alt_padma | Prefects

Congratulations to the fifth-year Prefects! I got my letter this morning and Linus wrote to say he did, too. And then I got a letter from Diggory (congratulations to you, too, Cedric! And to Melinda Pennifold, Head Boy and Girl) reminding the Prefects that we've got our first meeting on the train to Hogwarts.

I'm sure we're all in well-organised hands this year, though understandably Melinda's distracted by Ned and Lana's wedding in a week. (I can't believe it's a week away! I'm putting the final touches on my formal robes today, too, since we'll be at CCF starting tomorrow, so they have to be ready. I hope they still hang right. It's only a week but given how much weight I lost last summer, with all the exercise and all, it could be a bit of a change.) Thanks again, Lana, for inviting me--and Professor Sinistra, thanks for making sure that the few of us who are going were able to leave CCF for it.

I've still got so much packing to do! It's times like this I wish mum would get us a proper mudblood but then, I guess that's what wands are for, too.

Oh, and I hope everyone was satisfied with the marks from last year's exams? I was a little disappointed in my Charms mark but I'm sure it's nothing I can't make up this year before O.W.L.s.

Remember, History Club is still planning to meet after CCF, but I heard that there'll be loads to interest us on the exercises, as it's an important part of the training this year to study up on the final years of Our Lord's rise. But when we get back, we've also got a walking tour planned in New London (we thought maybe Cheapside, the old cathedral and maybe as far as the Barbican site).

So who else will we see in the Prefects' cars on the train? I'm looking forward to working with everyone!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He failed almost all his O.W.L.s. Except for Arithmancy and something else--Creatures, I think, maybe. I'm not sure.

Corner knows more about it, he's somewhat chummy with Steve Capper, Thom's brother. You know there are two girls, too, but one's already left school and the sister is fostered somewhere else, I dunno who her foster-parents are. Michael says that Steve says she's been trying to get custody of him and his sister but so far she's not had any luck.

Anyway. Thom got his letter today telling him he only has the two O.W.L.s and that as a result he won't be allowed to return to school in the autumn term. Steve wasn't sure if their foster-parents would be willing to try to keep him on, or even if Education or Purity Control or whichever one it is will let him stay with his foster family, even if they want him to stay.

But they'll never do that to a pureblood, certainly not one from a really respectable family, right?

I mean, you're right, of course, marks do matter in the long run, but not the same way for you as for other people. You don't have to go out and look for a job, for instance.

Well, that's a blow. For him, I mean. And after so many of our professors were running around trying to help him, too. Don't know the bloke well, but I can't help but think he could have scrapped together a few more O.W.L.s than that, or how else did he even get a Hogwarts letter in the first place?

No, they wouldn't do that to a pureblood, not a loyal one at least. No, for that they'd figure out something entirely different.

Are you and others really under the impression that my parents would let me get away without having a job? If anything, they expect me to have a better job than Father does. I'm supposed to improve on the family name, not coast along on it. It might not be the sort of pressure other people face, but it's its own special variety.

Yeah, I can well imagine that Professor Vector is beyond frustrated. She's been telling him for years that he's a prodigy at Arithmancy but that he oughtn't to waste it by neglecting everything else.

What do you mean something different? I think a pureblood who doesn't qualify would just be a burden on his family but there are some jobs out there. Like, I dunno, conductor on the Knight Bus or something. Or sweeping up someone's shop.

And no, of course, everyone knows that you're going to do great things, Draco. But what I mean is that you basically have your pick of whatever you want to do. You could be Minister if you wanted, or run the WWN or own your own Quidditch team. See?

I mean, I'll probably work with Mum in her shop, or Pav will, or I might still go for a Potioneer, but someone like, say, Jones, she'll have to interview and search and apply and hope someone gives her a chance. That's what I mean. You don't have to worry about that; you just have to pick what you want.

That's just it, it would be up to the family. But that doesn't mean it'd be pleasant or easy to come home as a burden and disappointment. Hydra is a pureblood; so is Teddy. I wouldn't want to let down either of their parents, would you?

Yes, it's quite the privilege, being able to know you can do anything (provided you don't muck it up). Like drive the Knight Bus - my secret dream, you know.

I think you ought to go for Potioneer, for what it's worth.

It's bad enough envisioning disappointing either of my own parents. Especially Dad, even though--well, even though he doesn't seem to harp on our marks so much these days. ~~He's barely even around enough to~~

I do want to go for Potioneer, but I know Mum wants at least one of us to inherit the business. And Pav's got a great sense of fashion, you know, but she's not quite as good at designing. So I might not have a choice about it. Or we might work something out where we work together so I can brew on the side.

But Draco, if you drove the Knight Bus, it'd be the best transport in the Protectorate! It wouldn't be bumpy or make people spill their tea, and you'd run it much more efficiently and people would really enjoy it. Or you could create a whole network, like a fleet of buses, and they'd be extra posh and all.

And the best part is that you could decide who gets to ride and who doesn't!

Prefects

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