Justin Finch-Fletchley

Hello,

I say, I was just thinking of seeing if you're interested in a walk this afternoon. Then I realised that I used to know your timetable as well as my own, what, and yet I can't recall at present whether you've any lessons or not.

But it does seem a shame to waste so beautiful a day. Headmaster Dolohov is off to his lesson in about half an hour and I'll be heading to the lake, if you're free to join me.

-J

I came back to the Hospital Wing early this morning but the Healer on duty wouldn't let me in to see you.

Are--that is, do you even want to see me?

It's entirely my fault. I'll swear to it if--if that's what's needed.

I.... I thought you said you couldn't be


The thing is, I had to tell the Headmaster about us. Last night. He was going on about how irresponsible we'd been and I--I don't know why I thought it would help--I told him it wasn't as scandalous as he thought because we're already married.

I'm such a dashed idiot


Did the Healer last night--the kind one, I don't know her name--did she--tell you anything, after she made me go?



Oh, dash it.


I've so much I want to say and do and I'm afraid nothing I choose will be the right thing.

Daphs,

I say, smashing job convincing the Swangrove twins to leave Tatterson alone. Sue and Ernie mentioned their suspicion that someone had been harassing her, but Sue hadn't been able to get the girl to admit there was anything amiss. I hope they were well contrite about it, what. More to the point, I bally well hope they've learned not to cross you again.

Listen, sorry to disturb, but I wonder if you've ever heard your sister Astoria indicate she might fancy any of the chaps in the year below ours? Archer or Cuthbert, or anyone? Smith thought she might have already gone out with a few Cuthbert but he wasn't certain.

Oh, by the way, have you been cleared for the duelling salle? I've discovered a jolly intriguing setting on one of the pells that makes training on them much more effective. I thought I might show the lot of the 'Juniors' who are cleared. I say, I'm well certain Professor Dolohov meant it to only be available to advanced duellists but I daresay you, Sally-Anne and Sue would benefit from it.

-Justin

Hallo, chaps,

Welcome to the Order. I say, I meant to have another drink with you both before Mrs Longbottom had you join properly. So sorry, this week simply--got away from me, what.

I wanted to tell you both in person; you'll have loads to read and quite a number of discoveries to make behind the lock. But there's one I'd rather you not learn by reading posts from years ago. I'd bally well hoped to be the one to tell you that I'm actually Muggleborn. I mean to say, my mother and father are not actually Squibs, if you follow me.

I'm jolly well glad you've joined up, lads. I do wish we'd been able to manage it while you were still at school, though, as we're headed back up on Monday. Speaking of that, Summers has told me he's bally well going to get an O in his Charms N.E.W.T. if it kills him; Ernie wrote me rather put out that Moon was chosen over him; and Smith is--well, Smith. So you can see, they all still have their priorities quite straight. I say, I'd have looked forward to returning more if you two were back in the sett with me, especially now, knowing the truth. But you'll find working for the Order makes even the dullest tasks jolly interesting at times, and worth the trial the rest of the time. (My summer internship was about as exciting as watching billywigs nest, what, but one managed to find ways to pass the time and to discover items of use to the Order.)

I say, fancy that round of drinks sometime on Sunday? We could meet round at Ron Weasley's and my flat or at Pansy Parkinson's house and you can ask any questions you like. As I say, it's dashed easy to become overwhelmed by all the information you now have, what, but there are almost more of us younger folk now than the older set, and we've all come to it at varying speeds. Best advice is to pace yourself. Oh, and Sally-Anne Perks advises not to read in bed, what, as you'll just lose valuable sleep, turning pages and pages!

Let me know if you want to meet up before the rest of us go back. And welcome again!

-Finch-Fletchley

Dux,

How are you? Have you noticed anything different since Wednesday night?

I think that 'standard pureblood binding package' that chap recommended has affected a few things.

The wards on the flat became--bally well unreliable, what. And then this morning, at the Ouroboros, things felt quite different. I say, some of the spells one has to cast to get through that course...! There's a section where all the spells are somewhat murky in nature (or what Professor Dolohov would call 'noble.') I came all over warm inside, what, almost like I'd had a sip of jolly good Scotch or a rich brandy. Others were...more powerful than usual.

