Private message to Ron Weasley and Harry Marvolo

[alt_savitha]

My dears, as Antosha announced at dinner, the Lord Protector will be coming to the school tomorrow.

Harry, our Headmaster has requested as a personal favour that you wear Slytherin colours while your Father is here. You may sleep wherever you choose; I think it unlikely that Our Lord will demand to inspect your bed. But as a courtesy not only to the Headmaster but to me, and to and both your Slytherin and your Gryffindor friends, please refrain from anything that would likely infuriate Our Lord. Against either of the two Houses.

(Ron, I included you in this message because I know you and Harry are good friends; I assume that when Harry moved himself into Gryffindor Tower, you were the one who told him the password. I want you to understand that no one is trying to force Harry out of whichever House he prefers to claim. Simply to avoid a difficult scene, it would be best if Harry dresses in Slytherin colours and refrains from loudly proclaiming any other affiliations until Our Lord has returned to Buckingham.)

As much as the enmity between Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin is remembered, the Sorting Hat occasionally likes to remind us that before they were enemies, they were the closest of friends. Ron, as a Gryffindor (from a family of Gryffindors) with a number of close friends in my House, and Harry, as someone who has managed to claim affiliation to both Slytherin and Gryffindor, the two of you rather embody the potential of that friendship. The two of you show that the traits of the two Houses are not necessarily opposed, but complement each other. I hope we can show that potential to Our Lord this weekend.

Comments

Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_harry]

When I first moved to Gryffindor, Dolohov asked me what I'd do when Voldemort heard and started killing my friends for encouraging me. Or if he started systematically killing Gryffindors from the first years onward. At what point would I give in?

I told him I was done letting people manipulate me by threatening the people around me.

But, I also told him I'd switch back to Slytherin robes if the Lord Protector came to the school, and not make any attempt to deliberately draw attention to my real House outside of school. So I think I'd probably better do it.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Yeah. I think that's right.

No different, really, from me putting on Auror insignia when I leave school, is it? There're times when we've got to play a role, yeah? And Slytherin is yours while Himself's here.

She says you can stay with us at night. D'you think that's alright?

Where d'you think He's going to stay? I mean, d'you think Dovs is going to clear out of the Head's suite so He can bunk in there?

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_harry]

Yeah, I guess it's a lot like you wearing Auror insignia.

And nowhere near as bad as being Marked.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Too bloody right about that!

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_harry]

Do you think the rumour about him looking for a new set of Death Eaters is true?

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_ron]

I don't know. Decided to just ask Desai and see what she says.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_harry]

As far as where he's staying, maybe he's thinking he'll tell the Room of Requirement he needs a posh bedroom? He has to know about it, given that's where the diadem turned up.

I hope he's not planning to check on the diadem.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Uh.

That'd be awkward.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_harry]

Yeah.

Though really, what sort of idiot leaves a piece of his soul in a pretty tiara in some room anyone could stumble across? It's less surprising that your sister took it, than that no one found it before she did.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Yeah, you're right about that.

Maybe... I've been thinking about the Horcruxes. And, y'know how the diary was sort of trying to get a body for itself on its own? I've been wondering if there's something about them that makes them grow stronger the longer it's been since they were made and whether at a certain point that bit of soul just starts acting on its own? So maybe the one in the tiara got to that point while we were at school, but hadn't been 'old' enough until then?

Or maybe it's about you. Maybe you're right about what He's planning and the closer He gets to doing it, the more awake all those Horcruxes get? Or, I dunno.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_harry]

The diary had been feeding off Hydra, because she was writing to it.

The diadem fed off Ginny, I think, since she was wearing it. And the locket did the same thing with Pansy.

I think that's what makes them stronger, but I really don't know for sure.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Well, yeah. They do seem to feed off people. (That's are really awful word for it, but I guess it's not far off, is it? Makes them sound like dirty great leeches or something.)

I wonder why they go after witches?

Or is it that witches go for them and we don't notice as much?

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_harry]

Well, the diadem and the locket were both jewelry. Not great for attracting wizards. If he'd made one out of an exploding snap deck, I wouldn't be so sure.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_ron]

Ha.

Or a Firebolt.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Ron

[alt_harry]

Godric Gryffindor's favourite broomstick. That's what he should have given me second year instead of the diary. I'd have ridden a broomstick horcrux and given it plenty of time to work its way into my head.

He thought I'd write in the diary but instead I gave it to Hydra.

I still feel bad about that.

[alt_harry]

Professor Desai, you can reassure the Headmaster that I will wear Slytherin robes while Our Lord is at the school. I don't want to make trouble for anyone here.

[alt_ron]

We'll do our best.


D'you know why He's coming for a visit right before exams?

Only, I've never heard of Him doing anything like it before, this time of year.

People are saying He's wanting to choose new members for the Council. I'm not sure how that rumour got started, but I reckon it's logical, given last year's competition and all.

[alt_savitha]

I heard the same rumour, my dear, but I'm not sure what to make of it.

I am confident you will do me proud, regardless.

[alt_ron]

I'll do the best I can.

Thank you. Y'know, for everything you've taught me this year. Or tried teaching me.

[alt_savitha]

You are a delight in the classroom, my dear.

Order Only

[alt_harry]

Laying it on a bit thick, aren't you?

Re: Order Only

[alt_ron]

Yeah, well. I've still got to get accepted into the programme.

And, y'know, while that's hanging on my NEWT scores, it's also down to her say-so.

Figured it couldn't hurt.

Re: Order Only

[alt_harry]

Looks like it didn't, from her reply!