alt_padma | Belinda,

Can you collect my homework assignments for the rest of the week? And most of next? And take notes too? (Linus and Morag, you too?)

We're home for a while. I just came upstairs for a bit because everyone's all over the house and my aunts are crying and Dad's

Well, it's sort of crazy here. I needed some quiet.

I thought the Headmistress maybe wanted to talk to us about what Lavender tried, you know, estral projection.

But it was much worse.

They....

They found Sanji. This morning, I guess.

Well, not found, exactly. I mean, yes, someone found him, but because he'd been left to find.

I have to go back downstairs in a few minutes. I think Parvati's going to sneak up here for a bit, too, when she can.

It's just hard to believe.

I really miss him.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

alt_sally_anne

Oh, no.

~~I was hoping~~

I am so, so sorry, Padma.

From:

alt_sally_anne

I was really hoping I was wrong, and that he'd be found alive.

I heard from Siobhan, his body was left somewhere this morning. I don't know if MLE was able to tell right away how he died.

From:

alt_ron

It's really really horrible. But

how could this happen? I mean, he was just a little boy

From:

alt_neville

I know. Padma Patil's awful, but I wouldn't wish this on any family.

From:

alt_pansy

me too. That's awful.

From:

alt_sirius

Oh, Mordred.

BUGGER.

Bill, Arthur ...? What's the word round the Ministry? Have they released what they think happened to the child?

From:

alt_mcgonagall

They haven't told me, whatever they think.

From:

alt_molly

Minerva, did you see what that beast Amycus Carrow just wrote to the girl?

From:

alt_bill

His body was in really bad shape. The family is still going head to head with the authorities about allowing an autopsy, so I don't know many of the details. What I do know would turn anybody's stomach

I got wind of an eyewitness account, of someone who was present when the body was brought in. Preliminary indications are that cruciatus was involved, and they used other torture on the poor kid, too. He was just about bled out when he died. There's no evidence that he was held by, um, a pederast. For whatever small crumb of comfort that might be for the family--although of course, nobody's openly talking about that.

From:

alt_lana

Padma,

You're not to worry about things here at school. We're collecting your assignments and compiling copies of your classmates' notes--I suspect it's the best revision some of them have done all year. Let me know if there's anything else you need.

Our thoughts are with you and your family.

From:

alt_padma

Oh, I know Professors Vector and McGonagall said that we wouldn't be held to account for anything we miss, it's just...

It's something else to do. To think about.

~~It's been so awful~~

But we'll manage. Thanks.

From:

alt_padma

Oh. I forgot to say, they might send us back to school sooner than ten days. They're arguing about whether we should count Sunday as the first day (because the Healers determined he was...that he died sometime around then) or not start counting until Wednesday, because that's when he...came back to us.

But I dunno what they'll decide. Dad's really angry about it. I've never seen him so upset.

From:

alt_lana

I'm so very sorry. Especially that there's uncertainty or disagreement about how to proceed. I hope that whatever decision your parents come to, the time at home will help you all.

We will be very glad to see you whenever you return, and I'm very sorry we, your friends, can't come and pay our respects in person.

From:

alt_draco

It's all really unfair, Padma. I don't blame your Father one bit for being angry, I would be too. Have they told you anything more about what happened to him?

From:

alt_padma

Yeah, Auror Zuckerman has been coming to the house every day; she's very nice and I think she really hates having to tell us this stuff.

They said that he'd been tortured, Draco. They think someone used him in a ritual of some kind, but no one knows why or what. And then they killed him.

But the thing is that they waited three days to bring his body back. And then they didn't even give him back properly, they took him to a funeral home, like they just wanted someone to bury him or put him in a mausoleum, and none of the antyesti had been observed or even started - he hadn't been cleaned properly or placed correctly, and we don't know if he had a lamp burning over him or not. And that's why Dad's so upset, I think. He thinks Sanji's soul can't go to Shiva, because no respect was paid right afterwards.

I probably shouldn't be talking about this, but I know you'd understand. At least when your mudblood got killed, they said it was instantly and painlessly. He and Sanji were about the same age, and Sanji was pureblooded. Why would anyone want him to die like that?

From:

alt_draco

That's terrible. Please give your family condolences from my whole family, will you?

I don't know why anyone would do that to Sanji, except that they must hate purebloods and want us all to be afraid.

I don't know much about Shiva, but I'm sure that he understands that these were special circumstances and it wasn't anyone's fault that respect wasn't paid right away.

From:

alt_amycus

Because it was useful, of course. At least whoever killed the brat took pride in his work.

Malfoy's mudblood's death could have used a touch more artistry. I do regret that.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Oh for ONCE I hope MLE is reading the journals, for ONCE. What a horrid thing to say. Is he admitting he murdered Dennis? But what a cruel thing to say to Padma.

From:

alt_neville

It's probably because it IS cruel that he said it.

Merlin, I can't believe they still let him teach here.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Did you see what Mr Malfoy said to him?

I think Mr Malfoy's hated him for years, though, and even though he's a school governor Carrow's still teaching here.

From:

alt_lucius

Carrow, you would do well not to compound the family's grief with your callous observations, nor further embed yourself in suspicion. One in your precarious position ought to practise more discretion.

But thank you, certainly, for providing another clear example to those who remain unconvinced of your total unsuitability for any kind of appointment relative to education. I have long believed your ... talents ... better put to 'usefulness,' as you say, in an arena where your savagery is a boon, rather than a bludgeon.

Miss Patil, pray ignore your erstwhile professor and his sickening remarks.

