ORDER ONLY: Harry and flying and life

[alt_hermione]

Well things are all right here. I actually have less and less to do because the Lord Protector won't have anyone along with him with Harry sometimes. He takes him off and I don't quite know where. Harry says that he follows him around like a lapdog. Harry follows the Lord Protector around that is. And sometimes someone says something nice to him, and sometimes they talk over him like he isn't there.

He isn't happy at all but he doesn't seem to be taking it out on me, in fact quite the opposite, he's been ever so kind. I suppose he knows it's kind to let me help him revise. He says that he has to revise because otherwise his Father (he always capitalises it like that, I don't know why, when he writes it and even when he says it I think) will be upset with him. And because the Finnigan boy is having a tutor and I think he's afraid of doing worse than him. Harry is afraid of doing worse than the Finnigan boy I mean. Only most of the time he doesn't do very well, he just sort of trails off. We usually end up talking about Quidditch. Which isn't much fun for me except that he gave me some Quidditch strategy books and told me to quiz him on them so he'd do better.

Anyway then sometimes he just trails off and we do normal things, it's almost like having a friend, only then we go into dinner and I have to stand behind him again and keep my eyes down and I remember that I'm a Mudblood. And the other day someone said something about me looking terribly healthy and that I must be very obedient that he didn't have to beat me. So today when I was straightening up his room I moved a big heavy vase and I dropped it on my hand on purpose. It broke and I cut myself a little and Harry fixed it when he came back, it's only a little bulgy on one side now, but I told him not to fix my hand. I made sure people saw it too, I waved it around, maybe I did a bit too much because I did get told off then for being a complainer by one of the house-elves, and then I had to stop.

I'm glad that Harry is getting to go to Finnigan's because it has to be boring for him with just a Mudblood girl to keep him company, I know it's boring for me with only him, he's not really great fun even if he is a nice master all things considered lately. I suppose I'll come too but it will be worse than ever to be a Mudblood because I don't imagine I'll get to play anything or do anything except stand there and carry his broom and things. He's ever so excited but he says that the one good thing about summer is that he doesn't have to write in his journal if he doesn't want to and he wants to go play Quidditch, only then he got called away. I suppose the Lord Protector is having a party and wants to trot him out like usual. So he won't get to go play Quidditch after all.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Well, I'm glad you seem to be getting on all right, kiddo. Except next time, don't cut your own hand! Try faking a limp. Just be sure and remember which leg you're using for the bad one!

If you can possibly figure out what Voldemort's trying to teach Harry, let us know. But be careful! Don't put yourself at risk just for a little information. See if you can get it out of Harry.

I'd say something about accompanying Harry to Rosier's, but I'm afraid it wouldn't be very civil to anyone there.

[alt_hermione]

Oh good idea!!! If I always use my right leg I'll always know, won't I? And then I can switch off sometimes maybe. It'll be ever so much easier than hurting myself actually, and Harry won't mind nearly so much, he was rather bothered not to fix my hand, although I don't think he could have done a very good job of it anyway.

I will, I'm sure he'll tell me.

[alt_sirius]

Well, I'm good at ways to dissemble.

Here's a little something to help your boredom: What can you tell us about being inside Buckingham? Who do you see there - young Barty, my brother Reg, cousin Bella - who comes and goes? I don't expect they'll talk much in front of you, but do you hear anything interesting?

What else about the house-elves? What's their take on things - they may tell you not to complain, but you can bet they grumble enough on their own (ours always did, anyway).

[alt_arthur]

Sirius is right, that would be very useful information, but do be careful, Hermione. It's true that most people ignore the servants, but I'm sure security is quite tight at Buckingham since the LP is there, and you don't want to attract the wrong sort of attention.

[alt_sirius]

Obviously, yeah, be careful. Best to blend into the wallpaper, if you can. Just like getting information about Harry - under no circumstances risk your own safety.

Bad enough you're in the situation at all. Worse luck if you were to be harmed trying to take care of our spying.

[alt_frank]

does sound boring, for both of you.

glad you have a bit of company, though, and good on him for giving you books.

Order Only

[alt_poppy]

Miss Granger, you don't mention the second year subject texts that we disguised with new covers for you. Mr Marvolo hasn't discovered them or forbidden you to read them, has he? It sounds as though you might have some time in which to read whilst he is off with the Lord Protector, or have I misunderstood what you say here? Have the house elves been set to watch you?