Order Only: What's really happening?

[alt_hermione]

Or is it too risky to write?

Comments

[alt_susan]

Honestly, nothing much. Just some blather about looking for the next generation of Council members.

Then again apparently we all got dosed up with a mild calming draught at tea this morning, so I could be missing something.

[alt_sally_anne]

Ron and Justin got asked to duel. Only, it's not exactly a real duel, it's more a performance of impressive looking spells. Remember Lockhart? It's like a Lockhart style duel. But with less obliviation.

Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_hermione]

He's not paying loads and loads of attention to Harry, is he? I mean, more than usual?

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_sally_anne]

No, he's pretty much ignoring him, same as usual.

Harry's actually sitting right next to me because he's pretending to be a Slytherin again today. And Zabini is trying to act like that's not weird.

I'm not actually sure if he particularly requested Ron and Justin or if that was Dolohov's idea, someone came over and whispered to both of them and they got their wands back (oh, yeah, we had to leave our wands outside because of the Lord Protector, the only people who have theirs are Hydra and Finnigan and Patil. And Harry. And the people who are dueling.)

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_hermione]

Ignoring him? Oh, good.

So, do you think that means Ron might have to take the Mark? Or Justin? I know they're willing if it's necessary.

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_sally_anne]

I don't know but I hope not.

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_hermione]

I know. I mean, I didn't even know that Draco and I would be together, ever, but even without that, I was actually really really relieved that it turned out he ran away before he had to be Marked. Only then I feel guilty about Hydra. It's got to be so hard for her. And for Justin.

I wasn't sure how you felt about it. About, what would happen if...something happened to Ron.

Or is it something you just don't think about?

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_sally_anne]

I would absolutely hate it if Ron were Marked.

It's bad enough he has to be an Auror.

Sometimes I wish he hadn't got good enough marks on his OWLs to have a shot at the Auror programme, because of what it does to him, I mean it's done to him already. But he'll do it for the Order, just like I'll do whatever I have to do.

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_sally_anne]

Why?

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_hermione]

Oh, no reason, really.

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_sally_anne]

That's not a terribly convincing conversational dodge. Is there some reason you're particularly worried about Harry?

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_hermione]

Not--not Harry, no.

He said that not too long ago, Voldemort had a really awkward conversation with him. We've got a theory, I'm not really at liberty to share it, sorry, but I was worried when Voldemort came to the school that he was--going to be sizing Harry up. You know, in a sort of...are you plump enough to be plucked and roasted sort of way.

But not literally, of course.

Re: Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_sally_anne]

Plucked and roasted.

Got it.

[alt_sally_anne]

Also, I wish we got meals like this when the Lord Protector wasn't here. I mean when he IS here it's not like I can really enjoy it? But we never get food this fancy except when he is.

[alt_susan]

Too right! And it's well awkward not being able to leave to go to the loo or anything.

[alt_sirius]

The elves must have cleaned out the larder, then. There can't be much in storage from outside the wards.

But no, I'd prefer you didn't have to take meals with the murderous canker, either.

[alt_sally_anne]

Well a lot of it was food you could get inside the wards, just really nice. I mean we've got loads of sheep in the Protectorate but we still don't have lamb chops with mint sauce every day, you know?

It would taste a lot better without the murderous canker, though.

[alt_sally_anne]

Oh, Ron and Justin are done duelling.

They got to kneel in front of him and it sounds like he asked them if there's anything they want. Like they could request a favour like the Stretton muggles on Boxing Day. I didn't hear what they asked for but the Lord Protector seemed to find it all very amusing.

They're resetting the wards and I think Patil and Finnigan are going to perform next. 'Duel.' Whatever.

[alt_susan]

That was...different. Wonder what they asked? Suppose they'll tell us later.