the society of wizards, survival to extreme old age is more common, but no less to be respected.

Furthermore, the role of parent is often regarded as both a privilege and a sign of prosperity, especially when magical parents succeed in producing magical offspring. This is of particular importance in closed societies, such as the Protectorate, where the population must be constantly replenished in order to ensure the livelihood and prevalence of future generations. It is essential that the magical population grow in size or at least remain constant, lest the far greater numbers of muggles in Protectorate care should attempt to overthrow their minority rulers. Thus, the prowess and status of large magical families has been judged by Ministerial programmes as a desirable condition, to be rewarded as appropriate.

However, not all magical children are lucky enough to be born into such propitious circumstances. A child may not choose his parents and thus ought not to be punished for his birth; yet not all birthrights are equal in the eyes of the law. In the case of halfblood children whose parents miscalculated in their choice of partner, it is the solemn duty of society to ensure that their education be conducted in a proper manner. For many, that obligation requires that the child be placed in the home of one of those families whose lineage is impeccable, in order to ensure that a proper value system may be instilled in their charges.

This concept is at the core of demanding filial obedience to the sovereignty of one’s parent or foster-parent, who must in those cases supplant the importance of the birth parents for the purpose of inculcating all the Protectorate’s best philosophies into the minds and hearts of their young wards. One’s foster-parents are chosen out of all the families in the Protectorate to have the most efficacious, wisest advice for those in their care. Indeed, by placing halfbloods in their homes, the Protectorate itself has indicated the trust and reverence which ought to be accorded them.

From the simplest needs, such as food, clothing and shelter, to the more complex and confusing realm of such diverse topics as marriage, financial management and career choice, a foster-parent is bound by honour to act in interest of the child. The child, it therefore follows, must endeavour to behave with full faith and credit to his guardian. As in the tribal societies of old, one must accept that one’s elders, who have been given the right to direct one’s path, recognise through experience and wisdom what the child may not yet fully understand.

In the best of these situations, the relationships that emerge are marked by deep bonds of shared affection and sincere gratitude, creating a mutually beneficent association that shall endure long beyond the moment when the ward is judged ready to assume full responsibility for his own affairs. One hopes that all those in fostering shall enjoy not only the favours of their guardians’ attention while growing, but a transition to adulthood that denotes mutual respect, so that they may pass into society as true heirs to its glory.

What ho, all,

How did the first day of exams go? I've finished two of the essays Professor Froissart set for us but I've still four more to complete. Don't suppose it matters much but I expect the professors here might want them to determine where I've need of additional tutoring.

I heard from Mr Rosier that they'll arrange for the paperwork to move my mother to Kenya. (I remembered that she's got a friend there, sort of an unrelated aunt of mine, if you follow me. They went to school together. If she goes there at least she'll be able to look someone up, what. I'm sending her an owl to explain everything and tell her why and all that. She'll understand.) And I'd asked Inglebee in Ravenclaw to have his father look over the other information, including the Gringott's paperwork, as he's a solicitor. And he wrote back today as well, saying it's all quite sound. So. I guess that means I'm staying.

I haven't worked out when to tell the others, particularly JP. Perhaps the Headmistress will take care of that. Or if nothing else, it'll become obvious when they leave and I don't, what?

But I suppose I bally well ought to tell Jean-Pierre and soon. It'll be a wrench for him, rather. I say, Luna, this means we'll be trying for the CCF together, in the same cohort. Which is good, as I'm not entirely certain I shall have much of a summer, otherwise!

Hullo, you.

I've been thinking about the guest list for tea on Saturday. I say, do you think we ought to invite Marvolo? I'm not sure if Pansy plans to come or if she'll bring Malfoy along, though they'd be welcome. But it occurred to me that if Marvolo were to come, perhaps he could bring Hermione Granger as well. No one else I've invited would have the slightest objection to including her, what.

But perhaps the invitation would look better coming from you? I mean to say, you could send him a PM and your mother might see that you're socialising with him, if you follow me.

Thought it might do just as well if I sent it, from the point of view of certain other quarters. I'm not sure. What do you think?

-Justin

Hullo again,

I say, it's been quite a long couple of weeks, what, with Terry's and Sally-Anne's difficulties.

