Order Only - Social Climbings

[alt_daphne]

Last night I attended a party near Sloane Square that was hosted by Sophia Novello, the society writer, with Blaise Zabini as my escort. It was a young-ish crowd, and by youngish I mean that most were between the ages of 20-40, with Blaise and myself probably two of the youngest in attendance. Some of the younger Council Wizards and Witches were there - Cal Pummel, Auror Crouch, Sarah Yaxley, Jason Montague, Ptolemy Baddock, Virgil Crispin - though the bulk of those in attendance were social climbing purebloods. Most of the evening's conversation revolved around upcoming gallery openings, theatre events, who has the best 'mudblood help,' and other gossipy tidbits.

I overheard quite a bit of speculation about the demise of Mr Nott (who was murdered the other night, apparently), though of course never anywhere near any of the other Council members. The announcement hadn't even hit the papers yet (and still hasn't, I don't believe?), but someone at the party came bearing the news and it soon spread like whispered wildfire through the crowd. Most people seem to think that Headmaster Dolohov, Auror Crouch, and Mr Lestrange were all in it together, and that it was an act of vengeance for Professor Raz.

While most people seem quite oblivious to how the Council's in-fighting might potentially impact their own lives, I did detect signs that this was not the case for everyone. I engaged in a long conversation with Siobhan Calderwood, who came to the party as my cousin Jason's plus one, about the pitfalls of associating with those on the Council. She told me that she liked Jason quite a lot, that she hoped I didn't think her at all disloyal for having some hesitation about his prospects, only so many council wizards have died, of late, and if someone like Mr Malfoy can end up Azkaban, she doesn't know if dating a Council Wizard is very wise. I reassured Siobhan that Jason will probably come 'round to Sarah Yaxley again, as he always seems to, and she appeared relieved to hear it.

I don't suppose any of this is terribly useful, but just in case it is, I thought I would pass it along.

Comments

[alt_harry]

Was Pummel

Thanks, Daphs.

What were people saying about Dolohov? Like, in general? From what I can see, he's fairly secure, I'd be curious about whether other people thought that way too.

And did you overhear anything about Hydra? Or Patil and Finnigan? Or me?

[alt_daphne]

I think they are either too afraid of Dolohov, or too respectful, to gossip too terribly much. They did seem to think that Mr Nott was no great loss, which isn't surprising given how popular the Razzer was.

A lot of people spoke about how young Hydra, Padma, and Seamus are, but were careful to make a fuss about what an honour it was for them to be on the Council. I think they may believe that those three are to be your own personal squad of Council members, perhaps tasked to protect your life with their own now that Raz is gone.

Private Message to Daphs

[alt_harry]

I haven't talked much to Blaise over hols.

Do you think he'd be up for re-starting poker or something? I know now that Draco and Teddy aren't around, it'll be really different. And it was sort of

Well, last term, I wanted to make it clear that Teddy wasn't a part of things.

But I think it could be good. To have do stuff, I mean. With Justin and Ron, or maybe Finnigan, depending. I think Moon would drive him up the wall, though. Anyways. I think it could work out well for the both of us. What do you think?

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_daphne]

Well, he's been enduring his mother, so you haven't missed much.

I do think that Draco's "death" shocked him down to his very core, and I believe he is deeply relieved not to have been Marked.

Blaise is always up for diversions of any sort, whether they involve cards or not, but I am not sure how he'd feel about being cast as Draco's replacement at your side, so you'd need to be careful not to make it seem as if that was your intention.

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_harry]

Yeah. Okay. Between Hydra and Justin, I can pull that off. No politics, just occasional poker and a cigar or something.

Finnigan's tricky too. Because there's so many different ways I could go with it, you know? Hermione thinks I could be nicer. And Hydra thinks he'd be a good ally in the council if it came to it, because of Rosier.

I guess I could make him get on with Ron if it came to it. Or at least make him pretend.

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_daphne]

Make Seamus pretend? As in, order him? Whoever gave you the idea that you should start ordering people around?

Oh, I can guess. Because that's what Draco would do if he were you, and he'd be quite good at it, mind. But Harry, you're not Draco, and if you'll forgive me for saying so, you're a completely rubbish actor.

Be friendly and accepting to Seamus. He's a halfblood, like you, but he's not the Lord Protector's son. Acceptance is all he's ever wanted. Of that I'm quite sure.

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_harry]

It'd be easier that way, yeah.

[alt_draco]

Old man Nott is dead? No tremendous loss there - let he and his son spend a miserable eternity together.

So who did kill him? Does anyone know for certain?

Siobhan probably just thinks that Jason has oddly-shaped ears, because, let's face it, he does. They're like shrunken saucers, or something, even if the rest of him is acceptable enough.

[alt_daphne]

Honestly, Jason's ears are fine, they just turn out the tiniest bit. No one but you would notice!

As to Mr Nott, I don't think anyone who was there knows for certain. They're all just leaping to the most logical conclusion. Though when I did speak to Auror Crouch, he seemed a bit...dampened? No, not that. He just wasn't quite himself, somehow. The fact that I even noticed is telling, since the food and drink was charmed to make everyone loose and blithe and congenial.

Private message to Daphs

[alt_draco]

You were forced to make conversation with Crouch? Let me be the first to send you my condolences. Be grateful he wasn't himself - the man is a predator, through and through, with no respect whatsoever for anything resembling a boundary.

I remember all too well what those sort of parties entail, as well. I hope that Blaise didn't abandon you to some horrible miscreant while he himself faffed off with an over-perfumed society cow.

Re: Private message to Daphs

[alt_daphne]

I know a predator when I see one, Draco. Don't trouble yourself over it.

No, Blaise didn't abandon me. Well, he did faff off with someone...possibly over-perfumed. But it's fine. I wasn't left alone, nor in the hands of a horrible miscreant.

Re: Private message to Daphs

[alt_draco]

And now you're writing to him?

Only looking out for you, Daphs. Hard habit to break. But you're right - of course you know how to look out for yourself without me chiming in.

[alt_hydra]

It's true that Mr Nott is dead, but I know that my father wasn't involved.

Private Message to Draco

[alt_justin]

Draco,

Professor Dolohov killed him, along with Auror Crouch, what, assisted by--well, by me, in fact.

Cheers.

-Justin

Re: Private Message to Draco

[alt_draco]

Oh? And how was that?

And I wonder what the Lord Protector will make of Dolohov bringing along "outsiders" on his special excursions.

Re: Private Message to Draco

[alt_justin]

It was a bally old stroll through the garden, what.

As for the Lord Protector, I'm not quite certain it was one of his excursions. Either way, however, I certainly shan't go out of my way to tell him.

-F-F

Re: Private Message to Draco

[alt_draco]

I meant Dolohov's excursions, not the Lord Protector's.

Glad to hear you're not losing any sleep over it. Good riddance to the last of the Notts, and may their ghosts never darker our thresholds in the years to come.