The thing is, have you ever been to Ouroboros? Visitors have to perform a spell to be recorded, what. A sort of magical identity test or password. Luckily I'd never been but if you have done, with one or both of your parents, the spell might register somewhat differently now.

Of course, I suppose now that you've the Mark you're eligible for a full membership in your own right, what, so perhaps that doesn't matter.

At any rate, I thought right away that the flat warding might have been because of the binding spells, but of course I didn't want Ron to know there was a possibility. I let him think it was the landlord casting a dodgy spell. But then when I got to the club this morning I was certain that's what's been affecting me. What else could it be?

Also, Professor Dolohov has invited me to spend Thursday mornings this summer, training. I know his house has wards similar to our flat's, only more exacting, so I've decided I'd better find spells that can tamper with one's magical signature, if you follow me. That way if he makes any sort of comment I shall be prepared.

I don't know if you've had any incidents but in case, I wanted you to be prepared, too.

Oh, and what's more, I'm sleeping soundly for the first time in ages--and I don't think it's all because of Jack.

I do miss you but...it feels like I can feel you, if you follow me. I hope I don't sound jolly well soppy, putting it like that. I hope you've felt the same because, if you have done, then you really can't be completely alone. You'll know I'm always there with you.

I'll never stop loving you, no matter what people tell us is right or proper. And knowing that we have this, that we share this bond--I feel certain we can do whatever we need to do to win.

I love you, Mrs Finch-Fletchley.

-J

Ron,

I say, best wishes tomorrow on your retest! I'm sure you'll ace it this time round, what.

I stayed at Grimmauld again last night. Sirius and I talked more about my plans for the summer. I've written to Mr Pontner to confirm that I do want to go back to the Ministry and I've already informed the Jugsons I'll be moving out. I wanted to talk to Sirius about how he made arrangements when he was younger, what, although he pointed out that he got his first flat before he was even of age.

In any case, we talked about my living at Grimmauld most of the time but agreed I shall need an official address, and I was thinking.... What would you say to being flatmates?

I'll be able to pay most of the rent, what, out of my monthly allotment, so you'd only have your own expenses. And those might well be covered by the stipend. I thought, if you're serving with the Aurors, you shan't want to Floo or Apparate all the way to Ottery St Catchpole every day. Staying somewhere in New London would be loads more convenient, what. Besides, if I spend most of my evenings at Grimmauld, then you and Sally-Anne would have the run of the flat, if you follow me. I mean to say, she'll likely be staying with Pansy but you might want more privacy than either Pansy's or your mother's could afford.

And that way, the flat will be occupied most nights, in case anyone from the Ministry comes looking.

I say, you're not allergic to cats, are you? Only Hydra had Draco bring me our cat so her brother wouldn't claim him for his own, what, and he'll have to come along wherever I move. (I had him with me at Grimmauld last night. Ordinarily he helps me sleep, what, but last night I think he was bally well irritated that we'd introduced him to two new environments in a day. Unfortunately he expressed his displeasure by means of spraying one corner of my dresser, what! But that's not normal for him.)

Think about it, old man. If you decide you don't want to leave the Burrow, I say, that's perfectly understandable.

I'm off to Saltash again. I was there for a few hours this morning, came back to Moddey for lunch and I'll likely stay until supper, what, or even later if it's needed.

-Justin

Lads,

As you know, I've been spending mornings and evenings both with Professor Dolohov. The restrictions on my movement at school have made it jolly difficult to seek either of you out to explain more fully what happened between me and your cousin, so of course, no one could expect you to have any privileged information from me, and I've been unable to talk to you about the fallout which was inevitable. Consequently, I'm sure you didn't know that several publications contacted me to ask for my story, which of course, I declined, as any gentlewizard would do.

Nonetheless, I heard that yesterday's new issue of Posh features an article that directly addressed the circumstances leading to Hydra's announcement on Monday. Professor Dolohov received his copy and kindly allowed me to read it. Luckily, he believed me when I told him that I bally well had nothing to do with authorising anything to be put on the record.