There's something I've been wanting to tell you all but we've all been preoccupied with their more pressing problems. But now that they're both able to monitor their journals again--well, I mean to say, I had best get this in before something else happens, what!

So, I'm not sure whether any of you who were there realised it but at that camp in Newcastle, while the rest of you went to see the herb garden, a camp official called my name and told me to come with him. I didn't see much choice and it certainly wasn't worth a panic, not to mention that had I looked guilty or tried to signal any of you or done anything else well odd, I'm sure he might have thought something was amiss and chosen to scrutinise me further. Hydra says she saw that I was well frightened but that it looked more or less the way anyone would do when one can't imagine why one's in trouble--sort of like the look people got in Cambridge when the Proctors told them they weren't meant to walk on the grass, what?

Well, anyway, as I said, this bloke asked me if I were Justin Finch-Fletchley and of course I bally well said that I was, and then he said that I was to come with him, so I did. And he led me into the large house they told us were their administrative offices. I was getting more and more nervous, I can tell you! But when I managed to ask him whatever could be the matter he just said, 'Don't know, do I? Someone wants to meet you,' and then grumbled a bit about being put off the schedule for the morning. He took me to a rather nice little study overlooking the lawn. Mr Rosier was there--Finnigan's guardian, what--and he invited me to sit down and then he asked had I given any thought to staying in England at the end of the year.

I say, of course I have done, what! But I tried to stay calm and listened to what he had to say about it. It was difficult to tell if he knew anything; I don't think he did, really, because at one point he tried to make it sound as if I could escape Toubon and the others by declaring right away and getting Sorted so that I'd no longer be considered a Beauxbatons student. I suppose he didn't consider that one would still have to see them in the corridors or that they are sharing Ravenclaw Tower to be much of an impediment, what?

But he didn't say anything that even remotely sounded like a threat. And he did offer tea but I said no, thank you, I was quite content, so that I wouldn't become tempted to tell him things I might not have done otherwise. I don't think it was his own idea to talk to me, though: I think that someone else at the Ministry believes it would be a coup for them to gain a defector out of the Beauxbatons delegation. They asked Mr Rosier to come because of Seamus and in his new job I suppose it's rather under his jurisdiction.

I didn't ask just then about my mother. I didn't wish to give them any reason to look into her any more than the French have done. Besides, he mentioned going into fostering so I doubt they'd want her to come to England--which jolly well suits me since I'd want her to leave France altogether, what? And go to Canada or America or somewhere it'll be much harder for them to decide they do want her hostage against my good behaviour.

Because that's the pill among the sugar, isn't it? The reason they want me to stay is to show everyone how brilliant life is here and declare myself a bally old convert to the Protectorate's way of life. So if I were to stay, I expect I'd have some responsibilities to uphold and of course, while Mr Rosier didn't say anything of the kind, it stands to reason that if I displeased the Ministry, there could be repercussions, what?

But if no one's thought already of holding her then perhaps I could say that as a condition of my remaining, I want to make sure no one in France can retaliate against her, and that I want confirmation she's been able to go somewhere else to live. I think she has an aunt in America; perhaps she can go and live with her and then she'll be safe. That would give them something they want while making sure I've got something I want without necessarily making them realise their mistake.

He said that there were a number of details we'd have to work out, such as where I'd be fostered (but he implied that it'd be with a well-to-do family, what) and I don't know about the YPL or anything, I didn't ask. He also didn't say I had to give an answer straightaway, that I should take all the time I needed, but of course, it should be decided before the end of the term.

So. I thought we should all have a think about what else I might want to ask for by way of assurances, before I give an answer. Or what else there is to think about. I've a list and it's growing longer but I know you lot will jolly well have questions I can't think of and wouldn't necessarily know to ask.

What's Hufflepuff like? I mean to say, I've barely spent any time with Smith, MacMillan, Hopkins and Stebbins. (Isn't there another one in the 4^th? Oh, Summers.) I say, we'd be rather cramped, what?

-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

Hallo.

I'm sorry I was probably a bit preoccupied today, what? I did want to hear all about what happened at your cousin's--see, I did hear you when you corrected me this morning!--and it's jolly wonderful that your mother couldn't get anywhere trying to read your mind.

