Private Message to Draco Malfoy and Harry Marvolo

[alt_hermione]

Mr Malfoy, I think I found that thing you were looking for.

Comments

[alt_draco]

You really think Bumbridge will make any of us read aloud private messages with Harry's name on them? Well, I suppose one never knows. If that happens we're all done for.

Bit odd how I don't worry about it as much as I used to, though.

Anyway, what have you got?

[alt_hermione]

I'm just being careful.

Five and Six. Well, maybe just Five. But I think it's easier when they're in pairs, that seems to be the secret.

Did Mr Malfoy see you this evening? Oh, and I meant to ask if you and Mrs Malfoy had a good visit on Monday.

[alt_draco]

Always better to be careful.

Six would be good. I wonder what is a plausible number to aim for, for the finalised product. And then there's to think about how to best use them. Not for the mere passing of sweets during class, but something bigger. Might end up having to use them for notes at this rate, especially since Father seems concerned that Bumbridge has even more madness planned.

He was suspicious about how everything's been going her way lately, too - first Dolohov gets ill, then one of the Governors gets sent to the camps. Convenient, yeah? Whether you'd care to believe it or not, he wants her sacked as badly as we do.

There was this sort of sentimental air about him, too, what with the trying to give me an awkward, one-armed hug before we said goodbye. Not typically one for hugs is our Mr Malfoy.

I'm not sure why you're asking after my parents, though. And Mrs Malfoy wasn't at the castle on Monday.

[alt_hermione]

I think it's very suspicious too, but I don't think she had anything to do with Professor Dolohov falling ill. I mean, I could imagine she'd get in horrible trouble if anyone could prove it. But it was probably just that he relapsed.

As for your father wanting to see you, I think it's probably not too surprising because of what happened to the Fleets. That he might be more demonstrative than usual.

But your mother was here Monday. I saw her walking up from the village around mid-day. Maybe she went to see Professor Dolohov in the hospital wing?

[alt_harry]

I think she's just taking advantage. Bum, I mean. Throwing her weight around while everyone else is too busy covering for Professor Dolohov.

[alt_draco]

Yeah, and she weighs a tonne, lucky for us.

[alt_draco]

Bit late for demonstrations now, that's all. Not that it's entirely unappreciated, I guess.

She was -

If she was here, I'm sure she said it was to see Professor Dolohov, but no doubt it was really to check in on loverboy Crouch.

Bloody ugh.

[alt_hermione]

Well, I mean, you've got a father and he may not be good at showing it but he does care about you. And what happens to you. Which is more than some people can say.

Wait.

What?

What do you mean about Auror Crouch?

Auror Crouch and Mrs Malfoy? Really?

[alt_draco]

Look Granger, I love my Father and all, and I do think he did the best he could, since you seem concerned, but he's far from perfect. And let's not forget that his hair would probably fall out if he knew that I was conspiring with you on something magical that...that Harry needs - or conspiring on anything at all.

And I shouldn't have said anything about Crouch. Harry and Pansy already know about my suspicions, I guess I just forgot that you don't, too.

Forget I said anything.

[alt_hermione]

I don't think I'm the one you need to tell about whether your father's perfect. I know far too much

I was just surprised, is all. That you suspected anything. But it's just that you suspect, right, not that it's really what you think it might be?

Wasn't Monday Auror Crouch's birthday, too? I mean, maybe that's why she came to visit him here.

[alt_draco]

That was my point, really.

Unfortunately, what were once just suspicions have been verified as reality.

I have no idea when his birthday is. How do you know? If I'd known, I would have baked him a cake.

[alt_hermione]

I never said he was perfect. I just--I just think it's never too late. To try to show someone you love them. That's all.

And I remembered because of the year Daphne sent him a present.

[alt_draco]

Try to have less of a freakishly sharp memory. It's spooky.

And who said it was too late?

I know you don't have

I get what you're saying, though.

[alt_harry]

Yeah.

You could say that again.

[alt_draco]

Say what again?

That we'll be done for?

[alt_harry]

I guess it wouldn't be as bad as all that for you and me. I mean, we'd probably get in trouble.

Lots.

Hermione, though

Yeah.

You really think she won't? Bum, I mean? She made Sally-Anne read hers.

[alt_hermione]

Well if she does, like Draco says, we're all in big trouble.

What did Diggory have to say?

[alt_harry]

He was angry. Doesn't like Bum, which, you know, not surprising.

He said he doesn't want to let what happened to Sophie Fleet happen again, and he wasn't sure what could be done, but you could tell that if we came up with something, he'd at least listen. And would keep it to himself.

[alt_hermione]

Do you think we should give him a coin? Or would he get all prefecty on you if you did?

[alt_harry]

He'd get prefecty, I think.

He was going on about how all this stuff with her picking students to do things for her through the CCF was undermining prefects, and her discipline things were messing with the system at the school, so I think he's all about rules -- but Hogwarts rules. So if we go to him with stuff that'll be bad for Bum, but will help out prefects (or at least not really shove it in their faces), I think he'd be for it.