Of course, as I said, I haven't had the opportunity to ask you if you know who might have spoken out of turn in order to contribute the statements made by the 'unnamed close friend' of mine mentioned many times as their source. I say, I don't need to know who it was and I don't wish to know. What I do want to do is to get a message to that person, which is that it was decidedly a dashed foolish, misguided thing to do.

I'm absolutely certain that whomever spoke to the author well believed it would be helpful to present the story as if Hydra and I have been ill-used. I'm certain that the source thought he--or she, what--was taking up the cause on my behalf and staving off any accusations that I took advantage of the daughter of two Council members. (At least, it's preferable to the alternative, which is that someone spoke out to deliberately capitalise on our misfortune, what.)

If you've heard any of the gossip on the train today, you'll agree that whatever the intention, the result twists our situation to make it seem as if Auror Lestrange is some sort of harridan and we are star-crossed lovers out of Romeo & Juliet. Which is certainly not the case, as you well know. It's a highly disrespectful interpretation of the situation, inviting speculation when it was our hope to put the matter to rest quickly, quietly, and with a minimum of fuss.

Moreover, I'm very concerned because the magazine's source talks about details of the Lestrange family dynamics which, whether true or not, should have remained private matters. If Auror Lestrange were to decide to find the person who said that she looks down on the rest of her family as if they were the scrapings off her shoe--and that this same disdain is trained upon any potential suitor for her daughter other than Marvolo--I fear she could locate him or her easily, and would not be willing to listen to any argument in that person's defence.

I couldn't possibly comment on who might be privy to the intimate history of the Black, Lestrange, Malfoy, Jugson, Pennifold or any other connected clans in your august and complicated family trees. But I strongly suspect that she might have ideas in that direction. I say, I would not wish her to feel her honour has been impugned by anyone close to me.

It's not that I don't appreciate an attempt at support, what. I merely worry that some well-meaning person waded into what could have been a simple case of two young people moving on in their lives and has fed the press a likely suspicion that there is more under the surface than might otherwise have deserved notice.

If you happen to know who might have provided any of the statements, I say, perhaps you could remind those persons that they had best make it the last time they attest to it. And absolutely the last time that they have anything to say on the subject.

I'd have sought you out to discuss this in person only, I think it's best that I remain separate for now. And you know I'm not coming back with you this evening, as well? I've been invited to stay with Ron Weasley for a day or two and by then I should be able to talk with your father about moving out on my own in time for the summer holidays. I'll miss you both but I think it's for the best, what.

Your affectionate foster-brother,

-Justin

Dux,

I've muffed it. I've bally well done it for us both, love.

Montague rousted Professor Slughorn out of bed, if you believe it, with some utter rubbish about how the honour of House Slytherin was besmirched.

I've a detention, of course. But if that weren't dashed well enough, Professor Slughorn hinted he might have to write your father.

I say, Montague might have thought about that when he decided to use me as his target. I'm jolly well not at fussed about the detention, what, it's the idea of what your father might do when he hears we've ignored his terms.

At least Professor Slughorn didn't seem to know about the ring. I say, I'm not dashed sure if that would have made things better or worse. I didn't wish to call it to his attention, though.

I'm sorry, sweetheart. On reflection I probably ought to have stayed instead of going back to my own dormitory. I don't doubt Professor Slughorn would not have been pleased to stake out the dungeons for nothing, what!

Blast and dash it. I wonder if we could convince him not to say anything.

-J

Ron, Sally-Anne,

I thought it best to put this under more than just the Order lock. But no one's said anything for a while.

How long do you think we ought to wait? I think perhaps we should see if things are resolved by morning and then we could talk at breakfast?

I'll be up watching for a while, with Hydra, what. I'm sure you will be, too.

Sally-Anne, can you tell Hermione? She can tell Harry and Draco.

-Justin

Hullo,

Sorry to disturb, but Hydra and I were wondering if perhaps you two might like to, er, double-date, what. Sometime.

I say, the thing is that we're meant to see each other with chaperones, if you follow me. But we thought perhaps you two wouldn't mind, seeing as--well. Seeing as you'd want to be alone just as much as we do.

Unless I'm much mistaken, in which case, we'll think of an alternative. It's no trouble.

-F-F