Private Message to Seamus Finnigan

[alt_padma]

I've been thinking that we could make History Club into more of a Charms and Duel Revising night, if we wanted to do, but that maybe we ought to wait until we know more about the Tournament and who the Hogwarts Champion will be. Does that make sense? Or should we keep on even though we haven't had much in the way of new people so far this year? I think more people are going to be interested in exchanging spellbooks than history books, though.

But. I wanted to ask you about something else, too. Not in the Great Hall, there're too many people about.

The thing is...I was in the library last night with Tamblyn, the Moons, Capper and some of the others, and I went to get a copy of the Anthology of Eighteenth Century Charms and I saw Cox, Samuels and Page. I hung back a bit, you know, so I wouldn't bump right into Grant them all. They were talking and sort of chuckling about various people this year, especially people getting all hopeful about the visiting students. Well, a little bit later, Sloper and Ken Towler joined them. And Sloper said--something about Hooper. Geoff Hooper, I mean, not either of his brothers. I don't know if you want to know what it was they said, though.

Well, it wasn't long before Johnson came along and told them all to shut it. But they were all sort of sniggering about it.

It's just--if it's not true, what they said, then Hooper ought to know they're saying it. And if it is true (and Towler would know, wouldn't he, or the Weasley twins, they're all in the same dormitory), then I think you ought to know. Because you spend so much time with him.

So. Do you want me to tell you? Or do you want to talk to him first and see what he says?

Comments

[alt_seamus]

I thought I'd ask Geoff but I decided it would be better to find out from you what they were saying.

Did it have something to do with his brother, his traitor brother?

Or was it something else?

[alt_padma]

No, it wasn't about either of his brothers. It was definitely about him.

They said he's a shirt-lifter. I mean, I don't think it's true, right? Because he's mated about with you loads of times and he's never tried anything inappropriate.

Unless he has done?

See? I don't want them spreading rumours that aren't true, of course, but if it is true, then I wanted you to know so you'd be able to decide if you're--well, comfortable staying friends.

[alt_padma]

Not that it's wrong if he is a poufter, of course! I mean, Mum knows a fair few of them, like I told you before. It's just--well, I think you should be able to choose if you want to associate with a bloke who fancies other blokes. That's all.

[alt_seamus]

If you knew he was a poufter would you still be willing to be around him? I mean given your mum knows so many.

[alt_padma]

Well, I don't really care one way or another. I mean, he's not a traitor, although I dunno, it's not particularly patriotic, is it, to pair off with another boy and not a girl, and not have babies and all. But I guess that's not something they can really control, either. Is it? I mean, they'd surely be normal if they could be, right?

But anyway, it doesn't matter to me, it's you, don't you see? Because if I had a gay mate that would be okay. I'm a girl. But a boy can't have a gay mate, can he? Without everyone sniggering and spreading rumours and saying that he's after you.

[alt_seamus]

You're right, people will snigger and spread rumours. We should probably avoid each other for a while.

Geoff Hooper is gay, Padma, and so am I.

[alt_padma]

Really?! Are you sure

Oh, I see.

Don't be cross. I said it's okay to have a friend who's, er, gay.

I just didn't know that it would be you.

[alt_seamus]

I'm not cross. I figured if you said that it would probably be okay, in the end.

Geoff told a few people he thought he could trust. Although maybe one of them is the one who spread it around about him? I don't know. Anyway he actually told me once he thought I could tell you.

[alt_seamus]

And you're right it's not really something you can help.

I tried for two years to make myself fancy Lavender. I mean, not that she'd necessarily want to be my girlfriend, but there's nothing ABNORMAL about fancying a girl who doesn't fancy you back! And I can tell that she's pretty. Beautiful, even! And I like looking at her. But I don't want to snog her. At all.

I don't know what I'll do about babies. That's a good point. I just don't know.

[alt_padma]

Well, no, of course not. And Lav never has fancied you, not even a bit.

I guess it all makes sense now, in a way.

Huh.

[alt_seamus]

I could tell Lav didn't fancy me. She likes older boys, tall, with some muscle, and I'm pretty certain she prefers them with blond hair. Draco would be perfect for her but he's stuck on Parkinson.

[alt_padma]

I know, don't remind me. Ugh.

And I thought...well, that is, I've heard people wondering whether Parkinson and Perks are queer, too. But Draco won't hear a word about it. Says it's complete rubbish.

I guess this goes to show you can be very close to someone but not know even the most basic things about them.

(Not that I really think Parkinson and Perks are snogging each other. But you have to admit they certainly don't make it hard to think they could be!)

[alt_seamus]

I've wondered that about Parkinson and Perks, too!

I don't know a lot about girl shirt lifters lesbians. Perks is really secretive but that could just be because of her family.

[alt_seamus]

I'm pretty sure Parkinson does like boys.

I don't know about Perks, though.

[alt_padma]

Only we're not telling my dad, okay? Because he doesn't approve of that sort of thing, even though that's silly.

Does.... Does Mr Rosier know? I mean, have you told anyone else?

[alt_seamus]

I sort of hinted about it to Mr Rosier.

He told me not to worry about it.

I think either he didn't understand what I was telling him, or he thinks it's a phase.

I'm certainly not telling your dad! You're almost the first person I've told. Other than Geoff.

[alt_padma]

Well, don't worry, I shan't tell anyone else if you don't want me to do. Even Lav. Even Parvati.

[alt_seamus]

Thank you.

[alt_seamus]

I'm glad they're not saying he's a traitor, like his brother. Because he's not.