Padma Patil

I know it's my turn soon but I just had to say that Irish muggle never had a chance against you. I'm sure you've done Mr Rosier proud. And Our Lord, I hope!

Seamus, have you read this morning's paper? All of it, I mean?

There's an item in the Commerce pages saying that Sharrow Bay on Ullswater's been closed. Sharrow Bay, isn't that where Pavs said she went for Inderpal just two weeks ago? I remember her saying she thought it was so odd that he sent her all the way there for their steamed mussels when they can get perfectly fine food in New London. And now the paper says the owner went missing sometime last week so they've had to shut down.

The thing is, Pavs sent me an owl this morning, too--with something similar. Her note says that a few months back, he recommended a jeweller in Yardley and she really liked her stock. So she went back last week hoping to find some presents, but it was gone. Burned down.

I think I'm going to write her for a list of places he's sent her. Madam Pince keeps the old Prophets for a while. Maybe it's worth looking into how many shops he frequents that aren't around anymore.

I got your owl. You know how Dovs is doing these lectures and such? Well, even if you're not at all interested in the topics, you could come for those. I mean, Inderpal can't object, even if you don't think he would anyway, and then we can go and talk and he'll never know the difference.

Anyway, I'm still not sure what you think is so odd. Obviously he travels loads for work and he has loads of places to patronise. He's not building up piles of debt or anything, is he?

Oh, also, if you come up this Sunday, we can grab Seamus and talk to him about it, too.

Everything here is the same old boring stuff, especially compared to being at Erewash. It was really amazing, Pavs. I mean, it was frightening, but really exciting, too. School just doesn't come close, even with feathers disrupting supper and people writing all over the walls. In an odd way I'm grateful we were called out to the field, you know? I mean, Lana and Professor Desai and Dovs--even Seamus--were all sort of whinging on and on and on about how awful I was at duelling. And really, I'm not that dreadful, but being in battles like that is just different from anything we did at CCF. I mean, CCF was meant to approximate what it's like but really it's not the same at all. But because of Erewash, they all saw that I really am up to the job, you know? I mean, I may not ever be the sort of proper warlock that Auror Lestrange is, but honestly, who is?

So even though it was rather horrid, fighting those muggles like that, and sometimes scary, at least it was a chance to prove that I'm not completely naff. And yes, the dreams aren't nearly as bad as they were at first. Thanks. I'd be grateful if you never mention any of that stuff to Mum and Dad. Haruman might have some idea, I think--he wrote to me afterward, did I tell you?--but you know how Mum and Dad are, they'll just get all the wrong notions. Being on the Council really is the most important thing that's happened to our family. Sorry, I know they're still well proud of you getting married already, but honestly the advantages our family will have are so much more enhanced now that I'm on the Council. Not that Inderpal's not influential, or anything. I mean, I'm sure he is, and he's the luckiest husband in the Protectorate because he's got you.

But if Mum and Dad think it's all danger and nasty muggles trying to blow us up or set us on fire, they'll take away all the wrong sorts of ideas. It was bad enough that the papers had so much in them. (And that's odd, too, isn't it? I mean, the Prophet seems to have loads of unpleasantness in it nowadays. Does Inderpal think that the Wireless has more in its broadcasts lately that--well, that criticises Minister Fudge? Because the Prophet certainly does.)

Anyway. Come on Sunday if you can and we'll use the chance to talk. That way you don't have to get away for a whole Saturday in Hogsmeade. And let me know if you want Seamus's opinion, too, he's really good at figuring out whether there's anything suspicious in someone's actions. I'm sure Inderpal's not having an affair, though--I mean, you haven't even been married for six months! I mean, you're happy together, aren't you? And he's not--asking you to do things you don't want?

