Order Only - Private message to Justin

[alt_hydra]

Still no sign of Corbyn? I'm sure you're going stir-crazy by now.

Rachel sent me, Ron, Peel and Farthing to some villages not far from Glasgow. There's been some nasty firefights and disputes in the area and it's affected the dairy industry there and other things. Apparently the locals suspected that some newcomers were actually working for the old MLE as spies. I checked them all out and they were just ordinary people, but they were English, not Scottish, and that's what had the locals worried.

Funny that there's still some bad blood around here that has nothing to do with actual blood purity. We ended up calling Mr Macnair in to speak Scottish at them and that seemed to help smooth things over. Afterward he told us that Voldemort did a lot of damage in that area around the time of the first war, and ended up killing off several of the old Scot wizarding clans who tried to stand up to him. So now they're all quite mistrustful and didn't even seem to truly believe that the wizard they knew as the Lord Protector is dead. But I think Mr Macnair saying it was true made them believe it.

Anyway, I don't want to distract you if you're concentrating. I hope you're able to return to the castle soon, though.

Comments

[alt_justin]

Hullo, you. Good to hear from you.

There have been signs, what, but no good opportunities. I almost had one Saturday but he was too close to the festival area and I didn't want to chance going through their security measures.

Then last night, very late, as they were clearing the areas, I thought to follow him home but he Apparated before I could sneak up on him. And by the time I got there, he was upstairs in his daughter's bedroom, checking on her and behind heavy wards.

I'm glad you're getting some exercise, though. Did you help Draco with his bartending rehearsal? Try anything you liked?

As for the village, I don't know, it seems oddly comforting in a way that people can still take note of differences like that, as opposed to it all coming down to magic. I doubt those political histories will ever entirely heal. Gives one hope for a future career in diplomacy, what.

I do have some candles here in this bedsit and a quite comfortable sofa. It's not quite the honeymoon suite in Brighton but if you wanted to distract me, I'd not complain. There's nothing much to concentrate on, this time of night.

-J

[alt_hydra]

Do you think he knows that you're following him? Or is he just being very careful?

Oh, yes, a few of us pretended to be members ordering drinks. It was a bit fun, but also strange because Draco was polyjuiced and stayed in character almost up until the very end. And Russell Faust is a bit of an average looking man, not really shy but quite reserved. It was hard to believe it was really Draco.

I should think it would be confusing to live as someone else for an extended period of time. Though I suppose up until a few months ago, most of us were living that way in one fashion or another.

You saying you want a visitor?

[alt_justin]

They seem to be observing a number of protocols to avoid situations where they'd be easy targets. I've not seen anyone walking on the streets (apart from at the festival) for nearly a week.

I agree, I think I'd be jolly well useless at undercover work. Remember the play? That was bally well difficult enough, what. I said to Draco that I'm sure one of many, many reasons to regret losing Mr Snape is the ability to speak to someone who's used polyjuice on a prolonged basis. He never answered; I say, I hope he didn't take that amiss.

Anyway, if you want to come visit, I'd welcome it. But it's also quite far from the castle, if you don't fancy Apparating all the way down.

[alt_hydra]

That will make things difficult, then.

As to Draco, he was pretty busy preparing for his assignment, but I can also see him not really wanting to talk about Mr Snape. I've barely heard him do so at all. Nor does he really say much about Harry, except every now and again. And I can't even tell you if Draco thinks about either of them very often because he's almost always occluding. I'm sure he must, though.

I can visit, but I should find where Jack is, first, and let someone know that I'm going, just in case.

[alt_justin]

Well, I understand his reticence, of course, and one doesn't want to push, but...I wonder if that's entirely healthy. Harry's birthday is a week and Friday. Are there any plans to mark it? And Neville's, the day before. Of course, Draco will be embedded by then. Perhaps it's his plan to bury the date's significance by focusing on his adopted persona. Still it seems at some point, the dam will break. I hope it's not all the worse for his having held it close so long.

Oh, speaking of things that might not be healthy.... Was Ron at Draco's practicum? Was he drinking rather more heavily or did he seem to be moderating his intake?

-J

[alt_hydra]

I don't think there's anything to do except give it time.

It seems something should be done for Harry and Neville, of course, but it's hard to say what's appropriate. Daphne would have known what to do. Maybe Pansy and Sally Anne will have some ideas.

Yes, Ron was there and so were his brothers. They all had something to drink, but I didn't notice whether Ron or any of them were drinking heavily. But I suppose it wouldn't be terribly surprising given what they've been through lately.

Oh, I've found Jack asleep on a window seat. He'll be alright, I think.

Shall I bring you anything?

[alt_justin]

I doubt fanfare would be useful or indeed welcome. Perhaps a quiet sort of memorial.

If Ron had drunk too much, I daresay you'd have noticed. He generally grows even louder than usual.

If you would, please, that lighter set of trousers, the linen ones, I mean, and a few more short-sleeved shirts? The cooling charms can only do so much.

-J

[alt_hydra]

Yes, a memorial. Perhaps we can discuss ideas tonight.

And I've got your clothing. I'm bringing biscuits, too, because I'll want them even if you won't.

See you in a bit.