I can only echo Draco's wish that you and your family weather this tragic event as well as could be expected. It is a dreadful thing to lose one so young, and under such traumatic circumstances. Mrs Malfoy and I both extend our heartfelt sympathies to you all. Though it is cold comfort, I am sure that the MLE are doing all in their power to bring his murderer to justice.

From:

alt_padma

Thank you, Mr Malfoy.

Oh, Mr Malfoy, I'm so sorry about last week and Pansy and everything! I didn't mean anything bad about you, sir, honest I didn't, and not even really about Pansy. I don't know why I said those things. They were hateful and horrid and wrong.

But thank you for being so kind.

From:

alt_lucius

Please don't trouble yourself about that, young lady.

It's hardly the worst rumour I've heard about myself. And as for your conflict with Pansy - my wife is a very astute woman and can tell stories of fast friendships begun through similar feuds, as can my sister. Between them I understand that in young women, your rivalry may be considered something of a rite of passage.

I hope that such will be the case between you two, and that you both find a bond where before there was growing animosity. Indeed, I believe you two have much to bring you together, especially in light of common loss and new-found understanding of each others' vulnerability.

From:

alt_seamus

This is so awful Padma.

I'm so sorry.

From:

alt_padma

Yeah.

Thanks, Seamus.

Are you doing okay? Parvati said you weren't feeling well a while ago.

From:

alt_seamus

I'm okay, don't worry about me. You've got enough -- I mean you shouldn't be worrying about anyone else right now.

From:

alt_seamus

Anyway Mr Rosier sent me a letter, he said it wasn't any sort muggles who did this so it definitely wasn't Irish muggles.

That made me feel better, knowing that.

From:

alt_harry

Merlin Padma.

Was it awfully bad??

From:

alt_harry

I mean I'm really sorry. I just was wondering. I hope it was quick. I suppose that's what I mean.

From:

alt_padma

No, it wasn't. Not at all.

If you really want to know, Haruman's been putting updates in his journal for people. He's home from work, obviously, but he wants my parents to authorise an autopsy and I think he wants to be there when they do it, but Mum and Dad said that Sanji suffered enough already and that it's been four days and they just want to move on with the antyesti and not put everyone though all that.

And Mr Ashton-Scripps, the owner of the parlour where they found Sanji, he came over personally to see Mum and Dad, and Dad nearly threw him out. He has had wand out and everything. It was horrid. He said that no limey funeral home could be trusted to observe the rites properly, and that Sanji didn't even have his head facing the right direction when they laid him out. And Mr Ashton-Scripps said he certainly hoped none of us thought any of his people had anything to do with that, it was how they found him. Like, someone came in after hours and arranged him. I guess they thought he'd look peaceful that way. Well, as peaceful as he could be, considering. But it really wasn't, because nothing was done right. Or well, it was done the way someone would do it who didn't know the Hindu way, you know?

Anyway, everyone's just really tired, here, I think, and we all need to get him back so we can do what we need to do. Uncle Kapoor is making arrangements for the pyre, it'll be in the park near one of the millponds. And I guess Aunt Sivarti is donating her father's funeral jewels and his wand, and all. So things are sort of moving forward.

It's just. Mum and Dad seem kind of stuck. And that's hard. Haruman's really doing a lot. I guess it's a little easier for him, being a Healer. But I just wish they'd all stop arguing and just do it. It sounds awful, but I think it'll be easier once it's all over.

From:

alt_seamus

I looked at Haruman's journal.

I rather wish I hadn't. Merlin Padma it's really as awful as it could possibly be.

From:

alt_harry

I'm really sorry Padma. I suppose I don't know how Hindus do funerals. I actually don't think I've ever been to a funeral. Well, nobody I really knew. But a lot of things are easier once they're over.

I think I sounded really mean before. That isn't what I meant. I suppose I don't know what you are supposed to say. I mean what one is supposed to say. Father hates it when I say 'you' and mean 'one.' But you know what I mean.

From:

alt_hydra

That's dreadful.
Someone ought to pay.

From:

alt_sally_anne

People have been talking about this all day. There are people checking Haruman's journal so even if I wanted to avoid the details I couldn't because they won't stop talking about it. It must have been a wizard because the person who did it used cruciatus and so of course people have speculated.

A few people have discussed -- quietly -- whether the Patils were involved in something they shouldn't have been, and if this was to punish them. I mean, Carrow seems to think that's it, but it doesn't make any sense, not considering what Padma's like. If the Patils were being punished, it means that people can follow all the rules and do EVERYTHING right and be purebloods and still be punished.

Of course some people have suggested Black. Sirius, I mean. Or someone 'in league with Black.' So I just have to say this here.

If they end up saying it was Sirius Black who did this, it means they know who did it, and it's someone they want to protect. It means the person who killed Sanji has a Dark Mark, because they're the only people powerful enough to commit a crime like that and have MLE cover up for them. I don't care what they say, I don't believe for a minute, not for one tenth of a second, that Sirius Black would torture a little boy.

From:

alt_hermione

I don't believe he would either. Anyway, if he would, he would've done it to Harry a long time ago. You know, he's been writing to Harry for a long time now. I don't think that the Lord Protector knows, and I suppose I shouldn't have told all of you, but what I mean is, if he really wanted to kill someone, there are ever so many ways he could've done it, and I don't believe he did it, and I think you're right, Sally-Anne.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Sirius Black writes to Harry?

And Harry hasn't told his father?

Does Harry write back?

From:

alt_lavender

Whatever Madame Pomfrey dosed me with was really strong.

I've just caught up on the journals...

Oh, Padma.

I wish I could be there with you and Parvati, just to keep you company and maybe take your mind off things a bit.

Would it help to talk about Sanji, or would you rather not?

I remember the first time I was allowed over to visit, right after he was born.