I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

So, yeah.

You know how Director Selwyn told me I should come to work at the Ministry with my dad some day? Well, he was serious, and today Dad decided I should come along.

He showed me around his department and introduced me to some people, but then he had to review a huge stack of parchments that I wasn't allowed to look at. He did take me along to a meeting that lasted forever and was about different camps and people who run them and whether they're doing a good job keeping the people there ready to work, which I think means that some people in the camps are too sick to be any use when they send them out to do stuff. And then we had lunch, only it was pretty late and I was really hungry cause there wasn't anything but pots of tea during the meeting.

And then Dad had to go talk to his Department head, so I looked at some stuff they send out to places that are thinking about hiring Muggleborns to do stuff. And then I read a couple of old comics I'd brought along, except I already knew what happens, so that wasn't too exciting.

And then Dad came back and was going to take me with him to talk to someone else, but Director Selwyn came in just then and asked if I'd like to come talk to him about some of the other stuff that's part of his division, beyond what Dad does, y'know? And, yeah. He told me some stuff about the group that's reclaiming the countryside for new wizarding communities and uses (or something like that). But then. He started talking about what kind of OWLs I'd need and how I'd need people to be references if I wanted to do surveying or that reclaiming whatsit. And he said I'd need to really work at getting people to think a lot of me if I wanted to get a good job like that. And then he started talking about how sometimes even little things can hurt what people think of you, like things other people do who're connected to you, so it's not even just stuff you do yourself that matters.

And then he talked about the Woods. How they were doing bad things and how it could have hurt Oliver's chance at playing Quidditch, only that doesn't have to happen if you make sure that people know you're loyal and a good person to help along. And he said that if I ever saw or heard anything that seemed fishy or, y'know, disloyal, then I should be sure to tell him or tell Ms Mortynson in his office because that's a way to make sure that if anything comes of stuff like that you're on the right side of the file. I think that's the way he said it. But he meant you should turn people in so you don't end up seeming guilty, too, if they get caught and you didn't say.

And then. He told me he was impressed with me. He doesn't invite kids to come talk to him very often. Maybe at all. And he wanted me to know it was because he'd noticed I have potential. Oh, and he said he thought Moody's Mad Cat was hilarious. Especially when I died like that.

And then. He gave me three tickets for the Cup in level 19! And he said I could invite my parents or anyone I wanted to sit with me.

So, anywiz. Mum and Dad are talking about that, I think. Dad seemed pretty worried when I told him what Mr Selwyn said. And I said he didn't have to worry I'd ever tell anyone about anything that'd get anyone in trouble.

Or maybe he was just worried it might look bad if he sat up in level 19 with me when the people at the top of his department will be a level below that. I reckon that might cause problems at work cause they'd think he was showing them up.

Um. So it was kind of a big day, y'know?

Comments

[alt_neville]

Blimey, Ron.

Did he say why he was impressed with you? Other than that you make a hilarious cat?

Cor, level 19? That's wicked impressive. I don't think I'm going to get to go to the Cup at all. Gran says she doesn't see the point.

Gran just doesn't get Quidditch at all.

[alt_sally_anne]

What level are your tickets? Are you on nine and a half with the Weasleys?

You should try to get Ron to take you! Or see if your Uncle Algie will go. Tell your Gran it'll help you all look loyal. It's the Quidditch World Cup!

[alt_ron]

Well. D'you remember on my birthday second year, I got hexed so I had to talk to everyone. Well, I sort of met Director Selwyn then, and he was great about it. And I wrote him the letter we had to do when we applied for CCF.

So it's not just about the play. Only, I think it helps that he thinks I'm funny.

That's just wrong about your Gran. I mean, I guess it'd be all right if she didn't want to go, but why should that mean you couldn't? I'd ask you to sit with me, but we decided earlier the twins would come up with me and Mum and Dad would keep the seats we got at first. And Gin. You could sit with them. Or maybe the twins wouldn't care. Only they seemed pretty keen on seeing the match from way up there.

[alt_neville]

Oh, could I sit with your mum and dad? Could you ask them if that'd be okay? I mean...I'm sure Gran won't go. She says that sitting in stadium seating makes her rheumatism act up. And Aunt Enid really doesn't like crowds, and Uncle Algie doesn't like to go without her.

I like your mum and dad, and even if we couldn't sit together, it would be brilliant if I could go. Maybe Gran would even pay for my ticket, if you think it'd help, if she didn't have to take me.

[alt_ron]

Course you can go with us and sit with my parents, Nev. Don't be dim.

I asked Mum already, and she said you should come and stay with us and go along on our Portkey. Dad said they'll be designed for taking loads of people, so one more here or there on any of the Portkeys wouldn't matter a bit.

I think Mum was really pleased I'd had the idea. Obviously I didn't tell her it was your idea because then she'd want to know how I'd heard from you. Anywiz, I just told her I was thinking that your Gran probably wouldn't like to go sit in the stadium or stay overnight, either. I said I thought she'd seemed sort of tired that day we went to Blackpool and all. Anywiz, Mum's going to send your Gran a note--or maybe she'll use the Floo, I dunno--and ask if you'd want to come along with us.

[alt_neville]

Thanks ever so much, Ron! I didn't think I'd get to go.

