Ron Weasley

Hey, Evyls.

Smith's a git, but it's going to be all right, yeah?

I was going to just not say anything, because I figure you wish I wouldn't, but- that doesn't seem right.

And we totally have to play chess tomorrow. Just to show people we don't care what they think. All right, then?


Trust me. I have loads of experience not letting brothers have the satisfaction.

Professor Dolohov looks awful today.

I mean. Whoa.

So the twins are back from the Dragon Reserve. They've got some hilarious stories to tell on Charlie, too, and how he's got all old on us and couldn't keep awake as long as they could, and told them it was 'half past dead o'clock' and they needed to knock off.

Anywiz. They wanted me to write some stuff here that they've been thinking--about the lock and all. They said I should just copy it out, and I think I will do, even though that's a complete pain because they have loads to say. You'd think some teacher'd said they had to write twelve inches or something.

We know we made this lock originally so we could talk to the Professor. But we're not dim enough to think that its first purpose should be its ONLY purpose.

We understand that people are worried about all the possible 'what ifs.' What if we tell her and it all goes plow-into-the-ground, like a Wronski Feint gone horribly wrong?

When we made the Lock, we did a lot of research and we tested it first before we started using it. It looks to us that you've done the same thing with this decision about adding Hydra Lestrange: you gathered information about her from the people in the group who know her best, namely Justin and Hermione and Sally-Anne and Pansy. Then you tested: Justin told her his secret about being Muggleborn, and when it was clear she was okay with that, he tested her again by telling her about Sirius Black. And she passed that test, too.

Look, the reason that things have gone for shite in the Protectorate is that the Ministry has slowly been tightening the screws on all of us. For years now. Used to be someone like Hermione and Terry could go into a shop and buy a wand, and no one would bat an eye. But once the Lord Protector took power, they started changing the rules and clamping down and people went along with it. You know why? Because the Ministry kept raising the stakes, making it less scary to go along than it was to take the risk of saying 'No.' And that made it easier the next time for the Ministry to do things more awful still. Until we're at this point, where people like Hermione and Terry risk death if they pick up a wand.

Nothing's going to change unless minds are changed. And maybe that means using the Lock by adding people to it who maybe are willing to have their minds opened a little. IF we take that risk and give them the chance to rethink things. A person like Hydra Lestrange, coming from the family she comes from, is going to be groomed to move into power. To help run things someday. Wouldn't it be a good idea to move people into running things who actually agree with us? Except we shouldn't think of it only like 'how can we use her?' It's more like 'doesn't she deserve the chance to show us what she can do, if we appeal to the best in her, instead of the worst?'

Don't all of us deserve that? Doesn't the Protectorate deserve that--or whatever this land will be when the Lord Protector is gone?

It IS a risk. And taking risks can be dead scary. But Sirius Black already said it: the Ministry is counting on keeping things the way they are because they're willing to MAKE it scary if we question and challenge the way things are.

So, yeah. That's their vote. That we should do it. I'm not sure why they thought they had to go on and on, since it's not like we don't all agree about what's going on in the Protectorate. But, yeah. Do we agree Hydra's in? Or does someone have something else to say about it? Hermione: are you all right with it, then?

So, I don't know about you lot, but I've been thinking about who else we should add. And I think Ken Towler and Bundy and Sue Bones. Oh, and Bell and Johnson, too. Who else?

This is the longest day ever. Runes went on forever, and now it's Double Potions. Oi! I'm dying over here.

If my head falls into my cauldron, duck!

Only I was up almost all night because of Gareth Archer. Heard him shouting in the middle of the night. Ours is the closest room to theirs, so I was the one who got there first. Well, except for his mates, but they're a useless lot. Ed Bones and Jimmy Peakes were both sitting up, staring at him, but they seemed like they were still sound asleep, really. I swear Peakes was snoring. And soon as I got there, they both flopped over and were out again.

But Archer wasn't going back to sleep. No way. He didn't want to go see Madam Pomfrey, and I don't blame him, so we went downstairs and played chess. All the way til breakfast.

I didn't mind. I mean, McLaggen came in right after I did, but he's got OWLs this week and looked a wreck. And really, even on a good day, no one wants to spend time with McLaggen. And Archer was a bit of a mess, too.

Said he'd had a dream about his father coming back--you know about his dad, right?

Anywiz, last night he had this dream his father came back and was going to kill him. He figures it's because he read what those Dogstar people wrote in the journals yesterday. Thing is, I guess Archer really hated his dad. For leaving him and his mum and for being a traitor. Did you know MLE questioned him and his cousin--watshername, the Slytherin one--only Archer couldn't tell them anything because he hadn't talked to his father in years. Well, I guess he did tell them something--last night he told me he told MLE he was glad his father was dead.

