Order Only - Private message to Hermione

[alt_draco]

So how did the questioning with Raz really go? (It would seem others are too busy welcoming Ginny Weasley to ask for more details.)

Any idea what he'll do to him? Teddy, that is. Because I can't imagine he's pleased about the whole thing. And as genial as Raz typically is, he's still not someone to cross.

Comments

[alt_hermione]

I think Justin might be the first person who ever saw her for herself, you know, and not for what everyone thought she was or was supposed to be. Even your mother has expectations for her, and I think next to Justin and her father, your mother's probably Hydra's favourite person.

And I was thinking about Katie, too. I don't know how Harry feels. I mean, I know he likes her, and he might even fancy her but I can't tell if he cares because she's nice and isn't intimidated by him or Voldemort, or if it's more than that. I know he feels awful that she's mixed up in the challenges basically because they've been dating.

I was wondering if they might not all want to--to switch things, you know, so that Harry does appear to be going out with Hydra now, and Katie's just a friend. But that probably really is a bad idea because people can't just switch feelings off, can they? I mean, even Hydra's not switching off, she's just burying it all. And I wouldn't want her to be even more unhappy, and it doesn't seem right to ask Harry and Katie to be unhappy for Hydra's sake, or to have to sneak about like they're two-timing, if they are really serious about each other.

So, yes, probably a bad idea.

[alt_draco]

She likes our cousin, too. Dora.

Ah, I should have known. I was trying to get you to come up with the idea first, because I knew if I suggested it you would tell me that it was a bad one, but now that you've come up with the idea you're taking it all apart and scrutinising it, anyway.

I think it has an elegant simplicity, myself. Harry is the only person Bellatrix would allow Hydra to date. If they present themselves as a couple, it gives Hydra a good deal more freedom, and has the added benefit of putting Teddy in his place, while raising Harry's profile at the same time.

But yes, he may not agree to it if his feelings for Katie are genuine. Even if they are genuine, what kind of future do they really have together? Not much of one, things being what they are right now.

I suppose I'll have to ask him about Bell. I hope he doesn't go odd about it. He's never really been the sort of mate you can talk to about girls. Too much the chivalrous Gryffindor.

[alt_hermione]

Oh, because you've told him every last detail about snogging Daphne and Demelza and Pansy, I suppose?

[alt_draco]

Don't be mad. I haven't snogged Demelza. That was her sister, and she -

She's honestly not worth mentioning.

The blokes who do tend to talk about that sort of thing are like Blaise, or Gamp. They want it known that they can make a girl weak in the knees. Harry's pretty much the opposite of that, and so am I, except in situations where such banter is called for.

[alt_hermione]

Demelza hasn't got a sister at school.

[alt_hermione]

Oh.

[alt_hermione]

OH!

[alt_draco]

She practically assaulted me, if you must know.

[alt_draco]

Anyway, what's my romantic life, or lack thereof, got to do with Harry?

[alt_hermione]

I didn't say it had anything to do with Harry. You said he never talks about girls, but if you never talk about girls, why should he?

And. About Rowena Robins...I didn't think that sort of thing happened to boys. I mean, I suppose I didn't think any boys I know would say No to that sort of thing, if it were on offer. I mean, I can think of reasons why a boy might not want to snog but I always thought--well, you know, that once things--once things reach a certain point, I mean--that boys would rather do than not do, you know?

Unless the boy were in a position where he couldn't say no. Like those men Strangeweale had for studs. And...things like that.

I mean, if you didn't want her to 'assault' you, you could have just told her. Or hexed her. And no one would have said anything about it.

[alt_draco]

I used to talk to him about Pansy, some. But it's different now, with Daphs.

Generally speaking, you're correct. Mostly because boys are encouraged to sow their wild oats and get lots of experience, while girls are advised to wait for True Love. But just because boys are encouraged to do something doesn't mean they automatically want to do it.

I couldn't hex Rowena because she was talking about my father and I wanted to see what she was going on about. And it isn't as if it's easy for a bloke to gracefully remove himself from such an entanglement, once it gets going. So while it wasn't precisely an assault, I really can't say I enjoyed it.