I just...a friend of mine isn't having a good time of it, lately, and there's ~~nothing~~ little one can do to help. So that was distracting me, what? And then on top of feeling bally well guilty about that--getting called away from everyone else, in the middle of the camp, no less--well, it startled me quite a bit, I can tell you!

I say, I suppose it's not very surprising that someone thought to make an offer. I hadn't expected it to be Mr Rosier, what? And not there, certainly, or in that way. Probably he didn't intend to frighten me first--or perhaps he did, hoping that I'd be so relieved I'd say 'Yes,' on the spot. It's quite the offer, of course. Loads to think about.

But I say, not a decision to make lightly, or on impulse.

So, I.... I'd like to discuss it with you more, but not with Finnigan sticking to us, on his guardian's orders. It's none of his business, what? Even if he was rather distracted himself.

~~There are things you don't~~ I've got to be sure, first. Do you really think you can keep her from seeing anything?

-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

What ho, all,

I thought March was supposed to be a better month than February, what? But it seems everyone's well upset about something.

Hydra's upset because of something she saw and because Harry's upset that she saw it. Harry's upset (so I hear) because he's got to punish Hermione--I'm dreadfully sorry, Hermione. I expect you're well upset about being punished when you've done nothing wrong, and quite right, too. And Pansy, Hydra said she thinks you're upset because Draco's upset, what? So I'm upset because Hydra's upset, and because other friends of mine are upset, in the bargain.

If it's all the same, could one simply skip ahead to April? That ought to be better, oughtn't it?

Oh, but bother. April's when we're going on that bally old tour and one shall have to keep up a proper façade of being jolly well impressed with every monument they flash before us, what?

~~And it'll be one month closer to~~ Oh, dash it. This place is simply mad.

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

I say, snowball fights are jolly good fun, what?

Harry, old chap, have they given you any sort of clue yet what the first challenge is to be? I can't believe it's only in a week. Delacour's been reading up on all sorts of technique but I've not seen you about the library much. (Then again, one doesn't see you about the library much, what?)

Hydra, Draco: thanks for the advice, the other day. Most appreciated.

Oh, and Luna, I think I found one of your missing shoes. Someone had stuffed it into a trophy in the trophy room, can you imagine? I saw the toe peeking out when we were being shown some of the school's prizes.

Sally-Anne, I've been meaning to tell you I had great fun playing cards with you last week. Thanks, again, Ron, for organising the get-together. It does become quite difficult, doesn't it, to find time for fun outside of lessons and homework. I say, today's outing was nearly the first time I've lifted my head out of books in the last two weeks!

Hello, everyone!

I can't believe we're coming to Hogwarts tomorrow! We've been all a-bustle here, I can tell you, what. Packing and saying good-byes and so on.

It's well exciting, rather!

We've got the most impressive transport I've ever seen, as well. Only we're supposed to leave it a surprise for all of you.

I suppose everyone's quite relieved that there've been several arrests this month. P Froissart told all of us who are coming last night that he had a meeting with our Minister and some people at your Ministry and he wanted everyone to know especially that Hogwarts is about as protected as one can get, plus there'll be a few people round about all year. I've heard a couple older students saying that they weren't sure it was all that wonderful, getting to come, when that Dogstar group and some of the others have been making things so difficult. But it sounds as if your Ministry has things well in hand. And they didn't really kill Auror Crouch. I say, it seems awfully clever to have sent one of their own back to them looking like him, so the traitor would be killed in his place, what?

At any rate, I've still some packing to do and - can you believe this? - they're making us turn in all sorts of assignments before we leave, so I ought to finish up a few essays this afternoon. And then JP and I felt like taking a ramble about the bally old place, but I shall keep my book with me, just in case!

I say, I'm not sure I shall sleep tonight, what!

Dear Draco and Sally-Anne,

I was wondering, do either of you know what happened to Sirius Black's remains? The ones you all went and saw on display?

Only because he hid in France for so long, do you see, and I thought if they were preserved somewhere P Froissart might take us to see.

I mean, I know everyone's talking about him really being alive, but that's a lie, of course, and the real one couldn't have had a proper burial, right, not after all he'd done?

I say, I realise it's frightfully morbid to ask about it but I'd be interested to know, at any rate.

Sincerely,

Justin

Hullo, everyone,

Wonderful news! They posted the lists this morning.