I mean, yeah. That's dead awful, innit?

Thanks, you lot for not doing anything horrible to me today. Heh.

Fisheye, the fake wand is perfect. And George even showed me the charm that makes it turn back into a wand so you can use it again!

And Perks, I'm calling my dragon Cinnabar. He's totally wizard. Right now, he's stomping around the table top and butting my hand with his head to get me to pay attention instead of writing in here! You've really got good at that orijammy stuff.

Oh, and Mum sent a parcel with plum preserves and ginger biscuits. I don't think she meant I should have them at the same time. Though, actually, that might not be bad.

That was wizard fun yesterday! (Except for the part that wasn't, but that didn't change that the whole thing was brilliant.)

The part I liked best was finding our bearings in the snow, because, yeah, that changes everything, but I knew the direction-finding charm to use and worked just like it was supposed to, and that was awesome.

So. What did you do best? Or what was most fun in your group? Aside from WINNING the whole game, before you say that, Perks!!!

I was thinking of going out this afternoon and trying that melting spell to make a long sluice down the sledging hill, but I'm stuck here waiting to talk to Madam Hooch. The twins and Towler said she might know something that could be done about my broom, but she's off to Hogsmeade or something today. I dunno. I want to talk to her, though, while there's still a chance because I think it's just getting worse and worse. I don't really think she'll be able to do anything, but I've got to try, y'know?

Hey.

I've been thinking about what I told you about my dad.

And about what Mr Black said. I read it again. And y'know, I don't know what to think now, exactly. Y'know, about my dad. Because, yeah. I think he does what Mr Black says, y'know? Justifying stuff he does. For his job. He does all that stuff to keep the camps in control because he thinks- no, really, he knows that the other people who work there, especially the people who work above him, but y'know, some of the others who want to move up higher, they'd do worse things if he weren't there. If they did his job, they'd be loads meaner than he is. But see, he can't stop what the rest of them do. And sometimes he even has to do things that make him sick. I mean, sometimes you can just tell when he comes home that he's sick about what he's had to do. Or if you can't tell from him, you can tell by the way mum acts and what she says to him.

So, yeah. Does that mean Mr Black would think my dad is horrible because he does what he does? Because, it's just like what he says about people in the middle: they do it because they're afraid their kids will get hurt or they'll get arrested and their families will get reclassified or worse.

Whoa! Howlers!!!

I mean to say, Milland and Miss Professor Carrow? Don't even want to think about that, really.

So, okay.

I asked Brocklehurst and she said yes. And Gin gave me a parcel last night and it's robes, so I don't have to just wear my school robes. I pulled them out to look, cause, y'know, I didn't want them to be some daft 'fashion design' thingers. And they're decent.

So now what?

I still don't know Brocklehurst at all. Towler said she seemed okay with going with me, though. So I guess that's that.

What Greengrass said. Uh. Is it really like the play, do you think? I mean, I did that because everyone said it was important to show loyal and all.

D'you think it's really important to go to this ball thinger?

Cause, I mean, there's almost no one left to ask that's not a troll. I mean to say, Bullstrode?

Does anyone know any of the foreign girls that don't have dates yet?

I can't believe I'm even thinking about it.

Blimey.

I'm going to get Seamus Bloody Finnigan if it's the last bleedin' thing I ever do.

I mean it.

He'd best not sleep in this dormitory again without casting every protection spell he knows.

Hermione?

We all want to know if you're all right. I mean, Pansy said last night that you didn't look well when you came back to their common room. Is there anything you need that we could get you?

What did they do to you?

What can we do?

We just

We've been talking about it, Nev and the twins and Lee, y'know, and we want to know how to help. Because it's not right. And it's not okay that this sort of thing happens. And it'll just keep happening, and probably get worse. And we can't just go on pretending we don't notice.

I mean, we couldn't help Terry before he left, but we're not just going to let awful things happen to you.
 
 
 
Have either of you others seen her today yet? Is she okay?

Um. Hermione?

Can you do anything to get Harry to talk to me today? Only I've got something I need to tell him that's about the first task that he really needs to know, and, well-

I can't really say it here, either, cause I promised I'd only tell him.

Uh.

But Fred and George can tell you it's important. They heard it, too.

Just, could you tell him it's kind of really important? That we talk today.

So. What the paper said?

That's a really big thing.

What d'you lot make of it?

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?

So what's all this about the Quidditch Cup? I heard someone in town today saying we're all going to be allowed to go to France to see it, and someone else said 'Don't be daft, they're having it here in the Protectorate.'

I mean to say, which sounds more daft to you?

And I didn't see Marvolo's thing about it until Patil mentioned about it, so now I don't know what to think.

Also. How are you lot? What are you getting up to?

