Private message to Effs

[alt_hydra]

I think there's a good chance that I won't be on the tours today. I wanted to let you know so that you weren't concerned when I didn't show up. I want to go, but Mrs Baylock thinks me ill and has decided that I needed to spend today resting, avoiding stimulation, and taking pepper-up potion. And I'd really rather not make a fuss. I'll just be still and read in bed and she'll have to declare me one-hundred percent healthy tomorrow.

From,
Hydra

Comments

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Hydra,

Botheration. But you're sure you're really quite well? I shouldn't wish you to come out and then feel ill in the middle of everything, what?

And yes, I would have been concerned had you not come along, with no word, so thanks. We were supposed to go to a botanical garden, I think, except that it's bally well raining, so everything they've chosen is indoors. Another good reason for you to stay home if you've a sniffle coming on, I shouldn't wonder. Still, it's even drearier without you.

Only, I know you weren't looking well forward to spending loads of time there. I say, has it been very difficult, so far?

-Justin

[alt_hydra]

I don't have a sniffle, not even a little one.

I went in to see Rigel last night, to say hello before Mrs Baylock put him down for bed.

He had Tevis. I mean to say, I suppose Mummy gave Tevis to him. His hutch was set up in Rigel's play-room. I was so happy, because he was alive and well cared for, and I was sure that Mummy must have tossed him into the lake.

So I took Tevis out of his hutch and was stroking him. Rigel saw and he held out his arms and said "my bunny!" And then - well, Tevis squirmed and clawed and nearly bit me to get away, and then scampered straight for Rigel.

Mrs Baylock came in then, and I suppose that I didn't look well. She said I was pale and faint-looking.

And now I don't know what to think about Tevis. Could a spell have been put on him so that he would like Rigel best?
Or maybe he just likes him better, just because he does.

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

Oh, I see. Jolly bad luck, what.

I rather don't think bunnies just like one person more than another, the way cats do, but then I can't imagine anyone bothering with a spell, either.

Perhaps Tevis is cross with you and doesn't understand it wasn't your choice? Or else maybe he's just not used to you anymore. I don't know that rabbits have very long memories, Dux. It could just be that Rigel plays with him more and so he's more familiar, what? Or perhaps Rigel shouting like that scared the poor creature.

You might try going in and sitting with Tevis when Rigel's not about, and see if being quiet with him helps him to trust you next time?

Anyway, I'm sorry you're being forced to spend the day resting. It's too bad you couldn't have Tevis with you there, while you're in bed. I say, he might find that much more soothing. Have you a good book, at least?

-Justin

[alt_hydra]

You're right, rabbits aren't the cleverest of creatures and they don't have very good memories, but I was so pleased to see him, but then disappointed when it seemed he prefers Rigel now. Mrs Baylock says that Tevis follows him everywhere, even. But Rigel still has grabby, toddler hands, and it's surprising that a rabbit would enjoy that sort of company.

He just doesn't feel like mine anymore.

I only have books that are safe appropriate for reading here. I suppose I might read Pure Hunger again, but even so I might hide it behind my Arithmancy book, just in case.

So what have you seen of the Protectorate so far? What do you think and what do the other students think? Are you having any fun?

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

We've just come back to the hotel from supper. I say, it was jolly good. Do your parents ever take you out to supper? This was supposedly a well posh sort of place - and it's run by a cousin of our Professor Froissart's, if you can believe it, what! All my schoolmates were saying it had been months and months since they had proper French cooking. I can't say the Durmstrang lot were quite as pleased, what? But Professor Karkaroff told them there are plans to take us to a brauhaus when we're back here a week and Thursday.

Let's see. So far, we've been to the Tower of New London and boating on the Thames. This morning we went to the British Museum of Wizarding History for a few hours and then they took us to Fresher's Feast for luncheon. And this afternoon they showed us what they called a 'Private Preview' of the new museum that's going to open this spring. I say, when is 'Freedom Day?' That's when they said it's going to open to the pubic. There's supposed to be a Grand Opening sometime shortly before that.

It's actually been well interesting, though not, I suppose, for the reasons we're meant to think it is. I heard Delacour saying that she thinks the Louvre has a better collection and the Champs-du-Lacs is a more proper gallery but nearly everyone else was well impressed. (Though I have been to the Louvre, what, and it's unparalleled for its Old Masters.) I say, there's one bloke from Durmstrang who's got a good eye. Uloshenko. He stuck close to me, rather, after we both viewed an old portrait of Wendelin the Weird, which I thought might have been painted by Castagno but he thought looked more like Alberti. In point of fact, I hope he shan't be too difficult to shake off once you're about, if you follow me.

Well, anyway, this new gallery is rather impressive, as I was saying. It's to be called the Protector's Collection and it's well full of things that used to belong to famous witches and wizards but that have been added to the Protector's personal holdings. There are supposed to be educational wings added as well but they're not opened yet. Pity, too, because they sound as if they'd be jolly fun. Whereas the rest was a bunch of rather crusty items with portraits hung up above, what. Paracelsus' brass scales, Hypatia's astrolabe, that sort of bally old thing. Madame Froissart said that Salazar Slytherin's armour had been moved; it used to be in the Wizarding History Museum. You can bally well bet we found that suitably interesting!

So it's a little bit fun, what, but it would have been better with you along. Which trip are you coming on next?

-Justin

[alt_hydra]

They used to take me out to supper, but then they stopped. Because I didn't like a lot of the food and then there would always be a scene.

I've been to the Tower of New London already, and boating on the Thames, too. I haven't been to the museums for a long while, though, and it would have been good to see them again. Especially the preview of the new one.

Freedom Day - you haven't heard anything about that yet? It's the most important holiday in the Protectorate. The day that the Lord Protector took over the country and freed us from Tyranny. July 31. It's also Harry's birthday.

Mummy went up to Rigel's rooms tonight and I could hear her from here. She was cross with Mrs Baylock for sending me to bed without talking to her first. I felt sorry for her - Mrs Baylock, I mean. I'm sure that it's only every so often that Mummy comes in to check in with her, and she gets used to making decisions as she sees fit.

So I think that means I should be able to come when we're next allowed to. I hope.

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

That's right, you're all funny about food. I say, we do need to expand your palette, Dux.

I suppose I've read something about it, yes. But you celebrated before I came here and I didn't read back, what.

Well, I'm dashed sorry she had to get in trouble with your mother but at least your mother hasn't accused you of skiving off.

So I shan't see you until Saturday? I know that's only five days, isn't it, but with all the travel they've got us doing I'm sure it will feel like a lifetime.

Bother your being kept home, anyway.

I'd better try to sleep, they've got us going to Stonehenge tomorrow and Glastonbury Tor. Loads of walking!

Sweet dreams, Dux,

-Justin