Private Message to Seamus

[alt_padma]

It was brilliant to come over.

I mean, I've been having fun working in the shop with mum, designing and all, but it's actually hard work, you know?

So it was nice to just have a day to do whatever we felt like doing.

Sorry you're having a boring summer. CCF will be fun. You need to swim more, though, and not just fly.

And sorry Evgeny hasn't written to you.

But Freedom Day's going to be snitch, don't you think? And the Cryptomancy--even if I'm sure it wasn't really Siz's idea.

We should have a party before the end of hols. See if he'll let you and then we can work on the invitations and all.

Comments

[alt_seamus]

Of course it wasn't Siz's idea, it was YOURS, wasn't it?

I'll ask Mr Rosier about a party. Good idea.

[alt_padma]

No, I mean her idea to make it actually happen. I know she didn't think much of it when I suggested it.

[alt_seamus]

Maybe she was afraid of giving Parkinson ideas.

SURELY she noticed. Was there anyone who didn't?

[alt_padma]

Maybe the firsties.

But what gets me is does she think anyone doesn't notice how much she plays favourites? I mean, look who's on the trip this week. And the things they're talking about--like Astoria Greengrass (read what she wrote about the pantomime!). Which means next week it'll be all the rejects. Well, the ones she can't chuck out right away, anyway.

Oh, but that reminds me, speaking of Porkinson. Did you notice that we're going to be in Leicester for the CCF? I bet you anything that wasn't Siz's idea, either!

[alt_seamus]

Leicester. That was where her father died, wasn't it?

I suppose it's too much to hope for that she'll spend the week weeping on Perks' shoulder and we won't see much of either of them?

[alt_padma]

Hah. It's more likely that everyone will spend the whole time being extra-sensitive to her feelings about it all and treating her like she's a bubotuber about to burst into a million bits.

I mean. It's not like I don't sympathise but I'd rather people just didn't call endless attention to it. You don't see Warrington expecting everyone to fawn all over him and he lost his dad a lot more recently. You know?

[alt_seamus]

Well, you have to admit that if there is ONE thing that Parkinson is good at, it's getting people to pay attention to HER.

[alt_padma]

Too right! Daphne ought to take acting lessons from her, instead of her grandmother!

[alt_seamus]

Daphne might say there's a difference between being an actress, and being a drama queen.

[alt_seamus]

And ugh, you're right. I suppose SOMEONE has to be YPL counsellor for the losers, but it's not surprising that Siz picked you for it, is it?

[alt_padma]

No, it's not. If I so much as slip a single point in the standings next term, I'll be sure to point it out to Vector because then I'll be sure that she's playing tricks.

But the problem is am I supposed to put them all in their proper place, then, or coddle them and tell them they can still make good if they work extra hard?

I just wish it were easier to guess what Siz wants.

[alt_seamus]

Yeah. I don't suppose you could just ASK her? Maybe not in quite those terms, but -- you know, 'Professor, it's pretty well known at this point that the second group never gets to do as many nice things as the first group. What should we say to people who complain? Should we tell them that if they work harder they'll get nicer things next year or would that be a lie?'

[alt_padma]

Maybe.

But then again, I'm not so sure it's up to her anymore, either. Like the Cryptomancy. I know she didn't want to include it in anything, but someone decided it would make a good part of the programme.

There's a committee, isn't there, that tells her what to do. I wonder who's on it. Mr Rosier would know, wouldn't he?

Maybe it's the committee that will decide if the losers will get into the CCF and all.

[alt_seamus]

That's a good point about the committee. Mr Rosier WOULD know. I'll ask him.