I get to come back to England!

It's going to be brilliant. My roommate's coming, too. I think he and Sally-Anne will get on as they've both got hyphenated names, what?

There will be 25 of us, but only a total of four from our year--Jean-Pierre and I and two girls: Hélène Didier and Véronique Fontaine. Of course, most of the students who were picked to come are well older. There are ten coming who are in their final year already and only three third-years. Sorry, Hydra, there aren't more your age, but I do think you'll get on jolly well with at least one or two of the third-years who are coming.

But then, they've told us that we'll actually be living nearer to Ravenclaw's dormitories, so perhaps you shan't see very much of them. I suppose it depends on lessons, what?

At any rate, I couldn't wait to tell everyone! I knew they'd be posting today so I got my journal out last night to get caught up. And to make sure I had it this morning so I could tell you whether I were coming or not. It looks like people are really very busy lately!

But soon I shall be there with you all. I cannot wait to see all my new friends again.

-Justin

Hello, all my new friends,

I've arrived at Beauxbatons - where our Headmistress just made the most amazingly SNITCH announcement!

Have you already heard as well?

I think I might be coming back to England this year, after all!

(Draco, mate, if this is what you meant earlier, then I owe you an apology. It's definitely superior!)

I just wanted everyone to know that I'm back in France, and quite safe. I've been hearing very grave reports - Draco, I surely hope your father will be on the mend soon. And anyone else who was injured.

Also, I suppose many of you are starting at school today, so bonchances to you all!

As for what happened to me, well, the French delegations were all checked by your Healers and some of them had some minor cuts and bruises but mostly the protections, as I'm sure you all know, worked smashingly well. (I'm not sure my mother quite agrees; in her opinion no bomb should have gone off in the first place!)

So as soon as we were all pronounced healthy, Professor Froissart and M Froissart said their farewells, as Mr Malfoy is her brother, you know, and naturally she wanted to stay to be with the family. But P Froissart had to get me home as soon as possible, they decided. Which is a shame - I mean, I was meant to go home afterward anyway, but I'd hoped there would be some celebrations. It's too bad that all had to get ruined and so many people were hurt.

Apart from that rather horrible ending, of course, I really did enjoy my time in England. I don't know if I'll get to come back, now, though. I mean, if there's ever another opportunity. I'll have a job convincing my mother that it's ordinarily very peaceful.

Only we've heard the news and someone said that it's all been revealed to be the work of Sirius Black?! ~~Is that even~~ How can that be? We heard he'd been caught here in France ages ago, and people told me while I was visiting that everyone viewed his remains. ~~Blimey~~ Merlin, I should think he's even more dangerous than anyone realised if he could pull off a switch that fooled everyone, including the Lord Protector, and he's about as clever a wizard as I've ever heard of!

Ron, Sally-Anne, Blaise, Pansy, Daphne, Harry - it was lovely to meet you all. I was very relieved to see you all posting and know that you're okay. They did let me keep the book, as you see, so let's keep on writing, shall we? I mean, if you've time. Luna, Padma, Michael, anyone else I may have forgot - the invitation stands for you as well. Do tell me how you're getting on this year, and watch out for mad terrorists! I'm sure your duelling club will come up with loads of ways to send them packing, what?

~~Bonsoir! Je m'appelle Justin. J'ai quatorze ans et j'habite en~~

Oh, I say, sorry about that! I forgot that the quill I've brought with me was charmed to write in French. Let's try that again, what?

Hello! My name is Justin. I'm fourteen and I live in France, but really I'm English. It's sort of a long story. I'm a student at Beauxbatons but I've been given this book so I can write about what I'm seeing here. I'm very grateful to be given the opportunity to come see the World Cup in my native home and to see what sort of place the Lord Protector has created for wizards and witches to live in.

I just arrived today, but already everyone I've met is quite pleasant, really. I'd like to thank Draco Malfoy especially for making me feel so welcome. And Professeur and Madame Froissart, of course, for agreeing to chaperon me. And all the Malfoys, truly; they've been such gracious hosts. I hope I meet many more wonderful wizarding folk while I'm visiting.

I say, I hope I'm doing this right. I'm not quite sure how to end it, so: I look forward to the rest of my time in the Protectorate. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Justin Finch-Fletchley