Do you think...since the twins are going with you, and they also have the twins tickets, do you think they might invite Evelyn to use one of them? I was thinking Ginny might like to have a girl to sit with? Unless maybe Ginny wants to use one of those tickets for one of her friends.

[alt_ron]

Sure.

I just went back in the kitchen and said to Mum about asking Evelyn like I'd just thought of it while I was out collecting eggs. And she said she'd already thought of it!

[alt_neville]

Brilliant! She'll be ever so excited. And I'm sure Gran will say yes, if it means she doesn't have to go herself.

[alt_terry]

I've seen Director Selwyn a time or two. He seems nice enough. On the surface. But I've got a hunch it's just on the surface.

I'd make myself real small whenever he was nearby and hope he wouldn't notice me.

[alt_ron]

Terry! How are you?

[alt_terry]

I'm quite good, really. The gorgon's still here, visiting with the git, and they're sort of wrapped up with each other, which suits me just fine. They're leaving me to myself for most of the day, and I've even been able to sneak a bit of studying in.

How has your summer been? That's wonderful that you've got such great tickets to the World Cup.

[alt_ron]

Thanks, Terry. I think it's going to be brilliant.

Only Mum and Dad seem sort of worried about who I might end up sitting near with these new seats. They haven't said much, but I think they think it might be a bunch of really important people and it might be dangerous to have that sort of people get to know me.

Like with Mr Selwyn. Dad seems really worried about that, and I can sort of see why. I mean, he was nice about it, but he was really trying to tell me I ought to rat people out if I know of anything anyone's doing that'd be disloyal. Course I never would, but, well.

Mum and Dad have to be worried about that sort of thing from Percy, especially now he's working for Mr Malfoy and seems so chuffed about that. I mean, it's like he stays up at night thinking about things he could do that would impress Mr Malfoy and convince him that Perce is the best clerk in the whole world ever.

And, actually, if you can believe it, Percy got more and more stuck up over the summer. You know he was bad when he was Head Boy, but now he thinks he's ever so much more important, like being a clerk is the same as being Mugwump or next thing to being the LP. And he acts like we all smell bad. And if any of us talk to him, he either pretends he's too busy doing something else to even hear or he rolls his eyes as if whatever we'd said was just too daft for bothering with.

He's even started to talk differently. You know? I mean, he was always particular about how he'd say things, but now he's starting to sound posh. I mean, not like that Finch-Fletchley bloke. I don't mean he's all 'Tally ho, what?' but his accent. I think he's trying to sound like Mr Malfoy and people like that.

Oh, say. Are the Carrows going to the Cup? Will they take you with them? I mean not to sit in the stands, of course, because I heard all about that yesterday, why servants wouldn't be allowed seats at all because they didn't want to tell the designers they'd have to make the charms that flexible so there'd be space for however many servants different people might bring. I mean, I think they could've done, only I got the feeling it was more that some people don't like the idea of Muggleborn servants at all, still, and wouldn't feel safe if they were sitting in a part of the stadium together with a whole lot of servants all around. Dad's department does a lot of work on how people think about Muggleborns and trying to get people to hire them and all.

[alt_terry]

Best thing to do when you're around people you don't trust is to talk less and listen more. Anyway, I expect people will be talking most about Quidditch, won't they?

I can see why your parents are worried about your brother Percy. I have to say, I don't like him very much. I know exactly what you mean about him acting like people smell bad. He was that way whenever Hermione or I were around him, and I haven't forgotten that time he sneered at her about having 'muddy hands.'

I've heard some of the stories that the git and his sister have told each other about Lucius Malfoy. He hides it, but he has a real vicious streak, and the git admires him for it. And the two of them, the git and his sister are maybe a little afraid of him, too, because he's so powerful. The git has mentioned that he likes to go sometimes and bash muggles. For sport. I'm not sure it's true, of course. The git lies to me a lot, and it sometimes isn't easy to sort out what's true and what isn't. But the man gives me the collywobbles, believe me. If he's someone your brother admires I can see why that would worry your parents. Although I'm sure they don't know about the muggle bashing. If it's even true.

They're not going to the World Cup. That sort of thing doesn't interest them in the slightest.

[alt_pansy]

I wouldn't trust what they say about anything. Or anyone.

[alt_terry]

I'm sorry, Pansy. I honestly forgot. You're really quite close to him, aren't you? He's kind to you.

He shows a different sort of face. To us mudbloods.

(And no, I haven't forgotten the rules, Fred and George. It's just that that's what someone like me is to him.)

But you're absolutely right: the git lies. And I won't let anything that he says ever come between me and anyone else on this lock.

Still. I don't ever want to be put in Lucius Malfoy's power. Or anyone else I care about.

[alt_pansy]

I'm "people like that," you know.

[alt_ron]

...

Well, you don't talk like that except when you're being cross.

[alt_pansy]

Did he ask about your mum and dad at all?

[alt_ron]

Not straight out. But he meant them. And he said 'at home' a couple of times. Mostly he talked about other people and sort of, y'know, as a for instance thing. And when he talked about Oliver Wood it was really pretty clear what he meant me to think. Like I could be like Wood and be okay, or I could be in trouble along with my parents if I found out something they'd done and didn't tell.

Anywiz, I guess it's pretty obvious Wood did for his parents. Which is just-

I can't believe it.