I've been mapping everything! I mean, it's dead wizard how that works. I've run across all sorts of snitch stuff, too, that I wouldn't've ever found if I hadn't gone off surveying around here. I've found abandoned houses (I mean, they're all over this part of Devon, right? but I've found some I didn't know about cause some are really well hidden even if you fly right over them) and caves and an old mine that's haunted. Brilliant stuff.

Wish I hadn't told Ginny I'd do all her chores. That's taking up all my time!

So. Made it home. Mum seems normal again.

We're on for Wednesday, then, right? The twins have Lee coming, and they said they hope Stretton'll come. Is he planning on it? (And like I said, it's fine with Mum if you have to bring Gemma and Phillip or whatever. Maureen, too.) Won't be quite as good as the time we got Wood to come along, but we'll have fun, anywiz.

And we can set up an obstacle course if you want. The twins had loads of ideas about how they could make that really wizard. Actually, I think they were a little too keen on the idea of what they could throw at us, but still. They totally want to see the stuff they taught us this week. I told them they'd have to wait till we could show them together.

Oh, but here's the big news. Percy. Got. A. Job. With. Mr. Malfoy.

Yeah.

Walked out on the job he'd got at the Ministry, too. Right in the middle of the day.

I haven't seen him yet. He's in New London having a date with Clearwater. Showing off his new robes, too like. Oi. He'll be completely impossible to live with, y'know.

Have you seen today's Prophet? We finally got it away from Mum and Dad and Percy. At least the part with Sporting news.

Anywiz, it's right there. A whole big story about Oliver Wood.

It's all about how he was the one good egg in a basket of rotten ones. And how all eyes will be on him to see how he represents right-thinking wizards in this country.

And it quotes Theodolphus Higgs--remember him?--saying he was a mate of Oliver's and Oliver was always saying that his family were queer and how he never felt he fit in at home. And how he hoped he'd get a Quidditch contract right away out of school so he wouldn't have to go back there.

Only the twins say that's bollocks. Higgs was never a mate of Oliver's.

Though, um, maybe Wood did say something about his family being odd.

Um.

So last night I asked about having people over. Y'know, when would be a good time and all, because obviously we all know Mum loves it when we have people. The more the merrier, right?

And she gave me the most

I don't know what kind of look

a LOOK

like I'd asked her if it'd be all right if I practised Transfig by turning Ginny's head back and forth to a pumpkin

and she dropped a whole basket of runner beans on the floor and left the room. Left them all there on the floor, didn't she?

And when she came back, she had a list of ten things for each of us to do. All in separate parts of the house. INSIDE the house, mind you, and when I went to beat one of the rugs outside, I found out she'd put some locking charm on all the doors.

And, y'know, this sort of thing's happened before, but I think this time Mum may just have gone completely off her nut.

Mind you, she cooked us all eggs and toast soldiers this morning and pretended none of it'd happened at all.

All right. So you said we had to wait until school was over, and now it is.

I even waited until the train's left.

You were going to say who it was that's been bothering you. Which slimy Slytherin Quidditcher was it?

I mean, I don't much like any of your Quidditch players, but whoever did that to you deserves to get bludgered.

Nev,

Where are you, mate? They sent Towler off to look for you, but I think he was off to the Greenhouses, and maybe you aren't there?

Are you all right?

Okay, that's dumb. You're not all right. But come back, yeah? We're waiting here in the common room, and we won't make you talk or anything, but

we'd just feel better about it if you were here.

The Prophet sent someone out to talk to us this afternoon. And take pictures. Mine and Malfoy's.

He spent the whole time looking like he'd just stepped in something foul. I'm sure the picture will be hilarious--both of us trying to get out of the frame so we don't have to stand by the other git.

I think they might've said it'd be in tomorrow. I'm not sure. I think they were talking to Professor Brutka, too. Anzywiz, they were asking him if they could get pictures of the hippogriff. He didn't seem too happy about that. But maybe he's worried they're trying to get him sacked?

So what is it with girls and flowers?

All the girls in Gryffindor are all gooey today about Zabini sending Greengrass those roses this morning.

Honestly? Who cares if Zabini's got more galleons than sense?


I guess Frobisher's probably glad they've all got something to talk about other than just her, though. Not that she seems to notice. Anything, really.

So we're meeting up tomorrow evening, right? I mean the best thing about this play being done is that we've got more time for working on defence stuff.

Nev. You'll bring the books, then? Or are you too worried about carrying them around the corridors? Can you remember that spell and then just teach it to us? The next one you said we should work on.

Oh, and Pans. You're not starting back up with History club, are you? I mean, that was Wednesdays, wasn't it? But. It's almost the end of the year and all. And we'd said tomorrow for this meeting, right? Since we've all got all that time before Astronomy to do homework or whatever, anyway.

Let us know, yeah?