Announcement

[alt_daphne]

To quash any rumours before they fan and flame across the school:

No, there is no new programme in place that encourages prefects to practise the Cruciatus curse on younger students.

The rules regarding the use of Cruciatus amongst the student body have not changed in any way since the beginning of the term.

If the rules do change in the future, be assured that you will first be notified by the Headmaster.

Thank you!

Comments

[alt_harry]

Thank you, Daphne. We are lucky to have you as Head Girl.

Order Only

[alt_harry]

...instead of Patil.

Private Message to Megs

[alt_ernie]

See? Nothing to worry about.

Relatively speaking, that is.

Re: Order Only

[alt_pansy]

Merlin. You can say that again.

Re: Order Only

[alt_daphne]

Naturally!

Only, I should tell the rest of you that I've been trying to forge connections between us, the galleon-holders, and some of the other students. I've advised Morwenna that she make some friends outside her house, and suggested she consider the Bones sisters, or Pansy and Sally Anne (for advice on how to skirt around Padma, in particular!).

I also tried to talk with Zach, but my is he thick. Unable to contemplate anything beyond his immediate needs and impulses. He's almost... prehistoric, or something? It's quite impressive, in its own way.

He believes you callous, Justin - particularly for a Hufflepuff. And he believes he's made it clear to you that he won't "stand aside for you now," whatever that means. I suppose he simply doesn't respect you, and for that I'm sorry.

Re: Order Only: Private Message to Daphne

[alt_alice]

Well done, Daphne.

I appreciate your calm hand at the till far more than I can say.

And I've noticed your positioning with regards to Mr Crouch, as well. Please know that I completely trust your instincts and judgement in regards to him, as well as your work at Hogwarts.

If you ever want to talk about either, I'm here.

Re: Order Only: Private Message to Daphne

[alt_daphne]

Thank you, Mrs Longbottom. If I do learn anything from Barty, you all will be the first to know, of course. He's not the most open of fellows, though, and he is exceedingly difficult to read - even for me, and that's saying something.

Re: Order Only: Private Message to Daphne

[alt_alice]

It would take a rather remarkable blend of empathy and social skills to be able to sort that particular puzzle out. Even partially.

You're one of a handful, I'd imagine, who've managed to get this far. You're a perceptive and canny witch, Daphne.

Yes, please do let us know if you learn anything. Let us know if things ever become unmanageable for you, as well.

Re: Order Only: Private Message to Daphne

[alt_daphne]

You know, there is one thing...

When I wrote to him last night, there was a note of sheer exhaustion in his tone. And something tells me it wasn't there because of his long hours in the field. I would never go so far as to say that he's in any way disenchanted with the Protectorate, as I've not got that impression at all, but even so...there's something world-weary there, I'm sure.

I'll be looking for signs of what that's about.

Oh, and thank you for your kind words. It's really just from years of thinking about characters - how they tick and what motivates them, what their desires are, and so on.

Re: Order Only: Private Message to Daphne

[alt_alice]

Please do.

It's taken a great deal of time for me, longer than it should have, to understand that nearly all people are capable of love in some way.

Barty Crouch does appear on all accounts to be quite devoted to Dolohov, and Dolohov to him in return.

This weariness you mention is likewise unexpected, but certainly not impossible, and worth exploring further.