So I don't think that could be it. Still, you could ask Haruman if maybe he can talk to Inderpal sometime, man-to-man, you know, and see if he talks about anyone else. Or if he mentions knowing loads about gentlewizard's clubs and things like that. (I mean, I guess he could be attracted to some gori and has to hide it, but if that's the case, well, I think you'd probably be better off pretending not to know about it.)

Look, just come on Sunday, okay?

I still can't believe he came downstairs in those Gryffindor robes. Did anyone say anything to him about it, do you know? I mean, can he even do that?

And then tonight, the tables? I don't know whether to call it a stroke of genius on Antonin's part or complete madness.

But what about Lana being named Head of your House? That should help you, don't you think? I mean, given how the rest of your House tend to take on airs. She'll put them straight.

You don't think Marvolo changed Houses just to keep an eye on you, do you? He's been chummy with Weasley since Malfoy was kidnapped, so maybe it's just so he can turn the Weasel into a new best mate.

I've also been thinking about what Antonin said about rooting out disloyalty. Obviously with Lana as your Head of House now she'll be able to detect any sign of treason but I think we have an advantage because we're a bit closer to things, you know? I think maybe that's why Our Lord wanted a younger group of Councilwizards, maybe, because we'll be better able to determine who might be growing into a traitor, because of what they're questioning or who their other mates are.

Oh, I just thought of something: Remember how Malfoy used to say that Longbum was hiding something? You don't think Marvolo's moved to Gryffindor to spy on him, do you? Himself?

Maybe he's decided to go...undercover, like an Auror. And he wants Weasley and Longbottom and the others to feel like they can trust him, so they'll tell him all their worst, most seditious thoughts.

Professor,

I really enjoyed that book on reflexive exercises. I know it's only been a week or so, but I think it's already helping. Also, running after lessons has been a good habit to start again. I've thought about trying to find time for Natya as well, but--well, I dunno. Marvolo seems to think it's disrespectful to Our Lord to practise anything too...too ethnic. So perhaps there are other activities that would help with balance and core strength. What methods do you use, if you don't mind my asking?

I wanted to ask if you're planning to go to New London over the Hogsmeade weekend? Because Headmaster Dolohov offered to take me to Ouroboros and Elysian and all the other Council places, to register, but if you were already going down to Town, I thought perhaps to go with you, and save him the trouble.

Padma

So. I didn't talk to Tosha about needing to polish my duelling (though, I guess, I need it, although who has the time? Oh, anyway, I'll figure it out). Did you?

Do you think it was Lestrange? Or Marvolo? I'll bet French-Finnicky's part of the reason we now have a duelling 'salle' (I mean, that's French, isn't it?).

And I'm not sure I like the way Tosha says Council disputes get 'spirited' as if pulling out a wand and hexing someone else is just all part of normal business.

Not that there aren't people I wouldn't hex just on a whim, if I thought I could get away with it. Weasel, for example, the way he tried to make it sound like I failed the whole side for getting hexed in Defence last week.

But whatever. Duelling. Fine.

I'm all right, I'm back home, I just can't sleep.

Having Haruman right there probably saved a lot of people's lives. I don't know how anything like that could have happened, or why anyone would care to disrupt my sister's wedding like that. I mean, Inderpal's job isn't that important.

Anyway, one of my aunts is still in St M's but I think everyone else is all right? I'm not sure. They gave me a potion meant for sleeping but all it's done is make me all groggy.

There were some servers killed, I think. I think I heard someone say that. Muggleborns maybe or Muggles, I don't know. So whoever did it wasn't very effective.

Pavs and Inderpal decided still to go to Wight for the honeymoon. They'll leave Monday, though, instead of tomorrow.

Dear Lana,

How are you? I hope you're having a good summer. It certainly seems quiet from where the rest of us sit, which must mean you Aurors are keeping us all quite safe!

I wanted to check in with you, as my sponsor. I know that now that I'm on the Council you're technically not responsible for me, but it was your confidence in my skills that helped Our Lord to notice me in the first place. And I know that my actions still reflect on you, so please believe I don't want to do anything that would damage your reputation among our colleagues in any way.

So, I thought you would like to know that since Seamus and I were Marked, Harry has been asking us to accompany him all round the Protectorate. We've been going to camps and schools and things. I think he's touring so that he'll be ready to assume some sorts of responsibilities once we leave school, y'know, and he wants to build up contacts and establish a profile all over the country with administrators and teachers and so on so that when Our Lord puts him in charge of whatever he's to take over, he'll already have relationships with people. Which is really rather clever, honestly. And I'm honoured that he's chosen me and Seamus to go with him, obviously.

But something odd happened when we were on our last outing. We were talking about Pavs' wedding, coming up, and out of nowhere, Harry said that now that I'm on the Council, I'd have to set aside our religion.

Well, I know he doesn't really have a religion, not the same way some of us do--although of course, everyone seems to celebrate Christmas and things like that--so I tried to reassure him that there's no conflict at all between observing my family's traditions and also being a devoted servant to Our Lord. And he sort of squinted at me, y'know, and said that he wasn't saying it as a suggestion.

I'm not sure exactly what he thinks he means by that--I mean, I know what he thinks he means, and I would never ever want to offend Our Lord by disrespecting Harry. It just seemed so very strange that he would focus on that one thing. And I mean, again, it sounded like the kind of thing that only someone who doesn't really understand a family's religious traditions would say. As if lighting incense or paying homage to our ancestors would present a problem for Our Lord.

But you didn't stop being Catholic just because Our Lord added you to His Council. And I know Professor Dolohov considers himself both Orthodox and Egyptian, so he technically observes two religions. And like I said, everyone celebrates Christmas and no one thinks that's an issue. I just don't understand why it would even occur to Harry to be so insistent about it. And I mean, he sort of was fierce, especially for him. I mean, I don't know how well you know him but you know he tends to be awfully, well, feeble when it comes to telling people what to do. I'm sure it's something he'll get better at doing, with time, and maybe he was practising? But he was definitely trying to be stern about it. Honestly it was hard not to laugh, because he was terribly sincere, and it's such a silly thing for him to decide to care about. Is it just because he doesn't know anything about Hinduism?

So, I'm not really sure what to do. I mean, Harry's Harry, not Our Lord, but on the other hand, he is Our Lord's son and I want to respect that, of course. But he just doesn't know what he's saying. Or rather, he doesn't understand why what he's saying is rubbish. And I don't want to upset or offend him but it's really rather ridiculous to take that sort of an order from him when it's not even something required of being on the Council. I'm trying to think of a way to explain that to him, gently, of course.

Unless, of course, Our Lord does feel that it's problematic? But if He did, then why wouldn't He have asked us to give it up before we swore our loyalty oath?

Well, anyway. I'm interested to hear what you think about it.

With great regard,

Padma

Seamus!

Were you summoned to Court this afternoon? I was! It must mean that they've made their recommendations for the Council, mustn't it? Do you think everyone's been summoned or just the top few?

I've been getting ready all day. I imagine it's less of a bother for you, being a boy and all, and besides I'm sure you've been to Court loads of times but I haven't been and I just want to present myself really well, you know?

But I'm also really nervous. I mean, just being summoned doesn't necessarily mean anything, does it? It could easily be all the challengers and they're going to thank us for our dedication and ask us to stay and watch whomever gets chosen take the Mark. Or it could be the top five, maybe, and then Our Lord will make His choice out of everyone who's got this far.

So I don't want to get too hopeful about it.

It's really exciting, though. Oh, please tell me you were also invited! I'll be ever so relieved if we're both going.

Oh, but you might be getting ready, too, I guess, so if I don't hear from you I'll just hope to see you there! (And if you weren't...well, it's not fair if you weren't but I'll tell you all about it later.)

I guess he really doesn't have anything else to do now that Lestrange and Marvolo are together.